Engineering Commons^™

Development Of Numerical Tools And Performance Metrics For Analysis Of Optical Particle Counters, Doug Webb

Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring air quality is essential for understanding and mitigating the health impacts of airborne particulate matter (PM), which is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Optical particle counters (OPCs) are widely used for air quality monitoring, yet their precision and accuracy remain uncertain due to inconsistent performance evaluations. In this thesis, performance metrics are developed that can be used to assess the accuracy of OPCs in measuring PM concentrations and size distributions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are employed to analyze the behavior of particle-laden air streams through representative OPC models. The impact of design parameters is quantified using newly …

Tracing Tremor: From Upper-Limb Neuromusculoskeletal Dynamics To Movement Signatures In Essential Tremor, Landon J. Beutler

Theses and Dissertations

Tremor is a common neurological condition that significantly impairs the quality of life for millions. Despite this prevalence, the underlying mechanisms of its propagation remain poorly understood, and current treatment options often rely on trial-and-error methods. Moreover, the most common type, Essential Tremor (ET), presents a unique challenge due to its heterogeneity--patients exhibit a wide range of symptoms, severities, and responses to treatment. This thesis primarily advances tremor understanding through computational modeling, with a secondary focus on data-driven subtyping of ET via cluster analysis. These parallel paths aim to improve both mechanistic insight and clinical classification. Tremor propagation refers to …

Development Of Low-Cost Small-Batch Flibe Filtration, And A Comparison Of Uranium Tetrafluoride And Ionic Oxygen Oxidation In Flibe, Jacob D. Christensen

Theses and Dissertations

Low-cost benchtop-scale molten fluoride salt cleaning was investigated in FLiBe (LiF-BeF2), focusing on electrochemical cleaning and filtration. FLiBe filtration was demonstrated using both pressurized and open filtration systems. Copper and 400 Monel meshes were effective and reusable. Wetting appears to be the primary obstacle to FLiBe filtration. Oxygen oxidation behavior in FLiBe was examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and cyclic square wave voltammetry (CSWV) techniques. Standard addition height measurement was used to determine electrode surface area. Results support a single-step 2-electron process, matching observations in literature. Pt electrodes may be prone to oxidative side reactions, although more investigation is required. …

Towards Applying Artificial Intelligence To Solve Np-Complete Problems Using Quantum Computing, Andrew Robert Haverly

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the methodology for more thoroughly entangling artificial intelligence and quantum computing. This is explored through a background search of problems solved using Grover’s quantum algorithm, a new quantum protein folding and drug discovery algorithm, using Grover’s algorithm to train quantum artificial neural networks, using quantum artificial neural networks for reinforcement learning, mapping classical assembly instructions to quantum circuits to make quantum programming easier, and using prompt engineering to get a classical artificial intelligence agent to solve an NP-Complete problem using a Grover’s algorithm. This method not only simplifies the creation of algorithms but also opens new avenues …

The Effect Of Wall Temperature And Transpiration On Görtler Vortices In High-Speed Boundary Layers, Asmaa Ahaggach

Theses and Dissertations

Görtler vortices are counterrotating flow structures generated as a result of the imbalance between the wall radial pressure gradients and the centrifugal forces in a boundary layer developing on a curved surface. Their presence leads to secondary instabilities and increases the wall shear stress as they accelerate the transition from laminar to turbulent flow. These secondary instabilities can be mitigated using control techniques aimed at decreasing the energy and the wall shear stress. In this thesis, the combined effect of wall temperature and transpiration on Görtler vortices developing in supersonic and hypersonic boundary layers is investigated. Görtler vortices are excited …

Load Balancing For Stream Processing In Edge Computing, Faiza Akram

Theses and Dissertations

Unlike cloud-based systems, where resources are centralized for data processing and located at a distance from the source, leading to an increase in the response time, edge computing emerges as a transformative paradigm that processes the data closer to the sources to meet the application’s service requirements. Since the resources in edge computing are distributed and limited, load balancing is crucial. To ensure the prevention of bottlenecks and failures in resource-constrained environments, load balancing is an important aspect of edge computing as it optimizes resource utilization while maintaining the requirements of low-latency applications, improved fault tolerance, energy efficiency, adaptability, scalability, …

Calibration And Validation Of The Thermal Finite Element Model For Er120s-G Wire Arc Directed Energy Deposition Using Infrared Cameras And Thermocouples, Joshua Mykl Bassett

Theses and Dissertations

Wire Arc Directed Energy Deposition (WA-DED) is a promising additive manufacturing method for producing large metallic components with high deposition rates and low costs. However, its rapid heat input can lead to residual stress, microstructural changes, and dimensional inaccuracies. Accurate thermal modeling is essential to mitigate these effects. This study presents a thermal calibration of a finite element model (FEM) for ER120S-G using thermocouples and infrared (IR) imaging. Thermal data were gathered from three experiments to complete the calibration of the FEM . Calibration focused on tuning the Goldak heat source parameters, power efficiency, and heat transfer coefficients to minimize …

Transforming Movement Assessment In Physical Therapy Through Subaquatic Data Collection, Kaitlyn Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the interest and perceived barriers to integrating subaquatic diagnostic technologies (SDTs) into hydrotherapy among licensed physical therapists. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted using a mixed-methods design, with 15 interviews included in the final analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using chi-square tests, while qualitative responses were coded thematically. Results indicated no statistically significant relationships between SDT interest and career stage or hydrotherapy access, though qualitative data highlighted concerns about cost, limited access, and usability. Despite mixed interest in adoption, participants identified several potential benefits of SDTs, including improved treatment tailoring, increased patient buy-in, and enhanced outcome monitoring. Functional …

Thermo-Mechanical Advancements For Very High Strength And Ultra High Performance Concretes, Lana Grayson Brown Sisung

Theses and Dissertations

Interest in the use of high-strength concrete (HSC) has increased in recent years with demand for improved concrete performance. HSCs are widely associated with high heat of hydration and elusive behavior when exposed to high temperatures commonly occurring in mass structures. The optimization of HSC mixture proportioning is difficult due to a wide variety of constituents that influence thermal and mechanical properties. Additionally, determining in-place properties of mass concrete placements is elusive, and there are currently minimal to no test methods available that are both predictive and a direct measurement of mechanical properties. The objective of this dissertation is to …

Non-Thermal Dbd Plasma-Induced Co₂ Capture And Conversion To Value Added Chemicals, Chinwendu Theresa Umeojiakor

Theses and Dissertations

Electrified CO2 conversion via nonthermal dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasma presents a promising pathway for integrating renewable energy into the carbon cycle, addressing the dual challenges of CO2 reduction and sustainable fuel generation. In this research, DBD plasma technology was integrated with a sorbent material and/or catalytic materials for CO2 desorption and conversion. Specifically, with Ni/Al2O3 as the catalyst, we investigated CO2 splitting (CO2 to CO and 0.5O2) and hydrogenation (CO2 and H2 to CO and H2O) under adiabatic and subcooled conditions. We find that CO2 splitting shows higher efficiency than hydrogenation, particularly at relatively lower power inputs. While CO2 hydrogenation …

Seasonal Variation In Modulus Of Cement-Treated Base Layers And Untreated Base Layers In Utah, Mason Robert Kessler Millard

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to compare the stiffness of cement-treated base (CTB) layers and untreated base course (UTBC) layers in a cold region through a typical year. The scope of work included testing of three residential pavement segments comprising CTB layers and two comparable pavement segments comprising UTBC layers in northern Utah. Design thicknesses were verified through drilling and dynamic cone penetrometer testing in September 2024. Following 3 to 15 years of service, the sites were evaluated using portable falling-weight deflectometer (PFWD) testing in May 2024, July 2024, September 2024, November 2024, January 2025, and March 2025. After …

Rotor Interaction Aerodynamics: Influence Of Phase And Spacing On Wake And Pressure Behavior, Nathan D. Welker

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the aerodynamic behavior and interactions in the flow-fields of dual rotor systems. The experiments used Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) combined with pressure and force measurements to characterize the flow with an emphasis on side-by-side rotor flows at small separation distances. This work is separated into six main chapters: first, the topic is introduced with a thorough literature review in Chapter 1, the methodology and details of the experiments are discussed in detail in Chapter 2; the effects of phase offset on dual-rotor rotor flows is explored in Chapter 3; the influence of separation distance on the side-by-side …

Coding For Nonstandard Channels: A Capacity-Oriented Approach, J Daniel Harman

Theses and Dissertations

This work addresses the issue of coding for non-standard channel models with an emphasis on capacity-oriented channel analysis and system design. The first channel studied is the Wyner wiretap channel. Channel sounding results were obtained to calculate the capacity for the multi-antenna case of the Wyner wiretap channel to ascertain the potential for secure communication via secrecy coding. The second channel studied is an asymmetric binary crossover erasure channel (ABCEC) with a short-blocklength constraint. The capacity for this channel was derived, and linear codes were chosen and tested. Another study was conducted on the ABCEC within a degraded wiretap channel …

Predicting The Yield Strength Of Aluminum Alloys Based On Composition, Clinton K. Waite

Theses and Dissertations

This work describes a model to predict the yield strength of aluminum alloys, in either an annealed or T6 (peak aged) state, based solely on its composition. This is accomplished through the analyses of strengthening mechanisms common to aluminum, of which a novel semi-empirical model to predict precipitation strengthening is discussed. Solid solution strengthening and grain boundary strengthening are more simplistically considered but with significant accuracy. It is shown that by combining the strength contributions of each strengthening mechanism, the overall yield strength can be predicted by its composition in any of the 1xxx-7xxx series alloys. This allows the model …

Enhanced Nanomechanical, Tribological And Electrical Properties Of Ni-Cr Coatings Via Max Phase Reinforcement And Metallic Interlayers, Mohammad Ashikul Alam

Theses and Dissertations

Nickel-Chromium (Ni-Cr) coatings are widely used in industrial applications due to their resistance to oxidation, thermal stability, and adjustable electrical and mechanical properties. However, achieving improved multifunctional performance across various use cases ranging from extreme tribological environments to microscale device integration remains a significant challenge. This thesis explores two complementary strategies for enhancing the performance of Ni-Cr coatings in both thick and thin film configurations, aiming to address limitations in wear resistance, durability, adhesion, and electrical conductivity. For thick coatings, Ni-Cr was reinforced with Ti3SiC2 MAX phase particles and processed using selective laser sintering (SLS) with optimized parameters. The addition …

An Active Quasi-Circulator Ic And Technique For 1-255 Mhz Resonance-Based Spectroscopic Impedance Plethysmography, Sharisse Poff

Theses and Dissertations

Impedance measurement is a promising avenue for noninvasive glucosemonitoring. Specifically,resonance-basedimpedancemeasurements exhibit good correlation with glucose levels at excitations from tens of MHztoover 100 MHz. Additionally, plethysmographic impedance measurements are needed to separate arterial blood signals, which contain strongerglucose information, frominterstitialfluidsignals. Weanticipate that plethysmographic measurements across a range of frequencies— spectroscopic plethysmography—at excitations from tens to over 100 MHz could enable resonance-based monitoring with higher selectivity for arterial glucose than previous work. Afour-point impedance measurement circuit is designed, and its ability to measure constant and periodically time-varying impedance is demonstrated. This circuit presents high impedance to the device-undertest (DUT), which fails …

Designing A User-Centered Bias System To Enhance Media Literacy And Factual Accuracy, Anjali Majan

Theses and Dissertations

In an era of rapid news consumption, readers often struggle to detect bias and misinformation. This study examined whether interface design can support more critical engagement with news. We developed a progressive disclosure interface that encouraged users to reflect as they read by gradually revealing bias and factual cues. Participants were assigned to either Progressive Disclosure or Ground News. The experiment involved two phases. In the intervention phase, participants used an interface with support features. In the assessment phase, they completed tasks without the tool. We evaluated their performance using five measures: bias recognition accuracy, bias shift, factuality judgment, overlap …

Shape Memory Behavior In Medium To High Entropy Shape Memory Alloys: Design, Prediction, And Experimental Analysis, Hatim Raji

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation provides a data-driven system integrating synthetic data generation and machine learning (ML) techniques to create multicomponent SMA compositions with specific transformation temperatures (TTs). Models were trained to represent the nonlinear dependencies influencing martensitic transformation behavior by using elemental, thermodynamic, and process-related aspects. The capacity of the ML models on medium entropy NiTiHfPd and high entropy NiTiHfZrCu systems accuracy was confirmed by experimental validation showing TTs closely matched with model outputs.

Bilateral Leading Edges With Tubercle Modifications: An Experimental Study, Roberto Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing demand for better performance and maneuverability from airfoils to sustain superior performance over a wide range of platforms, including vehicles, propellers, and wing designs, continues to grow. Researchers have drawn inspiration from nature, looking at birds of prey, dragonflies, and humpback whales for aerodynamic improvements. Among these, tubercle airfoils, inspired by the humpback whale’s flipper, have gained increasing interest. This experimental study presents the results of bilateral tubercle leading-edge airfoils based on a modified NACA 0018 design with a chord length of 1.82 inches, a span width of 7.5 inches, and an amplitude of 6.3c%. Five configurations were …

Development Of A Wearable Biosensor For Cortisol Detection In Human Sweat Utilizing Pani/Peo Polymer Blend And Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots, Cesar Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

Since the development of the first biosensor in 1962, the evolution of commercially available wearable biosensors has been driven by an increasing consumer interest in real-time health tracking. However, challenges related to sensor sensitivity and cost have hindered progress. Deploying a novel approach, the biosensor integrates a blend of Polyaniline (PANi) and Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) along with Nitrogen-doped Graphene Quantum Dots (N-GQDs) to enhance sensitivity and electroactivity, crucial for cortisol detection. To optimize performance, three distinct synthesis methods for N-GQDs; hydrothermal, microwave, and hot plate synthesis were compared employing a bottom-up approach utilizing citric acid (CA) as the primary reactant …

Primary And Parametric Resonances Of Angled Mems And Nems Cantilever Resonators, Benjamin Matthew Huerta

Theses and Dissertations

This work investigates the resonances of electrostatically actuated micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) uniform cantilever resonators positioned at an angle relative to a ground plate. The resonances considered in this work include primary and parametric resonance. For each resonance, the amplitude-frequency and amplitude-voltage responses are presented. The model is constructed using Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Results are obtained by construction of a Reduced Order Model considering up to the first five modes of vibration. The Method of Multiple Scales is used when considering only the first mode shape, and the software AUTO 07p is used for higher terms. Two models are …

Low-Dimensional Learning For Remaining Useful Life Prediction Of Batteries Operating Under Various Environments, Rodrigo Benavides

Theses and Dissertations

In reliability, we typically define the standard operating conditions under which a component operates. However, the differences in battery operating conditions cause variability in the degradation patterns of identically manufactured batteries, rendering remaining useful life prediction a major challenge. To aid this task, several sensors are utilized to monitor battery state-of-health. However, traditional prognostics algorithms do not scale well to the volume of data generated. Furthermore, several authors do not explicitly consider operating environments in their prediction models. Therefore, we present a high-dimensional data analytics framework that integrates operating environment information for battery prognostics. This framework combines Multilinear Principal Component …

Computational And Experimental Analysis Of Knee Kinematics And Gait Variability: The Effects Of Load, Speed, And Fatigue On Human Motion, Alfirio Trejo Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the biomechanical behavior of the human knee under varying conditions of motion, load, and fatigue, with a focus on clinical angle analysis and gait stability. Four studies were conducted using motion capture data and a modified Grood and Suntay Joint Coordinate System (JCS) to evaluate knee joint kinematics—specifically flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, and internal-external rotation. The first study examined the effects of incremental weight loads during isolated knee extension exercises, revealing dose-dependent increases in abduction and internal rotation that may contribute to joint stress. The second study assessed the impact of walking speed and asymmetric loading on gait, showing …

Interdigitated Gear-Shaped Screen-Printed Electrode Using G-Pani Ink For Sensitive Electrochemical Detection Of Stress Related Hormones Dopamine And Cortisol, Pritu Parna Sarkar

Theses and Dissertations

This research introduces a novel interdigitated gear-shaped graphene-based electrochemical biosensor for the simultaneous detection of dopamine (DA) and cortisol. Modified with graphene–polyaniline (G–PANI) conductive ink, the sensor increased active surface area—94.52% and 57% higher than Metrohm DropSens 110 and circular printed sensors, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed for physicochemical characterization. The sensor detects dopamine and cortisol over a linear range of 0.1–100 µM, with limits of detection of 0.043 µM (R² = 0.98) and 0.0577 µg/mL (R² = 0.976), respectively, in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) using redox probe. Electrochemical performance …

Advancing Real-World Implementation Of The Well Optimized Linear Finder (Wolf) High-Speed Atmospheric Turbulence Compensation Method, Timothy Evan Coon

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation advances the real-world implementation of the Well Optimized Linear Finder (WOLF) method for high-speed Atmospheric Turbulence Compensation (ATC). Atmospheric turbulence introduces phase aberrations into optical wavefronts and degrades image quality in terrestrial imaging systems. Traditional phase diversity methods are computationally intensive and poorly suited to real-time operation. The WOLF method addresses these limitations through a novel, point-wise formulation of the optical transfer function (OTF) as a structured autocorrelation of the generalized pupil function (GPF). This formulation enables the estimation of phase aberrations at individual spatial coordinates with distributed computational complexity.

The research begins by developing a MATLAB-based simulation …

Modeling Steady-State Navier-Stokes Flow Using Structure-Preserving Truncated Hierarchical B-Splines, Daira Sofia Velasco Vega

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate simulation of incompressible steady-state fluid flow is critical for engineering applications where mass conservation, numerical stability, and geometric fidelity are essential. This thesis develops and analyzes a structure-preserving isogeometric framework for steady-state incompressible Navier"“Stokes simulations using truncated hierarchical B-splines (THB-splines). By leveraging divergence-conforming spline spaces designed to keep the fluid's divergence exactly zero based on the mathematical de Rham complex, this method ensures the fluid remains incompressible everywhere without needing extra stabilization techniques. The use of THB-splines allows the mesh to be refined locally in areas where the flow changes sharply. It still keeps the solution smooth and ensures …

Predicted Inelastic Response Of Conventional And Ductile Steel Concentrically Braced Frame Buildings Under Wind Loads, Conrad Hamblin Belshe

Theses and Dissertations

The inelastic response of three-story steel concentrically braced frame buildings under wind loads was simulated to determine the applicability of ductile braced frame design to wind load applications. This study examined three types of steel concentrically braced frames: a conventional braced frame, a ductile braced frame, and a ductile braced frame with a reduced beam requirement. Braced frames were designed for four design wind speeds (220 mph, 156 mph, 127 mph, and 110 mph), for a total of nine unique braced frame designs. Nonlinear static pushover analysis was used to determine system overstrength and ductility under wind loads. Eigenvalue vibration …

Multi-Scale Color Correction And Contrast Enhancement Via Leaf In Wind Optimization For Improved Weld Defect Detection In Non- Destructive Testing, Senthil Anand N Mr

Theses and Dissertations

Image enhancement is an essential process in numerous fields, including industrial inspection, medical imaging, remote sensing, and photography, as it improves image quality for accurate analysis and interpretation. Among the advanced image enhancement techniques, Focused Super Resolution (FSR) with Self-Attention Single Candidate Optimizer-based Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) is specifically designed for weld defect detection, while Advanced Image Enhancement through Multi-scale Color Correction and Contrast Stretching using Leaf in Wind Optimization focuses on enhancing the overall visual quality of images. Although both approaches aim to improve image quality, they differ significantly in their objectives and application areas. The FSR method concentrates …

Peak Connection Strength Of Reduced Beam Section Moment Frame Connections, Jonathan T. Tshibanda

Theses and Dissertations

In the design of reduced beam section (RBS) moment frame connections, the peak connection strength factor (𝐶𝑝𝑟) is used to estimate the expected maximum moment at the reduced section in the capacity-based design of moment-resisting frames. Current design provisions in AISC 358-22 define C𝑝𝑟 as the average of the yield and ultimate strengths of the beam material divided by the yield stress, resulting in a standard value of 1.15 for A992 steel. However, experimental studies have often reported higher values, occasionally exceeding 1.40. This study reevaluates the 𝐶𝑝𝑟 factor using experimental data from 35 existing RBS tests specimens along with …

Performance Analysis Of University Wifi Using 802.11e Information Elements, Douglas Christopher Hales

Theses and Dissertations

Wireless networks, including IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), continue to become more important for many uses, including university classrooms. Factors that impact the performance of these networks have changed greatly over time, with increased scale at which they are used, and growing dependence of latency sensitive applications. In order to better understand the performance of current WiFi networks, a methodology was created to capture and analyze beacon frames with optional 802.11e information elements (IE), using Quality of Service enhanced Basic Service Set or QBSS load (channel utilization) and station count. This methodology is able to collect channel use more frequently than many …