Engineering Commons^™

Fea Analysis On S& T Student Designed Satellite, Joseph Nguyen

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

The Missouri Rolla and Missouri Rolla Second Satellite (MR & MRS) is a paired satellite developed by the Missouri S& T Satellite Reseach Team (M-SAT) designed to test new technologies in support of missions involving proximity operations. The M-SAT team won first place in the Nanosatellite Competition hosted by Air Force Research Laboratory in 2015 and obtained funding to proceed with design development. The MR & MRS satellite today will undergo extensive revisions to meet new design requirements and changing technological advancements. The alterations planned for MR & MRS will not only change the structure but directly affect the thermal …

Analyzing The Viability Of Novel Reactor Technology, Auston Obsuth

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

This study explores an innovative anaerobic digestion reactor technology aimed at improving the sustainability and efficiency of organic waste management. By employing a system without mechanical parts, it seeks to significantly enhance energy conversion from waste, tackling waste accumulation and the need for renewable energy sources. The project will use a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating economics, engineering management, and environmental science, to thoroughly evaluate the reactor's performance in terms of gas production, stability, and efficiency. Additionally, it will assess the economic viability and environmental impact, emphasizing advantages such as waste reduction and decreased greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, preliminary market analysis and …

Iron Doped Zeolitic Materials For Propane Dehydrogenation Catalyst, Emily Cahill, Amitava Choudhury

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

This research describes the synthesis of iron-doped zeolitic catalysts for the transformation of propane to propylene. The goal of this research is to develop a dehydrogenation catalyst to convert shale-gas derived cheap propane feedstock to economically valuable propylene, while at the same time making this catalyst sustainable and non-toxic to the environment. Fedoped zeolitic frameworks have shown promising activity in percentage of conversion and in selectivity. In our study we analyzed zeolites ZSM-5 and AIP0-5. These were chosen because they have differences in pore structure , channel sizes, and connectivity between channels. Most importantly the differences in the chemistry as …

Feasibility Of Using Hemp Fiber Reinforcement In 3d Printing Cementitious Composites, Zachary Baldwin, Ali Fasihi, Nicolas Ali Libre

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

This research is aimed at investigating the f~asibility of implementing natural fibers, such as hemp fibers, in lieu of synthetic fibers as sustainable and environmentally friendly resources in concrete production. In the first stage of this study, a surface treatment was applied to hemp fibers 12 mm± 2 mm in length using a 5 wt% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution to determine the effect treated hemp fibers have on cementitious composites. Additionally, three cement mortars were made with different fiber ratios (0.75%, 1.5%, 3%) to determine the optimal hemp fiber content of the mortars. Concrete samples were cast also concrete filaments …

New Testing Capabilities Of The Missouri University Of Science And Technology Supersonic Wind Tunnel, Joshua Gary, Davide Vigano

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

The development of non-intrusive, laser-based diagnostic techniques has significantly enhanced supersonic experimental aerodynamics, enabling the measurement of many parameters in complex flow fields. Among these techniques, Tomographic Particle Image Velocimetry, capable of measuring 3 components of velocity in 3-dimensional volumes, is now available at the Aerodynamics Research Laboratory of the Missouri University of Science and Technology. To integrate this new system into the university's supersonic wind tunnel, a redesigned nozzle, test section, and diffuser have been implemented. The upgraded modular test section features 4 large ports which can be configured with windows for optical diagnostics or lead plates for model …

The Deconstructed 555 Timer And Application Circuits For Interactive Educational Experience, Preston Carroll, Benjamin Cuebas, Justin Fausto, Rohit Dua

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

The Deconstructed 555 Timer and Application Circuits for Interactive Educational Experience offers interactional implementation of three fully discrete 555 Timer example circuits. The research project goal was to gain knowledge of the 555 Timer by deconstructing the device down to the component level. Three independent example application circuits, which showcase the application versatility of the 555 Timer in different modes, include Monostable, Astable, and Bistable circuits. Each mode has a hardware interface that can be used to adjust the operation of the 555 Timer allowing for a full interactive experience. The user can observe the differences in the internal working …

Amendments For Enhanced Remediation Of 1.4 Dioxane And Advances In Application Of Phytoforensics, Kaylee Denbo, Briannah Spisak, Joel Gerard Burken

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Missouri S& T collaborates with University of Iowa on projects to identify the presence of 1,4 Dioxane in tree core samples. The research group will replicate the situation in smaller reactors on campus. The following materials will be used: conetainers, willow cuttings, biochar, and perlite. The plants will be dosed with 1,4-Dioxane and analyzed with Gas ChromatographyMass Spectrometry (GCMS). Plant growth and health will be monitored and related to growth conditions and pollutant exposure. Larger mesocosms will be dosed over the summer and will have in-planta analysis as well. To replicate the field site, exact biochar and perlite from the …

High-Fidelity Turbulence Modelling Of Double-Diffusive Mixing In Buoyancy Driven Flows, Sanaz Izadifar

Student Research Symposium

Double-diffusive convection is the flow caused by buoyancy gradient in a fluid, where two different scalars cause density gradients, and each scalar has significantly different diffusion rates.

Dynamics Of Rotating 2d Ellipse In Stratified Flow, Anton Kadomtsev

Student Research Symposium

• In nature, there exist innumerable flows with varying density, known as stratified flows.

• The density variation is caused by salt content or temperature variation.

• Submersibles in stratified flows approximated by spheroid.

• Fluid parcels perturbed from their neutral position gain potential energy, which becomes kinetic energy. Inherent oscillation is Brunt-Väisälä frequency.

• Stratification affects the flow structures and forces on bodies.

Wake Characteristics Of In-Phase And Out-Phase Array Of Oscillation Airfoils, Yi-Cheng Chen

Student Research Symposium

In order to solve the hydrodynamics of a school of fish using the open-source SEM solver Nek5000, an oscillating mesh is required to simulate fish oscillations and at the same time simplify the process of mesh partitioning and satisfy the limitation of nek5000 that the mesh must be quadrilateral.

Buckling Analysis Of A Novel High-Throughput Assembly For Accelerated Fatigue Test, Mehedi Hasan Mahfuz

Student Research Symposium

The novel high-throughput assembly was developed by Singh et al.[2024] previously to study creep, which we are using to study fatigue instead.

The main difference of testing creep and fatigue is, during fatigue test, the specimens are loaded with half-time compression and half-time tension where creep is only subjected to tensile load.

Machine Learning Based Control Of Digital Throttle For Impulse Design In Hybrid Rockets, Eric Larsen

Student Research Symposium

Research Goals

• Develop a Hybrid Rocket model to generate expected thrust profiles given a CD profile
• Create a ML method to generate expected Thrust profiles given an Injector CD Profile
• Develop a method to then generate CD profiles from a desired Thrust profile of a motor

Mechanical Property Variability In Lpbf Ss316l Due To Defects Formation And Process Interruption, Tasrif Ul Anwar

Student Research Symposium

This project aims to understand the correlation between the manufacturing process, defect formation, process interruptions, and the resulting properties of components made with laser powder bed fusion techniques.

Characterization Of Functionally Graded Regolith-Metal Powder Mixtures For Additive Manufacturing In Space, Ian Jones

Student Research Symposium

Additive manufacturing (AM), colloquially known as 3D Printing, is a manufacturing process in which a component is fabricated layer-by-layer. For metallic materials, the most common AM methods use powders as feedstock materials. To print in space, one abundantly available material is the loose powder covering the moon, i.e., lunar regolith. However, past research has shown that regolith does not have ideal properties for AM.

There are two main material properties that affect AM performance: (1) powder flowability, and (2) packing density. Powders must be able to flow over the print bed, otherwise the printer will jam. When powders naturally pack …

Dynamic Angle Of Repose Of Ss316l Powders Fabricated By Gas Atomization For Additive Manufacturing Applications, S. M. Mahid

Student Research Symposium

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, unlike conventional manufacturing methods like turning and milling, construct objects by incrementally adding layers of material. Various processes can be used to 3D print including laser or electron beams to melt or sinter metallic powder particles.

A Novel Camera Based Measurement Technique For High Temperature Applications, Prasenjit Dewanjee

Student Research Symposium

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is an optical technique for camera-based measurements.

Uncertainty Quantification In Neural Networks For Cfd, Cody Grogan

Student Research Symposium

Neural Networks have surged to popularity in many fields because of their ability to model complex functions. However, for most scientists, this comes at the cost of interpretability.

The aim of this research is to compile the different methods to uncertainty quantification in Neural Networks and apply them to a CFD problem.

Trip Production Models For Persons With Disabilities, Pouyan Saeidian

Student Research Symposium

People with disabilities constitute nearly 13% of the US population, with their mobility being more restricted compared to other groups. To provide equitable access to transportation facilities, it's crucial to delve deeper into their travel patterns and mobility. Our research examines their mobility patterns by comparing daily trip metrics with those without disabilities and modeling and analyzes factors influencing their travel frequency to inform policy enhancements

An In-Depth Investigation Into Factors Influencing Pedestrian Crash Severity: Comparative Analysis Of Generalized Ordered Probit, Stacking Ensemble Model, And Tabnet, Amir Rafe

Student Research Symposium

• Pedestrian Vulnerability: In 2021, there were 7,388 pedestrian deaths in the U.S., with urban settings, intersections, and dark lighting conditions being significant contributing factors.

• Prediction Models in Research: Pedestrian safety research employs a range of statistical, machine learning, and deep learning methods to assess factors affecting crash severity. TabNet, a novel deep learning model, is being used for the first time in the analysis of pedestrian crash severity.

Simulating Low Gravity Particle Dynamics, Ryan Lewis

Student Research Symposium

Lunar and Martian dust can pose a serious risk to astronauts and equipment due to the abrasive nature. A better understanding of how dust particles behave in low gravity is crucial in minimizing risks for future NASA Lunar and Martian missions.

• Existing methods are too expensive for detailed studies.
• We are developing an experimental platform that offers an affordable and robust way to study low gravity particle- laden flow.
• In this novel approach, the total body force on a dust particle is a proxy for gravitational force and can be controlled by imparting a vertical coulomb force on a charged …

Seasonal Shifts And Insights: Updating The Great Salt Lake Halogen Study (2022/24), Himalaya Sapkota

Student Research Symposium

Halogens compounds, particularly chlorine- and bromine-related species, may alter the photochemical reactions influencing local and regional air quality – including particulate formation (PM_2.5) and ozone (O₃) cycling.

High-Throughput: An Approach For Simultaneous Creep Testing Of Nuclear Structural Alloys, Raushan Singh

Student Research Symposium

Creep is a time-dependent deformation at constant load and elevated temperature.

It is widely used in an application that involves high temperature under load for e.g., Nuclear reactors.

Creep tests are notoriously slow, taking weeks/months to complete one experiment.

• This makes High-Throughput techniques more desirable

Our Goals:

(1) Demonstrate novel High-Throughput methods to perform more creep tests more quickly

(2) Apply those methods to more quickly characterize 3D printed 316L (future work)

Fast Prediction Of The Trajectory And Coverage Of Aerially Delivered Fire-Retardants, Aditya Parik

Student Research Symposium

Motivation & Objectives

• The utilization of aircrafts in fighting wildfires has substantially increased over the last century, as incidences of forest fires increase all over the world.
• A constant effort of various fire control agencies throughout North America (such as USDA Forest Service) has been to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and overall effectiveness of aerial retardant delivery.
• In service of this goal, we develop a model for predicting the general trajectory a retardant plume takes when it is aerially delivered to a target.

Localized Collocation Meshless Method For Modeling Transdermal Pharmacokinetics In Multiphase Skin Structures, Eduardo Divo

Math Department Colloquium Series

The human skin has a complicated structure with many multi-scale, biophysical effects impacting the propagation of skin-injected substances, such as partitioning, metabolic reactions, adsorption and elimination. An extended version of Fick’s second law governing the process of the compound diffusion in various skin layer is employed in the current work by considering the conservation of mass of the substance and the metabolic reaction of the substance in viable skin. Additionally, a model assuming linear coupling between the substance concentrations that are bound and unbound with blood was developed. Using such a model, a set of coupled partial differential equations are …

Satellite-Based Spatial And Temporal Characterization Of Rainfall Over The Uae, Yassin Ibrahim Ahmad

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Studies on rainfall characteristics have been of particular interest in the arid and semi-arid regions, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), due to its impact on the built and natural environment. Rainfall represents a vital water source and a potential threat to the built environment, particularly during flash rainfall. This thesis evaluates spatial and temporal variation of rainfall in the UAE. The UAE is classified into four ecosystems with a distinct distribution of precipitation (East Coast, Mountains, the Gravel Plains, and Desert Foreland). Satellite data on daily rainfall for the years starting from 2001 up to 2020 was obtained from …

Bear Lake Session, Lawrence Culver, Ben Shaw, Wesley Matthis, Mario Harper

Spring Runoff Conference

No abstract provided.

Watercave: Virtual Reality For Engaging The Next Generation In Wastewater Management, Leeza Duller

Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Symposium

Within the next five to ten years, a significant portion of water and wastewater personnel are expected to retire, posing a substantial challenge for the utilities industry. The potential shortage of experienced workers poses inherent risks to the continuity of water services. WaterCAVE emerges as one of several tools designed to address this impending issue by engaging and inspiring the next generation to consider careers in the wastewater industry. This virtual reality (VR) simulation utilizes a ten-sided immersive display and was designed using Unity's 3D real-time development platform. Students from various educational levels, ranging from Pre-K to 12, are invited …

Dyvir: Virtual Reality Generated Synthetic Training Datasets For Ai, Garrett Williams

Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Symposium

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can perform complex tasks quickly such as object detection. To perform these tasks, the AI algorithms are first trained on data. However, some data such as labeled imagery of aerial objects is hard to obtain. Utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) software, a custom tool called DyViR was made to generate synthetic training datasets. Users customize the virtual environment, aerial objects, and sensor modality to produce custom-tailored datasets.

Use Of Waste Plastics In Asphalt Mixes: Addressing The Variability Of Source, Venkatsushanth Revelli, Anil Kumar Baditha

Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Symposium

Use of waste plastics in asphalt mixtures suffers from a serious problem of significant variability with global sources; preventing proper guidelines for field applications. The aim of this study is to address the variability in source of waste plastic and its impact on asphalt mixture design. The study was designed to provide a selection criterion to evaluate the suitability of waste polyethylene (PE) for asphalt pavements. PE obtained from five sources was used as a replacement for asphalt binder. Dry mixing of plastics with asphalt and aggregate was performed at the dosage levels of 3%, 6%, and 9%. The changes …

Performance Assessment Of Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials With Low To High Thermoregulation Range In Asphalt Binder, Anil Kumar Baditha, Ayyaz Fareed

Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Symposium

Asphalt pavements face significant challenges due to low temperature cracking and rutting caused by extreme temperature fluctuations and traffic loading. These issues result in higher maintenance costs and reduced service life of the pavements. To address this, researchers explored the use of Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials (MPCMs) to induce thermoregulation in asphalt pavements. However, the existing research focused on high-temperature performance of binders, highlighting the need of research on evaluating the low-temperature performance. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate the impact of incorporating MPCMs on low to high temperature performance of binders. Three types of MPCMs were incorporated into asphalt …