Engineering Commons^™

Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation Of Biomass Model Compounds Using Ni, Co And Fe Over Hzsm-5, Dana Mohammad Salaas

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

With the exponential increase in the human population and energy demand coupled with the alarming levels of worldwide CO2 emissions and the global warming crisis, there is a shift of focus towards developing and deploying clean and renewable energy sources. Biomass is a widely available renewable energy source that offers a promising sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, especially in the case of liquid biofuels production. However, unlike fossil fuels, biomass inherently contains high oxygen content which must be reduced in the biomass-to-biofuel upgrading process in order for the biofuel to provide comparable amounts of energy per unit volume to traditional …

Resilience Oriented Dynamic Bayesian Network For Time Dependent Power Distribution System During Hurricanes, Kehkashan Fatima

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

In this dissertation, the overhead line failure due to extreme winds was investigated. The objective of the overhead line failure analysis was to evaluate the failure probability of line due to hurricane. The standard IEEE 33 bus test system was utilized to analyze the impact of hurricane wind speed intensity at distinct time and location on the grid. The test system was divided into four regions based on the number of buses and hurricane category (according to Saffire Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale). Regions 1, 2, and 3 cover 8 buses while region 4 covers 9 buses. Regions 1, 2, 3, …

Design And Development Of Hip Implants For Longevity Through Integrating Advanced Groove Structures And Additive Manufacturing, Asarudheen Abdudeen

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This doctoral research concerns the design and optimization of hip implants (HIs) to enhance performance, durability, and improve patient outcomes by addressing the key issues of wear, deformation, and stress distribution. Innovative surface groove designs have been introduced to both a solid and a hollow femoral head with the aim of reducing friction and wear. The addition of grooves, with both a hemispherical and rectangular cross-section, onto the femoral head reduced friction, as debris produced by the inner liner was trapped within the grooves, significantly reducing adhesive wear. A numerical simulation study compared the effects of surface modifications — both …

Reclaiming Data To Transform Anti-Trafficking Systems, Laura Hackney

SMU Human Trafficking Data Conference

AnnieCannons believes that the people closest to the problem are closest to the solution. Yet in the anti-trafficking movement, data about survivors is often collected without survivors. Co-founder and CEO Laura Hackney will discuss how reclaiming data can transform systems of care accountability, and prevention. She will share lessons learned from the development of ResourceFull, a digital platform led and co- designed with trafficking survivors to safely connect individuals to trustworthy services and track outcomes across fragmented care systems. There are ethical, technical, and human-centered challenges of collecting and of using data in a space where safety and trust are …

Effect Of Fibonacci-Inspired Multi-Layer Aluminum Sheets Under Double-Nose Projectile Impact, Shaima Ali Alhosani

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This research examines the ballistic performance of multi-layered Aluminum 2024 sheets designed with Fibonacci-inspired spacing patterns when subjected to double-nose projectile impacts. Through a numerical simulation, five configurations were studied: a monolithic reference plate (L0) with 0.82 mm thickness, and four multi-layer configurations (L1 to L4), all maintaining a constant total thickness of 1.74 mm. Three projectile types were considered Blunt-Conical (BC), Conical-Blunt (CB), and Blunt-Blunt (BB). Among these, the L1 configuration (two layers separated by a 0.1 mm gap) consistently offered the best ballistic resistance, outperforming more complex arrangements. As layer complexity increased from L1 to L4, overall performance …

Computational And Experimental Study Of Slow Crack Growth In High Density Polyethylene, Abdulla Almomani

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This dissertation investigates the slow crack growth (SCG) behavior of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) under various mechanical and environmental conditions. The study combines experimental analysis and computational modeling to enhance the understanding of SCG mechanisms in HDPE, particularly in pressurized pipes and under the exposure to hydrocarbons. A novel Crack Layer (CL) theory-based SCG model is developed and validated through experimental data, offering a predictive framework for HDPE failure assessment. The main objective of this dissertation is to quantify and model the viscoelastic-viscoplastic behavior of HDPE under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions while addressing SCG kinetics in structural applications. The study …

Disturbance Observer In Grid-Side Controller For Wave Energy Converters, Moath Jamal Saleh

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

A typical Permanent Magnet Linear Generator (PMLG)-based ocean wave energy system consists of an electrical generator, a Machine-Side Converter (MSC), a Grid-Side Converter (GSC), a DC-link capacitor, and a passive filter—such as an L filter or LCL filter—to connect the GSC to the grid. The main objective of this work is to control the GSC using a disturbance observer-based control technique to inject constant power and balanced current into the grid under both balanced and unbalanced grid conditions.
This thesis presents a controller for the converter that integrates a state-feedback controller with a disturbance observer. The feedback controller stabilizes the …

Frontlines Of Influence: State Vs. Nonstate Disinformation Campaigns, Lily Wershbale

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

This paper examines the evolution of disinformation campaigns conducted by state and nonstate actors, focusing specifically on Russia and the Islamic State as representative case studies. Through historical examples and qualitative comparative analysis, this research identifies the similarities and differences in disinformation’s role in actors’ core missions, resource allocation, and targeting decisions. This paper further explores the implications of artificial intelligence on disinformation campaigns, investigating how emerging technology will impact the influence operations of state governments and nonstate organizations alike. The findings reveal that while the ultimate intent of both state and non-state actors is to destabilize societies, their approaches …

Engaging Youth In Community Problem Solving Through Community Partnerships, Kim Hales, Catherine Jurado, Mercedis Zismer

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

This panel discussion will present a community-engaged project in which four community partners work with youth in the context of a USU ENG 1010 or USU ENG 2010 writing assignment. This assignement asks students to identify a problem in their community by which they are directly impacted. The student then works with the community partner to document the problem and to brainstorm possible solutions to the issue. The panel will invite audience members to share their experiences with similarly designed assignments and to offer input, critique, and suggestions. Audience members will also be invited to ask questions to the panel …

A Study Of The Impact Of Balancing, Geometric Transformation, Generative Networks Augmentation, And Roi Techniques In Eye Diseases Classification, Sghaira Hareb Alnuaimi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Automatic detection of ocular diseases helps medical professionals efficiently identify eye disorders, reduce diagnostic errors, and accelerate diagnoses to prevent blindness. Deep learning has been successfully utilized in various fields, including medical image classification. However, in spite of these advancements, challenges remain in ocular disease classification.
/="/">The objective of this work is to address these challenges using data processing, data augmentation in combination with Region of Interest (ROI) techniques. Medical datasets often suffer from scarcity, imbalance, and low-quality images, leading to inaccurate classification. To mitigate these issues, we utilize the ODIR dataset, which contains 7,000 labelled training images for …

Wide Lock-In Energy Harvesting From Vortex-Induced Vibrations Of A Deformable Cylinder, Ahmed Raafat Mostafa

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Energy harvesting from ambient sources has gained attention due to increasing energy demands. Despite VIV-based harvesters showing significant potential, their lock-in region, where significant power is generated, is narrow. Given the continuously varying ambient conditions of fluid currents, harvesters can easily fall into de-synchronization, yielding low energy output. Existing solutions like tunable masses or multiple degrees of freedom systems increase complexity and weight, limiting practical applications. This work introduces a novel variable diameter cylinder mechanism—a practical technique that actively tunes the cylinder’s geometry in real time to enhance energy harvesting efficiency from VIV. The mechanism employs an expanding pulley system …

Utilization Of Imidazolium Ionic Liquids For Enhanced Oil Recovery In Harsh Emirati Tight Carbonate Oil Reservoirs, Noran Hussein Mousa

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

In response to the increasing global demand for energy and the limitations of traditional chemical oil recovery methods. This study explores the potential of imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) as enhanced oil recovery (EOR) agents for Emirati tight oil reservoirs. Four ILs—C10mimCl, C12mimCl, C12mimBF4, and C16mimBr—were evaluated for their effects on interfacial tension (IFT), wettability, emulsification, and rheological properties under reservoir conditions. Experiments conducted at varying temperatures (up to 110°C), IL concentrations (100–3000 ppm), and salinities demonstrated that longer alkyl chain ILs, particularly C16mimBr, effectively reduced IFT by >99% and improved wettability by lowering contact angles up to 15.37°. Statistical modeling …

Dynamic Analysis And Control Of A Quadruped Robotic System Based On Newton-Euler Formulation, Vyshak Sureshkumar

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Despite advancements in legged robotics, comprehensive dynamic analyses remain limited in the literature. This research presents kinematic and dynamic modeling of a quadruped robot using the Newton-Euler approach to improve computational efficiency in high degree of freedom systems. The formulation leverages system over-constraints with assumed ground reaction forces and focuses on simulating two primary gait patterns: static walking and dynamic trotting. The research explores reaction wheel-based roll stabilization for a quadruped with 8 actuators, omitting the conventional Hip Abduction/Adduction (HAA) joints. This approach addresses roll control limitations by compensating for the reduced actuation. This research presents a brief overview of …

Design Of Real-Flight-Path Tracking Control Of Quadrotor, Moataz Aly Sabry

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This thesis presents the design and development of an advanced real-time flight path tracking control system for a quadrotor, specifically aimed at accurately following a moving ground object such as a rover. The primary focus is on addressing challenges associated with precise tracking in dynamic and unpredictable environments, including real-time communication between the drone and the rover, rapid response to environmental changes, and maintaining control of the quadrotor’s altitude, yaw, pitch, and roll.
To achieve these objectives, the study explores the application of mathematical models based on ordinary differential equations, incorporating delay elements to simulate the real-time behaviour of the …

Utilizing Uae Date Palm Leaf Ash In Removing Ammoniated Compounds From Reject Brine After The Solvay Process, Hend Mohammed Alsheryani

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This study addresses the critical challenge of managing ammonia-laden reject brine from desalination plants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where desalination is the primary freshwater source. The environmental impact of brine disposal, particularly ammonia contamination, necessitates the development of sustainable treatment solutions. This research explores the potential of date palm leaf ash (DPLA), an agricultural byproduct, as a low-cost and eco-friendly adsorbent for ammonia removal, aligning with the UAE’s sustainability and circular economy goals. The study evaluates the ammonia adsorption capacity of DPLA and optimizes its performance through thermal ashing at 750°C and chemical activation using calcium oxide (CaO), …

Investigation Of Control Strategies For Swing-Up Maneuver Of A Double Inverted Pendulum On Rotating Link, Abdulrahman Mohammad Rahmani

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This thesis is concerned with investigation of the swing-up control problem of underactuated mechanical systems namely the double rotary inverted pendulum using the optimal control theory. The research aims to develop a robust controller to achieve the swing-up and stabilization of the pendulum in the upright unstable equilibrium position while regulating the angular displacement of the rotating arm and the two pendulum angles. The performance of the designed controller was evaluated through numerical simulations in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted and the challenges that researchers face in the control of underactuated mechanical systems were …

Estimation Of Breach Hydrograph Resulting From Dam Embankment Failure Due To Internal Erosion Or Overtopping: Comparison Of Simplified Methods With Real-Case Failure Data And Recommendations, Laurent Del Gatto, Jean-Robert Courivaud

5th International Seminar on Dam Protections Against Overtopping

The opening of a breach in an embankment dam, whether due to overtopping or internal erosion, is a critical failure mode for these structures. Estimating the resulting breach hydrograph is essential for assessing downstream risks. While no universal physical model covers all dam types, empirical formulas are commonly used. EDF analyzed 14 such formulas, comparing them with rupture data from 32 embankment dam failures. The best formulas - Froehlich 1995, Xu & Zhang 2009, and CLF 2020 - yield a “best estimate” for peak flow. However, due to variability, results should be interpreted cautiously. Consider estimating breach characteristics like width …

Breach Modeling Flume Tests, R. M. Monteiro-Alves, R. Moran, M. Á. Toledo, M. Morris, C. Picault, J-R. Courivaud

5th International Seminar on Dam Protections Against Overtopping

From previous flume tests conducted in the framework of the OVERCOME Project, intended to investigate the effect of different soil materials, overflow discharges, and upstream face watertightness on the breaching processes of overflowed levee sections, we determined the need for further investigation on the effect of test repeatability, content of fines and armouring caused by the coarser particles. This document presents the results of this new set of tests which have shown an impact of these variables on the breach macro erosion processes, erosion rates and breach dimensions.

Development Of Low-Carbon Cementitious Composites With Volcanic Ash And Calcium Carbide Residue Using Carbonation Curing, Jad Samir Bawab

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The production and use of cement and concrete is a major contributor to numerous environmental problems, primarily centered around high carbon emissions, extensive resource depletion, and vast waste generation. This thesis aims to develop and characterize low-carbon concrete by using volcanic ash (VA) and calcium carbide residue (CCR) as partial cement substitutes while exposing the cementitious composite to accelerated carbonation curing. The study is a multi-level assessment of the incorporated materials and curing method divided into four phases. The first stage studied and optimized the CCR content and carbonation curing parameters of carbonation-cured concrete. It was revealed that using 5% …

Physically Based Assessment Of Flow Resistance In Stepped Chutes, T. L. Wahl, B. J. Heiner, K. R. Smithgall, C. C. Shupe, J. Falkenstine

5th International Seminar on Dam Protections Against Overtopping

Existing physically based methods for estimating stepped chute friction factors or energy dissipation rates consider relative step height and relative step-tip spacing to be key factors, but do not fully account for chute slope and associated step orientation. For slopes steeper than 45° each step acts as an offset into the flow, while for flatter slopes each step presents an offset away from the flow, but methods that consider only the step-tip spacing do not account for this difference. Furthermore, most experimental studies have been performed in open channel spillway models, where two-phase air-water flow and variable flow depths make …

Ahead Of His Time? A Reanalysis Of The Air-Tunnel Stepped Chute Studies Of Marcos José Tozzi, T. L. Wahl, J. A. Higgs, J. Matos

5th International Seminar on Dam Protections Against Overtopping

Stepped spillways offer energy dissipation advantages and construction efficiencies over smooth spillway chutes. Energy dissipation is typically estimated using empirical relations that depend on chute slope, unit discharge and relative step height. Open-channel tests of model spillways experience self-aerated air-water flow downstream from the aeration inception point, and the presence of air dramatically affects energy dissipation and flow depth, making it difficult to separately determine the effects of step geometry and other basic flow properties. The 1992 doctoral dissertation of Marcos José Tozzi from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo included open channel stepped spillway tests with …

Hydraulic Measurements In A Saf Stilling Basin With A Stepped Chute For Embankment Protection, B. M. Crookston, N. Young

5th International Seminar on Dam Protections Against Overtopping

Stepped chutes have become commonplace in embankment dam rehabilitation projects due to project economy, constructability, and improved chute energy dissipation. Consequently, for applications where a stilling basin is merited the interaction of stepped chutes and stilling basins is of high interest. A commonly used stilling basin type for many smaller embankment dams, the St. Anthony Falls stilling basin (SAF), has no specific hydraulic design guidance for use downstream of a stepped chute. Therefore, this study was conducted at the Utah Water Research Laboratory in a flume with 0.1 m tall steps, a total drop height of 1.8 m, and an …

Enhancing Patient Safety: Exploring Virtual Sitters' Role In Fall Prevention Through Remote Virtual Monitoring, Adama Diallo, Awatef Ergai Dr., Leeanna Spiva Dr., Meriel Mccollum Dr.

Symposium of Student Scholars

Remote Virtual Monitoring (RVM) technology enhances safety for both patients and care teams by reducing falls, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of continuous patient observation, and lowering costs associated with falls and staff support. The success of fall reduction efforts largely depends on the role of virtual sitters, individuals who remotely monitor high-risk patients to prevent falls. This study aims to explore the experiences of virtual sitters, identifying key themes, challenges, and opportunities to improve the intervention. Specifically, the research investigates how technology, work shifts, and institutional support impact the effectiveness and job satisfaction of virtual sitters.

Real Time Object Detection Using Yolo, Rohit Malik, Manisha Kumari, Sanghoon Lee

Symposium of Student Scholars

This project explores the implementation of real-time object detection using the You Only Look Once (YOLO) architecture. Leveraging its speed and accuracy, we developed a system capable of identifying and localizing multiple objects within live video streams. Our implementation focused on optimizing YOLO's performance for real-time applications, specifically addressing the trade-off between speed and accuracy.

We employed a pre-trained YOLO model and fine-tuned it on a custom dataset tailored to specific object classes. This fine-tuning process aimed to enhance the model's ability to recognize objects in our target environment. The system was implemented using Python and the OpenCV library, enabling …

Campus Navigator: A Mobile App For Seamless University Navigation, Hafsa Mohammed, Ali Rahimzadehfard, Rachab Wilson, Mathias Rossi, Turaj Ashuri, Amir Ali Amiri Moghadam

Symposium of Student Scholars

Navigation services play a big role in everyone’s daily lives, from directing them on new roads to guiding them through buildings. Outdoor navigation services have evolved from physical maps to digital ones like Google Maps for ease of use and accessibility. Upon conducting literature research, the team found that many navigation apps lack clear and accurate instructions for how to navigate university campuses such as Marietta campus. Due to the size of KSU’s Marietta campus and its buildings, effortless navigation has been a common challenge for students, faculty, and visitors alike. Additionally, all buildings are referred to by letters, numbers, …

Assessing A Solution For Ga Work Zone Safety Through Cross Classification, Asiah Lightfoot, Sunanda Dissanayake

Symposium of Student Scholars

Work zone safety is a health risk for drivers and construction workers. In Georgia, work zone crashes have decreased over the past 5 years, but the number of fatalities has still been over 1,000 each of those years. Studies have proven solutions such as lowering the speed limit or relying on current traffic control devices to be ineffective. The risks associated with these crashes must be recognized to improve upon previous solutions or innovate new ones from the results. The objective of this study is to utilize cross classification to identify factors that contribute to work zone crash deaths and …

Sandrapp: A Digital Intervention To Enhance Social Connectivity And Emotional Support Among Older Adults, Pavan Chowdary Chilukuri, Purna Chandu Anukula

Symposium of Student Scholars

Social isolation and loneliness are significant challenges affecting the well-being of older adults, often leading to adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Prolonged isolation has been linked to increased risks of depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and chronic illnesses such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. As digital technology continues to evolve, innovative solutions have emerged to address these issues and foster meaningful social interactions for older adults.

SANDRApp is a user-friendly digital platform designed to reduce loneliness and enhance social connectivity among older adults. The platform caters to three primary user groups: (1) families with elderly loved ones living far away, …

Low Cost Additive Manufacturing Of Segmented Stator Composite Polymer Permanent Magnet Dc Motors, Ben Goldberg, Jordan Bailey, Connor Hawkins, Colin Haskins, Razvan Voicu

Symposium of Student Scholars

This study presents a novel approach to the design, manufacture, and optimization of segmented stators for composite construction axial flux permanent magnet DC motors. Traditional axial flux stator manufacturing is both challenging and expensive, creating a bottleneck in rapid prototyping and innovation. To overcome these limitations, the stator is divided into individually fabricated segments using advanced composite polymer materials and low-cost additive manufacturing techniques. This segmentation not only drastically reduces production complexity and cost but also allows for customized coil geometries that maximize the surface area for improved heat dissipation.

A key innovation of our design is the integration of …

2d Probabilistic Scour Model For Predicting The Time-Rate Of Scour For Spillways And Overtopping Dams Based On The Erodibility Index Method, M. F. George, G. W. Annandale

5th International Seminar on Dam Protections Against Overtopping

Time-dependent prediction of rock scour for dams and spillways has largely remained elusive given limited available data on rock erosion rate parameters in literature. Recently, a theoretical framework for determining the rate of rock scour was developed by Annandale (2025), enhancing the Erodibility Index Method (EIM). The EIM is the most commonly used and accepted approach for evaluation of scour in rock for dam applications. This theoretical framework has been incorporated into the 2D probabilistic jet impingement scour model (George & Annandale, 2023) so that scour progression due to head-cutting in a spillway channel (lined or unlined) or overtopping onto …

Nuclear Energy: The Key To Sustainable Power For Ai And Emerging Technologies, Joshua Luke Ponsell, James Zurawski, Eli Musgrave, Johnny Demont, Eduardo B. Farfan

Symposium of Student Scholars

Skeptics question whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be powered sustainably. Nuclear may just be the best option. AI is transforming various spaces, from cybersecurity to accessibility, by enhancing the detection and prevention of fraud and phishing attacks to improving real-time services like subtitle generation, and supporting language translation. AI's impact also extends to applications like handwriting and speech recognition, streamlining processes and increasing accessibility for individuals with disabilities. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, the increasing demand for its computational power raises concerns about energy consumption. By researching datacenter power demands empirically and comparing nuclear options as opposed …