Engineering Commons^™

Education Before Electricity: Ai-Facilitated Capability Formation As A Pre-Condition For Productive Energy Use In Off-Grid Communities, Kevin Hallinan, Lu Hao, Bennywhite Davidson, Divinegift Morris, Confidence Onuahu, Silas Clergy

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Working Papers

Solar microgrids in sub-Saharan Africa routinely fail to generate the productive demand needed to service their investment, because the capability to convert electricity into economic activity does not exist at electrification. We report a 15-month deployment in Oloibiri, Nigeria, a community whose productive base was displaced by oil extraction, testing whether AI-facilitated learning can build that capability at a cost compatible with microgrid investment.

The Davidson AI Innovation Center enrolled 104 learners (136 accounts) with zero prior computer access. They recorded 4,134 learning sessions, and 25 individuals earned 90 certifications on unscaffolded work, for just over $20,000 in cumulative investment, …

50 Years Of Irrigation District Modernization In The Usa -- Then And Now, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Irrigation district modernization in the USA has seen changes in management attitudes, hardware, software, and the shouldering of responsibilities for environmental issues that were never envisioned fifty years ago. The pace of modernization is quite variable depending upon the state and location within the state. This paper provides some insights into the evolution of several aspects of modernization over that fifty year time span.

Geometric And Operational Design Principles For Autonomous Haulage Systems In Open-Pit Mining: A Systematic Review, Justina Senam Lotsu, Samuel Frimpong, Muhammad Azeem Raza

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The rapid deployment of autonomous haulage systems (AHSs) in open-pit mining has significantly altered haul road geometric design requirements, as autonomous trucks operate under strict kinematic constraints related to turning radius, gradient, and braking performance. Since haulage accounts for 50–60% of total mining costs, optimizing haul road geometry is critical for improving operational efficiency, energy consumption, and safety. This study presents a systematic review of 50 highly relevant studies selected from 81 candidate publications published between 2003 and 2025 through structured database searches and citation chaining. The review synthesizes current developments in haul road layout optimization, turning radius accommodation, gradient …

Application Of Tailings From Aluminium, Copper, And Iron Extraction As Asphalt Mixture Materials: A Review, Daniel Oguntayo, Temitope Awolusi, Samuel Gboyega Arowolo, Paul Terkumbur Adeke

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The increasing global demand for pavement infrastructure has intensified the consumption of non-renewable construction materials, particularly natural aggregates and soils, raising significant environmental and resource sustainability concerns. In response, there is a growing need to explore alternative materials that can reduce reliance on these finite resources. Mine tailings, generated in large volumes from mining operations, have emerged as a promising substitute due to their potential to enhance asphalt concrete performance while mitigating environmental impacts associated with their disposal. This study presents a comprehensive review of the application of selected mine tailings in asphalt mixtures. It critically examines their physicochemical properties …

Mountain Development In Nepal: Settlements, Infrastructure, And Economic Transformation, Keshav Bhattarai, Ambika P. Adhikari

Himalayan Research Papers Archive

As Nepal urbanizes, expands infrastructure, strengthens local governments, and explores deeper connectivity with India and China, climate change is increasing floods, landslides, heat, and water insecurity. Rapid internal migration, rising disaster risks, youth outmigration, and dependence on remittances are also revealing the limits of conventional urban development, especially in the mountainous region. The central challenge for Nepal is no longer just to accommodate growing towns and cities, but to build settlements that are safe, productive, environmentally resilient, and capable of sustaining long-term prosperity.

This paper argues that Nepal's urban future must be guided by a new development paradigm centered on …

Interpretable Ai-Enabled Decision Support For Drinking-Straw Substitution Using Per-Use Greenhouse-Gas Indicators And User-Review Evidence, Ahmed Barakat Hosseny, Marwa Said Hassan, Shymaa Khamis, Randa Osman, Gassan Hodaifae, Jie Tang, Shaoshan Liu

Basic Science Engineering

Plastic drinking straws are a visible single-use plastic product, yet selecting suitable substitutes remains challenging because literature-derived climate evidence and reported user experience are rarely evaluated together. This study develops and demonstrates an interpretable AI-enabled decision-support workflow that integrates literature-derived per-use greenhouse gas (GHG) indicators with review-derived user evidence extracted from online customer reviews using natural language processing (NLP). Drinking-straw alternatives were used as an information-rich case study. The integrated assessment combined a GHG-derived score, a user-experience feature score, and rating-based consumer approval within a transparent multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) under four predefined decision-priority scenarios. Among the five shortlisted materials …

Case Study: Feasibility Of Creating A Simulated Mobile Data Center For Cross-Disciplinary Academic Programs, Stanley Mierzwa, Christoper J. Schultz, Iassen Christov, Michael Fagioli, Thomas Ikeda, Reinaldo Jaramillo, Giolian Sanagustin

Center for Cybersecurity

This case study examines the potential to envision, create, and deploy a simulated mobile micro data center solution that can be easily replicated and transported between locations and educational settings. The coined term for this solution is the Mobile AI-Centered Data Center (Mobile ACDC), which provides students with a platform to construct, in a hands-on fashion, such a solution and navigate the product to gain greater competencies and understanding of the components found in a data center. Instructor and student feedback assessments from the pilot classroom modules and laboratory experiential learning activities indicate that such a solution helps to improve …

Energy Efficiency Limits And Future Electricity Demand Of Computing Devices, Ricardo Pinto, Tiago Domingos, Paul E. Brockway, Matthew Kuperus Heun, Tânia Sousa

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

• ICT (information and communication technologies) represented 4% of the world electricity consumption in 2020; 
• Computing devices represented 2% of the world electricity consumption in 2020; 
• In recent scenarios datacentre electricity demand reaches 3% of world electricity in 2030, and more than 4% in 2035

Summer Proceedings 2026, Computational Modeling Serving Portland, The Altreu Program, Portland State University, Teuscher Lab, Portland State University

altREU Projects

The 2026 Summer Proceedings bring together research conducted by undergraduate students participating in three complementary programs at Portland State University: the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) site, Computational Modeling Serving Portland; the alternative Research Experiences for Undergraduates (altREU) program, Designing, Programming, and Using Computers to Benefit Society; and the Teuscher Lab internship program.

The NSF REU is a fully virtual, 10-week program centered on computational modeling that serves Portland and the greater region. Students begin with two weeks of intensive training in computational modeling, followed by eightweeks of mentored research with faculty, research collaborators, and community …

Harnessing Tio2-Based Nanofilaments: A Pathway To Enhanced Optoelectronic Performance In Dye-Sensitized And Perovskite Light Harvesters, Zahraa Ismail, Tarek A. Elmelegy, Hassan Nageh, Sameh Abdellatif

Mechanical Engineering

This study explores the integration of TiO2-based nanofilaments into dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to enhance their optoelectronic performance. Despite the advancements in one-dimensional lepidocrocite TiO2 nanofilaments, there remains a significant gap in understanding their optical scattering mechanisms and dual applicability in both types of solar cells. We synthesized TiO2 nanofilaments and compared their performance to conventional P25 TiO2 in terms of morphology, electrical, and optical properties. The results indicate that the DSSC utilizing nanofilaments achieved a short-circuit current density of 8.2 mA/cm² and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.9%, compared to 7.1 mA/cm² and …

Use Of Smart Safety Devices And Artificial Intelligence And Its Impact On Workplace Injury Reduction In High-Risk Industries In Cameroon: A Qualitative Exploration Of Worker And Management Perspectives, John Atabong Zifac

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Workplace injury has been a significant concern within high-risk industries in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Cameroon, with weak worker safety standards, poor infrastructure, lack of compliance with regulatory requirements, and a limited level of digital infrastructure contributing to a high risk of worker injury. While artificial intelligence (AI) supported smart safety technologies have revolutionized the way companies conduct workplace safety management in developed nations, little research exists on the perception of these technologies and practicality among low-resource industrial operators in Sub-Saharan Africa. This qualitative phenomenological study investigated management and employee perceptions regarding the use of AI-based smart safety devices to reduce …

Sustainable Waste Valorization: Chitosan From Shrimp Shells For Eco-Friendly Cement Mortars And Global Nexus, Dalia A. Ali Associate Prof., Rahma H. Thabet Dr., Norah Alwadai Associate Prof., Fekri Abdulraqeb Ahmed Ali Prof., Ahmed S. Al-Fatesh Prof., Zeinab A. Etman Prof.

Chemical Engineering

This study addresses environmental and economic challenges by investigating the valorization of green shrimp shell biowaste into chitosan for application as an eco-friendly, sustainable, and multifunctional cement mortar additive. Chitosan synthesized from shrimp shells was systematically incorporated into high early-strength hydraulic cement mortar specimens ranging from 0 wt% to 1.5 wt% in the presence of silica sand. The influence of chitosan incorporation on the properties of cement mortars was systematically investigated, including mechanical performance (compressive strength and setting time), the underlying mechanism of chemical interactions, and microstructural development. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed on the extracted chitosan to confirm …

Trends In Non-Profit Cybersecurity: Analyzing Three Years Of Incident Data From The Npcir, Stanley Mierzwa, Joanna Paliszkiewicz, Edyta Skarzyńska

Center for Cybersecurity

This study analyzes cyberattack trends targeting non-profit organizations using longitudinal data collected over a three-year period within the Non-Profit Cybersecurity Incident Repository (NPCIR). Developed through a National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NSA CAE-CD) designated center, the NPCIR applies an open-source intelligence (OSINT) methodology to systematically document cybersecurity incidents affecting the global non-profit sector. This study examines attack types, threat actor characteristics, sectoral distribution, and cybersecurity impacts using the Confidentiality–Integrity–Availability (CIA) triad framework. The results indicate that availability-related incidents, particularly ransomware and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, constitute the most prevalent threats, while confidentiality breaches remain highly …

Drilling Fluid Enhancement Via Addition Of Sustainably Synthesized Nanoparticles, Hasan A. Abbood, Sarmad Al-Anssari

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The addition of nanoparticles to the drilling fluids for geological projects is a promising application for enhancing the stability, rheological properties, and overall performance of the mud. This study aims to thoroughly analyze and compare the effects of silica and alumina nanoparticles on the properties and effectiveness of polymer drilling mud. Silica and alpha-alumina nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel process and characterized through several techniques, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The effects of silica and alumina nanoparticles on various properties of drilling mud were then measured using a permeable plugging …

Problems With Small Drinking Water Systems In Developing And Developed Countries: How Do They Compare?, Kurt Kesteloot

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation compares the factors that drive the long-term functionality of small drinking water systems (serving fewer than 10,000 people) in developing and developed country contexts, with a focus on groundwater supplies. Using regression analysis in SAS and complementary fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) for developing countries, the study integrates two datasets: 23 Engineers Without Borders project surveys (90+ variables across 14 countries) and a multi-year National Park Service inspection dataset (approximately 1,561 systems; 7,460 recorded deficiencies, enriched with U.S. Census ZIP-code aggregates). In developing countries, statistically significant predictors of success include government cash contributions (odds ratio [OR] ≈ 67.6), …

Application Of Fidic Epc/Turnkey Contract Under The Egyptian Public Works Contracts Law, Ahmed Alhady Dr., Mahmoud Mahmoud Ahmed Eng., Ahmed Elhakeem Prof., Mohamed Ibrahim Dr.

Civil Engineering

This study focuses on the application of FIDIC Conditions of Contract for EPC Turnkey Projects—Silver Book 1999, (FIDIC (EPC&T)), when governed by the Egyptian Law of Contracts concluded by public bodies No. 182 of 2018 (ELC) due to the conflicts that may arise from such application. Hence, this study identifies specific FIDIC (EPC&T) 1999 clauses that have the potential for conflicts with ELC, shows the similarities and disparities between these clauses and the relevant ELC articles, and provides recommendations to ensure the successful application of FIDIC (EPC&T) 1999 under ELC. This was achieved through a multistep research methodology in which …

Growth Potential Of Materials For Decarbonization: Insights From The Cement Industry Value Chain, Noha Mostafa

Mechanical Engineering

To meet the Paris Agreement objectives and limit global warming to 1.5˚C compared to preindustrial levels, it is estimated that the built sector must cut its total emissions by 50% before the year 2030 and fully decarbonize it by 2050. The built environment is estimated to be responsible for 40% of global energy and emissions. These global carbon emissions include both operational carbon—the day-to-day carbon emissions generated through the operation and maintenance of buildings—and embodied carbon. With its recorded high emissions, cement manufacturing is a key area of interest for the decarbonization efforts. To meet the increasing demand for sustainably …

How Do Social Network Models Compare To All-To-All Models For Forecasting Tuberculosis Epidemics? A Mathematical Modeling Study, Masabho Peter Milali, Hae-Young Kim, George Corliss, Anna Bershteyn

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Background. Mathematical models guide tuberculosis (TB) target-setting, yet most assume homogeneous “all-to-all” mixing. We compared projected intervention impacts between an all-to-all compartmental model and a Barabási–Albert (BA) scale‑free social network model under otherwise identical disease assumptions.

Methods. We calibrated transmission parameters so both models produced similar baseline trends, then introduced vaccination (coverage 30–70%; efficacy 80–95%) and treatment (20–50% increases in recovery) after a 400‑day burn‑in. Outcomes were assessed 300 days post‑intervention.

Results. Under 60% coverage, increasing vaccine efficacy from 80% to 95% yielded smaller projected reductions in active TB with the network model than with all‑to‑all mixing. Treatment improvements showed …

Scheduling As An Organizational Capability, Felix Delmonte

Mechanical and Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

This study synthesizes evidence on schedule governance as an organizational capability integrating Lean practices, BIM, Digital Twin, and AI to convert scheduling into continuous, data driven decision making that links front line observations to executive risk appetite and funding choices, showing how 4D/5D BIM, clash detection, automated material takeoff, and IoT enabled twins shorten planning horizons, reduce design errors by up to 80%, improve timeline adherence by 20%–30%, and, when AI is applied, further cut delays by about 18% and procurement costs by approximately $2.5 million; a four layer Integrated Lean–Digital Framework is proposed to align strategic intent, collaborative digital …

Sustainable Pathways For Fish Waste Oil Valorization Into Biofuel: Process Synthesis And Case Study, Hany A. Elazab, Radhi H. Alazmi, Abdelrahman El-Bagalaty, Hossam Tammam, Mahmoud El-Sayed, Mohamed Omar, Fathi Shokry, Mamdouh A. Gadalla, Fatma H. Ashour, Thokozani Majozi

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Biodiesel is a promising, sustainable alternative to fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel. Currently, biodiesel can be produced from edible plant oils and non-edible sources and wastes. Notably, fish waste oil is a sustainable resource for transesterification reactions to produce biodiesel. This research proposes a general process design methodology to investigate the potential of biodiesel production from fish waste oil as a pathway for waste-to-energy. The methodology integrates Pinch Analysis principles and process simulation to optimize the energy efficiency of a process design. Real data are collected on fish waste from fish industries in Egypt, focusing on three regions …

State Of Charge Estimation Of Ev Secondary Battery Pack Using Hybrid Hedge Feedforward Feedback-Based Gated Recurrent Unit To Extend Lifespan, Md Ohirul Qays, Iftekhar Ahmad, Daryoush Habibi, Mohammad A.S. Masoum, Paul Moses

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Accurate estimation of state of charge (SoC) and maintaining balanced charge levels across secondary battery cells are crucial in battery management systems (BMSs) to extend battery life while improving the performance and thermal stability of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) in electric vehicles (EVs). However, there are still underexplored challenges associated with circulating currents in electrochemical cells during continuous operation which can overheat battery packs, reducing their life span or result in dangerous thermal runaways. This paper investigates SoC estimation using various real-world charging and discharging profiles, along with charge-balancing strategies to enhance the longevity of parallel-connected Li-ion battery cells. A newly …

Volcanic Plume Height During The 2021 Tajogaite Eruption (La Palma) From Two Complementary Monitoring Methods-Implications For Satellite-Based Products, África Barreto, Francisco Quirós, Omaira E. García, Jorge Pereda-De-Pablo, Daniel González-Fernández, Andrés Bedoya-Velásquez, Simon Carn, Et. Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

Volcanic emissions from the Tajogaite volcano, located on the Cumbre Vieja edifice on the island of La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain), caused significant public health and aviation disruptions throughout the eruption (19 September–13 December 2021, officially declared over on 25 December). Nonetheless, it is considered the most significant volcanic event in Europe over the past 75 years due to the substantial amount of SO2 released into the atmosphere. The Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN), the authority responsible for volcano surveillance in Spain, implemented extensive operational monitoring to track volcanic activity and to provide a robust estimation of the volcanic plume height …

Mining Waste As A Resource In Construction: Applications, Benefits, And Challenges, Chathurika Dassanayake, Nuha S. Mashaan, Daniel Oguntayo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Mining activities generate vast quantities of waste each year, including mine tailings, bauxite residue, waste rock, and various metallurgical slags. Although these materials have traditionally been regarded as environmental liabilities, many possess physical and chemical properties that make them promising candidates for use in construction. This review synthesizes recent research on the utilization of major mining waste streams, with particular emphasis on pavement applications and other construction materials. The findings indicate that bauxite residue exhibits both pozzolanic and filler characteristics, demonstrating potential in asphalt mastics, asphalt mixtures, and other construction products. Nonetheless, its widespread adoption is constrained by issues such …

Predicting Water Quality Using Quantum Machine Learning: The Case Of The Umgeni Catchment (U20a) Study Region, Jamal Al-Karaki, Muhammad Al Zafar Khan, Amjad Gawanmeh, Marwan Omar

All Works

The assessment of water quality has become increasingly vital for maintaining the ecological balance and ensuring public safety across global water systems. This study examines the application of Quantum Machine Learning (QML) techniques in a real-world setting to predict water quality in the U20A region of the Umgeni Catchment, Durban, South Africa. We implemented the Quantum Support Vector Classifier (QSVC) and Quantum Neural Network (QNN) on a field-collected dataset. Our results demonstrate that the QSVC is more practical to implement and yields superior performance, achieving 75 % accuracy with polynomial and radial basis function kernels. In contrast, the QNN encountered …

Why Agtech Startups Fail? Evidence From Global Shutdown Patterns In 2025 And The Cost-Adoption Mismatch Effect, Ankit Chandra, Ishani Lal

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Agricultural technologies are widely seen as a driver for sustainability, resilience, and food-system transformation. Yet in 2025, agtech startup across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa experienced multiple shutdowns. Although each company closed for its own reasons, the failures highlight consistent underlying patterns. We analyze 18 publicly reported shutdowns across controlled-environment agriculture (CEA), robotics, insect protein, digital platforms, sensors, and ag-biotechnology. We find that most ventures struggled not with scientific feasibility but with economic and adoption dynamics at the farm level. We identify a Cost-Adoption Mismatch Effect, in which the capital and operational burden of a technology exceeds farmers’ capacity …

Securing U.S. Leadership In Agentic Ai Literacy And Adoption: U.S. Vs Chinese Government Policies And Initiatives, Satyadhar Joshi

Harrisburg University Other Works

This paper conducts a comparative analysis of U.S. and Chinese frameworks for AI literacy and adoption, with focus on agentic AI and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) systems capable of autonomous reasoning and execution. We examine national policies, educational integration, governance structures, and technological roadmaps, employing both qualitative review and quantitative modeling. Mathematical formulations include multi-dimensional literacy scoring, Bass diffusion models for adoption dynamics, risk assessment functions, regulatory effectiveness indices, competitiveness metrics, and optimization frameworks for resource allocation. Our analysis reveals divergent paradigms: the U.S. Favors decentralized, innovation-driven approaches with emphasis on interoperability and public-private collaboration; while China pursues centralized, state-led …

Part Ii: Industrial Information Integration Review 2020-2025, Jinzhi Li

Information Technology & Decision Sciences Faculty Publications

Industrial Information Integration Engineering (IIIE) has become increasingly essential for improving operational efficiency and harmonizing heterogeneous industrial systems through advanced digital integration approaches. Fueled by rapid advancements in Industry 4.0 technologies—including digital twins, artificial intelligence, immersive interfaces, and IoT infrastructures—IIIE is substantially transforming traditional enterprise architecture and integration frameworks. This systematic review synthesizes recent developments and emerging trends, with particular attention to the accelerating adoption of digital twins and the deepening convergence between operational technologies (OT) and information technologies (IT) across multiple sectors. While notable progress has been made, significant challenges persist, especially in developing resilient integration architectures and fully …

Establishment And Histopathological Characterization Of A Kyse-30 Subcutaneous Xenograft Model Of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Pavel A. Solopov, Alayna Enos, Mantas Silkunas, Giedre Silkuniene, Eleni Zivla, Andrei G. Pakhomov, Olga N. Pakhomova

Bioelectrics Publications

Background/Objectives: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis and limited treatment options, highlighting the need for reliable preclinical models for translational research. Although xenograft models are widely used in cancer biology, systematic characterization of subcutaneous ESCC models under defined implantation conditions remains limited. The objective of this study was to systematically compare implantation conditions and define histopathological and growth-related parameters that enable reproducible tumor establishment while maintaining a practical experimental window for therapeutic studies. Methods: We established and characterized a subcutaneous ESCC xenograft model using human ESCC cell line KYSE-30 implanted into immunodeficient J:NU mice. …

The Use Of Recycled Plastic In Asphalt Pavements: Feasibility Study, Isabella Bueno, Robert Rea, Jamilla Teixeira

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The plastics industry has been actively exploring new end-market opportunities for the more than 35 million tons of waste plastics generated annually. The use of recycled WP in asphalt presents an opportunity to improve pavement performance while reducing the growing amount of WP being landfilled or released into the environment. However, the use of WP in asphalt mixtures poses challenges due to variations in plastic composition and the presence of non-plastic contaminants. The absence of standardized procedures has resulted in inconsistent integration methods and unclear roles of WP within asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures. Therefore, the goal of this multiphase study …

A Transdisciplinary Approach To Advancing Water Security And Public Health: The “Nurse + Engineer” Model For Achieving Sustainability In Wash Systems Using Community-Based Participatory Research, Daniel B. Oerther, Sarah Oerther

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Human health is linked to the health of the environment, a concept referred to as planetary health. As environmental challenges become increasingly complex, single-disciplinary approaches are insufficient to achieve sustainable solutions. This article presents a transdisciplinary framework, termed the "Nurse + Engineer" model, as a novel methodology for addressing complex problems at the nexus of environmental engineering and public health. The model integrates the technical design and systems-level thinking of environmental engineering with the community-based, patient-centered care of nursing. This work details the key lessons learned from the retrospective application of this framework to a series of multi-year, community-based participatory …