Engineering Commons^™

Harnessing Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution In Α-Fe2o3/2h–Mos2 Heterojunction: A Theoretical And Experimental Study On Electronic Modulation And Basal Plane Activation, Mohamed Sayed, Ossama Metwalli, Sameh O. Abdellatif, Kai Yin, Mohamed Saber, Ahmed Khalil, Hossam Abdelwahan

Electrical Engineering

Hydrogen production through water electrolysis is a promising method for storing renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the efficiency and stability of hydrogen production electrodes remain challenging issues. In this study, we present a rationally designed α-Fe2O3/2H–MoS2 heterojunction that unlocks the electrocatalytic potential of the inert basal plane of the semiconducting 2H–MoS2 phase. The heterostructure, synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method, features α-Fe2O3 nanocubes anchored onto flowerlike 2H–MoS2 nanosheets. The electrochemical performance of the α-Fe2O3/2H–MoS2 heterojunction electrode was evaluated by linear sweep voltammetry, Tafel polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that the α-Fe2O3/2H–MoS2 electrode exhibited lower …

Photochemical And Electrochemical Assessment Of Uio-66-Nh₂/G-C₃N₄ Thin-Film Heterostructures As Potential Candidates For Hydrogen Evolution: An Experimental Study Augmented By Dft Insights, Nour Abouseada, Maryam Galal, Sameh O. Abdellatif, Khaled Kirah

Electrical Engineering

The global shift towards carbon-neutral energy systems has catalyzed an intensified focus on sustainable hydrogen production, with photo and electrochemical water splitting emerging as a particularly promising pathway. This study elucidates the design, simulation, and synthesis of advanced photo and electrocatalytic materials tailored for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), concentrating on heterostructures formed by zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)— specifically, UiO-66 and its amine-functionalized derivative, UiO-66-NH₂—in conjunction with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄). Employing density functional theory (DFT) simulations, we pre-screened the electronic properties of the MOFs, revealing that amine functionalization significantly narrows the bandgap and optimizes band alignment, thereby enhancing photocatalytic …

Truck Drivers And Autonomous Trucks: A Topic Modeling Analysis Of Truck Driver Posts, Noah Britt, Amy M. Schuster, Shubham Agrawal, Chu-Hsiang Chang, Jenna A. Van Fossen, Elizabeth A. Mack, Sheila R. Cotten

Publications

Social media provides a rich, alternative data source to interviews or survey-based research to study hard-to-reach populations (e.g., truck drivers, because of their transient work structure and unique subculture). This study uses public social media posts from the largest trucking forum in the United States to examine truck drivers’ views on autonomous trucks (ATs), which are poised to transform the trucking industry. We expand on traditional qualitative strategies of analyzing social media data by combining newer methods, including BERT-based topic modeling, sentiment analysis, stance detection, emotion analysis, topic similarity, and location analysis through a social interaction network, to analyze a …

A Comprehensive Overview Of Chronic Wound Infections And Current Treatment Methods, Sarah Fakher, David J. Westenberg

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Chronic wound infections pose significant healthcare challenges due to persistent biofilms, antibiotic resistance, and impaired healing pathways. These wounds are characterized by prolonged inflammation, microbial colonization, and disrupted tissue regeneration, leading to substantial morbidity and healthcare costs. This article reviews current knowledge on chronic wound types, their pathophysiology, and the mechanisms underlying biofilm formation to examine the latest advancements in antimicrobial-based strategies aimed at addressing these challenges. It highlights how diverse materials and technologies have been engineered to improve infection management, enhance tissue regeneration, and overcome the limitations of traditional treatments as well as advances that leverage innovations such as …

Enhanced The Simultaneous Recovery/Extraction Of Combined Heavy Metals Of Lead And Vanadium From Synthetic Wastewater Using An Emulsion Liquid Membrane (Elm) With Nanoparticles And Ionic Liquid, Qusay Al-Obaidi, Nora Yehia Selem, Oumaima Karai, Kaoutar Benabderazak, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recovery/extracting of a combination of lead (Pb(II)) and vanadium (V(V)) ions from wastewater has been enhanced by an emulsion liquid membrane with the presence of magnesium oxide (MgO) or aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles (20–50 nm size range) in the internal/stripping phase (W1) and ionic liquid ([OMIM] PF6) in the organic/oil phase (O). The study found that the recovery/extraction batch time was shortened, enhancing emulsion extraction efficiency and stability. Furthermore, the study outcomes extend the ELM separation techniques to industrial-scale pollutant recovery/extraction applications, especially heavy metal ions, from industrial effluent. The percentage of Pb(II) recovery/extraction was increased …

Ded Printing Process Modeling Using Metal Matrix Composites: In-Situ Feedstock Mixing With Variable Compositions And Empirical Validation, Muhammad Arif Mahmood, Sabin Mihai, Diana Chioibasu, Andrei C. Popescu, Frank Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Directed Energy Deposition (DED) is a promising technology for producing metal matrix composites (MMXCs), but precise control over deposited layer dimensions, particularly in multi-material systems, remains difficult to achieve due to the complex interdependence of operating parameters such as laser parameters, feedstock flow rate, and beam energy attenuation. To address these problems, this work proposes an analytical model that predicts the width, height, and depth of the deposited layers using mixed feedstock compositions in-situ, with a focus on Inconel-718 and TiC MMXCs. The model takes into account variables such as laser power, feedstock density, and mixing ratios to improve layer …

Bending Fatigue In Additively Manufactured Metals: A Review Of Current Research And Future Directions, Md Bahar Uddin, Sriram Praneeth Isanaka, Frank Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Metal additive manufacturing (MAM), also referred to as 3D printing, has proven remarkable in the fabrication of complex metal components in multiple sectors. However, the assessment of this revolutionary process through bending fatigue is frequently impeded due to concerns about mechanical and physical conditions of the printed components. The unique layer-by-layer production process results in varied microstructures, anisotropy, and intrinsic defects that considerably differ from traditionally manufactured wrought metals. This review article aims to integrate and evaluate historical and contemporary research on the bending fatigue of additively manufactured materials. More specifically, the impact of process parameters, build orientation, surface conditions, …

Powder Bed Fusion Of Stainless Steel 304l-Nbc Nanocomposite Produced By Ball Milling Method Using A Laser Beam, Khalid Hussain Solangi, Junaid Iqbal Bhatti, Irfan Ali Tunio, Imdad Ali Memon, Temoor Abbas Larik, Lianyi Chen

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Metal powders with uniformly dispersed nanoparticles, suitable shape, and size for additive manufacturing (AM) processes are highly demanded. However, it is difficult to manufacture metal matrix nanocomposite powders (MMNCs) with uniform dispersion of nanoparticles, optimized shape, and size. This study used high-energy ball milling to disperse NbC nanoparticles with an average length of 400 nm (ex-situ reinforcement) in a Stainless Steel (SS) 304 L matrix. In detail, SS304L-5wt% NbC powders were ball-milled from 4 to 10 h. The results showed that the milled powder particles experienced significant cold-welding during the milling time of 4–6 h, with a wide size distribution. …

Electromigration In Eutectic Gold-Tin (80au20sn-Wt%) Solder Joints, Whit Vinson, David Huitink

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Eutectic gold-tin solder joints (80Au20Snwt%) with a diameter of 300 mu m diameter were subjected to electromigration (EM) conditions of 10,000-20,000 A/cm2 in the ambient temperature range of 125-215 degrees C. The present work examines a set of 36 experimental test runs using two different test coupons (18 runs with each coupon type and a total of 90 joints tested). Seven of the 36 coupons survived the maximum test duration period of 500 h. One coupon type created a linear electric current pathway through two lengths of 254-mu m-diameter copper wire connected by a single gold-tin joint. The other coupon …

Intelligent Real-Time Flotation Froth Stability Monitoring Using Embedded Computer Vision: Lead (Pb) Processing Case Study, Ahmed Bendaouia, Taha Ismaili, Ismail Najib, Oussama Hasidi, Intissar Benzakour, Jianzhi Li, El Hassan Abdelwahed

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Froth stability in flotation refers to the ability of the froth layer to remain intact and avoid collapsing during the flotation process. A stable froth layer is crucial to maximizing mineral recovery and ensuring the efficient operation of flotation cells. Several factors influence the stability of the froth, including the depth of the froth, the crowding, the size of the bubbles, and the rate of movement of the froth. In this study, our main objective is to analyze and evaluate froth stability in real time, since it plays a critical role in process optimization for flotation-based mineral processing. We propose …

Few-Layered Conductive Graphene Foams For Electrical Transdifferentiation Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Into Schwann Cell-Like Phenotypes, Ekin G. Simsar, Peifu Cheng, Tugce Dogruel, Maxsam Donta, Juhyung Jung, Naomi A. Asante, Donald S. Sakaguchi, Surya K. Mallapragada, Piran R. Kidambi, Metin Uz

Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

This study investigates the potential of few-layered conductive graphene foams as 3D platforms for the electrical transdifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into Schwann cell (SC)-like phenotypes for peripheral nerve injury (PNI) treatment. The 3D graphene foams (3D-GF) are cytocompatible with MSCs and created a favorable microenvironment for the cells to attach, grow, proliferate, and transdifferentiate. We demonstrated that MSCs cultured within 3D-GF can be transdifferentiated into SC-like phenotypes using the synergistic effects of electrical stimulation and 3D porous and conductive structure. Our immunocytochemistry and gene expression analyses showed the expression of Schwann cell markers and enhanced secretion of growth …

A Fragility Framework For Surface Erosion With Application To Earthen Dam Breaching, Ege C. Kurter, Ayman Mokhtar Nemnem, M. Hanif Chaudhry, Jasim Imran

Faculty Publications

Overtopping failures of earthen dams are a growing concern under intensifying extreme rainfall. This study introduces a probabilistic fragility framework that combines hydrologic modeling, hydraulic analysis, and soil erodibility to assess erosion risk under uncertain load and resistance. Fragility curves derived from Monte Carlo simulations quantify erosion initiation and severity as functions of rainfall depth and excess shear stress. Application to multiple dams affected during the 2015 South Carolina floods reproduces observed outcomes ranging from complete breach to no damage. The framework also captures cascading effects, where failure of an upstream structure increases downstream loading and erosion potential. Compared with …

Patient-Informed Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulations Of Bicuspid Aortic Valve In Young Adults Reveal Regionalized Differences In Mechanical Stress, Hail B. Kazik, Harkamaljot S. Kandail, Joy Lincoln, John F. Ladisa

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common congenital cardiovascular defect characterized by two, rather than three, cusps. Many BAV patients prematurely develop calcification and aortic stenosis by age 35, which is more severe with fusion of the right and noncoronary (RC/NC) cusps. The mechanisms underlying calcification observed within the coaptation, attachment, and fusion regions of BAV patients are unknown. While abnormal mechanical stimuli induced by the bicuspid anatomy likely plays a role, little is known about regionalized mechanical stimuli in these susceptible cusp regions of young patients prior to calcification. Strongly coupled fluid-structure interaction simulations were conducted using physiologic boundary …

Different Brain Network Connectomic Relationships Subserve Hand Dexterity During Task Versus Resting States In People With Brain Tumors, Timothy F. Boerger, Leon Taquet, Kaitlin Goetschel, Sarah Young, Jennifer Connelly, Jeffrey R. Binder, Brian Schmit, Max O. Krucoff

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore different brain network connectomic relationships subserving hand dexterity in patients with contrast-enhancing brain tumors during task and resting states.

Method

We measured hand dexterity, resting state functional connectivity, and task-based functional connectivity in 21 participants with newly diagnosed brain tumors. Hand dexterity was measured using the 9-hole peg test (9HPT), and patient-reported outcomes were assessed with the Duroz Hand Index (DHI).

Findings

We discovered the following: (1) The inability to complete dexterous tasks is most associated with low somatomotor-basal ganglia network connectivity during rest but high somatomotor-basal ganglia network connectivity during …

Living Shoreline Prioritization And Hydrodynamic Habitat Suitability Models For Restoration In The Indian River Lagoon And Lake Worth Lagoon, Florida, Kelly M. Kibler, Melinda J. Donnelly, Vincent Encomio, Madison Giuntoli, Manisha Thenuwara, Brice Bennett, Laura Andrade Barron, Mariam Sonbol, Wynter Raine Seppala, Namritha Ramakrishnan, Jennifer Jordan Báez, Beth Orlando, Irene Arpayoglou, Melissa Meisenburg

Indian River Lagoon Shorelines

The spatial dataset: UCF_shorelinemodel_IRL_LWL.shp, was created with support from the Indian River Lagoon National Estuaries Program and Florida Sea Grant. These projects cumulatively led to creation of a living shoreline restoration prioritization model and hydrodynamic habitat suitability models for 1,550 km (963 miles) of estuarine shorelines in Indian River Lagoon and Lake Worth Lagoon.

The dataset presented herein includes:

1. shoreline data from >15,000 transects collected in the field,
2. shoreline wave climate data created through hydrodynamic modeling and frequency analysis of historic data,
3. categorization of potential risk for shoreline boat wake impact,
4. persistence of seagrass within 210 m of the shoreline, …

Crisis Observatory: Extracting Credible Signals During A Crisis In The Age Of Llms, Kuan-Chieh Lo, Pranav Maneriker, Sriram Sai Ganesh, Dominik Winecki, Kelly Garrett, Ayaz Hyder, Arnab Nandi, Valerie Shalin, Shannon A. Bowen Ph.D., Amit Sheth, Srinivasan Parthasarathy

Publications

Systems for crisis response have required several different models for the analysis of unstructured text, such as identifying needs, locations, topics, routing, and matching of needs with available responders. Large Language Models (LLMs) have replaced task-specific models across various language processing tasks. However, LLMs are known to be limited by their training data, collected before the crisis. In this demo, we explore the use of LLMs for crisis response scenarios with rapidly evolving information environments. We show how the augmentation of these models with external reliable sources of crisis-specific information can help build adaptive systems for response. The demonstration video …

Mine Tailings As A Sustainable Filler For Asphalt Binder–Mastics: A Review, Daniel O. Oguntayo, Nuha S. Mashaan, Sanjay K. Shukla

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sustainability has become a primary focus on a global scale. However, there is a threat to sustainable development due to the substantial generation of waste from urbanization and industrialization. Particularly, the accumulation of mine tailings is a problem, an industrial waste by-product from the mining sector. To support sustainable development and promote circular economy, it is imperative to utilize the materials in the production of asphalt mastics. This review examines the performance of mining waste-modified asphalt binder–mastic to create an idea of what tailings might be used for in subsequent studies. This review contributes to knowledge by consolidating research efforts …

Harnessing The Power Of Amphoterically Modified Chitosan Coagulants For Enhanced Polyester Microplastic Fibre Removal From Water, Nimesha Thathsarani, Mohadeseh Najafi, Mehdi Khiadani, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Microplastic fibre (MPF) is the dominant type of microplastic present in water treatment plants’ influent. Coagulation–flocculation followed by sedimentation effectively removes microplastics during pre-treatment; however, conventional inorganic coagulants produce high sludge volume, causing secondary pollution. Chitosan offers a greener alternative but is limited by poor solubility and low molecular weight. In this study, two amphoteric modifications were successfully incorporated into Chitosan, including CMC-CTA, synthesised by modifying carboxymethyl Chitosan (CMC) with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTA); and CMC-g-PDMC, synthesised by grafting poly[(2-methacryloyloxyethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride] (PDMC) onto CMC. Their coagulation performance for MPF removal was assessed by turbidity measurement. The effects …

Cost-Optimized Energy Management For Urban Multi-Story Residential Buildings With Community Energy Sharing And Flexible Ev Charging, Nishadi Weerasinghe Mudiyanselage, Asma Aziz, Bassam Al-Hanahi, Iftekhar Ahmad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Multi-story residential buildings present distinct challenges for demand-side management due to shared infrastructure, diverse occupant behaviors, and complex load profiles. Although demand-side management strategies are well established in industrial sectors, their application in high-density residential communities remains limited. This study proposes a cost-optimized energy management framework for urban multi-story apartment buildings, integrating rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, shared battery energy storage, and flexible electric vehicle (EV) charging. A Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model is developed to simulate 24 h energy operations across nine architecturally identical apartments equipped with the same set of smart appliances but exhibiting varied usage patterns to …

Harmonic Mitigation In Unbalanced Grids Using Hybrid Pso-Ga Tuned Pr Controller For Two-Level Spwm Inverter, Pema Dorji, Taimoor Muzaffar Gondal, Stefan Lachowicz, Octavian Bass

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study proposes an integrated control–optimization framework for harmonic mitigation in two-level, grid-connected inverters with battery energy storage operating under unbalanced grid conditions. A proportional–resonant controller in the stationary (Formula presented.) frame and a proportional–integral controller in the synchronous (Formula presented.) frame are compared, with controller gains optimized using PSO, GA, and a hybrid PSO–GA approach. The hybrid method achieves superior trade-offs among THD, convergence speed, and computational effort. For the PR controller, hybrid PSO–GA reduces THD to 1.07%, satisfying IEEE 1547 and IEC 61727 standards, while for the PI controller it achieves 2.70%, outperforming standalone PSO (4.12%) and GA …

Adaptive Guard Band And Power Control For Resource Allocation In Mobile And Fixed Mission-Critical Iout Networks, Walid K. Hasan, Iftekhar Ahmad, Quoc Viet Phung, Daryoush Habibi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) is transforming underwater communication by enabling essential mission-critical applications such as precise navigation, emergency response coordination, diver safety, robust security and surveillance systems, and real-time environmental monitoring. However, Underwater Acoustic Communication (UAC), which serves as the primary communication medium for IoUT, experiences substantial challenges, including limited bandwidth availability, severe signal attenuation and Doppler-induced frequency shifts, especially pronounced in mobile underwater environments. These challenges degrade throughput and increase latency, making it difficult to meet the strict delay and reliability demands of mission-critical IoUT applications. Without adaptive solutions, real-time underwater communication remains unreliable and inefficient. This …

Multi-Criteria Decision-Making And Uncertainty Analyses Of Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems For An Island Community, Dibyendu Roy, Hadi Taghavifar, Kumar Vijayalakshmi Shivaprasad, Yaodong Wang, Barun K. Das, Anthony Paul Roskilly

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examines advanced hybrid renewable energy system configurations designed for a remote island community. The configurations integrate multiple technologies, including wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, fuel cells, diesel generators, batteries, converters, electrolyzers, and hydrogen storage tanks, enabling a synergetic approach to energy generation, storage, and management. Excess electricity produced from the systems is utilized for battery charging and green hydrogen production, enhancing system flexibility and resilience. A detailed techno-economic and environmental assessment of the configurations was performed. Furthermore, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution based multicriteria decision-making framework was employed to identify the optimal configuration. …

Influence Of Organic Matter And Mineral Composition On Carbonate Source Rock Wettability: Implications For Co2 Geostorage, Muhammad Usman, Nurudeen Yekeen, Muhammad Ali, Mujahid Ali, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer, Volker Vahrenkamp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Wettability is critical in determining carbon dioxide (CO2) behavior during geological sequestration in unconventional reservoirs. Unconventional reservoirs are compositionally heterogeneous, affecting CO2 plume migration, containment security, and storage capacity during geological sequestration. Previous studies on CO2 storage in unconventional reservoirs have primarily attributed to changes in organic matter content; however, this study examines how variations in the mineralogical and organic matter content combined affect wettability in CO2/brine systems under subsurface conditions. Three samples with varied mineralogy and TOC content were selected from a well drilled in Jordan source rocks—an immature analog of marine-derived, carbonate-dominated, Type IIS source rocks. Samples were …

Comparative Fire Hazards Of Lithium-Ion Battery Chemistries: Linking Thermal Behavior, Gas Toxicity, And State-Of-Charge To Composite Risk Profiles, Aamir Iqbal, Ashish Kakoria, Syed Talha Riaz, Jingmin Xu, Robert Illango Pushparaj, Guang Xu

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) are widely used in electric vehicles (EVs) for their high energy density. However, their fire safety causes concerns because of the toxic gases emission and the challenge to extinguish. The type and quantity of toxic gases released during battery fires remain among the least studied hazards, with limited data available despite their serious health risks. This study examines the thermal and gaseous emission behavior of LIB cells after thermal runaway (TR). Five cell types, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), Lithium Titanate (LTO), and three Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt oxide (NMC). The three NMC variants share the same base …

Universal Crackling Noise Links Plasticity In Nanoindentation With Compression In Metallic Glasses, Jordan Sickle, Wesley H. Higgins, Kerry A. Baker, Mayisha Nakib, Xiaojun Gu, George M. Pharr, Wendelin Wright, Karin A. Dahmen

Faculty Journal Articles

For decades, compression tests have been a standard method for identifying materials properties. However, these tests are slow, destructive, and require fabricating multiple potentially expensive bulk samples. Nanoindentation is fast, almost non-destructive, and requires only a single sample, to which large numbers of indents can be applied. Furthermore, nanoindentation is widely applicable, even to materials that are too brittle for traditional compression tests. Here, we show that nanoindentation is sufficient for extracting much of the same information that is measured in traditional sample compression tests in metallic glasses. The dynamics and statistics of the plasticity of two types of metallic …

Characterization And Antibacterial Properties Of Centrifugally Spun Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Copper(Ii) Acetate Composite Fibers, Batool Ibrahim, Roberto Curiel, Sara Ibrahim, Luis A. Materon, Oleg Ermolinsky, Helia Magali Morales, Jason Parsons, Mataz Alcoutlabi

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

The demand for effective antibacterial materials is growing rapidly in today’s world. Both metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles have been widely used as antibacterial agents against various bacterial species due to their unique mechanisms of destroying bacterial membrane cells. The current study explores the antibacterial activity of centrifugally spun fibers prepared from copper acetate polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) ethanol precursor solutions against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. During the synthesis of the composite fibers, the physical and chemical conditions were optimized. The structure and morphology of the PVP/Cu-Ac fibers were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy …

Wind Farm Dynamics Over A Diurnal Cycle: Analysis Of A Comprehensive Large-Eddy Simulation, Web-Services Accessible Dataset, Shuolin Xiao, Xiaowei Zhu, Ghanesh Narasimhan, Dennice F. Gayme, Charles Meneveau

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The atmospheric boundary layer undergoes significant changes throughout a diurnal cycle, affecting wind turbine performance and wakes in wind farms. Wind farm large-eddy simulations (LES) under such conditions provide rich datasets to study the underlying dynamics and identify important trends. Here, we describe a comprehensive open dataset generated using LES of an eight-turbine wind farm consisting of four rows of two turbines. To avoid specifying either prescribed surface temperature or heat flux, a local one-dimensional soil heat conduction model is used with time-periodic solar surface heating, coupled to LES. After several days of low-resolution LES, an approximately time-periodic behavior is …

The Role Of Atmospheric Turbulence On Cloud Droplet Distribution And Droplet Impaction On An Airfoil, Arash Shad, Hashnayne Ahmed, ‪Nadim Zgheib, S. Balachandar, S. A. Sherif

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

We conduct turbulence-informed Euler–Lagrange simulations of droplet-laden flow to examine the effects of atmospheric turbulence on droplet impingement characteristics on a NACA 0012 airfoil. We implement statistical overloading, whereby we inject millions of droplets, ranging in diameter from 1 to 160 microns, upstream of the airfoil at an average streamwise velocity of 120 m/s. Within a fraction of a second, these droplets would have either impinged on the airfoil or continued downstream. While the incoming air flow is maintained uniform, droplet injection is informed by ambient turbulence, affecting both the droplet velocity distribution as well as the size-dependent preferential concentration …

Interface And Mechanical Properties Of 1d And 1d-2d Carbon Nanomaterials In Copper Matrix, Abigail L. Eaton, Arun K. Nair

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials have unique electron density distributions which warrant their classification as 1D and 2D, and they are useful for a wide variety of nanocomposite applications. This group includes 1D carbyne, which has high stiffness, and a 1D-2D hybrid composed of carbyne and a highly elastic cyclo[18] carbon ring (2D). We use density functional theory and molecular dynamics methods to study the interface properties of carbyne and the hybrid on Cu (111) surface and determine the mechanical properties of nanocomposites comprised of the nanomaterials as a fiber in Cu matrix at varying temperatures. We predict that on Cu (111) …

Strategies For Increasing Methane Removal In Methanotroph Stirred-Tank Reactors For The Production Of Ectoine, Jaden Storrer, Tansley M. Mazurkiewicz, Bodee Hancock, Ronald C. Sims

Biological Engineering Student Research

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that requires its emissions to be mitigated. A significant source for methane emissions is in the form of the biogas that is produced from anaerobic digestion in wastewater reclamation and landfill facilities. Biogas has a high valorization potential in the form of its bioconversion into ectoines, an active ingredient in skin care products, by halotolerant alkaliphilic methanotrophs. Cultures of Methylotuvimicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z were grown in bench scale stirred-tank reactors to determine factors to improve methane uptake and removal. Tangential flow filtration was also implemented for a bio-milking method to recover ectoine from culture media. …