Engineering Commons^™

Spatial Correspondence Of Cortical Activity Measured With Whole Head Fnirs And Fmri Toward Clinical Use Within Subject, Anthony Zinos, Julie C. Wagner, Scott A. Beardsley, Wei-Liang Chen, Lisa Conant, Marsha Malloy, Joseph Heffernan, Brendan Quirk, Robert W. Prost, Mohit Maheshwari, Jeffrey Sugar, Harry T. Whelan

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) both measure the hemodynamic response, and so both imaging modalities are expected to have a strong correspondence in regions of cortex adjacent to the scalp. To assess whether fNIRS can be used clinically in a manner similar to fMRI, 22 healthy adult participants underwent same-day fMRI and whole-head fNIRS testing while they performed separate motor (finger tapping) and visual (flashing checkerboard) tasks. Analyses were conducted within and across subjects for each imaging approach, and regions of significant task-related activity were compared on the cortical surface. The spatial correspondence between …

Joint Energy And Security Optimization In Underwater Wireless Communication Networks, Kazi Y. Islam, Iftekhar Ahmad, Yue Rong, Daryoush Habibi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Underwater wireless communication networks (UWCNs) can support a wide range of applications in the underwater domain, including mining and drilling, coastline monitoring, border surveillance, and submarine/mine detection. Some of these applications are sensitive in nature (e.g., military) and demand stringent security requirements for data communications. In order to prevent malicious attacks (e.g., jamming) in these UWCNs, robust security countermeasures must be implemented. Additionally, sensitive data communications must be protected. However, computationally expensive security protocols, such as encryption, can severely shorten UWCN lifetime, where battery-powered nodes already suffer from scarce energy supplies. In this work, we exploit content caching as a …

Corrosion And Passivation Behavior Of Laser Powder Bed Fusion Produced Ti-6al-4v Under Various Prior Plastic Deformation Strains, P. Qin, L. Y. Chen, Y. J. Liu, S. X. Liang, H. Sun, L. C. Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This work investigated the corrosion behavior of LPBF-produced Ti-6Al-4V under varying compression strains in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. It identifies that increasing compression strain causes significant alterations in the acicular a'-Ti phase (coarsening, breakage, and further coarsening). Corrosion resistance decreases with higher strains due to deformed a'-Ti phases, leading to increased film growth kinetics (from 0.09× 10−10 cm2/s increase to 12.75 × 10−10 cm2/s). Samples under higher strains (e.g., 32%) exhibit fluctuations in corrosion behavior due to initiated cracks and subsequent crevice corrosion. These findings are vital for understanding LPBF-produced Ti-6Al-4V in applications requiring mechanical strength and corrosion resilience.

Decoding Crystallization Behavior Of Aluminoborosilicate Glasses: From Structural Descriptors To Quantitative Structure – Property Relationship (Qspr) Based Predictive Models, Yingcheng Zhang, Marco Bertani, Alfonso Pedone, Randall E. Youngman, Gregory Tricot, Aditya Kumar, Ashutosh Goel

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Successful decoding of structural descriptors controlling the crystallization in multicomponent functional glasses can pave the way for the transition from the trial-and-error approach and empirical modeling for glass/glass-ceramic composition design toward more rational and scientifically rigorous Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR) based models. However, due to the compositional and structural complexity of multicomponent glasses and the longer time and length scales associated with nucleation, the development and validation of QSPR models are still in it's infancy. The work presented in the article is an attempt to leap forward in this pursuit by combining the strengths of experimental and computational materials science …

Ensemble-Learning Model Based Ultimate Moment Prediction Of Reinforced Concrete Members Strengthened By Uhpc, Woubishet Zewdu Taffese, Yanping Zhu, Genda Chen

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Data-driven model development brings new approaches to solve conventional civil engineering problems, which are usually considered and answered by experimental, analytical, and numerical methods. This study aims to develop an ensemble learning model (i.e., XGBoost: eXtreme Gradient Boosting) to predict ultimate moment of reinforced concrete (RC) members strengthened by a newly developed concrete technology – ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC). The study considered two scenarios, incorporating eighteen and seventeen features, with one feature modification involving the transformation of width and height to the cross-sectional area of RC members. Incorporating three substrate damage levels, two substrate surface treatments preceding UHPC strengthening, and …

Feasibility Of Using Combustion-Based Methods To Quantify Saline-Based Anti-Stripping Agent In Modified Asphalt Binders, Riyadul Hashem Riyad, Ji Wu, Junan Shen

Civil Engineering & Construction: Faculty Publications

“Anti-stripping Agents” or “adhesion promoters” can enhance the chemical affinity between asphalt and aggregate by increasing their mutual attraction. Various forms of anti-stripping agents have been proposed to mitigate pavement stripping, and siloxane-based Zychotherm is one of them. Choosing the appropriate type and dose of anti-stripping additives is no doubt vital to the intended performance. Therefore, it is critically important to determine the dose of the additives used in the modification of asphalt binders. This research developed a feasible detection method that can closely measure the dose (0.05% and 0.1%) of siloxane-based anti-stripping liquid agents. Related test methods, including heat …

Inertial Measurement Unit Based Haptic System, Nathan Ceja

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

This study investigated the mitigation of lower back pain of nurses through the measurement of trunk flexion during patient handling tasks and the application of haptic feedback when a safe limit was exceeded. This was done using a system comprising: a microcontroller; a battery and cable to connect it thereto; buttons for trial control soldered thereto; an inertial measurement unit and cable to connect it thereto; a microSD card for in situ data collection inserted thereto; and a coin motor for haptic feedback soldered thereto. After informed consent was given, the system was attached to the lower back of a …

Low Back Loading During Patient Handling Tasks, Grant Seyller

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

Lower back disorders are common among the general population, and are the leading cause of disability worldwide. Nurses and others in the healthcare profession are the most at risk for lower back pain, due to the repeated lifting and handling of patients. In a survey from 2001, over 40,000 nurses from 5 different countries were surveyed, and 39% said they would leave their occupation in the next year because of the physical demands. Because of the prevalence of low back pain in nurses, understanding how patient handling tasks and the weight of patients affect the lower back is important to …

Variation Of Lumbar Rotation During Asymmetric Patient Handling Tasks, Elsa Brillinger, Yeageon Song, Regina Vicente

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

Musculoskeletal injury to the lower lumbar vertebrae is among high prevalence in nursing personnel. Currently, lumbar rotation during patient-handling tasks (PHT) is not widely studied. This work specifically investigated lumbar rotation in asymmetric PHT tasks—tasks where the arms or shoulders are used to reach to different parts of a patient, causing the trunk to rotate. In addition, task performance was also analyzed with respect to patient weight. A pilot study was completed with 5 able-bodied volunteers without PHT experience. Three tasks were analyzed: sliding a patient towards the head of the bed using a sling (2-slide), lifting a patient’s leg …

How Adjusting Surface Electrode Voltages Affects Referred Sensation Quality, Jeffrey Quintanilla-Flores, Justin Egbuzie, Marianna Urdaneta

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

Referred sensation is when electrical stimulation at one location activates a nerve that innervates a different location. Achieving referred sensation via surface electrical stimulation for the median nerve experimentally has been found to be difficult and time-consuming. Our long-term goal is to design an electrode array to be placed over the elbow crease and develop an algorithm to adjust the electrode voltages used for stimulation until a good referred sensation in the hand is achieved. Our goal for this project was to evaluate the sensation quality of different stimulation values in an electrode array.

Using an anatomically-based finite element model …

The Relationship Between An Individual's Height And The Movement Strategies Implemented To Perform Manual Patient-Handling Tasks, Regina Vicente, Elsa Brillinger, Yea Geon Song

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

Nurses are specifically at risk of low back pain and injury, which has been associated with the performance of daily tasks involving repositioning and handling patients in awkward postures. We recently conducted a proof of concept study to understand multi-joint coordination of the trunk, hips, and knees during the performance of several patient-handling tasks. While interpreting that data, we noted a difference in performance of shorter subjects versus taller subjects. In this study, we present a secondary analysis of that data that explores the relationship of the movement strategies selected during tasks (based on trunk, hip, and knee joint coordination) …

Immersive Japanese Language Learning Web Application Using Spaced Repetition, Active Recall, And An Artificial Intelligent Conversational Chat Agent Both In Voice And In Text, Marc Butler

MS in Computer Science Project Reports

In the last two decades various human language learning applications, spaced repetition software, online dictionaries, and artificial intelligent chat agents have been developed. However, there is no solution to cohesively combine these technologies into a comprehensive language learning application including skills such as speaking, typing, listening, and reading. Our contribution is to provide an immersive language learning web application to the end user which combines spaced repetition, a study technique used to review information at systematic intervals, and active recall, the process of purposely retrieving information from memory during a review session, with an artificial intelligent conversational chat agent both …

Supplementary Data For Potential For Climate-Based Financing Of Watershed Management To Restore Streams And Improve Water Quality Following A Wildfire: A Case Study Of The Provo River Watershed, Braxton W. Porter, Robert B. Sowby

ScholarsArchive Data

Data presented in Thesis Dissertation "Potential for Climate-Based Financing of Watershed Management to Restore Streams and Improve Water Quality Following a Wildfire: A Case Study of the Provo River Watershed". Provides all inputs, results, and code used in the presented analysis.

Assessment Of Satellite-Based Water Requirements For A Drip-Irrigated Apple Orchard In Mediterranean Agroclimatic Conditions, Daniel De La Fuente-Saiz, Samuel Ortega-Farias, Marcos Carrasco-Benavides, Samuel Ortega-Salazar, Fei Tian, Sufen Wang, Yi Liu

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Accurate assessment of evapotranspiration (ETa) and crop coefficient (Kc) is crucial for optimizing irrigation practices in water-scarce regions. While satellite-based surface energy balance models offer a promising solution, their application to sparse canopies like apple orchards requires specific validation. This study investigated the spatial and temporal dynamics of ETa and Kc in a drip-irrigated ‘Pink Lady’ apple orchard under Mediterranean conditions over three growing seasons (2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15). The METRIC model, incorporating calibrated sub-models for leaf area index (LAI), surface roughness (Z_om), and soil heat flux (G), was employed to estimate ETa and Kc. These estimates were validated …

Seeding Effects Of Submicron Caal-No3 Ldh Particles On The Hydration And Properties Of Portland Cement And Sulfoaluminate Cement Pastes, Sukanta K. Mondal, Monday Uchenna Okoronkwo

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) is reported to improve the durability of concretes, primarily due to its ability to exchange anionic species, including chloride, which is implicated in corrosion-driven durability issues. However, there is no comprehensive study investigating the effect of LDH on the properties of different cement systems at both early and mature ages. in this study, the early age and mature age properties of Portland cement (OPC) and calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement pastes seeded with submicron-sized calcium aluminum-NO3 LDH (CaAl-NO3 LDH) were investigated. the effects of the 1–5%mass dosage of LDH on the hydration of both cement systems were …

Seeding Effects Of Submicron Caal-No3 Ldh Particles On The Hydration And Properties Of Portland Cement And Sulfoaluminate Cement Pastes, Sukanta K. Mondal, Monday Uchenna Okoronkwo

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) Is Reported To Improve The Durability Of Concretes, Primarily Due To Its Ability To Exchange Anionic Species, Including Chloride, Which Is Implicated In Corrosion-Driven Durability Issues. However, There Is No Comprehensive Study Investigating The Effect Of LDH On The Properties Of Different Cement Systems At Both Early And Mature Ages. In This Study, The Early Age And Mature Age Properties Of Portland Cement (OPC) And Calcium Sulfoaluminate (CSA) Cement Pastes Seeded With Submicron-Sized Calcium Aluminum-NO3 LDH (CaAl-NO3 LDH) Were Investigated. The Effects Of The 1–5%mass Dosage Of LDH On The Hydration Of Both Cement Systems Were …

Assessing Hydrolysis Performance Of Ce(Oh)4@Pim-1 Composites Functionalized With Amidoxime, Aldoxime, And Carboxylate Groups Toward Dimethyl 4-Nitrophenylphosphonate, A Nerve Agent Simulant, Peter O. Aina, Sukanta K. Mondal, Ali A. Rownaghi, Fateme Rezaei

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In recent years, significant attention has been directed toward evaluating the reactivity of diverse polymers to gauge their catalytic activity against hazardous chemicals. Among these polymers, pim-1 has emerged as an exceptional candidate due to its noteworthy attributes including high surface area, excellent solubility, and the capability to fine-tune the nitrile functional groups along its polymeric backbone. In this study, we explored the impact of different functional groups, such as amidoxime (ax), aldoxime (ox), and carboxylate (cooh), on the degradation of dimethyl 4-nitrophenylphosphonate (dmnp) in comparison to pure pim-1 and their respective ce(oh)4-loaded polymer composites. Remarkably, the pim-1-ax analog exhibited …

Real-Time Vehicle And Lane Detection Using Modified Overfeat Cnn: A Comprehensive Study On Robustness And Performance In Autonomous Driving, Monowar Hossain Saika, Sonjoy Paul Avi, Kazi Toriqul Islam, Tanjida Tahmina, Md Shahriar Abdullah, Touhid Imam

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

This examination researches the use of profound learning methods, explicitly utilizing Convolutional Brain Organizations (CNNs), for ongoing recognition of vehicles and path limits in roadway driving situations. The study investigates the performance of a modified Over Feat CNN architecture by making use of a comprehensive dataset that includes annotated frames captured by a variety of sensors, including cameras, LIDAR, radar, and GPS. The framework shows heartiness in identifying vehicles and anticipating path shapes in 3D while accomplishing functional rates of north of 10 Hz on different GPU setups. Vehicle bounding box predictions with high accuracy, resistance to occlusions, and efficient …

Review Of Methodological Decisions In Life Cycle Assessment (Lca) Of Biorefinery Systems Across Feedstock Categories, James Gaffey, Maurice N. Collins, David Styles

Publications

The application of life cycle assessment (LCA) to biorefineries is a necessary step to estimate their environmental sustainability. This review explores contemporary LCA biorefinery studies, across different feedstock categories, to understand approaches in dealing with key methodological decisions which arise, including system boundaries, consequential or attributional approach, allocation, inventory data, land use changes, product end-of-life (EOL), biogenic carbon storage, impact assessment and use of uncertainty analysis. From an initial collection of 81 studies, 59 were included within the final analysis, comprising 22 studies which involved dedicated feedstocks, 34 which involved residue feedstocks (including by-products and wastes), and a further 3 …

Strength And Stiffness Optimization Of Coated Structures With Lattice Infill, Ali Tamijani, Zhichao Wang

Publications

A machine-implemented method for establishing optimized parameters defining a model of a coated structure with a lattice infill can include receiving constraints for the model of the coated structure. The machine-implemented method can also include initializing a lattice infill defined by respective lattice cells according to the constraints for the model of the coated structure. The machine-implemented method can also include optimizingthe lattice infill and a shape of the coated structure by iteratively modifyingthe lattice infill and the shape of the coated structure and evaluating a strength-based criterion. The machine-implemented method can also include generating, usingthe optimized lattice infill and …

Voltage Scaled Low Power Dnn Accelerator Design On Reconfigurable Platform, Rourab Paul, Sreetama Sarkar, Suman Sau, Sanghamitra Roy, Koushik Chakraborty, Amlan Chakrabarti

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The exponential emergence of Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) has accelerated research on hardware implementation of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs). Among all DNN processors, domain-specific architectures such as Google’s Tensor Processor Unit (TPU) have outperformed conventional GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) and CPUs (Central Processing Units). However, implementing low-power TPUs in reconfigurable hardware remains a challenge in this field. Voltage scaling, a popular approach for energy savings, can be challenging in FPGAs, as it may lead to timing failures if not implemented appropriately. This work presents an ultra-low-power FPGA implementation of a TPU for edge applications. We divide the systolic array of …

A Scalable Approach To Minimize Charging Costs For Electric Bus Fleets, Daniel Mortensen, Jacob Gunther

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Incorporating battery electric buses into bus fleets faces three primary challenges: a BEB’s extended refuel time, the cost of charging, both by the consumer and the power provider, and large compute demands for planning methods. When BEBs charge, the additional demands on the grid may exceed hardware limitations, so power providers divide a consumer’s energy needs into separate meters even though doing so is expensive for both power providers and consumers. Prior work has developed a number of strategies for computing charge schedules for bus fleets; however, prior work has not worked to reduce costs by aggregating meters. Additionally, because …

Kitchen Ergonomics In Health And Healthcare: A Rapid Scoping Review, Haozhi Chen, Nicholas Anton, Richard J. Holden, Denny Yu

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

Although traditional workplace settings such as hospitals and clinics are well-studied, non-clinical areas like home kitchens, which connect clinical healthcare with the care provided in daily living settings, have received less attention. During the early stages of the global pandemic, there has been an increase in home cooking activities due to widespread isolation and restrictions imposed on dining publicly. Ergonomics is at the intersection between work environments and human task performance, and kitchen ergonomics informs knowledge on effective, safe, and efficient cooking practices while maintaining the desired kitchen functionality. Numerous contributions across various disciplines have added knowledge to the kitchen …

Simultaneous Thermal Zoning And Demand Control Ventilation, Jose Rodriguez, Nelson Fumo

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems play a crucial role in controlling indoor air conditions, including temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentration, to ensure human comfort and safety. Thermal zoning and demand-controlled ventilation have demonstrated enhancements in comfort and energy efficiency. This study aims to develop a mathematical model for a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system employing an estimated state-feedback control algorithm to optimize indoor comfort and energy savings while minimizing sensor requirements. The model encompasses dynamic equations governing CO₂ concentration and temperature in a five-room building. Temperature regulation is achieved by adjusting the airflow from a cooling unit with …

Meso-Scale Seabed Quantification With Geoacoustic Inversion, Tim Sonnemann, Jan Dettmer, Charles W. Holland, Stan E. Dosso

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Abstract Knowledge of sub-seabed geoacoustic properties, for example depth dependent sound speed and porosity, is of importance for a variety of applications. Here, we present a semi-automated geoacoustic inversion method for autonomous underwater vehicle data that objectively adapts model inference to seabed structure. Through parallelized trans-dimensional Bayesian inference, we infer seabed properties along a 12 km survey track on the scale of about 10 cm and 50 m in the vertical and horizontal, respectively. The inferred seabed properties include sound speed, attenuation, density, and porosity as a function of depth from acoustic reflection coefficient data. Parameter uncertainties are quantified, and …

On The Feasibility Of Ultrasonic Full Waveform Evaluation With Changing Testing Conditions For The Quality Control Of Manufacturing Parts, Simon Schmid, Thomas Schumacher, Christian U. Grosse

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Fast volumetric non-destructive testing methods are needed, especially for quality control in manufacturing lines. Ultrasonic testing with full waveform evaluation is a promising method for this. However, changes in coupling conditions or environmental factors can significantly alter the ultrasound signal, sometimes more than actual defects. This study investigates the effect of various factors on the ultrasound signal based on a Monte Carlo study with wavefield simulations. The test specimens comprise aluminium plates with holes of varying sizes and positions. Using both experimental as well as simulated data, the performance of two commonly used comparison metrics, namely the R2 score and …

Performance Enhancement Of A Solar-Driven Dcmd System Using An Air-Cooled Condenser And Oil: Experimental And Machine Learning Investigations, Pooria Behnam, Abdellah Shafieian, Masoumeh Zargar, Mehdi Khiadani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Solar-driven direct contact membrane distillation systems (DCMD) are disadvantaged by low freshwater productivity and low gain-output-ratio (GOR). Consequently, this study aims to achieve two primary objectives: i) improving the solar DCMD performance, and ii) harnessing machine learning models for precise and straightforward modeling of the solar DCMD system. To achieve these goals, a novel solar DCMD system powered with oil-filled heat pipe evacuated tube collectors (HP-ETCs) and equipped with an air-cooled condenser was used for the first time. The system was evaluated under eight different scenarios covering both its energy and economic performances. The performance prediction of three different machine …

Forecasting Future Research Trends In The Construction Engineering And Management Domain Using Machine Learning And Social Network Analysis, Gasser G. Ali, Islam H. El-Adaway, Muaz O. Ahmed, Radwa Eissa, Mohamad Abdul Nabi, Tamima Elbashbishy, Ramy Khalef

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) is a broad domain with publications covering interrelated subdisciplines and considered a key source of knowledge sharing. Previous studies used scientometric methods to assess the current impact of CEM publications; however, there is a need to predict future citations of CEM publications to identify the expected high-impact trends in the future and guide new research efforts. To tackle this gap in the literature, the authors conducted a study using Machine Learning (ML) algorithms and Social Network Analysis (SNA) to predict CEM-related citation metrics. Using a dataset of 93,868 publications, the authors trained and tested two …

Synergy Between Ca2+ And High Ionic Field-Strength Cations During The Corrosion Of Alkali Aluminoborosilicate Glasses In Hyper-Alkaline Media, Qianhui Qin, Nicholas Stone-Weiss, Nian Shi, Pinaki Mukherjee, Jinjun Ren, Ashutosh Goel

Michigan Tech Publications

One major factor impeding the design of nuclear waste glasses with enhanced waste loadings is our insufficient understanding of their composition–structure–durability relationships, specifically in the environments the waste form is expected to encounter in a geological repository. In particular, the high field-strength cations (HFSCs) are an integral component of most waste streams. However, their impact on the long-term performance of the glassy waste form remains mostly undeciphered. In this context, the present study aims to understand the impact of some HFSCs (i.e., Nb5+, Zr4+, Ti4+, and La3+) on the dissolution behavior of alkali/alkaline-earth aluminoborosilicate-based model nuclear waste glasses in hyper-alkaline …

Education And Training Networks, Ken Thomas, Robin Stubbs, Emily Shakespeare

Tools

Education And Training Networks Inventory is a review of relevant network in Ireland and the EU.