Engineering Commons^™

Applications Of The Guided-Mode Resonance Sensor In Multiparametric, Transmissive, And Picomolar Regimes, Joseph Anthony Buchanan-Vega

Electrical Engineering Dissertations

Guided-mode resonance (GMR) sensors are developed and implemented for multiparametric label-free sensing, transmission sensing, enhanced reflection sensing, and low analyte concentration sensing; these are the topics presented in this work. The complete biosensor – capable of label-free multiparametric data collection – is designed, fabricated, and implemented. Multiparametric data collection has previously been relegated to one variable on the sensor surface and one bulk media variable. We use a lookup table and the novel application of an inversion algorithm to simultaneously determine two variables on the sensor surface and one bulk media variable. Multiparametric data sets are required to monitor multiple …

Investigating Mems Devices In Flow Conditions Relevant To Flow-Through Systems., Mohammad Shafquatul Islam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Advancements in microscale actuating technologies has substantially expanded the possibilities of interacting with the surrounding environment. Microstructures that deflect in response to mechanical forces are one of the largest application areas of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). MEMS devices, functioning as sensors, actuators, and support structures, find applications in inertial sensors, pressure sensors, chemical sensors, and robotics, among others. Driven by the critical role of catalytic membrane reactors, this dissertation aims to evaluate enzyme activity on polymeric membranes and explore how fabrication methods from the field of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) can incorporate sensing and actuation into these porous surfaces. Toward …

The Automated Wheelchair, Jonathan Doksa Kamba Ngoyi

Honors College Theses

Automation refers to the use of technology to execute tasks through programmed instructions and automated control mechanisms to ensure accurate execution. This minimizes human involvement and encompasses various fields, including business process automation. A notable form of automation is assistive technology, which refers to any device or software that enhances individuals' learning, communication, or overall functionality. This can range from advanced tools like computers to simpler aids like walking sticks. Assistive technology aims to promote inclusivity and participation, particularly among individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and those with non-communicable diseases.

The Automated Airport Wheelchair is a culmination of prior projects …

Uav-Deployable Sensing Network For Rapid Structural Health Monitoring, Joud Satme

Theses and Dissertations

Natural disasters and extreme weather events pose significant threats to the structural integrity and safety of civil and environmental infrastructure. In this context, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) emerges as a pivotal discipline, intersecting engineering, technology, and disaster resilience. SHM's mission is to provide real-time, data-driven insights into the condition of critical infrastructure, encompassing bridges, buildings, dams, and transportation networks. These systems not only expedite assessment, but also wield substantial influence in mitigating catastrophic disasters. As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions escalate due to climate change, the need for robust and proactive SHM strategies becomes increasingly apparent. Moreover, …

Cyberinet: Integrated Semi-Modular Sensors For The Computer-Augmented Clarinet, Matthew Bardin

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Cyberinet is a new Augmented instrument designed to easily and intuitively provide a method of computer-enhanced performance to the Clarinetist to allow for greater control and expressiveness in a performance. A performer utilizing the Cyberinet is able to seamlessly switch between a traditional performance setting and an augmented one. Towards this, the Cyberinet is a hardware replacement for a portion of a Clarinet containing a variety of sensors embedded within the unit. These sensors collect various real time data motion data of the performer and air fow within the instrument. Additional sensors can be connected to the Cyberinet to …

Detecting Lumbar Muscle Fatigue Using Nanocomposite Strain Gauges, Darci Ann Billmire

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Muscle fatigue can contribute to acute flare-ups of lower back pain with associated consequences such as pain, disability, lost work time, increased healthcare utilization, and increased opioid use and potential abuse. The SPINE Sense system is a wearable device with 16 high deflection nanocomposite strain gauge sensors on kinesiology tape which is adhered to the skin of the lower back. This device is used to correlate lumbar skin strains with the motion of the lumbar vertebrae and to phenotype lumbar spine motion. In this work it was hypothesized that the SPINE Sense device can be used to detect differences …

User Profiling Through Zero-Permission Sensors And Machine Learning, Ahmed Elhussiny

Theses and Dissertations

With the rise of mobile and pervasive computing, users are often ingesting content on the go. Services are constantly competing for attention in a very crowded field. It is only logical that users would allot their attention to the services that are most likely to adapt to their needs and interests. This matter becomes trivial when users create accounts and explicitly inform the services of their demographics and interests. Unfortunately, due to privacy and security concerns, and due to the fast nature of computing today, users see the registration process as an unnecessary hurdle to bypass, effectively refusing to provide …

Instrumented Control Column For Optionally Piloted Aircraft, Andrew J. Klein

Electrical Engineering

Natilus, an aerospace company that is rapid-prototyping optionally piloted aircraft (OPA) for the shipping industry, needs a system that retrieves control column position data in order to manipulate flight simulator parameters in software. At present, a universally compatible system for all aircraft does not exist. Typically, established aerospace companies will sink significant time and money into developing proprietary systems for control column data retrieval as every aircraft is unique in its layout and linkage design. However, as a startup developing their first aircraft, Natilus does not have the privilege of modifying an existing sensor system to work with their HIL …

Dominican Republic Greenhouse Automation, Pedro Alvarenga, Henry Kayser

Interdisciplinary Design Senior Theses

The development process involved meticulous engineering and integration of the electrical components, ensuring seamless functionality and performance. The AGS was designed to be affordable, scalable, and easily replicable, with the intention of expanding its implementation beyond the DR to other underserved communities globally. By optimizing resource management, conserving energy, and minimizing the carbon footprint, the AGS promotes environmental sustainability in food production. Overall, this senior design capstone project successfully developed a cost-effective and user-friendly Automated Greenhouse System, addressing food insecurity challenges in the DR. The project demonstrated professional excellence, fulfilled the mission of SCU's School of Engineering, and strengthened the …

Design, Simulation, Modeling, And Implementation Of Triboelectric Nanogenerator (Teng) Sensors For Automotive Applications, Sam Ali

Dissertations

Triboelectricity is a promising technique for energy harvesting in which mechanical energy converts to electricity for powering small electronic devices. This method of energy harvesting serves as an alternative to traditional battery power sources and can significantly benefit low-power sensing applications by generating unlimited electrical energy. This study focuses on the development of flexible triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) and energy harvesting devices for various applications in the automotive industry.

The study is organized into four projects. In the first project, various polymeric materials were used to investigate the performance of different TENGs. Four designs (D1, D2, D3, and D4) of flexible …

Detection And Identification Of Covert Devices Using Infrared And Stacked Optics Detection, Michael A. Reyneke

Theses and Dissertations

This work investigates stacked optics detection methodologies to successfully detect and identify observational systems with a cyber-physical sensing tool, ODIN (Observational Device Identification Network). ODIN successfully detected the presence of stacked optics and LiDAR systems using night-vision devices with a 96.32% average accuracy rating, both overt and covertly placed, with objective lens diameters ranging from 17 mm to 50 mm at distances between 1 m to 5 m with and without commonly employed anti-reflective countermeasures. ODIN provides a foundation for counter- measure capabilities of NIR devices and stacked optical systems in stationary environments. Additionally, a pilot study on smartphone LiDAR …