Engineering Commons^™

Modeling Of Slot-Backed Microstrip Line For Emi Applications, Jongsuk Hyun

Masters Theses

Radiated emissions from printed circuit boards (PCBs) are a significant concern in electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). Shielding cans are widely used to mitigate these emissions but evaluating requires accurate characterization of equivalent noise sources. Slot-backed microstrip antennas are employed for this purpose due to their near-zero height, low parasitic radiation, and PCB-compatible structure, offering a practical alternative to conventional loop antennas. This paper presents a physics-based analytical model that integrates both the discontinuity effects and radiated characteristics of slot-backed microstrip structures within a unified circuit framework. An analytical expression for the dipole moment is proposed based …

Long Short-Term Memory (Lstm) -Based Neural Network Model For Optimizing Composite Manufacturing Process Using Autoclave, Sourav P. Bolar

Masters Theses

The combination of high pressure and controlled heat plays a critical role in ensuring the uniform curing of composite materials, leading to parts with superior mechanical properties. In this study, three composite samples of IM7/CYCOM 5320-1, each cut into 12x12-inch squares, were placed in an autoclave at three different locations, spaced 6 inches apart. Sixteen thermocouples were randomly distributed across the setup to monitor the curing process as the autoclave temperature was systematically ramped up and down while maintaining constant pressure, creating a fully controlled curing environment. The primary objective was to optimize the curing locations to reduce machine runtime …

Characterization Of The Microstructural Changes Of Zrb2 Under Heavy Ion Irradiation For Molten Salt Reactor Applications, Narrie Loftus

Masters Theses

A primary challenge in finding suitable materials for Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) lies in identifying those that concurrently exhibit high corrosion resistance, stability at elevated temperatures, resistance to radiation, and chemical compatibility with molten salts. 11B-enriched zirconium diboride (ZrB₂) is a potential candidate for applications in MSRs due to its unique combination of properties, including high melting point, high thermal conductivity, and resistance to corrosion in harsh environments. This ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) has exhibited stability under extreme conditions, making it an attractive material for components within MSRs.

The microstructural response of ZrB₂ under heavy ion irradiation …

On Optimizing Sensor Data Collection, Processing, And Storage For Industrial Additive Manufacturing, Steven Thompson

Masters Theses

The widespread adoption of digital data management methods for transformative technologies, such as additive manufacturing (AM), within the aerospace industry is impeded by poor interoperability between AM component manufacturing processes. Moreover, data quality may be compromised due to sensor failures or other corruptions. Additionally, massive amounts of data are collected during these processes, often needing to remain accessible for decades. These storage costs can place a significant financial burden on smaller suppliers. This work aims to make digital data management methods more affordable and, therefore, approachable for smaller suppliers.

First, the design and initial implementation of an affordable and adaptable …

Investigation Of Arm Stiffness Modulation During Overground Physical Human-Human Interaction, Henry Tien

Masters Theses

The vision of advancing robots capable of direct physical engagement with humans begins with an understanding of how humans interact with each other. Even rudimentary interactive tasks, such as shaking hands, provides tremendous challenges for modern robotics and current research into the biomechanics of such interactions is limited. Thus, further analysis of physical Human-Human Interaction (pHHI) will bolster efforts to enhance collaborative robot capabilities. To this end, a custom Force Perturbation Handle (FPH) was developed, including the requisite mechanical, electrical, and software systems, to investigate the unique role of arm stiffness modulation in haptic communication between humans. The novel device …

System Design For Highly Accurate And Efficient Target Detection In Triaxial Testing, Qingqing Fu

Masters Theses

Accurate and automated recognition of coded targets is crucial for high-precision photogrammetry-based measurements in triaxial testing. Traditional recognition methods, including those based on deep learning and table decoding, often struggle with issues such as perspective distortion, rotation, and variable lighting, leading to unreliable results. While deep learning approaches offer some improvements, they remain computationally intensive and sensitive to environmental factors.

This thesis introduces an innovative system that replaces deep learning algorithms with a blob analysis-based method for efficient and robust recognition of coded targets. The system also employs newly designed solid points of varying sizes and patterns, eliminating the need …

Development Of A Method To Measure Blast Overpressure Exposure Using Orthogonal Sensor Orientations, Nicholas Kuehl

Masters Theses

Measuring and recording blast exposure to military personnel from shoulder-fired weaponry or improvised explosive devices to correlate health outcomes like mild traumatic brain injury has been a goal for many years. As such, many wearable sensors have been developed and tested for accuracy and reliability. Despite this, knowing the sensor orientation in relation to the blast source is important to fully correlate the actual personnel exposure to clinical outcomes. This research investigates whether pressures recorded at three independent orientations in the x, y and z planes can be combined to a representative pressure that is independent of orientation. Important metrics …

Power Flow Control Of The Triple Active Bridge Converter, Lauryn Reece Morris

Masters Theses

With the rise of renewable energies, electric vehicles, and microgrids, the development of power electronic topologies that can seamlessly integrate these systems into the grid is crucial. The triple active bridge is an extension of the dual active bridge topology and is capable of energy storage or renewable energy integration into a power electronic converter and thus the power grid. Consisting of three H-Bridge converters, the triple active bridge topology is an expanding area of research to meet these growing demands. With the addition of the third bridge, the system has additional nonlinear characteristics which introduce complexity in solving for …

Auto-Tuning And Applications Of Transient Voltage Suppressor Models In Full-Wave Simulations, Daniel Peter Szanto

Masters Theses

System efficient electrostatic design (SEED) combines full-wave geometry information with SPICE models of non-linear protection devices, typically transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes, to allow optimization and validation of electrostatic design (ESD) protection early in the design process. TVS models have previously been developed which may be used in SPICE simulation tools like Keysight ADS, but these models could not be used directly in full-wave simulation tools like CST Studio. A process was developed for converting existing ADS models of TVS devices to a form that can be used within a CST full wave/SPICE hybrid simulation. Three TVS models were converted …

An Experimental Study Into The Methods Of Water Coupling And Their Impact On Kinetic Energy And Blast Over Pressure Through The Use Of A Ballistic Pendulum, Jeremiah Alan Cohn

Masters Theses

Water coupled charges utilize the material properties of water to alter their behavior for reductions in overpressure and increases in kinetic energy. Although water coupling has been studied directly, combined usage of the two primary methods of water coupling, tamping and pushing, hinders further research. This study addresses the gap in literature by comparing ballistic pendulum and blast data for charges with water tamping and pushing to determine differences in kinetic energy, peak overpressure, impulse, noise and duration of fireball. The results showed that water tamping provided a 69.1% increase in kinetic energy, an 18.6% reduction in incident overpressure, a …

Selective Surface Activation And Flotation Of Pyrite For The Recovery Of Tellurium From Sulfide Tailings, Mulenga Mutema Chibesa

Masters Theses

Copper sulfide tailings from past and present mining operations are important secondary sources of critical elements such as tellurium (Te), a key component in cadmium–telluride photovoltaic solar cells. Characterization of tailing streams from copper porphyry (CP) ore flotation revealed that Te-bearing minerals are predominantly hosted in pyrite, which is usually depressed and discarded. Enhancing pyrite recovery is therefore a critical first step toward concentrating Te minerals for downstream extraction. However, pyrite flotation is often hindered by hydrophilic surface complexes formed during prior processing. This research investigated selective flotation of Te-bearing pyrite from CP tailings using micro flotation and bench-scale flotation, …

Aerodynamic Design Workflow Optimization For Fsae: Advanced Cfd And Hpc Automation, Kyle Maynor

Masters Theses

This research identifies and resolves inefficiencies in the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) workflow of the Missouri S&T Racing Formula SAE Team’s aerodynamic development. Key bottlenecks were found in simulation runtime, laborious simulation preparation, an overly manual simulation submission process, and unchecked mesh quality. A fully reimagined workflow was implemented with simulation parameters to adjust vehicle attitudes. From this, an automated design sweep could be executed to generate aero maps of the developing vehicle using the Design Manager Project. A Python-based submission app handles the terminal interfacing and macro editing that significantly slowed the job submission process before. Using a university …

Design Of A Spacecraft Power System Experiment, Jay Bakulkumar Kamdar

Masters Theses

This research delves into the design, implementation, and analysis of a controlled experimental framework for photovoltaic cell characterization and its application in spacecraft power systems. Such a system was simulated and validated by benchmarking characteristics of a photovoltaic module and implementing them in a system design simulation yielding performance data for comparative analysis. A hardware setup was developed to perform IV characterization tests under steady state thermal conditions. Experiments conducted across various thermal regulation profiles helped quantify the effects of temperature on the photovoltaic performance parameters. Active cooling reduced the steady state cell temperature by 17.9% and improved the cell …

Enabling Drone-Integrated Active Microwave Thermography Via A Slot Antenna Design, Alec P. Fitzmaurice

Masters Theses

Civil infrastructure inspection quality and inspector safety may be enhanced from the advancement in the capabilities of nondestructive testing and evaluation of remote or otherwise hard-to-reach areas such as nuclear power plants, wind turbines, bridges, or other civil infrastructure using drone-based Active Microwave Thermography (AMT). AMT is a nondestructive testing technique that utilizes high frequency energy (often radiated from an antenna) to induce heating in a specimen. Following this thermal excitation, an infrared camera is used to measure the resulting surface thermal profile. From this, defect indications may be detected. To enable drone-based deployment of AMT, where the antenna size …

Electronic Propulsion Engines: Revolutionizing Space Travel, Isaiah Echeverria

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Most spacecrafts rely on chemical propulsion to generate thrust and venture into the depths of outer space. They rely on principles from Newton’s three laws of motion, conservation of momentum-energy, and atomic physics. However, an electronic form of propulsion also exists providing spacecrafts an alternative opposed to the sole use of chemical energy. Electronic propulsion systems or engines last longer than current chemical spacecraft engines and are improving to produce greater amount of thrusts.

Comparing the two types of spacecraft engines shows the benefits and disadvantaged obtained by using either option as well as the main differences and similarities shared …

พฤติกรรมความล้าของแผ่นพื้นคอนกรีตเสริมเหล็กที่ได้รับการเสริมกำลังด้วยแผ่นพอลิเมอร์เสริมแรงด้วยเส้นใยอารามิด, ภัทรพงษ์ ปุญจุบัน

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

ปัญหาความเสียหายของแผ่นพื้นคอนกรีตเสริมเหล็กจากแรงกระทำซ้ำ เป็นประเด็นสำคัญที่ส่งผลต่อความทนทานและอายุการใช้งานของพื้นสะพานคอนกรีตในสภาพแวดล้อมจริง งานวิจัยนี้จึงมุ่งศึกษาพฤติกรรมของแผ่นพื้นคอนกรีตเสริมเหล็กภายใต้แรงกระทำรวมศูนย์ ทั้งในสภาวะแรงกระทำแบบสถิตและแรงกระทำซ้ำ พร้อมประเมินประสิทธิภาพของการเสริมกำลังด้วยแผ่น AFRP strand sheet เพื่อพิจารณาความเหมาะสมของวิธีการเสริมกำลังดังกล่าวในงานบำรุงรักษาโครงสร้างสะพาน การทดสอบถูกออกแบบให้ครอบคลุมทั้งตัวอย่างที่ไม่ได้เสริมกำลังและตัวอย่างที่เสริมกำลัง โดยพฤติกรรมโครงสร้างที่สนใจประกอบด้วยความแข็งเกร็งหลังแตกร้าว การกระจายแรงภายในแผ่นพื้น พฤติกรรมรอยแตกร้าว การกระจายความเครียด และลักษณะการวิบัติภายใต้สภาวะที่ใกล้เคียงกับการใช้งานจริง จากผลการศึกษาพบว่าแผ่นพื้นที่เสริมกำลังด้วย AFRP มีพฤติกรรมโครงสร้างที่มีเสถียรภาพมากขึ้น สามารถควบคุมพัฒนาการของรอยแตกร้าวได้ดี และมีความทนทานต่อแรงกระทำซ้ำสูงกว่าแผ่นพื้นทั่วไป ความเสียหายสะสมลดลงอย่างมีนัยสำคัญ และโครงสร้างยังคงรักษาสมรรถนะได้ดีหลังผ่านการรับแรงกระทำซ้ำ ผลการวิจัยชี้ให้เห็นว่า AFRP strand sheet เป็นวิธีเสริมกำลังที่มีประสิทธิภาพในการเพิ่มความต้านทานต่อแรงกระทำซ้ำ เพิ่มความแข็งเกร็งหลังแตกร้าว นำไปสู่การยืดอายุการใช้งานของแผ่นพื้นคอนกรีตเสริมเหล็ก ซึ่งสอดคล้องกับความต้องการในการปรับปรุงความทนทานของแผ่นพื้นสะพานคอนกรีตเสริมเหล็กในงานวิศวกรรมโครงสร้างปัจจุบัน

Plasmonic Nanopore Sensing For The Characterization Of Viruses And Biomolecules, Scott Renkes

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

The rapid advancement of nanomedicine has enabled increasingly precise nanotherapeutic platforms, including targeted nanoparticles, monoclonal antibodies, and viral gene delivery vectors. As these technologies mature, quality control and analytical characterization have emerged as critical bottlenecks, particularly in systems where functional outcomes depend on one-to-one molecular or particle–biological interactions. Conventional ensemble-averaged techniques obscure heterogeneity that is often central to therapeutic efficacy, safety, and manufacturability. A prominent example is adeno-associated virus (AAV)–based gene therapy, where production yields heterogeneous populations of empty, partially loaded, and fully loaded capsids. Genome fill percentage and integrity directly influence therapeutic efficacy and dosing accuracy, while limited understanding …

Life Cycle Assessment Approach For Trenchless Cured-In-Place Pipe Sewer Renewal Method, Shiva Mandari

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

The advancement of underground infrastructure is vital to the development of modern society and continues to inspire technological progress. As environmental concerns grow, innovative approaches to pipeline rehabilitation are increasingly emphasizing sustainability. Assessing and contrasting the environmental effects of renewing existing pipelines versus complete replacement is key to fostering eco-conscious improvements in subsurface utility systems. Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) is a commonly used trenchless method for rehabilitating pipelines. It involves inserting a flexible liner, saturated with resin, into the existing pipe. This insertion can be achieved through inversion using air or water pressure, or by mechanically pulling and inflating the liner. …

Characterization Of Dc Arc Flash Events Generated By Electrochemical Energy Storage, Nicolaus E. Jennings

Electrical Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The increasing rise in the use of electrochemical energy storage (ECES) like in the form of valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, electric double layer capacitors (EDLC), and metalized film, oil filled capacitors prompt new challenges concerning electric worker safety. The primary safety hazards associated with ECES are electric shock and arc flash. The electric shock hazard is well understood to the extent where it is known what potential and exposure duration will cause levels of pain and ultimately fatality. Various personal protective equipment (PPE) like insulating gloves allow electric workers to perform maintenance with sufficient protection …

Enhanced Load Detection With Data-Driven Appliance Signatures Using Mixed Integer Linear Programming In Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring, Marina Materikina

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Despite the numerous research studies and interest in the non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) area to improve energy efficiency, the problem of accurate and precise disaggregation of electrical devices has not been solved yet. The goal of our research is to build a method with a focus on higher accuracy on complex state-based appliances, which most approaches struggle to detect due to their power signal complexity and low consumption. Our approach is NILM with data-driven signatures (DS), with the ability to potentially predict power usage over time that would work great for suitable applications such as demand response, anomaly detection, and …

Enhancing Irs Localization Via Ml-Driven Aoa And Distance Estimation, Nikhila Kotlapara Surendran

Theses and Dissertations

Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRSs) are transforming next-generation wireless networks by enabling dynamic control of the propagation environment for improved localization and security. This thesis advances Angle-of-Arrival (AoA) and distance estimation in IRS-assisted systems using a hybrid architecture with active sensing and passive reflecting elements. A modified MUSIC algorithm, optimized for near-field localization, decouples 2‑D AoA and 1‑D range estimation using a grid-and-peak pseudo-spectrum scan, achieving sub-degree AoA (0.003 rad) and sub-meter range (0.05 m) accuracy with over 100× lower complexity than classical 3D MUSIC.

The study further applies the algorithm to the DeepMIMO dataset (O1_28 scenario, 3.5 GHz) using …

A Fault-Tolerant Exchange-Coupled Spin-Ensemble Qubit At Elevated-Temperatures, Aniruddha Chakraborty

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis introduces a novel qubit architecture: the ferromagnetic exchange-coupled spin ensemble qubit (E-qubit), designed to address the noise-induced instability. In this work, the time evolution of the ensemble’s density matrix is studied using the Liouville–von Neumann equation. To benchmark against a single-spin qubit, the gate fidelity of an E-qubit is computed in the presence of thermal noise. Coherence time is also analyzed under identical thermal condition and a linear scaling is observed with qubit size . The results show that, at 6 K , the gate fidelity error (0.7 % ) of the seven- spin ensemble is an order …

Development Of Self-Healing Polymer From Bio-Based Benzoxazine Blend With Poly(Ethylene Glycol) For Anti-Biofouling Applications, Pharaporn Yodkum

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Biofouling remains a significant challenge in marine industries, as conventional coatings often lose their antifouling efficacy once they become damaged. Incorporating self-healing capabilities into antifouling coatings has therefore emerged as a promising strategy to extend service life and maintain long-term performance. In this study, self-healing polymers were developed based on a bio-derived benzoxazine resin (E-fa), synthesized from renewable precursors including eugenol (a phenol source), furfurylamine (an amine source), and paraformaldehyde, and subsequently blended with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The blends were formulated with varying weight ratios (95/5, 90/10, 85/15, and 80/20 wt/wt%) and PEG molecular weights (PEG-600, PEG-1500, and PEG-4000). This …

Influence Of Alloy Composition On The Process Robustness Of Steels Consolidated Via Laser-Directed Energy Deposition, Jonathan Kelley

Masters Theses

"To ensure consistent quality of additively manufactured parts, it is advantageous to identify alloys which can meet performance criteria while being robust to process variations. Toward this end, this work investigated the effect of alloy composition on the robustness of steels consolidated via laser-directed energy deposition (L-DED). Ultra-high-strength low-alloy steel (UHSLA) and pure iron powders were mixed in-situ to produce 10 compositions containing 10-100% UHSLA by mass. JMatPro material simulations roughly predicted phases and mechanical properties. Two sets of experiments were used to evaluate the sensitivity of as-built hardness (all 10 compositions) and tensile properties (5 select compositions) to process …

Introducing Catalizer: A Framework For Prototyping Models Of Biological Systems, Andy M. Day

Honors Theses

Modeling the light response system of Nannochloropsis oceanica brings

a set of challenges that make modeling difficult. Notably, potential models

may contain a large number of chemical species. A large number of

species creates a quadratic explosion in the number of potential pathways.

In addition, mathematically defining these pathways is error prone, yet

follows a surprising simple set of rules. We seek to create a domain specific

language which can precisely define these chemical reaction networks.

Once the networks have been defined, they can be exported as procedures

defined in popular programming languages for further analysis.

Salinity Effects On Cu(Ii) Bioremediation By Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii Microalgae, Jennifer Hughes

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Microalgae offer a sustainable approach to wastewater treatment by removing pollutants such as excess nutrients, CO₂, and heavy metals. Among various species, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii shows strong potential in removing Cu(II) ions from wastewater. In addition, salinity stress in C. reinhardtii has been linked to morphological and metabolic changes that enhance lipid and phytochemical production. While salinity stress has been studied for enhancing biofuel production, its impact on microalgal removal of heavy metals, particularly Cu(II), remains largely unexplored. Understanding how varying salinity conditions affect both algal growth and the efficiency of Cu(II) remediation could provide critical insights for improving integrated wastewater …

Development Of Stalling Detection Algorithms And Operator Behavior Models For Evaluating Hydraulic Excavator Performance, Mateo Fernando Montenegro Defaz

Masters Theses

This study aims to develop a reliable algorithm for stalling detection and investigate how operator behaviors impact the truck-loading process, focusing on swing and bucket rotations. While the study of excavator digging conditions and equipment performance is well understood, describing stalling from telemetry data and the influence of operators’ behavior on overall system efficiency remain underexplored. This study seeks to: (i) develop a reliable algorithm for stall detection by analyzing key operational variables such as velocity and angles; (ii) implement statistical and machine learning techniques, specifically a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification algorithm, to differentiate between ideal and non-ideal digging …

Smart: Semantic Mapping And Analysis For Regional Terrain Using Multi-Scale U-Net And Topsis, Rashmi Sonth

Master's Projects

Accurate land use classification is the backbone for urban planning. But with poor quality satellite images, varied landscapes and structures which are changing faster than ever, it becomes a challenge to define clear boundaries and hence to urban planning. This research explores the application of deep-learning model for land use classification and asses the suitability of the land. The proposed model combines a multi-scale U-Net architecture with Transformer blocks applied on a multi-spectral satellite images that improves the semantic segmentation greatly across the urban and rural regions. Additionally, a patch-wise segmentation is applied to overcome the common problem of feature …

A Framework For Fair And Trustworthy Multimodal Video Anomaly Detection: Fusion, Dataset Quality Auditing, Explainability, And Fairness, Omeshamisu Judith Anigala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

St-Hybrid: Dynamic Graph Learning With Multi-Scale Spatio-Temporal Attention For Traffic Forecasting, Dhe Yeong Ewaza Tchalla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Accurate short-term traffic forecasting is central to modern Intelligent Transportation Systems, supporting route guidance, adaptive signal control, and incident response. Yet producing reliable predictions remains difficult because traffic is highly non-stationary. The relationships among roadway sensors shift during congestion, incidents, weather changes, or fluctuations in demand, and the temporal structure of traffic spans several scales from abrupt minute-level variations to broader daily and weekly rhythms. Models that rely on fixed spatial graphs or a single temporal scale tend to miss these evolving and layered dependencies. This thesis addresses these challenges by developing a graph-learning framework that adapts to changing traffic …