Engineering Commons^™

Practical Model Of A Labview Controlled Active Magnetic Bearing On A Bently Rotor Kit Validated With Matlab And Msc Adams, Luis Herrera-Delgado

Master's Theses

This thesis aimed to model a rotor supported by an active magnetic bearing (AMB). The magnetic force equation due to a single electromagnet was first derived which served as the basis of AMB modeling. The finalized model utilized Matlab, Simulink, and MSC Adams to simulate a rotor supported by an AMB. Matlab and Simulink were used to model the AMB control system and actuator output. MSC Adams was used to capture the dynamics of a flexible rotor. This model was verified by comparing the model’s simulated vibration to real vibration data measured from a modified Bently Nevada rotor kit equipped …

Peer Collaborative Networks In Undergraduate Computing Classrooms, Noah T. Ravetch

Master's Theses

Peers are an invaluable resource for students at undergraduate universities. Many factors can impact how students form connections, some of which are tied to the students’ identities. While social networks have been studied in the context of universities, little research has been done specifically about peer collaboration and even less in the context of computer science classes. Our research aims to gain an understanding of how peer networks form in computing classes and the effect of being involved in one on students’ academic performances. We collected survey data (n = 139) about students’ peer collaborative behaviors in computer science classes. …

Performance Of Multi-Composite Materials With Corrugated And Cell Geometries Under Low-Velocity Impact, Lukas S. Kolbl

Master's Theses

Composite structures have demonstrated great potential to improve mechanical performance in various applications, including ballistics protection. This study demonstrates that the integration of geometrically optimized composites into core-face sheet assemblies provide great impact resistance. The research investigated the performance of two composite manufacturing methods under low-velocity impact through residual strength and damage comparisons. Corrugated core composites were produced with traditional manufacturing methods, namely compression molding, using twelve stacking sequences. These stacking sequences were chosen to represent four laminate groups, where a unique fiber orientation scheme was employed across three laminate thicknesses (6, 8, and 12 layers). In contrast, honeycomb and …

Finite Element Analysis And Verification Of Transverse Mechanical Properties Of Generally Cylindrical Orthotropic Constitutive Modeling Of 3-Phase Nanocomposite Unit Cell, Christopher J. Hawkins

Master's Theses

Fiber-reinforced composites are increasingly popular due to their specific strength and stiffness, making them ideal for high-performance applications. However, these materials primarily exhibit superior properties in-plane, while their out-of-plane characteristics remain comparatively weaker. Previous research has shown that the most effective method to enhance out-of-plane properties involves the incorporation of carbon nanotubes. Experimental tests have demonstrated significant improvements in properties such as tension, flexural, short beam shear, and fracture toughness. Alongside these experimental studies, analytical equations have been developed to predict the behavior of these composites under various loading conditions, including tension, bending, shear, and fracture. Existing models primarily address …

Bonsai Merkle Tree Streams: Bulk Memory Verification Unit For Trusted Program Verification System, Richard J. Rios

Master's Theses

Today, all modern computing systems are undoubtedly vulnerable to numerous types of attacks that could be targeted toward any layer of the system from dedicated hardware to highly abstracted software. Unfortunately, many devices and systems naturally contain inadequately protected components or software modules that un- dermine their security as a whole. Additionally, security is heavily variable system to system, and has a huge dependence on adequate implementation and ongoing support from device and software manufacturers. To address these various security issues in a very general way, TrustGuard, a containment security system utilizing an external device called the Sentry that would …

Photophoretic Optical Particle Trapping Improvements Using Beam Reflection, Ian A. Garcia, Xiaomin Jin Phd., Kun Hua Phd.

Master's Theses

Current research has shown that photophoretic optical trapping (POT) is a promising method for creating true three-dimensional holograms. A landmark study by Smalley et. al. at BYU was able to generate a full hologram within a 2 cm edge cube with remarkable success. However, a key drawback to this method is its poor ability to hold trapped particles within the focal point of the laser for an extended period of time. An investigation from our group presented at SPIE Photonics West 2023 sought to improve these results by varying the focal length of the trapping and the wavelength of the …

Investigating The Conversion Of A Signalized Intersection To A Turbo Roundabout, Vyshnavi P. Shetty

Master's Theses

Turbo roundabouts are multilane roundabouts that utilize a spiral design with raised lane dividers to guide traffic flow effectively. While they have seen widespread use in Europe, California is the second state in the US (after Florida) to have installed a turbo roundabout. Turbo roundabouts separate the ingress and circulating lanes. The concept was first proposed and implemented in the Netherlands to address safety concerns and improve traffic flow efficiency on conventional multilane roundabouts.

This research evaluates the first-ever turbo roundabout in California and compares its safety and operational performance with the previously existing 4-legged signalized intersection. The research team …

The Practical Adoption And Application Of Blockchain Technology Within The Beverage Industry, Alexander Adams Jr

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Abstract

The beverage industry is facing heightened scrutiny as the demand for transparency and accountability reaches new heights. In the age of information technology, companies must prioritize enhanced traceability to ensure product safety, comply with government regulations, maintain customer trust, and protect brand integrity. This thesis explores the potential of blockchain technology as a solution to these challenges, focusing on its ability to decentralize data, improve traceability, and expedite response times during safety recalls. The research provides an overview of the evolution of food safety regulations, beginning with the first establishment by Upland Sinclair, and examines current traceability practices and …

Project Tracking With Mobile Devices, Mike Son

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This innovative project tracking with mobile devices provides comprehensive access to project information, modernized communication, and effective work management from any device. Through a simple interface, it enables real-time collaboration, work delegation, and progress monitoring, making project management simpler everywhere. A standout feature of this application is its provision of a dedicated API (Web Programming Interface) for mobile devices, enabling seamless integration and synchronization between the web application and mobile platform apps. This guarantees a consistent and integrated user experience across all devices, allowing for quick task updates, and information sharing. The web application emphasizes security, with secure encryption and …

Magnetic Nano And Micro Rods As Tools For Characterizing Materials Mechanical Properties: Fundamentals And Applications, Artis Brasovs

All Dissertations

The focus of this dissertation is insect blood (Hemolymph). Hemolymph is analyzed by taking a materials science approach. Rheological characterization of hemolymph has been performed for the first time. Owing to a minute amount of available material, a new protocol was established where Magnetic Rotational Spectroscopy (MRS) with ferromagnetic nanorods was employed. The challenge was examining the microliter droplets' viscosity in less than a few minutes. This challenge was successfully resolved.

Blood is critical for the insect's survival: after wounding, the insect has to seal the wound quickly, in a few minutes. As the mechanism of fast clotting has never …

Laser Processing Of Multi-Phase Ceramics, Siddhartha Sarkar

All Dissertations

This research explores laser-based processing for multi-phase ceramics, offering a faster, more energy-efficient alternative to conventional ceramic fabrication. Four material systems are explored: silica-titania, alumina-iron, polymer-derived ceramic SiC-gadolinium zirconate, and polymer-derived ceramic SiC-yttrium silicate.

The silica-titania study presents a novel direct CO₂ laser writing approach to fabricating pure silica and silica-titania glasses with exceptional dimensional control and optical transparency, enabling fine spatial resolution, instantaneous consolidation, and eliminating post-heat treatment. Notably, the TiO₂ solubility in the silica network achieved is higher than previously reported, with structures remaining crack-free and transparent up to a specific TiO₂ percentage.

The alumina-iron …

Computational Representation, Analysis And Verification Of Requirements In Engineering Design And Systems Engineering, Chandan Kumar Sahu

All Dissertations

Systems are developed to satisfy a set of requirements derived from stakeholders’ needs, defining the problem space for which the system is created as a feasible solution. The system design process begins with eliciting these requirements and concludes with validating whether the created system meets them. Requirements engineering (RE) encompasses elicitation, representation, analysis, documentation, verification, and validation. However, challenges in RE, such as imprecision in natural language (NL), proprietary restrictions, and a lack of standardized quality metrics, hinder the creation of well-formed and comprehensive requirements. These challenges complicate formalization and analysis of requirements.

This dissertation addresses these challenges by proposing …

Nanostructured Silicon Meta-Waveguides And Surfaces For Enhanced Light-Matter Interaction, Saddam Gafsi

All Dissertations

In this study, we tackle the challenge of light-matter interaction engineering and local field enhancement using various silicon photonic platforms based on three different approaches. (i) The first approach is based on boundary condition engineering where we present and show through simulation and experimental results, a silicon nanodisk “diabolo” configuration able to support significant local field enhancement levels in the range ~102 to 104 in the high index medium through proper structural modifications at the nanoscale. We show that the presented optical behavior is consistent with the anapole modes characterized by the observed near-field enhancement and coinciding with far-field suppression. …

Optimization Of Polymeric Micelles As A Delivery System For Crispr/Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein, Lucian Williams

All Dissertations

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) is an adaptive immune system in bacteria that has been harnessed to perform precise genetic modifications in mammalian cells. Among CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, Cas9 has emerged as a transformative tool in gene editing due to its simplicity, high specificity, and versatility compared to the other Cas proteins and gene-editing technologies. Despite its potential to cure genetic disorders, the clinical application of Cas9 has been hindered by challenges such as immunogenicity, off-target effects, and low delivery efficiency. To address these issues, this dissertation explores using polymeric nanoparticle systems to encapsulate and protect Cas9 and …

Protocol Transformations Across Osi Network Stack Layers For Attack, Evasion, And Defense, Nathan Tusing

All Dissertations

Network endpoints frequently contend with errors and deviations within protocols. Many factors account for these deviations including noise, tampering, and algorithm implementations. Intermediate nodes are expected to modify instantiated protocols and not guarantee correctness. This ability to modify traffic enables all sides of network security to alter security and performance properties of protocols, and we define this intermediary modification of an instantiated protocol as a transformation. Protocol transformations traverse layers of the OSI reference model and changes a protocol's time series byte sequence. Within this thesis, we show that this framework applies to multiple domains and protocols. Common examples of …

Enhancing Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells By Advanced Laser Processing For Superior Performance, Tianyi Zhou

All Dissertations

As global temperatures rise, the demand for clean energy solutions intensifies. Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) offer advantages like higher conductivity at moderate temperatures (300–700 °C), fuel flexibility, stability, and lower costs. However, traditional PCFC manufacturing faces challenges with interface defects, structural imperfections, and scalability, especially in producing large-area cells and stacks.

This work addresses these issues using advanced laser processing techniques. Laser ablation and direct laser rapid additive manufacturing (DL-RAM) enable precise control of PCFC microstructures, removing surface defects and increasing bonding strength for higher efficiency. Digital layer deposition allows for large-area PCFC single cells and stack production with …

Supporting Holistic, Informed, Decision-Making Through The Complementarity Of Life Cycle Assessment And Radiological Protection, Bryanna Wattier-Weisensee

All Dissertations

Decision making is challenging and it is necessary to consider all relevant data to make an informed decision. The work herein provides a pathway wherein the fields of radiological protection and life cycle assessment (LCA) can be utilized synergistically to benefit the decision-making using the other (and vice versa). Specifically, LCA parallels decision-aiding techniques used in the optimization of radiological protection and LCA includes an ionizing radiation potential (IRP) impact category wherein the impacts associated with an emission of radioactive material is quantified to determine the human health impact. Thus this body of work focuses on (1) expanding the platform …

Exploring The Compositional Limits Of Y2o3-Al2o3-Sio2 Optical Fibers, Miranda Stone

All Dissertations

Of the widely varying compositions fabricated into optical fibers using the molten core method (MCM), the most studied by far as been those in the Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (YAS) system. Such fibers have been shown to be of interest for fiber amplifiers and lasers since they exhibit a good balance between reasonable loss, intrinsically low optical nonlinearities, and efficient gain. The majority of the fibers studied globally to-date have primarily focused on YAG-derived fibers, i.e., YAG (Y₃Al₅O₁₂) single crystals drawn in a pure SiO₂ cladding glass) …

An Efficient Computational Frameworks For Design And Analysis Of Metamaterials, Raj Pradip Khawale

All Dissertations

Advancement in additive manufacturing helps in building artificial lattice structures with unique properties that are not available in naturally occurring materials or in continuum structures. Specifically, beam-based lattices are well known for producing lightweight structures with very high strength, auxetic behavior, and energy absorption capabilities. In recent years, numerous research studies have been conducted on generating algorithms and frameworks to obtain unusual properties based on the variation in the cell geometry and material properties. However, the exploration of the full design space is hampered in practice primarily due to restrictions on cell tiling variation. Additionally, the lattices are very intricate, …

Short-Circuit Modeling And Instantaneous Overvoltage Protection Of Renewable Farms, Shah Mohazzem Hossain

All Dissertations

The existing utility grid is experiencing a paradigm shift in electricity generation due to a significant penetration of renewable energy sources. This shift is primarily driven by the large-scale integration of solar and wind energy farms, particularly in the transmission network, where these farms are typically accompanied by battery energy storage in a hybrid configuration to overcome source intermittency and improve reliability. Such renewable farms comprise numerous inverters, pad-mounted transformers, collector feeders, and dc-side components depending on the generation-source type. Additionally, inverters within these farms exhibit distinct operating modes, such as `grid-following'(GFL) and `grid-forming'(GFM), as well as fault control modes, …

Multifunctional Peptides To Improve Nucleic Acid Delivery For Ovarian Cancer Treatment, Kharimat Lora Alatise

All Dissertations

RNA interference (RNAi) therapies, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), offer a high-precision approach to reducing the expression of disease-promoting genes with minimal off-target effects. For aggressive diseases like ovarian cancer, RNAi therapy can serve as a robust treatment modality if delivered successfully. Over 70% of ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed in stages three and four, where the disease becomes more difficult to treat. High relapse rates and drug resistance in these stages demonstrate the need for novel strategies to sensitize tumors to chemotherapy, making siRNA a promising avenue for targeting resistance-associated oncogenes.

However, the delivery of siRNA remains a …

Quantitative Evaluation Of Baseflow Separation Methods Using An Integrated Hydrologic Model: A Case Study In A Snow-Dominated Watershed, Jihad Othman

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Baseflow, commonly referred to as the groundwater contribution to streamflow, constitutes approximately 50% of streamflow in mountainous regions of the Western United States. Accurately quantifying the amount of baseflow is critical for water management and decision-making, as it significantly impacts stream water quality, low flow availability, and ecosystem health. Traditionally, baseflow has been estimated using conceptual and automated baseflow separation methods, which are known to be both arbitrary and ambiguous, posing a challenge to validate them. In this study, we developed an integrated hydrologic model that seamlessly integrated the exchange between surface and subsurface flows to physically quantify the baseflow …

Designing A Robust Lab Scale Electrocoagulation Reactor For Removal Of Micro- And Nanoplastics From Drinking Water, Emmanuel Louis Aduhene

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

The widespread occurrence of micro and nanoplastics in drinking water sources could cause serious public health issues. These plastics particles, products of industrial operations and weathering of larger plastics, can interact with other contaminants in the environment, leading to more severe environmental pollution. Present drinking water treatment technologies were designed to remove suspended colloids. However, due to the distinct chemical and physical properties of micro and nanoplastics from conventional colloids, it is challenging for traditional chemical coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation process to achieve satisfying removal performance. This report investigates a design of a lab-scale electrocoagulation reactor for the removal of nanoplastics from drinking …

Equivalent-Area Studies For Sonic Boom Loudness Mitigation On A Commercial Supersonic Aircraft Configuration, Zachary N. Foster

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Since the early 1970s, the FAA has banned commercial supersonic flight over populated areas. This ban has limited aerospace manufacturers’ and commercial aircraft companies’ ability to design and operate subsonic aircraft in their fleets. Since then, research has been conducted to understand the sonic boom and learn how to minimize its loudness. The work presented in this project report aims to use a 1D low-fidelity analysis to study the effect of perturbations to the outer mold line (OML) of a representative model of the N+2 Quiet Commercial Supersonic Concept Aircraft. Using a 1D analysis that employs an equivalent area method, …

Engineering Faculty Perceptions On Student-Use Of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gai) In Course Completion, Michaela Harper

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Computer science and engineering faculty often argue whether students should be allowed to use GAI tools, such as ChatGPT, or banned from using them for fear of decreasing learning and workforce quality. This research gathers and reports engineering and computer science faculty members’ perceptions, opinions, and recommendations for GAI use in higher education. Faculty members agree that these technologies are here to stay and must be understood to address GAI in college and university courses. However, their willingness to implement GAI into their courses varied based on prior experience in industry and with the technology itself. Those with very limited …

Engineered Microalgae Cultivations Systems: Conversion Of Wastewater Nutrients Into Biofuels And Bioplastics, Jacob Watkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Dissolved Nitrogen and Phosphorus in wastewater can contribute to harmful algae blooms if released into the environment. One technology that can be used to recover dissolved nutrients from wastewater is the Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor (RABR), which supports microalgae growth in an easily-harvested biofilm and produces nitrogenand phosphorus-rich biomass that can be used to produce slow-release fertilizers, biofuels, and compostable bioplastics. This thesis (1) examines the effects of several environmental factors on the biomass production rate and nutrient removal efficiency of RABRs treating municipal wastewater, (2) quantifies the composition and biofuel yields of microalgae biomass cultivated using a RABR at …

Finite-Time Control Strategies For Rendezvous And Proximity Operations, John Tamotsu Akagi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

One common metric to use when designing a controller is the time that the system will take to reach the desired state. Unfortunately, many approaches to developing controllers only guarantee that the system will approach, but not exactly reach, the desired state. This can become a limitation in time-sensitive situations where rapid and complete convergence is necessary. One group of control methods, known as finite-time control, does guarantee both faster convergence and that the desired state will be reached, but often fails to define exactly what time that will occur, how much control will be used to get there, and …

Data-Driven Techno-Economic Analysis, Optimization, And Uncertainty Quantification Of Integrated Energy Systems In Deregulated Electricity Markets, Jacob A. Bryan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Electricity is a ubiquitous energy source in daily life, powering everything from stovetops and cellphones to vehicles and industrial processes. While wind and solar power have become increasingly common sources of electricity, the majority of electricity is still produced by burning fossil fuels, releasing greenhouse gases and propelling climate change. Wind and solar power cannot economically replace these fossil fuel energy sources on their own because they do not produce consistent power; the wind must be blowing, and the sun must be shining for them to make electricity. Nuclear power is a reliable source of energy that does not generate …

A Mass Balance Model Of The Great Salt Lake, Ut With Adaptive Management Applications, Diana Dunn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Great Salt, Utah, USA is a saline lake that provides critical habitat for ecologic communities and generates $1.3 billion annually. It has gone through detrimental change since the 20^th century. Streamflow reaching the lake has been decreased by upstream withdrawal for industrial and municipal use, causing the lake level to drop and salinity to increase to unhealthy levels. Further, in 1959, it was segregated into north and south sections by a railroad causeway. Due to the causeway and limited exchange of water through two bridges, the lake sections have significantly different water surface elevation and salinity levels. The …

Channel Dynamics In Response To Compounding Hydrogeomorphic Disturbances In A Steep Burned Watershed, Paxton Ridgway

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Wildfires significantly increase sediment input to rivers through various pathways, including post-fire debris flows. Understanding how mountain rivers respond to these sediment inputs is crucial for predicting and managing downstream impacts on infrastructure, water security, and aquatic habitats. While the causes and characteristics of post-fire debris flows have been extensively studied, the morphological changes in downstream fluvial channels remain poorly understood. This study uses scripted spatial analysis toolsets, high-resolution pre- and post-fire DEMs, repeat cross-sectional surveys, time-lapse footage, and pebble counts to document channel responses to sediment supply in a burned steep mountain stream in the upper Colorado River Basin, …