Engineering Commons^™

Bubble Dynamics Investigation In A Slurry Bubble Column, Chengtian Wu, Kelsey Suddard, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Application of Four-Point Optical Probe Has Been for the First Time Extended to a Slurry System in a 10.2-Cm ID Column. Bubble Dynamics (Local Gas Holdup, Bubble Chord Length, Bubble Velocity, Bubble Frequency, and Specific Interfacial Area) Were Investigated using an Air-Water-Catalyst System under Atmospheric Pressure. with an Increase in Solids Loading, the Local Gas Holdup, Specific Interfacial Area, and Bubble Frequency Decreased, While the Bubble Velocity Changed Slightly. Bubble Chord Length Increased Noticeably, and the Bubble Chord Length Distribution Spread More Widely at High Solids Loading. It Has Also Been Found that the Probe Orientation is Important for …

Channel Equalization And Symbol Detection For Single Carrier Broadband Mimo Systems With Multiple Carrier Frequency Offsets, Chengshan Xiao, Y. Rosa Zheng

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We consider the frequency-domain channel equalization and symbol detection of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) single-carrier broadband wireless system in the presence of severe frequency-selective channel fading and multiple unknown carrier frequency offsets (CFOs). We show that the constellation of the equalized data is rotating due to multiple CFOs, therefore, the equalized data can not be reliably detected without removing the rotating phases caused by the multiple unknown CFOs. Instead of estimating the CFOs, we propose a method to estimate the rotating phases caused by multiple CFOs, remove the rotating phases from the equalized data, and perform symbol detection. Numerical …

Channel Estimation For Ofdm Systems In The Presence Of Carrier Frequency Offset And Phase Noise, Jun Tao, Jingxian Wu, Chengshan Xiao

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Channel estimation for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system at the presence of carrier frequency offset (CFO) and phase noise is discussed in this paper. A CFO estimation algorithm is developed by exploiting the time-frequency structure of training symbols, and it provides a very accurate estimation of CFO at the presence of both unknown frequency selective fading and phase noise. Based on the estimated CFO, the phase noise and frequency selective fading are jointly estimated by employing the maximum a posteriori (MAP) criterion. Specifically, the fading channel is estimated in the form of frequency domain channel transfer function (CTF). The …

Incorporation Of Evidences Into An Intelligent Computational Argumentation Network For A Web-Based Collaborative Engineering Design System, Xiaoqing Frank Liu, Ekta Khudkhudia, Ming-Chuan Leu

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Conflicts among the stakeholders are unavoidable in the process of collaborative engineering design. Resolution of these conflicts is a challenging task. In our previous research, a web based intelligent collaborative system was developed which provides decision-making support, using computational argumentation techniques. Enhancements were done to this system to incorporate the priorities of the stakeholders and to detect arguments that self conflict. As an effort to make this system more effective and more objective in the process of decision making, we develop a method to assess the effect of evidences in the argumentation network, using Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence and fuzzy …

Operational And Safety Efficiency Of Traffic Signal Installations, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Chris Jones, Nithin Agarwal

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The basic principle of signalization is the provision of a safe and effective means for time and space allocation at an intersection for both vehicular and pedestrian needs. The safety community concurs on the fact that there is the potential for safety improvements after signalization of an intersection, but there is a great disagreement on their magnitude as well as their potential negative operational impacts. This research reviewed the safety and operational efficiency after the installation of traffic signals at several locations throughout Kentucky. The report presented here mainly addresses the operational impacts from signal installation, since the safety aspects …

A Study Of Craft Worker Length Of Employment At Select Missouri Construction Companies, Richard D. Bruce

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Craft worker retention is a constant concern of construction firms who selfperform portions of projects. These companies must maintain an understanding oftheir work force. A methodology is presented in this study for studying information in readily available employee databases to gain such an understanding. Using a sample of 10 of Missouri's 17 largest contractors, that employ 5,277 craft workers; this study examined the employee databases to identify differences in mean length of employment based on hire age, craft, union affiliation, and company size. The analysis of variance statistical technique was utilized to test four null hypotheses. Based on the test …

Traffic Forecasting Report – 2007, David Hamilton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This is the sixth edition of the Traffic Forecasting Report (TFR). This edition of the TFR contains the latest (predominantly 2007) forecasting/modeling data as follows:

• Functional class average traffic volume growth rates and trends
• Vehicle miles traveled statewide total by functional class
• ATR locations, K-factors, and ADTs
• Functional class average K-factors and D-factors
• Functional class average truck volumes, truck percentages, ESAL calculation factors, and vehicle types
• Kentucky Statewide Model Summary
• List of MPO (urbanized) and county-level models
• Socioeconomic data sources for models and summary of MUG (model users group) meetings
• ADT and DHV Count Factors
• Hourly Volume Percentage by Functional …

Formation Of Active Catalytic Sites In Hydrocarbon Synthesis And Reaction, Nattaporn Lohitharn

All Dissertations

Acid and metal catalysis are considerably important in the chemical industry especially, for the production of transportation fuels. Since a serious concern on the world environment has infringed on the restriction of aromatics contained in gasoline, the demand for clean high-octane branched alkanes for gasoline upgrading has significantly increased. This process involves acid catalyzed n-butane isomerization in which n-butane is converted to isobutane, a primary feedstock for the production of high-octane species. In addition, due to the unpredictable price and the limited resource of petroleum fuel derived crude oil, the attention has shifted to synthetic liquid fuels derived from other …

Incorporation Of Polydiacetylene Sensors Into Commercial Polymers, Jennifer Kauffman

All Dissertations

Polydiacetylenes (PDAs) exhibit a chromatic response to solvents, temperature, strain and other environmental perturbations. When formed in a solid-state polymerization, the backbone of the polymer is planar and continuous π-overlap is observed. However, when the PDA backbone is distorted by an outside force the extended conjugation is interrupted and an optical shift from blue to red occurs. By exploiting the PDAs properties within polymer systems, smart fibers and films have been created that enhance the original intention of the host. Under this umbrella, a strain sensitive polydiacetylene-polyurethane blend was created using 3 and 4-butoxycarbonylmethylurethane PDA and a medical grade polyurethane, …

Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear Behavior Of Entangled Polymer Solutions: Particle Tracking Velocimetric Investigation, Sham Ravindranath, Shi-Qing Wang

College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering

Large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) has been employed widely to probe the nonlinear behavior of complex fluids. Typically, the system undergoing LAOS has been assumed to experience homogeneous shear in each cycle so that material functions can be introduced to analyze the nonlinear dependence of these functions on the amplitude and frequency. Using particle-tracking velocimetric technique, we have carried a more systematic investigation on four different entangled polybutadiene (PBD) solutions with the number of entanglements per chain Z=13, 27, 64 and 119, extending well beyond the initial observations of shear banding in entangled PBD solutions under LAOS [Tapadia , Phys. …

Promoting Neuron Adhesion And Growth, Laura M. Y. Yu, Nic Leipzig, Molly S. Schoichet

Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering Faculty Research

During nervous system development, the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a pivotal role offering anchorage points to maturing neurons and neurites, as well as a permissive environment for tissue formation. Thus enhancement of cell adhesion is often an important criterion when designing biomaterials for neural tissue engineering. In addition to functionalizing biomaterials with ECM-derived cell adhesive molecules, there is emerging evidence that indicates the surface topography, stiffness, and electrical properties play an important role in neuron adhesion and neurite outgrowth. We describe recent developments in biomaterials modification for simulating the microenvironment in order to promote neuron adhesion and growth, as well …

An Analysis Of The Performance Of Foams Used In Hurling Helmets, Keith Norris, Stephen Tiernan

Conference Papers

Abstract Head injuries can occur in most sporting activities. The seriousness of these injuries can vary greatly depending on the sport. Many sports such as American football, cricket, baseball and hurling try to reduce this risk by designing helmets that are suitable to be worn by the players. The National Standard Authority of Ireland (NSAI) has recently made great strides in this area with the introduction of the first comprehensive standard adopted for the sport I.S. 355:2006, which sets out new testing procedures that all new helmets must meet. The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) has also stated its intention to …

Robots Assist In Treatment Of Stroke Patients, Philip Deering, David Kennedy, James Conlon

Articles

Robotic rehabilitation is a field of biomedical engineering which combines precise mechanical design with control technology through the interaction of medical and engineering professionalss to produce a new tool in medical rehabilitation. This article provides an overview of an interactive robot for the medical rehabilitation of stroke victims.

Access Management Implementation In Kentucky – Technical Support Document And Status Report, Barry House

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report describes the efforts of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Access Management Implementation Task Force. The task force was established in May 2004 and was charged with the responsibility of reviewing and refining the recommendations in the Access Management for Kentucky research study for the purpose of implementing a comprehensive access management program for the state of Kentucky. The Kentucky Transportation Center provided technical and administrative support to the task force. This report provides documentation of the information considered by the task force, the deliberations over that information, and the decisions and recommendations made by the task force. Although a …

Evaluation Of 70 Mph Speed Limit In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to document the change in operating speeds of cars and trucks on rural interstates and parkways as a result of the change in speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph. The 85th percentile speed increased 1.3 mph for cars (74.6 to 75.9 mph) and 0.6 mph for trucks (69.8 to 70.4 mph) on rural interstates and 2.0 mph for cars (73.5 to 75.5 mph) and 1.2 mph for trucks (69.5 to 70.7 mph) on four-lane parkways. The increase in speed limits on a limited number of roads did not result in an increase …

Low-Cost Safety Measures At Signalized Intersections, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to: a) identify intersections with a high number of crashes involving a driver disregarding the traffic signal, b) identify types of low-cost safety measures which may be used as a countermeasure for red light running, and c) evaluate the effectiveness of the installation of some of these countermeasures at a sample of high-crash intersections. Low-cost countermeasures such as double-red signal heads and retro-reflective backplates were installed at locations either identified as a high-crash location or by district traffic engineers. Crashes decreased at these locations with a positive public response. The investigation warrants additional use …

Evaluation Of Pavement Marking Performance, Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of the investigation was to evaluate the useful life of pavement markings. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) provides general guidelines for the application and installation of pavement markings. However, performance requirements for various types of pavement markings are not included. Retroreflectivity data were collected throughout Kentucky on various longitudinal pavement markings using mobile and manual techniques. Data were collected on two-year old and one-year old lines. The retroreflectivity levels were analyzed and the several recommendations were made. Minimum levels of retroreflectivity should be set for determining what roads to restripe annually. These values should be …

Digital Media Agco Challenger, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

Images and videos of the 2008 Agco Challenger Tractor Testing.

Tractor Inventory, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

No abstract provided.

2008 Epa’S Report On The Environment

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

To accomplish its mission, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must pay close attention to trends in the condition of the nation’s air, water, and land, and to associated trends in human exposure and health and the condition of ecological systems. Data on environmental trends serve two key purposes: they provide valuable input to EPA in developing its strategic outlook and priorities, and they allow EPA and the public to assess whether the Agency is succeeding in its overall mission to protect human health and the environment. EPA prepared this Report on the Environment (ROE) to accomplish these purposes.
In …

The Effects Of Physical And Chemical Modulating Agents On The Induction Of Vaccine-Induced Immune Responses, Andrea Nicole Ryan

Honors Scholar Theses

After the development of the viral-based prostate cancer vaccine, Ad5-PSA, much research has been orientated to help enhance the induced immune response by combining the vaccine with physical and chemical modulating agents, more specifically the polymers polyethylenimine (PEI), chitosan, and chitosan coated with CD3 complex antibodies; all previously shown to stimulate an immune response as isolated gene carriers. To compare the vaccine-induced immune responses between the naked vaccine and the polymer-vaccine combinations, a mouse model using the ovalbumin- specific Ad-OVA vaccine was tested using intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), tetramer staining, and cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte assays to measure the activation of …

Analysis Of The Impact Of Fuel Price And Bidding Volume On The Engineer's Estimate, Greaton Sellers

All Theses

The research project 'Analysis of the Impact of Fuel Price and Bidding Volume on the Engineer's Estimate' was initiated by the South Carolina Department of Transportation and conducted by Clemson University. This research was executed as a two part study, 'Best Practices for Developing the Engineer's Estimate', which addressed two distinct but related objectives. The first research objective was to fully explore the advantages and disadvantage of alternative methodologies utilized to compile the engineer's cost estimate. This research objective is addressed in Report Volume I. The second research objective, which is addressed in this Report Volume II, was to develop …

Optimization Of Production, Maintenance, Design And Reliability For Multipurpose Process Plants: An Analysis And Revision Of Models, Christopher L. Mcgann

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

The successful design of multipurpose process plants, which are characterized by their flexibility, is accomplished by maximizing the availability of process units and therefore, the profitability of the process. Maximum availability is achieved through the optimization of the design and production scheduling of a process under constraints relating to equipment maintenance and failure. Mathematical models that incorporate the production scheduling, maintenance scheduling, process design and initial reliability aspects of a process can be optimized in order to maximize availability. These mathematical models are solved through the use of computers. Mathematical process models, presented in the literature and containing the aforementioned …

A Study Of Inhomogeneity Effects On Packed High Performance Liquid Chromatography Columns, Tyler House

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The packing quality of a High Performance Liquid Chromatography column has significant impact on the resulting separations. In practice, problems in a packing occur through normal usage of a column. Resulting chromatograms from inhomogeneities exhibit varying problems such as extreme tailing and double peaks. Early detection of such problems is critical to fixing problems before their effect harms efficiency, but a fully developed theory of how inhomogeneities affect separations does not exist. The purpose of this work was to experimentally characterize HPLC column inhomogeneities and to begin preliminary simulations of HPLC columns with the computer simulation package STAR-CD. To do …

Conversion Of Biomass Resource To Useful Forms Of Energy And Other Products, Steven Jennings

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The United States is facing increasing pressure to find renewable energy sources due to rising energy costs. With world energy demand at an all time high, renewable energy has been thrust into the forefront of research as a means to mitigate this looming crisis. Throughout the United States, there is a large quantity of agricultural biomass that could be used to generate energy and lessen the dependence on diminishing resources. Specifically, animal feeding operations (AFOs) such as dairies generate large amounts of cow manure, which, when improperly handled, causes both air and water pollution. Currently, most manure is temporarily stockpiled …

E-Racer, Allison Meisner

Honors Scholar Theses

The E-Racer was made for a young boy with cerebral palsy. The client cannot use his legs and control in his left arm is very limited. The client's family expressed a desire for an electric go-kart, and also for the go-kart to resemble a "normal" go-kart. To that end, the E-Racer has been outfitted with both steering wheel and joystick modes so the client can choose which control system he would like to use depending on what he is comfortable with. The E-Racer is a stock go-kart which was modified in several key ways. The electronics were drastically modified to …

Universal Electric And Magnetic Field Analyzer System, Yong Cheh Ho, David Pommerenke, Tun Li

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Near-field probing is often used to determine the sources and coupling paths of an electromagnetic interference problem above a printed circuit board or integrated circuits chip. A wideband universal field analyzer was developed in order to measure circularly and linearly polarized magnetic fields and total electric field in a rapid sequence using a single probe design.

Zeolite Thin Film-Coated Long Period Fiber Grating Sensor For Measuring Trace Chemical, Jian Zhang, Xiling Tang, Junhang Dong, Tao Wei, Hai Xiao

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper reports the development of a new zeolite thin film-coated long period fiber grating (LPFG) sensor for direct measurement of trace organic vapors. The sensor was fabricated by growing pure silica MFI-type zeolite thin film on the optical fiber grating by in situ hydrothermal crystallization. The sensor measures chemical vapor concentration by monitoring the molecular adsorption-induced shift of LPFG resonant wavelength in near infrared (IR) region. Upon loading analyte molecules, the zeolite's refractive index changes in the close vicinity of the fiber index where the LPFG has a large response to achieve high sensitivity.

A Novel 24 Ghz One-Shot, Rapid And Portable Microwave Imaging System, Mohammad Tayeb Ahmad Ghasr, Mohamed A. Abou-Khousa, Sergey Kharkovsky, R. Zoughi, David Pommerenke

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Development of microwave and millimeter wave imaging systems has received significant attention in the past decade. Signals at these frequencies penetrate inside of dielectric materials and have relatively small wavelengths. Thus, imaging systems at these frequencies can produce images of the dielectric and geometrical distributions of objects. Although there are many different approaches for imaging at these frequencies, they each have their respective advantageous and limiting features (hardware, reconstruction algorithms). One method involves electronically scanning a given spatial domain while recording the coherent scattered field distribution from an object. Consequently, different reconstruction or imaging techniques may be used to produce …

A Stabilizing, High-Performance Controller For Input Series-Output Parallel Converters, Jonathan W. Kimball, Joseph T. Mossoba, Philip T. Krein

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A form of sensorless current mode (SCM) control stabilizes sharing in multiphase input-series-output-parallel (ISOP) dc-dc converter topologies. Previously, ISOP converters have been proposed to reduce the voltage and current ratings of switching devices. Since the inputs are all connected in series, each phase need only be rated for a fraction of the total input voltage. Voltage and current sharing are key - if there is any phase-to-phase imbalance, the system benefits are substantially reduced. In the present work, a simple SCM controller is shown to guarantee stable sharing. Each phase acts independently on the same output reference and desired input …