Engineering Commons^™

Preparation Of N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine Using Enzyme From Aspergillus Sp., P Setthakaset, R Pichyangkura, A Ajavakom, M Sukwattanasinitt

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) is one of the basic constituents of mammal cartilage, which is known to help repair deteriorating cartilage and relieve pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis patients. The preparation of GlcNAc from squid pen β-chitin by using Aspergillus sp. chitinase in enzymatic hydrolysis is studied. The cultivation of the fungus in colloidal chitin minimum media at pH 3.5 and 40°C for 5 days gives the highest chitinolytic activity of 3.1 U/mL. The crude enzyme obtained from the the cultivation is used in the hydrolysis of milled squid pen β-chitin (50μm) at pH 4 (acetic acid 2M) and 45°C using 22 …

Department Of Biological Systems Engineering Newsletter, Volume 4, Number 2, December 2008

BSE Department Magazine

Environmental Management Research
From the Department Head
Meet the Faculty
Alumni News
Comings and Goings
Alumna Profile
In Memoriam
Museum Hand-picked for HELP
Urban Water Quality
Summer Graduates
Distinguished Fellowship Awards
Partners in Pollution Prevention Interns
Quarter-scale Tractor Competition
Scholarships and Ice Cream
BSE faculty develop Odor Footprint Tool By Crystal Powers
Ethanol Co-product Storage and Utilization Conference, by John Hay
Biological Systems Engineering Department Hall of Fame: Don Eret and Ned Meier
International Symposium
Faculty and Staff News
University Service Awards
ASABE Annual Meeting

Load Sharing Characteristic Of Single Phase Pv Inverter Connected To Grid, M. Imram Hamid, Makbul Anwari, Z. Salam, Taufik

Electrical Engineering

This paper describes model and simulation of single phase PV inverters that work independently to supply three phase system as a part of renewable distributed generation. Load sharing characteristic of PV inverter and grid during supplying local load with current control method and relation of PV power level and current control performance to load sharing are simulated and analyzed. Furthermore, power quality behavior during connection/disconnection of PV plant, grid harmonics, voltage and current unbalance are simulated and analyzed. Model and simulation are implemented using MATLAB/Simulink.

A Small Scale Static Var Compensator For Laboratory Experiment, Taufik, Bryan Paet

Electrical Engineering

This paper presents a small scale static VAR compensator (SVC) circuit that could be used as either a laboratory demonstration or a laboratory experiment. The small scale SVC lab experiment effectively demonstrates SVCpsilas function in correcting power factor through the use of power thyristors in a phase-controlled circuit. The laboratory setup of the SVC circuit using a thyristor controlled reactor in parallel with a capacitor will discussed in this paper. Results from the lab setup to exhibit firing angle adjustment to inject or absorb VARs into the system will also be described.

Impact Of Multiple Adjustable Speed Drive System To Power System Harmonics, Taufik, Erin Matsumoto, Makbul Anwari

Electrical Engineering

This paper presents harmonic analysis in a multiple adjustable speed drive system. In a system where multiple drives are fed from the same bus, harmonic currents produced by the various drives can reflect back to the power source and to the other drives causing distortion of the voltage waveform. If these harmonic currents are significant, they can potentially cause problems for the given system. Therefore studying the harmonics at various points in the system and comparing the values of total harmonic distortion can provide guidance in choosing appropriate filtering solutions. A two AC drive system was setup in a laboratory …

Power Quality Behavior Of Single Phase Fed Adjustable Speed Drive Supplied From Grid Of Pv Generation, Makbul Anwari, M. Imran Hamid, Taufik

Electrical Engineering

Power quality behavior on connecting single phase fed adjustable speed drives to a grid which photovoltaic as the power generation is studied in this paper. A MATLAB/Simulink simulations are performed to investigate the existence of power quality parameter and the system problems that may be resulted from operation of this type of load. The results indicate a potential serious power quality problem with the connected adjustable speed drives, which requires consideration during operation of PV generation which a number of this dynamic load.

Steganography In Ipv6, Barret Miller

Computer Science and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Steganography is the process of hiding a secret message within another message such that it is difficult to detect the presence of the secret message. In other words, the existence of the secret message is hidden. A covert channel refers to the actual medium that is used to communicate the information such as a message, image, or file. This honors thesis uses steganography within the source address fields of Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) packets to create a covert channel through which clandestine messages are passed from one party to another. A fully functional computer program was designed and written …

Time-Distance-Speed-Angle Problem, Nihad E. Daidzic

Aviation Department Publications

In this age of satellite navigation (GPS), Inertial Reference Systems (IRS), and Flight Management Systems (FMS), why would anyone bother with the fundamentals, right? Wrong! A well educated and trained pilot is still the best asset in any aircraft. Unfortunately, we see a trend in pilot training where the basic science and concepts are increasingly disregarded. Ignoring the best in human nature – intellectual curiosity and the quest for knowledge – and inviting the worst, boredom and the feeling of inferiority, will certainly take its toll sooner or later.

A simple method, rarely ever taught in practice, but found in …

Flight Physician - December, 2008, Civil Aviation Medical Association

Browse all Civil Aviation Medical Association Newsletters

A sixteen page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

Hydraulic Actuated Automotive Cooling Systems - Nonlinear Control And Test, John Wagner, M H. Salah, P M. Frick, D M. Dawson

Publications

The replacement of traditional automotive mechanical cooling system components with computer controlled servo-motor driven actuators can improve temperature tracking and reduce parasitic losses. The integration of hydraulic actuators in the engine cooling circuit offers greater power density in a smaller package space when compared with electric actuators. In this paper, a comprehensive nonlinear backstepping robust control technique is developed to regulate the engine coolant temperature by controlling a hydraulic coolant pump and radiator fan. An experimental test bench has been assembled to investigate the hydraulic automotive thermal system performance. Representative numerical and experimental results are presented and discussed. Overall, the …

Utilizing Quantum Dots To Enhance Solar Spectrum Conversion Efficiencies For Photovoltaics, Richard N. Savage, Hans Mayer, Matthew Lewis, Dan M. Marrujo

Materials Engineering

Silicon-based photovoltaics typically convert less than 30% of the solar spectrum into usable electric power. This study explores the utilization of CdSe based quantum dots as spectral converters that absorb the under utilized UV portion of the solar spectrum and fluoresce at wavelengths near the band-gap of silicon-based solar cells. A flexible 1 mm thick thin-film structure that contains an array of microfluidic channels is designed and fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using soft-lithographic techniques. The channels are approximately 85 microns wide by 37 microns tall and are filled with a solution containing the quantum dots. The thin-film structure can easily …

A Study Of Switched-Capacitor Filters, Kacie Thomas

Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper presents the basic principles of the switched-capacitor circuit. In order to become more acquainted with the workings and design of filters and switched-capacitor filters specifically, an example filter was designed based on a set of parameters. It was constructed starting in the passive stage, then the active stage and finally the switched-capacitor filter was generated. All of these circuits were also simulated using SwitcherCAD and Saber. Then, a switched-capacitor filter designed by Auburn University was redesigned using the same process as the example circuit. It was also simulated in all three stages. The results from this design are …

Factors Affecting Preparations Of Chitosan Microcapsules For Colonic Drug Delivery, K Huanbutta, M Luangtana-Anan, P Sriamornsak, S Limmatvapirat, S Puttipipatkhachorn, J Nunthanid

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This work aimed at studying factors affecting preparations of chitosan microcapsules for colonic drug delivery. Chitosan microcores (CS, 45kDa, 87% degree of deacetylation) containing diclofenac sodium (DS) coated with Eudragit®S100 (ED) were prepared by a desolvation technique. Sodium sulfate was used as a desolvating agent and the drying process was freeze-drying. Factors affecting morphology, particle size and zeta potential of microcapsules were evaluated, i.e. weight ratio of DS:CS:ED, surfactant (polysorbate 80), anti-adherent (silicon dioxide), and the use of sonication or homogenization in preparation processes. The weight ratio of DS:CS:ED at 1:2:6 provided the smallest microcapsules of about 82.37±1.61 micrometer in …

43rd Conference On Senior Engineering Design, College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences

Senior Engineering Design Conference

The 43rd Conference on Senior Engineering Design Projects was held on December 2, 2008 at the College of Engineering and applied Sciences on the Parkview Campus of Western Michigan University. The college sponsors the conference to showcase the work of its graduating seniors, who are required to complete a capstone project that puts into practice what they have learned. Many of the projects are sponsored by business and industry.

Creating Tomorrow, Fall 2008, College Of Engineering

College of Engineering Magazines

Annual magazine for the College of Engineering at Utah State University.

Liquefaction Behavior Of Mississippi River Silts, Ali M. Izadi, Ronaldo Luna, Richard Wesley Stephenson

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Civil Infrastructure Built on Alluviums and Recent Deposits, Such as Dams, Contain Significant Amount of Silts. the Static and Dynamic Behavior of These Fine-Grained Soils Has Been Investigated Less Than the Clay-Like or Sand-Like Soils. Low Plasticity Silts (PI = 6) Obtained East of St. Louis in Illinois Are Known as Loess that Has Been Re-Deposited by Water in the Floodplains of the Mississippi River. These Silts Were Reconstituted in the Laboratory by Slurry at Water Content above the Liquid Limit and Then Consolidated to an Initial Effective Stress. the Initial Laboratory Characterization under Monotonic Loading Included a Series of …

Independent Torque Distribution Management Systems For Vehicle Stability Control, Indrasen Karogal

All Theses

Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) systems, also called Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems, are active on-board safety systems intended to stabilize the dynamics of vehicle lateral motion. In so doing, these systems reduce the possibility of the driver's loss of control of the vehicle in some critical or aggressive maneuvers. One approach to vehicle dynamics control is the use of appropriate drive torque distribution to the wheels of the vehicle. This thesis focuses on particular torque distribution management systems suitable for vehicles with independently driven wheels.
In conducting this study, a non-linear seven degree-of-freedom vehicle model incorporating a non-linear tire model …

Geothermal (Ground-Source) Heat Pumps: Market Status, Barriers To Adoption, And Actions To Overcome Barriers, Patrick J. Hughes

United States Department of Energy: Publications

More effective stewardship of our resources contributes to the security, environmental sustainability, and economic well-being of the nation. Buildings present one of the best opportunities to economically reduce energy consumption and limit greenhouse gas emissions. Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs), sometimes called ground-source heat pumps, have been proven capable of producing large reductions in energy use and peak demand in buildings. However, GHPs have received little attention at the policy level as an important component of a national strategy. Have policymakers mistakenly overlooked GHPs, or are GHPs simply unable to make a major contribution to the national goals for various reasons? …

Hypro: A Financial Tool For Simulating Hydrogen Infrastructure Development, Brian D. James, Peter O. Schmidt, Julie Perez

United States Department of Energy: Publications

This report summarizes an analysis of the options and trade-offs for the establishment of the hydrogen production infrastructure necessary for a complete transition to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by the year 2050. The primary tool used for the analysis is a custom created MatLab simulation tool entitled HyPro (short for Hydrogen Production). This report describes both the calculation methodology of HyPro and the assumptions and results of the baseline analysis and its many corollary cases. This study was made possible with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
The report and supporting primary analyses were overseen by Fred Joseck …

Integrated Science Assessment For Oxides Of Nitrogen And Sulfur – Ecological Criteria, United States Environmental Protection Agency

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

This Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) is a synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science that forms the scientific foundation for the review of the secondary (welfare-based) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) and oxides of sulfur (SO_x). The Clean Air Act definition of welfare effects includes, but is not limited to, effects on soils, water, wildlife, vegetation, visibility, weather, and climate, as well as effects on man-made materials, economic values, and personal comfort and well-being. The current secondary NAAQS for SO_x, set in 1973, is a 3-hour average …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Intelligence Techniques Are Needed To Further Enhance The Advantage Of Groups With Diversity In Problem Solving, Oscar Castillo, Patricia Melin, J. Esteban Gamez, Vladik Kreinovich, Olga Kosheleva

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In practice, there are many examples when the diversity in a group enhances the group's ability to solve problems -- and thus, leads to more efficient groups, firms, schools, etc. Several papers, starting with the pioneering research by Scott E. Page from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, provide a theoretical justification for this known empirical phenomenon. However, when the general advise of increasing diversity is transformed into simple-to-follow algorithmic rules (like quotas), the result is not always successful. In this paper, we prove that the problem of designing the most efficient group is computationally difficult (NP-hard). Thus, in …

Room-Temperature Single-Electron Devices Based On Cmos Fabrication Technology, Vishva Priyo Ray

Material Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Single-electron devices, in which the transport and storage of individual electrons is precisely controlled, have many potential benefits in the field of electronics, optics, and sensors. Fabrication of these devices requires the arrangement of device components (Coulomb island, source, drain, and gate electrodes) with nanometer scale precision. Although several methods have successfully demonstrated single-electron behavior, large-scale fabrication of single-electron devices has not been possible.This research aims to - * Come up with a method which would allow the fabrication of single-electron devices on a large scale,* Make the fabrication method compatible with current CMOS technology, and,* Enable room-temperature operation of …

Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis Of Tweel Geometric Parameter Modifications On Spoke Dynamics During High Speed Rolling, Maya Ramachandran

All Theses

The acoustic signature and noise produced by non-pnuematic wheels such as the Michelin TWEELTM is a critical design criteria for automotive and other mobility applications. The TWEELTM structure consists of three basic parts: (1) a circular deformable 'shear beam', (2) collapsible spokes and (3) a rigid hub. During high speed rolling the TWEELTM produces acoustic noise which is hypothesized to be due to resonant vibration of the TWEELTM spokes as they enter the contact region, buckle and then snap back into a state of tension. In order to identify and help understand the causes of acoustic noise for a rolling …

Ballot Mark Detection, Elisa H. Barney Smith, Daniel Lopresti, George Nagy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Optical mark sensing, i.e., detecting whether a "bubble" has been filled in, may seem straightforward. However, on US election ballots the shape, intensity, size and position of the marks, while specified, are highly variable due to a diverse electorate. The ballots may be produced and scanned by poorly maintained equipment. Yet near-perfect results are required. To improve the current technology, which has been subject to criticism, components of a process for identifying marks on an optical sense ballot are evaluated. When marked synthetic ballots are compared to an unmarked ballot, the absolute difference of adaptive thresholded images gives best detection …

Organizational Agility, James D. Sterling

Business and Information Technology Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Cable Median Barrier Guidelines, Dean L. Sicking, Karla A. Lechtenberg, Francisco Daniel Benicio De Albuquerque

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

On Step Sizes, Stochastic Shortest Paths, And Survival Probabilities In Reinforcement Learning, Abhijit Gosavi

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Reinforcement learning (RL) is a simulation-based technique useful in solving Markov decision processes if their transition probabilities are not easily obtainable or if the problems have a very large number of states. We present an empirical study of (i) the effect of step-sizes (learning rules) in the convergence of RL algorithms, (ii) stochastic shortest paths in solving average reward problems via RL, and (iii) the notion of survival probabilities (downside risk) in RL. We also study the impact of step sizes when function approximation is combined with RL. Our experiments yield some interesting insights that will be useful in practice …

When Go-Around Is Impossible - Defining The Point Of No Return, Nihad E. Daidzic,, Thomas Peterson

Aviation Department Publications

No abstract provided.

Electrodeposition Of Nickel Nanowires And Nanotubes Using Various Templates, Asli Ertan, Surendra N. Tewari, Orhan Talu

Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Nickel nanotubes and nanowires are grown by galvanostatic electrodeposition in the pores of 1000, 100, and 15 nm polycarbonate as well as in anodised alumina membranes at a current density of 10 mA cm-2. The effects of pore size, porosity, electrodeposition time, effective current density, and pore aspect ratio are investigated. Nickel nanotube structures are obtained with 1000 nm pore size polycarbonate membrane without any prior treatment method. At the early stages of electrodeposition hollow nickel nanotubes are produced and nanotubes turn into nanowires at longer depositon times. As effective current density accounting for the membrane porosity decreases, the axial …