Engineering Commons^™

The Use Of Excess Aircraft As Maximization Of Resources, Jean Paul Pion Garcia

Honors Theses

The United States currently has within just 6 airfields approximately 4,600 grounded aircraft. Out of these excess aircraft, approximately 66,900 metric tons of secondary aluminum could be extracted. All this amount of material equals to approximately 147 million US dollars if sold to the current aluminum market price; the United States government could save up to 450 million US dollars just in electrical power expenses by choosing to recycle these aircraft, instead of producing primary aluminum out of bauxite. Recycling all these aircraft, would also have a positive impact in the environment, since hundreds of acres would be freed from …

Ethanol Electrooxidation On Pt/Mo2/Cnts Catalysts, Yu-Long Cheng, Jie Sun, Ji-Gang Li, Li-Gong Zhang, Tian Zhou, Geng Chang, Zhong-Chao Dong

Journal of Electrochemistry

The ethanol electrooxidation behaviors on Pt/MO₂/CNTs（M=Sn, Ti, Ce）and Pt/CNTs catalysts in H₂SO₄ solutions were researched by cyclic voltammetry. It has revealed that the catalysts with the addition of metal oxides presented higher electrooxidation activity for ethanol, in particular, the Pt/CeO₂/CNTs catalyst showed the best activity for ethanol electrooxidation intermediate. The Pt/SnO₂/CNTs catalyst demonstrated the best ethanol electrooxidation activity when considering the synthetic effects of such parameters as the onset oxidation potential, peak current densities and total oxidation area.

Catalytic Activities Of Electrochemically Dealloyed Pt(Pd)-Cu Catalysts For Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Rui-Zhi Yang, Strasser Peter, Toney Michael

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrochemically dealloyed Pt(Pd)-Cu catalysts were prepared by electrochemical dealloying of Cu₃Pt(Pd) and their catalytic activities toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were studied in 0.1 mol·L^-1 HClO₄ . solutions. The structural features of the dealloyed Pt(Pd)-Cu were revealed by synchrotron-based anomalous X-ray diffraction (AXRD) and surface X-ray scattering (SXS) at an atomic scale. We established a relationship between the structure and the catalytic activity by comparing the ORR activity and the structure of dealloyed Cu₃Pt nanoparticles with similarly dealloyed Cu₃Pt thin films and Cu₃Pt(111). The enhancement in the activity of …

Electrocatalytic Oxidation Of Ethanol On Ni-P-Tio2 Composite Coating Electrodes, Guang-Hui Hu, Hai-Xia Zeng, Zhi-Gang Wei, Zhan-Chang Pan, Shu-Guang Xie, Yan-Di Zou

Journal of Electrochemistry

The Ni-P-TiO₂ composite coating electrodes with different contents of TiO₂ particulates were prepared by electroless plating technique from Ni-P plating bath containing TiO₂ powders on brass. Cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to test the electrochemical performance of Ni-P-TiO₂/Cu electrodes. It was indicated that the Ni-P-TiO₂/Cu electrodes exhibited very strong electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of ethanol in alkaline medium at ambient temperature. The electrocatalytic activity of ethanol oxidation on the Ni-P-TiO₂ electrodes depended on the amounts of TiO₂ in the coatings. The …

NaXMYFe(Cn)6(M=Fe, Co, Ni): A New Class Of Cathode Materials For Sodium Ion Batteries, Jiang-Feng Qian, Min Zhou, Yu-Liang Cao, Han-Xi Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Three types of Prussian blue compounds, Na_xM_yFe(CN)₆ (M = Fe, Co, Ni), were prepared simply by solution precipitation method and tested as cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries. X-ray diffraction and SEM measurements demonstrated that the prepared materials, namely, NaFeFe(CN)₆, Na₂CoFe(CN)₆, and Na₂NiFe(CN)₆, exhibited a perfect cubic structure with a particle size of several tens nanometers. Cyclic voltammetric and galvanostatic cycling tests revealed very different electrochemical behaviors of these three materials. The specific capacities of NaFeFe(CN)₆ and Na₂CoFe(CN)₆ could reach 113 mAh·g …

Preparation And Electrochemical Performance Of Mo-Doped Li3V2(Po4)3/C Cathode Materials, Zhi-Yuan Tang, Wei Yuan, Ji Yan, Wen-Feng Mao, Li Ma

Journal of Electrochemistry

The molybdenum-doped Li₃V_2-xMo_x(PO₄)_3/C (x = 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03) cathode materials were prepared with a sol-gel method by using Li₂CO₃, NH₄H₂PO₄, V₂O₅ and MoO₃ as raw materials, and citric acid as both chelating reagent and carbon source. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses showed that the crystal structure of as-prepared samples is monoclinic with space group P2₁/n. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations indicated the uniform morphology for Li₃Mo_0.02V_1.98(PO₄) …

Synthesis And Electrochemical Properties Of Lifeso4F/Graphene Composite As Cathode Material For Lithium-Ion Batteries, Wei Guo, Ya-Xia Yin, Li-Jun Wan, Yu-Guo Guo

Journal of Electrochemistry

The LiFeSO₄F was successfully synthesized from the reactions of FeSO₄∙xH₂O (x=1, 4, 7) with LiF in tetraethylene glycol media through a facile low temperature method. The structures and microscopic features of the products were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM. TGA result shows the good thermal stability of the as-prepared LiFeSO₄F. No diffraction peaks of the FeSO₄ are observed in the as-prepared products with the starting material of either FeSO₄∙4H₂O or FeSO₄∙7H₂O, which should be ascribed to delaying the release of H_{2 …}

Corrosion Inhibition Of 316l Steel Using Sodium Diethyl Dithiocarbamate Solution In Simulated Crude Oil, Xiao-Guang Ren, Jie Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The corrosion inhibition behaviors of 316L steel using the sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate (SDDTC) compound in the crude simulation solution were studied in the absence and presence of zinc sulfate or sodium chromate with different compositions. Experiment resultss showed that in the environments of highly acidic and high concentrations of chloride ions the SDDTC compound could well inhibit the corrosion of 316L steel. The good synergic effects on the corrosion inhibition of 316L steel by additions of either zinc sulfate or sodium chromate into SDDTC compound were indicated in this study, which is of great significance and importance in practical applications.

Replacement Options For The Ap1-Lew System, Tiffany M. Sherburn

Honors Theses

This report details the upgrade of Pfizer’s Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient-Low Endotoxin Water (API-LEW) distribution system. The current system is suffering from chloride induced stress corrosion which has caused pitting and cracking throughout the exterior portions of the loop. The system will eventually fail catastrophically if an update is not undertaken. Many variables and system constraints are considered to maintain the API-LEW grade water.

The system operates at 65 ^○C and maintains turbulence to prevent any microbial growth. The distribution loop spans 8,500 feet of 4 inch diameter stainless steel pipe which is carried on trestles that are exterior to …

Buffering Pv Output During Cloud Transients With Energy Storage, Yacouba Moumouni

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

The Problem

• Photovoltaic output power can be affected by many factors including clouds passing overhead.

• Utilities in generally prefer a guaranteed power delivery level over some specified power delivery period.

• Power delivered during peak demand hours is generally more valued by utilities. For the Desert Southwest this is in the summertime afternoons. For the local area this will be defined as 1-5 pm for the three summer months.

• While battery power can be adapted to this problem, large batteries to be expensive.

Solar Cell Design Using Metamaterials, Yang Liu, Yitung Chen, Jichun Li

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Natural structure with simultaneous negative permittivity and permeability has not been discovered yet. However, using specially-designed metal embedded in dielectric bodies can achieve a kind of artificial negative index. This periodic structure which is smaller than the guided wavelength is known as a metamaterial. However, recent designs of metamaterials have some disadvantages when they are used in the application of solar cell. The perfect absorption is only within a narrow band, and for most of the solar spectrum, the absorption is no more than 10%. Here, a new kind of absorber for the solar spectrum has been designed and analyzed, …

Electrical & Magnetic Stimulation And Health, Yiyan Li

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

1, Introduction Most of the patients with neural diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Stroke and Depression, cannot be cured by taking pills or conducting surgery. In contrast to the conventional therapies, physical therapies such as TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) (Fig. 1) and tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) (Fig. 2) are the most popular methods in treating neural disorders with a non-invasive way. TMS employs electromagnetic (1-3 Tesla) induction generates an Electric field suitable for neural stimulation; tDCS employs a weak current (1-2 mA) to modulate neuronal excitabilities.

Numerical Modeling Of High Temperature Bayonet Heat Exchanger And Decomposer For Decomposition Of Sulfur Trioxide, Vijaisri Nagarajan, Yitung Chen, Tzu-Chen Hung, Qiuwang Wang, Valery Ponyavin

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Motivation

• Hydrogen is an attractive energy carrier in the future energy technology.

• Hydrogen is produced from splitting of water through various process namely electrolysis, photo-electrolysis, photo-biological production and thermochemical water-splitting.

• The aim of this study is to numerically investigate fluid flow, heat transfer and chemical reaction in bayonet high temperature heat exchanger and decomposer.

• Parametric studies are performed to achieve maximum decomposition with less pressure drop.

Traffic Counter Mobile Application, Victor Molano

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

INTRODUCTION

Manual Counters:

•The vehicles counts and characteristics at signalized intersections and others transportation facilities are usually made using manual counters. These manual counters are mechanical or digital boards in which the user can record the different observations from the field. The use of these devices is usually required when more sophisticated methods are not available, when expensive equipment is not justified and for scholastic practices.

Node Filtering And Face Routing For Sensor Network, Umang Amatya

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Main Contributions

•Efficient Algorithms for identifying Redundant Sensor Nodes

•New Technique for Filtering Redundant Nodes in Sensor Network

•Reliable Algorithm for Message Routing - Forwarding

•User Friendly Prototype Implementation in Java

•Results of Experimental Investigation

Energy Consumption In Large Wastewater Treatment Plants As A Function Of Wastewater Strength, Timothy Newell, Jacimaria R. Batista, Sajjad Ahmad, Walter Johnson

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Wastewater treatment (WWT) is an energy-intensive process. Strict standards for discharge often require energy intensive advanced treatment technologies. As a result, the number of plants using advanced treatment has increased (Figure 1).

Rising energy costs and concerns about greenhouse gas generation present a major incentive for tracking energy usage of WWT. Energy usage in plant, for instance, typically represents 18 to 30% of the operational budget.

Water efficient fixtures are also increasing loadings of organic matter to plants while lowering or maintaining overall liquid flow. The increased loadings have a significant impact on energy consumption.

Previous work has focused primarily …

A Consumer Level Simulation Model For Demand Response Analysis On Smart Grid, Sungchul Lee, Yoohwan Kim

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

With the growing awareness of the need for Smart Grid, various countries are taking initiatives for developing Smart Grid.

However, there is limited research on utilizing Smart Grid for Demand-Response (DR).

This study advances the current system of DR by creating a Smart Grid Simulator that allows an intuitive demand response analysis.

The simulator demonstrates that substantial amount of electric power can be reduced efficiently by selective demand control over Smart Grid.

The graphical interface allows generating the electrical usage data and displays both individual and aggregate usage data over time.

This research employs U.S. census data for accurate estimate …

Architecture For An Interactive Motion-Based Traffic Simulation Environment, Romesh Khaddar, Naveen Veeramisti, Alexander Paz, Pushkin Kachroo

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

In simple words, the objective of this research is to identify the effect of human behavior on traffic To enhance the traffic simulation modeling realism by involving actual human beings navigating the system along with simulated entities in an immersive environment

Estimation Of Performance Indices For The Planning Of Sustainable Transportation Systems, Pankaj Maheshwari, Alexander Paz, Pushkin Kachroo

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

In simple words, the objective of this research is the estimation of performance indices for the planning of sustainable transportation systems Sustainability is achieved when the Transportation system, Activity system and Environmental system have all reached minimum and stable levels of quality so that they can continue operating in perpetuity at less than these levels

Real-Time Face Detection And Recognition, Parker Hill, Brendan Morris

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

The face has become a popular biometric for identification due to the wide range of features and difficulty in manipulation of the metric. In order to work towards a robust facial recognition system, this work contains a foundation for using the face as a recognition metric. First, faces are detected from still images using a Viola-Jones object detection algorithm. Then, Eigenfaces is applied to the detected faces. The system was tested on face databases as well as real-time feed from a web camera.

Modeling Passive Solar Distillation In Las Vegas, Nv, Noe I. Santos

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Project Background

• Many rural areas on the planet do not have easy access to clean water!

• Water distillation basins are capable of distilling water by using incident solar radiation to evaporate polluted water.

• Current thermodynamic models used to predict behavior require instantaneous data; requires the use of expensive equipment.

• Distillation basins are dependent on multiple meteorological variables: insolation, temperature, wind speed, cloud cover.

• Non‐linear behavior is difficult to predict for long term operations.

Decimal Alu, Ming Zhu

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

The decimal number system is used in many commercial applications, such as financial analysis, banking, tax calculation, currency conversion, insurance and accounting. With the explosively increasing amount the data to be proposed, computers are introduced to help deal with it. However, in digital Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) circuit systems, the binary number system is widely used for its simplicity and easy realization in physical layout. This project aims at constructing an ALU that contains decimal additions, subtractions and multiplications using binary coded decimal (BCD) on a binary system platform.

Nano-Silica For Enhanced Greener Concrete, Mohamed S. Zeidan

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Colloidal nano-silica was added to normal and fly ash concretes with different rates to examine the its effect on different concrete performance aspects. The main objectives of the study is to determine the effect of adding nano-silica on:

• The rate hydration and the reactivity of cement and pozzolans.

• The mechanical properties and strength gain rate (especially for fly ash concrete).

• Durability.

• Microstructure and Porosity.

A Refreshable And Portable E-Braille System For The Blind And Visually Impaired, Mohammad Saadeh, Mohamed Trabia

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

• Braille is a communication system to assist the blind and visually impaired.
• Present an approach to measure fingertip forces while identifying Braille characters.
• Implement a force sensory feedback in the device to measure the force developed on the fingertip.
• Introduce a preliminary design for the device.
• Build a prototype for the device and evaluate its functionality and integrate its components

Cellular Automaton For Simulation Of Oxide Layer Growth Influenced By Chromium Concentration Of Structure Material, Kuan-Che Lan, Yitung Chen, Ge-Ping Yu, Tzu-Chen Hung

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Chromium, an important alloying element, has been added in ferrous and nickel based alloy such as stainless steels and Inconel alloy to improve the corrosion resistance. High corrosion resistance of structural materials in extremely high working temperature is one crucial R&D objective of Gen IV nuclear power plants which propose to raise the thermal efficiency via high working temperature. A cellular automaton (CA) model based on the stochastic approach was proposed to simulate the process of oxidation and corrosion of structural material in flowing fluid. The relation of chromium concentration against oxide layer thickness during a specific period was found. …

Thermal Conductivity Measurement With 3Ω Method Background And Synopsis Of Its Implementation, Fiifi Blankson

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

ABSTRACT

Continued advances in nanostructured materials have made it necessary to develop materials with specific thermoelectric properties. The 3ω Method provides an accurate measurement of one such property, thermal conductivity. It will be used in this research to find high electrical conductivity alloys with low thermal conductivity.

Framework Developmant For Construction Safety Visialization, Kishor Shrestha

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Throughout the history of the construction industry, many fatalities and injuries have occurred in construction sites. One of the major causes of accidents is unsafe site conditions: basically, this is due to inadequate supervision. To improve upon the traditional supervision approach, this study proposes a 'Framework Development for Construction Safety Visualization' approach. In addition to this, a computer vision Edge Detection Algorithm was developed and tested to convert construction site still images into edges of the objects in the images. The framework development of this study uses computer vision, robot vision, image compression, pattern recognition, internet transmission, network communication, and …

Cognitive Congestion Control For Data Portal, Ershad Sharifahmadian, Shahram Latifi

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Network congestion is one of challenging tasks in communication networks and leads to queuing delay, packet loss or the blocking of new connections. Here, a data portal is considered as an application-based network, and a cognitive method is proposed to deal with congestion in this kind of network. The cognitive method is proposed to improve bandwidth sharing, and deal with congestion in a data portal. When the data portal is about climate change data, congestion control is more emphasized, because the scientific climate data is voluminous and there is a high traffic to/from data portal by the scientific community, research …

Impact Of Sludge Treatment Processes On Estrogen Concentration In Wastewater Sludge, Erica Marti

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), such as estrogen, are known to be present in the aquatic environment at concentrations that affect fish and other wildlife. For example, juvenile male fish exposed to estrogen will synthesize vitellogenin, which is a female-specific protein. Estrogen exposure is also linked to sex reversal, intersexuality, and inhibition of gonadal growth (Jobling et al., 1996).

Wastewater treatment plants are major contributors of EDCs into the environment. EDCs end up in wastewater as a result of natural excretion from the body or being washed off the skin. WWTPs are not designed to remove these substances. As a result, EDCs …

College Of Engineering Graduate Celebration 2012 Announcement, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

The Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering Graduate Celebration is an event that recognizes the scholarly work of our engineering and computer science graduate students within the college. The target audience includes undergraduate students, graduate students, college faculty and staff, and the campus community as well as local and regional stakeholders. The objective of the event is to promote and publicize the research activities of the College of Engineering and to inform our stakeholders of our students’ achievements.