Engineering Commons^™

Hers Index Scores As An Alternative Compliance Path For The 2015 Iecc, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip W. Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The analysis presented here is an extension of a previous study on HERS Index Scores as they relate to various version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by the same author. This extension of the previous study is designed to examine the impact of advanced, ultra-high efficiency appliances and high efficiency HVAC systems on HERS Index Scores as they relate to reductions in the HERS Index Scores that may be used as 'tradeoffs' against best practice envelope efficiencies.

Quantum Computing Circuits, Cheng-Hsiao Wu, Casey Andrew Cain

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A system for performing digital operations, including a first device configured to transform a digital input into one or more signals, at least one AB ring, the at least one AB ring irreducibly-coupled and configured to include at least three terminals, a second device configured to read a portion of a signal expressed upon two or more of the at least three terminals, and a third device configured to transform the portion of the signal expressed upon two or more of the at least three terminals into a digital output, the third device operationally connected to the second device.

Engineered Knottin Peptide Enables Noninvasive Optical Imaging Of Intracranial Medulloblastoma, Sarah J. Moore, Melanie G. Hayden Gephart, Jamie M. Bergen, You Rong S. Su, Helen Rayburn, Matthew P. Scott, Jennifer R. Cochran

Engineering: Faculty Publications

Central nervous system tumors carry grave clinical prognoses due to limited effectiveness of surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. Thus, improved strategies for brain tumor visualization and targeted treatment are critically needed. We demonstrate that mouse cerebellar medulloblastoma (MB) can be targeted and illuminated with a fluorescent, engineered cystine knot (knottin) peptide that binds with high affinity to α β , α β , and α β integrin receptors. This integrin-binding knottin peptide, denoted EETI 2.5F, was evaluated as a molecular imaging probe in both orthotopic and genetic models of MB. Following tail vein injection, fluorescence arising from dye-conjugated EETI 2.5F …

Grid-Tie Arrangements For Micro-Generation Under En50438; An Irish Evaluation, Liam Murphy

Conference papers

This paper explores the significance of EN50438 as the standard governing the grid-connection of micro-generation to the distribution network. In the context of micro-generation, EN50438 therefore governs the inverter requirement associated with the majority of micro-generation. Another consideration presented in this research is findings and analysis related to the manufacturers stated efficiency of a grid-tied inverter connected to a Photovoltaic (PV) array in Dublin City Centre, Ireland.

Elements Of Space Chapter 2: Entering Space & The Age Of Rockets, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Elements of Space Chapter 2: Entering Space & The Age of Rockets" from September 3, 2013.

Water Removal From Gas Flow Channels Of Fuel Cells, Jeffrey S. Allen

Michigan Tech Patents

An apparatus for water management in a fuel cell. The apparatus includes a fuel cell having a first porous electrode layer, a second porous electrode layer, a proton-conducting membrane positioned between the first electrode and second electrode layers, and a first and second bi-polar distribution plate, wherein the first bi-polar distribution plate is positioned on a top of the first electrode layer and defining a first gas flow channel, and wherein the second bi-polar distribution plate is positioned on a bottom of the second electrode layer and defining a second gas flow channel. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for …

Origami-Based Design For Engineering Applications, Kevin Campbell Francis

Theses and Dissertations

Origami can be a powerful source of design inspiration in the creation of reconfigurable systems with unparalleled performance. This thesis provides fundamental tools for designers to employ as origami-based designs are pursued in their respective fields of expertise. The first chapter introduces origami and makes connections between origami and engineering design through a survey of engineered applications and characterizing the relationship between origami and compliant mechanisms. The second chapter evaluates the creasing of non-paper sheet materials, such as plastics and metals, to facilitate origami-based compliant mechanism design. Although it is anticipated that most origami-based design will result from surrogate folds …

Small-Scale Wind Turbines: An Appraisal, Tony Kealy

Conference Papers

This research seeks to evaluate the economic benefits to be gained by installing a small-scale wind turbine for a customer with a three-phase electrical supply requirement. The evidence for the claims made in this paper is obtained by using actual data obtained from the installed equipment over a three year period. The objective is to accurately appraise the financial investment using real data. There appears to be limited studies conducted into this type of research, possibly because the renewable energy sector is in the infancy stage in the host country, Ireland. There are some wind energy installations with financial appraisal …

Do Middle Managers Contribute To Their Organisation's Strategy?, Tony Kealy

Conference Papers

This paper presents an empirical study on the contribution made by middle managers to the development of strategy in an organisation. The data was collected using semi-structured interviews with four managers in randomly-chosen companies. Two of the participant managers held senior management positions while the other two held middle manager positions. The data was analysed using a qualitative approach. Previous studies in this field were found to be wide and varied. An early study by Mintzberg (1978) found that strategy mainly forms from emergent influences at middle and lower levels of the organisation, as well as from deliberate influences emanating …

Assessing The Benefits Of Compressed Air Energy Storage On The 2020 Irish Power System, Brendan Cleary, Aidan Duffy, Alan O'Connor, Michael Conlon, Vasilis Fthenakis

Conference Papers

Power systems have evolved as countries implement energy policies focusing on energy efficiency and increased share of renewable energy sources (RES). At the forefront is non-dispatchable generation such as wind and solar. Traditionally power systems were designed for fully dispatchable generating plant. However, these powers systems are under additional pressure due to the variable operational characteristics of RES. Consequently, capital investments in grid reinforcement, interconnection, additional gas generators and smart grid initiatives have been proposed and implemented. Moreover, an increased interest in energy storage technologies has evolved due to their various economic and operational benefits to power systems. Current compressed …

Projected Effect Of 2000-2050 Changes In Climate And Emissions On Aerosol Levels In China And Associated Transboundary Transport, H. Jiang, H. Liao, H. O.T. Pye, S. Wu, L. J. Mickley, J. H. Seinfeld, X. Y. Zhang

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

We investigate projected 2000-2050 changes in concentrations of aerosols in China and the associated transboundary aerosol transport by using the chemical transport model GEOS-Chem driven by the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) general circulation model (GCM) 3 at 4° × 5° resolution. Future changes in climate and emissions projected by the IPCC A1B scenario are imposed separately and together through sensitivity simulations. Accounting for sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, black carbon (BC), and organic carbon (OC) aerosols, concentrations of individual aerosol species change by -1.5 to +0.8 μg m-3, and PM2.5 levels are projected to change by about 10-20% in eastern …

Issue Brief: Saving By Mitigating, University Of Louisville, New England Environmental Finance Center

Sustainable Communities Capacity Building

Natural disasters can cause loss of life, inflict damage to buildings and infrastructure, and have devastating consequences for a community’s economic, social, and environmental well-being. Hazard mitigation means reducing damages from disasters.

Local governments have the responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens. Proactive mitigation policies and actions help reduce risk and create safer, more disaster-resilient communities. Mitigation is an investment in your community’s future safety, equity, and sustainability.

Review Of Computer-Aided Numerical Simulation In Wind Energy, Aaron Miller, Byungik Chang, Roy Issa, Gerald Chen

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Many advances have been made during the last decade in the development and application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element analysis (FEA), numerical weather modeling, and other numerical methods as applied to the wind energy industry. The current information about this area of study may help researchers gage research efforts. Specifically, micro-siting, wind modeling and prediction, blade optimization and modeling, high resolution turbine flow modeling, support structure analysis, and noise prediction have been the main focuses of recent research. The advances in this area of research are enabling better designs and greater efficiencies than were possible previously. The trends …

Response Of An Arch Dam To Non-Uniform Excitation Generated By A Seismic Wave Scattering Model, Reza Tarinejad, Rouzbeh Fatehi Shomeh, Ronald S. Harichandran

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Non-uniform ground motions are generated based on a single record available at a site and seismic wave scattering analysis. The Chino Hills 2008 earthquake records at the Pacoima Dam site are used to indicate the accuracy of the method. Dynamic analysis of the Pacoima dam-reservoir-foundation under uniform and non-uniform ground motions is carried out using the EACD-3D2008 software, and the results are compared to recorded responses at different locations on the dam. There is good agreement between computed and recorded displacements of the dam for non-uniform excitation. For uniform excitation, the displacements are underestimated in comparison with those obtained from …

Fabrication And Characterization Of A Palladium/Porous Silicon Layer, Nicholas Hong Lui

Master's Theses

When porous silicon is plated with a catalytic metal, the two materials can act together as a single entity whose electrical properties are sensitive to its environment – the sensing component of an electrochemical gas sensor. Etching pores into silicon is an electrochemical process; and which type of doped silicon used is one of its key parameters. For nearly all reported porous silicon gas sensors, the silicon has been of the p-doped variety – because p-doped porous etching is better understood and the layers that result from it are more predictable – despite n-doped silicon having potentially significant benefits in …

Acuta Enews September 2013 Vol. 42, No. 9

ACUTA Newsletters

In this Issue...

1 Big Data Means Big Advances

2 Nominations Open for 2014 institutional Excellence Award

2 Seeking Presenters for Winter Seminar

3 Webinar: The Evolution of Control Systems Security Brief

3 Register to Attend Fall Seminar

4 What Exactly Is a Microsoft Lync Phone?

6 Info Links

7 Overheard on the Listserv

8 Board Report

9 Welcome New Members

9 Check It Out

Towards A More Robust Lower Neck Compressive Injury Tolerance - An Approach Combining Multiple Test Methodologies, Daniel Toomey, King H. Yang, N Yoganadan, F A. Pintar, C A. Van Ee

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research Publications

Objective.The compressive tolerance of the cervical spine has traditionally been reported in terms of axial force at failure. Previous studies suggest that axial compressive force at failure is particularly sensitive to the alignment of the cervical vertebra and the end conditions of the test methodology used. The present study was designed to develop a methodology to combine the data of previous experiments into a diverse dataset utilizing multiple test methods to allow for the evaluation of the robustness of current and proposed eccentricity based injury criteria.

Methods. Data was combined from two studies composed of dynamic experiments including whole …

Why Is Ca3 More Vulnerable Than Ca1 In Experimental Models Of Controlled Cortical Impact-Induced Brain Injury?, Haojie Mao, Benjamin S. Elkin, Vinay V. Genthikatti, Barclay Morrison Iii, King H. Yang

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research Publications

One interesting finding of controlled cortical impact (CCI) experiments is that the CA3 region of the hippocampus, which is positioned further from the impact than the CA1 region, is reported as being more injured. The current literature has suggested a positive correlation between brain tissue stretch and neuronal cell loss. However, it is counterintuitive to assume that CA3 is stretched more during CCI injury. Recent mechanical studies of the brain have reported on a level of spatial heterogeneity not previously appreciated—the finding that CA1 was significantly stiffer than all other regions tested and that CA3 was one of the most …

Effects Of Enhanced Oil Recovery On Production Engineers, Elm Coulee Field, Bakken Reservoir, Richland County, Montana, Burt J. Todd, Ph.D., John Evans, Leo Heath, David Reichhardt

Petroleum Engineering

This presentation describes research at Montana Tech to improve oil recovery rates in the Elm Coulee Oil Field in the Bakken Reservoir, Richmond County, Montana. The slides display current recovery rate predictions, enhanced oil recovery methods, reservoir model building and history matching strategies. Recommended development strategies include implementing hydrocarbon gas injection operations to improve current oil recovery rates by more than 75%. The impact of increased production on Production Engineers is also described. The Principal Investigators include John Evans, Leo Heath, David Reichhardt and Burt Todd in the Petroleum Engineering Department.

Nonlinear Dynamics Of Bragg-Domain Acousto-Optic Hybrid Feedback For First-Order Scattering Of Profiled Optical Beams, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee, Fares S. Almehmadi

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

A series of recent studies involving hybrid acousto-optic (AO) scattering in the Bragg domain under first-order feedback have shown the ability of the AO feedback system to encrypt, transmit and decrypt RF information applied via the sound driver. The basic premise of this operation is founded on the chaotic nature of the hybrid Bragg cell under feedback.

Report On Laboratory Testing Of Fastening Of Cfs Track To Concrete Base Materials With Pafs, With Revision, Ricardo Ramirez, Roger A. Laboube

American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Specifications, Standards, Manuals and Research Reports (1946 - present)

The 2012 AISI S100 Section E5 includes design provisions for power-actuated fasteners (PAFs) for connection of cold-formed steel (CFS) to steel base materials. However, a need exists to develop an in-depth understanding when CFS wall tracks are attached to concrete base materials as part of interior and exterior wall framing applications. Current code requirements, as specified by ASCE 7 – 2010 Chapter 13 (Exception to Section 13.4.5), limit individual PAFs in nonstructural component connections as part of distributed systems, to a sustained tension service load of 90 lbs in concrete and 250 lbs in steel in Seismic Design Categories D, …

Binaural Spatialization For 3d Immersive Audio Communication In A Virtual World, Davide Andrea Mauro, Rufael Mekuria, Michele Sanna

Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering Faculty Research

Realistic 3D audio can greatly enhance the sense of presence in

a virtual environment. We introduce a framework for capturing,

transmitting and rendering of 3D audio in presence of other

bandwidth savvy streams in a 3D Tele-immersion based virtual

environment. This framework presents an efficient implementation

for 3D Binaural Spatialization based on the positions of current

objects in the scene, including animated avatars and on the fly

reconstructed humans. We present a general overview of the

framework, how audio is integrated in the system and how it can

exploit the positions of the objects and room geometry to render

realistic …

Comparison Of Prestress Losses For Pedestrian Bridges Constructed With High-Strength Concrete And High-Strength Self-Consolidating Concrete, John J. Myers, Kurt E. Bloch

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Abstract Two precast prestressed high-strength concrete and high-strength self-consolidating concrete pedestrian bridges were designed and erected in Rolla, Missouri, for an in situ investigative study to monitor time-dependent losses. Using the temperature and strain data monitored by the vibrating wire strain gauges within the beam cross sections, time-dependent losses were determined and compared between the bridges and various empirical expressions presented by AASHTO and the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Ua66 Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter, Cheryl Stevens, Dean

Ogden College of Science & Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

On The Primitives Of Causality: From The Semantics Of Agonist And Antagonist To Models Of Accident Causation And System Safety, Loïc Brevault, Francesca Favaro, Joseph Saleh

Faculty Publications

Controversial discussions on causality have been present in ancient philosophy since the days of Aristotle. Despite the use of this concept in numerous subjects, there is no consensus on the definition of causality and its possible mathematization. Many authors have analyzed the relation between causes and effects; the predominant school of thought reduces causation to a physical relation (either deterministic or probabilistic) between two events. The distinction between causes and consequences is not always clear and meaningful as different “layers of understanding” may be applied to the notion of causality. From this point of view the cause-effect implication relation can …

Transferability And Robustness Of Real-Time Freeway Crash Risk Assessment, Cameron Shew, Anurag Pande, Cornelius Nuworsoo

Civil and Environmental Engineering

This study examines the data from single loop detectors on northbound (NB) US-101 in San Jose, California to estimate real-time crash risk assessment models. Method: The classification tree and neural network based crash risk assessment models developed with data from NB US-101 are applied to data from the same freeway, as well as to the data from nearby segments of the SB US-101, NB I-880, and SB I-880 corridors. The performance of crash risk assessment models on these nearby segments is the focus of this research. Results: The model applications show that it is in fact possible to use the …

Slab Flattening Trigger For Isotopic Disturbance And Magmatic Flareup In The Southernmost Sierra Nevada Batholith, California, Alan D. Chapman, Jason B. Saleeby, John Eiler

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The San Emigdio Schist of Southern California permits examination of partial melting and devolatilization processes along a Late Cretaceous shallow subduction zone. Detrital and recrystallized zircon of the structurally highest portions of the schist bracket the depositional age to between ca. 102 and 98 Ma. Zircon oxygen isotope data from both lower-plate schist and upper-plate assemblages of the Sierra Nevada batholith (SNB) reveal a δ18O shift of ̃1.5% between igneous (̃5.5%) and recrystallized (̃7%) domains. These results, taken with previous zircon and whole-rock δ18O measurements, provide evidence for devolatilization and/or partial melting of the schist and fluid ascent through overlying …

All-Optical Photoacoustic Detection Of Absorbers In Tissue Phantoms, Jami Johnson, Michelle Sabick, Kasper Vanwijk

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Visualizing and characterizing vascular structures is important for many areas of health care, from accessing difficult veins and arteries for laboratory testing, to diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging, one of the fastest growing fields of biomedical imaging, is well suited for this task. PA imaging is based on the photoacoustic effect, which starts with a pulsed laser source incident on biological tissue. If the wavelength of the source matches an absorption wavelength of a chromophore within the tissue, a portion of the pulse energy is absorbed by the chromophore and converted into heat. A subsequent increase …

A Geo-Ontology Design Pattern For Semantic Trajectories, Yingjie Hu, Krzysztof Janowicz, David Carral, Simon Scheider, Werner Kuhn, Gary Berg-Cross, Pascal Hitzler, Mike Dean, Dave Kolas

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

Trajectory data have been used in a variety of studies, including human behavior analysis, transportation management, and wildlife tracking. While each study area introduces a different perspective, they share the need to integrate positioning data with domain-specific information. Semantic annotations are necessary to improve discovery, reuse, and integration of trajectory data from different sources. Consequently, it would be beneficial if the common structure encountered in trajectory data could be annotated based on a shared vocabulary, abstracting from domain-specific aspects. Ontology design patterns are an increasingly popular approach to define such flexible and self-contained building blocks of annotations. They appear more …

Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping For Multiple Use Systems (Mus) In Nepal, Fintan Mcloughlin, Aidan Duffy, Michael Conlon

Conference Papers

This paper investigates the performance of five solar photovoltaic (PV) Multiple Use Systems (MUS) used for water pumping. The solar MUS’s provide water for drinking, cleaning and micro-irrigation for some of the poorest communities in Nepal. In the absence of data logging, the performance of each system is investigated based on a series of rules of thumb to determine the predicted, expected and estimated demand and supply of water to small rural communities. The systems are compared based on their technical and economic performance and how this relates to local environmental, physical and socioeconomic characteristics at each location.