Engineering Commons^™

Methods And Metrics For Human Interaction With Bio-Inspired Robot Swarms, Sean C. Kerman

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis we propose methods and metrics for human interaction with bio-inspired robot teams. We refine the concept of a stakeholder and demonstrate how a human can use stakeholders to lead a swarm as well as switch the swarm between different collective behaviors. We extend the human interaction metrics of interaction time and interaction effort presented in [1] to swarm systems and introduce the concept of interaction effort. These metrics allow us to understand how well the system performs under human influence. We employ systems theory to estimate these metrics, which is useful because this can be done without …

Homogeneous Algan/Gan Superlattices Grown On Free-Standing (1(1)Over-Bar00) Gan Substrates By Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy, Jiayi Shao, Dmitri N. Zakharov, Collin Edmunds, Oana Malis, Michael J. Manfra

Birck and NCN Publications

Two-dimensional and homogeneous growth of m-plane AlGaN by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy has been realized on free-standing (1 (1) over bar 00) GaN substrates by implementing high metal-to-nitrogen (III/N) flux ratio. AlN island nucleation, often reported for m-plane AlGaN under nitrogen-rich growth conditions, is suppressed at high III/N flux ratio, highlighting the important role of growth kinetics for adatom incorporation. The homogeneity and microstructure of m-plane AlGaN/GaN superlattices are assessed via a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The predominant defects identified in dark field TEM characterization are short basal plane stacking faults …

Fast And Efficient Low-Frequency Algorithms For Multiscale Structure Modeling, Sheng Sun, Zu Hui Ma, Qin S. Liu, Zhi Guo Qian, Lijun Jiang, Weng Cho Chew

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper reviews our recently developed fast and efficient algorithms for multiscale structure modeling. Low-frequency electromagnetic analysis becomes indispensable for multi-scale structures because of the involved minute length-scale compared to wavelength and mid length-scale on the order of wavelength or larger, where wave physics meets circuit physics. We are currently investigating stable low-frequency solutions in solving integral equations without the need for loop-tree decomposition, including the augmented EFIE, equivalence principle based algorithms, and perturbation-based Calderon multiplicative preconditioning methods. © 2013 IEEE.

A Novel Broadband Equivalent Source Reconstruction Method For Broadband Radiators, Ping Li, Li (Lijun) Jun Jiang, Jun Hu, Sheng Sun

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Traditional equivalent source reconstruction methods are only operating at a single frequency point each time. However, for wide band radiators, their computation cost of the source reconstruction increases linearly with the number of frequency points. In this paper, a wide-band equivalent source reconstruction method (WB-SRM) based on the Neville-type Stoer-Bulirsch (SB) algorithm is developed. Supported by the adaptive frequency sampling (AFS) scheme, the number of required sampling data is significantly reduced, which leads to much better computational efficiency. During the AFS process, three fitting models (FM) are considered: two are 'triangle rules', and another one is 'rhombus rule'. The combination …

Fabrication And In Vivo Thrombogenecity Testing Of Nitric Oxide Generating Artificial Lungs, Kagya Amoako, Patrick Montoya, Terry C. Major, Ahmed B. Suhaib, Hitesh Handa, David O. Brant, Mark E. Meyerhoff, Robert H. Bartlett, Keith E. Cook

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Hollow fiber artificial lungs are increasingly being used for long-term applications. However, clot formation limits their use to 1–2 weeks. This study investigated the effect of nitric oxide generating (NOgen) hollow fibers on artificial lung thrombogenicity. Silicone hollow fibers were fabricated to incorporate 50 nm copper particles as a catalyst for NO generation from the blood. Fibers with and without (control) these particles were incorporated into artificial lungs with a 0.1 m2 surface area and inserted in circuits coated tip-to-tip with the NOgen material. Circuits (N = 5/each) were attached to rabbits in a pumpless, arterio-venous configuration and run for …

Acuta Enews December 20132 Vol. 42, No. 12

ACUTA Newsletters

In this Issue...

1 Board Approves Slate of Nominees

1 A Gift from ACUTA to You!

2 Nominate Now for Ruth A, Michalecki Leadership Award i

3 What's on Your Desk?

4 From the Listserv

6 RF Video Distribution Solution for the University of the South

7 Info Links

8 Board Report

9 Welcome New Members

9 Check It Out

Layered Long Term Co-Culture Of Hepatocytes And Endothelial Cells On A Transwell Membrane: Toward Engineering The Liver Sinusoid, Young Bok (Abraham) Kang, Siddhartha Rawat, Joseph Cirillo, Michael Bouchard, Hongseok (Moses) Noh

Faculty Publications - Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering

This paper presents a novel liver model that mimics the liver sinusoid where most liver activities occur. A key aspect of our current liver model is a layered co-culture of primary rat hepatocytes (PRHs) and primary rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) or bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) on a transwell membrane. When a layered co-culture was attempted with a thin matrigel layer placed between hepatocytes and endothelial cells to mimic the Space of Disse, the cells did not form completely separated monolayers. However, when hepatocytes and endothelial cells were cultured on the opposite sides of a transwell membrane, PRHs …

S1nn Gmbh & Co. Kg (Automobile Connectivity Module 1.1), Tyler Alexander Ball

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The results of this report show how when diagnostics were run on the Connectivity Module 1.1, the problems discovered such as potential short-circuiting, 90-degree copper tracing angles, and components overheating/tombstoning were addressed. By using the method of “DMAIC,” which stands for Design, Measure, Analyze, Implement, Control, successful corrections were made. In the first design of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB), 1454 critical issues were found. With the newly designed PCB’s modifications being implemented, only 12 critical issues remained, which were later addressed and corrected. The results from this report are a functional Automobile Connectivity Module 1.1.

Project Management Of High School Shadow And Building An Engineer Day, Andrea M. Carroll

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Building an Engineer Day and High School Shadow are semi-annual outreach events hosted by Cal Poly’s Society of Women Engineers section during fall and spring quarters. The events focus on encouraging women and minorities to take an interest in engineering. These events are the two largest outreach events hosted by The Society of Women Engineers and need to run smoothly in order to provide student attendees with a meaningful experience.

Building an Engineer Day and High School Shadow are currently un-organized and un-planned, which leads to problems with officer retention, increase in expediting process and a low attendance rate at …

Sio2-Included Cesium Polyoxotungstate Catalysts For Oxidation, W Trakarnpruk, W Kanjina

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

SiO2-included cesium polyoxotungstate catalysts were synthesized by a sol-gel method and characterizied by FTIR, XRD and N2 adsorption isotherms. XRD patterns prove that the cesium polyoxotungstate is uniformly dispersed in the silica network. The catalysts were used in oxidation of cyclohexane with H2O2. The products are cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone. The catalysts prepared by using a copolymer surfactant show higher surface area and exhibit higher activity. These catalysts are truly heterogeneous and can be reused at least 3 times.

Corrosion Behavior Of Tialn Film On Aisi 4140 Steel, T Wongpinij, P Wongpanya, C Euaruksakul, P Photongkam, N Witit-Anun

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The corrosion behavior of uncoated and TiAlN coated on AISI 4140 steel were studied by an electrochemical technique in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution at pH value of 2, 7 and 10 at room temperature. The corrosion potential (Ecorr), pitting potential (Epit), corrosion rate (Rmmy) and passive region in polarization curves were analyzed and compared.After electrochemical testing, samples surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (X-PEEM). The results indicated that the TiAlN coated samples yielded better corrosion resistance than the uncoated samples. The coated samples had lower corrosion rate …

A Long-Term Hydrologically Based Dataset Of Land Surface Fluxes And States For The Conterminous United States: Update And Extensions, Ben Livneh, Eric A. Rosenberg, Chiyu Lin, Bart Nijssen, Vimal Mishra, Kostas M. Andreadis, Edwin P. Maurer, Dennis P. Lettenmaier

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering

This paper describes a publicly available, long-term (1915–2011), hydrologically consistent dataset for the conterminous United States, intended to aid in studies of water and energy exchanges at the land surface. These data are gridded at a spatial resolution of latitude/longitude and are derived from daily temperature and precipitation observations from approximately 20 000 NOAA Cooperative Observer (COOP) stations. The available meteorological data include temperature, precipitation, and wind, as well as derived humidity and downwelling solar and infrared radiation estimated via algorithms that index these quantities to the daily mean temperature, temperature range, and precipitation, and disaggregate them to 3-hourly time …

Energy Analysis Of A Student-Designed Solar House, Samantha Wermager, Stuart Werner Baur

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents the findings from an undergraduate research project concerning the energy efficiency, consumption, and generation of a 1000 ft² (92.9 m²) solar house. The results were compared to a home of similar size and layout, built using traditional construction methods. The solar house was modeled after the Chameleon House: Missouri University of Science and Technology's 2013 entry in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. The efficiency of the design was analyzed using Energy-10 Version 1.8 software. For this comparison, a fictional American couple was created and a breakdown of their energy-use habits was recorded …

Equipment Maintenance And Replacement Decision Making Processes, Michael W. Gage

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

This project contains recommendations for the decision making processes for support and production equipment maintenance and replacement for a large defense contractor. Recent literature has been reviewed to provide perspective on current trends in the field. A complete evaluation of their current processes and systems is included with recommendations on areas for improvement. A decision support system is also proposed to supplement their existing decision making.

Fixture For Carbon Fiber Spar Of Human Powered Helicopter, David John Ikeda, Luis Gonzalez

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The following report describes our contribution to Cal Poly Human Powered Helicopter for the 2012 competition for the Sikorsky Prize offered by the American Helicopter Society. In order to win this prize the team needs to build and fly a human powered helicopter for more than 60 seconds reaching and altitude of 3 meters while staying in a 10 meter square box. Our team was created to support the integration of Carbon Fiber parts, specifically the carbon fiber spars with rotor and landing gears. Precise cutting and accurate drilling was needed and our team was tasked with creating a fixture …

Immobilization Of Lead In Contaminated Firing Range Soil Using Biochar, Deok Hyun Moon, Jae-Woo Park, Yoon-Young Chang, Yong Sik Ok, Sang Soo Lee, Mahtab Ahmad, Agamemnon Koutsospyros, Jeong Hun Park, Kitae Baek

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Soybean stover-derived biochar was used to immobilize lead (Pb) in military firing range soil at a mass application rate of 0 to 20 wt.% and a curing period of 7 days. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. The mechanism responsible for Pb immobilization in military firing range soil was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy analyses. The treatment results showed that TCLP Pb leachability decreased with increasing biochar content. A reduction of over 90 % in Pb leachability was achieved upon …

Ole Miss Engineer 2013-2014

Ole Miss Engineer

No abstract provided.

Loading Path Determination For Tube Hydroforming Process Of Automotive Component Using Apdl, E. Masoumi Khalil Abad, Amir Ghazanfari, R. Hashemi

Faculty Publications, Mechanical Engineering

In this study, an extended stress-based forming limit diagram (FLD) for prediction of necking based on the Marciniak and Kucznski (M-K) model is represented and applied in tube hydroforming. The bulge forming of a straight tube is simulated by finite element method and verified with published experimental data. This adaptive simulation technique is based on the ability to detect the onset and growth of defects (e.g., bursting and wrinkling) and to promptly readjust the loading paths. Thus, a suitable load path is determined by applying Adaptive Simulation Method in ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL).

Disaster Relief Models: Location Of Points Of Distribution, Othman Boudhoum

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This project consists of developing a Location Allocation model that focuses on determining the locations of relief supply Points of Distribution (PODs) after a natural disaster and how to assign demand points to them. According to FEMA, PODs are “centralized locations where the public picks up life sustaining commodities following a disaster or emergency” [1]. After each disaster, decisions have to be made to ensure a good delivery of resources in a timely manner. The road infrastructure may be damaged due to the disaster. Some roads might become inoperable, and some bridges are expected to fail. The model studied in …

Improvement Of Pedagogical Laboratory Based Learning: Multimedia Enhanced Instructional Methods, Sumbul Khan

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In engineering technology and other scientific-based education, lab-based courses play a crucial role (Ma & Nickerson, 2006). Even though laboratory experience in student learning is crucial, it faces some problems. Due to insufficient laboratory conditions that lead to overcrowding and inability to view demonstrations, the effectiveness of hands on experience declines (Tiwari & Singh, 2011; Tuysuz, 2010). Considering the limitations that constrain lab experience, investigating and implementing alternatives to enhance pedagogical laboratory based learning becomes inevitable. This study investigates multimedia enhanced pedagogical teaching methods for delivering laboratory instruction to students. The purpose of this study was to improve pedagogical laboratory …

A Problem Solving Approach To Enterprise Filevault 2 Management And Integration, Nicholas Cobb

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Consumer technology adoption into large enterprise environments is occurring at an unprecedented rate. Employees require the flexibility and efficiency of using operating systems, computers, and mobility products they are familiar with and that enable their productivity. Due to this industry phenomenon, one large shipping enterprise must work to create solutions to integrate Apple’s OS X operating system into its traditional Windows-based operating environment. This level of integration must take place carefully to enable usability and foster the continued data security of enterprise assets. This paper describes the steps and methodology taken, as well as the rationale used, to accomplish the …

Dolomite Stabilized Zirconia For Refractory Application : Part-I Phase Analysis, Densification Behavior And Microstructure Of Partial Stabilized Zirconia, R Prasad Rana, P Kumar, A Suvrajit Bal

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

In the continuous casting of steel, Zircon and Zirconia based products are used due to its high thermal stability, excellent erosion resistance, self-opening, consistent casting speed and resistance to oxygen lancing during casting for removal of inclusion clogging and to streamline the flow. Higher casting sequences of molten steel CaO or MgO stabilized zirconia nozzles were being used and for industrial application point of view, dolomite stabilized zirconia (DSZ) could be a better substitute for the stabilization of zirconia. DSZ samples were prepared having 3,4,5,6 and 7 mole % of dolomite by solid state route using high purity monoclinic zirconia …

Effect Of Heat Treatment On Phase Transformation Of Tio2 And Its Reflectance Properties, K Archaapinun, N Witit-Anun, P Visuttipitukul

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) anti reflection coating film applied for solar cell application, gains more interest due to the insufficient energy problems today. Titanium dioxide can be found in several forms, and the most stable phase is rutile. This research aims to study effect of heat treatment on phase transformation of TiO2 and its effect on reflectance property. Titanium dioxide film was coated on silicon wafer by DC magnetron sputtering to obtain 190 nm and 420 nm thicknesses. Then, it was heat treated at 900C for 1 and 4 hours under ambient atmosphere. Phases and surface morphologies before and after heat …

Mineralogical Characterization Of Pozuzo District's Soils Through Physical Techniques, M L Cerón Loayza, J B. Cabrejos, F Reyes Navarro

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

We introduce a study on soils in three different fields of plantations in Pozuzo District, Oxapampa province, Peru. Two of the fields are cultivated and the third one has a degradation problem. In situ, in all, we collected 29 samples in the three plantations. We utilized analytical and physical techniques, namely, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffractometry, and transmission Msbauer spectroscopy; we complemented our research with a physical-chemical analysis to determine texture, pH, content of organic matter and cation interchange capacity. For all analyzed samples, the results of the analysis by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence show the presence of the …

53rd Conference On Senior Engineering Design, College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences

Senior Engineering Design Conference

The 53rd Conference on Senior Engineering Design Projects was held on December 2, 2013 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 2013, College Of Engineering

College of Engineering Magazines

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

Image Registration Of Ex-Vivo Mri To Sparsely Sectioned Histology Of Hippocampal And Neocortical Temporal Lobe Specimens., Maged Goubran, Cathie Crukley, Sandrine De Ribaupierre, Terence M Peters, Ali R Khan

Robarts Imaging Publications

Intractable or drug-resistant epilepsy occurs in up to 30% of epilepsy patients, with many of these patients undergoing surgical excision of the affected brain region to achieve seizure control. Recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences and analysis techniques have the potential to detect abnormalities not identified with diagnostic MRI protocols. Prospective studies involving pre-operative imaging and collection of surgically-resected tissue provide a unique opportunity for verification and tuning of these image analysis techniques, since direct comparison can be made against histopathology, and can lead to better prediction of surgical outcomes and potentially less invasive procedures. To carry out MRI and …

Synergy Of The Developed 6d Bim Framework And Conception Of The Nd Bim Framework And Nd Bim Process Ontology, Shawn Edward O'Keeffe

Dissertations

The author developed a unified nD framework and process ontology for Building Information Modeling (BIM). The research includes a framework developed for 6D BIM, nD BIM, and nD ontology that defines the domain and sub-domain constructs for future nD BIM dimensions. The nD ontology defines the relationships of kinds within any new proposed dimensional domain for BIM. The developed nD BIM framework and ontology takes into account the current 2D-5D BIM dimensions. There is a synergy between the 6D and nD framework that allows the nD framework and ontology to be utilized as a unified template for future dimensional development. …

Mechanistic Characterization Of Rubberized Asphalt Mixture And Design Using Full Scale Tire-Pavement Finite Element Modeling, Sajib Saha

All Theses

Rubberized half-warm mix asphalt (HWMA) is being considered as one of the promising and sustainable solutions to the current environmental and economic crisis of asphalt industry. A fully mechanistic characterization and performance analysis of this mixture subjected to realistic loading and temperature conditions is necessary before its application in a practical pavement structure. The objective of this research is to characterize the viscoelastic properties of rubberized HWMA at different temperatures and to develop and validate a finite element model of a tire-pavement structure. In this research, a generalized Maxwell model is chosen to represent the time dependent stress-strain behavior of …

Phonon Transport Analysis Of Semiconductor Nanocomposites Using Monte Carlo Simulations, Mayank Malladi

All Theses

Nanocomposites are composite materials which incorporate nanosized particles, platelets or fibers. The addition of nanosized phases into the bulk matrix can lead to significantly different material properties compared to their macrocomposite counterparts. For nanocomposites, thermal conductivity is one of the most important physical properties. Manipulation and control of thermal conductivity in nanocomposites have impacted a variety of applications. In particular, it has been shown that the phonon thermal conductivity can be reduced significantly in nanocomposites due to the increase in phonon interface scattering while the electrical conductivity can be maintained. This extraordinary property of nanocomposites has been used to enhance …