Engineering Commons^™

Information Technology News, Georgia Southern University

Information Technology: News & Publications (2012-2023)

• Melissa Ray is @ Boeing – Enterprise DBA!

Exploring Data Quality Of Weigh-In-Motion Systems, Chengxin Dai

Dissertations and Theses

This research focuses on the data quality control methods for evaluating the performance of Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) systems on Oregon highways. This research identifies and develops a new methodology and algorithm to explore the accuracy of each station's weight and spacing data at a corridor level, and further implements the Statistical Process Control (SPC) method, finite mixture model, axle spacing error rating method, and data flag method in published research to examine the soundness of WIM systems. This research employs the historical WIM data to analyze sensor health and compares the evaluation results of the methods. The results suggest the new …

Solar Data Analysis, Mike C. T. Ray

Dissertations and Theses

The solar industry has grown considerably in the last few years. This larger scale has introduced more problems as well as possibilities. One of those possibilities is analyzing the data coming from the sites that are now being monitored, and using the information to answer a variety of questions.

We have four questions which are of prime importance identified in this thesis:

1. Can data from customers be trusted?

2. Can we use data from existing sites to determine which sites need the most improvement?

3. Can we implement a location-based algorithm to reduce the amount of false positives for …

Method And Apparatus For Electrical Stimulation Of Tissues Using Signals That Minimize The Effects Of Tissue Impedance, Jeffrey Hargrove

Mechanical Engineering Patents

A tissue stimulation system that generates an electrical tissue stimulation signal configured to reduce tissue impedance and increase depth of signal penetration. The use of leads is dynamically controlled and altered between conducting biopotential voltages, conducting electrical tissue stimulation signals, and grounding, in response to a computational analysis of biopotential data acquired from a region of tissue to be stimulated.

Microelectronics Seminar Series | Utah State University Power Electronics Lab, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

A seminar series is being held in the lab on the topic of microelectronics with application to Power Electronics. The seminar will be held over a period of four weeks before the fall semester starts.

Efferent Copy And Corollary Discharge Motor Control Behavior Associated With A Hopping Activity, Wangdo Kim, António P. Veloso, Filipa João, Sean S. Kohles

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Hoppers respond not only to stimuli from the ground surfaces but also to cues generated by their own behaviors. This leads to desensitization because although the afferent and reafferent signals have distinct causes, they are carried by the same sensory channels. From a behavioral viewpoint, it may be necessary to distinguish between signals from the two causes especially when monitoring changes in the external environment separate from those due to self-movement. We were able to separate afferent sensory stimuli from self-generated, reafferent signals using an action oriented perception system and dynamic programming approach. This effort addressed the question of how …

Rnn Language Model With Word Clustering And Class-Based Output Layer, Yongzhe Shi, Wei-Qiang Zhang, Jia Liu, Michael T. Johnson

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The recurrent neural network language model (RNNLM) has shown significant promise for statistical language modeling. In this work, a new class-based output layer method is introduced to further improve the RNNLM. In this method, word class information is incorporated into the output layer by utilizing the Brown clustering algorithm to estimate a class-based language model. Experimental results show that the new output layer with word clustering not only improves the convergence obviously but also reduces the perplexity and word error rate in large vocabulary continuous speech recognition.

Searching For Stable SiNCN Clusters: Combination Of Stochastic Potential Surface Search And Pseudopotential Plane-Wave Car-Parinello Simulated Annealing Simulations, Xiaofeng F. Duan, Lingyu Huang, Larry W. Burggraf

Faculty Publications

To find low energy Si_nC_n structures out of hundreds to thousands of isomers we have developed a general method to search for stable isomeric structures that combines Stochastic Potential Surface Search and Pseudopotential Plane-Wave Density Functional Theory Car-Parinello Molecular Dynamics simulated annealing (PSPW-CPMD-SA). We enhanced the Sunders stochastic search method to generate random cluster structures used as seed structures for PSPW-CPMD-SA simulations. This method ensures that each SA simulation samples a different potential surface region to find the regional minimum structure. By iterations of this automated, parallel process on a high performance computer we located hundreds to …

Ceas E-News 07.19.2013, College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences News

Formula Sun Grand Prix

College Of Engineering News, Georgia Southern University

College of Engineering & Computing: News & Publications (2010-2023)

• Dr. Soloiu (ME) awarded NSF REU grant

Simulation Analysis Of Container Terminal Capacity At Multi-Terminal Indonesia(Mit), Chandra Irawan

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Computer Vision Based, Non-Contacting Deformation And Shape Measurements: A Revolution In Progress, Michael A. Sutton

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

The rapid expansion of computer technology in the past thirty years has impacted society in innumerable ways. Of interest for this discussion is the breath-taking change in measurement sciences that has occurred as the digital age dawned and has now become part of our daily lives. In particular, the effect on image-based, non-contacting measurements will be described and the continuing revolutionary impact that the resulting technology has engendered will be reviewed. Additionally, the unprecedented expansion of capabilities will be highlighted by presenting a set of illustrative example studies.

Engineering Design Research: Successful Integration Of Education, Practice, And Study In The Cedar Group, Joshua D. Summers

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Engineering design is a generally nascent area of research within the engineering disciplines, spanning only a few decades of critical investigation. Clemson University has been at the forefront of the development of this field and continues this with a living experiment in how to integrate education, practice, and research through the CEDAR group. This essay introduces the reader to design research and the areas of study within CEDAR. Following this, an analysis of the research trends exposes three pillars of CEDAR philosophy: helping others, seeking variety, and learning from others. The goal of this essay is to introduce the wider …

Relevance Of The Thorpe Length Scale In Stably Stratified Turbulence, Benjamin D. Mater, Simon M. Schaad, Subhas Karan Venayagamoorthy

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Direct numerical simulations of stably stratified turbulence are used to compare the Thorpe overturn length scale, LT, with other length scales of the flow that can be constructed from large-scale quantities fundamental to shear-free, stratified turbulence. Quantities considered are the turbulent kinetic energy, k, its dissipation rate, ε, and the buoyancy frequency, N. Fundamental length scales are then the Ozmidov length scale, LO, the isotropic large scale, Lkε, and a kinetic energy length scale, LkN. Behavior of all three fundamental scales, relative to LT, is shown to be a function of the buoyancy strength parameter NTL, where TL = k/ε …

Hybrid System For Enhancing Algal Growth Using Vertical Membranes, David J. Bayless, Ben J. Stuart

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A method for enhancing gas-to-liquid transfer rate and algal growth using vertical membranes suspended over a pond, wherein the membranes are formed of fibers. An aqueous solution is applied to the top edges of the membranes through a series of headers. The membranes are exposed to a stream of gas containing soluble gas species as the aqueous solution migrates downwardly through the membranes by virtue of gravity-assisted capillary action. The aqueous solution collects the soluble gases from the gas stream, thus promoting the growth of photosynthetic organisms on the membranes and in the pond. The membranes facilitate a gradual introduction …

Computing Radiation Exchange, Jonathan L. Nutzati Fontaine

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

A computational tool to simulate thermal radiation between surfaces is developed. The output is verified against cases for which the analytical solutions are available. The tool can be used as a stand-alone program, or as an interactive module for CFD. In such an application the module would augment other heat transfer boundary conditions. The tool is demonstrated by post-processing surface temperature field data from a supersonic CFD calculation. The result is a net thermal radiation surface data field - the black body radiative effluxes as functions of temperature, less the integrated influxes multiplied by their geometric view factors from other …

Quantum Circuit Synthesis Using Group Decomposition And Hilbert Spaces, Michael S. Saraivanov

Dissertations and Theses

The exponential nature of Moore's law has inadvertently created huge data storage complexes that are scattered around the world. Data elements are continuously being searched, processed, erased, combined and transferred to other storage units without much regard to power consumption. The need for faster searches and power efficient data processing is becoming a fundamental requirement. Quantum computing may offer an elegant solution to speed and power through the utilization of the natural laws of quantum mechanics. Therefore, minimal cost quantum circuit implementation methodologies are greatly desired.

This thesis explores the decomposition of group functions and the Walsh spectrum for implementing …

A Comparison Of Bicyclists’ Performance Characteristics At Urban, Suburban, And Dedicated Path Intersections In Oregon, Kirk Paulsen, Christopher M. Monsere, Sam R. Thompson, Miguel A. Figliozzi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This presentation provides an overview of the following research objectives

• To develop operational guidelines for timing and phasing of bicycle-specific traffic signals or modifications that can be made to existing signals to better accommodate bicycles.
• To develop engineering guidelines for the design of bicycle-specific traffic signals.

Advancements And Challenges Towards A Collaborative Framework For 3d Tele-Immersive Social Networking, Davide Andrea Mauro, N. E. O’Connor, D. Monaghan, Marc Gowing, P. Fechteler, P. Eisert, J. Wall, E. Izquierdo, D. S. Alexiadis, P. Daras, R. Mekuria, P. Cesar

Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering Faculty Research

Social experiences realized through teleconferencing systems are still quite different from face to face meetings. The awareness that we are online and in a, to some extent, lesser real world are preventing us from really engaging and enjoying the event. Several reasons account for these differences and have been identified. We think it is now time to bridge these gaps and propose inspiring and innovative solutions in order to provide realistic, believable and engaging online experiences. We present a distributed and scalable framework named REVERIE that faces these challenges and provides a mix of these solutions. Applications built on top …

Through-Silicon Via Fault-Tolerant Clock Networks For 3-D Ics, Chiao Ling Lung, Yu Shih Su, Hsih Hsiu Huang, Yiyu Shi, Shih Chieh Chang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Clock network synthesis is one of the most important and challenging problems in 3-D ICs. The clock signals have to be delivered by through-silicon vias (TSVs) to different tiers with minimum skew. While there are a few related works in literature, none consider the reliability of TSVs in a clock tree. Accordingly, the failure of any TSV in the clock tree yields a bad chip. The naive solution using double-TSV can alleviate the problem, but the significant area overhead renders it less practical for large designs. In this paper, we propose a novel TSV fault-tolerant unit (TFU) to provide tolerance …

Model Order Reduction For Multiband Quantum Transport Simulations And Its Application To P-Type Junctionless Transistors, Jun Z. Huang, Weng Cho Chew, Jie Peng, Chi Yung Yam, Li (Lijun) Jun Jiang, Guan Hua Chen

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An efficient method is developed for multiband simulation of quantum transport in nanowire electronic devices within nonequilibrium Green's function formalism. The efficiency relies on a model order reduction technique, which projects the k.p Hamiltonian into a much smaller subspace constructed by sampling the Bloch modes of each cross-section layer. Several sampling approaches are discussed to obtain a minimum and accurate basis with reduced computational overhead. The technique is verified by calculating the valence bands of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) and by solving I-V curves of p-type SiNW transistors. This enables us to study for the first time the performances of large …

Multifunctional Orthogonally-Frequency-Coded Saw Strain Sensor, William Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

A multifunctional strain sensor based on Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Orthogonal Frequency Coding (OFC) technology on a Langasite substrate has been investigated. Second order transmission matrix models have been developed and verified. A new parameterizable library of SAW components was created to automate the layout process. Using these new tools, a SAW strain sensor with OFC reflectors was designed, fabricated and tested. The Langasite coefficients of velocity for strain (γS = 1.699) and Temperature (γT = 2.562) were experimentally determined. The strain and temperature characterization of this strain sensor, along with the coefficients of velocity, have been used to demonstrate …

Monitoring Aircraft Cabin Particulate Matter Using A Wireless Sensor Network, James A. Hall Jr., Joshua Kiepert, Michael Pook, Sin Ming Loo

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The semi-enclosed and pressurized nature of the aircraft cabin results in a highly dynamic environment. The dynamic conditions establish spatiotemporal dependent environmental characteristics. Characterization of aircraft cabin environmental and bleed-air conditions have traditionally been done with stand-alone measurement systems which, by their very nature, cannot provide the necessary sensor coverage in such an environment. To this purpose, a prototype wireless sensor network system has been developed that can be deployed in the aircraft cabin environment. Each sensor node in the system incorporates the ability to measure common aircraft contaminants such as particulate matter and carbon dioxide, along with other key …

Surface Morphology Evolution Of M-Plane (1(1)Over-Bar00) Gan During Molecular Beam Epitaxy Growth: Impact Of Ga/N Ratio, Miscut Direction, And Growth Temperature, Jiayi Shao, Liang Tang, Colin Edmunds, Geoff C. Gardner, Oana Malis, Michael J. Manfra

Birck and NCN Publications

We present a systematic study of morphology evolution of [1 (1) over bar 00] m-plane GaN grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on free-standing m-plane substrates with small miscut angles towards the -c [000 (1) over bar] and +c [0001] directions under various gallium to nitrogen (Ga/N) ratios at substrate temperatures T = 720 degrees C and T = 740 degrees C. The miscut direction, Ga/N ratio, and growth temperature are all shown to have a dramatic impact on morphology. The observed dependence on miscut direction supports the notion of strong anisotropy in the gallium adatom diffusion barrier and growth …

Internal Curing Of Concrete Bridge Decks In Utah: Mountain View Corridor Project, Joseph Michael Yaede

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this research were to 1) monitor in-situ moisture and diffusivity for both conventional concrete and concrete containing pre-wetted lightweight fine aggregate (LWFA), 2) compare deck performance in terms of early-age cracking, compressive strength, and chloride ingress, and 3) compare concrete properties in terms of compressive strength, chloride permeability, elastic modulus, and water content in the laboratory using cylinders cast in the field at the time of deck construction. The research involved field and laboratory evaluations of four newly constructed bridge decks located in northern Utah, two constructed using conventional concrete and two constructed using pre-wetted LWFA to …

The Effect Of Cooling Rate Of Friction Stir Welded High Strength Low Alloy Steel, Scott Anthony Rose

Theses and Dissertations

The friction stir welding of steel has produced a hard zone in several different alloys. Despite its detrimental effects on weld toughness, the reasons behind neither its formation nor a method of reducing its size or effects have been explored. Recent advances in process control allow for direct heat input control, which combined with the use of backing plates of different thermal conductivity allows for an expansion of the process window. These control methods also affect the HAZ cooling rate by providing greater range (a 60% increase compared to a fixed backing plate) and control (five welds within 16 °C/s). …

Information Technology News, Georgia Southern University

Information Technology: News & Publications (2012-2023)

• Robert Thompson – Update

Civil Engineering And Construction News, Georgia Southern University

Civil Engineering & Construction: News & Publications (2011-2022)

• Dr. Mike Jackson to Chair New Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management (CECM)

Applying A Level Set Method For Resolving Physiologic Motions In Free-Breathing And Non-Gated Cardiac Mri, Ilyas Uyanik, Peggy Lindner, Panagiotis Tsiamyrtzis, Dipan Shah, Nikolaos V. Tsekos, Ioannis T. Pavlidis

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In cardiac MRI, ECG triggering is used, or patients are required to hold their breath, to alleviate motion artifacts and deterioration of image quality. However, ECG signal quality is often suboptimal, and patients may not be able to adequately hold their breath. Alternative solutions for tracking breathing and cardiac beating can open the way for robust free-breathing and ECG-less cardiac MRI. Herein, we present a novel approach that isolates the effect of breathing, as well as computes both the breathing and cardiac beating waveforms directly from real-time MRI sequences. It turns a challenge into an opportunity to guide the reconstruction …

Popup Height And The Dynamics Of Rising Buoyant Spheres, Randy H. Munns

Theses and Dissertations

In this paper the popup height of rising buoyant spheres is studied over a range of distinct release depths along with the accompanying velocities and accelerations near the free surface. In the past, regimes of motion due to vortex induced vibrations have been classified based on trajectories below the free surface. This study focuses on the popup height, velocity and acceleration at free surface exit, and vortex shedding in order to further define regimes of motion experienced by a rising buoyant sphere. Varying the release depth below the free surface reveals varying exit angles, velocities, accelerations, and popup heights at …