Engineering Commons^™

Intraocular Pressure Changes: An Important Determinant Of The Biocompatibility Of Intravitreous Implants, Ashwin Nair, Ling Zou, Hong Weng, Yi-Ting Tsai, Zhibing Hu, Liping Tang

Bioengineering Faculty Publications - Archive

No abstract provided.

Fabrication And Modification Of Implantable Micro-Probes For Neuro-Studies, Hung Viet Cao

Electrical Engineering Dissertations - Archive

In this work, different types of implantable probes fabricated on Si and polyimide substrates for sensing neurotransmitters, recording extracellular action potentials and stimulating the neurons have been developed. Several electrode configurations have been designed for implantation at various locations in the central nervous system. Each probe contains a multi electrode array (MEA) of 3, 5, 7 or 16 metal electrodes (Au or Pt) fabricated by electron-beam evaporation and lift-off processes. For sensing purpose, as a proof-of-principle, dopamine (DA) and L-glutamate sensors have been implemented. The surface of electrodes was modified with nanostructures by different methods appropriate to the substrate and …

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First Proof Of Concept Of Sustainable Metabolite Production From High Solids Fermentation Of Lignocellulosic Biomass Using A Bacterial Co-Culture And Cycling Flush System, Wanying Yao, Sue E. Nokes

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

To improve the lignocellulose conversion for ABE in high solids fermentation, this study explored the feasibility of cycling the process through the cellulolytic or/and solventogenic phases via intermittent flushing of the fermentation media. Five different flushing strategies (varying medium ingredients, inoculum supplement and cycling through phases) were investigated. Flushing regularly throughout the cellulolytic phase is necessary because re-incubation at 65 °C significantly improved glucose availability by at least 6-fold. The solvents accumulation was increased by 4-fold using corn stover (3-fold using miscanthus) over that produced by flushing only through the solventogenic phase. In addition, cycling process was simplified by re-incubating …

Badge Web Application, Ryan Green

Computer Engineering

This project includes the imagining, design, build, and test of a web application that creates and tracks a user’s progress on completing tasks that an administrator has created for the user. The goal of this project is to have a functioning webpage that is robust and scalable to support many users and many tasks. The application will be developed for use on all modern web browsers, and will have a persistent server to access from any platform. This project was designed to be an exercise in building a modern web application, and as such is written using many different languages, …

Cold Roll Extrusion Machine Redesign Final Design Report, Foja Bains, Bryan Cyr, David Van Schooten

Mechanical Engineering

This report is a comprehensive review of a redesign of subsystems for a Cold Roll Extrusion Machine, a forging operation, for PCC Rollmet. Three subsystems were addressed in this project: A new Loading system, Feed system, and Lubrication system. The Loading system, and support system during developmental design stages, addressed the timely loading process of pipes onto the forging machine. After two quarters of design iteration, the group decided on a lever arm, hydraulic actuated, loading design. In the final quarter of the project, a quarter scale model of this lever arm was constructed to prove the concept of the …

Farmbot, James Cruz, Scott Herrington, Bryan Rodriguez

Mechanical Engineering

The purpose of this project was to develop the hardware for the current Farmbot to perform its primary functions, and to create a template for a system that would be adaptable for future users and developers. The scope of the project included creating a universal tool mount, a seeding system, and a watering and nutrient mixing system. This project was brought to the students by sponsor Rory Aronson, the creator of Farmbot. The Cal Poly Farmbot team was able to go through an extensive brainstorming and iterative process for each part, where testing was able to be incorporated immediately due …

Comparison And Cost Analysis Of Growing Hops In A Greenhouse Versus An Outside Environment, Preston Way

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Microanalysis Of Polymer Chain Diffusion In Heat Seals, Russell Cooper

All Theses

Heat sealing is an integral method for the closure and protection of packaging. Previous work has shown that seal strength is developed by the interdiffusion of polymer chains within heat seals. Heat seals were made between two dissimilar materials. Poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) (EAA) was heat sealed to ionomer. Diffusion within the EAA-ionomer heat seals was estimated. The diffusion estimates were then related to resulting seal strength in the EAA-ionomer sealant system. Heated tooling sealing was utilized to make heat seals at 40 psi (275.79 kPa), 0.5 seconds, and a range of temperatures between 180˚F (82.22˚C) and 300˚F (148.89˚C). Scanning electron microscopy …

Inlay Vs. Onlay: A Comparison Of Two Glenoid Systems In Total Shoulder Arthroplasty, Sarah Helms

All Theses

Loosening of the glenoid component via a 'rocking horse' phenomenon, whereby the glenoid loosens as a result of edge loading of the implant during mild off-axis motion, is a common complication of total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs). Recently, a partial glenoid resurfacing implant, known as a glenoid inlay, has become available and due to its geometry has the potential to exhibit less rocking-horse loosening during humeral articulation than the standard glenoid onlay systems currently used in TSA. The inlay design is implanted centrally on the glenoid to match the surrounding anatomy with a fit that leaves it flush with the surrounding …

The Effects Of Chlorine Dioxide Gas On The Sensory Properties Of Whole Tomatoes, Christopher Gottilla

All Theses

This experiment sought to measure the changes in sensory quality that occur in tomatoes as the result of chlorine dioxide gas treatment. Tasti-Lee tomatoes (VFFF Hybrid #5755) were treated with two different levels of chlorine dioxide gas (10mg and 50mg of ClO2-forming material per kg of tomato) utilizing sachets. Testing compared the treated tomatoes and an untreated control group. These tests included flat-plate compression for firmness, sensory evaluation using a difference from control test, color analysis of the skin and flesh using a colorimeter, and enumeration of aerobic microbes and yeasts and molds. Flat-plate compression of whole tomatoes revealed no …

Characterization Of Biofilms On Medical Device Materials With Application To Reusable Surgical Instruments, Amanda Macaluso

All Theses

Reusable medical devices or reprocessed single-use devices are original medical devices that have been used once and then are cleaned, sterilized, and remanufactured for the purpose of an additional single use on a single patient [4]. Improperly reprocessed devices are a significant contributor to hospital-associated infections [4]. Challenges that hinder reprocessing are related to the complexity of reusable medical device design, the necessary validation of cleaning protocols required by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the impact of human factors throughout the reprocessing cycle, as well as economic factors within new business models that are centered on reprocessing. Current …

Vulnerability Functions For Seismic Loss Assessment Of The Modern Multi-Story Buildings In Dubai, Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz Ashri Hassan

Theses

The rapid developments in the United Arab Emirates along with the repeated seismic activity confirm the significance of planning for the possible damage that may hit earthquake-prone areas in order to mitigate earthquake losses. The contemporary buildings are the most important when estimating the potential losses from earthquakes since they represent concentrated economic and human assets. This study aims at developing vulnerability functions for a wide range of modern building inventory in a highly-populated and earthquake-prone area in the UAE. Ten reference buildings with varying heights from 2 to 100 stories and three different lateral force resisting systems are selected …

Flexural Strengthening Of One-Way Continuous Reinforced Concrete Slabs With Cutoffs In Sagging And Hogging Regions Jafer Husni, Jafer Husni Alshawa

Theses

Installation of cutouts in existing reinforced concrete (RC) floor slabs to accommodate utility services reduces the slab load capacity and ductility. This research examines the effectiveness of using near-surface-mounted (NSM) carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement to improve the flexural response of continuous RC slabs with cutouts. The study comprised experimental testing and analytical modeling. A total of eleven two-span RC slab strips, 400 x 125 x 3800 mm each, were tested. Test parameters included the location of the cutout, and amount and distribution of the NSM-CFRP reinforcement between the sagging and hogging regions. Installation of a cutout in the sagging …

Carbon Black Mediated Conductive Polymer Composite, Mohamed Hussein Faris Ali

Theses

The central goal of this thesis is to produce electrically conductive nanocomposites made out of carbon black obtained from waste tires as filler into a polymeric matrix. Waste tires are discarded in substantial numbers on a daily basis, posing a significant environmental concern. By weight, about 25-35% of a tire is carbon black. Pyrolysis is a convenient and environmental friendly process to produce carbon black from tires. Due to carbon black’s low density, high electrical conductivity and economic feasibility, this thesis investigates the electrical conductivity of nanocomposites that utilizes carbon black particles as fillers. As a result of its modified …

Stability Design Criteria For Distribution Systems With Solid-State Transformers, Darshit G. Shah, M. L. Crow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Due to recent advancements in semiconductor technology, power-electronic converters for high-voltage, high-power, and high-frequency applications will soon be commercially available. The theoretical concept of a distribution solid-state transformer (SST) is not recent, but with the use of advanced electronic switches and control strategies, the SST may soon become a practical reality. In this paper, conventional single-phase distribution transformers are replaced by solid-state transformers in a distribution test system to investigate their interactive dynamics. Under certain circumstances, instabilities due to harmonic resonance are observed. A design criterion for a solid-state transformer during no-load conditions has been proposed in order to avoid …

Photobioreactor Design For Improved Energy Efficiency Of Microalgae Production, Alexander Burns

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Photobioreactor Design for Improved Energy Efficiency of Microalgae Production

Alexander Burns

The objective of this research was to investigate a new photobioreactor (PBR) design for microalgae production that retains the typical advantages of existing tubular PBRs while reducing power consumption by providing simultaneous culture circulation and gas exchange with airlift alone and no centrifugal recirculating pump. Traditional tubular PBR designs feature a compressed air supply and a centrifugal pump for culture circulation and gas exchange. Circulation and gas exchange in a closed-system PBR is necessary to keep the algae suspended and to provide sufficient mass transfer (mainly for the …

Examining Ambiguities In The Automatic Packet Reporting System, Kenneth W. Finnegan

Master's Theses

The Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) is an amateur radio packet network that has evolved over the last several decades in tandem with, and then arguably beyond, the lifetime of other VHF/UHF amateur packet networks, to the point where it is one of very few packet networks left on the amateur VHF/UHF bands. This is proving to be problematic due to the loss of institutional knowledge as older amateur radio operators who designed and built APRS and other AX.25-based packet networks abandon the hobby or pass away. The purpose of this document is to collect and curate a sufficient body …

Growth Media And Lipid Determination Comparison Of High Rate Algae Ponds, Eric Alexander Nicolai

Master's Theses

Growth Media and Lipid Determination Comparison

of High Rate Algae Ponds

Eric Alexander Nicolai

The feasibility of algal biofuel production relies on the use of a non-potable water source. Municipal wastewater is nutrient-rich and a cost effective option as a growth media in algae ponds. However, this resource may be too valuable for algal biomass production, as reclaimed wastewater is needed for surface irrigation and groundwater recharge. This thesis compares the performance of 4.2 m² high rate algal raceway ponds (HRAPs) to 33 m² HRAPs grown on primary settled wastewater during a media recycling study and a growth …

Performance Analysis Of A Hybrid Raman Optical Parametric Amplifier In The O- And E-Bands For Cwdm Pons, Sasanthi Peiris, Nicolas Madamopoulos, Neophytos A. Antoniades, Dwight Richards, Roger Dorsinville

Publications and Research

We describe a hybrid Raman-optical parametric amplifier (HROPA) operating at the O- and E-bands and designed for coarse wavelength division multiplexed (CWDM) passive optical networks (PONs). We present the mathematical model and simulation results for the optimization of this HROPA design. Our analysis shows that separating the two amplification processes allows for optimization of each one separately, e.g., proper selection of pump optical powers and wavelengths to achieve maximum gain bandwidth and low gain ripple. Furthermore, we show that the proper design of optical filters incorporated in the HROPA architecture can suppress idlers generated during the OPA process, as well …

Methods To Expedite And Streamline Utility Relocations For Road Projects, Roy Sturgill, Timothy R.B. Taylor, Seyedmahdi Ghorashinezhad, Jiwen Zhang

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Executive Summary This report describes best practices and tools to streamline and expedite utility relocations when they are required as part of road construction projects. As part of this effort, a research team from the Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) conducted extensive qualitative research that involved mapping current practices at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and reviewing utility manuals from KYTC and other state transportation agencies. The KTC research team also conducted in-depth interviews with KYTC engineers and staff as well as representatives from utility companies (UCs). Based on the data from these investigations, KTC developed a number of recommendations to …

Railway/Highway At-Grade Crossing Surface Rehabilitation Manual: Recommendations And Guides, Brett R. Malloy, Macy L. Purcell, Jerry G. Rose

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This Railway/Highway At-Grade Crossing Surface Rehabilitation Manual offers guidance to engineers and project planners for designing, constructing, and managing railway/highway crossing rehabilitation projects. The manual includes information on pre-project administration, project execution, and post-project management and oversight. Suggestions are provided for determining the most cost-effective rehabilitation procedure, techniques to insure the appropriate installation procedures are followed onsite, and instructions for post-project administration and inspection procedures. The primary goal of this manual is to aid with the implementation of a crossing rehabilitation program; all of its guidance underscores the importance of achieving costeffective solutions through the use of best practices to …

An Integrated Systems Engineering Methodology For Design Of Vehicle Handling Dynamics, Mandar Hazare

All Dissertations

The primary objective of this research is to develop an integrated system engineering methodology for the conceptual design of vehicle handling dynamics early on in the product development process. A systems engineering-based simulation framework is developed that connects subjective, customer-relevant handling expectations and manufacturers' brand attributes to higher-level objective vehicle engineering targets and consequently breaks these targets down into subsystem-level requirements and component-level design specifications. Such an integrated systems engineering approach will guide the engineering development process and provide insight into the compromises involved in the vehicle-handling layout, ultimately saving product development time and costs and helping to achieve a …

Elastically Mismatched Interfaces As Related To Glass-To-Metal Seals, William Horton

All Dissertations

The mechanical performance of Glass-to-Metal seals is largely dependent upon the morphology of the oxide interfaces. The interfaces of the glass-to-metal region are transition zones consisting of a metallically bonded base metal with its reduced oxide and progress to interatomic bonds which are a mixture of ionic and covalent in a glass or ceramic base material. Differences in coefficient of thermal expansion, interatomic bonding and overall physical chemistry cause a number of issues in design, manufacture and lifetime serviceability of a G/M seal. To date the primary dimensions of interface assessment are microscopy and analytical chemistry. The purpose of this …

Solar Brine Concentrator, Aric Gregory Fisher

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

In arid regions of the United States potable water is a valuable resource and is sometimes produced using energy intensive processes by removing salts from brackish water. Task 4 provides a solar option for producing potable water from brackish water; in competing in Task 4, H2OGS has developed a simple, cost effective solar desalination process to provide these regions with necessary, potable water. H2OGS’ design takes into account WERC requirements, including cost, energy usage, worker safety, and easily obtained materials. U.S. government regulatory requirements are also taken into account as the proposed location for this process is Alamogordo, New Mexico. …

Recycling Wastewater For Hydraulic Fracturing By Use Of Nanofiltration Membranes, Haley D. Cleous

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Hydraulic fracturing creates large volumes of produced water, contaminated with organics, suspended solids, and dissolved minerals. This water must either be disposed of in injection wells or treated for reuse. One option is to use a combination of ultrafiltration and nanofiltration to treat this water and reuse it in future hydraulic fracturing wells. The object of this study was to test and characterize commercial nanofiltration membranes. The work done for this project will lead to future work in modifying membranes to improve the rejection of desired components.

Phytoscreening: A Comparison Of In Planta Portable Gc-Ms And In Vitro Analyses, Matt A. Limmer, Gregory D. Martin, Christopher J. Watson, Camilo Martinez, Joel Gerard Burken

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Phytoscreening Has Been Proven to Rapidly Delineate Subsurface Contaminant Plumes for Semiquantitative Site Assessment, with Minimal Impact to Property or Ecology through the Collection and Analysis of Tree Cores. Here, Three Phytoscreening Methods Were Applied Concurrently to Identify Multiple Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds (CVOCs) in a Phytoremediation Treatment System at a Contaminated Industrial Facility. Tree Coring, in Planta Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and in Planta Passive Sampling Showed General Agreement, with the in Planta GC-MS Providing the Quickest But Least Quantitative Results. the Portable GC-MS Sampling and Analysis Method Identified Six CVOCs in the Xylem of Hybrid Poplars (Populus Sp.) …

Direct Torque Control Of An Lnduction Machine Using Multi-Layer Perceptron Network, Adithya Chandrashekharan

Masters Theses

In conventional direct torque control (DTC) scheme of induction motor (lM), Proportional Integral Controller (PI) is used as the speed controller. PI controller is more suitable in steady state condition and for linear system but both DTC and IM are mostly nonlinear. Multi-Layer perceptron neural network. (MLPNN) controller is more suitable and performs better than PI controller. The switching table of the conventional DTC is replaced by the MLPNN controller. The MLPNN inputs are, the magnitude of the stator flux, torque and the Voltage sectors. Levenberg-Marquardt back propagation technique has been used to train the MLPNN. The output of the …

Laminar And Turbulent Regime Changes In Drinking Water Contact Tanks, Taylor C. Barnett, Subhas K. Venayagamoorthy

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Transitions in flow regimes that can occur in drinking water contact tanks may significantly affect the disinfection efficiency of the system. To demonstrate these effects, the authors investigated the internal velocity fields and flow regime of a drinking water contact tank located in Jamestown, Colo. The baffling factor (BF) of the system fluctuated annually between 0.5 and 0.6 because of a shift in flow regime caused by changes in the flow rate of the system. The authors studied the effects of the regime change from laminar to turbulent flow (or vice versa) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models and physical …

Lateral Resistance Of Piles Near 15 Foot Vertical Mse Abutment Walls Reinforced With Ribbed Steel Strips, Jarell Han

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACTLateral Resistance of Piles near 15 Foot Vertical MSE AbutmentWalls Reinforced with Ribbed Steel StripsJarell Jen Chou HanDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, BYUMaster of ScienceA full scale MSE wall was constructed and piles were driven at various distances behind the wall. Lateral load tests were conducted to determine the effect of pile spacing from the wall on the lateral resistance of the piles and the force resisted by the MSE reinforcement. The piles used for this study were 12.75 inch pipe piles and the reinforcements were ribbed steel strips.Load-deflection curves were developed for piles located behind the wall at …