Engineering Commons^™

Wii-B-Fit Adaptive Wii Remote, Chris Lombardo

Computer Engineering

The goal of this project was to fix and supplement the original Wii-B-Fit system in order to get it running again and improve on the original design. Wii-B-Fit’s original mission is to give people with paralysis the ability to participate in activities that they would not otherwise get to do, while creating a more fun, social, and independent lifestyle.Physical activity can help stimulate brain activity and is an integral part to a healthy lifestyle. Quadriplegia however makes it extremely hard to perform most forms of physical activity and severely limits the choices available to victims of the disease. The original …

Under-Tree Sprinkler Design In A Walnut/Cherry Orchard, Edward Caminata

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The goal of this project is to design a permanent under-tree sprinkler system for a 50 acre walnut and cherry orchard in Linden, CA. This will allow irrigation water to be delivered to the trees more uniformly and decrease the labor requirements needed to irrigate. This design will target a value of 0.92 for the Distribution Uniformity of each set throughout the system.

Design Constuction And Evaluation Of A Vertical Hydroponic Tower, Nicholas A. Heredia

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This project encompasses the design, construction, and evaluation of a vertical hydropoinc tower. The tower was designed to cycle nutrient rich water through two hydropoinc systems, drip and nutrient film technique then return the water back to the reservoir. The tower will grow 5 different plant varieties. Evaluations have been done on the elevation, system type, and crop type to determine the most productive.

The tower contained four troughs where plants were grown. Due to the structure of the tower two of the troughs were elevated 20” higher than the other two troughs. The elevation of the plants did not …

The Design, Construction, And Testing Of An In-Furrow Planter For The Planting Of Low Residue Cover Crops, Chandler A. Bennett

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This project encompasses the design, construction, and evaluation of an in-furrow planter for the planting of low residue cover crops. The purpose of planting the furrow is for the management of off-site removal of residual pesticides, nutrients, and soil by mitigating water flow. Due to there being no current solution for the mechanized planting of furrows this project was pursued to provide a means for farmers to do so at the most cost effective means. The result of this project is a prototype planter that can be made with basic shop tools, be made with off the shelf parts, and …

Porous Titania Microspheres With Uniform Wall Thickness And High Photoactivity, Xinhua Liang, Rajankumar L. Patel

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Highly porous titania particles were prepared by depositing thin films of titania, using alternating reactions of TiCl4 and hydrogen peroxide, on poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (PS-DVB) template particles via atomic layer deposition (ALD) at 77 C. The composition of the titania films was verified by XPS analysis, and the titania films were directly observed by TEM. TGA/DSC was used to study the thermal decomposition of the polymer template. Porous titania particles with uniform wall thicknesses were successfully obtained after the template PS-DVB was removed by oxidation in air at 400 C for 24 h. Verification of the resulting porous structure of the titania …

Development Of A Bicycle Level Of Service Methodology For Two-Way Stop-Controlled (Twsc) Intersections, Nathan R. Johnston

Master's Theses

This thesis fills a missing piece in research on multimodal performance measures for traffic on streets and highways. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) published by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) provides Level of Service (LOS) methodologies which enable engineers and planners to evaluate the overall performance of roadways and highways based on the physical characteristics of facilities. This allows for the evaluation of those facilities and offers a means for recognizing issues and planning, designing, implementing, and ultimately assessing improvements. Originally, level of service was developed for automotive traffic only, but with recent developments as part of the complete streets …

A Study Of The Relationship Between The Use Of Gis And Project Success In Selected Construction Organizations, Hamad Altuwaijri

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This survey research effort investigated the relationship between 11 selected Geographic Information System (GIS) functions and three (time, cost, and quality) highway and transportation construction-project success criteria. The population included engineers and information technology professionals in the United States who worked in the highway and transportation area. The sample included members of various appropriate email groups.

No significant relationship between GIS function use and construction project success criteria (time and cost) was found. The third success criterion (customers specification−quality) was not tested because of the lack of variability of the responses. There were significant differences between organizations that focused on …

An Experimental Evaluation Of Image Quality For Various Scenarios In A Chromotomographic System With A Spinning Prism, Kyle J. Dufaud

Theses and Dissertations

A lab and eld based hyperspectral chromotomographic imager has been developed at the Air Force Institute of Technology. It is a prototype used to study the requirements for a space-based system. The imager uses a high speed visible band camera behind a direct-vision prism to image both spatial dimensions and the spectral dimension at the same time. Capturing all 3 simultaneously allows for the hyperspectral imaging of transient events. The prism multiplexes the spectral and spatial information, so tomographic reconstruction algorithms must be used to separate hyperspectral channels. Experiments were conducted to compare reconstructed image quality as a function of …

Polarimetric Calibration And Characterization Of The Telops Field Portable Polarimetric-Hyperspectral Imager, Joel G. Holder

Theses and Dissertations

The Telops polarimetric-hyperspectral imager combines polarimetric and hyperspectral technologies to enable enhanced scene characterization. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency funded research at AFIT to leverage this capability to provide more accurate scene information to radiation transport models that will allow for more effective location of radiation sources within a region of interest. To support the objectives of the DTRA effort, there is a requirement for highly accurate radiometric, polarimetric, and spectral data on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The complex nature of the Telops instrument combined with working in the thermal IR waveband makes achieving this accuracy a challenge. This thesis develops …

Comparative Analysis Of Reconstructed Image Quality In A Simulated Chromotomographic Imager, Ryan L. Tervo

Theses and Dissertations

A hyperspectral chromotomographic instrument has been developed to determine the spatial and spectral distribution of a target. It does this by recording the dispersed images produced by a rotating direct vision prism with a high speed camera. The recorded images are processed through a tomographic reconstruction algorithm to produce a reconstructed hypercube. A physics-based system model was developed to investigate three areas. The first was how the prism angle selection and range of angles used impacted the reconstructed image quality. The second was an assessment of a new iterative reconstruction algorithm developed to remove artifacts produced in the Back Projection …

Numerical Analysis Of Cold Injury Of Skin In Cryogen Spray Cooling For Laser Dermatologic Surgery, Dong Li, Bin Chen, Wen-Juan Wu, Ya-Ling He, Lin Zhuang Xing, Guo-Xiang Wang

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

In laser dermatologic surgery, cryogen spray cooling (CSC) is used to avoid unwanted thermal damage such as scars from skin burning due to the melanin absorption of the laser beam. As the cryogen is fully atomized from the nozzle, temperature of the droplets can quickly drop below -60 oC because of evaporation. Such low temperature may lead to cold injury of skin. Therefore, spray cooling process should be accurately controlled during clinical practice to achieve sufficient protection and avoid cold injury. This study presents a numerical analysis for cold injury of skin in cryogen spray cooling for dermatologic laser surgery …

Neutral Nitrogen Acceptors In Zno: The 67Zn Hyperfine Interactions, Eric M. Golden, S. M. Evans, Larry E. Halliburton, Nancy C. Giles

Faculty Publications

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is used to characterize the ⁶⁷Zn hyperfine interactions associated with neutral nitrogen acceptors in zinc oxide. Data are obtained from an n-type bulk crystal grown by the seeded chemical vapor transport method. Singly ionized nitrogen acceptors (N⁻) initially present in the crystal are converted to their paramagnetic neutral charge state (N⁰) during exposure at low temperature to 442 or 633 nm laser light. The EPR signals from these N⁰ acceptors are best observed near 5 K. Nitrogen substitutes for oxygen ions and has four nearest-neighbor cations. The zinc ion …

Comparison Of Adaptive Optics Scanning Light Ophthalmoscopic Fluorescein Angiography And Offset Pinhole Imaging, Toco Y.P. Chui, Michael Dubow, Alexander Pinhas, Nishit Shah, Alexander Gan, Rishard Weitz, Yusufu N. Sulai, Alfredo Dubra, Richard B. Rosen

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Recent advances to the adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) have enabled finer in vivo assessment of the human retinal microvasculature. AOSLO confocal reflectance imaging has been coupled with oral fluorescein angiography (FA), enabling simultaneous acquisition of structural and perfusion images. AOSLO offset pinhole (OP) imaging combined with motion contrast post-processing techniques, are able to create a similar set of structural and perfusion images without the use of exogenous contrast agent. In this study, we evaluate the similarities and differences of the structural and perfusion images obtained by either method, in healthy control subjects and in patients with retinal vasculopathy …

Phanerochaete Chrysosporium Pretreatment Of Biomass To Enhance Solvent Production In Subsequent Bacterial Solid-Substrate Cultivation, Wanying Yao, Sue E. Nokes

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

This study investigated pretreatment of corn stover using solid substrate cultivation (SSC) of Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium) to improve subsequent accessibility to cellulose. Thereafter, Clostridium thermocellum (C. thermocellum) was directly inoculated onto the pretreated biomass to accomplish hydrolysis, followed by solventogenesis by introducing Clostridium beijerinckii (C. beijerinckii).

An enzyme suite containing laccase, lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase activity was detected during the cultivation of P. chrysosporium on corn stover within 288 h at an initial moisture content 𝓌_H2O = 80% (mass of water/total mass). Incubation factors, such as substrate moisture content and cultivation …

Quantifying And Modeling Stream–Aquifer Interactions In The Elkhorn River Basin, Nebraska, Can Liu

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study combined statistical analyses, field investigations and numerical groundwater flow modeling to quantify the connectivity between the Elkhorn River and its adjacent aquifers in Nebraska. The Mann-Kendall trend tests were conducted to detect increasing or decreasing tendencies on the time series data of streamflow, which were collected from eighteen gauging stations in the Elkhorn River and its tributaries. Decreasing trends were not found in the annual streamflow data.

Field investigation of streambed hydraulic properties was performed in the Elkhorn River near Winslow and Norfolk. Vertical hydraulic conductivities (K_v) of the shallow streambed sediments were obtained by …

Evaluation And Modification Of Solid Set Sprinkler System For Hirashima Berry Farms, Jeffrey Hirashima

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This project encompassed the evaluation and recommendations for a solid set sprinkler system. This project will determined the distribution uniformity for an existing solid set sprinkler system located on Hirashima Berry Farms. After the evaluation was complete modifications were suggested to the farmer in order to lower watering costs during pre-irrigation and provide salt leaching. The results from the system evaluation show that the current system distribution uniformity is 0.69. The following recommendations and conditions were assumed; normal pre-irrigation practices, an EC threshold of 2.0 dS/m for strawberries, a leaching requirements of 0.15, and an improved DU to 0.80. With …

Design And Fabrication Of A Sporting Clay Launcher, Zachary Flowers

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Boosty-Bit: Power For Pint-Sized Projects, Timothy Grijalva

Electrical Engineering

In order to make it easier for hobbyists to create small portable microcontroller based electronics projects, I have created Boosty-bit, a tiny DC-DC boost convert that runs off a single alkaline battery cell (AA or AAA). The Boosty-bit converter can source up to 250mA @ 3.3v, making it ideal for many microcontroller based projects. In addition to power management, Boosty-bit is also physically small, allowing it to fit inside pen/marker-sized enclosures along with a AAA battery and a microcontroller. Boosty-bit aims to be the ideal solution for “makers” who desire portability and compact form factors in their projects.

Imu Based Tracking And Stabilization System, Aaron Barton

Electrical Engineering

The objective of this project is to develop a system that can track a user selected point in space given displacement, vibration and rotation of the device. Stabilization systems are used in various forms over the years, with the military amongst the foremost adopters. More recently, with the increasing popularity of quad-copters for RC hobbyists, and small cameras capable of take high quality video during recreational sports such as skiing or mountain biking, the need has emerged for a cheaper, more accessible version of stabilization systems for use in photography. Additionally, while some devices do exist for hobbyists can take …

The Garage Band Lightshow, Jason Descenzo

Electrical Engineering

The expenses musicians accrue make it hard to afford all the different equipment needed to perform and very unlikely that the average start up band or artist can afford the luxury of a musical light show in their early performances. The Garage Band Lightshow provides an easily set up and affordable way for musicians to use concert lighting in their performances. The Garage Band Lightshow provides one LED box. The light box responds to an audio signal and provides varying pulses and colors of light depending on the high, mid, and low frequencies of the audio signal. The Garage Band …

The Impact Of Training And Technology On The Future Of Aviation, Jennifer Oberg

Graduate Student Works

The comprehensive exam proposal is intended to address the core competency requirements for the degree of Master of Aeronautical Science. In addition, the proposal will address the competency requirements for the Aviation Education Specialization. In partial fulfillment of these requirements, the proposal will examine human factors as they pertain specifically to the arena of unmanned flight, the impact computer based training and web based training advances have and will continue to have on the aviation community, the technological, social, environmental, and political aspects of the air cargo industry as they pertain to the industry’s survival, the ability of Next Generation …

Stormwater Pollution Treatment Bmp Discharge Structures, Miles F. Simmons, David M. Admiraal

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Dynamic Testing Of A Non-Proprietary, High-Tension, Cable End Terminal System, Ronald K. Faller, Dean L. Sicking, Jennifer D. Schmidt, John D. Reid

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Study Of Unl's Pneumatic Crack/Joint Preparation Device, Yong Cho, Changbum Ahn

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Twill: A Hybrid Microcontroller-Fpga Framework For Parallelizing Single- Threaded C Programs, Douglas S. Gallatin

Master's Theses

Increasingly System-On-A-Chip platforms which incorporate both micropro- cessors and re-programmable logic are being utilized across several fields ranging from the automotive industry to network infrastructure. Unfortunately, the de- velopment tools accompanying these products leave much to be desired, requiring knowledge of both traditional embedded systems languages like C and hardware description languages like Verilog. We propose to bridge this gap with Twill, a truly automatic hybrid compiler that can take advantage of the parallelism inherent in these platforms. Twill can extract long-running threads from single threaded C code and distribute these threads across the hardware and software domains to more …

Field And Model Study To Define Baseline Conditions Of Beached Oil Tar Balls Along Florida’S First Coast, Peter Bacopoulos, James David Lambert, Mary Hertz, Luis Montoya, Terry L. Smith

Physics Faculty Research and Scholarship

Anecdotal data are currently the best data available to describe baseline conditions of beached oil tar balls on Florida’s First Coast beaches. This study combines field methods and numerical modeling to define a data-driven knowledge base of oil tar ball baseline conditions. Outcomes from the field study include an established methodology for field data collection and laboratory testing of beached oil tar balls, spatial maps of collected samples and analysis of the data as to transport/wash-up trends. Archives of the electronic data, including GPS locations and other informational tags, and collected samples are presented, as are the physical and chemical …

Conception, Design And Construction Of A Remote Wifi Vehicle Using Arduino, Clayton Broman

Physics

The scope of this senior project was to make a wireless vehicle controlled via Internet Protocol. This vehicle operates remotely and without direct line of sight. Commands are sent from a program running on a laptop and transmitted using a wireless router. Visual data is retrieved from a network camera, mounted on the vehicle, in real-time, to see where you are going.

2014 Charles Pankow Foundation Annual Architectural Engineering Student Competition, Jeffrey Scott Hine, Joaquin Bermudez, Jason Serda

Architectural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Experimental Study On Influence Of Pitch Motion On The Wake Of A Floating Wind Turbine Model, Stanislav Rockel, Elizabeth Camp, Jonas Schmidt, Joachim Peinke, Raúl Bayoán Cal, Michael Höllimg

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Wind tunnel experiments were performed, where the development of the wake of a model wind turbine was measured using stereo Particle Image Velocimetry to observe the influence of platform pitch motion. The wakes of a classical bottom fixed turbine and a streamwise oscillating turbine are compared. Results indicate that platform pitch creates an upward shift in all components of the flow and their fluctuations. The vertical flow created by the pitch motion as well as the reduced entrainment of kinetic energy from undisturbed flows above the turbine result in potentially higher loads and less available kinetic energy for a downwind …

Design And Implementation Of Iso:9001 Standards At Sigma 6 Electronics, Inc., Robert Kirkpatrick, Dylan Geisen, Simon Schermerhorn

Industrial Technology and Packaging

ISO 9001 certification is a very long process that can take even the most dedicated team years to complete. For smaller companies such a process could be costly, confusing, and arduous. While many resources exist, it takes nearly the same amount of effort to tailor fit the examples as it does to create a whole new set.

The purpose of this senior project is to research examples and help fit them to a small manufacturing company, Sigma 6 Electronics, Inc. An interlinked, or combined, quality manual/procedures were chosen to aid Sigma 6 Electronics through making the documentation clear and perfectly …