Engineering Commons^™

Novel Syntheses And Surface Modifications Of Electrode Materials For Superior Lithium-Ion Batteries, Jianqing Zhao

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Rechargeable lithium-ion battery is one of the most promising energy conversion and storage systems that offers high energy and powder densities, long service life and assuring safety. Performance of lithium-ion batteries crucially relies on electrochemical characteristics of electrode materials, i.e., anode and cathode materials. This dissertation work aims at developing novel electrode materials with high capacity, excellent cycling stability and remarkable rate capability for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. The effects of surface modifications for LiMn2O4 cathode materials are studied by depositing ultrathin conformal amphoteric oxides via atomic layer deposition (ALD). In the case of ZnO coating, the thickness of ZnO ALD …

Advanced Control Of Small-Scale Power Systems With Penetration Of Renewable Energy Sources, Shaghayegh Kazemlou

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Stability, protection, and operational restrictions are important factors to be taken into account in a proper integration of distributed energy. The objective of this research is presenting advanced controllers for small-scale power systems with penetration of renewable energy sources resources to ensure stable operation after the network disturbances. Power systems with distributed energy resources are modeled and controlled through applying nonlinear control methods to their power electronic interfaces in this research. The stability and control of both ac and dc systems have been studied in a multi-source framework. The dc distribution system is represented as a class of interconnected, nonlinear …

Effect Of Laser-Assisted Resonant Excitation On The Growth Of Gan Films, H. Rabiee Golgir, Y. Gao, Y. S. Zhou, L. S. Fan, Kamran Keramatnejad, Yongfeng Lu

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Gallium nitride (GaN) films were grown using laser-assisted metal organic chemical vapor deposition (LMOCVD). The vibrational mode (1084.63 cm^-1) of ammonia (NH₃) molecules was resonantly excited using a wavelength-tunable CO₂ laser at a laser wavelength of 9.219 μm due to its high absorption cross-section. Through wavelength-matched resonant excitation of the NH3 molecules, highly c-axis oriented GaN films were successfully deposited on sapphire (α-Al₂O₃) substrates at low temperatures (250 to 600^oC). The strong (0001) GaN peak in Xray diffraction spectra confirmed the good crystalline quality of GaN films. Additionally, the …

Performance Evaluation Of A Technology Independent Security Gateway For Next Generation Networks, Fudong Li, Nathan Clarke, Steven Furnell, Is-Mkwawa Mkwawa

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

With the all IP based Next Generation Networks being deployed around the world, the use of real-time multimedia service applications is being extended from normal daily communications to emergency situations. However, currently different emergency providers utilise differing networks and different technologies. As such, conversations could be terminated at the setup phase or data could be transmitted in plaintext should incompatibility issues exit between terminals. To this end, a novel security gateway that can provide the necessary security support for incompatible terminals was proposed, developed and implemented to ensure the successful establishment of secure real-time multimedia conversations. A series of experiments …

Evaluation Of The Empirical Deck Design For Vehicular Bridges, Georges El-Gharib

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research evaluated the feasibility of the empirical design method for reinforced concrete bridge decks for the Florida Department of Transportation [FDOT]. There are currently three methods used for deck design: empirical method, traditional method and finite element method. This research investigated and compared the steel reinforcement ratios and the stress developed in the reinforcing steel for the three different methods of deck design. This study included analysis of 15 bridge models that met the FDOT standards. The main beams were designed and load rated using commercial software to obtain live load deflections. The bridges were checked to verify that …

Predicting Pressure Distribution Between Transfemoral Prosthetic Socket And Residual Limb Using Finite Element Analysis, Rajesh Surapureddy

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this study, a non-linear Finite Element (FE) model was created and analyzed to determine the pressure distribution between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket of a transfemoral amputee. This analysis was performed in an attempt to develop a process allowing healthcare providers and engineers to simulate the fit and comfort of transfemoral prosthetics to reduce the number of re-fittings needed for the amputees. The analysis considered the effects of interference due to insertion of the limb into the prosthesis, referred to as donning, and also the effects due to the body weight of the amputee. A non-linear finite …

Water Resources Systems Analysis: A Bright Past And Challenging But Promising Future, David E. Rosenberg, Kaveh Madani

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The field of water resources systems analysis is now experiencing one of its most exciting eras where scientists, decision makers, and funding agencies want to apply systems approaches to solve varied, complex, uncertain, and interdisciplinary resource management problems. Solving these problems presents great opportunities for us to engage in complex, real-world decision-making and make positive changes. However, to capitalize on these opportunities, we as a field must also overcome several large challenges related to problem identification, integration, blind use of systems tools, a focus on optimality, and harnessing big data. To overcome, we must look back to find what we …

Utilizing Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transer For The Synthesis Of Polymeric Gene Delivery Vehicles, Jared Spoons

Honors Theses

There are many techniques used today to make a variety of polymers but this thesis investigates the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization technique and illustrates the advantages and importance of using RAFT polymerization technique to make the desired polymer. The research focused on two monomer units that were to form the diblock copolymer; the hydrophilic part, oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate, and the cationic hydrophobic part 2-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate. The goal was to produce a target diblock copolymer with a Mn value of 44K and a PDI under 1.5 with the block sizes being a 35K Mn OEGMA chain and a 9K …

Prepulse Inhibition Of The Acoustic Startle Reflex: Comparing Low And High Trait Anxious Individuals, Krista Sturm

Honors Theses

This investigation examined whether prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex was impaired among individuals with high trait anxiety compared to controls. PPI has traditionally been theorized to be a psychophysiological index of information processing and sensorimotor gating, and is now being used to help identify various psychological disorders. Although results of existing research on reduced PPI across the anxiety spectrum are equivocal, previous findings indicate that highly anxious (HA) participants exhibit significantly reduced PPI at lead intervals of 60 ms relative to low anxious (LA) controls. This study paired a 70 dB (A) white noise prepulse stimulus with a …

Processor, Payload, And Power Subsystem Development Of The Missat-1 Cubesat, Rana Roxanne Gordji, Zachary Christian Puuwai Olaa Morgan, Samuel Liyang Di

Honors Theses

This thesis details the development and programming of the processor subsystem, camera payload, and power subsystem of the Mississippi Imaging Space Satellite (MISSat-1). An overview of the hardware and software considerations necessary for the processor subsystem is discussed. An explanation of microcontroller uses as well as real time operating system fundamentals is also presented as it relates to MISSat-1. The subsystem deals with varieties of peripheral integration and communication standards among devices. The camera graphical user interface (GUI) was expanded with the addition of functions that improve CubeSat image handling. Additionally, image processing techniques and algorithms are considered to improve …

System Analysis With Improved Thermo-Mechanical Fuel Rod Models For Modeling Current And Advanced Lwr Materials In Accident Scenarios, Ian Edward Porter

Theses and Dissertations

A nuclear reactor systems code has the ability to model the system response in an accident scenario based on known initial conditions at the onset of the transient. However, there has been a tendency for these codes to lack the detailed thermo-mechanical fuel rod response models needed for accurate prediction of fuel rod failure. This proposed work will couple today's most widely used steady-state (FRAPCON) and transient (FRAPTRAN) fuel rod models with a systems code TRACE for best-estimate modeling of system response in accident scenarios such as a loss of coolant accident (LOCA). In doing so, code modifications will be …

Implementation And Evaluation Of Fuel Creep Using Advanced Light-Water Reactor Materials In Frapcon 3.5, Spencer Carroll

Theses and Dissertations

As current reactors approach the end of their operable lifetime, new reactors are needed if nuclear power is to continue being generated in the United States. Some utilities have already began construction on newer, more advanced LWR reactors, which use the same fuel as current reactors and have a similar but updated design. Others are researching next generation (GEN-IV) reactors which have new designs that utilize alternative fuel, coolants and other reactor materials. Many of these alternative fuels are capable of achieving higher burnups and are designed to be more accident tolerant than the currently used UO2 fuel. However, before …

High Throughput Multi-Solution Genetic Algorithm (Htmga) For Identification Of Alternate Solutions In A Structural Model Updating Context, Muslum Kilinc

Theses and Dissertations

Model updating techniques seek to improve numerical models of existing structure by integrating experimental data from the structure. Many techniques use an error function that describes the differences between the numerical model and the experimental data. For example, if dynamic data is available, the error between experimental and numerical modal parameters can be used. Optimization techniques are used to identify the structural parameters that minimize this function. Most model updating techniques are interested in finding the global minima of the error function. However, one could argue that due to a number of factors, such as modeling errors and low sensor …

Modeling Of Chemical-Mechanical Couplings In Solid Oxide Cells And Reliability Analysis, Xinfang Jin

Theses and Dissertations

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has been well demonstrated as a promising clean energy conversion technology. For practical applications, the SOFC systems should have both good electrochemical performance and high reliability. The SOFCs are usually operated under very aggressive conditions, e.g., high temperatures (600-1000oC) and extremely low oxygen partial pressures (anode electrode). These aggressive operating conditions could lead to a variety of material system degradations, imposing great challenges on meeting lifetime requirement of SOFC commercial applications. It is therefore essential to increase the understanding of fundamental SOFC degradation mechanisms.

The basic structure of SOFCs is a positive electrode-electrolyte-negative electrode (PEN) …

Identifying Performance Criteria Of Fully Bioresorbable Scaffolds For Endovascular Applications, Jahid Ferdous

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) have revolutionized percutaneous coronary intervention in clinical cardiovascular medicine. As opposed to permanent alternatives such as metallic stents, BRS have an inherent potential to reduce the occurrence of untoward events such as vessel re-narrowing or thrombosis by virtue of undergoing complete and controlled resorption post- implantation. While BRS platforms demonstrate a clear potential to mitigate risk stemming from incomplete vessel healing, they introduce a new set of considerations to clinical safety and efficacy. Foremost among these issues is the fate of and biological response to material by-products that evolve throughout the scaffold degradation and erosion processes, …

Material Synthesis And Fabrication Method Development For Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Hanping Ding

Theses and Dissertations

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are operated in high temperature conditions (750-1000 oC). The high operating temperature in turn may lead to very complicated material degradation issues, significantly increasing the cost and reducing the durability of SOFC material systems. In order to widen material selections, reduce cost, and increase durability of SOFCs, there is a growing interest to develop intermediate temperature SOFCs (500-750 oC). However, lowering operating temperature will cause substantial increases of ohmic resistance of electrolyte and polarization resistance of electrodes. This dissertation aimed at developing high-performance intermediate-temperature SOFCs through the employment of a series of layered perovskite oxides …

A Multiagent Approach Towards Solving Complex Problems Of Sociotechnical Systems, Hongying Du

Theses and Dissertations

Complex resource allocation problems arise due to complex human societies and scarce resources to be distributed. Scarce resources could be food, water, and energy. Meanwhile, the size of the problem, the intersection of different areas, and possible global consequences all add to the complexity of the problems, which makes it difficult for humans to solve the problems by themselves.

For all these reasons, humans need technical help to tackle complex problems. Since humans participating in the problems usually own part of the information about the problems, and no one may see the whole picture of the problems, it is natural …

Defect Mediated Electrochemical Hydrogenation Of Epitaxial Graphene: Towards Graphene Based Microbial Fuel Cells, Kevin Michael Daniels

Theses and Dissertations

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are seen as a promising complementary technology to alleviate the exponentially increasing worldwide energy demand. MFCs use bacteria to extract energy from biomass, where choice of electrode materials has a strong impact on energy extraction and efficiency. Graphene, a single monolayer of carbon with exceptional electrical conductivity and high surface area, is seen as a promising material with the potential of improving charge transfer and bacterial adhesion. To probe this reactivity, a novel means of hydrogenation of graphene by electrochemistry is demonstrated.

In this thesis, electrochemical hydrogenation of epitaxial graphene (EG), graphene grown on silicon carbide …

Isolation Of Natural Nrf2 Activators From American Ginseng, Akrm Abdalrahman

Theses and Dissertations

Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), a major transcription factor of the endogenous antioxidant defense system, has been proposed as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of various diseases. However, a small molecule-driven Nrf2 signaling therapeutic approach remains to be established. Herein, we report one such possibility discovered by the bioassay-based fractionation of American ginseng. Since crude extract of American ginseng was found to suppress the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-inflamed macrophages via activating Nrf2, we further fractioned the crude extract using solvents including hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water, and found …

High Frequency Ac Power Systems, Huaxi Zheng

Theses and Dissertations

High Frequency AC (HFAC) power systems - systems having frequencies higher than the usual 60 Hz - may have advantages in some applications, especially where small size and weight are important (aircraft, ships, etc), or where variable operating speed increases efficiency. While 400 Hz systems are widely used in aircraft, these generally do not include parallel-connected generators that operate at megawatt power levels, which is our domain of interest in this research. In particular, we are interested in micro-grid power systems in the 10-100 MW range, consisting of several generators operating in parallel at system frequencies above 60 Hz. This …

Measuring The Effectiveness Of Education For Sustainable Development Interventions For Effecting Change In Knowledge, Attitude And Behaviors Toward Sustainable Development, Christopher Robin Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The question addressed by this study is whether an intervention involving a brief, focused seminar providing Sustainability Fundamental education can affect change in sustainability-centric behavior via measured change in attitude toward sustainability and/or change knowledge of sustainability fundamentals.

This study focused on applying and extending lessons from a previous exploration of the relationships between sustainable behavior and both attitude toward sustainability and knowledge of sustainability. The test involved determining whether brief, science-based sustainability fundamentals seminars are an effective intervention for affecting the favorable sustainable behavior of practicing engineers, defined as professionals engaged in engineering post-completion of their formal studies, in …

Synthesis And Reactivity Of Hy Zeolite-Supported Rhodium Complexes, Artem D. Vityuk

Theses and Dissertations

The growing interest in the design of heterogeneous analogs of highly active and selective homogeneous catalysts prompted researchers to invest significant efforts in understanding of synthetic pathways, structure, and reactivity of supported single-site metal complexes. Synthesis of catalytically active organometallic species on solid supports with properties resembling those of their homogeneous counterparts could offer the opportunities to perform efficiently the solution organic reactions by utilizing flow instead of batch reactors. In this regard, rhodium carbonyl complexes and their derivatives are viewed as very attractive candidates for heterogenization due to their extensive application as catalysts for variety of industrially important reactions. …

A Study On The Role Of Physical Models In The Mitigation Of Design Fixation, Vimal Viswanathan, Olufunmilola Atilola, Nicole Esposito, Julie Linsey

Faculty Publications, Mechanical Engineering

Designers implement a variety of models and representations during the design process, yet little is known about the cognitive impacts of various representations. This study focuses on how physical models can assist novices in mitigating design fixation on undesirable features. During idea generation, designers tend to fixate on examples they encounter or on their own initial ideas. The first hypothesis states that designers tend to duplicate features of provided examples. The second hypothesis states that this fixation can be mitigated with appropriate warnings. The last hypothesis is that building and testing physical models can help designers in mitigating fixation. To …

Myspace, Inc. V. Graphon Corp.: Ignoring The Basic Premise That 101 Must Come Before 102 And 103, Emmanuel A. Fishelman

Journal of Business & Technology Law

No abstract provided.

Book Review: The Basics Of Digital Forensics: The Primer For Getting Started In Digital Forensics, Stephen Larson

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

The Basics of Digital Forensics: The Primer for Getting Started in Digital Forensics is well-named–it really is very basic. And it should be, as the book’s intended audience includes entry-level digital forensics professionals and complimentary fields such as law enforcement, legal, and general information security. Though the copyright is 2012, some of the data is from 2009, and there is mention of estimates for 2010.

“Time For Some Traffic Problems”: Enhancing E-Discovery And Big Data Processing Tools With Linguistic Methods For Deception Detection, Erin S. Crabb

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Linguistic deception theory provides methods to discover potentially deceptive texts to make them accessible to clerical review. This paper proposes the integration of these linguistic methods with traditional e-discovery techniques to identify deceptive texts within a given author’s larger body of written work, such as their sent email box. First, a set of linguistic features associated with deception are identified and a prototype classifier is constructed to analyze texts and describe the features’ distributions, while avoiding topic-specific features to improve recall of relevant documents. The tool is then applied to a portion of the Enron Email Dataset to illustrate how …

Hot Zone Identification: Analyzing Effects Of Data Sampling On Spam Clustering, Rasib Khan, Mainul Mizan, Ragib Hasan, Alan Sprague

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Email is the most common and comparatively the most efficient means of exchanging information in today's world. However, given the widespread use of emails in all sectors, they have been the target of spammers since the beginning. Filtering spam emails has now led to critical actions such as forensic activities based on mining spam email. The data mine for spam emails at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is considered to be one of the most prominent resources for mining and identifying spam sources. It is a widely researched repository used by researchers from different global organizations. The usual process …

Accurate Modeling Of The Siemens S7 Scada Protocol For Intrusion Detection And Digital Forensics, Amit Kleinmann, Avishai Wool

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

The Siemens S7 protocol is commonly used in SCADA systems for communications between a Human Machine Interface (HMI) and the Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). This paper presents a model-based Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) designed for S7 networks. The approach is based on the key observation that S7 traffic to and from a specific PLC is highly periodic; as a result, each HMI-PLC channel can be modeled using its own unique Deterministic Finite Automaton (DFA). The resulting DFA-based IDS is very sensitive and is able to flag anomalies such as a message appearing out of its position in the normal sequence …

From The Editor-In-Chief, Ibrahim Baggili

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Welcome to JDFSL’s fourth and final issue for 2014! First, I would like to thank our editorial board, reviewers, and the JDFSL team for bringing this issue to life. It has been a big year for JDFSL as the journal continues to progress. I would like to highlight our critical achievements for 2014 before touching on the papers that were accepted in this issue: 1. JDFSL has gone to a fully open access model without author payment through support from academic institutions. 2. JDFSL has formed and continues to form partnerships with various conferences that relate to cyber security and …

Book Review: Judiciary-Friendly Forensics Of Software Copyright Infringement (Vinod Polpaya Bhattathiripad), Pedro L. P. Sanchez

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Judiciary-Friendly Forensics of Software Copyright Infringement is a book by Dr. Vinod Polpaya Bhattathiripad, published by IGI-Global as part of its Research Essentials series. The book discusses the forensics of software copyright infringement and highlights theoretical, functional, and procedural matters in the investigation of copyright infringement of software products, as well as the development of forensic technologies to detect and avoid software piracy. It is of interest to software forensic experts, lawyers in the field of copyright infringement, judges, software professionals, and students.