Engineering Commons^™

A Bio-Inspired Hybrid Nanosack For Pancreatic Islet Transplantation In The Omentum, Patrick Tj Hwang

All ETDs from UAB

Pancreatic islet transplantation (PIT) has demonstrated consistent and sustained reversal of type 1 diabetes, generating optimism for its wider application as a potential cure for type 1 diabetes. However, the clinical efficacy is still lacking because of a substantial loss of islets during or shortly after transplant to the implantation site. The liver has been widely used as an implantation site for PIT, but it has serious risks for islet loss, such as massive islet destruction by instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction, progressive attrition of islet cells due to exposure to the toxic environment. The omentum has gained significant attention as …

A Comprehensive Assessment Of Possible Links Between Digital Advertising Billboards And Traffic Safety, Md Mozahidul Islam

All ETDs from UAB

Advertising billboards are a common roadside object and a very efficient medium of outside advertising. For years, static billboards have been adopted by the billboard advertising companies. Most recently, a sizeable portion of the regular (static) billboards have been digitized to convey more information to the drivers, thus raising questions about their potential impact on traffic safety. Frequently changing images on digital advertising billboards may compel more glances, and sequential messages may hold drivers' gazes longer until the entire message is read. Earlier studies sponsored by billboard advertising companies did not report statistically significant correlations between the crash occurrences and …

Joining And Assembly With Long Fiber Thermoplastic Composites, Danila Kaliberov

All ETDs from UAB

Thermoplastic composites are used extensively in automotive, mass transit, aerospace and other commercial industries. Current industry usage is typically limited to short fiber composites formed by injection molding processes, and continuous fiber reinforced composites through processes such as autoclave molding, filament winding etc. Long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) are a class of composites known for their specific strength, corrosion resistance, impact and damping properties, as well as high production rates, recyclability, and ability for complex part fabrication. The overall objective of this research was to investigate viability of joining and assembly with long fiber thermoplastic composites. This research deals with (1) …

Simulation Of Bridge Responses To Heavy Vehicles, Rahul Kalyankar

All ETDs from UAB

The main objective of this dissertation is to simulate dynamic heavy vehicle bridge interaction using advanced numerical models of heavy vehicle and bridges for the Next Generation Bridge Weigh in Motion (B-WIM) system. The traditional B-WIM system uses a simplified approach where the bridge is considered as a beam and the heavy vehicle is considered as a stable mass moving with constant speed. On the contrary, the moving heavy vehicle consists of a series of complex parts such as tire assembly, springs and dampers, rigid bodies, and types of materials. Along with the complexities of the heavy vehicle, the bridge …

Automated Processing Of Continuous Glucose Monitor (Cgm) Data To Study Onset Of Diabetes, Aman Khatri

All ETDs from UAB

Diabetes is a long term condition that causes high levels of blood glucose, and it is necessary to get a complete picture of glucose levels which can lead to better treatment decision and better glucose control. The advent of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is helping researches to track the blood glucose levels continuously and to understand the effects of impaired glucose levels on human body which in turn can lead to better treatment of diabetes. Current CGM systems process enormous amounts of data and have limitations in regards to data accuracy, precision, and reliability of raw glucose data. The inaccuracy …

Assessment Of Antipsychotic Medication Effects On Dynamic Functional Network Connectivity In Patients With Schizophrenia, Kristin Lottman

All ETDs from UAB

Schizophrenia, a psychiatric disorder affecting approximately 1% of the population, is often characterized as a disorder of dysconnectivity. Evaluation of the dysconnectivity hypothesis of schizophrenia has been extensively examined via functional neuroimaging studies in order to enhance insight into the disorder’s pathology. In particular, resting-state functional connectivity analyses have reported widespread aberrant network connectivity between brain regions in patients; however, consistencies in the directionality of abnormalities are often variable across studies. Recent investigations have begun to analyze functional connectivity dynamically as it is likely these inconsistencies may be a result of the static nature of traditional connectivity measures. In this …

Analysis Of Tetragonal To Monoclinic Phase Transformation Caused By Accelerated Artificial Aging And The Effects Of Microstructure In Stabilized Zirconia, Thomas J. Lucas

All ETDs from UAB

This investigation addresses the issue that yttria stabilized zirconia is being used as a dental biomaterial without substantial evidence of its long-term viability. Furthermore, stabilized zirconia (SZ) undergoes low temperature degradation (LTD), which can lead to roughening of the surface. A rougher exterior can lead to increased wear of the antagonist in the oral environment. Despite the LTD concerns, SZ is now widely used in restorative dentistry, including full contour crowns. A comparison of aging methods to determine the role of artificial aging on inducing the transformation has not been extensively studied. Therefore, simulations of the transformation process were investigated …

Robust Discrete Choice Models For Pedestrian-Vehicle Interactions At Unsignalized Locations, Shrikanth Mamidipalli

All ETDs from UAB

There has been a growing emphasis on improving multimodal serviceability of transportation systems. The integration of pedestrian behavior in mainstream traffic models, hence, is gaining traction. Advances in modeling pedestrian-vehicle interactions can aid in better understanding and development of control strategies for pedestrian safety. In support of such efforts, this study delivers an improved understanding of pedestrian and driver behavior at crossing locations through the development of discrete gap choice models to model the interaction between pedestrian and drivers at unsignalized crossing locations. First a comprehensive literature review was performed and latest advances in modeling pedestrian-vehicle interaction at various types …

Orthogonal Pulse Based Wideband Communication For High Speed Data Transfer In Sensor Applications, Kushal Prasad Pradhan

All ETDs from UAB

There has been an ever increasing demand and need for high speed and reliable data transfer between a remote transmitter and a receiver station. We have proposed a novel scheme for Ultra Wide Band (UWB) communication technology, to enhance the data rate in single user scenario and to increase the number of sources for simultaneous data transmission in the multi-source scenario. We have proposed to exploit the orthogonal property of Modified Hermite Pulse (MHP) by transmitting the composite pulse (Pulse shape modulation, PSM) instead of transmitting a single orthogonal pulse. With the proposed scheme for data modulation with 4 different …

Design Of Ultra-Wideband Antennas With Signal Rejection Characteristics For Biomedical Applications, Laxmi Ray

All ETDs from UAB

The allocation of the 3.1-10.6 GHz spectrum by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for Ultra Wideband (UWB) radio applications has presented many exciting opportunities and challenges for the researchers in academia and industry for the exploitation of several novel antenna design suitable for UWB communication. The successful transmission and reception of short pulses used for UWB communication that occupies the entire 3.1-10.6 GHz spectrum require an antenna with characteristics like linear phase, low dispersion and VSWR ≤ 2 throughout the entire band. Linear phase and low dispersion are marked by low values of group delay and is imperative for transmitting …

Characterization Of Directionally Solidified Gray Iron, Elis Annexy Rivera-Martinez

All ETDs from UAB

Even with decades of study, the complex development of solidification microstructures in cast iron is incompletely understood. Because Fe-C eutectic can produce different morphologies, and even different phases, depending on growth velocities and composition, understanding the conditions under which each forms are important. Directional solidification was used to observe the behavior of gray cast iron under carefully controlled solidification conditions. Specifically, alloys with industrially relevant amounts of silicon and manganese were studied, using a Bridgman furnace to investigate the effects of alloying additions and solidification velocity on graphite spacing and growth temperature of gray iron. An experimental technique for measuring …

Web Computing For Bioinformatics Applications, Sean Wilkinson

All ETDs from UAB

This work explores web computing as a solution to current problems in informatics, including algorithm delivery, distributed computation, and data visualization. A novel computing platform called QMachine has been developed for use in clinical research environments for computationally intensive applications like medical image processing and genomics sequence processing. In such applications, the emergence of Big Data as the inevitable reference for the analysis of local (“small”) data from individual experiments or patients has presented numerous challenges. In particular, computational workflows that handle Big Data need significantly greater processing and memory resources. Advances in virtualization – especially in cloud computing – …

Transforming Complexity Into Order: A Grounded Theory Of An Agile Methodology Applied To Complex Problem Domains, R Steven Wingo

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation is focused on the phenomenon of implementing abstractions from complex problem domains in concrete software systems. The question of this inquiry is to determine how an agile software development process, in particular Extreme Programming, supports the development of large software systems as solutions for complex problem domains. This study used the Grounded Theory Methodology to identify and explain the qualities of software development using the Extreme Programming methodology and to construct a theory grounded in data collected from interviews of experienced practitioners of Extreme Programming, from observations of Extreme Programming in practice, and from a review literature related …

Exploring The Effects Of Direct Contact Compression On Osteogenesis, Shannel Wright

All ETDs from UAB

Clinically, the concept of bone building being the result of mechanical adaptation in healthy individuals has been accepted since Wollf’s Law in 1892. Despite many attempts to understand this mechanism, very little is known about the role mechanical forces play on bone molecularly. Current biomechanical theory supports the concept of osteocytes and bone lining cells creating a three-dimensional network that provides biochemical signaling as a result of mechanical loading. With pressure gradient and interstitial fluid flow models being used as methods of mechanical loading, yet there are still unanswered questions about the validity of both models. The suggested solution lies …

Fiber Metal Laminate With Thickness Reinforcement, Pritesh S. Yeole

All ETDs from UAB

In this study, a new hybrid fiber metal laminate (FML) material is developed in which fiber composites (both thermoset and thermoplastic matrix composites) and metal are bonded together mechanically using the hooks integrated on the metal. The hooks function as through thickness reinforcement and are used to enhance the bonding strength between the fiber composites and the metal. Process optimization is performed for the VARTM process used in manufacturing the thermoset composite FML in order to gain full benefit of the through thickness reinforcement. Extra pressure in addition to the vacuum is applied to push fiber tows inside the hooks …

Novel Non-Invasive Assessment Of Pulmonary Arterial Impedance Using Velocity Transfer Function And Its Relation With Right Ventricular Remodeling, Ankur Gupta

All ETDs from UAB

Pulmonary arterial (PA) impedance takes in to account pulsatile blood flow through elastic pulmonary arteries as compared to static pulmonary vascular resistance. Increased PA impedance is an early physiological manifestation of PA remodeling. Currently PA impedance can only be detected invasively, is expensive and cumbersome to calculate and thus not done in routine clinical practice. The ability to assess PA impedance non-invasively can provide fundamental insights in evaluation of patients with normal PA pressures or mild pulmonary hypertension such as in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Non-invasive evaluation of right ventricular (RV)-PA axis to detect patients who could develop …

Microstructural Analysis Of Aluminum High Pressure Die Castings, Maria Diana David

All ETDs from UAB

Microstructural analysis of aluminum high pressure die castings (HPDC) is challenging and time consuming. Automating the stereology method is an efficient way in obtaining quantitative data; however, validating the accuracy of this technique can also pose some challenges. In this research, a semi-automated algorithm to quantify microstructural features in aluminum HPDC was developed. Analysis was done near the casting surface where it exhibited fine microstructure. Optical and Secondary electron (SE) and backscatter electron (BSE) SEM images were taken to characterize the features in the casting. Image processing steps applied on SEM and optical micrographs included median and range filters, dilation, …

Non Destructive Evaluation And Characterization Of Continuous And Long Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites, Ahmed Arabi Tawfic Mohamed Hassen

All ETDs from UAB

Thermoplastic composites have advantages over other traditional materials, such as steel, aluminum and ceramics, in terms of lightweight, specific strength, corrosion resistance and superior damping capacity ability to recycle, shorter processing times, and lack of exothermic reactions or toxic emissions. These advantages allow them to be widely used in various high-end products used in many industrial applications such as marine, offshore, mass-transit and automotive industries. There are several factors that affect the mechanical and thermal properties of thermoplastic composites, such as fiber length, fiber volume fraction and fiber orientation to name a few. Fiber orientation plays a critical role in …

Unmanned Ground Vehicle Dynamics And Energy Efficiency Control, Mostafa Salama

All ETDs from UAB

Nowadays, energy saving is a prominent concern for scientists and researchers in the automobile industry and academic research institutions. The technological development of more efficient vehicles is a relentless quest. Moreover, maximizing such energy efficiency is essential for vehicle design. Although, existing In-Wheel Motor (IWM) vehicles have successfully improved energy efficiency compared to conventional vehicles, those IWM vehicles are lacking the usage of wheel power distribution strategies to maximize slip energy efficiency. There is a need for researching power distribution among driving wheels that would lead to a breakthrough in off-road IWM Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) energy efficiency. UGV energy …

An Axisymmetric Finite Element Model To Study The Earplug Contribution To The Bone Conduction Occlusion Effect, Martin K. Brummund, Franck Sgard, Yvan Petit, Frédéric Laville, Hugues Nélisse

Études primaires

An axisymmetric linear elasto-acoustic finite element (FE) model of an occluded human external ear is proposed to simulate the bone conduction occlusion effect (OE). The model consists of a cylindrical ear canal cavity surrounded by layers of biological tissues (skin, cartilage and bone) in which an earplug is inserted. Geometrical and material properties are taken from the literature. OEs are predicted for foam and silicone earplug FE-models using COMSOL Multiphysics (COMSOL®, Sweden). The FE-model is shown to predict the experimental OE measured in two healthy human reference groups wearing foam or silicone earplugs, satisfactorily. Deviations between model and experiment are …

3d Persistence Of Vision Display, Austin Jensen, Mark Elliott, Michael Reimer

Electrical and Computer Engineering

By rapidly sweeping a varying 2D image, a 3D image appears to the human eye. We have developed a 3D Persistence of Vision Display by rotating a 2D grid of LED’s. Our display has multiple operating modes and could be expanded to many other applications.

Acoustic Room Mapping Utilizing Blind Source Separation, Michael L. Schena

Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Acoustic signals used to map the walls of a room
• Blind Source Separation (BSS) technique used instead of traditional “pinging” techniques
• Locations of signal sources are not necessary
• Possibility to transmit data while locating signal sources

All Grades Technology (Agt) Laser Receiver, Tyler Wilson

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The AGT Laser Receiver is a landscaping tool used to measure the elevation offset from a given location (benchmark). The tool is used to set grade on a job site.

The AGT Laser Receiver consists of two main components, the AGT Remote and AGT Tool. The AGT Tool captures the laser beam and processes the information. The AGT Remote receives the processed data and displays the offset to the screen.

Auto/Manual Sprinkling System, Scott Petersen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Auto/Manual Sprinkling System was designed to be put in vineyards to evaluate moisture levels in the soil and water the vineyard accordingly. It has an automatic control which allows moisture sensors to control water flow, rather than a user. This is designed so the user can water with optimal efficiency. The manual control saves the user time because they can control the sprinklers from their computer instead of going out to the fields to turn on the sprinklers. This will also save the user money because water will be used more efficiently.

Autonomous Bond Car, Josh Harris, Tyler Butikofer, Trevor Kunz

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Autonomous Bond Car System or "James" is designed to be a base architecture and platform for classic car enthusiasts to incorporate modern conveniences and features into older vehicular systems. As a demonstration of the systems abilities, a Facial Recognition Ignition Control (FRIC) feature has been implemented as well as a real-time data readout via Android app.

Computer Auxiliary Camera Hardware Extension Board, Jorden Luke

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Get Away Special Passive Attitude Control System (GASPACS) project is investigating a way to passively control the attitude, the orientation a spacecraft in orbit, of a 1U Cubesat through the deployment of a one-meter long rigid boom. To obtain data on how the boom will be deployed and characterize the rigidness of the boom, a camera will be used to video the deployment and periodically take pictures of the boom. Subsequently the camera data will allow the GASPACS team to visually determine how much the boom flexes on orbit to to measure its rigidness.

Automated Bartender, Christopher Herman, Isaac Cocar

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Automated Bartender (AB) provides a timely and economical means of making and delivering drinks to customers. With a rotating platform and cup detectors, the AB, unlike similar projects on the market, can handle a queue. The AB utilizes a gravity fed solenoid valve to control the delivery of the liquid. The flow sensor, in line with the valve allows for precise measurements. We have implemented a calibration technique in the software to ensure consistent and accurate flow count.

Knock Activated Door Lock, Connor George

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Knock Activated Door Lock system is intended to provide an alternative to a traditional lock and key system for unlocking and locking a door. It’s primary value comes from its convenience and its uniqueness. The user knocks on the door in a particular pattern in order to unlock the door. This pattern can be customized to the user’s desire.

Scaled Ev Model, Christopher Dachota Keller

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Design and select the Major Electrical Systems of an Electric Vehicle, i.e.:

• Motor
• Battery
• Power Electronics
• Controls

That would comply with the DOE (Department of Energy) performance standards for Electric Vehicles, such as acceleration and range.

Energy Generating Led Snowboard, Usu Department Of Electrical And Computer Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

This snowboard will encourage people of all ages to start snowboarding while keeping all of their electronics fully charged. The LED strands will light different colors according to the use of the snowboard.