Engineering Commons^™

Nuclear Security Risk Analysis: An Insider-Outsider Collusion Scenario, Mohammad A. Hawila, Sunil S. Chirayath

International Journal of Nuclear Security

This study analyses the vulnerability of the physical protection system (PPS) deployed at a hypothetical facility. The PPS is designed to prevent and eliminate threats to nuclear materials and facilities. The analysis considers possible outsider and insider threats. A modified adversary sequence diagram (ASD) evaluates threat pathways to test an insider-outsider collusion case. The ASD also measures the probability of adversary interruption by demonstrating the methodology for a typical nuclear facility.

Effects Of Transportation Hazards On High Barrier Flexible Packaging Films, Kyle Dunno

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

Two flexible food packaging barrier material film structures were employed for this research study to evaluate the effects of over-the-road truck transport. The films containing different barrier materials, ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) or aluminum oxide (AlOx), were selected based on their abundant use within the flexible food packaging arena. Pouches were formed and filled with tomato paste before being thermally processed then palletized for shipment. Pouches were shipped over-the-road via truck transport a distance of 2,500 miles. After transport, the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the pouches located on the bottom and top layers of the palletized loads were obtained and …

Mannequin Challenge | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Who says that learning about the various properties of Biomaterials is boring? Clearly, they haven't taken Dr. Yu Huang's BENG 2330 Properties of Biomaterials course. Not only do these students know how to distinguish the differences between natural and synthetic biomaterials.They know how to have a good time bringing the mannequin challenge into their lab clean up.

Experimental And Numerical Study Of Dysphagia, Yash G. Potdar

Masters Theses

Dysphagia, meaning difficulty in swallowing, is a symptom of disease that occurs in young children and elderly people. It occurs particularly due to two reasons, weak neural network and/or deformities in oral section/s. The Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s Intensive Feeding Program takes care of children suffering from Dysphagia. In order to make the swallowing process easier and in some cases safer, thickener is added to the liquids. Depending on the requirement of thickness, the amount of thickener is varied. Although the directions to prepare the mixtures are given by the thickener product company, the required thickness is not achieved when …

Electrical & Computer Engineering News, Georgia Southern University

Electrical & Computer Engineering News (2014-2023)

• Lim receives Biomedical Seed Grant with Augusta University to Improve Sleep Quality Monitoring for Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Improvements To Micro-Contact Performance And Reliability, Tod V. Laurvick

Theses and Dissertations

Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) based devices, and specifically microswitches, continue to offer many advantages over competing technologies. To realize the benefits of micro-switches, improvements must be made to address performance and reliability shortfalls which have long been an issue with this application. To improve the performance of these devices, the micro-contacts used in this technology must be understood to allow for design improvements, and offer a means for testing to validate this technology and determine when such improvements are ready for operational environments. To build devices which are more robust and capable of continued operation after billions of cycles requires that …

Landfill Elevated Internal Temperature Detection And Landfill Fire Index Assessment For Fire Monitoring, Aurora Musilli

Theses and Dissertations

Landfill fires are becoming a real threat to both people and environment due to lack of predictions and control methods. Processing of the infrared band from level-1 satellite images was employed and decades worth of archived data from USGS Earth Explorer databases were analyzed to obtain surface temperature values of Atlantic Waste Landfill, Virginia and Bridgeton Landfill, Missouri. Multitemporal thermal maps and frequency of maxima analysis maps of these two landfills showed the hotspots spreading through the waste site. A Landfill Fire Index (LFI) was created by investigating eight factors that give information about the hazardousness of the landfill conditions …

Integrated Circuit Wear-Out Prediction And Recycling Detection Using Radio-Frequency Distinct Native Attribute Features, Randall D. Deppensmith

Theses and Dissertations

Radio Frequency Distinct Native Attribute (RF-DNA) has shown promise for detecting differences in Integrated Circuits(IC) using features extracted from a devices Unintentional Radio Emissions (URE). This ability of RF-DNA relies upon process variation imparted to a semiconductor device during manufacturing. However, internal components in modern ICs electronically age and wear out over their operational lifetime. RF-DNA techniques are adopted from prior work and applied to MSP430 URE to address the following research goals: 1) Does device wear-out impact RF-DNA device discriminability?, 2) Can device age be continuously estimated by monitoring changes in RF-DNA features?, and 3) Can device age state …

Spacex: Breaking The Barrier To The Space Launch Vehicle Industry, Matthew M. Liskowcyz

Theses and Dissertations

The Space Launch Vehicle (SLV) industry has been around for a long time, but few companies have managed to enter this industry. SpaceX was founded only 10 years ago, but it has managed to become a leader in the U.S. industry and a dominant player worldwide. The purpose of this thesis research is to discover what it took for SpaceX to break into this tightly controlled industry. A qualitative analysis was performed to compare SpaceX to companies that overcame the barriers of entry for their respective industries. SpaceX, like FedEx, could implement a unique technique to the industry and find …

Overexpression Of Timp-3 In Chondrocytes Produces Transient Reduction In Growth Plate Length But Permanently Reduces Adult Bone Quality And Quantity, Blandine Poulet, Ke Liu, Darren A. Plumb, Phoung Vo, Mittal Shah, Katherine Ann Staines, Alexandra Sampson, Hiroyuke Nakamura, Hideaki Nagase, Alessandra Carriero, Sandra J. Shefelbine, Andrew A. Pitsillides, George Bou-Gharios

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Faculty Publications

Bone development and length relies on the growth plate formation, which is dependent on degradative enzymes such as MMPs. Indeed, deletion of specific members of this enzyme family in mice results in important joint and bone abnormalities, suggesting a role in skeletal development. As such, the control of MMP activity is vital in the complex process of bone formation and growth. We generated a transgenic mouse line to overexpress TIMP3 in mouse chondrocytes using the Col2a1-chondrocyte promoter. This overexpression in cartilage resulted in a transient shortening of growth plate in homozygote mice but bone length was restored at eight weeks …

The Subject Librarian Newsletter, Nanoscience, Fall 2016, Sandy Avila

Libraries' Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Wave Motion Induced By Turbulent Shear Flows Over Growing Stokes Waves, Shahrdad Sajjadi, Serena Robertson, Rebecca Harvey, Mary Brown

Publications

The recent analytical of multi-layer analyses proposed by Sajjadi et al. (J Eng Math 84:73, 2014) (SHD14 therein) is solved numerically for atmospheric turbulent shear flows blowing over growing (or unsteady) Stokes (bimodal) water waves, of low-to-moderate steepness. For unsteady surface waves, the amplitude a(t)∝ekcita(t)∝ekcit, where kcikci is the wave growth factor, k is the wavenumber, and cici is the complex part of the wave phase speed, and thus, the waves begin to grow as more energy is transferred to them by the wind. This will then display the critical height to a point, where the thickness of the inner …

A Locomotion Control Algorithm For Robotic Linkage Systems, Jeffrey L. Dohner Dr.

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

This dissertation describes the development of a control algorithm that transitions a robotic linkage system between stabilized states producing responsive locomotion. The developed algorithm is demonstrated using a simple robotic construction consisting of a few links with actuation and sensing at each joint. Numerical and experimental validation is presented. In this algorithm, transitioning excitations, called rhythms, are formulated using terminal state control solutions. Rhythms are constrained to be low order parameterized functions allowing for the optimal control problem to be replaced by a parametric optimization problem with a limited set of easily solved unknowns. This algorithm is developed and demonstrated …

Nonlinear Characterization Of Gesbs Chalcogenide Glass Waveguides, Ju Won Choi, Zhaohong Han, Byoung Uk Sohn, George F.R. Chen, Charmayne Smith (Lonergan), Lionel C. Kimerling, Kathleen A. Richardson, Anuradha M. Agarwal, Dawn T.H. Tan

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

GeSbS ridge waveguides have recently been demonstrated as a promising mid - infrared platform for integrated waveguide - based chemical sensing and photodetection. To date, their nonlinear optical properties remain relatively unexplored. In this paper, we characterize the nonlinear optical properties of GeSbS glasses, and show negligible nonlinear losses at 1.55 μm. Using self - phase modulation experiments, we characterize a waveguide nonlinear parameter of 7 W-1/m and nonlinear refractive index of 3.71 x 10-18 m2/W. GeSbS waveguides are used to generate supercontinuum from 1280 nm to 2120 nm at the -30 dB level. The spectrum expands along the red …

Activity Preservation Of Plasmonic Biosensors With A Metal-Organic Framework, Lu Wang

McKelvey School of Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Antibody-antigen recognition enables antibody-conjugated nanostructures to serve as plasmonic biosensors with tunable specificity. However due to the instability of antibodies, these biosensors are susceptible to changes in the environment such as heat and aridity, leading to constraints on the transportation and handling of these sensors. Here we establish a method using a metal-organic framework crystal to preserve biosensor activity under severe environmental conditions, including exposure to high temperatures, an organic solvent and a proteolytic agent. After zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) crystals formed for 12 hours on a biosensor of gold nanorods conjugated with a model antibody, rabbit IgG, 80% of …

Leveraging Lexical Link Analysis (Lla) To Discover New Knowledge, Ying Zhao, Douglas J. Mackinnon, Shelley P. Gallup, Joseph L. Billingsley

Military Cyber Affairs

Lexical Link Analysis (LLA) is a form of text mining in which word meanings represented in lexical terms (e.g., word pairs) are treated as if they are in a community of a word network. LLA can provide automated awareness for analyzing text data and reveal previously unknown, data-driven themed connections. We applied LLA to develop authentic archetypes and conversely determine potential imposters of that same archetype. We use publically available social media data to develop a cyber professional as an example. This paper reports the development of the algorithm, the collection and labeling of data, as well as the results …

Swept Wind Turbine Blade Aeroelastic Modeling For Loads And Dynamic Behavior, Scott M. Larwood, Mike Zutek

Scott M. Larwood

A dynamic modeling effort of a swept-blade wind turbine rotor has been conducted. The swept-blade concept was used for increased energy capture without an increase in the turbine loads. The work is part of a Department of Energy contract for increased wind energy capture at low-wind speed sites. The blade works by twisting to feather under aerodynamic loads at the outboard region. Conceptual design of the blade resulted in a 28 m blade radius for eventual testing on a normally 50 m diameter turbine. The blade was modeled with codes developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Comparisons were made …

Wind Turbine Rotor Fragments: Impact Probability And Setback Evaluation, Scott M. Larwood, C. P. Van Dam

Scott M. Larwood

With increasing installation of wind turbines, the exposure to the hazard of impact from blade fragments increases. Local authorities use setbacks to reduce the risk by limiting the distance from wind turbines to adjacent property lines and dwellings. Unduly conservative setbacks are a deterrent to wind energy development. To determine appropriate setbacks, the authors developed a fragment trajectory model based on fragment rotation and aerodynamics. The model was used to simulate fragment trajectories at various rotor speeds, with randomly generated inputs for wind speed, wind direction, rotor azimuth, and rotor break position. Four sizes of wind turbines were studied, with …

Design Studies Of Swept Wind Turbine Blades, Scott M. Larwood, C. P. Van Dam, Daniel Schow

Scott M. Larwood

The growth of wind energy is sustained by innovation that lowers the cost of energy. One recent innovation is the swept blade, which deflects in operation and lowers loads. With sweep, a design rotor diameter can increase, capturing more power, with the loads remaining within limits. This concept has been demonstrated in a U.S. program and is in commercial production. This paper describes a parametric study of swept blade design parameters for a 750 kW machine. The amount of tip sweep had the largest effect on the energy production and blade loads; other parameters had less impact. The authors then …

Comparison Of Upwind And Downwind Operation Of The Nrel Phase Vi Experiment, Scott M. Larwood, R. Chow

Scott M. Larwood

Wind tunnel data are presented comparing upwind versus downwind operation of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Phase VI wind turbine. Power was not reduced as expected with downwind operation, which may be attributed to inboard three-dimensional effects. Average flap bending loads were reduced with downwind coning and compared well with prediction. Blade fatigue loads were increased with downwind operation; however, fatigue was mitigated with an aerodynamic tower shroud (fairing). The shroud needs to remain aligned with the freestream, demonstrated by an increase in fatigue loads from a 10° error in shroud alignment. Pressure data were acquired of the tower wake …

Mass Reduction Patterning Of Silicon-On-Oxide–Based Micromirrors, Harris J. Hall, Andrew Green, Sarah Dooley, Jason D. Schmidt, Lavern A. Starman, Derrick Langley, Ronald A. Coutu Jr.

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

It has long been recognized in the design of micromirror-based optical systems that balancing static flatness of the mirror surface through structural design with the system’s mechanical dynamic response is challenging. Although a variety of mass reduction approaches have been presented in the literature to address this performance trade, there has been little quantifiable comparison reported. In this work, different mass reduction approaches, some unique to the work, are quantifiably compared with solid plate thinning in both curvature and mass using commercial finite element simulation of a specific square silicon-on-insulator–based micromirror geometry. Other important considerations for micromirror surfaces, including surface …

The Quantum Biology Of Reactive Oxygen Species Partitioning Impacts Cellular Bioenergetics, Robert J. Usselman, Cristina Chavarriaga, Pablo R. Castello, Maria Procopio, Thorsten Ritz, Edward A. Dratz, David John Singel, Carlos F. Martino

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Faculty Publications

Quantum biology is the study of quantum effects on biochemical mechanisms and biological function. We show that the biological production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in live cells can be influenced by coherent electron spin dynamics, providing a new example of quantum biology in cellular regulation. ROS partitioning appears to be mediated during the activation of molecular oxygen (O2) by reduced flavoenzymes, forming spin-correlated radical pairs (RPs). We find that oscillating magnetic fields at Zeeman resonance alter relative yields of cellular superoxide (O2•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) ROS products, indicating coherent singlet-triplet mixing at the point of ROS formation. Furthermore, …

The Challenge Of Regulatory Excellence, Cary Coglianese

All Faculty Scholarship

Regulation is a high-stakes enterprise marked by tremendous challenges and relentless public pressure. Regulators are expected to protect the public from harms associated with economic activity and technological change without unduly impeding economic growth or efficiency. Regulators today also face new demands, such as adapting to rapidly changing and complex financial instruments, the emergence of the sharing economy, and the potential hazards of synthetic biology and other innovations. Faced with these challenges, regulators need a lodestar for what constitutes high-quality regulation and guidance on how to improve their organizations’ performance. In the book Achieving Regulatory Excellence, leading regulatory experts …

Measuring The Effectiveness Of Team-Based Learning Outcomes In A Human Factors Course, Michael C. Dorneich, Sarah E. Bickelhaupt, Cassandra Dorius, Georgeanne M. Artz, Holly Bender, Laura Bestler, Beth Caissie, Sandra W. Gahn, Keri L. Jacobs, Monica H. Lamm, Lisa Orgler, Jane M. Rongerude, Ann Smiley-Oyen, Richard T. Stone

Lisa Orgler

Art-Integration Through Making Dioramas Of Women Mathematicians’ Lives Enhances Creativity And Motivation, Audrey C. Rule, Dana L. Atwood-Blaine, Clayton M. Edwards, Mindy M. Gordon

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

Creativity is essential for solving problems in the workplace, natural environment, and everyday life, necessitating that creativity be nurtured in schools. Identification of factors that intrinsically motivate students to learn difficult or initially unappealing content is also important. This project, in which 24 racially diverse fifth grade girls created dioramas of the lives of diverse successful women mathematicians, explored the girls’ reactions to art integration into mathematics through a phenomenological qualitative analysis of their products, essays, and responses to questionnaires. The project supported the Next Generation Science Standard for engineering design, Standard 3-5-ETS1-1 and two National Core Arts Standards for …

Three- And Four-Year Olds Learn About Gears Through Arts Incorporation, Dessy Stoycheva, Leann M. Perkins

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This research paper explores art integration into a science lesson unit that follows the Next Generation Science Standards (K-PS2-1) and focuses on the effects on memory retention of key concepts along with levels of enjoyment. An experiment was conducted with children ages 3 and 4 teaching scientific concepts about gears while incorporating student-made art products. The children were assigned to alternating experimental (art-integrated) or control (no art) conditions during the four stages of the lesson. The results did not show statistically significant differences at the alpha = 0.05 level between conditions in the amount of information retained based on the …

Fourth Graders Make Inventions Using Scamper And Animal Adaptation Ideas, Mahjabeen Hussain, Anastasia Carignan

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This study explores to what extent the SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Rearrange) technique combined with animal adaptation ideas learned through form and function analogy activities can help fourth graders generate creative ideas while augmenting their inventiveness. The sample consisted of 24 fourth grade students (14 female, 10 male) ages 9-10 at a suburban Midwestern elementary school. A repeated-measures design involving all participants alternately in the two conditions measured students under each treatment condition. In the experimental condition, students used SCAMPER charts with animal adaptation ideas to generate ideas to improve a product using …

Second-Graders Beautify For Butterflies, Andrea E. Anderson, Jessica A. Meier

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This practical article presents activities that support previous research suggesting the integration of art with science is beneficial to the learning and cooperative processes of children. The project showcased here highlights the ability of elementary school children to collaborate with their peers for problem solving and critical thinking through the artistic use of observation and sketching. This article discusses effective lesson activities in which students combined art and science by creating and cultivating a butterfly garden on the school’s property.

Who Moved Those Rain Clouds To Town? Making Windbirds To Learn About The Power Of Wind, Deepanee Samarakoon, Latisha L. Smith

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

In this practical article, a kindergarten teacher shares a lesson designed to teach students about the power of wind. To address the Next Generation Science Standards engineering standards, students discussed the negative and positive aspects of wind and made daily weather observations (K-ESS2-1). Students constructed bird-shaped windsocks, called windbirds, to explore how the shape of the object allowed it to move in the wind (K-2-ETS1-2). To address the National Core Arts Standards, creative arts were integrated as students designed cylindrical windbirds of colorful materials. The windbirds were used to observe the effects of wind in the students’ outdoor environment at …

Water Play, Jane E. Cline, Brandy A. Smith

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

The inclusion of activities to develop sensory awareness, spatial thinking, and physical dexterity, operationalized through hands-on science lessons such as water play, have long been part of early childhood education. This practical article addresses Next Generation Science Standards K-2 ETS1-3 and K-2 ETS1-2 by having four-year-old prekindergarten students direct the path of water on a vertical pegboard water table with strategically-placed, attached plastic cups with holes drilled into them that leak streams of water into each other. Students enhanced their retelling of the story of the Billy Goats Gruff by placing student-made watercolor artwork along the path of the water, …