Engineering Commons^™

The Bakken Goes Boom: Oil And The Changing Geographies Of Western North Dakota, William Caraher, Kyle Conway

Digital Press Books

In 2008, the Bakken went boom. Thanks to advances in hydraulic fracturing, oil production in western North Dakota exploded. As the price of oil went up, so did the oil rigs. People came from all over the country (and the world) in search of work, and cities and towns struggled to keep up. This book is about the challenges they faced. It is about the human dimensions of the boom, as told by artists, poets, journalists, and scholars. It captures the boom at its peak, before the price of oil fell and the boom went bust.

This is the only …

An Optimized Proportionate Adaptive Algorithm For Sparse System Identification, Silviu Ciochina, Constantin Paleologu, Jacob Benesty, Steven L. Grant

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Proportionate-type adaptive algorithms are commonly used for the identification of sparse impulse responses, like in network and acoustic echo cancellation. In this paper, we propose an optimized proportionate LMS adaptive filter in the context of a state variable model. The algorithm follows an optimization criterion based on the minimization of the system misalignment and uses an iterative procedure for computing the proportionate factors. Consequently, it achieves a proper compromise between the performance criteria, i.e., fast convergence/tracking and low mis adjustment. Simulations performed in the context of sparse system identification indicate the good behavior of the proposed algorithm.

Mri Signal Intensity Differentiation Of Brainstem Encephalitis Induced By Enterovirus 71: A Classification Approach For Acute And Convalescence Stages, Hongwu Zeng, Wenxian Huang, Feiqiu Wen, Yonker Wang, Yungen Gan, Weibin Zeng, Ranran Chen, Yanxia He, Zaiyi Liu, Changhong Liang, Kelvin K. L. Wong

Radiology Faculty Publications

Background: The objective of this study is to assess standardized histograms of signal intensities of T1 signal and T2 signal on sagittal view without enhancement during (1) acute stage, and (2) convalescence stage of pediatric patients with Enterovirus 71 related brainstem encephalitis (BE), and with respect to (3) healthy normal.

Methods: Our subjects were hospitalized between March 2010 and October 2012, and underwent pre- and post-contrast MRI studies. The research question to be answered is whether the comparison of the MRI image intensity histograms and relevant statistical quantification can add new knowledge to the diagnosis of BE patients. So, both …

Engineering Behavior And Characteristics Of Water-Soluble Polymers: Implication On Soil Remediation And Enhanced Oil Recovery, Shuang Cindy Cao, Bate Bate, Jong Wan Hu, Jongwon Jung

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Biopolymers have shown a great effect in enhanced oil recovery because of the improvement of water-flood performance by mobility control, as well as having been considered for oil contaminated-soil remediation thanks to their mobility control and water-flood performance. This study focused on the wettability analysis of biopolymers such as chitosan (85% deacetylated power), PEO (polyethylene oxide), Xanthan (xanthan gum), SA (Alginic Acid Sodium Salt), and PAA (polyacrylic acid), including the measurements of contact angles, interfacial tension, and viscosity. Furthermore, a micromodel study was conducted to explore pore-scale displacement phenomena during biopolymer injection into the pores. The contact angles of biopolymer …

Control Techniques For An Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Of An Electrified Vehicle, Ahmad Arshan Khan, Young Joo Lee, Bing Cheng, Fei Yang, Allan R. Taylor

Electrical & Computer Engineering Patents

A system and method for controlling an interior permanent magnet sychronous motor (IPMSM) are presented. In an exemplary implementation, phase current ripple estimation techniques are utilized for variable frequency switching pulse-width modulation control of the IPMSM. In one implementation, the method includes controlling a three-phase inverter based on an initial switching frequency to generate a three-phase alternating current (AC) voltage for the IPMSM. Transformed voltages are determined in a rotating reference frame based on the three-phase AC voltage in the stationary reference frame. Current ripples are determined in the rotating reference frame based on the transformed voltages. Phase current ripples …

Comprehensive Modeling Of Optimal Paths To Reach Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (Nzebs) For New Constructions In Europe, Florida Solar Energy Center, Delia D'Agostino

FSEC Energy Research Center®

As established by the recast of the European Union (EU) Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD), all new buildings have to be nearly zero energy buildings (nZEBs) by the end of 2020. However, reaching this result considering cost-optimality is still an open challenge. Balancing renewable power generation with energy efficiency to reach the nZEB target is a key goal of all EU Member States. We describe results obtained from the modeling of nZEBs for new constructions in Europe using the energy performance software EnergyPlus. The model performs hourly sequential simulations showing how to best achieve nearly zero energy home …

Senior Alumni And Industry Luncheon 2016 | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

The 3rd Annual Senior, Alumni, & Industry Luncheon (SAIL) will be on Friday, March 25, 2016 in room 326 of the Engineering Building (ENGR) at 11:30 AM.

Activating Clinical Trials: A Process Improvement Approach, Diego Martinez, Athanasios Tsalatsanis, Ali Yalcin, José L. Zayas-Castro, Benjamin Djulbegovic

Industrial and Management Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Background: The administrative process associated with clinical trial activation has been criticized as costly, complex, and time-consuming. Prior research has concentrated on identifying administrative barriers and proposing various solutions to reduce activation time, and consequently associated costs. Here, we expand on previous research by incorporating social network analysis and discrete-event simulation to support process improvement decision-making.

Methods: We searched for all operational data associated with the administrative process of activating industry-sponsored clinical trials at the Office of Clinical Research of the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. We limited the search to those trials initiated and activated between July …

Graphene Valley, Daniel Applebaum

Missouri S&T’s Peer to Peer

Silicon Valley in northern California is the proverbial hub of technological innovation and industry. Its namesake derives from the fact that silicon acts as the main component in modern electronics; however, a new material called graphene is challenging its role. In its early years of research, it was evident that the qualities of graphene far exceeded expectations. Industries are going mad trying to come up with applications and consumer products. While headway has been made, it is hard to say how long it will take to see products advertising their new graphene capabilities. Before touch screens or graphene-based microprocessors can …

Catalysts And Methods Of Increasing Mass Transfer Rate Of Acid Gas Scrubbing Solvents, Joseph E. Remias, Cameron A. Lippert, Kunlei Liu, Susan A. Odom, Rachael Ann Burrows

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

A novel transition metal trimer compound/catalyst is disclosed. A method of increasing the overall mass transfer rate of acid gas scrubbing solvents utilizing that catalyst is also provided.

Flow Battery, Stephen M. Lipka, Christopher R. Swartz

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

An electrolyte system for a flow battery has an anolyte including [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻ and [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ and a catholyte including Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺.

E&P Newsletter - February 23, 2016, Department Of Engineering And Physics

E&P Newsletter: Newsletter from the Department of Engineering and Physics

Department of Engineering and Physics Newsletter

Applications For Elections | Electrical And Computer Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Elections are upon us! The USU student chapter of IEEE is run by volunteer students, and we're glad to have you participate with us. Consider the positions that will be available for this coming election and how you can contribute.

The positions of Chair and Vice Chair will be decided based on votes from the entire electrical engineering department. The runner up will be the Vice Chair. The elected Chair and Vice Char will then review the applications for other positions.

Usu Biological Engineer Patents Method To Make Natural Blue Dye | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Feb. 22, 2016 – A Utah State University researcher has taken a big step toward making a safer, more natural dye that can be used in the food, textile, cosmetic and other industries.

Dr. Jixun Zhan, an associate professor of biological engineering at USU, has secured a patent for an innovative method to produce the deep blue dye known as indigoidine. The tint was originally synthesized from a bacterial strain found inRhode Island and offered a promising alternative to the synthetic dyes used to color jeans, leather, food and paper.

Investigation Of Polyaniline And Its Composites As Interlayers In Organic Solar Cells, Omar Abdulrazzaq Al-Azzawi

Theses and Dissertations

Significant attention has been given during the last few years to overcoming technological and material barriers to the development of organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) with cost efficiency comparable to that of inorganic photovoltaics (PVs). If OPVs are to become commercially viable, major improvements are necessary. In this work, polyaniline (PANI) protonated with various levels of camphorsulfonic acid (CSA) and dissolved in m-cresol has been used as a hole-transport layer (HTL) in organic bulk-heterojunction solar cells. Polyaniline was first synthesized using oxidative polymerization based on the MacDiarmid method. The polymerization parameters, such as polymerization temperature and polymerization pH control agent, were …

Midwest Guardrail System (Mgs) With An Omitted Post, Jessica L. Lingenfelter, Scott Rosenbaugh, Robert W. Bielenberg, Karla A. Lechtenberg, Ronald K. Faller, John D. Reid

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The objective of this research study was to evaluate the MGS (31” tall W-beam guardrail) with an omitted post according to the safety performance criteria provided in MASH. A single full-scale crash test was conducted with the 2270P pickup truck in accordance with MASH test no. 3-11. The small car test, test no. 3-10, was deemed unnecessary as the pickup truck test would result in higher rail loads, a greater propensity for rail rupture, and a greater risk of failure. The test installation utilized standard 6-ft (1.8-m) long steel guardrail posts with 12-in. (305-mm) deep blockouts. A single post was …

Alkali Silica Reaction (Asr) Mitigation For Arkansas Region, Lois Farouk Kamel

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research is to mitigate and prevent the alkali silica reactivity (ASR) in highway construction projects. ASR is a deleterious reaction initiated when the silica content of the aggregate reacts with alkali hydroxides in the mix in the presence of relatively high moisture content. The ASR results in the formation of an expansive white colored gel-like material which forms the destructive tensile stresses inside hardened concrete. Different types of local aggregates available in the State of Arkansas were mixed, mortar bars and concrete specimens were poured according to the ASTM specifications. Specimens' expansion was measured versus time, …

Development Of Lightweight Concrete Mixes For Construction Industry At The State Of Arkansas, Mohammed Abdulwahab Almansouri

Theses and Dissertations

As the construction industry evolved, the need for more durable, long lasting infrastructure increased. Therefore, more efforts have been put to find new methods to improve the properties of the concrete to prolong the service life of the structural elements. One of these methods is the use of lightweight aggregate as an internal curing agent to help reducing self-desiccation and shrinkage. This research studied the effects of using locally available lightweight aggregate (expanded clay), as a partial replacement of normal weight aggregate in the concrete matrix. The concrete mixtures contained lightweight aggregate with a replacement percentage of 12.5, 25, 37.5, …

Application Of Generalized Snoek's Law Over A Finite Frequency Range: A Case Study, Konstantin N. Rozanov, Marina Y. Koledintseva

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Generalized Snoek's law proposed in an integral form by Acher and coauthors is a useful tool for investigation of high-frequency properties of magnetic materials. This integral law referred to as Acher's law allows for evaluating the ultimate performance of RF and microwave devices which employ magnetic materials. It may also be helpful in obtaining useful information on the structure and morphology of the materials. The key factor in practical application of Acher's law is an opportunity to employ either measured or calculated data available over a finite frequency range. The paper uses simple calculations to check the applicability of Acher's …

Segway: A Simple Framework For Unsupervised Sleep Segmentation In Experimental Eeg Recordings, Farid Yaghouby, Sridhar Sunderam

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Sleep analysis in animal models typically involves recording an electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) and scoring vigilance state in brief epochs of data as Wake, REM (rapid eye movement sleep) or NREM (non-REM) either manually or using a computer algorithm. Computerized methods usually estimate features from each epoch like the spectral power associated with distinctive cortical rhythms and dissect the feature space into regions associated with different states by applying thresholds, or by using supervised/unsupervised statistical classifiers; but there are some factors to consider when using them:

• Most classifiers require scored sample data, elaborate heuristics or computational steps not easily …

Composite Nanofibers As Advanced Materials For Li-Ion, Li-O2 And Li-S Batteries, Victor Agubra, Luis Zuniga, David Flores, Jahaziel Villarreal, Mataz Alcoutlabi

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

The quest to increase the energy density and improve the cycle life performance of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and beyond has led to the development of various suitable and alternative materials for energy storage and conversion. The morphology and electrode architecture in advanced battery materials have been re-designed into nanofibers and composite nanofibers. Nanofiber-based separators and electrodes have demonstrated to improve the energy density and cycling performance of LIBs. The improvement in the structure and morphology of nanofibers in LIBs such as LiSi and LiSn, have once again ignited the interest in these Li:M alloy anodes as alternative anode and …

Improved Sensitivity Mems Cantilever Sensor For Terahertz Photoacoustic Spectroscopy, Ronald A. Coutu Jr., Ivan R. Medvedev, Douglas T. Petkie

Faculty Publications

In this paper, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) cantilever sensor was designed, modeled and fabricated to measure the terahertz (THz) radiation induced photoacoustic (PA) response of gases under low vacuum conditions. This work vastly improves cantilever sensitivity over previous efforts, by reducing internal beam stresses, minimizing out of plane beam curvature and optimizing beam damping. In addition, fabrication yield was improved by approximately 50% by filleting the cantilever’s anchor and free end to help reduce high stress areas that occurred during device fabrication and processing. All of the cantilever sensors were fabricated using silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers and tested in a custom …

Pilot Perceptions On Impact Of Crew Rest Regulations On Safety And Fatigue, Lukas Rudari, Mary E. Johnson, Robert C. Geske, Lauren A. Sperlak

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The risk of fatigue on pilot performance and safety is well recognized in aviation. In response to increased safety concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration addressed fatigue risk for passenger airline pilots in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117, which included accommodations to address fatigue related risk-factors such as circadian rhythm and the phenomenon commonly described as jet-lag. The rule became effective in January 2014. A survey was conducted in March and April of 2014 to better understand pilot perceptions of the new Part 117 rule. This study analyzed survey responses from 92 self-identified pilots to determine the effect …

Improved Sensitivity Mems Cantilever Sensor For Terahertz Photoacoustic Spectroscopy, Ronald A. Coutu Jr., Ivan R. Medvedev, Douglas T. Petkie

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In this paper, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) cantilever sensor was designed, modeled and fabricated to measure the terahertz (THz) radiation induced photoacoustic (PA) response of gases under low vacuum conditions. This work vastly improves cantilever sensitivity over previous efforts, by reducing internal beam stresses, minimizing out of plane beam curvature and optimizing beam damping. In addition, fabrication yield was improved by approximately 50% by filleting the cantilever’s anchor and free end to help reduce high stress areas that occurred during device fabrication and processing. All of the cantilever sensors were fabricated using silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers and tested in a custom …

Detection Of Malicious Content In Json Structured Data Using Multiple Concurrent Anomaly Detection Methods, Brett N. Miller

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Web applications and Web services often use a data format known as JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) to exchange information. An attacker can tamper with these exchanges to cause the Web service or application to malfunction in a way that is detrimental to the interests of the owners of the Web application or service. Many such applications or services are involved in processes critical to safety or are vital to business interests. Unfortunately, such critical applications cannot always be relied upon to validate the data sent to them. This creates a need for protection external to the applications themselves. This need …

Webinar: Development Of A Pedestrian Demand Estimation Tool, Kelly Clifton

TREC Webinar Series

Why model pedestrians?

A new predictive tool for estimating pedestrian demand has potential applications for improving walkability. By forecasting the number, location and characteristics of walking trips, this tool allows for policy-sensitive mode shifts away from automobile travel.

There is growing support to improve the quality of the walking environment and make investments to promote pedestrian travel. Despite this interest and need, current forecasting tools, particularly regional travel demand models, often fall short. To address this gap, Oregon Metro and NITC researcher Kelly Clifton worked together to develop this pedestrian demand estimation tool which can allow planners to allocate infrastructure …

Undergraduate Research Assistant Wins A Eurp Award | Eed, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Jorge Espinoza, an undergraduate research assistant working with Dr. Idalis Villanueva in Engineering Education has been awarded a College of Engineering Undergraduate Research Program (EURP) award for the 2016-2017 academic year to conduct research in developing MATLAB codes to real-time biometric data used in the classroom. Biometrics involves the analysis of metrics reflective of human characteristics. An example of a metric can be physiological markers such as skin temperature and electrodermal activity or biological markers such as hormonal levels.

Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Fellow For The College Of Engineering 2015-16 | Engineering Education, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Jose Campos has earned the 2015 - 2016 Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Fellow (UTF) for the College of Engineering.

Two College Of Engineering Faculty Receive Nsf Career Awards | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Feb. 17, 2016 – February was a banner month for Utah State University’s College of Engineering.

Two faculty members were chosen by the National Science Foundation to receive the prestigious CAREER Award. The two grants, approximately $500,000 each, will help advance fundamental research in areas of water resources engineering and computer science.

Combating The Sinister Side Of Crowdsourcing | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Feb. 16, 2016 – Sometimes computers just can’t solve the problem. How would a computer, for example, decide which image in a stack of photos is the prettiest, or know which retail store is more fun to shop in? When a task requires a human touch, problem solvers turn to online crowdsourcing tools for the solution.