Engineering Commons^™

Correcting Reaching Movements Using Force Sensors And Robot Simulation, Megan Carrick

Undergraduate Research Posters 2016

People who have suffered high spinal cord injuries are unable to move their limbs. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) activates paralyzed muscles by electrical current and is a way to restore some function to a paralyzed arm. This research was conducted to develop a way for a caregiver to correct reaching movements to a person with paralyzed arms. We asked participants to take part in this study to help obtain data to test the learning feedback system. We represented a paralyzed arm with a Barrett Medical Proficio robot. The robot is programmed to reach out and purposely miss a target. The …

Wrist-Mounted Feedback System: Monitoring Force And Torque In Six Degrees Of Freedom, Christopher Schroeck

Undergraduate Research Posters 2016

This project developed a wrist-mountable, six Degrees of Freedom (DoF) feedback system that monitors force and torque. This system is designed to be used by nontechnical operators to correct movements of a paralyzed arm under the control of a functional electrical stimulation (FES) neuroprosthesis. The resulting corrections are recorded and processed by additional programs so as to improve the accuracy of future movements controlled by the FES system. The feedback system was tested on a robotic arm that is programmed to simulate a paralyzed human's arm. These tests checked the sensor for accuracy, reliability, durability, ease of use, and stability. …

Power Grid Management In Response To Extreme Events, Rozhin Eskandarpour

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Power system management in response to extreme events is one the most important operational aspects of power systems. In this thesis, a novel Event-driven Security Constrained Unit Commitment (E-SCUC) model and a statistical method, based on regression and data mining to estimate the system components outages, are proposed. The proposed models help consider the simultaneous outage of several system components represented by an N-1-m reliability criterion and accordingly determine the proper system response. In addition, an optimal microgrid placement model with the objective of minimizing the cost of unserved energy to enhance power system resilience is proposed.

The …

Electrical And Computer Engineering Department 2015-2016 Newsletter, College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences

Electrical and Computer Engineering Newsletter

1. A Word from the Chair 2. ECE on the Inside • Faculty Highlights o Introducing a New Faculty Member o Introducing a New Staff Member o Welcoming a Visiting Scholar o Exciting MicroController Lab Upgrades o Senior Design Lab Renovation on the Horizon • Faculty Buzz o Faculty Working with FlexTech Alliance o Development of an Intelligent Surgical Box-Trainer o Remembering a Faculty Member 3. Student Body Highlights • Student Organizations o Sunseeker’s New Edge o Raspberry Pi Club Updates • Student Buzz o Student Scholarships 4. Department Outreach • Local Outreach o Raspberry Pi (Not a Typo!) Summer …

A Multi-Objective, Hub-And-Spoke Model To Design And Manage Biofuel Supply Chains, Mohammad S. Roni, Sandra D. Eksioglu, Kara G. Cafferty, Jacob J. Jacobson

Publications

In this paper we propose a multi-objective, mixed integer linear programming model to design and manage the supply chain for biofuels. This model captures the trade-offs that exist between costs, environmental and social impacts of delivering biofuels. The in-bound supply chain for biofuel plants relies on a hub-and-spoke structure which optimizes transportation costs of biomass. The model proposed optimizes the CO2" style="position: relative;" tabindex="0" id="MathJax-Element-1-Frame">CO2 emissions due to transportation-related activities in the supply chain. The model also optimizes the social impact of biofuels. The social impacts are evaluated by the number of jobs created. The multi-objective optimization model is …

Optimization Models To Integrate Production And Transportation Planning For Biomass Co-Firing In Coal-Fired Power Plants, Sandra D. Eksioglu, Hadi Karimi, Burak Eksioglu

Publications

Co-firing biomass is a strategy that leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions in coal-fired power plants. Incentives such as production tax credit (PTC) are designed to help power plants overcome the financial challenges faced during the implementation phase. Decision makers at power plants face two big challenges. The first challenge is identifying whether the benefits from incentives such as PTC can overcome the costs associated with co-firing. The second challenge is identifying the extent to which a plant should co-fire in order to maximize profits. We present a novel mathematical model that integrates production and transportation decisions at power plants. …

Bioremediation Of A Trichloroethene Dnapl Source Zone Utilizing A Partitioning Electron Donor - Field Implementation, Joseph Bartlett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trichloroethene (TCE) is a chlorinated volatile organic compound (CVOC) that can be found in industrial and household products. It is typically used as a solvent or degreaser. TCE can have detrimental health impacts and is known to be carcinogenic to humans. Federal and state regulatory drivers determine the need to assess and remediate soil and groundwater contaminated with CVOCs. There are many different methods for remediation; however, bioremediation has the ability to breakdown TCE all the way to harmless gasses (ethene and ethane). Bioremediation requires dechlorinating microbes (indigenous or augmented), electron donor (food source), and an electron acceptor (CVOCs). Electron …

A Simulation-Based Evaluation Of Efficiency Strategies For A Primary Care Clinic With Unscheduled Visits, Afrifah Bobbie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the health care industry, there are strategies to remove inefficiencies from the health delivery process called efficiency strategies. This dissertation proposed a simulation model to evaluate the impact of the efficiency strategies on a primary care clinic with unscheduled "walk-in" patient visits. The simulation model captures the complex characteristics of the Orlando Veteran's Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) primary care clinic. This clinic system includes different types of patients, patient paths, and multiple resources that serve them. Added to the problem complexity is the presence of patient no-shows characteristics and unscheduled patient arrivals, a problem which has been until recently, …

Understanding Hydroclimatic Controls On Stream Network Dynamics Using Lidar Data, Seoyoung Kim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the hydroclimatic controls on drainage network dynamics and characterizes the variation of drainage density in various climate regions. The methods were developed to extract the valley and wet channel networks based on Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data including the elevation and intensity of laser returns. The study watersheds were selected based on the availability of streamflow observations and LiDAR data. Climate aridity index was used as a quantitative indicator for climate. The climate controls on drainage density were re-visited using watersheds with minimal anthropogenic interferences and compared with the U-shape relationship reported in the previous studies. …

A Systems Approach To Assessing, Interpreting And Applying Human Error Mishap Data To Mitigate Risk Of Future Incidents In A Space Exploration Ground Processing Operations Environment, Tiffaney Alexander

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research results have shown that more than half of aviation, aerospace and aeronautics mishaps/incidents are attributed to human error. Although many existing incident report systems have been beneficial for identifying engineering failures, most of them are not designed around a theoretical framework of human error, thus failing to address core issues and causes of the mishaps. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a human error assessment framework to identify these causes. This research focused on identifying causes of human error and leading contributors to historical Launch Vehicle Ground Processing Operations mishaps based on past mishaps, near mishaps, and close calls. …

Impact Of Dynamic Message Signs On Driver Behavior Under Reduced Visibility Conditions, Ryan Selby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fog along roadways is a dangerous hazard that leads to crashes resulting from limited visibility. Low visibility gives drivers less time to react to potential obstacles that can suddenly appear and require immediate action. To solve this issue, early warning systems involving Dynamic Message Signs or other types of devices are used to alert drivers of the impending visibility condition so that they are prepared. This research focuses on testing the effectiveness of one form of warning systems to investigate how it impacts driver behavior in foggy conditions. To accomplish this objective, a simulation study is developed to test variables …

Energy-Aware Reconfigurable Logic Device Using Spin-Based Storage And Carbon Nanotube Switching, Mohan Krishna Gopi Krishna

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Scaling of semiconductors to the 14-nanometer range and below nanometer range introduces serious design challenges that include high static power in memories and high leakage power, hindering further integration of CMOS devices. Thus, emerging devices are under intense analysis to overcome these drawbacks caused by transistor size scaling. Spintronics technology provides excellent features such as Non-Volatility, low read power, low read delay, higher scalability as well as easy integration with CMOS in comparison with SRAM memories. In addition, Carbon-Nanotube Field-Effect Transistors (CNFETs) provide superior electrical conductivity, low delay and low power consumption in comparison with conventional CMOS technology. Thus in …

Does Performance-Based Assessment In An Introductory Circuits Laboratory Improve Student Learning?, Benjamin D. Mcpheron, Mallory Zerena Mcpheron, Charles R. Thomas

Engineering, Computing & Construction Management Faculty Publications

Undergraduate engineering students regularly participate in laboratory experiences in introductory circuit theory courses. Based on instructor experience, it can be observed that students often struggle to remember how to use test and measurement equipment or important software from week to week, making long term retention of necessary skills inadequate. The facilitators of this study searched for strategies to improve student retention of important skills, and drew inspiration from performance-based assessment strategies used in the healthcare profession. In particular, physical therapy students are often subject to skills checks, where they must demonstrate competency in standard techniques for physical therapy practice. This …

Can A Five Minute, Three Question Survey Foretell First-Year Engineering Student Performance And Retention?, Stephanie M. Gratiano, William J. Palm

Engineering, Computing & Construction Management Faculty Publications

This research paper examines first-year student performance and retention within engineering. A considerable body of literature has reported factors influencing performance and retention, including high school GPA and SAT scores,1,2,3 gender,4 self-efficacy,1,5 social status,2,6,7 hobbies,4 and social integration.6,7 Although these factors can help explain and even partially predict student outcomes, they can be difficult to measure; typical survey instruments are lengthy and can be invasive of student privacy. To address this limitation, the present paper examines whether a much simpler survey can be used to understand student motivations and anticipate student outcomes.

The survey was administered to 347 students in …

Leaky Wave Antenna, Pradyumna Aditya

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The main radiation mechanism in a leaky wave antenna is a travelling wave in a guided structure. The main characteristics of a leaky wave antenna are: light weight, easy to fabricate. Leaky wave antennas have been in use since the 1940s. In this thesis, a portable and powerful leaky-wave antenna is designed, implemented, and demonstrated for scanning application. We change the guiding structure by applying a high dielectric constant material to produce a low-cost, small size, light weight, and high sensitivity leaky-wave antenna. The designed antenna can reach large scan angles with small frequency tuned. High scanning angles can be …

Finite Element Modeling Of The Composite Action Between Hollowcore Slabs And The Topping Concrete, Aiham Adawi, Maged Youssef, Mohamed E. Meshaly

Civil and Environmental Engineering Publications

The ultimate strength of hollowcore slabs is greatly affected by their post-cracking behaviour. The composite action between the concrete topping and the hollowcore slab adds another level of nonlinearity. This paper presents a comprehensive finite element study to evaluate the nonlinear properties of the interface between a hollowcore slab and its concrete topping. The presented finite element modeling procedure was validated using data from a previous comprehensive experimental study by the authors. The nonlinear material behaviour of the concrete and the prestressing strands were also accounted for. The paper presents a modeling method that realistically simulates the staged construction technique …

Investigation Of Hippocampal Substructures In Focal Temporal Lobe Epilepsy With And Without Hippocampal Sclerosis At 7t., Brendan G Santyr, Maged Goubran, Jonathan C Lau, Benjamin Y M Kwan, Fateme Salehi, Donald H Lee, Seyed M Mirsattari, Jorge G Burneo, David A Steven, Andrew G Parrent, Sandrine De Ribaupierre, Robert R Hammond, Terry M Peters, Ali R Khan

Robarts Imaging Publications

PURPOSE: To provide a more detailed investigation of hippocampal subfields using 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the identification of hippocampal sclerosis in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 13) with drug-resistant TLE previously identified by conventional imaging as having hippocampal sclerosis (HS) or not (nine without HS, four HS) and 20 age-matched healthy controls were scanned and compared using a 7T MRI protocol. Using a manual segmentation scheme to delineate hippocampal subfields, subfield-specific volume changes and apparent transverse relaxation rate ( R2*) were studied between the two groups. In addition, qualitative assessment at 7T and …

A Conjugate Fluid-Porous Approach To Convective Heat And Mass Transfer With Application To Produce Drying, Furqan A. Khan, Anthony G. Straatman

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

Closure Of The Macroscopic Turbulence And Non-Equilibrium Turbulent Heat And Mass Transfer Equations For Porous Media Composed Of Randomly Packed Spheres, Furqan A. Khan, Anthony G. Straatman

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

A Conjugate Fluid-Porous Approach For Simulating Airflow In Realistic Geometric Representations Of The Human Respiratory System, Christopher Degroot Dr, Anthony G. Straatman

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

Radiative Property Characterization Of Spherical Void Phase Graphitic Foam With Application To Solar Collection, Nolan J. Dyck, Anthony G. Straatman

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

Forced Convective Heat Transfer On A Horizontal Circular Cylinder Due To Multiple Impinging Circular Jets, Christopher M. Csernyei, Anthony G. Straatman

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

Cepsim: Modelling And Simulation Of Complex Event Processing Systems In Cloud Environments, Wilson A. Higashino, Miriam Am Capretz, Luiz F. Bittencourt

Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications

The emergence of Big Data has had profound impacts on how data are stored and processed. As technologies created to process continuous streams of data with low latency, Complex Event Processing (CEP) and Stream Processing (SP) have often been related to the Big Data velocity dimension and used in this context. Many modern CEP and SP systems leverage cloud environments to provide the low latency and scalability required by Big Data applications, yet validating these systems at the required scale is a research problem per se. Cloud computing simulators have been used as a tool to facilitate reproducible and repeatable …

Multidisciplinary Game-Based Approach For Generating Student Enthusiasm For Addressing Critical Infrastructure Challenges, John F. Gardner

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Building upon experiences from past course offering,¹ several universities across the United States (U.S) have incorporated a critical infrastructure educational game platform as a unifying platform to integrate different disciplines to a common goal. The critical infrastructure backbones of the world provide the delivery mechanisms for energy and other utilities that provide the lifestyle we have come to expect in our society. As these critical infrastructure systems have evolved, the complexity of their integration has generated numerous challenges as a side effect of increased automation that are more pronounced as the infrastructure ages. Although still a modern technological wonder, …

Listening And Negotiation, Janet Callahan, Mary E. Besterfield-Sacre, Jenna P. Carpenter, Kim Lascola Needy, Cheryl B. Schrader

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Negotiation is an important skill for faculty at all stages of their career, but one that research suggests is often uncomfortable for women faculty to employ. This paper focuses on the topic of negotiation, with an emphasis on providing practical ideas and strategies relevant to academic professionals at both entry-level and mid-career who find that they need to negotiate a career opportunity. The paper will review negotiation basics, as well as discuss what can be negotiated, how one might proceed to discuss these, and how listening is critical to negotiation. By viewing negotiation as a "wise agreement"¹ that seeks …

Support Model For Transfer Students Utilizing The Stem Scholarship Program, Lynn Olson, Amy J. Moll, Doug Bullock, Amit Jain, Janet Callahan

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper describes how the College of Engineering at Boise State University utilized a National Science Foundation S-STEM award from 2011 to 2016 to support transfer students in their path toward graduation. The need for this support was a result of both Boise State University College of Engineering’s transition from a 2-year pre-engineering program to the establishment of Bachelors of Science in Engineering Degree programs in 1997 as well as the establishment of the College of Western Idaho as a regional community college in 2007. Both of these factors led to an increase in the numbers of incoming engineering students …

A Cross-Regional Comparison Of Fabricated Metals' Manufacturing Sector Resiliency, Linda Ann Holt

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Fabricated metals manufacturing employment in the U.S. declined after the 2008 recession. Within a complex adaptive systems framework, this study compared job loss patters and workforce composition for two geographic regions. Statistically significant differences in post-recession recovery patterns and workforce demographics pointed to targeted economic incentive developments for regional manufacturing sectors.

Solar Thermal Systems: Towards A Systematic Characterization Of Building Integration, Laura Aelenei, Mervyn Smyth, Werner Platzer, Brian Norton, David Kennedy, Soteris Kalogirou, Christoph Maurer

Articles

Characterization is defined as the act of describing distinctive characteristics or essential features. In most solar thermal collecting systems the energy performance characterization is commonly used as the most important criteria by which the system (or component) is represented. Building Integrated Solar Thermal Systems (BISTS) however are typically classified across a range of operating parameters, system features and mounting configurations, and other criteria are similarly important to be considered. Therefore BISTS characterization should also account for the architectural and building physics integration based on structural, functional and aesthetical features. A comprehensive characterization of BISTS is necessary to give designers, installers …

Supporting Business Privacy Protection In Wireless Sensor Networks, Nan Feng, Zhiqi Hao, Sibo Yang, Harris Wu

Information Technology & Decision Sciences Faculty Publications

With the pervasive use of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) within commercial environments, business privacy leakage due to the exposure of sensitive information transmitted in a WSN has become a major issue for enterprises. We examine business privacy protection in the application of WSNs. We propose a business privacy-protection system (BPS) that is modeled as a hierarchical profile in order to filter sensitive information with respect to enterprise-specified privacy requirements. The BPS aims at solving a tradeoff between metrics that are defined to estimate the utility of information and the business privacy risk. We design profile, risk assessment, and filtration agents …

Characterization Of Piezoelectric Device For Implanted Pacemaker Energy Harvesting, Sunny Jay, Manuel Caballero, William Quinn, John Barrett, Martin Hill

Conference Papers

Novel implanted cardiac pacemakers that are powered by energy harvesters driven by the cardiac motion and have a 40 year lifetime are currently under development. To satisfy space constraints and energy requirements of the device, silicon-based MEMS energy harvesters are being developed in the EU project (MANpower). Such MEMS harvesters for vibration frequencies below 50 Hz have not been widely reported. In this paper, an analytical model and a 3D finite element model (FEM) to predict displacement and open circuit voltage, validated through experimental analysis using an off-the-shelf low frequency energy harvester, are presented. The harvester was excited through constant …