Engineering Commons^™

Non-Destructive Evaluation Of Functional Material Properties Performed On Additively Manufactured Coupons, Devin S. Plagge

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

This thesis presents the development of non-destructive characterization of functional material properties of additively manufactured metals. In particular, this study was focused on the common structural stainless steel alloy, 316L, utilizing a coupon designed specifically for simple modal analysis. Additive manufacturing (AM) has moved to the forefront of the manufacturing world, particularly in aerospace and defense segments because of the potential to produce multi-functional, highly optimized components. The ability to confidently qualify these complex, and thus expensive, components has been lagging behind the advancing technology. The adoption of traditional characterization techniques developed for wrought materials has been most common, and …

Open Source Database And Website To Provide Free And Open Access To Inactive U.S. Patents In The Public Domain, Yuenyong Nilsiam, Joshua M. Pearce

Department of Materials Science and Engineering Publications

Although theoretically the patent system is meant to bolster innovation, the current United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is cumbersome and involves a significant time investment to locate inactive patents less than 20 years old. This article reports on the development of an open source database to find these public domain ideas. First, a search strategy is explained. Then the operation and use of free and open source software are detailed to meet the needs of open hardware innovators. Finally, a case study is presented to demonstrate the utility of the approach with 3-D printing. The results showed how …

The Effects Of The Stratosphere On Materials, Ashley C. Greene, Theresa M. Palandro

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Abstract 1:

Making AND Breaking: How reliable are some water pipes?

Ashley C. Greene.

Three different types of pipes were tested to see at what point in time they would break. The pipes, PVC pipe, PEX pipe, and CPVC pipe, were filled with water and attached to a helium filled weather balloon. The ends of the pipes were sealed to trap the water inside. The pipes were secured onto a payload in a Styrofoam box surrounded by cheese cloth. This frame secured the pipes and ensured that they stayed in one place and could not move around the container. The …

High Altitude Ballooning And The Effect Of Temperature On Balloon Ascent Rate, Christopher D. Young

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Abstract

High Altitude Ballooning and The Effect of Temperature on Balloon Ascent Rate.

Christopher Young

High-altitude balloons are unmanned balloons, usually filled with helium or hydrogen, that after release, ascend into the stratosphere, generally attaining an altitude of between 60,000 to 100,000 feet. The balloon payload includes scientific experiments on organisms, equipment to study radiation, temperature, ultra- violet radiation, and pressure. The balloon flights and experiments are logged by means of video devices and are tracked from the ground through multiple tracking devices. The effect of temperature on the ascent rate of the balloon could change how the balloon expands …

Model Truss Bridge Design, William Spicer Berry, Kaleb Rankin Dyer, Dustin Lee Schultz

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Bridges are one of the most important and costly engineering projects, involving extensive design considerations that try to minimize expenses while insuring the bridge will not fail. Different models of bridges were constructed in order to perform experiments that determined which beams were in compression and how much force was experienced in the beam’s when a static load was applied. Computer simulations were also performed to determine the loads on the different beams. The simulation and calculated results were compared to ensure accuracy of the final results. It was determined that a Howe bridge offers the lowest maximum compression on …

"Feasibility Of Efficient Photovoltaics In Eastern Kentucky" / "Developing A 3-D Printed Solar Vehicle With Computational Fluid Dynamics (Cfd) Simulator", Adam N. Stanley, Matthew R. Hezseltine

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Abstract 1

Feasibility of Efficient Photovoltaics in Eastern Kentucky

Photovoltaics (PV-also called solar photovoltaic devices) are used to harness the power of the sun via the electronic process that occurs within semiconductor cells. The solar energy is absorbed by the cells, which causes the electrons to break away from their atoms, allowing them to flow within the material to produce electricity. This electricity will become the renewable energy for Kentucky, as the generation of coal will but come to a stop within the near future. Like Denmark who is running on 100% renewable generation we must stride to become fully …

Eastern Kentucky University's Program Of Distinction: Highlighting Research Within The Colege Of Justice And Safety, Naomi M. Sigler, Kayla Tunajek

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Posters at the Capitol 2016-2017 Abstract

University: Eastern Kentucky University – College of Justice & Safety

Program: Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation

Student Presenters: Kayla Tunajek and Naomi Sigler

Faculty Mentor: Paul Grant

Title: Eastern Kentucky University’s Program of Distinction: Highlighting Research within the College of Justice and Safety

Keywords: Program of Distinction; Eastern Kentucky University; fire programs; research projects; student opportunities.

ABSTRACT

This project is intended to represent the Program of Distinction at EKU. The fire program at Eastern provides students several unique majors and encourages students to do research within their respective fields. This research is then presented …

Deterministic Three-Dimensional Composite Structures For Energy Storage, Paul Brown

Composites at Lake Louise (CALL 2015)

Through mesoscale design of a 3D current collector, high power density and high energy density primary and secondary (rechargeable) large format and microbatteries (Figure 1) were fabricated. At the most fundamental level, mesostructuring enables optimization of the trade-off between energy and power density in energy storage systems due to unavoidable ohmic and other losses that occur during charge or discharge. Of course, it is at fast charge and discharge, where these effects are most important. By efficient design of the ion and electron transport pathways, we and others have shown it is possible to significantly improve the power-energy relationship. We …

Use Of A Modified Greenscreen Tool To Conduct A Screening-Level Comparative Hazard Assessment Of Conventional Silver And Two Forms Of Nanosilver., Jennifer Sass, Lauren Heine, Nina Hwang

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Increased concern for potential health and environmental impacts of chemicals, including nanomaterials, in consumer products is driving demand for greater transparency regarding potential risks. Chemical hazard assessment is a powerful tool to inform product design, development and procurement and has been integrated into alternative assessment frameworks. The extent to which assessment methods originally designed for conventionally-sized materials can be used for nanomaterials, which have size-dependent physical and chemical properties, have not been well established. We contracted with a certified GreenScreen profiler to conduct three GreenScreen hazard assessments, for conventional silver and two forms of nanosilver. The contractor summarized publicly …

Concorde – 20th Century Icon, John Hutchinson

ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program

Europe to the U.S. in less than 3 ½ hours at 60,000 feet and Mach 2! The Concorde was one of world’s most recognized aircraft and a technological marvel. Learn what it was like to fly it from a pilot who did so for 15 years. Capt. Hutchinson was a Concorde route check airman and a British Airways pilot selector. He also worked with BBC television as a presenter of Airshow programmes and helped promote the Concorde/QE2 travel packages. What a way to travel!

Intraocular Pressure Sensing And Control For Glaucoma Research, Simon Antonio Bello

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Animal models of ocular hypertension are important for glaucoma research but come with experimental costs. Available methods of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation are not always successful, the amplitude and time course of IOP changes are unpredictable and irreversible, and IOP measurement by tonometry is laborious. This dissertation focuses on the development and implementation of two novel systems for monitoring and controlling IOP without these limitations. The first device consists of a cannula implanted in the anterior chamber of the eye, a pressure sensor that continually measures IOP, and a bidirectional pump driven by control circuitry that can infuse or withdraw …

Phasor Measurement Unit Data-Based States And Parameters Estimation In Power System, Hossein Ghassempour Aghamolki

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The dissertation research investigates estimating of power system static and dynamic states (e.g. rotor angle, rotor speed, mechanical power, voltage magnitude, voltage phase angle, mechanical reference point) as well as identification of synchronous generator parameters. The research has two focuses:

i. Synchronous generator dynamic model states and parameters estimation using real-time PMU data.

ii.Integrate PMU data and conventional measurements to carry out static state estimation.

The first part of the work focuses on Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) data-based synchronous generator states and parameters estimation. In completed work, PMU data-based synchronous generator model identification is carried out using Unscented Kalman Filter …

Want To Be A Space Scientist For All Ages?, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Want to be a Space Scientistfor all ages?" from November 8, 2016.

Inhibition Of Microbial Biofuel Production In Drought-Stressed Switchgrass Hydrolysate, Rebecca Garlock Ong, Alan Higbee, Scott Bottoms, Quinn Dickinson, Dan Xie, Scott A. Smith, Jose Serate, Edward Pohlman, Arthur Daniel Jones, Joshua J. Coon, Trey S. Kato, Gregg R. Sanford, Dustin Eilert, Dustin G. Oates, Jeff S. Piotrowski, Donn M. Bates, David Cavalier, Yaoping Zhang

Department of Chemical Engineering Publications

Background:

Interannual variability in precipitation, particularly drought, can affect lignocellulosic crop biomass yields and composition, and is expected to increase biofuel yield variability. However, the effect of precipitation on downstream fermentation processes has never been directly characterized. In order to investigate the impact of inter-annual climate variability on biofuel production, corn stover and switchgrass were collected during 3 years with significantly different precipitation profiles, representing a major drought year (2012) and 2 years with average precipitation for the entire season (2010 and 2013). All feedstocks were AFEX (ammonia fiber expansion)-pretreated, enzymatically hydrolyzed, and the hydrolysates separately fermented using xylose-utilizing strains …

Effective Post-Tensioned Splicing System For Prestressed Concrete Piles, Zhongxin Wu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Precast prestressed concrete piles are widely used in deep foundation construction. Due to unexpected site soil conditions and difficulties associated with transportation and handling long precast piles, splicing is sometimes necessary at the construction site.

Available splicing methods utilize steel type connections that are more suitable for reinforced concrete construction and result in limited tensile capacity at the splice. This dissertation describes studies associated with the development of a new post-tensioned splicing system using staggered, embedded anchorages. The new system has the potential to provide the same tensile capacity as a one piece prestressed pile.

To develop the post-tensioned splicing …

Cricketsat: Space Temperature Measurement Module, Mitchell I. Harris, Saeed Almalki

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The CricketSat Project at Murray State University was developed to establish better understandings for the design and assembly procedures of satellite technology. The satellite consists of one remote sensor that provides specific frequencies corresponding to various temperatures. By purchasing this inexpensive CricketSat, it provides students with the opportunity to advance their understanding of satellite technology and partake in hands on learning.

The CricketSat is composed of a single wireless module and a receiving antenna. The sensor transmits an audio tone that changes frequency in response to temperatures within the atmosphere. During launch, the CricketSat is attached to a helium balloon …

Boostnoc: Power Efficient Network-On-Chip Architecture For Near Threshold Computing, Chidhambaranathan Rajamanikkam, Rajesh Jayashankarashridevi, Koushik Chakraborty, Sanghamitra Roy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

While near threshold design space provides a promising approach towards energy-efficient computing, it is plagued by sub-optimal performance. Application characteristics and hardware non-idealities of conventional architectures (optimized for the nominal voltage) prevent us from fully leveraging the potential of NTC systems. Further, the popular approach of increasing the computational core count to compensate for the performance loss severely burdens the on-chip communication fabric with an increased communication demand. In this work, we quantitatively analyze the performance bottleneck createdby a conventional NoC architecture in many-core NTC systems. To reclaim the performance lost due to a sub-optimal NoC, we propose BoostNoC - …

An M-Learning Maturity Model For Universities And Higher Educational Institutes, Luiz Fernando Capretz, Muasaad Alrasheedi, Arif Raza

Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications

An m-learning maturity model is put forward in this research to assess the mobile technology adoption rates in universities and higher educational institutes. The model is derived from Capability Maturity Model (CMM), which has been widely used in organizations to gauge the adoption of various new processes. Five levels of m-learning maturity are specified including preliminary, established, defined, structured, and continuous improvement. Each of these maturity levels is gauged through nine critical success factors (CSFs) in assessment questionnaires. The CSFs used in measuring instrument of the model are adopted from three of our previous empirical studies. Using an assessment questionnaire …

Rain Attenuation Effects On Signal Propagation At W/V-Band Frequencies, Nadine Daoud

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

The current frequency spectrum congestion in space is begging for the exploration and utilization of a new range of frequencies. The W/V-band Terrestrial Link Experiment (WTLE) project run jointly by AFRL, NASA and the University of New Mexico, focuses on using higher frequencies for satellite communications, more precisely, at 72 GHz and 84 GHz.

In this thesis, the rain effect on the propagating signal is studied. First, instantaneous comparisons between the experiment and two different models, the ITU-R and the Siva-Mello, is presented. Second, the WTLE link was analyzed statistically over a period of approximately 10 months, and the ITU-R …

Simulation Of Value Stream Mapping And Discrete Optimization Of Energy Consumption In Modular Construction, Md Mukul Chowdhury

Theses and Dissertations

With the increased practice of modularization and prefabrication, the construction industry gained the benefits of quality management, improved completion time, reduced site disruption and vehicular traffic, and improved overall safety and security. Whereas industrialized construction methods, such as modular and manufactured buildings, have evolved over decades, core techniques used in prefabrication plants vary only slightly from those employed in traditional site-built construction. With a focus on energy and cost efficient modular construction, this research presents the development of a simulation, measurement and optimization system for energy consumption in the manufacturing process of modular construction. The system is based on Lean …

Understanding The Behavior Of Embankment Dams Under Blast Loading, Courtney L. Busch

Civil Engineering ETDs

This purpose of this study is to investigate the deformation-induced stability of earthen embankment dams to explosive airblast loading. This study specifically investigated the effects of close-in explosive airblast loads on the downstream toe of a homogeneous earthen embankment dam composed of cohesive soils. Small-scale explosive airblast experiments were performed on cohesive soils to obtain an experimental data set with which to compare numerical analyses. Experimental measurements included crater geometry, ground vibration energy, and air overpressure from the blast events. Laboratory tests were conducted on the experiment soils to obtain engineering properties including shear strength and compressibility indices. Finite element …

Experimental And Computational Study On Fracture Mechanics Of Multilayered Structures, Hai Thanh Tran

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Many devices in electronics are in the form of multilayered structures. These structures can fail catastrophically if they contain defects or cracks. Enhancing their fracture properties is therefore critical to improve the reliability of the systems. The interface-dominated fracture mechanics of multilayered structure was studied using experiments and finite element (FE) modeling by considering two examples: thin films on polymer substrates in flexible electronics and Cu leadframe/epoxy molding compound (EMC) in micro-electronics packaging.

In the first example, aluminum-manganese (Al-Mn) thin films with Mn concentration up to 20.5 at.% were deposited on polyimide (PI) substrates. A variety of phases, including supersaturated …

Survey Of Selected Additively Manufactured Propellant For Arc-Ignition Of Hybrid Rockets, Stephen A. Whitmore, Stephen L. Merkley, Louis Tonc, Spencer D. Mathias

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Results of a testing campaign to assess multiple commercially available three-dimensional printer materials for effectiveness in an arc-ignition system for hybrid rockets are presented. Previously, a form of additive manufacturing known as fused deposition modeling was used to fabricate high-density acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) fuel grains so that, when properly layered, they possess unique electrical breakdown properties. When subjected to an inductive charge, an electrical arc flows along the layered material surface and seeds combustion when the arc occurs simultaneously with the introduction of an oxidizing flow. This study investigates commercially available three-dimensional printable materials to search for equivalent or …

Housing In Nonmetropolitan Nebraska: Perceptions Of Supply And Condition: 2016 Nebraska Rural Poll Results, Rebecca J. Vogt, Cheryl A. Burkhart-Kriesel, Randolph L. Cantrell, Bradley Lubben, L. J. Mcelravy

Rural Futures Institute: Publications

Conclusion

Most rural Nebraskans own their home. And, when asked about housing programs or priorities they would support in their community, most rural Nebraskans support programs that help seniors age in their homes, programs that would help upgrade the condition of existing homes and providing affordable rental housing. They are less likely to support organizing volunteer efforts to maintain existing housing stock, but still one-half support this option as well.

Support for one of the programs differs by community size. Persons living in or near larger communities are more likely than persons living in or near smaller communities to support …

Sputtering Power Effects On Growth And Mechanical Properties Of Cr2alc Max Phase Coatings, Muhammad Naveed, Aleksei Obrosov, Andrzej Zak, Wlodzimierz Dudzinski, Alex A. Volinsky, Sabine Weiß

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Coating growth and mechanical properties of nanolamellar Cr₂AlC coatings at various sputtering power were investigated in the present study. Cr₂AlC coating was deposited on the IN 718 superalloy and (100) Si wafers by DC magnetron sputtering at different sputtering powers. The structure and properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoindentation. It was found that coatings had columnar structure with nanocrystalline substructure. Deposition rate increased with the sputtering power. XRD results showed the presence of the Cr₂AlC MAX phase, intermetallic AlCr₂ and Cr_{7 …}

Pyrolysis Of Wastewater Biosolids Significantly Reduces Estrogenicity, T. C. Hoffman, Daniel Zitomer, Patrick J. Mcnamara

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Most wastewater treatment processes are not specifically designed to remove micropollutants. Many micropollutants are hydrophobic so they remain in the biosolids and are discharged to the environment through land-application of biosolids. Micropollutants encompass a broad range of organic chemicals, including estrogenic compounds (natural and synthetic) that reside in the environment, a.k.a. environmental estrogens. Public concern over land application of biosolids stemming from the occurrence of micropollutants hampers the value of biosolids which are important to wastewater treatment plants as a valuable by-product. This research evaluated pyrolysis, the partial decomposition of organic material in an oxygen-deprived system under high temperatures, as …

C-3 Examination Of Anodized Aluminum For Surface Defects After Thermal Cycles, Boon-Chai Ng

Celebration of Research and Creative Scholarship

A major cost in the fabrication of test sockets is the interposer, an interface layer that reroutes one connection to another. The interposer must have high resistivity with low loss, a smooth surface finish, high strength, resistance to chemicals involved in the process, and be extremely thin. Currently, the most common materials used for interposer are plastics, such as Torlon, Semitron, and PEEK. While these satisfy the requirements for test sockets, they do not perform well under higher ambient temperatures. Finding a less expensive, alternative material would be preferable.

In this study, anodized aluminum samples were subjected to repeat thermal …

Effect Of Rainfall Timing And Tillage On The Transport Of Steroidhormones In Runoff From Manure Amended Row Crop Fields, Sagor Biswas, William L. Kranz, Charles A. Shapiro, Daniel D. Snow, Shannon L. Bartelt-Hunt, Mitiku Mamo, David D. Tarkalson, Tian C. Zhang, David P. Shelton, Simon J. Van Donk, Terry L. Mader

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Runoff generated from livestock manure amended row crop fields is one of the major pathways of hormone transport to the aquatic environment. The study determined the effects of manure handling, tillage methods, and rainfall timing on the occurrence and transport of steroid hormones in runoff from the row crop field. Stockpiled and composted manure from hormone treated and untreated animals were applied to test plots and subjected to two rainfall simulation events 30 days apart. During the two rainfall simulation events, detection of any steroid hormone or metabolites was identified in 8–86% of runoff samples from any tillage and manure …

Behavioral Modeling And Fpga Synthesis Of Ieee 802.11n Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (Ofdm) Scheme, Ragahv Sharma

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the field of communications, a high data rate and low multi-path fading is required for efficient information exchange. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a widely accepted IEEE 802.11n (and many others) standard for usage in communication systems operating in fading dispersive channels. In this thesis, we modeled the OFDM algorithm at the behavioral level in VHDL/Verilog that was successfully synthesized/verified on an FPGA. Due to rapid technology scaling, FPGAs have become popular and are low-cost and high performance alternatives to (semi-) custom ASICs. Further, due to reprogramming flexibility, FPGAs are useful in rapid prototyping. As per the IEEE …

Anisotropic Contrast Optical Microscope, D. Peev, T. Hofmann, N. Kananizadeh, S. Beeram, E. Rodriguez, S. Wimer, K.B. Rodenhausen, C.M. Herzinger, T. Kasputis, E. Pfaunmiller, A. Nguyen, Rafal Korlacki, A. Pannier, Y. Li, E. Schubert, D. Hage, M. Schubert

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

An optical microscope is described that reveals contrast in the Mueller matrix images of a thin, transparent, or semi-transparent specimen located within an anisotropic object plane (anisotropic filter). The specimen changes the anisotropy of the filter and thereby produces contrast within the Mueller matrix images. Here we use an anisotropic filter composed of a semi-transparent, nanostructured thin film with sub-wavelength thickness placed within the object plane. The sample is illuminated as in common optical microscopy but the light is modulated in its polarization using combinations of linear polarizers and phase plate (compensator) to control and analyze the state of polarization. …