Engineering Commons^™

Dynamic Response Analysis Of Micro-Grid With Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, Chia-Yu Hsu, Ming-Wang Chen, Pei-Hwa Huang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the dynamic responses of micro-grid with Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system. The power sources of the studied micro-grid system include an OTEC generator and a wind generator. Three different types of OTEC generation systems, i.e., open-cycle, closed-cycle, and hybrid-cycle, are considered, under the conditions with the same temperature of sea water and output of generator. When the system operates in an islanding or gridconnected mode, the responses subject to load variation are quite different. As the system operates in the grid-connected mode, the voltage and frequency are less affected by …

Cyclic Shear Behavior Characteristics Of Marine Silty Sand, Su Won Son, Min Jae Ko, Jin Man Kim

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Owing to the high demand for energy supply, the use of offshore wind turbines as a renewable and environment-friendly energy source has been remarkably increased. After installation in the ocean, the offshore structure foundations and soil that support them are subjected to cyclic loading from wind and waves. In this study, laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the shear behavior characteristics of the marine soil subjected to cyclic loading. Utilizing a cyclic direct simple shear (CDSS) test apparatus, the undrained shear failure behavior of marine silty sand was investigated. The results show that the cyclic behavior and permanent shear strain …

Research On Integration And Sharing Solutions For Big Structured Data For The Marine Environment, Wei Wang, Wenfang Cheng, Jing Chen, Ya-Nan Yu, Jianxun Zhang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The data-intensive science, a new paradigm in scientific discovery, demands an urgent solution to integrate and share big marine environment data. Through the modeling of marine environmental features (such as Temperature, Salinity, Density et al.), a novel solution is presented in this paper. This solution employs Hadoop and Hbase, based on the Bigtable algorithm first proposed by Google Inc. By using hierarchical technology, scalability of the data integration framework is realized. Additionally, an efficient execution of various queries is realized by using the customized auxiliary index algorithm. In the experimental cluster environment constructed from four ordinary personal computers, experiments involving …

A Simplified Analytical Method For Estimating Flow-Induced Vibration Responses Of Hydraulic Structures Caused By Flow Fluctuation, Ya-Chao Wu, Lu Lu, Qin-Man Fan, Yun Dong, Chun-Yuan Zuo

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In many hydraulic engineering investigations of flow-induced vibration responses, a model test is necessary but yet expensive. In this article, an equilibrium equation between the operation of fluctuating pressure and the work done by damping is established to provide a simplified analytical method for estimating the flow-induced vibration responses of hydraulic structures caused by water flow fluctuations. This approach is based on the Westergaard solution. The flow-induced vibration of water flowing around a dividing wall, the flood discharge vibration of the Liuxihe arch dam, and the flow-induced vibration of the Ertan hyperbolic arch dam are presented to explain the detailed …

Coupling Of Oxidation-Reduction Reactions Of Chromium, Iron And Manganese: Implications For The Fate And Mobility Of Chromium In Aquatic Environments, Chao Pan

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Both within the United States and internationally, hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a contaminant of concern in drinking water supplies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering a Cr(VI)-specific standard. Thus improved technologies for Cr(VI) removal in drinking water are needed. Iron electrocoagulation for Cr(VI) removal was examined at conditions directly relevant to drinking water treatment, and humic acid (HA) affects the performance of electrocoagulation in multiple ways. The success of the chromium treatment or remediation also relies on the stability of the Cr(III)-containing solids with respect to reoxidation under groundwater conditions. Manganese is ubiquitous in aquatic and terrestrial environments, and …

Bio-Inspired Multi-Spectral And Polarization Imaging Sensors For Image-Guided Surgery, Nimrod Missael Garcia

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Image-guided surgery (IGS) can enhance cancer treatment by decreasing, and ideally eliminating, positive tumor margins and iatrogenic damage to healthy tissue. Current state-of-the-art near-infrared fluorescence imaging systems are bulky, costly, lack sensitivity under surgical illumination, and lack co-registration accuracy between multimodal images. As a result, an overwhelming majority of physicians still rely on their unaided eyes and palpation as the primary sensing modalities to distinguish cancerous from healthy tissue. In my thesis, I have addressed these challenges in IGC by mimicking the visual systems of several animals to construct low power, compact and highly sensitive multi-spectral and color-polarization sensors. I …

Comparison Of The Bi-Directional Performance Of Micro-Channel Sieve And Thin-Film Time Peripheral Nerve Interfaces, Robert Coker

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Sophisticated motorized prosthetic limbs contain multiple degrees of freedom of motion as well as embedded pressure and angle transducers to provide sensory feedback in amputees. Although several central neural recording and stimulation modalities exist for both controlling these motions and providing sensory feedback from a prosthetic limb, directly interfacing the peripheral nerves which originally innervated the limb has many advantages. A difficulty with this bi-directional approach is that electrically stimulating axons to provide haptic feedback creates stimulation artifacts at neighboring recording sites within the nerve that are several orders of magnitude larger than the electroneurogram used for control. In this …

Soft Foam Robot With Caterpillar-Inspired Gait Regimes For Terrestrial Locomotion, Cassandra M. Donatelli, Zachary T. Serlin, Piers Echols-Jones, Anthony E. Scibelli, Alexandra Cohen, Jeanne-Marie Musca, Shane Rozen-Levy, David Buckingham, Robert White, Barry A. Trimmer

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Caterpillars are the soft bodied larvae of lepidopteran insects. They have evolved to occupy an extremely diverse range of natural environments and to locomote in complex three-dimensional structures without articulated joint or hydrostatic control. These animals make excellent bio-inspiration for the field of soft robotics because of their diversity and adaptability. In this paper, we present SquMA Bot, a caterpillar-inspired soft robot. The robot's body is primarily composed of a soft viscoelastic foam, and it is actuated using a motor-tendon system. SquMA Bot is able to mimic the inching gait of a caterpillar and can use its flexible body to …

Load Balancing With Energy Storage Systems Based On Co-Simulation Of Multiple Smart Buildings And Distribution Networks, Shaun Duerr, Cristinel Ababei, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In this paper, we present a co-simulation framework that combines two main simulation tools, one that provides detailed multiple building energy simulation ability with Energy-Plus being the core engine, and the other one that is a distribution level simulator, Matpower. Such a framework can be used to develop and study district level optimization techniques that exploit the interaction between a smart electric grid and buildings as well as the interaction between buildings themselves to achieve energy and cost savings and better energy management beyond what one can achieve through techniques applied at the building level only. We propose a heuristic …

Drone-Enabled Remote Sensing For Transportation Infrastructure Assessment, Colin Brooks

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS or “drones”) are a rapidly developing technology that can help meet the needs of transportation agencies for reliable, repeatable data that can save money and increase safety for the data collection process. By taking advantage of flexible platforms that can deploy a variety of sensors, transportation agencies and their information suppliers can help meet these data needs for operations, asset management, and other areas. Location-specific data on infrastructure condition and distresses can help with improved management of assets.

In this presentation, recent applied research led by a Michigan Technological University team is reviewed, with a focus …

Fifa: Exploring A Focally Induced Fault Attack Strategy In Near-Threshold Computing, Prabal Basu, Chidhambaranathan Rajamanikkam, Aatreyi Bal, Pramesh Pandey, Trevor Carter, Koushik Chakraborty, Sanghamitra Roy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In this letter, we explore the emerging security threats of near-threshold computing (NTC). Researchers have shown that the delay sensitivity of a circuit to supply voltage variation tremendously increases, as the circuit's operating conditions shift from traditional super-threshold values to NTC values. As a result, NTC systems become extremely vulnerable to timing fault attacks, jeopardizing trustworthy computing. Inspired by the operation of a polymorphic virus, we propose a novel threat model for NTC, referred to as a focally induced fault attack (FIFA). FIFA employs a machine learning framework to ascertain the circuit vulnerabilities and generates targeted software modules to cause …

Development Of The New Educational Content "Small Uas In Civil Engineering Application Scenarios", E. Levin, K. Vach, R. Shults

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The key point of this paper is presentation of the main idea and some results of the project "Small UAS in civil engineering application scenarios" (SUAS-CAS). This project was proposed by newly established in 2016 ISPRS WG V/7: "Innovative Technologies in Training Civil Engineers and Architects". Here we are presenting our experience in using low-cost UAS in training architects at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, which was chosen as basic for this project. In the first part of paper, the project outline is presented. Then the first and possible follow project outcomes were described. In some details is …

Factors Affecting The Evolution Of Inclusion Populations During Steelmaking And Casting Processes, Obinna Adaba, Laura Bartlett, Mingzhi Xu, Ronald J. O'Malley

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Investigations into the evolution of inclusion populations during ladle processing and continuous casting are reviewed. Details of the steelmaking practices employed in BOP and EAF steelmaking have been observed to have a strong influence on the size distribution, quantity, composition, phases and morphology of the final inclusion population delivered to the caster. Examples of the effects of different processing paths on the evolution of inclusion populations are presented. The importance of preexisting inclusion populations on the formation and removal of new inclusion populations is also reviewed and discussed.

Multiphase Flow Modeling For Design And Optimization Of A Novel Down-Flow Bubble Column, Mutharasu Lalitha Chockalingam

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The application of the Euler-Euler framework based Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models for simulating the two-phase gas-liquid bubbly flow in down-flow bubble columns is discussed in detail. Emphasis is given towards the modelling and design optimization of a novel down-flow bubble column. The design features of this novel down-flow bubble column and its advantages over a conventional Plunging Jet down-flow bubble column are discussed briefly. Then, some of the present challenges in simulating a conventional Plunging Jet down-flow bubble column in the Euler-Euler framework is highlighted, and a sigmoid function based drag modification function is implemented to overcome those challenges. …

Layer-By-Layer Assembled Membranes With Immobilized Porins, Sebastián Hernández, Cassandra Porter, Xinyi Zhang, Yinan Wei, Dibakar Bhattacharyya

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

New and advanced opportunities are arising for the synthesis and functionalization of membranes with selective separation, reactivity, and stimuli-responsive behavior. One such advancement is the integration of bio-based channels in membrane technologies. By a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of polyelectrolytes, outer membrane protein F trimers (OmpF) or “porins” from Escherichia coli with central pores ∼2 nm in diameter at their opening and ∼0.7 × 1.1 nm at their constricted region are immobilized within the pores of poly(vinylidene fluoride) microfiltration membranes, in contrast to traditional ruptured lipid bilayer or vesicle processes. These OmpF-membranes demonstrate selective rejection of non-charged organics over ionic solutes, …

Combined Noncyclic Scheduling And Advanced Control For Continuous Chemical Processes, Damon Petersen, Logan D. R. Beal, Derek Prestwich, Sean Warnick, John Hedengren

Faculty Publications

A novel formulation for combined scheduling and control of multi-product, continuous chemical processes is introduced in which nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) and noncyclic continuous-time scheduling are efficiently combined. A decomposition into nonlinear programming (NLP) dynamic optimization problems and mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problems, without iterative alternation, allows for computationally light solution. An iterative method is introduced to determine the number of production slots for a noncyclic schedule during a prediction horizon. A filter method is introduced to reduce the number of MILP problems required. The formulation’s closed-loop performance with both process disturbances and updated market conditions is demonstrated through …

Context-Sensitive Human Activity Classification In Video Utilizing Object Recognition And Motion Estimation, Abigail R. Jacoby

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Classification of human activity in raw video presents a challenging problem that remains unsolved, and is of great interest for large datasets. Though there have been several attempts at applying image processing techniques to video to recognize human activity in controlled video segments, few have attained a significant degree of success in raw videos.

Raw video classification exhibits significant challenges that can be addressed through the use of geometric information. Current techniques employ a combination of temporal information of the feature space or a combination of Convolutional and Recurrent Neural Networks (CNN and RNNs). CNNs are used for frame feature …

Sexual Recombination And Increased Mutation Rate Expedite Evolution Of Escherichia Coli In Varied Fitness Landscapes, George Peabody, Hao Li, Katy Kao

Faculty Publications

Sexual recombination and mutation rate are theorized to play different roles in adaptive evolution depending on the fitness landscape; however, direct experimental support is limited. Here we examine how these factors affect the rate of adaptation utilizing a “genderless” strain of Escherichia coli capable of continuous in situ sexual recombination. The results show that the populations with increased mutation rate, and capable of sexual recombination, outperform all the other populations. We further characterize two sexual and two asexual populations with increased mutation rate and observe maintenance of beneficial mutations in the sexual populations through mutational sweeps. Furthermore, we experimentally identify …

Analysis And Calculation Of Electrostatic Force For Multiple Particles To Demonstrate Particles' Behavior Towards-Equilibrium, Nandine Mitra

Student Theses and Dissertations

Within the field of physics, mathematics & engineering, the aim of modern research is tending towards to depict the accurate model of particular phenomenon with proper explanation. With the help of established theories, it is possible to determine specific modeling for the desired physical observation, leading toward new discoveries. Within the field of theoretical physics, the term of electrostatic force is very common. By Coulomb’s Law, interaction between two charged particles can be described easily in terms of electrostatic force. But to outline interactions between multiple particles towards equilibrium is still a challenge. Here, in our work, we look into …

A Framework Towards Technology Creation In Africa: Focusing On Ghana, Martin Yao Donani, Hannatu Abue Kugblenu, Azindow Bawa Fuseini

International Journal of African Development

Underdevelopment in Africa has been historical and a global concern coupled with the quest for good governance. Several efforts have been made in academia, national governments, the international community, and other institutional arrangements to reverse the trend. These efforts however are yet to produce a lasting result as Africa is still characterized by low productivity output, poverty and a widening technology gap when compared to other developing regions of the world. Conventional approaches used to address the African problem have consistently been devoid of indigenous technology development. Technology is here seen as paramount to every form of production on which …

Synergistic Interactions Of H2 And N2 With Molten Gallium In The Presence Of Plasma, Maria L. Carreon, Daniel F. Jaramillo-Cabanzo, Indira Chaudhuri, Madhu Menon, Mahendra K. Sunkara

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The present study examines the interaction of hydrogen and nitrogen plasmas with gallium in an effort to gain insights into the mechanisms behind the synergetic effect of plasma and a catalytic metal. Absorption/desorption experiments were performed, accompanied by theoretical-computational calculations. Experiments were carried out in a plasma-enhanced, Ga-packed, batch reactor and entailed monitoring the change in pressure at different temperatures. The results indicated a rapid adsorption/dissolution of the gas into the molten metal when gallium was exposed to plasma, even at a low temperature of 100 °C. The experimental observations, when hydrogen was used, indicate that gallium acts as a …

Association Between Left Ventricular Mechanics And Diffuse Myocardial Fibrosis In Patients With Repaired Tetralogy Of Fallot: A Cross-Sectional Study, Christopher M. Haggerty, Jonathan D. Suever, Arichanah Pulenthiran, Abba Mejia-Spiegeler, Gregory J. Wehner, Linyuan Jing, Richard J. Charnigo, Brandon K. Fornwalt, Mark A. Fogel

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Background: Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) have progressive, adverse biventricular remodeling, leading to abnormal contractile mechanics. Defining the mechanisms underlying this dysfunction, such as diffuse myocardial fibrosis, may provide insights into poor long-term outcomes. We hypothesized that left ventricular (LV) diffuse fibrosis is related to impaired LV mechanics.

Methods: Patients with TOF were evaluated with cardiac magnetic resonance in which modified Look-Locker (MOLLI) T1-mapping and spiral cine Displacement encoding (DENSE) sequences were acquired at three LV short-axis positions. Linear mixed modeling was used to define the association between regional LV mechanics from DENSE based on regional T1-derived diffuse …

Impacts Of Power System-Tied Distributed Generation On The Performance Of Protection Systems, Terver T. Maor

Electrical Engineering Theses

The dispersed integration of smaller power units in the existing utility grid is the new trend. This is largely due to changes in the power generation and distribution markets. The combination of rising cost of new construction, deregulations and improved newer power equipment technologies suitable for deferred expansions make the new trend very attractive to power companies and independent investors. Until recently, other contributions to power distribution systems from such sources as standby units were considered negligible and therefore unaccounted for during the design and operation of power systems. This view has drastically changed, largely due to the increasing penetration …

Nanostructured Apatite-Mullite Glass-Ceramics For Enhanced Primary Human Osteoblast Cell Response, Gordon Cooke, Conor Dunne, Sarah Keane, Daithi De Faoite, Seamas Donnelly, Kenneth Stanton

Articles

This work investigates the difference in viability of primary human foetal osteoblast cells on a glass-ceramic surface with nanoscale topography relative to viability on a smooth glass-ceramic surface containing a bioactive phase. Apatite-mullite glass-ceramics containing bioactive fluorapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆F₂) and bioinert mullite (Si₂Al₆O₁₃) were synthesised and subsequent heat-treatment was optimised to form nano-sized fluorapatite crystals. Etching was used to selectively remove the bioactive phase, producing a surface with disordered nanoscale topography. Cells were seeded onto a smooth polished glass-ceramic substrate with the bioactive phase intact, an etched …

Bi-Axial Tissue Stretching Machine: Mems 411 Senior Design Project, Wending Zhu, Martin Valkov, Jordan Patterson

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

This report contains information on the development of a device to strain polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel samples. The device was made with the purpose of gathering data on the creation of anisotropy in brain tissue-like materials, such as PVA, by repeatedly subjecting materials to strain in low temperatures.

Asme Soccer Robot- Group V, Gonzalo Berluzconi, Lyndon Zhao, Chan-Hwi Cho

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

The ASME design challenge, featuring a soccer playing robot theme, was attempted and successfully completed. A robot was built that could move in all directions for translational motion, while a Foosball inspired kicking function completed the design.

Tissue Stretcher Research Device, Taylor Vitunic, Zhang Liu, Edward Tiemann

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

This senior design project resulted in a prototype of a tissue stretcher for a particular need in a lab at WashU. The prototype uses a stepper motor, micrometer, force transducer, linear slide, and manufactured couplings to precisely record the stress strain response of a bio-tissue through different protocols. This is a holistic report encompassing all parts of the design process from the initial goal to design creation and evaluation to assembly.

3d Printed Below-The-Knee Prosthetic Leg, Sam Jamison, Katelin Fournier, Isabelle Agostini

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

There are over 2 million amputees in the United States and more than 90 percent of amputations done today are for lower limbs. While there are highly advanced options on the market today, there are still several areas of improvement. For instance, there are not many options that are completely waterproof, and the more advanced ones are extremely expensive and heavy. Our project idea is to create a below-the-knee prosthetic leg that is water resistant, affordable, and promotes comfort. The leg will be designed to disperse the loads and stresses over the whole structure using 3D printing and supporting metal …

Light Activated Blinds Group K, Griffin Beriont, Kessashun Arthur, Madeline Stadler

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

The purpose of this project is to develop an attachable device to a pair of rolling blinds that will automatically open them when sunlight is detected and close them when the sun goes down. This device will promote energy efficiency during warmer and colder months. And be a commodity for those who tend to forget to open close blinds.

Threading Mechanism For A Home Warp Knitting Machine, Daniel Martin, Samuel Fortmann, Andrew O'Sullivan

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

A home warp knitting machine has a huge disadvantage compared to weft knitting in that it is very difficult to start up. Though it can provide better quality garments, each needle requires a thread to be individually loaded. If this problem could be mechanically solved, a home warp knitting machine would be feasible. Our machine should be able to spool out the appropriate amount of thread onto smaller spools which can then be loaded into the various needles. However it is able to do this, it should not take up more space than reasonably allocated by thread volume itself, and …