Engineering Commons^™

Peak Vertical Ground Reaction Force & Stance Phase Time To Assess Post-Tka Interlimb Asymmetry, Abderrahman Ouattas

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

In the US, more than 500,000 TKA surgeries are performed annually, to which 97% of those are led by OA¹. Although knee pain is diminished post-TKA, unilateral efficiency and walking asymmetry is still unresolved several years after the surgery². In fact, within a minimum of 10 years after the primary TKA, almost 50% of patients undergo a secondary TKA on the contralateral limb due to OA progression³. The purpose of this study was to determine if post-Total Knee Arthroplasty peak vertical ground reaction force (pVGRF) asymmetry could be identified using stance phase time differences …

Acl Reconstruction Results In Alterations For Force Control Variability During Multidirectional Force Production, Amelia S. Lanier

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture most will undergo reconstructive surgery. Within the first year after surgery 25% of patients will re-tear their ACL. Most of those injured attempt to return to sports which include running and cutting. The ability to produce appropriate ground reaction forces may be crucial for the successful return to sports without re-injury. Understanding stability of multidirectional ground reaction force (mGRF) production in healthy and ACL reconstructed (ACL-r) patients can lend insight to the high instance of re-injury. Typically, stability has been measured using linear analyses, but these analyses cannot capture the subtle time varying changes …

The Effects Of Walking Speed On Gait Propulsion When Wearing An Ankle-Foot Orthosis, Alli Kalina

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a cardiovascular disease that results from blockage of one or more arteries in the lower extremity. Often, patients with PAD have reduced ability to push off with the foot at the end of the gait cycle. When walking, the ankle contributes the majority of the power to propel the body into the next step. An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is a device that aids in ankle propulsion by increasing the energy return, thus decreasing the ankle deficit in pathological individuals. The purpose is to investigate the effect of walking speed on ankle propulsion during walking. Subjects …

A Comparison Of Modis/Viirs Cloud Masks Over Ice-Bearing River: On Achieving Consistent Cloud Masking And Improved River Ice Mapping, Simon Kraatz, Reza Khanbilvardi, Peter Romanov

Publications and Research

The capability of frequently and accurately monitoring ice on rivers is important, since it may be possible to timely identify ice accumulations corresponding to ice jams. Ice jams are dam-like structures formed from arrested ice floes, and may cause rapid flooding. To inform on this potential hazard, the CREST River Ice Observing System (CRIOS) produces ice cover maps based on MODIS and VIIRS overpass data at several locations, including the Susquehanna River. CRIOS uses the respective platform’s automatically produced cloud masks to discriminate ice/snow covered grid cells from clouds. However, since cloud masks are produced using each instrument’s data, and …

Higher-Order Power Harmonics Of Pulsed Electrical Stimulation Modulates Corticospinal Contribution Of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation, Chiun-Fan Chen, Marom Bikson, Li-Wei Chou, Chunlei Shan, Niranjan Khadka, Wen-Shiang Chen, Felipe Fregni

Engineering Science Faculty Publications

It is well established that electrical-stimulation frequency is crucial to determining the scale of induced neuromodulation, particularly when attempting to modulate corticospinal excitability. However, the modulatory effects of stimulation frequency are not only determined by its absolute value but also by other parameters such as power at harmonics. The stimulus pulse shape further influences parameters such as excitation threshold and fiber selectivity. The explicit role of the power in these harmonics in determining the outcome of stimulation has not previously been analyzed. In this study, we adopted an animal model of peripheral electrical stimulation that includes an amplitude-adapted pulse train …

Big Data And The Future Of Travel Modeling, Greg Macfarlane

PSU Transportation Seminars

New technologies such as smart phones and web applications constantly collect data on individuals' trip-making and travel patterns. Efforts at using these "Big data" products, to date, have focused on using them to expand or inform traditional travel demand modeling frameworks; however, it is worth considering if a new framework built to maximize the strengths of big data would be more useful to policy makers and planners.

In this presentation Greg Macfarlane will present a discussion on elements of travel models that could quickly benefit from big data and concurrent machine learning techniques, and results from a preliminary application of …

Structural Strength Evaluation And Retrofitting Of Hangar Q At Millville Airport, Harshdutta Indradutta Pandya

Theses and Dissertations

Hangar Q was built in Millville, New Jersey as a part of the Home Defense Program of World War II. The airport is now owned and operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) as the Millville Airport. Hangar Q was a historic nine-bow truss hangar when it was first constructed, standing at 30 feet high, 130 feet wide, and 160 feet deep. It was originally constructed with no side walls and no back wall or front roll-up doors. It was later updated from a completely open design to a closed design. The objective of this study was to …

Lightweight Three-Factor Authentication And Key Agreement Protocol For Internet-Integrated Wireless Sensor Networks, Qi Jiang, Sherali Zeadally, Jianfeng Ma, Debiao He

Information Science Faculty Publications

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) will be integrated into the future Internet as one of the components of the Internet of Things, and will become globally addressable by any entity connected to the Internet. Despite the great potential of this integration, it also brings new threats, such as the exposure of sensor nodes to attacks originating from the Internet. In this context, lightweight authentication and key agreement protocols must be in place to enable end-to-end secure communication. Recently, Amin et al. proposed a three-factor mutual authentication protocol for WSNs. However, we identified several flaws in their protocol. We found that their …

The Continuous Synthesis Of Pd Supported On Fe3o4 Nanoparticles: A Highly Effective And Magnetic Catalyst For Co Oxidation, Hany A. Elazab

Chemical Engineering

We report a facile approach used for the simultaneous reduction and synthesis of a well dispersed magnetically separable palladium nanoparticle supported on magnetite (Pd/Fe3O4 nanoparticles) via continuous flow synthesis under microwave irradiation conditions, using a Wave Craft’s microwave flow reactor commercially known as ArrheniusOne, which can act as a unique process for the synthesis of highly active catalysts for carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation catalysis. The prepared catalysts are magnetic, which is an advantage in the separation process of the catalyst from the reaction medium. The separation process is achieved by applying a strong external magnetic field which makes the separation …

Efficacy Of Natural Plant Extracts In Antimicrobial Packaging Systems, Kofi Jocelyn Brobbey, Jarkko J. Saarinen Adj. Prof., Hanna-Leena Alakomi Dr., Baoru Yang Prof., Martti Toivakka Prof.

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

Antimicrobial plant extracts used in food packaging provide a healthy packaging alternatives. They contain aromatic and phenolic compounds that are responsible for their antibacterial properties. In this study, we report the antibacterial effects of extracts obtained from sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) leaves, and inner bark of pine trees (Pinus silvestris) that were applied as coatings on paper suitable for packaging application. Extracts from sea buckthorn leaves exhibited antibacterial effect both as a solvent extract and as a coating on paper against Pseudomonas aeruginosa as test bacteria. However, coatings of pine bark extract did not exhibit …

Power-Aware Datacenter Networking And Optimization, Qing Yi

Dissertations and Theses

Present-day datacenter networks (DCNs) are designed to achieve full bisection bandwidth in order to provide high network throughput and server agility. However, the average utilization of typical DCN infrastructure is below 10% for significant time intervals. As a result, energy is wasted during these periods. In this thesis we analyze traffic behavior of datacenter networks using traces as well as simulated models. Based on the insight developed, we present techniques to reduce energy waste by making energy use scale linearly with load. The solutions developed are analyzed via simulations, formal analysis, and prototyping. The impact of our work is significant …

Biomechanics And Imaging, Jingfeng Jiang

TechTalks

From the perspective of biomechanics, my research is multidisciplinary, bridging the gap between physiology/biology and quantitative sciences. Currently, the applications are on cancer detection and differentiation, therapeutic monitoring, staging liver fibrosis, risk assessment of aneurysm rupture, and more.

Professional Development, Outreach, And Technology Awareness With The Mobile Lab, Jeremy Worm

TechTalks

The Mobile Lab is a one of a kind mobile event facility operated by the Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APS LABS). The Mobile Lab travels the country providing hands-on Professional Development short courses, STEM Outreach, and as a venue for increasing awareness of new technologies. The Mobile Lab consists of a classroom, two full-functional powertrain test cells, a fleet of over 25 vehicles, and a chassis dynamometer. The configurability of the Mobile Lab enables support of virtually any technical or non-technical short course or outreach. The Mobile Lab commands attention, generating large crowds at conferences, expos, and community events, …

Food-Energy-Water Nexus Approaches To Climate Change Mitigation And Adaptation, David Watkins

TechTalks

The Food-Energy-Water (FEW) Nexus is defined by the complex interactions and interdependencies of basic resource provisioning systems that tend to be managed and regulated independently of one another. Coupled with maintaining ecosystem services, enhancing food, energy, and water security for the planet’s growing population represents a grand research challenge. With a focus on ecosystem services affected by climate change, two interdisciplinary FEW Nexus projects are briefly presented -- one informing decision making at the household level and the other informing water resources planning and stakeholder consensus at the regional level. At the household level, environmental impact models help to identify …

Implantable Sensors For Regenerative Medicine, Keat Ghee Ong

TechTalks

In vivo, real-time measurement of local environmental parameters such as strain, pressure, temperature, pH, oxygen tension and specific biomarkers can be valuable for regenerative medicine research and therapies. Wireless implantable sensors are an attractive approach for certain regenerative medicine applications due to its relative simplicity and low cost. Presented here are such two implantable sensors. The first sensor is based on a miniature wireless sensor network that can digitize physical and chemical parameters and continuously stream measurements to a nearby receiver via a 2-way communication protocol. With the incorporation of a strain gauge, this sensor platform was applied to record …

Model-Driven Design Of Materials, Gregory M. Odegard

TechTalks

Thomas Edison once said “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” The Edisonian approach to materials development has been the gold standard for most of human history. However, advances in computational speeds and modeling techniques over the last couple of decades have enabled new model-driven approaches to materials development, as manifested in the Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) and Materials Genome Initiative (MGI) efforts. By designing and simulating new materials in a computational environment, we can dramatically cut down on the cost and time associated with the Edisonian approach to material development. At Michigan Tech, …

Biodegradable Zinc Vascular Implant Materials, Jeremy Goldman

TechTalks

Bioabsorbable metal stents are being developed to mitigate the long-term side effects associated with corrosion-resistant stents. A decade-long research with iron (Fe)- and magnesium (Mg)-based stent materials has concluded with little success. Fe produces a voluminous, retained oxide product in the arterial wall, whereas Mg and its alloys corrode too rapidly. A breakthrough in the field of biodegradable metallic stents was made in 2013 in our research team (Drs. Goldman – Biomedical Engineering and Drelich – Materials Science and Engineering) with the introduction of zinc (Zn) and its alloys, which are free of the flaws observed for Fe- and Mg-based …

Application Of Gis To Prioritize Brownfield Sites For Green Building Construction Based On Leed Criteria, Can B. Aktas, Paul Bartholomew, Sabrina Church

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Although there are many initiatives to create incentives for investors and developers to invest in and redevelop brownfield sites, efficient prioritization of brownfields by taking into account environmental, economic, and social constraints remains a challenge. This study introduces a method to screen numerous brownfields over large geographic areas by using geographic information systems (GIS) and to assess and prioritize such sites for green building suitability based on leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) criteria. A case study was completed for the greater Bridgeport, Connecticut region. With 279 brownfield sites, the city has among the highest number of brownfields in …

Liquid Force Kite Control System Design, Brendan Kerr, Brodie Sutherland, Alden Simmer

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Kiteboarding is an ocean sport wherein the participant, also known as a kiter, uses a large inflatable bow shaped kite to plane across the ocean on a surfboard or wakeboard. The rider is connected to his or her kite via a control bar system. This control system allows the kiter to steer the kite and add or remove power from the kite, in order to change direction and increase or decrease speed. This senior project focused on creating a new control bar system to replace a control bar system manufactured by a kiteboarding company, Liquid Force. The current Liquid Force …

Colorado River Basin Environmental Water Transfers Scorecard, Leon Szeptycki, David Pilz

All In-stream Flows Material

The Colorado River and its tributaries support more than 35 million people and irrigate more than four million acres of farmland. At the same time, the river supports 30 fish species found nowhere else on earth and inspires millions of visitors and residents alike with its sheer beauty. However, growing water scarcity caused by increased water use, hydrologic variability and climate change loom over all the Colorado River provides.

Real-Time Flood Forecasting And Information System For The State Of Iowa, Witoldld F. Krajewski, Daniel Ceynar, Ibrahim Demir, Radoslaw Goska, Anton Kruger, Carmen Langel, Ricardo Mantilllla, James Niemeier, Felipe Quintero, Bong Chul Seo, Scott J. Smallll, Larry J. Weber, Nathan C. Young

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Iowa Flood Center's automated real-time flood forecasting and information system serves as a complement to the National Water Center's proposed national system.

Carnarvon Artesian Desalination Feasibility Study, Ghd, Carnarvon Growers Association, Gascoyne Water Co-Operative

Research Reports

Study scope

The scope of the study is summarised below;

 Review existing data and previous work,

 Visit Carnarvon (1 day), inspect water system facilities and convene Stakeholder Workshop No 1 with representatives from Carnarvon Growers Association, Gascoyne Water Co-operative and DAFWA. Agree 3 – 4 possible system configuration options to be investigated.

 Obtain and examine existing water quality data for artesian bore(s) incorporated within the study. Assess probable long term water quality and pumping heads.

 Develop preliminary design details for the agreed options in terms of pre-treatment, desalination and other system modifications required (eg bores, pump …

Creating The Foundation For A Startup: Design And Implementation Of A Database System For An Electrical Bicycle Rental Company, Alejandro Martinez

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

BoltAbout was started by 4 Cal Poly students, and their COO is a fellow Industrial Engineering student that I met during the first half of the senior project series class. He presented the project to me and I decided to work with him in developing this new database for his startup company. BoltAbout’s customer base is growing and current operations are not fit to meet the demand of a growing company. More specifically, their data management system can’t be used by all current employees to perform essential tasks such as rental processing, bicycle and equipment organization, and customer data analysis. …

A Study Into The Production Efficiency Of Cal Poly Chocolates, Fernando Calderon

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The project objective was to: identify ways to reduce the production cost of Cal Poly Chocolates. The project was executed through the DMAIC approach, a data driven improvement cycle. Using several industrial engineering tools, six improvement opportunities were found. Three project deliverables were created and three process changes were recommended. The total annual savings, if recommendations are implemented, sum to $1700.

Evergreen: A Senior Project, Ashley Grover

Computer Engineering

No abstract provided.

Life Cycle Environmental And Economic Performance Of Biochar Compared With Activated Carbon: A Meta-Analysis, Hashim A. Alhashimi, Can B. Aktas

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

As the commercial production and distribution of biochar continues to grow internationally, and its applications diversifying from its early uses as soil amendment, it is important to study the environmental impacts and economic performance of biochar in comparison to activated carbon in order to assess its value. The goal of the study was to assess, through a meta-analysis, the environmental and economic performance of biochar in comparison to activated carbon under an equivalent functional unit to adsorb heavy metals. More than 80 data points on adsorption capacity of biochar and activated carbon were identified through literature, which were statistically analyzed …

Orfalea College Of Business Fire Safety Analysis, Garth Ornelas

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

The following report discusses the fire and life safety factors for the Orfalea College of Business Building located on the main campus of California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. The building functions are primarily administrative and academic in nature, with various lecture halls, offices, and labs located throughout the building. The Business Building was constructed in 1989 following the 1985 Uniform Building Code (UBC). For the purposes of this report, the building will be evaluated using the 2015 International Building Code, NFPA Life Safety Code Handbook (Thirteenth Edition), SFPE Handbook (4th and 5th Editions), and the NFPA handbooks …

Wistron Greentech, Mckinney, Tx- Life Safety Evaluation, Charles R. Cates

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

A fire protection and life safety review of the Wistron GreenTech facility in McKinney, TX is performed. The facility was reviewed from both a prescriptive (building code) and performance based design per the codes summarized in the report. The prescriptive fire and life safety systems analyzed where the following: Building Code Analysis Including but not limited to: Occupancy classifications, Occupancy separations, Building height and areas, Type of construction, Fire resistive construction, Means of egress, Fire Alarm and Detection Systems, Automatic Fire Sprinklers & Water Supply, Special Hazards, Emergency Planning and Preparedness The prescriptive requirements in general where met, the exceptions …

Fire And Life Safety Report Orfalea College Of Business, Sulaiman Almohammadi

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

A comprehensive fire and life safety analysis was performed on the Orfalea College of Business. The report covers the prescriptive analysis of the building and the performance-based design analysis. The prescriptive analysis includes assessment of the relevant codes for egress system, water-based suppression system, alarm and detection system, and structural fire protection. The egress analysis under the Life Safety Code 2015 found the building meets the requirements of occupant load to exceed exit capacity, number of exits and its location, travel distances. Four rooms on the second floor that have not met the common path of travel distances limits were …

Inspire E-News 3 2017, College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences News

• SAE Baja vehicle shreds the track in the Blizzard Baja
• Engineering deans bring ideas and issues to Capitol Hill
• Formula SAE vehicle to hit the track at Fiat Chrysler before competition