Engineering Commons^™

Wet-Lay Process - A Novel Approach To Scalable Fabrication Of Tissue Scaffolds And Reinforcement Membranes, Andrew Thomas Wood

All ETDs from UAB

Fibrous materials received a great deal of interest in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to the beneficial cell-interactions and tunable properties for various biomedical applications. These materials are highly advantageous as they provide a large surface area for cellular attachment, proliferation, high porosity values for cellular in-growth, and the ability to modify the membrane to achieve desired responses to both mechanical loading as well as environmental stimuli. A prominent method currently used to fabricate such membranes is electrospinning which uses electrostatic forces to produce fibers on the range of nanometers giving them high morphological saliency to …

Low Trade-Off Security Schemes To Detect And Neutralize Malicious Modifications In Nano-Cmos Based Integrated Circuits, Nagendra Gunti

All ETDs from UAB

Security of Integrated electronics is threatened by the vulnerabilities such as the globalization of the Integrated Circuits (ICs) industry, where a computing chip can be manufactured anywhere in the world. Without trusted foundries, the systems they de- velop cannot necessarily be expected to perform as specified due to the susceptibility to attack by a malicious adversary. The threats which arise from malicious modifica- tions to the IC based computing hardware, can disable the system, leak information or produce malfunctions and also provide a back door entry to embedded systems like Cy- ber Physical System (CPS) or can even deny providing …

Alpha Rhythm And The Default Mode Network: An Eeg/Fmri Study, Anthony Dean Bowman

All ETDs from UAB

Reports of the relationship between the default mode network (DMN) and alpha power are conflicting in the literature. Our goal for this study was to assess this relationship by analyzing concurrently obtained EEG/fMRI data using hypothesis-independent methods. To accomplish this, we collected fMRI and EEG data during eyes-closed rest in 20 participants aged 19-37 (10 females) and performed independent component analysis on the fMRI data and a Hamming windowed Fast Fourier Transform on the EEG data. We correlated fMRI fluctuations in the DMN with alpha power. Of the six independent components (ICs) found to have significant relationships with alpha, four …

An Iterative Pricing Control Scheme For Renewable Integration In Residential Applications Using Inherent Thermal Energy Storage, Justin Michael Hill

All ETDs from UAB

Renewable energy continues to proliferate throughout the world as costs decrease and the public desire for clean energy rises. These sources are intermittent by nature, providing added complexity to its integration with existing grid infrastructure. This paper proposes an iterative pricing and energy consumption strategy between a utility and home energy management (HEM) system, acting on behalf of homeowners, with the goal of easing this integration while also decreasing homeowner energy costs, increasing utility profit and minimizing utility energy storage requirements. The strategy begins with a day-ahead energy cost profile developed by the utility using a mix of traditional and …

Electrophysiological Dynamics And Underlying Mechanisms Of Long Duration Ventricular Fibrillation, Ashleigh R. Hood

All ETDs from UAB

Sudden cardiac death claims more than 300,000 lives per year in the US alone. Because it frequently goes unwitnessed, the underlying ventricular fibrillation (VF) may persist for well over 5 minutes (long duration VF, or LDVF) before attempts at defibrillation, and successful defibrillation is often followed by post-shock arrhythmias and refibrillation. The development of novel and effective therapies for LDVF, which represents a significant unmet medical need, remains largely hindered by a relatively poor understanding of the arrhythmogenic onset and maintenance of LDVF, as well as its deleterious sequelae in the context of the whole heart. Prolonged VF has been …

Design, Testing, And Implementation Of Controls And Interface For An Adaptable Exercise Device For People With Physical Disabilities, John Hoyle

All ETDs from UAB

It has been widely noted that physical activity rates have become extremely low, while rates of sedentary life style and obesity have risen. An emerging strategy for improving healthy living has been to convert sedentary screen time into an opportunity for physical activity through active video games (AVGs). People with physical disabilities have consistently shown high incidence of physical inactivity, obesity, and other secondary conditions, and the majority of current exercise devices were not designed to accommodate those with physical disabilities. The current project worked to develop the controls and display interface for a highly adaptable exercise device for those …

Augmented Framework For Generating Domain-Specific Mobile Applications, Rama Krishna Raju Rudraraju

All ETDs from UAB

In this research, we developed a new approach called Augmented Framework to mean the integration of existing frameworks with domain-specific knowledge. The resulting framework provides a productive development environment suitable for app-developers to generate customized mobile-applications in the domain chosen by the framework developer. This process requires the application developer to provide specifications about the domain for customizing the generated mobile-applications. With this approach, the entire process of developing a mobile-application becomes simplified since it will only need minimum design and development effort. The approach for developing an Augmented Framework consists of three stages. The first stage consists of the …

Characterization Of Thermoplastics For Leaf Spring Application, Marvin Alejandro Munoz

All ETDs from UAB

Composite materials, especially thermoplastics, are now used extensively in the automotive industry to replace metal components. Three different glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites were compared to obtain an equivalent performance of a steel leaf spring. Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG), Polyamide 66 (PA 66) and Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) were the matrices considered for this research work. Mechanical testing (tensile, compressive, shear, flexural and moisture absorption) was performed to these three thermoplastic composites concluding that PPS is the best choice since it displayed the best overall properties. Once PPS was selected, a Design of Experiment (DOE), based on three level (3^k) factorial …

A Comparison Of The Bond Strength Of Spun And Static Cast Concrete Specimens, Kalyn Nicole Murray

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this study is to determine the pullout bond strength of seven wire steel strand in two types of concrete: spun and static cast. It is perceived that the spinning process used in the manufacturing of concrete poles introduces compaction forces that densifies the concrete and hence, improves the steel to concrete bond. Studies have successfully been conducted determining the bond strength of steel and concrete using the pullout test method; however, there are not any studies known of that address centrifugally cast concrete. In order to obtain data for the research, an experimental program was designed to …

An Audio-Based Security System, Hayden Christianson, Madi Mickelsen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Audio-Based Security System uses sound waves to map a room and detect intrusion. This provides a simpler, cheaper alternative to home and business security.

Agent: Autonomous Ground Electric Vehicle Navigation And Transmission, Braydn Clark, Allon Echols, Eric Green

Electrical and Computer Engineering

To demonstrate the feasibility of replacing the outdated and dangerous package delivery systems currently in place, it was proposed that a small autonomous vehicle be designed. In order to be a suitable replacement the small vehicle was to be charged wirelessly, avoid obstacles in its path, and have a minimal need for user input. AGENT is the result of that proposal.

Area Calculator Device, Tyson Howard

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The goal of this project was to design and construct a measuring tool capable of calculating the area of polygon shapes. Being able to accurately estimate area is important for certain career fields such as landscaping and real estate appraising. However, calculating the area of a shape is not always an easy task. The Area Calculator Device utilizes GPS technology for determining position data which is then used to determine area. The electronics used to calculate area were mounted to a distance measuring wheel. It seemed logical that an area calculating system would be convenient to use in conjunction with …

Automated Controller For A Hybrid Power System, Jonathan Walker

Electrical and Computer Engineering

This project explores the possibility for creating a low-cost control system for managing the power flow in a hybrid power system. The controller was designed to be installed in an existing off the grid cabin that uses both a propane generator and a solar powered battery bank to meet its power needs.

Classie-Talkie (The Classroom Walkie-Talkie), Weston Jensen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Classie-Talkie is a communication tool meant to facilitate communication between a professor and his students. Dr. Stephen Clyde, who is a professor at Utah State University, requires the aid of a microphone in order to effectively communicate with his students. His current system requires students to pass around a microphone if they wish to ask a question. Classie-Talkie enables students to use their laptop computer or smart-phone in place of the microphone to ask questions or make comments during class. Transmitting all voice over IP (voIP), all audio is transmitted to the central server, then ultimately transmitted directly to Dr. …

Enhanced Capability Fluorescence Microscope, Garrett Hinton

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Fluorescence microscopes provide researchers with capabilities to observe the behavior of cells. They have many uses, but they are expensive and hard to use due to complicated software that comes with them. Focusing on an image can also prove to be a tough task for a new user. Developing a cheaper, simpler fluorescence microscope with the ability to autofocus would be a great benefit to researchers who have limited time to learn an application.

Evautomation: Object Avoidance, Jonathan Tousley, Aaron Kunz

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Poster on design of an object avoidance in electric vehicles.

Fontaine: Adaptive Sprinkler Controller, Jason Christensen, Trevor Christensen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Fontaine is an automated sprinkler controller that adapts water usage based on weather conditions and local sensor data. It removes unneccesary watering and conserves water in a cost-effective and user friendly package.

Harry Potter Laser Tag, Skyler D. Cowley, Jaques Johansen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

For millennials, there are two great forms of entertainment: multimedia and adventure. Specifically, the rising generation have spent millions of hours collectively reading, viewing, imagining, and dreaming about magical worlds. They have also expended much energy and money in a Muggle-world physical game called laser tag. These two pastimes combined will create much enjoyment for this demographic.

Harry Potter Pinball, Jordan Haws, Joshua Lake, Tanner Olsen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

THE PROJECT:

Our modern, dynamic pinball machine:

• Controlled by microcontroller(s)
• Power supplied by AC/DC converters
• Introduction of dynamic components
• Addition of multi-level, objective gameplay

Classic pinball machine:

• Controlled by driver boards
• Power supplied by transformers
• Static playfield components
• Single level, objective gameplay

Infrared Radiometer Calibrator, Jason Gramse

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Research grade Infrared Radiometers measure surface temperature at high accuracies and require calibration. This project is a rapid and efficient calibration system for research grade radiometers. The goals of this project are:

• Rapid calibration process time of under 4 hours
• Reduce system complexity from historical versions
• Use liquid cooling instead of Peltier modules
• Attain calibration accuracies of +/-0.1C
• Compact and easily configurable design

Jarvis: Just A Rather Very Intelligent System, Mckord Harris, Dallin Riggs, Chui Vanfleet

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Many current home automation systems on the market today claim to be "Smart," but in reality are only glorified remote controls. Jarvis is being developed to make an intelligent home automation system that can control many aspects of the home. Although development of Jarvis started in 2009, many of the useful features were missing. This project was to extend Jarvis by adding home control and a natural voice-activated user-interface system.

Point-N-Share Binoculars, James Sargent, Zachary Hyatt

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Point-n-Share Binoculars are a pair of smart binoculars that can share locations. This is accomplished by using fused sensor data from

• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Laser Range Finder (LRF)
• Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)

Using an LRF, the distance between the user and target is determined. The pitch and heading of the binoculars is collected from the IMU. Using trigonometry, the true difference in GPS coordinates between the user and the target is calculated. That difference is then added to the user’s GPS coordinates to determine the coordinates of the target.

The GPS coordinates of the marked location are then transmitted …

Robotic Irrigation System, Cade Moody, Chance Scott, Ken Sills

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Problem: Common irrigation methods require excessive time, inconsistent water usage, and consistent monitioring.

Project Iris: Audio Visualization For The Hearing Impaired, Kenneth Raisor, Alex Wallentine, Eric Alsop, Tylen Smith

Electrical and Computer Engineering

• The goal of this project is to identify the source direction of ambient sound.
• This direction is then displayed on the AR glasses, providing a visual representation of sound information.
• This will allow the hearing impaired to see where sound is coming from.

Smart Pantry, Kory Bailey

Electrical and Computer Engineering

This project provides the design and production of a sensor that will track the contents of a user’s pantry. The Smart Pantry will be able to automatically detect changes in any pantry item and reflect that information on the user’s mobile device to make it faster, easier, and more reliable to track changes in one’s pantry.

Software-Defined Radio Direction Of Arrival Analysis, Sam Whiting

Electrical and Computer Engineering

A portable system that finds and displays direction of arrival (DOA) data.

Sawrm Of Autonomous Search And Rescue Drones, Ryan Jaynes, Rudolf Von Niederhausern

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Every year millions of dollars are spent on search and rescue missions with thousands of volunteers spending countless hours on these operations. We have designed a search and recue swarm that is capable of more effectively performing these search and rescue operations. Our drones are designed to comb a definable search area to find subjects.

We designed our drone with the following attributes in mind.

• Cost effectiveness
• Simplicity
• Flexibility

The Perfect Gift: Burnt Wood, Jaden Miller, Blaine Cook

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Laser Engraving System (LES) is a CNC-based laser engraving system. LES is able to:

• Import an image from a user
• Obtain user inputs such as image width and height
• Convert the image to grayscale
• Engrave the image on a piece of wood

The S.M.A.R.T. Helmet, Josh Perkins, Ben Zeller

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Motorcycle has long been a simple pass-time for many individuals. However in recent years this singular method of transportation has steadily grown into a reliable method of regular commute. The technology behind the motorcycle however, has yet to catch up to that of the modern vehicle until now.

The S.M.AR.T. Helmet helps to bridge the gap between modern vehicles and this beloved pass-time by adding GPS Navigation and Video Recording

Track-It Golf, Jeff Holtman

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Avid golfers are infatuated with improving their golf game at every opportunity they get. Through the use of launch monitors, golfers have been able to make changes to their swing to manipulate golf ball flight based on numerical calculations of the flight of a golf ball. The senior design project that I chose to construct is a low cost launch monitor which can accurately represent the flight dynamics of a golf ball, giving the golfer the knowledge needed to improve.