Engineering Commons^™

In Vitro Cytocompatibility Of Antibacterial Levels Of Polymer Nitric Oxide Release, Rana Gbyli, Christina Zito, Kagya Amoako

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Although the antibacterial property of nitric oxide (NO) has been well documented in gram positive and gram negative bacteria cultures, its cytotoxic effects are not completely clear. To limit potential in vivo cytotoxicity, our group recently investigated the effects of a range of NO fluxes on S. epidermidis and S. aureus to determine a minimum effective NO level. In this study, we report the antibacterial function of this minimum NO level also on gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as its cytocompatibility effects on lung and kidney cells. Standardized bacterial cultures were treated with NO releasing PDMS substrates followed by …

Vertical Ground Reaction Force Marker For Parkinson’S Disease, Md Nafiul Alam, Amanmeet Garg, Tamanna Tabassum Khan Munia, Reza Fazel-Rezai, Kouhyar Tavakolian

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients regularly exhibit abnormal gait patterns. Automated differentiation of abnormal gait from normal gait can serve as a potential tool for early diagnosis as well as monitoring the effect of PD treatment. The aim of current study is to differentiate PD patients from healthy controls, on the basis of features derived from plantar vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) data during walking at normal pace. The current work presents a comprehensive study highlighting the efficacy of different machine learning classifiers towards devising an accurate prediction system. Selection of meaningful feature based on sequential forward feature selection, the swing …

Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Conversion To Fuel For Earth And Mars, Anne J. Meier

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As far as we know, we only have one planet to live on, with a delicate atmospheric system providing us safety and life. Global CO2 emissions continue to plague the environment of Earth, primarily due to the processing of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrialization. There are several avenues of pursuing CO2 reutilization, each having their own benefits and limitations. Direct and indirect thermochemical approaches of CO2 conversion boast of efficient CO2 conversion rates but have limitations associated with the use of renewable hydrogen and high temperatures of operation. The work in this dissertation investigates low temperature photocatalytic CO2 conversion, a …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Polyaniline Agglomerates And Polyaniline Nanoparticles To Use As Printed Sensors To Detect Spoilage Of Catfish During Refrigerated Storage, Vashti Martae Campbell

LSU Master's Theses

There is growing interest in the development of sensors contained in packaging for seafood that are applicable at the consumer level to monitor freshness in a non-destructive manner. Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) analysis indicates the freshness of seafood. TVB-N analysis is sensitive to the spoilage compounds comprised of ammonia, trimethylamine, dimethylamine, and biogenic amines commonly found in seafood and whose concentration increases when spoilage microbial growth occurs. However, TVB-N analysis is laborious and is not suitable for use at the consumer level. Polyaniline (PANI) is a polymer that may be used as a sensor for detecting TVB-N in seafood. …

Texas Sour Orange Juice Used In Scaffolds For Tissue Engineering, Mandana Akia, Nataly Salinas, Cristobal Rodriguez, Robert Gilkerson, Luis A. Materon, Karen Lozano

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Fine fibers of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biopolymer, were developed via a centrifugal spinning technique. The developed fibers have an average diameter of 1.8 µm. Texas sour orange juice (SOJ) was applied as a natural antibacterial agent and infiltrated within the fibrous membranes. The antibacterial activity against common Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively) was evaluated as well as cell adhesion and viability. The PHB/SOJ scaffolds showed antibacterial activity of up to 152% and 71% against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. The cell studies revealed a suitable environment for cell growth and cell attachment. The outcome …

Pressure Swing Adsorption Separation Of H2s/Co2/Ch4 Gas Mixtures With Molecular Sieves 4a, 5a, And 13x, Howell H. Heck, Merilyn L. Hall, Rudy Dos Santos, Manolis M. Tomadakis

Mechanical and Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Pressure swing adsorption experiments were carried out for the separation of equimolar mixtures of carbon dioxide and methane containing small amounts of hydrogen sulfide, utilizing 4A, 5A, and 13X molecular sieves. High-purity methane of zero or nearly zero hydrogen sulfide concentration was produced in the adsorption stage with 13X and 5A sieves, at high product recovery rates; high-purity carbon dioxide was obtained with the same sieves in the desorption stage. Zeolite 4A was found capable of raising considerably the hydrogen sulfide concentration in the accumulated desorption product (vs. the adsorption feed) at high recovery rates too. Adsorption selectivity values derived …

A Unified Analysis Framework For Tensor Metasurfaces, Bo O. Zhu, Xiaoyan Y.Z. Xiong, Li (Lijun) Jun Jiang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Tensor impedance metasurfaces have attracted much attention recently due to their ability to flexibly manipulate both propagating and surface waves. So far, the analysis of tensor impedance has not been fully supported by commercial electromagnetic simulation software. Also, the representation of formulas of penetrable tensor impedance for both propagating and surface waves is limited in the literature. Hence, a unified analysis framework is proposed for this purpose. It allows the calculation of wave reflection and transmission with arbitrary incident angles, or inversely, the calculation of surface impedance tensors given the desired wave propagation properties. It also allows surface eigenmode analysis, …

Modeling And Analysis Of Thermal Effects On A Fractured Wellbore During Lost Circulation And Wellbore Strengthening Processes, Ze Wang

LSU Master's Theses

To successfully prevent fracture propagation and combat lost circulation, a thorough understanding of the stress state in the near-wellbore region with fractures is imperative. One important factor that is not yet fully understood is how temperature variation during lost circulation affects pre-existing or newly initiated fractures. To address this problem, a 3D finite element analysis was conducted in this study to simulate the transport processes and state of stresses in the near-wellbore region during mud invasion into fractures. To take the thermal effects into account, a thermo-poro-elasticity model was coupled with flow and heat transfer processes. This study included a …

Methods And Systems For Identifying A Particle Using Dielectrophoresis, Adrienne Minerick, Jeana Collins, Kaela M. Leonard, Tayloria N.G. Adams

Michigan Tech Patents

A system for identifying a particle. The system includes a microfluidic device; a microelectrode array including a plurality of electrodes, the microelectrode array disposed within the microfluidic device; a plurality of particles suspended in a solution and delivered to the microelectrode array using the microfluidic device; a signal generator operatively coupled to the microelectrode array; a particle detector adjacent to the microelectrode array; and a controller in operative communication with the signal generator and the particle detector. The controller is configured to apply an oscillating voltage signal to the microelectrode array between a low frequency and a high frequency at …

Integrated Reservoir-Wellbore Nodal Analysis Workflow For Worst-Case Discharge Modeling, Florencia Anahi Vasquez Cordoba

LSU Master's Theses

According to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), worst-case discharge (WCD) is the single highest possible daily flow rate of liquid hydrocarbon during an uncontrolled wellbore flow event [49]. The main objective of this research is to develop a workflow to calculate worst case discharge (WCD) volumes for a drilling scenario using an integrated reservoir-nodal analyses approach. Using robust integrated production modeling (IPM) tools, a nodal analysis workflow is developed to compute WCD volumes and rates that operators can use easily if they have IPM, or adapt to using a different software (including excel) in absence of IPM. A …

The Effect Of Processing Conditions On The Energetic Diagram Of Cdte Thin Films Studied By Photoluminescence, Shamara P. Collins

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The photovoltaic properties of CdTe-based thin films depend on recombination levels formed in the CdTe layer and at the heterojunction. The localized states are resultant of structural defects (metal sublattice, chalcogen sublattice, interstitial), controlled doping, deposition process, and/or post-deposition annealing. The photoluminescence study of CdTe thin films, from both the bulk and heterojunction, can reveal radiative states due to different defects or impurities. Identification of defects allows for potential explanation of their roles and influence on solar cell performance. A thorough understanding of the material properties responsible for solar cell performance is critical in further advancing the efficiency of devices. …

Artificial Neural Network And Finite Element Modeling Of Nanoindentation Tests On Silica, Kianoosh Koocheki

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Two major forms of Silica include the crystalline form named Quartz which consist of the sand grains in nature, and amorphous form named Silica Glass or Fused Silica which is commonly known as glass. Fused Silica is an amorphous crystal that can show plastic behavior at micro-scale despite its brittle behavior in large scales. Due to the amorphous and ductile nature of Fused Silica, this behavior may not be explained well using the traditional dislocation-based mechanism of plasticity for crystalline solids. The crystal plasticity happens due to shear stress and stored energy in the material as dislocations which does not …

Removal Of Total Dissolved Solids From Reverse Osmosis Concentrates From A Municipal Wastewater Reclamation Plant By Aerobic Granular Sludge, Do-Hyung Kim, Sangjin Park, Yeomin Yoon, Chang Min Park

Faculty Publications

Reverse osmosis (RO) has been widely utilized in water reclamation plants and produces a concentrated brine (or reject) stream as a by-product. RO concentrates (ROC) contain vast quantities of salts and dissolved organic matter, such as biomass and humic-like substances, which hinder biological wastewater treatment (such as biological nitrogen removal). In this study, we cultivated granular sludge in an aerobic sequencing batch reactor to treat municipal wastewater with an organic loading rate of 2.1–4.3 kgCOD/m³ day at room temperature (25 °C), and remove total dissolved solids (TDS) from ROC by biosorption, with aerobic granular sludge as a novel biosorbent. …

Predicting River Stage Using Recurrent Neural Networks, Eric Rohli

LSU Master's Theses

River stage prediction is an important problem in the water transportation industry. Accurate river stage predictions provide crucial information to barge and tow boat operators, port terminal captains, and lock management officials. Shallow river levels caused by prolonged drought impact the loading capacity of barges and tow boats. High river levels caused by excessive rainfall or snowmelt allow for greater tow capacities but make downstream transportation and lock management risky. Current academic river height prediction systems utilize either time series statistical analysis or machine learning algorithms to forecast future river heights, but systems that combine these two areas often limit …

Hydrogels For Cell Delivery, Esmaiel Jabbari

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Teaching And Learning Competencies Valued By Engineering Educators: A Pilot Study, Cormac H. Macmahon, Brian Bowe, Orla Mcconnell, Fiona Cranley

Articles

At the onset of this paper, it is important to provide context by highlighting two backdrop narratives, which have prompted and guided this research project:-(i) Since 2015, The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning in Ireland has undergone an extensive consultation process on professional development, resulting in a guiding document entitled the National Professional Development Framework (NPDF) for Staff Who Teach in Higher Education [1].(ii) The Technological University Alliance for Dublin has placed Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB) and Institute of Technology Tallaght (ITT) on a merger trajectory towards technological university designation …

The Caching Broadcast Channel With A Wire And Cache Tapping Adversary Of Type Ii, Mohamed Nafea, Aylin Yener

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper introduces the notion of cache-tapping into information theoretic models of coded caching. In particular, the wiretap II model with two receivers equipped with fixed-size cache memories is considered. The adversary chooses a set of symbols from cache placement, delivery, or both to tap into. The legitimate parties know neither whether cache placement, delivery, or both transmissions are tapped, nor the positions of tapped symbols. Only the size of overall tapped set is known. The strong secrecy capacity, i.e., the maximum achievable file rate while keeping the overall library strongly secure, is identified for the instance of two library …

The Caching Broadcast Channel With A Wire And Cache Tapping Adversary Of Type Ii: Multiple Library Files, Mohamed Nafea, Aylin Yener

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A wiretap model with two receivers equipped with fixed-size cache memories, and a type II adversary is considered. The adversary in this model chooses a subset of symbols to tap into either from cache placement, delivery transmission, or both phases. The legitimate parties do not know the fractions or the positions of the tapped symbols in either phase. For a library of size three files or more, lower and upper bounds on the strong secrecy capacity, i.e., the maximum achievable file rate while keeping the overall library strongly secure, are derived. The strong secrecy capacity is identified for the instance …

The Technology Tide: Has It Hit The Shores Of Social Innovation?, Andrew Koh

Social Space

“We want a nice colour and it must look modern.”

That was the feedback some villagers gave during a design-thinking exercise regarding sanitation facilities. Although this took place several years ago, as part of my previous work in the international development sector, I remember the experience vividly. It struck me that most people—village-dwellers or Singaporeans alike—have similar aspirations for a better quality of living.

Practical Vortex Beam Generation, Nedime Pelin Mohamed Hassan Salem

Dissertations

Vector vortex beams are monochromatic electromagnetic wave fields carrying spin angular momentum (SAM) and orbital angular momentum (OAM). Spin angular momentum is associated with the polarization of the field, whereas OAM yields an azimuthal field dependence of the form exp( jqφ), where φ is the azimuthal angle, and q is an integer designating the helicity order, which is also known as the topological charge of the vortex beam. Vortex beams owe their names to the characteristic on-axis phase singularity and amplitude null.

In this study, a new method to generate vector vortex beams in the microwave regime is devised …

A Half- Yearly E-Newsletter Of The Department Of Computer Science And Engineering, Manipal Institute Of Technology -Jul 2018, Ashalatha Nayak

Faculty work

No abstract provided.

Three Professions Come Together For An Interdisciplinary Approach To 3d Printing: Occupational Therapy, Biomedical Engineering, And Medical Librarianship, Joan Wagner, Laurel Scheinfeld, Blanche Leeman, Keith Pardini, Jamie Saragossi, Katie Flood

Library Faculty Publications

Background: Although many libraries have offered 3D printing as a service or available technology, there is a lack of information on course-integrated programs for 3D printing in which the library played a primary role. Therefore, librarians at the Touro College School of Health Sciences began exploring 3D printing for inclusion in the occupational and physical therapy curriculum. Case Presentation: The goal of this project was to educate occupational and physical therapy students and faculty about the potential applications of 3D printing in health care and provide hands-on experience, while increasing collaboration between librarians and faculty. Students’ tasks included designing and …

Engineering News, Summer 2018, School Of Engineering

Engineering News

No abstract provided.

Properties Of Matter, Mike Jackson, Holly Haney

High School Lesson Plans

Students will investigate the relationship(s) between thermal and electrical properties of matter. First, students will use a multimeter and temperature probe to investigate the relationship between electrical resistance and temperature of an electrical resistor composed of metals. They will then graph collected data to analyze the relationship and draw a conclusion as to their relationship. They will then perform the same investigation on a thermal resistor made of a semiconducting substance and analyze that collected data. Finally, using ClaimEvidence-Reasoning (CER) structure, students will use their experimental evidence to state the similarities and differences between the electro-thermal properties of metals and …

Illuminator, Volume 1, Issue 10, Batten College Of Engineering & Technology, Old Dominion University

College of Engineering & Technology Newsletter

Summer 2018 issue of Illuminator, a monthly publication of ODU's Batten College of Engineering and Technology.

Fuzzy-Model-Based (Fmb) Control Of A Spacecraft With Fuel Sloshing Dynamics, Lilit Mazmanyan

Engineering Ph.D. Theses

During the upper-stage separation and orbit injection, orbital control, and attitude maneuver, propellant slosh in partially-filled fuel tanks can cause dynamical instability or pointing errors. The spacecraft dynamics combined with propellant sloshing results in a highly nonlinear and coupled dynamic system that requires a complicated control law. This problem has been a long-standing concern for space missions. The purpose of this research is two fold. The first part is to investigate and develop nonlinear Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model-based controllers for a spacecraft with fuel sloshing considering the input constraints on the actuators. It includes i) a fuzzy controller/observer with a …

Formalizing Schoenberg’S Fundamentals Of Musical Composition Through Petri Nets, A. Baratè, G. Haus, L. A. Ludovico, Davide Andrea Mauro

Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering Faculty Research

The formalization of musical composition rules is a topic that has been studied for a long time. It can lead to a better understanding of the underlying processes, and provide a useful tool for musicologist to aid and speed up the analysis process. In our attempt we introduce Schoenberg’s rules from Fundamentals of Musical Composition using a specialized version of Petri nets, called Music Petri nets. Petri nets are a formal tool for studying systems that are concurrent, asynchronous, distributed, parallel, nondeterministic, and/or stochastic. We present some examples highlighting how multiple approaches to the analysis task can find counterparts in …

A Building Permit System For Smart Cities: A Cloud-Based Framework, Magdalini Eirinaki, Subhankar Dhar, Shishir Mathur, Adwait Kaley, Arpit Patel, Akshar Joshi, Dhvani Shah

Faculty Publications

In this paper we propose a novel, cloud-based framework to support citizens and city officials in the building permit process. The proposed framework is efficient, user-friendly, and transparent with a quick turn-around time for homeowners. Compared to existing permit systems, the proposed smart city permit framework provides a pre-permitting decision workflow, and incorporates a data analytics and mining module that enables the continuous improvement of both the end user experience and the permitting and urban planning processes. This is enabled through a data mining-powered permit recommendation engine as well as a data analytics process that allow a gleaning of key …

Development Of Graduate Attributes In Civil Engineering In Dit - Provisional Methodology, Caitriona Quinn

Other resources

1.1 The Questions

Question 1: What is the student experience as they participate in knowledge during the Design Project, particularly in relation to development of Graduate Attributes?

The intent behind this question is to examine the module and its effectiveness from the perspective of those taking the module, the students. It is postulated that the transformative experience will result in development of relevant graduate attributes.

Question 2: To what extent dodelivery and assessment within this module contribute to the development of Graduate Attributes?

The intent behind this again is to more closely examine how the module's current design, content, delivery …

Water Hammer Protection For Pumped Turnouts On Aging Pipelines, Charles M. Burt, Zachary C. Markow

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Water hammer in an irrigation district pipeline is typically caused by sudden changes in turnout flow rates. A sudden shutoff of a booster pump, or a rapid closure of a turnout valve, can potentially cause surge damage. The problem occurs if the pressure exceeds the pressure rating of the pipeline. As pipes age, their pressure rating typically declines. This report describes three different solutions that utilize a combination of these techniques/devices to provide district pipeline protection from water hammer.