Engineering Commons^™

Hedhi Help, Sarah Pagnani, Kelsey Pasco, Brandon Smith, Sarek Sotelo-Jimenez

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

A culture of social taboos and silence leaves many young women beginning menarche in isolation, without complete understanding of the changes occurring in their bodies. There is a widespread stigma surrounding menstruation all around the world. These stigma impose significant barriers to education and proper hygiene for young girls during a critical time in their lives. Not having the proper support and resources to manage this process, 1 in 10 girls in sub-Saharan Africa miss school during their period, and therefore are more likely to drop out altogether. In Kenya specifically, menstruating girls miss an average of 4.9 days of …

Spotme Emergency Location Service, Arya Faili, Zain Umerani, Kunal Bhimjiyani

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

This document delves into our disaster relief application that allows people who are helpless due to a natural disaster to find a way out and get help. The purpose of this document is to explain how the application works, but more specifically the design of the application, use cases, and conceptual models. Starting with a brief introduction, this paper will dive into the necessary requirements needed to build an application at this scale while presenting several use cases. To help the reader understand the application at a finer detail, activity diagrams will be shown along with models. Lastly, the document …

Comparison Of The 6th Edition Florida Building Energy Conservation Code With Iecc 2018 & Ashrae 90.1-2016, Florida Solar Energy Center, Jeffrey Sonne

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This study provides a comparison between the 6th Edition (2017) Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation and 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), based on approved 2015 to 2018 IECC changes included in the International Code document. And provides a stringency evaluation and cost-benefit analysis for those changes that impact energy use, to provide guidance for the upcoming 2017 to 2020 Florida Energy Code change cycle.

Effects Of 8-Week Sensory Electrical Stimulation Combined With Motor Training On Eeg-Emg Coherence And Motor Function In Individuals With Stroke, Li-Ling Hope Pan, Wen-Wen Yang, Mei-Wun Tsai, Shun-Hwa Wei, Felipe Fregni, Vincent Chiun-Fan Chen, Li-Wei Chou

Engineering Science Faculty Publications

The peripheral sensory system is critical to regulating motor plasticity and motor recovery. Peripheral electrical stimulation (ES) can generate constant and adequate sensory input to influence the excitability of the motor cortex. The aim of this proof of concept study was to assess whether ES prior to each hand function training session for eight weeks can better improve neuromuscular control and hand function in chronic stroke individuals and change electroencephalography-electromyography (EEG-EMG) coherence, as compared to the control (sham ES). We recruited twelve subjects and randomly assigned them into ES and control groups. Both groups received 20-minute hand function training twice …

Effects Of 8-Week Sensory Electrical Stimulation Combined With Motor Training On Eeg-Emg Coherence And Motor Function In Individuals With Stroke, Li-Ling Hope Pan, Wen-Wen Yang, Chung-Lan Kao, Mei-Wun Tsai, Shun-Hwa Wei, Felipe Fregni, Vincent Chiun-Fan Chen, Li-Wei Chou

Engineering Science Faculty Publications

The peripheral sensory system is critical to regulating motor plasticity and motor recovery. Peripheral electrical stimulation (ES) can generate constant and adequate sensory input to influence the excitability of the motor cortex. The aim of this proof of concept study was to assess whether ES prior to each hand function training session for eight weeks can better improve neuromuscular control and hand function in chronic stroke individuals and change electroencephalography-electromyography (EEG-EMG) coherence, as compared to the control (sham ES). We recruited twelve subjects and randomly assigned them into ES and control groups. Both groups received 20-minute hand function training twice …

Laser Vaporization And Controlled Condensation (Lvcc) Of Graphene Supported Pd/Fe3o4 Nanoparticles As An Efficient Magnetic Catalysts For Suzuki Cross – Coupling, Hany A. Elazab

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Herein, a reproducible, reliable, and efficient method was reported for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles dispersed on a composite of Fe₃O₄ and graphene (Pd-Fe₃O₄/G) as a highly efficient active catalyst for being used in Suzuki cross–coupling reactions. Graphene supported Pd/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Pd-Fe₃O₄/G) exhibit a remarkable catalytic performance towards Suzuki coupling reactions. Moreover, the prepared catalyst could be recycled for up to three times with high catalytic activity. The catalyst was prepared using LVCC synthesis; the prepared catalyst is highly magnetic which provides a platform to facilitate …

The Catalytic Activity Of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Towards Carbon Monoxide Oxidation Catalysis: Microwave – Assisted Synthesis Approach, Hany A. Elazab

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this research, we report a simple, versatile, and reproducible method for the synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles via microwave assisted synthesis approach. The important advantage of this catalyst is due to its important role not only in the low temperature oxidation of CO but also in potential applications in pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis. The results reveal that the copper oxide catalyst has particularly a remarkable high activity for CO oxidation catalysis as it was found that copper oxide (CuO) catalyst has 100% conversion of carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide at 175 oC. This also could be attributed to …

Circadiomics: Circadian Omic Web Portal, Nicholas Ceglia, Yu Liu, Siwei Chen, Forest Agostinelli, Kristin Eckel-Mahan, Paolo Sassone-Corsi, Pierre Baldi

Faculty Publications

Circadian rhythms play a fundamental role at all levels of biological organization. Understanding the mechanisms and implications of circadian oscillations continues to be the focus of intense research. However, there has been no comprehensive and integrated way for accessing and mining all circadian omic datasets. The latest release of CircadiOmics (http://circadiomics.ics.uci.edu) fills this gap for providing the most comprehensive web server for studying circadian data. The newly updated version contains high-throughput 227 omic datasets corresponding to over 74 million measurements sampled over 24 h cycles. Users can visualize and compare oscillatory trajectories across species, tissues and conditions. Periodicity statistics (e.g. …

Biomimetic Design And Construction Of A Bipedal Walking Robot, Alexander Gabriel Steele

Dissertations and Theses

Human balance and locomotion control is highly complex and not well understood. To understand how the nervous system controls balance and locomotion works, we test how the body responds to controlled perturbations, the results are analyzed, and control models are developed. However, to recreate this system of control there is a need for a robot with human-like kinematics. Unfortunately, such a robotic testbed does not exist despite the numerous applications such a design would have in mobile robotics, healthcare, and prosthetics.

This thesis presents a robotic testbed model of human lower legs. By using MRI and CT scans, I designed …

Optimal Control Of Nonlinear Duffing Oscillators: Lie-Group Approaches, Che-Lun Tsai, Hung-Chang Lee

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In the optimal control theory, the Hamiltonian formulation is a famous one convenient to find an optimal designed control force. However, when the performance index is a complicated function of control force, the Hamiltonian method is not easy to find the optimal solution, because one may encounter a twopoint boundary value problem of nonlinear differential algebraic equations (DAEs). In this paper we address this issue via a quite novel and effective approach, of which the optimally controlled vibration problem of Duffing oscillator is recast into a two-point nonlinear DAEs by identifying the unknown control force. We develop the corresponding SL(n, …

Cryptki: Mobile Hardware Wallet, Derrick Chan, Rowan Decker, William Nguyen, Yuya Oguchi

Interdisciplinary Design Senior Theses

Cryptocurrencies are rapidly receiving mainstream attention and adoption. As a result, new technologies are developing to store and transact cryptocurrencies to keep up with a rapidly developing market. We have developed a way to utilize a mobile phone to communicate with the Ethereum blockchain in order to monitor and initiate cryptocurrency transactions. The project allows users to create new Ethereum addresses and to send arbitrary amounts of Ether to existing Ethereum addresses, while maintaining security for the end user. We conclude that this method of communication with the Ethereum blockchain is viable and is an avenue for exploration in the …

The Three-Dimensional Flow Simulation Of A Flapping Wing, Lung-Jieh Yang, Ai-Lien Feng, Hsi-Chun Lee, Balasubramanian Esakki, Wei He

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study investigates three-dimensional (3D) flow fields around a flapping wing with a span of 20 cm. Numerical simulations are performed by varying the simulation mesh density for a half-flapping-wing profile with wind tunnel domain for flapping stroke angles of 53 and 90. Wind velocities ranging from 1 to 3 m/s, variation in flapping frequency of 14-15 Hz, and corresponding lift characteristics are obtained. Comparative evaluation of numerical and experimental lift force data reveals the translational and rotational lift phenomena of Dickinson’s mechanisms. The stream line that flows over the 3D wing profile is found to be in good agreement …

Shape Optimization Of Rectangular Multi-Chamber Mufflers At High-Order-Modes, Ying-Chun Chang, Min-Chie Chiu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Muffler design as of late has been restricted to lower frequencies using the plane wave theory. This has led to an underestimation of acoustical performances at higher frequencies. To overcome the above shortcomings, an analysis of three-dimensional waves propagating for a simple muffler using the finite element method has been developed. However, there has been scant research on rectangular mufflers equipped with baffle plates that eliminate noise, nor has the space-constrained conditions of industrial muffler designs been properly addressed. Therefore, to improve the acoustical performance of a rectangular muffler within a constrained space, the shape optimization of rectangular mufflers using …

Numerical Investigation Of The Effect Of Projectile Mass And Drop Height From Water Surface On Pinch-Off Time And Depth, Mohammad Hossein Taghizadeh Valdi, Mohammad Reza Atrechian

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In this study, the water entry problem of spherical projectile was numerically simulated by the commercial finite element code Abaqus, and the effect of increasing the projectile mass and drop height from free water surface on deepwater displacement, viscous dissipation energy as well as pinch-off time and depth was investigated. An explicit dynamic analysis method was employed to model fluid-structure interactions using a Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) formulation. Accuracy of the numerical methodology and employed algorithm was verified by comparing the numerical results with the available experimental observations including shape of the air cavity and pinch-off time and depth. The results …

Study On Structural Adhesive Applied To The Bulkhead Joints Subjected To Non-Contact Underwater Explosion, Guang-Min Luo, Yi-Huei Lin

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The overlapping method is commonly used in fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) bulkhead-hull bonding. This study replaced the traditional overlap approach in using FRP components for bonding with the use of structural adhesives in the bulkhead-hull joint. A numerical simulation was conducted to investigate the structural response of the FRP-based bulkhead joint to underwater explosion shocks and examine the bonding differences between the application of structural adhesives and the traditional overlap approach. For precise estimation and shortening the numerical calculation process, solid elements were used to construct a local model using ABAQUS/Acoustic to simulate the effects of underwater explosions. In addition, two …

Using Reproducing Kernel Particle Method For Shallow Water Problems, Chien-Ting Sun, On-Lei Annie Kwok, Pai-Chen Guan, Wen-Kai Shih

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In this paper, a meshfree numerical scheme, which is based on the reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM), is proposed to solve the shallow water equations (SWEs). By applying the split coefficient matrix method on SWEs, RK approximation with upstream scheme can be employed for spatial discretization. Temporal discretization of SWEs is handled by the secondorder total-variation diminishing Runge-Kutta method. The merits of the present method are verified by performing three numerical experiments, which are problems related to open channel flow, oblique hydraulic jump and two-dimensional dam break. It is found that the proposed meshfree numerical scheme is able to efficiently …

Reaction Mechanism For Oxygen Evolution On Ruo2, Iro2, And Ruo2@Iro2 Core-Shell Nanocatalysts, Julie N. Renner

Faculty Scholarship

Iridium dioxide, IrO2, is second to the most active RuO2 catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acid, and is used in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers due to its high durability. To improve the activity of IrO2-based catalysts, we prepared RuO2@IrO2 core-shell nanocatalysts using carbon-supported Ru as the template. At 1.48 V, the OER specific activity of RuO2@IrO2 is threefold that of IrO2. While the activity volcano plots over wide range of materials have been reported, zooming into the top region to clarify the rate limiting steps of most active catalysts is important for further activity enhancement. Here, …

Fbmc/Ldpc-Based Underwater Transceiver Architecture For Voice And Image Transmission, Chin-Feng Lin, Yi-Tai Hung, Hsun-Wei Lu, Shun-Hsyung Chang, Ivan A Parinov, Sergey Shevtsov

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This paper proposes a filter bank multicarrier (FBMC)-based underwater transmission scheme for voice and image signals. In this scheme, FBMC transmission technology, low-density parity-check (LDPC) channel coding, adaptive binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation or offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OQAM), and a power assignment mechanism are integrated into an underwater voice and image transmission system. The bit error rates (BERs) of voice and image signals for underwater transmission are required to be less than 10-3, and 10-4, respectively. The BER performances of the proposed scheme in an underwater acoustic channel were demonstrated through simulations, and the power saving ratios for …

Fast-Convergence Iterative Algorithms For Solving A Nonlinear Beam Equation With An Integral Term Subjected To Different Boundary Conditions, Chein-Shan Liu, Chih-Wen Chang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In this paper, a nonlinear beam equation containing an integral term of the deformation energy, which is unknown before the solution is found, is investigated under different boundary conditions. First, we set the unknown integral term as a scalar variable and then develop a weak-form integral equation to solve the integral. By using the sinusoidal functions as test functions and bases of the numerical solution, we obtain a fast-convergence iterative scheme. Due to the orthogonality of the sinusoidal functions, the expansion coefficients of the numerical solution are in the closed form. The proposed iterative algorithms converge quickly and provide highly …

Study On Probabilistic Mean Features Of Lower And Upper Free-Surface Profiles And Velocity Fields Of A Highly Fluctuating Free Jet Over A Chute, Chang Lin, Ming-Jer Kao, James Yang, Peng-Hua Teng, Rajkumar Venkatesh Raikar

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

An optic-based method that utilizes the particle-laden images captured during high-speed particle image velocimetry (HSPIV) measurements is presented, aiming to explore the probabilistic mean characteristics of the free surface profiles and velocity fields of a free jet with high-frequency random fluctuations over a chute. The technique based on the gray-level gradients in the smoothed gray level distribution of the contrast-enhanced images is used to determine the probabilistic mean features of the free jet, right beneath and above which the water-air interfaces have I%/(100  I)% intermittent appearance of air/water phase and (100  I)%/I% fitful show-up of water/air phase. Further, …

The Research Of Added Resistance In Waves Based On Nonlinear Time-Domain Potential Flow Theory, Bao-Ji Zhang, Xu- Ning

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In order to accurately predict the motion performance of the ship in waves, the numerical calculation of heave, pitch and added resistance of a container ship in a regular wave is studied based on the three-dimensional fully nonlinear time-domain potential flow theory. The boundary element method is used to deal with the quadrilateral elements, and the governing equations are solved by the first-order flat-plate theory and the fourth-order RungeKutta time integration method. The ship hull is divided by the fixed mesh. Considering the non-linear superposition of the forward velocity, the stationary ship wave, diffracted wave, diffraction wave and incident wave …

Evaluation On The Efficiency Of Stability Remediation For T16-Tower Pier Slope (T16-Slope) Of Taipei Mao-Kong Tramway, Der-Guey Lin, Sheng-Hsiunng Hung, Wen-Tsung Liu, Jui-Ching Chou

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study performs a series of rainfall-induced seepage and stability analyses of unsaturated slope using strength reduction method (SRM) of two-dimensional (2-D) finite element technique to inspect the efficiency of compound stabilization work adopted for the remediation of the down slope of T16-tower pier (or T16-Slope) situated at the hillside of Taipei City MaoKong tramway. The validities of numerical procedures and various material model parameters are verified by examining the triggering mechanism and occurrence time of landslide in T16-Slope during Jang-Mi typhoon in 2008. After the landslide in 2008, the potential sliding surfaces of T16-Slope with and without remediation are …

Topographic Survey Of An Open Channel In A Tidal Flat, Yen-Chang Chen, Sheng-Hsiung Hung, Yi-Jiun Liao, Wei-Po Huang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This paper describes the fundamental characteristics of an open channel in a tidal flat. In this study, the open channel was characterized using a topographic survey. Because of the limited resources available and special measurement conditions at the study area, cranes and cables were used to transport a sounding weight to the measurement point, and pressure gauges hanging on the sounding weight were used to measure the water depth. The coordinates and altitude of the surface point above the sound weight were measured using a total station. The kriging interpolation was applied to discrete geographic data to create contour lines …

Improvement Of Dynamic Characteristics For Power System With Wind Farm Using Compensation Devices, Chia-Yu Jihyeong Hsu, Tzu-Yang Tien, Pei-Hwa Huang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This paper presents the development of a new complex marine unmanned platform composed of an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and the results of a sea test. The platform structure, control system, sensor system, and control algorithm were developed and are introduced. The complex platform collects information of the underwater structures, such as the wall, floor, and piers and harbors. Using a tether cable, the ROV is connected to the USV for power supply and to receive a large amount of underwater data obtained using a sonar scanner or a camera in real time. The …

Automatic Classification Of Moving Objects On An Unknown Speed Production Line With An Eye-In-Hand Robot Manipulator, Jinsiang Shaw, Wen-Lin Chi

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In this paper, techniques for tracking and grasping moving objects with an unknown speed on a conveyor using an eyein-hand robot arm are presented, which are useful in a production line for automatic object classification. First of all, the CAMshift (Continuously Adaptive Meanshift) algorithm is employed to continuously track a moving object in the image plane. Then, the minimum area rectangle method is integrated for correctly identifying a rectangle enclosing the target object. Object features for tracking purposes can be extracted from this rectangle. Next, through the application of an image Jacobian matrix, the tracking error in the image plane …

Iceland’S Renewable Energy Sources & Climate Change, Daniel Roberts, Michael Conway

Student Works

Nearly all of Iceland’s energy comes from renewable resources, with the majority being hydroelectric energy, and the remainder being geothermal. For several months undergraduate student researchers from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, aided by faculty from the Office of Undergraduate Research, conducted secondary-source research on the effect climate change has on Iceland’s renewable resources currently, and progressing throughout the century. Additionally, research was conducted on how the Icelandic Government plans on responding to these eminent changes. Earth's rising temperatures are causing a shrinkage of Iceland’s glaciers, and changing the water runoff from their glaciers at an alarming rate. Iceland’s dams are currently …

Diagnostic Color Strip Reader For World Health Partners Clinics, Steven Hu, Jisoo Park, Geminiano Romano Yabut

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

Despite the advancement of medical technology, many people in developing countries like India and Kenya still suffer from treatable diseases. In many of the health clinics in these areas, color strips are used for checkups and diagnosis of diseases. However, a big problem with these color strips is that the diagnosis of color strips take a long time because they have to be manually checked. Currently, World Health Partners (WHP) works with doctors and hospitals in India and Kenya to provide more accessible healthcare through telehealth networks to get consultations from rural clinics to specialists at hospitals. We are working …

Pet Watch, Jb Anderson, Rachel Hale

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

This paper outlines our project of building Pet Watch. Pet Watch is a device similar to a Fit Bit except that it tracks your pet’s activity instead of your own. You can then access this data on our website. This paper defines our requirements, how the system works, and how we built this system.

Presentvr: Defeating Public Speaking Anxiety With Virtual Reality, Gurneev Sareen, Hamilton Coke, Reece Jackson

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

In today’s society, the vast majority of individuals are afraid to speak in front of a public crowd. This could range from a classroom presentation to a thousand person amphitheater, and it is because of this fear that people are more anxious in public settings where they present their own idea. In the past, people would try to tackle this problem by practicing in front of a mirror, or having friends help practice. However, there was no convenient way of practicing in front of a live audience, and we believe that with the advances in technology, especially virtual reality, that …

Vr Empathy Training Tool, Helen Chan, Zheqing Li

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

A person’s resilience to adversity and trauma is developed early on in his or her childhood. When parents display stress in front or neglect emotions of their children consistently, their children will form neural connections between areas of pain and stress. It is important to educate parents to properly handle children’s emotions and also control their own emotions and mindfulness during these interactions.

We developed an iOS VR application accompanied by a Google Cardboard and a Mio Alpha fitness watch to record and display the stress level of the parent using his/her heart rate data. The progress of the users …