Engineering Commons^™

Astronaut-Acquired Photography Of Earth: Its History And Continued Applicability In Quantitative Analyses, Jennifer Gebelein

Online Journal of Space Communication

Aerial and satellite photography has been used extensively in many different research efforts, for example, atmospheric studies, vegetation analysis, and change detection. Archives of historical aerial and satellite photography are a valuable resource to the science community.

There is currently an archive of over 450,000 photographs of Earth taken by United States astronauts dating back to the early 1960's. This archive covers the majority of the Earth's surface and offers imagery taken by a variety of camera configurations including film and digital, various lenses, different look angles, and changing solar illuminance. There is extensive repeat coverage over many regions of …

Multi-Sensor Image Registration, Fusion And Dimension Reduction, Jacqueline Le Moigne

Online Journal of Space Communication

With the development of future spacecraft formations comes a number of complex challenges such as maintaining precise relative position and specified attitudes, as well as being able to communicate with each other. More generally, with the advent of spacecraft formations, issues related to performing on-board and automatic data computing and analysis as well as decision planning and scheduling will figure among the most important requirements. Among those, automatic image registration, image fusion and dimension reduction represent intelligent technologies that would reduce mission costs,would enable autonomous decisions to be taken on-board, and would make formation flying adaptive, self-reliant, and cooperative. For …

Ohioview: A Case Study In Progress, James K. Lein

Online Journal of Space Communication

OhioView is a consortium of 10 state universities within Ohio established to promote the low-cost distribution of US Government civilian satellite data for public use. Dedicated to the goal of reducing the financial and technological barriers to use remotely sensed satellite data, OhioView has made a significant contributions to the educational, research and public use of satellite imagery through a continuing program of focused and applied land cover studies, expanded university level teaching, and public and private outreach and training. A grassroots organization formed in 1996 by its member universities, OhioView's mission is to develop remote sensing applications, create educational …

Issue 3: From The Guest Editors, Hugh Bloemer, Dale Quattrochi

Online Journal of Space Communication

What is Remote Sensing?

Engineering A Prophylactic Cap For Multi-Dose Vial Disinfection, Rebecca Lee Charboneau

Theses and Dissertations

Recently, multi-dose vials (MDVs) have demonstrated significant bioburden, with randomized studies revealing bacterial contamination rates up to 27%. When the proper protocol of disinfecting the vial diaphragm with a pre-saturated wipe is followed, MDV bioburden is eliminated. However, when this sterilization protocol is neglected, the susceptibility of MDV to house potential nosocomial pathogens intensifies. In this work, the usability and effectiveness of a novel device, referred to as the Vial Cap, are investigated to gauge the feasibility and acceptability of this device as a method of MDV disinfection. The usability of the Vial Cap was evaluated using principle human factors …

Solar Photovoltaic Panels Utilization To Extract Clean And Green Energy For Utility Application Using Pvsyst Software: A Bibliometric Review, Anil Bhati, Mansi Srivastava, Nitesh Aggarwal, Hardik Singh, Javed Sayyad, Paresh Nasikkar

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper presents a survey on educational documents in the field of solar photovoltaic (PV) utilization to extract clean and green energy. The main purpose of this bibliometric analysis is to understand the size of the available documents for the research of PV solar panel utilization using PVsyst. This detailed review was conducted in the PV research, literature considering all subjects from the Scopus database. The pattern for the specific arrangement of keywords was separated with the recovered results from the Scopus database, publication type, year of publication, distribution conveyance by nations, subject classes, association, authors, and financing organizations. It …

Converting Inorganic Rust To Organic Nanostructured Conducting Polymers: Synthesis And Applications, Yifan Diao

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Iron rust is a type of corrosion product, coming from the chemical reaction between iron and oxygen in the presence of water that first documented ca. 800 BCE. It is a heterogeneous inorganic solid-state material composed of multiple phases and is ubiquitous throughout the universe. Rust species such as Hematite (α-Fe2O3), Akaganeite (β-FeOOH), and ferrous hydroxide (Fe(OH)2), make up the solid-state chemical family composed of iron oxides, oxyhydroxides, and hydroxides that are typically recognized as chemical waste. Conducting polymer is a type of organic plastic composed of long chains with repeating subunits that bonding with strong interactions between neighboring molecules. …

The Correlation Between Poverty, Water Quality, Community Health, And Education In Guatemala And Tanzania, Jessica R. Besnier

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

This paper explores the relationship between poverty, water quality, community health, and education in Tanzania and Guatemala. These metrics will allow for a thorough analysis of the relationships between the countries and will determine their impact on the other aspects in these two countries. While Guatemala and Tanzania are very different countries, they share many things in common such as inequalities among different groups, having many different groups of indigenous people, having most people living in rural areas, and are located on a coast. Also, they share similarities regarding poverty, water quality, community health, and education. By looking into these …

Analysis Of Covid-19 Concerns Raised By The Construction Workforce And Development Of Mitigation Practices, Makram Bou Hatoum, Ali Faisal, Hala Nassereddine, Hadi Sarvari

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The coronavirus outbreak has created a global health crisis that has disrupted all industries, including the construction industry. Following the onset of the pandemic, construction workers faced and continue to face unprecedented safety and health challenges. Therefore, construction employers established new safety precautions to protect the health and safety of the workforce and minimize the spread of the virus. The new precautions followed the advice and guidelines offered by different health and safety agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). With construction projects …

Post Covid-19 Water And Waste Water Management To Protect Public Health And Geoenvironment, Ken Cornell, Arvin Farid

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has posed severe threats to humans and the geoenvironment. The findings of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (Sars-CoV-2) traces in waste water and the practice of disinfecting outdoor spaces in several cities in the world, which can result into the entry of disinfectants and their by-products into storm drainage systems and their subsequent discharge into rivers and coastal waters, raise the issue of environmental, ecological and public health effects. The aims of the current paper are to investigate the potential of water and waste water to operate as transmission routes for Sars-CoV-2 and the …

Characterization Of Asphalt/Recycled Plastic Blends Modified By Exfoliated Clay Nanoplatelets, Kate A. Nguyen

Material Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

There is a renewed interest from federal and state transportation agencies as well as the asphalt industry in developing successful utilization of recycled plastics in asphalt pavements. By incorporating a third material into the asphalt/plastic blend, a stimulation of enhanced compatibility between the waste plastics and asphalt can be observed. In this thesis, the need for increased stability and improved mechanical performance of asphalt blends, at low and high temperatures, are addressed through the use of dispersed/exfoliated organic montmorillonite nanoplatelets a.k.a. nanoclay (NC). Previous studies with non-dispersed NC as a modifier in asphalt (AS) and polyethylene (PE) blends reported the …

Effect Of Modified Moisture Barrier In Mitigating Pavement Distresses Due To Expansive Subgrade, Pratibha Pandey

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Surficial distresses in roadways of Texas are very common due to presence of high plastic clayey soil in the subgrade. Increased sensitivity of high plastic clay towards seasonal moisture change results in repeated swelling and shrinkage, and ultimately the development of pavement cracks. Annual expenses of such distresses impose huge financial liability to maintenance authorities. Studies have indicated rainwater intrusion into underlying expansive subgrade soil coupled with inadequate drainage as the main cause of pavement damage in semi-arid regions. The inability of drainage layer to laterally drain the excess moisture may lead to moisture accumulation within the base layer which …

Effect Of Sludge Content On Different Types Of Food Waste Degradation In Anaerobic Digester, Mumtahina Binte Latif

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

Food waste (FW) is the second-largest component in landfills which impacts environments adversely by generating excessive leachate and greenhouse gas. Generally, conventional anaerobic digester and composting can be used for FW disposal. However, the former is highly expensive while the latter is energy inefficient. In contrast, household or community level underground anaerobic digester offers a cost-efficient solution as well as retrieves valuable energy from FW. The addition of nutrients such as sludge to organic waste especially FW accelerates the production of energy by limiting volatile fatty acid (VFA) accumulation. The objective of the current study is to find out the …

Feasibility Assessment Of Production Of Liquid Organic Fertilizer (Lof) From Food Waste For Sustainable Waste Management, Shadman Sakib

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

The increasing volume of food waste is responsible for the generation of potent greenhouse gases and is resulting in the wastage of valuable resources. In all regions of the world, the percentage of food waste in municipal solid waste is greater. Due to the lack of waste segregation at collection points and modern waste disposal methods in developing countries, organic waste is piling up in the dumpsites and landfills. Besides due to poor harvest and post-harvest procedures and inefficient supply chain, almost 55% of the cultivated crops do not even reach the consumers and get wasted. On the other hand, …

A Comprehensive Framework To Mitigate Surficial Slope Failures, Burak Boluk

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Each year, numerous highway and dam slopes that are built with high plasticity clays experience shallow slope failures. Besides the high maintenance and repair costs, these failures negatively impact the public life by interrupting the traffic flow and causing serious safety hazards. The development of desiccation cracks due to weathering cycles deteriorates hydro-mechanical properties of soil, increases water infiltration, and ultimately results in surficial slope failure. Several slope rehabilitation methods have been developed to stabilize clayey soil slope sections affected by surficial failures. Lime stabilization is an effective treatment method that generally reduces the swell-shrink potential of expansive soil and …

Locating Drone Battery Supply Stations To Facilitate The Delivery Of Medical Supplies In Low And Middle-Income Countries, Madeline Suellentrop

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the sub-Saharan region of Africa, the inability to perform emergency blood transfusions due to an inadequate blood supply has led to high fatality rates, especially among women and children. The prevalence of disease in this region limits the supply of local blood donations and, if blood is imported, then the region’s poor infrastructure inhibits fast distribution. There is a need for a technological update in the current process that overcomes the limitations of regional transportation, and drones present one promising solution for delivering small, lightweight items such as blood units. The current focus of this new delivery method is …

Economic And Ecosystem Impacts Of Gm Maize In South Africa, Kristiina Ala-Kokko

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

White maize in South Africa is the only staple crop produced on a widespread commercial basis for direct human consumption using genetically modified (GM) cultivars. Using a combined economic and environmental approach, we estimate the total welfare benefits attributable to GM white maize in South Africa for 2001-2018 are $694.7 million. Food security benefits attributable to GM white maize in South Africa also manifest through an average of 4.6 million additional white maize rations annually. To achieve these additional annual rations using conventional hybrid maize, the additional land required would range from 1,088 hectares in 2001 to 217,788 hectares in …

The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence In The Customer Journey: A Case Study Of Bosch Usa And Defy South Africa, Tariro S. Munyengeterwa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to gain traction and is increasingly reshaping the media and marketing communications field. While significant research has been conducted on the impact of AI in other fields, there is little empirical evidence on how AI is affecting the customer journey. The present study explored both organizations’ current use of AI tools and how customer perceptions about AI affect AI usage and adoption through the lens of diffusion of innovation theory. The research was conducted using mixed-method qualitative research. In-depth interviews and a case study content analysis were conducted to collect and analyze the data. The results …

Development Of Biomaterials For Drug Delivery, Raquel De Castro

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Drug delivery systems (DDS) have highly evolved in the last decades with the development of hydrogels and nanoparticles. However, high systemic uptake, side effects, low bioavailability, and encapsulation efficiency continue to be a major hurdle faced by such DDSs.

Nanoparticles and hydrogels can be specifically designed for targeted DDSs to mitigate some of the problems. This dissertation aimed to design two DDSs for ocular drug delivery and one for cancer treatment. The first project sought to develop chitosan nanoparticles (Cs-NP) using PEGDA as a copolymer to encapsulate gentamicin (GtS) for ocular drug delivery. Cs-NPs contain positive charges that can interact …

Peptoid-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles For Zika Virus Envelope Protein Detection, Meagan Olsen

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Detection and identification of viral pathogens is essential in providing effective and rapid medical treatment. Well-established detection methods can be expensive, slow, and sometimes unable to provide the needed sensitivity and specificity. The Zika virus is one clinically relevant pathogen that cannot be easily identified due to cross-reactivity with other viruses from the same family. Electrochemical sensors enhanced with peptoid-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are an alternative to traditional techniques that offers rapid, accurate, label-free pathogen detection for point-of-care diagnostics. To this end, a peptoid capable of binding to the Zika virus envelope protein was developed and its binding affinity for …

Supporting Transportation System Management And Operations Using Internet Of Things Technology, Hong Yang, Yuzhong Shen, Mecit Cetin, Zhenyu Wang

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Faculty Publications

Low power wide-area network (LPWAN) technology aims to provide long range and low power wireless communication. It can serve as an alternative technology for data transmissions in many application scenarios (e.g., parking monitoring and remote flood sensing). In order to explore its feasibility in transportation systems, this project conducted a review of relevant literature to understand the current status of LPWAN applications. An online survey that targeted professionals concerned with transportation was also developed to elicit input about their experiences in using LPWAN technology for their projects. The literature review and survey results showed that LPWAN’s application in the U.S. …

Cross Domain Iw Threats To Sof Maritime Missions: Implications For U.S. Sof, Gary C. Kessler, Diane M. Zorri

Publications

As cyber vulnerabilities proliferate with the expansion of connected devices, wherein security is often forsaken for ease of use, Special Operations Forces (SOF) cannot escape the obvious, massive risk that they are assuming by incorporating emerging technologies into their toolkits. This is especially true in the maritime sector where SOF operates nearshore in littoral zones. As SOF—in support to the U.S. Navy— increasingly operate in these contested maritime environments, they will gradually encounter more hostile actors looking to exploit digital vulnerabilities. As such, this monograph comes at a perfect time as the world becomes more interconnected but also more vulnerable.

Healthy Aging In Place: An Integrated Smart Home Using Alexa-Compatible Technology, Tyler Kryst

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this research was to address current healthcare concerns among the aging population. Around the globe, the average life expectancy is projected to continue increasing resulting in a higher prevalence of age-related disease. With the ever-increasing capabilities of modern technology, it is necessary to apply this technology to increase the health and safety of older adults. This work had three objectives. The first objective was the establishment of an integrated smart home aimed at creating a healthy aging-in-place environment through the use of Alexa. The second objective was the development and integration of a completely custom health device …

Journeyman International: Canopy Life School, Housing & Training Complex In Kenya, Spencer P. Mishky

Construction Management

The purpose of this project was to provide a master plan for a primary school complex in a rural village in Migori County, Kenya. This facility aims to eliminate any issues for students growing up in the area. The master plan includes a primary school, housing accommodations, a training center, and a dining hall to cultivate success through all stages of these children’s lives. The project is headed by a non-profit organization, Journeyman International in conjunction with Canopy Life International and Take Heart Africa. The project was interdisciplinary involving a construction manager, an architect, and two architectural engineers all working …

Building Services Engineering May/June 2021

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Testing And Performance Analysis Of A New Wireless Sensors Network (Wsn) System For Hurricane Monitoring, Jianing Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers at the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) have developed the wireless sensor network system for the field measurement of hurricane wind and pressure on residential structures. A new version of the system is developed using the latest state-of-the-art technologies which performance is tested during the passing of hurricane Isaias (2020) and the Wall of Wind (WOW) at Florida International University (FIU). The old version system sensors were applied during hurricane Dorian (2019). For the three events, 25 pressure sensors and one anemometer were placed on the roof of a single-story house. Hurricane Dorian data was collected for 72 hours …

Sustainable Water Treatment Systems: A Direct Potable Proposal, Kayla Alsup, Kayla E. Alsup

Honors College Theses

A common need among all people is water—we cannot survive without it. And yet, all around the world, achieving a high quality of drinking water is a constant struggle. This water crisis is brought on by many different factors. Some are natural, such as droughts and flooding, but as the effects of climate change continue to reveal themselves, some areas are becoming drier, while other areas are experiencing less predictable and harsher weather patterns.

Our current approach towards water is not sustainable, and we are starting to see that in both under-developed and developed countries alike. Indiscriminate use of water …

Ecomspaces: Warehouse Workflow Optimization, Edwin Lim, Gustavo Andrade, Melanie Cardenas, Nicolai Sison

Senior Design Project For Engineers

Ecomspaces specializes in fulfillment services for e-commerce businesses, providing as a full-service provider for storage, shipping, and rental office space solutions. RelayShopUSA focuses on parcel forwarding services to both domestic and French international customers. The two services operate under the same roof and utilize near-identical resources. For the sake of simplicity, both services will be referenced throughout this document as Ecomspaces.

Ecomspaces has been experiencing difficulty in accepting and handling a greater volume of clients due to infrastructure-related problems within their warehouse. Management is seeking the development of both scalable and sustainable systems to cut costs and achieve long-term …

Implementing Gasification Of Organic Matter In Developing Countries, Nicholas Veeder, Wayne Strasser

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Three Minute Thesis

Smart Pacifier For Measuring Infant Bite Force, Greta Wilkins, Joshua Ingram, Aleck Tilbrook, Ephraim Zegeye

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Applied