Engineering Commons^™

Engineering Multifunctional Silicon Nanostructures From Biorenewable Cellulose Nanocrystals, Nancy Chen

All Dissertations

The imperative search for alternative materials to address the pressing demand for advance energy storage is underscored by the escalating environmental predicaments. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with graphite anodes have become the benchmark in energy storage; however, they are approaching a saturation point in terms of energy density. Silicon emerges as a promising contender to supplant graphite, owing to its profuse availability, cost-effectiveness, and impressive specific capacity of 4200 mAh g^-1. By integrating silicon anodes, LIBs stand to undergo a radical transformation, markedly diminishing in weight and size, thus heralding a novel wave of compact, lightweight energy storage systems. …

A Manufacturing-To-Response Pathway For Manufacturing Optimization Of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Structures, Madhura Limaye

All Dissertations

Over the past decade, there has been an increased adoption of thermoplastic and thermoset based continuous carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites for structural applications in several industries. Among the different manufacturing methods, thermoforming process for thermoplastic based continuous CFRP’s offer a major advantage in reducing cycle times for large scale productions. Similarly, out-of-autoclave curing process for thermoset based continuous CFRP’s using heated tooling enables production of large composite structures. However, these manufacturing processes can have a significant impact on the structural performance of parts by inducing undesirable effects. These effects include inhomogeneous fiber orientations, thickness variations, and residual stresses …

Oscillations Of Capillary Surfaces With Volume And Edge Effects, Dingqian Ding

All Dissertations

Capillary surfaces are defined by an interface endowed with surface tension that is partially supported by a solid substrate and are susceptible to oscillations reflecting a balance between fluid inertia and the restorative force of surface tension. The wave dynamics strongly depend upon volume change within the domain and edge effects through the boundary conditions applied at the contact-line formed at the liquid-gas-solid interface, while the spatial wave structure conforms to the geometry of the capillary surface. This dissertation develops mathematical models to address these effects for several canonical capillary surfaces, which are organized into two parts that are focused …

Robust And Trustworthy Deep Learning: Attacks, Defenses And Designs, Bingyin Zhao

All Dissertations

Deep neural networks (DNNs) have achieved unprecedented success in many fields. However, robustness and trustworthiness have become emerging concerns since DNNs are vulnerable to various attacks and susceptible to data distributional shifts. Attacks such as data poisoning and out-of-distribution scenarios such as natural corruption significantly undermine the performance and robustness of DNNs in model training and inference and impose uncertainty and insecurity on the deployment in real-world applications. Thus, it is crucial to investigate threats and challenges against deep neural networks, develop corresponding countermeasures, and dig into design tactics to secure their safety and reliability. The works investigated in this …

Electrode Engineering For Enhanced Performance And Low-Cost Redox Flow Batteries, Abena Williams

All Dissertations

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Quantifying Image Quality In Aoslo Images Of Photoreceptors, Brea D. Brennan, Heather Heitkotter, Joseph Carroll, Sergey Tarima, Robert F. Cooper

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The use of “quality” to describe the usefulness of an image is ubiquitous but is often subject to domain specific constraints. Despite its continued use as an imaging modality, adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) lacks a dedicated metric for quantifying the quality of an image of photoreceptors. Here, we present an approach to evaluating image quality that extracts an estimate of the signal to noise ratio. We evaluated its performance in 528 images of photoreceptors from two AOSLOs, two modalities, and healthy or diseased retinas. The algorithm was compared to expert graders’ ratings of the images and previously published …

Numerical Simulations Of Supersonic/ Hypersonic Flows In Compression Corners And A Hypersonic Flow Study Of Atmospheric Entry Of Mars Science Laboratory Capsule, Dexter Allen

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

This thesis consists of two related parts. The first part is the study of supersonic/hypersonic flow in compression corners. The compression corners are simple geometries but rich in flow-features that can be challenging for accurate prediction of their flow fields in high-speed compressible flow using the Reynold-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations in conjunction with a turbulence model. At higher degrees of corner angles, there exists a shock-boundary layer interaction region which includes a significant recirculation zone in the corner. In this thesis, experimentally available test cases for compression corner at Mach 3, 8, and 11 at various corner angles are modeled …

The Role Of Voluntary Descending Control In Enhancing Motor Function Via Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation, Yoon Kim

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-changing event that causes lasting motor impairments. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), a non-invasive form of neuromodulation in which electrodes are placed on the skin and used to stimulate the spinal circuits via an electrical current, has demonstrated positive effects on motor function recovery in individuals who have had SCIs. However, the precise mechanism of how tSCS interacts with voluntary descending drive remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the role of voluntary descending control in influencing reflex responses triggered by tSCS.

Electromyography (EMG) recordings were performed in ten unimpaired individuals while they …

Development Of A Wearable Short-Wave Infrared Photoplethysmography Device For Detection And Monitoring Of Hemodilution During Postpartum Hemorrhage, Hannah Gruensfelder

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS

A Thesis on the Development of a Wearable Short-Wave Infrared Photoplethysmography Device for Detection and Monitoring of Hemodilution During Postpartum Hemorrhage

by

Hannah Gruensfelder

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Washington University in St. Louis, 2024

Professor Christine O’Brien, Chair

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal death and morbidity, affects nearly 14 million people worldwide each year, disproportionally impacting racial minorities and people in low resource settings. A timely diagnosis of PPH is key in providing optimal patient care, as an estimated 90% of deaths due to PPH are preventable with early diagnosis and …

Modeling Of Nk Cells In Pediatric Patients With Unusually Severe Or Recurrent Hsv Using High-Dimensional Flow Cytometry, Yunran Feng

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

HSV infection is broadly spread all over the world with some patients having severe and/or recurrent HSV infections. Our lab studies human Natural Killer (NK) cells, which are important in innate immune responses to viral infections and tumors. A publication in 2013 by Ornstein et al from our lab studied HSV+ pediatric patients and found some associations between severe infection and defects in NK cytolytic function. PLCG2 haploinsufficient variants found in 2 HSV patients causing PLCγ2 hypophosphorylation, and loss of cytolytic function in NK cells is a novel finding recently published by Alinger et al from our lab in 2023. …

Progress In Selective Laser Sintering Ofmultifunctional Polymer Composites For Strain- And Self-Sensing Applications, Muhammad Umar Azam, Imane Belyamani, Andreas Schiffer, Shanmugam Kumar, Khalid Askar

All Works

Recent decades have witnessed significant advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) of polymer composites, leading to the development of material systems with intricate architecture and composition. Selective laser sintering (SLS), among various AM methods, offers numerous advantages such as high mechanical strength in printed parts, recyclability of unused powders, and the ability to print large batches without support structures. Moreover, SLS has remarkably succeeded in fabricating electrically conductive polymer composites (ECPCs) with exceptional functional performance which is attributed primarily to the formation of a segregated filler network along the powder particle boundaries. This review aims to delve into SLS for processing …

Characterizing The Molecular And Cellular Changes Of Senescent Cells Induced By Diverse Stressors In 2d And 3d Microenvironments, Apoorva Chauhan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Aging is a risk factor for myriad diseases and is often associated with the accumulation of senescent cells. Cellular senescence, a process of irreversible cell cycle arrest, is associated with various changes in cellular morphology and function. While senescence will occur naturally in a time-dependent manner, it can be prematurely induced by various extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Most senescence studies model cell behavior in two-dimensional (2D) microenvironments; however, these models are not physiologically relevant. In this study, the effects of naturally occurring reactive oxygen species (ROS) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and commonly used chemotherapy drugs, doxorubicin and palbociclib, on cellular senescence …

Remote Detection Of Leaks In High Level Waste Storage Tanks, Hunter Frey

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this research was to characterize three devices potentially capable of remotely detecting signatures of a leak from high-level waste (HLW) storage tanks, specifically ones found at the Savannah River Site and the Hanford Site. The hazard HLW found within these tanks include ¹³⁷Cs, a gamma-ray emitter, and ⁹⁰Sr, an electron emitter leading to heat generation. These pose health risks to the personnel and maintenance problems and environmental safety issues if released to the environment. Additionally, pinpointing the location of a leak is a task that could lead to the mitigation of excess waste leaking from …

A Computational Framework For Predicting Cell-Specific Nucleo-Cytoskeletal Forces, Madison Leigh Goldfeldt

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the influence of mechanical forces on cell function and fate is crucial in unraveling the intricate mechanisms that govern cellular behavior. The cytoskeleton, a dynamic network of protein filaments, plays a pivotal role in sensing and transmitting mechanical cues within cells. The nucleus relies on cytoskeletal mechanical input through nuclear envelope adaptor proteins to sense external stimuli and respond by regulating intra-nuclear chromatin organization. This research provides a means for examining the interplay between mechanical forces and the cytoskeleton in regulating various cellular processes, including cell adhesion, migration, division, and differentiation. Through studying and simulating the cellular response to …

Stabilization Of Layered Transition Metal Oxide Positive Electrodes At High Potential For Sodium Ion Batteries, Eric Gabriel

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

As global demand for energy storage rises in response to the proliferation of electric vehicles and intermittent renewable energy sources, the resources associated with popular energy storage systems are increasingly strained. Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) rely heavily on elements with low abundance and unstable supply chains, while sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are a promising alternative technology based on abundant, globally available elements such as iron and sodium. However, the electrochemical performance of SIBs must be improved to enable their commercial viability. In the class of layered transition metal oxide (LTMOs) materials that are strong candidates as positive electrode materials for …

Development And Characterization Of A Low Intensity Vibrational System For Microgravity Studies, Omor Khan

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The advent of extended-duration human spaceflight demands a better comprehension of the physiological impacts of microgravity. One primary concern is the adverse impact on the musculoskeletal system, including muscle atrophy and bone density reduction. Ground-based microgravity simulations have provided insights, with vibrational bioreactors emerging as potential mitigators of these negative effects. Despite the potential they have, the adaptation of vibrational bioreactors for space remains unfulfilled, resulting in a significant gap in microgravity research. This paper introduces the first automated low-intensity vibrational (LIV) bioreactor designed specifically for the International Space Station (ISS) environment. Our research covers the bioreactor's design and characterization, …

Comparison Of Properties And Fracture Patterns In Aged And Fresh Cortical Bone, Mckenna Roan

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Bone is a complex natural material that presents many challenges to researchers interested in characterizing its mechanical properties. There are different techniques, such as drying, embalming, and freezing, to preserve bones for engineering and scientific study. There are advantages and disadvantages to these techniques, and there have been limited studies comparing the effect of preservation techniques on the mechanical and fracture properties. In this research, aged and fresh bovine bone specimens are tested in compression while monitoring acoustic emissions (AE). Three main aspects of testing are investigated: the force-displacement curves, acoustic emission activity, and fracture patterns observed in X-ray computed …

Porcine Computational Modeling To Investigate Developmental Dysplasia Of The Hip, Chia-Yu Yu

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

While it is well-established that early detection and initiation of treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip is crucial to successful clinical outcome, research on mechanics of the hip joint during healthy and pathological hip development in infants has been limited. Quantification of mechanical behavior in both the healthy and dysplastic developing joints may provide insight into the causes of developmental dysplasia of the hip and facilitate innovation in treatment options. In this study, subject-specific three-dimensional finite element models of two pigs were developed: one healthy pig and one pig with induced dysplasia in the right hindlimb. The objectives of …

Thermal-Fluid And Optical Considerations In The Design Of Porous Cavity Receivers, Koda D. Boldt

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Concentrated solar power (CSP) is a versatile renewable energy source that cleanly provides thermal energy by means of concentrating solar irradiance. One form of CSP, central receiver systems (CRS), utilizes receivers that allow for a solid medium to act as a heat exchanger between the solar irradiance and an optically clear working fluid. This solid medium can take many forms. One such form that shows great potential in high temperature applications is a porous receiver made of a ceramic material. The porous media is subject to solar irradiance to heat its surface. Air is then pulled across the porous media …

Exploring The Effects Of Dopants On The Opto-Electrical Response Of Ge2Se3-Based Optically Gated Transistor (Ogt), Md Faisal Kabir

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

In this work, the electrical and optical responses of chalcogenide glass (ChG) Ge₂Se₃-based optically gated transistors (OGTs) were investigated. The device can act as a selector for resistive memory devices and potentially enable the production of functional high-density resistive (and memristive) arrays.

The OGT was developed using a Ge₂Se₃-based material heterostructure and demonstrated to successfully gate a memristor with light. The light intensity provided a built-in compliance current, allowing multi-state programming. By varying the light intensity incident on Ge₂Se₃ material, a family of current-voltage (I-V) curves were measured that …

On-Chip Active Pulse-Clamp Stimulation (Apcs) For Rapid Recovery, Charge-Balanced Neural Stimulation, F. N. U. Tala

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Neurostimulations are widely utilized to modulate brains and nervous systems functions for therapeutic purposes. Traditional neurostimulation involves applying a direct current delivered to the excitable tissues to elicit neural response. There is a growing demand for a robust, rapid stimulation system that ensures chronic safety through charge balancing in vivo. This dissertation is a compilation of previously published works, detailing various board-level stimulators, an innovative on-chip stimulation technique, and a distributed modelling method.

Chapter one introduces MEDUSA, a cost-effective, multi-functional neurostimulation system capable of achieving multi-channel, arbitrary stimulation for neuroscience research.

Chapter two delves into a scripted distributed model framework …

Evaluating The Synergy Of Geocell And Microbial-Induced Calcite Precipitation (Micp) In Enhancing Pavement Base Stability: A Field Study On Us 95, Mabin Dahal

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The imperative to develop resilient and sustainable infrastructure is escalating, particularly as urban road networks are subjected to unprecedented stresses. Conventional pavement bases often entail the extensive utilization of quarry materials, which significantly exacerbates environmental degradation and amplifies the energy footprint of construction endeavors. The extraction, transportation, and processing of these quarry materials contribute to deforestation, habitat eradication, and greenhouse gas emissions. Given these environmental and operational hurdles, the quest for innovative, sustainable alternatives in pavement engineering is pressing. One solution is to use the native materials treated with microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) alongside geocell technology back in pavement construction …

Multiscale Design And Numerical Modeling Of A Porous Lattice For Concentrated Solar Thermal Applications, Aidan T. Mcconnehey

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Due to the rising demand in the market for renewable energy, concentrated solar power (CSP) systems are increasing in popularity. One CSP receiver configuration showing increased promise is the volumetric cavity solar receiver, which employs a porous lattice for radiative heat absorption and transport. However, due to the presence of large temperature gradients, mechanical failure as a result of thermal expansion is a crucial metric in the design of these systems.

This thesis involves the design of a porous lattice, constrained by thermal transport requirements as well as mechanical failure criteria. The design is then numerically analyzed to determine thermal …

Traffic Prediction In 5g Networks Using Machine Learning, Hossein Mehri

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The advent of 5G technology promises a paradigm shift in the realm of telecommunications, offering unprecedented speeds and connectivity. However, the efficient management of traffic in 5G networks remains a critical challenge. It is due to the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of network traffic, including bursty patterns, varying user behaviors, and diverse applications, all of which demand highly accurate and adaptable prediction models to optimize network resource allocation and management. This dissertation investigates the intricate domain of traffic prediction within 5G networks, addressing the specific challenges posed by both massive machine type communication (mMTC) networks and 5G cellular networks.

The …

Wildfire Impacts On Soil: Hydrophobicity Inducement And Water Drop Penetration Test, Max A. Veneris

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The increasing prevalence of wildfires in today’s day and age has amplified the need for post-fire remediation and environmental restoration, especially in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). One of these impacts is soil hydrophobicity, or soil water repellency, which is a well-documented phenomenon after wildfires. Hydrophobicity can significantly impacting revegetation, slope stability, runoff, and erosion potential. To better understand the soil fire-induced hydrophobicity and its impact on other soil properties, variable levels of hydrophobicity need to be repeatably induced in several types of soils under different controlled testing conditions to measure other soil properties. To reach this goal two ingredients are …

Manufacturing, Characterization, And Macromechanical Modeling Of Short Flax/Hemp Fiber-Hybrid Reinforced Polypropylene, Bilel Miled, Slim Kammoun, Imane Belyamani, Laurent Cauret

All Works

The present work focuses on the manufacturing, mechanical characterization, and modeling of hybrid Flax/Hemp/Polypropylene (PP) composites under dry conditions. Geometric parameters of the fibers were measured both before and after the melt processing. The results indicated that the processed fibers, especially the hybrid ones, had a narrowed length distribution with an average fiber length of 0.48 mm for hybrids compared to 0.62 mm for non-hybrids. The hybrid composites were mechanically characterized using basic and loading-unloading tensile tests with various fiber combinations and weight percentages. The study also examined the effect of strain rate and cutting angle on the behaviors of …

Utilizing Spatial Transcriptomics To Compare Gene Expression In Volumetric Muscle Loss Injury Recovery, Colton Gattis

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Volumetric Muscle Loss (VML) injuries are known to disrupt the normal regenerative process via fibrosis leading to an extensive permanent loss of muscle function. The specific causation of this disruption remains to be defined; however, with new developments in transcriptomics, genetic trends can be identified across regions of tissue over time. This study follows VML injuries within the tibialis anterior of a mouse model for fifteen days after initial injury to attempt to identify expected transitions in healing. Genetic presence began to become more diversified as recovery progressed from four to fifteen days post injury with spatial clusters becoming globalized …

The Effect Of Extended Saltwater Absorption And Uv Cure On The Compressive Properties Of Msla 3d-Printed Photopolymer Resin Samples With Printing Variations, Suzanne Dixon

Theses and Dissertations

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 3D printers, also known as Masked Stereolithography Apparatus (MSLA), is a type of vat polymerization printing technique that cures liquid resin into a solid object. This technique is relatively new. Consequently, there is a shortage of detailed research on the impact of long-term environmental exposure on the MSLA-printed materials. The research within this document informs engineers and scientists of resin compressive properties after extended exposure to saltwater and ultraviolet (UV) light. Saltwater absorption of the material was analyzed at atmospheric pressure, 30-psi, 60-psi, and 90-psi; the samples reached saturation in saltwater after 56 days. The variation …

Fabrication And Performance Demonstration Of Compact Adsorption Heat Pump, Faraz Ege

Theses and Dissertations

Addressing global environmental concerns requires a shift to eco-friendly energy sources, particularly in cooling applications where traditional vapor-compression systems rely on harmful refrigerants and electricity. Thermally-driven cooling systems, like adsorption heat pumps, offer promise with their environmentally friendly refrigerants such as water and use of low-temperature heat sources, including solar energy or waste industrial heat. This dissertation undertakes a comprehensive investigation into the development and optimization of compact adsorption heat pumps, aiming to address the efficiency and environmental challenges inherent in conventional cooling systems.

This research begins by introducing a novel insertion coating technique for fabricating MIL-101 (Cr) adsorbent layers …

Evaluation Of Beach-Fx — Beach Nourishment Planning Model – Miami Beach Case Study, Brennan Chase Banks

Theses and Dissertations

Miami Beach, located on the Southeast coast of Florida, is a concerning location for coastal erosion because of the increasing intensity and frequency of tropical storms, nuisance flooding, and accelerated sea-level rise due to climate change. Miami Beach is famous for its beautiful beaches, making it a location of high interest for tourists, citizens, and investors. It is vital for coastal practitioners to accurately model coastal processes, beach evolution, and storm damage during the planning stage of coastal protection projects. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers developed the Beach-fx model as a tool for engineers, planners, and economists to …