Engineering Commons^™

Generation Expansion Planning: Transitioning Toward Decarbonization With A Focus On Reliability And Dunkelflaute, Taraneh Ghanbarzadeh, Daryoush Habibi, S. M.Muslem Uddin, Asma Aziz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Modern power systems increasingly rely on variable renewable energy sources, supported by energy storage systems and gas power plants, to meet decarbonization targets. However, the high penetration of renewables introduces significant uncertainty due to their weather-dependent nature, posing challenges to system reliability. This paper proposes a probabilistic, multi-level generation expansion planning framework that integrates reliability assessments, with a particular emphasis on the role of energy storage systems. A novel probabilistic approach is also introduced to model the Dunkelflaute phenomenon and evaluate its impact on system reliability. Additionally, the study explores the influence of regulatory mechanisms — referred to as embedded …

Enhancing Concrete Self-Healing Using Wastewater Bacteria Impregnated In Pumice Lightweight Aggregates, Mamoun Alqedra, Kamal El Kahlout, Ahmed El Refai, Mahmoud El Hessi, Muhammad Radwan, Waleed Iky

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Self-healing concrete presents a promising solution to counter the degradation of concrete structures caused by cracks and damage. This innovative mechanism employs the concrete's capacity to autonomously repair its cracks, effectively extending the lifespan of structures and reducing maintenance costs. Particularly in regions facing water scarcity, such as the Middle East and North African countries, the utilization of wastewater holds significant importance. This study investigates the self healing abilities of wastewater bacteria infused into lightweight pumice aggregates within concrete. Wastewater contains diverse bacteria, microorganisms, and oxygen—essential components for the self-healing process. Wastewater sourced from the North Gaza Emergency Sewage Treatment …

A Light-Dependent Resistor Based Embedded Image Acquisition System For Use In Low-Resolution Application-Specific Data Processing, Connor Best

Journal of Undergraduate Research at Minnesota State University, Mankato

This paper proposes an efficient hardware-based approach to image acquisition & processing to replace complex camera systems in simple industrial & commercial applications.

Environment Mapping And Gps-Based Trailer Parking Using Low-Cost Peripheral Sensors And Post-Processing Algorithms, Connor Best

Journal of Undergraduate Research at Minnesota State University, Mankato

This paper explores the merit of software data optimization through two practical examples: environment mapping & GPS navigation.

Analyzing Surface Spectral Signature Shifts In Fire-Affected Areas Of Elko County Nevada, Ibtihaj Ahmad, Haroon Stephen

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

This study investigates post-fire vegetation transitions and spectral responses in the Snowstorm Fire (2017) and South Sugarloaf Fire (2018) in Nevada using Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) surface reflectance imagery and unsupervised ISODATA classification. By comparing pre-fire and post-fire conditions, we have assessed changes in vegetation composition, spectral signatures, and the emergence of novel land cover types. The results revealed widespread conversion of shrubland and conifer-dominated systems to herbaceous cover with significant reductions in near-infrared reflectance and elevated shortwave infrared responses, indicative of vegetation loss and surface alteration. In the South Sugarloaf Fire, three new spectral classes emerged post-fire, …

Pyrolysis Of Foliage From 24 U.S. Plant Species With Recommendations For Physics-Basedwildland Fire Models, Mahsa Alizadeh, Thomas H. Fletcher

Faculty Publications

Pyrolysis of 24 samples of foliage from three U.S. regions with frequent wildland fires (Southeastern U.S., northern Utah and Southern California) was studied in a fuel-rich flat-flame burner system at 765 ◦C (for Southeastern U.S. samples) and 725 ◦C (for northern Utah and Southern California species), with a heating rate of approximately 180 ◦C/s. These conditions were selected to mimic the conditions of wildland fires. Individual plant samples were introduced to the high temperature zone in a flat-flame burner and pyrolysis products were collected. Tar was extracted and later analyzed by GC/MS. Light gases were collected and analyzed by GC/TCD. …

A Green Manufacturing Model: Joint Optimization Of Maintenance, Scheduling, And Sustainability, Ahmed Attia, Mohamed Darghouth, Ahmed Ghaithan, Awsan Mohamed, Noha Mostafa

Mechanical Engineering

This study proposes an integrated framework for sustainable manufacturing that jointly optimizes production scheduling, maintenance planning, and carbon-conscious energy management. A Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) model is developed to minimize makespan while maintaining machine reliability and ensuring compliance with greenhouse gas (GHG) emission limits. The model incorporates speed scaling as a decision variable, capturing the trade-off between processing time, energy consumption, and machine degradation. Preventive maintenance (PM) and minimal repair (MR) strategies are explicitly modeled using a Weibull-based failure distribution, and a carbon cap constraint is introduced to bound total emissions. A case study demonstrates the model's practical relevance, and …

Use Of Polymer Fiber To Improve Mechanical Properties Of Hma Containing Recycled Asphalt Pavement (Rap), Ashraf Rahim, Shadi Saadeh, Hani Al Zaraiee

Mineta Transportation Institute

A great percentage of highways and roads in California are constructed with Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA), and, as California infrastructure ages, these highways and roads must be maintained and rehabilitated. Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) is considered an excellent alternative to virgin (raw, unprocessed) materials because it reduces the use of virgin aggregate and binder. Also, the use of RAP decreases the amount of construction waste placed into landfills. This laboratory study investigated the effect of two different commercial polymer fibers on the mechanical properties of HMA with RAP. Three different HMA with RAP mixes were used in the study. One …

Model-Based Assessment Of Ocean Monitoring Temporal And Spatial Resolution Requirements For Acoustic Operations, William K. Stevens, Martin Siderius

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Understanding present and future ocean conditions is essential for the effective planning and execution of a wide range of naval and commercial acoustic operations. The four-dimensional structure of temperature and salinity}from the ocean surface to the seabed}is a critical factor influencing acoustic transmission properties. Modern numerical ocean modeling systems consist of three primary components: ocean observations, a numerical forecasting model, and a data assimilation system. Of the tens of millions of global ocean observations assimilated daily, the majority derive from satellite-based surface measurements. In stark contrast, subsurface water column measurements number only in the thousands per day. This disparity highlights …

Coal Phase-Out In The Silesian Coal Regions – Building Sustainable Scenario On Past Experiences, Adam Drobniak, Jan Bondaruk, Mirosław Skibski

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The dynamics of phasing out of hard coal mining are currently the subject of many debates and policies programming the energy transition. Diversity of opinions on the speed of the hard coal mining transition is evident. This discourse uses a number of technical, environmental, economic and social arguments that are not always supported by evidence-based analyses. As assumed in the European Green Deal, a responsible approach to decarbonisation requires just transition values. Thus, the negative effects of mining phasing out should be well recognized to enable their mitigation. This applies especially to the Silesian Voivodeship, where the concentration of so-called …

A Gas-Tight Bonding/Sealing Of Different Bulk Ceramics For Robust Oxygen Separation At Ultra-High Temperatures, Guoan Wang, Xingjian Xue

Faculty Publications

Oxygen transport membrane (OTM) is an economic technology for oxygen separation and high-purity oxygen production. To mitigate various issues induced by high temperatures, intermediate temperature OTM technology has been pursued in recent years. However, in certain circumstances, high operating temperatures are unavoidable, such as in situ oxygen production using OTMs for direct oxy-combustion. Nevertheless, the lack of reliable high temperature gas-tight sealing imposes great challenges on OTM technology for such applications. Herein, a novel sealing strategy is developed to obtain a gas-tight bonding/sealing of two different bulk ceramics using ceramic slurry in combination with phase inversion process. The sealing strategy …

Sistemas De Información Geográfica En La Era De La Digitalización, Jairo Eduardo Márquez Díaz, Luis Gonzalo Benavides Ramírez, Arles Prieto Moreno, Martha Andrea Manrique Castro

Ingeniería

En la era digital, la información geográfica es esencial para la toma de decisiones en áreas como la planificación urbana, la gestión de recursos naturales y la seguridad. Los Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG) se han establecido como herramientas indispensables para gestionar, analizar y visualizar datos georreferenciados que permite la creación de mapas digitales y la toma de decisiones basada en evidencia. Este libro aborda los fundamentos, las tecnologías y las aplicaciones de los SIG, explorando su evolución y su potencial en un entorno digital en constante transformación. A lo largo de sus cinco capítulos, el libro aborda temas esenciales …

Comparison Of Road-Side Emissions Measurements From Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles To Moves5, Amber L. Gurecki Allen, Emma Reeves, Darrell Sonntag

FEAT Publications

No abstract provided.

Mosquito Classification And Explainability From Image Data Via Deep Learning Techniques, Farhat Binte Azam

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on Earth, responsible for more human deaths annually than any other species. Mosquito-borne illnesses continue to pose severe risks to global health. In 2015 alone, there were an estimated 214 million malaria cases worldwide. Similarly, a 2016 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that Puerto Rico’s Department of Health received over 62,500 suspected cases of Zika, with 29,345 confirmed positive cases. In 2019, Southeast Asia experienced its worst dengue outbreak in recorded history. Of the approximately 4,500 mosquito species distributed across 34 genera, …

Effects Of Hydrological Connectivity On Created Marsh Sustainability, Katie Swann

LSU Master's Theses

While efforts are being made to curb the high rate of coastal land loss in Louisiana, and even to restore ecosystem services and functions, it is generally accepted that restoration of these areas and functions is not a one-to-one value. It may take decadal time scales to reach efficient functional processing of nutrients and carbon storage rates, which may never reach true capacity comparable to similar naturally-organized systems. Although it is imperative to preserve these areas, restoration of ecosystem services and biogeochemical processes of coastal wetlands are preferable to future without action scenarios. Effectively directing the use of the limited …

A Scoping Review Of Aviation Loss Of Control Inflight Research, Brian J. Roggow

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Loss of control – inflight (LOC-I) contributes to aircraft accidents at unacceptably high rates. Significant industry efforts and research have aimed to improve LOC-I prevention, detection, and recovery. This scoping review of literature systematically analyzed LOC-I literature between 2014 and 2024. The scoping review synthesized research findings and recommendations from 116 relevant articles. The research findings and recommendations were also categorized using the SHELL model to identify prevalent and understudied themes. Significant research has examined angle of attack indicators, integrated flight directors, automated LOC-I avoidance, detection, and recovery systems, as well as associated nonlinear aerodynamic modeling. Additionally, human performance shaping …

Streamflow Reconstruction For The Upper Indus Basin, Syeda Saria Bukhary, Sajjad Ahmad

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

The sustainability of water resources in Pakistan faces mounting challenges due to population growth, climate change, and declining groundwater reserves. The Indus River, vital for the country’s agriculture, energy, and economy, suffers from limited instrumental discharge records that do not capture long-term hydrologic variability or extreme flow events. This study addressed this gap by developing streamflow reconstructions for the Upper Indus Basin (UIB) using tree-ring chronologies (TRC) combined with sea surface temperature (SST) data—an approach not previously applied in this region—for four discharge stations: Partab, Daniyor, Besham Qila, and Kachora. Stepwise linear regression models using TRC and SST predictors explained …

Jet Impingement And Vortex/Swirl Cooling Of Different Inlet And Outlet Geometrical Configurations For Turbine Blade Leading Edge Cooling, Irfan Ahmad Sheikh

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Gas turbine blades operate in extreme environments, exposed directly to high-temperature combustion gases that cause severe thermal stresses, weaken material integrity, and may lead to structural failure. Proper cooling is crucial to lower blade temperatures, reduce thermal stresses, prevent failure, and improve overall engine efficiency. This work presents a detailed numerical study of various cooling configurations by applying two advanced leading-edge cooling methods, jet impingement and swirl cooling, across different inlet mass flow rates and jet Reynolds numbers (Rej) ranging from 1,000 to 20,000 to evaluate their cooling performance.

Several advanced leading-edge cooling configurations are proposed and …

Development Trends And Priority Research Fields Of Electrochemical Discipline In The 15th Five Year Plan Period, Lin Zhuang, Wen-Bin Cai, Heng-Xing Ji, Qing Li, Gong-Wei Wang, Sen Xin, Qing Zhao, Fang-Yi Cheng, Yu-Guo Guo, Lan-Qun Mao, Yang Tian, Fei Wu, Li-Min Zhang, Yan Xiang, Jin-Song Hu, Rui Cao, Li Xiao, Hua-Bing Tao, Wei Xing, Dong-Ping Zhan, Hong-Gang Liao, Mei-Ling Xiao, Bin Ren, Zhang-Quan Peng, Rui Wen, Xiang Wang, Yue-Feng Song, Hou-Fu Lv, Bao-Yu Xia, Guo-Xiong Wang, Jun Cheng, Zhi-Pan Liu, Min Zhou, Bing Huang, Cun-Pu Li, Yu-Qin Zou, Shuang-Yin Wang, Hai-Bo Lin, Zi-Dong Wei

Journal of Electrochemistry

In fulfillment of the national science-and-technology development agenda, the Department of Chemical Sciences of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) convened the Strategic Symposium on the Fifteenth Five-Year (2026–2030) Development Plan for Electrochemistry held in Xiamen on 29 August, 2025—the culminating year of the Fourteenth Five-Year (2021–2025) Development Plan. More than forty leading experts in the field of electrochemistry participated with spanning nine thematic fronts: Interfacial Electrocatalysis, Interfacial Electrochemistry for Energy Storage, Bioelectrochemistry, Electrochemistry of Hydrogen Energy, Electrochemical Micro-/Nano-Manufacturing, Operando Electrochemical Characterization, Electro-Thermal Coupling Catalysis, Theoretical and Computational Electrochemistry, and Electrochemical Synthesis. The forum assembled China’s foremost electrochemical …

Teaching Machine Learning To Undergraduate Electrical Engineering Students, Gerald L. Fudge, Anika Rimu, William Zorn, July Ringle, Cody Barnet

Faculty Publications

Proficiency in machine learning (ML) and the associated computational math foundations have become critical skills for engineers. Required areas of proficiency include the ability to use available ML tools and the ability to develop new tools to solve engineering problems. Engineers also need to be proficient in using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in a variety of contexts, including as an aid to learning, research, writing, and code generation. Using these tools properly requires a solid understanding of the associated computational math foundation. Without this foundation, engineers will struggle with developing new tools and can easily misuse available ML/AI tools, …

Cross-Linked Cellulose Ester/Linseed Oil Composites For Controlled Release Fertilizers, Ian Stark

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Food scarcity is an ever-present concern for a growing population but can be mitigated through innovations in agriculture. Fertilizers are required to produce a sufficient amount of food, and while they contain key nutrients for crop growth, these nutrients can leech into the surrounding environment. Controlled release fertilizers slow the release of nutrients, encasing the prills in a semi permeable coating. Current coatings are non-biodegradable, causing microplastic soil contamination, which is very difficult to remove. Cellulose esters offer a compelling alternative, with an ability to cross-link into thin films that can be applied as coatings. The cellulose esterification was completed …

Blockchain-Driven Pharma Supply Chains Towards Industry 6.0, Vijay Ramasamy R

Theses and Dissertations

The pharmaceutical supply chain is undergoing an unprecedented evolution in the wake of Industry 6.0, driven by the need for heightened transparency, security, and real-time intelligence. However, current systems suffer from legacy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) constraints, the risk of counterfeit products, temperature sensitivity, and scalability issues due to the surge in Internet of Things (IoT) data.

This research proposes a unified, blockchain-based framework that integrates legacy ERP systems, advanced AI driven forecasting, IoT-enabled traceability, and quantum-enhanced blockchain security to modernize pharmaceutical supply chains.

The study begins by addressing interoperability between ERP and blockchain using middleware and smart contracts, facilitating …

Strategies For Obtaining High-Performance Li-Ion Solid-State Electrolytes For Solid-State Batteries, Yi-Cheng Deng, Zi-Chang You, Geng-Zhong Lin, Guo Tang, Jing-Hua Wu, Zhi-Min Zhou, Xiang-Chun Zhuang, Li-Xuan Yang, Zhen-Jie Zhang, Zhao-Yin Wen, Xia-Yin Yao, Chang-Hong Wang, Qian Zhou, Guang-Lei Cui, Ping He, Hui Li, Xin-Ping Ai

Journal of Electrochemistry

With the widespread adoption of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), safety concerns associated with flammable organic electrolytes have become increasingly critical. Solid-state lithium batteries (SSLBs), with enhanced safety and higher energy density potential, are regarded as a promising next-generation energy storage technology. However, the practical application of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) remains hindered by several challenges, including low Li⁺ ion conductivity, poor interfacial compatibility with electrodes, unfavorable mechanical properties and difficulties in scalable manufacturing. This review systematically examines recent progress in SSEs, including inorganic types (oxides, sulfides, halides), organic types (polymers, plastic crystals, poly(ionic liquids) (PILs)), and the emerging class of soft …

High-Voltage Solid-State Lithium Batteries: A Review Of Electrolyte Design, Interface Engineering, And Future Perspectives, Cheng Yang, Zi-Xin Liang, Ming-Yun Zhang, Ming-Zhe Chen, Kai Zhang, Li-Min Zhou

Journal of Electrochemistry

Solid-state lithium batteries have become a research hotspot in the field of large-scale energy storage due to their excellent safety performance. The development of high-voltage positive electrode materials matched with lithium metal anode have advanced the energy density of solid-state lithium batteries close to or even exceeding that of lithium batteries based on a liquid electrolyte, which is expected to be commercialized in the future. However, in high voltage conditions (> 4.3 V), the decomposition of electrolyte components, structural degradation, and interface side reactions significantly reduce battery performance and hinder its further development. This review summarizes the latest research progress …

Hybrid Multi-Layer Sandwich Beams Using 3d Printing Technology With Energy Absorption Features, Hour Ali Alhefeiti

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This study explores the use of additive manufacturing (AM) technology to create sandwich composite structures, focusing on the manufacturing process, testing, and anticipated impact. The rising cost of manufacturing prototypes using conventional methods has led to the exploration of 3D printing as a viable alternative. The research problem addresses the challenges in manufacturing sandwich composites and the need for automation across the civil, mechanical, aerospace, and aviation industries. The study aims to investigate 3D-printed sandwich composite structures and compare experimental, finite-element analysis, and theoretical results. The proposed methodology includes preparing a CAD model with five different core infill patterns (Cross …

Process-Driven Manufacturability Constraints In Design For Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, Monsuru Ramoni, Sampson Gholston, Albert E. Patterson

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has emerged as a useful option for large-scale metal additive manufacturing. It has gained widespread use in the aerospace industry and other applications that require large and complex custom parts. The process is a combination of a precise control system and a welding process, typically GTAW or MIG welding. It is a member of the directed energy deposition (DED) family of AM processes. Compared with many metal AM processes, it is relatively simple and cost-effective but almost always requires a significant amount of postprocessing before parts can be used. The AM-based nature of the process …

Robust Pid Control Of A 2 Dof Robotic Arm Actuated By Permanent Magnet Dc Motors: Lyapunov’S Stability Analysis And Simulation Results, Erik Chumacero-Polanco

Informatics and Engineering Systems Faculty Publications

We present a robust PID control for a 2 DoF exoskeleton actuated by permanent-magnet direct current (PMDC) motors. The control design exploits the architecture of the exoskeleton’s dynamical model, which is regarded as the interconnection of a mechanical and an electrical subsystems. The inner loop control for the mechanical subsystem uses robust PID control while the outer control loop uses a model-based control for the electrical subsystem. Lyapunov’s second method is used to show asymptotic stability of the position and velocity tracking error equilibrium point. Asymptotic stability in Lyapunov sense is proved in a twofold procedure. First, it is shown …

Crack Propagation Behavior Of Polyurethane Grouting Sma Asphalt Mixtures, Ji Guoqi, Ma Hui, Zheng Junqiu, Huang Yujie

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To reveal the influence me chanis m of polyurethane grouting on the crack propagation behavior of SMA-13 asphalt mixtures, this paper first conducted a semi-circular bending (SCB) test to validate the effectiveness of the PFC2D discrete element model, which was employed to simulate the microscopic responses of mixtures under different notch positions and grouting conditions. The analysis focused on load-displacement curves, crack propagation paths, crack number evolution, and force chain distribution characteristics. The results indicate that polyurethane grouting significantly increases the peak load and peak displacement of the specimens, thereby enhancing the fracture load-bearing capacity and deformation tolerance, with the …

10.27.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

ORED Field Fest

OTC Director Candidates

Development Of A Mesothelin-Binding Engineered Scaffold Protein As A Theranostic For Pleural Mesothelioma, Roberto Silvestri, Margherita Piccardi, Alessia Laurenza, Filomena Rea, Allison R. Sirois, Martina Lari, Francesco Bartoli, Giovanni Signore, Lorena Tedeschi, Elisabetta Ferraro, Paola Anna Erba, Roberto Giovannoni, Stefano Landi, Federica Gemignani, Sarah J. Moore

Engineering: Faculty Publications

Mesothelin (MSLN) is a tumor biomarker expressed at high levels on the surface of numerous cancers with extremely limited expression in healthy tissues. MSLN-targeting agents developed for diagnosis and therapy could have a significant impact on the management of MSLN-expressing cancers. Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a deadly cancer that arises from mesothelial cells lining the pleura and is predominantly linked to asbestos exposure. There are currently no effective treatments, and diagnosis occurs in late stages of disease due to the lack of clinical symptoms in the early stages. Recent efforts to diagnose and treat PM have focused on identifying and …