Engineering Commons^™

Dual-Band High Gain Circular Microstrip Array Antenna For Wireless Applications, Hassan Ali Ragheb, Mariam Hossam

Electrical Engineering

This paper presents the design of a compact, high-gain, dual-band microstrip antenna array composed of four circular patch elements. Traditional antenna arrays employ linear or planar configurations, where the feed network plays a key role in shaping the beamwidth and sidelobe level. In contrast, this design achieves compactness by nesting a small-scaled two-element linear array within a larger two-element linear array. Each radiating element is a circular microstrip patch designed for operation at 3.1 GHz and 6.9 GHz, aligning with IEEE 802.11b/g wireless communication standards. The full array configuration operates over dual bands, covering (3.05–3.18) GHz and (6.9–7.0) GHz, and …

Translating Soil Salinity To Agricultural Salt Stress: Key Salt-Tolerance Mechanisms For Agrohydrologic Models, Josh Gottlieb, Dvir Ochman, Cheng-Wei Huang, Jean-Christophe Domec, Nimrod Schwartz, Samantha Hartzell

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Summary:

Salt stress has a detrimental impact on crop yield and survival rates, which salt-tolerant cultivars can resist through numerous adaptive mechanisms. Most models of salt stress impacts on productivity and water use employ empirical or simplified schemes to represent salt-adaptive traits. However, with an increased understanding of these physiological tolerance mechanisms and emergent measurement techniques for monitoring key salinity dynamics, the potential for developing mechanistic agrohydrological models of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum has grown. This perspective highlights strategies for modeling salt tolerance mechanisms, including root system architecture adaptation, salt filtration, adaptation of plant hydraulics, ion compartmentalization, and stomatal responses, to …

Techno-Economic Analysis (Tea) And Life-Cycle Assessment (Lca) Of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (Saf) Production Through Circular Economy (Ce) Practices: A Focus On Supply Chain Optimization And Policy Implications, Edmund Gyandoh

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

This study provides a comprehensive systems-level evaluation of an integrated circular biorefinery for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. Employing supply chain optimization, technoeconomic analysis, lifecycle analysis, policy modeling, and multicriteria decision analysis, the research assesses technical feasibility, economic viability, and environmental performance. The circular economy model demonstrates exceptional resource efficiency, achieving a 92.3% overall circularity score with strong material recycling, water reuse, waste minimization, and near-complete energy recovery, resulting in net-negative carbon emissions and net energy export. Scaling the facility to commercial capacity (500 million liters per year) enables significant economic improvements. The minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) decreases from …

Modeling Steady-State Navier-Stokes Flow Using Structure-Preserving Truncated Hierarchical B-Splines, Daira Sofia Velasco Vega

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate simulation of incompressible steady-state fluid flow is critical for engineering applications where mass conservation, numerical stability, and geometric fidelity are essential. This thesis develops and analyzes a structure-preserving isogeometric framework for steady-state incompressible Navier"“Stokes simulations using truncated hierarchical B-splines (THB-splines). By leveraging divergence-conforming spline spaces designed to keep the fluid's divergence exactly zero based on the mathematical de Rham complex, this method ensures the fluid remains incompressible everywhere without needing extra stabilization techniques. The use of THB-splines allows the mesh to be refined locally in areas where the flow changes sharply. It still keeps the solution smooth and ensures …

Tribology Of Textured Surfaces, Min Zou, Mahyar Afshar-Mohajer, Robert A. Fleming

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Surface texturing has emerged as a transformative approach to improving friction, lubrication, and wear across a wide range of mechanical components. From bio-inspired micro-dimples to engineered macro-grooves, texture designs are increasingly applied in biomedical implants, bearings, seals, and automotive systems. This Special Issue, “Tribology of Textured Surfaces,” compiles 14 papers that collectively cover fabrication techniques, multi-scale optimization, predictive modeling, and diverse application areas.   The following sections summarize the major themes of this Special Issue. Section 2 reviews the fabrication techniques and texture scales addressed by the authors. Section 3 examines modeling and numerical studies, while Section 4 categorizes the work …

Coal Mining Reclamation: Lessons Learned From Tropical And Subtropical Countries, Priyaji Agung Pambudi, Suyud Warno Utomo, Roni Setyo Handoko

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

This study addresses the persistent environmental challenges associated with coal mining in tropical and subtropical regions, where complex microclimates and ecological variability hinder effective reclamation. Despite the increasing global coal demand, comparative cross-country insights remain limited. This research fills the gap by evaluating the best practices. This study employs a qualitative methodology with a comparative case study design, uses systematic literature review to evaluate ecology based reclamation policies and implementation practices. Data were sourced from peer-reviewed journals from Scopus and the Web of Science database and institutional reports, and analyzed using McHarg’s landscape ecology theory to evaluate reclamation policies, ecological …

Design Of Directive Wideband Microstrip Antenna, Hassan Ali Ragheb

Electrical Engineering

The study under consideration demonstrates design, simulation, and optimization of a compact Ultra-Wideband (UWB) antenna employing a coplanar waveguide (CPW) feeding structure and a circular patch geometry. The design is targeting a 7 GHz operating frequency, offering a balance between compact size, wide bandwidth, and directional radiation characteristics. An initial antenna configuration was developed and analyzed using HFSS, showing satisfactory performance in terms of impedance matching and radiation efficiency. However, asymmetries in the radiation pattern prompted further enhancement. An improved design employees strategically director elements placed above the circular patch to improve forward gain and radiation beam directivity. The optimized …

Improving Echocardiographic Aortic Aneurysm Assessment In Marfan Syndrome Patients, Joshua Paik, Shubh P. Mehta, Samskrithi Sivakumar, Felix Dinklage, Ahhyun Lee, Benjamin J. Landis, Craig J. Goergen

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a genetic connective tissue disorder caused by a variant of the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene, leading to abnormalities in organs reliant on tissue elasticity. Proximal thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are a major clinical concern, particularly in pediatric MFS patients, due to their risk of dissection or rupture. Diagnosis and monitoring of TAAs often depend on manual measurements of aortic root diameters from the parasternal long axis views of transthoracic echocardiograms. However, this method is prone to interobserver variability (IOV), which impacts consistency in clinical assessment. To mitigate these limitations, we developed a graphical user interface (GUI) that …

Non-Destructive Strength Monitoring Of Air-Entrained Concrete Via Electromechanical Impedance Technology, Xiangrui Kong, Rui He

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Accurate monitoring of concrete strength during curing is crucial, particularly in regions subject to harsh weather conditions, such as freeze-thaw cycles in Indiana. Air entrainment is crucial for durability, yet it can significantly reduce concrete strength, making timely and precise strength assessments vital. The primary objective of this study is to develop a non-destructive and real-time monitoring framework for evaluating mortar strength using electromechanical impedance (EMI) sensors and ultrasonic scanning technology.

This research holds significant value as it addresses the critical need for continuous, reliable concrete strength monitoring, potentially reducing reliance on destructive testing methods, which are costly and time-consuming. …

Discovering And Designing Novel Perovskite Photovoltaic Materials Via Machine Learning, Junyeong Ahn

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Perovskite semiconductors are promising materials for high-efficiency photovoltaics due to their outstanding optoelectronic properties, emerging as a sustainable energy source through solar cell applications. Perovskites with the ABX₃ composition (A, B = metal or organic cations with varying oxidation states; X = chalcogen or halogen anions) have gained interest for their excellent phase stability and compositional tunability. However, combinatorial possibilities arising from the many choices of A, B, and X site species, and their respective mixing fractions, a large number of possible ABX₃ perovskites remain undiscovered. In this work, we used machine learning (ML) methods to design new stable and …

Sex-Dependent Differences In Cardiac Function And Strain In Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy, Anna J. A. Webb, Bea O. Cabot, Aasish Chowdary, Wilhelm S. Smith, Benjamin Zeidler, Cortland H. Johns, Craig J. Goergen

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat many types of cancer. While effective, doxorubicin can cause cardiomyopathy, a disease affecting the heart muscle. Although the effects of doxorubicin on the heart are well studied, the mechanisms leading to cardiomyopathy are not well understood. Previous studies have used murine models to study the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin. These reports showed that cardiac dysfunction is more pronounced in male compared to female mice. The goal of this study is to further evaluate sex differences in doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy using 4-dimensional strain mapping techniques. In this study, both female and male C57Bl/6J mice …

Is There A More Effective Design For Quadrat To Increase Ease Of Use And Vegetation Density?, Scott M. Burke Jr., Kristen M Bellisario

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Quadrats are a special tool in the ecology field that allows the measurement of vegetation density for further data analysis of a habitat. The larger the quadrat cross-sectional area, the better the results of the data, which in turn can make the quadrat hard to carry through field sites. In wildlife corridor research, quadrat surveys provide a quantitative metric for habitat suitability. In this work, we consider the efficiency and ease-of-use benefits for field work in the design of a collapsible version of a quadrat using a House of Quality (standard metric for new design requirements) to assess the customer …

A Dna Damage Analysis Of Breast Cancer Cells Under Cyclic Mechanical Actuation, Maria C. Macias, Madison Howard, Luis Solorio

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Metastasis is the leading cause of mortality in breast cancer, yet tumor cell behavior and their response to mechanical cues in the pre-metastatic niche remains poorly understood. This study investigates how breast cancer cells respond to strain mimicking lung tissue dynamics, with a focus on DNA damage. Using a custom-designed micro-actuating lung model, we cultured mApple at p53BP1 and H2B-GFP reporter cells on fibrillar fibronectin-coated substrates subjected to cyclic mechanical forces that simulate respiratory motion. A group of cells were treated with escalating concentrations of Niraparib (0.1–10 µM), a PARP inhibitor, as a positive control. To visualize and quantify DNA …

Annual Maximum Snow Loads For Weather Stations Outside Of The Conterminous United States, Nicholas Brimhall, Brennan L. Bean, Marc Maguire, Bikram Bhusal, Maha Moussa

Browse all Datasets

Historical records of snow observations are critical for civil engineering, climate modeling, and risk assessment. While a robust dataset of annual maximum snow loads has been developed for the conterminous United States, a similar dataset does not exist for areas of interest in areas outside of the conterminous United States (OCONUS). This dataset contains over 280,000 annual maximum SWE values across over 7,400 OCONUS stations, both from the Global Historical Climatology-Daily (GHCND) network provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and from country-specific networks of weather stations from international meteorological agencies. This dataset will be valuable for civil …

Investigation Into Intraocular Pressure Distribution Via Computer Aided Engineering (Cae), Madison Maureen Hinman

Masters Theses

The leading cause for irreversible blindness and vision loss is glaucoma - an eye condition associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Increased IOP is also seen during other pathological conditions like spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), and non-pathological conditions as when playing a wind instrument. The study aimed to describe the influence of different vitreous cavity size as well as vitreous fluid viscosity on the IOP as measured at the back of the eye on the retina. Improved understanding of eye pressure transmission can aid in a better understanding of eye diseases. The experiment conducted included cavities of varying size and …

Predicted Inelastic Response Of Conventional And Ductile Steel Concentrically Braced Frame Buildings Under Wind Loads, Conrad Hamblin Belshe

Theses and Dissertations

The inelastic response of three-story steel concentrically braced frame buildings under wind loads was simulated to determine the applicability of ductile braced frame design to wind load applications. This study examined three types of steel concentrically braced frames: a conventional braced frame, a ductile braced frame, and a ductile braced frame with a reduced beam requirement. Braced frames were designed for four design wind speeds (220 mph, 156 mph, 127 mph, and 110 mph), for a total of nine unique braced frame designs. Nonlinear static pushover analysis was used to determine system overstrength and ductility under wind loads. Eigenvalue vibration …

A Novel, Metal-Based Approach To Identify Residences With Lead Service Lines, Danielle Land, Grant D. Brown, David M. Cwiertny, Marc A. Edwards, Mona Hanna, Drew E. Latta, Michelle M. Scherer

Michigan Tech Publications

There is an urgent need for rapid, cost-effective approaches to identify residences with lead service lines (LSLs). We evaluated whether analyzing water for corrosion-related metals could accurately identify residences with LSLs without relying on potentially inaccurate property records. We applied principal component analysis logistic regression (PCA-LR) and classification tree models using 28 analytes per bottle (including Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Al, and others) measured in 216 water samples collected in Flint, Michigan, in August 2015. The PCA-LR model achieved 87% accuracy (AUROC = 0.93) with 81% sensitivity and 90% specificity, while the classification tree model achieved 80% accuracy (AUROC = …

Effects Of Long-Term Exposure On Composite Manufactured Marine Propellor Blades In Pure Distilled Water And Artificial Seawater, Jacob Brady

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The aim of this research was to establish the feasibility and investigate the mechanical challenges of the use of composite materials for a marine propellor. Focusing on the major challenge of hygroscopic swelling and the effect this has on material dimensions and properties. Flax-epoxy and carbon-epoxy samples were manufactured and tested in distilled water and artificial seawater to establish the effects of hygroscopic ageing over long-term exposure. Accelerated ageing at 60°C was used to minimise experimental duration whilst observing long-term effects. The research also identified proposed values for the co-efficient of hygroscopic expansion in three planes of 2x2 twill weave …

Development Of Power Management On Unmanned Surface Vehicles To Measure Battery Voltage And Power, Diana Alia, Henna Nurdiansari, Akhmad Kasan Gupron, Amelia Greacy Talenta Siregar

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

This research focuses on designing an electrical system for unmanned surface vehicles (USV) to ensure optimal performance during survey operations. This USV ship is a catamaran-type ship with a Sonar Deeper depth sensor to know the depth of the water and is equipped with long range (LoRa) as a data transmitter. The USV electrical system design incorporates the use of a 4050 mAh 11.1 V LiPo battery and an iMAX B6AC charger, with evaluations covering battery charging, power consumption, and voltage stability. The trials showed that the battery supported the operation of the USV for approximately 47.8 minutes at a …

Dynamic Analysis And Fatigue Life Evaluation Of Single Herringbone Planetary Gear System With Crack Fault, Dongping Sheng, Jie Yang, Chun Su

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The herringbone planetary gear transmission is widely used due to its exquisite compact structure, excellent load-bearing capacity, and stable transmission characteristics. However, root crack is one of the most common failure modes of gears. A cracked herringbone planetary gear system is taken as research object. The sun gear with crack fault is studied from the aspect of modal and transient dynamic analysis, and the related results are compared with the healthy gear. Based on the transient dynamic analysis of the herringbone teeth with cracks, a fatigue life evaluation is conducted. Firstly, the results show that no significant difference between the …

Investigation Of Drag Force And Downforce On Two Racing Motorcycles In Slipstream Conditions, Muhamad Hanifudin, Gaguk Jatisukamto, Mahros Darsin, Muh. Nurkoyim Kustanto, Azmi Saleh, Suprihadi Prasetyono, Catur Suko Sarwono

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The performance of modern racing motorcycles is greatly influenced by their aerodynamics. Slipstreaming occurs during a race when a rider closely follows another, especially on a straight track. The effect can reduce aerodynamic drag and increase the overall speed of the rider behind. This study investigates the aerodynamic effects of slipstreaming on a racing motorcycle using computational fluid dynamics. This study also considers its effect on both drag force and downforce, which affects motorcycle stability. A 3D CAD model of a racing motorcycle and a rider in a crouching position was used as the object of research. CFD simulations were …

Impact Of Print Speed And Nozzle Temperature On Tensile Strength Of 3d Printed Abs For Permanent Magnet Turbine Systems, Wirawan Wirawan, Hilmi Iman Firmansyah, Satworo Adiwidodo, Mohammad Sukri Mustapa

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Operational parameters must be integrated into turbine systems' main components, which are determined by turbine systems' functional requirements. The need for producing component designs more effectively raises the possibility of using additive manufacturing. The study focuses on the optimization of the mechanical properties of the principal components of magnetic turbines manufactured with 3D printers using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), by changing the temperature and speed of the nozzle. The approach consisted of modeling a standard test piece in CAD software and producing ABS-based test pieces using a 3D printer with print speeds of 50, 70, 90, and 110 mm/s and …

Boiling Heat Transfer Coefficient And Critical Heat Flux On Conical Cylindrical Copper Under Surface Modification, Muhammad Dimyati Nashrullah, Andi Sanata, Imam Solahuddin, Nasrul Ilminnafik, Indro Pranoto, Adhika Widyaparaga

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

This study examined how surface roughness and nanoceramic coating, influences the boiling heat transfer coefficient (BHTC) and critical heat flux (CHF) of a conical cylindrical copper test specimen. Three test specimens exhibiting surface roughness of 0.22 µm, 0.14 µm, and 0.04 µm were analyzed for comparison. Two additional test specimens were treated with nanoceramic coatings utilizing silicon carbide as the base material: one specimen received a single-layer coating and the second was applied with a double-layer coating. The behavior of the bubbles was closely observed with a high-speed camera to deepen the analysis. The experimental results showed that the test …

Development Of Adjustable Static Test Equipment For Below-Knee Prosthetic Feet: A Case Study, Firmansyah Hafizh Rizal Nurrokhim, Fauzan Raka Mawandi, Puspa Dinda Safitri, Imam Mahmudah, Dwiky Mirnanda, Ndaru Adyono, Wahyu Dwi Lestari

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The high prevalence of physical disabilities in Indonesia, particularly among the productive-age population, highlights the urgent need for advancements in prosthetic technology. While local fabricators have begun producing prosthetic feet, the lack of standardized testing procedures compromises safety and performance. This study addresses that gap by developing an adjustable static testing device tailored for below-knee prosthetic feet, focusing on keel and heel tests to evaluate mechanical performance. The device includes a jig-fixture platform adjustable to 8° and 15° for heel and keel tests, respectively. It applies a 1230 N load based on AOPA standards and integrates load and displacement sensors …

Characterization Of Bamboo Petung Fiber Reinforced Composites With Environmentally Friendly Enzymes, Rudianto Raharjo, Teguh Dwi Widodo, Redi Bintarto, Fikrul Akbar Alamsyah

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Natural fiber composites are a good choice for many businesses uses because of their better mechanical properties and are friendly environment. Researchers are currently looking into bamboo petung fiber (BPF) and epoxy composites as alternative to synthetic fibers and products made from petroleum. This study's goal is to improve the overall performance of these composites while reducing the need for non-organic materials. This study used the various concentration of bromelain enzyme in BPF to changes the mechanical and physical properties of epoxy composites made from BPF. Composites were characterized the mechanical properties including tensile strength using tensile tester, impact strength …

Multiple Input–Single Output (Miso) Framework For Low Velocity Impact Response Of Hybrid Gongronema Latifolium/S-Glass Fibre Epoxy Composites, Christian Emeka Okafor, Peter Chukwuemeka Ugwu, Godspower Onyekachukwu Ekwueme, Nürettin Akçakale, Emmanuel Chukwudi Nwanna

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Sustainable composites are vital for impact-critical aerospace, automotive, and defense applications. This study used Multiple Input–Single Output (MISO) experimental approach to assess how hybrid ratio, mass fraction, and fiber orientation influence the low-velocity impact behavior of Gongronema/S-glass epoxy composites. Gongronema fibers and S-glass were combined with ER-F292 epoxy and molded into ASTMstandard samples. Charpy impact tests measured energy absorption. A 60-run design evaluated input variable combinations, and Multiple Linear Regression identified significant predictors using p-values and confidence intervals. Results showed that the mean values for hybridization ratio, mass fraction, fiber orientation, and low velocity impact were (2.50), (27.79%), (67.90°), and …

Finite Element Analysis Of The Construction Strength Of Semi-Submarine Glass-Bottom Catamaran, Berliana Ayarent Puteri, Aldias Bahatmaka, Widya Aryadi, Musdika Bagas Satria Putrananda, Christian Imanuel Hutagalung

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Indonesia's extraordinary marine tourism potential requires innovation in how to enjoy it. This study discusses the innovative design of a semi-submarine glass-bottom ship for the development of marine tourism in Indonesia, which allows tourists to enjoy the beauty of the underwater world safely and comfortably. This catamaran is designed with two hulls that provide high stability and optimal deck area for tourism needs. The study focuses on analyzing the ship's frame structure using the finite element analysis method, especially on using sandwich panels that combine wood and carbon fiber materials to achieve the optimal combination of structural strength, weight, and …

Steam Supply Evaluation For Carbon Capture And Storage In A Subcritical Coal-Fired Power Plant, Veri Hendrayawan, Anggit Raksajati, Sanggono Adisasmito, Firman Bagja Juangsa

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The aim of this study is to analyze the implementation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in coal-fired power plants (CFPP) in Indonesia by determining the reboiler energy demand through steam source analysis. The study uses a representative 3×330 MW subcritical coal-fired power plant (CFPP), with an emission intensity of 1.02 tCO₂/MWh and flue gas CO₂ concentration of 13.8%. CCS modeling shows the reboiler requires about 2.9×10⁹ kJ/h energy, supplied by steam extracted from the plant’s steam cycle. A steam cycle model was developed to evaluate the impact of steam extraction. Potential tapping points analyzed include main steam, cold reheat, …

Harnessing The Role Of Carbon Black: A New Frontier For Energy-Density Supercapacitor Electrodes, Ana Yuli Komariyah, Ishmah Luthfiyah, Ida Vaeruza Albadi’Ah, Nasikhudin Nasikhudin, Worawat Meevasana, Markus Diantoro

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The performance of activated carbon (AC)-based supercapacitor electrodes is often limited by poor electrical conductivity, prompting interest in conductive additives such as carbon black (CB). This study explores the transformative potential of CB as a conductive additive in AC-based supercapacitor electrodes and systematically investigates CB mass loadings of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, using styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) as the binder. The findings in this study demonstrate that 10% CB is the optimal loading, offering a balanced performance in terms of structure, morphology, and capacitance. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals a distinct structural evolution at 10% CB, characterized by the …

Investigation Of The Influence Of Warhead Shape And Type Of Missile Weapon Material Counter-Training Tank Weapons Simulation Approach, Transisma Budiarta, Haris Puspito Buwono, Radhi Nurvian Amrullah

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

This study analyzes the effect of warhead shape and material variations on pressure, temperature, and lift on training missiles using CAD-based simulation methods. The variations of warhead shapes tested include flat, flat radius, and tapered, while the materials used are rubber, ABS, and PE. The simulation results show that the tapered warhead shape with PE material produces the lowest pressure (50.3 MPa) due to more efficient pressure release and low friction properties. Conversely, the Flat shape produces the highest pressure (69.1 MPa) on all materials due to flow stagnation. In terms of temperature, the Flat Radius warhead with PE and …