Engineering Commons^™

Development And Verification Of An Updated Thermal Model For Cal Poly's Small Thermal Vacuum Chamber, Bryce G. Leonard

Master's Theses

This thesis discusses modifications made to the Small Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) Chamber in the Space Environments Laboratory at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and the development and verification of an updated thermal model reflecting these changes. The chamber was redesigned to improve thermal performance, featuring a homogeneous aluminum platen coated with Aeroglaze Z306 to enhance radiative heat transfer, along with expanded data acquisition capabilities for temperature and pressure measurements.

A new thermal model of the chamber was developed in SolidWorks using a finite element approach. The model incorporates conductive and radiative heat transfer mechanisms and is configured to …

Reducing Range Anxiety Through Predictive Modeling Of Ev Battery Degradation, Caleb Thornsbury, Christian Castro, Bivin Sadler

SMU Data Science Review

Electric Vehicles (EV) range anxiety remains one of the top barriers for broader adoption. Range anxiety can be attributed to battery pack age and degradation over time. This paper plans to explore how to address this issue by creating a machine learning model that can predict degradation based on usage, temperature, battery chemistry, charging habits and exploring whether other factors tie into range degradation. This research will be using real world charging data along with lab tested chemistry data to build a model that can be chemistry specific for degradation. This paper will help perspective used-EV buyers learn about battery …

Advancing Computational Analysis Of Fluorescence Imaging For Head And Neck Cancer Surgical Guidance, Yao Chen

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

The main goal of surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is to remove the tumor completely while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible to enhance patient survival and reduce complications. However, achieving clear surgical margins is difficult due to the complex anatomy of the head and neck and the reliance on a surgeon’s visual and tactile assessments. Recently, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence molecular imaging has shown potential for better tumor visualization during surgery, using targeted imaging agents like epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) probes. This has led to the development of fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS), which helps surgeons …

Ansys Discovery And Fluent Files For Modeling A Hydrocyclone With Scco2 And Coal Fly Ash, Isaiah Morones, Catherine Brewer

Chemical & Materials Engineering: Datasets

No abstract provided.

Machine Learning And Multi-Scale Optimization For Control And Energy Management In Connected And Automated Vehicle Propulsion Systems, Joshua D. Orlando

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This dissertation presents a multi-scale optimization framework leveraging machine learning (ML) to enhance energy efficiency in connected and automated vehicle (CAV) propulsion systems. As transportation transitions toward hybridization and automation, the integration of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity and advanced control algorithms offers unprecedented opportunities for energy reduction. This research addresses three critical scales of vehicle energy management: multiple vehicle-level coordination, component-level powertrain dynamics, and real-time vehicle parameter estimation.

First, the research investigates the energy consumption characteristics of heterogeneous propulsion systems—ranging from internal combustion engines to battery electric vehicles across light- and heavy-duty sectors—on arterial roadways. Utilizing Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and …

Data-Driven Prediction Of Compressive Strength In Pofa-Modified Concrete: A Comparative Study Of Lr, Nlr, And Ann Models, Shuaaib A. Mohammed, Hawdin Ismael Ibrahim, Diar Fatah Abdulrahman Askar, Hersh F Mahmood, Mehdi Khodaei, Soran Abdrahman Ahmad

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Production of concrete results in high CO₂ emissions, high energy demand, and consumption of various raw materials; however, it is one of the most widely used materials in construction to date. Therefore, researchers aim to minimize the impact of concrete production through various methods, such as introducing sustainable sources of materials that can be used in concrete. For instance, agricultural waste materials can be used as partial cement replacement. This study presents a comprehensive data-driven analysis of the effects of POFA on the properties of normal-strength concrete. By synthesizing a database of 196 experimental datasets from existing literature, three …

Mathematical Modeling Of The Atmospheric Water Harvesting Process Using Cfd, Jasur Esirgapovich Safarov, Shakhnoza Abduvaxitovna Shaxnoza, Doston Ishmuxammat Ugli Samandarov, Azamat Bakir Ugli Usenov, Shahzod Faxriddin Ugli Dostqobilov

Technical science and innovation

This article presents the physical principles of Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH) technologies, including spectral radiation balance, air-sorbent interactions, thermodynamic constraints, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling approaches. The study provides models of water condensation, adsorption-desorption processes, and energy consumption. In addition, a detailed thermodynamic analysis was carried out to determine the partial vapor pressure, cooling demand, and theoretical energy limits of water extraction. The adsorption process is described using Langmuir isotherms, while desorption is represented through a kinetic model dependent on activation energy. To analyze the coupled processes of airflow, mass transfer, and heat transport, CFD models based on the …

Component Model Development Of Heat Exchangers, Expanders, And Control Valves For Autonomous Cryogenics Plant Cool-Down, William Harris Buhrig Iv

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The traditional method of cryogenic plant cool-down involves having continuous on-call staff to head into the office at any time to modify the existing multi-layered PID control systems if the on-call staff member detects a significant deviation from the cool-down plan. This thesis aims to outline an effective method for modeling the structure of systems with performance characteristics that deviate from design requirements and from ideal inlet-outlet correspondence, enabling the adjustment and modification of existing control structures across all Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) cryogenic refrigeration plants. Analytical Modeling and Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) are applied to model the …

Universal Systems Simulation Via Constraint Hypergraphs With Applications To Digital Twins, John Morris

All Dissertations

The characterization of systems encompasses a variety of modeling frameworks designed to capture specific behaviors and components of various system domains. Whatever the framework, the core elements of a system representation are the information of the system and a description of how that information is related. The relations in deterministic systems are functions, which, when composed to form executable processes, can be used to simulate system data. A declarative modeling framework is one that encodes mechanisms for preparing these simulations within the model structure, allowing an external agent to form the execution processes required for a given context. To date, …

Reduced Order Simulator Of A Nuclear Thermal Propulsion System, Jackson Taylor Zazzaro

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents the development of a reduced-order simulator for a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) system, designed to capture the key thermo-fluid and performance characteristics of such systems while maintaining computational efficiency. The primary objective of this work is to develop and demonstrate a modular simulation framework capable of modeling the coupled physics of an NTP reactor, nozzle, and orbital transfer system. The simulator integrates a reduced-order thermal-fluid model of the reactor, a simplified nozzle model, and an orbital transfer model, providing a comprehensive yet computationally efficient representation of the propulsion process. By employing reduced-order modeling techniques, the simulator achieves …

A Polar Turbulence Invariant Map With Applicability To Realisable Machine Learning Turbulence Models, James G. Wnek, Christopher Schrock, Eric M. Wolf, Mitch Wolff

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Invariant maps are a useful tool for turbulence modelling, and the rapid growth of machine learning-based turbulence modelling research has led to renewed interest in them. They allow different turbulent states to be visualised in an interpretable manner and provide a mathematical framework to analyse or enforce realisability. Current invariant maps, however, are limited in machine learning models by the need for costly coordinate transformations and eigendecomposition at each point in the flow field. This paper introduces a new polar invariant map based on an angle that parametrises the relationship of the principal anisotropic stresses, and a scalar that describes …

Mitigating Melanin-Induced Bias In Pulse Oximetry: Optical, Algorithmic, Engineering, Hardware And Modeling Tools, Mckenzie Bradley, Sydnee Barrett, Ty Mckelvey, Jeremiah Carpenter, Delphine Dean

Publications

Melanin, the primary determinant of skin pigmentation, absorbs light at wavelengths that can have significant impact on the accuracy of pulse oximetry and other optical biosensing methods. This narrative review examines key factors influencing melanin-dependent pulse oximetry inaccuracies, including optical interference in transmission and reflectance modes. These inaccuracies further highlight the need for use of standardized skin tone metrics in device testing and design such as the Monk Skin Tone scale and Individual Typology Angle for performance stratification. There are several approaches in development that hope to address the errors in pulse oximetry measurements on melanin-rich skin. These include algorithmic …

Reduced Order Models Of Hydrodynamically Interacting Flapping Wings, Jose Pabon

Dissertations

Fish schools exhibit a collective behavior and self-organization that is mediated by hydrodynamic interactions between individual fish. However, the long-time evolution of hydrodynamically interacting collectives is challenging to investigate due to the persistent influence of long-lived vortical structures, and the high-resolution requirements of direct numerical simulation at large Reynolds numbers. Reduced-order models have therefore played an important role in theoretical investigations of collectives of swimming bodies. The main results detailed herein are several new reduced-order models of swimmers that self-propel by flapping, i.e., by executing a prescribed periodic rigid body motion. The models are extensions of a discrete-time dynamical system …

Modeling, Control, And Learning For Whole-Body Manipulation With Large-Scale Soft Robots, Curtis C. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the challenge of enabling soft robots to perform contact-rich manipulation tasks by overcoming limitations in hardware, modeling, control, and learning. First, we present hardware advancements with PneuDrive, a pneumatic control system for actuating soft robots. We also introduce Baloo, a hybrid soft-rigid robotic torso which achieves a single-arm payload capacity of 19.3 kg and robust whole-body grasping capabilities. We also develop a full-body tactile sensing system enabling piezoresistive sensor arrays to cover large areas (1 square meter) with over 8000 distributed sensing points. Second, we focus on developing tractable dynamic models based on the Recursive Newton-Euler algorithm …

Predicting The Yield Strength Of Aluminum Alloys Based On Composition, Clinton K. Waite

Theses and Dissertations

This work describes a model to predict the yield strength of aluminum alloys, in either an annealed or T6 (peak aged) state, based solely on its composition. This is accomplished through the analyses of strengthening mechanisms common to aluminum, of which a novel semi-empirical model to predict precipitation strengthening is discussed. Solid solution strengthening and grain boundary strengthening are more simplistically considered but with significant accuracy. It is shown that by combining the strength contributions of each strengthening mechanism, the overall yield strength can be predicted by its composition in any of the 1xxx-7xxx series alloys. This allows the model …

Modeling And Estimation Of Co2 Capture By Porous Liquids Through Machine Learning, Farid Amirkhani, Amir Dashti, Hossein Abedsoltan, Amir H. Mohammadi, John L. Zhou, Ali Altaee

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Porous liquids (PLs) are newly developed porous materials that combine unique fluidity with permanent porosity, which exhibit promising functionalities. They have shown ability to efficiently absorb greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂). Experimental measurement is one approach to determining the solubility of various greenhouse gases in PLs, which has drawbacks such as being expensive and time-consuming. Hence, simulation models are valuable to predict the solubility of CO₂ in various PLs. This work aims to develop machine learning (ML) modeling methods for accurately estimating CO₂ solubility under varying conditions (e.g. PLs, temperature, pressure). Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference …

Improved Electric Load Modeling Of Residential Air Conditioning, Julius Johnson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The recent increase in energy production from renewable resource introduces a new challenge in managing and maintaining balance between electricity supply and demand, due to uncertainty and variability of wind speed and solar irradiance. To address this growing problem, demand-side management, such as Demand Response (DR) programs, is employed to adjust power consumption. Residential air conditioners (ACs) are the most suitable candidates for DR, due to their intensive power consumption and inherent thermal inertia that allows flexibility in their operations (by adjusting their set-point temperatures) without sacrificing customer comfort. Most prior research on AC load models assumes that such a …

Influence Of Terrain Model Resolution On Rockfall Dispersion And Tortuosity Of Rockfall Paths, Lucas Jason Arsenith

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The geology of the Snake River Plain region of southwestern Idaho contains terraces formed from downcutting of the Boise River and columnar jointed basalt cliffs from lava flows. Within the city limits of Boise, Idaho, rockfall events originate from these columnar jointed basalt cliffs. Whitney Terrace, a rockfall-prone location in southwestern Boise, was chosen as the study site. Site-specific LiDAR data was used to create a bare earth terrain model, and rockfall boulders were geolocated and measured to be used as inputs into rockfall models. The slope below the cliff face was divided into four distinct slope zones, each with …

Empirical Models For The Prediction Of Lattice Constants In Perovskite Materials, Bryan Wright

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Perovskites are a class of materials famous for their many functional properties and are envisioned as a material that will pave the way for scientific advancement in the fields of renewable energy, high tech sensors, lasers, catalysis, computer chips, and many others. This wide variety of applications is not the result of a single fantastic property of perovskite materials but rather stems from the perovskite structure’s ability to display a host of functional properties. One area where there is room for significant improvement is in the rate of perovskite discovery. The high stability of the perovskite structure is responsible for …

Modelling Virus Filtration And Virus Reduction By An Advanced Multilayer Model: Retention Distribution And The Effect Of Product Aggregates, Hironobu Shirataki, Remo Leisi, Junji Hdaka, S. Rancil Wickramasinghe

Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Robust virus reduction and high permeability are characteristic properties of virus filters, which are modeled as having an asymmetric multilayer membrane structure with a pore size distribution. In this study, an advanced heterogeneous multilayer model for the multicomponent solution containing viruses, protein monomers and aggregates, has been developed to reproduce the filtration behavior, virus reduction, and virus/protein retention distribution in the virus filter with asymmetric membrane structure. Calculations based on the multilayer membrane structure with consideration of the effect of aggregate size and concentration numerically reproduce the experimental results that virus LRV (log reduction value) decreases when a large number …

Computational Modeling Of Astrophysical Systems, Leleya Iris Stallard

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

This research project focuses on the computational modeling of astrophysical systems using Femap with NX Nastran. The goal was to simulate and analyze the vibrational behavior and structural deformation of celestial bodies under different material compositions and collision conditions. Materials such as iron, granite, titanium, and models for white dwarf stars were used to investigate how varying physical properties affect the systems' dynamic responses. Both isotropic and anisotropic models were created to represent realistic astrophysical materials. Through static and modal analyses, the study explored how internal structure and material stiffness influence the reaction of celestial objects to applied forces and …

Model-Predictive Optimal Control Of Ferrofluidic Microrobots In Three-Dimensional Space, E. Olga Skowronek, Luke Silas Baker, Reza Ahmed, Hamid Marvi

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Ferrofluid microrobots have emerged as promising tools for minimally invasive medical procedures. Their unique properties to navigate complex fluids and reach otherwise inaccessible regions of the human body have enabled new applications in targeted drug delivery, tissue engineering, and diagnostics. This paper proposes a model-predictive controller for the external magnetic manipulation of ferrofluid microrobots in three dimensions (3D). The internal optimization routine of the controller determines appropriate changes in the applied electromagnetic field to minimize the deviation between the actual and desired trajectories of the microrobot. A linear system governing locomotion is derived and used as the equality constraints of …

Justification Of Permissible Discharges Of Water Users Into Water Bodies, Mariia S. Stroganova, Ivan V. Antonov, Andrey V. Epifanov

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

The purpose of this work is developing an algorithm for ecological and technological rationing of the permissible load on water bodies using geoinformation systems. The algorithm takes into account the self-purification of aquatic ecosystems using a three-component model. Initially, the article provides an overview of methods for determining the permissible discharge masses of pollutants for developing new approaches to rationing. The algorithm of ecological and technological rationing of the load on water bodies and geoinformation systems for its implementation is proposed. The main models used to assess the ecological state of an aquatic ecosystem are considered. A three-component model of …

Methodology Of Automated Control Of Situations In Structurally Complex Systems With Recycled Flows, Khusan Zokirovich Igamberdiev Academician, Madina Mirxalilovma Fozilova

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This article discusses the methodology of automated management of situations in structurally complex systems with recycled flows. The need to develop a correct model for effectively controlling such systems based on scientific principles of analysis and decision-making is substantiated. Particular attention is paid to modeling, optimizing, and using digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of management decisions. The principles of decomposition, multi-criteria optimization, and linguistic models of fuzzy correspondence are described, which can be used in conditions of uncertainty and complexity of industrial facilities.

Immersive Modeling To Communicate And Manage Risks Of Water Shortages, David Rosenberg, Erki Porse

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Our project goal is to use immersive online collaborative modeling as a tool for active learning to communicate and manage users conflicting risks of water shortages because decisions now to manage risk effect future risk. State-of-the art river basin forecasting tools provide probabilistic estimates of streamflow at hourly to annual scales. Water resource models quantify tradeoffs and risk across hundreds or thousands of scenarios of inflow and demand forecast out decades. Our project objectives are: 1) Formulate extreme scenarios for reservoir inflows without probabilities one to three years out that pose imminent risk of water shortages. 2) Hold immersive model …

Lagrange Multipliers As A Metric For Early-Stage Shipboard Power System Design, Magdalen A. Barnes

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

Integrated power systems are essential in the operation of electric ships and must function under a diverse range of conditions. In addition to routine operation, ships should be prepared to respond to challenging events that require significant amounts of power. Demanding scenarios, coupled with complex and interconnected power systems, present challenging issues. The power and energy ratings of equipment are crucial factors in the operational success of the ship; however, to meet economic constraints, balance between performance and cost must be upheld. Details regarding equipment models and specifications are typically unavailable during early-stage design. Power system modeling and simulation can …

Characterization And Modeling Of Polyphase Machines And Power Conditioning Components, Nathan Lockhart

Electrical Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Microgrid power configurations have become increasingly prevalent in recent power systems due to the rise of power electronic energy generation, energy storage, and the many diverse electrical demands. Microgrids offer numerous advantages over traditional power electronic networks, which rely on large rotating generators to supply power over extensive distances to multiple users. Remote power grids are particularly beneficial for smaller networks that may be isolated or have unique power requirements, often incorporating energy storage to enhance operational flexibility. Advances in power electronics, such as medium voltage DC distribution, are enhancing the reliability, redundancy, and integration capabilities of isolated microgrids.

To …

Immersive Modeling Of Water Banking Elicits Local Knowledge To Explore Strategies To Get More Water To Great Salt Lake, Hadia Akbar, David E. Rosenberg

Civil and Environmental Engineering Student Research

This study used immersive online collaborative modeling of water banking to explore strategies to get more water to the declining Great Salt Lake (GSL). In a model session, each collaborator immersed in a water user role. They articulated a strategy to consume and bank water. Then they adapted their strategy in response to their available water, others’ choices, and the real-time discussion of choices. Collaborators included 29 farmers, ranchers, practitioners, and experts. Collaborators who personified agricultural users had the most varied strategies. They balanced economic viability, long-term sustainability, and land preservation. Pricing water was challenging, with prices ranging from $15 …

Tracking Control Of A String Actuated Soft Trunk Robot Using State-Space Modeling, Jacob Trivisonno

Open Access Master's Theses

Soft robots, primarily composed of compliant materials, exhibit highly complex and nonlinear dynamics, making precise control a significant challenge. Traditional control methods often struggle with these complexities, requiring more advanced and data-driven methods. In our previous work, “Automatic Control of a Soft Trunk Robot Actuated by Strings” [1], a proportional controller was developed to drive the steady-state tracking error to zero. While this method was effective, it required time-consuming manual tuning and was not easily adaptable to physical modifications of the robot.

To address these limitations, this research implements gain-scheduled feedback control with state-space models calculated through a multiple linear …

In-Situ Informed Modeling And Characterization Of Friction And Built-Up Edge In Machining Of Aerospace Alloys, Avery Hartley

Theses and Dissertations--Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Machining is by no means a new manufacturing process. However, it is separated from other traditional deformation processes by its extreme temperatures and strain rates. The function and life of a multitude of products and mechanical components are dependent on the material properties induced by changing the surface through machining. Furthermore, the tools used within machining are often expensive and material reserves are sparse. The understanding the mechanics of the machining process, especially related to the friction of the tool and workpiece, helps to further the life of tools and parts to minimize economic and environmental impact.

Current friction modeling …