Engineering Commons^™

Empirical Analysis Of Incentivized Energy Assessment Recommendations And Iiot Cost-Effectiveness In U.S. Smes, Fatemeh Ghafari

LSU Master's Theses

The industrial sector in the United States accounted for 33% of total energy consumption in 2022. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which comprise 99.9% of U.S. businesses present a critical opportunity for energy efficiency improvements. Although energy audits provide actionable Assessment Recommendations (ARs) to reduce consumption, high implementation costs remain a key barrier to adoption.

While prior studies have explored rebate programs, most are limited to residential and commercial sectors or focus narrowly on specific technologies or geographic areas for the industrial sector. The objective of this study is to empirically investigate the “Incentivized Assessment Recommendation” (IAR) trends and to …

The Potential Of Microbial Fuel Cells As A Dual Solution For Sustainable Wastewater Treatment And Energy Generation: A Case Study, Shajjadur Rahman Shajid, Monjur Mourshed, Md. Golam Kibria, Bahman Shabani

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student Publications and Presentations

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bio-electrochemical systems that harness microorganisms to convert organic pollutants in wastewater directly into electricity, offering a dual solution for sustainable wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation. This paper presents a holistic techno-economic and environmental feasibility assessment of largescale MFC deployment in Dhaka’s industrial zone, Bangladesh, as a relevant case study. Here, treating 100,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily would require a capital investment of approximately USD 500 million, with a total project cost ranging between USD 307.38 million and 1.711 billion, depending on system configurations. This setup has an estimated theoretical energy recovery of 478.4 …

Neutrosophic Numbers For Selection Best Strategy For Dual Supply Chains With Green And Non-Green Products, Nada A. Nabeeh, Waleed Abd Elkhalik, Gawaher Soliman Hussein

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Dual supply chains with green and non-green products are an important aspect of supply chain management, which enable companies to balance traditional operations with ethical and eco-friendly practices to reduce carbon emissions. This study proposed a novel approach that combines the Probabilistic Simplified Neutrosophic Set (PSNS) with the Ranking of Alternatives Method (RAM) for the selection of best strategy selection for dual supply chains with green and non-green products. The novel approach uses PSNS as a representation of uncertainty, by incorporating probabilistic degrees of truth, indeterminacy, and falsity, which occurred in real life situations. Furthermore, RAM illustrates efficient ranking and …

Effect Of Vehicular Electrification On Transportation Emissions In Florida, Shreya Sapkota Dhakal

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Vehicular emissions from fuel-based passenger cars emit an array of gases and particles that are detrimental for human health and the environment. In that regard, electric vehicles (EVs) present a viable, sustainable solution. This study investigated the impact of electrification of passenger cars on air quality in Florida, in five major urban counties namely Miami-Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, Orange, and Leon. Between 2018 and 2022, these counties experienced a significant increase of 219.50 ± 52.32% in EV adoption, coupled with a 11.55 ± 6.13% decrease in fuel-based vehicle usage. Herein, we characterize five pollutants primarily generated from fuel-based passenger vehicles- carbon …

A Review On The Use Of Salt And Sugar As Natural Admixtures In Concrete, Noura A. Yassine, Lelian W. Elkhatib, Adel Elkordi, Mohammed Sonebi, Jamal Khatib

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

Due to the large increase in construction nowadays, the focus on the reduction of waste in the environment and saving cost becomes crucial. This issue, if solved, will conserve natural materials and make an eco-friendly environment. According to this, the use of natural materials, specifically in concrete/mortar, will shape a green and sustainable environment. One of the most used materials in construction is concrete where some additives like accelerators and retarders are added in order to enhance and modify some properties of concrete. These additives are beneficial and important to be used specifically in case of different weather conditions. Weather …

Towards Effective Academia-Industry Collaborations: The Case Of Higher Learning Institutions In Tanzania, Fatuma S. Ikuja

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Industries are the main consumers of products from higher learning institutions (HLIs); graduates for employment and research outputs for socio-economic development. Research outputs from HLIs are commercialized as services or products facilitated by academia-industry collaborations. The collaborations are expected to address mismatch between labour market needs and HLIs’ products, which has resulted in graduates’ employability challenges. Despite their importance, effective academia-industry collaborations remain challenging. This study explores the effectiveness of Academia-Industry collaborations established by HLIs in implementing the Higher Education Economic Transformation (HEET) project (2021-2026) in Tanzania. One of the project objectives is to build functional linkages between industry and …

Reusing Materials In The Aerospace Industry, Lama Alanazi, Burtegeljin Gombosuren, Byhalia Jewett

Beyond: Undergraduate Research Journal

This research explores the material recycling methods used by the aerospace industry, particularly in comparison to the reusability of aerospace materials and with the objective to find uses for recycled materials from aircraft. Through an analysis of various other material mitigation methods, it is apparent that the physical degradation of materials after they go through recycling processes and the cost of recycling are the most prominent issues holding the aerospace industry back from being able to recycle aircraft up to 100%. From a comparison of physical characteristics of materials after reprocessing, several materials were found to meet industry standards, while …

Hybrid Pvt Integrated Pyramid Solar Still: 11e, Sustainability, And Sustainable Development Goals Assessment, Md Shahriar Mohtasim, Md Golam Kibria, Md Mahamudul Hasan Pranto, Barun K. Das

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Photovoltaic thermal (PVT) integrated solar stills (SSs) can address the challenges associated with electricity scarcity and water desalination. The experiment encompasses a synergistic approach of delivering the heated fluid from the PVT with phase change materials (PVT/PCM) and PVT integrated hybrid nano-materials with fin (PVT/HNPCM/Fin) setups to the water basin of the modified pyramid SSs for enhancing the evaporation rate. A comprehensive analysis is conducted on the impact of hollow circular fins, black sand, hybrid nano-particles with PCM and sponge in SS cases. For PVT scenarios, the effects of hybrid nano-enhanced PCM and fins in serpentine copper pipe layout at …

Sustainable Disposal Of Pecan Shells, Jose Carlos Carrasco

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Urbanization acceleration has increased the consumption of natural resources and carbon footprint, pushing the need for sustainable development. Even though various construction materials are needed for infrastructure development, the most commonly used material is Ordinary Portland Cement for strength (OPC) and durability, while sand is used as a filler in the mixes prepared with OPC. The main goal of this study is to find a sustainable substitute for sand, which is locally available and currently being placed in landfills. One such material is pecan shells, and a thorough analysis of the literature led us to investigate the possible use of …

El Chorro Park Lumber Rack & Trailhead Kiosk Project, Nolan Christopher Gumm, Marvin Michael Garliepp

Construction Management

The EL Chorro Park Lumber Rack and Kiosk project was a collaboration with San Luis Obispo County Parks and Recreation. Located at El Chorro Regional Park in San Luis Obispo, California, the project involved building a 12-foot-long, 6-foot-wide, and 8-foot-tall lumber rack and reconstructing an outdated trailhead kiosk. The lumber rack addressed the need for organized storage of wood and metal pipes, while the kiosk was rebuilt to better serve park visitors. Recycled sheet metal from the client was used for the roof, and local suppliers were selected to support sustainability efforts. Funded entirely by a government entity, there were …

Skip The Grid Bringing Light To The Darkness And Bridging The Educational Gap In Navajo Nation, Robert Joseph Byrne

Construction Management

Skip The Grid is a unique project done in collaboration with many groups, including California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students and faculty members, representatives from Solv Energy, Nextracker, Tribal Liaisons, Heart of America, and members of the Navajo Nation. This group delivered and installed solar panel systems accompanied by batteries, lights, and a small refrigerator. The Navajo Nation faces many problems, including higher poverty and unemployment rates when compared to the rest of the United States. The goal of the Skip The Grid project was to deliver sustainable, safe, and reliable power to homes of school-aged children in the …

Cal Poly Leaning Pine Arboretum Gazebo, Tyler Higgins

Construction Management

Located on the north end of California Polytechnic State University’s campus, the Leaning Pine Arboretum gazebo stands as a place of gathering, relaxation, and functionality. Taking the place of a smaller existing structure, this project transforms the area, creating new opportunities and laying a foundation for future growth over the coming years. Along the way, several challenges arose, including design complications, permitting issues, and time constraints. Through this process, it became clear that obstacles were inevitable, and overcoming them taught valuable lessons in teamwork, coordination between multiple parties, relationship building, and project management. From September to December 2024, work continued …

Skip The Grid: Installing Solar Systems For Residents Of The Navajo Nation In Arizona, Joshua Zepeda Montero

Construction Management

An interdisciplinary service-learning program called Skip the Grid provides solar energy systems to Navajo Nation homes without consistent access to electricity. A group of 20 California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students from different majors that include Construction Management, Mechanical Engineers, Business, and Electrical Engineers traveled to Arizona from March 23rd to 27th, 2025, to install Goal Zero solar energy systems on over 40 homes from the Navajo Nation. This project was made possible through the generous support and collaboration of SOLV Energy, Heart of America (HOA), Goal Zero, Chinle High School, and Cal Poly. These solar systems help give …

Plumbing System Design For Gateway Decathlon, Philip Soo

Construction Management

This senior project focuses on the development of a Sustainable and Efficient Plumbing System for the Gateway Decathlon Modular Housing Unit, a Mass Timber construction. As part of an Integrated Project Design delivery, this project involves a collaborative effort among students from various disciplines, including construction management, architecture, and engineering. Over the past year, teams of students have collaborated to develop architectural drawings, including floor plans, elevations, and system layouts. This project includes the careful selection of plumbing fixtures that align with the performance and sustainability goals of the modular housing unit. In addition, the materials were chosen based on …

Building Services Engineering May/June 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

A Survey Of Industry Professionals On The Role Of Ff&E In Sustainability, Caius T. Toy-Grace

Construction Management

This study is designed to explore how professionals in the construction and design industries perceive the role of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) in building sustainability. Although FF&E is often viewed as a minor component of the overall construction process, it has the potential to significantly impact environmental outcomes through material sourcing, durability, and end-of-life recyclability. A survey was distributed to eight professionals in FF&E, construction, and sustainability-related fields. The survey included eight questions, with four multiple choice and four open-ended, designed to gather both quantitative and qualitative insights. Responses were analyzed to determine how often sustainability is considered in …

Exploring Bim Capabilities For Life Cycle Assessment In Structural Projects: A Valencian Barraca Case Study For Sustainable Material Choices, Oscar Selfa, Barry Mcauley, Kieran Lakhera O'Shea

Conference Papers

The construction sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, resource consumption, and waste generation, with structural materials accounting for up to 40% of embedded carbon. This study investigates the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools to promote sustainable structural design. Using a BIM model of a Valencian barraca, three scenarios were evaluated: traditional materials (adobe and wood), concrete with steel, and concrete with Cross- Laminated Timber (CLT). Results show that natural materials generate lower impacts, while steel and concrete exhibit higher emissions. This work proposes a workflow integrating BIM, …

Optimizing The Sustainability Of Asphalt Pavements Through Incorporating Crumb Rubber In High-Modulus Asphalt Concrete (Hmac) Mixtures In Louisiana, Heena Dhasmana, Marwa Hassan, Mohamed Abdelmageed

Publications

Asphalt mixtures are traditionally produced using the Superpave mix design method, which emphasizes volumetric properties; however, current research is shifting toward performance-based and sustainable approaches. Within this context, the French High Modulus Asphalt Concrete (HMAC) design focuses on achieving specific performance criteria for workability, stiffness, rutting resistance, and fatigue behavior, employing a hard binder with higher asphalt content and fewer air voids than Superpave mixes. In this study, HMAC mixtures were developed using crumb rubber and locally sourced Louisiana materials. Five HMAC mixes using PG 76-22 and PG 67-22 binders with 10% and 20% crumb rubber were prepared, along with …

Sustainability In The Cruising Industry: Innovations In Air Quality, Energy Efficiency, And Waste Management, Fikret Durmus, Mi Ran Kim

ICHRIE Research Reports

The cruise industry, a cornerstone of the global hospitality and tourism sector, faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental impact. As passenger numbers grow, so does the industry's responsibility to adopt sustainable practices. This report examines key innovations in air quality management, energy efficiency, and waste management, highlighting the industry's transition from historically high emissions and waste production to advanced sustainability initiatives. Key focus areas include evolving maritime regulations, adopting cleaner propulsion technologies, integrating energy-efficient solutions, and improving waste treatment practices. Findings indicate that industry leaders are investing in liquefied natural gas engines, exhaust gas cleaning systems, and onshore power supply …

Evaluating Environmental And Economic Sustainability Of Engineered Chitosan Particles For Water Treatment, Fatima Iqbal, Astha Upadhyay, Rouzbeh Tehrani, Stetson Rowles

Civil Engineering & Construction: Faculty Publications

The global water demands have prompted the development of sustainable treatment solutions, with adsorptive chitosan composites emerging as promising alternatives to petroleum-based materials. As a cleaner material, chitosan offers significant advantages over conventional adsorbents, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, and the potential to create a circular economy in water treatment applications. This study presents a comprehensive sustainability assessment of three novel porous chitosan particles synthesized using low-toxicity solvents, focusing solely on the production of pure chitosan scaffolds without additional adsorptive materials for targeted removal. Integrating techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment, we evaluate the economic viability and environmental impact of methylpentane, azocarboxamide, …

Life Cycle Analysis Of Cosmetic Products -- Assessing Environmental Sustainability And Potential Impacts, Karina Magro Machado

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The cosmetic industry has a significant environmental footprint due to its reliance on water, energy, petrochemical-derived ingredients, and plastic-based packaging. This study performs a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of three cosmetic products: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, bareMinerals Gen Nude Powder Blush, and Gillette Foamy Regular Shave Cream. The analysis was conducted using OpenLCA software and free databases, modeling each product across raw materials, packaging, manufacturing, transportation, use and end-of-life phases. The results showed that the shave cream had the highest environmental burden to three out of the four categories, especially in consumption and carbon …

Implications Of Biourbanism On Sustainable Business Strategy, Samuel Walsh

Graduate Theses - Engineering Management

Recently developed for urban planners to view cities through the lens of ecosystems and other complex natural systems, the Biourbanism model is a set of metrics to numerically assess the resilience and sustainability of urban systems. This model focuses on ten factors of urban sustainability, which include categories such as energy, infrastructure, and technology, and is intended to help cities achieve more holistic measures of their ability to realize resilience and sustainability goals. The premise of this Integrated Project is that businesses can also be viewed as complex natural systems. Hence, this project examines case studies to show how implementing …

The Augmentation Of A Solar Panel Lab For The Chemical Engineering Curriculum To Introduce Sustainability Principles, Lane A. Wilkins

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Photovoltaic solar cells are utilized in solar panels to convert sunlight into usable electricity. Since the energy derived from solar panels produces far less greenhouse gas than typical fuels such as coal and natural gas do, it is considered a clean source of energy and is vital to sustainability efforts. Sustainability is often defined by three pillars: environmental, social, and economical. Solar energy incorporates each of these pillars into its process, allowing it to be an effective tool to teach sustainability to students. A previously written lab that employs solar panels focused on the efficiency of converting light into electricity. …

The Effects Of Aviation Environmental Knowledge And Ticket Price Increase On Willingness To Pay, Dylan Dahl, Joonyeong Bae, Angelina Velez, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

There was no significant effect of aviation environmental knowledge on willingness to pay (WTP; p = .20); however, there was a significant effect on WTP by ticket price increases (p = .02) between 0 and 15%. This suggests that price is a stronger driver than awareness of environmental impact when paying for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Unleaded Aviation Fuel: Assessing Stakeholder Perceptions And Preparing An Organization For Change, Ryan Guthridge, Nicholas D. Wilson, Brandon Wild

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Since the Clean Air Act of 1996 banned the use of leaded fuel for automotive applications, leaded aviation gasoline (AVGAS) has become one of the leading sources of lead pollution in the nation due to the volume of AVGAS consumed in general aviation applications (GAMA, 2019). The Federal Aviation Administration has recently recognized this concern with the establishment of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative, which was formally established in February 2022 to foster an important campaign to research and inform the general aviation community on the process for transitioning to unleaded AVGAS. This essay seeks to inform …

Integrating Standards For Infrastructure Improvement And Resilience In University Curricula, Lisa Greenwood, Jennifer Schneider, Sumita Mishra, Yewande S. Abraham, Shriram Karpoora Sundara Pandian

Articles

In today’s ever-changing world, we are increasingly vulnerable to shocks and stresses that disrupt industry and society. Persistent threats from natural and manmade hazards require our communities and infrastructure to be resilient despite possible disruption. Creating robust infrastructures is founded on operational and physical standards to withstand and respond to threats such as environmental exposures, climate change, and informational security breaches. The significant U.S. investment in infrastructure projects through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has amplified the need for professionals in engineering and related fields who – in addition to technical knowledge - possess the necessary knowledge and skill …

Valorization Of Industrial Wastes To Low-Carbon Minerals, Nandan Nag

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This study concentrates on developing methods for utilizing industrial waste materials such as red mud and phosphate slag. In this study, an electrochemical process was developed for recovering iron metal powder from red mud. Red mud is a waste material from aluminum refineries. Although red mud can be utilized as a construction and building material, its use is becoming controversial due to its high metal content, which contributes to its toxicity. However, the high iron oxide content in red mud makes it a good feedstock for producing iron. In this project, we employed an electrochemical technique for extracting iron powder …

Building Services Engineering March/April 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Scalable Mxene-Based Textile Supercapacitors, Abaigeal Aydt

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The demand for flexible and wearable energy storage devices for portable applications has led to the exploration of textile-based supercapacitors (TSCs). TSCs will allow for the creation of a new class of energy harvesting and storing technology directly into our clothing and will require using non-toxic and/or biocompatible materials. This will result in a greener and more sustainable path to address the challenges at the nexus of energy, mobility, and sustainability. To fabricate a TSC, a yarn made of fibers, such as wool or cotton, is coated with MXene flakes; MXenes are composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides …

Challenges In Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining: Perspectives And Transformations To Sustainability Along Br-163 In Brazil, Carlos Henrique Xavier Araujo, Irfan Ullah, Giorgio De Tomi

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) is a sector beset with unique and complex challenges. Recent literature highlights the growing acknowledgment of the critical need for reforms in how the ASGM industry interacts with communities and the environment. Discussions about sustainable transformations go beyond theoretical and conceptual borders, attempting to understand how local transformative events might reflect global developments. Thus, the goal of this article is to give an analysis from the perspective of the actors participating in artisanal gold mining activities. A survey was carried out along BR-163, which runs from Sinop (Mato Grosso) to Santarém (Pará). Fifty-five (55) interviews …