Engineering Commons^™

Nachtigal Dam: A 4917 M Long Labyrinth Spillway, F. Laugier, Denis Magnan, B. Blancher, Arnaud Chapius, Thibaut Guillemot, Sebastien Erpicum

4th International Workshop on Labyrinth and Piano Key Weirs

The Nachtigal Dam, part of the Nachtigal Amont Hydropower Project in Cameroon, features a 4917-meter-long labyrinth spillway, designed to safely manage floodwaters. This spillway was optimized for hydraulic safety, cost efficiency, and environmental considerations. Physical scale modeling (at a relatively rare 1:12.5 scale) and detailed design adjustments ensured robust performance under various flow conditions. Despite construction challenges for such a large-scale nonlinear structure, the project achieved reliable spillway operations, demonstrating the suitability of labyrinth weirs for large-scale hydraulic infrastructure.

World Register Of Piano Key Weirs, Sebastien Erpicum, Tohid Jamali Rovesht, Brian M. Crookston, Pierre Archambeau

4th International Workshop on Labyrinth and Piano Key Weirs

Piano Key Weirs have been proposed in 2003. Since then, more than 40 projects have been commissioned over the world. This presentation details a world register of piano key weir prototypes, freely available online. It also analyses the main characteristics of these structures in operation to highlight trends in design.

An Innovative Association Of Fusegate And Pk-Weir, F. Lempérière, A. Chapuis, F. Del Rey, C. Bessière

4th International Workshop on Labyrinth and Piano Key Weirs

The combination on the same dam of Piano Key weir (PK-Weir) and fusible structures offers a highly effective passive solution for managing flood discharges. This concept first introduced by Hydrocoop in 2015 as « Innovative Associated Spillways » can leverage the strength of each system. More than 30 years after its first application, the returns of experience of the Hydroplus Fusegate® system applications on more than 80 dams in 25 different countries have confirmed their reliability in terms of sequentially overturning on the downstream side for the correct design flood. With their high discharge capacity at low head, PK-Weirs optimize …

The Performance Of Satellite-Based Precipitation Data To Reproduce Observed Precipitation In Tanzania's Little Ruaha Catchment, Florence H. Mahay

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Satellite-based precipitation datasets have emerged as promising tools for addressing rainfall data scarcity in regions with limited ground observations, such as Sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluates the performance of five satellite-based precipitation products CHIRPS, CPC, GPCC, MERRA-2, and ERA5 in capturing rainfall characteristics over the Little Ruaha Catchment in Tanzania. The assessment was carried out at daily, monthly, and seasonal timescales and focused on key rainfall indices including onset and cessation dates, length of the rainy season, total rainfall, and frequency of rainy days. Validation was conducted using statistical indicators such as the correlation coefficient (r), Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), Root …

Techno-Economic Analysis Of Hybrid Pv-Wind-Diesel Generator Swarm Grid For Rural Electrification In Tanzania, Ibrahim Mwammenywa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Remote, rural, and off-grid communities, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), face significant challenges in securing reliable and affordable electricity. While solutions such as solar home systems (SHSs) and diesel generators (DGs) have been adopted by some individuals, their deployment is often not optimized to meet the full load demand. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a hybrid swarm grid (HSG) design that integrates photovoltaic (PV), wind energy, and diesel generators (DGs). Utilizing MATLAB/Simulink and HOMER, the HSG is modeled and optimized for a typical SSA village, incorporating real-world variables such as load demand profiles, solar irradiance, and wind patterns. …

Adoption Of Agrivoltaics In Developing Countries: A Review On Challenges, Opportunities And Future Prospects, Abdi J. Athumani, Pater Makolo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This paper provides a review of agrivoltaics technology and how it has been applicable in developing countries, including African countries. Agrivoltaics, the integration of agricultural production with photovoltaic energy generation, offers promising solutions to water- energy-food nexus in developing countries. This technology offers the dual benefit of increasing agricultural productivity while generating clean energy, which is very important for regions facing frequent electricity shortages and declining agricultural yields due to climate change. However, despite its potential, the adoption of agrivoltaics in developing nations remains limited in comparison to developed countries due to financial, technical and policy constraints. This paper explores …

Computational Investigation Of The Role Of 3d Genome Architecture In The Lifecycle Of The Malaria Parasite, Srish Maulik

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Malaria, a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, is responsible for more than a half a million deaths per year, the vast majority of which occur in central Africa. The parasite undergoes an incredibly complex cell molecular transformation as it transitions from living in mosquitoes to living in humans with different sets of genes being activated or silenced in order to evade the immune system of the host. Understanding how its genome guides this transition is critical for developing adequate treatments. In this project, we aim to develop a computational framework for investigating the role of the three …

Stochastic Modeling Of Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Through Extreme Dust Conditions In Underground Mines Using Vector Parabolic Approach, Emmanuel Atta Antwi, Samuel Frimpong, Muhammad Azeem Raza, Sanjay Madria

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Post-disaster underground (UG) mine environments are characterized by complex and rapidly changing conditions, adding extra attenuation to propagating electromagnetic (EM) waves. One such complex condition is the extreme generation of dust and sudden rise in humidity contributing to extra attenuation effects to propagating waves, especially under varying airborne humidity and dust levels. The existing wave propagation prediction models, especially those that factor in the effect of dust particles, are deterministic in nature, limiting their ability to account for uncertainties, especially during emergency conditions. In this work, the vector parabolic equation (VPE) model is modified to include dust attenuation effects. Using …

Selective Nickel Leaching And Preparation Of Battery-Grade Nickel Carbonate From Copper-Rich Industrial Intermediate, Janaka Jayamini Wijenayake, Michael S. Moats, Lloyd Masuzyo Mseteka, Lana Alagha

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has driven a significant increase in nickel consumption, a critical element in EV battery production. An industrially viable hydrometallurgical process was developed for the selective recovery of nickel from a copper-rich industrial intermediate, containing approximately 70 wt.% Cu and 6 wt.% Ni, predominantly as sulfides alongside minor impurities. Approximately 90% of nickel was selectively extracted via single-stage atmospheric pressure leaching using HCl and H2O2 at 95 °C for 12 h, with the majority of copper retained in the leach residue, which can be utilized as a valuable feedstock for copper smelters. The selectivity …

Study Of Mechanical Properties Of 3d Printed Advanced Polymer, R. Kumaresan, D. Ramasamy, W.S.W. Harun, Sivaraos Sivaraos, Semin Semin, Krishnan Kanny, Habeeb Hattab Habeeb

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

This thesis focuses on the mechanical behaviour of ABS which is an advanced polymer material produced by 3D printing. The ABS specimens used in this work were prepared by fused deposition modelling (FDM) to compare the compressive and tensile strength with ASTM D 695. Critical settings within the range of 3D printing process including layer height, fill angle and density were adjusted to investigate the impact on ABS mechanical properties. The effects of these parameters are observed to have a profound impact on the strength and the stiffness of the printed specimens. Further, the optimal conditions for ABS print were …

Facilitating The Move Towards A Wellbeing Economy Through Supporting Infrastructure: A Review Of Frontrunner Countries, Henry Bartelet, Vincent De Gooyert

Quantitative Methods and Information Technology Faculty Publications

As more governments seek to shift beyond gross domestic product (GDP) as the dominant measure of progress, the concept of a “wellbeing economy” has gained traction. This approach prioritizes human and environmental wellbeing through broader, more holistic policy frameworks. A central question in this transition is what the implications of shifts to a wellbeing economy are for infrastructure investments. In this study, we identify four frontrunner governments, Bhutan, Scotland, New Zealand, and Wales, that have formally adopted wellbeing economy principles. We analyse how each operationalizes the concept and assess the resulting implications for infrastructure planning and investment. Despite shared goals, …

Effect Of Clays On The Spontaneous Imbibition Behavior Of Surfactant Solutions In Shale Oil Reservoirs, Ning Xu, Yanling Wang, Baojun Bai, Chuanbao Zhang, Shizhang Cui, Yu Zhang, Di Li, Wenjing Shi, Wenhui Ding

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Surfactant-enhanced spontaneous imbibition is a proven method of enhancing oil recovery from shale reservoirs. However, a significant knowledge gap concerning the impact of clay minerals on surfactant-enhanced imbibition in shale reservoirs remains. Therefore, this study first analyzed the mineral composition and pore structure of the shale reservoirs. Subsequently, three surfactants were selected for spontaneous imbibition experiments. The influence of various clay minerals on the surfactant imbibition was assessed by considering various properties of the imbibition system. The results showed that the shale pores primarily consisted of macropores (44.03%) and mesopores (43.94%). Surfactants enhance the imbibition recovery by altering the wettability …

Global Transport Emissions 1850–2020: Historical Drivers And Lessons For Transport Decarbonization, Bernardo Tostes, Sofia T. Henriques, Matthew Kuperus Heun, Paul E. Brockway, Tânia Sousa

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

This study analyzes global transport CO2 emissions from 1850 to 2020 using the LMDI method, offering, for the first time, a decomposition over such a long timespan and global scope. Emissions are split into technological and demand-related drivers using a new dataset. Transport efficiency is divided into final-to-useful efficiency and useful energy intensity, a novel distinction. Key findings include: (1) efficiency improvements avoided 9067 Gt CO2 by 2019, with peak impacts in 1950–1973 (-1.62 %/yr) and 2008–2020 (-3.63 %/yr), respectively; (2) these gains were insufficient to counter rising demand, which led to 8252 Gt CO2 in cumulative emissions; (3) demand …

Internet Of Batteries: An Integrated System Of Battery Health Surveillance System For Electric Vehicles (Evs), Ayodeji Akinsoji Okubanjo, Ignatius Kema Okakwu, Alexander Akpofure Okandeji, Oluwasogo Emmanuel Seun, Olusesi Ayobami Taiwo

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

Progress in storage technologies is vital to the efficiency of electric vehicles in combating climate change. The automobile industry’s transition to electric mobility has significantly increased the demand for battery storage systems (BSS) in terms of performance, reliability, monitoring, and evaluation of key parameters. However, poor safety and monitoring strategies for battery storage systems in electric vehicle applications pose an increasing threat to the vehicles’ sustainability and mobility. This calls for intelligent battery storage monitoring systems to mitigate carbon footprint and preserve battery lifespan of electric vehicles. This paper focuses on battery storage sustainability in electric vehicles with special emphasis …

Morphological Changes Downstream Beni-Suef Bridge On The Nile River In Egypt, Muhammad Ahmad Abdul-Muttalib, Ahmed Moustafa Moussa, Gamal Helmy Elsaeed, Suzan Ahmed Mohammed

Journal of Engineering Research

The construction of the Beni-Suef bridge, spanning 550 meters over the Nile River, resulted in sediment accumulation and hindered navigation. This study investigates the causes of the morphodynamic changes and explores the impact of dredging as a mitigation measure through the area which extended approximately 2.6 kilometers downstream the bridge. A one-dimensional numerical model (HEC-RAS) was employed, utilizing bathymetric surveyed cross-sections from 1982, 2002, and 2004, along with discharge data from downstream Assuit Barrage and water levels from upstream Delta Barrage as boundary inputs. The model was calibrated and validated using measured water and bed levels. Sediment properties and bed …

Ontology Features-Based Arabic Text Augmentation Using Word2vec, Enas Tariq Khudair, Onsa Lazzez, Mourad Zaied, Tarek M. Hamdani, Ahmed T. Sadiq, Habib Chabchoub, Adel M. Alimi

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

Text augmentation plays a major role when data is scarce. In this context, there are few Arabic news texts for specific purposes, and hence, there is a dire need to generate Arabic text, especially news. This paper presents an enhanced approach to Arabic text augmentation based on Arabic ontology features. The Arabic part of speech, particularly adjectives, verbs, and prepositions, and the ontology properties regarding such parts to create new texts, make up the first stage of the system, which has multiple stages. Word2Vector (Word2Vec) plays a pivotal role in giving Arabic ontology features to the specific Arabic Part of …

Communicating Wastewater-Based Surveillance Data To Drive Action, Kata Farkas, Devrim Kaya, Rasha Maal-Bared, Ahmad I. Al-Mustapha, Sarmila Tandukar, Ishi Keenum, Teemu Gunnar, Aaron Bivins, Matthew J Wade, Kyle Bibby, Tarja M. Pitkänen, Ananda Tiwari

Michigan Tech Publications

As exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) can deliver near real-time, population-level pathogen data to guide public health action. Its impact, however, hinges on timely, transparent, and context-specific communication to stakeholders, including health authorities, policymakers, scientists, clinicians, and the public. This review examines current WBS communication practices, identifies persistent challenges, and proposes strategies to enhance relevance. Key challenges include data complexity, lack of standardised communication frameworks, ethical and privacy concerns, and variable stakeholder capabilities. The strategic use of digital platforms, such as dashboards, reports, press releases, and social media, alongside traditional media, can broaden reach and aid interpretation. …

The Utilisation Of The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4ir) Technologies In E-Government Service Delivery: A Systematic Literature Review, Arnet Zitha, Noluntu Mpekoa, Sheethal Tom

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

The integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies is transforming e-Government by boosting citizen engagement and enhancing service efficiency. However, gaps still exist in understanding the various applications, impacts, and barriers to adoption. This systematic review synthesises literature from 16 studies published between 2017 and 2025, illustrating how technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, big data, Internet of Things, and machine learning are employed and their effects on e-Government service delivery. The review reveals that 4IR technologies continue to play a vital role in e-Government services by addressing security threats, simplifying verification and authentication, building trust, and improving the quality and …

Deep Learning And Machine Learning Based Prediction Of Significant Wave Height Along The Grand Coast Of Dakar, Senegal, Dialo Diop, Xu Dongsheng, Sanjay Kumar Shukla

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recently, deep learning (DL) has become an essential tool for processing large datasets and is playing a crucial role in scientific research. It significantly contributes to protecting the marine environment and forecasting oceanic phenomena. This study applies an autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) time series model to forecast significant wave heights (SWHs) at two beaches in Dakar, Senegal: Malika and Yoff. Additionally, the long short-term memory network (LSTM) is used for comparative analysis. Both models estimate SWH for future predictions ranging from 12 hours to 60 days. The study utilized ERA5 reanalysis data, comprising 52584 elements of SWH and …

Smart Mobility Technologies In Urban Areas Of Emerging Economies: A Bibliometric Analysis, Peter Mugisha, Rose Luke, Joash Mageto, Hossana Twinomurinzi

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Despite the adoption of smart mobility solutions in emerging economies, challenges such as traffic congestion, pollution and inadequate infrastructure still persist. This study analyses 540 scholarly articles published between 2003 and 2024 to evaluate how smart mobility technologies – such as Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) – have been implemented in these regions. Data was retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science and analysed using Biblioshiny for bibliometric mapping and Atlas.ti for thematic analysis. The review identifies research trends and gaps, showing how ITS has improved transport management in cities like Nairobi, and …

Assessing Solar Radiation Patterns In Sarawak Using Measured Data And The Hargreaves-Samani Model For Photovoltaic Systems Application, Chun Yong Soo, Xian Hwa Chan, Wan Mohamad Husni Wan Mokhtar, Ahmad Rujhan Mohd Rais

Makara Journal of Technology

This study evaluates the Hargreaves-Samani model for estimating solar radiation in five locations in Sarawak: Bintulu, Kapit, Sri Aman, Kuching, and Miri (Subis), using minimum and maximum temperatures as key inputs. Analysis reveals stable minimum temperatures (19.7 °C to 28.8 °C), supporting consistent solar radiation patterns favorable for Photovoltaic (PV) performance. Miri (Subis) recorded the highest daily maximum temperature of 44.8 °C, while Kuching had the lowest at 24.7 °C, highlighting significant regional climatic variability. Analysis also indicates strong solar potential in Bintulu, Kapit, Sri Aman, Kuching, and Miri, with radiation peaking at 7.5 kWh/m², though seasonal variations impact PV …

Cost-Effectiveness Model For Reservoir Sediment Management Economics, Connor Ronald Hale

Theses and Dissertations

Reservoir sediment deposition poses a challenge to sustainable water supplies around the world. Sediment management has proven to be an expensive endeavor. Two models have been developed to guide economic analysis for reservoir sediment management, namely the Reservoir Sediment Economics Model (RSEM) and the Reservoir Conservation Model 2 (RESCON 2). While these are helpful tools for benefit-cost prefeasibility studies, they rely heavily on sometimes elusive estimations of the benefits of water supply. In this study, a new method for economic analysis is proposed that foregoes benefit-cost analysis in favor of a cost-effectiveness approach. The Sediment Management Cost-Effectiveness Model ranks sediment …

Computational Studies On The Major Antioxidant Enzymes Of Wuchereria Bancrofti Towards The Development Of Anti Filarial Leads, Sureshan M

Theses and Dissertations

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), or elephantiasis, is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease affecting the lymphatic system, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. It is the second leading cause of long-term disability and a neglected tropical disease. According to WHO, LF threatens 882 million people in 44 countries, with over 9 billion treatments administered. The disease is caused by three nematodes: Wuchereria bancrofti (90% of cases worldwide, including India), Brugia malayi (10% in Southeast and Eastern Asia), and Brugia timori (found in Timor and nearby islands). Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is an ancient disease that continues to challenge scientists and physicians. Current treatments include …

Impact Of Ionic Liquids On The Treatment Of Various Derivatives Of Prosopis Juliflora For Removing Toxic Pollutants From Wastewater, Karthikeyan A

Theses and Dissertations

Water resources are increasingly contaminated by toxic pollutants, particularly industrial effluents, posing significant environmental concerns. Addressing the toxicity of these pollutants, especially those released from textile industries, presents challenges due to their harmful effects on living organisms. Various treatment methods are employed to mitigate this issue, including coagulation, flocculation, membrane filtration, photocatalytic degradation, adsorption, anaerobic processes, and chemical oxidation. Among these, adsorption emerges as an effective and economical method due to its minimal secondary contamination, negligible sludge production, and the use of inexpensive agricultural and marine waste materials.

This study examines the ability of Prosopis juliflora treated with imidazolium-based ionic …

Sleep Disorder Diagnosis Using Eeg Signals And Lstm Deep Learning Method, Mohammad Reza Yousefi, Reza Rahimi

NJF Intelligent Engineering Journal

Diagnosing brain disorders, particularly sleep disorders, has emerged as a critical area of research in both basic sciences and engineering. Sleep disorders encompass a range of conditions, including excessive or insufficient sleep, frequent awakenings, difficulty falling asleep, and challenges in reaching deep sleep stages. A key application of sleep disorder diagnosis lies in supporting the medical community through the development of advanced algorithms and models capable of accurately identifying these disorders based on individual brain signals, such as those captured by electroencephalography (EEG). These sophisticated approaches facilitate the creation of personalized treatment programs, paving the way for more targeted and …

Architectural Optimization Of Façade Design Using Nano-Ceramic Films For Green Buildings In Baghdad’S Hot Climate, Lina M. Shaker, Wan Nor Roslam Wan Isahak, Ahmed Salih Mahdi

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

This study aims to optimize the architectural integration and energy performance of nano-ceramic window films in a three-story Baghdad commercial building having an overall area of 2,000 m². In a 40% window-to-wall ratio (WWR) and climate-responsive orientation, films were selected for solar exposure; north façade overhanging high-transmittance movies, east and west vertical fins on medium-transmittance movies, and south horizontal louvers on low-transmittance movies. Architectural strategies for daylighting, comfort, and façade appearance with low solar heat gain (SHG) were considered. MATLAB 2022 simulations evaluated energy savings, daylight transmission, and solar rejection. The most effective film (either film, HD-IR05100) achieved …

Development Of Construction Materials With Natural Fibers And Flax Shives For Green Eco-Friendly Buildings. Mrs Advances (2025), Iman El-Mahallawi, Lamiaa Mohamed, Rania El‑Shorbagy, Mahmoud Tash, Aliaa Abdelfatah

Mechanical Engineering

Sustainability-oriented solutions are essential to address the depletion of natural resources, solid waste accumulation, and high CO2 emissions in the construction industry. This research focuses on the development of environmentally friendly green bricks by replacing high-carbon-footprint constituents with local, natural materials. Specifically, flax shives, a natural agricultural by-product, and marble powder, an industrial waste, were used as partial substitutes in the binder matrix. The natural fibers not only promote sustainability but also enhance insulation and reduce the environmental burden. The bricks were molded into rectangular specimens (60 × 100 × 200 mm) and tested for thermal conductivity, moisture absorption, and …

Land8fire: A Complete Study On Wildfire Segmentation Through Comprehensive Review, Human-Annotated Multispectral Dataset, And Extensive Benchmarking, Anh Tran, Minh Tran, Esteban Marti, Jackson Cothren, Chase Rainwater, Sandra Eksioglu, Ngan Le

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Early and accurate wildfire detection is critical for minimizing environmental damage and ensuring a timely response. However, existing satellite-based wildfire datasets suffer from limitations such as coarse ground truth, poor spectral coverage, and class imbalance, which hinder progress in developing robust segmentation models. In this paper, we introduce Land8Fire, a new large-scale wildfire segmentation dataset composed of over 20,000 multispectral image patches derived from Landsat 8 and manually annotated for high-quality fire masks. Building on the ActiveFire dataset, Land8Fire improves ground truth reliability and offers predefined splits for consistent benchmarking. We evaluate a range of state-of-the-art convolutional and transformer-based models, …

High Temperature In Potato: Plant Responses And Adaptive Cultivation Strategies To Increase Production, Siska Rahmayani Gultom, Jajang Sauman Hamdani, Kusumiyati

Jurnal Kultivasi

Climate change, with global temperatures rising by 1.09°C from 1850–1900 to 2011–2020, threatens potato production, a critical staple crop, by exceeding the optimal temperature range of 15–20°C. This review synthesizes over 45 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 from Google Scholar and ScienceDirect to evaluate the physiological, morphological, and tuber quality responses of potatoes to high temperatures and to identify adaptive cultivation strategies for sustainable production. High temperatures reduce photosynthetic efficiency through chlorophyll degradation and stomatal closure, increase respiration, and divert photosynthates to vegetative growth, leading to 18–32% yield losses globally by the 2050s. Heat-tolerant varieties, such as Atlantic …

Modeling Copper Biogeochemistry In Continental Environments: 0 – 93 °C, Paul Goldsborough Helfrich

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Microbiomes are intertwined with copper chemistry through both toxin and trace nutrient interactions. We produced and examined nineteen metagenomes from a creek recovering from historic copper mining to investigate how anthropogenic contamination shapes microbial community structure and functional potential. We then incorporated the metagenomic profiles and concurrently collected geochemical context into multivariate models to examine correlations between habitat geochemistry and microbial ecology. Residual copper and wastewater inputs alter stream habitability across seasonal gradients. We complimented initial analyses with new insights from high temperature environments. Combined dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), temperature, pH, and silica stress constrain photosynthesis in hydrothermal features. Geochemical …