Engineering Commons^™

Wright State University's Celebration Of Student Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities From Thursday, March 13, 2025, Wright State University

Celebration of Undergraduate & Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Abstract Books

The student abstract booklet is a compilation of abstracts from students' oral and poster presentations at Wright State University's Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities on March 13, 2025.

Workforce Forecasting For State Transportation Agencies: A Machine Learning Approach, Adedolapo Ogungbire, Suman Kumar Mitra

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A decline in the number of construction engineers and inspectors at state transportation agencies (STAs) to manage the ever-increasing lane miles has emphasized the importance of workforce planning in these agencies. Forecasting workforce requirements is crucial for effective planning in any industry or agency. This study developed machine learning (ML) models to estimate the person-hour requirements of STAs at the project level. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) was used as a case study, using its employee and project details data between 2012 and 2021. ML regression models ranging from linear, tree ensembles, kernel-based, and neural network-based models were …

Yolot: A Recurrent Yolo Model For Robust Video-Based Automotive Object Detection, Dylan Jay Baxter

Master's Theses

Though incredibly effective at detecting objects in isolated frames, modern object detection models are often not designed to take advantage of information present in previous frames of a video stream, despite that data being readily avail- able. To address this shortcoming, this paper proposes YOLOT, a modification of the widely used YOLOv8 object detection model, which seeks to utilize this temporal information with the addition of recurrent structures. In the design of YOLOT, a series of recurrent convolutional modules were inserted at backbone and neck outputs and the final and most effective design was found to be the insertion of …

Float Element Design, Bryn Lewis

Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies

I have spent the last three years as a Design team member of Cal Poly Rose Float, the last year as a Design Lead. As a member of the design team, I followed blueprints, bent pencil steel into shape, and welded those pieces together. I worked as part of a team, and eventually led my own small team. Cal Poly Rose Float teaches its members many skills and abilities. Not just bending and welding metal, but also teamwork and leadership skills. However, it doesn’t teach us everything. Every leadership member gives input on the overall theme and design of the …

Ultrasonic Cavitation Erosion Behaviour Of Plastically Deformed Textured Stainless-Steel Surface, Amit Raturi, Mayank Garg, Harpreet S. Grewall, Harpreet S. Arora

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

In this study, we utilized an innovative pathway to obtain exceptional resistance to the cavitation erosion-corrosion behavior by combining surface texturing with severe surface deformation. Severe surface deformation was carried out using stationary friction process (SFP) followed by micro-texturing through a micro-imprinting approach. The textured sample after processing (SFP+T) had erosion resistance that was 6-7 times greater than that of the as-cast sample under ultrasonic cavitation conditions. In addition, the SFP+T sample was able to sustain a similar trend in the erosion-corrosion medium as well. Furthermore, the flow field characteristics of textured and nontextured samples were investigated using numerical calculations …

Realistic Bionic Arm Development For Transradial Amputation, Bailey A. Wall, Lilly Noel Curdy, Ruthie Mccall, Courtney Mahoney, Andres Trejo

Biomedical Engineering

The VeraLimb realistic bionic arm is intended for use by individuals with a trans-radial amputation or congenital limb deficiency below the elbow to provide functional hand and arm movements. This advanced prosthetic device is designed to mimic a biological hand's natural motion, dexterity, control, and aesthetic, giving the user a higher sense of restored limb functionality. It offers an experience that closely restores motor function in a way that resembles having a natural hand rather than interacting with a mechanical device. The VeraLimb is suitable for daily activities, allowing users to grasp, manipulate, and interact with objects. It is designed …

Design Of An Electro-Hydraulic Laboratory Test System For Adjusting The Inclination Angle Of Sowing Machines, Aytac Moralar, Figan Dalmis, Bahattin Akdemir

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Field testing of grain sowing machinery requires favorable field conditions and sufficient time periods, making laboratory tests a preferred alternative for determining performance under controlled conditions. However, a standardized testing system for evaluating sowing machinery has not yet been established. In this study, a test system was designed for laboratory testing of universal grain sowing machines. A movable platform was built on a chassis made using sheet metal with different dimensions and profiles. It operates through a hydraulic system via a programmable logic controller-based control system. The sowing machine placed on this platform allows for inclination adjustments (front, back, right, …

Forecasting And Assessment Of Air Quality Dynamics In Northeast India Using Machine Learning Models, Kumar Shubham, Gopikrishnan T, Anshuman Singh

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study investigated air quality dynamics in Northeast India, a region with unique terrestrial features, including the Eastern Himalayas. While air quality varies across districts, pollution impacts the entire area. Northeast India’s rich ecology is crucial for Himalayan climate regulation. Robust air quality monitoring and pollution control are essential to preserve environmental balance. This work focused on forecasting emissions of aerosols, SO₂, NO₂, CO, HCHO, O₃, and CH₄ primarily associated with human activities. Utilizing data from the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) satellite instrument from 2019 to 2023, a 9-mo forecast was conducted using …

Applying Image Processing And Computer Vision For Damage Detection In Photovoltaic Panels, Montaser Abdelsattar, Ahmed Abdelmoety, Ahmed Emad-Eldeen

Mansoura Engineering Journal

As the use of Photovoltaic (PV) panels as a sustainable energy source grows, there is a need for effective and precise techniques to monitor and manage these systems. Conventional techniques for identifying faults in PV panels, such as manual inspections, require a significant amount of effort and are susceptible to mistakes made by humans. This study introduces an innovative automated method that utilizes image processing techniques implemented using the OpenCV library to identify panel faults, namely hotspots, which are important indications of possible failures. The study approach combines grayscale conversion, histogram analysis, and adaptive thresholding to accurately detect and evaluate …

Feasibility Of Hyperspectral Sensing For Detection Of Early Stages Of Corrosion In Structural Steel, Amrita Das, Sattar Dorafshan

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The estimated global cost of steel atmospheric corrosion is 3-4% of the Gross Domestic Product, despite decades of corrosion mitigation practice. Steel, widely used for infrastructure construction, is composed primarily of iron and therefore is extremely vulnerable to atmospheric corrosion. The free iron atoms are highly reactive with water and oxygen molecules abundantly found in the atmosphere. Common non-contact in-field corrosion detection methods such as visual imaging and passive infrared thermography (IRT) use characteristics of visible corrosion compounds as the main features for corrosion detection. In this study, diffuse spectroscopy is investigated for the feasibility of corrosion detection before visual …

Design And Function Of Thermoresponsive-Ultrafast Stiffening Suspension Formulations For 3d Printing, Sharu Bhagavathi Kandy, Sebastian Remke, Thiyagarajan Ranganathan, Shubham Kiran Wani, Xiaodi Dai, Narayanan Neithalath, Aditya Kumar, Mathieu Bauchy, Edward Garboczi, Torben Gädt, Samanvaya Srivastava, Gaurav Sant

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An inability to accurately control the rate and extent of solidification of cementitious suspensions is a major impediment to creating geometrically complex structural shapes via 3D printing. In this work, we have developed a thermoresponsive rapid stiffening system that will stiffen suspensions of minerals such as quartz, limestone, portlandite, and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) over a wide pH range. When exposed to trigger temperatures between 40 °C and 70 °C, the polymer binder system undergoes a thermally triggered free radical polymerization (FRP) reaction, leading to an ultrafast stiffening of the suspension at an average rate on the order of 1 …

Effects Of Gradual Deformation Of Identical And Nonidentical, Rotated And Nonrotated U-Shaped Subwavelength Resonators In Few-Layer Metasurfaces, Andriy E. Serebryannikov, Atilla O. Cakmak, Evrim Colak

Open Access Publishing Support Funded Articles

Raising of negative-index medium has been going hand-by-hand with the exploration of quasiplanar subwavelength resonators. Now they are widely used in modern microwave, terahertz, and infrared devices, as well as in advanced physics research. Effects of stacking of the arrays of subwavelength resonators in one few-layer metasurface is connected with the key problems of modern electrical engineering, applied physics, and beyond. Recently, the interest to subwavelength resonators has been growing due to the progress in topological photonics and non-Hermitian photonics. In this paper, the selected effects of arrays coupling in a few-layer metasurface are revisited with yet uncommon focus, i.e., …

Refining Chlorosulfonation Methods For The Synthesis Of A Perfluoroalkyl Arylsulfonimide (Pfsi) Monomer, Ainsley P. Foster, Ben Varney, Hua Mei

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are sources of energy that are clean, quiet, and highly responsive to changes in power needs, making them promising for use in automobiles and other portable power devices. The electrolyte of a PEM cell–the layer responsible for conductivity–is a polymer membrane, commonly consisting of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers. In place of the PFSA polymers, perfluoroalkyl arylsulfonimide (PFSI) polymers are expected to improve the efficiency of PEM fuel cells with better stability and proton conductivity. The trifluovinylether (TFVE) aryl perfluorosulfonamide monomer is a new PFSI monomer proposed to fulfill these benefits once polymerized. The previous …

Operating Room Forcing Function, Olivia Rankin, Makena Moragne, Sasha Rovinsky

Biomedical Engineering

The Operating Room Forcing Function system aims to address the persistent issue of wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-patient errors (WSPEs) in surgical settings. WSPEs are largely caused by circumvention of the timeout procedure (a planned pause before incision to stop and confirm crucial details of the procedure to be performed known as ‘The Universal Protocol’). The goal set forth by our sponsor, Dr. Robert Turbow, is to develop a lock-out mechanism that requires a timeout to be performed by all appropriate personnel before an operation can begin.

Hospitals are extremely complex systems with competing values, productivity pressures, fast paced work, tight-coupled …

The Suture Guide, Nicole Schnettler, Ciara Murphy, Jocelyn Corona Cabrera

Biomedical Engineering

In the surgical field and specifically wound closure, there is a growing demand for techniques that allow surgeons to quickly, accurately, and ergonomically close surgical wounds while still optimizing patient recovery and not compromising the cosmetic appearance in wound closure. Currently more advanced and developed products exist for laparoscopic suturing, but not for superficial suturing. This project aims to find a way to close the most superficial layer of the skin in surgical incisions that is faster and more comfortable than current suturing techniques. The design process began with stakeholder interviews and market research, identifying key shortcomings of current manual …

Image Forensics And Alteration Detection Using Image Preprocessing-Assisted Deep Learning Models, Rabindra Pokharel

Theses (2016-Present)

Technological advancements, combined with the widespread availability of digital images, have resulted in ubiquitous image forgery. The instances of forged images used for political propaganda, legal evidence manipulation, defamation of individuals, pornographic image creation of celebrities, and other actions that can cause social turmoil are proliferating. Verifying the integrity and authenticity of digital images is impractical for humans, necessitating the development of a robust image forgery detection model. This thesis demonstrates methods for copy-move, splicing, and deepfake image forgery detections by combining Error Level Analysis (ELA), Discrete Cosine Transformation (DCT), or Discrete Fourier Transformation (DFT) with a Deep Learning Convolutional …

Explainable Ai(Xai) In Genomic Medicine: Interpreting The Impact Of Genetic Variants On Breast Cancer Prognosis, Tooba Maryam Marith

Theses (2016-Present)

This study explores the integration of eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) techniques in genomic medicine to improve breast cancer prognosis and treatment decision-making. Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the research establishes a baseline through traditional machine learning (ML) models, including Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Classifier (SVC), Decision Tree, Naïve Bayes, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and XGBoost. These models are evaluated for their predictive performance in assessing patient outcomes based on genetic variations. TCGA is a comprehensive public database that provides multidimensional genomic and clinical data for various cancer types, including breast cancer. It offers detailed molecular characterizations, such …

The Acceptability Of The Flipped Left Diamond Interchange In Houston, Texas, Aganze Jean-Daniel

Theses (2016-Present)

The Flipped Left Diamond Interchange operation was investigated, and its advantageous traffic optimization, resulting in delay reduction and uninterrupted traffic flow, was demonstrated. However, due to the lack of familiarity with a design whose geometric configuration flips the left turn movement towards the opposing traffic, an investigative study is necessary to determine the road users’ appreciation and acceptance of it. The Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians (2001) urges the consideration of the design driver’s perception of the acceptability of highway geometry, operations, and traffic control devices. Therefore, this study designed a questionnaire to survey Houstonians from different …

Examining The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Older Adults' Activity Participation And Mode Usage In A Rural State: A Case Study Of Arkansas, Arna Nishita Nithila, Suman Kumar Mitra, Alishia Juanelle Ferguson, Michelle Gray, Jennifer D. Webb

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity participation and mode usage of older adults residing in Arkansas, a predominantly rural state. Leveraging primary data collected from 832 older adult participants, the study employed Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to capture older adults' heterogeneity in travel behavior and found three distinct classes: Pandemic-affected minimal travelers, Unaffected non-commuter car users, and Unaffected commuter car users, showing different levels of their activity participation, mode usage during the pandemic and varying the pandemic's impact on their trips. To understand these variations in light of the …

In-Situ Microstructural Evolution And Deformation Mechanisms Of Metastable Beta Titanium Fabricated By Laser Powder Bed Fusion Under Flexural Stress, H. Y. Ma, J. C. Wang, Y. J. Liu, Y. H. Li, Y. S. Zhang, X. C. Liu, L. C. Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Compared to other loading conditions, studies on deformation mechanisms of additive manufacturing (AM)-produced β-type Ti alloys under bending remain limited. This study investigates a metastable β-type Ti–25Nb–3Zr–3Mo–2Sn (TLM, wt.%) alloy fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) during in-situ three-point bending. In-situ observations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and ex-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging during bending provided evaluation of microstructural changes and deformation mechanisms. These mechanisms are characterized by dislocation slip, {332}<113>β deformation twin, α" phase, and ω phase formation during plastic bending stage. The {112}<111> slip system dominates in the compression …

Capillary-Dominated Imbibition In Heterogeneous-Wet Reservoirs: Mechanisms, Characterizations, And Critical Insights, Yihang Xiao, Zhenjiang You, Yongming He, Zhengtong Du, Jun Zheng, Lei Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The heterogeneous-wet state within oil and gas reservoirs introduces complex fluid distribution and flow dynamics, which significantly impacts enhanced oil recovery and geo-sequestration of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Capillary behavior in heterogeneous-wet reservoirs is governed by the interplay between wettability and pore geometry, which collectively dictates macroscopic imbibition processes, including forced, negative-pressure and spontaneous flow of the wetting phase. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms governing imbibition in heterogeneous-wet reservoirs remain insufficiently understood. This review critically examines studies on pore-filling mechanisms and imbibition behaviors, integrating both experimental and theoretical approaches, while emphasizing key scientific questions and challenges. Existing literature suggests that …

An Investigation Of The Mechanical Properties Of Concrete With Different Types Of Waste Plastics For Rigid Pavements, Nuha S. Mashaan, Cherrie Ann E. Ouano

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The increasing demand for sustainable construction practices has prompted the exploration of innovative materials, such as waste plastics, to enhance both the environmental and mechanical performance of concrete, particularly for rigid pavements. This review investigates the mechanical properties of concrete incorporating four types of waste plastics—high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polypropylene (PP). The primary focus is on how these materials affect key mechanical properties, including compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength. The analysis reveals that HDPE and PP, at optimal levels (5–10%), can enhance flexural and crack resistance, making them suitable for non-structural applications. …

Insights From Consumers' Exposure To Environmental Nutrition Information On A Dashboard For Improving Sustainable Healthy Food Choices, Prince Agyemang, Ebenezer M. Kwofie, Jamie L. Baum, Dongyi Wang

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Over the last decade, there has been a growing demand for tools to support sustainable healthy lifestyles, including food choices. Through a survey, this study examined the influence of environmental nutrition information conveyed with aids such as nudges and traffic light labels through a Dashboard for Improving Sustainable Healthy (DISH v1.0) food choices on consumer purchase intentions. DISH is an application that enables end-users to envisage and compare the potential impacts of their choices before purchasing. In the early stage of the technological development of DISH, the environmental nutrition information of two fast-food menus, plant-based and animal-based burgers, was tested …

Artificial Intelligence And Internet Of Things Integration In Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: A Smart Synergy, Reshma Kodumuru, Soumavo Sarkar, Varun Parepally, Jignesh Chandarana

Michigan Tech Publications

Background: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with the internet of things (IoTs) represents a significant advancement in pharmaceutical manufacturing and effectively bridges the gap between digital and physical worlds. With AI algorithms integrated into IoTs sensors, there is an improvement in the production process and quality control for better overall efficiency. This integration facilitates enabling machine learning and deep learning for real-time analysis, predictive maintenance, and automation—continuously monitoring key manufacturing parameters. Objective: This paper reviews the current applications and potential impacts of integrating AI and the IoTs in concert with key enabling technologies like cloud computing and data analytics, …

Vanlife Desalination, Emily Rhee, Tomas Franco, Marco Jimenez

Mechanical Engineering

Van life can be defined as the unconventional lifestyle of living in a car, van, or motor vehicle. Living in a motor vehicle allows for you to effectively live in whatever location you deem fit, and with that comes certain standards that need to be met; one being fresh potable water used for drinking, hygiene, and basic living. The scope of this project is to design a system that can effectively remove salt from seawater (desalinate) and can be integrated into a van that can be used for off-grid living.

In this project we worked to create a design that …

Development Of Planetary Drive System For Formula Sae Electric Race Car, Brian Wong, Bradley Maruoka, Joshua Charles Fine, Madison Kai

Mechanical Engineering

Hub motors are compact electric motors mounted directly on each outboard wheel hub. Utilized in Formula SAE and Formula Student vehicles, this configuration offers several advantages over traditional drivetrains, including packaging optimization within the chassis, vehicle traction, and improved efficiency. Although hub motors are not yet common in 4WD vehicles, they are being explored for use in EVs and may become more common in the future. Every year, Cal Poly Racing FSAE designs and builds a formula-style race car. To improve drivetrain performance, the team is investigating the achievability of a hub motor 4WD drivetrain, requiring extensive research, development, and …

Wind Turbine Rotor Test Stand, Ashlen Brooke Sperry, Cayley Mckee, Kristofer Lee Pascua, Francisco Medina

Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Lemieux and the mechanical engineering department at Cal Poly are renowned for the countless projects that allow students to be a part of hands-on learning and the “Learn by Doing” experience. One such experience is the wind energy class that requires students to design, build, and test wind turbine rotors; however, a test stand for these rotors is needed. Dr. Lemieux and the senior project team will design and build a test stand that will enable the simultaneous testing of two student-designed rotors at the existing wind turbine site. In addition to energy measurement, Lemieux emphasizes the importance of …

Roadblocks To Ride: Unraveling Barriers To Access Shared Micromobility Systems In The United States, Farzana Mehzabin Tuli, Suman Kumar Mitra

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Shared micromobility services are experiencing rapid expansion in the United States and Europe, yet certain user groups, particularly low-income and disadvantaged individuals, face significant barriers related to financial, technical, and cultural factors. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of these barriers within the US by examining bike-sharing, shared e-scooters and programs offering both services. Data was meticulously collected from diverse sources, including official bikeshare provider websites, municipal transportation sites, program reports, local news articles, and mobile applications. This comprehensive data collection methodology provides a thorough representation of 458 shared micromobility systems, encompassing all services available since the inception of shared …

Quantum Finite Automaton Using Ternary Rotation Quantum Gates And Chrestenson Family Quantum Gates, Yuchen Huang, Marek Perkowski, Xiaoyu Song, John M. Acken

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Quantum automata can solve certain problems with a smaller state space than classical automata. We developed a quantum finite automaton using ternary rotation quantum gates and the Chrestenson family of ternary quantum gates. The main idea of this paper is to show how to combine rotation ternary quantum circuit-based QuantumFinite Automaton and quantum reversible circuit-based Deterministic Finite Automaton to build a more powerful machine. The combined machine can enable more complex language and pattern recognition. The developed quantum finite automaton and resulting combined machine can be used for robotics applications such as language, gesture, and motion recognition.

Modular Construction And Integrated Project Delivery: Cal Poly Slo’S Student Housing Expansion, Nikita Taktarov

Construction Management

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is addressing the increasing demand for on-campus housing through an innovative modular dormitory project. This project, which adds approximately 4,000 new beds, marks a shift from traditional construction methods to a more efficient and collaborative approach using the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model. Unlike traditional CSU contracts that place most of the risk on contractors, this model promotes shared responsibility between the university, architects, and builders, leading to better cost control and project efficiency. A key feature of this program is the use of prefabricated construction, where building components are assembled off-site and then transported …