Engineering Commons^™

Multi-Scale Computational Mechanical Modeling Of Complex Multi-Phase Materials Systems, Naji Al-Mashrafi

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

This thesis employs finite-element–based computational methods to investigate how microstructural features and material heterogeneity govern mechanical behavior across three distinct complex systems. First, the elastic response of open-cell metallic foams is analyzed using large ensembles of model RVEs generated with the Kentucky Random Structures Toolkit (KRaSTk); finite-element homogenization reveals that effective stiffness is not dictated by relative density alone, as the skewness of ligament-length distributions—captured by the second Pearson’s coefficient—exerts a strong and previously unrecognized influence, with structures enriched in short load-bearing ligaments exhibiting consistently higher stiffness even at fixed density and connectivity. The second study examines heterogeneous polycrystalline solids …

Metallic Nanoparticles And Cosmetics: The Role Of Mitochondria And Premature Aging, Veronica Montesinos-Cruz, Justin Olmanson

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

The cosmetic industry has developed and commercialized numerous products using new technologies, making them increasingly appealing to the public. The use of metallic nanoparticles (MtNPs) as key ingredients in cosmetics has become more widespread due to their demonstrated benefits. However, the use of these products remains controversial, as some studies have shown that MtNPs can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and disrupt homeostatic balance. It has also been demonstrated that the interaction between MtNPs and keratinocytes increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to oxidative stress, a condition associated with premature aging. Mitochondria, as …

Mapping Pilot Stress And Fatigue During Flight Sessions, Atandrila Chowdhury, Sudip Vhaduri, Julius Keller, Mark Wilson, Debra Henneberry

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

This study examined physiological and self-reported indicators of stress and fatigue in four student pilots during training flights at Purdue University. Each pilot wore a wrist sensor that recorded heart rate, electrodermal activity, temperature, and acceleration, and completed pre and post-flight ratings of stress, fatigue, and sleep questionnaire. The pilots flew different types of training sessions, providing variation in environmental and flight conditions. All physiological data were cleaned and standardized before analysis. Across pilots, temperature and electrodermal activity generally increased during flight, showing a gradual rise in arousal that can come from several factors, including heat, physical effort, and normal …

Aircraft Turnaround Bottlenecks: Addressing Ground Handling Delays For Operational Excellence, Vigneswaran Cm, Syedeen Khan, Benedict M, Srinath R, Mukesh Pr, Jayaram R Pothnis, Inamul Hasan

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Ground handling delays at major airports pose significant challenges, impacting operational efficiency, airline schedules, and passenger satisfaction. This study explores the root causes of these delays, including resource constraints, operational inefficiencies, adverse weather, technical failures, and security issues. By examining case studies from major airports, the report identifies key solutions such as technology integration, infrastructure upgrades, staff training, standardized procedures, and enhanced communication systems. The findings underscore the importance of adopting proactive and collaborative approaches to optimize ground handling operations, ensuring smoother airport workflows and improved service delivery in the face of growing air traffic demands.

Charting A Path For Writing In Aviation: The Intersection Of Wac And Collegiate Flight Training, Kayla D. Taylor, Lindsey Ives

Graduate Student Works

Understanding how genre conventions shape written communication within collegiate flight programs is an emerging area of WAC research. Collegiate flight students, who will enter the aviation industry in a variety of roles, must be able to write in various genres, including incident and accident reports, in ways that allow a range of readers to partake in a proactive safety culture. This study explored how supplemental discipline-specific guidance affected the writing quality of incident report narratives composed by students at a flight school within an accredited university in the United States. Participants were either given no guidance, bullet-point guidelines, or examples …

Characterization And Profile Considerations Of Nickel-Zinc Energy Storage Under High-Power And Pulsed Loads, Benjamin P. Schmitz

Electrical Engineering Theses - Archive

There are many types of energy storage devices that are available for driving high-power electrical loads. Choosing the right chemistry is difficult and factors such as energy density, power density, safety, cycle life, and recharge rate are among the many that must be considered. Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) possess the highest combined power and energy density, making them an attractive option for many applications. Previous studies at the Pulsed Power and Energy Lab (PPEL) characterized lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) and lithium-titanate-oxide (LTO) battery chemistries. LFP’s and LTO’s have modest power density, modest energy density and modest cycle life. However, there is still potential …

Evaluation Of Electric Vehicle Batteries For Enabling High Power Loads, Maxton K. Manker

Electrical Engineering Theses - Archive

The growing demand for high-power energy storage systems in applications such as artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, industrial backup systems, and grid-level stabilization efforts presents new challenges in technology selection. These loads have a uniquely high continuous or transient power demand that can impact the stability of the electric grid. To mitigate these challenges, energy storage in the form of batteries or supercapacitors has been proposed either as stand-alone or as intelligently controlled grid buffering sources. These same types of energy storage are commonly found in electric vehicles (EV) where they must respond to abrupt throttle and braking behavior, similar …

Smart Irrigation System Using Iot And Lstm For Optimal Water Management, Farley Y. Ruiz

Electrical Engineering Theses - Archive

This thesis presents the design and implementation of a smart irrigation system that combines Internet of Things hardware with a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network for predictive soil moisture management. The goal is an affordable and reliable solution that uses real-time sensor data and environmental data to schedule irrigation before the substrate moisture drops below its target range. The system integrates soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and sensors on an Arduino Nano that communicates wirelessly with a Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi runs a Python/Flask backend that collects and processes data, executes the LSTM model, and serves a secure web …

Power Quality Event Diagnosis Using Multi-Rate Neural Networks, Jordan D. Lloyd

Electrical Engineering Theses - Archive

Power quality disturbances (PQDs) are among the primary challenges facing modern electrical systems, as they degrade the performance and lifespan of connected equipment. This thesis investigates the relationship between the rate at which voltage waveform data are sampled, the reliability of these measurements, and the ability of deep neural networks to classify PQDs accurately. A one-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN) was trained and evaluated across multiple sampling rates and signal-to-noise ratios to quantify how information loss in the temporal and spectral domains affects classification reliability. The results demonstrate that model accuracy degrades nonlinearly as sampling rate and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) …

Nobocap: Unlocking Mdr/Ivdr Regulations For Innovators In Europe, Graham Gavin, Claire Brougham

Conference Papers

The NoBoCap project (nobocap.eu) is aimed at addressing some of the challenges encountered by both SMEs and Notified Bodies across the EU. It is a multi-organizational consortium including universities, a Notified Body, and Bio-health and Innovation Hubs and Clusters. The NoBoCap project has several work packages focussed on:• Design and delivery of funded short-term courses.• Creating a dedicated NB job board.• Design and delivery of funded university accredited modules.• Design and development of e-tools to support manufacturers.• Develop a community platform to act as a voice for start-ups and SMEs

Rhamnolipid As An Effective Srb Biocide – Determining A Solution To Replicate Anticipated Conditions, Elizabeth Zimmerer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aimed to develop a laboratory-scale solution that replicates produced water conditions (CO₂ + brine) found in crude pipelines, with the added requirement of promoting the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). A previously successful study was used as a reference, which employed a hybrid salt solution containing essential nutrients and environmental factors. The proposed solution included 10 g sodium chloride, 1 g sodium pyruvate, 0.2 g ammonium chloride, and 0.8 g sodium sulfate per liter of deionized water. Electrochemical testing (Linear Polarization Resistance and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) was performed on solutions with and without rhamnolipid. Results from the …

An Impact Analysis Of The 15-Year Capital Program And Budget In The City Of Philadelphia, James K. Lewis

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Abstract

In order to serve its constituents, the City of Philadelphia has established numerous public service departments and respective public goods in terms of departments facilities and other structures to provide public service. The key departments include the Police Department, Fire Department, Health Department, Libraries, and Parks and Recreation. Additionally, there are departments established to build, renovate, maintain, the public goods provided by the City of Philadelphia in order to achieve successful stewardship of the facilities. In order to carry out facilities stewardship of its public goods, the City has a long-term capital program and budget that utilizes borrowed capital …

Finding The Worst Case Time Scenario For Messages Being Sent And Received To Two Arduinos, Seniya Baig

Undergraduate Symposium

To characterize the theoretical behavior, we analyzed the worst-case-timing communication between 4 nodes using Arduino Minima. The project focused on understanding the message transmission and reception via CAN Bus, with 4 Arduino R4 Minima and a Level Voltage Converter to shift from 3.3V to 5V. After trials and errors, we successfully measured the worst-case timing for sending and receiving messages across the 4 Arduino R4 Minima nodes. These findings provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of CAN communication.

Seasonal Variation Of The Stream’S Autogenic Sediment Transport Regime, Melissa Beckman

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

This thesis investigates the autogenic sediment transport regime in a low-gradient stream system in the inner bluegrass region of central Kentucky, USA The seasonality of sediment transport seasonality was not well addressed in prior research for baseflow and low flow periods, to our knowledge, due to the assumption that low flows do not account for considerable fluid transport capacity to move sediment. The hypothesis is that during the autogenic regime the sediment transport in the low-gradient system is being driven by geophysical, biogeochemical, and biological processes. We hypothesize that crayfish are one mechanical driver of sediment transport during these periods. …

U.S. Perspectives On Deconstruction And Reuse Of Structural Wood Products, Fiona A. O'Donnell, N. L. Post, J. J. Lesko, Amelia E. Landry , '26, Abigail R. Peters , '26, Zoe A. E. Sperduto , '26

Engineering Faculty Works

This paper identifies barriers, challenges, and requirements to the widespread adoption of Design for Deconstruction and Reuse (DfDR) of wood and engineered wood products in the United States (U.S.) to increase circularity in the built environment. A series of interviews with industry representatives were performed to summarize the state-of-the-art related to DfDR and gain insight into the perspectives and attitudes of the primary stakeholders; the results of these interviews were compared to the current academic literature. Results indicate that further emphasis is needed on closing the loop through the reuse phase, which is limited by a lack of regulations and …

Immersive Executive Functions Assessment System (Iexec): Integrating Embodied Cognition And Virtual Reality, Hamza Reza Pavel

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Executive functions (EFs) are higher-order cognitive processes that include working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. These higher-order processes facilitate the achievement of goal-directed behavior and enable both adaptive decision-making and emotional regulation. Traditional EF assessment tools depend on static pen-and-paper tasks or basic computer-based tasks, which fail to capture real-world cognitive complexity and dynamics. Some of these assessment tools are specifically geared towards children or older adults, while others are more generic and designed to be used for people of all ages. This dissertation addresses these limitations by introducing iExec: The Immersive Executive Functions Assessment System, which functions as …

Enabling Energy And Water Sustainability Through Out-Of-Band Emi Sensing And Infrastructure Modeling, Pranjol Sen Gupta

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

As demand for Internet and cloud services surges, data centers have emerged as critical infrastructure—but they are also among theworld’s most energy- andwater-intensive facilities. Effective power management, particularly at the server level, is essential for improving efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. However, server-level power monitoring remains uncommon due to the high cost of hardware instrumentation and the intrusiveness of software-based solutions, especially in shared colocation environments. My research introduces a novel, low-cost, and non-intrusive method for server-level power monitoring using conducted electromagnetic interference (EMI). By analyzing EMI signals captured from higher levels in the power distribution network, this approach estimates individual …

Enhanced Separation Performance For Fractionally Liberated Materials Using The Hydrofloat™ Process Technology, Yucel Ozsoy

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

The advent of HydroFloat™ technology, developed by Eriez Manufacturing, marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the mineral processing industry, particularly for the coarse particle flotation by shifting the limits, well-known as the “Elephant Curve.” As the industry strives to process lower-grade ores with higher tonnages for financial reasons, the significance of processing coarse particles through HydroFloat™ technology becomes increasingly critical.

This approach offers substantial benefits by potentially reducing energy consumption within grinding circuits, making it a key solution in enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This study presents a comprehensive review of the existing literature, laying a solid foundation by …

Sensorized Autonomous Manipulation Platform For Underwater Buoyancy Analysis And Redesign, Matthew Satriale

Engineering Theses

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is collaborating with the University of Massachusetts Lowell, the Naval Underwater Research Center, and Brown University to research the uses of an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). Brown University has sub-contracted Roger Williams University to develop a sensorized test platform with varying task modules for the UUV to interact with. The platform will hang in a test pool and report task statuses in real time. The current design requires an additional five-pound weight for proper pool wall contact. This report describes the analysis done to redesign the platform with the goal of removing the additional …

Optimizing Indoor Localization Using Rssi And Iq Data With Machine Learning, Gokdeniz Tingur

Computer Science Theses

This paper explores implementing and evaluating a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)-based indoor localization system using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and Angle of Arrival (AoA) data via machine learning. A survey of localization technologies (RFID, GPS, ZigBee, and BLE) provides context on capabilities and limitations in indoor positioning. IQ data and phase-based angle estimation show how BLE 5.1’s direction-finding features enable sub-meter accuracy. A multi-phase experiment in a three-story academic building examines model performance with different tag distributions, movement patterns, and environmental constraints. Machine learning models such as Support Vector Machines and Deep Neural Networks are trained and evaluated across …

Load Analysis And Material Optimization For An Underwater Autonomy Sensorized Task Platform, Andrew Vo

Engineering Theses

With developing technology, options for fabrication and material selection broaden. An example is 3D printable photopolymer resin used to create parts serving several applications. An application of this photopolymer resin is the ONR research project for the creation of the sensorized task platform for a robot to use underwater. The resin in this project was used to fabricate custom-made connecting brackets. These fabricated parts were hastily designed with no detailed analysis on stress distributions or material consumption. Using SolidWorks simulation analysis and Instron machines for experimentation, the goal of this project was to modify the original part with a reduced …

Implications Of Nutrient Fate And Transport Following Nanopesticide Applications In Agricultural Field Plots In Central Kentucky, William Rud, Manuel D. Montaño, Daniel M. Miller, Wayne T. Sanderson, Carmen Agouridis, Brianna F. Benner, Tiffany L. Messer

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The potential benefits of nanopesticide use over standard pesticides include more precise application at reduced application rates, lower premature degradation, and decreased direct impacts to target organisms. However, field scale investigations of the fate and transport of common nanopesticides such as copper (II) hydroxide and imidacloprid combinations, remain limited. A field study evaluating nano-scale copper (II) hydroxide (Cu), standard imidacloprid (I), nanoimidicloprid (NI), and nano-scale copper (II) hydroxide and imidacloprid (CuNI) compared to control (C) plots was conducted using thirty 14.6 m² field plots to determine the impacts of nanopesticide applications on nutrient cycling and quantify the persistence of …

Electronic Propulsion Engines: Revolutionizing Space Travel, Isaiah Echeverria

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Most spacecrafts rely on chemical propulsion to generate thrust and venture into the depths of outer space. They rely on principles from Newton’s three laws of motion, conservation of momentum-energy, and atomic physics. However, an electronic form of propulsion also exists providing spacecrafts an alternative opposed to the sole use of chemical energy. Electronic propulsion systems or engines last longer than current chemical spacecraft engines and are improving to produce greater amount of thrusts.

Comparing the two types of spacecraft engines shows the benefits and disadvantaged obtained by using either option as well as the main differences and similarities shared …

Swosu Research And Scholarly Activity Fair 2025, Swosu Office Of Sponsored Programs

SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair Programs

On behalf of the members of the University Research and Scholarly Activity Committee (USRAC) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) — welcome to the Thirty-Third SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair!

This year’s event features 99 poster presentations and 9 oral presentations, showcasing the work of over 170 student and faculty researchers, writers, presenters, artists, collaborators, and faculty sponsors. These presentations represent a wide array of scholarly and academic activity from across SWOSU’s academic community, including the Departments of Art, Communication, and Theatre; Allied Health Sciences; Biological Sciences; Business; Chemistry & …

Functional Visualizations Of A Hydrogen-Electric Aircraft Propulsion System For Supporting Pilot Decision-Making, Misha M. S. Schweitzer, Ece Üreten, Clark Borst, Olaf Stroosma, Rene Van Paassen

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2025

Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) and Ecological Interface Design (EID) were used todesign a novel flight deck display for a regional turboprop aircraft that is being retrofitted with aHydrogen Aircraft Powertrain Storage System (HAPSS). This research addresses the challengesof managing cognitive complexity in next-generation aviation systems, focusing on designinginterfaces based on system constraints which are modeled through the Abstraction Hierarchy(AH). Visualizations were discussed in interviews with subject matter experts highlighting theneed for further matching the mental model of the pilot by addressing simplicity, workload, anduse case representations on the display. The iterative process included static and dynamic displaytesting and focused on …

Quantifying Biodiversity In The Absence Of Taxonomic Data: A Study Of Thailand’S Economic Development Zones, Nikorn Mahawan, Wanpen Charoentrakulpeeti

Applied Environmental Research

The biodiversity status measures the ecological capacity of a given area. However, biodiversity assessments in developing countries are limited by the absence of taxonomic data on plants and animals. By developing methods to evaluate biodiversity via alternative data, it is now possible to quantify the ecological carrying capacity in areas where taxonomic data are lacking. The relationship between forest ecosystem health and biodiversity values can be used to estimate biodiversity values by considering the proportions of different land use types that are associated with forest ecosystem abundance. The biodiversity value of the area can be assessed by adding the abundance …

Spatial And Temporal Dynamics Of Water Use Efficiency And Climate Influence In The Central Highlands Of Vietnam Via Satellite Time Series, Thi Nguyen Quang, Hoang Van Hung

Applied Environmental Research

This study investigates the spatial and temporal patterns of water use efficiency (WUE) anomalies across the Central Highlands of Vietnam from 2001–2024 via MODIS time series data, with a focus on seasonal differences and climatic drivers. The results revealed pronounced interannual and spatial variability in the WUE, with significant improvements observed during 2004, 2015, and 2021–2024 and substantial declines during 2005–2008, 2010–2013, and 2016–2017, which coincided with major drought events in the region. Seasonal analysis indicated that WUE was lower during the early dry season and peaked during the postmonsoon months (October–November), reflecting the interplay between water availability and vegetation …

Using A Water Quality Index To Assess The Impacts Of Heavy Metals Contamination For Sustainable Water Management: A Case Study Of The Bang Pakong River, Thailand, Khin Yadana Soe, Pokchat Chutivisut, Wilailuk Niyommaneerat

Applied Environmental Research

Anthropogenic activities such as improper waste disposal, excessive fertilizer use, and industrial effluents cause heavy metal contamination in water, soil, and the atmosphere. Herein, the water quality index (WQI) was used to characterize heavy metal (i.e., cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg)) contamination in the Bang Pakong River, Thailand. Specifically, water samples were collected during the dry season from four stations along the river from 2012–2022. The heavy metal concentrations in the samples were analyzed via atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and WQI values were calculated on the basis of standard water quality parameters. At the four sampling stations, high As …

Blue Carbon Stock Assessment Of The Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve In Baganga, Davao Oriental, Philippines, Renz Morales Lanaban, Yves Paul M. Montero, Hilario L. Wong, Jr., Marnie Grace I. Sonico

Applied Environmental Research

Mangrove ecosystems are vital carbon sinks, yet they are threatened by anthropogenic pressures and natural disturbances, causing significant carbon stock losses. Given the limited data for Baganga, Davao Oriental, this study quantified the aboveground biomass (AGB) and blue carbon stock in the Lucod mangrove swamp forest reserve. We identified mangrove species, measured AGB and carbon content via allometric equations, and compared storage among species. The results indicated that the mangrove forest AGB was within typical ranges for tropical wet regions and the Asia-Pacific region, but its overall carbon content did not reach highly productive ecosystem levels. Nonparametric analysis revealed significant …

Assessment Of Metal Contamination And Potential Health Risk Of Roadside Vegetables Along The Sayre Highway, Province Of Bukidnon, Philippines, John R.N. Labajo, Junesa U. Cristobal, Myrna G. Pabiona

Applied Environmental Research

This study assessed heavy metal contamination in roadside vegetables (Ipomoea batatas and Moringa oleifera) across five urbanized localities in Bukidnon, Philippines, and evaluated potential human health risks. Metal concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, and Zn) were analyzed via atomic absorption spectro-photometry and compared against FAO/WHO maximum permissible limits. The results revealed severe contamination, with Mn (575.27–862.17 mg kg-1) and Fe (256.46–706.68 mg kg-1) dominating natural soil mineralogy (Adtuyon series) and anthropogenic inputs. Toxic Cr (16.20–21.93 mg kg-1) exceeded permissible limits by nine and a half times in Quezon. Health risk assessments revealed negligible noncarcinogenic risks (THQ …