Engineering Commons^™

Apply Cluster Analysis To Improve Interpretation Of Ert Images, Yin-Chun Hung, Yu-Xiang Zhao

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The completeness and accuracy of collecting and investigating geotechnical and marine engineering geological conditions are key to the success or failure of engineering development. Traditional marine engineering and geotechnical surveys often require the assistance of geophysical methods to fully present the geological conditions. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) is an advanced geophysical method that produces accurate cross-sections of underground resistivity. Although 2D ERT has been widely used in geotechnical engineering and marine engineering, many uncertainties remain hidden behind the vivid and colorful resistivity profiles. To apply 2D ERT profiles effectively in geotechnical and marine geological surveys and monitoring, it is essential …

Geo-Chemical Fractionations Of Phosphorus In Sediments Of Thuy Trieu Lagoon And Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, Phu H. Le, Ngoc H. Pham, Dung T. Le, Tuan Linh T. Vo, Binh V. Tran, The V. Ho

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The geochemical fractions of phosphorus (P) and its bioavailability in sediments of Thuy Trieu Lagoon and Cam Ranh Bay were investigated. Twenty-four surface sediment samples were collected in the dry season (Jun 2024) and the rainy season (Oct 2024). A sequential extraction procedure was applied to identify the phosphorus (P) fractions in sediments, including Exchangeable P (Ex-P), iron-bound P (Fe-P), aluminum-bound P (Al-P), calcium-bound P (Ca-P), and residual P (Res-P). Total P (TP) ranged from 214.9 to 2365.2 µg.g^-1, and the Ca-P fraction was the dominant chemical form in sediments. Based on the results of Pearson correlation and …

Beyond Basic Needs : Exploring The Antecedents And Outcomes Of Seafarers’ Well-Being, Chian Liou, Cheng Kuo Sung, Kimberly Hsiu-Chin Lee, Jiunn Liang Guo

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Given the importance of seafarers’ mental health and the limited literature on this topic, this study aims to explore the causes and consequences of seafarers’ well-being. A questionnaire survey was conducted, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression analysis. Consistent with the predictions of the happy and productive worker thesis, this study found that the more satisfied the seafarers are with the shipping company’s seafarer policy, the higher their well-being tends to be, leading to a more positive work attitude. Interestingly, the study found that a company effect is significantly present in this correlation; that …

Empowering Shipping Management Competence With Artificial Intelligence: A Strategic Approach To External Environmental Volatility, Yu-Kai Huang, Cheng-Hsien Hsieh, Chi-Chang Lin, Yu-Tzu Chang, Yu-Chao Cheng

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The shipping industry is undergoing significant transformation with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), yet challenges remain in effectively adopting AI technologies. This study addresses the key concerns influencing AI adoption in shipping management. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) integrated with the PEST model, an evaluation framework was developed to assess AI applications in shipping companies. Based on expert input collected through the Delphi method, four constructs and twelve criteria were identified, with the 'Technological' dimension being the most critical. 'Robustness,' 'Costs,' and 'Data quality' emerged as the top factors affecting AI implementation. The framework offers practical insights for shipping …

Comparative Evaluation Of Deep Learning Models For Predicting Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus Pelamis) Catch Based On Climatic Factors, Peng Ding, Hui Xu, Xin Zhuang, Yan-Lun Wu, Fengyuan Shen, Yujie Xiao, Jiensi Zhulidezi, Wei-Yu Lee

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

To investigate the impact of climatic factors on skipjack tuna catch, this study collected and analyzed annual global skipjack tuna catch data spanning from 1960 to 2021, along with corresponding monthly data for the key indicator of El Nino events (Niño1+2, Niño3, Niño4, and Niño3.4), the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), the North Pacific Index (NPI), and the global sea-air temperature anomaly index (dT). The optimal lag years of climatic factors were identified by selecting the maximum absolute cross- correlation coefficients. Subsequently, the predictive performance of LSTM, BiLSTM, and CNN-BiLSTM models …

Effects Of Train-Ship Direct Transshipment On Container Terminal Operational Efficiency And Energy Consumption: From A Scheduling Perspective, Yiying Du, Yaozong Wang, Zhongzhen Yang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

On-dock rail integration positions terminals as critical hubs for rail-sea transshipment, which necessitates efficient scheduling for rapid container transfers. Given the strict schedules and batch arrival of railway containers, in this study, we propose a train-ship direct transshipment (TSDT) mode to eliminate nonproductive yard rehandling. To comprehensively evaluate the impact of the proposed mode on terminal handling operations, we developed an operational scheduling model for the entire process of the simultaneous loading of yard containers and railway-handling area (RHA) containers. The model comprises two stages. Stage 1 models the pre-reshuffling operations in the yard before loading, and Stage 2 implements …

Key Success Factors In Using The Lifting Method To Construct A Steel Bridge Pylon, Ming-Chao Su, Hui-Ping Tserng

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Constructing the inclined steel pylon of cable-stayed bridges is challenging because of the pylon’s height, spatial limitations, and safety concerns. To address these challenges, this study developed a modular lifting method that can enhance the efficiency and precision of pylon construction. The proposed method involves using rotation jigs to temporarily assemble the pylon, horizontal positioning on temporary supports, and synchronized lifting through computer-controlled hydraulic systems. Field implementation on a large-span bridge project revealed that compared with the traditional method, the proposed method resulted in higher welding quality, lower risks associated with great-height operations, and a shorter on-site assembly time. The …

Deep Learning-Based Model For Automated Prediction Of Coastal Changes: A Robust Approach To Environmental Forecasting, Tsair-Fwu Lee, Chu-Ho Chang, Chin-Shiuh Shieh, Chih-Hsien Wu, Jen-Chung Shao, Chien-Liang Chiu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The coastline stands as a critical domain encompassing industry and the environment. The escalating global warming, leading to elevated sea levels and intensified wave-current interactions, has given rise to substantial coastal erosion. This predicament, in conjunction with excessive human development and Taiwan's coastal areas' extreme climatic impact, accentuates the perceptibility of coastal beach alterations. As a result, coastal erosion has emerged as a pressing issue necessitating resolution. Traditional methodologies for assessing coastline changes have conventionally relied on manual measurements. However, owing to the fluctuating distance of coastlines, influenced by tidal patterns, extended measurement processes over several months are susceptible to …

Hydrographic Influences On Seasonal Variations In Zooplankton Communities Of Taiwan Bank (Southern Taiwan Strait), Bor-Shyr Chen, Frank Paolo Jay B. Albarico, Mark Ariel D. Malto, Aiza D. Gabriel, Chiu-Wen Chen, Cheng-Di Dong

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Understanding the factors that control ocean productivity is crucial in fisheries management. Taiwan Bank, located between the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, is a highly productive ecosystem due to upwelling events. The total zooplankton community (holozooplankton and merozooplankton), diversity, seasonal changes, and environmental drivers remain unexplored despite its productivity. This study evaluates the seasonal and vertical environmental dynamics in the Taiwan Bank and their impacts on the zooplankton community structure. We collected zooplankton and basic water parameters in March, July, and September 2017 at 5, 25, and 50 meters. We recorded significant seasonal changes in zooplankton composition and …

Model Performance For Predicting Trends And Analyzing The Impacts Of Sea Surface Temperature Changes In The Gulf Of Thailand, Tanatpong Udomchaipitak, Nathaphon Boonnam

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study focuses on assessing and improving the predictive performance of sea surface temperature (SST) in the Gulf of Thailand under unique environmental challenges. Data from the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) were utilized, covering the period from July 1994 to June 2024 at depths ranging from 0 to 30 meters. After cleaning the data using the Interquartile Range (IQR) method, the processed dataset was tested using four models: Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) architectures, including Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), as well as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). Model performance was enhanced by tuning the parameters over …

Multimodal Imaging Of Protein-Based Biomaterials For Delivering Chemo-Agent Cargo For Glioblastoma Treatment In A Murine Model, Orin Mishkit

Dissertations and Theses

Protein-based self-assembling biomaterials, known as Thermo-Responsive Assembled Proteins (TRAP), present meaningful potential as drug delivery carriers. These materials enable the controlled, slow release of poorly soluble chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin (Dox), while potentially reducing systemic off-target effects. In collaboration with multiple NYU labs, this study evaluated the efficacy of two TRAP variants—TRAP and F-TRAP—as drug delivery carriers in a xenograft mouse model of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

The primary objective was to compare the effectiveness of TRAP-loaded Dox (TRAP-DOX) to free Dox in achieving tumor extravasation and accumulation, facilitating sustained drug release. We hypothesized that the leaky vasculature of GBM …

A Study Exploring The Use Of Artificial Ligaments To Enhance The Human-Robot Interface Via Force Distribution Manipulation In Biomimetic Cuff Systems, Adifet Cejovic

Dissertations and Theses

Comfort is among the main priorities when designing a wearable assistive device that needs to be used for long sessions. There is a growing need for wearable systems that provide aid to patients with an injured knee. In addition, there has been an effort to incorporate cable-driven designs rather than rigid attachments. This change in design decreases the overall weight of the system and can allow the cable to adapt to a user’s change in gait patterns. This thesis investigates a cuff system centered around the knee and the design of a testing rig. This system incorporates elements from pre-existing …

Adaptation Of The Biodent For Spherical Microindentation To Determine Elastic Modulus In Small Rodent Bones, Mixame E. Jerome

Dissertations and Theses

Mechanical and material properties of bone are essential for understanding both normal skeletal function and the progression of bone-related diseases. Microindentation has become a widely used method for evaluating tissue mechanical properties of bone, as it samples the contributions of microarchitecture and composition. Microindentation using a standard pointed tip inherently introduces both elastic and plastic deformation into the material. In contrast, indentation with a spherical tip can be operated entirely in the elastic range, providing for a non-damaging test that has significant advantages over sharp indentation techniques. Moreover, a key advantage of using spherical indentation lies in its operation under …

Explorations Of Dna-Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Interactions To Develop Multiplexed Molecularly Specific Biosensors For Inflammation, Amelia K. Ryan

Dissertations and Theses

Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) are central regulators of immune signaling and key biomarkers of disease, yet existing assays for their detection remain slow, invasive, and lack multiplexing ability. This dissertation advances the development of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) optical nanosensors capable of real-time, multiplexed, and molecularly specific cytokine detection through innovative use of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) interfaces.

First, an IL-6-specific DNA aptamer was employed as both a dispersing agent and recognition probe for SWCNT fluorescence sensing. Sequence modifications, including anchor domains, truncations, and thermally induced refolding, were systematically tested to optimize sensitivity and selectivity. The …

Advancing Electrical Stimulation: Full-Head Mri Segmentation For Abnormal Brain Anatomy With Tdcs, Andrew Birnbaum

Dissertations and Theses

Evaluating the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is essential for guiding its integration into therapeutic and performance-enhancement applications. In our laboratory, we investigate the efficacy of tDCS across multiple experimental models, including both animal and human studies. I have contributed significantly to the execution and analysis of these experiments, which include studies in rats and healthy human participants aimed at evaluating whether electrical stimulation of the motor cortex can enhance motor learning. These studies assess improvements in fine motor performance resulting from tDCS. In stroke patients, I contribute to our investigation of tDCS as a rehabilitative intervention, particularly …

Wearable Disposable Elecetrotherapy, Mohamad Fallahrad

Dissertations and Theses

Non-invasive electrotherapies offer promising treatments for a wide range of conditions such as pain, headaches, depression, addiction, cognitive decline, wound healing, and drug delivery. However, patient compliance remains low due to the high initial cost, cumbersomeness and inconvenience of existing technology compared to pharmaceuticals. Current electrotherapy devices are often bulky and require users to connect disposable electrodes, initiate programs, and manage charging cycles, which hinders widespread adoption.

We address these challenges by designing and validating a novel electrotherapy platform that is single-use, disposable, low-cost, and wearable. Activated automatically upon skin contact, the device delivers a preset dose of controlled electrical …

An Environmental And Durability Study Of Bonded Structural Patch Repairs With Finite Element And Machine Learning Enabled Predictions, Yesim Kokner

Dissertations and Theses

Aircraft and vehicles experience substantial structural and aerodynamic stresses over their operational lifetimes. These stresses can cause damage or structural weakening, especially in aging military and civilian aircraft and vehicles. Depending on the severity of the damage, three options are available to alleviate the damage in these structures or parts: complete replacement of the aircraft or vehicle, replacement of the damaged part, or temporary repair of the damage.

The goal of this study is to evaluate damaged specimens repaired with an adhesively bonded patch subjected to quasi-static and fatigue loads under various environmental conditions. The patch repair technique is widely …

Development Of An Quadcopter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle For Atmospheric Remote Sensing, Omar J. Addasi

Dissertations and Theses

This paper explores the development of a quadcopter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, a.k.a. drone) for atmospheric remote sensing of temperature, pressure, humidity, and PM2.5 particulate matter quantities. A 3-D printed drone body is designed and flight tuning is performed. An optimal length for an upward extending mast for the drone body is determined. Low cost, lightweight sensors are compared against higher precision sensors in both static and dynamic conditions. In addition, an initial investigation into the design of a pressure sensor based anemometer is performed.

From Tpu To Qpu: Bridging Fidelity Gaps Across Next-Generation Computing Systems, Mohammad Walid M. Charrwi

Dissertations and Theses

Modern computing systems continue to advance rapidly, enabling unprecedented computational capabilities across diverse domains. Among these powerful architectures are AI accelerators such as Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and quantum computing systems utilizing Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) stand out as trans-formative technologies. Despite their potential, these systems share significant challenges related to hardware infidelity, manifested as error-induced degradation in computational accuracy and reliability. This thesis explicitly addresses cost-effective methods to screen-out defective AI accelerators across next-generation computing architectures and boost quantum circuit output fidelity through hierarchical circuit optimization using advanced machine learning methodologies.

This thesis first proposes a cost-effective testing methodology …

Renewable Energy Integration In Nyc Subway: Solar Panels (Under Railroads And At The Subway's Edge) & Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (Vawts) Near Tracks, Pengdwinde Olivier Saba

Dissertations and Theses

As urban populations continue to expand, the demands on public transit systems in densely populated regions like New York City are escalating. Multiple cities face the dual challenge of increasing ridership and the imperative to minimize their environmental footprints.According to Law 97 in NYC, the goal is to reduce emissions by 40% and to reach net zero by 2050. An innovative solution will need to be integrated into the NYC environment, such as the subway system, where there are a potential unuse space, building rooftop, since we know that spaces in New York City are very critical, such as these …

Design And Lab Implementation Of An Air Source Transcritical Co2 Heat Pump, Geoffrey Turbeville

Dissertations and Theses

A laboratory-scale air-source transcritical CO2 heat pump (TCHP) was developed to evaluate the performance of low-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerants for cold climate applications. A custom climate chamber was also constructed to simulate winter weather conditions typical of the northeastern United States. Both the TCHP and the chamber were fully instrumented to collect temperature, pressure, and mass flow data, which were used to calculate the co- efficient of performance (COP) in accordance with ASHRAE standard refrigerant enthalpy methods. Prior to testing the CO2 system, the experimental setup was benchmarked using a commercially available R410A heat pump manufactured by LG.

The climate chamber …

A Novel Dual-Imaging Approach For Visualizing Multiphase And Droplet Interactions Including Shock-Driven Flows, Tad Jerzy Misztal

Dissertations and Theses

Shock-droplet/particle interactions have garnered substantial interest in recent years, fueled by advancements in aerospace and defense technologies, including supersonic and hypersonic systems in highly humid conditions, as well as the ongoing space exploration efforts from global space centers as well as private space companies. Understanding the interactions between shockwaves and droplets that impact on solid surfaces is critical due to the potential to cause significant damage to materials and structures in high-speed flow environments. Studies like these have applications in areas ranging from aerospace engineering to blast mitigation systems, where these interactions play a pivotal role in designing the relevant …

Experimental Characterization Of Heat Transfer And Fluid Flow In Tcr Fuel Elements Under Varying Operational Conditions, El Mokhtar Majdoub Em

Dissertations and Theses

ABSTRACT

The Transformational Challenge Reactor (TCR) marks a significant leap forward in nuclear reactor innovation, focusing on modular construction, high efficiency, and improved safety. This research explores the coupled behavior of heat transfer and fluid flow within the TCR's 3D-printed ceramic core under varying operational conditions. Nitrogen was utilized as the cooling medium, with experiments carried out at pressures ranging from 300 to 600 psi and temperatures spanning 100°C to 300°C. Critical parameters, including inlet and outlet gas temperatures, wall temperatures at both ends of the core, and coolant flow rates were monitored to evaluate thermal performance and system reliability. …

Virtual Environment Creation And Camera Calibration For Soft Target Identification And Assistance In Crowded Spaces With A Sensor Network And A Robotic Dog, Eltan Samoylov

Dissertations and Theses

Crowded places are increasingly targets of violence due to the increased accessibility and covertness of weapons, explosives, and other technology like drones. Addressing the challenges of protecting crowded places and assisting vulnerable individuals requires a multidisciplinary approach, taking inspiration from many different perspectives. Video surveillance of these crowded public facilities, such as train and bus stations, airports, shopping malls, and sports arenas, is very important to public safety, both for identifying threats/terrorist attacks and implementing evacuation plans.

The work of this thesis is part of a larger project aiming to explore the potential of using real-time computer vision and deep …

Cfd Modeling And Simulation Of Natural Circulation In Helium- Cooled Very High Temperature Reactors, Mohammad Sakib U. Abrar

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis investigates the thermal-hydraulic behavior of natural circulation in helium-cooled Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) systems, focusing on the performance and validation of passive safety features under Pressurized or Depressurized Loss of Forced Cooling (P-LOFC or D-LOFC) events. An experimental facility inspired by the General Atomics 350 MWt Modular High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (MHTGR) was developed at The City College of New York. The setup consists of a plenum-to-plenum flow loop with four riser and four downcomer tubes, each equipped with heating coils, thermocouples, and pressure sensors. Natural circulation is driven by density gradients induced by asymmetric heating of …

Characterization Of The Intrinsic Neural Timescale Indices As A Reliable Fingerprint Of Brain Dynamics, Helya Honarpisheh

Dissertations and Theses

Intrinsic neural timescales (INTs) characterize the persistence of neural activity over time and offer insight into the brain’s temporal hierarchy. This thesis evaluates and compares six autocorrelation-based INT metrics—AR(1) Coefficient (Autoregressive Coefficient at 1), First Zero Lag, Lag at ACF = 1/e, Sum of Positive ACFs, ACF at Half Lag, Exponential Decay Constant (τ)— using resting-state fMRI data from 400 cortical regions across a large, lifespan sample (ages 6– 85) from the NKI-Rockland dataset. A discriminability analysis revealed that the AR(1) coefficient provided the highest test-retest reliability and individual specificity across repeated scans, establishing it as the most reliable INT …

Metasurfaces And Their Applications In Photonic Devices, Shuwei Guo

Dissertations and Theses

Metasurfaces are flat artificial optical elements composed of dielectric and/or metallic nanostructures. They can manipulate light in unprecedented ways by altering amplitude, phase, and polarization at subwavelength scales. The ability of these two-dimensional elements to perform multiple optical functions within compact optical systems—while offering high functionality, small form factors, and easy integration into optoelectronic devices—has sparked significant interest across various fields and industries. These applications span imaging, sensing, nonlinear and quantum optics, optical computing, automotive technology, augmented and virtual reality, and more.

In this dissertation, we explore and design new multifunctional metasurfaces with a focus on manipulating spectral responses. First, …

Cognitive Map Generation For Vision And Language Navigation, Alexander Sandoval Mesa

Dissertations and Theses

Visual-Language Navigation (VLN) presents significant challenges for autonomous agents, such as robots and virtual assistants, particularly in complex, dynamic environments where the seamless integration of visual perception and natural language understanding is critical. Traditional VLN systems often struggle with effectively aligning language instructions and visual scene understanding, limiting their adaptability and navigation efficiency.

This thesis proposes a novel Cognitive Map-based framework that addresses these challenges by transforming natural language navigation instructions into structured graph representations. The Cognitive Map consists of nodes representing waypoints, landmarks, decision points, and edges encoding spatial relationships and navigational actions. These maps are generated using Large …

Multi-Material Adhesive Bonded Joints Under Static And Dynamic Loading, Gizem Derya Demir

Dissertations and Theses

Adhesively bonded joints present significant potential for reducing structural weight and enhancing performance in modern and future engineering structures. By enabling the elimination or reduction of traditional mechanical fasteners and facilitating the integration of dissimilar materials, adhesives can contribute to more efficient, lightweight designs. However, to fully leverage these benefits—especially in high-performance applications—adhesive materials must exhibit robust behavior under both static and dynamic loading conditions, such as ballistic impact. Despite their promise, the failure mechanisms of adhesives under such high-strain-rate scenarios remain insufficiently understood.

This dissertation investigates the performance of adhesively bonded multi-material joints subjected to static loading and ballistic …

Data Driven Bridge Deck Deterioration Modeling And Maintenance Intervention Scheduling, Deepak Kumar

Dissertations and Theses

Majority of over 617,000 bridges across the United States are significantly impacted by environmental factors, aging materials, and heavy traffic loads. According to the 2021 Infrastructure Report, nearly 231,000 bridges require repair or preservation work, with 46,154 (7.5%) being classified as structurally deficient, thereby posing risks for mor than 178 million daily trips across these bridges. Despite recent improvements, 42% of U.S. bridges are at least 50 years old, underscoring an urgent need for increased investment to meet repair demands. The nation’s backlog of bridge repairs is estimated at $125 billion, with a 58% increase in annual spending required to …