Engineering Commons^™

Implementing The Safe System Approach At Intersections In Utah, Ian Patrick Macgregor

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the principles and elements of the Safe System Approach, a new paradigm in roadway safety. A compendium of practice was created to determine recommendations on how to implement the Safe System Approach at intersections and observe how other jurisdictions are implementing it. Several strategies identified include the Safe Systems at Intersections (SSI) methodology, Safe System Alignment Frameworks, Vision Zero communities, incorporating the Safe System Approach into the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) or Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), mandating the Safe System Approach be considered in all projects, and the Organizational Safety Culture Self-Assessment. These policies do …

Transportation Policies, Programs And History, Ivonne Audirac, Amber B. Raley, Jenifer Reiner, Soheil Sharifi-Asl

Mavs Open Press Open Educational Resources - Archive

Transportation Policies, Programs and History is a text intended for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in urban and transportation planning. Contents by chapter include:

1. Brief history of U.S. transportation policy and traffic congestion: A persistent transportation planning issue.
2. Transportation planning and modeling.
3. Transportation programming and evaluation.
4. Equity in transportation planning
5. Mobility modes.
6. Transportation, accessibility, and the built environment.
7. Transit and transit-oriented development.
8. Transportation and new technologies.
9. Sustainable transportation.
10. Transportation in the Global South.

This textbook is part of a six-volume series produced under the grant OERTransport: Enabling Transportation Planning Professional Advancement awarded to the University of Texas-Arlington (UTA) …

Repurposing Non-Toxic And Cost-Effective Organic Ligancds To Enhance The Removal Of Uranium And Thorium From Wastewater, Will Campbell

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Cheap, effective and industrially practical remediation methods for uranium and thorium are of utmost importance. Electrocoagulation is a cheap but only mildly effective method for the remediation of these elements. It was recently shown that chelating ligands enhance this process. Unfortunately, few ligands have been tested for this enhancement. Of these, the most effective, Alizarin Red S, had a 99.2% uranium removal efficiency but was expensive ($3.6 / g), toxic to humans and environmentally harmful. Therefore, ligands that avoid these downsides are needed before any industrial application can occur. Potential ligands were found via exhaustive searches of MilliporeSigma’s database. Over …

Biochar/Hydrochar Applications In Disinfection Byproduct Removal For Drinking Water, Ashleu Mussio Marquez, Donna Rouhani, Ismail Abdulraheem, Kers Ung-Watson, Ahmadreza Khatamgooya, Scarlet Nelson, Dr. Jaeyun Moon, Dr. Erica Marti

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

This project aims to investigate the process of disinfection byproduct (DBP) removal in drinking water, looking into the applications of biochar and hydrochar, which are low cost and environmentally sustainable adsorbents. These carbon-based adsorbents are derived from agricultural waste biomass, such as walnut shells. These adsorbents will be used to capture and remove contaminants in water, such as DBPs. DBPs are formed when chemical disinfectants react with organic and inorganic substances naturally present in water. The targeted DBPs for adsorption include trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles, and nitrosamines. An example of high concentration DBP formation is during emergency chlorination, where excess …

Integrated Sustainability Analysis Of A Shared Micro-Mobility System In University Campus: Life-Cycle Assessment And User Impact Study Of Electric Scooters, Md Afif Rahman Chowdhury

LSU Master's Theses

The objective of this study is to evaluate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of implementing e-scooter technology on the LSU campus. The study is structured into three main parts: (1) an environmental life-cycle assessment of e-scooters, (2) a comparative environmental and economic impact assessment of e-scooters, cars, and campus shuttle buses, and (3) a comprehensive survey of e-scooter users to assess their characteristics, satisfaction levels, and comfort while using e-scooters on the LSU campus.

To achieve the objectives of the study, a life-cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to assess the environmental sustainability of e-scooters, encompassing all stages from raw …

Next Generation Permeable Pavement For Enhanced Durability And Functionality, S M Tanvir

LSU Master's Theses

Porous Asphalt Concrete (PAC), also known as Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC), is known for its high permeability, which provides benefits such as enhanced rainwater drainage, improved skid resistance, and reduced hydroplaning risks. These characteristics are due to its high air void content, allowing water to flow through the pavement and reducing splash, spray, and noise compared to conventional asphalt mixes. However, this high air void content also contributes to durability concerns, such as raveling, stripping, and clogging, which can reduce service life and increase costs, making OGFC more expensive than conventional asphalt mixtures.

This research focuses on identifying the failure …

Applications Of Computer Vision In Biomechanics And Orthopaedics, William Stewart Burton Ii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Machine learning has emerged as a key technology for enabling advanced computer vision systems. These systems now permeate many industries, and have enhanced traditional processes through autonomous interpretation of visual data. In the field of orthopaedics, the increasing prevalence of imaging highlights a need for similar tools. In many cases, however, direct translation of available frameworks fails to resolve the complex problems currently facing this field. Stringent performance requirements, complex visual environments, data scarcity, and implications for patient safety represent domain-specific factors which pose unique challenges to proven techniques. Novel approaches are needed to realize the full benefits of visual …

Computational Study Of The Evolution Of The Grain Boundary Network During Anisotropic Grain Growth, Jose Nino

Theses and Dissertations

The grain boundary network (GBN) of polycrystalline materials changes during grain growth, affecting the material's properties. This research presents the results of fully anisotropic grain growth simulations. We perform simulations using three GB energy functions: an energy function that considers a GB's 5 degrees of freedom, the Read-Shockley model, and isotropic. We analyze the impact of these energy functions on the morphological evolution and various microstructural statistics, such as crystallographic texture and triple junction distribution. The results demonstrate that while individual grain evolution varies with GB energy function, certain microstructural statistics reach similar steady states across different models. In addition, …

Autonomous Driving Trajectory Prediction, Carlos Funes

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Autonomous driving is undoubtedly one of the world's most revolutionary technologies, opening the door to a more secure traffic environment. This innovation has led to vehicles being able to drive by themselves without the necessity of a person behind the wheel, as well as cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Unfortunately, there is still plenty of work before autonomous driving becomes more popular among drivers. While at UNLV as an undergraduate student/research assistant, one of my goals is to learn how these technologies work to bring ideas into the automotive industry by refining solutions to problems within these …

It's Not As Bad As You Think: Detecting Ai-Generated Voices, Yong Qin Xu

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Advances in machine learning have opened up the world to a brand new frontier of fraudulent phone calls which the average person may not be in any way prepared for. From imitations of a loved one's voice to lifelike mimicry of human callers, telephone scams may become harder than ever to anticipate or prevent now that criminals have the help of AI on their side. This is why in my research paper, I aim to analyze and compare two existing methods of detecting the authenticity of human voice recordings in order to demonstrate and explain currently available technology that's capable …

Beyond The Waterfall: A Review Of Project Management Methodologies In Stem, Yessenia Henriquez

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Project management has been exercised from history's early stages to concurrent practices today. It has evolved from the early stages of the Gantt chart and five primary principles to well-renowned project management methodologies such as Waterfall and Agile. This literature review focuses on comprehending four project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, Kanban, and Scrum), learning their criteria and frameworks, and their application in a specific STEM environment when applicable. This work reviews the recent research literature about these four methods. An overview of project management certificates and guidelines is covered as well. Waterfall is known to be a traditional method, having …

Utilizing A Hybrid Apprach To Link Maternal And Neonatal Records, Vidhani S. Goel, Ana Reyes, Bertille Assoumou, Dodds P. Simangan, Farooq Abdulla, Megumi Akiyama, Deborah A. Kuhls, Kavita Batra

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Linkage of independent datasets allows comprehensive and robust analysis. This study aims to utilize a hybrid strategy to link maternal records with neonatal data with an overarching goal of investigating correlates of adverse birth outcomes.

To link 126,757 records from Nevada Medicaid with 249,181 maternal records from Birth Registry, a hybrid linkage approach was utilized. Data normalization was first performed for the standardization of linkage keys. First, a deterministic approach was used to link these records using a unique identifier followed by a fuzzy or probabilistic algorithm using a set of block variables. These block variables included date of birth, …

Characterizing The Mechanical And Visoelastic Properties Of Sodium Alginate, Vesper Evereux

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

A crucial part of tissue engineering lies in understanding and characterizing the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of various types of biomaterials. Understanding these properties allows better biomaterials to be produced with characteristics more similar to those of the human body and with better biocompatability. In this study, sodium alginate was chemically crosslinked with calcium chloride and subsequently tested for it's instantaneous Elastic Modulus, instantaneous Shear Modulus, and equivalent viscosity using indentation testing methods consisting of a stress-relaxation test and nonlinear curve-fitting analysis. Two and three millimeter indentation tests were performed using a low-cost and portable device built in-lab that resulted …

Detection Of Methane Leaks By The Use Of Mid-Range Infrared Camera, Jared Rosario, Oscar Salcido

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Timely detection of methane leaks from natural gas infrastructure, like pipelines and valves, is essential for mitigating environmental and safety risks. This research focuses on using mid-wave infrared (MwIR) cameras on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to detect leaks. By leveraging machine learning, the study aims to develop an efficient, real-time methane inspection system that operates directly on embedded processors on UAS platforms.

This project employs the FLIR G300a OGI camera for remote gas inspection, utilizing video preprocessing and optical flow to mask gas plumes in footage. The YOLOv8 deep learning model is used to detect gas pixels and segment the …

Transferred-Learning Intrusion Detection System For Internet Of Vehicles, Tan Nguyen

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

The growing connectivity of modern vehicles, particularly within the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), has significantly increased the need for robust cybersecurity solutions. Building upon the work of Yang and Shami (2022), who proposed a transfer learning and optimized convolutional neural network (CNN)-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for IoV, this research seeks to validate their results and explore potential enhancements. The original IDS demonstrated exceptional performance, with detection rates surpassing 99.25% on benchmark datasets. In this study, we first replicate their experiments using the Car-Hacking dataset to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed model and then evaluate its ability to detect …

An Ai-Driven Framework To Enhance The Quality And Sustainability Of Manufacturing Systems, Purvee Bhatia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sustainability in manufacturing is emerging to be a key factor to minimize waste and enhance resource efficiency while maintaining product quality. Sustainability and quality are intertwined and have an impact on each other wherein sustainable practices for surface quality assessment play a pivotal role in waste management and process optimization. Advanced technologies such as machine learning have gained prominence in manufacturing and the availability and ubiquity of diverse data streams allows for the enhancement of manufacturing systems across metrics critical to the sectors in which they are employed such as performance and quality. However, many challenges remain in the effective …

Security Vulnerabilities In Mobile Operating Systems Used In Iot Devices: An Examination Of Current Challenges And Countermeasures, Isain Cortes Jr.

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Diy Air Cleaner Variability And Potential For Post-Construction Emission Of Aromatic Vocs During Wildfire Events, Brett W. Stinson, Amity L. Deters, Elliott T. Gall

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

While do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaners such as the Corsi-Rosenthal Box (CR Box) are an increasingly popular choice for low-cost, accessible air cleaning during a wildfire event, construction and performance variability remains a concern. Using the same set of instructions, materials, and location of assembly, seven CR Boxes are constructed by individuals with no prior DIY air cleaner experience and clean air delivery rates (CADRs) are experimentally determined for each of the devices. Against a challenge aerosol consisting of fresh smoke generated via pine needle combustion, average number-based, PM2.5 CR Box CADRs range from 313–396 m3/h (relative standard deviation = 7.6 …

Geotechnical Characterization Of Saline Sabkha Soil Of Abu Dhabi, Uae, And Its Stabilization Using Steel Slag And Sodium Silicate, Ahmed Maher Abdulla

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Saline sabkha soil is widely distributed across the Abu Dhabi coastal regions of the UAE. These soils are associated with geotechnical problems that principally emerge from the heterogeneous nature of the soil and its high soluble salt content. Upon exposure to fresh water, the soluble salt dissolves, resulting in loss of the bond that once cemented the soil particles. In addition, the volume occupied by the salt minerals becomes part of the voids between the particles. This process results in a weak and loose soil structure of lower bearing capacity that is ready to collapse upon being subjected to loads. …

Applying Visual Identity At The Main Entrances To Cities (Case Study: Entrance To Beni Suef City), Nesma Mohamed Abd El- Maksoud

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Egypt’s vision and many initiatives, such as the “Controlling Egyptian Urbanism and Supporting Visual Identity” initiative, seek to create a visual identity for Egypt’s governorates, to deepen the concept of national belonging, and to issue a guideline for visual identity at the level of each governorate. The visual identity of cities is produced from a set of urban, social, cultural, historical, and environmental variables. Economically, the research studies how to link the urban and visual identity of cities and express it through the entrances to cities and the urban spaces surrounding them to improve and develop the city’s local and …

Dynamic And Harmonic Studies Of Inverter Based Resources, Rabi Shankar Kar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As the inverter-based generation is the primary technology driving renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic and wind turbines, its penetration is increasing rapidly. Due to the high penetration, there are multiple situations of IBR misoperation due to any type of grid contingency. This dissertation focuses on exploring the response of IBR towards grid contingency.

The primary objectives of the study are as follows: 1. Conducting a harmonic analysis of inverter-based resources when subjected to balanced and unbalanced grid conditions, 2. The use of a circuit simplification method to streamline the analysis process and study the dynamic response of IBR …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Titanium And Vanadium Nitride–Carbon Composites, Helia Magali Morales, David A. Sanchez, Elizabeth M. Fletes, Michael Odlyzko, Victoria Padilla, Mataz Alcoutlabi, Jason Parsons

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Titanium nitride and vanadium nitride–carbon-based composite systems, TiN/C and VN/C, were prepared using a new synthesis method based on the thermal decomposition of titanyl tetraphenyl porphyrin (TiOTPP) and vanadyl tetraphenyl porphyrin (VOTPP), respectively. The structure of the TiN/C and VN/C composite materials, as well as their precursors, were characterized using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction (XRD), X-Ray energy dispersive (EDS) and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Morphologies of the TiN/C and VN/C composites were examined by means of scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron (TEM) microscopy. The synthesis of the non-metalated tetraphenyl porphyrin, the titanium, and vanadium tetraphenyl porphyrin complexes …

Hybrid Energy Systems: Synergy Margin And Control Co-Design, Mario Garcia Sanz

Faculty Scholarship

Extraordinary properties emerge from subsystems' interactions. Hybrid energy systems (HESs) are a promising concept that could change the renewable energy landscape. By co-designing generation, storage, and conversion technologies, HESs can provide new electrical power services, increase grid stability and control authority, and generate energy and/or nonenergy products such as electricity, hydrogen, ammonia, heat, digital data, or fresh water. This article discusses some conditions the co-design of HESs should follow to optimize the combined system (synergy), avoiding deterioration (dysfunction). It introduces some technoeconomic synergy conditions, develops a synergy margin, and analyses several case studies, exploring also the control co-design methodology to …

Phagolysosomes Break Down The Membrane Of A Non-Apoptotic Corpse Independent Of Macroautophagy, Shruti Kolli, Cassidy J. Kline, Kimya M. Rad, Ann M. Wehman

Biological Sciences: Faculty Scholarship

Cell corpses must be cleared in an efficient manner to maintain tissue homeostasis and regulate immune responses. Ubiquitin-like Atg8/LC3 family proteins promote the degradation of membranes and internal cargo during both macroautophagy and corpse clearance, raising the question how macroautophagy contributes to corpse clearance. Studying the clearance of non-apoptotic dying polar bodies in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, we show that the LC3 ortholog LGG-2 is enriched inside the polar body phagolysosome independent of autophagosome formation. We demonstrate that ATG-16.1 and ATG-16.2, which promote membrane association of lipidated Atg8/LC3 proteins, redundantly promote polar body membrane breakdown in phagolysosomes independent of their role …

The Future Of Flying: An Exploration Of New Aircraft Design And Energy Required To Support Advanced Air Mobility – Part 3, Sarah Nilsson

Publications

Lecture exploring new aircraft design and energy required to support advanced air mobility.

Effects Of Surface Treatment On Adhesive Performance Of Composite-To-Composite And Composite-To-Metal Joints, Nikhil Paranjpe, Md. Nizam Uddin, Akm S. Rahman, Ramazan Asmatulu

Publications and Research

This study deals with the long-running challenge of joining similar and dissimilar materials using composite-to-composite and composite-to-metal joints. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of surface morphology andsurfacetreatments onthemechanicalperformanceofadhesively bonded joints used for the aircraft industry. A two-segment, commercially available, toughened epoxy was chosen as the adhesive. Unidirectional carbon fiber prepreg and aluminum 2021-T3 alloys were chosen for the composite and metal panels, respectively. Surface treatment of the metal included corrosion elimination followed by a passive surface coating of Alodine®. A combination of surface treatment methods was used for the composite and metal specimens, including detergent cleaning, plasma …

Smartphone Haptics Can Uncover Differences In Touch Interactions Between Asd And Neurotypicals, Ivonne Monarca, Franceli L. Cibrian, Isabel López Hurtado, Monica Tentori

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Utilizing touch interactions from smartphones for gathering data and identifying digital markers for screening and monitoring neurological disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is an emerging area of research. Smartphones provide multiple benefits for this kind of study, including unobtrusive data collection via built-in sensors, integrated haptic feedback systems, and the capability to create specialized applications. Acknowledging the significant yet understudied presence of tactile processing differences in individuals with ASD, we designed and developed Feel and Touch, a mobile game that leverages the haptic capabilities of smartphones. This game provides vibrotactile feedback in response to touch interactions and collects …

Unleaded Fuel For General Aviation, Carolina Anderson, Laura Garcia

Sustainability Conference

The Clean Air Act, passed in the late 1970s, mandating the removal of lead from most fuels due its detrimental effects on public health, yet piston-driven aircraft continue to rely on leaded aviation gas (AvGas 100LL). This fuel remains the last lead-containing fuel regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Lead, added as tetraethyl lead (TEL), enhances octane levels and prevents engine detonation, vital for high-compression aircraft engines. In response to the health effects, regulating bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have tightened lead standards and are assessing the risk posed by AvGas. Research links even low-level lead exposure …

Analysis Of Status, Challenges, And Optimization Recommendations For China’S Commercial Space Policy Support System, Liming Ge, Zixuan Liu, Mingda Yang, Wenbin Ma

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As a strategic pillar in building a space power, commercial space has become a new frontier for global technological competition. The Chinese government and relevant regulatory authorities have introduced a series of multi-level policy documents, propelling the commercial space sector into a phase of vigorous development. This study systematically reviews the background, evolution, and implementation outcomes of China’s policy support system for commercial space. It is indicates that, in light of the goal of becoming a “space power” and the future industrial competition, China’s policy support system for commercial space still faces challenges such as ineffective policy implementation mechanisms, lack …

How Does Original And Disruptive Innovation Lead Modern Industrial System: Insights From Revolutionary Frontier Of Next-Generation Chip Manufacturing Technology, Jiang Yu, Yue Guo, Shiguang Li

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Original and disruptive innovation is the foundation for tackling key technological challenges and nurturing the development of new forms of productive forces. The breakthrough of FinFET (Fin field-effect transistor) technology, a frontier manufacturing process for chips, represents a typical example of original and disruptive innovation. This breakthrough extended Moore’s Law, catalyzed the transition of semiconductor manufacturing from 2D to 3D structures, and significantly advanced the global high-tech industry, positioning it at the core of international technological competition. This study reviews the breakthrough journey of FinFET technology, specifically focusing on its development stages from “scientific discovery—formation of new technological pathways—systematization of …