Engineering Commons^™

Ocapo: Fine-Grained Occupancy-Aware, Empirically-Driven Pdc Control In Open-Plan, Shared Workspaces, Ravi Anuradha, Dulaj Sanjaya Weerakoon, Archan Misra

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Passive Displacement Cooling (PDC) is a relatively recent technology gaining attention as a means of significantly reducing building energy consumption overheads, especially in tropical climates. PDC eliminates the use of mechanical fans, instead using chilled-water heat exchangers to perform convective cooling. In this paper, we identify and characterize the impact of several key parameters affecting occupant comfort in a 1000m2 open-floor area (consisting of multiple zones) of a ZEB (Zero Energy Building) deployed with PDC units and tackle the problem of setting the temperature setpoint of the PDC units to assure occupant thermal comfort and yet conserve energy. We tackle …

Brushbuds: Toothbrushing Tracking Using Earphone Imus, Qiang Yang, Yang Liu, Jake Stuchbury-Wass, Kayla-Jade Butkow, Dong Ma, Cecilia Mascolo

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Inadequate toothbrushing habits are a leading cause of oral health problems such as tooth decay. Many individuals are uncertain if they are brushing effectively or over-focusing on specific areas. While high-end electric toothbrushes can address these concerns, manual toothbrushes remain widely used due to their simplicity and affordability. In this paper, we introduce BrushBuds, an earphone-based toothbrushing monitoring system aimed at tracking brushing areas, which leverages the ubiquitous presence of earphones to enhance manual toothbrushing. BrushBuds utilizes Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) in earphones to detect subtle head movements incurred by toothbrushing. By capturing distinct motion patterns specific to brushing for …

Carbon Fiber And Carbon Fiber Composites—Creating Defects For Superior Material Properties, Ashis Sutradhar Nitai, Tonny Chowdhury, Md Nafis Inam, Md Saifur Rahman, Md Ibrahim H. Mondal, M. A.H. Johir, Volker Hessel, Islam Md Rizwanul Fattah, Md Abul Kalam, Wafa Ali Suwaileh, John L. Zhou, Masoumeh Zargar, Mohammad Boshir Ahmed

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recent years have seen a rise in the use of carbon fiber (CF) and its composite applications in several high-tech industries, such as the design of biomedical sensor components, 3D virtual process networks in automotive and aerospace parts, and artificial materials or electrodes for energy storage batteries. Since pristine CF have limited properties, their properties are often modified through a range of technologies, such as laser surface treatment, electron-beam irradiation grafting, plasma or chemical treatments, electrophoretic deposition, carbonization, spinning-solution or melt, electrospinning, and sol–gel, to greatly improve their properties and performance. These procedures cause faulty structures to emerge in CF. …

Production Of Lioh·H2o From Lithium Chloride By Electrodialysis And Crystallisation, Kwang Loon Ang, Maryam Barmi, Yasaman Boroumand, Amir Razmjou, Aleksandar N. Nikoloski

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Laboratory bench scale experiments were performed to develop a process for electrodialysis (ED) of LiCl liquor from spodumene leaching and purification to produce LiOH solution, for subsequent conversion by evaporative crystallisation to LiOH·H2O crystals as the end-product. Nafion® 117 cation-selective membranes were used in all experiments. The small electrolytic test cell achieved an average LiOH production rate of 7.5 g/h with 83 % coulombic efficiency and specific electrical consumption of 6.5 kWh/kg LiOH. In the large electrolytic test cell, a higher average LiOH production rate of 11.2 g/h was attained but at lower coulombic efficiency (62 %) and greater specific …

Stability Of Two-Class Armour Berm Breakwaters: An Experimental Study, Mohammed Al-Ogaili, Amir Etemad-Shahidi, Nick Cartwright, Sigurdur Sigurdarson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The recession of a berm breakwater is a key parameter in ensuring its stability, and functionality, to protect coastal areas against wave impacts. Consequently, consideration of the expected recession in structural design is required to ensure the required objectives of the structure. In this study, physical model laboratory experiments were conducted to measure the recession of two-class armour berm breakwaters in response to varying sea state conditions (wave height, wave period, storm duration, and water depth at the structure's toe) and geometrical parameters (berm elevation from still water level, berm width, and rock size). A total of 110 tests were …

In Situ Assembly Enabling Adhesive-Free Bonding Of Large Area Electronic Sensors To Concrete For Structural Health Monitoring, Emmanuel Ogunniyi, Han Liu, Austin Downey, Simon Laflamme, Caroline Bennett, William Collins, Hongki Jo, Paul Ziehl

Faculty Publications

Cracks developed in concrete infrastructure are one of the primary mechanisms that degrade their structural integrity, which may result in structural failures. Previous research on soft elastomeric capacitors (SEC) has shown their viability for structural health monitoring of structural materials, including concrete, steel, and fiberglass composites. The SEC, or its derivative version with a corrugated geometry termed corrugated SEC or cSEC, is a parallel plate capacitor. Prior work demonstrated that it was possible to directly paint the electrode interfacing with the structural material onto the structure and adhere the rest of the pre-fabricated sensor onto the wet interface, thereby eliminating …

A Comprehensive Ml And Ai Framework For Intersection Safety: Assessing Contributing Factors, Surrogate Safety Measures, Non-Compliance Behaviors, And Cost-Inclusive Methodology, Deep Patel

Theses and Dissertations

Intersection safety, particularly in traffic management, has emerged as a pressing concern due to its substantial contribution to road crashes and fatalities. In recent years, understanding road users' behavior and conflicts at intersections has become essential for evaluating traffic safety. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in 2020, over 50% of fatal and injury crashes occurred at or near intersections, necessitating further investigation. This study addresses this issue through an innovative blend of comprehensive literature review, advanced machine learning algorithms, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, surrogate safety measures (SSMs), non-compliance behavior, and emphasizing the economic aspects of traffic incidents. First, …

Suppression Of Dynamic Aeroelastic Response Of A Semispan Wing Using Traditional And Distributed Sensing, James Ramey

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Characterization and management of aeroelastic effects are a vital part of aircraft design. Mitigation of these effects often includes control systems to suppress the vibrations. Control systems are constantly being developed and improved, with one such avenue of development being new sensing systems that can increase the information fed into the controller. Fiber Optic Strain Sensing (FOSS) technology is one such system that utilizes Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) on a fiber optic cable to sense the strain on structural elements. This system has promise as a high-density feedback device, and the maturation of the technology has allowed assessment of its …

Talar And Calcaneal Coordinate Axes Definitions Across Foot Pathologies, Kassidy Knutson, Erika P. Muhlrad, Andrew C. Peterson, Thomas Leonard, Abigail M. Anderson, Katelyn C. Aragon, Zachary J. Eatough, Bruce A. Macwilliams, Karen M. Kruger, Amy L. Lenz

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The understanding of foot and ankle biomechanics is improving as new technology provides more detailed information about the motion of foot and ankle bones with biplane fluoroscopy, as well as the ability to analyze the hindfoot under weightbearing conditions with weightbearing computed tomography. Three-dimensional anatomical coordinate systems are necessary to describe the 3D alignment and kinematics of the foot and ankle. The lack of standard coordinate systems across research study sites can significantly alter experimental data analyses used for pre-surgical evaluation and post-operative outcome assessments. Clinical treatment paradigms are changing based on the expanding knowledge of complex pes planovalgus morphologies …

Lumbar Spine Orientation Affects Compressive Fracture Outcome, Rachel Cutlan, Muhammaed Khokhar, Nader Shammout, Alok Shah, Lance Frazer, Narayan Yoganandan, Barry S. Shender, James Sheehy, Glenn Paskoff, Daniel Nicolella, Timothy B. Bentley, Saman Shabani, Brian D. Stemper

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

Understanding how spinal orientation affects injury outcome is essential to understand lumbar injury biomechanics associated with high-rate vertical loading.

Methods

Whole-column human lumbar spines (T12–L5) were dynamically loaded using a drop tower to simulate peak axial forces associated with high-speed aircraft ejections and helicopter crashes. Spines were allowed to maintain natural lordotic curvature for loading, resulting in a range of orientations. Pre-test X-rays were used to quantify specimen orientation at the time of loading. Primary fracture types were identified (wedge, n = 6; burst, n = 4; hyperextension, n = 4) and compared for loading parameters and lumbar orientation. …

Atmospheric Waves Experiment (Awe) Advanced Mesopheric Temperature Mapper (Amtm) Optical System Design, Alignment, And Image Quality Verification, James Champagne, Roy Esplin, Tyrel Rupp, Greg Hopkins, Burt Lamborn, Erik Syrstad, Mike Holt, Matt Ralphs

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The AWE AMTM is a wide field-of-view (WFOV) infrared imaging radiometer designed for use in measuring the P₁(2) and P₁(4) emission lines of the earths OH layer. From these measurements, the atmospheric temperature is determined and finally images of gravity waves will be produced as the AWE field of view transverses the OH layer. Designed, built, and characterized by Utah State University (USU) and its Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), the sensor has been externally mounted to the International Space Station (ISS) looking nadir. Images will be collected and analyzed for a minimum of two years. The …

Design Of An Above Pavement Wireless Sensor Node (Apwsn) For Real-Time Roadway Monitoring Using Piezoelectric Energy-Harvesting, Jochy Jonathan Perez

Theses and Dissertations

The evolution of Smart Highway and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies offers new opportunities to improve the safety and efficiency of vehicular traffic on roads. This research effort describes the development of a wireless pavement sensor that provides a novel method to detect key pavement parameters while incorporating low-power energy harvesting that leverages the kinetic energy generated by vehicular traffic. The Above Pavement Wireless Sensor Node (APWSN) is the embodiment of the approach. APWSN can facilitate the strategic deployment of sensors on a wide variety of roads to enable real-time data collection to support decision-making processes for road infrastructure maintenance …

A Novel Approach To Evaluate Seatbelt Non-Compliance Of Drivers In New Jersey, Md Arifuzzaman Nayeem

Theses and Dissertations

This study intends to investigate the non-compliant behavior of drivers with seatbelt use in New Jersey. By examining various factors such as temporal and roadway characteristics, this study seeks to identify the underlying causes of this seatbelt non-compliance behavior. To overcome the limitations of traditional methods like cross-sectional data collection, a novel approach known as moving vehicle method was employed. To gain further insights, hypothesis tests were performed across the entire dataset to pinpoint significant temporal, roadway, and geometric factors contributing to non-compliant behaviors. In the subsequent step, the association of other risky behaviors like speeding and distracted driving with …

Final Report - Mixed Reality For Beyond Visual Line-Of-Sight Bridge Inspection Using Robot-Assisted Nondestructive Evaluation, Genda Chen, Joel Runji

Project IM-5

To improve data consistency, work efficiency, inspector safety, and cost effectiveness during routine inspections, drones have been increasingly used in recent years to support imaging and scanning over the surface of various elements in a bridge for surface condition assessment. Most drones are operated manually within a visual line of sight and unable to inspect river-crossing bridges completely since not all elements can be viewed by a drone operator using a binocular. Even for autonomous drones with collision-avoidance features, physical interaction with a bridge for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) is currently impossible in practice. An alternative solution with robot-assisted remote nondestructive …

Conversion Of Fish Waste Oil Into Biofuel: An Experimental Study, Mahmoud A. Mohamed, Hany A. Elazab, Mamdouh A. Gadalla, Fatma A. Ashour

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Egypt is famous for its fish wealth, given its large coasts and freshwater resources, especially of Nile Tilapia and Mugilid fish. It was estimated that domestic fish production increased from 889 thousand tonnes in 2005 to 1620 thousand tonnes in 2016. Thousands of tonnes of fish are consumed yearly, generating substantial amounts of fish waste and residues. Some 26% of the fish consumed is a typical waste. Fish wastes have a significant role in many processes and applications. They are used as feedstock for producing fish meals, a major by-product of fish waste oil. Fish oil is extracted for medical …

Boosting Predictive Accuracy Of Single Particle Models For Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Machine Learning, Emmanuel Olugbade, Jonghyun Park

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The accuracy of single particle (SP) models for lithium-ion batteries at high C-rates is constrained by lithium concentration gradients in the electrolyte, which affect ionic conductivity, overpotential, and reaction rates. This study addresses these limitations using extreme gradient boosting machine learning (ML). By training our ML model with data from a comprehensive electrochemical (P2D) model and performing sensitivity analysis on key battery parameters, we enhance predictive accuracy. Compared to conventional SP and P2D models under constant current loading, our ML-based SP model achieves similar predictive accuracy to P2D, with significant improvements in computational efficiency. Additionally, the ML-based SP model demonstrates …

Mobile Banking Acceptance Model For Generation Z: The Role Of Trust, Self-Efficacy, And Enjoyment, Azmi Fitraiati, Naelati Tubastuvi, Rina Mudjiyanti, Sri Wahyuni, Venus C. Ibarra

Graduate School of Business Publications

Research aims: This research aims to develop a model that explains m-banking acceptance behavior, especially for Generation Z, which is driven by perceptions of trust, self-efficacy, and enjoyment. Design/Methodology/Approach: The population was Generation Z as users of m-banking in Indonesia. The data collection instrument employed a questionnaire. The analysis technique used was component or variance-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) utilizing Partial Least Square (PLS). Research findings: The results showcased that trust, self-efficacy, and enjoyment influenced perceived usefulness and ease of use. These perceptions influenced attitudes, intentions to use, and use of m-banking. Generation Z m-banking users believe that potential risks …

Final Report - An Interactive System For Training And Assisting Bridge Inspectors In Inspection Video Data Analytics, Genda Chen, Ruwen Qin, Mohammad Hossein Afsharmovahed, Kevin Lai, Ritesh Sharma

Project WD-4

This project aims to develop an interactive, web-based system to assist bridge inspectors in machine learning and video analytics for a rapid condition state assessment of bridge elements in accordance with the 2019 Manual for Bridge Element Inspection. Referred to BridgeNet, the system includes region-based convolutional neural network (RCNN) models for bridge element and defect segmentation and an inspection video analytic tool that is integrated into a unified graphical user interface (GUI). It provides users with an image-based testbed of modulated RCNN models. The BridgeNet has evolved in four phases: (1) backend and frontend framework setups, (2) Mask-RCNN-based bridge segmentation, …

Final Report - Robot-Assisted Underwater Acoustic Imaging For Bridge Scour Inspection, Genda Chen, Peter Ogunjinmi, Son Nguyen

Project AS-8

This report details the development and testing of an innovative robotic system for underwater mapping and bridge scour inspection, integrating a 3D sonar with a modified remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The system addresses limitations in traditional scour monitoring methods, such as safety concerns and poor visibility after flooding. The research approach included laboratory experiments, pool testing, and field trials at two bridge sites in Missouri, with procedures developed for both water surface and underwater deployments. The system effectively mapped underwater structures and scour conditions, especially in hard-to-reach areas, revealing critical scouring, exposed pier footings and debris accumulation. The water surface …

Final Report - Bridge Inspection Robot Deployment Systems (Birds), Genda Chen, Son Nguyen, Alec Reven, Bo Shang

Project AS-4

This study aims to develop and evaluate Bridge Inspection Robot Deployment Systems (BIRDS) that support automated bridge inspection. BIRDS include uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), structural crawlers, and/or their combination. A particular type of the BIRDS, which is a hybrid flying and traversing system called BridgeBot, is designed to aid in the inspection of steel and concrete girder bridges. BridgeBot has evolved in four prototypes (I-IV) for improved structural, mechanical, electronic, and control systems over the past five years. The first two prototypes built in Phases I and II were tested in laboratory to understand the feasibility of hybrid flying and …

Final Report - Probability Of Detection In Corrosion Monitoring With Fe-C Coated Lpfg Sensors, Genda Chen, Ying Zhou, Pengfei Ma

Project SN-8

This project aimed to develop and evaluate two statistical methods for determining the probability of detection (POD) in corrosion monitoring using Fe–C coated long-period fiber grating (LPFG) sensors. These methods, referred to as the Size-of-Damage-at-Detection (SODAD) method and the Random Parameter Model (RPM), addressed limitations in traditional POD models by considering the time dependency inherent in sensor data. The goal was to assess steel mass loss at 90% detection probability and establish the largest undetectable mass loss threshold at a 95% lower confidence bound. Both methods were assessed for computational efficiency, sensitivity to distribution assumptions, and robustness under varying model …

Final Report - Hyperspectral Imaging And Analysis For Steel Paint Condition Assessment, Hongyan Ma, Genda Chen, Pengfei Ma

Project SN-9

This project aimed to understand the durability of multiple coating settings that had been widely used in highway bridges. Coatings can prevent their substrate from being contacted by aggressive particles and thus corrosion to preserve structural components. However, the wide selection of coatings for steel girders or truss can greatly impact the serviceability of bridges. This project studied four types of top-coat materials (epoxy, Alkyd, acrylic, and polyurethane) and two types of under-coat materials (epoxy and acyclic). The coatings were configured as two-layer and three-layer systems to evaluate their difference in durability. The degradation process of the coatings was monitored …

The Location Of Cationic Substitutions In Carbonated Biomimetic Apatites Significantly Affects Crystal Nanomechanics, Stephanie Wong, Abigail Eaton, Cristina Krywka, Arun Nair, Alex Deymier

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bone and teeth are comprised of carbonate-substituted apatites with cationic substitutions, like sodium and potassium. Cations substitute for calcium in the apatite lattice but it is unclear whether they substitute for Ca(1) or Ca(2). Additionally, although we know that anionic substitutions affect the mineral mechanics, it is unclear how cationic substitutions affect mineral stiffness. Here, a combined experimental and theoretical approach using in situ fluid-mediated hydrostatic loading with synchrotron Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) is used to elucidate the role of CO₃²⁻ and Na⁺ or K⁺ co-substitutions on the atomic structure …

Self-Oxidation Of The Atmospheres Of Rocky Planets With Implications For The Origin Of Life, Anders Johansen, Eloi Camprubi, Elishevah Van Kooten, H. Jens Hoeijmakers

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Rocky planets may acquire a primordial atmosphere by the outgassing of volatiles from their magma ocean. The distribution of O between H2O, CO, and CO2 in chemical equilibrium subsequently changes significantly with decreasing temperature. We consider here two chemical models: one where CH4 and NH3 are assumed to be irrevocably destroyed by photolysis and second where these molecules persist. In the first case, we show that CO cannot coexist with H2O, since CO oxidizes at low temperatures to form CO2 and H2. In both cases, H escapes from the thermosphere within a few 10 million years by absorption of stellar …

Unveiling The Risks Of Speeding Behavior By Investigating The Dynamics Of Driver Injury Severity Through Advanced Analytics., Mouyid Islam, Parisa Hosseini, Anahita Kakhani, Mohammad Jalayer, Deep Patel

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering Departmental Research

Single-vehicle crashes, particularly those caused by speeding, result in a disproportionately high number of fatalities and serious injuries compared to other types of crashes involving passenger vehicles. This study aims to identify factors that contribute to driver injury severity in single-vehicle crashes using machine learning models and advanced econometric models, namely mixed logit with heterogeneity in means and variances. National Crash data from the Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS) managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) between 2016 and 2018 were utilized for this study. XGBoost and Random Forest models were employed to identify the most influential variables …

Nanopore Signal Deviations From Pseudouridine Modifications In Rna Are Sequence-Specific: Quantification Requires Dedicated Synthetic Controls, Amr Makhamreh, Sepideh Tavakoli, Ali Fallahi, Xinqi Kang, Howard Gamper, Mohammad Nabizadehmashhadtoroghi, Miten Jain, Ya-Ming Hou, Sara H Rouhanifard, Meni Wanunu

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Chemical modifications to mRNA respond dynamically to environmental cues and are important modulators of gene expression. Nanopore direct RNA sequencing has been applied for assessing the presence of pseudouridine (ψ) modifications through basecalling errors and signal analysis. These approaches strongly depend on the sequence context around the modification, and the occupancies derived from these measurements are not quantitative. In this work, we combine direct RNA sequencing of synthetic RNAs bearing site-specific modifications and supervised machine learning models (ModQuant) to achieve near-analytical, site-specific ψ quantification. Our models demonstrate that the ionic current signal features important for accurate ψ classification are sequence …

Electronic Communication Between Co And Ru Sites Decorated On Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotubes Boost The Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction, Meng-Ting Gao, Ying Wei, Xue-Meng Hu, Wenj-Jie Zhu, Qing-Qing Liu, Jin-Yuan Qiang, Wan-Wan Liu, Ying Wang, Xu Li, Jian-Feng Huang, Yong-Qiang Feng

Journal of Electrochemistry

Designing highly efficient Pt-free electrocatalysts with low overpotential for an alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a significant challenge. Here, a novel and efficient cobalt (Co), ruthenium (Ru) bimetallic electrocatalyst composed of CoRu nanoalloy decorated on the N-doped carbon nanotubes (CoRu@N-CNTs), was prepared by reacting fullerenol with melamine via hydrothermal treatment and followed by pyrolysis. Benefiting from the electronic communication between Co and Ru sites, the as-obtained CoRu@N-CNTs catalyst exhibited superior electrocatalytic HER activity. To deliver a current density of 10 mA·cm^–2, it required an overpotential of merely 19 mV along with a Tafel slope of 26.19 mV·dec …

Zhong-Qun Tian, Academician And Honorary Member Of Electrochemistry Committee Chinese Chemical Society, Achieved "Raman Lifetime Award", Editorial Office Of J.Electrochem.

Journal of Electrochemistry

No abstract provided.

Optimization Of Channel Structure Of Alkaline Water Electrolyzer By Using An Expanded Mesh As A Bipolar Plate, Hai-Yan Xiong, Zhen-Xiao Zhu, Xin Gao, Chen-Ming Fan, Hui-Bao Luan, Bing Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) is the most mature technology for hydrogen production by water electrolysis. Alkaline water electrolyzer consists of multiple electrolysis cells, and a single cell consists of a diaphragm, electrodes, bipolar plates and end plates, etc. The existing industrial bipolar plate channel is concave-convex structure, which is manufactured by complicated and high-cost mold punching. This structure still results in uneven electrolyte flow and low current density in the electrolytic cell, further increasing in energy consumption and cost of AWE. Thereby, in this article, the electrochemical and flow model is firstly constructed, based on the existing industrial concave and …

2024 Tianmulake Advanced Anode Materials Innovation Forum And Sixth National Conference Of Advanced Battery Failure Analysis And Testing Technology Concluded Successfully, Editorial Office Of J.Electrochem.

Journal of Electrochemistry

No abstract provided.