Engineering Commons^™

Selective Bacterial Biofilm Removal Using Image-Guided Detection And Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma, Michael Okebiorun

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the use of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) technology in eradicating bacterial biofilms from tissue surfaces, using Ps. fluorescens on chicken tissue to model human chronic wounds. It introduces a novel image-guided technique for precise biofilm removal, employing trypan blue staining coupled with advanced computer vision analysis, enhancing the CAP treatment's precision and efficacy. The study demonstrates the CAP device's ability to effectively disrupt biofilms through a non-thermal mechanism, based on its electrical characteristics and operational parameters. The success of the treatment is evident in the significant reduction of biofilm thickness of 49 -185 µm, with the …

Effortless Mindfulness Toolkit: Easy Meditation Scripts To Begin Each Class., Brett Whysel

Open Educational Resources

The Effortless Mindfulness in the Classroom Toolkit is an open educational resource designed to create happier classrooms, boost student engagement, and foster a sense of community through brief, effective mindfulness exercises. This comprehensive toolkit provides educators with everything they need to seamlessly integrate mindfulness practices into their teaching routines, regardless of prior experience. The toolkit includes introductory slides, 15 ready-to-use meditation scripts, and accompanying audio recordings, covering a variety of mindfulness techniques such as focused breathing, body scans, and loving-kindness meditations. Each meditation is paired with a reflective prompt to deepen student engagement and reinforce the benefits of mindfulness. Additionally, …

A Thermo-Mechanical Analysis Of The Well-Structure Integrity In Enhanced Geothermal Systems Using Numerical Simulation, John Alfred Ganal Acevedo

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will investigate the well structure integrity of enhanced geothermal systems. Enhanced geothermal system is a type of renewable energy generation that utilizes heat from a rock reservoir deep within the Earth’s subsurface delivered by circulating working fluids through kilometers-long well structures. However, due to the surrounding environment and harsh operating conditions, the well structures are vulnerable to deterioration and cracking, which can lead to structural failure of wells and reduced energy efficiency. The study seeks to gain a better understanding of the vulnerability of the well structure. A finite element model of a well structure was developed, and …

The Development And Analysis Of Practical Decision Support Tool Implementations: Case Studies From Small Business To Large Government Enterprise, Alexis Andaverde

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrates the critical role of decision support tools (DSTs) in both small business and large government operations, enhancing decision-making, operational efficiency, and economic benefits. By implementing Excel-based systems for small businesses and discrete event modelling for large enterprises, this research highlights the importance of adaptable and scalable solutions across various sectors. According to the U.S. Small Business Association, small businesses with 500 or fewer employees make up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses. However, 65% of new businesses fail within the first ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This case study focuses on the used vehicle …

Validation, Optimization, And Experimentation Of Electro-Centrifugal Spinning, Carlos Alberto Delgado

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study is to understand the behavior of polymeric solutions, when exposed to both electric fields and centrifugal forces through the electro-centrifugal fiber creation method, observing both effects of various parameter variations on the resulting nanofibers. The elemental deposition on electrospun fibers through in-situ processes is studied and optimized. The morphology, crystallinity, thermal properties, and elemental composition of the nanofibers were characterized. The purpose of these nanofibers is for future applications such as energy harvesting, filtration, and biomedical applications.

Advancements In Aerial Vehicle Platforms: A Guide For Design, Validation, And Implementation Of 3d Printed Drones, Alan Salvador Urteaga

Theses and Dissertations

Additive manufacturing methods have revolutionized the way products are designed and developed through a product's entire design life cycle. This is in part correlated with the nature of additive manufacturing methods that differentiate them from traditional methods. Some of the benefits of additive manufacturing methods include customizability, rapid prototyping, the production of complex design geometry, and embedded assembly manufacturing. Unmanned aerial vehicles have been on the rise for various military, commercial, or personal applications. The focus of this study is to provide detailed instructions on how to engineer a viable drone design that is impact-resistant, modular, and customizable. This study …

Development Of The Structure And Control System Of A Stewart Platform Robot For Human Balance Recovery Interventions, Rhobenn R. Alvarez Zambrano

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, the process to design a Stewart platform parallel robot for balance recovery with given assembly constraints and mobility requirements is described. A Model Based Design (MBD) approach in MATLAB was used as a tool to model and optimize the design of the platform through quick and repeatable workspace and movements simulations. An algorithm based on Inverse Kinematics was used to find the most adequate Stewart platform configuration which yields a workspace that fulfills the design goals best. Solidworks was used as a 3D CAD Modeling tool to elaborate machining blueprints while ensuring that each piece fits accurately …

In Situ Shear Exfoliation Of Layered Materials And Fabrication Of Multifunctional Composites, Md Abdur Rahman Bin Abdus Salam

Theses and Dissertations

To harness the extraordinary properties of 2D nanomaterials across a range of applications, including but not limited to device fabrication (such as sensors and transistors), energy storage and conversion systems (like batteries and solar cells), as well as biomedical applications (such as drug delivery and tissue engineering), it is imperative to achieve proper synthesis to single-layer form from bulk material, ensuring defect-free synthesis. Recognizing the criticality of defect-free synthesis and high yield for nanocomposite production, our focus centered on developing a facile, contamination-free, single-step, in situ shear exfoliation process for bulk materials (such as graphene, hBN, coal) within elastomers, which …

Feature Extraction From Vibration Signature Acquired From Railroad Bearing Onboard Condition Monitoring Sensor Modules, Kevin Quaye

Theses and Dissertations

The University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) has designed an onboard monitoring system that tracks vibration waveforms over time, to obtain a direct and more accurate indicator of bearing health. The data collected by these sensors is used for vibrational analyses of the bearings. The speed of the bearing is a fundamental parameter needed to carry out the analysis. GPS data can be used to determine bearing speed if available; however, due to size, cost and power constraints GPS is typically not available at the sensor location. This means that analysis must be delayed until the data is uploaded …

Bridging Human Emotion And Autonomous Vehicle Control: Reinforcement Learning Enhancements In The Carla Simulator, Timothy Marion Jude Lyons

Theses and Dissertations

Autonomous vehicles are a key component for an evolution in transportation as they may lead to increased safety and productivity. As autonomous vehicles advance industries will look to further increase customer satisfaction through personalized experiences for autonomous vehicle passengers. Reinforcement learning may be the key to success for autonomous vehicles. The development of autonomous vehicles, utilizing reinforcement learning, which consider the emotions of the passenger, will be a breakthrough for the automotive industry. This thesis presents a unique approach to autonomous vehicles developed with reinforcement learning which consider the human emotions of the passenger. It is a stepping stone to …

Attachment Of 2d Nanomaterials Onto 1d Nanofibers For Separation And Sensing Applications, Elmmer A. Vera Alvarado

Theses and Dissertations

Advancing materials for water desalination and sensing is essential for tackling global issues related to clean water and efficient energy systems. This thesis explores the application of 2D nanomaterials, specifically graphene, integrated onto 1D poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers to enhance their effectiveness in these areas. Utilizing innovative techniques such as Forcespinning® and plasma treatment, PVDF nanofibers were strengthened with graphene and conductive polymers like poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS). The research involved thorough assessments using direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) systems, oil-water separation tests, and various mechanical and electromechanical evaluations. Heat-pressed membranes consistently delivered a flux of 0.33 kg/m²/hr and …

Heat Treatment Post-Processing For The Improved Mechanical Properties Of Scalmalloy® Processed Via Directed Energy Deposition, Rachel Boillat-Newport, Sriram Praneeth Isanaka, Frank Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

As high-strength aluminum alloys present several processability issues with additive manufacturing (AM), Scalmalloy®, an Al-Mg-Sc-Zr-based alloy, has been developed. This alloy is age-hardenable, allowing it to precipitate out a strengthening precipitate phase, Al3(Sc,Zr). The manufacturer recommends a single-stage aging treatment at 325 °C for 4 h; however, the majority of the literature studies utilize a powder bed processing known as selective laser melting (SLM) over powder-fed processing directed energy deposition (DED). This study addresses the lack of information on heat treatments for DED fabrication by exploring the application of artificial aging temperatures of 300–400 °C for 2, 4, and 6 …

Enhanced Optical And Infrared Activity Of Nanosphere Dimers Attributed To Dimer Geometry, D. Keith Roper, Jin-Woo Kim, Ricardo R. Romo, Joseph Batta-Mpouma

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Enhanced optical and infrared activity of subwavelength metal nanoparticles is key to their use in optoelectronics, spectroscopy, and sensing. The present work compared spectra of nanosphere dimers merged by centrifuging gold nanospheres with corresponding simulated nanoscale dimers. Geometric features of the nanosphere dimers were related to corresponding optical and near-infrared activity through simulation. Differences in optical and infrared activity of the nanosphere dimers were largely attributable to changes in the radius of the nanosphere and the radius of the conductive junction between merged nanospheres. The features observed in the experimental spectra were attributed to a select number of dimers exhibiting …

Future-Ready Digitalized Education: Unraveling The Dynamics Of Sustainable And Ethical Digital Transformation, Vaishnavi Rode

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Amid the brisk advancement of digital technologies, higher educational institutions and universities are finding themselves at a crucial turning point, with significant obstacles and new prospects in the realm of digital transformation. This culminating experience project delves deeply into the compounded terrain of digital transformation in higher education, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices in the face of rapidly evolving technical advancements. The research questions are: (Q1) What strategies can universities adopt to foster digital literacy among students and faculty while promoting sustainability values within their digital education programs and Why? (Q2) What ethical considerations, concerning data privacy and digital …

Smart Zoning Control For Air Conditioning Systems, Octavio Gomes Diaz

Mechanical Engineering Theses

Nearly 45% of the energy consumed in residential buildings goes for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Typical HVAC systems are mostly controlled by one thermostat that is usually located in the living room. This means that the HVAC system is running without consideration of the thermal conditions in the other rooms (zones), which might be colder (or warmer). Colder zones in the summer indicate that a lot of energy is wasted, and warmer zones mean that the HVAC system can’t produce a good comfort level. Therefore, zoning was introduced into relatively recent HVAC systems. Zoning in HVAC systems uses …

Tectonic Implications Of Seismic Anisotropy Layering Beneath The Southern Tibetan Plateau Revealed By Integrated Shear Wave Splitting And Receiver Function Analyses, Cong Shen, Stephen S. Gao, Fansheng Kong, Kelly H. Liu

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

To investigate continental dynamics underneath the south-central Tibetan plateau, which composes the Himalayan, Lhasa, and Qiangtang blocks, we have conducted comprehensive examinations of seismic azimuthal anisotropy in the crust using receiver functions (RFs) and crustal and mantle anisotropy using teleseismic shear wave splitting (SWS) analysis. In the Qiangtang block, the observed predominantly E-W fast orientations from RF and SWS analyses with similar magnitude are interpreted as resulting from eastward crustal flow with minor contributions from the mantle. In the Lhasa block, the crustal anisotropy is approximately N-S oriented, which is parallel to the strike of rift basins and southward crustal …

Large-Scale Hpc-Empowered Power Electronics Modeling And Simulation In Photovoltaic Applications, Liwei Wang

All Dissertations

The rising popularity of renewable energy sources requires advanced, efficient power electronic systems for energy conversion, grid integration, and system management, thereby raising expectations for power electronics in the energy industry. The complexity of modern power electronic systems requires comprehensive simulations and in-depth analysis to predict performance accurately, but this process is impeded by prolonged simulation times. The primary objective of this dissertation is to develop a high-fidelity, high-speed event-driven simulator to tackle challenges related to mass data processing, uncertainty evaluation, as well as modeling and simulation issues in assessing the reliability of power electronics in large-scale Photovoltaic (PV) systems. …

Investigating Institutional Support For A Minority Engineering Program At A Historically White Institution, Stephanie Damas

All Dissertations

Engineering programs at historically White institutions (HWIs) often perpetuate stereotypes and racism against Black students, impacting their experiences and opportunities in the field. Minority engineering programs (MEPs) provide support and resources to minority students in engineering, challenging stereotypes and fostering positive identity development. MEPs push back on cultural norms by rejecting the stereotypical narrative of what it means to be Black in engineering. Despite their significance, MEPs face challenges in garnering institutional support and recognition within engineering departments. It is imperative to understand what institutional support for MEPs looks like to mitigate barriers identified in the literature. To address these …

Ultra High-Performance Concrete As A High Friction Surface Treatment For Pavements And Bridges, Kyle Maeger

All Dissertations

High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) is a proven technology to reduce crashes on roadways by increasing the coefficient of friction between vehicle tires and the pavement. However, it is an expensive solution due to the high cost of the two commonly used constituent materials, calcined bauxite aggregate and epoxy resin binders.

This study evaluated the abrasion resistance performance of four alternative HFST aggregates to calcined bauxite using Los Angeles Abrasion and Micro-Deval Abrasion tests, and studied the surface texture utilizing a high-resolution laser scanner and friction utilizing the British Pendulum Test.

This study also assessed the performance of non-proprietary Ultra …

Time-Domain Line Protection In Presence Of Renewables, Prabin Adhikari

All Dissertations

Inverter based resources (IBRs) are crucial in integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid. However, their unique fault characteristics, significantly different from synchronous generators (SGs), present several challenges for existing line protection schemes at both transmission and distribution levels. These schemes, reliant on distance and directional relays designed in phasor domain, are not well-suited for IBRs. Most published literature addressing this problem concentrates on altering the control design of inverters. However, this approach faces practical limitations. Inverter controls, often proprietary, are not readily accessible to utilities, rendering the control-based solutions impractical for widespread implementation.

To address this challenge, this …

Fluid-Solid Coupled Analysis Of Biological Samples In A Flow Chamber Using Optical Coherence Tomography, Reece W. Fratus

All Dissertations

Forces from fluid flow on a tissue or cellular boundary can drive remodeling processes through mechanotransduction pathways. In most cases, the exact mechanisms are not understood, such as in marine biofilm development or vascular remodeling. To gain a better understanding of these interactions, the flow profile at a solid boundary and the mechanical changes of that solid can be coupled together to determine the impact of fluid flow on mechanical remodeling. To achieve this, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is used to image the fluid and solid simultaneously. Fluid seeded with particles can be imaged and run through a particle image …

Fundamental Study Of Nonlinear Electrophoresis, Joseph Armakan Bentor

All Dissertations

Classical electrophoretic theory describes the linear response of particles suspended in Newtonian fluids under weak electric fields. When the electric field exceeds this weak limit, a nonlinear response arises due to non-uniform surface conduction over the curved particles. This nonlinear behavior introduces dependencies on fluid and particle properties not considered in the classical theory, offering potential advantages for microfluidic particle manipulation. While this phenomenon has been extensively studied theoretically and numerically in Newtonian fluids, experimental investigations have been relatively limited.

Fluid rheology can significantly alter particle dynamics under applied electric fields. Rheological properties like shear-thinning and elasticity which are not …

Contribution Of Collagen Type I To The Mechanical Properties Of Myocardial Tissues At The Micron Level, Adam Baker

All Dissertations

Collagen is a critical component of the organization and one of the key factors contributing to the mechanical stability of the myocardium. Where cardiomyocytes actuate to contract the heart and deliver blood to the lungs and the entire body, the local collagen network must be able to support the mechanical needs of the heart by enhancing rigidity, reducing the mechanical responsibility of cells, and increasing compliance to add loading capacity during diastole. At an organ-wide level, this has been measured and modeled in many ways. At the tissue level, the mechanical properties have been evaluated using techniques such as bi-axial …

Lab To Leadership: How Do Women College Stem Students’ Classroom Experiences Inform Their Leader Identity Development?, Meredith Mcdevitt

All Dissertations

This dissertation is an exploration of leader identity development and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college academic classrooms. While there continues to be research promoting diversity in STEM professions, women remain underrepresented in STEM disciplines, leadership positions, and for this specific study, the college academic classroom. This dissertation represents an opportunity for women in STEM college students to reflect on their experiences in STEM academic spaces and communities, while self-exploring factors that shape their leader identity development. The research utilized a basic qualitative research design to understand the participant’s authentic experiences within the academic environment. Conducting semi-structured …

Base Case Shear-Wave Velocity Profiles And Non-Linear Material Property Models Of Local Site Conditions In South Carolina For Seismic Site Response Analyses, Ali Sedaghat Shirehjini

All Dissertations

This dissertation presents the development of base case small-strain shear-wave velocity ( ) profiles and non-linear materials property models of local site conditions in South Carolina for seismic site response analyses. The need to address South Carolina's seismic hazards is partly motivated by the 1886 Charleston earthquake (moment magnitude, M_w= 6.7 to 7.5). Required inputs for seismic site response analysis include profile down to a specified reference outcrop condition and non-linear material properties for each layer in the profile. Although firm rock (i.e., ≥ 2,500 ft/s) or hard rock (i.e., ≥ 9,850 ft/s) is commonly assumed for the …

Exploring The Synthesis Of Biobased And Chemically Recyclable Polysulfone Using Imine Chemistry, Vitasta Jain

All Dissertations

Plastic waste poses a major problem because of the chemical stability of these materials, leading to their accumulation in the environment and the leaching of toxic chemicals during their slow decomposition. Additionally, the use of depleting petroleum reserves for synthesis has made for an unsustainable production and risks due to use of chemicals hazardous to the environment and the individuals exposed to it.

To address these concerns, researchers have explored biobased feedstock and incorporating chemical recycling capabilities for a closed loop, sustainable process. One promising feedstock is lignin with its abundant functional groups that can be modified and utilized to …

Linear And Nonlinear Topology Optimization With Morphing Beam Networks, Andrew S. Montalbano

All Dissertations

Topology optimization (TO) is an engineering design discipline dedicated to optimizing material distribution within a given domain. In traditional gradient-based topology optimization, the solid domain is discretized into small volumetric elements. Using finite element analysis (FEA) of the structure, the gradient of the objective function with respect to the design variables (the pseudo densities) is computed, and these design variables are updated iteratively until convergence is achieved. Although gradient-based TO methods are well-established, sensitivity analyses of objective functions and constraints can be both mathematically complex and computationally intensive. The nonconvex nature of most TO problems often complicates efficient convergence. Furthermore, …

Hybrid Physics-Infused Machine Learning Framework For Fault Diagnostics And Prognostics In Cyber-Physical System Of Diesel Engine, Shubhendu Kumar Singh

All Dissertations

Fault diagnosis is required to ensure the safe operation of various equipment and enables real-time monitoring of associated components. As a result, the demand for new cognitive fault diagnosis algorithms is the need of the hour. Existing deep learning algorithms can detect, classify, and isolate faults. Still, most depend solely on data availability and do not incorporate the system's underlying physics into their prediction. Therefore, the results generated by these fault-detecting algorithms sometimes need to make more sense and deliver when tested in actual operating conditions.

Similar to diagnosis, the fault prognosis of diesel engines is paramount in numerous industries. …

An Emergency Response System To Assist The Movement Of Vehicles During Emergency Operations In Urban Transportation Networks, Jamal Nahofti Kohneh

All Dissertations

Emergency responders need to arrive at the emergency scene as soon as possible, but operating vehicles under emergency conditions can pose a risk to both the responders and other road users, potentially resulting in crashes or delays in emergency operations. In this research, an emergency response system is proposed to assist emergency and non-emergency response vehicles (ERVs and non-ERVs) during emergency operations in a connected vehicle environment. This system collects the information from connected ERVs and non-ERVs, utilizes this information as inputs in the proposed models, and sends instruction messages back to vehicles. The proposed models provide the fastest ERV …

Feasibility Assessment And Container Traffic Forecasting Of Inland Waterway Container On Barge Transportation, Fan Bu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Container on Barge (COB) transportation is an intermodal freight transport mode that moves shipping containers via barges on navigable inland and intracoastal waterways. During the past twenty years, COB has been a growing mode of container shipping globally due to its low-cost, eco-friendly, and congestion-reducing characteristics. Europe and China are currently leading global COB transportation, and the United States (U.S.) may have the potential to achieve economic benefits through the implementation of COB within its intermodal transportation system. To explore this potential, this dissertation investigates the implementation feasibility of COB transportation within the U.S. intermodal freight transportation system. Three contributions …