Engineering Commons^™

Optimization Of A Plate Beam System For Energy Harvesting Using A Piezoelectric Material, Jose Manuel Almendros Espantaleon

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

With a continuously growing demand for power, driven by the need to reduce our environmental footprint, this research provides an examination of the potential of energy harvesting with smart materials technology and its practical applications. The energy harvesting system considered here works on generating energy through vibrations of a piezoelectric material beam which will undergo sustained vibrations due to flow of air over its surface. It is assumed that sustained limit cycle oscillations of this system will occur at the flutter velocity. This research creates an optimization framework to obtain the best values of parameters that will result in the …

Balloon Borne Gps-Enabled Radiosondes That Enable Simultaneous Multi-Point Atmospheric Sensing With A Single Ground Station, Peter A. Ribbens

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Radiosondes are balloon borne atmospheric instruments that are a critical tool for understanding dynamics in the lower layers of the atmosphere. The low-cost radiosondes developed in the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab have been further developed to improve the system's use as a science-quality atmospheric instrument that is unique in its ability to simultaneously track multiple sondes with a single ground station. Sensors to measure temperature and pressure were added to improve measurements of the atmospheric state. A printed circuit board shield and 3D-printed shell were designed to make mass manufacturing possible. A thermistor-based temperature sensor was developed and tested …

Exploring A New Conceptual Framework In Aviation Maintenance Incident Reporting Using Natural Language Processing, Christopher P. Braun

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

In the analysis of human error incidents, human factors specialists predominantly follow two schools of thought in categorization strategies. One is to categorize the operator’s actions by the physical properties of the activity (phenotypes); the other focuses on the cognitive behaviors preceding the incident (genotypes). These categorization strategies are intended to foster an understanding of the events, identify risks, and assist in the implementation of risk reduction interventions. Commercial aviation maintenance presents unique challenges to human factor practitioners in terms of task requirements, working environments, communication modalities, and safety standards. Complex tasks are handed from one shift of personnel to …

Assessing The Impact Of Spacecraft Fragmentation In The Cislunar Region, Marta Lopez Castro

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

In the last decades, space missions have followed great advancements due to technological improvements and the extensive research developed in the field. Some of these missions are increasingly focusing on satellites orbiting the Moon. The Cislunar region is known to have a higher non-linear chaotic component in the dynamics compared to the low-Earth environment. This research is focused on studying the impact that a satellite explosion has in the Cislunar vicinity. The study is conducted for different periodic orbits that are key destinations for Cislunar traffic. By varying the initial conditions, simulations of explosions at different locations of the orbits …

Situation Awareness Assessment Of Enhanced Stable Approach Flight Instrument Displays, David J. Hunter

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Through the year 2022, runway-related events, including excursions, abnormal runway contact, and runway undershoot and overshoot, were the third leading causes of fatal aircraft accidents. Principal to these runway-related accidents was the presence of an unstable approach. Pilots currently must depend on the timely recall of stable approach criteria stored in long-term memory, application of those criteria against current flight conditions, perception and cognition of deviation from those criteria, and determination of potential courses of action. Such recall is fallible, and challenges to perception and cognition are ever-present.

This study examined whether the presentation of stable approach criteria boundaries and …

Studying The Performance Of Object Recognition With Fusion Of Visible Light And Infrared Images With Neural Networks, Plamen Petkov

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Neural networks have been used for object detection and recognition in both color and intensity camera images. As the use of infrared cameras, colloquially termed thermal cameras, has increased and costs have decreased, object detection and recognition in infrared camera images have been increasingly studied. An infrared image is treated as an intensity image, just like a grayscale camera image, except the intensity corresponds to infrared radiation instead of visible light. The information provided by these two types of images are different, especially in different lighting and environmental situations, and some types of objects are more easily recognized in visible …

Additively Manufactured Flexible Piezoelectric Wave-Based Multifunctional Sensor, Rishikesh Srinivasaraghavan Govindarajan

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The demand for acoustic wave-based sensors has rapidly increased in the aerospace, chemical, gas, and biological fields due to their versatility in sensing measurands. This study aims to develop a flexible piezoelectric sensor exhibiting enhanced piezoelectric properties using additive manufacturing techniques that can detect mechanical strains and gas or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by incorporating functional material into the sensing layer. This research explores piezoelectric substrate fabrication through diverse additive manufacturing techniques, including new material development made of polymer/nano-fillers with electrodes that are filled using different printing techniques. Notably, the design of the interdigital transducer (IDT) in the piezoelectric sensor …

Refinement Of A Regional Storm Surge Mesh For High-Resolution Topographic Representation Of Volusia County, Morgan Harbin

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

In 2022, Volusia and Flagler Counties of northeast central Florida were impacted indirectly by consecutive Hurricanes Ian and Nicole; the destabilization of dunes and armoring infrastructure caused by Ian left the region susceptible to Hurricane Nicole, which caused unprecedented coastal damage to dunes and seawalls. The extent of damage that occurred within Volusia and Flagler Counties during the 2022 hurricane season, the underrepresentation of this region within sustainability and resilience research, and the ecological, social, and economic value of the geography provide just cause for scientific inquiry of the area’s coastal dynamics. This thesis specifically describes an investigation of Hurricane …

Skilled Labor Shortage In Construction: Deep Dive Of Impactful Factors And Influential People Of The Decision-Making Process, Nicholas B. Hardy

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The skilled labor shortage is well documented from a historical perspective via studies focusing on various construction trades such as carpentry, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and tile setters. Causes of such shortages such as industry image, college as a preferred choice after high school, and construction being a last resort have been investigated extensively. Consequently, possible solutions ranging from amplifying shop classes in high school to intensifying recruiting efforts for union training programs have all been addressed throughout the last 40 years. However, recent studies have focused on identifying the magnitude and reach of the skilled labor gap while limited attention …

Development Of A Mechanical Boot For Prevention Of Deep Vein Thrombosis In Outpatients, Julian David Trevino

Theses and Dissertations

This work presents the development of a mechanical boot designed to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in high-risk individuals such as those who have just had major procedures. DVT is a serious condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in the deep veins, particularly of the lower limbs, which can lead to life-threatening complications if not adequately addressed. The mechanical boot utilizes the principle of Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) to facilitate blood flow in the lower extremities, thereby mitigating the risk of clot formation. Through a combination of mechanical engineering, biomedical research, and user centered design, the project outlines …

Numerical Modelling And Performance Investigation Of Inorganic Copper-Tin-Sulfide (Cts) Based Perovskite Solar Cell With Scaps-1d, Ayesha Siddique, Md Nurul Islam, Hironmoy Karmaker, A. K.M. Asif Iqbal, Abdullah Al Mazed Khan, Md Aminul Islam, Barun Kumar Das

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a favorable option for the upcoming generation of photovoltaic systems due to their simplicity and high energy conversion efficiency. The third iteration of thin-film solar cells including copper-tin-sulphide (CTS) is easily accessible on Earth, possesses excellent optoelectrical properties, and does not include any harmful substances, making it environmentally sustainable. Using the solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS), this study examines the performance of a PSC based on copper oxide (Cu2O) and zinc selenide (ZnSe). The study investigates the factors that influence the performance of CTS-based SCs, such as absorber layer thickness, absorber defect density, interface defect …

Laboratory Evaluation And Field Demonstration Of Cold In-Place Recycling Asphalt Mixture In Michigan Low-Volume Road, Dongzhao Jin, Lei Yin, Lance Malburg, Zhanping You

Michigan Tech Publications

Cold-in place recycling (CIR) is a promising technology for the rehabilitation of asphalt pavements. However, the CIR asphalt pavement constructed in the field often has high air voids due to the presence of moisture during construction, and the moisture susceptibility of the pavement is crucial in determining its service life. Therefore, the objective of this research was to assess the laboratory performance of CIR asphalt mixes under freeze-thaw conditions (The mix prior to being subjected to freezing and thawing is labeled as "dry condition", while the mix that was placed in a refrigerator at –18 °C for 16 h and …

Reinforcement Learning For Strategic Airport Slot Scheduling: Analysis Of State Observations And Reward Designs, Anh Nguyen-Duy, Duc-Thinh Pham, Jian-Yi Lye, Nguyen Binh Duong Ta

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Due to the NP-hard nature, the strategic airport slot scheduling problem is calling for exploring sub-optimal approaches, such as heuristics and learning-based approaches. Moreover, the continuous increase in air traffic demand requires approaches that can work well in new scenarios. While heuristics rely on a fixed set of rules, which limits the ability to explore new solutions, Reinforcement Learning offers a versatile framework to automate the search and generalize to unseen scenarios. Finding a suitable state observation and reward structure design is essential in using Reinforcement Learning. In this paper, we investigate the impact of providing the Reinforcement Learning agent …

Fine-Grained Passenger Load Prediction Inside Metro Network Via Smart Card Data, Xiancai Tian, Chen Zhang, Baihua Zheng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Metro system serves as the backbone for urban public transportation. Accurate passenger load prediction for the metro system plays a crucial role in metro service quality improvement, such as helping operators schedule train timetables and passengers plan their trips. However, existing works can only predict low-grained passenger flows of origin-destination (O-D) paths or inflows/outflows of each station but cannot predict passenger load distribution over the whole metro network. To this end, this paper proposes an end-to-end inference framework, PIPE, for passenger load prediction of every metro segment between two adjacent stations, by only utilizing smart card data. In particular, PIPE …

A Feasibility-Preserved Quantum Approximate Solver For The Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem, Ningyi Xie, Xinwei Lee, Dongsheng Cai, Yoshiyuki Saito, Nobuyoshi Asai, Hoong Chuin Lau

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP) is an NP-optimization problem (NPO) that arises in various fields including transportation and logistics. The CVRP extends from the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP), aiming to determine the most efficient plan for a fleet of vehicles to deliver goods to a set of customers, subject to the limited carrying capacity of each vehicle. As the number of possible solutions increases exponentially with the number of customers, finding high-quality solutions remains a significant challenge. Recently, the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA), a quantum–classical hybrid algorithm, has exhibited enhanced performance in certain combinatorial optimization problems, such as …

Preparation, Reaction Mechanism And Microwave-Absorbing Application Of Functional Transition Metal Carbide/Nitride Ceramic Materials, Zhengbo Xu, Shu Qing Kou, Bai Xin Dong, Xinmiao Zhong, Hongyu Yang, Lin Liu, Ruifen Guo, Shi Li Shu, Feng Qiu, Lai Chang Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The explosive growth of wireless communications and electronic devices has brought electromagnetic radiation's harmfulness and hidden trouble to light, which has a major impact on electrical equipment's ability to function normally. MXene, a material with favorable features like conductivity, a unique two-dimensional multiple-layer structure and abundant surface functional groups, has made it a viable contender for high-performance microwave-absorbers. This article introduces the synthesis strategy of MXene/MXene-based materials and their parent phase MAX, comprehensively summarizes and analyzes the current progress in the study on the microwave-absorbing properties of MXene/MXene-based materials, analyzes the main problems and bottlenecks. Future research directions for MXene …

Derivative Propagation Through Vortex Particle Method Simulation, Eric Green, Andrew Ning

Faculty Publications

Automatic differentiation (AD) is a powerful tool for evaluating numerical derivatives. In particular, reverse-mode AD provides numerical gradients in a way that is insensitive to the number of input variables. This makes reverse-mode AD well-suited for solving large optimization problems. However, reverse-mode AD has a particularly large associated memory cost because most intermediate values in operations need to be cached. This is problematic for large problems such as aerodynamics simulations, though, since the memory requirements can quickly become impractical. The solution implemented in this work is to provide analytic pullback expressions for functions for which many of the intermediate values …

T. Boudieri Extract Potentiates The Effects Of Capecitabine Treatment In Human Colon Cancer Cells, Katia Sawaya, Mahmoud Khalil, Ghada Khawaja

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

Resistance to chemotherapy remains a major challenge for colorectal cancer patients worldwide, hence the persistent need to uncover alternative treatments as well as new adjunct therapies in the fight against cancer. Natural extracts constitute an excellent source of bioactive substances that have a promising potential in that regard, with minimal negative side effects. We have previously demonstrated that both the ethanolic as well as the water extracts of Terfezia boudieri, a black desert truffle abundant in and part of the cuisine of the Mediterranean region, have significant antiproliferative effects against colon cancer cells. Our aim in this study was …

A Strategic Framework For Attaining Golden Leed Certification For Resorts, Mohamad Soliman, Hadi Jawad, Mariam Younes, Oussama El Hamaoui, Saadeddine Ramadan

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The contemporary landscape of engineering is witnessing a pivotal shift towards sustainability, encapsulated in the catchphrase "GO GREEN". This global trend underscores a strategic emphasis on sustainable design, where engineering projects prioritize a delicate balance among environmental, societal, and economic considerations.” However, a persistent challenge in construction projects lies in their tendency to neglect environmental impact, contributing to increased contamination levels. This paper aims to introduce the "Lodge in the Green" project, meticulously aligned with LEED Certification principles. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, stands as the foremost green building rating system, highlighting its relevance in contemporary sustainable …

Artificial Intelligence For Authentication Through Mental Profiling Technique, Nawaf Mazloum, Christine Abou-Saleh, Hassan Mazloum, Charles Anosike

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

A new approach to user authentication using mental profiling saw light, which is a technique that involves measuring an individual's cognitive abilities and psychological traits to create a unique profile, using Artificial Intelligence techniques. These profiles can then be used to identify users securely and efficiently, even in the presence of sophisticated attacks, by harnessing AI-driven systems for mental profile creation and user authentication.

After reviewing the existing literature on authentication and mental profiling, it presents a new mental profiling test that is specifically designed for authentication purposes. The test was evaluated on a sample of 100 users, and results …

An Experimental Study On The Effect Of Salt And Sugar Combination On Mortar Properties, Lelian Elkhatib, Jamal Khatib, Abbas Hassan, Mohammad Kassem, Adel Elkordi

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The most important engineering material nowadays, used in construction is concrete. Concrete consists mainly of sand, cement and aggregates. However, weather conditions play a crucial role in affecting concrete characteristics and its serviceability. Weather conditions could be the reason to delay or accelerate the setting time of the concrete. As a result, and in order to deal with weather conditions and its effect on the setting time of concrete, accelerators and retarders must be added to the concrete mix. This research paper focuses on the impact of the use of salt and sugar on the setting time of concrete. Accelerators, …

An In – Depth Analysis Of Natural Fibers :A Comprehensive Review Of Properties And Performance Characteristics, Abbas Chour, Jamal Khatib

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The purpose of this research is to investigate the usage of natural fibers in plant-based natural fiber-reinforced cement-based composites for sustainable construction materials. It summarizes research on various fiber kinds, their properties, and their impact on cement-based products, with a focus on renewable possibilities such as flax, jute, ramie, hemp, cotton, sisal, and kenaf. Due to their hydrophilic nature, plant fibers and polymers present compatibility concerns and moisture damage when combined. The paper examines ways for improving durability, such as physical and chemical treatments to improve aging resistance, optimizing binder components, and modifying curing regimens to reduce alkalinity in the …

Wireless Ev Charging System Integrated With Smart Streetlight, Preeti Bhat, Nithin N S, Rohan Satish, Pavan C A

Manipal Journal of Science and Technology

Electric vehicles (EVs) are revolutionizing transportation, offering a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars. By eliminating tailpipe emissions, EVs significantly reduce air pollution in cities and contribute to a cleaner environment. Additionally, when charged with renewable energy sources like solar or wind, their environmental impact is further minimized. Electricity can be cheaper than gasoline, potentially reducing long-term running costs for EV owners. Additionally, EVs generally require less maintenance compared to gasoline vehicles due to fewer moving parts. When energy generation exceeds EV charging demands, the surplus energy is strategically directed to power streetlights. This reduces dependence on …

Pid Controller Design Of An Avr System, Soumya Pan

Manipal Journal of Science and Technology

Voltage control and reactive power management are two facets that enable the reliability of the transmission network. More reactive power demand causes a voltage drop at the generator terminal. Such reactive power demand may arise from some industries connected to the transmission line. Usually, this reactive power is of an inductive nature which causes the voltage drop. In this regard, automatic voltage regulation (AVR) is an important aspect that is responsible for the continuous adjustment of field excitation to maintain the generator terminal voltage constant. This is done by comparing the terminal voltage with a reference voltage and by changing …

Advanced Eye Movement Tracking Using Computer Vision For Physically Disabled Patients, Anitha V R, Nisha Ponnambalam, Impana Bharadwaj, Rajat Mundhra

Manipal Journal of Science and Technology

The paper introduces an efficient mobility assistance system to empower individuals with moderate to severe physical disabilities and chronic disorders such as Quadriplegia (Paralysis of four limbs) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, utilizing advanced technology. The project focuses on developing an affordable eye-controlled wheelchair using Raspberry Pi, Pi camera, DC motors, proximity sensor, and computer vision technology. The core innovation involves integrating a Pi camera onto the wheelchair to obtain a live acquisition feed of the patient’s eye. This captured eye movement serves as a control input to the Raspberry Pi board. Advanced computer vision algorithms analyze and translate the patient’s …

Development Of Poly-Vinyl Alcohol (Pva) And Moringa Oleifera-Based Nanofibre Patches For Wound Healing Using An Indigenous Electrospinning Setup, Suvarna Ghosh, Merla Sudha, Rakshith Prajwal R S, Sameer A Nadaf, Shreya R S, Pronama Biswas, Belaguppa Manjunath Ashwin Desai

Manipal Journal of Science and Technology

Wound healing is a crucial process that underlines the body’s ability to recover and restore damaged tissues. Conventional cotton-based dressings act as a physical barrier between the environment and open wound and are not actively involved in wound healing. This type of dressing can lead to maceration of scab, and infection and can cause pain upon removal. Functionalized nanofibre patches that can accelerate wound healing are being researched worldwide to overcome these challenges. Electrospinning has emerged as the most promising technique for engineering nanofibres for diverse applications. In this study, the wound-healing potential of PVA nanofibres functionalized with different concentrations …

A Comparative Study Of Local And Global Construction Materials Sourcing Strategies For Road Projects In Nigeria, Araoye Olarinkoye Ajiboye, Micaiah Zhitsu Silas, Chinedu Chimdi Adindu, Elijah Aina Alhassan, Stephen Sunday Kolo

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

This study is a comparative analysis of local and global sourcing strategies to determine the impact of strategic material sourcing on road construction project performance. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of material-sourcing strategies on the performance of road construction companies in Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research. Data collection involved sampling techniques using structured questionnaires and oral interviews. Regression analysis evaluated the relationship between strategic material sourcing and road construction performance. The results revealed that 87.5% of the materials used by road construction companies in the study areas were sourced from the …

An Affordable Airborne Weather Observation Platform, Ashwin J, Banu Prasad B, Mamillapalli Punith Vinay Rao, Muheez H J, Saara K

Manipal Journal of Science and Technology

This paper presents the culmination of the "Low-Cost Weather Forecasting Blimp" study, focusing on the design, development, and evaluation of a low-cost weather monitoring blimp tailored for agricultural applications. With accurate and localized weather forecasting being crucial for sustainable farming practices, especially in remote and developing regions, the Low-Cost Weather Forecasting Blimp system aims to address this challenge by providing real-time atmospheric data at an affordable price point. The Low-Cost Weather Forecasting Blimp system is designed as a multirotor aerial platform equipped with a customized sensor array to measure essential weather parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation. …

Detection Of Tuberculosis Using 2-D Photonic Crystal-Based Biosensor, Markov Vladimir, Skobelev Maksim, Neeraja Patil, Prathap P B, Saara K

Manipal Journal of Science and Technology

While there has been a significant increase in healthcare demands and the need for precise clinical judgment, it is important to note that the performance enhancement of photonic crystal sensors is not solely attributed to this surge in demand. Instead, photonic crystal-based biosensors have demonstrated improved performance over conventional biosensors. In this study, a 2-D photonic crystal-based biosensor with a square lattice structure, measuring 6 x 6 µm in length and width respectively, was proposed. The biosensor utilizes Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) as a sensing material, where TiO2 is employed to attract target molecules present in the sample. The proposed biosensor …

Final Report - Health Inspection Of Concrete Pavement And Bridge Members Exposed To Freeze-Thaw Service Environment, Hongyan Ma, Genda Chen, Kangyi Cai, Rezwana Hafiz

Project SN-7

This project proposed an integrated approach for the non-destructive evaluation of the health status – represented by compressive strength – of any concrete, including well-cured (or intact) and degraded (or partially damaged) due to freeze-thaw cycling. To use this approach, no pre-recorded information (e.g., mixture proportions of concrete, curing and maintenance history, and service history) is needed. Instead, several conventional non-destructive testing methods (NDTs), assisted by hyperspectral camera, can be employed to generate a dataset that informs a pre-trained artificial intelligence (AI) to predict strength. As the core of this approach, the dedicated AI was trained through this project. To …