Engineering Commons^™

Ai-Powered Information Retrieval In Meeting Records And Transcripts Enhancing Efficiency And User Experience, Srushti Nitin Ghadge

Theses and Dissertations

This study compares the traditional search methods, which is to search from video recordings of the meetings by moving the slider back and forth or by keyword search in transcripts versus integrated AI video plus transcript search. Based on the previous test results, we introduced some human-centric design features to the AI and built a new enhanced AI search tool for information retrieval. For search technique efficiency testing, the method had two set of experiments. The first results of the experiment showed that AI-based search algorithms were more accurate and faster than conventional search approaches. Participants were also happier with …

Developing General Purpose Apps To Automate Image Analysis Of Wave-Augmented-Varicose-Explosion Atomization And Other Multi-Phase Interfacial Flows, Ethan Newkirk

Senior Honors Theses

Atomization involves disrupting a flow of contiguous liquid into small droplets ranging from one submicron to several hundred microns (micrometers) in diameter through the processes of exerting sufficient forces that disrupt the retaining surface tensions of the liquid. Understanding this phenomenon requires high-speed imaging from physical models or rigorous multiphase computational fluid dynamics models. We produce a MATLAB application that utilizes various methods of image analysis to quickly analyze and store mathematical data from detailed image analyses. We present a user with numerous tools and capabilities that provide results that deviate from 1.8% to 8.9% of the original image sequence …

Modeling Of Rotor Wake Vortex Dynamics And Interactions In Non-Homogenous Vertiport Environments, Garrison P. Shaw

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The current research serves to analyze and study the effects ground forces can have on the thrust performance of a propeller in multiple different configurations. The current research utilizes an open source Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software known as OpenFOAM to generate calculate and visualize these runs. The model used for this experiment is a hybrid model that employs both a Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) and a detached eddy simulation using a hybrid Large Eddy Simulation (LES) via a KomegaSSTDDES model. This model serves to save computational time as well as allow for accurate results. The three cases run are …

Development Of A More Sustainable High And Ultra-High-Performance Concrete, Enrique Chirino Andalco

Theses and Dissertations

The urgent need to address climate change and environmental damage presents humanity with significant challenges that must be tackled quickly, not acting promptly will result in irreversible consequences, such as extreme weather events, public health risks, and water shortages, among other impacts.

Due to its enormous size and variety of uses, the construction industry is a key factor in addressing the climate challenge. Specifically, concrete as the most used construction material in the world is a good target for developing innovative and Sustainable improvements to reduce environmental impacts.

Using by-products from other industries in concrete manufacturing is a common and …

Machine Learning Predictive Models For Load Identification Of Railroad Bridges Subjected To Train-Induced Vibration, Md Masnun Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. rail network is among the world's largest, safest, and most efficient. However, many its railway bridges, which play an essential role in its connectivity, are over 100 years old, showing signs of structural deterioration exceeding their practical service life. The increased weight and speed of modern trains also pose a risk to these bridges. Traditional load identification and monitoring technologies like Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) systems are rarely used on railway bridges due to their cost and practical limits. This thesis explores a cost-effective approach to utilize vibration sensors on railway bridges to identify and predict train load features (speed …

Numerical Study Of New Tuned Mass Friction Damper For Seismic Protection Of Civil Structures, Syed Muhammad Bilal Haider

Theses and Dissertations

Tuned Mass Friction Dampers (TMFDs) are passive control systems designed to mitigate vibrations in civil structures subjected to extreme lateral forces such as windstorms and earthquakes. The objective of this thesis is to propose a new TMFDs with enhanced energy dissipation capability for seismic protection of multi-story frame buildings. This new TMFD is termed as “Tuned Mass Multi-Sliding Friction Damper” (TMMSFD) consisting of multiple masses connected to the primary structure through linear springs and while sliding relative to each other at multiple sliding surfaces. TMMSFD offers an improved damping mechanism with reduced stick-slip motion effects compared to standard TMFDs which …

Model-Based And Model-Free Control Approaches In Subgrids: A Conceptual Review Of Control Strategies In Microgrids, Omobolade H. Abioye

Theses and Dissertations

Increased reliance on the power grid and concerns over climate change issues have resulted in the rapid adoption of renewable energy technologies. Consequently, it is necessary to consider how renewable energy resources are combined and controlled. The microgrid serves as the control center for distributed energy resources. This thesis paper introduces the microgrid elements and framework, its control strategies highlighting frequency and voltage control, and the prospects of artificial intelligence for control, considering two significant approaches. Key components of sub grids like the energy management system (EMS) and energy storage systems (ESSs) are discussed, and lastly, the …

Particle Swarm Optimization For Training Quadrotor Pid Controller, Eric Xavier Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research is to establish a fundamental approach to tuning PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) parameters for a simulated quadrotor drone. Implementing a PID controller for autonomous flight provides a straightforward and efficient method for monitoring and correcting robotic movement based on the robot's current state. However, applying a PID approach to a quadrotor's flight controller poses challenges, such as assigning multiple parameters to control an inherently under-actuated system. This includes the need to find optimal parameter values that reduce the likelihood of large overshoots and lengthy adjustment times. Ineffectively tuning PID parameters can have detrimental effects on autonomously …

Developing Resilient Defense Strategies Against Pheromone-Based Attacks In Foraging Robot Swarms, Ryan A. Luna

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis delves into the security of stochastic pheromone-based foraging algorithms within swarm robotic systems, a subset of foraging algorithms distinguished by their reliance on probabilistic decision-making mechanisms inspired by the natural world. Such algorithms face vulnerabilities in stigmergic communication that threaten to disrupt swarm operations. This research investigates these vulnerabilities, presenting two distinct contributions.

The first contribution examines the implementation of quarantine strategies as a defensive measure to isolate and mitigate the impact of fake resource attacks. By simulating these attacks, this study quantitatively assesses their detrimental effects on swarm efficiency and explores the efficacy …

Rsm For The Optimization Of Selective Laser Melting Process Parameters For Manufacturing Initial Layers Of Horizontal Overhang Structures, Prince Yaw Asamani

Theses and Dissertations

While prevalent in 3D printed objects, overhang features are difficult to print with selective laser melting due to the limitation of a purely vertical laser. To address this issue, overhang features are typically built on temporary supports, which are removed following printing. However, this results in wasted material and longer production time. Several authors have studied printing overhangs without support structures. However, there has not been a systematic approach to studying the effect of multiple process parameters on the quality of a printed overhang. This thesis investigates the effect of laser power, scanning speed, and hatch distance on the surface …

A Dedicated Lane Analysis For Supply Chain Resilience In The U.S.-Mexico Border: Cost-Comparison And Simulation Models, Carlo A. Zorola Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

Supply chains have been actively developing and implementing strategies to enhance resilience in response to various disruptive events like the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, geopolitical tensions, and climate change. These strategies aim to address demand and supply imbalances, logistical challenges, and policy restrictions encountered in transborder commerce. One area significantly impacted by such disruptions is cross-border trade between the US and Mexico. Understanding these strategies is crucial for achieving supply chain resilience, defined as the ability of a supply chain to quickly adapt to sudden disruptions without affecting the flow of goods. In both the US-Mexico and US-Canada borders …

Improving Static Cold Storage Life Of The Human Heart Before Transplant, Juan Sebastian Rodriguez Paez

Theses and Dissertations

Organ storage and transportation are critical steps for the success of organ transplantation. Static cold storage (SCS) of hearts for heart transplantation (HTx) remains the standard approach. However, SCS may involve damage to the tissue resulting from extended hypothermic preservation, potentially affecting organ viability. More over, the temperature distribution on and within the heart is unknown during heart transplantation. Therefore, there is an interest to study different stages of the heart transplantation process towards determining the 3D temperature distribution on and within the heart. There could be a possibility of having a hypothermic injury in different parts of the heart …

Artificial Neural Networks As The Solution Of Inverse Heat Conduction Problems In Multidimensional Domains, Andrea Carolina Martinez Mundarain

Theses and Dissertations

Surface heat flux measurement is essential in various industrial applications including atmospheric entry of space vehicles, machining processes, non-destructive testing and more. While direct measurement of surface heat flux is known to be a very difficult, if not infeasible, task, acquiring temperature measurement from sub- surface locations are often viable. The problem of evaluating the surface heat flux using internal temperature measurements is known as an inverse heat conduction problem (IHCP). IHCPs are considered as mathematically ill-posed as they are highly sensitive to measurement error. This research presents a solution based on the implementation of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to …

High-Power Dc-Dc Transformer For Medium-Voltage Grids With High-Voltage Sic Technology, Roderick Gomez

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this dissertation is to present the theoretical analysis, design process, application and manufacturing of a proposed solid-state transformer intended for medium-voltage applications with minimal high-frequency oscillations. Galvanic isolation on medium-voltage DC-DC converters tend to employ large number of turns in the high voltage side of the transformers leading to non-negligible parasitic stray capacitances which form resonance tanks with the transformer inductances. Therefore, it is critical to estimate these parasitic capacitances to avoid severe high frequency oscillations which can significantly impact the converter performance. The main contribution of this thesis is the extension of a proposed custom-core design …

Understanding Timing Error Characteristics From Overclocked Systolic Multiply-Accumulate Arrays In Fpgas, Andrew S. Chamberlin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the biggest fields of research for computer hardware right now. Hardware accelerators are chips (such as graphics cards) that are purpose built to be the best at a specific type of operation. AI hardware accelerators are a growing field of research. Part of hardware in general is a digital clock that controls the pace at which computations occur. If this clock runs too quickly, the hardware won't have enough time to finish its computation. We call that a timing error. This paper focuses on studying the characteristics of timing errors in a small custom …

Novel Kinetic Description Of Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Characterizes Interrelated Effects Of Sample, Master Mix, And Cycle Time, David Tafur

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction fluorescent curves are influenced by the quantification method, template length, primer sequence, polymerase activity, reaction conditions, and unwanted side reactions. Interpretation of these curves depends on understanding the subjacent mechanisms by which those factors can alter the curve profile, particularly on highly diluted analytes or impure samples. However, such factors are individually described today, or their interplay is not fully developed. The present work examines the effect of primer dimer formation and extension, resource competition, template reannealing, and polymerase thermodegradation, in addition to novel descriptions of polymerase competitive inhibition, extended primer amplification, and the probability …

Automatic Speech Recognition For Air Traffic Control Using Convolutional Lstm, Sakshi Nakashe

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The need for automatic speech recognition in air traffic control is critical as it enhances the interaction between the computer and human. Speech recognition helps to automatically transcribe the communication between the pilots and the air traffic controllers, which reduces the time taken for administrative tasks. This project aims to provide improvement to the Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system for air traffic control by investigating the impact of convolution LSTM model on ASR as suggested by previous studies. The research questions are: (Q1) Comparing the performance of ConvLSTM with other conventional models, how does ConvLSTM perform with respect to recognizing …

Additive Manufacturing Of Porous Tungsten Carbide Structural Electrode Components Using Robocasting, James Bevis

All Theses

Thanks to ideal mechanical and electrochemical properties, Tungsten Carbide (WC) shows excellent potential as a structural electrode material for multifunctional devices. These devices have applications in electric vehicles, for example, structural fuel cells and massless batteries. In such a context, structural WC electrodes will also benefit from porosity to decrease their weight and increase their surface area and chemical reactivity. Porous WC is a useful material for this field because of its high strength-to-weight ratio and electrical properties. However, current manufacturing methods can be expensive, complex, and limited, so the intent is to provide a more simplistic and sustainable method …

Broadening The Application Range Of Cell-Free Protein Expression Systems, Matthew Becker

All Theses

Centralized protein manufacturing platforms make the delivery of needed therapies to places with limited infrastructure almost impossible. Cell-free protein expression systems, systems that utilize protein production machinery extracted from cells, offer these communities a viable protein expression platform that is robust and easily deliverable to the place of need. Much work in cell-free system engineering looks to increase the hardiness of cell-free system (CFS) components, like the extract and reaction buffer, needed to carry transcription and translation of gene therapeutic targets forward. Freeze- and air-drying of extract, reaction buffer, or both with certain additives, like sugar molecules, has been proposed …

Application Of An Information Gain Model In A Motor Learning Task: An Application In A Laparoscopic Surgical Skills Task, Matthew Ball

All Theses

Psychomotor skills are comprised of physical movements and mental adaptations of movements to complete a task, generally using complex tools or components. Laparoscopic surgery training tasks are a prime example of tasks requiring psychomotor skills due to their demand for both fine hand movements and constant mental adaptation to the changing environment of the human body. A typical evaluation of these skills can be accomplished using learning curves, a graphical representation of skill growth in which a performance metric is plotted over a time experience metric. Previously, in the literature, several learning curves have been generated from the performance within …

Engineering Sustainable Bridge Deck Rehabilitation: Evaluating Mechanical And Electro-Chemical Properties Of Rapid-Set Patching Materials And Their Influence On Repair Durability, James Roberts

All Theses

As the state of the US infrastructure continues to deteriorate over time, a prominent issue especially in the field of reinforced concrete structures has been the ability to properly rehabilitate and extend the design service life of these structures. A majority of our existing reinforced concrete bridges were built in the construction boom during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, and were originally designed with a service life of approximately 50 years, thus showing that many structures are close to or have already exceeded their intended service life. Additionally, with a poor history of government infrastructure funding, it is seen to …

Investigation Of Domain Formation During Phase Separation In A Mixture Of Flexible And Rigid Biopolymers, Steven Huntley

All Theses

Complex fluids and heterogenous mixtures composed of multiple types of polymers are found throughout industrial and biological fluid systems. For example, extrusion based additive manufacturing systems pass dense mixtures of polymers through the extrusion heads to deposit composite polymeric materials. In cells, active and complex mixtures of biopolymers self-organize into assemblies that perform critical physiological functions.

Polymers in dense solutions undergo phase separation as a result of differences in physiochemical properties. A few examples of these properties include charge, structure, rigidity, and hydrophobicity. We observe the formation of polymer domains composed of rigid and a flexible biopolymer species that phase …

Quantifying Hurricane Effects On Housing: Evaluating Damage, Loss, And Shelter Demands Using Historical And Simulated Storm Tracks, Adish Deep Shakya

All Theses

This research introduces an advanced framework which employs parametric wind field models for peak wind speeds, and building fragility curves, loss functions, and demographic data to estimate for estimating housing damage and loss. The uninhabitable units immediate displaced households, short-term and long-term shelter need households are determined. with a particular focus on those eligible for FEMA assistance. The framework's validity is reinforced by a high correlation in the analysis of recent hurricane events between estimated numbers of displaced households and actual FEMA aid recipients, where FEMA aids about 20-60% of the predicted long-term displaced households. A novel application of the …

Analyzing An In-Line Compression Management System For Improved Performance In A High-Performance Computing Environment, Steven Platt

All Theses

High-performance computing (HPC) has enabled advancements in computation speed and resource cost by utilizing all available server resources and using parallelization for speedup. This computation scheme encourages simulation model development, massive data collection, and AI computation models, all of which store and compute on massive amounts of data. Data compression has enhanced the performance of storing and transferring this HPC application data to enable acceleration, but the benefits of data compression can also be transferred to the active allocated memory used by the application. In-line compression is a compression method that keeps the application memory compressed in allocated memory, decompressing …

Advancements Of A Breast Tissue Marker And Localization System, Azrin Jamison

All Theses

Breast cancer has become the most prominent cancer worldwide in women. Annual mammograms are encouraged for women of high risk to increase early detection allowing for lumpectomies rather than mastectomies to occur. Prior to a lumpectomy, a biopsy must be taken to determine if the tissue is cancerous, and a breast cancer biopsy marker (BBM) is left in the region of possible cancerous tissue. Wire localization has been the gold standard for localizing these BBMs. However, due to the reported patient discomfort and logistical inefficiencies faced by healthcare providers (HCP), non-wire localization solutions have been recently developed. This study aims …

Digital Twin In Military Ground Vehicles: Design And Predictive Maintenance, Conner W. Eddy

All Theses

Digital twin technology builds upon virtual engineering models, computer simulation, and real-time field data streaming to enable next-generation designs and predictive maintenance. A digital twin is a computer-based high-fidelity collection of models that predicts the performance of dynamic systems per operating cycles, input feature parameters, and data communication from a physical plant. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is growing in importance and is central to virtual design processes where the digital twin toolset fits into this emerging architecture. The product design process can be advanced using digital twin resources by eliminating the need for, and cost from, continual physical prototyping, reliability …

Laboratory Evaluation Of Remediation Alternatives For Groundwater At The Lane Street Superfund Site, Alyssa Costello

All Theses

At the Lane Street Groundwater Contamination Superfund site in Elkhart, Indiana, which includes industrial, commercial, and residential properties, a plume of contaminated groundwater was identified that requires remediation. The plume is chiefly composed of trichloroethylene (TCE) and has impacted residents’ drinking water. A microcosm study was performed to evaluate the potential of various treatment methods to remediate the Lane Street Superfund Site groundwater. The objectives of this microcosm study are to evaluate the potential for biostimulation, bioaugmentation, and abiotic degradation for implementation at this Site and to evaluate toxicity factors that have precluded natural degradation of the site contaminants. The …

Deep Reinforcement Learning Of Variable Impedance Control For Object-Picking Tasks, Akshit Lunia

All Theses

The increasing deployment of robots in industries with varying tasks has accelerated the development of various control frameworks, enabling robots to replace humans in repetitive, exhaustive, and hazardous jobs. One critical aspect is the robots' interaction with their environment, particularly in unknown object-picking tasks, which involve intricate object weight estimations and calculations when lifting objects. In this study, a unique control framework is proposed to modulate the force exerted by a manipulator for lifting an unknown object, eliminating the need for feedback from a force/torque sensor. The framework utilizes a variable impedance controller to generate the required force, and an …

Analytical And Experimental Studies To Support Codification Of Lightweight Grout For Masonry Design, Cooper Banks

All Theses

Lightweight (LW) aggregates have many potential benefits in masonry construction including minimizing mass, improving thermal performance, and reducing the potential for shrinkage cracking via internal curing. The current masonry design standard, TMS 402/602-22, permits lightweight aggregate in the production of concrete masonry units (CMU), but there has been insufficient testing of masonry assemblies to permit designing with LW grout. Shrestha et al. characterized LW grouts bond to reinforcement, shear strength, tension and shear pullout behavior of anchors and proposed possible reduction factors for design. Hiner characterized the flexural bond strength LW grouted masonry assemblies and proposed possible reduction factors for …

Evaluation And Development Of Tourniquet Test Methods, Catherine Pitts

All Theses

Since the beginning of the 21^st century the general perspective on tourniquets has changed to a more positive outlook on their life saving abilities. The US has seen a greater number of mass casualty events, and conflicts across the globe have led to an increased use of tourniquets. The increased demand has also led to faulty counterfeit tourniquets and improvised tourniquets that don not properly occlude blood flow or cause significant nerve damage to the injured limb.

ASTM started designing a tourniquet testing standard with experts in the tourniquet community to cut down on the dangers of tourniquet use. …