Engineering Commons^™

Optimal Pilot Length For Key Generation In Correlated Wireless Channels, Danqi Li, Shihao Yan, Jia Zhang, Jiande Sun, Feng Shu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This work examines the optimal pilot length for key generation in correlated wireless channels. We first deduce the secret key capacity as a function of the pilot length N and other system parameters. Then, derive two fixed-point equations to identify the optimal N with and without an eavesdropper. Our analysis and numerical results confirm the existence of the optimal N that maximizes the secret key capacity, and both results for optimal N are consistent. Furthermore, the optimal N generally decreases with average signal-to-noise ratio and maximum Doppler shift. Our examination can provide useful guidelines in designing practical key generation systems.

Enhancing Energy Efficiency With A Dynamic Trust Measurement Scheme In Power Distribution Network, Yilei Wang, Xin Sun, Guiping Zheng, Ahmar Rashid, Sami Ullah, Hisham Alasmary, Muhammad Waqas

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The application of Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) in constructing distribution station areas strongly supports platform transformation, upgrade, and intelligent integration. The sensing layer of IIoT comprises the edge convergence layer and the end sensing layer, with the former using intelligent fusion terminals for real-time data collection and processing. However, the influx of multiple low-voltage in the smart grid raises higher demands for the performance, energy efficiency, and response speed of the substation fusion terminals. Simultaneously, it brings significant security risks to the entire distribution substation, posing a major challenge to the smart grid. In response to these challenges, a …

Expanding Australia's Defence Capabilities For Technological Asymmetric Advantage In Information, Cyber And Space In The Context Of Accelerating Regional Military Modernisation: A Systemic Design Approach, Pi-Shen Seet, Anton Klarin, Janice Jones, Michael N. Johnstone, Violetta Wilk, Stephanie Meek, Summer O'Brien

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction. The aim of the project was to conduct a systemic design study to evaluate Australia'sopportunities and barriers for achieving a technological advantage in light of regional military technological advancement. It focussed on the three domains of (1) cybersecurity technology, (2) information technology, and (3) space technology.

Research process. Employing a systemic design approach, the study first leveraged scientometric analysis, utilising informetric mapping software (VOSviewer) to evaluate emerging trends and their implications on defence capabilities. This approach facilitated a broader understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of defence technologies, identifying key areas for further exploration. The subsequent survey study, engaging 828 …

A Bi-Functional Air Electrode Developed From A Dual-Mof Strategy For High-Performance Zinc-Air Batteries, Yasir Arafat, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar, Yijun Zhong, Xiaomin Xu, Moses O. Tadé, Zongping Shao

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A durable, high-performing and cost-effective bi-functional catalyst toward oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER) is the key towards the practical application of Zn-air batteries (ZABs). Here, we report a new concept of combining pristine and carbonized MOFs for developing a bifunctional electrocatalyst for ZABs, where the pristine MOF acts as a support for the OER catalysts and the carbonized MOF acts as the ORR catalyst and enhances the electronic conductivity. By electroless NiP-plating over the surface of the Fe-containing 3D MOF (MIL-100), the catalyst shows superior activity for the OER, delivering a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at an overpotential …

Radiation Damage Simulation Using Molecular Dynamics In Ni-Based Alloy, Yanxin Shen, Yue Yang, Xuelian Ou, Peng Wang, Zhenjiang You, Xiaofeng Tian

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In the present study, we investigated the irradiation-induced induction in Ni80Cr20, Ni80Fe20, Ni50Fe50, Ni40Fe40Cr20 by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. A previously published modified potential is used to provide a detailed account of the process involved in the production and evolution of defects. Ni50Fe50 and Ni40Fe40Cr20 alloys exhibit comparable damage level and better radiation response compared to Ni80Cr20 and Ni80Fe20. The inhibition effect of interstitial clusters increases with the complexity of alloying elements. The alloying of Cr has resulted in Ni80Fe20 and Ni50Fe50 tend to form 1/3<111> dislocation loops while at the same time making Ni40Fe40Cr20 and Ni80Cr20 more susceptible to …

Accelerating The Exploration Of High-Entropy Alloys: Synergistic Effects Of Integrating Computational Simulation And Experiments, Deyu Jiang, Yuhua Li, Liqiang Wang, Lai Chang Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are novel materials composed of multiple elements with nearly equal concentrations and they exhibit exceptional properties such as high strength, ductility, thermal stability, and corrosion resistance. However, the intricate and diverse structures of HEAs pose significant challenges to understanding and predicting their behavior at different length scales. This review summarizes recent advances in computational simulations and experiments of structure-property relationships in HEAs at the nano/micro scales. Various methods such as first-principles calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, phase diagram calculations, and finite element simulations are discussed for revealing atomic/chemical and crystal structures, defect formation and migration, diffusion and phase …

Assessing The Impact Of Geochemical Mechanism And Interpolation Factor Selection On The Precision Of Low-Salinity Waterflooding Modelling: A Comparative Study, Malek Jalilian, Sedigheh Mahdavi, Peyman Pourafshary, Zheinjiang You, Amir H. Mohammadi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The efficacy of low salinity waterflooding (LSWF) as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method in carbonate formations has been well established; however, its geochemical modelling in such reservoirs remains insufficiently explored. This study aims to bridge this gap by conducting a comparative analysis of three well-recognised geochemical mechanisms including fines migration, rock dissolution/precipitation, and multi-ion exchange (MIE). Our research encompasses two parts: experimental and modelling. First, we conducted four coreflooding experiments to study the effect of LSWF on oil recovery in core scale as well as on rock wettability by measuring the contact angle of the crude oil-brine-rock system. In …

Green Synthesis Of Nanomaterials For Smart Biopolymer Packaging: Challenges And Outlooks, Shima Jafarzadeh, Majid Nooshkam, Masoumeh Zargar, Farhad Garavand, Sabyasachi Ghosh, Milad Hadidi, Mehrdad Forough

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

There are several physical and chemical methods for synthesizing nanomaterials, while the most appropriate techniques involve using green chemistry and eco-friendly material. Recently, green synthesized materials for different applications have gained attention as a result of their environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness. Applying green synthesized nanoparticles (NPS) in food packaging has been extensively investigated. Biopolymers require filler to enhance the optical, barrier, thermal, antimicrobial, and mechanical properties of packaging. Biopolymer packaging incorporated with green synthesized NPs is expected to simultaneously enhance performance while reducing environmental damage. The current review article focuses on biopolymer films with bio (green)-synthesized nanomaterials and their effectiveness …

Multimodal Fusion For Audio-Image And Video Action Recognition, Muhammad B. Shaikh, Douglas Chai, Syed M. S. Islam, Naveed Akhtar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Multimodal Human Action Recognition (MHAR) is an important research topic in computer vision and event recognition fields. In this work, we address the problem of MHAR by developing a novel audio-image and video fusion-based deep learning framework that we call Multimodal Audio-Image and Video Action Recognizer (MAiVAR). We extract temporal information using image representations of audio signals and spatial information from video modality with the help of Convolutional Neutral Networks (CNN)-based feature extractors and fuse these features to recognize respective action classes. We apply a high-level weights assignment algorithm for improving audio-visual interaction and convergence. This proposed fusion-based framework utilizes …

A Critical Review Of Capillary Pressure Behavior And Characterization In Fractional-Wet Reservoirs, Yihang Xiao, Zhenjiang You, Lei Wang, Zhengtong Du

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Fractional wettability is common in oil and gas reservoirs, resulting in complex fluid distribution and transport phenomena. A precise understanding of capillary pressure behavior and characterization in fractional-wet reservoirs, including the two-phase flow mechanisms within pores and relationship between capillary pressure and saturation in porous media, is significant to enhanced oil recovery strategies. In this paper, an in-depth review of the two-phase flow mechanisms in fractional-wet pores and capillary entry pressures in various displacement processes was conducted. Furthermore, the effects of oil-wet proportion and contact angle on capillary pressure characterization were summarized, highlighting the emergence of similar capillary pressure curves …

Recent Advances In Surface Tailoring Of Thin Film Forward Osmosis Membranes: A Review, Javad Farahbakhsh, Mitra Golgoli, Mehdi Khiadani, Mohadeseh Najafi, Wafa Suwaileh, Amir Razmjou, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The recent advancements in fabricating forward osmosis (FO) membranes have shown promising results in desalination and water treatment. Different methods have been applied to improve FO performance, such as using mixed or new draw solutions, enhancing the recovery of draw solutions, membrane modification, and developing FO-hybrid systems. However, reliable methods to address the current issues, including reverse salt flux, fouling, and antibacterial activities, are still in progress. In recent decades, surface modification has been applied to different membrane processes, including FO membranes. Introducing nanochannels, bioparticles, new monomers, and hydrophilic-based materials to the surface layer of FO membranes has significantly impacted …

Energy Storage In Carbonate And Basalt Reservoirs: Investigating Secondary Imbibition In H2 And Co2 Systems, Mirhasan Hosseini, Muhammad Ali, Jalal Fahimpour, Alireza Keshavarz, Sefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Gas injection into geological storage sites displaces existing water in rock pore spaces, triggering lateral secondary imbibition. This phenomenon involves the migration of water from areas with higher water saturation to replenish the displaced water. The lateral distance over which this imbibition occurs is critical for understanding injection/withdrawal flow rates and trapped-gas saturation during hydrogen and carbon dioxide geological storage. This study investigates secondary imbibition dynamics in hydrogen and carbon dioxide systems for calcite (representing carbonates) and basalt, considering pressure and temperature effects. Utilizing the modified Lucas-Washburn equation, the results reveal that lateral distance and secondary imbibition rates of water …

Advancing Natural Hydrogen Exploration: Headspace Gas Analysis In Water-Logged Environments, Krista Davies, Lionel Esteban, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Natural hydrogen has gained prominence as a potential contributor to the low-carbon energy landscape; however, exploration techniques are still evolving. Current methods primarily rely on dry soil gas studies or gas vent measurements. Because gas vents are scarce and groundwater inhibits hydrogen gas flux from the soil, other field detection techniques are necessary. This research paper presents a novel approach for advancing natural hydrogen exploration through the analysis of headspace gas of agitated groundwater extracted from dedicated shallow boreholes to better estimate the hydrogen gas flux and its variations with time. Several shallow boreholes were drilled in Western Australia on …

Enhancing Water Safety: Exploring Recent Technological Approaches For Drowning Detection, Salman Jalalifar, Andrew Belford, Eila Erfani, Amir Razmjou, Rouzbeh Abbassi, Masoud Mohseni-Dargah, Mohsen Asadnia

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Drowning poses a significant threat, resulting in unexpected injuries and fatalities. To promote water sports activities, it is crucial to develop surveillance systems that enhance safety around pools and waterways. This paper presents an overview of recent advancements in drowning detection, with a specific focus on image processing and sensor-based methods. Furthermore, the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning algorithms (MLAs), and robotics technology in this field is explored. The review examines the technological challenges, benefits, and drawbacks associated with these approaches. The findings reveal that image processing and sensor-based technologies are the most effective approaches for drowning detection …

How Does Mine Tailings Slurry Solids Concentration Affect Stability Of Dam Embankment Slope?, Francis Otieno, Sanjay K. Shukla

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In view of many past failures of tailings storage facilities, practising engineers have been analysing current design guidelines for different elements of these facilities, including for tailings dams. In this paper, an attempt is made to investigate how varying tailings slurry solids concentration ((Formula presented.)) affects the stability of tailings dam embankment slope. To achieve this, elaborate two-dimensional limit equilibrium and finite element simulations were conducted and a steady-state seepage analysis was performed so as to obtain accurate free surface water flux through the slope. Initially, numerical analyses were performed for the downstream embankment slope when no material is retained …

The Use Of Variable Coil Pitch Of Helical Tube On The Hydro-Thermal Performance Improvement, Shayan Pourhemmati, Hussein A. Mohammed, Abdellah Shafieian

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The use of helical tubes in heat transfer appliances is desirable due to their better heat transfer characteristics, but the higher pressure drop decreases the overall performance. The variation of pitch design of a helical tube is proposed to alleviate this situation so that the pitch number does not remain constant in the total tube length. A total of six variable pitch numbers with three different diameters are proposed and investigated on the thermal and fluid characteristics. To better understand the helical tube efficiency, PEC (performance evaluation criteria) is selected as a performance indicator in the present work and simulations …

Environmental Sustainability, Healthcare Workers And Healthcare Students: A Literature Review Of Attitudes And Learning Approaches, Pamela R. Mccauley, Kavita Mathur, Reza Kamali Miab, Nina Cohen, Kedena Henriques-Thompson, Jyo Gopinath

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Today, increased attention has been placed on the healthcare industry and its workers in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Increases in facemask production, personal protective equipment, and the number of patients admitted into hospitals have resulted in a sharp rise in medical waste and environmental concerns. This has led to a greater interest by the research community to study the type of training and education that healthcare workers and students receive which could facilitate the implementation of sustainability activities during their work.

Design/Methodology: We have conducted a literature review (2010 to 2024) on healthcare worker …

Deform 3d Simulation And Experimental Study In Machining Of Aisi 1020 Mild Steel, Aqib Hussain, Aamer Sharif, Muftooh Ur Rehman Siddiqi, Ghulam Hussain, Melkamu Tadesse Getachew, Riaz Muhammad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The drilling process plays a crucial role in the assembly process of modern-day manufactories. One of the major causes of component rejection during drilling operations is the incorrect selection of spindle speed and feed rate. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of process factors such as spindle speed and feed rate on torque, thrust force, temperature surface roughness, and chip formation during the drilling of AISI 1020 mild steel. A combination of finite element modeling and experimental investigation was employed to achieve the process. Specifically, the commercially available finite element software, Deform 3D, was used for simulation. The …

Grain Boundary Engineering: An Emerging Pathway Toward Efficient Electrocatalysis, Xiaomin Xu, Yijun Zhong, Magdalena Wajrak, Tejas Bhatelia, San Ping Jiang, Zongping Shao

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Electrochemical transformation processes involving carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and small-molecule chemistries represent a promising means to store renewable energy sources in the form of chemical energy. However, their widespread deployment is hindered by a lack of efficient, selective, durable, and affordable electrocatalysts. Recently, grain boundary (GB) engineering as one category of defect engineering, has emerged as a viable and powerful pathway to achieve improved electrocatalytic performances. This review presents a timely and comprehensive overview of recent advances in GB engineering for efficient electrocatalysis. The beneficial effects of introducing GBs into electrocatalysts are discussed, followed by an overview of the synthesis …

Cellular Structure Mediated Dislocation Regulation In Additively Manufactured Refractory High Entropy Alloy, Changxi Liu, Lechun Xie, Lai-Chang Zhang, Liqiang Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A Ti1.5Nb1Ta0.5Zr1Mo0.5 (TNTZM) refractory high entropy alloy (HEA) with a cellular structure was successfully fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). Compression testing and cyclic deformation testing results revealed that, in the cellular structure, the cell walls could store dislocations. Furthermore, the local chemical order (LCO) plays a crucial role in controlling dislocations within the cell wall region. The LCO not only facilitates dislocation slip but also generates additional lattice distortion upon stress-induced LCO destruction to enable dislocation pinning. This work offers novel insights into the microstructure of additively manufactured refractory HEAs and uncovers a distinct dislocation regulation mechanism.

Silence Is Not Golden: Exploring The Trade-Offs Between Transparency And Burden In Dirs Reporting, Katie Nelson

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the United States federal government's Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS), which is an instrument that is used during emergencies to gather information on what five communication avenues are not actively working at the time of the emergency or during the recovery process. The synthesis provides a framework for characteristics that cite the necessities for this study on DIRS. Examining DIRS will help us understand its strengths, limitations, and potential improvements. Evaluating the details of historical and global research on emergency communications are gathered. The analysis provides insights into DIRS's past, present, and future. Bring to light future …

Optimal Operation Of An Islanded Hybrid Energy System Integrating Power And Gas Systems, Mehrdad Ghahramani, Daryoush Habibi, Seyyedmorteza Ghamari, Asma Aziz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Remote communities and geographically isolated areas require a secure supply of energy. Isolated hybrid energy systems offer an effective and reliable solution for delivering power to these regions. However, shifting to renewable energy sources introduces uncertainty challenges for low-inertia stand-alone systems. In this paper, we propose a two-stage energy management strategy to address the uncertainties of wind generation and load consumption while minimizing operational expenses. Furthermore, the study explores the integration of multi-carrier energy networks, in this case electricity and gas, to enhance the reliability of hybrid energy systems. Two modeling methods are proposed to tackle the uncertainties. First, a …

A Natural Hydrogen Seep In Western Australia: Observed Characteristics And Controls, Krista Davies, Emanuelle Frery, Ausama Giwelli, Lionel Esteban, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Natural hydrogen (H2) is a promising resource for the energy industry’s transition to zero-carbon fuels. However, its extent and feasibility for exploitation remain unclear. A key step towards discovering subsurface dihydrogen accumulations is detecting H2 seeps. This study presents the first autonomous, multi-gas monitoring of a natural hydrogen seep in Australia, where dihydrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide were measured together. The research revealed significant H2 seepage on the Yilgarn Craton in Western Australia, with seasonal fluctuations: high emissions after dry summers and reduced emissions following rainfall due to increased groundwater levels. Groundwater appears to act as a seasonal inhibitor …

Frequency Division Multiplexing And Random Phasing For Improved Uniformity In Microwave Heating Applications, Logan M. Wilcox, Ali Mirala, Mohammad Tayeb Al Qaseer, Kristen M. Donnell

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Microwave heating has been recently used as an active thermal excitation method in thermography. Within the nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E) realm, this method is referred to as active microwave thermography, or AMT. In AMT, unlike other thermal excitation methods utilized in thermography, microwave heating inherently provides a nonuniform heating pattern. This is a direct result of the radiating antenna used to deliver the energy. This nonuniform pattern may result in defect detection errors (i.e., false positives and/or negatives). To reduce this potential for detection error and improve the overall robustness of the technique, a new electromagnetic system, consisting of …

Additively Manufactured Aperture-Based Fss, Alexander Hook, Doyle T. Motes, Cody Morrow, Kristen M. Donnell

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) are arrays of patch- or aperture-based elements with specific high frequency reflective and/or transmissive properties. The specific FSS response of a given design is dictated by the element dimensions and spacing relative to adjacent elements (collectively referred to as the unit cell), along with the substrate (and superstrate if applicable) properties. As it relates to sensing, the FSS response may be affected by environmental (e.g., temperature) or structural (e.g., strain) changes. To this end, FSS-based sensors have been considered in recent years for a myriad of sensing applications including structural health monitoring (SHM). Concurrent to this, …

Empowering Urban Traffic Management: Elevated 3d Lidar For Data Collection And Advanced Object Detection Analysis, Nawfal Guefrachi, Hakim Ghazzai, Ahmad Alsharoa

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The 3D object detection capabilities in urban environments have been enormously improved by recent developments in Light Detection and Range (LiDAR) technology. This paper presents a novel framework that transforms the detection and analysis of 3D objects in traffic scenarios by utilizing the power of elevated LiDAR sensors. We are presenting our methodology's remarkable capacity to collect complex 3D point cloud data, which allows us to accurately and in detail capture the dynamics of urban traffic. Due to the limitation in obtaining real-world traffic datasets, we utilize the simulator to generate 3D point cloud for specific scenarios. To support our …

Angle-Dependent Photoinduced Changes Of Near-Infrared Transmission In Amorphous Selenium Films, Kaitlin Hellier, Emily Enlow, Seyedehnajmeh Montazeri, Mina Esmaeelpour, Shiva Abbaszadeh

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Amorphous selenium (a-Se) is a promising semiconductor for a variety of photoconductive applications, predominantly in X-ray detection. In addition, material properties introduce several other potential applications in nonlinear optics. Photodarkening (PD) presents an interesting area of study; when exposed to band-region light, metastable structural changes induce a shift in the band edge and increase tail absorption. In this work, we investigate these effects utilizing a near-infrared (NIR) probe to avoid generating any darkening during beam transmission. We observe an unexpected result; here, we present the effects of band region exposure in NIR transmission (1570 nm). We observe a shift from …

Reinforcement Learning-Based Constrained Optimal Control Of Strict-Feedback Nonlinear Systems: Application To Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, Behzad Farzanegan, S. Jagannathan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper addresses a constrained neural network (NN)-based optimal tracking scheme for a class of uncertain nonlinear discrete-time systems in strict-feedback form by using a control barrier function (CBF). First, a modified barrier-type cost function is introduced for each subsystem, guiding the actual system trajectory toward the safe set or desired trajectory while avoiding unwanted sets. To address the tracking problem, an augmented system is employed to convert the time-varying optimal tracking to a time-invariant optimal regulation. Then, an actor-critic framework is employed with the backstepping technique to obtain both virtual and actual optimal control policies for each subsystem to …

Tightening Qc Relaxations Of Ac Optimal Power Flow Through Improved Linear Convex Envelopes, Mohammad Rasoul Narimani, Daniel K. Molzahn, Katherine R. Davis, Mariesa L. Crow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

AC optimal power flow (AC OPF) is a fundamental problem in power system operations. Accurately modeling the network physics via the AC power flow equations makes AC OPF a challenging nonconvex problem. To search for global optima, recent research has developed various convex relaxations that bound the optimal objective values of AC OPF problems. The QC relaxation convexifies the AC OPF problem by enclosing the non-convex terms within convex envelopes. The QC relaxation's accuracy strongly depends on the tightness of these envelopes. This paper proposes two improvements for tightening QC relaxations of OPF problems. We first consider a particular nonlinear …

Effect Of Signal Modulation On Active Microwave Thermography, Logan M. Wilcox, Mathias Bonmarin, Kristen M. Donnell

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Active microwave thermography (AMT) is a coupled electromagnetic and thermographic nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E) technique. AMT utilizes an active electromagnetic source to induce heat on or within a specimen under test (SUT) with subsequential infrared measurements via an infrared camera. AMT has been successfully employed in multiple fields, including aerospace, space, and infrastructure, among others. Generally, for AMT, the excitation (electromagnetic source) is applied over a specified period of time (referred to as the heating time). If inspection continues for additional time after the excitation is removed (turned off), this period is referred to as the cooling time. This …