Engineering Commons^™

Study On The Performance Of Solar Cells Cooled With Heatsink And Nanofluid Added With Aluminum Nanoparticle, Rouhollah Salehi, Ahmad Jahanbakhshi, Jong B. Ooi, Abbas Rohani, Mahmood R. Golzarian

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The cooling of photovoltaic (PV) panels based on nanofluids is one of the emerging cooling methods to improve the efficiency of PV panels. In this study, the effects of aluminum nanoparticles on the cooling performance and conversion efficiency of PV panels were investigated experimentally. The surface temperature, output power, and efficiency of the PV panels were assessed in Mashhad, Iran on a sunny winter day in November 2020 under ambient temperatures between 10 and 17 °C. Experimental results indicated that the nanofluid with aluminum nanoparticle improved the solar panel efficiency and solar PV panel's output power by an average of …

Kinematic Analysis Of Gait And Deep Knee Flexion For Pre- And Post-Operative Total Knee Arthroplasty, Samantha Collins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a form of arthritis that develops in the joint due to overuse and aging causing pain, discomfort, and disability. Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a surgical procedure performed when OA symptoms are severe with an estimated 600,000 patients in the United States currently receiving TKA. Studies have reported dissatisfaction of the knee for 14-39% of patients. This study collected knee kinematics before and after surgery using stereo radiography for precise measurement of gait and deep knee flexion activities. Results showed healthy knee kinematics were not restored and no significant changes could be seen from OA kinematics in …

Exploration Of Motion Capture System To Investigate Human Shoulder Kinematics, Ola Alsaadi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The glenohumeral joint (GH) is commonly conceptualized as a ball-and-socket joint [1], and its center of rotation (COR) is presumed to coincide with the geometric center of the medial-superior region of the humeral head [2]. Recent research has endorsed improvements in COR estimation through invasive and noninvasive techniques, including cadaver studies, stereophotogrammetry, and motion capture (MOCAP) systems. Despite increased interest in wearable technology within human movement analysis, the problem of COR estimation employing MOCAP systems and its validation against bi-planar fluoroscopy remains relatively unexplored.

This study employed a marker-based MOCAP system to compare the accuracy, error, and precision of three …

Computational Methodology For Generating Patient-Specific Soft Tissue Representations, Ahilan Anantha Krishnan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focused on modeling specimen-specific soft tissue structures in the context of joint replacement surgery. The research addressed four key aspects. The first study involved developing a workflow for creating finite element models of the hip capsule to replicate its torque-rotational response. Experimental data from ten cadaveric hips were used to calibrate the models, resulting in improved accuracy and relevance for surgical planning and implant design. The second study tackled the challenge of expediting the calibration of mechanical properties of the hip capsule to match patient-specific laxities. A statistical shape function model was proposed to generate patient-specific finite element …

Digital Twins Of The Living Knee: From Measurements To Model, Thor Erik Andreassen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Modern medicine has dramatically improved the lives of many. In orthopaedics, robotic surgery has given clinicians superior accuracy when performing interventions over conventional methods. Nevertheless, while these and many other methods are available to ensure treatments are performed successfully, far fewer methods exist to predict the proper treatment option for a given person. Clinicians are forced to categorize individuals, choosing the best treatment on “average.” However, many individuals differ significantly from the “average” person, for which many of these treatments are designed. Going forward, a method of testing, evaluating, and predicting different treatment options' short- and long-term effects on an …

Effect Of Blending Of Medium-Temperature Phase Change Material On The Bitumen Storage Heat, Loubna Najemi, Imane Belyamani, Mohsine Bouya

All Works

This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using D-Mannitol as a phase-change material (PCM) to increase the energy storage capacity and improve the thermomechanical characteristics of the modified bitumen. D-mannitol (Dm) was incorporated into Bitumen (Bm) using a high-speed shearing method. The results showed that the integration of PCM enhanced the physical characteristics of the basic bitumen, with the modified bitumen having a melting point close to that of D-mannitol (Tm = 164 °C). The D-mannitol was found to crystallize during cooling, indicating that it can store or release heat in the latent form. The specific heat capacity of …

Analysis Of Bombyx Mori Silk And Polyimide Nanofibers, Sabrina Leseul

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis presents a study on the properties of Bombyx Mori silk nanofibers and polyimide (PI) nanofibers. Firstly, a Bombyx Mori silk solution has been created with degummed silkworm cocoons in order to separate the fibroin and the sericin, the two main proteins of the silk. The fibroin was then centrifuged to remove insoluble particles and stored and 4°C before mixing with hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP). On the second part, a polyimide solution, made with shavings of polyimide and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Both solutions are then electrospun. Electrospinning parameters are studied. In this way, a part of my thesis has been dedicated to …

Hydroxyapatite-Based Coatings On Silicon Wafers And Printed Zirconia, Antoine Chauvin

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Dental surgery needs a naturally attract implant design that can ensure both osseointegration and soft tissue integration. Hydroxyapatite (HAp), the main mineral constituent of dentine and tooth enamel, is commonly used as a coating component, notably for overlaying titanium– or ceramics–based implants. This thesis aims to investigate the behavior of a HAp-based coating, specifically designed to be compatible with a porous substrate. Coating layers are made by sol–gel dip coating by immersion of porous substrates made by additive manufacturing into solutions of HAp, having been mixed with polyethyleneimine (PEI), to improve the adhesion of HAp on the substrate. First, the …

Applications Of Femtosecond Laser-Processed And Nanoneedle-Synthesized Surfaces To Enhance Pool Boiling Heat Transfer, Peter Efosa Ohenhen

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In the present work, the integration of femtosecond laser surface processing (FLSP) with copper hydroxide on hybrid surfaces was examined. The goal was to determine the impact on pool boiling enhancement. The samples for the investigation were fabricated by first functionalizing with FLSP, and the process was then followed by citric acid cleaning (CAC) to eliminate the oxides generated on the copper surface during the FLSP process. After the citric acid cleaning, the samples were immersed in ethanol and subjected to an ultrasonic bath for 25 minutes. This step was performed to eliminate any residual citric acid and loose particles. …

A Generalized Machine Learning-Based Classifier Considering Cost-Effective Features For Automated Fault Detection And Diagnosis (Afdd) Of Packaged Rooftop Units, Md Rasel Uddin

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Packaged rooftop units (RTUs) are widely used for space conditioning in commercial buildings and manufacturing facilities. The typical soft faults related to RTUs degrade the system's performance in terms of cooling capacity, power consumption, and Coefficient of Performance (COP), detrimentally affecting both the equipment and energy consumption and the environment. Previous research in soft fault detection for rooftop units lacked classifier validation using lab and field data, developing a generalizable algorithm, and analyzing its performance across varying fault intensities.

Using a simulated data library for multiple rooftop units, this study proposes a machine-learning classifier with a reduced set of 9 …

A Guide To Navigating Existing And Emerging Sources Of Local Vmt And Travel Data, So-Ra Baek, Dohyung Kim

Mineta Transportation Institute

As the crisis of climate change looms, transportation policy in California continues to emphasize sustainability in land-use and transportation decisions. This report evaluates the implementation of two sustainability-focused policies (Senate Bill 375 and 743) by local governments and the current-state-of-the-practices by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in assisting them in California. The research focuses on local governments’ access and use of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and transportation data for achieving VMT and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction by land-use planning. The research also examines the role of MPOs in providing needed transportation data, training, and technical support to its local members to …

Examining The Externalities Of Highway Capacity Expansions In California: An Analysis Of Land Use And Land Cover (Lulc) Using Remote Sensing Technology, Serena E. Alexander, Bo Yang, Owen Hussey, Derek Hicks

Mineta Transportation Institute

There are over 590,000 bridges dispersed across the roadway network that stretches across the United States alone. Each bridge with a length of 20 feet or greater must be inspected at least once every 24 months, according to the Federal Highway Act (FHWA) of 1968. This research developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based framework for bridge and road inspection using drones with multiple sensors collecting capabilities. It is not sufficient to conduct inspections of bridges and roads using cameras alone, so the research team utilized an infrared (IR) camera along with a high-resolution optical camera. In many instances, the IR camera …

Ai-Based Bridge And Road Inspection Framework Using Drones, Hovannes Kulhandjian

Mineta Transportation Institute

There are over 590,000 bridges dispersed across the roadway network that stretches across the United States alone. Each bridge with a length of 20 feet or greater must be inspected at least once every 24 months, according to the Federal Highway Act (FHWA) of 1968. This research developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based framework for bridge and road inspection using drones with multiple sensors collecting capabilities. It is not sufficient to conduct inspections of bridges and roads using cameras alone, so the research team utilized an infrared (IR) camera along with a high-resolution optical camera. In many instances, the IR camera …

Aerodynamic & Aeroacoustic Performance Of Wind Turbine Blades Featuring Enhanced Flow-Control, Md Zishan Akhter

Dissertations

Wind energy, being one of the cleanest and most sustainable sources, has undergone remarkable growth in recent years due to advancements in aerodynamics and increased power output. The research community is actively pursuing the development of cutting-edge solutions to further optimize wind turbine technology, ensuring its maximum efficiency and revolutionizing the landscape of wind power.
/="/">This research aims to design and develop flow-control devices for wind turbine blades, employing both active and passive control mechanisms, namely morphing trailing-edge and slot-profile, respectively. The objective is to enhance wind turbine performance across a wide range of wind speeds. The morphing trailing-edge …

Joint Location And Cost Planning In Maximum Capture Facility Location Under Random Utilities, Ngan H. Duong, Tien Thanh Dam, Thuy Anh Ta, Tien Mai

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We study a joint facility location and cost planning problem in a competitive market under random utility maximization (RUM) models. The objective is to locate new facilities and make decisions on the costs (or budgets) to spend on the new facilities, aiming to maximize an expected captured customer demand, assuming that customers choose a facility among all available facilities according to a RUM model. We examine two RUM frameworks in the discrete choice literature, namely, the additive and multiplicative RUM. While the former has been widely used in facility location problems, we are the first to explore the latter in …

Robust Maximum Capture Facility Location Under Random Utility Maximization Models, Tien Thanh Dam, Thuy Anh Ta, Tien Mai

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We study a robust version of the maximum capture facility location problem in a competitive market, assuming that each customer chooses among all available facilities according to a random utility maximization (RUM) model. We employ the generalized extreme value (GEV) family of models and assume that the parameters of the RUM model are not given exactly but lie in convex uncertainty sets. The problem is to locate new facilities to maximize the worst-case captured user demand. We show that, interestingly, our robust model preserves the monotonicity and submodularity from its deterministic counterpart, implying that a simple greedy heuristic can guarantee …

Demo Abstract: Vgglass - Demonstrating Visual Grounding And Localization Synergy With A Lidar-Enabled Smart-Glass, Darshana Rathnayake, Dulanga Weerakoon, Meeralakshmi Radhakrishnan, Vigneshwaran Subbaraju, Inseok Hwang, Archan Misra

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This work demonstrates the VGGlass system, which simultaneously interprets human instructions for a target acquisition task and determines the precise 3D positions of both user and the target object. This is achieved by utilizing LiDARs mounted in the infrastructure and a smart glass device worn by the user. Key to our system is the union of LiDAR-based localization termed LiLOC and a multi-modal visual grounding approach termed RealG(2)In-Lite. To demonstrate the system, we use Intel RealSense L515 cameras and a Microsoft HoloLens 2, as the user devices. VGGlass is able to: a) track the user in real-time in a global …

Data And Cad Models Of Cyclic Testing Of Membrane Hinges For Use In Origami-Inspired Design, Mitchel Skinner

ScholarsArchive Data

The following includes results and CAD models of cyclic testing of membrane hinges for use in origami-inspired design. The results include the number of cycles until both visual damage and complete failure occurred in 7 different membrane materials. The CAD models of the testing setup are also included.

Characterization And Structural Shear Behavior Of Recycled Aggregate Concrete Beams Reinforced With Basalt Fibers And Basalt Bars, Shahrukh Shoaib Ul Haq

Dissertations

Recycling construction waste material offers a sustainable solution to the problem of disposing of concrete construction and demolition waste. The use of basalt fibers (BF) and basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) reinforcing bars in concrete structures made of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) would prolong their service life and reduce the maintenance cost. This research aims to investigate the potential use of BF, RCA, and BFRP reinforcing bars to produce sustainable and steel-free structural concrete. The study consisted of material characterization testing, numerical simulation, and large-scale beam testing.
/="/">Material characterization tests were performed on normal-strength concrete (NSC) and high-strength concrete (HSC). …

Biological Seawater Desalination Using Green Algae And Cyanobacteria, Abdul Mannan Zafar

Dissertations

Water shortage in many coastal parts of the world is reaching alarming situation, including the United Arab Emirates. Urbanization and rapid population growth are generating critical water demands with an increase in per capita consumption. Seawater is usually treated by membrane processes such as Reverse Osmosis (RO). However, this technology is energy intensive and generates excessive brine as a waste. The solution to this problem can be found in natural remediation techniques that can reduce salt concentration from seawater, such as halophytes. A salt-tolerant species can consume Na⁺ and Cl^- ions and increase cellular growth which is termed …

Control Methods For Maximizing Power Absorption And Grid Integration In Point Absorber Wave Energy Converters, Abdin Yousif Elamin

Dissertations

Wave energy is an emerging renewable energy source with great potential attributable to its consistent availability and high energy density. Technologies responsible for harnessing this form of energy are referred to as wave energy converters (WECs), among which point absorbers (PAs) are a notable subcategory. Unfortunately, the unpredictable and variable nature of waves, coupled with their complex hydrodynamics, has hindered PAs from achieving maximum wave energy absorption. Moreover, the inherent variability in wave energy leads to fluctuations in the power output of PAs. These power fluctuations pose challenges for grid integration, which requires power quality compatible with grid code standards. …

A Consortium Of Microalgae And Wastewater Activated Sludge To Generate Biohydrogen, Muhammad Asad Javed

Dissertations

Hydrogen is a clean source and carbon-free source of energy that can be generated photobiologically using green microalgae with 122 kJ/g of energy output which is 2.75 times that of hydrocarbon-based fuels. However, challenges, such as presence of molecular oxygen (O₂) within the cells, hinder their practical application. Molecular O₂, emanating from the activity of photosynthesis, acts as a powerful and effective switch that turns off bioH₂ production activity. The objective of this research was to develop an innovative approach to increase the yield and sustain bioH₂ photoproduction. For this purpose, a consortium of …

Predictive Modelling Of Road Deterioration Using An Artificially Intelligent Bayesian Belief Networks Approach, Babitha Elizabeth Philip

Dissertations

The ability to predict road deterioration is the cornerstone for developing a reliable Pavement Management System (PMS) that optimizes pavement maintenance programs. Such prediction capacity becomes increasingly important, especially when highway agency funds are confined. This research focuses on the development of prediction models based on an artificial intelligence technique, Bayesian Belief Networks (BBN), that aid decision-makers in forecasting expected road distress curves on the lights of various (e.g., environmental, traffic, and road-specific) factors and maintenance decisions. The novelty of this research revolves around deploying BBNs which allow analysts to yield Markovian predictions of annual road deterioration based on incomplete …

Smartphone Based Object Detection For Shark Spotting, Darrick W. Oliver

Master's Theses

Given concern over shark attacks in coastal regions, the recent use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, has increased to ensure the safety of beachgoers. However, much of city officials' process remains manual, with drone operation and review of footage still playing a significant role. In pursuit of a more automated solution, researchers have turned to the usage of neural networks to perform detection of sharks and other marine life. For on-device solutions, this has historically required assembling individual hardware components to form an embedded system to utilize the machine learning model. This means that the camera, neural processing …

Autofluorescence Imaging Of Endogenous Metabolic Cofactors In Response To Cytokine Stimulation Of Classically Activated Macrophages, Shelby N. Bess, Matthew J. Igoe, Abby C. Denison, Timothy J. Muldoon

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background

Macrophages are one of the most prevalent subsets of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment and perform a range of functions depending on the cytokines and chemokines released by surrounding cells and tissues. Recent research has revealed that macrophages can exhibit a spectrum of phenotypes, making them highly plastic due to their ability to alter their physiology in response to environmental cues. Recent advances in examining heterogeneous macrophage populations include optical metabolic imaging, such as fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), and multiphoton microscopy. However, the method of detection for these systems is reliant upon the coenzymes NAD(P)H and FAD, which …

An Amplification-Free Crispr-Sers Biosensor For Specific, Sensitive And Rapid Detection Of Salmonella Typhimurium In Poultry, Fei Jia, Bingyan Li, Yawen He, Yafang Shen, Juhong Chen, Xingmin Li, Yanbin Li

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

CRISPR (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) has been a cutting-edge biotechnology in both gene editing and biosensing due to its desirable features, such as high base resolution and set-and-forget operation. However, as a nucleic acid detection method, an DNA/RNA amplification procedure is still inevitable in CRISPR biosensors. In this study, a highly-ordered nanopore array SERS substrate, coated with silver nanoparticles, was fabricated and utilized as a platform for the specific detection of Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) without the time-consuming DNA amplification step. The smart sensing strategy was established by introducing an ssDNA labeled with a Raman active molecule …

Design And Application Of Circular Edge-Fed Linearly Polarized Patch Antenna With Enhanced Bandwidth And Gain For Respiratory Monitoring Systems, Mo’Ath Akram Al Hayek

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This Master's thesis explores the design and application of a circular edge-fed patch antenna for respiratory monitoring systems. The antenna, fabricated from a thin copper adhesive sheet, demonstrates compatibility with textile materials of low thickness and a relative permittivity of 1.3. Using CST Studio Suite 3D EM simulation software, the antenna's design was optimized through extensive trials, achieving improved bandwidth and gain. Our findings indicate that the antenna successfully differentiates between various breathing patterns, including slow, normal, and fast breathing rates. The study's managerial and research implications extend to healthcare, wearable technology sectors, and the broader scientific community. The research …

The Santa Clara, 2023-10-31, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.

A Review On The Coalescence Of Confined Drops With A Focus On Scaling Laws For The Growth Of The Liquid Bridge, Sangjin Ryu, Haipeng Zhang, Udochukwu John Anuta

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The surface–tension-driven coalescence of drops has been extensively studied because of the omnipresence of the phenomenon and its significance in various natural and engineering systems. When two drops come into contact, a liquid bridge is formed between them and then grows in its lateral dimensions. As a result, the two drops merge to become a bigger drop. The growth dynamics of the bridge are governed by a balance between the driving force and the viscous and inertial resistances of involved liquids, and it is usually represented by power–law scaling relations on the temporal evolution of the bridge dimension. Such scaling …

Fast Fourier Transform Analytical Expression Of Estimation Of Nosinusoidality Indicators, Ilkhomjon Khakimovich Siddikov, Zailobiddin Urazali O’G’Li Boixanov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This in the article asynchronous motor is reactive power control to do and manage for from the transformer used. The main element of the current transformer is the measuring instrument, i.e. the sensitive element. Depending on the number of asynchronous motor stator blades, the measurement sensitive element is placed between the main winding and the rotor as a two-ring or three-ring. Measurement accuracy, reliability, and sensitivity increase compared to an independent measuring device. The measuring element loops are independent or connected in series . When the measurement loops are connected in series, the amount of output voltage is …