Engineering Commons^™

Construction Of A Deffi Sprayer: Using 3d Printer Methodology And Techniques For Cost-Effective Analysis Using Desi Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Ryan Karst, Savvy Stevens, Luke Amos, Logan Koester, Ethan Newbold, Karson Whitaker

Symposium Projects

Using 3D Printer Methodology and Techniques for Cost-Effective Analysis using DESI Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Visual Pattern Mining With Similarity Metrics For Model-Free Trading In The Korean Futures Market, Juhyeon Jang, Jaeyun Kim, David Enke

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The fractal market hypothesis highlights multi-scale dynamics in financial time series and provides a theoretical foundation for pattern-based analysis. This study proposes a model-free visual pattern mining framework that transforms high-frequency market data into image representations to support intelligent decision-making. By converting 1-minute KOSPI200 futures data into candlestick chart and Bollinger band images, the method effectively captures structural patterns and volatility dynamics. The framework applies similarity metrics and Intersection over Union (IoU)-based visual comparison to identify historically similar patterns and generate intelligent trading signals without model training or complex parameter tuning. Experimental results demonstrate that combining visual features of candlestick …

Pegasus: Vfs 2025-2026 Dbvf, A'Zhae Turay, Elisabeth Canjar, Jack Carpenter, Cheng-Ju Wu, Xander Fruin, Sophia Bennett

Mechanical Engineering Senior Theses

Pegasus is an autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft developed for the Vertical Flight Society Design-Build-Vertical Flight competition and designed around the operational needs of early-stage wildfire response. The system was developed to provide rapid aerial situational awareness, stable hover capability, modular payload deployment, and autonomous mission execution in environments where conventional reconnaissance methods may be limited by terrain, visibility, response time, or personnel risk. The final aircraft uses a hexacopter configuration with six electric propulsion units, a modular aluminum airframe, independent propulsion and avionics power systems, a Cube Orange+ flight controller, adaptive landing gear, and a bottom-mounted payload …

Plasmoid Vortex System Retrofit A Sustainability And Efficiency Study On Internal Combustion Engines, Walker Hall

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The thesis addresses the persistent inefficiency and environmental degradation caused by internal combustion engines in modern vehicles, a major issue as the automotive industry faces increasing pressure to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Internal combustion engines, which power most cars today, convert only about 20-30% of fuel energy into useful work, with the remainder lost as heat and exhaust waste, including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). This inefficiency contributes to global carbon emissions, with transportation accounting for approximately 29% of U.S. greenhouse gases in 2021 [1]. As regulatory standards tighten (e.g., …

Antecedents And Consequences Of Consumer Behavior In Circular Fashion: Cognitive, Normative, And Behavioral Pathways Shaping Purchase And Participation Intentions, Mahmudul Hasan Sabuj

Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The increasing environmental impact of the fashion industry has intensified the need for a systemic transition from linear to circular production and consumption models. Despite growing interest in circular fashion, there remains a limited understanding of the underlying behavioral dimensions that drive consumer engagement in sustainable practices. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Norm Activation Theory (NAT), this study examines consumer behavior through an integrated framework capturing cognitive, social, and normative influences.

Using data collected from a structured online survey (N = 575), the study employs Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), reliability analysis, and multiple regression techniques to …

Unveiling Value In Plastic Waste: Synthesis Of 1,3-Dioxolan-4-Ones From Polylactic Acid And Polyoxymethylene To Enhance Plastic Biodegradation, Mi-Hyun Lee, Joohyun Park, Hyeongyeong Lee, Woo Yeon Cho, Semin Son, Pyung Cheon Lee, In-Hwan Lee, Hye-Young Jang

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Catalytic plastic upcycling protocols are essential for resolving the environmental and economic challenges associated with massive plastic production and disposal, as they convert complex waste streams into value-added chemicals. We report an efficient acid-catalyzed upcycling strategy for transforming poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polyoxymethylene (POM) plastic waste. This innovative process directly yielding dioxolanones (DOXs) can be extended to use POM with various naturally abundant α-hydroxy acids. This work significantly expands the high-value chemical portfolio derivable from common plastic wastes. Incorporation of the synthesized DOXs into the poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) backbone results in materials with enhanced thermal stability and superior biodegradability. Critically, …

Enhancing Co2 Adsorption And Co2/N2 Separation Performance By Incorporating Calcium In Mil-53 (Al), Hussein Rasool Abid, Hussein Znad, Nabil Majd Alawi, Farhan Lafta Rashid, Anmar Dulaimi, Amer Alanazi, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer, Shaobin Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Global warming is primarily driven by the rapid accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising materials for mitigating CO₂ emissions due to their tunable porosity, large surface area, and structural flexibility. Among them, MIL-53(Al) has attracted widespread interest owing to its excellent thermal and chemical stability. Recent studies show that modifying MOFs with secondary metals can significantly enhance their CO₂ adsorption performance. In this work, a one-pot synthesis method was employed to incorporate calcium (Ca), functioning as a Lewis basic metal, into the MIL-53(Al) framework to produce a series of bimetallic materials: …

Engineering Zinc Anodes Through Advanced Manufacturing Strategies For Next-Generation Zinc–Air Batteries, Yasir Arafat, Kareem Bakhsh, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Rechargeable zinc–air batteries (ZABs) are promising next-generation energy storage systems due to their high energy density, intrinsic safety, and low cost. Nevertheless, commercial deployment of Zn anodes is hampered by persistent challenges like dendrite formation, deformation, passivation, corrosion, and the hydrogen evolution reaction. This review systematically highlights the critical relationship between anode morphology and electrochemical performance and discusses recent advances in advanced manufacturing strategies for Zn anodes. Additive manufacturing approaches, such as 3D printing, enable the fabrication of porous and tunable Zn electrodes with enhanced surface area and uniform ion flux distribution. Furthermore, advanced materials processing techniques like alloying, coatings, …

Development, Performance Analysis And Application Of Polymer Inclusion Membranes: A Critical Review, Shayan Abrishami, Mahsa Golmohammadi, Matthew Myers, Masoumeh Zargar, Antonia Pérez De Los Ríos, Francisco José Hernández-Fernández, Amir Razmjou

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Polymer Inclusion Membranes (PIMs) have emerged as sustainable separation platforms that integrate carrier-mediated selectivity within stable polymeric matrices, eliminating drawbacks of conventional solvent extraction such as solvent loss and emulsion formation. This review examines the fundamental principles, recent developments, and performance characteristics of PIMs, emphasizing design, fabrication, and operational optimization. The three essential components, base polymers, plasticizers, and carriers are systematically analysed alongside their synergistic effects on membrane stability, selectivity, and transport efficiency. Emerging materials including ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents as dual-function plasticizers/carriers receive particular attention. Preparation methods are critically evaluated, including solution casting, phase inversion, and thermal …

Cure Sound Project: Library Loudness, Jordan Cosgrove, Adrian Cruz, Lilliana Cantu, Izabella Grinnell, Idaly Oropeza, Maria Gamez, Regina Losoya, Kayla Martinez, April Martinez, Emiliano Rueda

Posters - 2026

The Louis J. Blume Library has three floors. Each floor has a different purpose and expected sound level. Ideal sound levels can vary based on task. Tasks requiring intense concentration may be negatively impacted by high sound levels1. However, for tasks requiring creativity, higher sound levels may be beneficial2-3. The purpose of this study is to examine noise levels on all floors of the library and determine which floor is most suitable for different tasks and studying types.

Evaluation Of An Affordable Prosthetic Liner In Resource Limited Settings, Samerial Brown

Posters - 2026

The lower limb prosthesis is an important assistive technology for persons with limb amputations and differences. The interface (prosthetic liner) between the rigid prosthetic socket and the residual limb is often made of silicone, urethane or thermoplastic elastomer gel. This material provides cushioning and support as well as suspension for the transtibial (below knee) prosthetic leg. Unfortunately the cost of liners range from $3-$600. This cost precludes its use in resource limited settings such as Sri Lanka. As a result patients are fit with a foam liner which has less cushioning and suspension capabilities than a gel type liner. This …

Agglomeration Of Particles Streaming Down A Zigzag, Juan Llamas

Posters - 2026

Zigzags or “letdown ladders” limit the flow speed of dry grains as they flow downward by gravity when loading silos, ships, barges, railcars, or trucks.

• Reduce cracking and shattering of grains.

• Increase grain shelf life.

• Increase grain resale value. • Increase ability of grain to germinate.

• Reduce generation of grain dust, an explosion and environmental hazard.

How can we design a zigzag that we know will not plug?

Hybrid Deep Learning Model For Accurate Settlement Forecasting Of Metro Tracks Under Canal Diversion Engineering, Haijie He, Zhenlin Wang, Sifan Shen, Shiyu Sheng, Jing Zhang, Chuang He, Huafeng Shan, Qiongfang Zhang, Li Ai

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The structural stability of metro systems is essential for safe and reliable urban rail operation. Large-scale underground construction may influence existing metro lines, making accurate settlement prediction necessary. Traditional empirical and numerical methods often fail to capture long-term settlement behavior. This study predicts track bed settlement of Hangzhou Metro Line 1 using monitoring data collected during the Grand Canal diversion construction. A hybrid model (CEEMDAN-BWO-BiLSTM-ATT model) integrating Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise, Beluga Whale Optimization, Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory, and an attention mechanism is developed. Results from four monitoring points along the up line show good performance, …

Intelligent Cost-Optimized Mix Design Prediction And Engineered Strength System For Geopolymer Concrete: A Machine Learning-Based Recommender System, Yuvaraj Natarajan, K.R. Sri Preethaa, V. Danushkumar, Syed Muhammad Oan Naqvi, M. Shyamala Devi, Karen Lozano, Bubryur Kim, Jinwoo An

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Geopolymer concrete is a promising low-carbon alternative to ordinary Portland cement concrete, but its practical use is limited by complex mix-design requirements and limited cost-aware decision-support tools. This study developed the Intelligent Cost-Optimized Mix Design Prediction and Engineered Strength System (iCOMPRESS), a machine learning-based recommender system that integrates 28-day compressive strength prediction, cost optimization, and compositionally diverse mixture recommendation. A database of 443 literature-derived mixtures was used to train a hyperparameter-optimized Random Forest model with domain-informed features related to binder chemistry, alkaline activation, water content, aggregates, and curing conditions. The model achieved a five-fold cross-validation mean absolute error (MAE) of …

Efficient Energy Management In Networked Microgrids Using Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning In The Presence Of Uncertainties, Ayodele Benjamin Chukwuyem

Dissertations

Microgrid technology is essential in facilitating the transition to smart energy grids in developed countries and mitigating energy poverty in developing countries, particularly in areas where grid extensions are not feasible. Recently, the concept of networked microgrids (NMGs) has garnered tremendous attention due to the plausibility of interactions among interconnected microgrids leading to power networks that are more resilient, reliable, and stable. However, because each microgrid has diverse distributed generation resources (renewables and controllable generators) and each microgrid operator (MO) has different objectives, coordinated energy management is required to satisfy local and system-wide goals under conditions with significant uncertainty. Existing …

Effect Of Curing Duration On Bridge Deck Concrete Performance, Zhaniya Omarova

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study evaluates the influence of curing duration on the performance of bridge deck concrete and investigates the feasibility of reducing curing periods without compromising structural and durability properties. Two concrete mixtures, a standard Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) bridge deck mix (47BD) and an optimized reduced-cement-content mix (O47BD-R100), were evaluated under multiple curing durations Fresh, early-age, mechanical, durability, and shrinkage properties were assessed to characterize the effect of curing on concrete behavior. Internal relative humidity and temperature were monitored using embedded sensors to investigate moisture diffusion and its role in shrinkage development for lab specimens and full-scale slabs.

Results …

How Do Social Network Models Compare To All-To-All Models For Forecasting Tuberculosis Epidemics? A Mathematical Modeling Study, Masabho Peter Milali, Hae-Young Kim, George Corliss, Anna Bershteyn

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Background. Mathematical models guide tuberculosis (TB) target-setting, yet most assume homogeneous “all-to-all” mixing. We compared projected intervention impacts between an all-to-all compartmental model and a Barabási–Albert (BA) scale‑free social network model under otherwise identical disease assumptions.

Methods. We calibrated transmission parameters so both models produced similar baseline trends, then introduced vaccination (coverage 30–70%; efficacy 80–95%) and treatment (20–50% increases in recovery) after a 400‑day burn‑in. Outcomes were assessed 300 days post‑intervention.

Results. Under 60% coverage, increasing vaccine efficacy from 80% to 95% yielded smaller projected reductions in active TB with the network model than with all‑to‑all mixing. Treatment improvements showed …

Evaluating Human Rod Photoreceptor Function Using Pixelwise Intensity-Based Optoretinography, Gao Yang, Mina Gaffney, Robert F. Cooper

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: More than 50 inherited retinal diseases are known, with rod photoreceptor functional loss serving as an early indicator in nearly half of them. The “optoretinogram” is a relatively new assay that detects optical changes in cells in response to stimuli. This tool has excellent potential for providing insights into the earliest functional changes of rod photoreceptors, with the potential to assist in the early detection, monitoring, and treatment of retinal diseases.

Methods: In this work, we obtained intensity-based optoretinograms (iORGs) from rod photoreceptors using an adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope. We explore the necessity of both individual rod identification …

Radiation Protection Factor Research: The Keystone For Conventional-Nuclear Integration (Cni), Andrew W. Decker

Faculty Publications

This article briefly describes Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) vehicle Radiation Protection Factor (RPF) research and explains its critical role in enabling future Operations in a Nuclear Environment (ONE) and Conventional-Nuclear Integration (CNI) on behalf of the US Department of War (DoW).1 As such, the background and practical utility of RPF values is discussed, as well as the justification for renewed Army and DoW investment into RPF research to enhance Joint military planning, survivability, and lethality on tomorrow’s nuclear battlefields. Advances in DTRA RPF research directly strengthen US strategic and extended deterrence efforts and support all Agencies and Departments responsible …

Plant-Mediated Green Synthesis Of Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles: Mechanisms, Properties, And Advanced Applications In Environmental And Biomedical Fields, Rihab Jabbar

Al-Bahir

Recently, plant-mediated green synthesis has emerged as a sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective strategy for synthesizing zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) nanoparticles (NPs). This review critically examines the advancements in biosynthesizing ZnFe₂O₄ NPs using various plant extracts, including Aloe vera, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Aegle marmelos, Eucalyptus leaves, Tragacanth gum, Piper nigrum, and Moringa oleifera, among others. It emphasizes their dual role as reducing, capping, chelating, and stabilizing agents. The article extensively compares physicochemical properties of the green-synthesized NPs in terms of crystallite size, morphology, magnetic behavior, and band gap energy. Achieved through different synthesis routes such as sol-gel, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, and microwave-assisted methods. …

Condition Monitoring Of Induction Motor Using Motor Current Signature Analysis, Francis Ikechukwu Obianke, Joseph Okhaifoh, Benjamin Akinloye

Al-Bahir

Induction machines serve as the cornerstone and driving force of modern manufacturing and production systems. This research aims to monitor and analyse the operating performance of induction motors using motor current signature analysis (MCSA). MCSA is employed to process the current signal of a motor into a frequency spectrum, known as the current signature by applying the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm. The underlying principle is that vibration generated in a motor is closely related to the changes of the magnetic field density, and the induced voltage varies with the stator current.

A simulation model replicating the behaviour of an …

Recombinant Gelonin: Purification And Functional Validation For Electroporation-Assisted Delivery, Eleni Zivla, Giedrė Šilkūnienė, Andrei G. Pakhomov, Mantas Šilkūnas, Olga N. Pakhomova

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Type I ribosome-inactivating proteins, such as gelonin, are enzymatically potent toxins but are effectively non-toxic under physiological conditions because they are unable to cross the plasma membrane[1]. Pulsed electric fields (PEF) overcome this delivery barrier by transiently permeabilizing the plasma membrane, allowing direct cytosolic entry. This enhances gelonin cytotoxicity by several thousand-fold, highlighting gelonin’s potential as an electrochemotherapy candidate[2]. Here, we present a recombinant gelonin (rGel) expression platform in E. coli with HPLC-based purification that enables reproducible protein production and structure-guided engineering.

The mature gelonin sequence (residues 47–297) was cloned into pET-32a(+) with an N-terminally fused Trx-6×His tag and TEV …

On The Extreme Complexity Of Certain Nearly Regular Graphs, Gregory P. Constantine, Gregory C. Magda

Theory & Applications of Graphs

The complexity of a graph is the number of its labeled spanning trees. It is demonstrated that the seven known triangle-free strongly regular graphs are graphs of maximal complexity among all graphs of the same order and degree; their complements are shown to be of minimal complexity. A generalization to nearly regular graphs with two distinct eigenvalues of the Laplacian is presented. Conjectures and applications of these results to biological problems on neuronal activity are described.

Requirements Of The Elderly In Interior Design Based On A Survey As A First Stage Of Smart Interior Design, Girges Sidhom, Christine Ezzat Danial

HBRC Journal

As the number of the aged in the world is expected to rise dramatically, the built environment should be adjusted to accommodate aging in place, and most of the facilities currently available are inadequate in terms of interior design requirements to support the functional and psychological needs of the aged. The purpose of this study is to establish the design needs of the aged by incorporating smart technology in interior architecture to make them safer and self-reliant. The methodology will apply a descriptive methodology by use of literature review and an analytical approach by use of a questionnaire of 153 …

Design And Construction Of Prestressed Concrete Balanced Cantilever Bridges, Ahmed S. Elareshy, Ashraf M. Osman, Ismail. M. Kamal, Amr A. Abdelrahman

HBRC Journal

Balanced cantilever concrete bridges have recently been widely used in mid and long-span bridges. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the development and design of prestressed concrete balanced cantilever (PCBC) bridges, focusing on research related to real case studies of both precast and cast-in-place box-girder bridges investigated through finite element modeling (FEM) or field measurements. The research strategy targeted peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and technical reports published over the last two decades in major engineering databases. Construction methods, design methodology, and structural behavior of this type of bridge are discussed, alongside key findings on long-term response, dynamic performance, …

Efficiency Comparison Of Reduced Graphene Oxide (Rgo) Composite-Incorporated Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibrous Filters For Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust And Coal Dust, Mahsa Moradi, Ashish Kakoria, Lina Zheng, Guang Xu

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The health of miners working in underground mines is greatly threatened by their exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) found in coal dust. While coal dust includes RCS, it is important to know the specific filtration efficiency for RCS particles compared to coal dust to improve protective measures. This study compares the filtration efficiency of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite-incorporated Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibrous filters at four different concentrations of rGO (0, 2, 6, and 10 wt.%) for RCS particles and coal dust. The filters were made using the electrospinning method. They were tested separately with RCS particles and coal dust …

The George-Anne Daily, Georgia Southern University

George-Anne Media Group: Newsletters & Magazines

No abstract provided.

Voltage Breakdown Strength And Energy Density Of Ceramic Srtio₃ At Cryogenic Temperatures From 295 K To 77 K, Hung Trinh, Alan Devoe, Fatih Dogan

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The low-temperature dependence of the DC dielectric breakdown strength (EBD) and the energy storage density (W) of capacitors, fabricated from high purity polycrystalline strontium titanate, were investigated in the temperature range from 295 K to 77 K. Test samples were constructed with a process similar to that used for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs). The permittivity, loss tangent, leakage current, and breakdown strength were measured as a function of temperature and voltage. Weibull statistical analysis was used to quantify breakdown distributions. Despite electric-field suppression of permittivity, breakdown strength increased significantly with decreasing temperatures, leading to enhanced energy density. The breakdown field …

Propagation And Interaction Of Gravity Currents Induced By Successive Release Of Two Lock Fluids, Khem Prasad Bhattarai, Subhas Karan Venayagamoorthy

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study investigates the dynamics of sequentially released gravity currents in a lock-exchange configuration consisting of two lock fluids using high-resolution numerical simulations and compares them with the classical single-lock exchange. The results demonstrate that, in a two-lock-fluid configuration, the overtaking of the lighter lock current by the heavier lock current alters the current's front dynamics, leading to complex velocity transitions. Before overtaking occurs, the front propagation is slower than in the classical single-lock-fluid case because of lower density contrast, but after overtaking, the heavier lock fluid accumulates at the head region of the current and enhances its speed. The …

Community Engagement Through Robotics Mentoring – Unlv, First Nv, And High School Robotics Teams, Brendan O'Toole

Community Engagement Expo Research Posters

The UNLV Robotics Mentorship program includes a two-semester course that trains students to support local high school FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams. ‘ME 464 Robotics Mentoring I’ provides training in design, mentoring,  fabrication, and programming. ‘ME 465 Robotics Mentoring II’, pairs students with local high school teams to serve as technical mentors for the competition season.