Engineering Commons^™

2026 (Spring) Ensi Informer Magazine, Morehead State University. Engineering Sciences Department

ENSI Informer Magazine Archive

The ENSI Informer Magazine published in the spring of 2026.

Bridging Mission And Execution: Integrating Participatory Design In Early-Phase Mission Engineering For Stakeholder Alignment And Mission Clarity, Rafi Soule

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation develops and evaluates an integration-centered approach to early-phase Mission Engineering that improves mission clarity under ambiguity. Stakeholder interpretations diverge, and interoperability constraints are not surfaced early. These conditions reduce mission clarity and weaken mission-to-system mapping readiness. The dissertation proposes an integration-centered approach that strengthens early mission framing through two complementary mechanisms: (1) a participatory design-inspired, artifact-first workflow that surfaces and repairs interpretation divergence, and (2) closed-corpus, RAG-enabled retrieval that grounds mission-to-system mapping in traceable evidence. The study was organized around a construct spine linking shared understanding, stakeholder alignment, and interoperability feasibility to mission clarity. A three phase mixed-methods …

Engineering Cryogenic Thermal Links And Transport Systems For Conduction-Cooled Superconducting Cavities, Jacob B. Lewis

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) is currently developing a prototype conduction-cooled 915 MHz SRF cryomodule proposed for industrial use, capable of increasing the energy of an electron beam with 5 mA current by ~ 4 MeV. Two Nb3Sn resonant cavities are under development for this project, in which cryogenic cooling is provided by closed cycle refrigerators (cryocoolers). One cavity utilizes high-purity electroformed copper on the outer surface to provide heat extraction from the cavity, the other relies on high-purity aluminum thermal links. This thesis investigated the thermal conduction pathways between the cavities and cryocooler cold heads, with …

Downstream Effects Of Post Aerobic Digestion And Divalent Cation Treatment: Dewaterability, Phosphorus Mitigation, And Process Odors, Maya Marisol Quijano Garcia

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This study evaluated post-aerobic digestion (PAD) with aeration, mixing, and divalent cation addition to improve phosphorus capture, dewaterability, and odor control in thermal hydrolysis process (THP)–treated anaerobic digestate at the Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s Atlantic Treatment Plant. A three-day PAD process was operated under constant air flow (5 LPM) and dissolved oxygen (DO)-setpoint (0.2 mg/L) aeration conditions with Ca(OH)₂ or Mg(OH)₂ dosing. Aeration and mixing alone increased polymer demand by 14–46 % relative to untreated influent, indicating enhanced extracellular polymeric substance release. Chemical conditioning partially mitigated this increase but did not restore polymer demand to baseline levels. Dewatered cake total …

Biocrude From Organic Waste And Its Conversion To Hard Carbon: Experimental And Modeling Study, Isamu Umeda

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This study establishes a technical and theoretical foundation for the efficient conversion of organic waste into biocrude and high-value carbon materials, aiming to facilitate the industrialization of hydrothermal and solvothermal liquefaction. The dissertation research is structured as follows:

Chapter 2 developed a novel chemical kinetic model for the HTL of corn stover based on elemental balances (C, H, N, and O). By incorporating temperature, residence time, solid loading as an independent variable, the model successfully predicted product yields and properties, revealing that there was non-pseudo-first-order reaction pathways in the conversion of water soluble organics in aqueous phase (AP) to hydrochar. …

Extending The Job Demands-Resource Model In Classified Work Environments: A Longitudinal Analysis Of Job Demands, Resources, Job Satisfaction, And Retention Among Engineers, Gregory Gooden

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model is a widely used framework for understanding how work conditions influence employee attitudes and retention-related outcomes. However, empirical evidence testing JD-R dynamics in classified technical work environments remains limited, particularly using longitudinal designs that account for structural constraints, nonrandom participation, and outcome-specific measurement challenges. Classified work is characterized by persistent demands, restricted flexibility, and security-driven limitations on available resources, raising questions about whether and how JD-R processes generalize to this context.

This study examines whether job demands and job resources predict subsequent job satisfaction and retention intent in a classified technical workforce using multi-wave longitudinal …

Bioengineering The Future Of The Human Species: H+’S Ideological Iterations Of Trans-/Posthumanity As Exemplified By Futurist Literary Texts = (Bio)Technological Solutions For (And/Or) Reification Of Systemic Inequities?, Marjorie E. Bomhower

English Theses & Dissertations

While humanity has, throughout our species’ history, endeavored to dream and create astonishing, and ever-evolving, (bio)technologies with the utopian ideals of bettering our day-to day lives and achieving greater longevity, our endeavors have (thus far) not only produced remarkable, beneficial advances in longevity and quality of life, but have also yielded devastating and dire outcomes; often at the cost and victimization of marginalized communities. This dissertation focuses on select (bio)technologies – particularly, those promoted by H+ (the most current and popular technoutopianist non-profit, “educational,” organization) – with an investigation of current and nascent (bio)technological evolutions, futurist literary texts, and critical/digital …

The Psychology Behind Ai-Generated Phishing And Social Engineering Attacks, A’Shya Reynolds

School of Cybersecurity Master's Level Projects and Papers

Cybercrime has evolved significantly with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), transforming traditional phishing and social engineering attacks into highly sophisticated and personalized threats. While early phishing attempts relied on generic messaging and low success rates, modern AI-driven attacks leverage advanced data analytics, natural language processing, and behavioral prediction to manipulate victims more effectively.

This research examines how cybercriminals utilize AI to enhance psychological manipulation techniques in phishing and social engineering attacks, increasing victim susceptibility. Drawing from interdisciplinary literature in cybersecurity and psychology, this study explores key psychological mechanisms, including cognitive biases, emotional triggers, and decision-making processes that influence victim …

Observations Of An Oscillatory Mechanochemical Reaction Between Tetrathiafulvalene And Chloranilic Acid, Alastair Deans

Physics Theses & Dissertations

Mechanochemistry is the study of chemical reactions driven by the input of mechanical en ergy in addition to thermal activation. Mechanochemical reactions from powders are carried out by manual grinding or milling using various types of ball mills, or in twin extruders. While mechanochemistry has great potential affording economically and environmentally advantageous “green” synthetic methods, a drawback is that its chemical mechanisms are not well understood. One example of such a reaction currently under study involves tetrathiafulvalene, an organic elec tron donor with two polymorphs (orange and brown), and chloranilic acid, an electron acceptor. Previous results show that neat grinding …

Enhancing Nasa Sounding Rocket Capabilities Through Composite Material Adoption, Robert Burth

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Sounding rockets are a suborbital research platform employed by NASA for heliophysics, astrophysics, geospace science investigations, and for technology development. They follow semi-parabolic trajectories and are launched using surplus military, and commercial, solid-propellant rocket motors. NASA sounding rocket payloads are comprised of standard, modular subassemblies, designed to perform specific functions critical to achieving specific mission success criteria.

Since the program’s inception, payload length and mass have trended upwards, limiting the capability of the platform to reach exospheric apogees and decreasing the time above critical altitudes to observe solar and celestial targets. To offset this trend, composite materials may be of …

Optimization Of Niobium Film For Particle Accelerators And Quantum Applications, Bektur Abdisatarov

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Niobium (Nb) films play a central role in superconducting technologies used in particle accelerators and superconducting quantum circuits. Optimizing the physical properties of Nb films is therefore critical for improving both radiofrequency (RF) performance in superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities and coherence in superconducting qubits. This thesis investigates the relationship between Nb film microstructure, impurity content, and electromagnetic response across these two application domains.

For particle accelerator applications, we studied Nb films deposited using high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) with DC bias onto a 1.3 GHz elliptical SRF cavity. Nb film cavities exhibit a pronounced medium-field Q-slope, limiting their achievable accelerating …

Artificial Intelligence In Human Spaceflight Safety-Critical Systems: A Requirements Framework For Ai-Enabled Computer-Based Control Systems, Liz Bosch

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Currently, there is no governing standard that addresses the safe integration of AI into computer-based control systems (CBCS) in human spaceflight. The computer-based control expectations of those safety-critical systems on the International Space Station (ISS) are captured in SSP 50038, Computer-Based Control System Safety Requirements, with one caveat: the standard was not designed with AI applications in mind. SSP 50038 does not cover the probabilistic behavior, opacity, and training-data dependency of modern AI/ML systems. The objectives of this work is to develop an AI taxonomy relevant to safety characteristics (determinism, transparency, data dependency, failure predictability), systematically map AI characteristics against …

Performance Reviews In Project-Based Engineering Firms: Toward A More Holistic And Development-Oriented Approach, Xun He

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

Performance reviews are widely used in engineering consulting firms to evaluate employee contributions and determine compensation and promotion decisions. However, research has shown that traditional review systems may overemphasize measurable technical results while overlooking collaboration, leadership, and innovation. In project-based engineering environments, where employees work across multiple teams and stakeholders, this structure may not fully reflect the nature of daily work. This qualitative phenomenological study explored how early-career engineers in project-based engineering consulting firms experienced performance review practices. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 engineers working in consulting firms. The study examined participants’ perceptions of fairness, completeness, and …

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 …

Aisc/Asce 2026 Student Steel Bridge Competition, Gabriel Barrantes, Matthew Beltran, Vance Debrabander, Robert Miller, Wyatt Nipp

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering Senior Theses

This report documents the design, fabrication, and construction of a 1:10 scale steel truss bridge developed by Santa Clara University’s Steel Bridge Team for the 2026 ASCE/AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition. Marking SCU’s first participation in the competition since 2013, the project was completed over a six and a half (6.5) month period from October 2025 to April 2026, with financial support from McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. The bridge design is a modular truss structure spanning 23 feet six and one quarter inches (6.25) inches, constructed entirely of low carbon steel in compliance with SSBC rulebook requirements. Primary structural members …

Quantum Spin-Like Behavior Of Elastic Guided Waves: Quantized Geometric Phase For Nde And Shm, Md Ebrahim Khalil Bhuiyan

Theses and Dissertations

Ultrasonic guided waves are widely used in nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM) for detecting defects and damage in engineering materials and structures. Conventional diagnostic features, such as attenuation of wave amplitude, shifts in time-of-flight, and frequency variations are widely used for damage identification. However, these metrics are inherently sensitive to environmental and operational variations, including temperature, pressure, humidity, sensor coupling conditions, boundary constraints, and external loading. Such sensitivities introduce significant uncertainty in signal interpretation, often obscuring damage-related signatures. Recent advances in wave physics have revealed that elastic guided waves exhibit intrinsic spin angular momentum (SAM), arising from …

Device Engineering And Defect Characterization Of Wide-Bandgap Semiconductor Detectors, Ritwik Nag

Theses and Dissertations

This work investigates the device engineering and defect characterization of next-generation wide-bandgap semiconductor radiation detectors, specifically focusing on cadmium zinc telluride selenide (CdZnTeSe or CZTS) single crystal, 4H-silicon carbide (4H-SiC) epitaxial layer, and metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) 4H-SiC architectures. The research addresses the critical need for high-performance detectors capable of operating in harsh environments (i.e, in high radiation background and at high temperature) and at room temperature with superior energy resolution and low noise.

In the study of CZTS gamma-ray detectors, single crystals were grown using the vertical Bridgman method (VBM) and the vertical gradient freeze (VGF) method. Material characterization using EDX, …

Millimeter Wave Channel Modeling In Shipboard Environments, Patrick Morris

Theses and Dissertations

The millimeter wave (mmWave) band has been increasingly studied in recent years due to the saturation of other common frequency bands and the need for higher data rates for current and future communications systems. In this thesis, we quantify key channel parameters for mmWave channels in several environments, including an office setting, an indoor corridor, outdoor areas near a large building, and two shipboard environments. Using a center frequency of 30.5 GHz and signal bandwidth of 500 MHz, we quantify path loss and delay dispersion. The shipboard environments are a focus due to their novelty. Measurements were made using a …

Simulating K-Distributed Sea Clutter For Improvement Of X- Band Radar Littoral Object Detection Performance, Hudson Richard Dye

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides a statistically based method of simulating K- distributed sea clutter for littoral X-band radar object detection. Littoral radar systems must detect small objects in cluttered environments dominated by return from the sea surface. Accurate modeling of sea clutter is fundamental for improving radar detection performance. The clutter synthesizer presented here is an effort to enable computer modeling of realistic sea clutter even with restricted knowledge of sea clutter behavior.

The K-distribution is widely used to model sea clutter in X-band radar systems. Its parameters 𝜈 and 𝑏 are closely tied to third and fourth statistical moments and …

Advanced Modeling Techniques And Crosstalk Mitigation Methodology For High-Speed Interconnects In Modern Communication Systems, Yingcong Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing demand for higher data rates, greater computational performance, and continued PCB miniaturization has rendered interconnects a critical bottleneck in modern communication and computing systems. High-density routing, while enabling compact designs, significantly exacerbates signal integrity (SI) challenges such as impedance mismatch, far-end crosstalk (FEXT), and propagation delay. Despite advances in design practices, efficient closed-form analytical models capable of accurately characterizing complex, high-frequency interconnect geometries remain limited, necessitating reliance on computationally intensive numerical simulations. This dissertation addresses these limitations by developing analytical modeling methodologies and proposing novel interconnect structures to ensure robust SI in high-speed PCB systems.

The first part …

Graphene Synthesis: A Reactor-Oriented Review Of Conventional And Emerging Production Methods, Paul C. Ani, Zeyad Zeitoun, Hasan J. Al-Abedi, Joseph D. Smith

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Graphene's unparalleled electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties have positioned it as a transformative material across diverse sectors, including electronics, energy storage, biomedicine, and environmental remediation. However, scalable, cost-effective, and high-quality production remains a critical challenge. This review presents a comprehensive, reactor-oriented analysis of both conventional and emerging graphene synthesis methods, categorized into top-down and bottom-up approaches. Special emphasis is placed on the role of reactor configurations in determining product quality, layer control, scalability, and economic viability. Key synthesis techniques explored include chemical vapor deposition (CVD), epitaxial growth, electrochemical exfoliation, ultrasonic-assisted methods, microwave reactors, combustion synthesis, and plasma-enhanced processes. By evaluating …

Analysis Of Live Load Distribution Factors In Prestressed Concrete Girder-Bridges With Asymmetric Losses In Prestressing Strands, Mohamed T. Elshazli, Mohamed Elgawady, Ahmed Ibrahim

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Asymmetric loss of prestressing strands in concrete bridge girders presents a critical yet underrecognized threat to structural integrity, particularly in exterior girders subjected to impact or localized deterioration. This form of localized and unbalanced damage leads to eccentric reductions in prestressing force, rotation of the principal axis, and diminished flexural capacity, effects not explicitly addressed in current design standards such as the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation into the structural implications of such asymmetric damage, focusing on its effect on live load distribution factors (LLDFs) across prestressed girder bridges. A parametric study of …

Electromyography, Prosthetic Properties, And Running Biomechanics In Recreationally Active Persons With Lower Extremity Amputation, Paige M. Agnew

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Lower extremity loss affects nearly 150,000 individuals in the United States yearly yielding extreme health care costs annually. Typically, prosthetic devices are prescribed for 5-8 years despite known changes to an individual’s gait as time progresses. Patients can expect to undergo approximately 8-12 weeks of gait retraining to improve their comfort and efficiency. Biomechanical changes occur when running with a specific running prosthetic including considerable biomechanical and neuromuscular interlimb asymmetries and alterations in loading patterns. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the biomechanical demands for lower extremity prosthesis users during running. The first study synthesized peer reviewed evidence …

Microstructural And Thermal Studies Of Niobium On Copper Fabricated By Sputtering And Multicharged Ion Deposition, Md Obidul Islam

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Niobium-coated copper (Nb/Cu) superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities are a promising alternative to bulk niobium cavities for next-generation particle accelerators due to their reduced material cost and superior thermal conductivity of the copper substrate. However, cavity performance is fundamentally limited by the microstructural quality of sputtered Nb films and thermal transport across the Nb/Cu interface. Reduced thermal diffusivity in thin films and high interfacial thermal resistance contribute to localized heating and performance degradation under high RF fields. This dissertation addresses these challenges through a combined experimental and methodological investigation of thermal transport in Nb thin films, focusing on interface engineering using …

A Theoretical Framework For Recursion In Complex System Governance, Gilbert Goddin

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to construct an original theoretical framework for understanding recursion in Complex System Governance (CSG), grounded in the propositions and axioms of systems theory and management cybernetics. This framework addresses a research gap for cybernetic recursion relating to the governance of complex systems. Leveraging the CSG framework (Keating & Katina, 2019; Keating, 2022), holonic principles (Koestler, 1970; Mella, 2009), management cybernetics (Beer, 1979; Beer, 1984; Beer, 1995), and metacybernetics (Yolles, 2021; Yolles & Fink, 2015c; Yolles & Frieden, 2021), recursion is theorized as a governable capability, whereby metasystemic governance anticipates emerging complexity and purposefully regulates …

Fabrication Of Flexible Laser-Induced Graphene-Based Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensor For Diabetes Management, Reagan Aviha

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This research focuses on developing a flexible non-enzymatic glucose sensor to address the issues of cost, stability, and limited sensitivity associated with enzymatic glucose sensors. Regular monitoring of glucose levels is required to manage the global health challenge of diabetes. The sensor is built on a cost-effective, durable, flexible, conductive, and high-surface-area substrate acting as a scaffold for modification with easily tunable and electroactive species to enhance glucose detection. The electroactive materials used are zinc oxide (ZnO), palladium (Pd) and platinum (Pt). Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is created by laser engraving. ZnO, Pd and Pt are electrochemically deposited and optimized based …

Optimizing Auv Perception For Competitive Underwater Robotics: Analyzing Performance And Simplicity Of Machine Vision Hardware, Joseph King

Honors Theses

Underwater robotics is a growing field with many practical applications, such as pipeline and offshore structure monitoring, deep sea mining, mine reconnaissance/removal, and marine environmental monitoring. USM’s Robotics Club will participate in the international RoboSub competition, where student-led teams build autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that perform a variety of tasks within a pool requiring camera-based object detection. This project analyzes affordable hardware and software options for providing machine vision to USM’s future RoboSub AUV. The performance of an ESP32-CAM microcontroller, Raspberry Pi 5, and Jetson Orin Nano single-board computers running FOMO and YOLO object detection models was compared. These models …

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 …

A Low-Noise And High-Gain Integrated Photoplethysmography Sensor For Continuous Vital Signs Monitoring, Neethu Mohan

Dissertations

Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensing is an important technology used for measuring health parameters like, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, and blood pressure (BP). The PPG sensing is used for individuals who have to periodically monitor their health due to chronic health conditions. The basic requirements of a wearable PPG sensor include non-invasiveness, prolonged battery life, and being userfriendly. These type of sensors have great demand in the healthcare applications and there is a significant rise in the demand of these sensors. The basic objective of these PPG sensors is to make the continuous vital health monitoring easier without the …

A Comparative Study On Performance Of Iot-Driven Ml-Enabled Forecasting Models For Efficient Air Quality Monitoring, Bara Ksiksi

Theses

Air pollution is one of the most critical environmental challenges affecting public health globally, responsible for approximately 4.2 million premature deaths annually according to the World Health Organisation. This thesis presents a comparative study of IoT-driven machine learning forecasting models for air quality monitoring in Abu Dhabi, UAE, introducing a zonal approach combined with satellite-based spatial validation. The primary objective is to evaluate forecasting performance across three distinct activity zones using ground station data from the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), and to incorporate a spatial validation component using satellite imagery to assess the consistency of ground-based predictions at a …