Engineering Commons^™

Monocular Camera Localization Using A Bag Of Visual Words From Virtual World Data, Joshua A. Rinaldi

Theses and Dissertations

The Visual Localization problem is the question of how to use visual information to determine the location of the camera that captured that data. The wide availability and low price of RGB cameras has made this useful in many fields such as SLAM, SAM and AR. This research seeks to determine if a BOVW can adequately overcome repetitious features in indoor environments and be effectively incorporated into a VL pipeline.

A Decision Support Simulation To Analyze Scheduling Alternatives For Applicant Processing At Military Entrance Processing Stations (Meps), Jonathan M. Escamilla

Theses and Dissertations

Applicant processing at Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) is conducted via a batch arrival process by which all applicants arrive at the beginning of the processing day. Pursuit of alternate processing scenarios has never progressed beyond the pilot stage, possibly because the Command lacks a general decision support model to evaluate the impacts of proposed policies on applicant processing operations. This research creates a discrete event simulation of MEPS applicant processing operations and applies the model to three alternative applicant processing scenarios: split-shift, appointment- based, and express-lane. Results are examined and compared to benchmarks using multiple performance measurements.

Detection And Identification Of Cellphone Emitted Light Detection And Ranging Light In Security Camera Video Footage, Tristan V. Creek

Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors in consumer cellphones has ushered in an era of access to technologies previously inaccessible to the average person. Although LiDAR sensors emit light in the infrared spectrum invisible to the naked eye, many security cameras possess the ability to capture infrared light reflected off surfaces to detect LiDAR light in an environment. Once detected and recorded to video footage, current classification methods fail to identify the LiDAR light. Therefore, this research develops a methodology to detect LiDAR light in security camera video footage and identify it as cellphone LiDAR. A proposed …

Evaluating The Use Of Boot Image Encryption On Talos Ii Architecture, Calvin M. Muramoto

Theses and Dissertations

Sensitive devices operating in unprotected environments are vulnerable to hardware attacks like reverse engineering and side channel analysis. This represents a security concern because the root of trust can be invalidated through boot firmware manipulation. For example, boot data is rarely encrypted and typically travels across an accessible bus like the LPC bus, allowing data to be easily intercepted and possibly manipulated during system startup. The ash chip storing the boot data can also be removed from these devices and examined to reveal detailed boot information. This paper details an implementation of encrypting a section of the boot image and …

Qualitative Insights On The Military Entrance Processing Station (Meps) Of Excellence Program, Brian T. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) of Excellence Program (MOE) is a program to improve operations through recognition and motivation and to sustain excellence in MEPSs core services. Quantitative MOE program data was studied using a hybrid approach of descriptive statistics, statistical process control, and logistic regression to gain relevant insights with respect to the program objectives of improvement, excellence, motivation, and recognition. Future work should employ information such as climate surveys, worker performance reports, and the civilian awards program for further insights into the MOEs effectiveness as a motivator.

Optimal Aircraft Maneuvering Models For Cruise Missile Engagement: A Modeling And Computational Study, Izaiah G. Laduke

Theses and Dissertations

Given the increased threat and proliferation of adversary military capabilities, this research seeks to develop reasonably accurate and computationally tractable models to optimally maneuver aircraft to intercept cruise missile attacks. The research leveraged mathematical programming to model the problem, informed by constraints representing a system of (temporal) difference equations. The research began by comparing six models having alternative representations of velocity and acceleration constraints while analyzing situations with stationary targets. The Multiple Aircraft, Multiple Stationary Target Engagement Problem with Box Constraint Bounds (MAMSTEP-BC) Model yielded superior overall performance and was further analyzed through alternative mathematical programming model enhancements to create …

Applying Models Of Circadian Stimulus To Explore Ideal Lighting Configurations, Alexander J. Price

Theses and Dissertations

Increased levels of time are spent indoors, decreasing human interaction with nature and degrading photoentrainment, the synchronization of circadian rhythms with daylight variation. Military imagery analysts, among other professionals, are required to work in low light level environments to limit power consumption or increase contrast on display screens to improve detail detection. Insufficient exposure to light in these environments results in inadequate photoentrainment which is associated with degraded alertness and negative health effects. Recent research has shown that both the illuminance (i.e., perceived intensity) and wavelength of light affect photoentrainment. Simultaneously, modern lighting technologies have improved our ability to construct …

Magnetic Navigation Using Online Calibration Filter Analysis, Jonnathan D. Bonifaz

Theses and Dissertations

Magnetic navigation using the Earth’s magnetic anomaly field has proven to be a promising alternative that can provide coverage for a navigation system. This research demonstrates a magnetic navigation system using an extended Kalman filter (EKF) to aid an aircraft’s inertial navigation system (INS). Traditional magnetic anomaly navigation uses a “static calibration method,” which takes post-processed data to calibrate, obtaining the Tolles-Lawson coefficients needed for magnetic anomaly navigation filter compensation. These coefficients are constant and may cause drifts in the navigation filter if not re-calibrated. The online calibration method continuously updates the Tolles-Lawson coefficients as a filter state, reducing the …

Game Theory Framework To Evaluate Nuclear Deterrence, Michael A. Cevallos

Theses and Dissertations

This research game theory framework evaluates the resilience of nuclear deterrence options between two players. We use lexicographic prioritization to value four priorities of political, military, economic, and civilian casualties. The value order may be varied. We demonstrate our approach with six player choices of no nuclear strike, demonstration, counterforce, tactical military, economic, or countervalue strike. We use game theory to construct and analyze the resulting damage matrix. We conclude that credible deterrence requires having at least equivalent offensive damage capabilities.

Climate Change Risk To Coastal Airfield Stormwater Systems, Jedidiah R. Langlois

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change is resulting in rising sea levels and increased rainfall, posing new challenges to stormwater management, particularly along coastlines. The airfield stormwater systems of Tyndall Air Force Base discharge directly into an interior bay of the Gulf of Mexico through tidal canals and ditches, creating a risk of system inundation from high tidewater conditions from sea-level rise (SLR). This study explores the performance and consequences of an inundated stormwater system from SLR during rainfall events using the EPA’s Stormwater Management Model (SWMM). One hundred and fifty-three combinations of SLR and return year storms were applied to a model of …

Predicting Tf33-Pw-100a Engine Failures Due To Oil Issues Using Survival Analyses, Anna M. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

In 2007, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment pushed for the need to transition to a Condition Based Maintenance Plus (CBM ) initiative for weapon systems in the U.S. Department of Defense. The CBM initiative can help increase aircraft availability (AA) for the United States Air Force. There are many reasons where AA can be affected but one such issue is engine availability primarily due to oil issues. Within the CBM perspective, this study examines the risk of a jet engine failure due to an oil issue and attempts to predict an engines time until next …

Understanding Logistics Airmen’S Risk Information Seeking And Processing During The Covid-19 Pandemic: The Role Of Organizational Meetings In An Extended Prism Framework, Christopher T. Price

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this survey-based research was to understand how organizational workplace meetings surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic impacted logistics Airmen across the United States Air Force and subsequently played a role into their risk seeking behavior on social media. Specifically, this research tested an expanded Planned Information Risk Seeking Model with organizational meetings as an antecedent to determine if current meetings influenced an Airman's perceived behavioral control, attitude toward seeking, subjective norms, knowledge sufficiency an intentions to seek information regarding COVID-19.

A Post-Disaster Construction Portfolio Optimization Framework For Tyndall Afb Rebuild Post Hurricane Michael, Andre J. May

Theses and Dissertations

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and extreme flooding cause severe social and economic disruptions. Restoration of social and revenue-generating services often requires extensive reconstruction, from the facility to the campus scale. For multi-facility portfolios, decision-makers must prioritize post-disaster reconstruction activities appropriately to ensure facilities and infrastructure are restored. In addition, any expansion or new construction initiatives are ideally completed in order of decision-maker and community preference. Most post-disaster optimization and decision framework research consider a single stakeholder as guiding decisions related to a project portfolio. However, these portfolio prioritization frameworks ignore the effect of multiple stakeholders and competing …

Improving Task-Operator Analysis For Training Through The Integration Of Human Learning Taxonomies And Systems Engineering Models, James M. Earley

Theses and Dissertations

Training is a critical part of force sustainment, but the life-cycle cost of recurring training can be quite high. Further, the promotion of the Multi-Capable Airman (MCA) concept leads to questions on how best to train airmen on tasks outside of their core career field. The MCA concept, coupled with continued increase of technology effectiveness, incentivize the replacement of formerly in-residence-only training with distance training that enables Just-in-Time (JIT) learning. However, effective implementation of the MCA concept may also require adaptive training which considers the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) developed by a trainee within their core career field when …

Indicators Of Political Instability In The Presence Of Rapid Urban And Youth Population Growth, Douglas W. Hubbard

Theses and Dissertations

Large and rapidly growing cities and other urban agglomerations have the potential to become incubators of political instability. This is especially true of rapidly growing cities which are located in countries that are also experiencing high rates of growth in their youth population. Rapid growth rates put stress on urban infrastructure and other institutions, and these stresses can cause major problems for both city and national governments. Knowing when these cities and countries may be trending toward their tipping points regarding political instability will help governments and international organizations develop and implement effective strategies to mitigate the risk of instability.

A Scientometric Analysis Of Smart Sensors In Facility Management And Applications In Air Force Operations, Joseph-Thomas H. Lehotsky

Theses and Dissertations

To investigate the areas which smart sensors can be implemented to assist facility managers to optimize limited resources, this research consists of a scientometric analysis to identify the areas of research quantitatively and qualitatively. Existing literature related to smart sensors in facility management operations were compiled and trends were analyzed to determine the ways in which researchers have been applying this technology. The title, abstracts, and keyword were used to perform frequency, networking, and clustering analysis. This research effort serves to provide ways in which Air Force installations can implement smart sensors in a way which fulfills the initiatives posed …

Application Of Machine Learning Models With Numerical Simulations Of An Experimental Microwave Induced Plasma Gasification Reactor, Owen D. Sedej

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aims to contribute to the future development of this technology by providing an in-depth literature review of how this technology physically operates and can be numerically modeled. Additionally, this thesis reviews literature of machine learning models that have been applied to gasification to make accurate predictions regarding the system. Finally, this thesis provides a framework of how to numerically model an experimental plasma gasification reactor in order to inform a variety of machine learning models.

A Decadal Analysis Of Shifts In Engineering Manufacturing Development Factors For Dod Assets, Michael J. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This research involves the analysis of standard parametric factors by decade within the development stage of acquisitions. Analysts use factors to develop budgets, create a baseline for measuring project progress, or as a crosscheck to the other estimating techniques. This research analyzed data from 408 1921s across seven decades and eight work breakdown structure (WBS) elements. It further analyzed these decades by commodity type, contract and contractor type, and service branch. The statistical tests used in this research determined which decades within our categories were dissimilar and drew conclusions about the impact of those differences. These tests determined that factors …

Deep Learning Techniques To Estimate 3d Position In Stereoscopic Imagery, Jonathan I. Nicholson

Theses and Dissertations

Current AAR efforts utilize machine vision algorithms to estimate the pose of a receiver aircraft. However, these algorithms are dependent on several conditions such as the availability of precise 3D aircraft models; the accuracy of the pipeline significantly degrades in the absence of high-quality information given beforehand. We propose a deep learning architecture that estimates the 3D position of an object based on stereoscopic imagery. We investigate the use of both machine learning techniques and neural networks to directly regress the 3D position of the receiver aircraft. We present a new position estimation framework that is based on the differences …

Persistence And Mitigation Of Pfas Within Concrete Stormwater Drainage Infrastructure, Jason R. Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

The persistence, fate, and transport of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, which have been shown to have adverse effects on human health, have been previously studied in environmental media such as soils and groundwater. This study investigates concrete, a medium that is rarely studied but frequently present in instances where PFAS originating from AFFF releases and spills have occurred. Used heavily throughout aviation firefighting, AFFF poses environmental hazards due to the length of PFAS degradation and toxicological implications, thus its classification as a forever chemical. From the very limited reports to date, studies have suggested very slow release from concrete, potentially …

Gradient And Pressure Recovery Of A Self-Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Depends On Ascending Aorta Size: In Vitro Study, Milad Samaee, Hoda Hatoum, Michael Biersmith, Breandan Yeats, Shelley C. Gooden, Vinod H. Thourani, Rebecca T. Hahn, Scott Lilly, Ajit Yoganathan, Lakshmi Prasad Dasi

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Objective: In this study we aimed to understand the role of interaction of the Medtronic Evolut R transcatheter aortic valve with the ascending aorta (AA) by evaluating the performance of the valve and the pressure recovery in different AA diameters with the same aortic annulus size. Methods: A 26-mm Medtronic Evolut R valve was tested using a left heart simulator in aortic root models of different AA diameter (D): small (D = 23 mm), medium (D = 28 mm), and large (D = 34 mm) under physiological conditions. Measurements of pressure from upstream to downstream of the valve were performed …

Experimental Assessments Of Methanol-Based Foaming Agent In Latex Modified Foamed Binders And Warm Asphalt Mixtures, Mohd Rosli Mohd Hasan, Tai Guo, Hainian Wang, Zhanping You

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Latex is one of the natural rubbers that is used to enhance the performance of asphalt pavement for the last few decades. The presence of latex, which is categorized as an elastomer, helps to improve pavement performance and durability. Conversely, higher viscosity of latex modified asphalt binder increases the production-temperatures of asphalt mixture, thus consuming higher energy during asphalt mixture’s production stage. In this study, the effectiveness of methanol as an energy-efficient foaming agent was assessed to reduce the viscosity and enhance the workability of the modified asphalt binder. The basic and rheological properties of the asphalt binders were determined …

Modeling Multimodal Access To Primary Care In An Urban Environment, Danielle Eden Del Conte, Amanda Locascio, Joseph Amoruso, Margaret L. Mcnamara

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Access to primary health care facilities is a key component of public health, and measuring that access is vital to understanding how to target interventions. Transportation is one dimension of access and measuring distance via multiple modes allows better understanding of how varied populations access health care, particularly those who do not have access to a personal vehicle. This work builds on the 2-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) method to include travel by car, bus, bicycle, and walking. Travel time data are sourced from OpenStreetMap and transit data incorporates stop and schedule information from the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS). …

Mytrials: Clinical Trial Application Concept, Katie Hollister

Graphic Communication

A clinical trial’s success is dependent upon whether a patient attends their highly-structured clinical trial visit schedule, which may include both in-person clinic visits and virtual check-in visits. MyTrials is a clinical trial journey app prototype that enables patients to schedule, reschedule, and attend join their in-person or virtual clinic visits. This product seeks to reduce the burden that scheduling places on the patient, and provides trial-provided resources and a daily and weekly timeline to help patients navigate their clinical trial journey.

Memory Surf: The Surfing App, Lorenzo Quaid Sison

Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies

Surfing has a very special place in my heart—my dad taught me, my younger brother, and my younger sister at a young age. Since then, the sport has deeply enriched my appreciation for nature and allowed me to better connect with friends.

One late afternoon I was sitting in the water on my board with two of my best friends, watching the rich sunset colors melt into the water; a sea otter was floating on his back next to us, cracking a shell open on his stomach. Then, suddenly, a few feet away, we saw a pod of dolphins leap …

Baja Sae Semi-Active Suspension, Philip Pang, Stassa Cappos, Harrison Hirsch, John Deboer

Mechanical Engineering

This Final Design Review (FDR) Report outlines the senior design project of the Baja SAE Semi-Active Suspension group, which includes mechanical and electrical engineering students at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. This document compiles the Baja SAE Semi-Active Suspension senior project team’s research and development of a semi-active suspension system for the Cal Poly Racing Baja SAE racecar. The goal is to design a system that adjusts the damping constant of the racecar’s spring-damper suspension while the vehicle is being driven in order to improve vehicle dynamics and driver comfort. None of the semi-active dampers that exist on …

Field Retrofit And Testing Of A Corroded Metal Culvert Using Gfrp, Mahmoud Reda Taha, Susan Bogus, Mohammed Abdellatef, Daniel Heras Murcia

Publications

One of the current pressing problem for all DOTs is the corrosion-oriented deterioration of the existing metal culverts. These metal culverts typically are designed for a life of 50 years. However, corrosion is making them last no longer than 30years. Here we propose use of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) pipe section as a fit-in GFRP profile liner for complete repair and rehabilitation of the corroded metal culvert with an expected life of 75 years. This is mainly because of the corrosion free nature of the GFRP material. In the current study, the design method for using glass fiber-reinforced polymer …

Feverdots, Kameryn Laureano, Heidi Silk, Rita Grigorian

Biomedical Engineering

FeverDots are wearable temperature sensitive stickers that change color from black to pink at 99°F when placed on the temple or forehead. The objective of this project was to develop an efficient manufacturing method for FeverDots, and manufacture a device along with it. To create the FeverDots manufacturing device, the full design process was executed. The team went through a thorough ideation phase before ultimately defining and specifying the scope of the project.

The key customer requirements of this device include that it is lightweight, portable, durable, simple to assemble, easy to use, and able to generate uniform ink and …

Astm Test Fixture For Spinal Screws, Sarah K. Pickering, Matthew W. Rowen, Kaajal N. Khanna, Thomas A. Sunding

Biomedical Engineering

This document is an overview report of the Cal Poly Senior Project ASTM Test Fixture for SeaSpine orthopedic bone screws. The main application of orthopedic screws is to fasten implants directly to the bone structure, enhancing structural integrity. Testing for breaking angle, insertion torque, removal torque, axial pullout strength, and self-tapping force as specified in the ASTM F543 Annexes provides the FDA with vital screw mechanics and ensures manufacturing uniformity. The test system is comprised of custom and off the shelf components allowing for interchangeability, in case of part failure, and a low overall cost. It is mechanically capable of …

The Impact Of Ride-Hail Surge Factors On Taxi Bookings, Sumit Agarwal, Ben Charoenwong, Shih-Fen Cheng, Jussi Keppo

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We study the role of ride-hailing surge factors on the allocative efficiency of taxis by combining a reduced-form estimation with structural analyses using machine-learning-based demand predictions. Where other research study the effect of entry on incumbent taxis, we use higher frequency granular data to study how location-time-specific surge factors affect taxi bookings to bound the effect of customer decisions while accounting for various confounding variables. We find that even in a unique market like Singapore, where incumbent taxi companies have app-based booking systems similar to those from ride-hailing companies like Uber, the estimated upper bound on the cross-platform substitution between …