Engineering Commons^™

A New Feature Extraction Approach For Script Invariant Handwritten Numeral Recognition, Pawan Kumar Singh, Iman Chatterjee, Ram Sarkar, Elisa Barney Smith, Mita Nasipuri

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Handwritten numeral recognition is a challenging research problem because of the enormous varieties of styles in which human beings write the numerals. Several researchers have tried to find solutions to this problem with exceptional recognition accuracies. However, most of these solutions have been dedicated to single script numerals. Such methods are inappropriate for multi-lingual nations such as India where a large number of scripts are used. Keeping this issue in mind, a new feature descriptor named symbolization of binary images (SBI) is introduced here for the recognition of handwritten numerals of different scripts. Effectiveness of SBI is supported …

Dsp Guitar Fx Pedal, Stephen P. Rock

Electrical Engineering

A guitar effects (FX) pedal, also referred to as a stomp box, manipulates the electric signal produced by guitars to produce a variety of different sounds for the application of music. Musicians use guitar effects to produce sonically different and interesting sounds for the sake of performance, creation, and art. Although the different types of effects are numerous, the basic effects fall into either distortion, modulation, or delay. The use of guitar pedals allows the musician to accurately perform desired pieces of music or compose new songs.

The current guitar pedal market includes many effects by many manufacturers, however many …

In Situ Imaging Of Bacterial Outer Membrane Projections And Associated Protein Complexes Using Electron Cryo-Tomography, Mohammed Kaplan, Georges Chreifi, Lauren Ann Metskas, Janine Liedtke, Cecily R. Wood, Catherine M. Oikonomou, William J. Nicolas, Poorna Subramanian, Lori A. Zacharoff, Yuhang Wang, Yi-Wei Chang, Morgan Beeby, Megan J. Dobro, Yongtao Zhu, Mark J. Mcbride, Ariane Briegel, Carrie L. Shaffer, Grant J. Jensen

Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

The ability to produce outer membrane projections in the form of tubular membrane extensions (MEs) and membrane vesicles (MVs) is a widespread phenomenon among diderm bacteria. Despite this, our knowledge of the ultrastructure of these extensions and their associated protein complexes remains limited. Here, we surveyed the ultrastructure and formation of MEs and MVs, and their associated protein complexes, in tens of thousands of electron cryo-tomograms of ~90 bacterial species that we have collected for various projects over the past 15 years (Jensen lab database), in addition to data generated in the Briegel lab. We identified outer MEs and MVs …

Metodat E Llogaritjes Së Aftësisë Mbajtëse Të Themelit Për Objektin E Banimit Në Rrugën “Kemajl Hetemi”, Ferizaj, Lulzime Pira

Theses and Dissertations

Qëllimi i këtij punimi është bazuar në hulumtimet gjeologo – gjeomekanike me shpimet që janë kryer direkt në terren (in situ). Në bazë të thellësisë së shpimeve janë nxjerrë mostrat për të definuar parametrat fiziko – mekanik për llogaritjen e aftësisë mbajtëse të tokës në lokacionin e caktuar ku do të bëhet ndërtimi.

Toka është një material shumë poroz dhe heterogjen, prandaj është shumë me rëndësi përcaktimi i metodave të llogaritjes së aftësisë mbajtëse të themelit ku struktura mbështetet dhe i përcjell ngarkesat në themel varësisht prej sipërfaqes së themelit.

Në këtë punim diplome janë zbatuar dy metoda …

Sustainable Development And The Sdgs: Revealing Engineering Academics, Students And Employer Viewpoints, Una Beagon, Klara Kövesi, Brad Tabas, Bente Norgaard, Riitta Lehtinen, Brian Bowe, Christiane Gillet, Claus Spliid

Conference Papers

As the world’s focus turns to the future and not the present, the engineering profession must respond to the ever increasing need to bring about a sustainable future. The objective of this paper is to support the reform of engineering education by acknowledging and building upon the current awareness and understanding of sustainable development held by key stakeholders in the process.

This paper presents the outcomes of a study involving twelve focus groups with Academics, Employers and Students in four European countries (Denmark, Finland, France and Ireland) as part of the A-STEP 2030 European Project. Based on the findings, it …

Fiber Optic-Based Thermal Integrity Profiling Of Drilled Shaft: Inverse Modeling For Spiral Fiber Deployment Strategy, Wen Deng, Ruoyu Zhong, Haiying Ma

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The current state of practice to interpret the thermal integrity profiling (TIP) data of drilled shaft is the so-called effective radius method. It uses the concrete pouring log and average temperature to construct a relationship between temperature distribution and effective radius that can be used to reconstruct a drilled shaft model. While this effective radius method is computationally inexpensive and has good operationality, it is not good at predicting the dimensions and shape of shaft defects. Upgrading the sensor used in conventional TIP from thermocouples/thermal wires to fiber optic sensors, the spatial resolution of the measured temperature will be enhanced. …

Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts 2020, Eric Green, Paul Ross, Christopher Blackden, Michael Fields, Kenneth Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY’S TRAFFIC COLLISION FACTS report is based on collision reports submitted to the Kentucky State Police Records Branch. As required by Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.635:

“Every law enforcement agency whose officers investigate a vehicle accident of which a report must be made...shall file a report of the accident...within ten days after investigation of the accident upon forms supplied by the bureau.”

The stated purpose of this requirement is to utilize data on traffic collisions for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in the Commonwealth.

2021 Safety Belt Usage Survey In Kentucky, Erin Lammers-Staats, Kenneth Agent, Eric Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of the survey summarized in this report was to establish a statewide safety belt usage rate in Kentucky for 2021. This rate can be compared to those determined from previous surveys. The 2021 statewide survey documents the continued effect associated with law enforcement, related education, and general public attitude.

Environmental Assessment Of The Impact Of Land-Based Discharges On Marine Water And Sediment Quality In Dubai, Uae, Ayman Fathy Halawa

Theses

The current seawater and Creek – Canal waterway in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE, is under tremendous pressure because of continuous urban water discharges from land-based sources. Therefore, the impact of urban water discharges on marine water and sediment quality in the Emirate requires a thorough assessment. The main objective of this study is to assess the impacts of effluent discharges on the quality of water and sediment in the open sea and Dubai Creek. The land-based sources include the power and desalination plants, industrial sector, sewage treatment plant, and stormwater runoff. To achieve the stated objective, relevant data on …

The Behaviour Of Rare Earth Elements From South African Coal Fly Ash During Enrichment Processes: Wet, Magnetic Separation And Zeolitisation, Mero Lee Ursula Cornelius, Alechine Emmanuel Ameh, Chuks Paul Eze, Olanrewaju Fatoba, Asel Sartbaeva, Leslie Felicia Petrik

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential raw materials in a variety of industries including clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles and wind turbines. This places an ever-increasing demand on global rare earth element production. Coal fly ash (CFA) possesses appreciable levels of REEs. CFA, a waste by-product of coal combustion, is therefore a readily available source of REEs that does not require mining. CFA valorization to zeolites has been achieved via various synthesis pathways. This study aimed to evaluate one such pathway by monitoring how REEs partition during CFA processing by the wet, magnetic separation process and zeolitisation. South …

Comparative Evaluation Of Two Glass Polyalkenoate Cements: An In Vivo Pilot Study Using A Sheep Model, Leyla Hasandoost, Daniella Marx, Paul Zalzal, Oleg Safir, Mark Hurtig, Cina Mehrvar, Stephen D. Waldman, Marcello Papini, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is used to manage bone loss in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). However, the application of PMMA has been associated with complications such as volumetric shrinkage, necrosis, wear debris, and loosening. Glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) have potential bone cementation applications. Unlike PMMA, GPC does not undergo volumetric shrinkage, adheres chemically to bone, and does not undergo an exothermic setting reaction. In this study, two different compositions of GPCs (GPCA and GPCB), based on the patented glass system SiO₂-CaO-SrO-P₂O₅-Ta₂O₅, were investigated. Working and setting times, pH, ion release, …

Stabilization Of Energy Level Sets Of Underactuated Mechanical Systems Exploiting Impulsive Braking, Nilay Kant, Ranjan Mukherjee, Hassan Khalil

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recent investigations of underactuated systems have demonstrated the benefits of control inputs that are impulsive in nature. Here we consider the problem of stabilization of energy level sets of underactuated systems exploiting impulsive braking. We consider systems with one passive degree-of-freedom (DOF) and the energy level set is a manifold where the active coordinates are fixed and the mechanical energy equals some desired value. A control strategy comprised of continuous inputs and intermittent impulsive braking inputs is presented. The generality of the approach is shown through simulation of a three-DOF Tiptoebot; the feasibility of implementation of impulsive control using standard …

Coalescence Characteristics Of Bulk Nanobubbles In Water: A Molecular Dynamics Study Coupled With Theoretical Analysis, Eric Bird, Eric Smith, Zhi Liang

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Coalescence of Two Nanobubbles (NBs) in Water is a Process of Great Importance to Many Industrial Applications. in This Work, We Study the Coalescence of Two Equal-Sized Nitrogen NBs in Water using Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulations and Continuum-Based Theoretical Analysis. We Vary the NB Diameter from 30 to 50 Nm and Study the Coalescence Characteristics Including the Expansion Speed of the Capillary Bridge between Two Coalescing NBs, the Dynamic Regime of NB Coalescence, the Diameter of Fully Merged NBs, and the Temperature Variation of NBs during the Coalescence Process. for All Cases, We Show the MD Simulation Results Can …

Simulation Of Anisoplanatic Lucky Look Imaging And Statistics Through Optical Turbulence Using Numerical Wave Propagation, Michael A. Rucci, Russell C. Hardie, Richard K. Martin

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper investigates anisoplanatic numerical wave simulation in the context of lucky look imaging. We demonstrate that numerical wave propagation can produce root mean square (RMS) wavefront distributions and probability of lucky look (PLL) statistics that are consistent with Kolmogorov theory. However, the simulated RMS statistics are sensitive to the sampling parameters used in the propagation window. To address this, we propose and validate a new sample spacing rule based on the point source bandwidth used in the propagation and the level of atmospheric turbulence. We use the tuned simulator to parameterize the wavefront RMS probability density function as a …

Optimization Of Interplanetary Transfer Trajectories Using The Invariant Manifolds Of Halo Orbits, Ryan Yedinak

Master's Theses

Traditionally, two-body dynamics have been used to design orbital trajectories for interplanetary missions using a series of Lambert’s transfers and gravity assists. Although these are reliable methods, they have extremely high fuel requirements, especially for missions to outer planets. From an orbital mechanics perspective, three ways of reducing fuel requirements for these types of missions are utilizing low energy transfer trajectories, applying low thrust engine parameters, and implementing orbit optimization techniques.

The goal of this thesis is to combine low energy transfers created from the dynamics of the Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CRTBP) with low-thrust orbit optimization techniques to develop …

Thermal Vacuum Chamber Modification, Testing, And Analysis, Jared C. Lehmann

Master's Theses

This work discusses the modification and analysis of the Blue Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC) located at the Space Environments Lab at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The modified design has a cylindrical test section and can accommodate 6U Cubesats or larger for educational or research purposes. The sizing process for the modified shroud cooling system and modular heating plates is discussed. The modified cooling system uses existing nitrogen plumbing into the chamber and control systems with a new copper shroud. The modified heating system uses modular heater plates, which utilize the existing three heater strips. The modified system …

Power Factor And Reactive Power In Us Residences – Survey And Energyplus Modeling, Hope C. Anderson, Abdullah Al Hadi, Evan S. Jones, Dan M. Ionel

Power and Energy Institute of Kentucky Faculty Publications

Electric power systems are experiencing a growing number of electronic loads in the residential sector as modern appliance technology progresses, and it has become increasingly more important to consider the total power factor (PF) of residential communities. This paper provides a survey based on literature and publicly available information of typical appliance PF values and effects at the residential level as well as a discussion on appliance energy use and corresponding operation schedules. A procedure for the calculation of equivalent PF is proposed and exemplified with minutely experimental data at 15-minute and hourly time intervals, which correspond to smart metering …

Guidelines For Structural Optimization And Sustainable Retrofitting Of Re-Purposed Buildings Using Bim, Mariam Ehab, Mina Maxi, Gehan Nagy

Civil Engineering

Nowadays energy problems resulting from the building industry become very polluting along with the high expenses of the building operation. Designers tend to propose another solution which is the refurbishment of old buildings to be energy-optimized and more efficient. As a result, some solutions are addressed to prioritize keeping the architectural theme of the city as well as reducing land use. An extensive investigation is conducted to review past research approaches regarding energy optimization requirements as well as scoping on structural optimization through building refurbishment. Structural optimization resulting from structural repurposing is not studied in depth recently, as a result, …

Characterization Of Anisotropic Materials Using Scattered Field Measurements, Hirsch M. Chizever

Theses and Dissertations

This research uses monostatic far-zone scattered field measurements to estimate the permittivity of biaxial materials at X-Band. Utilizing Radar Cross Section (RCS) measurement techniques, this effort examines the efficacy of whole-sample TEM illumination in the estimation of anisotropic permittivity, in contrast with traditional subsample illumination methods. The research examines the impact that dielectric supports have on measurement error and uncertainty in permittivity estimates. Following an incremental approach, the research first demonstrates successful estimation of permittivity for isotropic spheres followed by a Teflon isotropic cube. Finally, the method is applied to uniaxial and biaxial cubes whose anisotropic permittivity is validated through …

Applying Model-Based Systems Engineering And Fidelity Quantification To Support Fair Fight In A Distributed Simulation System, Nathaniel Erbe, David Lemmer

Theses and Dissertations

Current 5th and 6th generation fighter aircraft capabilities, and the DoD's push towards digital engineering have created an environment in which simulated testing using live, virtual, and constructive assets has increasing utility. These simulations need to be credible in the eyes of the stakeholders, which for distributed simulation systems includes establishing fair fight between simulation services. Fair fight is when multiple simulations interoperate without generating one-sided systematic advantages. Issues that impede fair fight can be categorized into interoperability issues at the simulations implementation level and incompatible representations of reality between underlying models. This research used model-based systems engineering to generate …

Requirements Analysis And Architecture For An Operational Study Of Fatigue In Usaf Mobility Aircrew, Jonathan F. Mecham

Theses and Dissertations

Aircrew fatigue in flight operations is a known hazard that has driven the creation of fatigue-reducing regulation and fatigue risk management systems industry wide. In addition, biomathematical models have been created and tested to forecast the effectiveness of aircrew under conditions of time-zone shifts and long duty days. However, limited operational studies exist to validate these models or to help understand how individual factors can affect them. Operational studies have a variety of limitations that make gathering typical data regarding fatigue or sleep difficult. This research takes systems requirement analysis approach to design a study that measures effects of circadian …

Interdependent Infrastructure Recovery Using Multilayered Networks And Optimization, Brigham A. Moore

Theses and Dissertations

Interdependent infrastructure recovery modeling and simulation are complicated due to various interdependent connections and complexities. Current efforts have identified both operational and restoration interdependency subtypes and coupling strategies that have not been integrated into one comprehensive model. This research presents a model which simultaneously integrates nine interdependency subtypes and four coupling strategies in a multi-objective format to provide the most tailorable and comprehensive network-based recovery model available. This research also created a defense-centric interdependent infrastructure database by modifying the existing CLARC database. This research then addressed assumptions regarding recovery work management in order to address the impact of work crew …

Performance Improvement Through Better Understanding Of Supply Chain Resilience, Amanda L. Femano

Theses and Dissertations

Businesses operate every day in a disruptive environment. Supply and demand uncertainty, natural disasters, global pandemics, and mishaps can all cause chaos to a supply chain’s flow. It is impossible to predict every disruption a supply chain may encounter. The best an organization can do to protect network performance is to build resilience in the supply chain and life-blood of its operations. Ensuring that a supply chain has the proper built-in mechanisms to resist and recover from disruptions is referred to as Supply Chain Resilience (SCR). While it is generally agreed that SCR can be improved through the implementation of …

Optimal Incorporation Of Non-Traditional Sensors Into The Space Domain Awareness Architecture, Albert R. Vasso

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Government is the world’s de facto provider of space object cataloging data, but is challenged to maintain pace in an increasingly complex space environment. This work advances a multi-disciplinary approach to better understand and evaluate an underexplored solution recommended by national policy, in which current collection capabilities are augmented with non-traditional sensors. System architecting and literature identify likely needs, performance measures, and contributors to a conceptualized Augmented Network. Multiple hypothetical telescope architectures are modeled and simulated on four separate days throughout the year, then evaluated against performance measures and constraints using optimization. Decision analysis and Pareto optimality …

Collaborative All-Source Navigation With Integrity, Jonathon S. Gipson

Theses and Dissertations

The novel ARMAS-SOM framework fuses collaborative all-source sensor information in a resilient manner with fault detection, exclusion, and integrity solutions recognizable to a GNSS user. This framework uses a multi-filter residual monitoring approach for fault detection and exclusion and is augmented with an additional "observability" EKF sub-layer for resilience. We monitor the a posteriori state covariances in this sub-layer to provide intrinsic awareness when navigation state observability assumptions required for integrity are in danger. This is used to selectively augment the framework with offboard information to preserve resilience. By maintaining split parallel collaborative and proprioceptive estimation instances and employing a …

Improvements To Emissive Plume And Shock Wave Diagnostics And Interpretation During Pulsed Laser Ablation Of Graphite, Timothy I. Calver

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation covers nanosecond pulsed laser ablation of graphite for 4-5.7 J/cm² fluences with 248 nm and 532 nm lasers in 1-180 Torr helium, argon, nitrogen, air, and mixed gas. Three experiments were performed to improve the interpretation of common diagnostics used to characterize pulsed laser ablation, find simple but universal scaling relationships for comparing dynamics across different materials and ablation conditions, and provide a systematic analysis of graphite emissive plume and shock wave dynamics. A scaling of the Sedov-Taylor energy ratio was developed and validated for a range of studies despite differences in wavelength, pulse duration, fluence, and …

Application Of Vortex Tubes To Gas Turbine Film Cooling, Matthew N. Fuqua

Theses and Dissertations

To improve thermal efficiency and reduce fuel consumption, gas turbine engines typically operate at increasingly higher turbine inlet temperatures--well in excess of turbine blade material limits--and film cooling schemes are normally employed to reduce metal temperatures within acceptable limits and prevent structural failure. Cooling requirements vary across a blade surface, but there currently exists no means by which coolant temperatures can be locally adjusted to facilitate optimized usage across a blade. Ranque-Hilsch vortex tubes were investigated as a means of adjusting coolant temperatures solely by fluidic means, induced by the phenomenon of temperature separation. Analytical frameworks were developed to determine …

Pseudospectral Methods Of Robust Optimal Motion Planning For Multi-Aperture Space Systems With Motion And Vibration Compensation, Brian W. Bishop

Theses and Dissertations

For multi-body, flexible systems, the ability to achieve rapid reorientation maneuvers can be impacted by nonlinear dynamics and uncertainty in the model parameters impacting the ability to achieve an optimal trajectory computed using nominal parameter values. Trajectory sensitivity to parameter variations increases final pointing error and residual vibrational energy in the system. This manuscript explores using pseudospectral methods to generate robust optimal control trajectories minimizing trajectory sensitivity to parameter variations and derives maneuvers minimizing residual energy and pointing error. The robustness of open-loop optimal control is compared to a standard maneuver derived using traditional methods demonstrating the ability to simultaneously …

What’S Left Before Participatory Modeling Can Fully Support Real-World Environmental Planning Processes: A Case Study Review, Beatrice Hedelin, S. Gray, S. Woehlke, Todd K. Bendor, Alison Singer, R. Jordan, Moira Zellner, Philippe J. Giabbanelli, Pierre D. Glynn, Antoine J. Jetter, Multiple Additional Authors

Engineering and Technology Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

In environmental participatory modeling (PM), both computer and non-computer-based modeling techniques are used to aid participatory problem description, solution, and decision-making actions in environmental contexts. Although many PM case studies have been published, few efforts have sought to systematically describe and understand dominant PM processes or establish best practices for PM. As a first step, we have reviewed a random sample of environmental PM case study articles (n = 60) using a novel PM process evaluation instrument. We found that significant work likely remains for PM to fully support participatory and integrated planning processes. While PM reports systematically address knowledge …

Development Of Novel Ultra-High Performance Engineered Cementitious Composites (Uhp-Ecc) For Durable And Resilient Transportation Infrastructure, Gabriel A. Arce, Marwa Hassan, Daniel E. Game

Data

The objective of this study was to develop novel UHP-ECC materials utilizing readily available ingredients in Region 6 for the construction and repair of transportation infrastructure. Phase one of this study focused on the development of ultra-high strength cementitious matrices by evaluating the effects of ingredient selection and mixture proportioning on the materials’ compressive strength. Variables evaluated included the mass ratios of silica fume to fly ash (SF/FA), supplementary cementitious materials to cement (SCMs/C), and ordinary sand to microsilica sand (OS/MS). Phase two of the study focused on the development of UHP-ECC materials. To this end, based on the knowledge …