Engineering Commons^™

Evaluating The Effects Of Wood Source On The Physicochemical Properties Of Crosslinked Cellulose Nanocrystals, Helena Tchoungang Nkeumen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cellulose is an abundant and naturally occurring biopolymer that has been used by humans for food, shelter, and clothing for about two centuries now. Highly crystalline nanoparticles derived from cellulose, called cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), show great potential to meet the rising need for sustainable and nontoxic materials for biomedical applications. However, multiple biomedical applications of CNCs, such as those involving their use in tissue engineering scaffolds, require CNC-based structures to be stable in aqueous environments, a property that native CNCs do not possess due to their inherent hydrophilicity. Chemical crosslinking of CNCs addresses this issue by providing aqueous stability to …

Advancing The Use Of Quality Control Tools For High-Density Data In Modern Manufacturing, Romina Dastoorian

Dissertations

In modern manufacturing, advanced metrology systems are continually being incorporated into quality control (QC) systems to provide high-density (HD) datasets. These datasets can contain millions of measurements that can be used to represent a part’s whole geometry. While integrating HD datasets into QC systems has brought several opportunities to enhance the performance of QC systems, it has resulted in new challenges in this area as well. While significant amounts of research have been performed in this area, the QC research community still strives to tackle these challenges. This study identifies key challenges regarding incorporating HD datasets into QC systems. Specifically, …

Quantifying The Effect Of Intrinsic Aging On Skin Microstructure And Mechanical Function Using Multiphoton Microscopy, Alan Edward Woessner

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Over the next couple of decades, the number of elderly individuals is expected to double, bringing increased healthcare spending due to seemingly minor injuries to skin. In skin, the 3D dermal collagen fiber network, which is the primary load-bearing structure, undergoes changes in organization and composition due to intrinsic aging. However, the relationships between altered microstructure and mechanical function is not well understood. Quantitative imaging techniques have been used in the past to link skin structure to mechanical function, but previous analysis has been limited to 2D assessments. Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is a non-destructive imaging technique with intrinsic depth-sectioning capabilities, …

Sonic Boom Loudness Reduction Through Localized Supersonic Aircraft Equivalent-Area Changes, Troy A. Abraham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The NASA University Leadership Initiative (ULI) titled “Adaptive Aerostructures for Revolutionary Civil Supersonic Transportation” looks to study the feasibility of distributed structural adaptivity on a supersonic aircraft for maintaining acceptable en-route sonic boom loudness during overland flight. The ULI includes a team of industry and university partners that are working together to develop and implement the systems necessary to accomplish this goal.

The Utah State University Aerolab is a member of this ULI team and has been tasked with developing and using low-fidelity supersonic aerodynamic and sonic boom predictions tools to rapidly study the effects of localized geometry changes on …

Development Of A Two-Level Warping Algorithm And Its Application To Speech Signal Processing, Al-Waled H. Al-Dulaimi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In many different fields there are signals that need to be aligned or “warped” in order to measure the similarity between them. When two time signals are compared, or when a pattern is sought in a larger stream of data, it may be necessary to warp one of the signals in a nonlinear way by compressing or stretching it to fit the other. Simple point-to-point comparison may give inadequate results, because one part of the signal might be comparing different relative parts of the other signal/pattern. Such cases need some sort of alignment todo the comparison. Dynamic Time Warping ( …

Modeling, Simulation And Optimization Of Nuclear Hybrid Energy Systems Using Openmodelica And Raven, Stephen Michael Hills

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Nuclear hybrid energy systems (NHES) are a viable option to combine renewable energy sources, such as wind, with a less fluctuating energy source. Given recent development and their inherent safer and modular design, small modular reactors (SMRs), which are smaller versions of a nuclear reactor, can play an instrumental role in complementing renewables and supporting carbon-free power sectors in the coming decades. With increasing population and demand for clean water, Freeze desalination (FD), which uses freezing to separate water from salt, is a possible way to produce clean water while converting excess power from a SMR into stored thermal energy …

Algorithms For The Calibration And Correction Of Texel Images Using Inertial Measurement Updates, Trevor C. Welch

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A 3D terrain map can be developed to survey the earth’s surface and provide scientists with a method of accurately modeling terrain. Some of the applications include agricultural surveys, disaster management, and object classification. In order to develop a 3D terrain map, a sensor must capture all of the data to create the map. This 3D mapping tool can be made by combining a sensor that take samples of points on the earth’s surface and combines that with a digital camera that takes an image and lays it across those samples of the earth.

In order to take data over …

Engineering Cardiac Tissues With Three-Dimensional Bioprinting For Biomedical Applications, Matthew Alonzo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The role of a biomedical engineer is to solve unmet health-related needs that face society. For the past couple of decades, heart disease (HD) has remained the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The disease is characterized by various pathologies that affect the heart. Indeed, malfunction of one of the bodyâ??s most vital organs is bound to manifest poor health and even death in patients. Despite advances in medicine and technology, heart disease continues to be prevalent and diminishes the quality of life for many around the world. Certainly, there exists a need for developing new tools to better …

Bridge Prioritization And Preservation Along Route 66, Sarah Ballard

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Eligible bridges around the United States receive federal funding every year for replacement or rehabilitation. The main criterion for allocation of this funding is based on engineering aspects (e.g., life safety, condition, functionality), often leaving the historical value of the bridge at the bottom of the importance level. One of the main historical roads known in America is Route 66, also known as the â??Mother Road.â?? This route was the road to opportunity in the 1930s. Many bridges with historical significance carry the route and represent an integral part of the history of the Mother Road. This research analyzes bridges …

Multiscale And Multimaterial 3d Printing: Impact Of Feedstock Properties And Processing Parameters On Printed Parts, Kazi Md Masum Billah

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Material extrusion additive manufacturing (AM) technology is one of the most commonly used technology to fabricate functional prototypes and end-use application parts with custom design. The evolution of the extrusion technology led this particular AM process to grow in many aspects such as new materials development, new design thinking, fabrication of parts in multiscale length, and manufacturing of monolithic parts with multiple functionalities. The research presented in this Dissertation results in the creation of knowledge in material extrusion AM technology with the length scale of production-grade to large-scale 3D printing machine those were used to enable the fabrication of multimaterial …

Fabrication And Testing Of Advanced Composites For Extreme Environments, Victoria Centeno

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The following research focuses on the additive manufacturing and characterization of epoxy syntactic foams that utilize hollow carbon microspheres (CMS) and graphene-coated hollow carbon microspheres (GCMS) as fillers. The matrix that is utilized in this study is a thermoset epoxy resin, chosen for its high strength, low shrinkage, excellent adhesion to various substrates, effective electrical properties, chemical and solvent resistance, low cost, and low toxicity.1 CMS and GCMS were used as fillers for the properties they contribute to the overall epoxy syntactic foam, and can be seen in Fig.1.1. CMS consist of outer stiff carbon and inner gas, giving the …

Digital Twin Technology Applications For Transportation Infrastructure - A Survey-Based Study, Hector Cruz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In the past couple of decades, various industries have taken advantage of emerging advanced technologies, such as digital twin (DT), to find more effective solutions in their respective areas. In the transportation infrastructure sector, the concept and implementation of DT technologies are slowly gaining traction but lagging behind other major industries. To better understand the limitations, opportunities and challenges for the adoption of DT in this sector, a survey questionnaire was distributed to collect information from industry professionals involved in transportation infrastructure projects. The purpose of this study is to understand how DT technology is being perceived by the industry. …

A Study Of The Frustrated Honeycomb Battery Material Na2ni2teo6, Nathan Christopher Episcopo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The P2-type layered hexagonal compound Na2Ni2TeO6 with Ni2+ on a honeycomb lattice was synthesized by the standard solid-state route. Structural characterization chemical phase purity was confirmed by Rietveld refinement of laboratory and synchrotron data. The crystal structure refines well in the P63/mcm space group. Single crystal growth trials using the self-flux-melt method were conducted with limited success. The magnetic transition temperature pertaining to Ni2+ lattice was confirmed by analysis of specific heat capacity to be . The magnetic susceptibility remains largely unchanged in magnetic field of and external pressure of . There is an almost linear response in isothermal magnetization …

New Generation Of Performance-Engineered Asphalt Mixtures Based On Balanced Mix Design Concept, Victor Manuel Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Asphalt mixtures must ideally exhibit long-lasting durability and stability to perform wellin the field. However, improving the stability and durability of asphalt mixtures has become a major concern. Given that available design approaches rely mainly on stringent volumetric criteria for asphalt mixtures, design approaches and specifications that incorporate performance tests are needed to follow a performance-engineered mix design (PEMD) process, especially with the introduction of the balanced mix design (BMD) concept

This Dissertation study presents a comprehensive investigation of a feasible designapproach that can be implemented to develop PEMD specifications and produce BMD mixtures. An experimental evaluation of different mix …

Evaluation Of The Cytotoxyc Effects Of Lmdf5-7 On A Human T-Cell Leukemia Cell Line, Andrea F. Ibarra Chacon

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

According to World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with 9.6 million deaths in 2018 . In the United States, an estimated 434,982 people were living with cancer during 2017 . Leukemia is the most common blood cancer in children from birth to 14 years old . In particular, Hispanic children in the United States experience a higher incidence rate of leukemia . Therefore, the discovery of novel cancer therapies is necessary to help those affected survive the disease. A new compound, LMDF5-7 was investigated and found to have anticancer properties that can help …

Implementation Of Hma Design Tool To Develop Balanced Mix Design Based On Gradation Parameters, Prathmesh Deepak Jichkar

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

With the rapid paradigm shift of pavement design methodology from an empirical-based approach toward a more mechanistic-based approach, the existing mix design processes also need a radical shift from the conventional volumetric-based methods to performance-based methods. The use of a volumetric-based design methodology has become more challenging due to the increasing use of recycled materials, modified binders, warm mix asphalt additives, compaction aids, and rejuvenators. A shift toward the more fundamentally sound â??balanced mix designâ?? (BMD) concept is envisaged to produce asphalt concrete mixtures with acceptable performance in terms of durability and stability. Aggregate gradation plays a crucial role in …

Development And Testing Of Nanostructured Materials For Extreme Environment Applications, Nanthakishore Makeswaran

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Nanostructured materials have many potential applications in the fields of power generation and transportation technologies, particularly in the areas of gas sensing technology, industrial gas turbines and protective coatings. In the former case β-Ga2O3 represents a promising candidate due to its high degree of stability and functionality for oxygen sensing at higher temperatures (>700oC). In the latter case, the application of Y-Si-Fe compounds acting as environmental barrier coatings for gas turbine and aerospace engine applications to protect from corrosion effects has been demonstrated in recent years. In both cases, however, there is room for improvement whether it is in …

High Frequency Electron Spin Resonance Investigations On Quasi-Two-Dimensional Chromium Halide Magnets, Christian Saiz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Broadening the knowledge and understanding on the magnetic correlations in van der Waals layered magnets is critical in realizing their potential next-generation applications in devices such as spintronics. In this study, we employ high frequency (ν = 120 GHz, 240 GHz) electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy on plate-like CrX3 (where X = Cl, Br, I) to gain insight into the magnetic interactions as a function of temperature (200 – 4.4 K) and the angle of rotation θ (degrees). We find that the temperature dependence of the ESR linewidth is well described by the Ginzburg-Landau critical model, indicative of antiferromagnetic correlations …

Microstructural Evolution And Mechanical Properties Of L-Pbf Aerospace Alloys: Hydride- Dehydride Ti-6al-4v And Experimentally Heat-Treated Inconel 718, Jaime Varela

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Experimental HIP and heat treatment cycles were applied to Laser Powder Bed Fusion fabricated Inconel 718 parts. Recent advances allow for rapid cooling in the HIPing chamber allowing one unit to perform HIP along with other heat treatment cycles such as solution annealing and ageing. Different cycles yield various effects on the porosity reduction as well as the growth of grain in the microstructure, consequently presented different mechanical properties. Specimens were therefore analyzed for density, microstructure, and tensile properties.

In addition, the mechanical and microstructural analysis of HDH Ti-6Al-4V was performed. The high cost of GA Ti64 material is a …

Effect Of Dopants On The Properties And Performance Of Gallium Oxide: Bulk Ceramics And Nanomaterials, Vishal Bhimrao Zade

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

A comprehensive investigation performed in order to understand the fundamental aspects of transition metal (TM) incorporation into Ga2O3, a wide band gap semiconductor with a huge potential for application in electronics, optics, micromechanics and optoelectronics. An approach is presented to tailor the structural, optical, electrical, mechanical properties of Ga2O3 ceramics and thin films. The tungsten (W) mixed Ga2O3 with variable W at% (Ga2-2xWxO3 ; 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.30) were synthesized by the high temperature solid state route involving a 2-step calcination process. The solubility limits and phase stability of the compounds are established. While solubility and phase stability occur …

Ceramic Tiles Production From Cullet And Agricultural Wastes Obtained From Wheat And Sugarcane Cultivation, Mai H. Roushdy

Chemical Engineering

Agricultural wastes are a big source for environmental pollution so it’s a good choice to recycle them so as to get an environmental and economic benefit. The purpose of this research is to determine the possibility of recycling two types of agriculture wastes obtained from wheat and sugarcane cultivation in addition to broken glass (cullet) as raw materials for ceramic wall tiles production. The used agriculture wastes are the agricultural residue obtained from wheat and sugarcane cultivation. The experimental work starts with performing XRF and sieve analysis for all raw materials. Ceramic wall tiles specimens were made with dimensions 110.4 …

Semi-Annual Progress Report #8, Missouri University Of Science And Technology. Inspire - University Transportation Center

Semi-Annual Progress Reports

No abstract provided.

Mixed Mode Crack Propagation In Iliac Bone, E. Baesu, Dm. Iliescu, Bv. Radoiu, S. Halichidis

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Bone is a complex material that can be regarded as an anisotropic elastic composite material. The problem of crack propagation in hu- man bone is analyzed by using a generalization of the maximum tensile stress criterion (MTS). The results concern the critical stress for crack propagation and the direction of the crack path in Iliac bone.

Calibration Of Opensim Lifting Full-Body Model For Dynamic Simulations Of Patient-Handling Maneuvers, Barry Bait, Bridget Gagnier

20th Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2021)

Manual patient-handling tasks are associated with lower-back pain and injury. Computational musculoskeletal models may determine forces on the low back, trunk muscle activation during these tasks, and provide insight on how these may result in injury. There are no publicly available models for these tasks. To determine the appropriateness of the OpenSim Full-Body Lifting Model for these tasks, this project calibrated the model with biomechanical data of simulated maneuvers performed by a test subject. Thirty-nine reflective markers were placed bilaterally on bony prominences (forehead, back of head, clavicle, sternum, C7, T10, epicondyle of humerus, styloid process, metacarpal, anterior and posterior …

Shape Memory Alloy Deployable Device For Cubesat Satellite, Nicholas Loftis, Adam Lapointe

Thinking Matters Symposium

The purpose of this project was to design and create a release mechanism for a cubesat satellite with the use of shape memory alloys. The goal of the project was to design and create a lightweight, reliable, and simple release mechanism to deploy stowed solar arrays attached to the exterior of a Cubesat satellite. The design and creation of this mechanism is intended to further USM’s goal of creating and launching a Cubesat satellite into low orbit to expand the university into space exploration. The Cubesat project was created by the California Polytechnic State University and Stanford University’s Space Systems …

Husky Hand: A Low-Cost Electro-Mechanical Prosthetic Arm For The Underprivileged, Adam Robert

Thinking Matters Symposium

A continuation of a low-cost prosthetic upper limb prototype design which was investigated in EGN 301. The prosthetic is specifically designed for the needs and requirements of under privileged individuals in the Dominican Republic with upper limb amputations. The project focuses on the creation of an open-source computer aided prosthetic hand/arm model. The design allows consumer-grade fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3-D printers to be used. The improved design allows for the integration of the PQ-12 linear actuator for grasp and finger control. This simplifies the assembly, while, also reducing the size and mass of the whole unit. Producing a low-cost …

Finite Element Analysis Of Impact Resistant Composites Inspired By Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Nandati Shrestha

Thinking Matters Symposium

The fist-like club of the peacock mantis shrimp, a 5-inch marine crustacean, can strike its prey with speed faster than a .22-caliber bullet with an impact force more than 1,000 times its own weight. Although these creatures punch so fast that it even boils the water, they don’t take any damage. This incredible insusceptibility is due to the arrangement of mineralized fiber layers in which each fibrous layer is laid at a slightly rotated angle to form a helicoidal structure that acts as a shock absorber for the club. The goal is to perform a finite element analysis to investigate …

Investigating The Heat Release From A Single-Cylinder Diesel Engine, Sarah Payne, Scott Eaton Phd

Thinking Matters Symposium

This project develops a dynamic measuring processes and filtering technique to acquire accurate engine thermodynamic data using LabVIEW. A single-cylinder Kohler diesel engine (model KD440) is instrumented with an in-cylinder pressure monitoring transducer to obtain cylinder pressure and volume data as a function of crank angle position. From this data, several calculations will be made using thermal analysis to understand the engine's performance. An additional objective of the project is to increase the efficiency of the engine's air intake system by modifying the current configuration. We show that the monitoring software accurately measures real-time engine efficiency and combustion dynamics enabling …

App Development For Wearable Sensors, Connor Pittman, Christopher Chappie, Patrick A. Tetreault

Thinking Matters Symposium

The objective of this research project was to create a wearable device that monitors bodily functions for the user to view on their smartphone. Sensor data is processed using the Arduino Nano 33 BLE microcontroller. The sensors used in this project include: proximity, temperature, humidity, heart rate, pressure, and skin impedance. This project takes advantage of the Arduino's Bluetooth low energy (BLE) capabilities so that all the data can be transmitted to a smartphone. This presentation shows the challenges faced during the project and how they were overcome. Some of these challenges include: programming, how heart rate sensors work, and …

Mems Directional Acoustic Sensors, Colby Damren

Thinking Matters Symposium

The purpose of my project is to test and verify two Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) microphones. The two MEMS devices are biomimetic microphones that imitate the eardrums of the Ormia Ochracea, a parasitic fly that listens for host crickets to lay their eggs. The MEMS microphones mimic the eardrum spacing of the Ormia Ochracea with a spacing of 1000um. This is roughly twice the opening of the Ormia Ochracea. The microphones will be tested for directionality inside a wooden box. This box will be lined with beveled foam to prevent any echo or outside noise from interfering with the results. These results …