Engineering Commons^™

Arkhe - Unmanned Detection Robot, Hannah Klooster

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Our project is an Unmanned Thermal Detection Robot. Our robot contains a visual camera, a sonar sensor, and a thermal sensor. This project involves hardware building and coding of the sensors and robot itself. The purpose of this project is to create an accessible and affordable unmanned robot with sensors capable of being able to detect human life forms in disaster areas, or areas inaccessible to humans, and to protect the lives of rescuers, find people in disaster areas quicker, and to help save lives. Our project has successfully created an affordable robot that uses sensors to detect and avoid …

Experimental And Design Effort To Understand A Wider Sense Of Memory Application, Nicholas Zogbi

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Magnetic Random-Access Memory (mRAM) is a more efficient, smaller, and less power-hungry memory device that can be implemented into computers. Using Magnetic Tunnel Junctions (MTJ) we store memory in devices that are far less complex than other types of memory with just the use of currents and magnetic fields changing the data.

In collaboration with the System-on-Chip Extension Technologies (SoCET) and Computing Advances by Probabilistic Spin Logic (CAPSL) groups, we have been working on using the characteristics of MTJs to characterize available commercial mRAM devices so we can have a better understanding of the thresholds of the MTJs. The SoCET …

Photocatalytic Inactivation Efficacy Of Sars-Cov-2 In Hvac Systems, Andrew J. Freeman, Sudharshan Anandan, Ernest R. Blatchley Iii, W. Travis Horton, David M. Warsinger

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

The coronavirus pandemic has emphasized a need for robust and reliable air purification systems in buildings; with that comes a need for a standardized testing methodology for air purification technologies in HVAC air circulation systems. One such method of air purification is photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), a mechanism in which a catalyst irradiated by light produces reactive molecules that degrade a wide range of pollutants, including the aerosols that carry COVID. This technology has primarily been used in aqueous applications, but there have recently been developments in air purification that have made it a promising contender to existing technologies. One of …

Design Of A Laboratory Annular Combustor, Sathish Dharmalingam, Kartik Dolarkumar Kothari

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Combustion lies at the heart of gas turbine technology. The combustor is the power source that aids the acceleration of flight. It provides the core functionality of adding heat through the controlled burn of the air-fuel mixture, converted into mechanical energy with the help of turbines. This extracted power has been used to produce thrust in the case of aircraft or to produce electrical energy in the case of industrial gas turbines. Designing an annular combustor involves a rigorous iterative process, and there is no systematic procedure available to design a small-scale laboratory combustor, used for research and academic purposes. …

Aviation Human-In-The-Loop Simulation: Best Practices For Subjective Performance Measurement, John Kleber, Beth Blickensderfer

Aviation Weather Training Research

Subjective performance measurements are a useful tool for researchers and instructors to evaluate tasks that are difficult to quantify with objective data pulled from a simulator or the physiological data of pilots. Subjective performance measurements are non-intrusive measures typically conducted by human raters. Some recommendations for utilizing subjective measures include reducing the workload of the human raters, concealing the aim of the experiment from participants, utilizing multiple raters to evaluate each participant, providing raters with proper training, developing error-resistant rater forms and, including both subjective and objective measures when possible.

Impact Of Preferential Flow, Source Water Connectivity, And Agricultural Management Practices On Sediment And Particulate Phosphorus Dynamics In Midwestern Tile-Drained Landscapes, Saeid Nazari

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Tile drainage is recognized as a significant transporter of sediment and particulate phosphorus (PP) in the Midwestern U.S., leading to proliferation of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Numerous studies have focused on Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus (DRP) and Nitrogen (N) flux dynamics in tile-drained landscapes; however, the impact of preferential flow and agricultural management practices on fate and transport of sediment and PP has remained poorly understood. The overarching objective of this study was to improve understanding of sediment P delivery in tile-drained landscapes. This dissertation focuses on four studies. In the first study, forms and flow pathway dynamics of total phosphorus …

Review On Carbon Dioxide Utilization For Cycloaddition Of Epoxides By Ionic Liquid-Modified Hybrid Catalysts: Effect Of Influential Parameters And Mechanisms Insight, Jimmy Nelson Appaturi, Rajabathar. Jothi Ramalingam, Muthu Kumaran Gnanamani, Govindasami Periyasami, Prabhakarn Arunachalam, Rohana Adnan, Farook Adam, Mohammed D. Wasmiah, Hamad A. Al‐Lohedan

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty and Staff Publications

The storage, utilization, and control of the greenhouse (CO₂) gas is a topic of interest for researchers in academia and society. The present review article is dedicating to cover the overall role of ionic liquid-modified hybrid materials in cycloaddition reactions. Special emphasis is on the synthesis of various cyclic carbonate using ionic liquid-based modified catalysts. Catalytic activity studies have discussed with respect to process conditions and their effects on conversion and product selectivity for the reaction of cycloaddition of CO₂ with styrene oxide. The reaction temperature and the partial pressure of CO₂ have found to play …

Scalable Approaches For Auditing The Completeness Of Biomedical Ontologies, Fengbo Zheng

Theses and Dissertations--Computer Science

An ontology provides a formalized representation of knowledge within a domain. In biomedicine, ontologies have been widely used in modern biomedical applications to enable semantic interoperability and facilitate data exchange. Given the important roles that biomedical ontologies play, quality issues such as incompleteness, if not addressed, can affect the quality of downstream ontology-driven applications. However, biomedical ontologies often have large sizes and complex structures. Thus, it is infeasible to uncover potential quality issues through manual effort. In this dissertation, we introduce automated and scalable approaches for auditing the completeness of biomedical ontologies. We mainly focus on two incompleteness issues -- …

Evaluation Of Liquid Ice Melting Additives For Winter Maintenance Applications, Erin Lammers-Staats

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Winter weather can often pose difficulties for transportation agencies as they work to clear roads of snow and ice quickly so that motorists can travel safely and efficiently. Kentucky has made efforts to maximize efficiency within its winter maintenance program by focusing on optimized equipment usage and personnel time management. This study’s objective was to evaluate novel anti-icers and calculate how their performance compared to the current performance of brine and calcium chloride mixture. New brine additives claim to offer better results, but there is very little guidance about how to systematically evaluate new anti-icers. The author developed a testing …

Geophysical Techniques Used For The Analysis And Prediction Of Soil Strength And Mechanical Behavior, Matthew A. Hurley

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Determining soil properties involves extensive laboratory testing of samples at discrete timing and location. Non-destructive analysis methods, such as electrical and seismic, presents alternatives to means of gathering soil properties accompanied with increased flexibility due to spatial and temporal applications. This research examined the ability of seismic wave data to predict soil behavior such as stress-strain and pore pressures using a modified version of Duncan and Chang (1970). Friction angle predictions were also analyzed using shear wave velocity and a modified form of the Santos and Gomez-Correria (2001) equation. This research also analyzed the use of electrical data to predict …

Context Classification Of Roadways Using Nationally Available Gis Data, Laura Wright

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

A Context Classification System based on context attributes of the area surrounding a roadway provides detailed information about the environment of a roadway corridor, while enabling practitioners to cater roadway projects to the community they are within. This study sought to create a system that would automatically classify roadway segments into the correct context, using data sources that are available nationwide. The proposed approach was tested by classifying the roadways in Highway District 7 of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. This process would make context classification approachable to more organizations, as it would reduce the amount of time required to apply …

Characterization Of Modulation And Coherence In Sensorimotor Rhythms Using Different Electroencephalographic Signal Derivations, Stephen Dundon

Theses and Dissertations--Biomedical Engineering

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a widely used technique for monitoring and analyzing brain activity in experimental, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. Since EEG is sensitive to noise and artefact sources, referential signals at different locations can be combined in different ways to improve signal quality and better localize cortical activity. Four signal derivations were compared against referential EEG in terms of their ability to measure the alpha rhythm modulation (or reactivity) and spatial coherence associated with an eye closure task: a common average reference (CAR), a local average reference (LAR), a large Laplacian (LL), and a focal Laplacian (FL) estimated using a …

Work-Related Changes In The Trunk Stiffness Of Nursing Personnel, Clare Tyler

Theses and Dissertations--Biomedical Engineering

Low back pain (LBP) is a significant issue related to spinal stability and, therefore, to trunk stiffness. Due to the nature of their work, nursing personnel are exposed to potential risk factors for LBP, such as lifting and trunk flexion, which have been reported in the literature to lead to decreases in trunk stiffness. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to investigate potential occupational effects on the trunk stiffness in nursing personnel. Twenty-four nursing personnel participated in this study and completed two sessions (pre-shift and post-shift) during which two passive flexion tests (with and without an ~7.5-lb load) were …

Gas Pressure And Coating Distance For Nanohydroxyapatite Deposition On Stainless Steel 316l Using Flame Spray Technique, Angga Saputra, Utami Dyah Syafitri, Toto Sudiro, Gerald Ensang Timuda, Yessie Widya Sari

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

 Metal implant coating engineering is needed to improve the surface biocompatibility properties of metals.  For this, coating metal surfaces with bioactive and biocompatible biomaterials will be an option. Having high biocompatibility as well as similarity in chemical properties, nanohydroxyapatite may be a candidate as biomaterials for coating the metal implant. The key to the success of metal implant plating is the formation of pores which increase the bioactivity and biocompatibility properties of the implant. In this study, nanohydroxyapatite was used to be coated on stainless steel type 316L (SS316L). To ensure that the coating works properly on the surface, an …

Analysis Of The Impact Factors From The Friction Stir Welding Process For Dissimilar Butt Joints Between Semi-Solid Cast Aluminum 356 And Aisi 1018 Carbon Steel, Worapong Boonchouytan, Jaknarin Chatthong, Rommador Burapa

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This research aimed to study the impacts of three different rotation speeds of 710, 1000, and 1400 rpm and three welding speeds of 40, 56, and 80 mm·min-1, on dissimilar butt joints between semi-solid aluminum 356 and AISI 1018 carbon steel. Welding tools were made from tungsten carbide material, and the offset was 0 mm. It was found that an increase in the rotation speed and welding speed caused accumulated heat, which led to the appropriate changes in the metallurgical structure. The rotation speed and welding speed factors had the impact on the greater blending of the two metals at …

Laser Powder Bed Fusion Of Ti6al4v-Xcu: Process Parameters, Thywill Ccphas Dzogbewu

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The original intent of coating biomedical and surgical devices surface with antibacterial agents is to prevent infections. However, the difference in the material properties between the biomedical devices and the coating materials causes the coating material to spall from the biomedical devices. To address the situation, the current research focused on investigating the possibility of using laser powder bed fusion process a subset of additive manufacturing technology to in situ alloy 1 at% Cu with Ti6Al4V. In situ alloying 1 at% Cu with Ti6Al4V would lead to the production of medical and surgical devices with inbuilt antibacterial property. To determine …

Development Of Chemically Grafted Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Onto Cellulose Fiber Sheet And Polyurethane Based Resin Composite For An Active Paper, Siripassorn Sukhkhawuttigit, Sarute Ummartyotin, Yingyot Infahsaeng

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Cellulose fibers (CFs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were successfully developed on polyurethane substrate as a flexible composite paper. With small amount of CNTs, the composite was prepared by a suction filtration method. The existence of CNT additive in cellulose matrix was investigated based on the correlation of mechanical properties, thermal stability, and electrical properties. Although the highly transparent cellulose sheets impregnated with polyurethane were successfully fabricated, the low transmittance was obtained as the increasing of CNT additive. However, the dielectric properties of composite were enhanced with an addition of CNTs in the composite paper. The electrical conductivity was increased from …

Influence Of Cooling Conditions On Microstructure And Mechanical Property Of Sn-0.3ag-0.7cu Lead-Free Solder, Prajak Jattakul, Tavee Madsa, Piyawan Sunasuan, Niwat Mookam

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This research has investigated the influence of cooling conditions on the microstructure and mechanical properties i.e., tensile strength and microhardness of Sn-0.3Ag-0.7Cu lead-free solder. In the experiments, casting was performed at 300℃ with comparison between copper and stainless steel molds under slow and fast cooled conditions. X-ray diffractometer confirmed the presence of Cu6Sn5 and Ag3Sn phases in the solder matrix. Lead-free solder solidified under slow cooled conditions exhibited -Sn matrix with larger grain growth as compared to the fast cooled solder. The eutectic area of intermetallic compound (IMC) was found to increase with cooling rate. The tensile strength of slow …

Automated Control System For The Remote-Controlled Torch Positioner, Christopher Ferguson, Anna Abate, Kyle Cramer, Alex Sabitsch, Jacob Stefanko

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of this project is to design and implement a controls system for Dr. Morscher’s burner rig. The rig serves to simulate jet turbine conditions and test how materials, specifically ceramic matrix composites, react under high temperatures and stresses. Currently, the location of the torch relies solely on manual adjustments and has no automated control system. The improved design will automatically adjust the torch position based on the desired temperature of the sample being tested, therefore maintaining a steady environment for the sample. The current method of manual adjustments for regulating temperature is a crude solution that does not …

A Monte-Carlo Analysis Of Monetary Impact Of Mega Data Breaches, Mustafa Canan, Omer Ilker Poyraz, Anthony Akil

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

The monetary impact of mega data breaches has been a significant concern for enterprises. The study of data breach risk assessment is a necessity for organizations to have effective cybersecurity risk management. Due to the lack of available data, it is not easy to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the interactions among factors that affect the cost of mega data breaches. The Monte Carlo analysis results were used to explicate the interactions among independent variables and emerging patterns in the variation of the total data breach cost. The findings of this study are as follows: The total data breach cost …

Enhancing Cyberweapon Effectiveness Methodology With Se Modeling Techniques: Both For Offense And Defense, C. Ariel Pinto, Matthew Zurasky, Fatine Elakramine, Safae El Amrani, Raed M. Jaradat, Chad Kerr, Vidanelage L. Dayarathna

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

A recent cyberweapons effectiveness methodology clearly provides a parallel but distinct process from that of kinetic weapons – both for defense and offense purposes. This methodology promotes consistency and improves cyberweapon system evaluation accuracy – for both offensive and defensive postures. However, integrating this cyberweapons effectiveness methodology into the design phase and operations phase of weapons systems development is still a challenge. The paper explores several systems engineering modeling techniques (e.g., SysML) and how they can be leveraged towards an enhanced effectiveness methodology. It highlights how failure mode analyses (e.g., FMEA) can facilitate cyber damage determination and target assessment, how …

A Blockchain-Enabled Model To Enhance Disaster Aids Network Resilience, Farinaz Sabz Ali Pour, Paul Niculescu-Mizil Gheorghe

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

The disaster area is a true dynamic environment. Lack of accurate information from the affected area create several challenges in distributing the supplies. The success of a disaster response network is based on collaboration, coordination, sovereignty, and equality in relief distribution. Therefore, a trust-based dynamic communication system is required to facilitate the interactions, enhance the knowledge for the relief operation, prioritize, and coordinate the goods distribution. One of the promising innovative technologies is blockchain technology which enables transparent, secure, and real-time information exchange and automation through smart contracts in a distributed technological ecosystem. This study aims to analyze the application …

Analizimi I Efiqiences Së Transformatorëve Në Sistemin Elektroenergjetik Të Kosovës, Flamur Zeka

Theses and Dissertations

Analizimi i efiqiencës së transformatorëve në sistemin elektroenergjetik të kosovës, na bënë të kuptojmë se me analizimin e rrjetit dhe me analizën e transoframtorëve në kosovë gjendja e efiqiencës nuk është mjaftë e mire, problemi qëndron të amortizimi i trafove, vjetërsia e tyre, kapaciteti i vogel ndaj kërkesave të konsumatorëve dhe mundësia e zavendësimit me trafo të reja. Instalimi i transformatorëve me kapacaitet dhe efiqienc më të madhe, ndër të tjera kryesore është edhe ta analizojmë koston e cila duhet për ta bërë zavendësimin e një tranformatori të vjeter me të ri i cili i plotësonë standardet Europiane.

Në temën …

Menaxhimi I Planit Dinamik Per Objektin B+P+5, Sami Vataj

Theses and Dissertations

Menaxhimi i planit dinamik të projektit nënkupton procesin e udhëheqjes dhe planifikimit te aktiviteteve ndërtimore qe nevojiten për ta përfunduar një projekt ndërtimor.

Disiplina e ndërtimtarisë është profesion specifik sa i përket anës ekonomike dhe menaxheriale. Ndërtimtaria ka për synim ngritjen dhe rikonstruktimin e objekteve ndërtimore. Si veprimtari, ajo realizon produktin e caktuar, objektin ndërtimor-arkitektonik. Ndërtimtaria veqohet për shkak të aktiviteteve të shumta që nevojiten për arritjen e një rezultati brenda një afati kohor. Secili aktivitet si proces teknologjik ka kohëzgjatjen e tij.

Varësisht nga natyra e projektit kemi aktivitete që kryhen në vartësi nga aktivitetet tjera paraprake dhe aktivitete …

Inclusive Access For All, Marcia Dority Baker, Jaci Lindburg

Information Technology Services: Publications

Inclusive Access provides a framework for digital course material delivered via the learning management system (LMS) day-one to students. This platform assists instructors with selecting current, quality, affordable material, and supports learning analytics by providing engagement data in Canvas. The University of Nebraska Provost office has funded an initial series of grants to support open educational resources (OER) initiatives at the Lincoln, Kearney, and Omaha campuses for several years. The vast majority of these dollars went to incentivize faculty in the adoption of OER. The OER and Inclusive Access pilots are ready to mature into a service supported by Academic …

Sediment Transport Investigation In A Karst Basin Defines Governing Transport Processes And Explains Hysteresis Patterns, Leonie Bettel

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Water resources researchers have advanced our understanding of sediment transport in karst aquifers and cave systems in recent years. However, we find knowledge gaps for sediment transport in karst including knowledge of processes controlling sediment hysteresis patterns from sensor datasets, and knowledge of dominant sediment transport processes that lead to sediment transport formulas for prediction. To address these gaps, we analyze a new suspended sediment, electrical conductivity and water flowrate datasets from sinking streams and a phreatic cave system for an epigenetic karst basin in the inner bluegrass region of Kentucky USA.

Three sediment patterns are common including: pulses of …

Analysis Of A Solar Hybrid Sulfur Ammonia Copper Oxide Thermochemical Cycle For Hydrogen Production, Moustafa A. Soliman, Abdel Moniem Abomosalam, Noran Shedid, Mohamed Othman, Toka Hatem, Marc Samer

Chemical Engineering

Solar energy conversion to hydrogen by water splitting is a promising technique because it is sustainable and environmentally friendly. One option for water splitting is through thermochemical cycles in which one of the steps is electrolytic or photocatalytic. In this paper, the economics of a thermochemical process that combines photocatalysis, photovoltaics, high temperature thermal energy and energy storage to harvest solar energy is assessed. This paper focuses on the standard hybrid sulfur ammonia thermochemical cycle (SA) in which the electrolytic step of the hydrogen production from ammonium sulfite solution is augmented by a photocatalytic step. Trying to make use of …

Engineering Students' Preferred Roles: Are They Stable, Are There Gender Differences?, Darren Carthy, S. Craps, Kevin Gaughan, H. Knipprath, Brian Bowe, G. Langie

Conference Papers

Being able to situate oneself in an engineering role is a developmental process. Students may initially have idealized perceptions of a professional role and over time, they make this role more congruent with their own values and goals [1]. In light of this, Higher Education Institutions are being challenged to offer learning experiences and career exploration activities to enable students to clarify their interests, values and competencies in relation to a professional role [2]. This study compared the professional role preferences of more than 700 engineering students at TU Dublin (Ireland) and KU Leuven (Belgium). Professional role preference was measured …

Engineering Students As Co-Creators In An Ethics Of Technology Course, Gunter Bombaerts, Karolina Doulougeri, Shelly Tsui, Erik Laes, Andreas Spahn, Diana Adela Martin

Conference Papers

Research on the effectiveness of case studies in teaching engineering ethics in higher education is underdeveloped. To add to our knowledge, we have systematically compared the outcomes of two case approaches to an undergraduate course on the ethics of technology: a detached approach using real-life cases and a challenge-based learning (CBL) approach with students and stakeholders acting as co-creators (CC). We first developed a practical typology of case-study approaches and subsequently tested an evaluation method to assess the students’ learning experiences (basic needs and motivation) and outcomes (competence development) and staff interpretations and operationalizations, seeking to answer three questions: (1) …

An Approach To Mapping The Development Of Professional Skills In A Structural Engineering Programme, Patrick Crean, Dervilla Niall, Una Beagon, Aimee Byrne, Darren Carthy, Caitríona De Paor, Louise Lynch

Conference Papers

Engineers of the future will be presented with complicated, complex problems and their role in the development of sustainable solutions to global problems will become even more critical. Recent literature highlights the need for the development of a set of professional skills in order to address these challenges. These skills include technical, non-technical and attitudinal skills. This paper describes a case study of a whole-of-programme review of teaching and assessment of professional skills in a structural engineering programme. In a systematic process, lecturing staff mapped the modules they teach against a set of professional skills, which were distilled from literature …