Engineering Commons^™

Erosive Wear Properties Of Za-27 Alloy-Based Nanocomposites: Influence Of Type, Amount, And Size Of Nanoparticle Reinforcements, Aleksandar Vencl, Ilija Bobić, Biljana Bobić, Kristina Jakimovska, Petr Svoboda, Mara Kandeva

Friction

Metal matrix nanocomposites (MMnCs) comprise a metal matrix filled with nanosized reinforcements with physical and mechanical properties that are very different from those of the matrix. In ZA-27 alloy-based nanocomposites, the metal matrix provides ductility and toughness, while usually used ceramic reinforcements give high strength and hardness. Tested ZA-27 alloy-based nanocomposites, reinforced with different types (SiC and Al2O3), amounts (0.2 wt.%, 0.3 wt.%, and 0.5 wt.%) and sizes (25 nm, 50 nm, and 100 nm) of nanoparticles were produced through the compocasting process with mechanical alloying pre-processing (ball milling). It was previously shown that the presence of nanoparticles in ZA-27 …

Friction And Wear Behaviors Of Mos2-Multi-Walled-Carbon-Nanotube Hybrid Reinforced Polyurethane Composite Coating, Zhaozhu Zhang, Mingming Yang, Junya Yuan, Fang Guo, Xuehu Men

Friction

MoS2-multi-walled-carbon-nanotube (MWCNT) hybrids containing two-dimensional MoS2 and one-dimensional MWCNTs were synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal reaction. X-ray-diffraction and transmission-electron-microscopy results demonstrated that MoS2 nanosheets were successfully synthesized, and uniformly anchored on the MWCNTs' surfaces. Furthermore, the effects of the MoS2-MWCNT hybrids on the tribological performances of polyurethane composite coatings were investigated using a UMT-2MT tribo-tester. Friction and wear test results revealed that the friction coefficient and wear rate of a 3 wt% MoS2-MWCNT-1 filled polyurethane composite coating were reduced by 25.6% and 65.5%, respectively. The outstanding tribological performance of the MoS2-MWCNT-1 reinforced polyurethane composite coating was attributed to the excellent …

Sliding Friction Of Shale Rock On Dry Quartz Sand Particles, Huijie Zhang, Shuhai Liu, Huaping Xiao

Friction

The sliding friction of rock, involving all kinds of particles at the contact surface, is relevant to many problems, ranging from those in artificial engineering to earthquake dynamics. In this work, the frictional performance of the shale rock-dry quartz sand contact was investigated using a self-developed testing device. The study showed that the coefficient of friction of the contact increases with nominal stress and that the corresponding friction force increases approximately linearly with nominal stress, which is directly related to the contact stress between each single sand particle and rock shale. An overall dynamic coefficient, γ, reflecting the response of …

Friction Predication On Pin-To-Plate Interface Of Ptfe Material And Steel, Zhuming Bi, Donald W. Mueller

Friction

In this paper, the friction behavior at a pin-to-plate interface is investigated. The pin and plate are made of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and steel, respectively, and there is a reciprocating motion at the interface. Governing mathematical models for the relations of design variables and frictions are investigated, and a general procedure is proposed to solve the developed models and predict the friction forces at the interface subjected to given test conditions. Novel models have been developed to represent intrigued friction behaviors affected by various factors such as pin geometrics and finishes, lubrication conditions, and reciprocating speed. The test data from experiments …

Significant Friction Reduction Of High-Intensity Pulsed Ion Beam Irradiated Wc-Ni Against Graphite Under Water Lubrication, Gaolong Zhang, Yuechang Wang, Ying Liu, Xiangfeng Liu, Yuming Wang

Friction

Two types of commercial WC-Ni samples were irradiated with the High-intensity pulsed ion beam (HIPIB). Both the surface characteristics and tribo-characteristics of the non-irradiated and irradiated WC-Ni samples, sliding against graphite under water lubrication, were compared. Quite low steady friction coefficients (approximately of 0.02) of the irradiated WC-Ni were observed. The surface topographies and components were investigated. The quite low friction of the irradiated WC-Ni samples was ascribed to the higher fluid retention capability of the latter and the tribofilm formed during sliding.

Metal-Containing Nanomaterials As Lubricant Additives: State-Of-The-Art And Future Development, Igor E. Uflyand, Vladimir A. Zhinzhilo, Victoria E. Burlakova

Friction

This review focuses on the effect of metal-containing nanomaterials on tribological performance in oil lubrication. The basic data on nanolubricants based on nanoparticles of metals, metal oxides, metal sulfides, nanocomposities, and rare-earth compounds are generalized. The influence of nanoparticle size, morphology, surface functionalization, and concentration on friction and wear is analyzed. The lubrication mechanisms of nanolubricants are discussed. The problems and prospects for the development of metal-containing nanomaterials as lubricant additives are considered. The bibliography includes articles published during the last five years.

Experimental Study On The Tribo-Chemical Smoothening Process Between Self-Mated Silicon Carbide In A Water-Lubricated Surface-Contact Reciprocating Test, Le Jin, Herbert Scheerer, Georg Andersohn, Matthias Oechsner, Dieter Hellmann

Friction

Silicon carbide (SiC) can be tribo-chemically smoothened during a self-mated sliding procedure in the aqueous environment. As well reported in the point-contact tests, this smoothening process works well due to the abundant water as oxidant. After this smoothening process, the tribo-surface is well polished, a closely mated tribo-gap naturally forms, and an ultra-low friction state is built. However, water in the tribo-gap could be insufficient in industrial applications, e.g., the seal gap in mechanical seals. In this study, the tribo-chemical smoothening behavior in such environment was researched. A surface-contact reciprocating test was used to simulate the aqueous environment where water …

Water-Based Superlubricity In Vacuum, Chen Xiao, Jinjin Li, Lei Chen, Chenhui Zhang, Ningning Zhou, Tao Qing, Linmao Qian, Jiyang Zhang, Jianbin Luo

Friction

This study achieved water-based superlubricity with the lubrication of H3PO4 solution in vacuum (highest vacuum degree <10-4 torr) for the first time by performing a pre-running process in air before running in vacuum. The stable water-based superlubricity was sustainable in vacuum (0.02 torr) for 14 h until the test was stopped by the user for non-experimental factor. A further analysis suggested that the superlubricity may be attributed to the phosphoric acid-water network formed in air, which can efficiently lock water molecules in the liquid lubricating film even in vacuum owing to the strong hydrogen bond interaction. Such capability to lock water is strongly affected by the strength of hydrogen bond and environmental conditions. The realization of water-based superlubricity with H3PO4 solution in vacuum can lead to its application in space environment.

Tribological Performance Of Novel Nickel-Based Composite Coatings With Lubricant Particles, Ignacio Tudela, Andrew J. Cobley, Yi Zhang

Friction

The present study is focused on the evaluation of the tribological performance of novel Ni/hBN and Ni/WS2 composite coatings electrodeposited from an additive-free Watts bath with the assistance of ultrasound. Lubricated and non-lubricated scratch tests were performed on both novel composite coatings and on standard Ni deposits used as a benchmark coating to have an initial idea of the effect of the presence of particles within the Ni matrix. Under lubricated conditions, the performance of the Ni/hBN composite coating was very similar to the benchmark Ni coating, whereas the Ni/WS2 behaved quite differently, as the latter did not only show …

Numerical Analysis Of Time-Varying Wear With Elastic Deformation In Line Contact, Wanglong Zhan, Ping Huang

Friction

Wear is an important factor for failures of mechanical components. Current research on wear is mainly focused on experiments while the numerical simulation of wear is hardly used owing to the complexities of the wear process. Explaining the effect of friction on the wear process is important, as it will lead to a deeper understanding of the evolution of wear. This study proposed a numerical method to expound the wear process in the contact between an elastic cylinder and a half-space simulating the ring-block tester. There are two difficulties during the calculation; one is that the contact shapes vary with …

Multi-Echo Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping For Strategically Acquired Gradient Echo (Stage) Imaging, Sara Gharabaghi, Saifeng Liu, Ying Wang, Yongsheng Chen, Sagar Buch, Mojtaba Jokar, Thomas Wischgoll, Nasser H. Kashou, Chunyan Zhang, Bo Wu, Jingliang Cheng, E. Mark Haacke

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

Purpose: To develop a method to reconstruct quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) from multi-echo, multi-flip angle data collected using strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) imaging. Methods: The proposed QSM reconstruction algorithm, referred to as “structurally constrained Susceptibility Weighted Imaging and Mapping” scSWIM, performs an ℓ1 and ℓ2 regularization-based reconstruction in a single step. The unique contrast of the T1 weighted enhanced (T1WE) image derived from STAGE imaging was used to extract reliable geometry constraints to protect the basal ganglia from over-smoothing. The multi-echo multi-flip angle data were used for improving the contrast-to-noise ratio in QSM through a weighted averaging scheme. The …

Optimal Control Of Active Nematics, Michael M. Norton, Piyush Grover, Michael F. Hagan, Seth Fraden

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

In this work we present the first systematic framework to sculpt active nematic systems, using optimal control theory and a hydrodynamic model of active nematics. We demonstrate the use of two different control fields, (i) applied vorticity and (ii) activity strength, to shape the dynamics of an extensile active nematic that is confined to a disk. In the absence of control inputs, the system exhibits two attractors, clockwise and counterclockwise circulating states characterized by two co-rotating topological þ1 2 defects. We specifically seek spatiotemporal inputs that switch the system from one attractor to the other; we also examine phase-shifting perturbations. …

Modifying The Surface Chemistry And Nanostructure Of Carbon Nanotubes Facilitates The Detection Of Aromatic Hydrocarbon Gases, John N. Hodul, Allison K. Murray, Nikhil F. Carneiro, Joseph R. Meseke, Jacob Morris, Xinping He, Dimitry Zemlyanov, George T.-C. Chiu, James E. Braun, Jeffrey F. Rhoads, Bryan W. Boudouris

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) compounds currently utilized in many building materials and paints have been linked to deleterious health effects, and thus, monitoring the presence of these compounds is of increasing importance with respect to public health. As such, there is a critical need for next-generation low-cost, selective, and sensitive indoor BTX sensors. Current BTX detection systems require multicomponent, complex devices or require high power input to achieve BTX detection at meaningful concentrations, but this long-standing paradigm can be altered through the introduction of tailored nanomaterials. Specifically, we demonstrate a selective BTX resonant mass sensor platform that leverages …

Protease Resistant Growth Factor Formulations For The Healing Of Chronic Wounds, Tabitha Boeringer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chronic wounds are those wounds which are refractory to treatment, often taking years to heal. These wounds are complex and may present with elevated protease levels, resulting in rapid degradation of growth factors, both native and augmented via treatment. This study’s focus was the development of a system to protect growth factors from protease mediated degradation.

The protective system consisted of chimeric fusion proteins developed to contain both a growth factor or known protease inhibitory peptide and an Elastin-Like-Peptide (ELP)component. The unique phase transitioning abilities of the ELP component allowed for the self-assembly of these chimeric fusion proteins into a …

Satellite-Based Monitoring Of Irrigation Water Use: Assessing Measurement Errors And Their Implications For Agricultural Water Management Policy, T. Foster, Taro Mieno, Nicholas Brozovic

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

Reliable accounting of agricultural water use is critical for sustainable water management. However, the majority of agricultural water use is not monitored, with limited metering of irrigation despite increasing pressure on both groundwater and surface water resources in many agricultural regions worldwide. Satellite remote sensing has been proposed as a low-cost and scalable solution to fill widespread gaps in monitoring of irrigation water use in both developed and developing countries, bypassing the technical, socioeconomic, and political challenges that to date have constrained in situ metering. In this paper, we show through a systematic meta-analysis that the relative accuracy of different …

Axonal Blockage With Microscopic Magnetic Stimulation, Hui Ye

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Numerous neurological dysfunctions are characterized by undesirable nerve activity. By providing reversible nerve blockage, electric stimulation with an implanted electrode holds promise in the treatment of these conditions. However, there are several limitations to its application, including poor bio-compatibility and decreased efficacy during chronic implantation. A magnetic coil of miniature size can mitigate some of these problems, by coating it with biocompatible material for chronic implantation. However, it is unknown if miniature coils could be effective in axonal blockage and, if so, what the underlying mechanisms are. Here we demonstrate that a submillimeter magnetic coil can reversibly block action potentials …

Optimizing The Performance Of Multi-Threaded Linear Algebra Libraries Based On Task Granularity, Shahrzad Shirzad

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Linear algebra libraries play a very important role in many HPC applications. As larger datasets are created everyday, it also becomes crucial for the multi-threaded linear algebra libraries to utilize the compute resources properly. Moving toward exascale computing, the current programming models would not be able to fully take advantage of the advances in memory hierarchies, computer architectures, and networks. Asynchronous Many-Task(AMT) Runtime systems would be the solution to help the developers to manage the available parallelism. In this Dissertation we propose an adaptive solution to improve the performance of a linear algebra library based on a set of compile-time …

From Classroom To Industry: Human Factors In Aviation Maintenance Decision-Making, Bettina Mrusek, Stephanie Douglas

Publications

The presence of human factors in aviation remains a critical area of research given the safety implications of human error. Understanding what specific factors contribute to human error allows managers and operators to take steps to mitigate these hazards. Several methods have been tested in the cockpit and cabin crew environments, but less attention has been given to the aviation maintenance sector, despite the prevalence of accidents resulting from human error. With the introduction of AC-172A, the FAA validated the need for additional research and training on the role of human factors in aviation maintenance errors. However, a key component …

Design And Development Of A Machine Vision System Using Artificial Neural Network-Based Algorithm For Automated Coal Characterization, Amit Kumar Gorai, Simit Raval, Ashok Kumar Patel, Snehamoy Chatterjee, Tarini Gautam

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Coal is heterogeneous in nature, and thus the characterization of coal is essential before its use for a specific purpose. Thus, the current study aims to develop a machine vision system for automated coal characterizations. The model was calibrated using 80 image samples that are captured for different coal samples in different angles. All the images were captured in RGB color space and converted into five other color spaces (HSI, CMYK, Lab, xyz, Gray) for feature extraction. The intensity component image of HSI color space was further transformed into four frequency components (discrete cosine transform, discrete wavelet transform, discrete Fourier …

Gate Diffusion Input Multi-Threshold Null Convention Logic Circuit Design Approach, Prashanthi Metku, Minsu Choi, Kyung Ki Kim, Yong Bin Kim

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Multi-Threshold null convention logic (MTNCL) is a novel low power paradigm for designing asynchronous null convention logic (NCL) circuits. To further reduce the dynamic power consumption, a new methodology that utilizes gate diffusion input technique is proposed. The proposed approach is used to realize MTNCL gates and a decrease in the transistor count is observed that tend to reduce the dynamic power consumption. Compared to SMTNCL approach, the proposed methodology shows a 5.6% is reduction in the power consumption for the MTNCL gates.

An Ultra-Low-Power Tunable Bump Circuit Using Source-Degenerated Differential Transconductor, Yixuan He, Minsu Choi, Kyung Ki Kim, Yong Bin Kim

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, we proposed a nano-power tunable bump circuit. It incorporates a novel source-degenerated trans conductor using pseudo-resistor as source resistor to control the width of the bump. The presented circuit is simulated in Cadence using 180nm CMOS process under 1.8V power supply. The results show that the transconductance is tuned with pseudo-resistor and the bump circuit can operate with wide voltage range from 0.3V to 1.8V. Also, this circuit is compact and only dissipates 16.7nW power which makes it perfect for large-scale machine learning applications such as classifier and support vector machine.

Parallel And Asynchronous Distributed Optimization For Power Systems Operation, Ali Mohammadi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Distributed optimization approaches are gaining more attention for solving power systems energy management functions, such as optimal power flow (OPF). Preserving information privacy of autonomous control entities and being more scalable than centralized approaches are two primary reasons for developing distributed algorithms. Moreover, distributed/ decentralized algorithms potentially increase power systems reliability against failures of components or communication links.

In this dissertation, we propose multiple distributed optimization algorithms and convergence performance enhancement techniques to solve the OPF problem. We present a multi-level optimization algorithm, based on analytical target cascading, to formulate and solve a collaborative transmission and distribution OPF problem. This …

On Correctness, Precision, And Performance In Quantitative Verification: Qcomp 2020 Competition Report, Carlos E. Budde, Arnd Hartmanns, Michaela Klauck, Jan Křetínský, David Parker, Tim Quatmann, Andrea Turrini, Zhen Zhang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Quantitative verification tools compute probabilities, expected rewards, or steady-state values for formal models of stochastic and timed systems. Exact results often cannot be obtained efficiently, so most tools use floating-point arithmetic in iterative algorithms that approximate the quantity of interest. Correctness is thus defined by the desired precision and determines performance. In this paper, we report on the experimental evaluation of these trade-offs performed in QComp 2020: the second friendly competition of tools for the analysis of quantitative formal models. We survey the precision guarantees - ranging from exact rational results to statistical confidence statements - offered by the nine …

The Energy And Exergy Of Light With Application To Societal Exergy Analysis.Pdf, Matthew K. Heun, Zeke Marshall, Emmanuel Aramendia, Paul E. Brockway

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Lighting provides an indispensable energy service, illumination. The field of societal exergy analysis considers light (andmany other energy products) to be enablers of economic growth, and lighting contributes a non-negligible proportion of total useful exergy supplied to modern economies. In societal exergy analysis, the exergetic efficiency of electric lamps is central to determining the exergy contribution of lighting to an economy. Conventionally, societal exergy practitioners estimate the exergetic efficiency of lamps by an energy efficiency, causing confusion and, sometimes, overestimation of exergetic efficiency by a factor as large as 3. In response, we use recent results from the fields of …

Enhancement Of Fracture Toughness In Secondary Bonded Cfrp Using Hybrid Thermoplastic/Thermoset Bondline Architecture, A. Yudhanto, M. Almulhim, F. Kamal, R. Tao, L. Fatta, M. Alfano, G. Lubineau

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Structures made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) can be assembled using adhesive bonding. However, such bonding is prone to brittle delamination, and a method to improve delamination resistance is desirable. Here, we propose a technique to introduce crack-arrest features that increase the R-curve response by engineering the adhesive bond line/interface. We specifically designed a wavy net-like thermoplastic insert that was embedded into the thermoset adhesive bond line where the new mechanisms of energy dissipation were generated. We demonstrate that the technique is effective at improving mode I fracture toughness of secondary bonded carbon/epoxy by more than 400%. The hybrid thermoset/thermoplastic …

Characterization And Performance Of Minimum Quantity Lubricants In Through-Tool Drilling, Amla Patil, Jay Raval, Tim Bangma, Immanuel Edinbarough, Bruce Tai, David Stephenson, Suleiman Obeidat, Wayne Nguyen Hung

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

This study characterized airborne microdroplet diameters and size distribution from two commercially available lubricants A and B for internal minimum quantity lubrication (MQL). The effects of air pressure, oil channel size, physical properties of lubricants on the resultant microdroplets and through-tool MQL drilling performance were studied. Airborne microdroplet diameters were highly sensitive to the coolant channel sizes and air pressure. Cluster method was used to divide microdroplets into smaller clusters for comparison. Experimental data show that the average airborne microdroplet of lubricant B was larger than that of lubricant A at different air pressures and channel sizes. The contact angle …

Peak Grain Forecasts For The Us High Plains Amid Withering Waters, Assaad Mrad, Gabriel G. Katul, Delphis F. Levia, Andrew J. Guswa, Elizabeth W. Boyer, Michael Bruen, Darryl E. Carlyle-Moses, Rachel Coyte, Irena F. Creed, Nick Van De Giesen, Domenico Grasso, David M. Hannah, Janice E. Hudson, Vincent Humphrey, Shin'ichi Iida, Robert B. Jackson, Tomo'omi Kumagai, Pilar Llorens, Beate Michalzik, Kazuki Nanko, Catherine A. Peters, John S. Selker, Doerthe Tetzlaff, Maciej Zalewski, Bridget R. Scanlon

Engineering: Faculty Publications

Irrigated agriculture contributes 40% of total global food production. In the US High Plains, which produces more than 50 million tons per year of grain, as much as 90% of irrigation originates from groundwater resources, including the Ogallala aquifer. In parts of the High Plains, groundwater resources are being depleted so rapidly that they are considered nonrenewable, compromising food security. When groundwater becomes scarce, groundwater withdrawals peak, causing a subsequent peak in crop production. Previous descriptions of finite natural resource depletion have utilized the Hubbert curve. By coupling the dynamics of groundwater pumping, recharge, and crop production, Hubbert-like curves emerge, …

New Plans For The Road Ahead, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Oct. 19, 2020 — In a few short years, USU has become a national hub for transportation engineering research. In addition to the groundbreaking work at the NSF-funded ASPIRE Engineering Research Center, USU engineering faculty lead exciting transportation studies that may forever change how people and goods get around.

Microfluidic Systems With Embedded Cell Culture Chambers For High Throughput Biological Assays, Arian Jaberi, Amir Monemian Esfahani, Fariba Aghabaglou, Jae Sung Park, Sidy Ndao, Ali Tamayol, Ruiguo Yang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The ability to generate chemical and mechanical gradients on chips is important both for creating biomimetic designs or enabling high-throughput assays. However, there is still a significant knowledge gap in the generation of mechanical and chemical gradients in a single device. In this study, we developed gradient-generating microfluidic circuits with integrated microchambers to allow cell culture and to introduce chemical and mechanical gradients to cultured cells. A chemical gradient is generated across the microchambers, exposing cells to a uniform concentration of drugs. The embedded microchamber also produces a mechanical gradient in the form of varied shear stresses induced upon cells …

Investigating Factors Predicting Effective Learning In A Cs Professional Development Program For K–12 Teachers, Patrick Morrow

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The demand for K-12 Computer Science (CS) education is growing and there is not an adequate number of educators to match the demand. Comprehensive research was carried out to investigate and understand the influence of a summer two-week professional development (PD) program on teachers’ CS content and pedagogical knowledge, their confidence in such knowledge, their interest in and perceived value of CS, and the factors influencing such impacts. Two courses designed to train K-12 teachers to teach CS, focusing on both concepts and pedagogy skills were taught over two separate summers to two separate cohorts of teachers. Statistical and SWOT …