Engineering Commons^™

Database Implementation For Fines Management Of Student Organization, Parker K. Nomura

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The Delta Upsilon fraternity at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, currently has no formal system for fines management. This facilitated over $9000 in uncollected dues and fines during the 2016-17 academic year. The executive board have difficult access to accurate financial information and general members have difficult access to personal fines information. This project aims to design, implement, and test a fines management system to reduce the annual amount of unpaid dues by $4500. The system is to be cost-effective, which will be measured as a decrease in uncollected dues. The system will be beneficial to …

The Design Of A Digital Scheduling Solution For Healing Alternatives, Hailey A. Malin, Krista L. Mcallester, Anne E. Shields

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The focus of this senior project is to assist Healing Alternatives, an acupuncture clinic located in San Luis Obispo, in developing a business management software to fit their needs and boost their overall organization. The approach to finding the right fit for this business included assessing their current system while simultaneously investigating other providers. Once alternatives were found that met all of Healing Alternatives’ initial requirements, trial demos were generated in order to perform user experience testing. The presented final solution, a scheduling software called Acuity Scheduling, was implemented in a three-phase move plan that occurred over the period of …

Development Of An Additive Manufacturing Compression Molding Process For Low Cost In-House Prototyping, Grant Forrester Warden

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Composite parts can be manufactured using various processes. Generally, a mix of resin and fiber is formed into the desired geometry using a mold and pressure. One process used by Dr. Joseph Mello in his research is known as compression molding. Compression molds are generally made from large billets of aluminum or stainless steel, are machined by a CNC mill, and are then hand-finished with polishes and mold preparation products. This process is expensive, requires large machinery and experienced operators, and introduces long lead times relative to the design cycle of the part being manufactured. The nature of Dr. Mello's …

Julian's Forecasting, Krista R. Bowdle

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

This report focuses on developing a solution to a current problem faced at Julian’s Cafe and Bistro. The problem is that inaccurate order quantities are leading to inventory shortage and surplus which is causing unnecessary profit loss. After accessing and analyzing historical sales data, several forecasts were created using various approaches. After assessing each method and applying a mean absolute percentage error to see how accurate the forecasts were, the seasonal forecast with removing outliers initially was the selected method. After, this method was used to forecast the top three selling items at Julian’s and make demand predictions for busy …

Healing Alternatives Workspace Remodel, Lissandra Ilcyn, Jenifer Astrid Colmenares, Grace E. Kuffner

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Healing Alternatives is an acupuncture office space located in a repurposed house in San Luis Obispo. Healing Alternatives’ current facility layout does not allow for an additional treatment room or the space to provide additional services because of the wasted space within the facility. Furthermore, patients can be disrupted by noise outside the treatment room causing a negative customer experience. The project team’s objectives are to:

o Design two layout alternatives

o Provide a time estimate for each alternative

o Provide a cost analysis of each alternative

o Implement 5s methodology on the storage room

o Provide a 2D-3D model …

Designing A Manufacturing System To Reduce Production Learning Curve, Nicholas Devin Kuhnsman

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The goal of this project was to design a new manufacturing system for Patio Pacific that would reduce the learning curve and the skilled labor required in the production process. Multiple ideas to decrease the scrap rate in the vert manufacturing process were tested. It was determined that outsourcing the manufacturing of the vertical frame piece was the most optimal because it would reduce overall cost and increase product quality. A new facility and production layout were designed in order to accommodate the new pre-manufactured parts. The approved facility design included a new production flow that transitioned manufacturing from single …

A Gamification Approach For Experiential Education Of Inventory Control, Gokhan Egilmez, Ridvan Gedik

Engineering and Applied Science Education Faculty Publications

In this educational research project, game-based in-class and after-class learning activities are developed to teach selected inventory control strategies to undergraduate and graduate students. Students from Supply Chain Management and System Simulation courses are targeted, who are taught by different instructors. The activities include teaching the inventory control policies to students in a regular class setting, then providing an overview on a game developed on MS Excel. In the game, the lead time and customer demand variables are defined uncertain, and not given to students, which make the assignment an ill-structured problem. A 12-month planning and execution period is given …

A Pilot Program In Internet-Of-Things With University And Industry Collaboration: Introduction And Lessons Learned, Mohsen Sarraf, Bijan Karimi, Ali Golbazi

Engineering and Applied Science Education Faculty Publications

Internet-of-Things (IoT) is one of the most prominent technological eco-systems and an engine of growth with an estimated market size of $14 Trillion to $33 Trillion by 2025 (McKinsey Global Institute). The IoT eco-system uses well-established technologies in many fields; and it adds new and often challenging requirements on extant techniques. For example, many wireless schemes are or being redesigned to address battery life and cost of solution issues. At the same time, the industry needs to hire and retrain many technical personnel to address these issues and support this newly evolving eco-system in many different markets. These facts culminate …

Integrated E-Learning Modules For Developing An Entrepreneurial Mindset: Direct Assessment Of Student Learning, Maria-Isabel Carnasciali, Ronald S. Harichandran, Nadiye O. Erdil, Jean Nocito-Gobel, Cheryl Q. Li

Engineering and Applied Science Education Faculty Publications

In an effort to develop an entrepreneurial mindset in all our engineering and computer science students, the University of New Haven is embedding entrepreneurial concepts throughout the 4-year curricula in their majors. This is done with the use of several short e-learning modules developed by content experts. The modules are integrated into engineering and computer science courses by faculty who reinforce concepts through a related activity, project, or assignment. The e-learning modules, available online through course management systems, are self-paced and targeted at conceptual learning of 18 specific entrepreneurial topics. Using a flipped-classroom instructional model, students complete the modules outside …

Investigating The Entrepreneurial Mindset Of Engineering And Computer Science Students, Cheryl Q. Li, Ronald S. Harichandran, Nadiye O. Erdil, Jean Nocito-Gobel, Maria-Isabel Carnasciali

Engineering and Applied Science Education Faculty Publications

In recent years, numerous engineering programs around the country have introduced curricular revisions and co-curricular activities to develop entrepreneurial skills in students. The primary motivation of these efforts is to graduate engineering students who can rapidly contribute to the economic growth of the nation through entrepreneurship and innovation. A precursor to launching startups or creating new products or services is the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. Efforts focused on developing an entrepreneurial mindset in engineering students through curricular and co-curricular activities are emerging from the many partner institutions of the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN). As these efforts strengthen, approaches …

3d Printed Soft Robotic Hand, Zack Kisner, Chris Szigeti, David Leonardo

Mechanical Engineering Senior Theses

Soft robotics is an emerging industry, largely dominated by companies which hand mold their actuators. Our team set out to design an entirely 3D printed soft robotic hand, powered by a pneumatic control system which will prove both the capabilities of soft robots and those of 3D printing. Through research, computer aided design, finite element analysis, and experimental testing, a functioning actuator was created capable of a deflection of 2.17” at a maximum pressure input of 15 psi. The single actuator was expanded into a 4 finger gripper and the design was printed and assembled. The created prototype was ultimately …

3d Printed Carbon Fiber Electric Mountain Bike Frame, Chris Edwards, Fionn Ruder, Joseph Hurley, Micah Thomas, Mitch Spinelli, Parker Gribb

Mechanical Engineering Senior Theses

3D printing of carbon fiber composites has been a developing technology for about 5 years, and in this time, Arevo Labs has established itself as a leader in the field. Our team joined forces with Arevo, who sponsored our project as we showcased their new, innovative carbon fiber manufacturing process. To do so, we focused on the conceptual design, analysis, assembly, and material testing of an electric mountain-bike frame printed with Arevo’s continuous carbon fiber printing technology. Our bike consists of the main frame and a chain stay subsystem, which connects the rear wheel to the rest of the frame …

Leveraging The Nam's 'Getting Nurses On Boards Coalition' To Promote Nae's 'Changing The Conversation' Campaign, Daniel B. Oerther

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

As described in reports by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), engineers and the profession of engineering lack visibility, relevance, and influence with the public. One approach to address this situation is the, "Changing the Conversation," campaign that uses market research techniques to improve the public image of the engineering profession. In related efforts, scientists have developed the, "March for Science," campaign to advocate for the role of science in evidence-based public policy at the local, state, and international levels. In contrast to marketing materials and advocacy campaigns, this article argues that the approach adopted by nurses and the profession …

Buturi Solar, Patrick Mihelic, Alfredo Muñoz, Ruben Tapia

Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Theses

The village of Makongoro in the Buturi community of Tanzania lacks the resources to bring any form of energy to power the local school. The most reliable source of energy we could bring to the school is in the form of a photovoltaic system, as the climate of Buturi provides an ideal location for the implementation of such system. We have designed a solar microgrid specifically for Buturi and the needs of the school, that has the capability to power laptops, cell phones, and lighting throughout the school building. The system is fully detailed and explained in this report, with …

Engineering Nanoscale Exosomes For Lysosomal Delivery Of Bioactive Enzymes, Mai Anh Do

Bioengineering Master's Theses

There are at least 50 lysosomal storage diseases that are caused by accumulation of a substrate due to a defective enzyme. Although some treatment options are available, low efficacy, high cost, and immunogenicity are main challenges of current treatments. To overcome those limitations, we use cell-derived nanoparticles to deliver biologically active cargos into lysosomes. Naturally produced exosomes can deliver proteins without triggering an immune response. Additionally, exosome have an intrinsic ability to cross blood brain barrier benefiting patients at a late disease stage that affects the brain. After fusing either Gaussia luciferase (gLuc) or puromycin resistant protein (puro) onto a …

Active Auxetic Heel Support For Achilles Tendon Therapy, Anna Hinrichs, Kseniya Malukhina, Ishaan Sharma, Micaela Vierra

Bioengineering Senior Theses

The Achilles tendon, which stretches from the calf to the ankle, can be injured due to repeated daily activities or overstretching. In severe cases a tear in the tendon can prevent athletes from performing in games as well as individuals from completing their daily tasks. Achilles tendon injuries affect millions of people. The severe pain that occurs upon injury can take months to improve and for the Achilles tendon to heal. Our goal is to design an auxetic support to provide comfort, help heal the tendon, and allow the individual to continue to be active through the natural healing process. …

Engineered Living Nanoparticles For The Treatment Of Inflammatory Diseases, Annie Brown, Alex Campanelli, Adarsh Tantry

Bioengineering Senior Theses

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a widespread, debilitating autoimmune disease characterized by painful inflammation of the joints. Current treatments for RA are either ineffective, expensive, or have undesirable effects, such as an adverse immune response. To mitigate these effects, we have designed an exosome-based treatment for inflammation. We chose to utilize exosomes for their longer half-life in the body, better penetrative capacity, and biocompatibility, thus improving upon previous RA treatments. To do this, we created a stable cell line to produce exosomes modified at the surface to express a tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), which possesses the ability to act as …

Milkguard: Low-Cost, Polymer-Based Sensor For The Detection Of Escherichia Coli In Donated Human Breast Milk, Maggie May, Nicholas Kikuchi, Matthew Zweber

Bioengineering Senior Theses

Breast milk, the gold standard for infant nutrition, could prevent up to 13% of child deaths worldwide. However, many mothers are unable to breastfeed due to health conditions and other factors. Because of this, a network of more than 500+ human milk banks, which collect and distribute donated breast milk to infants, have emerged worldwide. However, operational costs to ensure the safety of this milk remain time-intensive and costly.

There are no existing diagnostics for rapid and on-site detection of bacterial contaminants in donated milk. Currently, many milk banks send samples to outside laboratories for bacterial culturing tests, which take …

Modifying The Size Of Nanopores Of Alginate Microcapsules, Andrea Filler, Jordan Levine, Jerard Roniel Madamba, Natalie Ploof

Bioengineering Senior Theses

Alginate hydrogels provide desirable biocompatibility and material properties for various biomedical applications, but are limited by the polymer's natural pore size. With the rise of nanotechnology, the desired crosslinked pore size range of 30 nm to 100 nm has not yet been achieved. This project aimed to develop a method to increase the pore size of alginate-based hydrogels in a reproducible manner without compromising their structural integrity. Experimental methods included altering alginate composition using carboxymethyl cellulose or gelatin and inducing conformational changes via Mach-1TM mechanical compression. Fluorescence microscopy was used to visualize the diffusion of FITC-dextran weight markers and fluorescent …

Generating Interest Among Undergraduates Toward Research In Environmental Engineering By Incorporating Novel Desalination Technology-Based Hands-On Laboratory Assignments, Sanjay Tewari, Md Ashique Ahmed, Chandra Mouli Tummala

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Undergraduate students were exposed to hands-on novel desalination laboratory experiments in an attempt to generate interest towards research in the broad field of environmental engineering and specifically in the field of water desalination. The laboratory exercises were designed to introduce desalination techniques, enhance their learning experiences, generate interest among them, and prepare them as potential researchers in laboratory settings. The hands-on experience of capacitive deionization (CDI) based laboratory experiments provided foundational and working knowledge of the CDI concept and allowed students to learn basic methodology followed in environmental laboratories to arrive at technical conclusions.

Students were given opportunity to desalinate …

Exploring The Relationship Between Cellular Structure And Mechanical Properties Of Polymer Foams, Timothy Lee Tan

Materials Engineering

Polymer foams are the material of choice for applications that require comfort, cushioning, and high energy absorption. While popular, the relationship between their microstructure and their mechanical properties is not yet strongly predictable. The aim of this project is to look at the different relationships between the area or volume occupied by pores compared to the amount of solid material and determine which method of quantifying this relationship will provide the best prediction of mechanical properties. To examine this relationship, foams of various densities made from either ethylene-co-vinyl acetate or thermoplastic polyurethane were first physically characterized through three methods: (1) …

Prescriptive And Performance Analysis Of Cold Machine Shop, John Kline

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

The purpose of this report is to analyze the fire and life safety aspects of the Cold Machine Shop located on the central coast of California. This report includes both a prescriptive and performance based analysis.

The prescriptive analysis will evaluate the building as follows, to ensure compliance with standard codes: 1)Egress analysis and design using NFPA 101, "Life Safety Code", 2)Fire detection, alarms, and communication systems using NFPA 72, "National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code", 3)Water-based fire suppression systems using NFPA 13, " Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems" and NFPA 14, " Standard for the Installation of Standpipe …

An Analysis Of The Life Safety And Fire Protection Features Of A New Hotel On California’S Central Coast, James Henahan

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

This report examines the fire protection and life safety features of a new, 3-story plus basement, hotel on California’s Central Coast. These features are examined from both a prescriptive, code-driven perspective, as well as from a performance-based design point of view.

The prescriptive analysis includes exit configuration and capacity, the NFPA 13 sprinkler system, the NFPA 72 fire alarm system, and the building construction types. All were found to be acceptable when compared against the applicable codes the building is subject to, with the exception of some of the load- bearing exterior walls.

The performance-based component examines the affect two …

University Student Services Center, Ivan Orlando Mendoza

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

The building was found to be generally compliant with the requirements set forth in the codes and standards, any discrepancies are addressed within the report in their respective sections. The prescriptive-based analysis was performed using the appropriate NFPA standards, the Life Safety Code (LSC) and the International Building Code (IBC).

The building is three storied and has an overall gross floor area of 101,579 sq ft. It is classified as a mixed occupancy use with a calculated total occupant load of 2,866 occupants and is being evaluated as a Type II-B structure as defined in the IBC. It is protected …

การบริหารการอำนวยความสะดวกทางการค้าสำหรับการขนส่ง สินค้าข้ามแดนและผ่านแดนของไทยเพื่อรองรับประชาคม เศรษฐกิจอาเซียน, สุนันทา เจริญปัญญายิ่ง, สมพงษ์ ศิริโสภณศิลป์, จิตติชัย รุจนกนกนาฏ

Journal of Transportation and Logistics (TRANSLOG)

บทความนี้นำเสนอการรวบรวมและวิเคราะห์ข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับการบริหารการอำนวยความ สะดวกทางการค้าและการขนส่งข้ามแดนเพื่อรองรับประชาคมเศรษฐกิจอาเซียน เพื่อเสนอแนะ นโยบายในการพัฒนาระบบบริหารจัดการการขนส่งข้ามแดน มีขอบเขตศึกษาครอบคลุม 2 ส่วน คือ 1) การวิเคราะห์รูปแบบองค์กรเพื่อการอำนวยความสะดวกทางการค้า การขนส่งสินค้าข้ามแดนและ ผ่านแดน โดยเสนอให้มีการปรับเปลี่ยนด้านองค์กรภาครัฐ ตั้งองค์การ "คณะกรรมการการอำนวย ความสะดวกทางการค้าและการขนส่งระหว่างประเทศแห่งชาติ" (National Trade and Transport Facilitation Committee) เพื่อบูรณาการการอำนวยความสะดวกทางการค้าและการขนส่งระหว่าง ประเทศ รวมทั้งการค้าและการขนส่งข้ามแดนและผ่านแดนให้มีเอกภาพ มีประสิทธิภาพภายใต้ การทำงานที่เป็นหุ้นส่วนเชิงพันธมิตรระหว่างภาครัฐกับภาคเอกชนไทย และ 2) เสนอผลการสำรวจ และวิเคราะห์ศักยภาพในการแข่งขันของผู้ประกอบการไทยในการค้าและการขนส่งทางบกระหว่าง ไทยกับเมียนมา และเสนอกลยุทธ์เพื่อยกระดับโอกาสและขีดความสามารถของผู้ให้บริการโลจิสติกส์ไทย ตลอดจนส่งเสริมผู้ประกอบการไทยที่เป็นทั้งผู้ผลิตผู้ค้าและผู้ให้บริการในการเข้าไปลงทุนขยายธุรกิจ ของตนในประเทศเมียนมา

การบริหารรถขนส่งและเส้นทางเดินรถโดยใช้เทคนิคโปรแกรมเชิงเส้น กรณีศึกษารถขนส่งสินค้าอันตรายประเภทของเหลว, ฐิติมา วงศ์อินตา, อนิรุทธ์ ขันธสะอาด, กิตติ เจริญสุข

Journal of Transportation and Logistics (TRANSLOG)

งานวิจัยนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อวิเคราะห์หาจำนวนรถที่เหมาะสมและการจัดเส้นทาง การขนส่งสินค้าจากโรงงานผู้ผลิตสินค้าอันตรายประเภทของเหลวไปยังลูกค้าในเขตพื้นที่ภาคตะวัน ออกเพื่อรองรับความต้องการของลูกค้าที่เพิ่มมากขึ้น ผู้วิจัยใช้ข้อมูลการพยากรณ์ความต้องการลูกค้า ล่วงหน้า 8 เดือนมาใช้ในการวิเคราะห์หาค่าเฉลี่ยความต้องการลูกค้าแต่ละราย จากนั้นจึงทำการ วิเคราะห์จำนวนรถขนส่งที่เหมาะสมและระยะทางในการจัดส่งที่สั้นที่สุดโดยใช้วิธีการหาคำตอบ ที่ดีที่สุด (Exact Method) มาใช้ในการวิเคราะห์เส้นทางการจัดส่ง ผลการวิเคราะห์พบว่าการย้าย รถบรรทุกสินค้าสำหรับขนส่งลูกค้าในพื้นที่ภาคตะวันออกไปประจำการที่โรงงานในจังหวัดชลบุรี ส่งผลให้ต้นทุนในการขนส่งรวมถึงระยะทางรวมจากโรงงานไปยังลูกค้าลดลง

College Of Engineering’S Leslie Buxton Named New Advisor Of The Year | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Faculty, staff and students in USU’s College of Engineering extend their congratulations to Leslie Buxton who received the USU 2018 Outstanding New Advisor award.

Phase Change Materials For Thermal Management Of Kennedy Library Study Rooms, Colin J. Empey

Materials Engineering

The overall purpose of this study was to find a phase change material (PCM) or a combination of PCMs as a thermal management solution for the fifth-floor study rooms in Kennedy Library. First and foremost, the PCM must take in heat to change phase. A PCM would be a better candidate the more heat it needs to change phase. To quantify this, the team utilized a DSC to find how much energy each candidate PCM required to change phase. Coconut oil, palm oil, and white chocolate were found to have the best ability to absorb heat. Secondly, the PCM should …

Anomalous 304 Stainless Steel Mechanical Properties In Medical Guide Wires, Andrew Joseph Freeman

Materials Engineering

Stainless steel medical guide wire cores, processed by Abbott Vascular, are returning anomalous mechanical properties upon strain hardening and heat treatment. As theory dictates, mechanical strength properties increase with strain hardening, and decrease with an annealing treatment. The opposite response is being observed. This is counter intuitive to fundamental materials knowledge, and a perfect materials engineering paradox. This project was designed to characterize these behaviors, and attempt to determine causation. To accomplish this, tensile testing of all processing steps mapped the mechanical property evolution of the wire. Published literature research revealed the potential of nitrogen and chromium solid state diffusion …

Solar Cell Potential Induced Degradation Sensor, Luc Alexandre Tousignant

Materials Engineering

It is important to maintain Photovoltaic (PV) cells and protect them from damage mechanisms like Potential Induced Degradation (PID), which can contribute to shorter lifespans and lower efficiencies. Current leakage through cell encapsulation can cause charge migration in PV cells that reduces the maximum quantum efficiency, which is the cause of PID. An experiment was setup to determine the feasibility of a non-silicon sensor able to produce similar leakage behavior to traditional PV cells under recorded humidity conditions. Thin sheet metals were encapsulated in EVA, a common PV encapsulant polymer, and mounted in aluminum framing. Three sensors, along with a …