Engineering Commons^™

Non-Covalent Functionalization Of Graphene Films For Uniform Nanoparticle Deposition Via Atoic Layer Deposition, Ty Seiwert

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Graphene functionalized with platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) has proven to be highly effective as a hydrogen sensor. Deposition methods such as Atomic layer deposition (ALD) can be further enhanced by pretreating the graphene with a non-covalent surfactant prior to nanoparticle deposition. In this study, graphene-based sensing devices will be fabricated by ALD deposition. The graphene will be non-covalently functionalized using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) anionic surfactant prior to ALD deposition. The aim of this study is to test the deposition pattern achieved by varying the amount of time that graphene is treated with the SDS surfactant. Initially, ALD deposition …

Phase Field Model Of Thermally Induced Phase Separation (Tips) For The Formation Of Porous Polymer Membranes, Ashley Green, Aria Green

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Most membrane research and development has been done through experimental work, which can be costly and time consuming. An accurate computational model would greatly reduce the need for these experiments. The focus of the research presented in this paper is to create an accurate computational model for membrane formation using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). A phase field model is employed to create this model including the Cahn Hilliard Equation and Flory Huggins Theory. This model produced computational results that correspond well with theoretical and experimental results. The model was then adapted to correspond to the PVDF/DPC polymer-solvent system by …

Baseline Data From Servo Motors In A Robotic Arm For Autonomous Machine Fault Diagnosis, Jacob Brown

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Fault diagnosis can prolong the life of machines if potential sources of failure are discovered and corrected before they occur. Supervised machine learning, or the use of training data to enable machines to discover these faults on their own, makes failure prevention much easier. The focus of this thesis is to investigate the feasibility of creating datasets of various faults at both the component and system level for a servomotor and a compatible robotic arm, such that this data can be used in machine learning algorithms for fault diagnosis. The faults induced at the component level in different servomotors include: …

Effects Of Hydration And Mineralization On The Mechanical Behavior Of Collagen Fibrils, Marco Fielder

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bone is a composite biomaterial with a structural load-bearing function. Understanding the biomechanics of bone is important for characterizing factors such as age, trauma, or disease, and in the development of scaffolds for tissue engineering and bioinspired materials. At the nanoscale, bone is primarily composed of collagen protein, apatite crystals, and water. Though several studies have characterized nanoscale bone mechanics as the mineral content changes, the effect of water, mineral, and carbon nanotube (CNT) content and distribution in fibril gap and overlap regions is unexplored. This study used molecular dynamics to investigate the change in collagen fibril deformation mechanisms as …

Design Of A Low-Cost Capillary Electrophoresis Laser-Induced Fluorescence System: Lessons Learned When Trying To Build The Lowest Possible Cost System, Steven James Perry

Theses and Dissertations

Capillary electrophoresis laser-induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) is widely used to detect both the presence and concentration of fluorescently labeled biomolecules. In CE-LIF, a plug of sample fluid is electrophoretically driven down a microchannel using a high voltage applied between the opposite ends of the microchannel. Molecules of different sizes and charge states travel at different velocities down the channel. Laser light with a wavelength in the excitation band of the fluorophores is focused near the end of the channel. As each species of molecule passes through the laser spot, the fluorophores emit a fluorescence signal which is measured with an optical …

Biodegradation Of Phenolic Components In Wastewater By Micro Algae: A Review, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan, Faris Hammoodi Al-Ani, Adaf Jadaan Obaied Al-Saned

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The biodegradation of phenolic contaminant present in wastewater by micro algae has been investigated in the current research. The study focused on algae growth requirements and factors affecting algae growth in contaminated water leading to the best treatment. Different techniques used to functionalize microalgae in the treatment such as batch and continuous operation modes have been further investigated. Mechanisms for microalgae pollutants degradation and microalgae growth kinetics were also highlighted to present the required knowledge in phenol contaminant biodegradation field by microorganisms.

Comparison Between Cold/Hot Smart Water Flooding In Sandstone Reservoirs, Hasan N. Al-Saedi, Ariel Williams, Ralph E. Flori

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The incremental oil recovery has been investigated and approved by many laboratory and field projects using water flooding in tertiary stage. The salinity of the injected water is an important factor observed by many researchers. The more salinity decreases the more oil recovery obtained. The investigations on the hot low salinity water flooding have been conducted by many researchers and they found out that it is useful for increasing oil recovery especially heavy oil due to reducing oil viscosity and make it easy to produce to the surface. The thermal expansion of water plays an important role in the incremental …

Corrosion Resistance Of Pipeline Steel With Damaged Enamel Coating And Cathodic Protection, Liang Fan, Signo Tadeu Dos Reis, Genda Chen, Michael L. Koenigstein

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents the first report on the corrosion resistance of pipeline steel with damaged enamel coating and cathodic protection in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution. In particular, dual cells are set up to separate the solution in contact with the damaged and intact enamel coating areas, to produce a local corrosion resistance measurement for the first time. Enamel-coated steel samples, with two levels of cathodic protection, are tested to investigate their impedance by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and their cathodic current demand by a potentiostatic test. Due to its glass transition temperature, the enamel-coated pipeline can be operated on …

Elucidating The Effect Of Water-To-Cement Ratio On The Hydration Mechanisms Of Cement, Aida Margarita Ley-Hernandez, Jonathan Lapeyre, Rachel Cook, Aditya Kumar, Dimitri Feys

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The hydration of cement is often modeled as a phase boundary nucleation and growth (pBNG) process. Classical pBNG models, based on the use of isotropic and constant growth rate of the main hydrate, that is, calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H), are unable to explain the lack of any significant effect of the water-to-cement (w/c) ratio on the hydration kinetics of cement. This paper presents a modified form of the pBNG model, in which the anisotropic growth of C-S-H is allowed to vary in relation to the nonlinear evolution of its supersaturation in solution. Results show that once the supercritical C-S-H nuclei form, their …

Journeyman International – Kalisher Multi-Purpose Center, Chelsea Trumbull

Construction Management

The Kalisher Multi-Purpose Center in Rwanda was completed through a non-profit organization, Journeyman International. Dan and Frances Klinck created a vision for a master plan in the Sunzu Yacu Village in Rwanda and teamed up with Journeyman International to accomplish it. The Kalisher Multi-Purpose Center is the next step in completing their master plan. This center will serve as a place of gathering and community for the locals. It will house various events including, but not limited to: community meetings, private ceremonies, performances, church gatherings, learning opportunities and a space for growth. This project was interdisciplinary and combined efforts from …

Ji: Zimbabwe Rural School Development Program, Leor Rozen

Construction Management

Adjusting to the construction codes and processes of a foreign country is a very complex and involved process. There are considerations for different materials, procedures, costs, requirements, potential tribal or cultural conflict, corruption, and many other potential obstacles and challenges to overcome. While this project was seemingly simple, inexpensive, and straightforward, there was a significant amount of obstruction from the government concerning a coup that limited the team’s ability to apply for permission to begin construction. Additionally, there were significant changes in the design and budget as the project progressed, delaying our start date. Ultimately, this project should serve as …

Resiliency Vs Reality, Ainsley E. Henderson

Construction Management

This study analyzes the resilient design and construction features desired by Great Northern Services (GNS) for the design and construction of a new housing division in the City of Weed, California. This was compared to what the Cal Poly interdisciplinary student design teams were able to offer, by providing different design options. The study begins by showcasing the Boles fire and the connections that Cal Poly had made to support the City of Weed. The support was made through design and collaboration with Great Northern Services to create affordable housing. The study then discusses the needs that GNS wanted to …

Medicial Clinic At Mission Twentyfive35 Vocational Village - Dominican Republic, Sarah C. De Los Reyes

Construction Management

This community medical clinic will be the first of its kind in the rural town of Villa Tapia, Dominican Republic It is Phase II of a five-phase master plan drafted by religious organization Mission Twenty-Five35, founded by the Romano family The team consists of Cal Poly undergraduate students: Griffin Chierici (Architecture), Erica Croft and Tommy Sidebottom (Architectural Engineering), and Sarah De Los Reyes (Construction Management), backed by the guidance and support of non-profit organization Journeyman International and A/E firm Smith Group JJR The task was to design a clinic that would serve as a pediatric and urgent care center but …

Value Analysis Of Cm Professional Certifications For Newly Graduated Cm Students, Christopher John Coglianese

Construction Management

The construction industry has a staggering amount of professional certifications available to those who want to prove experience and expertise. There is usually a financial reason behind this. The more certifications a person has, the more likely he will be promoted and be paid more. As Cal Poly seniors entering the job market, they share these same incentives, and luckily there are plenty of certifications available to them. However, there are too many to choose from and some are too expensive. The question then lies, which certifications should graduating seniors spend their resources on? To answer this simple question, an …

Dominican Republic Community Center, Norris Lee Cooper

Construction Management

The Santiago Agriculture and Water Company will partner with the Amoveo Group and Mission TwentyFive35 in order to bring healthy and sustainable solutions to the overall project region known as “El Cibao” in the Dominican Republic. This facility focuses on the revitalization of the community with educational facilities like libraries, a green house, and agricultural landscaping. The project navigates the trials and complications often encountered with foreign humanitarian work by providing a rough construction schedule, budget, and analysis reports necessary to understand the project hazards.

Use Of Drone Technology On Commercial Construction Projects, Andrew Lin

Construction Management

Every successful construction project is an intricate symphony of project management, jobsite operations, and skilled laborers doing what they do best. While traditional means and methods have proven themselves to be reliable and effective, companies must now look into new and improved approaches to expedite their project delivery and maintain their competitive edge in this booming and demanding market. Furthermore, as expectations for new commercial projects grow, the risks of taking on these projects increase alongside them. Skyscrapers are expected to be taller, buildings more efficient, and company campuses vaster and more state-of-the-art than ever before. With technological innovations such …

A Comparative Study Of The Leed And Well Building Standards, Brent J. Zavada

Construction Management

Our current environmental and public health conditions have led our industry to create sustainability standards that address both of these current problems. With the addition of the WELL Building Standard, the first standard to solely focus on human health and wellness, it is now possible to promote public health, environmental conservation, and owner profits all in one project. This study looks to overlap the well-known LEED Certification standards with the new WELL standards to assist project teams in fully understanding what needs to be accomplished in order for their project to be on track for both certifications. It is meant …

Implementing An On-Site Concrete Batch Plant On A Large Construction Project In The Bay Area, Gabe Zagorski

Construction Management

The demand for ready mix concrete in the San Francisco Bay Area continues to grow with the booming development and construction industry. Concrete is a very common construction material with a wide range of use on projects ranging from parking garages all the way to high-rise buildings. The typical method of ready mix concrete delivery is to order concrete from a ready mix supplier who trucks the concrete to the project from a nearby batch plant. Concrete is a perishable commodity that demands timely batching and delivery to meet customer requested specifications. The small number of batch plants and congested …

Student Led Service-Learning Initiative: Installation Of Photovoltaic Water-Pump Systems In The Ecuador Amazon Rainforest, Kelly M. Williams

Construction Management

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) student chapter at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California was selected by an association called ELECTRI International to participate in their Student Community Service Initiative program. The goal of the program is to “Encourage construction management and electrical engineering students to take an active role in improving access to electricity in developing communities” (“Student Passport Program”). This paper summarizes the findings of a student-led project made possible by ELECTRI International’s program. The project included coordinating, funding, and executing a project to facilitate the installation of photovoltaic water pump systems to indigenous …

Standardized Testing Tolerances For Auger Pressure Grouted Piles Additive "Panacea", Brian C. Spurgeon

Construction Management

Panacea is an admixture for auger pressure grouted piles in deep foundation construction which was created by Berkel and Company Contractors, a design build corporation. The admixture is designed to increase workability time and increase water retention to avoid seepage into surrounding soils and allow for the insertion of reinforcing steel after the grout has been placed. The objective of this research was to correlate initial set times with internal temperatures over time for scheduling purposes. Multiple batches with varying amounts of the additive were observed. The research also served to create a standardized set of tolerances for various variables …

Tiny House Permitting In San Luis Obispo, Luke I. Schveibinz

Construction Management

Tiny houses are a rising trend in housing that provide affordable, environmentally friendly dwellings for those inclined to a minimalist lifestyle. Across the Unites States, municipalities have begun creating special provisions for tiny houses, but there remain many barriers to building and permitting tiny houses affordably. There has been much progress in the acceptance of ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), specifically in the state of California. Legislation on ADUs leads the way for the community integration of tiny houses. This study investigates the current state of legislation and permitting for tiny houses in San Luis Obispo, California. An interview was conducted …

Journeyman International: Asyv Women's Co-Op & Community Center, Dustin Sullivan

Construction Management

The purpose of this project is to provide a space for the woman of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda; to not only learn how to create a self-sufficient community, but also economic and financial independence. The new buildings will provide crucial opportunities for the village on their path of recovery from the Rwandan genocide that occurred in 1994. There will be a total of four new buildings; a storefront, community center, work space, and a building for pineapple and mango prep. The project is headed by the non-profit organization of Empowering Villages, in conjunction with Journeyman International. The project …

Poly Canyon Observation Deck, Jordan H. Morofsky

Construction Management

The Poly Canyon Observation Deck is a project that I have been moving through preconstruction for the past year. It started as a solo project but quickly evolved into an interdisciplinary project involving two architectural engineers and myself. Together we developed a project proposal that we presented to Cal Poly Facilities along with our building permit application. They have approved our proposal and have awarded us a provisional building permit which will be approved after they review the 100% construction documents. We have been working the past two quarters to finalize the design, select materials, and perform a complete structural …

Journeyman International: Virunga Coffee Co-Op In Rwanda, Africa, Tanner Frikovich

Construction Management

This project-based senior project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between students from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a non-profit organization, Journeyman International. The goal of this collaborative effort is to build a coffee cooperative per the request of Empowering Villages, an organization with the mission of empowering rural parts of eastern Africa with socio-economic development solutions. The project will include a community center, restroom, warehouse, and welcome center. The students from the Architecture, Architectural Engineering, and Construction Management programs designed the project and created its associated preconstruction package. The preconstruction package includes …

Journeyman International: Malawi City Cottage, Stefan Denny

Construction Management

This report details the partnership between Journeyman International and City Cottage, to design and construct an educational facility near Lilongwe, Malawi. Journeyman International is a non-profit humanitarian design and construction organization with the mission of connecting top tier CAED students from around the nation to collaborate on philanthropic efforts in the form of senior projects. The proposed project is a 5,800 sqft educational facility built on an institutional land grant; designed to house an auditorium and additional classroom space. The project utilized rammed earth construction methods with steel reinforcement. This report’s focus is on the construction management process of this …

Professional Certifications Implemented Into The Cal Poly Slo Cm Curriculum, Dixie Bronec

Construction Management

The California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo has a well-recognized and prestigious program in the Construction Management Department. In a few of the labs, professional certifications or introductory courses to obtain the certification are offered. Professional certifications are viewed highly in the construction industry and encourage students to gain more skills and distinguish themselves in various sectors. Demand has risen for specialized knowledge in professional credentials. Both faculty and industry members view that certain professional certifications should be essential to work in construction. The possibility of implementing these certifications in Cal Poly’s Construction Management program could set the students …

Students Perception Of Health And Safety Training Practices In The Construction Industry, Adam Will

Construction Management

Since its inception in 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act has steadily decreased the rate in which construction injuries, illnesses, and deaths occur in the industry. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) helps enforce these new standards yet some research suggests that safety performance appears to be a response to safety initiatives beyond compliance. Identifying workers’ perceptions of the training they receive is critical to the design and development of effective workplace safety programs. Utilizing a quantitative survey, data was collected from the Cal Poly Construction Management student body to find out how they were taught jobsite safety …

Determining Interest For A Subcontractor Career Fair, Jesseka Zappe

Construction Management

Companies look to Cal Poly Construction Management as a great place to come and recruit for summer interns and new full time positions. But of the 141 companies that recruit at Cal Poly, only 16% of them are subcontractors. With so many general contractors, subcontractors often get passed over. This study looks at the interests from both students and industry to hold a separate recruiting event for subcontractors. It also investigates the best type of event to hold and other logistics.

Recommendations To Implement A Potential Case Study Module To All Cm Labs, Donald Wong

Construction Management

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo [Cal Poly for short] is notable for having one of the best undergraduate Construction Management programs in the nation. From winning consecutive regional competitions, such as the ASC Competition in Reno, to incorporating a “learn-by-doing” philosophy in all its classrooms, Cal Poly’s CM curriculum truly distinguishes itself from other CM programs nationwide. From the Cal Poly Construction Management website, it’s noted that upon graduation, “the department has virtually 100% placement in the construction industry” (“Cal Poly Construction Management”). However, while the CM program at Cal Poly truly excels in preparing its undergraduate students …

Additional Business Courses In The Cm Curriculum, Jordan A. Thrailkill

Construction Management

With the growing size of the Construction Industry, an increased knowledge and understanding of the business side of the operation is becoming more important. This study attempts to look at construction management student’s interest in adding more business topic courses into the CM curriculum and if adding more business topic courses will better prepare students for industry. Students were asked to answer six questions -five survey and one free response. These questions were designed to provide quantitative and qualitative data that would allow for an increased understanding of student interest in regards to business.

Conclusion: Results indicated that students would …