Engineering Commons^™

Ethanol Autoignition Modeling And Validation At Wide Ranges Of Mixture Temperatures, Pressures, And Equivalence Ratios, Antowan Zyada

Wayne State University Dissertations

A new ethanol detailed kinetic model with 107 species and 1795 reactions was developed by using the reaction mechanism generator (RMG) and a thorough reaction path analysis. The mechanism model was extensively evaluated against measured ignition delay times, laminar flame speeds, and time-resolved species concentrations. The ignition delay experiments were conducted at pressures of 15, 20, and 30 bar, a temperature range of 850 to 1000 K, and equivalence ratios of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 using an optically accessible rapid compression machine (RCM). The effect of oxygen concentration on the ignition delay at a fixed equivalence ratio was also measured …

Evaluation The Effect Of Washing On The Heat Transfer Capacity And Air-Side Flow Resistance Of Air Cooled Condensers, Mehdi Mehrabi, David Yuill

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

17th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, July 9-12, 2018

Infrared Thermography For Weld Inspection: Feasibility And Application, Sattar Dorafshan, Marc Maguire, William Collins

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Traditional ultrasonic testing (UT) techniques have been widely used to detect surface and sub-surface defects of welds. UT inspection is a contact method which burdens the manufacturer by storing hot specimens for inspection when the material is cool. Additionally, UT is only valid for 5 mm specimens or thicker and requires a highly skilled operator to perform the inspections and interpret the signals. Infrared thermography (IRT) has the potential to be implemented for weld inspections due to its non-contact nature. In this study, the feasibility of using IRT to overcome the limitations of UT inspection is investigated to detect inclusion, …

Hvac System Remote Monitoring And Diagnosis Of Refrigerant Line Obstruction, Fadi M. Alsaleem

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a building includes a refrigerant loop. A monitoring system for the HVAC system includes a monitoring device installed at the building. The monitoring device is configured to measure a first temperature of refrigerant in a refrigerant line located between a filter - drier of the refrigerant loop and an expansion valve of the refrigerant loop. The monitoring system includes a monitoring server, located remotely from the building. The monitoring server is con figured to receive the first temperature and, in response to the first temperature being less than a threshold, generate …

Exploring Fpga Implementation For Binarized Neural Network Inference, Li Yang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Deep convolutional neural network has taken an important role in machine learning algorithm. It is widely used in different areas such as computer vision, robotics, and biology. However, the models of deep neural networks become larger and more computation complexity which is a big obstacle for such huge model to implement on embedded systems. Recent works have shown the binarized neural networks (BNN), utilizing binarized (i.e. +1 and -1) convolution kernel and binarized activation function, can significantly reduce the parameter size and computation cost, which makes it hardware-friendly for Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) implementation with efficient energy cost. This thesis …

Numerical Study Of Interfacial Flow Using Algebraic Coupled Level Set-Volume Of Fluid (A-Clsvof) Method, Majid Haghshenas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Solving interfacial flows numerically has been a challenge due to the lack of sharpness and the presence of spurious currents at the interface. Two methods, Algebraic Coupled Level Set-Volume of Fluid (A-CLSVOF) method and Ghost Fluid Method (GFM) have been developed in the finite volume framework and employed in several interfacial flows such as Rayleigh-Taylor instability, rising bubble, impinging droplet and cross-flow oil plume. In the static droplet simulation, A-CLSVOF substantially reduces the spurious currents. The capillary wave relaxation shows that this method delivers results comparable to those of more rigorous methods such as Front Tracking methods for fine grids. …

Detection Of Trace Tetrahydrocannabinol (Thc) Through Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (Sers) On Microfabricated Platforms, Jack T Lockard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As an increasing number of states legalize marijuana, it will become necessary to create a method for portable detection and quantification of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive component of cannabis. The ability to identify impaired individuals without the need for traditional drug testing could prove invaluable to law enforcement and employers. Toward this end goal, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with a silver treated, silicon nanowire substrate was investigated as a method for detection. Acid wet etching of silicon with a hydrofluoric acid (HF) / silver nitrate (AgNO3) was the primary investigation method for this work. Various etching parameters were …

Biomechanical Characterization Of Video-Recorded Short-Distance Falls Involving Children Equipped With A Biometric Device: A Pilot Study., Bret A Hilt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Falls are commonly used as a false history by caregivers to conceal child abuse. Determining biomechanical compatibility is a key aspect in differentiating abuse from accident. Current forensic approaches are limited in assessing biomechanical compatibility of short-distance falls involving children due to a lack of reliable witnessed falls with known injury outcomes. The goals of this pilot study were to characterize biomechanical measures and to examine differences in biomechanical measures based on child and fall characteristics in reliable witnessed video-recorded falls involving children. The results of this study will serve as preliminary data for an on-going larger study with the …

Restoring Cholesterol Homeostasis In Familial Hypercholesterolemia Cell Line Model, Lubna Hindi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disorder that results in elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This increase in serum cholesterol level has been shown to result in premature coronary artery disease (CAD) with devastating symptoms from a young age. Today, the prevalence of heterozygous FH (HeFH) and homozygous FH (HoFH) is estimated to be 1 in 320 and 1 in 160,000 people, respectively. FH is referred to as an underdiagnosed disease due to the large number of mutations that continues to grow. These mutations often exist in one of or a combination of three genes: low-density lipoprotein …

Optimization Of Plga And Plga-Dasatinib Particles Through A Taguchi Design Approach, Rayeanne N Balgemann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a disease of the retina in the human eye. Retinal pigment epithelium cells (RPE) undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal transition in response to retinal trauma. This transition gives the cells mobility and allows them to potentially infiltrate the vitreous chamber and deposit on either side of the retina. Once cell deposition has occurred, along with several other transformed cells derived from cell types such as Müller glia, these migratory cells can form a membrane contiguous with the retinal extracellular matrix and, upon contraction, cause wrinkling of the retina. If left untreated PVR can lead to traction …

Dynamic Hotspot Identification For Limited Access Facilities Using Temporal Traffic Data, Samer Al Amili

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Crash frequency analysis is the most critical tool to investigate traffic safety problems. Therefore, an accurate crash analysis must be conducted. Since traffic continually fluctuates over time and this effects potential of crash occurrence, shorter time periods and less aggregated traffic factors (shorter intervals than AADT) need to be used. In this dissertation, several methodologies have been conducted to elevate the accuracy of crash prediction. The performance of using less aggregated traffic data in modeling crash frequency was explored for weekdays and weekends. Four-time periods for weekdays and two time periods for weekends, with four intervals (5, 15, 30, and …

Hole Selective Tunneling Oxide Applications With Insight Into Sophisticated Characterization Techniques, Nizamettin Kortan Ogutman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tunneling metal oxide layers combined with industrially applicable novel cleaning methods can boost the current efficiency limit, which corresponds to approximately %22 in production, of crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells. Within the scope of this dissertation, extremely thin tunneling layers (1-3nm) of aluminum oxide is studied in conjunction with the development of wet cleaning procedures that are feasible in production lines currently exist today. These tunneling stacks are deployed to serve as exceptional surface passivation layers due to the inherent built-in charge provided by aluminum oxide. This capability is further strengthened by the introduction of extremely well controlled wet chemical …

A Multisystem Approach For The Characterization Of Bacteria For Sustainable Agriculture, Briana Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The chemical, physical, and biological properties of bacteria developing resistance have been explored in animal based bacteria while plant bacteria have been largely neglected. Thus, the ability to probe changes in stiffness, adhesion, binding interactions and molecular traits of bacteria causing plant diseases is of great interest to develop a new generation of more potent, yet sustainable, pesticides. Our study aims to investigate the physical and chemical properties of bacterial systems, in particular their cell walls. Building upon this fundamental understanding of the cells, we also investigate the physicochemical responses associated to multivalent nanoparticle-based bactericide treatments on bacterial systems identified …

Study Of Probabilistic Characteristics Of Local Field Fluctuations In Isotropic Two Phase Composites: Conductivity Type Problems, David Ostberg

Wayne State University Dissertations

Probability distributions of electric …field and electric potential in two-phase particulate composite materials with spherical inclusions are found in the limit of small particle concentration. Additionally a method for the approximation of local fields within random statistically isotropic composites with a …finite number of …field ‡fluctuations which retain potentiality is presented and an approximate solution with the

variational principal for homogenization in statistical terms for three ‡fluctuations within one phase and a homogeneous second phase is found.

Airships In U.N. Humanitarian And Peace Operations: Ready For Service?, Walter Dorn, Nic Baird, Robert Owen

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study examines whether the United Nations should take steps in the near future to exploit the operational characteristics of lighter-than-air (LTA) and hybrid aircraft in support of its peace and humanitarian operations. Continued progress in the development of LTA transport system makes this a timely issue. At the same time, this progress highlights persistent challenges to the conduct of reliable and safe LTA operations, particularly in the face of bad weather and threats from groups hostile to the UN mission. The report examines this issue in four sections: (1) the potential advantages of LTA operations; (2) their disadvantages; (3) …

Meeting Real World Demands Of The Global Economy: An Employer's Perspective, Doreen Mcgunagle, Laura Zizka

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Educational programs prepare students theoretically for the workplace, but many programs are still lacking in the real-world skills that the workplace requires. This is especially evident in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education where today’s graduates hold a fundamental role in advancing science, medicine, sustainability, national security, and the economy, yet the programs to prepare them are falling short of employer expectations. At present, there is a lack of information on the necessary skills for workplace success that is specific to Airline, Aerospace, Defense (A&D) and related Industries’ STEM graduates. This paper attempts to fill this gap by offering …

On The Design Of Physical Layer Rateless Codes, Amrit Kharel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Codes that are capable of generating any number of encoded symbols from a given number of source symbols are called rateless codes. Luby transform (LT) codes are the first practical realization of rateless codes while Raptor codes are constructed by serially concatenating LT codes with high-rate outer low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. Although these codes were originally developed for binary erasure channel (BEC), due to their rateless feature, they are being investigated and designed for their use in noisy channels. It is known that LT codes are the irregular non-systematic rateless counterpart of low-density generator-matrix (LDGM) codes. Therefore, the first part …

Elastodynamic Model For Wind Induced Ground Motion, Mohammad Mohammadi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Quantitative Characterization Of Lithium-Ion Batteries Under Abuse Conditions, Xiaoniu Du

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of The Onset Of Cavitation In Additively Manufactured Venturis, Erik Korzon

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

Optical Analysis Of High Pressure Microplasma Discharges, Noah Latham

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

The Active Phase Of Gold Catalyst For Propylene Epoxidation, Manchhiben Patel

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

Feasibility Study Of Solar Generation Facilities: Are Ccr Landfills A Viable Location, Jaden Beachy

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

this report will examine the feasibility of constructing and operating a solar generation facility on a coal combustion residual landfill. The total generation capabilities of a generation facility located near Nashville, Tennessee will be compared to the total cost of construction, including but not limited to Photo-voltaic panels, construction materials and labor.

Effects Of Hurricane Harvey And Irma On State Building Codes, Nathaniel Otermat

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

2017 was one of the worst hurricane seasons on record. Two major hurricanes hit to date; one in Houston, one across the chain of islands South of Florida and then on to Florida directly. What ensued was massive flooding and total destruction of many structures.

To protect against these natural disasters, a set of building codes is in place. While this is effective for most buildings stateside, it is hardly a consideration outside the U.S. Many of the structures built in the islands were built with little regard to any sort of code in mind. Even in the states where …

Continuously Variable Transmission Design, Nicholas Wurst

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Continuously variable transmissions (CVT's) have been an alternative to traditional transmissions for internal combustion gas or diesel engines. They allow for an infinite number of gear ratios for better fuel economy and performance. One drawback to the CVT is that the belt between the two pulleys often wears or fails prematurely causing the entire CVT to need to be replaced. An alternative method for creating infinite gear ratios within a certain range without the need for a belt is the main objective of this project. The goal of the alternative design is to provide a concept that proves a CVT …

Basic Highway Workzone Safety, Collin Shamberger

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this essay will be to examine, and provide information detailing work zone safety practices, and maximizing safety in construction zones. This report will examine the functionality of components of a work zone and how they work together, the use of standard construction drawings of work zones, personal protective equipment of workers, possible hazards of work zones, minimizing risks and ultimately work zone safety training. Also this report will provide a spreadsheet which can be used to calculate and layout a construction work zone based on a GPS location.

Residence Time Distribution Of Mixing Based On Mathematical Modeling, Michelle Ayers

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Two different mathematical models were investigated for their use in describing the residence time distribution (RTD) of an industrial mixer. The first model investigated was the tanks-in-series model, while the second model was a combination of two branches of tanks-in-series. The tanks-in-series model is capable of characterizing the mixing present in the flow, but cannot detect non-idealities in flow such as bypassing and dead space. The multi-branch model has mathematical complexity, but it uses the second branch of flow to detect the presence of this non-ideal flow, determine if it is dead space of bypassing, and characterize how well-mixed the …

Administrative Cost Reimbursement Online, Luciano Mogorovic

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Administrative Cost Reimbursement (ACR) is a program funded by the state of Ohio that reimburses non-public elementary and high schools for having employees perform a series of mandated activities. ACR Consultants is a company that collects data from schools that contains the amount of time each teacher spent on any of the mandated activities. The president of ACR Consultants is a neighbor and longtime family friend. Currently, to collect the time data, the company goes to each school it services and gives each teacher a large paper spreadsheet for them to fill in with the amount of time they spend …

Sweat Sensor Modelling, Katie Brumbaugh

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

There are no in-situ electrolyte sodium sensors available in the marketplace, however there is a demand and use for them. An in-situ sodium sensor can be used to monitor bodily functioning in many applications like medical patient monitoring and athlete monitoring during workouts. Patients with cystic fibrosis attempt to monitor salt content in sweat to maintain homoeostatic body function, this sweat sensor would change the way those patients took care of themselves [1]. Sweat sensor samples were made using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and nylon 6. The MWNTs were functionalized on the nylon using cyclo-oligomeric calixarene [3]. In functionalizing the …

Winter Maintenance Of Akron Roadways, Kayla Hillegass

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The city of Akron experiences several hundred crashes each winter season due to winter road and weather conditions. The winter maintenance practices of the city follow a guide by the Salt Institute that uses a combination of plowing and salting to clear the roads. This paper provides an understanding of winter maintenance from its beginnings to present day and will discuss how certain practices came to be. Looking at three other cities across the United States with similar characteristics in size or snowfall amount show many similarities with a few new concepts that Akron can consider (e.g., better communication via …