Engineering Commons^™

Healing Mechanism Investigation Of Self-Healing Concrete By Microencapsulated Calcium Nitrate, Gabriel Andres Arce Amador

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Durability of reinforced concrete structures depends highly on the integrity of the concrete which protects the structure from the environment. However, concrete is a brittle material and as such it is prone to cracking which allows for detrimental agents to penetrate the structure and produce early deterioration. Embedding microcapsules with chemical healing agents in concrete materials for self-healing applications as well as implementing SMAs as reinforcement of concrete structures for self-closing of cracks are both state-of-the-art techniques with enormous potential for enhancement of concrete infrastructure durability. In this work, both techniques are combined as an alternative for superior self-healing of …

Integration Of Shape-Memory Alloys And Self-Healing Microcapsules To Enhance Concrete Durability, Luis Adolfo Bonilla

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Self-healing is a term that has not been used for building material until a few decades ago. The concept of developing a material that mimics what living organisms do, such as identify and repair damage, rather than interesting, constitutes a necessity in today’s deteriorated infrastructure. Concrete is one of the main building blocks that support our society’s roads, buildings, and dams. Increasing the service life of such structures will have an important socio-economic benefit in our society. Self-healing methods in concrete have been studied in order to minimize human intervention in maintenance procedures. Previous research in this area has provided …

Performance Evaluation And Characterization Of Encapsulated Calcium Nitrate For Self-Healing Concrete Applications, Jose Eduardo Milla

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Self-healing concrete through microencapsulated calcium nitrate is a novel approach to enhance durability and decrease the costs associated with maintenance and repairs. However, to fully assess the potential of this technology, there are many questions to be answered, ranging from identifying the microcapsule properties that are successfully carry the healing agent, to the effect of the microcapsule size, concentration (by weight of cement), and morphology have on the intrinsic concrete material properties and self-healing potential. Hence, the objectives of this study were to: (a) Develop a microencapsulation procedure for calcium nitrate as the healing agent; (b) Measure the short-term healing …

Technical And Economic Potential Of Microgrids In California, Pramod Singh

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Microgrids are being investigated across the U.S. as a solution to support greater reliability, resiliency, and security of electricity supply. This thesis evaluates the potential of developing technically feasible and economically viable microgrids for selected customer categories in California.

Customer categories selected for this study are deemed suitable for microgrid applications by previous studies. For a customer to be technically suitable for microgrid adoption, this study defined a minimum energy requirement threshold. In order to determine the economically viable potential, a benefit-cost analysis was done to assess microgrid benefits compared to the base case of exclusive reliance on grid electricity. …

An Investigation Of The Hydraulics In A Prototype Pool-And-Chute, Vortex Weir Fishway For Anadromous Fish Passage., Brendan Foster

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This thesis presents the hydraulic characteristics and simulated passage efficiency of a hybrid pool-and-chute, vortex weir fishway designed by Michael Love & Associates. A physical 1:15 scale model was constructed and evaluated at an 8% slope over three prototype flow rates representing high and medium fish passage flows. The highest velocities and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) values were concentrated along the fishway centerline at the high and medium flow rate and the pool sides showed lower velocities and TKE. Large eddies spin laterally and longitudinally throughout each pool. The velocity vector directions at the lowest flow rate measured differed from …

Economic Analysis For Residential Solar Pv Systems With Battery Storage In Pg&E Territory, Jayati Thakor

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Electricity storage can be used as a tool to help with a variety of issues related to electric grid management. Declining costs and state incentives could allow fast penetration of battery storage. Distributed PV systems are now widely used, and battery storage has potential to address issues related to generation intermittency. This thesis assesses the financial potential of PV systems with behind-the-meter battery storage in two communities in Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) territory. An analysis is performed to calculate annual savings for four cases. The batteries are used to avoid peak period charges under a time-of-use (TOU) rate plan. …

The Technical, Economic, And Environmental Feasibility Of Rice Straw Residue For Biomass Energy Production In India, Gaurav Kumar

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This study assessed the feasibility of mobilizing rice straw (paddy residues) for small scale (250kW) bioenergy applications in India by establishing sustainable residue removal rates and cost of supply values for two production regions (Punjab and Haryana). A key objective was to refine the methodology for estimating costs for collection and transportation of rice straw harvesting for bioenergy use. The delivered cost of rice straw retrieved from one hectare of land and transported 10 km to the power plant has been estimated at INR 2.05 (USD 0.03) per kg. Various technological options have been explored for electricity generation from rice …

Protein Release Study Using Heparin Modified Methacrylamide Chitosan Hydrogels, Dakotah G. Cox

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This study was performed to improve the release of proteins from hydrogels in order to increase their effectiveness in treating spinal cord injuries. Heparin, which has the ability to bind to proteins and slow their release, underwent methacrylation, was added to prepared methacrylamide chitosan (MAC) solutions with a model protein (SDF-1α) and photopolymerized to create MAC-heparin hydrogels. Varying weight percentages of methacrylated heparin were tested in order to determine the optimal amount needed to improve the release profile. The pure MAC hydrogels and gels with 10 wt% heparin had a rapid release of the SDF-1α (>23% and >29%, respectively, …

Process Control Laboratory Skid Refurbishment, Danny Crowder

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project evaluates a salvaged process control skid for potential refurbishment and educational re-use. In-lab work evaluated the existing skid. Several process control elements have been recommended for replacement, including the process tank (due to corrosion), the pressure transmitter (operability/corrosion), the flow meters (mechanical) and the control system (age). The control valves, temperature elements and transmitters, pump, holding tanks, and the electrical heat exchanger should be salvaged. An I/P converter and pressure relief valve should be added to the pneumatic feed. Enclosing of all electrical components should be prioritized. An electrical schematic for a new control system should be implemented. …

Chocolate Bar Wrapping Machine, Austin M. Hoff, Daniel R. Trepke, Caleb B. Krichbuam

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Gilbert Chocolates has proposed to manufacture a machine to wrap chocolate bars. This machine is intended to replace two people wrapping the chocolate bars by hand, which is a time consuming method. This is especially apparent between October and January when the workers are working long hours in preparation for the Christmas rush of customers. Currently wrapping a bar takes about a minute and Gilbert Chocolates wants this time reduced down to 20-30 seconds. The budget for this project is set at $1000, and is being funded by the company. This machine needs to fit in a cubic foot of …

Effect Of Sintering Temperature On Microstructure, Corrosion Behavior, And Hardness Of Nanocrystalline Al-5at.%Ni And Al-5at.%V Alloys, Matthew G. Wachowiak

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this project was to investigate thermal stability of high energy ball milled Al-5at.%Ni and Al-5at.%V alloys. Characterization was done by analyzing grain size and solid solubility. Samples were created using high energy ball milling, cold compaction to 3 GPa, and sintering from 100 °C to 500 °C at 100 °C increments, as well 450 °C and 614 °C. Microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion properties were determined using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, hardness testing, and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization. Vickers hardness of Al-5at.%Ni decreased with increasing temperature. For Al-at.%V, hardness increased with sintering temperature …

Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition, Austin R. Tyler, Chris R. Estock, Johnathan P. Johenning, Garrett W. Chonko, Allen C. Gilleland

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC) draws teams from various universities to compete in the annual autonomous vehicle challenge at the Oakland University campus. To compete, a vehicle must be fully autonomous and can navigate a course designated by various obstacles and painted white lines. Some design challenges are motor control, navigation, environment sensing and safety. A complex navigation system will utilize several tools including a high-precision differential GPS. The vehicle’s surroundings will be mapped using a combination of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and computer-vision enabled imaging. To comply with IGVC rules, the vehicle must also follow several safety …

Corrosion Resistance Of Silane Coatings On Aluminum And Magnesium Alloys, John Demopoulos

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this project was to increase the corrosion resistance of aluminum and magnesium alloys by coating the coupons with a silane on the surface. Four different silanes: 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), Bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)amine (Bis), (Heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)trichlorosilane (FTS), and (Heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)triethoxysilane (non Cl FTS) will be used and compared to see which silane would give the best corrosion resistance. Each silane solution was coated on the coupons by using a solution method in which the coupon was submerged for 24 hours and then thermally cured for another 24 hours. Once the coating was applied, the water contact angle and the thickness of the coating …

Lehmier Launch System, Dylan Lehmier 5248813

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The Lehmier Launch System was designed to propel a 120lb rocket 30,000 feet. Creating 2150 psi of thrust and 27,500 N-s of total impulse, it is the largest rocket motor ever used by the Akronauts Rocket Design Team.

Smart Fan, Jacob A. Carroll, Joshua B. Blanchard, Peter A. Gross, Joshua D. Riegel

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Modern box fans offer a simple solution to cooling an area. However, the simplicity that makes these fans appealing also limits their potential. A smart box fan that preserves its original simplicity while providing enhanced technological features such as smartphone connectivity and variable speed selection should lead to ease of use, improved performance, and increased customer satisfaction. To this end, a regular box fan will be instrumented and technology-enhanced, thus “smart fan.” The standard AC motor will be replaced with a DC motor for finer speed selection over the allowable range. The smart fan will offer three categories of operation: …

Multiplexed Sensor Array For Accurate Time-Of-Wetness (Tow) Measurement, Nathaniel G. Sutton, Hongbo Cong, Jiang John Zhe, Shengxi Li, Xiaoliang Zhu

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In this work, we use electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to observe the response of a single, photo-lithographically created, interdigital transducer (IDT) sensor, dimensions 6mm X 6 mm, with capacitive elements 70μm X 500 nm. The IDT was exposed to different wetting conditions, droplets of DI water, 0.1 M NaCl, and 0.6 M NaCl, in volumes of 0.1, 0.3, 1, and 5 μL. Deliquescence of solid NaCl salt particles in a dynamic-humidity (%RH Increasing, 33% to 85%) atmosphere is examined. Equivalent circuit fitting of impedance spectra suggests linear trends for the capacitive equivalent circuit element parameters and a decaying logarithmic trend …

Lawn Mower Lift, Randall E. Schelcher

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Our team of engineers were given the task of coming up with a design project and designing the system, creating calculations, and brainstorming ideas. We set out to design a riding lawn mower lift. The purpose of this design was to assist in general maintenance like replacing blades, oil changes, etc.

To accomplish this task, our team started to brainstorm ideas and make sketches to look at all the options. We then did research and looked at different size lawn mowers and looked at the specifications. This helped our team to be able to design the size of platform needed …

360 Cam, Nathan Elmer, Mahli Guerrero, Eric Rasmussen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The 360 Cam Camera is capable of taking panoramic images without moving any camera lenses. The panoramic image is then used to track an object through a 360-degree field of view.

Sonahr: An Open Water Navigational Device, Zakk Rhodes

Electrical and Computer Engineering

SONAHR is a stand-alone unit for open water navigation, mainly geared towards swimming. It is designed to help swimmers to stay on course in any course that the swimmer wants to swim.

Wireless Charging System For Low-Power Devices, Sara Larson

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Many Smartphone users have experienced a broken or missing charging cable at some point. Over 200 million Americans own a low-power device (according to a Pew Research Center Survey taken in October of 2015). So there is a large target market for this sleek option to charge low-power devices.

Smartbeat Car Seat Clip, Kevin Johnson, Nathan Yost

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Smartbeat Clip is an infant temperature monitor for car seats. It combines cutting edge computing and wireless communication technology to provide parents with an additional assurance that their child is protected.

The Smartbeat Clip system consists of an electronic base, which communicates with a key fob, a display, and a mobile app. The three devices will alert the user if the ambient temperature near his/her child rises above 80 degrees Fahrenheit while in a car seat.

Comparison Of Lumbo-Pelvic Kinematics During Trunk Forward Bending And Backward Return Between Patients With Acute Low Back Pain And Asymptomatic Controls, Iman Shojaei, Elizabeth G. Salt, Quenten L. Hooker, Linda R. Van Dillen, Babak Bazrgari

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Background—Prior studies have reported differences in lumbo-pelvic kinematics during a trunk forward bending and backward return task between individuals with and without chronic low back pain; yet, the literature on lumbo-pelvic kinematics of patients with acute low back pain is scant. Therefore, the purpose of this study was set to investigate lumbo-pelvic kinematics in this cohort.

Methods—A case-control study was conducted to investigate the differences in pelvic and thoracic rotation along with lumbar flexion as well as their first and second time derivatives between females with and without acute low back pain. Participants in each group completed one …

Development And Validation Of A Novel Resonant Energy Transfer (Fret) Biosensor To Measure Tensile Forces At The Linc Complex In Live Cells, Paul Arsenovic

Theses and Dissertations

There is a large body of evidence supporting the theory that cell physiology largely depends on the mechanical properties of its surroundings or micro-environment. More recently studies have shown that changes to intra-cellular mechanical properties can also have a meaningful impact on cell function and in some cases lead to the progression of ailments or disease. For example, small changes to the protein sequence of a structural nuclear envelope protein called lamin-A is known to cause a variety of neurological and musculoskeletal diseases referred to as laminopathies. Currently, there is little incite into how these mutations lead to disease progression …

A Computational Study Of The Kinematics Of Femoroacetabular Morphology During A Sit-To-Stand Transfer, Brandon K. Marine

Theses and Dissertations

Computational modeling in the field of biomechanics is becoming increasingly popular and successful in practice for its ability to predict function and provide information that would otherwise be unobtainable. Through the application of these new and constantly improving methods, kinematics and joint contact characteristics in pathological conditions of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) were studied using a lower extremity computational model. Patients presenting with FAI exhibit abnormal contact between the femoral neck and acetabular rim leading to surrounding tissue damage in daily use. THA is the replacement of both the proximal femur and acetabular region of the …

Optical Spectroscopy Of Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Heterostructures And Group-Iv Alloy Quantum Dots, Tanner A. Nakagawara

Theses and Dissertations

Efficient and robust blue InGaN multiple quantum well (MQW) light emitters have become ubiquitous; however, they still have unattained theoretical potential. It is widely accepted that “localization” of carriers due to indium fluctuations theoretically enhance their efficiency by moderating defect-associated nonradiative recombination. To help develop a complete understanding of localization effects on carrier dynamics, this thesis explores degree of localization in InGaN MQWs and its dependence on well thickness and number of wells, through temperature and power dependent photoluminescence measurements. Additionally, silicon-compatible, nontoxic, colloidally synthesizable 2-5 nm Ge_1-xSn_x alloy quantum-dots (QDs) are explored for potential visible to …

Increased System Fidelity For Navy Aviation Hypoxia Training, Beth. F. Wheeler Atkinson, Janet Marnane, Daniel L. Immeker, Jonathan Reeh, John Zbranek, Ashwin K. Balasubramanian, David M. Mcettrick, W. Tyler Scheeler

Publications

In 2009, the Naval Aviation Survival Training Program (NASTP) Trainer Management Team (TMT) identified a need for a next-generation normobaric mask-on hypoxia trainer with enhanced capabilities due to the lack of positive air pressure provided by existing capabilities. The lack of a positive pressure-on-demand airflow delivery for current mask-on hypoxia training has been cited as a potential training gap wherein 44% of students experience air hunger (Artino, Folga, & Vacchiano, 2009). As a result, it is unclear whether students are able to recognize more subtle symptoms of hypoxia or if they are masked by air hunger. To address this, researchers …

A Safety Management Model For Far 141 Approved Flight Schools, Flavio A. C. Mendonca, Thomas Q. Carney

Publications

The Safety Management Annex (Annex 19), which became applicable in November 2013, consolidates safety management provisions previously contained in six other International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annexes, and will serve as a resource for overarching state safety management responsibilities. Through Annex 19, ICAO has required that its member states develop and implement safety management systems (SMS) to improve safety. This mandate includes an approved training organization that is exposed to aviation safety risks. In 2015, the FAA published AC 120-92B to provide guidance material for certificate holders operating under FAR 121, to implement and maintain an SMS. This AC may …

Specialist Communities In China’S Aerospace Technology And Innovation System: The Cultural Dimension, Alanna Krolikowski

History and Political Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Only two decades ago, China was a marginal player in the global aerospace industry. Today, the pace of China’s space programs is unparalleled and it has joined the sector’s leading ranks. China is the only country after the Soviet Union/Russia and the United States to independently send humans into orbit and a rover to touch down on the Moon. A Chinese station will likely soon be only the only long-term human habitat circling the Earth alongside the International Space Station. Within a decade, China could become only the second country in history to land a person on the Moon’s surface. …

Lessons Learned From Successful Black Male "Buoyant Believers" In Engineering And Engineering-Related Fields, Leroy L. Long Iii, Trevion Henderson

Publications

In high-demand fields like science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), more success strategies are needed to effectively recruit and retain college students. One-size fits-all approaches (i.e., those that are supposed to work for all students) often neglect the unique needs of underrepresented populations. Although some strategies exist for helping minority students succeed in STEM, the present investigation uncovered detailed information about how Black male students in engineering and engineering-related fields develop important academic traits such as confidence and resilience. To add to the limited body of literature on Black males in STEM, interview data from 27 Black male students majoring …

Small Wins - Big Impact: Narratives From Behind The Scenes, Kelsey Joy Rodgers, James J. Pembridge, Leroy L. Long Iii, Matthew A. Verleger, Heidi Steinhauer

Publications

All instructors, administrators, and researchers that have engaged in the endeavor to teach, oversee, and/or transform first-year engineering courses have a story to tell about their successes and struggles. In this workshop, we use narrative inquiry to listen to participants’ stories about first-year engineering programs. Based on the analyses of these stories and deduced patterns, a few key struggles will be teased out to guide this interactive workshop. All participants will then further tell their stories of relevant experiences. Our goal is to address struggles and disseminate successes with first-year engineering programs for adoption and adaptation. Our goal is that …