Engineering Commons^™

Design Of A 1 Megawatt Heat Input Direct Power Extraction System For Advanced Topping Cycles, Brian Matthew Lovich

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Power development has become a standard for living; as such more efficient and cleaner methods are desired. One such method is that of the direct power extraction system utilizing Magnetohydrodynamic properties. This paper will discuss the combustor designed and developed for a direct power extraction system at the 1 MW heat input range. A short history of the power systems utilized with a focus on the direct power class will be conducted in the first chapter to give insight into the benefits of using the direct power system. Then a literature review the fundamentals of direct power systems will be …

Protonic Conductors For Intermediate Temperature Fuel Cell Electrolytes: Superprotonic Csh2po4 Stabilization And In-Doped Snp2o7 Structure Study, Heber Jair Martinez Salinas

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Proton conductor solid electrolytes CsH2PO4 and In-doped tin pyrophosphate have been investigated as candidates to fill a gap of suitable electrolytes for fuel cells at the intermediate temperature range due their unusually high conductivities between 200 and 300 °C. Unfortunately, in the case of CsH2PO4, complicated experimental conditions, like a humidified environment, or high pressure, are needed to preserve the sought high conducting phase.

In the first stage of this work, X-ray diffraction on CsH2PO 4 samples performed in air, and under normal conditions of humidity and pressure, evidence of the cubic phase of CsH2PO4 was observed during short intervals …

Structural And Mechanical Characterization Of Nanocrystalline Tungsten And Tungsten-Based Alloy Thin Films For Extreme Environment Applications, Gustavo Martinez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Extreme environments associated with nuclear applications often results in degradation of the physical, mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of the materials. Tungsten (W) exhibits unique physical and mechanical properties, which makes tungsten a good candidate for nuclear applications; however, intrinsic W exhibits low fracture toughness at all temperatures in addition to a high ductile to brittle transition. In the present work, nanocrystalline W, W-Y and W-Mo alloys were nanoengineered for nuclear applications. Nanocrystalline tungsten coatings with a thickness of ~1 µm were deposited onto Silicon (100) and Sapphire (C-plane) using RF and DC sputtering techniques under various growth conditions. Yttrium content …

Hardware Development And Testing For Lox/Lch4 Rocket Engine, Pedro Nunez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Center for Space Exploration and Technology Research (cSETR) has focused its research efforts on developing LOX/LCH4 propulsion systems. As part of the Janus Sub-orbital vehicle program, UTEP is developing a 2000 lbf throttleable rocket engine (Chrome X). The first iteration of this engine design will be geared for further optimization towards a flight engine. Components like electric motors, valves, and sealants have been selected to achieve throttle ability and sealing of the engine. These components play a crucial part on the engine to be able to have a successful firing. As part …

Automatic Patch Classification And Diffusion In Adaptive, Luis Alonso Ponce

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Multi-Frame image restoration is a form of Super-Resolution (SR) which consists of combining multiple Low-Resolution (LR) images in order to reconstruct a single High Resolution (HR) image. In this Thesis we improved a spatially-adaptive SR scheme, based on the framework of Optimal Recovery (OR), whereby the block-by-block processing is done based on the properties of the corresponding local LR image data patches. The bandwidth parameter is adapted based on the local variance of each corresponding block from all LR images that contribute to the HR image block to be reconstructed. Also, an optimal regularization parameter needs to be chosen for …

A Cubesat Communication System Development For Gto Mission, Ashiqur Rahman

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) systems on traditional small satellites have advanced significantly in last few decades. The capabilities, requirements and expectations of the communication system have been increased significantly for the smaller satellites. Small satellites are now performing the tasks near to the bigger satellites which increases the dependency on the communication system in terms of reliability and data management. This Thesis paper will focus on development of the communication system of a 1U cube Satellite named Orbital Factory II (OFII). The satellite will be launched into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) onboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas …

Unite 3d Rover Summer Workshop: An Overview And Assessment, Steve C. Hsiung, Walter F. Deal, Francis Tuluri

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

The article offers information about UNITE, a program sponsored by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP, 2015). It mentions that the STEM Enrichment Activities of AEOP are designed to spark student interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) especially among the underserved and those in earlier grades and educators by providing exciting, engaging, interactive, hands-on STEM experiences (USAEOP).

Career And Technical Education And Its Relationship To Engineering Technology Pathways In Marine Mechatronics, Vukica M. Jovanovic, Otilia Popescu, Petros Katsioloudis, Ana M. Djuric, Mileta M. Tomovic, Thomas Stout, Roger R. Lagesse

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Students coming from families with low household incomes often cannot afford to rely on a regular pathway from high school to the university because of college tuition rates. Other students might not seek out available opportunities in their guidance counselors' offices to learn about existing scholarships or learn about different engineering technology or engineering careers. There are also students, who realize that a four-year university degree is not always necessary to find a career that matches their skills and talents. They may also have another educational path to receive a technician, engineering technology, or engineering degree, such as technical or …

Impact Of Clip Connection And Insulation Thickness On Bracing Of Purlins In Standing Seam Roof Systems, Michael W. Seek, Daniel Mclaughlin

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

The flexural strength of purlins in standing seam roof systems is highly dependent upon the extent to which the sheathing provides lateral and torsional restraint. Typical models to predict the restraint provided by the sheathing assume that the plane of lateral resistance occurs at the top flange of the purlin. In reality, depending on the configuration of the clip and the amount of insulation located between the purlin and the clip, the plane of lateral resistance and corresponding center of rotation shifts above the top flange. This distance, referred to as the effective standoff, is important to evaluate the effectiveness …

Performance Degradation Analysis Of Aviation Hydraulic Piston Pump Based On Mixed Wear Theory, C. Zhang, S. Wang, M. Tomovic, L. Han

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

This paper focuses on the mathematical modeling of axial piston pump through dividing the failure development of friction pair into lubrication, mixed lubrication and abrasion. Directing to the wedge-shaped oil film between cylinder block and valve plate, the support force distribution under the temperature variance was obtained. Considering the rough peak of valve plate, the contact load model is built under plastic deformation and elastic deformation and the corresponding wear volume is calculated. Computing the wear and tear along the counter-clockwise, the total amount of friction and wear can be calculated. Simulation and preliminary wear particle monitoring test indicates that …

Institutionalizing Continuous Improvement Plan In An Engineering Technology Department- Closing The Loop, Alok K. Verma, Stephanie G. Adams, Cheng Y. Lin, Nestor Escobales, Isaac L. Flory Iv

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Continuous improvement is a corner stone of a quality engineering or engineering technology program. Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology requires that a well-planned and implemented continuous improvement plan should be in place. The ABET 2015-16 Criterion 4 Continuous Improvement1 states: "The program must regularly use appropriate, documented processes for assessing and evaluating the extent to which the student outcomes are being attained. The results of these evaluations must be systematically utilized as input for the continuous improvement of the program. Other available information may also be used to assist in the continuous improvement of the program." A successful continuous …

Integrative Experiences Through Modeling And Simulation Of Mechatronic Systems, Mileta Tomovic, Cynthia Tomovic, Vukica M. Jovanovic, Cheng Y. Lin, Nan Yao, Petros J. Katsioloudis

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Learning is integrative lifelong process which requires continuous refreshing of old material and learning new material. This principle holds also for student experiences during their undergraduate studies. Students learn new material throughout their studies, and they may or may not have opportunity to use the material in different context and at different levels. As a result some of the acquired knowledge may be forgotten by the time student graduates or it may not be placed in the context of the overall program outcomes, thus material presented may not seem to have relevance to student's career. An effective method to address …

Applying Technology To Improve Student Learning Outcomes In Dynamics Course, Mileta Tomovic, Cynthia Tomovic, Vukica M. Jovanovic, Cheng Y. Lin, Nan Yao

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Motivating and stimulating students to learn material in required core engineering courses is difficult and yet essential in assuring student success. Traditional methods of teaching and learning need to be reconsidered and modified to meet student expectations and their continuously evolving ways of interaction with technology and social networks. Numerous faculty have been experimenting with various approaches which are taking advantages of both technology and student interaction with technology, with various degrees of success. In this paper authors present another comprehensive method applied in teaching/learning of core engineering mechanics course. It has been observed over a long period of time …

Developing A Faculty Learning Community To Support Writing Across Different Stem Disciplines, Vukica M. Jovanovic, Denise Tombolato-Terzic, Daniel P. Richards, Pilar Pazos, Megan Mckittrick, Julia Romberger, Otilia Popescu

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Writing to learn is one of the very important pedagogical strategies in a variety of disciplines. This concept is not specifically addressed in the majority of engineering courses. Hence, university initiatives such as the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), emerging out of accreditation and institutional assessments, are focusing on infusing scholarship from other disciplines (in this case English) for the purpose of student learning improvement. Engineering and Science programs do include various courses in English Composition as the part of the curriculum; however, writing is not embedded in all discipline-specific courses at the upper-division level. The program outlined here focuses on …

Developing A Curriculum For Marine Mechatronics Technicians, Vukica M. Jovanovic, Petros J. Katsioloudis, Ana Djuric, Mileta Tomovic, Thomas B. Stout

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

A growing trend within the U.S. Navy is to streamline operations by deploying ships with less sailors, who are more highly skilled technicians that are trained to do a wide array of jobs. Modern ships also include various automated systems that require more highly skilled technicians for maintenance. Outdated warship designs are now being replaced with industrial grade automation equipment. Such equipment is being used in warships that encounter harsher environments than what exists in the civilian industry. Hence, there is a need for training in regards to industrial grade automation equipment for military and civilian ship repair partners. Marine …

Green Infrastructure Training For Veterans, Carol L. Considine, Michael W. Seek, Jon Lester, Anthony W. Dean

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

The Environmental Protection Agency launched a Strategic Agenda to Protect Waters and Build More Livable Communities through Green Infrastructure in April of 2011. This initiative supports local communities in using green infrastructure to manage rain water while creating co-benefits of green space, which makes communities more attractive and livable. (EPA) In the fall of 2014 the Environmental Protection Agency along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Transportation signed a federal letter of support for green infrastructure …

Hands-On Learning Environment And Educational Curriculum On Collaborative Robotics, Ana Djuric, Jeremy L. Rickli, Vukica M. Jovanovic, Daniel Foster

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

The objective of this paper is to describe teaching modules developed at Wayne State University integrate collaborative robots into existing industrial automation curricula. This is in alignment with Oakland Community College and WSU’s desire to create the first industry-relevant learning program for the use of emerging collaborative robotics technology in advanced manufacturing systems. The various learning program components will prepare a career-ready workforce, train industry professionals, and educate academicians on new technologies. Preparing future engineers to work in highly automated production, requires proper education and training in CoBot theory and applications. Engineering and Engineering Technology at Wayne State University offer …

How Bicycling Sharing System Usage Is Affected By Land Use And Urban Form: Analysis From System And User Perspectives, Ahmadreza Faghih-Imani, Naveen Eluru, Rajesh Paleti

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

There is a rapid growth of bicycle-sharing systems (BSS) around the world. Cities are supporting these systems as a more sustainable transport mode for short trips. Given the relatively recent adoption of BSS, there is substantial interest in understanding how these systems impact urban transportation. In this paper, we examine the functioning of the hugely successful New York City CitiBike system. We focus on the interaction of BSS with land-use and built environment attributes and the influence of weather condition and temporal characteristics on BSS usage. Towards this end, CitiBike system is analyzed along two dimensions: (1) at the system …

Water–Soil–Vegetation Dynamic Interactions In Changing Climate, Xixi Wang, Xuefeng Chu, Tingxi Liu, Xiangju Cheng, Rich Whittecar

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Previous studies of land degradation, topsoil erosion, and hydrologic alteration typically focus on these subjects individually, missing important interrelationships among these important aspects of the Earth's system. However, an understanding of water–soil–vegetation dynamic interactions is needed to develop practical and effective solutions to sustain the globe's eco-environment and grassland agriculture, which depends on grasses, legumes, and other fodder or soil-building crops. This special issue is intended to be a platform for a discussion of the relevant scientific findings based on experimental and/or modeling studies. Its 12 peer-reviewed articles present data, novel analysis/modeling approaches, and convincing results of water–soil–vegetation interactions under …

A Comparative Study On Using Meta-Heuristic Algorithms For Road Maintenance Planning: Insights From Field Study In A Developing Country, Ali Gerami Matin, Reza Vatani Nezafat, Amir Golroo

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Optimized road maintenance planning seeks for solutions that can minimize the life-cycle cost of a road network and concurrently maximize pavement condition. Aiming at proposing an optimal set of road maintenance solutions, robust meta-heuristic algorithms are used in research. Two main optimization techniques are applied including single-objective and multi-objective optimization. Genetic algorithms (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and combination of genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization (GAPSO) as single-objective techniques are used, while the non-domination sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGAII) and multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) which are sufficient for solving computationally complex large-size optimization problems as multi-objective techniques are …

A New Job Shop Heuristic Algorithm For Machine Scheduling Problems, Maryam Ehsaei, Duc T. Nguyen

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The purpose of this research is to present a straightforward and relatively efficient method for solving scheduling problems. A new heuristic algorithm, with the objective of minimizing the makespan, is developed and presented in this paper for job shop scheduling problems (JSP). This method determines jobs’ orders for each machine. The assessment is based on the combination of dispatching rules e.g. the "Shortest Processing Time" of each operation, the "Earliest Due Date" of each job, the "Least Tardiness" of the operations in each sequence and the "First come First Serve" idea. Also, unlike most of the heuristic algorithms, due date …

Heavy Metal Distribution And Groundwater Quality Assessment For A Coastal Area On A Chinese Island, Sha Lou, Shuguang Liu, Chaomeng Dai, An Tao, Bo Tan, Gangfeng Ma, Roman Sergeeyvich Chalov, Sergey Romanovich Chalov

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Chongming Island is located in the lower Yangtze Estuary in China. Due to the Leachate from a refuse landfill and the hydrodynamics of the Yangtze Estuary, the groundwater environment is particularly complicated on Chongming Island. Field observations were carried out around the landfill disposal site. The groundwater table, temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were measured in the field by portable equipment, and 192 water samples were collected at eight groundwater sites and one surface water site. Through laboratory analysis we found the highest measured concentration of Cr to be 54.07 μg/L, and the measured concentration of Zn was in …

Numerical Modeling Of The Interactions Between Nonlinear Waves And Arbitrarily Flexible Vegetation, Navid Tahvildari

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Coastal wetlands are among the natural features with the capability to dissipate wave energy and reduce storm damage. Inadequate representation of wave and vegetation characteristics in numerical models may reduce their capability in predicting wave processes over wetlands. Previous numerical wave models have typically applied simplifications on vegetation behavior. For instance, vegetation stems were usually assumed to be rigid or semi-flexible and thus extreme stem deflections could not be captured. In this study, a time-domain nonlinear numerical model based on extended Boussinesq formulation is developed and coupled with a numerical model for vegetation blade dynamics that allows for arbitrary flexibility. …

Effects Of Sea Level Rise On Hydrology: Case Study In A Typical Mid-Atlantic Coastal Watershed, Xixi Wang, Rui Li, Homa Jalaeian Taghadomi, Shohreh Pedram, Xiao Zhao

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Sea level rise (SLR) can negatively affect the hydrology of coastal watersheds. However, the relevant information is incomplete and insufficient in existing literature. The objective of this study is to present a modeling approach to predict long-term effects of SLR on changes of flood peak, flood stage, and groundwater table with an assumption that the historical climate would reoccur in the future. The study was conducted for a typical coastal watershed in southeast USA. The results indicate that sea level had been rising at a rate of 4.21 mm yr⁻¹ from 1948 to 1982 but at a faster rate …

Developments In Capture- Γ Libraries For Nonproliferation Applications, A. M. Hurst, R. B. Firestone, B. W. Sleaford, D. L. Bleuel, M. S. Basunia, F. Becvar, T. Belgya, L. A. Bernstein, J. J. Carroll, B. Detwiler, J. E. Escher, C. Genreith, B. L. Goldblum, M. Krticka, A. G. Lerch, David A. Matters, John W. Mcclory, Stephen R. Mchale, Zs. Revay, L. Szentmiklosi, D. Turkoglu, A. Ureche, J. Vulic

Faculty Publications

The neutron-capture reaction is fundamental for identifying and analyzing the γ-ray spectrum from an unknown assembly because it provides unambiguous information on the neutron-absorbing isotopes. Nondestructive-assay applications may exploit this phenomenon passively, for example, in the presence of spontaneous-fission neutrons, or actively where an external neutron source is used as a probe. There are known gaps in the Evaluated Nuclear Data File libraries corresponding to neutron-capture γ-ray data that otherwise limit transport-modeling applications. In this work, we describe how new thermal neutron-capture data are being used to improve information in the neutron-data libraries for isotopes relevant to nonproliferation applications. We …

Sensitivity Analysis Method To Address User Disparities In The Analytic Hierarchy Process, Marie Ivanco, Gene Hou, Jennifer Michaeli

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Decision makers often face complex problems, which can seldom be addressed well without the use of structured analytical models. Mathematical models have been developed to streamline and facilitate decision making activities, and among these, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) constitutes one of the most utilized multi-criteria decision analysis methods. While AHP has been thoroughly researched and applied, the method still shows limitations in terms of addressing user profile disparities. A novel sensitivity analysis method based on local partial derivatives is presented here to address these limitations. This new methodology informs AHP users of which pairwise comparisons most impact the derived …

Implementing Peer-Review Activities For Engineering Writing Assignments, Stacie I. Ringleb, Orlando M. Ayala, Jennifer Kidd

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Professional engineers spend a considerable portion of their day writing, yet disciplinary writing skills are not addressed in many engineering courses. This study investigates peer review as a mean to enhance student writing in engineering courses. Students completed formative peer reviews using an online peer review system for a group project in a fluid mechanics course (with online and face-to-face sections) and for an individual writing assignment in a senior capstone class in mechanical engineering. A university-wide rubric for disciplinary writing was used to assess student writing performance on interim and final assignments completed over the course of a semester. …

A Quartz Crystal Microbalance Study Of Thiol:Ene Poly(Ionic Liquid) Polymerization And Gas Absorption, Yueming Wu

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The polymerization process of, and gas absorption by, imidazolium-containing thiol:ene poly (ionic liquid)s (PILs), prepared from bisallylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl sulfonyl)imide [NTf₂^-] and pentaerythritoltetrakis(3 mercaptopropionate), was studied. The thiol:ene PILs examined were recently reported by groups at Murray State University. The advantage of thiol:ene PILs over other reported PILs is that thiol:ene polymers are made rapidly by UV exposure and exhibit high mechanical and thermal stability due to high cross-linking. The properties of interest for the thiol:ene PILs were studied using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). QCM techniques are based on the piezoelectric effect, where certain crystals (e.g., …

Dynamic Rabi Oscillations In A Quantum Dot Embedded In A Nanobridge In The Presence Of Surface Acoustic Waves, Lev Mourokh, Achim Wixforth, Florian Beil, Max Bichler, Werner Wegscheider, Robert H. Blick

Publications and Research

A quantum dot is created within a suspended nanobridge containing a two-dimensional electron gas. The electron current through this dot exhibits well-pronounced Coulomb blockade oscillations. When surface acoustic waves (SAW) are driven through the nanobridge, Coulomb blockade peaks are shifted. To explain this feature, we derive the expressions for the quantum dot level populations and electron currents through these levels and show that SAW-induced Rabi oscillations lead to the observed phenomenology.

Axially Uniform Magnetic Field-Modulation Excitation For Electron Paramagnetic Resonance In Rectangular And Cylindrical Cavities By Slot Cutting, Jason Walter Sidabras, James Richie, James S. Hyde

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In continuous-wave (CW) Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) a low-frequency time-harmonic magnetic field, called field modulation, is applied parallel to the static magnetic field and incident on the sample. Varying amplitude of the field modulation incident on the sample has consequences on spectral line-shape and line-height over the axis of the sample. Here we present a method of coupling magnetic field into the cavity using slots perpendicular to the sample axis where the slot depths are designed in such a way to produce an axially uniform magnetic field along the sample. Previous literature typically assumes a uniform cross-section and axial excitation …