Engineering Commons^™

Keynote Speaker: Research-Driven Insights For The Academic Community, Michael Mikitka

International Material Handling Research Colloquium

No abstract provided.

Welcome And Introductions, Fabio Sgarbossa, David Porter

International Material Handling Research Colloquium

No abstract provided.

Advances In Research On Noble Gas As Tracers Of Geofluids And Helium Enrichment, Gao Yu, Liu Quanyou, Zhu Dongya, Wu Xiaoqi, Li Pengpeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Noble gases emerge as significant tools for tracing the sources and evolutionary processes of geofluids due to their chemical inertness and different isotopic compositions across varying reservoirs. Helium serves as a noble gas tracer and a scarce resource, and its enrichment mechanisms and exploration potential have attracted wide attention.Methods Based on a summary of the geochemical data of typical gas reservoirs, volcanic gases, and surface hot springs at home and abroad, this study analyzed the interfering factors and end-member value screening in the source apportionment of noble gases. Furthermore, it summarized the applications of noble gas isotopes in …

Current Status And Future Trends Of Seismic Prediction And Assessment Technology For Coalbed Methane Reservoirs, Wu Haibo, Zhang Pingsong, Xu Shi’Ang, Huang Yaping, Dong Shouhua, Cheng Yan, Li Donghui, Zhang Sheng, Zhang Min

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background The seismic prediction and assessment technology for coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs has undergone rapid development for over three decades, playing an indispensable role in CBM exploration. Methods This study reviews the development history and current status of core technologies within the seismic prediction and assessment technical system for CBM reservoirs, including seismic-petrophysical tests, modeling and inversion, seismic wavefield simulation, seismic amplitude versus offset (AVO) inversion and seismic attribute inversion, and integrated seismic prediction of the sweet spot areas of CBM reservoir resources and engineering. Furthermore, this study delves into the impacts and limitations of the characteristics of CBM reservoirs, …

Geochemical Nature Of The Geothermal Water From Lanzhou Basin: Implications For The Genesis Of Shallow Helium-Bearing Fluids, Tang Jianzhou, Wang Shuangming, Zhang Zhicheng, Li Ke, Li Changpeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods Investigations on the geochemical nature of geothermal water are vital to the comprehension of the origin of helium-rich fluids in shallow basins. To address this issue, this paper reports the results of the chemical analysis, H-O isotopes and ¹⁴C ages from geothermal water and soluble gas components from the well BY-1 in Lanzhou Basin, northeastern margin of Qinghai Tibet Plateau. Chemical analysis of geothermal water samples reveals that the chemical type of geothermal water is NaCl. The show δD value of –78‰, high δ¹⁸O value (–8.7‰), low ³H value (<0.4TU), and old ¹⁴C …

Impacts Of Metakaolin And Fly Ash On The Performance Of Cement-Based Grouting Materials In Anchoring Engineering, Cheng Zhiyuan, Yang Junpeng, Xue Wei, Wei Daidong, Wang Yimin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The filling of grouting materials plays a significant role in ensuring the performance of anchoring structures. This study aims to further enhance the fluidity of grouting materials, reduce their dry shrinkage in the curing process, and ensure complete filling. This will help improve the bonding property between the anchoring body and the rock and soil mass to be reinforced. Methods Using cement as the primary material, as well as fly ash and metakaolin as admixtures, this study designed and prepared 20 groups of binary and ternary mixtures and one control group. Through tests of the fluidity, bleeding ratios, and …

Development Of Fiber Composite Joints To Improve Folding Of Deployable Arrays, Luke Q. Gardner

Theses and Dissertations

An origami-inspired deployable array, despite being commonly made from rigid materials, must be able to fold into its stowed configuration. This necessitates the employment of discontinuities between the panels of the array and the use of specialized joints to connect them. Compliant joints, with all their typical advantages, are useful in this application. Membrane hinges and lamina-emergent torsional (LET) arrays are two classes of compliant joints, or surrogate folds, which each feature unique benefits and drawbacks. Membrane hinges in principle are simple and flexible, providing a wide range of motion while experiencing little stress. However, perhaps their most robust variation, …

Diffusion Mechanisms Of Coal-Measure Helium And Their Implications For Helium Accumulation: A Case Study Of The Taiyuan Formation, Northern Qinshui Basin, China, Ma Yong, Xin Zhiyuan, Chen Jianfa, Li Yuhong, Zhang Xiutao, Jiang Haojie, Chen Zeya

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The global helium-rich gas reservoirs are dominated by conventional natural gas reservoirs. In recent years, helium-bearing natural gas has been discovered in the Carboniferous-Permian coal measures in the Ordos Basin and surrounding regions, revealing the resource potential of coal-measure helium. However, there is almost a total lack of studies on mechanisms underlying the diffusion and migration of coal-measure helium. This severely restricts further research on the accumulation patterns of coal-measure helium.Methods This study investigated a coal seam in the Taiyuan Formation in the northern Qinshui Basin and mudstones in the coal seam roof. Using physical diffusion experiments on …

Colloidal Hot-Injection Synthesis Of Cubse2 Nanocrystals: Tetragonal Chalcogenide Templates For Superionic Lithiation Pathways, Yunhao Xu, Niket Powar, Kelly Zervos, Isabella Campbell, Simran Choudhary, Layan Al-Khaled, Progna Banerjee

Chemistry: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Copper boron selenides represent a previously unexplored class of materials with tetragonal structural symmetries and bonding chemistries potentially relevant to lithium-ion conduction. In this work, the first colloidal synthesis of nanocrystalline copper boron selenides is reported, enabling access to nanocrystals with reaction times shown as the synthetic knob to control composition and morphology. Copper boron selenide nanocrystals are synthetically designed as precursors for lithiation reactions aimed at probing structural evolution and ionic mobility pathways toward superionic conductors applicable as solid electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries. Postsynthetic lithiation studies under ambient conditions reveal a series of phase transformations and morphological changes, which …

Thermal Design Overview, Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Preface

• Introductions
• Work Based on "Small Satellite Thermal Modeling Guide, Initial Release, July 2022"
• Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RVSV)
• Purpose
• Introduce methods/concepts to develop and analyze a small satellite thermal model
• Understand why thermal modeling and thermal analysis are important
• Understand common pitfalls
• Learn about available resources

The Role Of Langmuir Circulation In Coastal Flows Driven By Wind, Waves And Tides, Thathsarani Dilini Herath Herath Mudiyanselage

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Langmuir Circulation (LC) is a wind and wave-driven process and is a key driver of vertical mixing and transport in the ocean. In coastal shelf regions, LC can span the entire water column, linking surface and bottom boundary layers and amplifying turbulent mixing. However, the influence of LC on vertical mixing and cross-shelf transport in shallow, tidally forced coastal waters remains poorly understood. This dissertation addresses this knowledge gap by developing a novel modeling framework based on the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations, offering a computationally efficient alternative to more resource-intensive Large Eddy Simulations (LES).

The proposed RANS-based approach is first …

Numerical Analysis Of The Stress–Deformation Behavior Of Soil–Geosynthetic Composite (Sgc) Masses Under Confining Pressure Conditions, Truc Phan, Meen-Wah Gui, Thang Pham, Bich T. Luong

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The growing application of soil–geosynthetic composites (SGCs) in geotechnical engineering has highlighted the critical role of reinforcement spacing in enhancing structural performance. This study presents a numerical investigation of the stress–deformation behavior of SGC masses under working stress and failure load conditions, considering both confining and unconfined pressure scenarios. A finite element (FE) model was developed to analyze stress distribution, reinforcement strain profiles at varying depths, and lateral displacement at open facings. Results revealed that vertical stresses in reinforced and unreinforced soil masses were nearly identical, while lateral stresses increased notably in reinforced masses, particularly near reinforcement layers and open …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Construction And Application Of A Tcn-Lstm-Svm-Based Time Series Prediction Model For Water Inflow In Coal Seam Roofs, Liu Xuan, Ji Yadong, Zhu Kaipeng, Zhao Chunhu, Li Kai, Li Chaofeng, Yuan Chenhan, Li Panpan, Yan Pengzhen

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background The accurate prediction of mine water inflow plays a significant role in the prevention and control of water hazards and the safe and efficient production in coal mines. Methods To construct a prediction model of water inflow in mines under threat of water hazards from extremely thick sandstones aquifer in West China, this study investigated a typical mine (also referred to as the studied mine) severely affected by such water hazards in the Binchang mining area of Shaanxi Province. The correlation between the mining footage and water inflow of the mining face was selected as the characteristic variable for …

Technical Advances And Research Directions Of Borehole Geophysical Prospecting For Coal Mines, Cheng Jianyuan, Yan Yu, Li Yuteng, Wang Pan, Zhao Rui, Jiang Bici

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background High-precision and long-distance exploration of geological conditions is required for coal extraction and disaster prevention in coal mines. However, traditional drilling and geophysical prospecting methods face technical bottlenecks such as insufficient exploration accuracy and limited exploration ranges. Borehole geophysical prospecting technology integrates the reliable and straightforward axial results of drilling with the high-resolution transverse results of geophysical prospecting, providing technical support for safe, efficient, and intelligent coal mining. Based on the construction spaces, this study categorizes borehole geophysical prospecting technology into four types: i.e., intra-borehole, inter-borehole, borehole-surface, and borehole-roadway. Furthermore, it presents the primary advances and applicable conditions of …

Implications Of Helium Accumulation Models In Helium-Rich Basins In China For The Enrichment And Exploration Of Helium In Coal Measures, Li Yunbo, Wang Chengtao, Song Dangyu, Shi Xiaowei, Wang Rongqi

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Helium is a strategic resource in serious short supply in China, and intensifying its exploration is crucial to national resource security. China enjoys abundant coal measure gas and significant potential for associated helium accumulation. However, relevant research remains in its infancy. Methods Based on a summary and analysis of helium generation, migration, and accumulation theories in natural gas reservoirs, this study systematically investigated the enrichment patterns of helium in coal measures and proposed exploration targets. Results and Conclusions The insights reveal that the helium resources in China exhibit a distribution pattern of zoning in both north-south and east-west directions. …

Mechanisms Underlying Differential Helium Enrichment In Shale Gas Of Varying Structural Styles In The Southeastern Sichuan Basin, Xin Zhiyuan, Chen Jianfa, Wang Jie, Ma Yong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Shale gas reservoirs hold considerable helium reserves despite relatively low helium abundance, establishing them as a critical replacement for helium production growth. The southeastern Sichuan Basin exhibits diverse structural styles with varying preservation conditions, leading to an unclear understanding of the distribution characteristics and enrichment patterns of helium in shale gas. Determining the mechanisms behind the differential helium enrichment in shale gas is significant for the effective utilization of helium in shale gas.Methods Focusing on the typical shale gas reservoirs of different structural styles in the southeastern Sichuan Basin, this study explored the mechanisms underlying differential helium accumulation …

Physical Simulation Experiments On Competitive Dissolution Of Helium In Helium-Containing To Helium-Rich Gas Reservoirs, Zou Yi, Luo Qingyong, Chen Jianfa, Zou Huayao, Du Tao, Liu Xiaoqiang, Cai Xinyong, Yu Chengming, Fang Zilong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background and Purpose Helium is widely applied in high-tech and scientific research fields due to its unique physicochemical properties. Formation water plays a key role in helium migration and enrichment. Typically, in the form of dissolved gas, helium is transported in pores or fractures by formation water. When helium-rich fluids migrate to shallow natural gas reservoirs, helium will experience dissolution and desorption exchange with other gases. This process is affected by formation temperature, pressure, and water salinity, as well as the competitive dissolution between helium and other gases. However, there is a lack of studies on the mechanisms underlying the …

Dominant Factors Causing Helium Deficiency In Coal-Measure Natural Gas In The Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin, Liu Jiarun, Liu Quanyou, Li Pengpeng, Gao Yu, Lü Jiahao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Helium is identified as a scarce strategic resource, having found widespread applications in high-tech fields such as high-end manufacturing, aerospace, and national defense due to its stable chemical properties and low boiling point. The Kuqa Depression in the Tarim Basin is a significant natural gas production base in China. Determining the distribution characteristics and controlling factors of helium in coal-measure natural gas in the Kuqa Depression holds great significance.Methods Using two helium resource assessment methods and geological data, this study explored the dominant factors causing helium deficiency in the coal-measure natural gas in the Kuqa Depression.Results and …

Resource Potential And Extraction Technique Design For Helium In Coal Measures, Wang Lei, Tang Maoyin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Back ground Helium is an important strategic scarce resource. Presently, helium used in industry originates primarily from natural gas. In contrast, helium in coal measures, generally emerging as coalbed methane (CBM) with a high helium content, serves as a vital supplement to conventional helium resources. In industry, helium extraction from boil off gas (BOG) during natural gas liquefaction is recognized as an important way to obtain helium resources. However, existing studies on helium in coal measures mostly focus on the genesis, enrichment patterns, and geochemical characteristics of helium, while there is a lack of studies on its resource characteristics and …

Effectiveness Assessment And Spatial Distribution Characteristics Of Helium Source Rocks In The Shixi Block Along The Eastern Margin Of The Ordos Basin, Chang Yangmei, Liu Chao, Sun Beilei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Helium gas serves as a significant rare strategic resource. In China, helium resources are relatively scarce and dependent heavily on imports. Therefore, there is a pressing need for the exploration and exploitation of helium resources. Helium source rocks provide a material basis for the formation of helium resources. The Zijinshan pluton serves as a principal source of coal-measure helium along the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin. Previous studies reveal that helium in natural gas within the Shixi Block originates primarily from the decay of radioactive elements in the deep part of the Jianjiagou-Zijinshan plutons. However, there is a …

Backfill-Strip Mining And Co2 Mineralization Sequestration In Coal Mine Goaves: A Synergetic Method And Its Key Technologies, Zhu Mengbo, Liu Lang, Wang Shuangming, Wei Baoning, Rong Ruoyu, Zhang Wenzhong, Zhuang Dengdeng, Jia Qifeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Coals serve as both the cornerstone of China’s energy security and important industrial raw materials. However, their mining and utilization tend to cause ecological and environmental problems such as CO₂ emissions, the generation of solid wastes, and land subsidence. This necessitates reforming coal mining methods to promote the green, low-carbon, and sustainable development of China’s coal industry.Methods Through the comparative analysis of the conditions of CO₂ sequestration in goaves corresponding to the caving, room-and-pillar (also known as knife-pillar), and backfill mining methods, this study developed a synergetic method for backfill-strip mining and CO₂ mineralization sequestration …

Analyzing The Permeability Enhancement Effect Of Hydraulic Slotting For Low-Permeability Coal Seams Based On A Stress-Diffusion-Seepage Coupling Model, Zhang Hongtu, Zhou Tian, Wang Dengke, Li Botao, Luo Yong, Pan Rongsheng, Tang Jiahao, Lu Weiyong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods This study aims to improve the permeability enhancement effect of coal seams for gas drainage. Targeting the soft, low-permeability coal seams with complex gas occurrence conditions in the Baiping mining area and considering the impacts of effective stress, gas migration, actual gas effects, and tortuosity, this study constructed a stress-diffusion-seepage coupling model based on the pore-fracture dual medium assumption. Using the coupling model, this study simulated the variation patterns of gas content in coal seams during gas drainage under varying gas contents and borehole spacings. Through field tests under different permeability enhancement measures and unloaded coal amounts …

Influencing Patterns Of Low-Temperature Nitrogen On The Pore Structure And Oxidation Characteristics Of Lignite, Xie Shuliang, Wang Gang, Qu Qingdong, Liu Hao, Sun Lulu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective During fire prevention and extinguishment for mines, injecting normal-temperature nitrogen into goaves can only play an inerting role. Meanwhile, the preparation of liquid nitrogen is complicated and costly. Therefore, in the Wudong Coal Mine in Xinjiang, low-temperature gaseous nitrogen of –40 ℃ was prepared using nitrogen cooling devices and then injected into goaves to prevent the spontaneous combustion of residual coals. However, the influencing patterns of low-temperature nitrogen on the pore structures and oxidation characteristics of residual coals in goaves remain poorly understood. This tends to affect the prediction and forecast of the secondary oxidation of residual coals in …

Chemical Temporary Plugging-Based Full-Bore Reconstruction Technology For Old Wellbores For The Collaborative Production Of Tight-Sand Gas And Deep Coalbed Methane, Yang Fan, Tan Zhanglong, Hu Jiachen, An Qi, Li Yu, Yang Ruiyue, Lin Junwen, Sun Zening, Jing Meiyang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective In China, the Ordos Basin boasts abundant coal-measure gas resources, holding considerable potential for resource development. As the development deepens, the proportion of depleted, stripper, and inefficient wells for tight-sand gas in coal measures has gradually decreased year by year. The collaborative production of tight-sand gas and deep coalbed methane (CBM) has emerged as a significant approach to effectively releasing production capacity.Methods To achieve the reconstruction of old wellbores and commingled production of new and old layers, this study proposed a technology of chemical temporary plugging-based full-bore reconstruction of old wellbores of tight-sand gas combined with the large-scale …

Prediction Of Geological And Engineering Integrated Sweet Spots Of Deep Coalbed Methane, Chen Zhengrong, Liu Wei, Zhu Xueshen, Tian Yongjing, Xie Xin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Deep coalbed methane (CBM) has emerged as a hot topic in CBM resource development. However, deep CBM has characteristics such as great burial depths, complex stress environments, and strong reservoir heterogeneity, which seriously restrict sweet spot prediction and accurate well location deployment in its large-scale exploitation. Methods This study investigated a deep CBM field along the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin. Using sonic, density, and caliper logging, this study developed a coal structure index model for deep coals. By introducing the coal structure index based on the coal structure differences in deep coal seams and combining factors including …

The Borehol Wall Image Digital Description Method Of The Overlying Rock Structural Planes Evdution Process In Deep Mining, Wang Jinchao, Zou Junpeng, Li Shenghai, Wang Chao, Li Xiaobin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective In China, as mineral resource mining is increasingly expanding towards the deep parts of the Earth, the safe and efficient exploitation of deep resources has become a major strategic and technological challenge at the national level to be addressed urgently. Understanding the movement patterns of mining-affected strata in deep environments will assist in improving the intelligent prevention and control of mine disasters, thereby ensuring the safe and efficient exploitation of deep resources. Methods Targeting the complex and diverse forms of the overburden’s structural planes in deep mining, as well as a lack of characterization methods tailored to the evolutionary …

A Method Integrating A Non-Stationary Random Field For Constrained Inversion Of Csamt Data, Dai Qianwei, Guo Luyao, Wu Yun, Xiong Zhexian, Duan Dan, Bao Zhonglin, Wu Hongfei, Hao Fengyun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The inversion of controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT) data remains challenging due to two key issues: computational efficiency and resolution. To tackle these two issues, especially the over-smoothing effect caused by traditional regularization methods in estimating complex geological structures, this study proposed an improved regularization inversion method to reflect the spatial distribution characteristics of subsurface physical property parameters more accurately. Methods The proposed method was developed using the method for establishing the stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) based on the Matérn covariance function. By introducing vector fields and the shape parameters of a range ellipse, this method fully considered both …

A Visual Positioning Method For Tunnel Boring Machines In Underground Coal Mines Based On Anchor Net Features, Zhang Xuhui, Chi Yunkai, Du Yuyang, Jiang Junying, Yang Wenjuan, Zhao Youjun, Wan Jicheng, Wang Yanqun, Tian Chenhui

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Precise positioning of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in underground coal mines plays a fundamental role in the automated and intelligent guidance and control of fully mechanized heading face. However, traditional visual positioning methods show limited application effects in underground roadways due to their narrow and enclosed spaces, insufficient illumination, and sparse textures. This study proposed a visual positioning method for TBMs in underground coal mines based on anchor net features.Methods A three-stream depthwise separable convolutional neural network (TSCR-NET) for image enhancement was employed to estimate the reflection, illumination, and noise in images individually. Through illumination adjustment while suppressing …

A Review Of Plant–Microbe Interactions In The Rhizosphere And The Role Of Root Exudates In Microbiome Engineering, Anagha Wankhade, Emma Wilkinson, David W. Britt, Amita Kaundal

Biological Engineering Student Research

Microbial interactions within the rhizosphere are fundamental to plant health, influencing nutrient availability, stress tolerance, and pathogen resistance. Beneficial microbes, such as plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPMs), including bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, enhance plant resilience through mechanisms like nutrient solubilization, phytohormone production, and pathogen suppression via antimicrobial compounds and siderophores. Root exudates, composed of sugars, organic acids, and secondary metabolites, act as chemoattractants that shape the rhizosphere microbiome by recruiting beneficial microbes. Microbial metabolites can, in turn, modulate plant physiology and exudate profiles, thereby reinforcing mutualistic interactions. Stress conditions alter exudate composition, enabling plants to attract specific microbes that aid in …