Engineering Commons^™

C-Band Air To Ground Communication System For Uav, Mubark Alghamdi

Theses and Dissertations

C band spectrum 5030-5091 MHz is allocated for command-and-control communication services with unmanned aircraft systems. This document evaluates the possibility of using 3GPP 5G standards for provisioning of such services. Channelization of the spectrum and major system parameters are proposed. The performance of the proposed system in channel fading environment is evaluated using MATLAB based simulations. The evaluations examine SINR, and average throughput of the proposed system at different altitudes of the unmanned aircraft system. MATLAB simulations are used to evaluate system performance in free-space environments. Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) and Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) are predicted at different UAS …

The Impact Of System Transparency On Perceived System Reliability, Perceived System Usability, And Information Clarity In Self-Driving Car Systems, Uditkumar Nair

Theses and Dissertations

In human-computer interaction (HCI), the development of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology has created new difficulties, especially in building user confidence as well as understanding of system functioning. The effect of system transparency on user- centered outcomes, such as perceived usability, perceived system reliability, and information clarity, is examined in this thesis. In order to evaluate their experiences in both ordinary and high-stakes driving situations, participants engaged with both system- transparent user interfaces (TUIs) and non-transparent user interfaces (NTUIs) across a number of experimental scenarios. In order to assess how well each interface conveyed system logic and actions, the study included …

Cellular Telemetry For Real-Time River Flow Velocity Data From Fluvial Acoustic Tomography Loggers, Joshua Lee Seymour

Honors Theses

Streamflow is a critical element in understanding watershed processes and the effects of land use on those processes because it is the primary medium through which water, sediment, nutrients, organic material, thermal energy, and aquatic species move. Fluvial Acoustic Tomography (FAT) systems offer accurate direct measurements of river section-averaged flow velocity by measuring reciprocal acoustic travel times between at least two acoustic nodes positioned on opposite riverbanks. However, similar to many in-situ sensors used in estuarine and riverine environments, FAT loggers require manual data retrieval, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and limits real-time access and increases maintenance costs. This project presents …

Tuning The Morphology Of Triblock Copolymers Via Homopolymer Blending, John F. Searles

Honors Theses

Morphology plays an important role in the physical properties of block copolymer (BCP) materials. Depending on the type of morphology and chemical composition of the blocks, BCPs are used in applications ranging from soft biomaterials for biomedical devices to rigid materials for ballistics protection. Due to incompatibility between comonomers and required block weight ratios to achieve targeted morphologies, it is generally necessary to use complex, time-consuming, and expensive synthetic techniques to prepare BCPs. As a result, there is increased interest in the development of new processing methods to tailor block copolymer morphology without the need for additional synthesis. The morphological …

Interfacial Defect Properties Of High-Entropy Carbides: Stacking Faults, Shockley Partial Dislocations, And A New Evans-Polanyi-Semenov Relation, Samuel E. Daigle, Stefano Curtarolo, William G. Fahrenholtz, Jon Paul Maria, Douglas E. Wolfe, Eva Zurek, Donald W. Brenner

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Using first principles calculations, {111} intrinsic stacking fault (ISF) energies in groups IVB, VB, and VIB high-entropy transition metal carbides (HETMCs) are shown to be predictable from an optimized rule of mixtures based on the atomic arrangement near the stacking fault. A composition-independent linear relationship is demonstrated between the ISF energies and the unstable stacking fault (USF) energies along the (112¯){111} γsurface slip path. This relationship represents a new application of the Evans-Polanyi-Semenov principle by treating the ISF and USF energies as analogous to the heat of reaction and transition state barrier in chemical reactions. Further, a full defect energy …

Grid Forming Inverters For Microgrid Operation Enhancement, Jan Westman

All Dissertations

Modern electric power systems are confronted with several major challenges including the increasing frequency and severity of weather events, aging infrastructure, high material costs, cyber-attacks, and substantial delays in global supply chains. Microgrids provide a solution to these challenges by insulating customers from the power outages occurring in their local distribution system. A microgrid is a small independent power system with its own power generation and energy storage resources that can supply customers’ electricity needs. When an outage occurs, a circuit breaker will disconnect the microgrid from the distribution system. Successful operation of the microgrid requires one or more devices …

Understanding And Modeling Pooled Rideshare Acceptance: Influential Factors, Preferred User Experiences, And Implications, Rakesh Gangadharaiah

All Dissertations

This dissertation explores factors influencing pooled rideshare (PR) adoption to provide actionable insights for transportation network companies (TNCs) and policymakers. PR allows travelers to share rides with unknown passengers, offering benefits such as cost reduction and congestion relief. However, adoption remains limited due to safety concerns, privacy issues, and trust in rideshare platforms. A national U.S. survey with 5,385 respondents examined transportation preferences and barriers to PR adoption. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified five key factors influencing PR consideration—safety, service experience, privacy, traffic/environment, and time/cost. Second factor analyses examined ways to optimize PR experiences, revealing four factors—comfort/ease of use, …

Deciphering And Translating Bioinspired Structures For Engineering Materials Design Via Computational Modeling And Machine Learning, Zhangke Yang

All Dissertations

Nature has evolved extraordinary structural materials—such as nacre, bone, and the mantis shrimp’s dactyl club—that achieve remarkable combinations of strength, toughness, and impact resistance. These properties arise from sophisticated synergies between structure and composition. Inspired by these biological systems, this dissertation presents a comprehensive investigation into bioinspired materials, uncovering fundamental mechanisms and providing guidance on designing materials with superior mechanical properties.

This dissertation begins by examining the "brick-and-mortar" structure of nacre, which informs the design of layered polymer-graphene nanocomposite films. Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, I elucidate mechanisms of dynamic wave propagation and energy dissipation in these systems, providing critical …

Understanding Dimensional Stability Of Polymer Surgical Mesh, Simeon J. Mckelvey

All Dissertations

Polymer surgical mesh is a biomedical implant that has revolutionized the repair of the abdominal wall and pelvic floor. Each year, over 1.6 million Americans undergo surgical procedures using polymer surgical mesh to treat conditions where internal organs protrude through weakened tissues. This material is used in approximately 90% of hernia repairs, 80% of stress urinary incontinence procedures, and 30% of pelvic organ prolapse surgeries.

Despite this widespread use of polymer surgical mesh, post-implantation complications have prompted regulatory investigation and scrutiny. These complications stem from the mesh's behavior within the human body, including wrinkling, contraction, and loss of fixation, which …

Conversion Of Thermal Energy Stored In Conductive Concrete To Electricity With Thermoelectric Generators, Moustafa M. Al Adawi

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This paper presents a proof-of-concept experimental study on the use of conductive concrete as thermal energy storage and its conversion into electricity. The conductive concrete is heated to 100°C by supplying electricity, and the stored thermal energy is converted back into electricity using thermoelectric generators (TEGs). Measurement results demonstrate that the conductive concrete effectively stores thermal energy up to 100°C, and this energy can be successfully converted into electricity. The findings highlight the potential of conductive concrete as a reliable medium for thermal energy storage.

Advisor: Lim Nguyen

A Machine Learning Framework For Packet Anomaly Detection In Smartgrid Substation Networks, Sowmya Bandari

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The increasing reliance on Smart Grid Substation Networks for efficient electricity distribution has amplified cybersecurity vulnerabilities, particularly within Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. The IEC 60870-5-104 (IEC-104) protocol, widely adopted for communication between Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), lacks inherent encryption and authentication mechanisms, rendering it susceptible to sophisticated cyberattacks. Threats such as False Data Injection Attacks (FDIAs), command injection, covert attacks and replay attacks pose significant risks by manipulating grid control signals, potentially leading to undetected operational disruptions, cascading failures, or system-wide instability. Conventional signature-based Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) often fail to identify zero-day …

Uncertainty Quantification Of Turbulent Premixed Flames, David L. Brown

Honors Theses

This thesis presents an uncertainty quantification (UQ) study of turbulent premixed flames, focusing on the impact of uncertainties in operating conditions on the normalized consumption speed. Namely, temperature, pressure, and equivalence ratio are the operating conditions that are under study. Due to significant computational demands associated with direct MC methods for UQ, surrogate modeling techniques including Polynomial Chaos Expansion (PCE), Stochastic Collocation (SC), and Gaussian Process (GP) are evaluated based on efficiency and accuracy. Through this study, PCE is identified as the optimal surrogate model due to its accuracy and significantly reduced computational costs. PCE is subsequently applied to investigate …

A Simplified Thermal And Battery Model For Off-Grid Solar Air Conditioning In Florida’S Hurricane Context, Steven A. Sanford

Honors Theses

Florida’s hurricane-prone climate often leaves residents without power and at risk of dangerous indoor heat conditions. This thesis examines whether an off-grid, solar-powered air conditioning system can feasibly maintain safe indoor temperatures over a one-week outage period during peak hurricane season. A simplified, lumped-capacitance thermal model and an energy-based (Coulomb-counting) battery state of charge (SoC) approach were developed in MATLAB to simulate a DC-powered air conditioner (the DC48 unit) in a single-zone space. Historical weather and solar irradiance data from Vero Beach, Florida, represent the hot and humid conditions typical of post-hurricane scenarios. The model uses an on/off plus deadband …

The Effect Of Catalyst Choice On Biodiesel Yield And Quality Using Waste Cooking Oil As A Feedstock, Neka Long

Honors Theses

Biodiesel is one current area of interest as a replacement for traditional diesel fuel. Benefits of biodiesel include that it can be derived from renewable resources, and it possesses properties similar to that of traditional diesel fuel. Biodiesel is often produced through a catalyzed transesterification process, which involves the use of a catalyst to aid in the conversion of triglycerides into alkyl esters. A method called the transesterification double step process (TDSP) was researched and used in this project due to the success seen using this method for the conversion of waste cooking oil to biodiesel. In this project, four …

Subsurface Characterization Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (Ert) Integrated With Masw, P-Wave Refraction, And Boring Results, Mohammadyar Rahimi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) has gained widespread application in geotechnical engineering as a non-invasive method for subsurface characterization. Despite its versatility, several challenges remain regarding its resolution capabilities, interpretive limitations, and integration with other investigative methods. This dissertation addresses three key applications of ERT, focusing on its effectiveness and limitations in resolving thin subsurface layers, detecting anomalies such as voids, and supporting environmental assessment in river restoration projects.

The first study investigates the ability of ERT to resolve thin, discontinuous clay layers beneath levees, using the Melvin Price Reach of the Wood River Levee on the Mississippi River as a …

An Integrative Approach To Einstein’S Field Equations Of General Relativity For High School Students, Christina M. Aintablian

Senior Honors Theses

Einstein’s Field Equations form the foundation of the theory of General Relativity, describing the interdependence of mass-energy and spacetime curvature, where curvature gives rise to gravity. However, the complexity of these equations makes them difficult for high school students to grasp. The mathematical framework of General Relativity is introduced step by step, beginning with relative motion and culminating in a discussion of complex phenomena that challenge modern physics. Each explanation intertwines core concepts of relativity with pre-established mental models to enhance learning. Through the use of figures, analogies, narratives, and thought experiments, a structured framework is developed to make relativity …

A Causal Model Of Performance Shaping Factors For Human Reliability Analysis In Manufacturing., Prameet Ranjan Jha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human reliability analysis is a critical component of probabilistic risk assessment, aimed at predicting and mitigating human errors in complex systems. This dissertation develops a novel approach to human reliability analysis in manufacturing by integrating structural equation modeling and Bayesian networks to improve the estimation of human error probabilities. Traditional human reliability assessment methods, such as the Standardized Plant Analysis Risk-Human Reliability Analysis (SPAR-H) and the Technique for Human Error Rate Prediction (THERP), provide structured techniques for estimating human error probabilities. However, these methods often fail to capture the complex interdependencies among performance shaping factors (PSFs), limiting their applicability in …

Deep Learning In Lung Cancer Pre- And Post-Radiation Therapy: Diagnosis Of Malignancy And Radiation-Induced Lung Injury From 3d X-Ray Ct., Benjamin Peter Veasey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with early detection and accurate diagnosis being critical for improving patient outcomes. Additionally, the progression of Radiation-Induced Lung Injury (RILI) following Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer presents a significant diagnostic challenge. This dissertation addresses these challenges by developing deep learning-based diagnostic tools for both pre-treatment lung nodule malignancy classification and post-treatment RILI identification using 3D X-ray CT imaging. The research is divided into two primary objectives. First, for lung nodule malignancy classification, we developed a biopsy-confirmed dataset, called NLSTx, to train and evaluate deep learning models while …

Online Optimization With Lookahead For Dynamic Assignment And Energy-Smart Scheduling In Manufacturing., Mahmud Parvez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Scheduling in online and dynamic manufacturing systems presents significant challenges due to the continuous arrival of customer orders with certainty only over a short time window and the dynamic availability of resources after completing ongoing operations. Similar challenges exist at our industry partner’s site when scheduling orders (computer servers) to machines (testing cells) during the final testing process before customer delivery. The primary challenge lies in dynamically assigning incoming orders to available machines in order to minimize the number of unfinished orders. Additionally, the energy-intensive nature of the production process introduces another challenge; efforts to reduce energy consumption often lead …

Tailoring The Morphology Of Block Copolymers Via Solvent-Vapor Annealing, Bayleigh Madelin Loving

Honors Theses

Triblock polystyrene-polyisobutylene-polystyrene (PS-PIB-PS) copolymers have widespread applications from thermoplastic elastomers to protective coatings for ballistic applications. The incompatibility between the soft PIB and hard PS phases leads to phase separation and subsequent formation of morphological domains like lamellae and cylinders. The structures are stabilized by physical crosslinks, which can greatly improve the toughness of the triblock systems by preventing chain pullout during tensile deformation. We tailored the morphologies (achieving different morphologies with the same block copolymer) by changing the annealing conditions of the block copolymers. Solvent vapor annealing was used to selectively activate the mobility of a particular block, causing …

Thermal Characterization Of Lithium-Ion Batteries Under Fast Charging Conditions Using Infrared Imaging., Gowthaman Punithakumar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used across various industries due to their long lifespan, high energy density, low self-discharge rate, and absence of memory effect. However, fast charging of Li-ion batteries can cause problems like lithium plating, mechanical damage, and overheating. Temperature plays a key role in battery performance. Measuring temperature accurately is important to improve battery life, efficiency, and safety. However, accurately measuring a battery's internal temperature remains challenging, and the appropriate measurement method depends on factors like range, accuracy, resolution, and cost. Choosing the right temperature measurement method depends on range, accuracy, resolution, and cost. In this study, we …

Engineering Solutions For The Transplant Supply Gap: Social Network Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, And Optimization In Living Kidney Donation., Joshua Nielsen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Kidney transplantation is the gold standard for treating end-stage renal disease, yet over 90,000 patients remain on the transplant waitlist. This dissertation introduces engineering-driven solutions to help reduce the transplant supply gap by addressing three challenges: illicit trafficking, donor recruitment, and evaluation inefficiencies. First, we model illicit organ trafficking networks using social network analysis. We demonstrate that targeting transplant clinics alone is insufficient to disrupt operations. Instead, disrupting the network requires detaining brokers who organize behind-the-scenes logistics—offering a more effective strategy for intervention. Second, we seek to identify a latent population of potential living donors who face barriers such as …

Developing End-To-End Imitation Learning For Asteroid Proximity Operations, Patrick David Quinn

Theses and Dissertations

Asteroid exploration remains a popular topic in the scientific community, however hurdles still exist for controlling spacecraft within the asteroid environment. Communication delays often require the usage of limited onboard computing hardware for navigation. Additionally, long mission timelines must be accommodated with highly efficient fuel use. Considering these issues, it is apparent that any guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) system in these spacecraft should emphasize both computational and fuel efficiency in its design. Furthermore, the integration of a robust state estimation system is necessary for the successful deployment of such systems. The development of a controller aiming to address these …

Mixed-Mode Fracture Analysis Of Additively Manufactured Periodic Orthotropic Functionally Graded Microcellular Materials, Behnam Shahbazian

Theses and Dissertations

The quest for safety, efficiency, and innovation in aerospace engineering demands a relentless focus on understanding how materials and structures behave under extreme and complicated loading conditions. Among the many challenges faced by engineers in this field, predicting and preventing structural failure stands out as both a fundamental necessity and a complex problem. Fracture mechanics, the science of how materials fail under stress, is a cornerstone of this effort. Whether it is the fuselage of an aircraft enduring cyclic loading or the lightweight components of a spacecraft resisting impact, the ability to accurately predict fracture behavior directly influences the reliability …

Alternative Robust Design Formulation And Exploration Strategies For Managing Uncertainties In The Realization Of Complex Engineering Systems, Pooja Mukundan

Theses and Dissertations

The design of complex engineered systems often relies on simulation-based models, which inherently introduce uncertainties. Managing these uncertainties is critical to ensure robust system performance. From a decision-based design (DBD) perspective, robust design metrics such as the Design Capability Index (DCI) and Error Margin Index (EMI) are employed to formulate and solve problems under uncertainty. However, existing formulations of these metrics rely on first-order Taylor series approximations for variance estimation, which are often inadequate in the presence of highly nonlinear or multimodal performance functions.

This thesis proposes alternate formulations of DCI and EMI, which use the multiple-point method of variance …

Autonomous Defect Detection In Additive Manufacturing, John Samuel Poindexter Iv

Theses and Dissertations

Additive manufacturing (AM) is the process of creating a product by applying layers of material to build up to the final product. AM has revolutionized the field of manufacturing and has allowed more complex products to be manufactured at reasonable cost, quicker manufacturing time, and optimized material usage. Traditional forms of manufacturing were based on subtractive manufacturing, where by a product would be created by removing material from its source. AM is a new manufacturing process and faces significant challenges when it comes to manufacturing due to defects. Defects can vary from type and severity and can overall weaken or …

Expressive And Interpretable User Engagement Prediction Using Multivariate Survival Processes, Akshay Aravamudan

Theses and Dissertations

The ability to characterize how information diffuses online is of paramount importance to stakeholders that are interested in tasks such as proposing solutions for mitigating and countering dis/misinformation, predicting user engagement of content in social media, planning marketing campaigns to roll-out products and planning dissemination of political campaign messaging among others. One such facet of learning the dynamics of information diffusion is the ability to predict user engagement or the popularity of a single piece of information as it spreads through an online medium. Existing works in this regard mainly either obfuscate user level information or utilize frameworks that are …

Plansyncc - A Construction Document Translation Software, Easton Richard Abreo, Ashton Lee Gandrup, Javier Solis

Construction Management

PlanSyncc was born from shared construction internship experiences, where the team observed significant language barriers between supervisors and tradesmen, leading to miscommunication, inefficiencies, and safety risk. Motivated by this problem, PlanSyncc developed an AI-powered translation software to bridge the gap by translating construction documents in real-time. To bring PlanSyncc to life, the team divided the project into three key deliverables: a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a business plan, and a pitch deck. The MVP involved creating two Python-based translation codes, one for specifications and another for complex construction plans using tools like PyMuPDF, Tesseract, mtranslate, and others. The business plan …

Prefabricated Timber Living: A Modular Sustainable Solution, Hannah Giang, Justin Huang

Architectural Engineering

This senior project is part of the Gateway Decathlon, a two-year, multidisciplinary design-build competition focused on innovative, sustainable housing solutions. Our team designed and constructed a one-story dwelling using cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels to promote low-carbon, industrialized building practices. The structure features a modular layout with sloped roofs and exposed timber interiors, combining environmental responsibility with architectural flexibility. Emphasizing prefabrication and off-site construction, the design supports efficient assembly and disassembly, reduced material waste, and minimal environmental impact. The result is a scalable, adaptable housing prototype aligned with the competition’s goals of creativity, sustainability, and innovation in residential construction.

Impact Of Lost Synchronous Generation On The Rate Of Change Of Frequency In Electrical Power Systems, Damien Doheny

Doctoral

Renewable energy targets have resulted in high penetration of non-synchronous generation and consequently reducing power system inertia, and this could lead to power system frequency instability following a disturbance, such as the loss of generation. A concern to power system operators is the rate of change of frequency (ROCOF) following the loss of generation. Fast ROCOF presents many challenges for power systems but the primary concern is that fast ROCOF reduces the time-frame that primary frequency control has to arrest a frequency decline following the loss of generation. Therefore, power system operators need to develop strategies to operate power systems …