Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Mae Enewsbrief January-March 2026, Department Of Mechanical And Aerospace Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Comparative Analysis Of Leaflet Materials, Stent Materials, And Stent Cell Density For Bileaflet Transcatheter Mitral Valve Design, Joseph Chibuike Nwokeafor, Joshua D. Hofmeister, Breandan B. Yeats, Lakshmi Prasad Dasi, Charanjit S. Rihal, Juan A. Crestanello, Leigh Griffiths, Mohamad A. Alkhouli, Hoda Hatoum

Michigan Tech Publications

Background: The biomechanical performance of bileaflet transcatheter mitral valves (TMVs) depends on complex interactions between leaflet material behavior and stent design. However, the contributions of leaflet materials and constitutive models, stent materials, and stent geometry to valve function and durability remain poorly understood. Methods: A parametric finite element study was conducted using a CAD model of a bileaflet TMV subjected to physiological pressure loading. Five leaflet material models were evaluated: 3 glutaraldehyde-fixed tissues—bovine pericardium (BP; FBP1, FBP2) and porcine pericardium (PP; FPP)—and 2 unfixed tissues—bovine (UBP) and porcine pericardium (UPP). BP was modeled as a linear elastic (FBP1) and Ogden …

Entropy-Constrained Closure For Steady, Quasi-One-Dimensional Flow Of Ideal Gases, Andrew A. Oliva

Michigan Tech Publications

An entropy-constrained closure is developed for steady quasi-one-dimensional flow of a calorically perfect ideal gas. Net irreversibility is represented by a prescribed entropy change between the inlet and outlet or, equivalently, by a stagnation pressure ratio together with the stagnation temperature ratio implied by the energy balance equation. The thermodynamic constraint, enforced through Gibbs relation together with conservation of mass and energy, yields an algebraic mapping from the inlet flow state, area ratio and prescribed stagnation property ratios to the outlet flow state. The momentum balance is retained only as an auxiliary post-processing relation and may be used to infer …

Automatic Determination Of Mechanical Properties From Molecular Dynamic Stress-Strain Curves Using Regression Fringe Response, Josh Kemppainen, Tristan Muzzy, Travis Wavrunek, Gregory Odegard

Michigan Tech Publications

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have become a powerful tool for studying polymers, designing new materials, and composites. Mechanical behavior in MD simulations are typically evaluated through stress-strain curves. However, MD-generated stress-strain curves are often obscured by thermal noise from atomic vibrations. This noise complicates the reliable derivation of mechanical properties and hinders objective and reproducible analysis. The noise in the stress-strain curves has been removed by using a Butterworth low-pass filter, enabling clearer interpretation of stress-strain data. Building on this, a novel analysis framework the Regression Fringe Response (RFR) is introduced to systematically determine the Young's modulus, yield strength, and …

Three Degree Of Freedom Wave Energy Converter Design For Resonant Motion, Greg Ballen, David G. Wilson, Rush Robinett, Shangyan Zou, Wayne Weaver

Michigan Tech Publications

As multiple-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) wave energy converters (WECs) have demonstrated the ability to produce more power than single-degree-of-freedom devices, the challenge of designing buoys for efficient energy harvesting has increased in complexity. In this paper, a cylindrical WEC is designed to naturally resonate in surge, pitch, and heave modes at a specific target frequency of 0.2 Hz. By utilizing a penalty-based optimization method to balance buoyancy requirements with natural resonance, the design achieves minimal control force input, thereby reducing fluctuations in energy output and local energy storage requirements. The performance is evaluated under irregular sea states using a Bretschneider spectrum. Results …

Biomass Demineralization: A Critical Need For Future Biorefineries, Leoncio Santiago-Martínez, Styliani Avraamidou, Alejandro Ayala-Cortés, Ruth Azike, Santanu Bakshi, Chumki Banik, Ezra Bar Ziv, Fei Long, Rebecca Ong, Et Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

Biomass contains up to 14 essential elements that serve as nutrients for plant growth and development, including photosynthesis and enzyme functionalities. These elements in different chemical forms (e.g., minerals) constitute the inorganic fraction of biomass and can cause operational issues in thermal and biochemical biomass conversion technologies. In biomass gasification and pyrolysis processes, for instance, inorganics can cause fouling, tar formation, and corrosion. In catalytic and biochemical processes, inorganics can poison catalysts, alter biochemical pathways, and modify product yields and selectivity. This review provides an overview of the inorganic content in biomass feedstocks, the critical role inorganics play in plant …

Task-Based Analysis Of Augmented Reality In Collaborative Robotic Programming For Manufacturing Assembly, Medhavi Kamran, Snehesh Shrestha, Vinh Nguyen

Michigan Tech Publications

Augmented Reality (AR) is often promoted as a solution to the cognitive and physical demands of traditional Teach Pendant (TP) programming for collaborative robots. Although prior work has suggested advantages of the AR interface, many evaluations have been limited in scope and may not fully represent the complexities of real-world manufacturing tasks. This study compares the performance of an AR interface to that of a standard TP interface for manufacturing assembly tasks of varying difficulty. In a between-groups study, one group of operators completed standardized assembly tasks using the TP interface, while a separate group used the AR interface instead. …

An Ambient Acoustic Ice-Fracturing Dataset Taken In Shallow Freshwater, John Case, Andrew Barnard, Daniel Brown

Michigan Tech Publications

This paper describes an acoustic dataset collected on a frozen shallow freshwater lake between February and March of 2024. This collection took place over one full week on Portage Lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA. The first sub-dataset consists of ambient ice and environmental noises collected by an array of hydrophones, microphones and geophones placed below, above and on the ice respectively. The second sub-dataset consists of instrumented force hammer impacts at a series of locations on the the ice with the corresponding response at each acoustic sensor. All acoustic data were recorded at a sample rate f …

Decentralized Q-Learning Supervisory Control For Coordinated Multi-Loop Tuning In Pump Stations, David Brattley, Wayne Weaver

Michigan Tech Publications

This paper introduces a reinforced learning-based supervisory control architecture that oversees multiple Recursive Least Squares (RLS) based self-tuning pump controllers and determines when each loop is permitted to adapt its gains. The supervisor learns adaptation policies that minimize interaction between loops while preserving responsiveness to changing hydraulic conditions. A two-loop pump station simulation is used to evaluate performance under product changes and transient flow disturbances. The results show that the supervisory layer reduces the number of simultaneous adaptation events by over 70%, leading to a 32% lower pressure-tracking error and 45% fewer gain-induced oscillations compared to conventional independent adaptive control. …

Investigation Of Material Properties Of Thermoplastic And Thermoset Polymer Materials At Cryogenic Temperatures Using Molecular Dynamics, Swapnil S. Bamane, Sagar Patil, Khatereh Kashmari, Benjamin D. Jensen, Brett A. Bednarcyk, Evan J. Pineda, Jeffery Hinkley, Ozgur Keles, Jin Ho Kang, Gregory Odegard

Michigan Tech Publications

Cryogenic fluids, such as liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, are critical for space operations as rocket fuel and life support. The fluids need to be contained in tanks that can withstand the effects of cyclic thermal and pressure loading throughout their lifecycle. Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) are prime candidates for these tanks because of their low mass, which is important for fuel savings. Although advanced PMC systems have been developed for a wide range of engineering applications, insight is still needed to identify optimal polymer matrix materials for cryogenic structural applications. The objective of this study is to use molecular …

Informing Consumer Product Sound Quality Analysis Using Generative Adversarial Networks, Daniel Jeffery Lesko, Vinh Nguyen

Michigan Tech Publications

Sound quality attributes have been proven important predictors of customer satisfaction with consumer goods and appliances. The results of several studies indicate that level-based, tonal, and temporal aspects of sound influence the perceived quality of consumer products. The current state-of-the-art of inferring consumer satisfaction with sound attributes is based on the jury test methodology. However, product engineers often find the models generated from these studies incomplete, resulting in products that fail to meet consumer expectations. Therefore, this study aims to utilize generative data-driven approaches to create a range of acceptable sound quality attributes given consumer satisfaction requirements. A baseline sound …

A Pathfinder Lunar Construction Mission Concept Using Regolith Filled Bags, Cameron S. Dickinson, Fu Nan Shi, Ketan Vasudeva, Rudranarayan M. Mukherjee, Joshua Blanchard, Steve Dubrule, Paul Van Susante, Et Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

Two challenges that have a permanent presence on the Moon are solar and cosmic radiation, as well as the large surface temperature variation between lunar day and night. To address these problems, we propose a lunar pathfinder mission concept that uses robotic systems to investigate whether regolith-filled bags can be used as a versatile construction medium for lunar surface structures and sensors to obtain data on the lunar regolith. The primary objectives of this mission are as follows: evaluation of the surface and subsurface regolith as fill material, lunar excavation using a robotic manipulator equipped with a bucket scoop, bag …

Mae Enewsbrief Oct-Dec 2025, Department Of Mechanical And Aerospace Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Bulk Absorber Acoustic Characterization Via The Two-Cavity Impedance Tube Methoda), Anthony Ciletti, Janith Godakawela, Martha Brown, Bhisham Sharma

Michigan Tech Publications

The primary goal of this study is to investigate and refine the two-cavity impedance tube method for acoustic characterization of bulk porous materials, specifically addressing previously unexplained inaccuracies in the prediction of surface impedance and absorption coefficients. Unlike the conventional two-thickness approach, the two-cavity method requires only one sample thickness and involves conducting measurements at various air cavity depths behind the sample. The initial analyses revealed previously unidentified numerical instabilities, resulting in anomalous predictions of sound absorption at specific frequencies. Through systematic investigation and use of calculated data, the numerical origins of these anomalies are uncovered and a practical solution, …

Improved Performance Of Wave Energy Converters And Arrays For Wave-To-Onshore Power Grid Integration, Madelyn Veurink, David Wilson, Rush Robinett, Wayne Weaver

Michigan Tech Publications

This paper focuses on power grid integration of wave energy converter (WEC) arrays that minimize added energy storage for maximizing power capture as well as smoothing the oscillatory power inputs into the grid. In particular, a linear right circular cylinder WEC array that implements complex conjugate control is compared and contrasted to a nonlinear WEC array that implements an hourglass buoy shape while both are integrated into the grid utilizing phase control (i.e., relative spacing of the WEC array) on the input powers to the grid. The Hamiltonians of the two WEC systems are derived, enabling a direct comparison of …

Detecting And Repairing Conflicting Constraints In Co-Trained Physics-Informed Neural Networks For Composite Curing Processes, Cooper J. Evans

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Composite materials have become a critical component of modern manufacturing, especially in the automotive and aerospace industries. The curing process for these composites has been modeled using a variety of partial differential equations representing the heat transfer and composite curing kinetics. Optimizing the applied temperature profile is critical for maximizing the efficiency and capacity of composite part manufacturers. Constraints must be placed on the inputs and outputs of the model, including but not limited to, the applied temperature profile, part temperature, and final degree of cure. Conflicting sets of constraints are easy to unknowingly impose due to the highly coupled …

Torque-Based Detection And Isolation Of Bucket-Specific Load Variations In A Continuous Bucket Ladder Excavator, Mason R. Krause

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Understanding how cutter geometry, material, and operating conditions influence excavation performance is critical for the design of lunar surface systems operating in regolith environments. This work presents a torque-based methodology for detecting and quantifying bucket-specific load variations in a continuous bucket ladder excavator. A nine-bucket excavator was constructed to record drivetrain torque while operating in a regolith simulant over multi-day test periods. Each bucket featured a unique combination of cutting edge material and geometry. A method was developed to separate the continuous torque data into individual excavation events, enabling identification of individual bucket interactions. Analysis of the resulting event-based dataset …

Performance Comparison Of A Low Mass Vibratory Lunar Surface Compactor In Vacuum Versus Atmosphere, Robin D. Austerberry

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

As space agencies prepare to return to the moon, an emphasis is being placed on establishing a sustained human presence that requires permanent structures and supporting infrastructure, making site preparation a critical factor. Michigan Technological University’s Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab has developed a novel low-mass surface compaction tool for use on a site preparation vehicle in collaboration with Colorado School of Mines. Testing in vacuum is necessary to simulate a relevant environment, which is required to increase the technology readiness level of this tool to TRL 5. Testing concluded significant interactions between the presence of atmosphere and other factors. …

System-Level Assessment Of Non-Ideal Phase Change Material Behavior In Low Earth Orbit Spacecraft Thermal Control Models, Nathan S. Bruursema

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Phase change materials (PCMs) are of interest in spacecraft thermal control because their latent heat capacity can provide passive thermal buffering during transient or cyclic heat loads. PCM behavior is often treated using idealized assumptions such as repeatable phase transition temperatures, consistent thermal accessibility across cycles, and full latent recovery. However, practical PCM behavior may be affected by non-ideal phenomena such as supercooling, interfacial resistance, and degradation of internal transport accessibility. This thesis examines the system-level relevance of these effects for low Earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft thermal control and identifies the operating conditions under which non-ideal PCM behavior becomes design-relevant. …

On The Vibrational Dynamics Of Wind Turbine Blades: The Oscillatory Response To Gust Pulses, And The Physical Mechanisms Behind Them, North A. Yates

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

An easily noticed trend in the utility-scale wind turbine industry is that the size of the machines has continued to increase over time. While this may have benefits in terms of increasing the power generation for a single turbine, a major drawback is the rate with which the weight of the turbine blades grow. To ensure these larger machines can be utilized, efforts are being put forth to create lighter blades. This may fix the weight issue, but brings on a new one; these lighter blades can also be more flexible than previously studied ones. It is, therefore, vitally important …

Numerical And Experimental Evaluation Of A Simple, Low-Energy Lunar Volatile Separation Technology, Eleanor L. Zimmermann

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) is the practice of finding, extracting, and using the local resources found on extraterrestrial bodies, such as the Moon and Mars. ISRU enables in-situ production of mission consumables—such as rocket fuel and potable water—which will be critical for establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon, a goal NASA intends to accomplish by 2028 with the Artemis missions. The separation and liquefaction of locally extracted volatiles—such as water, CO₂, and Methane—is an essential component in lunar surface sustainability, but there are very few technologies being developed for this purpose. This report introduces the Radiative …

Modeling And Testing Chain Trencher Excavator And Cone Penetrometer Robotic Prospecting Systems For Lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization, Marcello C. Guadagno

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The Artemis Missions aim to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon, requiring In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) of water-ice deposits in permanently shadowed regions. Two critical capabilities must be developed to enable ISRU at scale: prospecting instruments that can characterize the spatial distribution and geotechnical properties of icy regolith in situ, and excavation systems that can extract hardened icy regolith efficiently. This dissertation addresses both needs through the development and testing of a Percussive Heated Cone Penetrometer (PHCP) for geotechnical prospecting and a chain trencher excavator for icy regolith mining.

The PHCP was developed across eight design iterations and …

Structure Of Jupiter's High-Latitude Storms: Folded Filamentary Regions Revealed By Juno, L. N. Fletcher, Z. Zhang, S. Brown, F. A. Oyafuso, J. H. Rogers, M. H. Wong, S. Brueshaber, Et. Al

Michigan Tech Publications

Sprawling, turbulent cloud formations dominate the meteorology of Jupiter's mid‐to‐high latitudes, known as Folded Filamentary Regions (FFRs). A multi‐wavelength characterization by Juno reveals the spatial distribution, vertical structure, and energetics of the FFRs. The cloud tops display multiple lobes of stratiform aerosols, separated by darker, cloud‐free lanes, and embedded with smaller eddies and high‐altitude cumulus clouds. These cyclonic FFRs are microwave‐bright in shallow‐sounding wavelengths (p < 5 bars) and microwave‐dark in deep‐sounding wavelengths (p > 10 bars), with the transition potentially associated with the water condensation layer (6–7 bars). Associating microwave contrasts with temperature anomalies, this implies despinning of cyclonic eddies above/below their mid‐planes. Despite deep roots (being detectable in …

Control Techniques And Design Of Load-Side Controls For The Mitigation Of Late-Time High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse, Connor A. Lehman, Rush Robinett, Wayne Weaver, David G. Wilson

Michigan Tech Publications

This paper introduces a novel control archetype designed to mitigate high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) (Formula presented.) disturbances on the power grid, as well as information on performance and specifications of different control laws for the controller archetype. This method of protection has been overlooked in the literature until now. A controlled voltage supply is placed on the load-side of a transformer, diverting unwanted power from the transformer core to prevent saturation. The controlled voltage source is modeled using four control laws: an integral controller (capacitor), Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR), an energy storage minimized feedforward control law, and a Hamiltonian feedback …

Mae Enewsbrief July-Sept 2025, Department Of Mechanical And Aerospace Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Electronic Structure Prediction Of Medium And High Entropy Alloys Across Composition Space, Shashank Pathrudkar, Stephanie Taylor, Abhishek Keripale, Abhijeet S. Gangan, Ponkrshnan Thiagarajan, Shivang Agarwal, Jaime Marian, Susanta Ghosh, Amartya S. Banerjee

Michigan Tech Publications

We propose machine learning (ML) models to predict the electron density — the fundamental unknown of a material’s ground state — across the composition space of concentrated alloys. From this, other physical properties can be inferred, enabling accelerated exploration. A significant challenge is that the number of descriptors and sampled compositions required for accurate prediction grows rapidly with species. To address this, we employ Bayesian Active Learning (AL), which minimizes training data requirements by leveraging uncertainty quantification capabilities of Bayesian Neural Networks. Compared to the strategic tessellation of the composition space, Bayesian-AL reduces the number of training data points by …

Adaptive Pi Control Using Recursive Least Squares For Centrifugal Pump Pipeline Systems, David A. Brattley, Wayne Weaver

Michigan Tech Publications

Pipeline transportation of petroleum products remains one of the safest and most efficient methods of bulk energy delivery, yet overpressure events continue to pose serious operational and regulatory challenges. Traditional fixed-gain PI controllers, commonly used with centrifugal pump drives, cannot adapt to varying product densities or transient disturbances such as valve closures that generate water hammer. This paper proposes a self-tuning adaptive controller based on Recursive Least Squares (RLS) parameter estimation to improve safety and efficiency in pipeline pump operations. A nonlinear simulation model of a centrifugal pump driven by an induction motor is developed, incorporating pipeline friction losses via …

Feasibility Study Of Flywheel Mitigation Controls Using Hamiltonian-Based Design For E3 High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse Events, Connor A. Lehman, Rush Robinett, David Wilson, Wayne Weaver

Michigan Tech Publications

This paper explores the feasibility of implementing a flywheel energy storage system designed to generate voltage for the purpose of mitigating current flow through the transformer neutral path to ground, which is induced by a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) event. The active flywheel system presents the advantage of employing custom optimal control laws, in contrast to the conventional approach of utilizing passive blocking capacitors. A Hamiltonian-based optimal control law for energy storage is derived and integrated into models of both the transformer and the flywheel energy storage system. This Hamiltonian-based feedback control law is subsequently compared against an energy-optimal feedforward …

Feasibility Of Helium And Nitrogen As Surrogate Gases For Hydrogen Jet Using Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence In A Constant Volume Chamber, Jungho Justin Kim, Seong Young Lee, Youngmin Ki, Joonsik Hwang, Choongsik Bae

Michigan Tech Publications

This study investigates the feasibility of using helium and nitrogen as surrogate gases for visualizing the non-reactive behavior of hydrogen jets in a constant volume chamber. Hydrogen, helium, and nitrogen were individually mixed with acetone vapor and injected using a hollow-cone injector. The fuel distribution was visualized using Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF), while simultaneous Schlieren imaging was employed to capture overall jet structures. Quantitative comparisons of jet areas extracted from both imaging techniques demonstrated that acetone effectively followed the gas-phase flow of each species, validating its use as a flow tracer. Furthermore, helium and nitrogen exhibited jet dispersion patterns comparable …

Overcoming Variable Illumination In Photovoltaic Snow Monitoring: A Real-Time Robust Drone-Based Deep Learning Approach, Amna Mazen, Ashraf Saleem, Kamyab Yazdipaz, Ana Dyreson

Michigan Tech Publications

Snow accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) panels can cause significant energy losses in cold climates. While drone-based monitoring offers a scalable solution, real-world challenges like varying illumination can hinder accurate snow detection. We previously developed a YOLO-based drone system for snow coverage detection using a Fixed Thresholding segmentation method to discriminate snow from the solar panel; however, it struggled in challenging lighting conditions. This work addresses those limitations by presenting a reliable drone-based system to accurately estimate the Snow Coverage Percentage (SCP) over PV panels. The system combines a lightweight YOLOv11n-seg deep learning model for panel detection with an adaptive image …