Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Sustainable Paving Block Development: Utilizing Rejected Coal As Filler And Assessing Its Impact On Paving Block’S Properties, Siti Nikmatin, Allen Kurniawan, Heriansyah Putra, Rima Fitria Adiati, Riawan Ma’Ruf, Dwi Arso Yedi Irwanto

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This study investigated the potential use of rejected coal as a fine aggregate filler in paving block production. Comprehensive characterization of the rejected coal was conducted, including toxicity, physical, chemical, and mineralogical analyses of the coal. The results showed that the rejected coal met environmental safety standards (TCLP) and had suitable properties as an aggregate. Paving blocks were produced by incorporating different proportions of rejected coal fillers and were tested for compressive strength, water absorption, and density. The optimal mix with 35% rejected coal filler as a replacement of stone ash achieved a compressive strength of 14.61 MPa, water absorption …

Numerical Comparative Study Of The Thermal Performance And Load-Bearing Capacity Of Hollow Clay Bricks Used In Construction In Libya, Osama Lawej, Mahmoud Ahmed, Ismael Ehtiwesh

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The optimization of structural and thermal performance in building components is a key challenge in sustainable construction, particularly in hot climate regions like Libya. Hollow clay bricks are widely used due to their local availability and affordability; however, their internal geometry is often not optimized for thermal resistance or mechanical integrity. This study addresses this gap by numerically investigating the effect of cavity geometry on the load-bearing capacity and thermal insulation performance of hollow clay bricks. Three configurations were analyzed, including two commercial designs from the Libyan market and a newly proposed arched cavity design. Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations …

Developing A Modular Circular Wall Over-Clad System For Facade Thermal Upgrade In Deep Energy Retrofit, Patrick Daly

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The EU has implemented several policy and legislative initiatives aimed at decarbonisation and circularity transition of the Built Environment including a strategy for large scale renovation of the building / housing stock. Modularised construction solutions are argued to be a potential acceleration pathway toward this objective. Yet there remains issues and challenges in implementing such strategies in a complex and heterogeneous stock and sector. This research investigates this decarbonisation pathway, examining the feasibility and potential of applying a modularised construction over-clad system, based on advanced circularity, in the deep energy retrofit of social housing. The research is based on a …

Effect Of Gelam Wood And Rice Husk Composition With Molding Pressure On The Combustion Performance Of Biopellets, Rachmat Subagyo, Rudi Siswanto, Ma’Ruf Ma’Ruf, Mastiadi Tamjidillah, Abdul Ghofur, Femiana Gapsari, M. Zainul Rusdi, Azie Aprianto, Wardoyo Wardoyo, Naila Salsabila

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

This study investigates the effects of gelam wood (Melaleuca leucadendron) and rice husk composition in biopellet production, focusing on compaction pressures of 60, 80, and 100 kg/cm². Five biomass ratios (G100–RH0, G80–RH20, G60–RH40, G50–RH50, G0–RH100) were tested for moisture, ash, fixed carbon, volatile matter, calorific value, ignition time, burning rate, and combustion temperature. Results showed that moisture content ranged from 0.98% (G0–RH100, 60 kg/cm²) to 12.28% (G100–RH0, 80 kg/cm²), while ash content varied between 2.47% (G100–RH0, 60 kg/cm²) and 20.93% (G0–RH100, 80 kg/cm²). The highest calorific value reached 3968 cal/g (G100–RH0, 60–80 kg/cm²), though below the SNI 8675:2018 minimum of …

Ferric Metal-Organic Frameworks (Mofs)-Based Electrospinning Fibers For Supercapacitors, Samar A. Salim, Hani Nasser Abdelhamid

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Ferric-based metal-organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) were synthesized and incorporated into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) using electrospinning to produce PMMA_Fe-MOF nanofibers. The materials were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrospun materials were directly integrated into nickel foam (NF) electrodes for energy storage applications, e.g., supercapacitors. The electrochemical performance was assessed using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge curves (GCDC), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR). The PMMA_Fe-MOF electrodes exhibited outstanding capacitive performance, achieving specific capacitances of up to 1017.5 F/g at 1 A/g for the 2.5 % Fe-MOF …

Effect Of Graphene Nanoplatelets Fraction On The Microstructure And Mechanical Properties Of Inconel 718 Composites Prepared By Spark Plasma Sintering, Sanoj Karki, Manoj Mugale, Satyavan Digole, Amit Choudhari, Mayank Garg, Caleb Schenck, Fu-Yun Tsai, Bharat Gwalani, Tushar Borkar

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Nickel-based superalloy, particularly Inconel 718, is a promising candidate in advanced structural and high-temperature applications, including turbine blades, combustors, and turbochargers. However, high-efficiency energy systems such as jet engines and land-based gas turbines demand increasingly high strength for advanced structural applications. Therefore, significant efforts are underway to enhance the strength of these materials. Reinforcement of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP), owing to its exceptional mechanical strength, lightweight, high aspect ratio, and high level of coherency with metal matrix, has been proposed as an effective way of incorporating high strength into the existing Inconel 718. In addition, the spark plasma-assisted heating process is …

3d-Printable Hydrogel With Rapid Ambient Self-Healing, Anna M. Petre

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Inspired by nature, soft robots composed of compliant (“soft”) materials are well-suited for uncertain, dynamic tasks requiring safe interaction between a robot and its environment. Soft robots with the ability mend minor damage (e.g. perforations, tears) have been enabled by the rapid development of self-healing soft materials. Recently, one of these hydrogel materials (internally dubbed “BeckOHflex”) – made entirely from commercially available precursors – was developed with several appealing characteristics including rapid ambient self-healing, 3D printability on commercial machines, and competitive mechanical properties. However, the self-healing performance of BeckOHflex falls short of competitors that leverage custom-synthesized precursors. This project aims …

Recent Progress And Scientific Challenges In Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing Of Metallic Multi-Material Structures, Sainand M. Jadhav, Sambhaji Kusekar, Akash Belure, Satyavan Digole, Abhijeet Mali, Muralimohan Cheepu, Manoj Mugale, Suhas Alkunte, Duckbong Kim

Faculty Articles

Metallic multi-material structures are heterogeneous structures characterized by changing composition, microstructures, and site-specific characteristics, advantageous for numerous applications where multifunctionality is desired. Metallic multi-material structures are known as bimetallic structures (BSs), which are functionally graded materials (FGMs). In recent years, wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) advanced as a promising additive manufacturing process to realize the fabrication of these structures due to its high deposition rate, cost-effectiveness, and material utilization efficiency. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the recent progress, processing strategies, and scientific challenges in WAAM of multi-material structures. The paper begins with an introduction to multi-material structures, followed by …

Ceramic Waste As Sustainable Material In Self-Compacting Concrete: Experimental Study And Ann Predictive Modeling, Abderrezak Bouziane, Houssam Slimanou, Mohamed Amin Bouzidi, Nedjima Bouzidi

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Recycling of ceramic waste in the construction sector is a promising option for reducing the environmental impacts of the concrete industry. The main objective of this study is the elaboration of a solid predictive model for ceramic waste based self-compacting (SCC) concrete properties, using artificial neural networks (ANN). This further, reduces its environmental impact without compromising satisfactory performance. An experimental approach was adopted with different substitution ratios: 0 to 30 wt% and particle sizes ranging from 3-8 mm and 8-15 mm. Tested properties of modified SCC as compressive strength at 7 and 28 days (fc7, fc28), spread (L), sieve stability …

Comparative Study On The Performance Of Ggbs, Uggbs, And Rha-Incorporated Cement Mortar Mixes, Devansh Goel, Sudarshan D. Kore

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The environmental footprint of cement production has accelerated the pursuit of sustainable alternatives in the construction industry. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), particularly those derived from industrial and agricultural waste, offer a promising approach to reducing cement consumption while maintaining performance. This study evaluates the fresh and mechanical behavior of binary, ternary, and quaternary cementitious mortar blends incorporating ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), ultrafine GGBS (UGGBS), and rice husk ash (RHA) as partial replacements for cement. A total of 32 mortar mixes were designed with water-to-binder (w/b) ratios ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 and varied replacement levels of RHA (0-20%), GGBS …

Design Of A 10-Ton Capacity Solar-Powered Cold Storage At The Cituis Fish Auction Site, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, Wardi Wardi, Muhammad Arif Budiyanto

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

This study presents the design of a 10-ton capacity solar-powered cold storage system for the Cituis Fish Auction Site (TPI) in Tangerang, Indonesia, as a sustainable solution to support the coastal fisheries sector. The system comprises two temperature zones: an anteroom at 5°C and a freezer room at -30°C, both integrated with a hybrid system utilizing solar panels and batteries. The total power consumption of the cooling system reaches 27.51 kW. The simulation results, obtained using HOMER Pro software, indicate that the hybrid PV system can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 16,754 kg per year. From an economic …

Correlation Between Microstructure And Hardfacing Properties With Welding Current Intensity In Reconditioned Low-Alloy Steel Material Using Submerged Arc Welding (Saw) : A Comprehensive Review, Iman Nugraha Asmara, Winarto Winarto

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

This review studying the correlation between microstructural transformations and mechanical properties in reconditioned low-allow steel material, focusing on the impact of Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) parameters, especially current, on microstructure . The study highlights how variation on welding parameters, especially current intensity variation, affecting microstructural transformations, hardness, and wear resistance of hardfaced layers. Key aspects such as dilution effect, phases distribution, and carbide formation are reviewed to understanding their impact on mechanical properties. By reviewing insights from existing literature and experimental findings, this review underscores the role of Submerged Arc Welding in enhancing mechanical properties and microstructural of low-alloy steel …

Techno-Enviro-Economic Approach For Electrification Of Rural And Shrimp Farming Regional Development Of An Isolated Island In Indonesia By Utilizing Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems, Fiqih Akbar Wijaya, Mohammad Akita Indianto

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

One of the challenges in developing and archipelagic countries such as Indonesia is maintaining energy demand in rural and isolated areas due to difficulties in electrical distribution. For instance, in areas like Bawean Island, no additional electricity capacity has been introduced in the past year, leading to an unmet potential customer demand. One of the possible options is by utilizing Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) that are integrated with existing fossil fuel-based energy systems to support the growing energy demand in the remote island. A case study in Bawean Island is conducted with the projected energy demand covers the energy …

Remaining Life Assessment And Fitness For Service Evaluation Of Aging Chemical Reactors In Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin Industry, Aditya Pahlawan Munthe, Donanta Dhaneswara, Wahyuaji Narottama Putra, Gama Widyaputra

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Aging chemical reactors in the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin industry require comprehensive evaluation to ensure safe continued operation. This study conducts a remaining life assessment (RLA) and fitness-for-service (FFS) evaluation on five 30-year-old reactors, based on API 510, API 579/ASME FFS-1, and ASME BPVC Section VIII Div. 1 standards. The analysis involves corrosion rate measurement, future corrosion allowance (FCA) projection, and minimum thickness verification. Among the reactors, R-120 was found to have the shortest remaining life less than 15 years. FFS assessments using three criteria Average Measured Thickness, MAWP from Point Thickness Readings, and Minimum Measured Thickness confirm that R-120 …

A Study Of Wear Measurement And Life Prediction Of Insert Chute Liner On Gold Ore Processing, Ferry Ardika Natanael, Nony Maulidya, Dedi Priadi

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Chutes are critical materials handling assets to transport solid particles from one process step to another in mineral processing, coal mining and cement industries. The material transport, because of material characteristics, cause severe wear on internal lining of chutes or bins’ structure. The wear problem on internal lining of bins or chutes needs to be checked to keep production efficiency. Therefore, not checked wear rate causes liner replacement schedule becomes unpredictable. It leads to production loss and highly cost maintenance in industry. This study shows that condition-based maintenance through regular thickness measurement using Ultrasonic Transducer (UT) to predict life service …

Analysis Of Leak Testing Planning For Carbon Dioxide Piping Systems In The Development Of Carbon Capture, Utilization, And Storage Facilities In The Bintuni Basin, Devi Sentiani, Akhmad Herman Yuwono Professor

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies have become a key strategic response to global efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions. This study presents a leak testing strategy designed for a carbon dioxide (CO₂) piping system as part of a Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) project in the Bintuni Basin, West Papua, Indonesia. This study aims to ensure the system is properly prepared before commissioning by designing a leak test plan that is both practical and technical, based on ASME B31.3, ASME PCC-2, and API STD 520 Part 1. We conducted the process, which involves identifying the system boundaries, …

Functional Biopolymers Applied To Sustainable Technologies In The Environment And Healthcare, Fengjie He

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Biodegradable polymeric materials (biopolymers) are naturally derived materials known for their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, sustainability, and versatile chemical functionality. They have attracted increasing attention in various applications as alternative to synthetic materials ranging from food packaging to tissue engineering. Meanwhile, with intrinsic advantages, biopolymers have also emerged as promising materials in addressing contemporary challenges in both biomedical and environmental fields. Motivated by the significant potential of biopolymers and the growing need for sustainable materials, my research focuses on the design and engineering of biodegradable polymers with novel modification methods and application directions. In this work, two representative biopolymers are selected: …

Bio-Inspired Electroactive Polymer (Eap) Sensors For Surface And Canal Flow Sensing In Dynamic Environments, Nazanin Minaian

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Nature can often create some of the most efficient and elegant solutions to complex problems, and engineering stands to benefit greatly from these time-tested designs. One of the more sophisticated examples of this is the lateral line system in fish: a distributed network of superficial and canal neuromasts that enables aquatic species to detect fluid disturbances with remarkable precision. This dissertation leverages that biological framework to explore the potential of electroactive polymers (EAPs), aiming not just to replicate structure, but to emulate function.Two classes of EAPs form the basis of this work: electroactive plasticized polymer gels (EPPGs) and ionic polymer-metal …

Wear Of High Entropy Alloys: Understanding Effects Of Cryogenic Temperatures And Surface Nitriding On Wear Behavior, Aubrey Yu Tang

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Cryogenic tribological applications have become increasingly important with the development and innovation of advanced equipment in aerospace, polar regions, superconductivity, and more. Traditional lubrication methods are not viable under these harsh environments, so metallic materials must be able to maintain excellent mechanical properties and withstand the constant impact and wear alone. High entropy alloys (HEAs) have emerged as potential candidates for these applications because of their wide variety of excellent room temperature properties and apparent improvement of mechanical properties of some HEAs at extremely low temperatures. Despite their promising nature, very limited work has been done on understanding the wear …

Impact Of Humidity From Shrink (Wrap) Tunnels On Refrigeration Systems: Comparing Economic And Environmental Impact Of Natural Gas And Electric, Segun Samuel Oladipo

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis examines the economic and environmental effects of electric and steam shrink-wrapping tunnels used in beef packaging processes, paying particular attention to the indirect refrigeration loads caused by the heat and humidity that each system releases. Traditional sustainability evaluations frequently ignore these indirect impacts, which are especially important in meat processing facilities where 45–55% of electricity use is attributed to refrigeration. Life cycle assessment (LCA), field measurements, and thermodynamic modeling are all used in this work to offer a thorough analysis of both tunnel types.

The case study facility in Nebraska operates both steam and electric shrink tunnels to …

Hardware And Software Design For A Portable Surgical Training Simulator, Victoria Nelson

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

More than 51 million surgeries are performed on patients annually in the United States. That number grows to 310 million surgeries performed globally each year. Most surgeons go through a minimum of five years of residency – where they train and hone their surgical skills. It is important during this time, and throughout their careers, that they get plenty of practice. Surgical training is time intensive, expensive, and frequently under-resourced. There are finite amounts of surgical training modules for students to share at their facilities. The problem of getting adequate surgical training time continues to exist after surgeons begin their …

Advancing Multi-Physics Modeling For Microwave Heating: Application In Micro-Reactor Design And Optimization, Raghav Adhikari

All Theses

Microreactors are a type of small-scale chemical reactors for achieving reduced volume, improved product selectivity and higher reaction rate. It allows precise temperature control, which is crucial for sensitive chemical processes. Microreactors can be employed as key components of conducting small-scale reactions with improved reactor configuration and process efficiency. It is important to identify a localized and precise heating mechanism to trigger and control the corresponding chemical reactions.

In fact, microwave heating has gathered significant attention in recent years due to its ability to deliver efficient, rapid, and localized heating, which can accelerate reaction rates and enhances the reaction selectivity. …

Towards Improving Computational Modeling Of The Lumbar Spine - Impact Of Material Properties And Laminotomy On Spinal Biomechanics, Isaac K. Kumi

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Spinal ligaments play a crucial role in maintaining the mechanical stability of the lumbar spine. These dense, collagenous tissues not only resist excessive motion but also distribute loads between spinal components to protect neural structures. Traditionally, the mechanical response of ligaments has been modeled using linear elastic assumptions, which treat the tissue as having a constant stiffness regardless of loading history. While this simplifies analysis, it fails to capture the time-dependent behaviors, such as creep, stress relaxation, and hysteresis, that are characteristic of biological tissues.

Viscoelastic modeling may provide a more physiologically accurate representation by incorporating both elastic and viscous …

Material Extrusion 3d Printing Of Metal Alloy: Material, Methods And Application., Sihan Zhang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Material extrusion (MEX) additive manufacturing presents a promising pathway for producing metal components with complex geometries while avoiding the safety hazards associated with loose powder handling in conventional metal additive manufacturing processes. This dissertation investigates the development and optimization of MEX processes for aluminum alloys, addressing critical challenges in feedstock formulation, printing parameter optimization, and post-processing strategies. Three distinct approaches were explored to advance the capabilities of aluminum MEX: filament-based processing of 6061 aluminum, paste-based extrusion of 6061 aluminum, and development of a novel aluminum-magnesium-tin alloy system for space manufacturing applications. The filament-based approach successfully demonstrated the production of 6061 …

Shape Memory Behavior In Medium To High Entropy Shape Memory Alloys: Design, Prediction, And Experimental Analysis, Hatim Raji

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation provides a data-driven system integrating synthetic data generation and machine learning (ML) techniques to create multicomponent SMA compositions with specific transformation temperatures (TTs). Models were trained to represent the nonlinear dependencies influencing martensitic transformation behavior by using elemental, thermodynamic, and process-related aspects. The capacity of the ML models on medium entropy NiTiHfPd and high entropy NiTiHfZrCu systems accuracy was confirmed by experimental validation showing TTs closely matched with model outputs.

Development Of Power Management On Unmanned Surface Vehicles To Measure Battery Voltage And Power, Diana Alia, Henna Nurdiansari, Akhmad Kasan Gupron, Amelia Greacy Talenta Siregar

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

This research focuses on designing an electrical system for unmanned surface vehicles (USV) to ensure optimal performance during survey operations. This USV ship is a catamaran-type ship with a Sonar Deeper depth sensor to know the depth of the water and is equipped with long range (LoRa) as a data transmitter. The USV electrical system design incorporates the use of a 4050 mAh 11.1 V LiPo battery and an iMAX B6AC charger, with evaluations covering battery charging, power consumption, and voltage stability. The trials showed that the battery supported the operation of the USV for approximately 47.8 minutes at a …

Dynamic Analysis And Fatigue Life Evaluation Of Single Herringbone Planetary Gear System With Crack Fault, Dongping Sheng, Jie Yang, Chun Su

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The herringbone planetary gear transmission is widely used due to its exquisite compact structure, excellent load-bearing capacity, and stable transmission characteristics. However, root crack is one of the most common failure modes of gears. A cracked herringbone planetary gear system is taken as research object. The sun gear with crack fault is studied from the aspect of modal and transient dynamic analysis, and the related results are compared with the healthy gear. Based on the transient dynamic analysis of the herringbone teeth with cracks, a fatigue life evaluation is conducted. Firstly, the results show that no significant difference between the …

Investigation Of The Influence Of Warhead Shape And Type Of Missile Weapon Material Counter-Training Tank Weapons Simulation Approach, Transisma Budiarta, Haris Puspito Buwono, Radhi Nurvian Amrullah

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

This study analyzes the effect of warhead shape and material variations on pressure, temperature, and lift on training missiles using CAD-based simulation methods. The variations of warhead shapes tested include flat, flat radius, and tapered, while the materials used are rubber, ABS, and PE. The simulation results show that the tapered warhead shape with PE material produces the lowest pressure (50.3 MPa) due to more efficient pressure release and low friction properties. Conversely, the Flat shape produces the highest pressure (69.1 MPa) on all materials due to flow stagnation. In terms of temperature, the Flat Radius warhead with PE and …

Investigation Of Drag Force And Downforce On Two Racing Motorcycles In Slipstream Conditions, Muhamad Hanifudin, Gaguk Jatisukamto, Mahros Darsin, Muh. Nurkoyim Kustanto, Azmi Saleh, Suprihadi Prasetyono, Catur Suko Sarwono

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The performance of modern racing motorcycles is greatly influenced by their aerodynamics. Slipstreaming occurs during a race when a rider closely follows another, especially on a straight track. The effect can reduce aerodynamic drag and increase the overall speed of the rider behind. This study investigates the aerodynamic effects of slipstreaming on a racing motorcycle using computational fluid dynamics. This study also considers its effect on both drag force and downforce, which affects motorcycle stability. A 3D CAD model of a racing motorcycle and a rider in a crouching position was used as the object of research. CFD simulations were …

Characterization Of Curcumin As A Coating Material For Polymer-Free Stents Interms Of Morphology And Release, Ameliyana R.S.P.A. Yani, Muhammad Kusumawan Herliansyah

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The use of bare metal stents over the long term often leads to the re-narrowing of blood vessels, prompting a shift to drug-eluting stents (DES). However, the use of polymers in DES has been known to trigger inflammation and thrombosis in the arteries. As an alternative, polymer-free drug-eluting stents (PF-DES) have emerged as a safer option. In this study, curcumin was selected as the primary coating material for PFDES using the electrophoretic deposition method. The effects of varying curcumin concentrations (125 µg/ml, 250 µg/ml, and 500 µg/ml) were examined to understand their impact on deposition morphology, coating weight, chemical bonding …