Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

On The Gaussian-Core Vortex Lattice Model For The Analysis Of Wind Farm Flow Dynamics, Apurva Baruah

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Wind power science has seen tremendous development and growth over the last 40 years. Advancements in design, manufacturing, installation, and operation of wind turbines have enabled the commercial deployment of wind power generation systems. These have been due, in a large part, to the expertise in the simulation and modeling of individual wind turbines. The new generation of wind energy systems calls for a need to accurately predict and model the entire wind farm, and not just individual turbines. The commercial deployment of these wind farms depends on model's ability to accurately capture the different physics involved, each at its …

Nanomaterials For Cardiovascular Engineering, Roya Bagheri

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Cardiovascular diseases and disorders (i.e., those related to heart and blood vessels) are the main reasons for mortality worldwide. Nanomaterials, with their unique morphologies and properties, have a great potential for advancing cardiovascular engineering to treat diseases and disorders. In this dissertation, several cardiovascular applications of conductive nanomaterials were investigated. First, a conductive nanomaterial was explored to fabricate biohybrid nanomaterial-cardiomyocyte (CM – heart muscle cell) systems. Using Carbon Nanotube (CNT) forest as a 3D porous and conductive scaffold was investigated. The influence of the CNT forest on the viability, attachment, and spreading of CMs and their genetic information was …

Novel Bayesian Neural Networks And Uncertainty Quantification Of Computational Mechanics Models, Ponkrshnan Thiagarajan

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Computational and data-driven models suffer from a wide range of uncertainties that impact the reliability of such models. Given the exponential proliferation of machine learning models in real-world systems, establishing a degree of confidence in their predictions becomes paramount. Reliability in predictions takes on utmost significance in domains such as autonomous driving, medical image analysis, etc., where human lives are involved, and inaccuracies in predictions could lead to disastrous outcomes. For these reasons, comprehending and quantifying uncertainties in computational and data-driven models is of utmost importance. A number of techniques have been developed to quantify uncertainties in machine learning models. …

Molecular Dynamics Modeling Of Polymers For Aerospace Composites, Swapnil Sambhaji Bamane

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Polymer matrix composite materials are widely used as structural materials in aerospace and aeronautical vehicles. Resin/reinforcement wetting and the effect of polymerization on the thermo-mechanical properties of the resin are key parameters in the manufacturing of aerospace composite materials. Determining the contact angle between combinations of liquid resin and reinforcement surfaces is a common method for quantifying wettability. It is challenging to determine contact angle values experimentally of high-performance resins on CNT materials such as CNT, graphene, bundles or yarns, and BNNT surfaces. It is also experimentally difficult to determine the effect of polymerization reaction on material properties of a …

Development And Testing Of A Low Mass Vibratory Lunar Compactor, Charles Carey

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

NASA and other agencies are working to return to the moon, with the Artemis Program [1]. As a part of this new effort, an emphasis is being placed on having a sustained presence, building lunar bases and other permanent structures. The development of such infrastructure will require the development of civil engineering structures, and site preparation becomes a necessity. The Planetary Surface Technology Development Laboratory is developing a low mass lunar compactor as part of an autonomous site preparation vehicle in partnership with Colorado School of Mines, funded by NASA’s 2021 Lunar Surface Technology Research grant. The low mass lunar …

Dynamic Mode Decomposition Approach For Estimating The Shape Of A Cable, Yash Manik Chavan

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This study investigates the dynamic behavior of a flexible cable with heterogeneous stiffness using a data-driven approach. The study aims to develop accurate models describing intricate structures with rigid or flexible components. To achieve this, reflective markers were attached to the cable at equal spacing, and the motion was manually excited and captured using an 8-camera setup and OptiTrack's Motive software.

The cable displacement data at the marker locations were used as initial conditions for various Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) models. The performance of the data- driven cable model is compared against the performance of the DMD modeling approach, fitting …

Conductive 3d Nano-Biohybrid Systems Based On Densified Carbon Nanotube Forests And Living Cells, Roya Bagheri, Alicia K. Ball, Masoud Kasraie, Aparna Chandra, Xinqian Chen, Ibrahim Miskioglu, Zhiying Shan, Parisa Pour Shahid Saeed Abadi

Michigan Tech Publications

Conductive biohybrid cell-material systems have applications in bioelectronics and biorobotics. To date, conductive scaffolds are limited to those with low electrical conductivity or 2D sheets. Here, 3D biohybrid conductive systems are developed using fibroblasts or cardiomyocytes integrated with carbon nanotube (CNT) forests that are densified due to interactions with a gelatin coating. CNT forest scaffolds with a height range of 120–240 µm and an average electrical conductivity of 0.6 S/cm are developed and shown to be cytocompatible as evidenced from greater than 89% viability measured by live-dead assay on both cells on day 1. The cells spread on top and …

Comparative Analysis Of Injection Of Pyrolysis Oil From Plastics And Gasoline Into The Engine Cylinder And Atomization By A Direct High-Pressure Injector, Magdalena Szwaja, Jeffrey Naber, David Shonnard, Daniel G. Kulas, Ali Zolghadr, Stanislaw Szwaja

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The article discusses the results of experimental studies on the course of pyrolysis oil injection through the high-pressure injector of a direct-injection engine. The pyrolysis oil used for the tests was derived from waste plastics (mainly high-density polyethylene—HDPE). This oil was then distilled. The article also describes the production technology of this pyrolysis oil on a laboratory scale. It presents the results of the chemical composition of the raw pyrolysis oil and the oil after the distillation process using GC-MS analysis. Fuel injection tests were carried out for the distilled pyrolysis oil and a 91 RON gasoline in order to …

Machine Learning-Based Classification Of Combustion Events In An Rcci Engine Using Heat Release Rate Shapes, Radhika Sitaraman, Sadaf Batool, Hoseinali Borhan, Javad Mohammadpour Velni, Jeffrey Naber, Mahdi Shahbakhti

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) mode offers high thermal efficiency and low nitrogen oxides (NOx) and soot emissions. However, high cyclic variability at low engine load and high pressure rise rates at high loads limit RCCI operation. Therefore, it is important to control the combustion event in an RCCI engines to prevent abnormal engine combustion. To this end, combustion in RCCI mode was studied by analyzing the heat release rates calculated from the in-cylinder pressure data at 798 different operating conditions. Five distinct heat release shapes are identified. These different heat release traces were characterized based on start of combustion, …

Optimal Synthesis Of Crank-Rocker Mechanisms With Optimum Transmission Angle For Desired Stroke And Time-Ratio Using Genetic Programming, Bahman Ahmadi, Behnam Ahmadi

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Dimensional synthesis of crank-rocker mechanisms applied to provide some desired values of stroke and time ratio, is of utmost importance for designing an efficient mechanism. In the synthesis and manufacturing of crank-rocker mechanisms, the designers are further challenged by other design criteria, such as quality of motion. In this study, a novel approach based on genetic programming (GP) is proposed for dimensional synthesis of planar crank-rocker mechanisms with optimum transmission angle over the desired stroke and time-ratio. An analytical approach is elaborated which leads to an interesting relationship of length of the coupler and rocker links. It is, therefore, advised …

Me-Em Enewsbrief, September 2022, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Accurate Predictions Of Thermoset Resin Glass Transition Temperatures From All-Atom Molecular Dynamics Simulation, Gregory Odegard, Sagar Patil, Prashik Gaikwad, Prathamesh Deshpande, Aaron Krieg, Sagar P. Shah, Aspen Reyes, Tarik Dickens, Julia A. King, Marianna Maiaru

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

To enable the design and development of the next generation of high-performance composite materials, there is a need to establish improved computational simulation protocols for accurate and efficient prediction of physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of thermoset resins. This is especially true for the prediction of glass transition temperature (Tg), as there are many discrepancies in the literature regarding simulation protocols and the use of cooling rate correction factors for predicting values using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The objectives of this study are to demonstrate accurate prediction the Tg with MD without the use of cooling rate correction factors and …

Microgrid Energy Management During High-Stress Operation, Thomas Price, Gordon Parker, Gail Vaucher, Robert Jane, Morris Berman

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

We consider the energy management of an isolated microgrid powered by photovoltaics (PV) and fuel-based generation with limited energy storage. The grid may need to shed load or energy when operating in stressed conditions, such as when nighttime electrical loads occur or if there is little energy storage capacity. An energy management system (EMS) can prevent load and energy shedding during stress conditions while minimizing fuel consumption. This is important when the loads are high priority and fuel is in short supply, such as in disaster relief and military applications. One example is a low-power, provisional microgrid deployed temporarily to …

Thermal Degradation And Organic Chlorine Removal From Mixed Plastic Wastes, Zhuo Xu, Victor Ierulli, Ezra Bar Ziv, Armando G. Mcdonald

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Plastic waste accumulation has been growing due to the increase in plastic generation and the lack of infrastructure for recycling. One of the approaches is to treat the mixed plastic waste (MPW) through thermal processes to produce feedstocks for other applications. However, the presence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in MPW would produce HCl during processing and has negative impacts (emission, catalyst poisoning, etc.). In addition, due to the high heterogeneity of MPW, it is difficult to generate consistent experimental data. In this study, MPW was homogenized through double compounding–extrusion and then formed into a sheet to be treated at 400 …

An Algorithm For Task Allocation And Planning For A Heterogeneous Multi-Robot System To Minimize The Last Task Completion Time, Abhishek Patil, Jungyun Bae, Myoungkuk Park

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

This paper proposes an algorithm that provides operational strategies for multiple heterogeneous mobile robot systems utilized in many real-world applications, such as deliveries, surveillance, search and rescue, monitoring, and transportation. Specifically, the authors focus on developing an algorithm that solves a min-max multiple depot heterogeneous asymmetric traveling salesperson problem (MDHATSP). The algorithm is designed based on a primal-dual technique to operate given multiple heterogeneous robots located at distinctive depots by finding a tour for each robot such that all the given targets are visited by at least one robot while minimizing the last task completion time. Building on existing work, …

Probabilistic Multi-Objective Inverse Analysis For Damage Identification Using Piezoelectric Impedance Measurement Under Uncertainties, Kai Zhou, Yang Zhang, Qi Shuai, Jiong Tang

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Piezoelectric impedance sensing is promising for highly accurate damage identification because of its high-frequency active interrogative nature and simplicity in data acquisition. To fully unleash the potential, effective inverse analysis is needed in order to pinpoint the damage location and identify the severity. The inverse analysis, however, may be underdetermined since there exists a very large number of unknowns (i.e., locations and severity levels) to be solved in a finite element model but only limited measurements are available in actual practice. To uncover the true damage scenario, an inverse analysis strategy built upon the multi-objective optimization, which aims at matching …

The Role Of Regional Connections In Planning For Future Power System Operations Under Climate Extremes, Ana Dyreson, N. Devineni, S. W.D. Turner, T. De Silva M, A. Miara, N. Voisin, S. Cohen, J. Macknick

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Identifying the sensitivity of future power systems to climate extremes must consider the concurrent effects of changing climate and evolving power systems. We investigated the sensitivity of a Western U.S. power system to isolated and combined heat and drought when it has low (5%) and moderate (31%) variable renewable energy shares, representing historic and future systems. We used an electricity operational model combined with a model of historically extreme drought (for hydropower and freshwater-reliant thermoelectric generators) over the Western U.S. and a synthetic, regionally extreme heat event in Southern California (for thermoelectric generators and electricity load). We found that the …

Me-Em Enewsbrief, June 2022, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Integrating Deep Learning And Hydrodynamic Modeling To Improve The Great Lakes Forecast, Pengfei Xue, Aditya Wagh, Gangfeng Ma, Yilin Wang, Yongchao Yang, Tao Liu, Chenfu Huang

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The Laurentian Great Lakes, one of the world’s largest surface freshwater systems, pose a modeling challenge in seasonal forecast and climate projection. While physics-based hydrodynamic modeling is a fundamental approach, improving the forecast accuracy remains critical. In recent years, machine learning (ML) has quickly emerged in geoscience applications, but its application to the Great Lakes hydrodynamic prediction is still in its early stages. This work is the first one to explore a deep learning approach to predicting spatiotemporal distributions of the lake surface temperature (LST) in the Great Lakes. Our study shows that the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network, …

Free-Decay Heave Motion Of A Spherical Buoy, Jacob K. Colling, Saeed Jafari Kang, Esmaeil Dehdashti, Salman Husain, Hassan Masoud, Gordon Parker

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

We examined the heave motion of a spherical buoy during a free-decay drop test. A comprehensive approach was adopted to study the oscillations of the buoy involving experimental measurements and complementary numerical simulations. The experiments were performed in a wave tank equipped with an array of high-speed motion-capture cameras and a set of high-precision wave gauges. The simulations included three sets of calculations with varying levels of sophistication. Specifically, in one set, the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method was used to solve the incompressible, two-phase, Navier–Stokes equations on an overset grid, whereas the calculations in other sets were based on Cummins and …

Non-Reacting Spray Characteristics Of Gasoline And Diesel With A Heavy-Duty Single-Hole Injector, Tom Tzanetakis, Jaclyn Johnson, Henry Schmidt, William Atkinson, Jeffrey Naber

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Gasoline compression ignition (GCI) is a promising combustion technology that could help alleviate the projected demand for diesel in commercial transport while providing a pathway to achieve upcoming CO2 and criteria pollutant regulations for heavy-duty engines. However, relatively high (i.e., diesel-like) injection pressures are needed to enable GCI across the entire load range while maintaining soot emissions benefits and managing heat release rates. There have only been a limited number of previous studies investigating the spray characteristics of light distillates with high-pressure direct-injection hardware under charge gas conditions relevant to heavy-duty applications. The current work aims to address this issue …

Mechanobiology In The Comorbidities Of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Shaina P. Royer, Sangyoon J. Han

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDSs) are a group of connective tissue disorders, characterized by skin stretchability, joint hypermobility and instability. Mechanically, various tissues from EDS patients exhibit lowered elastic modulus and lowered ultimate strength. This change in mechanics has been associated with EDS symptoms. However, recent evidence points toward a possibility that the comorbidities of EDS could be also associated with reduced tissue stiffness. In this review, we focus on mast cell activation syndrome and impaired wound healing, comorbidities associated with the classical type (cEDS) and the hypermobile type (hEDS), respectively, and discuss potential mechanobiological pathways involved in the comorbidities.

Aeroelastic Response Of Wind Turbine Rotors Under Rapid Actuation Of Flap-Based Flow Control Devices, Muraleekrishnan Menon, Fernando L. Ponta

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The largest commercial wind turbines today are rated at powers between 12 MW to 16 MW, with rotor diameters between 220 m to 242 m, which are expected to grow beyond 250 m in the near future. Economies-of-scale factors suggest the advantages of upscaling in rotor size to effectively harvest the wind potential. An increased emphasis on studies related to improvements and innovations in aerodynamic load-control methodologies has led researchers to focus on overcoming the bottlenecks in size upscaling. Though conventional pitch control is an effective approach for long-term load variations, their application to mitigate short-term fluctuations has limitations. This …

Me-Em Enewsbrief, March 2022, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Multisector Dynamics: Advancing The Science Of Complex Adaptive Human-Earth Systems, Patrick M. Reed, Antonia Hadjimichael, Richard H. Moss, Christa Brelsford, Casey D. Burleyson, Stuart Cohen, Ana Dyreson, David F. Gold, Rohini S. Gupta, Klaus Keller, Megan Konar, Erwan Monier

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The field of MultiSector Dynamics (MSD) explores the dynamics and co-evolutionary pathways of human and Earth systems with a focus on critical goods, services, and amenities delivered to people through interdependent sectors. This commentary lays out core definitions and concepts, identifies MSD science questions in the context of the current state of knowledge, and describes ongoing activities to expand capacities for open science, leverage revolutions in data and computing, and grow and diversify the MSD workforce. Central to our vision is the ambition of advancing the next generation of complex adaptive human-Earth systems science to better address interconnected risks, increase …

Storage Minimization Of Marine Energy Grids Using Polyphase Power, Salman Husain, Gordon Parker, Wayne W. Weaver

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Multiple wave energy converter (WEC) buoys can be used to establish a WEC array-powered microgrid collectively forming a Marine Energy Grid (MEG). An oceanic domain with gravity waves will have significant spatial variability in phase, causing the power produced by a WEC array to have high peak-to-average ratios. Minimizing these power fluctuations reduces the demand for large energy storage by WEC array-powered DC microgrids while also reducing losses in the undersea cable to the shore. Designs that reduce energy storage requirements are desirable to reduce deployment and maintenance costs. This work demonstrates that polyphase power in conjunction with an energy …

A Note On Gradient/Fractional One-Dimensional Elasticity And Viscoelasticity, Kostas Parisis, Vlasis Dimosthenis, Leonidas Kouris, Avraam Konstantinidis, Elias C. Aifantis

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

An introductory discussion on a (weakly non-local) gradient generalization of some one-dimensional elastic and viscoelastic models, and their fractional extension is provided. Emphasis is placed on the possible implications of micro-and nano-engineering problems, including small-scale structural mechanics and composite materials, as well as collagen biomechanics and nanomaterials.

Multisector Dynamics: Scientific Challenges And A Research Vision For 2030, A Community Of Practice Supported By The United States Department Of Energy's Office Of Science, Patrick M. Reed, Antonia Hadjimichael, Richard H. Moss, Erwan Monier, Sequoia Alba, Christa Brelsford, Ana Dyreson, Et. Al.

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

No abstract provided.

Experimental Studies Of Low-Load Limit In A Stoichiometric Micro-Pilot Diesel Natural Gas Engine, Vinicius Bonfochi Vinhaes, Gordon Mctaggart-Cowan, Sandeep Munshi, Mahdi Shahbakhti, Jeffrey Naber

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

While operating at light loads, diesel pilot-ignited natural gas engines with lean pre-mixed natural gas suffer from poor combustion efficiency and high methane emissions. This work investigates the limits of low-load operation for a micro-pilot diesel natural gas engine that uses a stoichiometric mixture to enable methane and nitrogen oxide emission control. By optimizing engine hardware, operating conditions, and injection strategies, this study focused on defining the lowest achievable load while maintaining a stoichiometric equivalence ratio and with acceptable combustion stability. A multi-cylinder diesel 6.7 L engine was converted to run natural gas premix with a maximum diesel micro-pilot contribution …

Atomistic-Continuum Membrane And Machine Learning Models For Two-Dimensional Materials, Upenda Yadav

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

“What could we do with layered structures with just the right layers?” asked Richard Feynman in his famous 1959 lecture, “There’s plenty of room at the bottom.” With the help of the amazing developments of the past several years, we are coming close to answering that question. In 2004, graphene was first isolated from graphite and only six short years later it won the Nobel Prize in Physics. Graphene is one atomic layer of Carbon, it is the thinnest and yet the strongest materials we have ever seen. It is 200 times stronger than its equivalent weight in steel and …