Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Economic Feasibility Of Mixed Plastic Waste Pyrolysis Using Twin Reactor System In Northwest Arkansas, Carol Rogers, Patricia Means, Renato Gonzalez, Kaida Sheets, Hayden Townsend

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Plastic waste generation is increasing at an unsustainable rate while recycling solutions remain stagnant. As a chemical means of recycling, mixed plastic waste pyrolysis can generate synthetic oil appropriate for use as fuel in power generation from plastic waste that otherwise accumulates in landfills. With the scaling of a commercial plastic pyrolysis process in Northwest Arkansas (NWA) modeled after an operational sawdust pyrolysis unit in Huntsville, Arkansas, economic analysis resulted in 26.3% internal rate of return. Therefore, construction of a commercial mixed plastic-to-fuel pyrolysis plant is economically justified and should be pursued. To effectively implement the proposed design, NWA must …

Development Of A Variable Extensometer Method For Measuring Ductility Scaling Parameters, Adam J. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ductility is the measure of how much a material can stretch before separation. It is usually measured in percent elongation, which is the amount a material stretches divided by its original length before stretching. This is an important property to understand for both the design for performance and safety. A material’s ductility can be influenced by several factors including heat treatment, machining, temperature, and radiation dose. Materials used in nuclear energy facilities are often exposed to all these factors, and it is important to be able to understand ductility at each possible combination.

Ductility is usually characterized through tension tests …

Potential Improvements For Underwater Sound Speed Measurement Devices, Matthieu Bernier

Honors Scholar Theses

Modern sonar systems rely on fast and accurate measurements of the speed of sound in water. Plenty of measurement devices currently exist which are used to gather sound speed measurements in water. They specifically require accurate temperature measurements, as temperature is the most influential factor which affects sound wave speed. Previous research on sound speed properties, a few different examples of sound speed measurement devices, and examples of different types of temperature measurement devices was used along with new research on salinity equations and properties of sound, ocean water, and various existing measurement devices to suggest possible improvements for sound …

Advancing The Use Of Quality Control Tools For High-Density Data In Modern Manufacturing, Romina Dastoorian

Dissertations

In modern manufacturing, advanced metrology systems are continually being incorporated into quality control (QC) systems to provide high-density (HD) datasets. These datasets can contain millions of measurements that can be used to represent a part’s whole geometry. While integrating HD datasets into QC systems has brought several opportunities to enhance the performance of QC systems, it has resulted in new challenges in this area as well. While significant amounts of research have been performed in this area, the QC research community still strives to tackle these challenges. This study identifies key challenges regarding incorporating HD datasets into QC systems. Specifically, …

Evaluation Of Flared Approach Guardrail Transitions And Mash 2270p Ram Vehicle Model Improvements, Ryan F. Bickhaus

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

The objective of this research study was to use computer simulation to identify the critical flare rate for flaring approach guardrail transitions (AGTs) away from the primary roadway. AGTs installed with a flared configuration result in a length of need (LON) reduction as well as an increase in the clear zone area in front of the barrier, which would reduce both installation cost and crash frequency. The research focused on the determination of the maximum allowable flare rate that could safely be utilized with 31-in. (787-mm) tall thrie-beam AGTs without concrete curbs that utilize the Midwest Guardrail System (MGS) upstream …

Propeller And Propeller-In-Wing Thrust Vectoring, Grace G. Culpepper

Honors Theses

This research investigates the efficiency of a vane-based thrust vectoring system set in the wake of a propeller, supporting forward force at a minimum loss in net thrust. The vectoring system itself is placed in both a standalone propeller configuration and a propeller-in-wing configuration. Both static and wind-on force-based experiments are conducted at the University of Dayton Low Speed Wind Tunnel (UD-LSWT) with off-the-shelf R/C propellers. Sensitivity analysis determines both the effect of vane deflection angle on thrust vectoring and the effect of propeller placement with respect to the upper surface of the integrated wing on system performance. Static test …

Analysis Of Fluid Flow In Redox Flow Batteries, Erfan Asadipour

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Redox flow batteries (RFB) hold great potential for large-scale stationary energy storage. However, their low energy density compared to other energy storage systems must improve for feasibility. Electrolyte flow distribution affects current density distribution and providing a uniform current density distribution is one way to improve RFB performance. Additionally, reducing the power consumption of the electrolytes’ pump as a source of energy loss in RFB systems increases their efficiency. Investigating both subjects requires analysis of the fluid dynamics in RFB cells.

In this thesis, a novel, computationally cost-effective hydraulic-electrical analogous model (HEAM) was developed to study fluid dynamics by implementing …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Functiona Materials For 3d Printed Composites, Elizabeth Irene Reza

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The following body of work encompasses the synThesis, upscaling, additive manufacturing, and characterization of microspheres as functional fillers incorporated into polymer syntactic foams. Synthesizing microspheres permits control over morphology, dispersion of particles, and size while the use of direct write manufacturing allowed for the controllability of filler orientation. Two different syntactic foams were developed from similar methodologies: (1) a silicone syntactic foam (2) epoxy syntactic foam. The silicone epoxy foam showed an increasing in damping and elastic modulus. The epoxy syntactic foams showed an enhanced thermal and electrical properties.

Improving The Impingement Cold Plate Thermal Design Using Numerical And Analytical Approach, Reuben Joshua Madhuker

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

Conventional cooling methods for an IC chip uses heat spreader to transfer heat from the chip end of the spreader to the opposite end of the spreader which then uses air or water to remove heat and thereby maintaining the overall temperature. Unfortunately, the heat spreader itself has constraints such as conduction resistance which adds the heat spreader inefficiency. But if we increase the area exposed to the cooling end then this can be improved. This is done by introducing channels at that end. These channels act as fins which give a better shot at cooling the system temperature. These …

Apiary Wagon Frame, Katelyn Franklin, Ryoma Thomas

Honors Theses

The objective of this thesis to demonstrate how our senior capstone project team took a product from a concept to a mass production manufacturing operation, using the knowledge and experience gained through our four years in the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME). Our product, the Apiary Wagon Frame, is an opportunity to reduce the barrier to entry into the hobbyist beekeeping community. In the design process for the Apiary Wagon Frame, we tested several prototypes and different fabrication methods, ending with a product capable of holding twenty hive frames. After building our final prototype, the group created a …

Economic Feasibility Of A Methanol To Dimethyl Ether Production Process To Avoid Contract Failure Shortfalls From The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jacob Noll, Robert Wasson, Harrison Mckinnis

Honors Theses

Our team entered the 2021 AVEVA Academic Competition, where teams of undergraduate senior chemical engineering students competed across the country. The competition was composed of two parts: the base case design and the optimization of a chemical process. As part of the competition, our team is acting as the Engineering team for a fictional company that has given us this project. Due to COVID-19, our methanol producing company has lost a contract with a customer, leaving 23,000 tonnes/yr of unclaimed methanol. We have two choices with this methanol: either sell the methanol on the market at the spot price for …

Creation Of A Wooden Model Toy Car As A Learning Module For Students Enrolled In Manufacturing 152, Patrick Brown

Honors Theses

This project involved the design and manufacture of a children’s wooden model toy car constructed on the CME factory floor. Apart from building a children’s toy, the purpose of this project was to introduce younger CME students to a high-quality product made efficiently in regards to manufacture time and total cost. The design for the car required the inclusion of principles from different manufacturing philosophies taught in the CME such as LEAN Manufacturing, which works to eliminate waste from a process, and Design for Manufacture and Assembly, which seeks to reduce cost and cycle time for a product. Through the …

A Model-Based Approach To Predict Neuromuscular Control Patterns That Minimize Acl Forces During Jump Landing, Dieter Heinrich, Antonie J. Van Den Bogert, Robert Csapo, Werner Nachbauer

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Jump landing is a common situation leading to knee injuries involving the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in sports. Although neuromuscular control is considered as a key injury risk factor, there is a lack of knowledge regarding optimum control strategies that reduce ACL forces during jump landing. In the present study, a musculoskeletal model-based computational approach
is presented that allows identifying neuromuscular control patterns that minimize ACL forces during jump landing. The approach is demonstrated for a jump landing maneuver in downhill skiing, which is one out of three main injury mechanisms in competitive skiing.

Validation Of A Two-Dimensional Clinostat Design To Provide Functional Weightlessness To Custom Gas Exchange Vessels, Collin R. Topolski

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Understanding the impacts of microgravity on bacteria is vital for successful long duration space missions. In this environment, bacteria have been shown to become more virulent, more resistant to antibiotics and form more biofilms. To learn more about these phenomena, many experiments must be sent to the International Space Station, which is cost- and time prohibitive. Instead, the use of ground-based analogs is advantageous to define preliminary results that can later be verified with a space-based experiment. This research explored the development of an innovative 2D clinostat for simulating microgravity using bacteria. Computational fluid dynamics, standards established by previous literature …

Fluid Powered Vehicle Challenge: Team Soulenoid Cycle, Kellen Muir Giuliani, Jordan David Kochavi, Cayla Renee Quinn, Martin Reyes

Mechanical Engineering

The National Fluid Power Association is a trade association that unifies customers and manufacturers within the hydraulics industry. Extending their partnership to universities, the annual Fluid Powered Vehicle Competition challenges college teams to design, build, and test a fluid-powered vehicle with the goal of educating students about the hydraulics industry and building career connections. Soulenoid Cycle produced the next iteration of Cal Poly’s fluid powered vehicle for the 2021 competition.

This report summarizes research, ideation, component selection, initial and final design, manufacturing, and competition results conducted by Soulenoid Cycle. Relevant research includes successful current and past vehicles, the operation of …

Mathematical Modeling Of A Two Wheeled Robotic Base, Kathryn Remell

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis presents the concept of using a two wheeled robot on the moon and briefly explores the requirements for successful long term operation in a lunar environment. The mathematical model for the motion of a robot with two fixed wheels on a differential drive with in a global reference frame. The robot is assumed to be balancing a platform so the mathematical model to balance the platform with wheel motors is also developed and briefly evaluated.

Characterizing High Entropy Alloys For Hypersonic Applications, Katherine Pettus

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

In this paper, the properties of a new and broad class of materials, high entropy alloys (HEAs), were investigated and evaluated for hypersonic applications. The plan was to identify candidate hypersonic HEAs and model the high-temperature strength using new advanced material models that account for asymmetry and anisotropy characterized with available test data. After accessing a local database of HEAs and their material properties in collaboration with Dr. Gorsse et al., it was realized the knowledge of HEAs is currently very broad but lacks depth. While hundreds of HEAs have been created and tested, none so far have both sufficient …

Improving The Performance Of An Ead Aircraft By Use Of A Retractable Electrode System, Michael Alexander Fredricks

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Electroaerodynamic (EAD) propulsion is a growing area of research for small, low powered aircraft. Recent tests of EAD aircraft have demonstrated low performance in unpowered, gliding flight. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of a retractable electrode system on the flight performance of an EAD aircraft. An analysis of electrode drag contribution on the MIT ionic wind plane’s performance predicts a maximum lift to drag ratio of 22, with the addition of a retractable electrode system, for a similarly sized and modeled EAD aircraft. An experiment is developed using a prototype aircraft, launcher, and retraction system …

Development Of A Computational Framework For Estimating Knee Joint Contact Forces In Running, Sean W. Kapp

Honors Theses

The prevalence of running as a form of exercise and the necessity of walking for simple locomotion obscure massive forces and moments within the body. An especial area of concern is the knee, as common among these injuries is knee pain as a result from high impact on the ground or ground reaction forces. These forces are altered by the foot strike pattern of the individual; in this study, either rearfoot strike (RFS) or forefoot strike (FFS). This alteration will impact internal forces conducted upward through the body. Given the complexity of the motion of running and the forces involved, …

Development Of A Software For The Optimization Of Mechanical Structural Elements, Joshua Gross

Honors Capstone Projects

The goal of this software is to develop the framework for the optimal design of a mechanical structural element that minimizes the total part volume while maintaining the induced stress below an acceptable level. The software starts with input from the user, which is a set of ANSYS APDL commands that include constant dimensions, applied force, and initial values for the variable dimensions. Then, a MATLAB script modifies the variable dimensions, and the output is analyzed by the nonlinear programming solver known as Sequential Gradient-Restoration Algorithm. Finally, the solver converges on the dimensions that produce a structurally viable element with …

Secondary Resonances Of Electrostatically Actuated Mems And Nems Circular Plates, Julio S. Beatriz

Theses and Dissertations

Two methods are used in the investigation, which are the Method of Multiple Scales (MMS) and the Reduced order Model (ROM) with up to 6 modes of vibration. The MMS is done in three ways, one based on soft excitation and the other models based on the usage of the bookkeeping parameter, ε, in the electrostatic term. These are referred to as the 1 term no ε, and the 2 term no ε, which allow it to model hard excitation. The influence of the number of terms in the Taylor expansion is explored.

These methods are used to investigate the …

Novel Coating Methods On Centrifugally-Spun Polymer Fibers For Applications In Lithium-Ion Batteries, Jonathan G. Ayala

Theses and Dissertations

The work presented in this thesis focuses on the processing, characterization, and electrochemical results of centrifugally spun composite carbon fiber electrodes for application as anode material in lithium-ion batteries. The work is presented as a compilation of two major projects. First, the use of novel Co3O4 wet coatings to increase the capacity of carbon fibers produced from Polyacrylonitrile (PAN). In this work, PAN fibers are produced via the Forcespinning method, and were heat treated by oxidation in air at 200 °C for four hours, and subsequent carbonization at 600 °C for six hours. The electrochemical performance of the Co3O4/C composite-fiber …

Standardizing Patient Generated Sleep And Step Data For Evidation Health, Jade Desmet, Monroe Erle, Jamie Cullen

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Since medical data has gone digital there has been a lack of standardization among wearable devices for managing the data. Evidation Health is a company that collects biometric data from a wide variety of wearable devices through their app, Achievement. Evidation is built upon a foundation of user privacy and control over permissioned health data. This project is in partnership with them, focusing on creating a standard data model and ETL tool for sleep and step data across the wearable devices Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Oura Ring. There is not yet a successful standardization for this health data, and the …

Design For Metal Fused Filament Fabrication (Dfmf3) Of Ti-6al-4v Alloy., Mohammad Qasim Shaikh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Additive manufacturing (AM) offers unmatchable freedom of design with the ability to manufacture parts from a wide range of materials. The technology of producing three-dimensional parts by adding material layer-by-layer has become relevant in several areas for numerous industries not only for building visual and functional prototypes but also for small and medium series production. Among others, while metal AM technologies have been established as production method, their adoption has been limited by expensive equipment, anisotropy in part properties and safety concerns related to working with loose reactive metal powder. To address this challenge, the dissertation aims at developing the …

Simulation Of Fracture Strength Improvements Of A Human Proximal Femur Using Finite Element Analysis., Waleed Ebraheem Alim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The most common hip fracture in the elderly occurs as a result of a fall to the side with impact over the greater trochanter resulting in a fracture of the proximal femur. The fracture usually involves the femoral neck or the intertrochanteric region. It has recently been determined that the fracture crack of a hip fracture typically initiates on the superior-lateral cortex of the femoral neck and then propagates across the femoral neck, resulting in a complete fracture. The strength of the superior-lateral cortex of the femoral neck is likely determined by the combined properties of the generally thin cortex …

Design Of An Ice-Class Propeller For The Mv Yahtse, An Icebreaking, Car And Cargo, Roro Ferry, Mara Kramer

Senior Honors Theses

During early-stage ship design, a propulsion system must be matched with data from a resistance and propulsion analysis to determine the propulsion power required for the vessel to run at its design speed. Typically, this process is completed within NavCAD; however, NavCAD does not have a method to calculate icebreaking resistance or design a propeller to meet the ice-class criteria stipulated by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). This paper displays and discusses Python scripts written to complete the resistance and propulsion analysis, propeller optimization, and propeller structural design meeting IACS criteria for an icebreaking, RoRo car and cargo …

Transient Performance And Melt Front Characterization Of Phase Change Materials, Tyler Stamps

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Thermal management systems are often over-designed for average use in order to handle spikes in heat generation, which increases the spatial and financial requirements. One way to mitigate this is via the use of phase change materials (PCMs) as thermal buffers and storage media. This material type exhibits excellent latent heat at the sacrifice of conductivity. The present paper examines the melt front behavior of a common solid to liquid PCM, paraffin, experimentally and numerically. The experimental scenario was a block of PCM with a constant temperature heat flux introduced on one end and a constant temperature cold boundary condition …

Nanoscratch Study Of Diamond-Like Carbon Coatings With A Polydopamine + Sio2 Adhesive Underlayer, Anna Fisher

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings have a wide array of desirable characteristics such as low friction, high hardness, and scratch resistance. Due to high residual stress and thermal mismatch, DLC films experience adhesion difficulties when bonded with metallic substrates, leading to cracking and delamination. In this study, the properties of a new coating with a polydopamine underlayer and silica nanoparticles bonded to a stainless-steel substrate (PDA+SiO2/DLC) were studied alongside three other samples, one with a polydopamine underlayer (PDA/DLC), one with a trimethylsilane (TMS) underlayer (TMS/DLC), and one with no underlayer (DLC only). Nanoscratch tests were performed with a 1 μm spheroconical …

Noise Control In Sorting Conveyors, Eyra Herrera

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

E-commerce has increased the necessity of effective material handling equipment in warehouses and distribution centers. Sorter conveyors systems facilitate material handling by providing a reliable and automated system to classify and distribute products in a gentle and rapid manner. With the steady increase of speed in sorter conveyors to satisfy today’s industry demand, some systems have started to produce high noise levels that could potentially affect workers’ health. Since decreasing the speed of these conveyors is not a viable option to decrease noise in sorter equipment, industries have opted to find other ways to apply noise control to their equipment. …

Algorithm Development Of Topology Optimization For Pcm Based Heat Sinks, Diego L. De Los Reyes

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

With the inherent usage of the computer when dealing with additive manufacturing, it only makes sense to use that higher computing power through simulation and iterative design to use the mathematical concept of topology and optimize the kind of geometry and shapes to be produced for a certain application, especially thermal ones since most 3D printing applications focus on purely the mechanical. To determine what the shape will be, an objective function of how much heat can be dispersed from a hypothetical heat source, assumed to be a type of electronic device, is maximized while being constrained by other variables, …