Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Towards Self-Powered Load Imbalance Detection For Instrumented Knee Implants Using Quadrant Triboelectric Energy Harvesters, Mahmood Chahari, Hoesin Haghshenas, Emre Salman, Milutin Stanacevic, Ryan Willing, Shahrzad Towfighian

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Scholarship

In this study, we proposed a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) as a pressure sensor to measure the load imbalance on the tibial tray. To detect the load imbalance, we proposed a segmented quadrant design. The TENG pressure sensors with various micro-patterns, including pyramid, cylindrical, and bar patterns, are utilized to measure the axial forces with different sensitivity in different quadrants of the tibial tray. The functionality of the instrumented implant is examined through experimental testing on the package, evaluating its sensing capabilities and power harvesting. The relationship between each quadrant output and the axial force is determined, which enables characterizing the …

Thermomechanical Process Simulation And Quantification Of Nanoscale Precipitation Influencing Ductility And Strength During Alloy Processing, Alyssa Stubbers

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Experimental process simulation and quantification of microstructure development during processing are challenging due to limitations with machinery temperature capability, inadequate resolution and sampling volume of currently available characterization techniques, and difficulty characterizing material microstructures as close to processing-relevant conditions as possible. This dissertation addresses how process simulation can be performed using Gleeble thermomechanical technologies and how microstructure development during these processing simulations can be quantified both in-situ and ex-situ.

The first portion of this dissertation demonstrates how Gleeble technologies can be applied to simulate complex material processing conditions in order to produce process-property profiles that can be used to inform …

Simultaneous Evaluation Of Tibiofemoral And Patellofemoral Mechanics In Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Combined Experimental And Computational Approach, Yashar A. Behnam, Ahilan Anantha Krishnan, Hayden Wilson, Chadd W. Clary

Center for Orthopaedic Biomechanics: Faculty Scholarship

Contemporary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has not fully restored natural patellofemoral (P-F) mechanics across the patient population. Previous experimental simulations have been limited in their ability to create dynamic, unconstrained, muscle-driven P-F articulation while simultaneously controlling tibiofemoral (T-F) contact mechanics. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel experimental simulation and validate a corresponding finite element model to evaluate T-F and P-F mechanics. A commercially available wear simulator was retrofitted with custom fixturing to evaluate whole-knee TKA mechanics with varying patella heights during a simulated deep knee bend. A corresponding dynamic finite element model was developed to validate …

Me-Em Enewsbrief, December 2023, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Insights Into The Heart Microstructure: A Case Study, Sarah Bulger

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis focuses on better understanding the structures of the heart at the micro-scale. Cardiomyocytes and the branching of cardiomyocytes are of specific interest. A literature review was performed to extract key information on cardiomyocyte size, the branching type and frequency of cardiomyocytes, and cardiomyocytes' organization in general. The purpose of conducting the literature review was to find quantifiable data on the micro-structure of the heart. Three studies in particular provided data on the branching of cardiomyocytes. Two of these studies were conducted on rat hearts, while one other study was conducted on human hearts. The methods and terminology between …

Energy Efficient Spintronic Devices For Non-Volatile Memory And Hardware Ai, Walid Al Misba

Theses and Dissertations

Nanomagnetic devices have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices due to their low energy dissipation and inherent non-volatility. However, the widespread adoption of these devices requires high-density, high-speed, reliable, scalable, and energy-efficient technologies. This thesis investigates the use of nanomagnetic memory devices as both conventional Boolean memory and multistate memory for hardware AI applications.

Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) are nanomagnetic memory devices that can be switched reliably and energy-efficiently using stress-mediated switching. However, realistic material inhomogeneity and scalability pose challenges for stress-mediated switching of MTJs scaled to lateral dimensions below 50 nm. We demonstrate that …

Fluid Flow And Thermal Performance Investigation Of Twisted Elliptical Tubes For Use In High Prandtl Number Systems, Connor F. Donlan

Theses and Dissertations

The development of clean energy systems is paramount to reducing mankind's climate impact. These clean energy systems include solar, wind, and nuclear power where nuclear power shows a reduced lifetime carbon dioxide footprint per kilowatt hour compared to other sources [102]. Advanced nuclear reactors, fusion energy systems, and concentrated solar power designers are looking at using molten salt heat transfer fluids and improved heat exchanger design to increase power production and efficiency of clean energy systems. The improving heat transfer within the main heat transfer components within advanced nuclear reactors will enable increased efficiencies and power production.

Heat transfer improvements …

Towards The Automation Of Post-Processing Of Additive Manufacturing Using Collaborative Robots, Logan Schorr

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the incredible potential that collaborative robots have, they are underutilized in several industries that could benefit greatly. These specialized fields, such as additive manufacturing, face challenges that can be solved with the use of robotics, including advanced computer vision, end-effector tooling, and process refinement. My research aims to utilize collaborative robots in an effort to solve the above stated problems, for the specific fields of additive manufacturing. Specifically within this field is the automation of post-processing; this is normally completely manual, as the tools for automation are not sufficiently developed to handle the flexibility required for additive manufacturing. This …

Directed Energy Deposition Processing-Performance Relationship Of Af9628, Mianqing Yang

Masters Theses

"AF9628 low alloy steel is a novel steel known for its low cost, high hardness, and outstanding tensile performance. However, the processing methods of AF9628 have been less studied in the additive manufacturing field. As the balance of hardness and tensile results is closely related to the cooling process during manufacturing process window and its relationship to resultant tensile properties is explored. By using the DED method, specimens of this steel are successfully fabricated, and tensile test results are obtained. The AF9628 steel can be manufactured for tailored properties with the DED process by controlling the cooling method. This work …

Design And Analysis Of Coupler Installation Tooling With Computer Vision For Fermilab’S Single Spoke Resonator 2 Srf Cavity, Caleb T. Denton

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Fermi National Laboratory (Fermilab) and the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN), forerunners in the exploration of the subatomic world, are both in the process of improving their particle accelerators with the Proton Improvement Plan II at Fermilab and the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider Accelerator Upgrade Plan (HL-LHC AUP) at CERN. Both particle accelerators have cavities that serve to either accelerate the particle beam or guide it into an optimal position and have the need for radio frequency (RF) power couplers to generate the field that controls the particle beams. When installing the coupler onto the cavity, a reliable vacuum …

Modeling And Performance Evaluation Of Traditional And Ai-Based Mppt Techniques For Photovoltaic Systems., Md Badruddaza

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The efficiency levels to convert from sunlight to electricity are in the range up to 22% commercially, based on the technology used. Due to comparatively low efficiency of photovoltaic systems, it is imperative to extract maximum power from the PV module array. Thus, in solar PV system, tracking the module’s MPP (maximum power point) is crucial and at the same time challenging as well due to varying climatic conditions. This research focuses on the modeling and performance evaluation of traditional Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques and AI-Based MPPT algorithms in photovoltaic systems. It addresses the issue of dynamic adjustment …

A One-Wheeled Robot For Exploring Rolling Disk Locomotion, David H. J. Schmidt

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The work proposed in this thesis is motivated by observations of one-wheel vehicles called monocycles. Whereas the unicycle has the rider sitting on a seat above the wheel, the monocycle’s rider sits inside a large circular hoop that serves as the wheel. Due to the position of the rider inside the wheel, it lowers the overall center of mass of the vehicle below the center of the wheel. For this reason, the uncontrolled longitudinal (forward/backward, or drive axis) dynamics are stable. For modest speeds above a certain threshold, the lateral (side-to-side, or lean axis) dynamics of the monocycle are also …

Bidirectional In-Situ Analysis And Visualization Of Fluid Structure Interactions With Applications In Blood Flow, Nazariy Tishchenko

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Interactive blood flow simulation has applications in the understanding of complex fluids,training medical professionals, diagnostics, and surgical procedure planning. Bidirectional in situ visualization and analysis are much needed to streamline the analysis of large-scale patient-specific blood flow simulations. The in situ component ensures the live visualization of the simulation results while the simulation is running, and the bidirectional component allows for real-time control and configuration of the simulation parameters (i.e., setting and retrieving the simulation parameters and data based on need). In this project, a highly accurate multiphysics simulation was instrumented to work with an existing bidirectional in situ framework. …

Feasibility Study Of Managing Peak Cooling Loads To Achieve Energy Cost Reduction In A Northern Climate Campus, Mark Rizkalla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

South Dakota State University Facilities and Services Office is facing the challenge of paying high electricity bills every year, the potential of campus growth will add more burden on the energy needed to cover this demand, especially in summer months when high cooling loads are added to the electrical loads which lead to the peak loads that costs SDSU a large amount of money. The purpose of this research is to study the feasibility of managing the peak loads to reduce energy costs by applying a suitable system that fits SDSU campus nature. The methodology used is studying the capability …

Simulation Of Reacting Supersonic Flow In A Cavity Flameholder, Mohamed Benjelloun Touimi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Scramjet engines, or Supersonic Combustion Ramjets, are pivotal for achieving and maintaining hypersonic flight speeds. These engines leverage the high-speed airflow to compress and mix air and fuel for combustion. A significant challenge in Scramjet engine design is ensuring stable and efficient combustion within this high-speed environment. Cavity flameholders are crucial components that stabilize the combustion process by creating a subsonic region where the fuel-air mixture can ignite and sustain combustion. This research simulates this supersonic flow within the combustion chamber to accurately model and analyze the combustion dynamics. Various turbulence models, including RANS, and DES, are evaluated for their …

Computational Characterization Of Extracellular Electro-Osmotic Flow During Tissue Repair, Ashley Jorgensen-Blocker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Electrical stimulation (ES) therapy promotes the healing of chronic epidermal wounds and suppresses the degeneration of articular cartilage. Despite the success of ES therapy, the underlying mechanisms by which ES promotes tissue repair are largely unknown, preventing the standardization and optimization of treatments. One proposed mechanism involves electro-osmotic flow (EOF), electrically driven water flow generated within close proximity to the cell surface. EOF induces the transport of macromolecules and removes metabolic wastes and inflammatory molecules from these dense tissues through interstitial flow. This dissertation investigates the application of weak electric fields (EFs) to non-excitable cells and the generation of EOF …

Identifying Savings In Residential Electricity Consumption Through Data-Driven Analysis, Scott J. Maurer

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Climate change and rising electricity demand have driven the need for energy efficiency in buildings. Single-family residential buildings present opportunities for improvement, but current strategies for identifying savings are labor and capital-intensive. Developing a residential version of a virtual energy audit tool offers a cheaper, non-intrusive alternative. This study used 25 all-electric homes in Florida to refine algorithms from the previously developed EDIFES code, originally designed for commercial buildings. The analysis utilized one year of 15-minute electricity consumption, area, stories, and location. These markers include heating and cooling type, setpoint set back, HVAC load, pool pump load, refrigeration load, and …

Electrostatic Sorting Of Lunar Regolith Simulants For Sustainable Resource Utilization: Modeling And Characterization Of Particle Size Distribution, Abdullah Al Moinee, Peter Bachle, Kyle Newport, William Schonberg, David Bayless, Jeffrey Smith, Daoru Han, Fateme Rezaei

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In pursuit of sustainable resource utilization on the Moon, this paper delves into modeling and characterization of particle size distribution (PSD) of lunar regolith simulants in an electrostatic system. a prototype electrostatic sieve was built and tested with four sample simulants mirroring properties of lunar mare and highland regolith. an alternating four-phase (90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees, 360 degrees) traveling square-wave was utilized for particle-directed transport to model the diverse trajectories of the particles. Numerically, we scrutinized how the distribution functions of the particles are manifested as the electrostatic field propagates, with a focus on three distinct particle ranges …

Effects Of Electron Beam Irradiation On Crmnv And Crmntiv High Entropy Alloys: Nano-Mechanical, Structural, And Thermodynamic Perspectives, N. A. Sultana, Y. S. Mohammed, S. J. Pendleton, J. Vennekate, G. Ciovati, X. Li, H. Baumgart, A. A. Elmustafa

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Beam exit windows are crucial components of any particle accelerator as they provide an interface between the beamline vacuum and target material at atmospheric media. For high beam power machines, special materials and designs are required to withstand high radiation and mechanical loads, while minimizing energy loss during transition and maximizing window lifetime. This research investigates the impact of electron beam exposure to bulk CrMnV and CrMnTiV high entropy alloys (HEAs) with the primary goal of identifying suitable candidate materials for the design of robust and durable exit window settings. The selection criteria include intrinsic characteristics, power dissipation, and mechanical …

Improved Quartz Tube Furnace For Wildfire Condition Testing, Casey Coffland

Maseeh Summer Undergraduate Research Experience

This research presents improvements to a Quartz Tube Furnace used for wildfire condition testing at the Healthy Buildings Research Lab at Portland State University. The primary objectives were to enable the calculation of modified combustion efficiency (M.C.E.), recharacterize internal tube temperatures at 400°C and 650°C, and allow furnace control independent of a laptop. CO₂ and particulate matter sensors were added at the inlet and outlet of the apparatus to collect emissions data during biomass combustion (Douglas Fir pine needles), which a microcontroller uses to calculate M.C.E.. Temperature recharacterization revealed that the internal temperature of the quartz tube was approximately 150°C …

Improving Cvd Graphene Growth On Copper Micro Powders By Manipulating Annealing Environments, Adan Velasquez

Maseeh Summer Undergraduate Research Experience

Recent advances in Cu-composite materials show Cu powder coated with graphene can be used to create composites with exceptional mechanical and conductive properties. However, coating Cu with graphene faces challenges such as adhesion and graphene quality. We employed chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to grow high quality graphene directly on Cu micro powders by manipulating annealing environments. We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to image the Cu microparticle’s surfaces at high resolution. To assess and verify the graphene's quality, we use Raman spectroscopy. Nitrogen and hydrogen gases are used during annealing to texture the Cu surface and reduce sintering, respectively, creating …

Deformation And Coalescence Of Two Impacting Droplets In Microgravity, Cabala Newell

Maseeh Summer Undergraduate Research Experience

Collision of two water droplets between one and two milliliters in microgravity environment is investigated. Multiple differing papers have been written that experiment with droplets in microgravity or theorize about how two droplets suspended in microgravity may mix but this is the first instance in which experiments are being conducted. These Collisions directly impact what's known about practical fluid mixing in microgravity, liquid sprays, and microfluidics focusing on droplet fusion. Tracking these droplets during the collision process is expected to give velocity trends similar to the graph above, where both droplets reach 0 velocity when they coalesce into a single …

Energy And Empowerment In The High Arctic, Alyssa Pantaleo

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

National governments continue to depend on fossil fuels for electricity and heat generation in Arctic communities. This dependence threatens the economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability of Arctic communities and subjects them to future volatility and uncertainty. In Greenland, the centralized government structure creates additional challenges for northern communities by limiting the inclusion of local knowledge and priorities in favor of national, standardized solutions. This research identifies pathways towards fossil fuel reduction in northern Greenlandic communities via 1.) analyzing the potential for renewable energy inclusion in grid-scale or residential energy generation and 2.) analysis of the potential for energy reduction in …

Ifn-𝜸 And Il-10 Immunosensor With Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Interdigitated Electrodes Toward Pen-Side Cattle Paratuberculosis Monitoring, Shaowei Ding, Benjamin J. Brownlee, Kshama Parate, Cicero C. Pola, Bolin Chen, Jesse M. Hostetter, Douglas Jones, John Jackman, Brian D. Iverson, Jonathan C. Claussen

Faculty Publications

Highly sensitive vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays (VANTAs) interdigitated electrode (IDE) arrays are developed for electrochemical biosensing of two cytokines (i.e., interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-gamma (IFN-𝜸)) that are useful for early detection Johne’s disease (Bovine Paratuberculosis) in cattle. The high aspect ratio VANTA-IDEs (50–60 μm in height) are grown through a chemical vapor deposition process from an iron (Fe) catalyst that is lithographically patterned on a silicon wafer with equal finger width and inter-finger spacing of 25 μm. After functionalization with distinct antibodies the VANTA-IDEs are capable of selective detection of both IL-10 and IFN-𝜸 within an actual biological matrix …

A Simulation Model Analysis In The Us-Mexico Border, Carlo A. Zorola, Hiram Moya, Aditya Akundi

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Supply Chain (SC) is the flow of goods or services between supply and demand points. New or innovative strategies in SC have been researched and developed to deal with disruptive events, such as COVID-19, hurricanes, geopolitical, and even climate change. These challenges create supply imbalances, logistical challenges, and policy restrictions for transborder commerce. The DHS has implemented the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program in both the US-Mexico and US-Canada border. These lanes are dedicated queues for commercial vehicles. In 2022, the government of Nuevo León, México, opened a dedicated lane just for Tesla´s northbound commercial traffic. There has been …

Artificial Intelligence For Enhanced Flotation Monitoring In The Mining Industry: A Convlstm-Based Approach, Ahmed Bendaouia, El Hassan Abdelwahed, Sara Qassimi, Abdelmalek Boussetta, Intissar Benzakour, Oumkeltoum Amar, Oussama Hasidi

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

In the mining industry, accurate monitoring of the elemental composition in the flotation froth is crucial for efficient minerals separation. The hybrid deep learning algorithms offer powerful computational intelligence for real-time monitoring of froth quality in flotation processes. This soft sensor tool can provide valuable information for process control, including predictions of the elemental chemical composition. In this study, we propose a novel approach based on a Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM) neural network for real-time monitoring of chemical composition grades in flotation froth. The proposed model effectively extracts spatial and temporal patterns from video data, providing a better …

Leveraging Compliance To Design A Minimally Invasive, Expandable Interbody Cage Capable Of Customized Anatomical Fit For Spinal Fusion Surgery, Larry L. Howell, Daniel J. Orr, Anton E. Bowden, Christian Payne, Hailey Jones, Bruce M. Frankel, James Anderson, Alek Sperry, Brandon Sargent

Faculty Publications

As spinal fusion surgery continues to transition to less invasive techniques, there remains an unmet need for ever smaller and more complex interbody cages to meet the unique needs of this difficult surgery. This work focuses on the hypothesis that this need can be met using the inherent advantages of compliant mechanisms in a way no previous device has. Deployable Euler Spiral Connectors optimized using a gradient based optimization algorithm were used as the foundation for a device that can stow to a very small size for device insertion then bilaterally deploy to a substantially larger device footprint. Additionally, a …

Methodology For Designing And Improving Novel Kirigami Patterns Using The Hamiltonian Circuit Framework, Larry L. Howell, Nathan Coleman, Mckaelin Edralin, Specer P. Magleby, Denise Halverson, Zhong You

Faculty Publications

The ability to compactly fold arrays to be deployed in space has seen an increasing demand in the aerospace industry. In this work, we build on existing methods to create kirigami patterns which can stow compactly and deploy out to a predictable shape using Hamiltonian circuits. We detail how designers can use this method to create novel kirigami patterns for a desired deployed shape and area. We also discuss techniques for modifying and improving the behavior and performance of kirigami patterns created using this method, and then show example applications including as a deployable radio frequency antenna of this method …

Ifn-𝜸 And Il-10 Immunosensor With Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Interdigitated Electrodes Toward Pen-Side Cattle Paratuberculosis Monitoring, Shaowei Ding, Benjamin J. Brownlee, Kshama Parate, Cicero C. Pola, Bolin Chen, Jesse M. Hostetter, Douglas Jones, John Jackman, Brian D. Iverson, Jonathan C. Claussen

Faculty Publications

Highly sensitive vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays (VANTAs) interdigitated electrode (IDE) arrays are developed for electrochemical biosensing of two cytokines (i.e., interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-gamma (IFN-𝜸)) that are useful for early detection Johne’s disease (Bovine Paratuberculosis) in cattle. The high aspect ratio VANTA-IDEs (50–60 μm in height) are grown through a chemical vapor deposition process from an iron (Fe) catalyst that is lithographically patterned on a silicon wafer with equal finger width and inter-finger spacing of 25 μm. After functionalization with distinct antibodies the VANTA-IDEs are capable of selective detection of both IL-10 and IFN-𝜸 within an actual biological matrix …

Drop Retention And Departure In Adiabatic Shear Flow On Structured Superhydrophobic Surfaces, Blake M. Lyons, Daniel Maynes, Julie Crockett, Brian D. Iverson

Faculty Publications

Drops are retained or held on surfaces due to a retention force exerted on the drop by the surface. This retention force is a function of the surface tension of the liquid, drop geometry, and the contact angle between the drop and the surface. When external or body forces exceed the retention force, the drop begins to move. This work explores the conditions for which drop departure occurs on structured superhydrophobic surfaces in the presence of an applied shear flow. Drop departure is explored for five microstructured superhydrophobic surfaces, one nanostructured carbon nanotube surface and one smooth hydrophobic surface. Surface …