Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Interface And Mechanical Properties Of 1d And 1d-2d Carbon Nanomaterials In Copper Matrix, Abigail L. Eaton, Arun K. Nair

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials have unique electron density distributions which warrant their classification as 1D and 2D, and they are useful for a wide variety of nanocomposite applications. This group includes 1D carbyne, which has high stiffness, and a 1D-2D hybrid composed of carbyne and a highly elastic cyclo[18] carbon ring (2D). We use density functional theory and molecular dynamics methods to study the interface properties of carbyne and the hybrid on Cu (111) surface and determine the mechanical properties of nanocomposites comprised of the nanomaterials as a fiber in Cu matrix at varying temperatures. We predict that on Cu (111) …

Development And Characterization Of Sustainable Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites With Date Palm Agro-Residues As Reinforcement, Ansar Kareem

Dissertations

Aluminum Matrix Composites (AMCs) are extensively used in various industrial applications owing to their exceptional mechanical, material, and tribological properties. This led to the development of AMCs with every possible aluminum alloy as matrix, incorporated with various reinforcement materials to achieve desired material properties. There has been an increasing trend in the utilization of agricultural and industrial waste products as reinforcement material in AMCs. Date palm trees produce huge quantity of agricultural waste in different forms. Usually, these wastes are burned or disposed of in landfills which cause environmental pollution. Date palm agro-wastes can be incinerated to produce date palm …

Environmental Regulations And The Exploitation Of Deep Seabed Minerals : A New Era For The“Mining Code” Of The International Seabed Authority (Isa)?, Mikyla D'Antoinette Frederick-Winter

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of The Viability Of Optimised Hull Forms For Bulk Carriers, John Peter Kabonge

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Ratification And Implementation Of The International Maritime Organisation (Imo) Instruments : A Social And Policy Persepctive On Maritime Governance In Fiji, Miriama Latianara

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Oil Spill Pollution In The Caspian Sea In Case Of Azerbaijan : Evaluating Spill Patterns And Governance Gaps In Azerbaijan’S Marine Oil Pollution Response, Ulviyya Hasanova

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Port State Control In The Philippines : Addressing Challenges And Recommending Pathways For Enhancing Qualification And Operational Effectiveness, Kethlynn Mae Nadal

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Occupational Safety In Fishing Vessels : A Comparative Analysis Of Namibia, South Africa And Mozambique In The Sadc Region, Fiina Ndakulilwa Twiihaleni Shaanika

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Assessing Marpol Annex V Port Reception Facilities Of The National Port Of Liberia (Freeport Of Monrovia), Barbara Wade Cummings

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Experimental Investigation: Performance Of Ranque–Hilsch Vortex Tubes Under Various Surface Boundary Conditions, Ahmad Al-Najjar

Theses

The Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube (RHVT) is a passive thermofluid device that splits compressed gas into simultaneous cold and hot streams through strong swirling flow inside a slender tube, without moving parts. This study experimentally examines how external boundary conditions applied to the tube wall influence RHVT performance. Three wall conditions were imposed: (i) externally cooled (cooling), (ii) externally heated (heating), and (iii) adiabatic (insulated). Tests were conducted with air over an inlet pressure range of 2–6 bar. The primary objective was to understand the extent to which wall thermal condition modifies temperature separation and energy efficiency. Performance was quantified using …

Microstructural And Mechanical Characterization Of Aa6082 /Sic/Al2o3 Hybrid Nano Composite Fabricated By Ultrasonic Assisted Stir Casting, Anasmon Koderi Valappil

Theses

The utilization of aluminium alloys has increased rapidly in past decades due to the increasing demand for lightweight and high-performance materials. Among the popular aluminium alloys, AA6082 is widely favoured for its excellent combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and machinability. Most previous work, however, has concentrated on either on micro scale reinforcement or on single ceramic particles, leaving very few experimental studies on the use of hybrid nano reinforcement in AA6082. Therefore, to further enhance its mechanical properties without compromising its inherent advantages, hybrid metal matrix composites were developed using various nano particulates as reinforcements. In this current study, AA6082-based …

Investigation Of Mechanical Performance And Metallurgical Characteristics Of Titanium Grade 2 Tube-To-Tubesheet Joints, Ahmad Hussein Al Tamimi

Theses

Tube-to-tubesheet joints, an integral component of shell and tube heat exchangers, are known for their vulnerability to leakage problems at the joint region due to mechanical and chemical factors coupled with fabrication techniques involved in creating these joints. An ideal condition of manufacturing process parameters and geometrical variables required to produce tube-to-tubesheet joints is highly desired. One of the most promising candidate materials to fabricate tube-to-tubesheet joints is titanium or titanium alloys due to their excellent strength and resistance to corrosion. The present study investigates the structural integrity of three categories of Titanium Grade 2 based tube-to-tubesheet joints comprising of …

Enhanced Air Hockey Robot Performance Through Adaptive Control Algorithim Using Ai-Based Hierarechal Decicion Archeticture, Ayham Majed Salim

Theses

This thesis presents the development of an intelligent air hockey robot that combines precise mechanical design, computer vision, and adaptive control within an AI-based hierarchical decision architecture. The system integrates synchronized stepper motors, high-speed image processing, and a real-time decision framework to achieve competitive gameplay performance. The robot detects the puck using adaptive HSV color segmentation, supported by dynamic calibration that maintains accuracy under different lighting conditions. A two-stage trajectory prediction model, based on exponential decay velocity estimation, enables anticipation of puck motion and improves response time during fast gameplay.

At the decision level, a fuzzy-logic supervisor governs the robot’s …

A Gas-Tight Bonding/Sealing Of Different Bulk Ceramics For Robust Oxygen Separation At Ultra-High Temperatures, Guoan Wang, Xingjian Xue

Faculty Publications

Oxygen transport membrane (OTM) is an economic technology for oxygen separation and high-purity oxygen production. To mitigate various issues induced by high temperatures, intermediate temperature OTM technology has been pursued in recent years. However, in certain circumstances, high operating temperatures are unavoidable, such as in situ oxygen production using OTMs for direct oxy-combustion. Nevertheless, the lack of reliable high temperature gas-tight sealing imposes great challenges on OTM technology for such applications. Herein, a novel sealing strategy is developed to obtain a gas-tight bonding/sealing of two different bulk ceramics using ceramic slurry in combination with phase inversion process. The sealing strategy …

Jet Impingement And Vortex/Swirl Cooling Of Different Inlet And Outlet Geometrical Configurations For Turbine Blade Leading Edge Cooling, Irfan Ahmad Sheikh

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Gas turbine blades operate in extreme environments, exposed directly to high-temperature combustion gases that cause severe thermal stresses, weaken material integrity, and may lead to structural failure. Proper cooling is crucial to lower blade temperatures, reduce thermal stresses, prevent failure, and improve overall engine efficiency. This work presents a detailed numerical study of various cooling configurations by applying two advanced leading-edge cooling methods, jet impingement and swirl cooling, across different inlet mass flow rates and jet Reynolds numbers (Rej) ranging from 1,000 to 20,000 to evaluate their cooling performance.

Several advanced leading-edge cooling configurations are proposed and …

Hybrid Multi-Layer Sandwich Beams Using 3d Printing Technology With Energy Absorption Features, Hour Ali Alhefeiti

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This study explores the use of additive manufacturing (AM) technology to create sandwich composite structures, focusing on the manufacturing process, testing, and anticipated impact. The rising cost of manufacturing prototypes using conventional methods has led to the exploration of 3D printing as a viable alternative. The research problem addresses the challenges in manufacturing sandwich composites and the need for automation across the civil, mechanical, aerospace, and aviation industries. The study aims to investigate 3D-printed sandwich composite structures and compare experimental, finite-element analysis, and theoretical results. The proposed methodology includes preparing a CAD model with five different core infill patterns (Cross …

Process-Driven Manufacturability Constraints In Design For Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, Monsuru Ramoni, Sampson Gholston, Albert E. Patterson

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has emerged as a useful option for large-scale metal additive manufacturing. It has gained widespread use in the aerospace industry and other applications that require large and complex custom parts. The process is a combination of a precise control system and a welding process, typically GTAW or MIG welding. It is a member of the directed energy deposition (DED) family of AM processes. Compared with many metal AM processes, it is relatively simple and cost-effective but almost always requires a significant amount of postprocessing before parts can be used. The AM-based nature of the process …

Online Cyber-Physical Neural Network Model For Real-Time Hybrid Simulation, Faisal Nissar Malik, Liang Cao, James Ricles, Austin Downey

Faculty Publications

Real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS) is an experimental testing methodology that divides a structural system into an analyticaland an experimental substructure. The analytical substructure is modeled numerically, and the experimental substructure ismodeled physically in the laboratory. The two substructures are kinematically linked together at their interface degrees of freedom,and the coupled equations of motion are solved in real-time to obtain the response of the complete system. A key challenge inapplying RTHS to large or complex structures is the limited availability of physical devices, which makes it difficult to representall required experimental components simultaneously. The present study addresses this challenge by introducing …

Melamine-Based Polymer Nanofibers For Supercapacitors, Samar A. Salim, Hani Nasser Abdelhamid

Nanotechnology Research Centre

This investigation describes the synthesis, electrospinning, and characterization of melamine-glutaraldehyde (MAGA) polymer composites with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) for supercapacitors applications. Electrospun fibers are generated by combining the MAGA polymer with PMMA at varying concentrations (2.5 %, 5 %, and 10 wt%). The synthesis of the polymer, its morphological attributes, and structural features are validated by characterization methods e.g., XRD, TEM, SEM, and FT-IR. In a three-electrode configuration, the electrochemical performances of the prepared electrodes are assessed using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCDC), and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The results suggest that the 5 % MAGA-PMMA composite has a specific …

A New Low-Rate Stable Hydrogel Cathode For Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries, Roya Rajabi, Shichen Sun, Jamil A. Khan, Morgan Stefik, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are attractive candidates for large-scale energy storage owing to the abundance, low cost, and intrinsic safety of Zn metal. However, their practical application is hindered by poor cycle stability, especially at low current densities, due to cathode dissolution and limited electrochemically active sites (EAS). Herein, a hydrogel-based cathode comprising ammonium vanadate, carbon black, and a Zn-ion-conducting carboxymethyl chitosan–acrylamide hydrogel matrix doped with Zn(ClO4)2 is reported. This design establishes a continuous Zn-ion-conducting network, thereby maximizing EAS density throughout the electrode volume. The ZIB with the hydrogel cathode exhibits outstanding cycling stability, with 77% capacity retention after 2000 …

Graphene Screen-Printed Electrode For Wound-Related Biosensing, Chanyapat Sriviroch

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring wound healing is critical for improving patient outcomes, especially for chronic wounds, which often have complications like delayed healing and infections. Current methods for monitoring wound healing are invasive and costly. Also, these methods have a limited ability to provide real-time, continuous data. This study seeks to explore a graphene screen-printed electrode (SPE) electrochemical biosensor that is non-invasive and efficient to constantly monitor wound healing in real time. This research study focuses specifically on the electrochemical detection of the Human Neutrophil Elastase (HNE) and Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI), which is one of the most abundant neutral proteinases in …

Al-Driven Interfacial Gap Prediction In Overlapped Al/Cu Laser Weld Joint For Battery Applications, Hyeonhee Kim, Sanghoon Kang, Cheolhee Kim, Yong Hoon Jang, Minjung Kang

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The battery tab-to-busbar welding process forms the primary electrical path in battery packs and is directly linked to both performance and safety. Variations in jig alignment, material tolerance, and forming quality can cause small interfacial gaps that lead to weak welds. An artificial intelligence (AI)-driven method was proposed in this study for predicting interfacial gaps in aluminum-copper overlap joints by integrating deep learning with multi-sensor data. A charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, spectrometer, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) sensors were employed to develop and validate deep learning models under varying gap conditions. The results revealed that the variation in melt-pool dimensions, …

Characterizing Surface Waviness Of Aluminum Alloy: An Approach To Minimize Post-Processing In Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (Waam) Production, Shammas Mahmood Shafi, Anis Fatima, Nicholas V. Hendrickson

Michigan Tech Publications

Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) offers high deposition rates and cost-effective production of large metal components but suffers from poor surface quality, particularly surface waviness, which increases post-processing requirements and limits industrial adoption. Since waviness directly impacts structural integrity, resource efficiency, and industrial applicability, understanding how process parameters govern this feature is critical for reducing post-processing requirement. This study systematically investigated the influence of voltage, travel speed, and wire feed speed on surface waviness in aluminum alloy walls fabricated by WAAM. A two-level factorial design with 16 experiments was conducted, and surface waviness was quantified using height gauge measurements relative …

Experimental Investigation Of 3d Printed Tpu Triboelectric Composites For Biomechanical Energy Conversion In Knee Implants, Osama Abdalla, Milad Azami, Amir Ameli, Emre Salman, Milutin Stanacevic, Ryan Willing, Shahrzad Towfighian

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Scholarship

Although total knee replacements have an insignificant impact on patients’ mobility and quality of life, real-time performance monitoring remains a challenge. Monitoring the load over time can improve surgery outcomes and early detection of mechanical imbalances. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) present a promising approach as a self-powered sensor for load monitoring in TKR. A TENG was fabricated with dielectric layers consisting of Kapton tape and 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix incorporating CNT and BTO fillers, separated by an air gap and sandwiched between two copper electrodes. The sensor performance was optimized by varying the concentrations of BTO and CNT to study …

Development And Justification Of The Structurally-Free Rod Design For Composite Spindles Of Vertical-Spindle Cotton Picking Machines, Nortoji Baratovich Baratov

Technical science and innovation

At present, the light industry constitutes a significant share of the economies of leading countries around the world. Notably, the cotton industry holds a prominent position within the light industry sector. The cultivation of cotton fiber and the harvesting of mature crops without compromising fiber quality represent complex and delicate processes. In order to carry out these operations rapidly and efficiently, various cotton harvesting machines have been developed based on projects proposed by numerous researchers. Among these, the vertical spindle cotton picker is recognized as one of the earliest machines created for this purpose. Since its invention, the vertical spindle …

Structure And Principle Of Operation Of The Vibrational Pressing And Dehydration Unit For Semi-Soft Cheese, Qobiljon Akmal Ugl Muxiddinov, Shakhnoza Abduvaxitovna Sultanova, Azamat Bakir Ugli Usenov

Technical science and innovation

This paper investigates the structural design and operational principles of a vibrational pressing and dehydration unit developed for semi – soft cheese production. The equipment is engineered to optimize whey expulsion and moisture uniformity in curd blocks by combining mechanical pressure with controlled vibration. The unit comprises a stainless – steel vibrating chamber, drainage plates with micro – perforations, and an adjustable frequency–amplitude control system. Vibrations in the range of 20–60 Hz are applied during pressing, promoting more efficient capillary flow and enhancing the separation of whey from curd particles. The process ensures uniform density and texture across the cheese …

A Comprehensive Assessment And Benchmark Studyof Large Atomistic Foundation Models For Phonons, Md Zaibul Anam, Ogheneyoma Aghoghovbia, Mohammed Al-Fahdi, Lingyu Kong, Victor Fung, Ming Hu

Faculty Publications

The rapid development of universal machine learning potentials (uMLPs) has enabled efficient, accurate predictions of diverse material properties across broad chemical spaces. While their capability for modeling phonon properties is emerging, systematic benchmarking across chemically diverse systems remains limited. We evaluate six recent uMLPs—EquiformerV2, MatterSim, MACE, and CHGNet—on 2429 crystalline materials from the Open Quantum Materials Database. Models were used to compute atomic forces in displaced supercells, derive interatomic force constants (IFCs), and predict phonon properties including lattice thermal conductivity (LTC), compared with density functional theory and experimental data. The EquiformerV2 pretrained model trained on the OMat24 dataset exhibits strong …

Microstructural Evolution And Magnetic Properties Of Spark Plasma Sintered Smco5 And Smco5-Fe Composites, Farhan Ishrak, Michael Lastovich, Fu-Yun Tsai, Charles Perkins Iv, Henri Baldino, Alex Helmer, Sean Rego, Sanoj Karki, Daniel Hedlund, Rajeev Gupta, Tushar Borkar

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Optimizing SmCo(5-)based nanocomposites for high-temperature magnetic applications requires balancing coercivity and saturation magnetization, properties often compromised by grain coarsening, oxidation, and secondary phase formation during conventional sintering. This study investigates the microstructural evolution and magnetic properties of SmCo5 and SmCo5-Fe composites processed via high-energy ball milling followed by spark plasma sintering at 900 degrees C and 1000 degrees C, a route designed to retain the nanostructure while enabling rapid densification compared to conventional sintering. A suite of characterization techniques, including electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, magnetometry, Magneto-optical Kerr effect, and magnetic force microscopy, reveals the extent of consolidation, phase composition, and …

Control Of Ferroelectric And Dielectric Properties Of Undoped, Fe, And Nb-Doped Single-Crystalline (001) Oriented Pb (Zr0.5ti0.5) O3 Thin Films, Mahamudu H. Mtebwa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

While several factors that influence the properties of ferroelectric devices have been extensively studied in bulk ceramics and polycrystalline thin films, limited is known about the same on single crystalline thin films which have great potential in memory and energy applications. This knowledge gap is largely due to the limited availability of substrates with lattice parameters suitable for supporting high-quality epitaxial growth. In this study, undoped, Fe-doped, and Nb-doped (001)-oriented Pb(Zr₀.₅Ti₀.₅)O₃ thin films were deposited using pulsed laser deposition, each with a SrRuO₃ bottom electrode and a PrScO₃ substrate. The doping concentration used is 1% for both Fe and Nb. …

Techno-Economic Analysis Of Hybrid Pv-Wind-Diesel Generator Swarm Grid For Rural Electrification In Tanzania, Ibrahim Mwammenywa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Remote, rural, and off-grid communities, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), face significant challenges in securing reliable and affordable electricity. While solutions such as solar home systems (SHSs) and diesel generators (DGs) have been adopted by some individuals, their deployment is often not optimized to meet the full load demand. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a hybrid swarm grid (HSG) design that integrates photovoltaic (PV), wind energy, and diesel generators (DGs). Utilizing MATLAB/Simulink and HOMER, the HSG is modeled and optimized for a typical SSA village, incorporating real-world variables such as load demand profiles, solar irradiance, and wind patterns. …