Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Research On Technology Opportunity Identification By Integrating Technology Attribute Analysis And Competitive Environment Scanning —— A Case Study Of Industrial Robots, Daobin Gao

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance] Placing technology opportunity identification in the perspective of technology attribute analysis and competitive environment scanning provides intelligence support for enterprises to select technology opportunities and formulate technology competitive strategies in complex and changing market competition environments.

[Method/process] Using patents as the data source, first, the BERTopic model is used to explore potential technical topics, Secondly, starting from the technical attributes, and from both global and local perspectives, we propose indicators of technical importance and technical attention, and use their cross screening to select candidate sets of technical opportunities, Finally, a market competition intensity index that takes into account market …

Jme 4110: Remotely Actuated Rail Switch, Calysta Yalew, Chibale Anwisye, Ron Almira, Andy Sengsavang

Washington University / UMSL Mechanical Engineering Design Project JME 4110

This project focuses on developing a device that will switch the direction of rail by moving the manual rail switch itself. This design consists of two winches strategically placed on either side of the rail switch. It is then attached to a beam clamped to the manual switch and via a button on a phone, can pull the handle left and right. With this device patrons are able to keep safe and railway operations would be more efficient.

Data-Driven Methods For Signal Analysis And Nonlinear System Identification, Cristian Felipe López Ruano

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

In recent years, data-driven modeling has gained considerable attention in nonlinear system identification, offering a powerful alternative to traditional physics-based methods. This has been possible by advances in machine learning, sparse regression, and differential equations in a weak form, which allow the accurate capture of complex nonlinear dynamics, even when the measurements are in strong background noise. Moreover, integrating these models with physical knowledge further enhances their reliability and interpretability, making them suitable for a wide range of science and engineering applications.

In this dissertation, we investigate algorithms for data-driven nonlinear system identification to obtain ordinary differential equations that govern …

Jme4110: Hydro-Excavator Robot, Diane L. Evans, Nathan Fenton, Grant Cole, Nicholas Sipe

Washington University / UMSL Mechanical Engineering Design Project JME 4110

In an environmental situation wherein, diesel has leaked into soil surrounding high voltage lines in an underground confined space where workers cannot access physically and for safety reasons. To alleviate the situation, the project goal is to create a remotely controlled robot, with umbilical attachments. Due to the nature of the environment containing sensitive and electrically charged equipment, mechanical means of removing the soil are not feasible. For this reason, the robot is to remove contaminated soil by using a powerful water sprayer and vacuum combination. Other options for features of this robot are that it uses tracks for movement, …

Using Knovel Steam Calculators Instead Of Printed Steam Tables, Anthony Reynolds

Case studies: Digital Education

Applied Thermodynamics is a cornerstone module in mechanical engineering curricula, providing students with the foundational understanding of energy systems, heat transfer, and the behaviour of working fluids such as steam. Traditionally, students have relied on printed steam tables found in the appendix of class textbooks to determine thermodynamic properties—an approach that, while educational, can be both time-consuming and prone to errors. With the increasing availability of digital tools in education, there is a growing opportunity to enhance the teaching and learning of technical subjects through technology. One such tool is the Knovel Steam Calculators, an interactive, web-based resource that allows …

Using The Ms Surface Pro 9 To Enhance Teaching And Learning, Anthony Reynolds

Case studies: Digital Education

Thermodynamics is a fundamental subject for mechanical engineers, focusing on the principles of energy conversion and the behaviour of matter under various conditions.Thermodynamics is very challenging for students for several reasons: It involves abstract concepts like entropy, which can be difficult to visualize and understand. It requires a strong grasp of mathematics(e.g.,calculus),which can be intimidating for somestudents. It intersects with various fields(e. g.physics and chemistry) requiring students to integrate knowledge from different areas.

Mobile Hyflex And Cfd, Fergal Boyle

Case studies: Digital Education

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is one of 12 taught modules on the Master of Engineering (ME) in Mechanical Engineering programme delivered on the Bolton St campus by the School of Mechanical Engineering. This programme is delivered as both a full-time programme (12 months) and a 2-3 year part-time programme with lectures held in the evenings only from 6-10 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. CFD is delivered in Semester 2 on a Tuesday evening from 6-8 pm in Room 236, a hardwired HyFlex room, with another module delivered directly afterwards. The number of students taking the module is generally around …

Mechanical Engineering Virtual Reality Lab, Alan Mcdonnell

Case studies: Digital Education

Students perform multiple engineering lab experiments within the Critical Utilities 1 module. The ‘Pump Laboratory’ experiment involves interaction with a fluid power training rig to record pressure and flow readings from a variety of system states. The recorded data from multiple pumping experiments is used to create pump and system characteristic curves and charts. This experiment is very appropriate to industrial practice and design. The typical cohort size is 10+ and the availability of only one training rig introduces a ‘pinch-point’ in the interaction capacity of the students; there is insufficient time for all students to perform all the separate …

Optimization Of Thermoelectric Energy Harvester To Power Wireless Onboard Bearing Health Sensors During Rail Service, Danna Cecilia Capitanachi Avila

Theses and Dissertations

This work presents the optimization of a thermoelectric energy harvester designed to supply power to a wireless onboard bearing health monitoring device for critical freight rail components. The study demonstrates an enhancement in the circuitry through the integration of an energy management subsystem (E-Peas AEM20940), which features a boost converter with lower self-start voltage. The harvesting system was tested on dynamic bearing test rigs to closely replicate field service conditions. Test plans were conducted using common freight speeds and loads to simulate a representative urban route. The thermoelectric energy harvester was able to operate at temperature differentials as low as …

Microstructure And Defects Of Aa6061 In The Laser Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing, Sivaji Karna

Theses and Dissertations

AA6061 is a widely used aluminum alloy known for its excellent thermal conductivity, strength, and corrosion resistance. However, its application in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing is restricted by solidification cracking and porosity. This study examines defect formation, microstructural evolution, and precipitate behavior in AA6061 processed under various LPBF conditions, including room temperature and heated substrates (500°C), as well as pulsed wave laser configurations. Microstructural characterization was conducted using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

A maximum relative density of 99.17% was …

Hydrogen Permeation And Mechanical Behavior Of Hydrogen-Charged Cr-Coated And Oxidized Zr-Alloy Fuel Cladding, Daniel Cole Viands

Theses and Dissertations

Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, accident tolerant fuel (ATF) became a major research interest to enhance the safety of light water reactors. Because the current fleet of light water reactors and their associated fuel cycle infrastructure are well-established, developing ATF that does not significantly alter the current fuel form or change its supporting infrastructure is ideal. Cr-coated Zircaloy fuel cladding is therefore an excellent short-term solution to enhance accident tolerance. Thin layers of Cr-coating offer notable resistance to corrosion, high-temperature oxidation, physical wear, and hydrogen permeation. Cold spray (CS) and physical vapor deposition (PVD) are two well-established Cr-coating …

Nasa Design And Analysis Of Pegda Hydrogels For Microgreen Cultivation In Space, Kelly Wu, Gabriel Antigua, Artur Abramyan

Publications and Research

With the growth of the space economy worldwide, sustainable and soil-less food systems for long-duration space missions become increasingly important. In this study, Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels were experimented with as a biocompatible medium in arugula microgreen growth without utilizing soil. Among the most considerable challenges was the fact that the plants' root growth exceeded the hydrogel capacity, which caused seedling dislodgment and starvation. To combat this, computer-aided design (CAD) was utilized to 3D print different mold designs to try and control root development further. The most promising of these designs were coil and tree-branch molds, promoting lateral or …

Reduced Order Model-Based Framework For Microsecond Model Updating Of Two-Dimensional Structural Systems Using The Local Eigenvalue Modification Procedure, Emmanuel Abiodun Ogunniyi

Theses and Dissertations

Real-time model updating is crucial for active structures and electronic assemblies subjected to high-rate dynamic events. High-rate dynamic events refer to events that occur at high speeds and with rapid changes in the forces and energy involved. These events can include explosions, impacts, and crashes. These systems are characterized by a high dynamic response with a high rate (< 100 ms), high amplitude (> 100 gn), highly nonlinear, meaning that the response is not proportional to the applied force, and involve complex interactions between multiple objects or materials. A system exposed to high-rate dynamic environments is frequently prone to rapid plastic deformation, involving violent and …

Strain And Redox Engineering For Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance In Transition Metal Oxide Thin Films, Mohammad Jamal El Loubani

Theses and Dissertations

The discovery of highly efficient and cost-effective thermoelectric (TE) materials is essential to envision high-performance TE power generators that enable the direct conversion of waste heat into electricity. Transition metal oxides (TMOs) are considered promising candidates for high-temperature TE applications due to their excellent thermal stability and low cost. However, their maximum power output (power factor, PF = σ•S2) is constrained by the intrinsic trade-off between thermopower (S) and electrical conductivity (σ), both of which are inversely related to carrier concentration. This trade-off poses a significant barrier to improving the performance of TE devices. Among various strategies to overcome this …

Database Development For Reliable Small Object Detection In Maritime Environments, Jacob Matthew Whisenant

Theses and Dissertations

Achieving high reliability in small object detection is critical for advancing maritime and littoral intelligent navigation operations. Computer vision provides an undetectable form of perception that can be easily integrated into existing camera systems, offering a low-profile yet powerful solution for navigation and situational awareness in water-based environments. While deep learning techniques have significantly advanced the field of computer vision, the detection of small objects remains a persistent challenge. Limited pixel representation, the scarcity of large-scale small object datasets, and the reduced detail and indistinct features of small objects complicate detection efforts, especially in complex environments. These factors collectively hinder …

Saw Biosensor For The Detection Of Cyanobacteria And Cyanotoxin, Tally Bovender

Theses and Dissertations

The growing prevalence of cyanobacterial blooms and associated cyanotoxins, such as microcystin-LR (MC-LR), presents a significant threat to water quality and public health. Conventional detection methods, including ELISA and PCR, are often time-consuming, expensive, and require trained personnel, limiting their application in field settings. Hence, a miniaturized, quick testing sensor is proposed to circumvent the current sensing challenges for real time, in-situ diagnostics of MC-LR. The proposed high-frequency ultrasonic sensor employs surface acoustic waves (SAW). The sensor was designed using a multi-physics simulation tool to understand wave propagation in the piezoelectric substrate (lithium tantalate) and optimize the design of the …

Mtu-Llm: Llm-Based Multi-Robot Task Allocation And Path Planning For Heterogeneous Robots In Search And Rescue Operations, Kaushik Kannan, Jungyun Bae

Michigan Tech Publications

Urban Search and Rescue operations after natural disasters involve locating and assisting victims in hazardous environments, which is challenging. Classical Multi-Robot Task Allocation (MRTA) and path planning approaches have been used to deploy heterogeneous robot teams in unsafe areas. However, existing methods often lack focus on workload balance and requirement fulfillment and struggle to generalize across different scenarios. To address these challenges, we propose Multi-robot Task allocation Utilizing LLMs (MTU-LLM), a framework designed to reduce the development time for task allocation and path planning approaches, enabling faster robot deployment. The framework uses an LLM-based “prompt engineering” approach that generates task …

A Discrete-Time Adaptive Sliding Mode Controller For A Multicopter With A Suspended Payload, John Helzer

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

This thesis presents a Discrete-time Adaptive Sliding Mode Controller (DASMC) for control of a multicopter with a suspended payload. DASMC is designed to stabilize the multicopter at a desired position while minimizing the load oscillations induced by a significant hanging payload. The proposed DASMC minimizes the need for system-specific parameters like tunable gains and improves robustness to both external disturbances and model uncertainties compared with existing controllers. The controller is designed for direct digital implementation on a variety of multicopter platforms with considerations like discrete-time design, adaptive gain shrinking, and saturation handling. When deployed on a real multicopter in an …

Jme 4110: Automatic Umbrella Opener, Sam Nieder, Adam Freeman

Washington University / UMSL Mechanical Engineering Design Project JME 4110

Manually opening and closing a patio umbrella can be time consuming and laborious. While there are remote controlled umbrellas for sale, they are expensive and may not be a reasonable option for most people. Our task was to create a device that can be retrofitted onto any patio umbrella, that allows it to be opened and closed remotely.

Jme 4110: Design And Evaluation Of A Remote-Operated Tool For High-Ceiling Light Bulb Maintenance, Faiq Kureshi, Austin Carr, Phuc Truong, Klevis Malaj

Washington University / UMSL Mechanical Engineering Design Project JME 4110

Changing light bulbs in high ceilings is a common but hazardous task. Existing tools are awkward, unstable, and often lead to dropped bulbs, damaged fixtures, or the need for ladders, increasing both risk and effort. There is a clear need for a safe, accurate, and efficient solution that allows bulb replacement from the ground without compromising speed or precision

Electron Beam Irradiation Effects On Bulk Metals And High Entropy Alloys (Crmnv And Crmntiv) And The Synthesis And Characterization Of Irradiation-Induced Damage In Polycrystalline Metal And High Entropy Alloy Thin Films, Najmin Ara Sultana

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Accelerator beam exit windows are designed to withstand intense radiation and mechanical stress while preserving beam transmission and structural integrity. This dissertation explores the structural and mechanical responses of pure metals and high-entropy alloys (HEAs), in both bulk and thin-film forms, under high-dose electron beam (e-beam) irradiation to identify optimal materials for next-generation accelerator exit windows. Monte Carlo simulations using FLUKA, conducted at Jefferson Lab, revealed that amongst Ni, Ti, Cr, and V, Ni exhibits the highest power dissipation, while Ti depicts the lowest power dissipation, with Cr and V demonstrating intermediate characteristics. Bulk polycrystalline (PC) and single-crystalline (SC) samples …

The Utilization Of Basic Oxygen Furnace Slag As Fine Aggregates In Concrete: Physical, Mechanical, And Durability Properties, Hakan Ozkan

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This study examines the feasibility of using basic oxygen furnace slag (BOFS) as an alternative to fine crushed limestone aggregate in concrete. BOFS is sourced from two steel production facilities in Türkiye, designated as I-BOFS and E-BOFS. The experimental results showed that as the E-BOFS aggregate replacement ratio increased, the water-to-cement (w/c) ratio increased to maintain the target workability. The concrete mixtures incorporating E-BOFS exhibited consistent reductions in the compressive strength with an increase in the BOFS ratio. At the same time, I-BOFS maintained higher compressive strength, with only minor losses up to 80% of the substitution ratio. Flexural strength …

Development Of A Self-Cured Alkali-Activated Mortar, Kübra Ekiz Barış

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Alkali-activated mortars (AAM) can be produced with self-curing (SC), which supplies internal moisture to accelerate alkaline-activation reactions. The aim of using SC is to make AAMs with an early-age strength without any additional curing energy consumption and higher CO2 emissions, and to obtain in-situ practical advantages that enable the large-scale application of AAMs. The previous study produced natural pozzolan-based AAMs by applying energy-intensive heat (HC), microwave (MWC), and hybrid (HC+MWC) curing. This study investigates alternative curing regimes that reduce production energy without compromising material properties. The impacts of air curing (AC), water curing (WC), and SC on the properties were …

Naoh Molarity Effect On Mechanical And Hydrochloric Acid Resistance Of Geopolymer Mortar Based On Slag, Mahmoud Ziada, Zahraa Mohammed Kamil Al-Mayali

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The present research investigates the influence of different sodium hydroxide (NaOH) molarities on the mechanical characteristics and hydrochloric acid (HCl) resistance of geopolymer grouts manufactured from ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS). Geopolymer mortars have attracted interest as sustainable substitutes for traditional cementitious materials due to their advantageous environmental effects and enhanced durability features. This study involved the fabrication of geopolymer mortar specimens by altering the NaOH molarity (M) from 6 M to 14 M. The mechanical and physical qualities were assessed using compressive strength, capillary water absorption, flexural strength, slump flow, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) tests. Subsequently, the geopolymer …

Effect Of Expanded Perlite And Exfoliated Vermiculite Aggregate Additives On Water Vapor Permeability Performance Of Cement-Based Lightweight Mortars, Lütfullah Gündüz, Şevket Onur Kalkan

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Vapor diffusion is the movement of water vapor molecules through porous materials such as wood, insulation products, and lightweight wall elements due to differences in vapor pressure. Vapor retarders are used to control vapor diffusion through wall sections and surfaces. All building materials provide some resistance to vapor diffusion, and the amount of resistance varies depending on the material's properties. These properties can vary with relative humidity and moisture content, age, temperature, and other factors. Vapor resistance is usually expressed using the inverse term of ``vapor permeability,'' which is the relative ease of vapor diffusion through a material. Water vapor …

Rubber-Modified Self-Compacting Mortar: Evaluating Setting Time And Strength Development, Navvar Makansi, Süleyman Ipek, Erhan Güneyisi

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The influence of using crumb rubber (CR) obtained from the second scraping of used tires as fine aggregate in manufacturing self-compacting mortar (SCM) was investigated experimentally in this study. To explore this, natural fine aggregate in SCM mixes was partially replaced with CR at levels ranging from 5% to 25% by total fine aggregate volume. Two mix series, one with a total binder of 500 kg/m3 and the other with a 540 kg/m3 binder, were designed at water-to-binder ratios of 0.40 and 0.33. Ordinary Portland cement (80% by weight) and fly ash (20% by weight) were used to manufacture mortars. …

Smart Traffic Management At Intersections, Gezim Hoxha, Piotr Gorzelanczyk, Rame Likaj, Shaban Thaqi, Flori Cikaqi

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Effective traffic control methods, whether at intersections or other nodes within the road network, play a critical role in ensuring traffic quality and safety. An inappropriate choice of traffic control techniques or poorly optimized light signal programming at intersections often leads to unsatisfactory service levels. This study specifically addresses the issues related to intersections controlled by traffic lights. It aims to identify the key factors influencing the regulation and programming of traffic lights, with a focus on using different microcontrollers, particularly the Raspberry Pi. The primary objective of this research is to develop a methodology and an adapted programming approach …

Identification Of Barriers And Drivers In The Adoption Of Sustainable Construction Practices In The Turkish Construction Industry: Exploratory Factor Analysis, Tülay Çivici, Mustafa Serhan Ünlütürk

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Although the importance of sustainability in the construction industry has been emphasised by many researchers and endorsed by many authorities, it is clear that the practices in the industry still need to be improved. The primary issue for adopting sustainable practices in the construction industry is identifying the barriers and drivers. For this reason, the study analysed the literature to identify the critical barriers and incentives for adopting sustainable practices in the construction industry. In light of the information from the literature, the necessary barriers and motivators in adopting sustainable practices in the construction industry were determined, and a questionnaire …

Synergistic Effect Of Alccofine As Partial Replacement Of Cement And M-Sand As Sand Substitution In Concrete For The Assessment Of Mechanical And Microstructural Properties, Yellinedi Madhavi, R.S. Ravichandran, J. Saravanan, N. Venkatasairam Kumar

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and traditional binder mass has revolutionized concrete production technology in the building industry. This study examines how Alcofine-1203 affects the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of concrete. The mechanical qualities of the mixtures were evaluated using six different mixes prepared for each M25 and M40 Grade. In the proposed mixes, cement is substituted with alccofine at 0 to 25% and M-Sand as fine aggregate. The Compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity were assessed after 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90 days of curing, and split tensile strength and flexure strength were evaluated after 28 and …

Sustainable Modification Of Stone Column Technique With Polyethylene Terephthalate (Pet) Plastic For Strengthening The Expansive Clay, Ng Jun Shen, Muzamir Hasan

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This research investigated the modification of stone column application by the association of PET plastic as a coarse aggregate material for sustainable material replacement. Clay soil improvement with a granular material fabricated column substantially affected its soil-bearing capacity. Subsequently, it avoided severe problems such as soil settlement and structural instability. Previous studies have mentioned the function and alteration of stone columns using materials like bottom ash and fly ash. Still, no attention has been paid to the utilization of PET plastic for this area. This study examined the feasibility and reliability of materials, PET plastic, and kaolin clay S300 before …