Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Moisture Reduction Of Honey In Dehumidification And Evaporation Processes, Anang Lastriyanto, Sasongko Aji Wibowo, Erwan Erwan, Firman Jaya, Jati Batoro, Dewi Masyithoh, J.S.A Lamerkabel

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The high water content of honey can lead to fermentation and accelerate the deterioration of honey. One way to prevent fermentation in honey is to reduce the water content of honey. There are several ways to reduce the water content of honey, namely through a dehumidifier and evaporation. This study aimed to examine the relationship of reduced water content towards time in between dehumidifier and evaporation processes. The research method uses an exponential equation model to determine the value of the constant (K). The constant value (K) is used to predict the rate of reduction in moisture content between the …

Review Of Γ’ Rafting Behavior In Nickel-Based Superalloys: Crystal Plasticity And Phase-Field Simulation, Zhiyuan Yu, Xinmei Wang, Fuqian Yang, Zhufeng Yue, James C. M. Li

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Rafting is an important phenomenon of the microstructure evolution in nickel-based single crystal superalloys at elevated temperature. Understanding the rafting mechanism and its effect on the microstructure evolution is of great importance in determining the structural stability and applications of the single crystal superalloys. Phase-field method, which is an excellent tool to analyze the microstructure evolution at mesoscale, has been gradually used to investigate the rafting behavior. In this work, we review the crystal plasticity theory and phase-field method and discuss the application of the crystal plasticity theory and phase-field method in the analysis of the creep deformation and microstructure …

The Economics Of Classroom 3-D Printing Of Open-Source Digital Designs Of Learning Aids, Nicole Gallup, Joshua M. Pearce

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

While schools struggle financially, capital for purchasing physical learning aids is often cut. To determine if costs could be reduced for learning aids, this study analyzed classroom-based distributed digital manufacturing using 3-D printing of open-source learning aid designs. Learning aid designs are analyzed in detail for their economic viability considering printing and assembly costs with purchased components and compared to equivalent or inferior commercial products available on Amazon. The results show current open-source 3-D printers are capable of manufacturing useful learning aids and that doing so provides high economic savings in the classroom. Overall, the average learning aid would save …

Improvement Of Light Intensity And Efficiency Of N-Zno/Nio/P-Gan Heterojunction-Based White Light Emitting Diodes Using Micro-/Nanolens Array, Apurba Adhikary, Md Shamim Ahsan, Md Mahbub Hossain, Md Bipul Hossain, S. H. Shah Newaz, Farid Ahmed, Ik-Bu Sohn

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Our study proposes a technique to enhance light extraction efficiency of light emitting diodes (LEDs) by incorporating various micro-/nanolens arrays (MNLAs) on the substrate layer, which in turn increases the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the LEDs. To simulate the LEDs, we utilized the finite difference time domain method. To achieve a white LED, we inserted a thin layer of NiO at the interface between the n-type ZnO and the p-type GaN. The basic n-ZnO/NiO/p-GaN heterojunction-based LED exhibited an EQE of 10.99% where the effective refractive index of the LED structure was 1.48. The EQE was further increased by engraving …

Sustainable Drug Release From Polycaprolactone Coated Chitin‑Lignin Gel Fibrous Scaffolds, Turdimuhammad Abdullah, Kalamegam Gauthaman, Azadeh Mostafavi, Ahmed Alshahrie, Numan Salah, Pierfrancesco Morganti, Angelo Chianese, Ali Tamayol, Adnan Memic

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Non-healing wounds have placed an enormous stress on both patients and healthcare systems worldwide. Severe complications induced by these wounds can lead to limb amputation or even death and urgently require more effective treatments. Electrospun scaffolds have great potential for improving wound healing treatments by providing controlled drug delivery. Previously, we developed fibrous scaffolds from complex carbohydrate polymers [i.e. chitin-lignin (CL) gels]. However, their application was limited by solubility and undesirable burst drug release. Here, a coaxial electrospinning is applied to encapsulate the CL gels with polycaprolactone (PCL). Presence of a PCL shell layer thus provides longer shelf-life for the …

Machine Learning Augmentation Micro-Sensors For Smart Device Applications, Mohammad H. Hasan

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

Novel smart technologies such as wearable devices and unconventional robotics have been enabled by advancements in semiconductor technologies, which have miniaturized the sizes of transistors and sensors. These technologies promise great improvements to public health. However, current computational paradigms are ill-suited for use in novel smart technologies as they fail to meet their strict power and size requirements. In this dissertation, we present two bio-inspired colocalized sensing-and-computing schemes performed at the sensor level: continuous-time recurrent neural networks (CTRNNs) and reservoir computers (RCs). These schemes arise from the nonlinear dynamics of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), which facilitates computing, and the inherent ability …

Laser Powder Bed Fusion Of Nitihf High-Temperature Shape Memory Alloy: Effect Of Process Parameters On The Thermomechanical Behavior, Mohammadreza Nematollahi, Guher P. Toker, Keyvan Safaei, Alejandro Hinojos, S. Ehsan Saghaian, Othmane Benafan, Michael J. Mills, Haluk E. Karaca, Mohammad Elahinia

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Laser powder bed fusion has been widely investigated for shape memory alloys, primarily NiTi alloys, with the goal of tailoring microstructures and producing complex geometries. However, processing high temperature shape memory alloys (HTSMAs) remains unknown. In our previous study, we showed that it is possible to manufacture NiTiHf HTSMA, as one of the most viable alloys in the aerospace industry, using SLM and investigated the effect of parameters on defect formation. The current study elucidates the effect of process parameters (PPs) on the functionality of this alloy. Shape memory properties and the microstructure of additively manufactured Ni-rich NiTiHf alloys were …

Rf Studies Of Soot And Ammonia Loadings On A Combined Particulate Filter And Scr Catalyst, Shreyans Sethia, David Kubinski, Hans Nerlich, Jeffrey Naber

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Modern diesels employ a particulate filter (DPF) to reduce soot emissions. Additionally, the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx by NH3 stored on the SCR catalyst reduces NOx emissions. In some vehicles the functions of these aftertreatment components are combined in the SDPF, a DPF having a SCR washcoat. The RF resonant method has been shown to be an alternative tool for measuring the DPF's soot loading and the SCR's NH3 loading. For both applications, the transmitted electromagnetic signal between antennae placed on either side of the catalyst change with loading. Here we report the influence of the RF signal …

Grow Local Manufacturing Along Us/Mexico Border Region For An Integrated Supply Chain In The Post Covid-19 Era, Jianzhi Li

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

The current coronavirus disease pandemic, plus the strong movement of manufacturing reshoring, provide a unique opportunity for many US regions to grow local manufacturers. This technical note attempts to review the current situation and trend in US manufacturing. We then discuss challenges and necessary steps, such as asset mapping, required to grow local suppliers. Suggestions are then made to support growing local suppliers along the US/Mexico border region.

Data Analysis To Evaluate The Performance Of Breathing Masks Used For Filtering Nano-Level Particles At Manufacturing Sites, Gracia M. Dardano

Honors College Theses

The work performed in this research aims to evaluate the performance of commercially available breathing masks in filtering airborne nanoparticles at manufacturing sites. Nanoparticles are found virtually anywhere, from dust in a worksite to a simple sneeze. Therefore, they pose a substantial threat to human health as their velocity and volatility are high. This research analyzes if current efforts of breathing masks to hinder nanoparticles are effective, especially at manufacturing sites. Data has been collected in order to analyze the behavior of nanoparticles and to measure nanoparticle levels at manufacturing sites and its working environment. Data is statistical in nature …

Annual Simulation Of Photovoltaic Retrofits Within Existing Parabolic Trough Concentrating Solar Powerplants, Nipun Goel, Hannah O'Hern, Matthew Orosz, Todd Otanicar

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Solar power for electricity production comes from either photovoltaics or concentrating solar power plants. The former has seen rapid growth and expansion due to the rapid fall in global prices, while the latter has seen moderate growth due to ability to cheaply store thermal energy for later use. Hybridization, or combining photovoltaics with concentrating solar power represents a potential way for lowering cost while enabling long term storage. Over 5 GW of capacity exist worldwide using parabolic trough style technology for concentrating solar power which presents a unique option for optimization in the form of a photovoltaic retrofit. While it …

Fusion-Features And Visual-Dictionary Image Recognition Methods For Apple Classification In Smart Manufacturing, Ahsiah Ismail

Student Works (2020-2029)

Smart manufacturing enables an efficient manufacturing process to optimize production. The optimization is performed through data analytics that requires reliable and informative data as input. Therefore, in this research, two image recognition feature extraction methods namely Curvelet Wavelet-Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (CWGLCM) and Fuzzy-Spatial Pyramid Matching (F-SPM) are proposed to provide reliable inputs for vision-based apple classification in smart manufacturing. Feature extraction is one of the major steps that could influent the efficiency of the manufacturing process. The CW-GLCM method is a feature extraction of fusion-features with Decision Tree classifier, while the F-SPM method uses a visual-dictionary based method to …

Evaluation Of A Bulge Reduction Technology For Corrugated Fiberboard Containers Under Static Compression, Daan Peleman, Jay Singh, Koushik Saha, S. Roy

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

This research examines the effect of top-to-bottom static compression load on the bulge of RSC containers. The study compares a control regular slotted container (RSC) constructed with corrugated fiberboard to tape-reinforced designs. The bulge reduction, achieved using various tape placements and conditioning environments, were measured. Currently, no research on the effect of reinforcement tape towards reduction in the out-of-plane displacement (bulging) of the corrugated fiberboard panels has been undertaken. Samples related to four different container designs, varying by presence, quantity and the position of the reinforcement tape on the vertical panels, were tested and analyzed. The study involved the use …

Obtaining Mechanical Shock Fragility Statistics For Simple Stochastic Cushioning Design., Shogo Horiguchi, Katsuhiko Saito

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

Proper cushioning to prevent product damage and over-packaging must consider the mechanical-shock fragility of the product. Furthermore, improved cushioning design can be achieved by performing stochastic cushioning design using mechanical-shock fragility statistics and transport hazard statistics. However, many samples are required to obtain mechanical-shock fragility statistics from standard testing comprising critical velocity change tests and critical-acceleration tests (the “conventional method”). In many cases, the required number of samples cannot be prepared. Thus, this research is designed to develop testing methods requiring half the number of samples of the conventional method. Thus far, "test method with one sample" has been developed …

Experimental Investigation Of Liquid Height Estimation And Simulation Verification Of Bolt Tension Quantification Using Surface Acoustic Waves, Hani Alhazmi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, two separate applications that are related to surface acoustic waves in a solid media are presented. The first study concerns simulating and validating an experimentally study for quantifying the bolt tension in the bolted joints using the surface acoustic wave. The second study experimentally investigates measuring the level of a liquid existing on a solid surface via surface acoustic waves and exploring the effect of liquid existence on the propagation of surface acoustic waves over the solid surface.

Quantifying bolt tension and ensuring that bolts are appropriately tightened for large-scale civil infrastructures are crucial. This study investigates …

Prefilling Mylar Capacitor Edge Margins To Improve Capacitor Reliability And Size, Chase Kayser

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Typical high-voltage, wound film-foil capacitors have large edge margins filled with air to prevent breakdown between foil electrodes. This arrangement is inefficient for energy density and leaves a volume where particulates may settle in an uncontrolled atmosphere. The reliability and size of high-voltage, wound film-foil capacitors could be improved by adding a material with higher breakdown strength into the edge margins. This will not only improve reliability and size but also act as a barrier to prevent foreign object debris (FOD), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and water from damaging the capacitor’s performance. This paper will discuss the process of determining …

A Comparison Of Localization Accuracy With Binaural Recordings Utilizing A Binaural-Head Microphone And Vr Visualization, Joseph Erichsen

Student Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived location of broadband signals created via binaural recording and then replicated in a virtual listening space. Listeners were asked to localize an auditory target positioned in one of four horizontal quadrants in three vertical planes. A binaural recording was created in both anechoic and echoic environments and subjective tests were conducted. Tests were repeated, with a virtual reality headset to virtually replicate the testing space. Results showed the effectiveness of binaural recording in recreating the perceived source locations in “3-D” space around a specified listening position in different conditions. Statistical …

Centrifugal Microfluidic Platform For Solid-Phase-Extraction (Spe) And Fluorescence Detection Applications, Yong Zhang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Solid phase extraction (SPE) is a widely used method to separate and concentrate the target molecules in liquid mixture. Traditional SPE has to be conducted in the laboratory with professional equipment and skilled operators. The microfluidic and 3D printing technology have opened up the opportunity in developing miniaturized automatic instruments. The main contribution of this research is to integrate the SPE process on a novel centrifugal platform. Various valves are applied on the platform to help control the aqueous sample and reagents in the cartridge.

First, a centrifugal microfluidic platform was built for automatically detecting trace oil pollution in water. …

A New Method Of Statcom Controlling For Harmonic Mitigation And Power Factor Correction, Doha Jdeed

Journal of the Arab American University مجلة الجامعة العربية الامريكية للبحوث

This paper presents a control algorithm of 3ph STATic synchronous COMpensator (STATCOM). The algorithm depends on the accurate reference currents extraction from only the nonlinear load current spec-trum in frequency domain using Fast Fourier Transfer (FFT). Then the determined harmonics and reactive components of load current are added together to form the compensating reference signals, the PI controllers then generate signals which control the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) method. The simulation of the study is carried out under MATLAB/Simulink environment to show the usefulness of this control algorithm with nonlin-ear dynamic loads. It determines exactly the phase shift between the …

Study On The Viability Of Preparing Plaster Molds For Rapid Prototyping Of Complex Ceramic Parts Using The Lost Pla Method, Shelton F. Fowler Iv

Honors College Theses

In the field of metal casting, cast parts often require an internal cavity to be made to meet design requirements. Frequently, these interior surfaces are not manufacturable through standard machining processes, and even when possible, they would most likely involve expensive and time-consuming operations. In order to avoid these machining costs, expendable ceramic or sand cores are manufactured and placed into the mold to allow the direct casting of complex internal geometries. This research seeks to use relatively inexpensive plastic 3D printing technology and the lost PLA casting process for the production of low-cost and rapidly producible ceramic cores. A …

Nonlinear Controller For Nonlinear Wave Energy Converters, David G. Wilson, Giorgio Bacelli, Rush D. Robinett Iii, Ossama Abdelkhalik

Michigan Tech Patents

The present invention is directed to a nonlinear controller for nonlinear wave energy converters (WECs). As an example of the invention, a nonlinear dynamic model is developed for a geometrically right-circular cylinder WEC design for the heave-only motion, or a single degree-of-freedom (DOF). The linear stiffness term is replaced by a nonlinear cubic hardening spring term to demonstrate the performance of a nonlinear WEC as compared to an optimized linear WEC. By exploiting the nonlinear physics in the nonlinear controller, equivalent power and energy capture, as well as simplified operational performance is observed for the nonlinear cubic hardening spring controller …

Explosive Compaction Of Additively Manufactured Material, Phillip R. Mulligan, Cody Lough, Douglas A. Bristow, Edward Kinzel, Catherine E. Johnson

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique that uses a laser to locally fuse material in a metal-powder bed. The process is performed in layers enabling significant geometric freedom over traditional manufacturing techniques. During the deposition process, the metal is locally melted and rapidly self-quenched, leading to rapid solidification with well-defined melt-pool boundaries. Analogies are often drawn to the microstructure created in welding, albeit extending to the entire part. The SLM process parameters are optimized to produce near full density metal parts. The process parameters can also be adjusted to produce local regions that are of unmelted …

The Energy Efficiency Of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (Mass), Dang Cuong Nguyen

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Simulation Of A Unit Injector For Ammonia Injection In A Compression Ignition Engine, Mohammed Aziem Rujub

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Application Of Renewable Energy Supply In A Port Container Terminal : Bandar Abbas Port Container Terminal Case Study, Zhila Gordani

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Landfill Leachates On Some Water Quality Indicators Of Selected Surface Water And Groundwater At Ilokun, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, Olorunwa Omofunmi, Adesola Satimehin, Abraham Oloye, Okwunna Umego

Makara Journal of Technology

This study was conducted to examine the impact of dumpsites on the quality of groundwater and surface water. The water samples and leachates were collected from dumpsites in respective zones. The physicochemical properties of the samples were examined and determined in accordance with the standards of the American Public Health Association. Results indicated that the groundwater and surface water that are close to the dumpsites have an electrical conductivity of 385 and 245 Sd/cm, total dissolved solids of 168 and 128 mg/L, a turbidity of 4.6 and 22 NTU, a total alkalinity of 103 and 50 mg/L, a total hardness …

Microstrip Filters: A Review Of Different Filter Designs Used In Ultrawide Band Technology, Hussain Bohra, Giriraj Prajapati

Makara Journal of Technology

In this study, optimization techniques applied in designing microstrip bandpass ultra-wideband (UWB) filters are presented. Optimization based on various defected ground structure techniques, resonator designs, and type of dielectric materials is discussed. Microstrip bandpass filters implemented at UWB frequency bands used in wireless communication systems have key features to control frequency response in passband and stopband. Optimization techniques are studied to attain optimum performance of bandpass microstrip filters to ensure minimum insertion loss, high selectivity, compactness, sharp transitions at cut-off frequencies, high return loss, and excellent linearity. Extensive study shows that proper selection of fabrication techniques and type of material …

Effect Of Catholyte Concentration On Current Production During Chocolate Industry Wastewater Treatment By A Microbial Fuel Cell, Diana Rahayuning Wulan, Suprihanto Notodarmojo

Makara Journal of Technology

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) use bacteria as a catalyst to oxidize organic and/or inorganic substrates and produce electric currents. Wastewater could function as an electron donor in the anode chamber and, thus, represents a very promising energy source. Catholytes, as electron acceptors, influence power production in MFCs by increasing the availability of electrons. The present research aims to determine the influence of catholyte concentration on current production in an aerobic two-chamber MFC. Aerobic treatment was carried out in the two-chamber MFC operated in an incubator at 37  1 °C with and without aeration in the cathode chamber. Wastewater from …

Evaluation Of Il-17a And Il-17f Gene Expression In Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells In Different Clinical Stages Of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection In An Iranian Population, Tannaz Akbari Kolagar, Seyed Reza Mohebbi, Fatemeh Ashrafi, Shahrzad Shoraka, Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei, Mohammad Reza Zali

Makara Journal of Technology

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the main causes of liver damage, which can also lead to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. More than 240 million individuals worldwide are chronic carriers of HBV. Among individuals with CHB who are untreated, approximately 15% – 40% will progress to liver cirrhosis or cancer. The interactions between HBV and host immune response play significant roles in the progression of CHB. CHB can be generally divided into four different clinical phases: immune tolerance (IT), immune clearance, inactive carrier, and Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative reactivation phase (ENEG). Many studies showed that interleukins …

Redesign Of Product Packaging With Kansei Engineering: Empirical Study On Small-Medium Enterprises In Indonesia, Amalia Suzianti, A. Aldianto

Makara Journal of Technology

Small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia have been proven to be one of the important pillars of the national economy. Unfortunately, some problems hinder their development, and one of the critical problems is the quality of product packaging. The packages of SME products are considered poor, dirty, and unattractive. Packaging problem is one of the factors why consumers are less interested in buying and why SME products always lose in the competition with other products. This study discusses how to employ Kansei engineering to design better SME product packaging with a focus on psychological (affective) aspects. This research concludes that there …