Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Optimizing The Processing Temperature For Synthesis Of Silver Nanoparticles Within Cellulose-Wool Keratin Supramolecular Matrix Using Butylmethylimmidazolium Chloride Ionic Liquid, Ngesa E. Mushi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

To date, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles on the surface of cellulose and wool keratin biopolymer, while dissolved in ionic liquid, is attractive because of its biomedical potential. However, the optimal processing temperature for the nanoparticle formation is unclear. The previously reported temperature of approximately 120°C gives unpredictable results. The current study employs a combination of 50% cellulose and 50% keratin, along with 69 mg of silver chloride, in Butylmethylimidazolium Chloride BMImCl ionic liquid, using a single-pot process to produce a supramolecular film via non-derivatized mechanochemical interactions. The primary objective is to experimentally establish the processing temperature to achieve stable …

How’S It Growing? Tools For Observing Snow And Sea Ice In A Changing Arctic Ocean, Ian Alexander Raphael

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

September Arctic sea ice extent has diminished by roughly 50% in the 45 years since satellite observations began. The Arctic Ocean may experience ice-free summers within the next decade, with implications for habitat, resource extraction, geopolitics, and local and global climate change. To predict how Arctic sea ice will change in the future, we need to understand its behavior in the present. In situ sea ice mass balance measurements (snow accumulation, ice growth, snow and ice surface melt, and bottom melt) are essential for studying the processes driving rapid changes in the ice pack, and for validating remote sensing measurements …

Automation Of Post Fermentation Must Removal, Grace Hurley, Jakob Spink, Ariel Metscher

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The Harvest Haulers project addresses a critical operational inefficiency at Saucelito Canyon Winery, where post-fermentation must removal from wine barrels was labor-intensive and potentially hazardous. This project aimed to develop a custom forklift attachment that could securely handle Bordeaux and Burgundy barrels, streamline the dumping process, and improve worker safety.

The resulting solution is a forklift-compatible fixture designed to lift, secure, and tilt barrels using a robust combination of a modified aluminum pallet, padded hoop, ratchet straps, and a custom hinge mechanism. The design meets all engineering requirements, including a 600 lb. load capacity, 135° tilt, and a single-operator setup …

Sustainability In The Cruising Industry: Innovations In Air Quality, Energy Efficiency, And Waste Management, Fikret Durmus, Mi Ran Kim

ICHRIE Research Reports

The cruise industry, a cornerstone of the global hospitality and tourism sector, faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental impact. As passenger numbers grow, so does the industry's responsibility to adopt sustainable practices. This report examines key innovations in air quality management, energy efficiency, and waste management, highlighting the industry's transition from historically high emissions and waste production to advanced sustainability initiatives. Key focus areas include evolving maritime regulations, adopting cleaner propulsion technologies, integrating energy-efficient solutions, and improving waste treatment practices. Findings indicate that industry leaders are investing in liquefied natural gas engines, exhaust gas cleaning systems, and onshore power supply …

Integrity Assessment Of Shipping Line Pipelines Using Risk-Based Analysis To Determine Risk And Maintenance Strategies, Ade Ratih Anggraini, Dwi Marta Nurjaya

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Pipeline Shipping Lines X, Y & Z are classified as critical infrastructure, being the only transportation through the crude oil lifting from P and R location to the transfer station in NM Area. To maintain the workflow of the Shipping Line, integrity assessments and risk evaluation are required to ensure the operational and safety. Anomalies were found by analysing inspection, monitoring, and repair data, while the pipelines' future integrity was assessed by calculating the remaining life. Risk-Based Analysis (RBA), which is a modification of Kent Muhlbaeur's method, is employed to conduct the risk assessment using the Probability of Failure (POF) …

Assessment Of H2s-Induced Cracking Susceptibility In Steam Line Pipes And Weld Zones During Geothermal Well Construction, Riene Kaelamanda Pragitta, Yudha Pratesa

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

The susceptibility of steam line pipes, especially in the HAZ (heat-affected zone) and weldment areas, to hydrogen sulfide in the geothermal industry is crucial to understand from the early stages, particularly during construction. The combination of tensile stress from residual stresses after welding and metallurgical phase transformation makes the joint areas vulnerable to sulfide stress cracking. This condition becomes even more extreme when the equipment operates during the well stimulation phase. This research assesses the severity of H₂S-induced cracking using NACE MR0175 and ISO 15156-1 standards, focusing on the effects of pH and partial pressure of H₂S (p_{H₂S …}

Tradespace Exploration With Statistical Modeling Techniques And Immersive Visual Representation In Virtual Environments, Nikhil Raj

All Theses

Statistical modeling techniques combined with virtual reality (VR) visualization offer powerful new approaches to tradespace exploration in engineering design. The research presented addresses the challenge of analyzing and communicating insights from complex multidimensional datasets, particularly for autonomous ground vehicle systems.

Beginning with a review of statistical methods—including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and correlation analysis—the study examines their applications in tradespace exploration. Building on this foundation, three distinct visualization pathways connecting MATLAB data to virtual environments are developed and evaluated: VRML representation, STL conversion, and Blender integration. Each approach is assessed for its ability to maintain data …

Cellulose Recovery From Waste Denim Fabrics Through Indigo Vat Dye Reduction And Spandex Dissolution, Tito N. Venance

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This study addresses environmental conservation by tackling end-of-life management for post-consumer denim garments through the recycling of cotton fibres from waste denim. The purification process involved dithionite reduction of vat dyes in the presence of an alkali followed by selective dissolution of spandex using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Optimal conditions for dye removal were determined at 90°C for 120 minutes with sodium hydroxide at 25 g/L, sodium dithionite at 6 g/L and PVP at 4.5 g/L, while spandex extraction was achieved using a 5% DMF solution at 70°C for 4 hours. Ultraviolet (UV)-vis spectrophotometric analysis indicated a significant increase in whiteness (DL*). …

Assessment Of Factors Contributing On Early Rotting Of Chromated Copper Arsenate Treated Utility Power Distribution Wood Poles In Tanzania, Innocent J. Macha

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The study aimed to assess the factors contributing to the premature decay of Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) treated utility power distribution wooden poles in Tanzania. Deteriorated poles samples from various regions in Tanzania were analyzed using handheld X-ray spectrometry to quantify the retention of CCA preservative chemicals. The ages of these poles were estimated based on annual growth rings. The findings indicated that premature failure of CCA treated wooden poles is attributed to an imbalance in the chemical composition of the preservative solution. The study found that CuO retention in most samples ranged between 10-18 kg/m3, significant lower that the …

A Critical Realist Erp Implementation In Zimbabwean Mining Industry Organisations, Jairos Mukwenha

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This research uses a critical realist framework to examine the factors influencing the success of enterprise resource planning (ERP) system implementation in Zimbabwean mining industry organisations. From the perspective of critical realism, the mining industry in Zimbabwe faces a complex interplay of opportunities and obstacles while implementing ERP systems. The deployment of ERP in mining firms is critically examined in this paper, emphasising how these systems might improve operational efficiency while considering Zimbabwe's particular socioeconomic circumstances. By exploring underlying structures, mechanisms, and outcomes, the research aims to identify critical challenges and opportunities and develop practical recommendations for improving ERP adoption …

Design And Performance Analysis Of Fiber Bragg Grating Temperature Sensor For Industrial Processes Sensing Applications, Paul Stone Stone Brown Macheso S.B.

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor has become a widespread sensing device because of its small size, passive design, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and direct ability to measure physical properties like temperature and strain. Recently, femtosecond infrared laser processing and regeneration techniques have resulted in the development of stable high-temperature gratings, which are a powerful tool in smart factories, an aspect of the fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), and show promise for application in harsh environments like high pressure, high temperature, or ionizing radiation. The development of stable high-temperature gratings that can withstand harsh environmental factors like high temperatures, pressures, and …

Application Of Artificial Neural Network Models For Predicting Diesel And Petrol Prices In The Geographically Sparsed Regions In Tanzania, John M. Kafuku

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Fuel consumption in Tanzania, mainly diesel and petrol, accounts for 82 percent of the energy consumption in the country, with significant price volatility affecting market stability, availability of fuel, and investment decisions. This study uses an artificial neural network (ANN) with a backpropagating algorithm to predict fuel prices in four regions of Tanzania. Key input parameters include the currency inflation rate (CIR), the petrol fuel inventory (PFI), the diesel fuel inventory (DFI), and the fuel transport costs (FTC). The study selected the 6-10-10-2 ANN structures for Sumbawanga-Rukwa, Mpanda-Katavi, and Mbeya-Mbeya as well as 6-10-9-2 for the Songea-Ruvuma region. The results …

Factors Affecting Adoption Of Industry 4.0 Predictive Maintenance By Manufacturing Industries: Tanzania Food And Beverage Manufacturing Industries, Fred E. Peter

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Industry 4.0 has increasingly become a focal point of scholarly inquiry. Nonetheless, there remains a noticeable lack of comprehensive research on the diverse and systematic factors that influence the adoption of Industry 4.0 Predictive Maintenance (PdM 4.0) in manufacturing sectors within developing regions, particularly in East Africa. This study seeks to bridge this research gap by investigating the key determinants affecting the actual implementation of PdM 4.0 in Tanzania’s food and beverage manufacturing industries. To achieve this objective, a mixed-methods research design was adopted, combining both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with ten industry …

How Can The Adoption Of Biodegradable Packaging In The Beverage Industry Specifically Contribute To Reducing Single-Use Plastic Waste, And What Regulatory Or Cost-Related Challenges Hinder Its Widespread Implementation In Developing Countries?, Rebecca Aba Gaisie

2025 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity - Documents

This research investigates the potential of biodegradable packaging to reduce single-use plastic waste in the beverage industry and explores the regulatory and cost-related barriers to its adoption in developing countries. The beverage sector is a major contributor to global plastic pollution, and biodegradable alternatives offer a promising path toward sustainability. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study combines qualitative interviews with industry experts and case studies of businesses implementing biodegradable solutions, alongside quantitative survey data from 100 manufacturers and 200 consumers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Findings reveal that while biodegradable packaging significantly reduces plastic waste and appeals to environmentally …

Intelligent Turning Cyber-Physical Systems Modeling Using Sysml, Prithbey Raj Dey, David Lee Enke, Mario F. Buchely

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) support industrial automation that incorporates people, hardware, signal, computation, and control using networking to achieve desired results. The complex automated CPS design demands a standard and comprehensive approach to appropriately identify the system requirements, define the architecture, and model the relationships among the software and hardware components. Systems Modeling Language (SysML) provides the capability for a comprehensive modeling to capture the desired design requirements in the systems architecture. SysML enables performance estimation of the model by analyzing constraints while identifying interactions among the components through various behavioral diagrams. In this paper, SysML is applied to the design …

Advances Towards A Robotic Management Vehicle Suited To Nurse Row Crops To More Efficient Outcomes, Adam Mk Gronewold

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Enhancing agricultural production while reducing input costs remains a central challenge in modern row-crop management. Recent advances in computation, imagery, and sensors are enabling more efficient practices across various agricultural domains, and automation technologies are increasingly available to manage tasks central to perennial crop development. Automation in row-crop agriculture, by contrast, lags behind. This thesis explores utilizing small, unmanned ground vehicles to transform row cropping through the implementation of unconventional, in-season management strategies. The first focus of this work considers improvements to nitrogen fertilization using small, autonomous vehicles. An agronomy experiment in corn assessed the effects of gradually applying nitrogen …

Comparative Evaluation Of Linear Regression, Cross Validation And Regularization Approaches In Multivariate Data Analysis, Ransford Owusu, Felix Yeboah, Francis Effah Boateng

Data Science and Data Mining

This study evaluates linear regression and its enhanced variants incorporating cross-validation and regularization techniques for high-dimensional, multivariate datasets. We address challenges such as multicollinearity and overfitting. Methods including Ridge, LASSO, and Elastic Net are compared against ordinary least squares regression. Empirical analysis using an automobile dataset for fuel efficiency prediction shows that while OLS regression captures basic relationships, its limitations are mitigated through regularization and cross-validation, resulting in improved model interpretability. The findings provide a comprehensive framework for predictive modeling in complex data environments and offer insights into statistical methodology and practical applications in the automobile industry.

Additive Manufacturing Applications In Mission-Critical Operations: A Review, Arup Dey, Olusanmi Adeniran, Monsuru Ramoni

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Additive manufacturing (AM) is used to fabricate complex components from a wide variety of materials in an additive manner. AM brings several benefits, such as reduced lead times, on-demand production, creation of complex customized designs without tooling requirements, and remote design sharing. However, the use of AM for critical components is limited in large missions due to quality and reliability concerns, as is the case with many manufacturing technologies. Enhancing the acceptance of AM-built parts for mission-critical components can be achieved by producing highly reliable parts, establishing robust quality standards, and continually improving part properties. This review article comprehensively explores …

Flow And Heat Transfer Experimental Study For 3d-Printed Solar Receiving Tubes With Helical Fins At Internal Surface, Fouad Haddad, Naznin Nuria Afrin, Jianzhi Li, Peiwen Li, Bharath Pidaparthi, Samy Missoum, Ben Xu

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

3D-printing technology was applied to fabricate novel solar thermal collection tubes that have internal heat transfer enhancement fins and external surfaces with high solar absorptivity and low emissivity due to the ability to use different materials in one tube. Helical fins were selected to introduce circumferential flow and thus minimize the circumferential temperature difference of the tube that receives sunlight on one side. The structures of the helical fins were previously optimized from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis with the objective of low entropy production rate by looking for high heat transfer coefficient and relatively lower pressure loss. High-temperature alloy, …

Heavy Metals Pollution In Roadside Ecosystems, Lilian Matafu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Heavy metals refer to metallic elements that are characterized by having a relatively high density and they are toxic or poisonous even at low concentration. They are environmental pollutant owing to toxicity and longevity in atmosphere and ability to accumulate in living things via bioaccumulation. They tend to enter in different system such as food chain. Analyses of water, soil sediment and the surrounding growing plants (Cynodon dactylon and Cyperus species) for selected heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu) were conducted on a roadside pond located at Boko MSB, Dar es Salaam. Pond water, soil sediments and plant samples …

Assessment Of Wind Speed Characteristics And Available Wind Power Potential For Electricity Generation In Tanzania, Mwingereza John Kumwenda

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The energy demand and its associated crises are attracting significant attention due to population increase and economic growth especially in developing countries. Fossil fuel-based energy source stand as a prominent anthropogenic resource but they are accompanied with increased carbon emissions and heightened environmental concerns. Renewable energy sources such as wind energy can offers a lot of potential for sustainable growth in the energy sector of developing nations like Tanzania. Thus, this work investigated wind speed characteristics and available wind power potential in six selected regions in Tanzania with different topographical features for future electricity generation. The data of the wind …

Effects Of Thermal Shock Protection Methods On Pressure Measurements In A Rapid Compression Machine, Myeji Materego

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The study investigates the impact of thermal shock protection methods on pressure measurements in Rapid Compression Machines (RCMs). It focuses on the performance of various pressure transducers, specifically 601A, 701A, 6061B, and 7005, under atmospheric initial conditions. The research emphasizes the importance of mounting techniques and coatings, revealing their significant effects on pressure trace accuracy. Special mounting adaptors for the pressure transducers were designed and manufactured, this enabled simultaneous measurements for all transducers to be made in a single compression stroke. Instantaneous pressure within combustion chamber was measured when air was compressed in RCM from initial pressure and temperatures of …

A Bibliometric Analysis Of Pat-Seig Evolution As An Alternative Energy Generation Method, Emanuel J. Nyirenda

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Pumps as Turbines (PATs) coupled with Self-Excited Induction Generators (SEIGs) as an alternative energy generation method have been the subject of significant research in recent years. This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of the evolution of PAT-SEIG technology as an alternative energy generation source. An analysis of a comprehensive dataset of peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, and patents related to PAT-SEIG systems, using advanced bibliometric techniques and PRISMA to identify key research themes, influential authors, the growth of the field and patterns of collaboration, and changes in research focus over time. Over a publication period of 32 years, a total …

Efficient Operation Of Direct Coupled Solar Home Pv System: A Case Of Solar Home Pv System Installed In Dodoma, Tanzania, Sarah P. Ayeng'o

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Direct coupled Photovoltaic (PV) system is a common topology among most of the off-grid communities in the world. This topology has less components hence resulting in low investment costs. However, it suffers much losses when battery operating voltage is far from maximum power point voltage of PV modules. This scenario can be attributed by different factors such as; variation in solar radiation, load profile and temperature. Efficient operation of these systems is required in order to reduce losses. Usually in direct coupled system, PV modules are connected in parallel with batteries through a charge controller hence making PV output to …

Fault Tree Analysis For Robust Design, Jonathan Degroff, Gene Jean-Win Hou

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

The objective of this research is to incorporate system failure into a robust design formation and solution process. The system failure referred to here will be built using fault tree analysis (FTA), which will take all lower-level failure events into consideration. Two examples are investigated here. One will directly treat the probabilities of the basis events as design variables, The other will be formulated in five different models: deterministic design optimization, the reliability index-based, the “and” gate-based, the “or” gate-based and the “inhibit” gate-based robust design. Their corresponding optimization solutions will be compared with each other. The post-optimality analysis of …

Thermal Management For Optimal Performance Of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cells, Mythy Tran, Ayodeji Demuren

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Hydrogen is an excellent carrier for energy storage and can be produced from various green and renewable sources. However, the cost of producing hydrogen and converting it to useful energy is much higher than fossil fuel and traditional energy generation and storage systems. Unitized regenerative fuel cells (URFC) maximize utilization of high-cost cells and their components, thus, lowering system capital cost. Improving the URFC efficiency is an effective way to lower its operating cost. This study evaluates utilization of waste heat during operation and recovery strategy to improve system efficiency of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) URFC. A COMSOL Multiphysics 3-D …

Machining-Induced Residual Stress Modeling Using Physics-Informed Neural Networks, Md Mehedi Hasan

Theses and Dissertations--Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Process-induced residual stress (RS) plays a critical role in determining the structural integrity, fatigue life, corrosion resistance, and dimensional stability of manufactured components. Tensile residual stress can be harmful to the machined workpiece by lowering fatigue strength, while compressive residual stress helps to prevent such issues. Therefore, accurate prediction and control of machining-induced residual stresses are essential for optimizing manufacturing processes and enhancing component performance. However, existing modeling approaches—empirical, analytical, and numerical—often have limited predictive accuracy, demand extensive calibration, or involve high computational costs. Traditional finite element analysis (FEA) provides modeling insights but is constrained by its high computational cost …

Integrated Compliant Structure For A Hand Exoskeleton, Tristan R. Koopman

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis presents the design and prototyping of a wearable hand exoskeleton that integrates a flexible structural framework to assist with hand movement while maintaining comfort and anatomical conformity. The goal was to create a device that supports tendon-driven actuation through a compliant structure, combining elements of rigidity and flexibility to match the natural geometry and motion of the human hand. Traditional hand exoskeletons often trade off motion for structure or vice versa. This project aims to bridge that gap with a hybrid compliant design that balances flexibility and support. The design process followed an iterative approach involving rapid prototyping …

Molecular Dynamics-Based Two-Dimensional Simulation Of Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing Process For Unimodal And Bimodal Systems, Yeasir Mohammad Akib, Ehsan Marzbanrad, Farid Ahmed

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

The trend of adapting powder bed fusion (PBF) for product manufacturing continues to grow as this process is highly capable of producing functional 3D components with micro-scale precision. The powder bed’s properties (e.g., powder packing, material properties, flowability, etc.) and thermal energy deposition heavily influence the build quality in the PBF process. The packing density in the powder bed dictates the bulk powder behavior and in-process performance and, therefore, significantly impacts the mechanical and physical properties of the printed components. Numerical modeling of the powder bed process helps to understand the powder spreading process and predict experimental outcomes. A two-dimensional …

Framework For Development Environment Selection In Digital Twin Applications, Carlos Dodero Fernandez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Digital Twin (DT) technology, a cornerstone of Industry 4.0, facilitates real-time synchronization between virtual models and physical manufacturing systems, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making. However, its widespread adoption is hindered by the absence of standardized methods for selecting Development Environments (DEs) for DTs, compounded by challenges in cost, interoperability, and connectivity with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) protocols. This thesis proposes a Systematic Selection Framework to address this gap, offering a structured methodology to evaluate DEs based-on visualization quality, scalability, interoperability, and cost-effectiveness for manufacturing applications. The framework categorizes and compares sixteen DEs into Game Engines, Robotics Engines, and Simulation …