bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Project-Based Pedagogical Approach for Mechanical Design Course in Extremely Small Classes
Authors: Guo Guodong , Rodriguez Jonathan , Guerrero Dominga , Tapia Omar Alejandro 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The uniqueness of the Texas A&M University High Education Center McAllen (HECM), being 380 miles from the main College Station campus, is its small learning and teaching environment. The center was first opened to students in Fall 2018 with only the engineering program offered. In its fifth year of operation, the total enrollment has rapidly grown to 340 full-time undergraduate students across 8 programs, of which 109 are engineering students. In the last five semesters, the enrollment in each of the junior/senior engineering courses is around 3, which is much less than the national average class size of 24, as of 2022. While the campus is striving to double the enrollment over the next five year, in its current stage, the small teaching/learning classes has created many challenges to both the instructors and the students in a modernized classroom installed with the newest education equipment. The author has had the honor to teach in such an environment in the pass two semesters (Fall 2022 and Spring 2023), and teach the course Mechanical Design Application I (MMET 363) in the two consecutive semesters. The condition of small class size has been successfully transformed into a strength to boost the learning efficiency of the students. In this paper, the authors share the experience of employing a project based pedagogical approach to enhance students engagement and learning efficiency. The author believes that, as many prestigious universities and high education institutes are eager to expand their service to local communities by building remote campuses, the approach described in the current research will provide invaluable reference into these efforts.
Satisfaction and Intercultural Competence During an Erasmus Program: a Case With Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Students at the University of Minho, Portugal
Authors: Carvalho Violeta , Rocha Carla , Campinos Jorge , Teixeira Senhorinha , Vieira Filipa D. , Rodrigues Cristina S. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Every year, European higher education institutions have numerous Erasmus opportunities for students who wish to embrace the experience of study abroad and intercultural exchange. The high involvement of the Portuguese University of Minho in the promotion of the Erasmus Program has resulted in many undergraduate and graduate students being interested in participating in the program. In light of this, the Erasmus coordination of the university’s Department of Production and Systems (DPS) has decided to develop a continuous improvement tool that brings together information from its Erasmus students in mobility “out” and shares individual experiences with future participants. To this end, three different online questionnaires were developed and applied before, during, and after the experience. Results from the second questionnaire applied during the Erasmus Program suggest difficulties with academic support from host professors and in relationships with host university staff. Despite that, results also suggest high levels of satisfaction and identification with the host university, positive host campus non-discrimination experiences, and good levels of intercultural competence, particularly in awareness. No significant relationships were identified considering respondent gender, type of class, or language of the class (only two exceptions were identified). The results show an overall positive “during Erasmus” experience.
High-G Survivable MEMS Three-Axis Accelerometer
Authors: Hader Grzegorz , Smyth Jeffrey 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This paper investigates the design and analysis of a polysilicon MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) inertial sensor. The planar MEMS accelerometer design measures acceleration in all three axes using a single chip. The 400-micron square polysilicon planar chip is comprised of a circular proof mass (x-y axis) with four inter-digitated arms attached to an outer frame via four crab-like legs to measure in-plane accelerations. A cantilever beam is integrated within the circular proof mass to allow for out-ofplane (z-axis) measurements. The MEMS accelerometer can be fabricated using standard integrated circuit microfabrication techniques. The accelerometer’s response to a 12,500 g (axial) and 1,000 g (radial) dynamic gun-launch input load is analyzed using Simulink and the stresses are determined using the finite element analysis (FEA) software, Abaqus. Stress magnitudes on the proof mass at critical attachment locations from both the axial and radial load conditions are well below the yield strength of polysilicon, confirming survivability at tactical 155mm gun-launch. System dynamic modeling in Simulink shows the response of the in-plane (circular, x-y axis) and out-of-plane (cantilever beam, z-axis) proof masses due to the g-loads are within design limits, avoiding sensor breakage and the need for shock stops. Additional Simulink modeling with a voltage input provides insight into electromechanical response. The planar chip three-axis accelerometer design and analysis in this paper meets the requirements for use in military applications, where small size, weight, and power are critical parameters for volume constrained precision guided munitions.
Structural Analysis of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Auxetic Metamaterials
Authors: Raihan Gazi Abu , Chakravarty Uttam K. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The auxetic metamaterial is designed based on the geometric configuration rather than intrinsic material properties to tailor their superior behaviors which are not readily available on the naturally available material. Due to their counterintuitive response under static and dynamic loads, the potential applications of the polymeric auxetic structures are expanding in many engineering areas such as biomedical engineering, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), marine engineering, and aerospace engineering. In this paper, the structural properties of different auxetic structures are measured using finite element analysis (FEA). Static structural models have been used to calculate the Poisson’s ratio, and maximum stress and strain under different static load conditions. Modal analysis is conducted to measure the response of the auxetic structures under dynamic loading where mode shapes and the fundamental natural frequencies of the structure are measured. The Poisson’s ratio is found to have highest in the triangular auxetic structure compared to the other auxetic structures. The mode shapes correspond to the response of the auxetic structures under different fundamental frequencies and respond to the structures under free vibration in different directions.
Wall-Modeled Large Eddy Simulation of Flow Past an Ahmed Body With a 25° Slant Angle
Authors: Mayoral Salvador , Massis Anthony 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
External flows past automotive bodies exhibit separation bubbles and trailing longitudinal vortices. This paper assesses the ability of wall-modeled large eddy simulation (WMLES) to accurately predict the main flow features of automotive aerodynamic flows by investigating the flow past an Ahmed body with a 25° slant angle and a Reynolds number of 2.78 × 106. The wall-shear stress is modeled with the algebraic power-law model by Werner and Wengle (Turbulent Shear Flows, vol 8, pp 155–168, 1993). Simulations are performed with the open source finite volume code OpenFOAM using the PISO algorithm. Wall modeling is implemented in OpenFOAM using a third-party WMLES library, libWallModelledLES. Four wall-normal grid spacings are investigated, while the wall-model sampling height remains fixed. Results demonstrate that WMLES captures the general wake behavior by predicting the pair of counter-rotating separation bubbles behind the Ahmed body and WMLES accurately predicts the formation of the longitudinal counter-rotating vortex pair that is shed from the starting edge of the slanted face.
Creating Stronger Interfaces in Additively Manufactured Multimaterial Polymer Composites Under Shear Loading
Authors: Altuntaş Umut , Coker Demirkan , Yavas Denizhan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This study proposes a bio-inspired approach to enhance the shear strength of interfaces in multi-material composites that are created using additive manufacturing. The Fused Filament fabrication (FFF) technique is used to control the interface morphology and to establish a seamless connection between the hard (Polylactic Acid - PLA) and soft (Thermoplastic Polyurethane - TPU) materials via suture morphology. The study investigates the relationship between the protrusion length of the sutural structures and the overlap distance (i.e., FFF parameter) by conducting microscopic examinations. The interlaminar shear strength of the multi-material composites is tested using the short beam shear test, and the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique is used to monitor the interlaminar damage nucleation and evolution. The results demonstrate that the flexural stiffness of the soft-hard polymer composites is significantly affected by the interfacial morphology, with longer protrusion lengths leading to increased stiffness. Stiffness of the structure increased three times by proposed method. Furthermore, the interlaminar shear strength is found to increase with protrusion length, while the onset of non-linear deformation is postponed. Stress values which non linear deformation stats and stress values which crack initiates enhanced by five-six times with increased protrusion length. The main finding of this study is that longer protrusion lengths promote more effective and uniform stress distribution at the interfaces, resulting in a transition from heterogeneous to homogeneous material behavior.
Optical and Thermal Modeling of a Heat Pipe Evacuated Tube Solar Collector With Primary CPC-Involuted Reflector
Authors: Lim Celine S. L. , Sobhansarbandi Sarvenaz 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Solar energy unquestionably plays a vital role for the future of clean energy production due to its availability all year round. Some prominent solar energy technologies, e.g. concentrating solar power (CSP), have the ability to focus/concentrate sunlight for large-scale commercial use. Meanwhile for smaller-scale residential use, solar water heating (SWH) systems are often installed to provide hot water for household applications, where the solar collectors are the main components of such systems. The type of solar collector of interest in this study is the heat pipe evacuated tube collector (HPETC). To enhance the system’s performance and functionality, this study investigates the incorporation of a primary compound parabolic concentrator (CPC)-involute reflector to a single HPETC. The heat flux analysis has been done through optical ray tracing methods from SolTrace and ANSYS Fluent. The heat flux intensity around the absorber tube was compared for different times of the day. Results from this section of the study shows that the use of a primary CPC-involute reflector increases the overall heat flux received by the absorber tube as well as yielding to uniform heat flux distribution. A transient CFD model was also developed by combining both SolTrace data with ANSYS Fluent, where the fin temperature of the system can be predicted. The CFD model developed was validated with experimental data, with a maximum deviation of 7.2%. The validated CFD model can be used for further optimization study of a HPETC with CPC-involute reflector.
Graphene Reinforced PVDF Nanofibers Fabricated With the ForceSpinning® Method for Water Desalination Applications
Authors: Vera Alvarado Elmmer A. , Salam Md. Abdur Rahman Bin Abdus , Ashraf Ali , Lozano Karen 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) is a thermally driven energy and cost-efficient desalination technique where low-grade energy from solar or waste heat from plants can be used to recover fresh water from high saline water. The DCMD technique allows both the feed and permeate solutions to be in contact with the membrane, where vapor from the feed gets condensed in the permeate side once it collides with low-temperature water. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber membranes were prepared by the ForceSpinning® method, these were later dip coated in graphene solutions prepared with different solvents. The ForceSpinning® method, unlike electrospinning, operates in the absence of electromagnetic fields, solely based on the use of centrifugal spinning where nanofiber production is mainly controlled by the angular velocity applied to the spinneret containing the polymer solution or melt. A 0.75 wt.% graphene solution showed adequate dispersion and distribution on the developed PVDF nanofiber membrane as confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Water contact angle and surface roughness varied depending on the percentages of graphene in the coating solution. Testing parameters such as temperature, flow rate, porosity etc. were kept constant. Stainless steel filtering wire cloth of 165*1400 mesh size with 6% opening was used to support the PVDF membrane. Among the registered fluxes after testing, 12.82 Kg m−2hr−1 and 10.98 Kg m−2hr−1 were the most relevant. To reduce the clogging during the experimentation, membranes with an EcoFlex support were additionally tested. This study presents a promising platform for moderate to high salinity rejection, as well as produced water desalination.
Mesoporous Materials Made of Mixed-Grain With Mushroom Mycelia Reinforcement As an Alternative to Styrofoam
Authors: Desai Shubhankar , Javvaji Vijay , Mammadov Rauf , Abu Zeid Ahmad , Gacura Matthew , Vanderlaan Gary , Angadi Santosh V. , Piovesan Davide 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Styrofoam, also known as polystyrene foam, has become a ubiquitous material in our daily lives due to its lightweight, versatility, and durability. One of the most common uses for Styrofoam is in packaging, where it is used due to its lightweight but sturdy properties that can hold a load and absorb shocks. It is often used to protect fragile items such as glass and electronics during shipping.
Despite its many benefits, Styrofoam is not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose, which makes it a major contributor to environmental pollution. Moreover, Styrofoam is made from polystyrene, which can release harmful chemicals when heated, making it a concern for public health. To address these issues, researchers have been exploring alternatives to Styrofoam. One promising alternative are Mesoporous Materials Made of Mixed-grain with Mushroom Mycelia Reinforcement (6MRs). 6MRs are environmentally friendly and sustainable, as they are biodegradable, compostable, and can be recycled. They also have excellent insulating properties and are lightweight yet sturdy, making them ideal for packaging and construction applications.
To assess the potential of 6MRs as an alternative to Styrofoam, a study was conducted to compare the two materials’ properties. A standard experiment was conducted on the materials, testing their strength using a compression test following ASTM D-1621 standards. The results indicated that both materials have low density and can bear heavy loads. Overall, the study suggests that 6MRs have the potential to replace Styrofoam in many applications, providing a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative that is not only good for the environment but also for public health.
Design and Realization of Microscopic Optical Acoustic Sensors
Authors: Maupin David B. , Dumm Christopher M. , Klinzing George E. , Balaban Carey D. , Vipperman Jeffrey S. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Optical sensing technologies are increasingly attractive for applications where susceptibility to electromagnetic interference must be minimized. Optical fibers provide an inexpensive yet effective approach to simultaneously transmit and receive signals with high consistency and minimal attenuation. While prior work in the field considers development of various types of miniaturized sensors that have the size profile of an optical fiber, practical design and implementation of such sensors is challenging to non-specialists. Certain sensor topologies rely on construction of internal gratings in a sensing fiber, while others are based on micromechanical sensor structures that are interrogated with prescribed optical signals. This work presents a case study where a microscopic (fiber-sized) acoustic sensor utilizing optical measurement of a mechanical sensing structure is designed and constructed to dynamically transduce pressures in the acoustic and low ultrasonic frequency ranges (below 100 kHz).
Development of a Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Technique for In-Situ Battery Health Monitoring
Authors: Hossen Md Rakib , Ahmed Hossain , Sadaf Asef Ishraq , Khan Md Arif Iqbal , Bennett Grant , Mahamud Rajib 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
An in-situ structural health monitoring technique for the safe operation of Lithium-Ion Battery (LIB) using Rayleigh-Lamb wave is reported herein. While the LIBs are important because of their high energy density, long cycle life, fast charging, low self-discharge rate, and environmental friendliness, they also come with safety concerns. Even though LIBs are electrochemical devices, their structural integrity must be maintained for its safe operation. Whenever a LIB operates outside of its safe operating limits, the structural integrity gets disrupted, and its performance drops significantly. This can lead to challenges such as a rise in internal resistance or temperature which may eventually lead to thermal runway. While the battery management systems (BMS) can take care of some preventive measures, such as overcharge/discharge protection, an effective in-situ sensing system to monitor battery internal structures is currently non-existent. While X-ray tomography, Neutron imaging or Electron microscopy can provide internal images, these off-situ techniques are nonconventional to integrate with the BMS. To circumvent these issues, a non-destructive ultrasonic guided wave-based acoustic technique is experimentally developed herein. In particular, the battery state of charge (SoC) in terms of voltage level is determined by analyzing ultrasonic transmission (UT). Also, the correlation between surface temperature and UT is established.
Modular Tactile End Effector Design for Enhancing Haptic Feedback in Teleoperated Robotic Systems
Authors: Huynh Jenny , Duong Han Xuyen , Huang Gaojian , Etu Egbe-Etu , Quintero David , Jiang Lin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This paper describes a novel end effector design that combines off-the-shelf sensors and an endoscopic camera to improve haptic perception. By providing realistic force feedback through the tactile end effector, the aim is to enhance the operator’s situational awareness and sense of touch during teleoperations on a laparascopic surgical simulator. Modular tactile end effectors include a load cell, a force resistive sensor (FSR), a linear actuator, an endoscope, a surgical forcep, and custom fixers. The modular base allows users to switch easily between different tools. Through experiments on a teleoperated robotic system, the feasibility of using the modular tactile end effector to differentiate the stiffness of materials when grasping objects was demonstrated. The results highlight the potential of the designed end effector to improve teleoperation and robot control in various applications.
Mosquito-Inspired Cannula to Improve Control of Active Surgical Needle in Soft Tissue
Authors: Acharya Sharad Raj , Kim Doyoung , Hutapea Parsaoran 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Active needles obtain more significant tip deflection and improved accuracy over passive needles for percutaneous procedures. However, their ability to navigate through tissues to reach targets depends upon the actuation mechanism, the tip shape, and the surface geometry of the shaft. In this study, we investigate the benefits of changing the surface geometry of the active needle shaft in a) needle tip deflection and b) trajectory tracking during tissue insertion. The modifications in passive needle surface geometry have been proven to reduce friction force, tissue displacement, and tissue damage. This study incorporates the effect of modifying the regular smooth cannula with a mosquito proboscis-inspired design in the active needles. The changes in insertion force, tip deflection, and trajectory tracking control during insertion into a prostate-mimicking phantom are measured. Results show that insertion force is reduced by up to 10.67% in passive bevel-tip needles. In active needles, tip deflection increased by 12.91% at 150mm when the cannula is modified. The bioinspired cannula improved trajectory tracking error in the active needle by 39% while utilizing up to 17.65% lower control duty cycle. Improving tip deflection and tracking control would lead to better patient outcomes and reduced risk of complications during percutaneous procedures.
Effect of Upstream Deflector Plate Position on the Performance of Savonius Rotors
Authors: Prasad Deepak D. , Pesamino Marisilina , Cavuilati Amenatave , Ram Krishnil , Ahmed Mohammed Rafiuddin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Global warming has resulted from the excessive use of fossil fuels that are being used to meet the increasing energy demand. The use of renewable sources of energy for power generation has become important now than ever to mitigate the effects of global warning. Wind energy is one such alternative. It is clean, non-emitting, sustainable and environmentally friendly. In the present work, the performance of a Savonius rotor for wind energy application is studied experimentally and numerically. Three different rotor configurations having blade arc angles of 65°, 110° and 148° were tested in a wind tunnel. The rotor with blade arc angle of 110° performed the best. The peak power outputs for the 65°, 110° and 148° configurations are 0.05 W, 0.15 W and 0.11 W respectively. The 110° rotor model was later used to study the effect of deflector plate on the rotor performance. The best deflector plate position is γ = 0.3 at an exposure ratio of 0.6. At this configuration, the power coefficient is 0.06 compared to 0.021 recorded for the 110° model without deflector plate. Finally, the flow characteristics are studied in detail using commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code ANSYS-CFX. The presence of the deflector plate shielded the returning plate from the approaching flow, hence reducing the negative torque and directed the flow onto the advancing blade. The combination of these two improved the performance of the Savonius rotor.