bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A New Deviation Propagation Model Combining Dimensional Deviation and Welding Deformation of Panel Structures With High Local Stiffness
Authors: Gao Chang , Yu Haidong , Gu Bin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The geometrical accuracy of panel structures jointed by friction stir welding (FSW) is affected by dimensional deviation and assembly deformation, which leads to the assembly deviation difficult to be predicted and traced. The local stiffness of panel structures enhances significantly with the increase of thickness of the structures, and the deformation concentrates in the local assembly area. In this paper, a new deviation propagation model for panel structures considering dimensional deviation and local welding deformation is proposed. The dimensional deviations with multi-tolerance coupling effect are characterized by small displacement torsor (SDT). A virtual feature is constructed for the local welding deformation of panel structure. The deviation propagation model of panel structures is established. The contribution index of each deviation source to the assembly deviation is proposed, and the influence of dimensional deviation and assembly deformation on the geometric accuracy of assembly may be revealed. The FSW experiment is carried out on two plates and the reasonability of the deviation model is verified by comparing with the experimental data. The contribution of dimensional deviation and welding deformation is solved based on the deviation propagation model. The proposed deviation propagation model combining dimensional deviation and welding deformation may be useful for design of structural parameters and assembly process of panel structures.
Development and Implementation of an Augmented Reality Introductory Experience for Mechanical Engineering Freshman Students
Authors: Kay Danae , Koenig Zachary , Muci-Küchler Karim H. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Industry 4.0 is driving innovation at companies and in education. As more Industry 4.0 tools and technologies become accessible, engineering programs need to expose their students to these tools and technologies to better equip them to start their engineering careers. In support of this goal, the Mechanical Engineering (ME) program at Texas State University (TXST) included basic practical experiences involving selected Industry 4.0 tools in a freshman-level lab. One of those experiences uses Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 to introduce students to Augmented Reality (AR). Since AR devices are an emerging technology, the software applications currently available for devices like the HoloLens 2 are not cost-effective for implementing them in most academic courses or labs. To overcome this challenge, the ME program at TXST developed an AR application for the freshman-level lab using the Unity development platform. For that purpose, the CAD model of a product was created using SolidWorks, converted using Blender, and brought into the AR application that was developed. This paper presents the process and technical challenges of implementing the AR experience in the freshman-level lab and discusses student feedback and the plans for improving the application in the future. The authors hope that this information is useful for other mechanical engineering undergraduate programs that want to include AR experiences in the curriculum.
Predictive Control of the KINOVA Gen3 Robotic Manipulator Using a Nonlinear Model
Authors: Tereda Amanuel Abrdo , Yi Sun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In contemporary manufacturing processes, reliable but efficient pick-and-place robots are frequently used. The automation and optimization of the pick and place procedures utilizing various path-planning approaches thereby support the expansion of application areas. Yet, the design of a controller faces significant difficulties due to the nonlinearities inherent in robotic manipulators and the unpredictable nature of the ambient factors. In place of the classic model predictive control (MPC), this paper presents the application of the Nonlinear Model Predictive Controller (NLMPC) as an acceptable control mechanism for real-time optimization and robust stability of the KINOVA Gen3 robotic arm. The developed NLMPC-based method ensures that the robotic arm does not run into obstacles in the workplace or with itself while reaching, gripping, selecting, and placing the necessary items. To acquire the control input trajectory, the optimization in NLMPC is solved repeatedly. When input constraints are available, the modeled system tracks reference trajectories to achieve the aim of recognizing and organizing distinct objects. After the NLMPC is successfully developed, a simulation environment is built and finally brought to life by combining all the processes into one using a MATLAB Stateflow chart.
A Sustainable Solution: Preparation of Nanocellulose Reinforced Brewer’s Spent Grain as a Fully Bio-Based 3D Printable Composite
Authors: Al Tamimi Zainab , Chen Longyan , Ji Xiaoxu , Piovesan Davide , Madura Allen R. , Lehotsky Jacob 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is the largest waste generated from the brewing industry, accounting for ∼39 million tons yearly. Currently, the material has limited use for feeding farm animals and presents minimal market value. There has been a growing interest in the potential recycling of BSG as a manufacturing material. In this study, we are reporting the preparation of a fully bio-based 3D printable biocomposite based on recycled BSG material. The biocomposite is composed of BSG fine particles that are blended with nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) hydrogel. Cross-linking agent glutaraldehyde was used to improve the viscosity of the biocomposite. Our results showed the composite is a paste-like material and adaptable for 3D printing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical testing were used to evaluate the surface morphology and mechanical resistance of biocomposite, respectively. A prototype for food spoilage monitoring based on the BSG-NFC biocomposite was demonstrated. It is expected that this fully bio-based composite will be a low-cost, recyclable, and sustainable 3D bio-printing material for biological applications.
Long-Term Thermal Performance Evaluation of a Novel Energy Pile for Space Heating and Cooling in a Cold Climate
Authors: Beragama Jathunge Charaka , Darbandi Amirhossein , Kim Nayoung , Taslimi Taleghani Sahar , Dworkin Seth B. , Mwesigye Aggrey 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In cold climates, space heating and domestic hot water production account for a large portion of the building’s energy demand and the related CO2 emissions. To sustainably climatize buildings, renewable energy technologies need to be integrated into building energy systems. The ground source heat pump (GSHP) technology is one such clean energy technologies. The energy pile technology is an excellent alternative to conventional borehole heat exchangers which reduces the cost of GSHP systems substantially. This study numerically investigates the long-term performance of a novel energy pile coupled with a GSHP using realistic building loads for a cold climate. A finite volume-based computational model was developed and thoroughly validated using experimental data from a system in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. First, three normalized building load profiles were derived using a building energy model for a typical residential house in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Then a 4-year performance investigation on the performance of the energy pile for the three normalized load profiles was undertaken. In addition, two configurations were considered — one with the pile beneath the basement of the building and another one with the pile at the ground surface level. For the first configuration, results show that the higher heating loads (&gt; 0.4 tons) render the system inoperable for a significant amount of time. Also, the yearly average heating coefficient of performance (COP) decreased over the years while the yearly average cooling COP increased. The average ground temperature decreases for all the load cases, indicating ground thermal imbalance. The decrease in ground temperature was 0.08°C/year, 0.1°C/year, and 0.13°C/year for 0.3, 0.4 and 0.6 tons, respectively. The first configuration yields favorable results compared to the second in terms of system operability and thermal performance due to the reduced influence by low ambient temperatures.
Conceptual Architecture of Digital Twin With Human-in-the-Loop-Based Smart Manufacturing
Authors: Kim Duck Bong , Bajestani Mahdi Sadeqi , Shao Guodong , Jones Albert , Noh Sang Do 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This paper proposes a conceptual architecture of digital twin with human-in-the-loop-based smart manufacturing (DH-SM). Our proposed architecture integrates cyber-physical systems with human spaces, where artificial intelligence and human cognition are employed jointly to make informed decisions. This will enable real-time, collaborative decision-making between humans, software, and machines. For example, when evaluating a new product design, information about the product’s physical features, manufacturing requirements, and customer demands must be processed concurrently. Moreover, the DH-SM architecture enables the creation of an immersive environment that allows customers to be effectively involved in the manufacturing process. The DH-SM architecture is well fitted to those relatively new manufacturing processes, such as metal additive manufacturing, since they can benefit from using digital twins, data analytics, and artificial intelligence for monitoring and controlling those processes to support non-contact manufacturing. The proposed DH-SM will enable manufacturers to leverage the existing cyber-physical system and extended reality technologies to generate immersive experiences for end users, operators, managers, and stakeholders. A use case of wire + arc additive manufacturing is discussed to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed architecture. Relevant development and implementation challenges are also discussed.
Ergonomic Design of a Virtual Proctor System With Reliable Face Recognition and Tracking
Authors: Zhang Zhou , Chang Yizhe , Esche Sven K. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The function of proctors is to detect academic improprieties during examinations, tests, and laboratory experiments. With the breakout of the pandemic, many institutions went to online operation, which rendered a difficulty to the exams and tests. Then, various remote proctoring methods are employed. Virtual proctor (VP) systems that replace continuous human supervision with video surveillance are starting to become popular in distance education, despite their most common shortcomings, which include their vulnerability to pose translations of the learners and their de-pendency on the illumination conditions of the environment. As a result, virtual proctor systems impose extra constraints on the movements of the learners being monitored, and thus they may feel uncomfortable when being subjected to virtual proctoring. At present, in the design of VP systems, sufficient consideration of human factors and ergonomics is typically not given.
To overcome these shortcomings, a video-based VP system with a reliable two-stage face recognition and tracking method is proposed here. First, the face region is detected and cropped out from the video frames by a combination of eye, mouth, and face detection. After that, to render the usage of the VP system more comfortable for the learners being monitored, a modified face recognition method based on a proposed improved real-time stereo-matching algorithm is employed to track the learners’ movements. The VP system is capable of identifying a limited set of pre-defined suspicious behaviors that may represent cheating. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed methods, two benchmark analyses with respect to the effect of pose translations and varying illumination conditions on the effectiveness of the VP system are presented. It is asserted that the proposed VP system is simpler to use than prior solutions and realizes an ergonomic design that makes the learners monitored more comfortable.
Feedback Guided Self Training Balance Equipment for Physical Therapy and Elite Athlete Use
Authors: Tatoglu Akin , Wilson Katharine , Chabot Alexandra , Marcelin Jarel , Campana Claudio , Arico Mary Cater 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Balance boards are useful tools for a wide range of purposes. An example of a balance board is a wobble board, a circular plate mounted atop a hemisphere. Some wobble boards have variable difficulty, making them suitable for any type of physical conditioning — from elite athletic training to rehabilitation for elderly populations. Wobble boards are strictly mechanical devices, used only to obtain an assumed state of balance by the consumer. However, our goal is to design and validate a functioning interactive wobble board using an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The design features an IMU and Bluetooth communication to continuously stream the position, velocity, and acceleration of the user to a smart device (phone or tablet). An interactive game-like training exercise app will both simulate and record the user’s balance and coordination. The app will guide the user to follow a specific pattern, and their simulated movements on the board will be compared to the expected movements. Both the pattern difficulty and speed may be assigned by clinicians or trainers depending on training type. This wobble board prototype will help to strengthen muscles and joints to both heal and prevent injury, as well as enhance performance. Methodology to transform frameworks, setting up different regimens and practices, a set of experiments and benchmarking plots are shared at the end of the paper.
Dynamometer Testing of Hydrokinetic Turbines in a Towing Tank Facility
Authors: Rouhi Shahab , Xiros Nikolaos I. , Sadeqi Setare , Birk Lothar 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This paper discusses a methodology for testing hydrokinetic turbines used to convert energy from water currents into electrical power. These turbines are designed similarly to wind turbines, but instead of using air, they use water to generate rotational kinetic energy that drives an electric generator. The hydrokinetic turbine considered in this research is of the open-flow, horizontal-axis three bladed type. To test this turbine, a methodology is proposed that utilizes a towing tank commonly used for naval architecture purposes. The methodology involves attaching an electro-machine to a 3D-printed turbine model and placing it in a 3D-printed watertight nacelle with sensors to record parameters such as rpm, torque, voltage, and current. The nacelle is then attached to the towing tank carriage and fully submerged at a carefully selected depth to perform the tests. The results of the tests allow the derivation of important parameters for the turbine’s hydrodynamic characteristics, such as torque and output power. The ultimate goal of this work is to propose a standardized and independently verifiable procedure for dynamometer testing of scale model wind turbines.
Factors Affecting the Behavior of a Fixed Quantity Fuel Spill
Authors: Islam Mehran , Duarte Juliana Pacheco , Lattimer Brian Y. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Fuel spills are a major hazard in industrial environments with the size of the spill dictating how severe a fuel spill fire can be. Though several experimental studies have been undertaken, there is still uncertainty on the relative importance of the key effects that dictate spill conditions and spill dynamics. A computational study was conducted to quantify the relative importance of different spill behavior conditions using the design of experiments. Two-dimensional simulations were conducted using ANSYS Fluent to determine the spill length and depth of a fixed quantity of fuel (0.5 L). The effects of fuel density, fuel viscosity, fuel surface tension, and surface roughness on spread dynamics and dimensions (length and depth) were observed. The statistical significance of the different parameters on spill length and depth was quantified using the JMP software. Results indicated that the fuel density and surface tension had the most significant impact on the spread length and depth of a spill. Subsequently, the high-density fuels spread further with a smaller spill depth whereas the fuels having a higher surface tension settled into a smaller spill with a thicker fuel layer. Although viscosity did not significantly affect the overall spread dimensions, it influenced the oscillating motion of the fuel spill resulting in advancing and receding motions.
Computational Analysis of Heat Recovery From Simple Cycle Gas Turbine Exhaust Stacks Through the Silencer Semi-Circular Sections
Authors: Faqihi Bouria , Ghaith Fadi A. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The challenge with exhaust heat recovery is that placing additional heat transfer surfaces in the exhaust flow path leads to pressure drop; which lowers the gas turbine (GT) performance. One way to overcome the increase in the pressure drop is to enlarge the exhaust flow path. However, that is associated with similar capital and space constraints as combined cycle (CC) conversion. This paper investigates the potential of integrating heat transfer channels within the existing semi-circular section of the exhaust silencer baffles of simple cycle (SC) gas turbines, in order to avoid such an exhaust flow path enlargement. A heat transfer fluid in the channels absorbs GT exhaust waste heat flow across the silencer. The heated fluid was utilized in the fuel gas pre-heater, leading to reduced fuel gas usage at the same GT output.
In this paper, a computational model of the integrated heat exchanger was developed, and compared to an existing mathematical model; showcasing the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results of the model.
After describing the system, the paper describes the computer aided design (CAD) setup of the heat transfer model and flow channel details. The mesh setup and mesh independence study for optimal CFD analysis were conducted. The CFD setup, methodology and results using Ansys Fluent are described.
The computational model was successful in estimating the convective heat transfer coefficient, heat exchanger outlet temperatures and flow rates. The proposed system resulted in 2.3 MW heat recovery rate. It was found that while the existing mathematical model over-predicted the heat recovery, the system still provides significant net power gain and reduction in CO2 emissions.
The CFD flow visualization allowed for a greater understanding of the exhaust flow parameters enabling the localization of areas with maximized heat transfer coefficient potential. Utilizing this knowledge, areas of improvement for the heat transfer passages were identified; and future work proposed.
Holographic Terahertz Imaging for Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Wang Lulu , Al-Rawi Mohammad 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Terahertz (THz) imaging is a promising technology that can accurately detect breast tumors during breast-conserving surgery. Researchers have studied THz imaging and spectroscopy techniques to improve breast tumor detection for the past twenty years. This paper presents the recent development of the holographic THz imaging method for identifying breast tumors. To evaluate the effectiveness of this new approach, we have developed a numerical system that includes realistic breast models and an imaging processing model. Through various experiments, we have successfully used the proposed holographic THz imaging method to identify breast tumors. Our results have shown that this method can reconstruct high-quality breast images and accurately detect small tumor inclusions, providing the correct size and location information. Based on these promising results, further investigation is warranted to explore the potential of this approach for breast tumor detection in a faster and more cost-effective manner.
Effect of Physical Modification on the Tensile and Thermal Properties of Plantain Fibre Polymer Composite
Authors: Imoisili Patrick Ehi , Jen Tien-Chien 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In the electromagnetic spectrum, microwaves are electromagnetic waves with a frequency between radio and infrared. Certain materials are suited for microwave processing because they can transform microwaves into heat. Microwave energy is absorbed by the material and transformed into heat, in contrast to conventional heating where the heat is concentrated over the material’s surface rather than the core. The incorporation of fiber materials into polymer composites has shown enormous potential and has recently raised significant concerns due to the improved performance of these materials in manufacturing and critical applications. There are many different industrial uses for polymer composites packed with natural fiber (NF), and they are thermally stable at high temperatures. Ecologically suitable agricultural wastes NF as reinforcement have opened a new route into polymer composite research. According to research, physical modification methods have been found to reduce the inherent hydrophobicity of NF’s surface and can also improve the performance of a natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite (NFRPC). In this study, high-frequency microwave radiation (HFMW) applicability and suitability for modulating NF sourced from plantain (Musa paradisiaca) fiber (PF) and its impact on the thermal properties and tensile strength of the fibers reinforced polymer composite fibers was reported. PF was collected after harvesting the fruit bunch. NF was extracted from the pseudo-stem employing water retting over 28 days. Physical modification of extracted PF was employed using HFMW radiation at power different radiation watt power of 550 and 750 for a duration of 2 and 4 mins. The PF-reinforced polymer composite was fabricated by using extracted and microwave-modified PF. The composite was prepared by manually laying up and compression molding the microwave-modified and unmodified PF into an epoxy resin matrix. The effect of microwave radiation at different power and time on the PF modification with respect to the thermal properties of the fibers and tensile strength of the reinforced polymer composite were evaluated. The results obtained show that microwave irradiation at a frequency of 2.45 GHZ, 550W power, and treatment time of 4 minutes has successfully enhanced the properties of the PF-reinforced epoxy resin composite as increases in the thermal properties and tensile strength were achieved at optimized parameters. This study has demonstrated, that utilization of HFMW radiation is an effective physical treatment of plantain fibers at optimized microwave power and timing, thus, creating prospects and reliability of the fiber-reinforced bio-composite to be used in advanced materials, engineering, and structural applications.