This thesis investigates computational methods applied to the two leading discrete methods for simulating dry granular materials. For rigid contacts, the complementarity-based discrete element method is explored to assess ...

The design of technology that operates at cryogenic temperatures requires an extensive knowledge of the behavior of the materials comprising the design. This work utilized a test facility that allows for the precise ...

ABSTRACT Convolution neural network (CNN) has the potential to become a valuable tool in solving mechanical engineering problems with high accuracy and short solving time requirements. CNN has been applied in topography-related ...

Phase change material thermal energy storage systems are attractive due to the energy density it can provide, yet phase change materials tend to have low conductivity and cannot charge or discharge at a desired rate. This ...

Propane, DME, and propane-dimethyl ether (DME) blends were investigated in an optically accessible engine under compression ignition (CI) engine conditions. Schlieren imaging was used to provide information on the ...

The integration of autonomy in an increasing number of engineering systems, e.g., rovers, all terrain ground vehicles, quadcopters, calls for effective tools that can assist one in developing robust and efficient autonomy ...

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants are a crucial component of today’s renewable energy technologies. CSP plants offer economies of scale as they increase in size, and they can incorporate thermal energy storage to ...

This thesis investigates a contract-based control design framework that aims to solve the constraint partition problem raised in multi-rate control. There are three components in such a framework: the contract coordinator, ...

Process improvement in the manufacturing industry is an iterative exercise. Opti- mization of assembly operations plays a major role in this regard. Robust and continuous monitoring of assembly operations can improve the ...

This master’s thesis presents two optimization-based projects: the optimization of a novel two-stage heliostat and the control optimization of the Intelligent Building Agents Laboratory (IBAL). Two-Stage Heliostat ...