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Showcase Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Narrative Theory in Gallery Design: It’s Use (Or Misuse) and Impact on Visitor Experience

Narrative Theory in Gallery Design: Its Use (Or Misuse) and Impact on Visitor Experience

Primary author: Carrie Vielle

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Narrative Theory’s origins lie in the fundamental understanding that storytelling is a basic human strategy for understanding our experience, Visitors in museum galleries naturally seek out and construct narratives – it’s essential in the meaning-making, understanding, and remembering process of museum material. Capitalizing on this visitor behavior, many contemporary exhibition designers create varying degrees of controlled, immersive narratives and participatory experiences designed to influence specific visitor understanding and experience.

The value of the application of narrative in exhibition design is a widely debated, multi-dimensional topic: is immersive storytelling controlled by exhibit designers truly beneficial to comprehensive understanding, or does a more discursive, free exploration of exhibition material and its consequent visitor-constructed narrative produce a more successful outcome? While this research will not answer that question directly, it will focus on defining design strategies employed to establish an immersive vs. discursive experience. The analyses and comparisons of a variety of exhibitions that represent either narrative approach will propose that a balance of immersive and discursive narrative approaches within a single exhibition design can potentially accommodate the benefits of both types of narrative construction. The key exhibition used to support this conclusion will be the world-wide traveling exhibition “Pompeii: The Immortal City.”

Deep Neural Network a Posteriori Probability Detector for Two-dimensional Magnetic Recording

Deep Neural Network a Posteriori Probability Detector for Two-dimensional Magnetic Recording

Primary author: Jinlu Shen
Faculty sponsor: Benjamin Belzer, Krishnamoorthy Sivakumar

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

The magnetic recording channel in hard disk drives is a binary inter-symbol interference (ISI) channel that typically adopts a linear minimum mean square error (MMSE) equalizer with partial response (PR) signaling followed by a trellis-based detector such as Bahl-Cocke-Jelinek-Raviv (BCJR) or Viterbi. In two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR), an array of heads read data from multiple adjacent tracks in order to equalize inter-track interference (ITI), which is severe in high density recording. The multi-track effects combined with pattern-dependent noise inherent to HDD recording channels lead to a trellis state explosion problem, when an auto-regressive model is used for pattern dependent noise prediction (PDNP). The detector complexity grows exponentially with ISI channel length I and noise predictor order L, and becomes impractical for more than two tracks.
As a solution, we propose a novel deep neural network (DNN). The DNN detector replaces the typical Viterbi-PDNP or BCJR-PDNP, directly outputs log likelihood ratios of the coded bits and iteratively exchanges them with a channel decoder to minimize decoded BER. Three DNN architectures are investigated – fully connected DNN, convolutional neural networks (CNN), and long short-term memory (LSTM). The DNN’s complexity is limited by employing MMSE equalizer pre-processing. The best performing DNN architecture, CNN, is selected for iterative decoding with a channel decoder. Simulation results on a realistic media model shows as much as 30.47% detector BER reduction, and as much as 21.72% areal density gain compared to a conventional system.

Additive Manufacturing Using Liquid Metal

Additive Manufacturing Using Liquid Metal

Primary author: Steven Peyron
Faculty sponsor: Arda Gozen

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Metal 3d printing has played a role in rethinking our manufacturing methods. Using the study of eGaIn and the numerical model of filamentary metal alloys developed by Dr. Gannarapu et al[1] we are going to evaluate the further nonnoble metals and alloys. We will be examining the oxide skin’s effect on the filamentary shape and strength in the subsequent metals and metal alloys. With that information further research on layer interactions of the oxide skin and the thermofluidic flow of the metal alloys and metals at the mesoscale. We have confirmed the layer interactions of eGaIn act like that of a liquid and the oxide skin does not maintain individual layers while liquid. The next step is to print with a metal that is sold at room temperature. We will start with fields alloy and move on to high-temperature metals.

Design and modeling of a microfluidic platform for portable electrochemical analysis

Design and modeling of a microfluidic platform for portable electrochemical analysis

Primary author: Daniel Molina
Faculty sponsor: Cornelius Ivory

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

A microfluidic platform for electrochemical analysis of flowing solutions was developed, consisting of an acrylic chip and three removable microelectrodes, each housed in a high-resistance plastic tube. The electrodes can be removed independently for cleaning, polishing or replacement. The sensing microelectrode is a 100-µm diameter platinum disk, located flush with the upper face of a 150 µm x 20 µm x 3 cm microchannel, smaller than previously reported for this type of electrodes, and with a total volume of 90 nanoliters, which minimizes the size of the samples required. The platform was evaluated by oxidizing a potassium ferrocyanide solution, a well-known electrochemical probe, at the sensing electrode. The electrical current signal increases with increasing applied potential until it reaches a limiting current. The value of this limiting current increases with the flow rate of the solution, so a better signal/noise ratio can be achieved at higher flow rates.
Numerical models can help us make predictions and serve as design aids without having to iterate physical prototypes. While microdisk channel electrodes have been simulated numerically before using a finite difference method in an ideal 3D geometry, here we predict the limiting current using finite elements in COMSOL Multiphysics®, which allowed us to easily explore variations in the microchannel geometry that have not previously been considered in the literature. Experimental and simulated currents showed the same trend but differed by 41% in simulations of the ideal geometry, which improved when channel and electrode imperfections were included.

3D Printing of Bioglass-TCP Scaffolds: Biological and Mechanical Property Evolution

3D Printing of Bioglass-TCP Scaffolds: Biological and Mechanical Property Evolution

Primary Author: Arjak Bhattacharjee

Faculty Sponsor: Susmita Bose

 

Primary College/Unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Category: Engineering and Environmental Science

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Primary Author: Arjak Bhattacharjee

Faculty Sponsor: Susmita Bose

Primary College/Unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Category: Engineering & Environmental Science

Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

The objective of this study is to prepare 3D printed cytocompatible bioglass-TCP scaffolds with an optimum combination of porosity gradient and mechanical properties. Bioactive glasses (bioglass) are an excellent candidate for bone tissue engineering applications because of their excellent biological response and high dissolution rate. Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) are used for craniomaxillofacial applications owing to their chemical similarities with natural bone. Our results indicate that upto 5 wt.% bioglass addition in TCP enhances the compressive strength of the prepared scaffolds ~ 26.675 ± 5.45 MPa as compared to ~ 8.50 ± 0.830 MPa of control TCP. Simulated body fluid (SBF) dissolution study reveals that bioglass addition in TCP significantly improves the dissolution precipitation. Thus, this work affirms that 3D printed bioglass-tcp scaffolds can be a promising material for various biomedical applications. This poster will discuss fabrication of 3D printed bioglass-tcp scaffolds with optimum mechanical properties and controlled dissolution rate.

 

No Such Thing as Trash: A 3D-Printable Polymer Composite Composed of Oil-Extracted Spent Coffee Grounds and Polylactic Acid with Enhanced Impact Toughness

No Such Thing as Trash: A 3D-Printable Polymer Composite Composed of Oil-Extracted Spent Coffee Grounds and Polylactic Acid with Enhanced Impact Toughness

Primary Author: Yu-Chung Chang

Faculty Sponsor: Yuehe Lin

 

Primary College/Unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Category: Engineering and Environmental Science

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Principal topic: As one of the most popular beverages in the world, a large amount of coffee wastes known as the spent coffee grounds (SCGs) is generated daily. It would be a waste if these SCGs is directly dumped to landfills. The advantage of SCGs it contains a lot of cellulose fibers that can be repurposed for new sustainable materials for a variety of applications.

Methods: In this study, we report a polylactic acid (PLA) composite filament with a high loading of oil-extracted spent coffee grounds (Ox-SCGs) up to 20% by weight and is three-dimensional (3D)-printable with a commercially available consumer-level 3D printer. The Ox-SCG-loaded PLA was found to be able to increase impact energy absorption. As a result, the PLA/Ox-SCG composite exhibited a 418.7% increase in toughness with a measure of 25.24 MJ/m3 at a 20 wt % Ox-SCG loading and only a 26% storage modulus reduction from the 100% PLA specimens at room temperature.

Results: The experimental results indicate that as a waste product from human consumptions and post biodiesel extraction, the Ox-SCG is proven to be a promising additive for composite property modification. Ox-SCG can not only increase the impact of toughness but also reduce the cost of overall 3D-printing materials. The applications of this composite materials are endless consider 3D printers are getting cheaper and the only limits are people’s imaginations

High Performance and Stability Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell without Hydrogen as Safe Gas

High Performance and Stability Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell without Hydrogen as Safe Gas

Primary Author: Martinus Dewa

Faculty Sponsor: Su Ha

 

Primary College/Unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Category: Engineering and Environmental Science

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) is a device that can transform CO2 and water into hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) using electricity through co-electrolysis process. H2 is often added during the SOEC operation as a safe gas to prevent the SOEC degradation. Removing H2 from the system can reduce the capital cost of the process. Nickel (Ni)/yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is a state-of-the-art electrode material for SOEC due to its good catalytic performance and electrical conductivity. However, many researchers claimed that it will rapidly deactivate under co-electrolysis without hydrogen since the Ni can be oxidized and becomes electrically non-conductive. CuFe2O4 has been recently investigated to substitute Ni/YSZ in SOECs since it has better stability under highly oxidizing condition such as co-electrolysis.

We fabricated the SOEC using both Nickel (Ni)/yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and CuFe2O4 by screen printing method. The electrochemical performance was measured under 1:1 ratio of CO2 and H2O at 800°C.

Our Ni/YSZ cell shows a decent performance of -400 mA/cm2 at 1.5 V and was stable after 24 h. However, Ni/YSZ requires activation by H2 during start up. CuFe2O4 cell can run without H2 activation and shows a slightly better performance of -475 mA/cm2 at 1.5 V. However, the stability was lower due to interface compatibility. Applying an additional La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3 (LSGM) barrier layer successfully solved the stability issue, but electrochemical performance is compromised (-275 mA/cm2). Therefore, optimization of the design and fabrication method for the CuFe2O4 cell needs to be conducted to get both good performance and stability.

 

Humidity Controlled Micro Direct Ink Writing of Polymeric Bio-Ink for Drug Delivery and Bio-mimetic Tissue Synthesis

Humidity Controlled Micro Direct Ink Writing of Polymeric Bio-Ink for Drug Delivery and Bio-mimetic Tissue Synthesis

Primary Author: Kevin Estelle

Faculty Sponsor: Arda Gozen

 

Primary College/Unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Category: Engineering and Environmental Science

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Principal topic

Bio-inks are biocompatible hydrogels and water-soluble polymers that are used to additively manufacture next-generation medical and pharmaceutical products. Through additive manufacturing, bio-inks loaded with biomaterials are extruded and assembled layer-by-layer to fabricate personalized artificial tissues and drug delivery vehicles. Success of such technologies relies on how precisely they mimic the complex microscale features of the native tissues, and there is a need to advance the current bio-printing technologies which do not possess this high manufacturing resolution. At lower size scales, the process suffers from rapid ink-drying and induced flow rate inconsistencies. This project can lead to more precise personalized drug delivery devices and artificial tissues.

 

Method

We propose a novel bio-printing implementation where the humidity at the end of the extrusion nozzle is controlled to overcome such issues. A co-axial nozzle design is implemented where the inner nozzle is used to extrude the bio-inks and the outer nozzle dispenses water saturated air. This system increases the relative humidity up to 100% and beyond at the deposition site. The controlled humidity effects are observed through changes in volume flow rate, height, width, aspect ratio, and layer-to-layer cohesion and associated sidewall morphology obtained via imaging of the printed structures.

 

Results/implications

It is shown that the deposited material volume, ink spreading, and layer-to-layer fusion is a strong function of the humidity level at the end of the nozzle. With increasing humidity, stacked layers are more fused, the stackability remains intact, and clogging is prevented, which all increase the printability of bio-inks.

 

Effective erosion conservation screening tool: sharpening conservation placement by marrying physical modeling and stakeholder validation.

Effective erosion conservation screening tool: sharpening conservation placement by marrying physical modeling and stakeholder validation.

Primary Author: Ames Fowler

Faculty Sponsor: Jan Boll

 

Primary College/Unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Category: Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

Principal topic:

Persistent, unsustainable erosion rates on agricultural land and limited conservation funds motivate the identification of critical source areas for the effective selection and placement of best management practices (BMPs). Currently, national conservation funds are available on a case-by-case basis. There is no watershed-planning approach that identifies hydrologically sensitive areas at the field scale. The Hydrologic Character Tool (HCT) is a simplified formulation of the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model previously developed to fit this need but has yet to be adopted for spatial use.

 

Method:

In this study, the HCT framework is applied to the Palouse River Watershed to determine 30-year average distributed erosion and hydrological flows. Publicly available data for climate, slope, and soil depth at a 30-meter resolution allow field scale erosion “hotspots” to be identified. Three tillage practice scenarios evaluate current conservation effectiveness. The tool was assessed by a global parameter sensitivity and infield stakeholder verification.

 

Results/implications:

Model results suggest a small area of the Palouse River Watershed produces disproportionally high erosion rates. The mean erosion rates decrease sharply with decreases in soil disturbance, but the erosion rate distribution from the land type patterning associated with landscape features (e.g. soil depth, slope, etc.) persist. In addition to field scale heterogeneity – regional scale patterning associated with climate and soil formation create a gradient of critical source area density. This erosion and hydrology screening tool provides a linkage between watershed processes and field-by-field conservation efforts serving to make conservation planning more physically robust and cost effective.

 

Forest management and climate change effects on wildfire regimes of Cedar River Watershed

Forest management and climate change effects on wildfire regimes of Cedar River Watershed

Primary Author: Rebecca Gustine

Faculty Sponsor: Jennifer Adam

 

Primary College/Unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Category: Engineering and Environmental Science

Campus: Pullman

 

Abstract:

 

Fire exclusion, fire suppression, and climate change have altered wildfire regimes in the Western Cascades during past decades. Fire season is becoming longer and burned area in the Western Cascades are projected to increase 200-400% above contemporary levels by the end of the century. Such fire-regime changes can have cascading consequences for human and natural systems, including degradation of downstream water quality. Understanding the potential consequences of an altered fire regime will be necessary for managing forested watersheds to protect highly valued resources, especially high-quality drinking water. In this study, we apply the ecohydrologic model RHESSys, coupled with the fire spread model WMFire, to investigate how climate change and forest management techniques, such as stand thinning, can affect wildfire regimes in the Cedar River Watershed in western Washington, which provides drinking water for 1.4 million people in greater Seattle area. We run multiple simulations considering different climate change and forest management scenarios to assess the vulnerability of wildfire activity in this watershed and the efficacy of management practices to reduce fire impacts. Results show that both forest management and climate change alter the fire regime in the Cedar River watershed with fire suppression increasing the mean fire size while climate change increased the frequency of fires. By using processes-based model with factor-controlled simulation experiments, we can better inform the water management authorities, such as Seattle Public Utilities, on how to best mitigate the risk of wildfire-induced harm to drinking water.