Matching Items (509)
Description
Emissions produced by diesel engines have been the focus of intense scrutiny in recent years due to stringent legislation aimed at reducing air pollution. This thesis examines how diesel emissions are produced, the systems used to mitigate emissions, the effects these systems have on performance and efficiency, and the topic of deleting these systems.
This thesis begins by examining the combustion process and its relationship to the formation of pollutants, including nitric oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and sulfur oxides. It then discusses the adverse effects of these pollutants and the resulting legislation aimed at minimizing them. The legislation discussed provides reasoning for the implementation of modern-day emission mitigation systems.
This study comprehensively examines the role of emission control systems, including exhaust gas recirculation, selective catalytic reduction, and particulate filtration. These technologies can effectively reduce the emission of pollutants; however, this comes at a tradeoff. These systems reduce the reliability, performance, and efficiency of diesel engines. As a result, many diesel truck owners decide to perform what is known as “diesel emissions delete” and remove these systems.
The final section of this thesis gives the author's opinion on the future of diesel engine emission control systems. Using data from related studies, an argument is constructed for eliminating exhaust gas recirculation systems to maximize performance and efficiency while abiding by industry emission standards.
ContributorsHarr, Samuel (Author) / Bocanegra, Luis (Thesis director) / Trimble, Steven (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Recycling plastic effectively remains a pertinent issue in the overall fight against plastic pollution. One solution to tackle recycling issues is local, small-scale recycling facilities. An example small-scale recycling pipeline by the Simien Mountains National Park in Ethiopia is discussed alongside the potential benefits of implementing 3D printing with recycled plastic to the pipeline. A prototype modified 3D printer based on a pellet extruder design was made with the intention to 3D print with recycled PET plastic flakes. While the initial prototype did not function as intended due to issues with the extrusion screw and heating block, recommendations are made for future iterations of the design.
ContributorsZhan, Rachael (Author) / Schneider-Crease, India (Thesis director) / Eglen, Tyler (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
The gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical (STEM) fields
remain a significant challenge, despite current progress in gender equality. Women account for only 27% of the STEM workforce, with even lower representation in fields such as engineering and leadership roles. Our thesis explores the many causes to this disparity, focusing on lack of
mentorship and role models, implicit biases, inadequate family support, lack of educational
reform, and media representation. The research conducted for this thesis highlights how the
societal perception of women and STEM fields discourages girls from being interested in
science and math fields, as well as the systemic barriers that exist to push women out of
STEM fields. We will review the current interventions that target the gender gap, as well as each solution’s effectiveness. Going forward, the following writing focuses on the possible improvements to these interventions. The conclusion of our research is that creating accessible and less intimidating connections to resources, as well as leaving positive and strong impressions on younger women can be the most effective method for breaking down the barriers women face to enter and remain in STEM fields. The deliverable of our thesis is a free website, accessible to anyone with internet access with design features that attract a younger, more female audience. It aims to introduce young women from middle school-on to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a way that is not intimidating, as well as easy to navigate. The website includes a general introduction to different STEM majors and careers, a major mapping quiz based on interests and skills, mentorship connections relating to Arizona State University, implicit bias testing, and information about organizations for middle to college level that focus on women in STEM. Overall, we conclude that the research conducted supports that the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is caused by systemic barriers which, in turn, create a cultural perception of women in the workplace. This often discourages women from being interested or confident in pursuing STEM careers and education. After reviewing existing literature, the organized thesis claims that, in order to shorten the gender gap, we must focus on creating a neutral and inclusive education that does not intimidate girls from pursuing STEM careers.
ContributorsMonti, Caleigh (Author) / Medanic, Nina (Co-author) / Martin, Thomas (Thesis director) / Stefanaki, Aikaterini (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / School of Earth and Space Exploration (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
The gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical (STEM) fields
remain a significant challenge, despite current progress in gender equality. Women account for only 27% of the STEM workforce, with even lower representation in fields such as engineering and leadership roles. Our thesis explores the many causes to this disparity, focusing on lack of
mentorship and role models, implicit biases, inadequate family support, lack of educational
reform, and media representation. The research conducted for this thesis highlights how the
societal perception of women and STEM fields discourages girls from being interested in
science and math fields, as well as the systemic barriers that exist to push women out of
STEM fields. We will review the current interventions that target the gender gap, as well as each solution’s effectiveness. Going forward, the following writing focuses on the possible improvements to these interventions. The conclusion of our research is that creating accessible and less intimidating connections to resources, as well as leaving positive and strong impressions on younger women can be the most effective method for breaking down the barriers women face to enter and remain in STEM fields. The deliverable of our thesis is a free website, accessible to anyone with internet access with design features that attract a younger, more female audience. It aims to introduce young women from middle school-on to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a way that is not intimidating, as well as easy to navigate. The website includes a general introduction to different STEM majors and careers, a major mapping quiz based on interests and skills, mentorship connections relating to Arizona State University, implicit bias testing, and information about organizations for middle to college level that focus on women in STEM. Overall, we conclude that the research conducted supports that the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is caused by systemic barriers which, in turn, create a cultural perception of women in the workplace. This often discourages women from being interested or confident in pursuing STEM careers and education. After reviewing existing literature, the organized thesis claims that, in order to shorten the gender gap, we must focus on creating a neutral and inclusive education that does not intimidate girls from pursuing STEM careers.
ContributorsMedanic, Nina (Author) / Monti, Caleigh (Co-author) / Martin, Thomas (Thesis director) / Stefanaki, Aikaterini (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This paper analyzes the aerodynamic challenges of transonic flight (Mach 0.8–1.2) and evaluates emerging technologies for seamless regime transition. Historical cases studies are examined such as designs like the Concorde and F-14 which used mechanical adaptations but suffered efficiency trade-offs. Technology has advanced since these systems were designed and current research shows adaptive wings reduce transonic drag by twenty to forty percent while active flow control delays shock-induced separation. Adjustable engine inlet and thrust vectoring optimize flight for the transonic region by reducing negative effects of complex mixed flow. AI-driven flight control improves stability by predicting flow changes before they occur rather than responding to occurrences after their detection as most systems have performed previously. These technologies enable aircraft to maintain optimal performance across transitional Mach numbers without compromising in efficiency in other airflow regions. This shows that integrated adaptive systems, not fixed designs, are key to next-generation high-speed aircraft and should be developed more as an independent field of research.
ContributorsWeber, Aaron (Author) / Andersen, Erik (Thesis director) / Wells, Valana (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / School of Earth and Space Exploration (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
It is becoming increasingly necessary for orbiting mission vehicles to rendezvous with target
satellites in or near geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO), for example to perform on-orbit
inspection, servicing, or refueling, or for various types of military proximity operations. The
rendezvous of the mission vehicle with the target often must be initiated on short notice and
achieved quickly. The total rendezvous time and the propellant consumed in performing the
rendezvous are the two main considerations in choosing an optimal waiting orbit and transfer trajectory for the mission vehicle. Propellant-efficient transfer options include a Hohmann transfer or bi-elliptic transfer, though faster but less efficient transfers can also be considered. The waiting orbit for the mission vehicle can be chosen anywhere from LEO to GEO, though waiting orbits above GEO can also be considered, and both prograde and retrograde orbits can be considered. The chosen waiting orbit determines the time between successive rendezvous opportunities and the required orbit transfer time, as well as the amount of propellant needed to perform the rendezvous. The relative importance assigned to reducing propellant consumption versus reducing the rendezvous time depends on the mission. Therefore, this project conducts an in-depth Keplerian analysis of such mission-optimized waiting orbits and transfer trajectories for GEO target rendezvous, and will determine the optimal configuration for any given relative emphasis on reducing the rendezvous time versus reducing propellant consumption.
ContributorsLewis, Megan (Author) / Dahm, Werner (Thesis director) / Middleton, Jim (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Tire behavior is a critical factor in motorsports, but especially the performance of Formula Student vehicles, where tight autocross circuits demand high acceleration, strong cornering grip, and predictable handling. However, accurately modeling tire forces remains a major challenge due to their nonlinear nature with respect to load. This thesis presents a structured methodology for developing and validating lateral tire models using empirical data provided by the Formula SAE Tire Test Consortium (TTC).
Several modeling approaches were evaluated, with the Magic Formula selected for its balance of accuracy, flexibility, and implementation ease. A full data processing script was developed to isolate steady-state conditions and group test cases by operation parameters. Nonlinear regression was used to fit Magic Formula parameters, and a vertical load scaling factor was introduced to reduce computational load.
A weighted comparison framework was developed to evaluate six different tire models based on several performance and driveability metrics, leading to a data-driven tire selection process for Arizona State University’s Formula SAE team.
Finally, an experimental surface correction factor must be measured to correct for idealisms in testing data. The resulting process offers an accessible and effective approach to tire modeling and selection in resource-constrained motorsport environments.
ContributorsWilson, Drake (Author) / Chen, Yan (Thesis director) / Ren, Yi (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
The goal of this thesis is to provide insight into Leonardo Da Vinci’s inventions. It aims to prove that Leonardo Da Vinci was an innovator that built upon the historical knowledge of intellectuals before him and iterated on their designs in new ways. Furthermore, the thesis also aims to prove that Leonardo’s inventions were centuries ahead of their time. The fundamental theory and mathematics regarding many of his designs were not yet conceived; yet, through careful observation, Leonardo was able to infer how his designs might work, even without the theoretical framework. The thesis aims to prove that his designs certainly would have worked without the constraints posed to him at the time. Finally, my goal is to defend that Leonardo’s works are still relevant today. There are echoes of his works in many modern day machines which can be traced back to him.
ContributorsVillela, Niko (Author) / Minardi, Enrico (Thesis director) / Dell'Anna, Antonella (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School for Engineering of Matter,Transport & Enrgy (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
The objective of this project was to analyze the current AEE 479 project. The analysis includes a look into previous AEE 479 projects, their contract requirements, and their design choices. The previous iterations of this capstone are compared to the current contract requirements, design choices, and overall results. The analysis also includes an analysis of each phase of flight of the aircraft in order to get an estimate of how it will perform.
ContributorsSharp, Brennan (Author) / Garrett, Frederick (Thesis director) / Berman, Spring (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / Department of Military Science (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This project presents an interactive Tableau dashboard of temperature and precipitation trends for the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area, using daily records from Phoenix Sky Harbor (1973–2024). Key metrics include monthly and annual maximum temperatures, January nighttime minima, and average summer highs, diurnal temperature range, frequency and duration of “extreme heat days” and heat-wave events, departures from 30-year baselines, and annual precipitation totals. Linear‐trend analyses reveal that July and annual maximum temperatures are rising by roughly 0.03 °F / year and 0.04 °F / year, respectively, while January minima climb twice as fast (≈ 0.10 °F / year), consistent with an urban heat island effect that compresses diurnal swings. Extreme heat days are becoming more intense and sustained, and annual rainfall is decreasing by ~0.05 in/ year. The dashboard’s parameterized thresholds let users explore alternative definitions of heat-wave intensity and duration. By making these trends immediately visible and adjustable, this tool aims to inform residents and policymakers about the growing urgency of heat stress and diminishing water supply in Phoenix.
ContributorsMasiello, Mark (Author) / Menees, Jodi (Thesis director) / Srinivasan, Aravind (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor)
Created2025-05