Matching Items (504)
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

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

Due to the increasing complexity of modern software and hardware systems, fully automated software engineering methods, particularly those that focus on a single abstraction level, are insufficient to prevent, identify, and handle performance problems, bugs, and security vulnerabilities. Addressing these issues often requires gathering information from and attuning to multiple

Due to the increasing complexity of modern software and hardware systems, fully automated software engineering methods, particularly those that focus on a single abstraction level, are insufficient to prevent, identify, and handle performance problems, bugs, and security vulnerabilities. Addressing these issues often requires gathering information from and attuning to multiple abstraction levels, usually incorporating manual analysis or deep domain knowledge. Analysis that crosses abstraction boundaries is challenging, but software engineering techniques can benefit when analysis at one abstraction level is informed by analyses on others. I use code representations as the medium for this work. First, I investigate long-held assumptions about how lower-level code representations affect human comprehension in a human study. I then cross the boundary between binary and source, showing how decompiled code can be leveraged to facilitate the repair of bugs and vulnerabilities when source code is not available. The insights gained from this success with decompiled code allow us to improve automated program repair by using static code transformations to manipulate the input code representation. Finally, I develop methods for aligning source code elements with binary code, in the absence of compiler-embedded information or recompilation. Together, this thesis shows that analyses and tools designed for or informed by a software abstraction level can benefit understanding, tools, and analyses designed for others, and extend their utility beyond or improve their accuracy on their intended code representation.

ContributorsReiter, Pemma (Author) / Forrest, Stephanie (Thesis advisor) / Weimer, Westley (Committee member) / Doupe, Adam (Committee member) / Wang, Ruoyu (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2025
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

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

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.
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

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

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
Description
This project investigates the design and construction of a dynamic surface capable of replicating complex wave patterns to study boundary layer effects. A 3-layer modular system was developed in SolidWorks and fabricated through laser cutting and 3D printing techniques. The 1st iteration was refined to allow for efficient construction and

This project investigates the design and construction of a dynamic surface capable of replicating complex wave patterns to study boundary layer effects. A 3-layer modular system was developed in SolidWorks and fabricated through laser cutting and 3D printing techniques. The 1st iteration was refined to allow for efficient construction and easy replacement of damaged servos. Attached to the surface are 182 independently actuated micro linear servos arranged in a grid like array. To minimize surface discontinuities, the rubber sheet was iteratively redesigned to reduce visible riblets caused by height differences between adjacent servos. A microcontroller programmed with a Python script actuates each servo with a specific duty cycle depending on the amplitude of the wave. Waveforms are mapped based on the wavelength calculations in both x and y directions. On the surface, servo oscillation range spans 1 cm in vertical displacement, with a duty cycle range from 100 (lowest point) to 0 (highest point). The Preliminary waveforms were first simulated in MATLAB with an amplitude between 0 to 1 which was then scaled to the duty cycle of the servo. A sine wave and square wave were successfully replicated on the physical surface. The generated waveforms clearly show the peaks and troughs aligning with MATLAB simulations, validating the accuracy and functionality of the actuation method. Arbitrary waveforms can be mapped onto the dynamic surface through Fourier series implementation in the Python script. These complex surface shapes can be accurately mapped onto the mechanism, making the dynamic surface a promising platform for future studies in surface actuation and programmable surface geometries. Researchers can utilize this setup to investigate how different geometries influence boundary layer behavior, turbulence, and flow separation.
ContributorsBasikala, Sai Grishma (Author) / Pathikonda, Gokul (Thesis director) / Garrett, Frederick (Committee member) / Wall, Isaiah (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This thesis explores how simulation-driven design can enhance the performance and efficiency of solar panel mounting clamps. With solar energy infrastructure expanding, there's an urgent need for hardware that is lightweight, cost-effective, and durable under environmental loads. This study aims to bridge the gap between traditional mechanical design and modern

This thesis explores how simulation-driven design can enhance the performance and efficiency of solar panel mounting clamps. With solar energy infrastructure expanding, there's an urgent need for hardware that is lightweight, cost-effective, and durable under environmental loads. This study aims to bridge the gap between traditional mechanical design and modern computational tools by comparing clamp designs based on engineering theory with those refined through finite element and topology optimization using ANSYS. Three clamp geometries were modeled and analyzed under realistic loading conditions derived from ASCE 7-16 standards. Each design was evaluated both in its theory-based form and after undergoing structural optimization. Material selection was a parallel focus, weighing the mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, manufacturability, and economic viability of aluminum, regular steel, and galvanized steel. G90 Commercial Steel B emerged as the best candidate, offering a practical balance of strength, durability, and cost. Simulation results demonstrated that optimized clamps could significantly reduce material usage without compromising structural integrity. Clamp 1 and Clamp 2 achieved over 24% weight reduction each, while Clamp 3, limited by its design constraints, prioritized stress reduction instead. These outcomes emphasize that design geometry and boundary conditions play a critical role in optimization potential. Ultimately, this research confirms that integrating simulation tools with engineering design practices leads to more efficient structural components, particularly in applications where cost, weight, and reliability are crucial. The methods developed here provide a foundation for future work in adaptive clamp systems, environmental load simulations, and manufacturable design refinement.
ContributorsFuad, Nafis (Author) / Murthy, Dr. Raghavendra (Thesis director) / Solanki, Dr. Kiran (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
The goal of this project was to develop an affordable, functional, and reliable automated pill sorting system using Raspberry Pi and computer vision. The prototype was designed to assist individuals with physical or cognitive impairments in managing their daily medications more efficiently. For demonstration and testing purposes, candies with different

The goal of this project was to develop an affordable, functional, and reliable automated pill sorting system using Raspberry Pi and computer vision. The prototype was designed to assist individuals with physical or cognitive impairments in managing their daily medications more efficiently. For demonstration and testing purposes, candies with different shapes and colors were used to simulate pills. The system uses a Raspberry Pi 5, a camera module, and servo motors controlled through a PCA9685 driver to identify and sort candies based on their color and shape. A conveyor belt moves each candy under the camera where images are captured, processed in real time using OpenCV, and classified using HSV color filtering and contour analysis. Classified items are then routed to the correct compartments using servos. Testing was conducted under both bright and dim lighting conditions to evaluate system robustness, yielding classification accuracies of 95.9% and 100% respectively. The total build cost was $264.03, significantly less than commercial alternatives. The system proved effective in demonstrating low-cost, high-accuracy automated sorting. Future improvements include adding a feeder mechanism, enhancing the user interface, integrating a pill database, and potentially training a custom machine learning model for improved classification and real-world deployment.
ContributorsGarcia, David (Author) / Menees, Jodi (Thesis director) / Li, Cindy (Xiangjia) (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / Department of Physics (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
The goal of our thesis was to write, film, and produce a short film. This movie, The Father, The Bro, & The Holy Spirit, follows an unnamed protagonist, The Bro, as he accidentally travels back to biblical times. There, he amasses a group of cult-like followers and turns his loyal

The goal of our thesis was to write, film, and produce a short film. This movie, The Father, The Bro, & The Holy Spirit, follows an unnamed protagonist, The Bro, as he accidentally travels back to biblical times. There, he amasses a group of cult-like followers and turns his loyal disciples into the world’s first fraternity.
ContributorsDanko, Aubrey (Author) / Seegmiller, Emeline (Co-author) / Scott Lynch, Jacquie (Thesis director) / Takada, Emy (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2025-05