Faculty in the college are engaged in a broad array of research sponsored by private industry and agencies such as the National Science Foundation, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory and the State of Illinois.
Engineering project team |
Engineering Undergraduate |
Department of Energy Fuel Cell Railroad Energy Efficiency Project
Dr. Guo: Investigating the feasibility and methods of using fuel cells instead of diesel engines to generate electricity for locomotives
Dr. Sciammarella: Assisting in characterization of material used for break line on the Triple Crown system and assisting in the failure analysis and re-design of critical components on the traditional rail cars and rail bogies used for bi-modal transportation.
USDA/Packer Engineering Biomass to Energy Project
Dr. Guo
Research and development of power supplies for an arc plasma reactor to create fertilizers
Digital Control of Switch Mode Power Supplies
Dr. Guo
Fuzzy logic control, sliding mode control, and implementation of digital control using DSPs and microcontrollers
Energy Harvesting Using Renewable Energy
Dr. Guo
Sun tracking solar power system and solar battery charger
Efficient Music Note Recognition Based on a Self-Organizing Map Tree and Linear Vector Quantization
Dr. Woo
Using classical signal processing and filtering techniques for music note recognition faces various kinds of difficulties. This research proposes a new scheme based on neural networks for music note recognition. The proposed scheme uses three types of neural networks: time delay neural networks, self-organizing maps, and linear vector quantization. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves 100% recognition rate in moderate noise environments. The basic design of two potential applications of the proposed scheme is briefly demonstrated.
ANFIS Generated Dynamic Path Planning for a Mobile Robot to Track a Randomly Moving Target in a 3-D Space with Obstacle Avoidance
Dr. Woo
This research addresses the dynamic path planning for mobile robots in a 3-D space with obstacle avoidance and moving target tracking. A new mathematical approach to calculating the dynamic path in a 3-D space is proposed. An adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) with the use of the mathematical results is then implemented to generate automatically the dynamic path of the mobile robot. This approach allows implementing faster decision-making and can be seen as an efficient algorithm to avoid obstacles and to track moving targets. Simulation results validate the performance of the proposed scheme.
Emulation of Computer Mouse Control with a Bare-Hand Human-Computer Interface
Dr. Woo
This research investigates the practical bare-hand human-computer interaction application that mimics the functions of the computer mouse. Such an application allows the user to direct the mouse pointer in real-time by moving his/her hand without wearing any special gloves, carrying any object or pushing any button. The user is also able to perform functions similar to those performed by the right and left clicks of a conventional computer mouse by the use of hand gestures. In this research, the application is treated as a computer vision problem. Intelligent algorithms such as artificial neural networks together with the state of the art of image processing techniques are utilized to implement real-time computer vision processing such as hand tracking and hand gesture recognition.
Path Planning for a Mobile Robot with Moving Obstacle Avoidance in a Dynamic Environment
Dr. Woo
There has been considerable interest in the dynamic path planning and obstacle avoidance for a mobile robot. A new dynamic path approach to robot target tracking with the avoidance of obstacles that move in a predefined path in a 2-D environment is proposed. A mathematical procedure is presented to generate the dynamic path of the robot. This approach can be seen as an efficient algorithm for path planning for target tracking with moving obstacle avoidance. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Synchronized Movements of Mobile Robots with Obstacle Avoidance
Dr. Woo
The objective of this research is to study and propose a model for a group of non-holonomic mobile robots moving in a group form while maintaining a perfect synchronization with each other. The proposed model assures that while moving in a formation, the mobile robots form a perfect geometrical structure without mutual collision. Based on the concept of Voronoi Region and Areas, an algorithm for the formation control of the non-holonomic mobile robots is proposed for two scenarios, no obstacle present and obstacles present. Simulation results validate the proposed model.
Characterization of materials and structures using optical methods
Dr. Sciammarella
The general task is to perform research using optical techniques to measure contours of parts and to measure displacements, stresses and strains. The specific goal is in two areas one is contouring with an emphasis on micro and nano holography for industrial applications (characterizing micro and nano sized parts). The methodology used will drive down costs for such type of equipment and provides accuracies similar to high end equipment. The other area is in measurement of deformations (stress, strain) of fuel cells. There are certain areas in characterization of fuel cells that are not well known. Using optical methods it will be possible to measure the thermo mechanical properties of fuel cells during operation. This type of breakthrough will facilitate the development of next generation fuel cells that are needed to make them a viable option.
Characterization of heat input for any type of manufacturing process using the Power Measurement Calorimetric System
Dr. Sciammarella
The general task is to perform research in laser and traditional welding. The specific goal is to measure net power energy absorbed by either a laser or arc process to get an accurate measurement of how much energy goes into the process, which is currently not know. This type of valuable information can save companies money by limiting the amount of energy input into a fabrication process and being able to accurately control processing times.
Enhancing Optical Methods
Dr. Sciammarella
Using optical methods well beyond what was once thought possible in terms of resolution and accuracy is now possible. There are still some aspects that must be investigated further. The general task is to further develop the capability of making optical measurements with traditional equipment at the nano level and beyond. The specific goal is to provide research projects that require the measurement of objects and or conditions that go well into nano and pico realm with the capability to do so with the additional benefit that it can also be carried out in situ.
Department of Defense - Rapid Optimization of Commercial Knowledge (ROCK)NIU/ROCK is actively working to commercialize this emerging technology which will ultimately result in an increase of employment in the Rockford, Illinois area.
Laser Assisted Machining of Ceramics
Dr. Sciammarella
Understanding what fundamental properties and machining parameters are necessary to enable LAMC as a commercially viable manufacturing process. Some initial studies show that costs can be drastically reduced by several orders of magnitude when using LAMC overall traditional diamond grinding methods.Development of a portable laser cladding cell
Dr. Sciammarella
As laser materials processing becomes more widely accepted the idea is to think about next generation systems that will be portable and flexible to meet a variety of demands. This research project is focusing on the development of a prototype portable laser cell that can be used for welding or cladding of high value parts that may be difficult to take out of operation. This system could also be brought on board to Ships and or oil rigs for on site repair work.Optical contouring of micro machined parts and surface roughness
Dr. Sciammarella
The focus of this research is to utilize high accuracy optical contouring to measure micro machined parts and determine their geometrical dimensions. Additionally this method is utilized to measure the surface roughness of the LAMC parts to compare them with the traditional diamond grinding methods. The techniques utilized are unique and the goal is to have a low cost system that can be attached to pre existing micro machining equipment.Micro Machining
Dr. Otieno
Research in Micro manufacturing is conducted as part of the NIU ROCK Program at EIGERlab. With funding from the Department of Defense, and in partnership with Alion Science & Technology, CEET faculty, staff, and students are working on complex application studies, machinability studies, a low-cost Micro machine, a Micro stamping /forming machine and development of tool changers and tool tip sensors for Micro machines.
An intensive market research study conducted through the ROCK program illustrates a tremendous global growth potential of an estimated 68 billion dollars for the Micro machined parts.Industry sectors using micro machined components include Aerospace, Defense, Automotive, Medical, Pharmaceutical Delivery, Micro Fluidic Applications, Electronics and MEMS, Jewelry and Watch Making, Optical, and Dental.
Laser Cladding Technician Training Project
Dr. Sciammarella
With the support of the National Science Foundation, The Department of Technology is developing online training and a remote laboratory for laser cladding technicians. NIU has partnered with Alion Science and Technology and Rock Valley College to develop these web-based learning materials, which will allow students to view laser processes in real-time and to become familiar with current systems and practices used in laser cladding. (Screen Shot)
The project goals are: To develop and field test laser cladding training materials, simulation modules, and a remote laboratory, To integrate the developed materials, modules, and the remote laboratory into two-year college engineering technology curricula to sustain workforce development, and to disseminate the materials, modules, and the remote laboratory nationwide via the National Center for Manufacturing Education, and the National Engineering Technology Education Clearinghouse, as well as through professional societies and professional development workshops for faculty members.
Northern Illinois Porton Treatment and Research Center - Proton Therapy
Dr. Sciammarella
Currently investigating alternative materials to brass for producing the apertures used to deliver proton beam. While Brass is an easy to machine and low cost material it is limited in the number of uses for proton therapy due to radionuclide’s that form. Decomposition can be on the order of months or longer. The goal is to look at a series of composite materials that may induce radionuclide’s that have very short half lives (~ hrs) making these materials easier to recycle and reuse.