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Browsing by Author "Kindomba, Eli"
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Item Actinide concentration from lunar regolith via hydrocyclone density separation(Longdom Publishing, 2021) Schubert, Peter J.; Kindomba, Eli; Hantzis, Connor; Conaway, Adam; Yeong, Haoyee; Littell, Steven; Palani, Sashindran; Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering and TechnologyBeneficiation of regolith to concentrate the high-density ore fraction from the gangue can be accomplished through momentum transfer methods, such as ballistic deflection or cyclonic separation. This study explores the extraction of actinide-bearing minerals from lunar regolith based on the difference in apparent density between thorium-bearing minerals (e.g. ThO2 ρ=10) from silicates (e.g. SiO2 ρ=2.65). Thorium content in lunar regolith ranges from single-digit parts per million (ppm) to as high as 60 ppm. Concentrating thorium-bearing minerals is a required first step in the preparation of fission fuels for a nuclear reactor in which all of the radioactive operations are performed 380,000 km from the Earth’s biosphere. After comparison with ballistic deflection, cyclone separation with a non-volatile fluid carrier was chosen for further study. With sieving to separate particles by size, such a hydrocyclone can be used to efficiently separate the dense fraction from the lighter minerals. Design equations were used to fabricate an at-scale apparatus using water, iron particles, and glass beads as simulants. Results show the ability to effect a 2 to 5.4 % increase in dense fraction concentration each pass, such that 95% concentration requires between 50 and 100 passes, or a cascade of this many apparatuses. The selection of a suitable fluid for safe and low-mass transport to the Moon is part of a techno-economic analysis of the cost and infrastructure needed to produce highly-purified thorium minerals on the lunar surface.Item Design, Modeling, and Fabrication of a Ventilator Prototype - A Successful Student Project Story(ASME, 2021-11) Yeong, Haoyee; Iloeje, Francis; Kindomba, Eli; Folorunso, Sunday; Li, Yafeng; Zhang, Jing; Mechanical and Energy Engineering, School of Engineering and TechnologyAbstract In this work, we use a group project approach for a group of undergraduate students to design and develop a mechanical ventilator, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A student group project composed of a team of undergraduate students has successfully designed and fabricated a mechanical bag valve mask (BVM) ventilator prototype. It is lightweight with a single controller is driven, capable of volume adjustment, inexpensive, open-source, and designed for ease of fabrication, installation, and operation by the average user. The ventilator prototype also consists of 3D printed components and stored bought hardware. A finite element model was developed to analyze the deformation of the bag valve mask. Finally, the ventilator system is fully tested functioning properly.Item Fabrication and Characterization of Lithium-ion Battery Electrode Filaments Used for Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printing(2022-08) Kindomba, Eli; Zhang, Jing; Zhu, Likun; Schubert, PeterLithium-Ion Batteries (Li-ion batteries or LIBs) have been extensively used in a wide variety of industrial applications and consumer electronics. Additive Manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing (3DP) techniques have evolved to allow the fabrication of complex structures of various compositions in a wide range of applications. The objective of the thesis is to investigate the application of 3DP to fabricate a LIB, using a modified process from the literature [1]. The ultimate goal is to improve the electrochemical performances of LIBs while maintaining design flexibility with a 3D printed 3D architecture. In this research, both the cathode and anode in the form of specifically formulated slurry were extruded into filaments using a high-temperature pellet-based extruder. Specifically, filament composites made of graphite and Polylactic Acid (PLA) were fabricated and tested to produce anodes. Investigations on two other types of PLA-based filament composites respectively made of Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO) and Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) were also conducted to produce cathodes. Several filaments with various materials ratios were formulated in order to optimize printability and battery capacities. Finally, flat battery electrode disks similar to conventional electrodes were fabricated using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) process and assembled in half-cells and full cells. Finally, the electrochemical properties of half cells and full cells were characterized. Additionally, in parallel to the experiment, a 1-D finite element (FE) model was developed to understand the electrochemical performance of the anode half-cells made of graphite. Moreover, a simplified machine learning (ML) model through the Gaussian Process Regression was used to predict the voltage of a certain half-cell based on input parameters such as charge and discharge capacity. The results of this research showed that 3D printing technology is capable to fabricate LIBs. For the 3D printed LIB, cells have improved electrochemical properties by increasing the material content of active materials (i.e., graphite, LMO, and NMC) within the PLA matrix, along with incorporating a plasticizer material. The FE model of graphite anode showed a similar trend of discharge curve as the experiment. Finally, the ML model demonstrated a reasonably good prediction of charge and discharge voltages.Item A Project Based Learning Study Through Student Design of a Low-cost, Open Source, Easy-to-use, and Easy-to-build Ventilator(2021) Kindomba, Eli; Iloeje, Francis; Yeong, Haoyee; Folorunso, Sunday; Zhengzhao, Ji; Li, Yafeng; Zhang, Jing; Mechanical and Energy Engineering, School of Engineering and TechnologyThis work presents a project based learning (PBL) study, through student design and fabrication of a low-cost, open source, easy-to-build, and easy-to-use bag valve mask (BVM) ventilator, to potentially serve COVID-19 patients during the incubation period. A new learning outcomes framework, i.e., Profiles of Learning for Undergraduate Success, was adopted as the pedagogical model, with a focus on problem solver and innovator. Using the reciprocating motion system, the ventilator is capable to provide an air supply with adjustable breath frequencies. 3D printing is used to fabricate customized components. In parallel to the mechanical assembly of the ventilator, a CAD model was developed to understand the motion mechanisms in the ventilator, which can further help optimize the system. The design files are available at GitHub for open access. The project is to serve as a backup to handle any surge of patients who may need breathing assistance in hospitals across the nation. The feedback from the participating students is very positive. The success of this PBL based project using the profiles of learning for undergraduate success shows its promise and it can be extended to other student learning experiences.