Master of Science, University of Akron, 2018, Mechanical Engineering

Impedance pumps work on a principle that does not require valves to transfer fluid. Perturbing an elastic material fixed with inelastic ends, propagates a unidirectional wave causing fluid displacement. This method of pumping is useful in various biomedical and engineering applications, such as pumping of sensitive bio-fluids (e.g. blood), micro displacement pumps and many more. This experimental research investigation quantifies the increase in net positive displacement of fluid inside a closed loop compliant micro-structured tubing subject to periodic perturbations by varying the wall cross sectional geometry of an elastic test specimen. Five various set of asymmetric walls test specimens were designed, fabricated, and net pumping performance was quantified. Comparisons were made with the baseline having symmetric cross sectional area. It was hypothesized that perturbing thinner wall of an asymmetric tube, with a thicker boundary opposing it, contributes a higher net positive fluid displacement inside a closed loop. Experimental results obtained when compared to baseline were unexpected. The root cause was investigated, by capturing test specimen images using a high speed camera. It was discovered that the design of the test specimen must take in account the modulus of elasticity when selecting material. A video-graphic comparison was made between the fabricated test specimen made of TangoPlus FLX930 in this study and a commercially available hyper elastic material known as latex. Some external changes based on a hypothesis that adding rigid body in contact with thicker wall opposing perturbations should increase fluid flow, were made with the asymmetric test specimens and a solid bar was placed in contact with the thicker boundary wall against the probe perturbations, in attempt to keep the specimen in the desired geometry, and a significant improvement in average flowrate for various frequency was measured in subsequent analysis. This study concluded, that th (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Nicholas Garafolo Dr. (Advisor); Scott Sawyer Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Biomedical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2023, Dentistry

Endotracheal tube fixation is a critical part of the intubation process intended to protect patients from the potentially catastrophic results of an unintentional mid-procedure extubation. Tube fixation techniques vary greatly between providers and institutions, with relatively little existing research comparing the integrity of commonly accepted methods. This is especially true for the less common nasal endotracheal tube typically utilized in anesthetics for procedures involving the head and neck. This bench-top manikin study compares three nasal endotracheal tube fixation taping methods and their ability to withstand extubation forces. Each method was tested a total of 24 times on an intubating manikin between four directions of force (caudal, lateral, perpendicular, and cephalad). Force required to produce tube dislodgment (defined as at least 2 cm of displacement from original intubation depth) and force required for complete extubation (defined as 5 cm or greater displacement) was recorded for each pull test. The force dataset was analyzed by a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with all pairwise comparisons adjusted by the Step-down Bonferroni method. The effect of the fail type (dislodgement vs. extubation) was found to be dependent on both the method and the direction of pull.

Committee: Robert Busto (Advisor); Mark Wenzel (Committee Member); William Johnston (Committee Member) Subjects: Dentistry; Experiments; Health Care; Health Sciences; Materials Science; Medicine; Physics

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2018, Engineering and Applied Science: Electrical Engineering

This work simulated the implementation of various advanced materials in the design of a 100-kVA generator. High magnetic permeability Vacoflux50 was compared to a low magnetic permeability soft magnetic core material. Similarly, designs implementing carbon nanotube (CNT) and hybrid multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT-Cu) wire were compared to copper conductor designs. Trades were conducted using MATLAB while attempting to maintain comparable conditions, but also take advantage of the favorable material properties of the advanced materials. It was hypothesized that MWCNT-Cu and CNT wire could handle 1.5 and 1000 times greater current density than copper wire, respectively. One design replaced the stator teeth of a generator with Vacoflux50 since the low permeability soft magnetic composite material could not achieve sufficient flux to produce a viable design. Designs using Vacoflux50 achieved 30kVA/in^2 current density limits when Vacoflux50 was applied to all components and wound with CNT and MWCNT-Cu. Moreover, we used the advantage of the low skin effect of CNT, and the capability to use a soft magnetic core at high frequencies to investigate designs with high frequencies. MATLAB simulation yielded satisfying results for both CNT and MWCNT-Cu, but with a greater heating and losses for CNT than MWCNT-Cu. The MATLAB codes used classical machine theory to estimate the size, weight, and efficiency for each machine. The analysis allowed design trends to be evaluated. The electromagnetic, conductor and friction losses in each component were calculated. The study showed that generator size and weight decrease when frequency increases, while the efficiency also decreases when the frequency increases; providing an expected engineering tradeoff. Finally, in an attempt to validate the theory and methodology, a six-pole 100 KVA generator with MWCNT-Cu windings was simulated in the COMSOL Multiphysics environment. The induced voltage per phase obtained from COMSOL simulation is (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Massoud (Max) Rabiee Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Marc Cahay Ph.D. (Committee Member); Mark Schulz Ph.D. (Committee Member); Kevin Yost MS (Committee Member) Subjects: Electrical Engineering

Master of Sciences (Engineering), Case Western Reserve University, 2018, Biomedical Engineering

Neural recordings have been used to study physiology since the early 1900's. However, high quality recordings of small autonomic nerves have been limited to acute studies as most state-of-the-art intra-neural interfaces suffer from poor longevity because of mechanical mismatch between the interface and the nerves leading to thick, fibrotic encapsulation which decreases the signal quality. Chronic, extra-neural interfaces record from the surface of the nerve, however, poor signal-tonoise ratios (SNR) exist because of the inherent electrical signal attenuation. Therefore, a novel intra-neural interface was developed using highly flexible carbon nanotube yarns and tested in chronic, rodent autonomic nerve (glossopharyngeal) preparations. Experimental results show, for the first time, it is possible to record chronically for up to 14 weeks while maintaining high SNR to allow neural activity classification. This capability to chronically record from small nerves establishes the potential of this novel interfacing method as a platform technology for physiological studies.

Committee: Dominique Durand (Committee Chair); Horst von Recum (Committee Member); Nicholas Ziats (Committee Member) Subjects: Biomedical Engineering

Master of Science in Engineering, University of Akron, 2016, Mechanical Engineering

Flow through a fluid-filled compliant microstructure subject to periodic perturbations is not fully understood. An improved understanding of this phenomena sought herein, as it may be useful for mimicry of biological flows in microfluidic devices. An experiment was designed to study the fluid flow produced within a closed-loop network of tubing, having a compliant millitube section subject to periodic perturbations from a probe. Perturbations with a variety of frequencies and amplitudes were applied to the compliant millitube section at five locations and three initial compressions. Experimental results demonstrate fluid circulation within the closed-loop of tubing, which varied significantly with frequency, amplitude, and location of applied perturbations. Complimentary to the experimental analysis, a fluid-structure interaction model of the probe and compliant millitube section was created in COMSOL. Perturbations with the same frequencies and of similar amplitudes were applied to the compliant millitube geometry at the same five locations. Numerical results obtained also demonstrate fluid circulation within the compliant millitube geometry which varied significantly amplitude and location, providing a measure of validation. Results of both the experimental and numerical study agree in magnitude and in some trends of flow behavior. Results differ in that a change of flow direction about the center location of the compliant millitube section was observed numerically but not experimentally. Overall, the study herein demonstrates a unique pumping mechanism which utilizes period perturbations of a compliant structure to create a net positive displacement of fluid.

Committee: Nicholas Garafolo Dr. (Advisor); Sawyer Scott Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Biomedical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2015, Allied Medical Professions

Many developmentally delayed children become dependent on enteral nutrition via gastrostomy tubes to meet their nutrition needs, and may also become intolerant of their formula. Common manifestations of intolerance include negative gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, retching, vomiting, gas, and distention. More families have begun looking towards homemade blenderized tube feeding (HBTF) as an alternative to commercial formulas. Due to the lack of research, there currently is inadequate evidence to support HBTF recommendation to families who have gastrostomy tube dependent children with feeding intolerance. This series case study was designed to assess the effect of using homemade blenderized formula in gastrostomy tube dependent pediatric patients with feeding intolerance. Four gastrostomy-dependent children were recruited from outpatient clinics to meet with a dietitian to receive prescription of an individualized HBTF recipe, along with education on administration of HBTF. Assessment was completed at baseline and 6-week follow-up, including anthropometrics, dietary intake with nutrient analysis, gastrointestinal tolerance, and quality of life measures. Data analysis included assessment of HBTF adequacy in comparison to individual nutritional needs and growth patterns, changes in reported gastrointestinal symptoms, and quality of life. Results of this study indicate that a transition to HBTF can decrease gastrointestinal symptoms in gastrostomy tube dependent children and improve caregiver-reported quality of life. However, detailed protocol and caregiver engagement is required to implement nutritionally adequate formulas and support proper weight gain and maintenance.

Committee: Marcia Nahikian-Nelms Dr. (Advisor); Carol Williams Mrs. (Other); Jill Clutter Dr. (Committee Member); Wendelin Burdo-Hartman Dr. (Committee Member); Colleen Spees Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Care; Medicine; Nutrition

Master of Science in Engineering, Youngstown State University, 2010, Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

As the populations and the economies of the world grow, the demand for electricity rises and necessitates an increase in the supply of electricity as the primary fuels that are used to generate electricity are finite and exhausting. Moreover, mounting concerns about carbon emissions and the current direction of environmental legislation are pushing for lower emissions and higher efficiencies of energy producing facilities. One approach to abate such dilemmas is to increase the efficiency of the modern steam cycle, which is used to generate most of the world's electricity. Improving the components of the steam cycle, or the boiler component in particular, can affect the overall efficiency of the steam cycle significantly. An integral constituent of the boiler is the boiler tube. There are several types of boiler tubes, and the helically-finned tube is one type that has proven to increase the efficiency of the boiler. However, insight to the internal flow within the helically-finned tube is still developing and incomplete. The objective of this study was to computationally model the internal flow and measure the friction factor of a helically-finned tube for which experimental data was already published. Using three different modeling techniques, the flow was solved numerically with Fluent, a computational fluid dynamics software package. With respect to the experimental data, the Fluent solutions reflected percent errors ranging between 14% and 27%. Although the results are acceptable, suggestions for future work are included.

Committee: Hazel Marie PhD (Advisor); Daniel Suchora PhD (Committee Member); Yogendra Panta PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Fluid Dynamics

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2007, Industrial and Systems Engineering

This dissertation research covered two main areas in tube hydroforming process. The first was to develop the methodology to determine the flow stress directly from the tube at room temperature. The hydraulic bulge test was selected for this purpose. The analytical model based on an incremental strain theory was used to predict the wall thickness at the apex of the dome. The thickness predictions were compared with the measured data. The agreement was good. The application of the hydraulic bulge test was extended for use as a tool for a quality control of incoming tubular materials. The experiments were performed to investigate the variations in formability of the tubes produced by roll forming process. The maximum bulge height at the bursting pressure was found to be the most sensitive variable. The second portion of this research was to develop a prototype tube hydroforming system that could be used to form lightweight alloy tubes (aluminum and magnesium alloys) at elevated temperatures. The existing knowledge on process development for forming these materials at the elevated temperature was not sufficient. Therefore, a new design approach, called “submerged concept”, was developed to reduce the heating and filling time and maintain uniform temperature in the tube during hydroforming. The system was used to investigate the effect of the tube extrusion processes (with mandrel –seamless and with porthole die –with seams) on the quality of tubes. Seamless extruded tubes were studied extensively regarding the effect of the process parameters (forming temperatures and forming rates) on the formability and loading behavior. The tubes with seams were found to have defects at the welding line that caused fracture during hydroforming. The results indicated that formability increases with increasing temperature. The forming pressure dropped before the tube touched the die surface, indicating of strain softening. Tensile test was used to obtain the flow stress of the tubes at (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Taylan Altan (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1970, Chemical Engineering

Committee: Webster Kay (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Science (M.S.), University of Dayton, 2012, Mechanical Engineering

The global depletion of petroleum-based fuels has led the world to more closely examine alternate fuels. Therefore, alternate fuels produced from feedstocks such as coal, soybeans, palm oil or switch grass through methods such as coal liquefaction, biomass gasification, and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis have been tested. Among these techniques, fuels generated using Fischer-Tropsch technologies are of interest because they produce clean burning hydrocarbons similar to those found in commercial fuels. Therefore, in this study the Fischer-Tropsch derived S-8 fuel was evaluated as a drop-in replacement for the jet fuel JP-8. The jet fuel JP-8 is comprised of n-, iso- and cyclo- alkanes as well as aromatics while the S-8 fuel is primarily comprised of n- and iso- alkanes. The composition of the fuel affects its ignition characteristics chemically and physically by either advancement or delay of time to ignition. Since this study focused on the chemical effects, the fuels were completely pre-vaporized and pre-mixed. A high pressure, high temperature heated single pulse shock tube was used for this study. The shock tube is an established experimental tool used to obtain ignition delay data behind reflected shock waves under operating conditions relevant to modern engines. The experiments were conducted over a temperature range of 1000-1600 K, a pressure of 19±2 atm, equivalence ratios of 0.5, 1 and 3, within a dwell time of 7.6±0.2 ms and an argon dilution of 93% (v/v). Ignition delay times were measured using the signal from the pressure transducer on the end plate with guidance from the optical diagnostic signal. Along with JP-8 and S-8, the ignition delay of n-heptane was also studied. N-heptane was chosen to represent the n-alkanes in the fuels for this study since it was present in both fuels and also to prove the fact that the n-alkanes were rate controlling. The results indicate that both S-8 and JP-8 fuels have similar ignition delays at corresponding equivalence rati (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sukh Sidhu Dr (Committee Chair); Philip Taylor Dr (Committee Member); Moshan Kahandawala Dr (Committee Member) Subjects: Aerospace Engineering; Aerospace Materials; Alternative Energy; Automotive Engineering; Automotive Materials; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Energy; Engineering; Environmental Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Petroleum Engineering; Technology

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1961, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2007, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1964, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Molecular Genetics

Plant reproduction has been of interest to humans since the advent of agriculture over 10,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia. Knowing when and how plants reproduced allowed humans to cultivate them and gradually over time increase crop yields through unguided selective breeding. In our present day, the cycles of plant reproduction are still of paramount importance. The reproductive stage of plants is often the most susceptible to environmental fluctuations. Thus, as our climate changes, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the core molecular mechanisms of plant reproduction. For genetically engineered plants to withstand the effects of climate change, we must first understand the molecular mechanisms of plant reproduction. Unlike in animals, where each individual sperm cell is self-motile via the use of a flagella, plant sperm cells are not self-motile. They possess no flagella or means of independent motion. Instead, the sperm of plants relies on the specialized pollen tube structure to deliver plant sperm from the pollen grain to the ovule for fertilization. The pollen tube is a single cell that grows from a pollen grain in a tip-growing manner. It grows down into the female tissue of the flower. Within each pollen tube are two sperm cells. These two sperm cells connect to the vegetative nucleus of the pollen tube itself to form a unit collectively called the male germ unit. This unit traffics together through the cytoplasm of the pollen tube as it grows. The mechanism of this motion is not understood. For over 30 years, it has been proposed that this motion is achieved by motor proteins trafficking the male germ unit along the cytoskeleton of the pollen tube. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in this process have remained obscure. In this work, I investigate the 61 kinesins present in the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana to identify motor proteins that play a role in the trafficking of the male germ unit and in male-der (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Iris Meier (Advisor); Anna Dobritsa (Committee Member); Adriana Dawes (Committee Member); Patrice Hamel (Committee Member) Subjects: Cellular Biology

Master of Music (MM), Bowling Green State University, 2024, Music Composition

An Uncommon Duo is a composition for solo performer and computer. The performer plays glass bottles, ocarina, thunder tube, and voice, while the computer processes those sounds live and plays fixed media using Cycling ‘74's Max object-oriented audio software. The work explores the intersectionality between composition and improvisation through the medium of technology. The title, An Uncommon Duo, derives from pairing two unlikely forces–one human and one electronic. The piece is organized into two interconnected movements, with each highlighting two acoustic instruments. The first movement, “An Earthen Flute”, features the ocarina and glass bottles, while the second movement, “A Thundering Breath”, features the voice and thunder tube. An Uncommon Duo is pseudo-improvised with the live performer creating improvisational gestures and textures that anticipate and/or react to the computer's predetermined live processing effects and fixed media tracks. An Uncommon Duo's musical language was derived from the instruments' spectromorphological characteristics rather than adhering to traditional harmonic or melodic structures. Each movement's musical material includes instrument and found object sounds, live processed sounds, and fixed media soundfiles. Density and energy fluctuate over time, with individual gestures evolving into large sound masses that subsequently disintegrate into moments of stasis and repose. Exploring extended, non-standard techniques with acoustic instruments was integral to creating a diverse and engaging texture as each movement evolved. The first movement's techniques include flutter tonguing, key tapping, air sounds, pitch bending, and multiphonics on the ocarina, as well as clinking and blowing the rim of the glass bottles. The second movement's sound world includes whistling, tongue trilling, breath sounds, vocalized phenomes, and simultaneous whistling and singing on the voice, combined with hitting/tapping, shaking, and dragging finger (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Elainie Lillios (Committee Chair); Christopher Dietz (Committee Member) Subjects: Music

DNP, Otterbein University, 2024, Nursing

An estimated 15 million endotracheal tube (ETT) intubations occur annually in the United States. In addition to pain and nausea, one of the leading complaints by patients after intubation is a sore throat. Postoperative sore throat (POST) is caused by increased pressure on the trachea from the ETT during intubation and after the ETT cuff has been inflated. To prevent the occurrences of POST many options were explored, including cuff material, shape, filling media, and ETT tube size. Through research one of the ways to reduce POST is by monitoring the cuff pressure of the ETT against the tracheal. Typically, Anesthesia providers use indirect measurements of the ETT cuff pressure such as pilot balloon palpation or minimal leak testing instead of a direct measurement with a manometer. Direct ETT cuff pressure monitoring is shown to be an effective way to monitor ETT cuff pressures when compared to other monitoring methods. Inadequate measurement of the pressure in the ETT cuff can lead to POST in many patients. The reduction of the instances of POST is important as it can not only cause physical harm to patients but also create a financial burden to them, facilities, and providers. The goal of this project implementation is to reduce the occurrences and duration of POST by directly monitoring the ETT cuff pressure intraoperatively with a manometer.

Committee: Brian Garrett (Advisor); Amy Bishop (Committee Member); Joy Shoemaker (Committee Member) Subjects: Medicine; Nursing

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2022, Food Science and Technology

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi including Aspergillus and Fusarium that commonly contaminate crops, such as maize, resulting in economic losses and food insecurity. Consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated foods has been linked to negative health outcomes including stunting and neural tube defects (NTDs). In countries such as Guatemala where maize constitutes a major portion of the diet, mycotoxins can be a significant contributor to disease burden. While mycotoxin mitigation strategies have been studied extensively in other parts of the world, there is little published data on maize handling practices in Latin America. Since mycotoxins are often introduced through mishandling during growing, storage or processing, understanding maize handling practices is key to identifying target areas for interventions. Practices and regulations to control mycotoxins in the food supply are not easily implemented because most food is self-produced. The overarching goals of this dissertation were to 1) estimate mycotoxin exposure in Guatemala; and 2) inform future research around control of mycotoxin contamination in the food supply chain. In Chapter 1, maize growing, storage, and handling practices among smallholder farmers in Guatemala are described. In Chapter 2, a cross-sectional study of women of reproductive age in Guatemala found that lower socio-economic status and reported dietary consumption are risk factors for urinary fumonisin B1 (uFB1) levels that are above the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) level for fumonisins. In Chapter 3, a case-control study evaluating risk factors for NTDs found that reproductive health history and maternal dietary intake are risk factors for NTDs. Additionally, a propensity score matching analysis was used to estimate uFB1 levels of women in this study showed that women in this study were estimated to have high uFB1 levels regardless of NTD status. In Chapter 4, a cross-sectional study of women tortilla (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Barbara Kowalcyk (Advisor); Dennis Heldman (Committee Member); Olga Torres (Committee Member); Sanja Ilic (Committee Member); Armando Hoet (Committee Member) Subjects: Food Science

Master of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiology, Cleveland State University, 2021, College of Sciences and Health Professions

Speech language pathologists (SLPs) working in medical settings often evaluate and treat individuals with dysphagia. When a patient with dysphagia is not safely receiving sufficient nutrients per oral, an alternative feeding method may be recommended especially for those with a neurological disorder. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is the most common enteral feeding method and is often recommended by the speech language pathologist. However, the role of the speech language pathologist treating these patients is not clearly defined in the literature. This qualitative study aims to better understand the role that the SLP plays in treating pediatrics and adults with alternative feeding methods, specifically percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes. To achieve this, a survey was sent to 67 medical SLPs across the country and asked them questions pertaining to the domain areas of demographics, PEG tube duration, PEG tube indicators, education, and counseling, as well as intervention. Results of the study presented as descriptive statistics suggest that there may be discrepancies between treating pediatric and adult patients with PEG tubes. Results also suggest that years of experience impacts some domain areas.

Committee: Violet Cox Ph.D., MLS (Committee Chair); Emily St. Julian M.S. (Committee Member); Anne Su Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Speech Therapy

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2020, Physics

A recently constructed novel analytical tabletop terahertz (THz) chemical sensor capable of detecting a wide range of gases with high sensitivity and specificity was characterized to assess its performance over a range of operational parameters. The sensor was designed with an objective of quantifying composition of exhaled human breath, where target concentrations span part per trillion (ppt) to part per billion (ppb) level of dilutions. The sensor utilizes terahertz rotational spectroscopy of sampled gases for quantification of dilutions. The sensor occupies a volume of ~ 2 ft3 and incorporates a coiled absorption cell, thermal desorption tubes, and all necessary electronic components necessary for autonomous operation. Coiled absorption cell minimizes the sensor footprint while maintaining a large path length for sensitive spectral measurements. Preconcentration aides the detection of compounds by removing the background gases which would negatively affect the absorption signal if present during spectral analysis. Spectral parameters of the sensor were studied to optimize its sensitivity. Efficiencies of preconcentration over a range of gas sampling parameters were determined by comparing concentrations measured by the sensor to concentrations of a reference gas mixture. The sensor was characterized in its ability to detect acetaldehyde, acetone, ethanol, isoprene, and methanol – all known breath analytes. These gases were chosen for their range of volatility and absorption strength. Minimum detectable sample concentrations are well suited for breath sampling making this sensor a valuable new tool for environmental sensing and biosensing.

Committee: Ivan Medvedev Ph.D. (Advisor); Brent Foy Ph.D. (Committee Member); Jason Deibel Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Physics

Master of Science in Engineering, Youngstown State University, 2020, Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The effectiveness of The Six Sigma Breakthrough Management strategy was evaluated in the oil and gas industry, specifically at Vallourec Star. Statistical and process analysis were utilized to investigate the cause and effect relationship of input and output variables during the seamless rolling process. Implementation of the Six Sigma Breakthrough Management strategy has yielded significant results in various industries but there are not many examples of successful deployments in the oil and gas industry, more specifically in a seamless tube mill. Six Sigma was studied, adapted and deployed to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry and Vallourec Star. The adaptations included piloting on a high impact, high visibility opportunity within the seamless rolling mill. The chosen approach prioritized a hybrid bottom up and top down strategy rather than the traditional top down only approach adopted by more mature industries. Six Sigma has proven as an effective problem-solving methodology for the oil and gas industry and was successfully implemented. Vallourec Star was able to reduce pipe related defects by 70% while following the Six Sigma methodology.

Committee: Martin Cala PhD (Committee Chair); Darrell Wallace PhD (Committee Member); Nazanin Naderi PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Industrial Engineering; Statistics