Degree and emeriti recipients

College of Engineering and Mines

Ashish N. Agrawal*
Ph.D.      Engineering: Electrical
Ph.D., B.E., University of Pune, (India), 1999; M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2003

Thesis: Hybrid Electric Power Systems in Remote Arctic Villages: Economic and Environmental Analysis for Monitoring, Optimization, and Control
A standalone hybrid electric power system model was developed using MATLAB^® Simulink^® to perform economic and environmental analysis for remote arctic communities. The model was used to study the long-term performance of three hybrid power systems in Alaska and results are comparable with those predicted by HOMER.
Major Professor: Dr. Richard Wies

Murat Barut**
Ph.D.      Engineering: Electrical
B.S., Istanbul Technical University, 1995; M.S., Istanbul Technical University, 1997

Thesis: Speed-Sensorless Estimation and Position Control of Induction Motors for Motion Control Applications
Robust estimation and control methods for sensorless motion control of induction motors were developed, based on an Extended Kalman Filter and sliding mode control. These address well-known challenges of parameter uncertainties and problems related to operation over a wide speed range, particularly at and near zero speed.
Major Professor: Dr. Seta Bogosyan

W. Robert Bolton*
Ph.D.      Hydrologic Engineering: Interdisciplinary Program
B.A., California Lutheran University, 1991; M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1996

Thesis: Dynamic Modeling of the Hydrologic Processes in Areas of Discontinuous Permafrost
The presence or absence of permafrost is the defining hydrologic characteristic in the subarctic environment. The influence of permafrost distribution, active layer thaw depth, and wildfire on the soil moisture regime and stream flow were explored through a combination of field-based observations and computer simulation.
Major Professor: Dr. Larry Hinzman

Margaret Marie Darrow
Ph.D.      Engineering: Arctic
B.S., University of Washington, 1993; M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1995; B.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2002

Thesis: Experimental Study of Adsorbed Cation Effects on the Frost Susceptibility of Natural Soils
Results from laboratory experiments, including measurements of clay content and mineralogy, soil-moisture characteristic curves, unfrozen water content, zeta potential, and frost heave testing, indicate that the frost susceptibility of natural soil is dependent on adsorbed cations, unfrozen water content and amount of smectite, kaolinite and chlorite present in the soil.
Major Professors: Dr. Scott Huang and Dr. Yuri Shur

Sridhar Dutta*
Ph.D.      Mining Engineering: Interdisciplinary Program
B.T., Onissa School of Mining Engineering (India), 2000; M.T., Indian Institute of Technology, 2002

Thesis: Predictive Performance of Machine Learning Algorithms for Ore Reserve Estimation in Sparse and Imprecise Data
In this thesis, machine learning algorithms, namely the neural network and support vector machines, were applied and various modeling issues discussed in order to successfully implement them to estimate the ore reserve in two datasets of varying degrees of complexities as opposed to the traditional geostatistical estimation techniques.
Major Professor: Dr. Sukumar Bandopadhyay

John T. Hollow*
Ph.D.      Mineral Processing Engineering: Interdisciplinary Program
B.S., Montana Technology at University of Montana, 1982; B.S., Montana Technology at University of Montana, 1987

Thesis: An Evaluation of Variables Affecting Gold Extraction at a Mineral Processing Plant Operated in a Sub-Arctic Environment
Chemical process models and energy balance models were developed to accurately predict the impact of slurry temperature on the performance of a cyanide leach, gold recovery plant in Alaska. This thesis includes development and validation of these models, justification for a plant improvement project and a review of project economics.
Major Professors: Dr. Hsing Kuang Lin and Mr. Daniel E. Walsh

Shirish Patil
Ph.D.      Mineral Resource Engineering: Interdisciplinary Program
B.S., (India), 1981; M.S., University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), 1983; M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1987; M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1995

Thesis: Modeling of Depressurization and Thermal Reservoir Simulation to Predict Gas Production from Methane-Hydrate Formations
Gas hydrates represent a huge potential future resource of natural gas. However, significant technical issues need to be resolved before this resource can be economically produced. This work demonstrates the use of CMG STARS by coupling a kinetic and thermodynamic model to describe the hydrate dissociation and production techniques.
Major Professor: Dr. Gang Chen