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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

On Stationary And Moving Interface Cracks With Frictionless Contact In Anisotropic Bimaterials, Xiaomin Deng Dec 1993

On Stationary And Moving Interface Cracks With Frictionless Contact In Anisotropic Bimaterials, Xiaomin Deng

Faculty Publications

The asymptotic structure of near-tip fields around stationary and steadily growing interface cracks, with frictionless crack surface contact, and in anisotropic bimaterials, is analysed with the method of analytic continuation, and a complete representation of the asymptotic fields is obtained in terms of arbitrary entire functions. It is shown that when the symmetry, if any, and orientation of the anisotropic bimaterial is such that the in-plane and out-of-plane deformations can be separated from each other, the in-plane crack-tip fields will have a non-oscillatory, inverse-squared-root type stress singularity, with angular variations clearly resembling those for a classical mode II problem when …


Coordinated Intelligent Control Via Epistemic Utility Theory, Wynn C. Stirling Oct 1993

Coordinated Intelligent Control Via Epistemic Utility Theory, Wynn C. Stirling

Faculty Publications

An approach to local reactive coordinated intelligent control based on the concept of an epistemic system, together with a principle of action that may be exercised locally, is presented. An epistemic system provides a mechanism for agents to characterize their knowledge corpora, options, goals, and beliefs. Levi's rule of epistemic utility provides a principle of action for decision making by comparing the informational value of rejection with the belief of correctness. Decisions are made locally and reactively, rather than globally. Coordination is implemented between agents by sharing and learning the epistemic systems of other agents. The resulting coordination model is …


Declarative Representations Of Multiagent Systems, Munindar P. Singh, Michael N. Huhns, Larry M. Stevens Oct 1993

Declarative Representations Of Multiagent Systems, Munindar P. Singh, Michael N. Huhns, Larry M. Stevens

Faculty Publications

This paper explores the specification and semantics of multiagent problem-solving systems, focusing on the representations that agents have of each other. It provides a declarative representation for such systems. Several procedural solutions to a well-known test-bed problem are considered, and the requirements they impose on different agents are identified. A study of these requirements yields a representational scheme based on temporal logic for specifying the acting, perceiving, communicating, and reasoning abilities of computational agents. A formal semantics is provided for this scheme. The resulting representation is highly declarative, and useful for describing systems of agents solving problems reactively.


Networking Your Cd-Roms: A Texas Tale, Margaret Sylvia Aug 1993

Networking Your Cd-Roms: A Texas Tale, Margaret Sylvia

Faculty Publications

Installation of a CD-ROM network at St. Mary's University Academic Library created a revolution in the way students and faculty do research.


Low‐Cost Technique For Preparing N‐Sb2S3/P‐Si Heterojunction Solar Cells, O. Savadogo, K. C. Mandal Jul 1993

Low‐Cost Technique For Preparing N‐Sb2S3/P‐Si Heterojunction Solar Cells, O. Savadogo, K. C. Mandal

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Three Points Of Great Height On Elliptic Curves, Andrew Bremner, Duncan A. Buell Jul 1993

Three Points Of Great Height On Elliptic Curves, Andrew Bremner, Duncan A. Buell

Faculty Publications

We give three elliptic curves whose generators have great height, demonstrating along the way a moderately efficient method for finding such points.


A Probabilistic Model And A Software Tool For Avcs Longitudinal Collision/Safety Analysis, H.-S. Jacob Tsao, Randolph Hall Jun 1993

A Probabilistic Model And A Software Tool For Avcs Longitudinal Collision/Safety Analysis, H.-S. Jacob Tsao, Randolph Hall

Faculty Publications

This paper develops a probabilistic model and a software tool for analyzing longitudinal collision/safety between two automated vehicles. The input parameters are the length of the gap between the two vehicles, the common speed prior to the failure, the reaction delay of the following vehicle and a bivariate pint distribution of the deceleration rates of the two vehicles. The output includes the probability of a collision and also the probability distribution of the relative speed at collision time.We will use this model to compare the safety consequences associated with the platooning and "free-agent" vehicle-following rules. We will also demonstrate that …


Building A Gateway For The Cd-Rom Network: A Step Toward The Virtual Library With The Virtual Microsystems V-Server, Margaret Sylvia Jun 1993

Building A Gateway For The Cd-Rom Network: A Step Toward The Virtual Library With The Virtual Microsystems V-Server, Margaret Sylvia

Faculty Publications

Describes one college library's experience with a gateway for dial-in access to its CD-ROM network to increase access to automated index searching for students off-campus. Hardware and software choices are discussed in terms of access, reliability, affordability, and ease of use. Installation problems are discussed, and an appendix lists product information.


Effects Of Crosstalk On Fidelity In Page-Oriented Volume Holographic Optical Data Storage, Gregory P. Nordin, P. Asthana May 1993

Effects Of Crosstalk On Fidelity In Page-Oriented Volume Holographic Optical Data Storage, Gregory P. Nordin, P. Asthana

Faculty Publications

Using numerical simulation, we quantitatively examine the effects of cross talk on the recall fidelity of stored binary data in a page-oriented volume holographic memory system. We discuss the trade-off between the signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed bits and the optical throughput of the system (i.e., the fraction of the incident beam that is diffracted to the detector plane). We show that significant gains in the signal-to-noise ratio can be achieved with modest decreases in optical throughput in the region where the highest throughput occurs. The magnitude of this trade-off is influenced by both beam degeneracy and coherent recording cross …


Resolution Enhancement Of Spaceborne Scatterometer Data, David G. Long, Perry J. Hardin, Peter T. Whiting May 1993

Resolution Enhancement Of Spaceborne Scatterometer Data, David G. Long, Perry J. Hardin, Peter T. Whiting

Faculty Publications

A method for generating enhanced resolution radar images of the Earth's surface using spaceborne scatterometry is presented. The technique is based on an image reconstruction technique that takes advantage of the spatial overlap in scatterometer measurements made at different times to provide enhanced imaging resolution. The reconstruction algorithm is described, and the technique is demonstrated using both simulated and actual Seasat-A Scatterometer (SASS) measurements. The technique can also be used with ERS-1 scatterometer data. The SASS-derived images, which have approximately 4-km resolution, illustrate the resolution enhancement capability of the technique, which permits utilization of both historic and contemporary scatterometer data …


Analysis Of Weighted Fan-Out/Fan-In Volume Holographic Interconnections, Gregory P. Nordin, P. Asthana, B. Keith Jenkins, A. R. Tanguay Mar 1993

Analysis Of Weighted Fan-Out/Fan-In Volume Holographic Interconnections, Gregory P. Nordin, P. Asthana, B. Keith Jenkins, A. R. Tanguay

Faculty Publications

The feasibility of employing volume holographic techniques for the implementation of highly multiplexed weighted fan-out/fan-in interconnections is analyzed on the basis of interconnection fidelity, optical throughput, and complexity of recording schedule or implementation hardware. These feasibility criteria were quantitatively evaluated using the optical beam propagation method to numerically simulate the diffraction characteristics of volume holographic interconnections recorded in a linear holographic material. We find that conventional interconnection architectures (that are based on a single coherent optical source) exhibit a direct trade-off between interconnection fidelity and optical throughput on the one hand, and recording schedule or hardware complexity on the other. …


Surface Treatment For Mitigation Of Hydrogen Absorption And Penetration Into Aisi 4340 Steel, G. Zheng, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White Jan 1993

Surface Treatment For Mitigation Of Hydrogen Absorption And Penetration Into Aisi 4340 Steel, G. Zheng, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

The effectiveness of underpotential deposition of Pb onto a membrane made of AISI 4340 steel on the reduction of the hydrogen evolution reaction on the membrane and the degree of hydrogen ingress into the membrane was determined. In the presence of a monolayer coverage of Pb on the membrane surface, the hydrogen evolution currents were reduced by a factor of two compared with the values obtained on bare steel, and the steady-state hydrogen permeation flux through the steel membranes was reduced by 71%.


Impedance Spectroscopy As A Nondestructive Health Interrogation Tool For Lithium-Bcx Cells, Branko N. Popov, W. Zhang, E. C. Darcy, Ralph E. White Jan 1993

Impedance Spectroscopy As A Nondestructive Health Interrogation Tool For Lithium-Bcx Cells, Branko N. Popov, W. Zhang, E. C. Darcy, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

The objective of this investigation was to study the growth of thick passivating layers on the Li anode in Li/BCX(Li/SOCl2 + BrCl) cells which were stored for a period of 3 years. Impedance spectroscopy and equivalent circuit models were used to determine characterizing parameters for these cells. The equivalent circuit used for virgin cells includes a faradic contribution and diffusion of the electroactive species. The equivalent circuit for batteries stored 1 or 2 years includes the impedance of a metal/passive film interface, the resistance of the film, and the impedance of the passivating film/electrolyte interface. The equivalent circuit used …


Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy As A Tool For Organic Coating Solute Saturation Monitoring, Branko N. Popov, Mohammed A. Alwohaibi, Ralph E. White Jan 1993

Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy As A Tool For Organic Coating Solute Saturation Monitoring, Branko N. Popov, Mohammed A. Alwohaibi, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been used to study the solute uptake for epoxy/phenolic (E/p) andepoxy/amine (E/a) thick-coated mild steel samples immersed for 160 days in 3.5 weight percent NaCl solution exposed to air. Samples with thicknesses of approximately 200 µm with an exposed surface area of 22.6 cm2 were used to follow solute saturation of the organic coating. Good agreement was obtained between the calculated and measured coating capacitance when, according to the diffusion equation, the coating capacitance was plotted against exposure time.


Thermal Analysis Of Spirally Wound Li/Bcx And Li/Socl2 Cells, E. E. Kalu, Ralph E. White Jan 1993

Thermal Analysis Of Spirally Wound Li/Bcx And Li/Socl2 Cells, E. E. Kalu, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

A thermal analysis of Li/BCX and high rate Li/SOCl2 cells is presented. The thermal model developed was used to study the effect of ambient temperature of discharge (0–40°C) on Li/BCX cells discharged at the same rate. The model predictions show that ambient temperature of discharge was critical in thermal management of the cell. For forced convection cooled cells, the model predicted that ambient temperature near room temperature (25°C) was required to achieve the lowest maximum temperature rise in the cell. Inclusion of the effects of reaction products to the model predictions showed that a constant composition assumption may be …


Mathematical Modeling Of The Formation Of Calcareous Deposits On Cathodically Protected Steel In Seawater, J. F. Yan, T. V. Nguyen, Ralph E. White, R. B. Griffin Jan 1993

Mathematical Modeling Of The Formation Of Calcareous Deposits On Cathodically Protected Steel In Seawater, J. F. Yan, T. V. Nguyen, Ralph E. White, R. B. Griffin

Faculty Publications

A first principle mathematical model of the formation of calcareous deposits on a cathodically protected steel rotatingdisk electrode in seawater is presented. The model includes equations which transport phenomena, electrochemical reactions,precipitation reactions, and a homogeneous reaction involved in the formation of calcareous deposits on an electrodesurface. Predicted concentration profiles show that a high concentration of OH ions on the electrode surface leads to the formation of calcareous deposits. The calcareous deposits contain mostly CaCO3, but the initial deposits are predicted to contain more Mg(OH)2 than CaCO3. The predicted calcareous deposits on the electrode surface …


Parametric Studies Of The Formation Of Calcareous Deposits On Cathodically Protected Steel In Seawater, J. F. Yan, Ralph E. White, R. B. Griffin Jan 1993

Parametric Studies Of The Formation Of Calcareous Deposits On Cathodically Protected Steel In Seawater, J. F. Yan, Ralph E. White, R. B. Griffin

Faculty Publications

A first principle mathematical model has been used to study the effects of ocean environment and cathodic protection on the formation of calcareous deposits and their ability to reduce the cathodic current density. These parameters include applied potential, rotation speed, temperature, salinity, and depth. The results showed the applied potential strongly influences the formation of calcareous deposits and their ability to reduce the cathodic current density. Among the environmental factors, rotation speed has the most influence on the cathodic current density. Salinity slightly influences the cathodic current density over the range of interest. Temperature is much more influential than salinity …


Galvanostatic Pulse And Pulse Reverse Plating Of Nickel-Iron Alloys From Electrolytes Containing Organic Compounds On A Rotating Disk Electrode, Branko N. Popov, Ken-Ming Yin, Ralph E. White Jan 1993

Galvanostatic Pulse And Pulse Reverse Plating Of Nickel-Iron Alloys From Electrolytes Containing Organic Compounds On A Rotating Disk Electrode, Branko N. Popov, Ken-Ming Yin, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Linear sweep voltammetry, galvanostatic pulse, and pulse reverse techniques were used to study the plating of nickel-iron alloys in the presence of organic additives. The effects of pulse current densities, ip, reverse current densities, ir, rotation speed of disk electrode, and the presence of organic additives on deposition of nickel-iron alloys are evaluated. The observed phenomena can be explained by the concentration depletion of reactants (or products), and the surface coverage of the additives on the electrode. A new formulation of the plating bath is defined.


Impedance Analysis For Oxygen Reduction In A Lithium Carbonate Melt: Effects Of Partial Pressure Of Carbon Dioxide And Temperature, Bhasker B. Dave, Ralph E. White, Supramaniam Srinivasan, A. John Appleby Jan 1993

Impedance Analysis For Oxygen Reduction In A Lithium Carbonate Melt: Effects Of Partial Pressure Of Carbon Dioxide And Temperature, Bhasker B. Dave, Ralph E. White, Supramaniam Srinivasan, A. John Appleby

Faculty Publications

Effects of partial pressure of carbon dioxide and temperature on oxygen reduction kinetics on a gold electrode in a lithium carbonate melt were examined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) and linear sweep voltammetric techniques. The impedance spectra were analyzed by a complex nonlinear least squares method, using the Randles-Ershler equivalent circuit model, to determine the electrode-kinetic and the mass-transfer parameters such as the charge-transfer resistance and the Warburg coefficient. The cyclic voltammetric measurements indicated that the oxygen reduction process in lithium carbonate melt is "reversible" up to 200 mV/s. The product DC0 determined by cyclic voltammetry agreed well …


A Water And Heat Management Model For Proton-Exchange-Membrane Fuel Cells, Trung V. Nguyen, Ralph E. White Jan 1993

A Water And Heat Management Model For Proton-Exchange-Membrane Fuel Cells, Trung V. Nguyen, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Proper water and heat management are essential for obtaining high-power-density performance at high energy efficiency for proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells. A water and heat management model was developed and used to investigate the effectiveness of various humidification designs. The model accounts for water transport across the membrane by electro-osmosis and diffusion, heat transfer from the solid phase to the gas phase and latent heat associated with water evaporation and condensation in the flow channels. Results from the model showed that at high current densities (> 1 A/cm2) ohmic loss in the membrane accounts for a large fraction of the …


Progress In Coal Pyrolysis, Peter R. Solomon, Thomas H. Fletcher, Ronald J. Pugmire Jan 1993

Progress In Coal Pyrolysis, Peter R. Solomon, Thomas H. Fletcher, Ronald J. Pugmire

Faculty Publications

The heterogeneous nature of coal and the complexity of the pyrolysis process have made it very difficult to perform unambiguous experiments to determine the rates and mechanisms in coal pyrolysis. However, recent years have seen a number of new experimental and theoretical approaches which shed new light on the subject. This paper considers the recent progress on kinetics, the formation of volatile products, network models, cross-linking, rank effects, and the ‘two-component’ model of coal structure. Recent experiments which measured coal particle temperatures at high heating rates provide reasonable agreement on kinetic rate constants. These rates also agree with those derived …


Chemical Structural Features Of Pyridine Extracts Of The Argonne Premium Coals Using 13c Nmr Spectroscopy, Thomas H. Fletcher, S Bai, Ronald J. Pugmire, Steven Wood, David M. Grant Jan 1993

Chemical Structural Features Of Pyridine Extracts Of The Argonne Premium Coals Using 13c Nmr Spectroscopy, Thomas H. Fletcher, S Bai, Ronald J. Pugmire, Steven Wood, David M. Grant

Faculty Publications

Soxhlet extractions were performed on the eight Argonne Premium coals using pyridine purged with argon and followed by a novel washing procedure to remove the pyridine. Mass closure (extracts plus residues) on duplicate experiments accounted for 94-96% of the original coal, repeatable to within 2%. Chemical structural features determined from 13C NMR analyses of the extracts and residues showed more attachments per aromatic cluster for the residues, indicating a greater degree of covalent bonding in the residue than in the extract. 1H NMR analysis of the extracts showed a gradual increase in the hydrogen aromaticity with rank, along …


An Overview Of Acerc Research In Fuel Characterization And Reaction Mechanisms, Ronald J. Pugmire, Thomas H. Fletcher Jan 1993

An Overview Of Acerc Research In Fuel Characterization And Reaction Mechanisms, Ronald J. Pugmire, Thomas H. Fletcher

Faculty Publications

A major objective of the Advanced Combustion Engineering Research Center is the development and verification of data on fuel characterization and reaction mechanisms and rates that can be incorporated into submodels for use in the comprehensive combustion codes. As technology has advanced, the levels of analytical sophistication has also advanced, making it possible to augment the existing body of information with new data. From this new data it is possible to draw new insights regarding the complex nature of coal and the various processes associated with combustion. The ACERC program has made it possible to bring different disciplines together to …


Overview Of Acerc Comprehensive Model Development, Thomas H. Fletcher, Scott C. Hill Jan 1993

Overview Of Acerc Comprehensive Model Development, Thomas H. Fletcher, Scott C. Hill

Faculty Publications

A major objective of the Advanced Combustion Engineering Research Center (ACERC) is the development of comprehensive combustion models to help in the solution of critical national combustion problems. Computer models incorporate research and technology results from center projects and from external research programs. The synergistic integration of scientific knowledge that is expected from the NSF engineering research centers is demonstrated to a great extent at ACERC by the development of these software tools. The transfer of technology from ACERC to industry is also accomplished in part by the implementation of the models at industrial firms. The effort to develop such …


Swelling Properties Of Coal Chars During Rapid Coal Pyrolysis And Combustion,, Thomas H. Fletcher Jan 1993

Swelling Properties Of Coal Chars During Rapid Coal Pyrolysis And Combustion,, Thomas H. Fletcher

Faculty Publications

Coal devolatilization experiments are commonly conducted at moderate temperatures (800 to 1300 K) and heating rates (103 to 104 Ks−1) in inert environments in order to measure evolved species before secondary reaction in the gas phase. However, chars from these experiments exhibit different physical characteristics than chars obtained under typical combustion conditions (1500 to 2000 K, 105 Ks−1, and 3 to 10 mol% oxygen). Experiments were conducted in two laminar, entrained-flow reactors to determine characteristics of coal chars in inert and oxygen-rich environments. One flow reactor was heated electrically, with gas temperatures of …