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Master's Theses (2009 -)

Theses/Dissertations

2016

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Articles 1 - 21 of 21

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Optimization Of The Bowtie Gap Geometry For A Maximum Electric Field Enhancement, Tsenguun Byambadorj Oct 2016

Optimization Of The Bowtie Gap Geometry For A Maximum Electric Field Enhancement, Tsenguun Byambadorj

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Optimization of the geometry of a metallic bowtie gap at radio frequency is presented in this thesis. Since the design and fabrication of a plasmonic device (nanogap) at nanoscale is challenging, the results of this study can be used to estimate the best design parameters for nanogap structure. The geometry of the bowtie gap including gap size, tip width, metal thickness, and tip angle are investigated at macroscale to find the maximum electric field enhancement across the gap. This thesis focuses on the simulation portion of a work that consists of experimental and simulation platforms. The simulation platform is created …

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Data Fusion For Vision-Based Robotic Platform Navigation, Andrés F. Echeverri Oct 2016

Data Fusion For Vision-Based Robotic Platform Navigation, Andrés F. Echeverri

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Data fusion has become an active research topic in recent years. Growing computational performance has allowed the use of redundant sensors to measure a single phenomenon. While Bayesian fusion approaches are common in general applications, the computer vision community has largely relegated this approach. Most object following algorithms have gone towards pure machine learning fusion techniques that tend to lack flexibility. Consequently, a more general data fusion scheme is needed. The motivation for this work is to propose methods that allow for the development of simple and cost effective, yet robust visual following robots capable of tracking a general object …

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Engineering Synthetic Feedback To Promote Recovery Of Self-Feeding Skills In People With Sensory Deficits Due To Stroke, Alexis Krueger Oct 2016

Engineering Synthetic Feedback To Promote Recovery Of Self-Feeding Skills In People With Sensory Deficits Due To Stroke, Alexis Krueger

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Kinesthesia refers to sensations of limb position and movement, and deficits of upper limb kinesthetic feedback are common after stroke, impairing stroke survivors’ ability to perform the fundamental reaching and stabilization behaviors needed for daily functions like self-feeding. I attempt to mitigate the negative impact of post-stroke kinesthesia deficits by evaluating the utility of vibrotactile sensory substitution to restore closed-loop kinesthetic feedback of the upper limb. As a first step, this study evaluated performance in healthy individuals during fundamental reaching, stabilization, and tracking behaviors while using supplemental vibrotactile feedback encoding either limb state information or goal-aware error information. First, I …

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Characterization Of Histological Changes In The Microvasculature Of Rat Skeletal Muscle After Spinal Cord Injury, Sally Lin Oct 2016

Characterization Of Histological Changes In The Microvasculature Of Rat Skeletal Muscle After Spinal Cord Injury, Sally Lin

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are histological changes in the microvasculature of rat skeletal muscle following chronic spinal cord injury both above and below the level of injury. This study is important because microvascular structure likely impacts muscle performance and cardiovascular health. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only study to investigate microvascular structure within rat skeletal muscle after spinal cord injury. We hypothesized structural remodeling would occur in both the myofibers and microvasculature, which would then manifest in differences in myofiber cross sectional area and microvascular diameter, wall thickness, wall to …

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Evaluation Of An Actuated Wrist Orthosis For Use In Assistive Upper Extremity Rehabilitation, Devon Holley Oct 2016

Evaluation Of An Actuated Wrist Orthosis For Use In Assistive Upper Extremity Rehabilitation, Devon Holley

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition caused by damage to motor control centers of the brain. This leads to physical and cognitive deficiencies that can reduce an individual’s quality of life. Specifically, motor deficiencies of the upper extremity can make it difficult for an individual to complete everyday tasks, including eating, drinking, getting dressed, or combing their hair. Physical therapy, involving repetitive tasks, has been shown to be effective in training normal motion of the limb by invoking the neuroplasticity of the brain and its ability to adapt in order to facilitate motor learning. Creating a device for use …

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Modeling Pyrolysis Of Large Coal Particles With Many Species, Jianqing Li Oct 2016

Modeling Pyrolysis Of Large Coal Particles With Many Species, Jianqing Li

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Coal currently supplies 40% of the world’s electricity needs, and is one of the most important energy sources. As the initial stage of coal combustion, pyrolysis is a thermal decomposition process which converts coal into light gases and tars, which are subsequently consumed in combustion reactions, as well as solid char. Recently there has been interest in using slow pyrolysis as a stand-alone process for the production of chemicals and fuels from large (mm-scale) coal particles. Simulations can be used to efficiently study the impact of pyrolysis conditions on gas, tar and char yields, as well as gas and tar …

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Analysis Of Interference Between Electromagnetic Articulography And Electroglottograph Systems, Kelly Vonderhaar Oct 2016

Analysis Of Interference Between Electromagnetic Articulography And Electroglottograph Systems, Kelly Vonderhaar

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Electromagnetic Articulography (EMA) has become an integral tool for researchers and clinicians who seek to characterize speech kinematics. The position and orientation of the articulators – which include the jaw, lips, and tongue – are recorded by attaching sensors to the articulators and tracking the movement of the sensors through an electromagnetic field. This has been used by researchers and clinicians to better understand dysarthria and synthesize speech, among other applications. Another speech tool, electroglottography (EGG), is used to analyze the movement of the vocal folds during speech production. This is achieved by measuring the time variation of the contact …

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Plasticized Polymer Coatings For Sh-Saw Sensors For High Sensitivity And Long-Term Monitoring Of Btex Analytes In Liquid Phase, Pintu Adhikari Oct 2016

Plasticized Polymer Coatings For Sh-Saw Sensors For High Sensitivity And Long-Term Monitoring Of Btex Analytes In Liquid Phase, Pintu Adhikari

Master's Theses (2009 -)

BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) are constituents of crude oil and hazardous to human health. Among them, benzene has the lowest maximum contaminant level for drinking water because of its carcinogenicity. Spills or leakage from underground storage tanks or hazardous waste sites can contaminate nearby groundwater with these volatile organic compounds. Therefore, it is very important to detect the presence of BTEX contamination as early as possible in order to start the remediation process and maintain a healthy environment. To develop an in-situ continuous monitoring sensor system, shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) sensor devices are being investigated …

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Analysis Of Fatigue Crack Propagation In Welded Steels, Roberto Angelo Demarte Oct 2016

Analysis Of Fatigue Crack Propagation In Welded Steels, Roberto Angelo Demarte

Master's Theses (2009 -)

This thesis presents the study of fatigue crack propagation in a low carbon steel (ASTM A36) and two different weld metals (AWS A5.18 and AWS A5.28). Fatigue crack propagation data for each weld wire is of interest because of its use for predicting and analyzing service failures. Fatigue crack growth test specimens were developed and fabricated for the low carbon steel base metal and for each weld wire. Weld specimens were stress relieved prior to fatigue testing. Specimens were tested on a closed-loop servo hydraulic test machine at two different load ratios. Fatigue test data was collected to characterize both …

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An Interactive Likelihood For The Multi-Bernoulli Filter, Anthony B. Hoak Jul 2016

An Interactive Likelihood For The Multi-Bernoulli Filter, Anthony B. Hoak

Master's Theses (2009 -)

In this thesis, a simple yet effective technique is presented for increasing the accuracy of multi-target tracking algorithms with a focus on sequential Monte-Carlo implementations of random finite set-based approaches. This technique, referred to throughout this work as an interactive likelihood, exploits the spatial information that exists in any given measurement, reducing the need for data association and allowing for more target interaction thereby increasing overall tracking accuracy. The interactive likelihood is constructed entirely within the random finite set framework and is integrated with a multi-Bernoulli filter. In addition, a state-of-the-art deep neural network for pedestrian detection is combined in …

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Mims: Mobile Interruption Management System, Mohammad Kayes Kaykobad Jul 2016

Mims: Mobile Interruption Management System, Mohammad Kayes Kaykobad

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Mobile devices are increasing in an astronomical rate throughout the world. While it is bringing a lot of comfort to the users it is not coming without any hazards. Now a user is susceptible to mobile call interruptions wherever he is, whether he is in the middle of a very important discussion or in a very important task like performing a complicated emergency operation in a hospital. As a result researchers have been studying to find ways to minimize cost of mobile interruptions. In this thesis we have proposed a mobile interruption management system in which callers have been grouped …

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Functional Comparison Of Conventional Afos With The Dynamic Response Afo, Mitchell Ruble Jul 2016

Functional Comparison Of Conventional Afos With The Dynamic Response Afo, Mitchell Ruble

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are commonly prescribed to provide stability and foot clearance for patients with weakened or injured musculature. The Dynamic Response AFO (DRAFO) was designed to improve proprioception at heel strike. The design includes a rigid outer shell with a cut out heel and a soft inner lining; it is typically aligned in plantarflexion and may incorporate external heel wedges. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the DRAFO design features and contrast its biomechanical function with that of conventional locked and articulating AFOs. The research hypotheses were: 1) DRAFO-assisted gait parameters (e.g. ankle …

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Analysis And Synthesis Of A Planar Reconfigurable Mechanism With A Variable Joint, Peter William Malak Jul 2016

Analysis And Synthesis Of A Planar Reconfigurable Mechanism With A Variable Joint, Peter William Malak

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Currently, there is a demand for mechanisms with variable topology that can perform multiple tasks with the least amount of actuators. These devices have the ability to provide numerous motion profiles within one device. In the following thesis, a specific planar reconfigurable mechanism with a kinematic reconfigurable joint was mathematically modeled. This mechanism functions as a RRRP mechanism in one configuration and as a RRRR in the other and is known as a RRRR-RRRP Mechanism. The kinematics and kinetics of the RRRR-RRRP Mechanism were analyzed with a Lagrangian approach. The models are simulated and verified using a trajectory planner and …

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Flight Control And Hardware Design Of Multi-Rotor Systems, Nathan M. Zimmerman Jul 2016

Flight Control And Hardware Design Of Multi-Rotor Systems, Nathan M. Zimmerman

Master's Theses (2009 -)

This thesis overviews crucial concepts involved in achieving quadcopter flight such as orientation estimation and control system implementation. This thesis also presents researchers with comprehensive hardware and software specifications for a quadcopter system. The primary application for this system would be for research with regards to the implementation of advance control techniques as well as data acquisition. Key constructs of this system include hardware software specifications for a flight controller, the radio system, and the sensorless brushless motor controllers. Firstly, the thesis starts by developing a reference frame and a mathematical model for the quadcotper system. Next, flight orientation estimation …

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Cyclic Behavior Of A Hybrid Light Gauge And Hss Mezzanine Structural System, Michael John Kren Apr 2016

Cyclic Behavior Of A Hybrid Light Gauge And Hss Mezzanine Structural System, Michael John Kren

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Cold-formed steel is emerging as an alternative material in the building industry to hot-rolled steel for smaller buildings and indoor structures also called mezzanines. Cyclic testing of a full-scale mezzanine structures composed of cold-formed structural channel beams connected to hollow structural steel (HSS) columns cap plates using wedge expansion anchors at the base plate to generate rotation restraint, is performed in this research. The characteristics of the structure will be explained by displaying full experimental results of structural testing. Unfortunately, limited experimental data outlining the behavior of these structures is available and design criteria is very limited. Thus, there is …

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Application Of A Multi-Zone Model For The Prediction Of Species Concentrations In Rapid Compression Machine Experiments, David Wilson Apr 2016

Application Of A Multi-Zone Model For The Prediction Of Species Concentrations In Rapid Compression Machine Experiments, David Wilson

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Accurate chemical kinetic models, which predict species evolution and heat release rates in chemically reactive systems, are essential for further advancements in fuel and combustion technology. An experimental facility that is widely used for evaluating the accuracy of kinetic models is a rapid compression machine (RCM), which creates a well-defined reaction environment by compressing a reactive mixture inside a chamber. Generally, RCM experiments are conducted in order to obtain ignition delay data. However, chemical speciation data provides greater insight into reaction pathways, and is therefore a more rigorous benchmark for validating kinetic models. In order for a chemical kinetic model …

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A Principal Component Analysis Investigation Of Drop Landings For Defining Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk Factors, Emily Schaefer Apr 2016

A Principal Component Analysis Investigation Of Drop Landings For Defining Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk Factors, Emily Schaefer

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has been widely investigated through observational video analysis and laboratory based cadaveric, motion capture and computer simulation models. With the greater incidence of injury in the female population, recent emphasis has been placed on understanding ACL injury mechanisms in females. By using our understanding of injury mechanisms and prospective studies, injury prediction methods can be created. Once injury can be reliably predicted, training methods can be implemented to reduce likelihood of injury and avoid devastating consequences. There is a need for a reliable way to reduce motion capture data obtained in a laboratory …

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Investigation Of The Use Of A Plasticizer-Polymer Sensor Coating With Improved Long-Term Stability In The Liquid Phase, Laura Jeanne Alderson Apr 2016

Investigation Of The Use Of A Plasticizer-Polymer Sensor Coating With Improved Long-Term Stability In The Liquid Phase, Laura Jeanne Alderson

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Benzene is one of the volatile organic compounds present in crude oil and gasoline. Leakage from underground storage tanks or hazardous waste sites can introduce benzene contamination into nearby groundwater. Benzene is a known carcinogen and its exposure is limited by the Environmental Protection Agency to 5 parts per billion (ppb) in drinking water. Early, accurate detection of the presence of benzene contamination in groundwater supplies is extremely important. Shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) devices with a chemically sensitive coating can be used for the detection of volatile organic compounds in liquid, such as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and …

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Ramifications Of Projectile Velocity On The Ballistic Dart Penetration Of Sand, Peter Anthony Sable Apr 2016

Ramifications Of Projectile Velocity On The Ballistic Dart Penetration Of Sand, Peter Anthony Sable

Master's Theses (2009 -)

With the advent of novel in-situ experimental measurement techniques, highly resolved quantitative observations of dynamic events within granular media can now be made. In particular, high speed imagery and digital analysis now allow for the ballistic behaviors of sand to be examined not only across a range of event velocities but across multiple length scales. In an attempt to further understand the dynamic behavior of granular media, these new experimental developments were implemented utilizing high speed photography coupled with piezo-electric stress gauges to observe visually accessible ballistic events of a dart penetrating Ottawa sand. Projectile velocities ranged from 100 to …

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Least-Squares Mapping From Kinematic Data To Acoustic Synthesis Parameters For Rehabilitative Acoustic Learning, Xiangyu Zhou Apr 2016

Least-Squares Mapping From Kinematic Data To Acoustic Synthesis Parameters For Rehabilitative Acoustic Learning, Xiangyu Zhou

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Thousands of people suffer from dysarthria resulting from neurological injury of the motor component of the motor-speech system, and need to rely on alternative methods to communicate in daily life, such as body language or text-to-speech [1] . However, there are currently very few effective rehabilitative therapies for helping these patients improve their speech. Because of this, research is needed to develop better rehabilitative therapies. One such area of research is the use of involuntary acoustic learning. The Speech and Swallowing lab at Marquette University has an Electromagnetic Articulography (EMA) system to collect kinematic data and a software system called …

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Modeling And Investigation Of Refrigeration System Performance With Two-Phase Fluid Injection In A Scroll Compressor, Rui Gu Apr 2016

Modeling And Investigation Of Refrigeration System Performance With Two-Phase Fluid Injection In A Scroll Compressor, Rui Gu

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Vapor compression cycles are widely used in heating, refrigerating and air-conditioning. A slight performance improvement in the components of a vapor compression cycle, such as the compressor, can play a significant role in saving energy use. However, the complexity and cost of these improvements can block their application in the market. Modifying the conventional cycle configuration can offer a less complex and less costly alternative approach. Economizing is a common modification for improving the performance of the refrigeration cycle, resulting in decreasing the work required to compress the gas per unit mass. Traditionally, economizing requires multi-stage compressors, the cost of …

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