Engineering Commons^™

Process-Structure-Property Relationship Of A Mesogenic Bioerodible Polyarylate, Seung Uk Yoo

Theses

Polymeric biomaterials are artificially synthesized polymers designed for in-vivo use. The material must be characterized and should satisfy the requirements suitable in human bodies.

For the proper characterization of materials, it is essential to apply specific processes, analyze thermal and mechanical properties, and understand the process effect and the morphology. Thermal analysis is one of the most sophisticated and well developed techniques for polymer characterization. Turi [ 1 ] has explained about the thermal characterization of polymeric materials. Jaffe et al [2], in the chapters of characterization of fibers and films, emphasized the effect of the process history of a …

Data Recording And Analysis Of American Sign Language, Robert Michael Demarco

Theses

American Sign Language (ASL) is a form of communication that is used by the Deaf. It consists of hand shapes and gestures to express words and phrases. Translators on the market today consist of interpreting a simple form of ASL known as finger spelling. In order to develop a more effective translator, instrumentation was developed utilizing a Flock of Birds and Cyberglove system to record in hand shapes and movements in a LabVIEW environment. Experimentation done included reading in data and subjectively analyzing the data recorded for accuracy. Initial results have show that the instrumentation worked and data was recorded …

Role Of Catalyst And Substrate In Synthesis Of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes, Amit Goyal

Theses

The synthesis of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by the catalyticdisproportionation of carbon monoxide (CO) (i.e., Boudouard reaction) at I atm pressureand 700-800 C, has been systematically investigated in order to determine whether theprocess can be used for the large scale production. SWNT diameter distribution andmorphology were studied by Raman scattering, and scanning and transmission electronmicroscopy, respectively. X-ray diffraction was used to determine levels of the remnantcatalyst and support. Synthesis experiments were conducted using a three-stage processwith hydrogen to reduce the catalyst-precursor and argon to cool the system. Two typesof catalyst/support synthesis were studied: (1) Combustion synthesis to form catalyst …

Discrete Element Simulation And Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis Of Particles In A Simple Lattice Structure, Liam E. Buckley

Theses

The study of particles interacting in lattice structures allows for insight into the complex interactions of granular flow, and the adaptation of such structures to mechanical apparatuses to handle the separation of bulk particulate matter. Applying methods of computer analysis to the interactions taking place within the particle-lattice system provides a particle level methodology to the study of the phenomenon taking place, as well as a stepping stone for future design of related devices.

A two prong approach is presented to the study of such particle-lattice systems. The first approach is composed of adapting an existing discrete element computer code …

Experimental Study Of Ignition Of Mechanical Alloy And Pure Metal Powders, Ruslan Mudryy

Theses

Mechanical alloys of Al Mg, AI Zr, Al Ti, Al Li, Al C, Al Mg H, B Mg, B Al, and B Ti were produced and tested for possible applications as high energy density additives to fuels, propellants, explosives, and incendiaries. These new materials are metastable, supersaturated, nanocrystalline solid solutions that include a base metal as a solvent and another component (metal or gas, e.g. hydrogen) as a solute. Phase changes occurring in such materials during ignition and combustion are expected to significantly affect both ignition and bum rates. This experimental program focused on the characterization of ignition kinetics of …

Soft Fault Detection Using Mibs In Computer Networks, Sachin Arora

Theses

To improve network reliability and management in today's high-speed communication system, a statistical anomaly network intrusion detection system (NIDS) has been investigated, for network soft faults using the Management Information Base (Mm) traffic parameters provided by Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), for both wired and wireless networks. The work done would be a contribution to a system to be designed MIB Anomaly Intrusion Detection, a hierarchical multi-tier and multiobservation-window Anomaly Intrusion Detection system. The data was derived from many experiments that had been carried out in the test bed that monitored 27 MIB traffic parameters simultaneously, focusing on the soft …

The Consolidation Analysis Of A Clay Layer In The City Of Belem Do Para, Brazil, John Bezerra Jr.

Theses

In this study, an analysis was done on a particular clay layer found in the city of Belem do Para, Brazil. Various soil tests were conducted including a consolidation analysis. Data were gathered and analyzed in order to obtain a better understanding of how the soil responds under certain loading conditions. There have been no previous studies done on this material and so when it has been encountered in the field geotechnical engineers provide the safest, but not necessarily best design method possible. In the case of large buildings, piles are driven past this material to competent sand. There have …

Modification Of Biodegradable Polyesters With Inorganic Fillers, Georgia Chouzouri

Theses

In attempts to address the growing need of materials with controlled degradation characteristics and good mechanical properties for tissue engineering applications, composites based on biodegradable polymers and a potentially bioactive novel inorganic synthetic filler were produced and characterized. Composites were produced by solution mixing of a commercial polylactic acid, as well as a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester based on butylene adipate/succinate, with synthetic magnesium/aluminum carbonate minerals, known as hydrotalcites. Two types of hydrotalcites, at 30 wto/o filler level, were used: surface coated and uncoated. Composites were also melt-mixed in a twin-screw extruder for comparison.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), …

Labview-Controlled Stimulus Presentation On A Monitor For Smooth Pursuit Eye Movement Experiments, Florence Bautista Chua

Theses

Smooth pursuit is an example of how movements in the visual world guide involuntary oculomotor movements. A current system to study eye movements uses an oscilloscope screen. A computer screen offers many advantages: a greater visual field, the use of shapes, 32 bits of colors, and increased timing accuracy. To control stimulus display on a computer monitor, instrumentation was developed in LabVIEW. Initial studies supported a draw/redraw to erase method for stimulus presentation. An experiment compared the computer monitor to the oscilloscope. Indeed, the monitor display was an improvement over the oscilloscope for vision research.

Characterization And Mapping Of Crystal Defects In Silicon Carbide, Ejiro Emorhokpor

Theses

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a semiconductor with attractive properties, such as a wide bandgap (3. 26 eV), high dielectric strength, and high thermal conductivity that make it suitable for high power, highspeed electronic devices. A major roadblock to its wider application is the presence of defects, particularly micropipes and dislocations, in SiC wafers produced today and decreasing density of these defects is the most important challenge of the industry. The goal of this thesis was to design, build and test a system for detection and analysis of the defects in SiC wafers. The system is based on the reflection optical …

Graphical User Interface For Improved Laser Eye Surgery, Venkata K. Kuruganti

Theses

This thesis develops a system for laser eye surgery that is a significant improvement over existing technology. The new system uses image matching and MEMS micromirrors to introduce feedback control, automation and record keeping to the laser surgery process, eliminating the unwanted effects of eye movement during surgery and introducing a wide range of other benefits. It is expected that this improvement can be implemented as an addition to existing systems as well as a foundation for new tools, perhaps even remote, internet enabled ones.

The basic components of the new system are described and demonstrated, including image matching between …

Detecting Malfunction In Wireless Sensor Networks, Pablito C. Lake

Theses

The objective of this thesis is to detect malfunctioning sensors in wireless sensor networks. The ability to detect abnormality is critical to the security of any sensor network. However, the ability to detect a faulty wireless sensor is not trivial. Controlled repeatable experiments are difficult in wireless channels. A Redhat Linux. 7.0 Wireless Emulation Dynamic Switch software was used to solve this problem.

Six nodes were configured with a node acting as a base station. The nodes were all part of a cell. This means that every node could communicate with all other nodes. A client-server program simulated the background …

Optimization Of Very Early Strength Concrete Mixes Using Maturity Method, Sun Punurai

Theses

Fast track concrete technology has been used over the past two decades for overnight highway repairs. Originally, fast track was concerned only with rapid strength gain and workability but little concern was paid to cost and durability of the concrete.

The purpose of this research study is to develop a current improved very early strength (VES) concrete mix, which was accepted by NJDOT in 1996. More than 50 concrete mixes were evaluated for strength, shrinkage, and curing rate (maturity), eventually leading to the development of an optimized VES concrete mix with improved performance characteristics.

The study has developed the new …

Intrusion Detection System For Ad Hoc Mobile Networks Using Neighborhood Watch Theory, Ramani Rajagopalan

Theses

This study describes several experiments to simulate and study temperature sensor networks. The ultimate goal of this study is to accurately predict a temperature sensor failure in a sensor network, using Network Neighborhood Watch theory. Simulated temperature measurements are used to compare the results of accuracy, and quickness in detecting a failure in a malfunctioning sensor node. This is done by changing the intervals between temperature sampling, by considering different rates of temperature raise, as well as varying the number of nodes in the network neighborhood (deployment density). The thesis studies the threshold for temperature sensor failure by computing a …

Comparative Studies Of Network Traffic In Actual And Emulated Wireless Networks, Curtis Salley Jr.

Theses

Wireless networks are becoming more popular in all types of environments from home office, to business infrastructure, to mobile computing. As more of these networks flourish, so does the attraction for hackers. The thesis examines the bandwidth of wireless networks and the effects of intrusions in three different scenarios. First, it looks at a wireless network that is connected to a wired infrastructure. Next, the thesis examines a wireless ad hoc network and how bandwidth plays a valuable part in the communication with neighboring nodes. And finally, the thesis attempts to simulate a wireless network by using a bandwidth configuration …

Reduction Of False Positives In Fault Detection System Using A Low Pass Data Filter, Ranjit Salunkhe

Theses

Network traffic is bursty in nature and exhibits the property of self-similarity, the degree of which is measured by the Hurst parameter. Now, in any network there is always the possibility of the occurrence of fault traffic that can be caused due to faults or malfunction of a network component. Fault Detection Systems that check for traffic anomalies can trigger off an alert on the detection of any traffic behavior that deviates from normal. Such deviation is usually caused when a fault occurs. But in network traffic sudden bursts may occur due to the inherent behavior of a network application. …

Sub-Segment Based Transport Layer Protocol For Wireless Medium, Som Sengupta

Theses

This thesis discusses the techniques to improve the TCP over wireless. The loss-intensive wireless communication results in high retransmission rates to recover lost packets and bandwidth consumption. In addition, the retransmitted segments have significant chance of being dropped. To make the retransmission process more granular, large segments at the transport layer (540 bytes, by default) can be subdivided into smaller sub-segments. This document introduces a split TCP based solution and describes how to produce a series of smaller-sized segments that share the same transport layer header. A new header format is introduced to support the transmission of smaller segments …

Tracking The Path Of A Mobile Radioactive Source Using A Wireless Sensor Network, Nipa Shah

Theses

This report describes several experiments used to characterize and test a network of radiation sensors. The purpose of these tests is to assess the feasibility of using these sensors to detect and track radioactive sources in a large field, as in a battlefield or on a military campus. Simulated radiation measurements are used to compare the result of radiation detection accuracy in tracking the moving target and to find its path as early as possible. This is done via changing the number of sensing nodes deployed (deployment density), as well as the models of the detectors. This thesis describes algorithms …

Low-Power Transceiver Design For Mobile Wireless Chemical Biological Sensors, Harshavardhan Reddy Sripuram

Theses

The design of a smart integrated chemical sensor system that will enhance sensor performance and compatibility to Ad hoc network architecture remains a challenge. This work involves the design of a Transceiver for a mobile chemical sensor. The transceiver design integrates all building blocks on-chip, including a low-noise amplifier with an input-matching network, a Voltage Controlled Oscillator with injection locking, Gilbert cell mixers, and a Class E Power amplifier making it as a single-chip transceiver. This proposed low power 2GHz transceiver has been designed in TSMC 0.35~lm CMOS process using Cadence electronic design automation tools. Post layout HSPICE simulation indicates …

Implementation Of Cyclic Exercise Protocol On Two Study Groups - Aids And Insomnia, Ujwala G. Kalambur

Theses

Traditional exercise regimens are based on maintaining a prolonged increase in heart rate, followed by a single recovery period. The Cyclic Exercise Protocol is a novel protocol that is designed to create a series of parabolic waves of exercise and recovery. This study involves the implementation of this exercise protocol on two study groups namely AIDS and Insomnia. This exercise protocol involves short bursts of exercise lasting for 60 seconds or less followed by a period of complete aerobic recovery. The underlying principle of this exercise protocol is that rest, recovery and the body's natural rhythm are important to fitness …

Addition Of A Chain-Cell Search Method And A Van Der Waals Force Model To A Particle Dynamics Code, Michael J. Sweetman

Theses

This project studies the implementation of a computational time saving technique and adds an additional force model into a discrete element method simulation code. Both aspects of the project are focused on increasing the versatility of an existing particle dynamics code by increasing the execution speed and available force models for simulation.

The first portion of the project consisted of adding a function to the collision detection mechanism to hash the particles into a spatial grid. This hashing function allows a search for near neighbor particles to be restricted to the space immediately adjacent to the particle of interest, thereby …

Characterization And Corrosion Of Bcc-Tantalum Coating Deposited On Aluminum And Steel Substrate By Dc Magnetron Sputtering, Chirag Joshi

Theses

Tantalum is one of the most versatile highly refractory corrosion-resistant metals. Tantalum coating can be used as an effective corrosion barrier if it is continuous, free from defects and it adheres well to the substrate. A DC magnetron sputtering technique was used to deposit tantalum on aluminum and steel. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the tantalum films produced by sputtering had two crystallographic structures: a body centered cubic α-phase and a metastable tetragonal β-phase. Tough and ductile alpha phase tantalum is preferred over the hard and brittle beta phase tantalum, as a protective coating. Alpha phase coatings were successfully deposited …

An Interface Chip For Saw Based Sensor In An Ad-Hoc Network, Yagneshwara Ramakrishna Vadapalli

Theses

The design of a smart integrated chemical sensor system that will enhance sensor performance and compatibility to ad hoc network architecture remains a challenge. This work involves the design of an interface chip for a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) based chemical sensor where the sensor reflects the RF input and introduces a time delay proportional to the concentration of the vapors absorbed by it. The interface chip detects the frequency shift as a function of the chemical species absorbed by the sensor and alerts the ad hoc network controller when a monitored parameter exceeded some threshold, based on local processing …

In Situ Laser Etch-Depth Monitoring Of The Deep Reactive Ion Etching Process, Yuki Imura

Theses

A laser-based method for measuring feature thickness during the deep reactive ion etching process is investigated. Interference occurs between laser beam reflections from the mask surface, the mask/silicon interface, and the exposed silicon surface of a process wafer. Information from this interference signal allows the etch process to be characterized. Three methods are investigated: laser-on-SiO₂, laser-on-photoresist, and laser-on-both SiO₂ and silicon at a mask edge.

The measured data from these experiments are found to be in good agreement with theoretical calculations. Differences in reflected beam amplitude and interference fringe frequency represent well the differences SiO₂ and …

Integrating Tolerances In G And M Codes Using Neural Networks, Vijay Kumar Sundareshan

Theses

Continuous integrated solutions from CAD down to the preparation of NC programs were developed in the recent years. However, if tolerances should be considered, the interaction of human experts is still necessary. A way to fill this gap in the production process is shown in this thesis. The study builds a relationship between the given design tolerances and including these tolerances in machining by generating respective G and M codes. The study focuses on physical phenomena and their inter-relationship while manufacturing. For example how the speed of machining, torque, power, depth of cut, etc. influences machining under specified tolerances. Artificial …

The Development Of A Biodegradable Scaffold For A Tissue Engineered Heart Valve, Thomas Adam Alheidt

Theses

In the current state of medical technology, there exists the need for a quality medical device to replace a failing heart valve. Presently, mechanical valves as well as donor tissue valves, either from humans or animals are used to replace failing heart valves. These valves although they can operate in the heart satisfactorily are not equal to the body replacing its own valve. Tissue Engineering in simple terms is the field of helping the body replace its own failing organ. In scientific terms, Tissue Engineering is a relatively young field, a majority of the major advancements have come in the …

Evaluation Of Intrusion Detection Systems With Automatic Traffic Generation Programs, Friday Bassey Akpan

Theses

In this master's thesis work, a program was developed using the Perl programming language to enable user defined attack programs to run automatically. A similar program was also developed for background traffic. With this program, the different features of the Nmap exploration and scanning tool were exploited to build scenarios of attacks.

Automated scenarios of attacks running in to the order of hundreds were developed. Also, different sets of automated stealthy attacks scenarios running in to the order of hundreds were developed using the timing modes, stealthy scans and scan delay features of Nmap.

These automated attacks scenarios were employed …

Firewall Interface For Java Ftp Smtp And Http Servers, Ratan Kumar Erukulla

Theses

The objective of my thesis is to develop a firewall interface for FTP, HTTP and SMTP servers. A firewall interface is a graphical user interface (GUI) to configure the properties of the server. Using this interface, we can spy a user, block and unblock the IP address of a client, display statistics of user and server. We can track all the user actions while he is connected to the server. These actions are logged and based on the log data we can deny access to users performing illegal operations. All the servers and interfaces are written in Java. Java was …

Vlsi Design Of Stability Routing Protocol For Sensors In Wireless Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks, Vishnu M. Mandava

Theses

This thesis gives a detailed description of the Application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design of Stability routing protocol for sensors in mobile ad-hoc networks. The Stability routing protocol is based on the signal strength and position components during data transmission while considering sensors in an ad-hoc network. A general ad-hoc network has unpredictable and variable mobility patterns therefore the signal strength criteria is adopted for routing. Signal strength criteria has been proved to be efficient for communication between the mobile nodes without any data loss. In this thesis an architecture for a processor implementing stability routing protocol for effective communication …

Implementation Of A Two-Dimensional Discrete Element Method To Describe Granular Materials Composed Of Elliptical Cohesionless Particles, Juan Jose Martinez Alvez

Theses

This work is aimed at developing a discrete element simulation that models the contact between elliptical grains or particles in granular materials. The goal is to implement an algorithm to carry out collision detection between ellipses as well as ellipsoidal objects. The practical issue here is that the real shape of macroscopic grains can be approximated better using elliptical curves than using spherical curves. In addition, the simulation model will also be valid for spheres, since these objects are special cases of ellipsoids.

An accurate contact detection algorithm was investigated by means of two different formulations. The first formulation determines …