Engineering Commons^™

Polarimeter, Rasheed M.A. Azzam

University of New Orleans Patents

To measure characteristics such as density and particle-size distributions of a medium that interacts with light, a polarimeter simultaneously develops all 16 elements of the Mueller matrix by modulating polarized monochromatic light with a quarter-wave retarder operating at a predetermined frequency before transmitting it to the medium and then modulating the light leaving the medium with another quarter-wave retarder which operates at a frequency five times that of the predetermined frequency of modulation of the light transmitted to the medium. The light is electrically detected and provides a signal which may, by Fourier analysis, be broken into 25 terms. The …

Passive Cooling And Human Comfort, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Comfort within buildings is primarily controlled by four major factors: air temperature, mean radiant temperature, humidity and airflow. Each can have a dominating effect. Their effects are not necessarily additive and practically never linear. There are, additionally, other factors which affect comfort including clothing, activity level and climatization. Some psychological triggers, such as certain colors, also seem to affect comfort, and "state of mind" can have major effects on individual comfort sensations. Comfort zones, therefore, are very generally defined as the zone in which 80 percent of the population will experience the sensation of thermal comfort.

Centers Of Polymer Research; Polymer Science In Tokyo, Japan, Part I: Central Area, Otto Vogl, A. Nakajima

Emeritus Faculty Author Gallery

No abstract provided.

Users' Manual For The Electronic Information Exchange System, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Elaine B. Kerr, Murray Turoff, Peter Johnson-Lenz, Trudy Johnson-Lenz

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

The purpose of this manual is to teach you the simpler parts of the system and make you comfortable with using the one-page User's Guide. As you gain more experience with the system, you may wish to learn some of the advanced features available. But EIES (pronounced "eyes") has been designed so that you don't need to learn more than meets your needs.

Since the best way to learn how to use a computer system is by direct experience, don't be discouraged if some of this manual is confusing at first. The most effective way to learn is to try …

Contours Of Constant Principal Angle And Constant Principal Azimuth In The Complex Ε Plane, R. M.A. Azzam

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

For light reflection at a planar interface between two homogeneous isotropic media with complex relative dielectric function ε, we show that the constant-principal-angle contours are a family of semicircles, whereas the constantprincipal-azimuth contours are a family of (segments of) hyperbolas in the complex ε plane. We also find the exact envelope curve of both families and hence determine the domain of the ε plane of multiple (three) principal angles that is bougded by the envelope curve and the real axis. A unique and peculiar interface with ε = (5 - j√2)/27 is shown to have three coincident principal angles of …

Highway Finance — 1981 Update, Jean E. Hittle

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

This Bulletin --- "HIGHWAY FINANCE - Update 1981" --- has been compiled to provide Local Road and Street Officials with a year-end report on the results of the 1981 gas tax legislation, as well as an updated estimate of anticipated revenue for Calendar Year 1982.

Total highway-user revenue for 1981 was up some $39 million over 1980 totals; this is about 6% over the totals forecast back in July. And on the basis of the 1981 experience, the 1982 total revenue estimate is up to $393 million -- a $23 million increase over the July forecast. If the 1982 experience …

Photoluminescence In Spray-Pyrolyzed Cdte, Bernard J. Feldman, J. (Jack) L. Boone, T. (Thomas) Van Doren

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We report very intense photoluminescence in spray-pyrolyzed CdTe at 77 K. We also notice striking similarities in the luminescence spectra, decay, and temperature dependence between CdTe and other thin-film semiconductors, which we interpret in terms of recombination at defect sites in intergranular regions.

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 11. Geothermal, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Geothermal energy or earth heat has the potential of becoming the foremost source of energy during the next few decades just as the fossil fuels have been for the past 75 years. This source is so great that it is limitless, unlike the fossil or nuclear fission fuels. Yet there are formidable problems in the application of geothermal energy for useful work.

Silicon As A Millimeter-Wave Monolithically Integrated Substrate - A New Look, Arye Rosen, Martin Caulton, Anna M. Gombar, Walter M. Janton, Chung P. Wu, John F. Corboy, Charles W. Magee

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering Faculty Scholarship

Materials suitable for use as monolithic substrates are summarized. A study of the properties of silicon substrates as transmission line media shows that serious consideration should be given to them for use at mm-wave frequencies. It is concluded that for silicon resistivities of 2000 ohm-cm or greater, microstrip loss in silicon at mm-wave frequencies is only slightly higher than that in GaAs or alumina. The cross section width of a transmission line represents an appreciable part of a wavelength when microstrip is used as an impedance transformer at mm-wave frequencies. Therefore, substrate thickness (using the latest dispersion characteristics) is especially …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 12. Alcohol, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Today we often hear discussed the potential energy content and ability of alcohol to lessen our dependence on gasoline as a motor fuel. The alcohol in question is ethyl alcohol, a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid that is derived from growing plants, or the parts of growing plants, that are relatively high in carbohydrate content.

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 9. Wood, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Wood is a bio-fuel. This means that it comes from living things. Lawn grass, field crops and garden plants and flowers are all in the bio-family of living things. In fact, there is no difference between the wood of today and fossil fuels of aeons ago, such as coal and oil except time. Millions of years ago all fossil fuels were lush green plants, thriving on nutrients and moisture in the earth and the photosynthesis process. These have long since died but have been preserved beneath the surface of the earth. Actually, the wood of today and the fossil fuels …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 2. Definitions, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

The words described in this publication are used in the other publications in this energy resource series without further defining.

In most cases the first sentence, paragraph or formula describes a word or term sufficiently to use it . The added explanation is an attempt to give the reader a firm foundation for using the word confidently in energy programs.

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 10. Water, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Since early history, water has furnished man with energy. Man has always moved and settled along rivers and streams, because water makes travel easier. He soon learned to capture the movement of water in rivers, creeks and streams by inserting a wheel.

Water presents a great source of power. It has been estimated that if every available location for water power were developed, regardless of economic and environmental considerations, there would be between three and four times the power derived from all other sources. But this is impractical, because in many instances it would take more energy in materials and …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 8. Nuclear Fusion, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

The subject of nuclear energy can be divided into two parts, fission and fusion. The purpose of this publication is to describe the process of nuclear fusion.

Fusion of atomic nuclei offers tremendous possibility of energy. Since all forecasts point toward a need for more energy in this country, this method of energy production can provide a significant share.

At the present time we do not know for certain that energy from the fusion process will be scientifically and economically successful. It is certain that much research will continue to take place; if fusion can be achieved, the promise of …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 6. Wind, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

There is a tremendous amount of energy at work in the atmosphere at all times in the form of wind. Man has recognized this for ages and has used it to a limited extent by constructing devices, such as windmills.

Today, the rapidly diminishing supply of fossil fuels has prompted us to take a new look at wind as a source of energy. This publication will study some of the ways engineers have devised to harness wind.

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 7. Nuclear Fission, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Nuclear power is one of the leading sources in our search for energy. One source of nuclear power is nuclear fission, an energy-releasing process in which the nuclei of atoms are split. The energy produced is close kin to chemical energy. Similar basic laws, rules and reasoning apply.

Perhaps the best means of gaining an overall understanding of nuclear energy is to examine three of the known force fields in nature. Because of the importance of these basic concepts, this publication will concentrate on descriptions of these force fields and how they are harnessed for our use.

In addition, the …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 3. Oil And Gas, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

The oil and gas in the earth today were formed many millions of years ago, long before humans appeared on the scene. Therefore, man can only theorize about the origin of these fossil fuels.

The most widely accepted theory is that the oil and gas found in the earth today had their beginnings in decomposed animals and plants. The decomposition was caused by bacteria and chemicals called enzymes which digested the plant and animal bodies.

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 1. Energy Overview, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Since the development of the internal combustion engine and its rapid adoption as a power source, the people of the United States and several other developed countries have enjoyed the benefits of relatively cheap energy. This has had a direct bearing on the standard of living we have today.

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 5. Solar, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Since 1973, when the public became aware that shortages of gasoline for automobiles could drastically affect their personal lives, there has been much interest in solar energy. Many articles have appeared in the popular press about the potential of solar energy, and the federal government has allocated large sums of money for research in this area of energy. Most science textbooks now contain a chapter or two on solar energy utilization. Most engineering colleges offer courses specifically related to energy, and many of these place emphasis on the solar aspect. There is little doubt that the public, in all sectors, …

Evaluation Of Pavement Tape As Lane Delineation, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study involved the field testing of four types of pavement tapes, all manufactured by the 3M Company. The tapes evaluated included Scotchlane, Stamark Removable, Stamark, and an experimental tape. The experimental tape had an extremely high initial reflectivity but poor durability, which would preclude use in its present form. The remaining tapes exhibited good durability when used as lanelines and edgelines. The Scotchlane tape exhibited the best long-term reflectivity. The Stamark tape does not provide sufficient reflectivity and could not be used in areas where delineation would be critical. The Stamark Removable tape was easily removed manually after one …

Development Of A Thickness Design System For Bituminous Concrete Pavements, Herbert F. Southgate, Robert C. Deen, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A pavement provides a functional surface for safe operation of a vehicle. The operator or passenger of a vehicle does not particularly care about the material from which the pavement structure is constructed. However, they are sensitive to such factors as speed, safety (skid resistance), and comfort (roughness). One aspect of pavement design is the selection of the thickness of the pavement and its various components sufficient to support vehicular loadings and to transfer those loadings through successive layers of the pavement - surface, base, and subgrade - to the soil on which the pavement rests. The structural design of …

Propagation Of Traffic Noise, Kenneth R. Agent, Charles V. Zegeer

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The effects of various traffic, ground cover, and geometric conditions on traffic noise propagation were evaluated in this study. There were two general methods of data collection. The first used as many as four sound-level meters and graphic-level recorders to take simultaneous recordings of the traffic stream; the second method involved a constant noise source using a random noise generator.

The L₁₀ noise level reduction per doubling of distance increased substantially when the traffic volume was less than 1,000 vehicles per hour. Wind speed and direction had a large effect on noise propagation. Ground cover also had a definite …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 4. Coal, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Coal is very close kin to the other fossil fuels, oil and gas. If a chunk of coal is examined with a powerful magnifying glass you will notice a lot of red and gold color. The marks of plants can be plainly seen on many pieces. The imprint of plants and sometimes of animal skeletons indicates to skilled scientists how coal was formed.

Explicit Determination Of Thickness Of A Transparent Film On A Transparent Substrate From Angles Of Incidence Of Equal P And S Reflectivities, R. M.A. Azzam

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Modes Of A Laser Resonator With A Retroreflecting Roof Mirror, Guosheng Zhou, Lee W. Casperson

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The self-consistent integral equation for the field distribution of the resonant modes in a resonator with a tilted retroreflecting roof mirror is solved. The field distribution in the direction of the roof can be described in terms of Hermite-Gaussian functions. The beam matrix for a retroreflecting roof is found, and a new type of resonator which does not need precise alignment is proposed.

Vegetative Filter Treatment Of Livestock Feedlot Runoff, Elbert C. Dickey, D. H. Vanderholm

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Four vegetative filters were installed on feedlots in central and northern Illinois. Two configurations were used: channelized Dow and overland Dow. After settling for partial solids removal, runoff was applied directly to the filters and allowed to Dow from the inlet to the outlet section. Results from measurement analyses and sampling of influent, effluent, and surface Dow at intermediate points were reported.

Most runoff events were infiltrated completely, resulting in no filter discharge. Runoff from larger events was partially discharged. Filters removed as much as 95% of nutrients and oxygen-demanding materials from the applied runoff on a weight basis, and …

Trailer Hitch, T. Richard Robe

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Patents

The present invention is directed to a trailer hitch for a vehicle. The trailer hitch is designed to be connected to a vehicle and permits two degrees of freedom for the hitchpoint. The first degree of freedom is in a lateral direction which permits the hitchpoint to have freedom to move horizontally in a lateral direction. This degree of freedom is dampened by a viscous dampener to improve the lateral stability of a trailer connected to the hitchball. Further, springs are provided to resist lateral movement and to restore the hitchpoint to its original position during the pulling of a …

Energy In Agriculture: The Use Of Ethanol As An Unmixed Fuel For Lnternal Combustion Engines, Joseph L. Taraba, George M. Turner, Robert Razor

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

The use of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) as a fuel for spark ignited (Sl) internal combustion engines has been evaluated and considered satisfactory since the early1 900s. Today due to the increasing cost of petroleum and the current world oil uncertainty, which may greatly affect the future availability of petroleum, some alternative fuels for internal combustion engines are needed. Ethanol is one of the fuels that has shown promise as a petroleum substitute. Today the country of Brazil has chosen a path of less dependence on petroleum by developing an ethanol fuel technology. In the spring of 1980, cars designed to …

Design Guide For Bituminous Concrete Pavement Structures, James H. Havens, Robert C. Deen, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

To determine pavement thicknesses from design charts and tables, it is necessary to know only the EAL's (equivalent axle loads), the CBR of the subgrade soil, and the modulus of elasticity of the bituminous concrete. Charts permit selection of pavement structures employing alternative proportions of bituminous concrete and crushed stone base. Total thickness varies according to the proportions chosen. It is implicitly intended that the selection of alternative structures be based on engineering considerations, such as 1. estimates of comparative construction costs, 2. compatibility with cross section template and shoulder designs, 3. uniformity or standardization of design practices, 4. highway …

Analysis Of Time-Deflection Consolidation Data, E. Gregory Mcnulty

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A computerized statistical curve-fitting algorithm has been developed for determining the time-dependent properties of conventional (load-incremental) consolidation test data. Analytical models of the graphical methods developed by Taylor and Casagrande and of the Naylor-Doran method of successive approximations determtne values for the coefficients of consolidation, permeability, and the values of deflection corresponding to the begimltng and endtng of primary consolidation. The coefficients of volume change and secondary compression are also calculated. A modified statistical definition is used to select the linear portions of the data curves and is applicable to other data-fitting problems. After the Naylor-Doran method has been used, …