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Materials Science and Engineering Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Michigan Technological University

Department of Materials Science and Engineering Publications

2017

Economics

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Materials Science and Engineering

General Design Procedures For Airport-Based Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Anurag Anurag, Jiemin Zhang, Jephias Gwamuri, Joshua M. Pearce Aug 2017

General Design Procedures For Airport-Based Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Anurag Anurag, Jiemin Zhang, Jephias Gwamuri, Joshua M. Pearce

Department of Materials Science and Engineering Publications

A source of large surface areas for solar photovoltaic (PV) farms that has been largely overlooked in the 13,000 United States of America (U.S.) airports. This paper hopes to enable PV deployments in most airports by providing an approach to overcome the three primary challenges identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): (1) reflectivity and glare; (2) radar interference; and (3) physical penetration of airspace. First, these challenges and precautions that must be adhered to for safe PV projects deployment at airports are reviewed and summarized. Since one of the core concerns for PV and airport symbiosis is solar panel …


Emergence Of Home Manufacturing In The Developed World: Return On Investment For Open-Source 3-D Printers., Emily E. Petersen, Joshua M. Pearce Feb 2017

Emergence Of Home Manufacturing In The Developed World: Return On Investment For Open-Source 3-D Printers., Emily E. Petersen, Joshua M. Pearce

Department of Materials Science and Engineering Publications

Through reduced 3-D printer cost, increased usability, and greater material selection, additive manufacturing has transitioned from business manufacturing to the average prosumer. This study serves as a representative model for the potential future of 3-D printing in the average American household by employing a printer operator who was relatively unfamiliar with 3-D printing and the 3-D design files of common items normally purchased by the average consumer. Twenty-six items were printed in thermoplastic and a cost analysis was performed through comparison to comparable, commercially available products at a low and high price range. When compared to the low-cost items, investment …