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Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

Gnygrens18.Pdf, Garrett Nygren Aug 2018

Gnygrens18.Pdf, Garrett Nygren

Garrett Nygren

The finite element method was used to evaluate microstructural strengthening and toughening effects in nanoparticulate reinforced polymer composites (nanocomposites) and in short aligned discontinuous fiber reinforced polymer composites. Nanoparticulate reinforcement is a well-known method of polymer toughening which can greatly expand the range of engineering applications for polymers. However, the mechanisms of nanoparticulate toughening, as well as complementary sub-micron fracture processes, are not well understood. Short, aligned, discontinuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics show promise as a versatile, inexpensive material system with favorable manufacturability, but failure of the associated morphologies is also not yet well explored.
In nanocomposites, two microstructural effects …


Laser Assisted Embedding Of Nanoparticles Into Metallic Materials, Dong Lin, Sergey Suslov, Chang Ye, Yiliang Liao, C. Liu, Gary Cheng Apr 2015

Laser Assisted Embedding Of Nanoparticles Into Metallic Materials, Dong Lin, Sergey Suslov, Chang Ye, Yiliang Liao, C. Liu, Gary Cheng

Dr. Chang Ye

This paper reports a methodology of half-embedding nanoparticles into metallic materials. Transparent and opaque nanoparticles are chosen to demonstrate the process of laser assisted nanoparticle embedding. Dip coating method is used to coat transparent or opaque nanoparticle on the surface of metallic material. Nanoparticles are embedded into substrate by laser irradiation. In this study, the mechanism and process of nanoparticle embedding are investigated. It is found both transparent and opaque nanoparticles embedding are with high densities and good uniformities.


An Intelligent Systems Approach For An Ultrasonic Based Neuro-Navigation System, Jennifer Akers, Sanjeevi Chitikeshi, Ajay Mahajan, Tsuchin Chu, Etienne Witte, Sumeer Lal Apr 2015

An Intelligent Systems Approach For An Ultrasonic Based Neuro-Navigation System, Jennifer Akers, Sanjeevi Chitikeshi, Ajay Mahajan, Tsuchin Chu, Etienne Witte, Sumeer Lal

Dr. Ajay Mahajan

This paper shows the feasibility of using an intelligent systems approach to increase the accuracy of a 3D ultrasonic position estimation system for real-time image guided neurosurgery. Current image guided systems use camera based technology that is space-intensive, have an accuracy of about 1.0–2.0 mm, and are prone to occasional failures. The 3D system presented in this paper eliminates the space intensive camera, has an accuracy of around 1.0 mm in the operating range of about 200–400 mm, makes the system independent of line-of-sight occlusion problems, and is expected to pave the way for accurate fusion models of MRI and …


Optimizing The Robot Arm Movement Time Using Virtual Reality Robotic Teaching System Feb 2015

Optimizing The Robot Arm Movement Time Using Virtual Reality Robotic Teaching System

Faculty of Engineering University of Malaya

Robots play an important role in performing operations such as welding, drilling and screwing parts in manufacturing. Optimizing the robot arm movement time between different points is an important task which will minimize the make-span and maximize the production rate. But robot programming is a complex task whereby the user needs to teach and control the robot in order to perform a desired action. In order to address the above problem, an integrated 3-dimensional (3D) simulation software and virtual reality (VR) system is developed to simplify and speed up tasks and therefore enhance the quality of manufacturing processes. This system …


Pre-Impact Lower Extremity Posture And Brake Pedal Force Predict Foot And Ankle Forces During An Automobile Collision, Elizabeth C. Hardin, Anne Su, Antonie J. Van Den Bogert Mar 2014

Pre-Impact Lower Extremity Posture And Brake Pedal Force Predict Foot And Ankle Forces During An Automobile Collision, Elizabeth C. Hardin, Anne Su, Antonie J. Van Den Bogert

Anne Su Ph.D.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine how a driver’s foot and ankle forces during a frontal vehicle collision depend on initial lower extremity posture and brake pedal force. Method of Approach: A 2D musculoskeletal model with seven segments and six right-side muscle groups was used. A simulation of a three-second braking task found 3647 sets of muscle activation levels that resulted in stable braking postures with realistic pedal force. These activation patterns were then used in impact simulations where vehicle deceleration was applied and driver movements and foot and ankle forces were simulated. Peak rearfoot ground reaction …


Foot And Ankle Forces During An Automobile Collision: The Influence Of Muscles, Elizabeth Hardin, Anne Su, Antonie Van Den Bogert Mar 2014

Foot And Ankle Forces During An Automobile Collision: The Influence Of Muscles, Elizabeth Hardin, Anne Su, Antonie Van Den Bogert

Anne Su Ph.D.

Muscles have a potentially important effect on lower extremity injuries during an automobile collision. Computational modeling can be a powerful tool to predict these effects and develop protective interventions. Our purpose was to determine how muscles influence peak foot and ankle forces during an automobile collision. A 2-D bilateral musculoskeletal model was constructed with seven segments. Six muscle groups were included in the right lower extremity, each represented by a Hill muscle model. Vehicle deceleration data were applied as input and the resulting movements were simulated. Three models were evaluated: no muscles (NM), minimal muscle activation at a brake pedal …