Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Human Motion Tracking For Assisting Balance Training And Control Of A Humanoid Robot, Ahmad Adli Manasrah

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This project illustrates the use of the human's ability to balance according to his center of gravity as demonstrated in two applications. The center of gravity of a human is explained in detail in order to use it in controlling the Aldebaran NAO robot and in the robot-assisted balance training.

The first application explains how a humanoid robot can mimic a human's movements via a three dimensional depth sensor where the sensor analyzes the position of a user's limbs and how the robot can lift one foot and balance on the other by redistributing the its body mass when …

A Novel Ultrasonic Method To Quantify Bolt Tension, Jairo Andres Martinez Garcia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The threaded fasteners are one of the most versatile methods for assembly of structural components. For example, in bridges large bolts are used to fix base columns and small bolts are used to support access ladders. Naturally not all bolts are critical for the operation of the structure. Fasteners loaded with small forces and present in large quantities do not receive the same treatment as the critical bolts. Typical maintenance operations such tension measurements, internal stress checking or monitoring of crack development are not practical due to cost and time constrains. Although failure of a single non-critical fastener is not …

Metal Oxide Graphene Nanocomposites For Organic And Heavy Metal Remediation, Tanvir E. Alam

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis consists of two research problems in the water decontamination area. In the first work, the main focus is to understand the structure and photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide with graphene (G-TiO2) which is synthesized by using sol-gel method. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 is limited by the short electron hole pair recombination time. Graphene, with high specific surface area and unique electronic properties, can be used as a good support for TiO2 to enhance the photocatalytic activity. The obtained G-TiO2 photocatalysts has been characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), FTIR Spectroscopy and Ultraviolet …

Model And Validation Of Static And Dynamic Behavior Of Passive Diamagnetic Levitation For Energy Harvesting, Chamila Shyamalee Siyambalapitiya

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation reports the investigation conducted on the static and dynamic behavior of the passive diamagnetic levitation systems.

Attachment of a device to a substrate hinders the optimum performance ability of vibrating devices by altering the dynamic behavior of the moving part whilst introducing higher overall stiffness. The significance of this effect is prominent especially in vibration based energy harvesters as higher stiffness elevates the resonance frequency of the system, making it difficult to tune into ambient low frequencies. Other advantages of the proposed method are given by the removal of mechanical bending elements, which are often the source of …

Direct Verification Of The Locking Of Liquid Locking Compounds In Threaded Fasteners, Ryan Hunter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The motivation of this research is to explore the viability of a method to directly verify whether or not an anaerobic adhesive within a threaded fastener assembly has cured sufficiently to provide secondary locking. Direct verification was implemented via the application of a test torque in the loosening direction of a fastener assembly with Loctite (given a 24 hour cure time). A three phase test plan was developed with the intent of identifying and utilizing this verification torque value which is unique to a given fastener assembly.

It was proved that the direct verification method, as outlined in the test …

Multistable Shape-Shifting Surfaces (Mssss), Paul Joseph Montalbano

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This paper presents designs for Multistable Shape-Shifting Surfaces (MSSS) by introducing bistability into the Shape-Shifting Surface (SSS). SSSs are defined as surfaces that retain their effectiveness as a physical barrier while undergoing changes in shape. The addition of bistability to the SSS gives the surface multiple distinct positions in which it remains when shifted to, i.e. by designing bistability into a single SSS link, the SSS unit cell can change into multiple shapes, and stabilize within the resulting shape, while maintaining integrity against various forms of external assaults normal to its surface. Planar stable configurations of the unit cell include, …

A Statically Balanced Shape-Shifting Surface, Joseph Eugene Pishnery

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a concept for producing a Statically Balanced Shape-Shifting Surface (SB-SSS). In this context, an SB-SSS is a surface that can require near-zero magnitude force changes to accomplish a change in shape while retaining effectiveness as a physical barrier. This paper focuses on how to statically balance a specifically-designed compliant mechanism and how to incorporate this mechanism into a polygonal cell.

The mechanism consists of a compliant Peaucellier-Lipkin linkage layered with a pre-stressed link as the balancer. Previous work is presented that can show how a polygonal cell can be incorporated into a surface via a tiling …

Shelf-Scale Mapping Of Fish Distribution Using Active And Passive Acoustics, Carrie Christy Wall

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fish sound production has been associated with courtship and spawning behavior. Acoustic recordings of fish sounds can be used to identify distribution and behavior. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) can record large amounts of acoustic data in a specific area for days to years. These data can be collected in remote locations under potentially unsafe seas throughout a 24-hour period providing datasets unattainable using observer-based methods. However, the instruments must withstand the caustic ocean environment and be retrieved to obtain the recorded data. This can prove difficult due to the risk of PAMs being lost, stolen or damaged, especially in highly …

Effects Of Random Cross-Sectioned Distributions, Fiber Misalignment And Interphases In Three-Dimensional Composite Models On Transverse Shear Modulus, Jarrett Zitko

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Finite element analysis was implemented to evaluate the transverse shear modulus of a unidirectional glass/epoxy fiber-matrix composite based on pure shear displacement boundary conditions. Unit cells consisting of three-dimensional glass cylinders surrounded in square-cuboid epoxy matrices were modeled to represent "Representative Volume Element" (RVE) configurations in periodic and random-periodic square cell arrangements of variable size. Three RVEs were constructed and analyzed: A single unit cell, a 9-cell (3 x 3) array, and a 25-cell (5 x 5) array. Additionally, the unit cell was modeled to include an interphase. Three sets of cell arrangements were constructed and evaluated: a periodic square …

Chemical Mechanical Planarization Of Electronic Materials, Fnu Atiquzzaman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the modern semiconductor manufacturing processes, chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) has attained important processing step because of its ability to provide global planarization. CMP is the planarization technique which is used for the removal of excess material, as left over from the previous processing steps. In addition, CMP offers a uniform surface that is essential for subsequent processing steps, especially for the high resolution photolithography processes. In simpler notation, CMP is a process where a chemical reaction enhances in obtaining a planar surface through removal of the mechanical materials from a wafer.

In this study, CMP performance of three electronic …

Design Of Contact Line Friction Measurement Machine Apparatus, Seyed Kamran Najafi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project is to design and manufacture a high precision machine to directly measure the surface force of fluids. Knowing how to move droplets easier with less resistance can increase the potential of a wide range of applications and improve the performance of things such as self-assembly applications. This machine has the ability to measure forces of up to 100 N with a MEMS based sensor. The motion system on this machine moves a substrate underneath of a droplet for 100 mm and applies dragging force to the sensor. It moves with a controlled speed with high …

Dolphin Sound Production And Distribution On The West Florida Shelf, Peter Simard

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is an investigation of dolphin sound production and distribution off west central Florida. Although a wealth of information exists on the production of common sounds (whistles, echolocation) made by captive, trained dolphins, far less is known about free-ranging dolphin sound production and of unusual sounds. In addition, while inshore dolphin populations or communities are the subjects of research projects in many locations, dolphins in offshore waters are less commonly studied. The objectives of this dissertation were to contribute information on free-ranging dolphin sounds and continental shelf dolphin distribution.

While echolocation has been rigorously studied in captive, trained dolphins, …

Prevailing Torque Locking Feature Wear-Out, Adam Joseph Charles Zimandy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides much needed representative sample data for reuse life of fully seated and torqued locknuts. Most national requirements for prevailing torque locking fasteners only specify unseated reuse life. This could create a potentially dangerous situation if unseated is misinterpreted for seated. This thesis provides comparative data for seated verses unseated configuration. Six aerospace, 3 all-metal and 3 nylon insert, and one non-aerospace locknuts were tested at preloads levels of unseated, 66%, 75%, and 85% of yield of bolt. The locknuts tested are MS21043-4, NAS1291-4, NAS1805-4, MS17825-4, MS21044D4, NAS1021N4, and Grade 8. A fixture was created in order to …

Low Loss Vhf And Uhf Filters For Wireless Communications Based On Piezoelectrically-Transduced Micromechanical Resonators, Julio Mario Dewdney

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

For the past decade, a great deal of research has been focused towards developing a viable on-chip solution to replace the current state-of-the-art VHF and UHF filters based on SAW and FBAR technologies. Although filters based on SAW and FBAR devices are capable of fulfilling the basic requirements needed for IF and RF bandpass filtering and reference signal generation, an alternative solution that can enable the next generation of multi-frequency and multi-mode transceivers while enabling size and price reduction by allowing the manufacturing of single-chip monolithic RF transceivers is highly desired. In response to these new needs, piezoelectrically-transduced micromechanical filters …