Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

A Fast Nir Spectrometer For Examining Explosive Events: Emission Of Petn Based Explosives And H2O Absorption Method Feasibility, Scott Piecuch

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The chemical dynamics and decomposition pathways of explosive materials are not entirely known. Measurements of chemical transients during explosive events can lead to enhanced knowledge of the detailed chemistry and eventually control of the end products; however, these measurements are often difficult to obtain due to fast time scales and harsh environments. Optical diagnostics present fast-response, minimally invasive methods for resolving properties in detonation environments and previous fast spectroscopic measurements have been recorded in the ultra-violet and visible regions. This work extends the range of such measurements to the near-infrared (NIR) through the development of a fiber-coupled NIR spectrometer utilizing …

Mesoscale Behavior Of An Aluminum-Manganese Dioxide-Epoxy Mixture Under Shock Loading: From Milli To Nano-Sized Aluminum Particles, Andrew Fraser

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The main focus of this thesis is to explore the dynamic shock compaction of multiple component mixtures, specifically Al-MnO₂-Epoxy. This will be facilitated by initially simulating the bulk dynamic response in a mesoscale configuration and then comparing these results to experimental data. The mesoscale simulations were performed in the shock code CTH. The first section will discuss the matching of experimental data to computational results. With the goal of determining the bulk shock Hugoniot, a one-dimensional flyer plate configuration was created while using a grain-geometry imported from an scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph of the mixture. Both the …

The Aerodynamics Of The Knuckleball Pitch: An Experimental Investigation Into The Effects That The Seam And Slow Rotation Have On A Baseball, Michael Patrick Morrissey

Master's Theses (2009 -)

There has been plenty of research on the fluid dynamic effects on different spheres, including sports balls, such as baseballs. Baseball pitches have different velocities, rotation rates and orientations which will cause the baseball to move in different directions. There has also been plenty of research on the aerodynamics of curveballs, but not nearly as much on knuckleballs. The difference between the two is that the knuckleball has a much slower rotation rate and a different initial orientation. This causes the baseball to "knuckle," or moving erratically. This pitch in baseball is one of the hardest to pitch, hit, catch, …

A Mixed-Dimensionality Modeling Approach For Interaction Of Heterogeneous Steam Reforming Reactions And Heat Transfer, Jeroen Valensa

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Hydrogen is most often produced on an industrial scale by catalytic steam methane reforming, an equilibrium-limited, highly endothermic process requiring the substantial addition of heat at elevated temperatures. The extent of reaction, or conversion efficiency, of this process is known to be heat transfer limited. Scaling the industrial process equipment down to the size required for small, compact fuel cell systems has encountered difficulties due to increased heat losses at smaller scales. One promising approach to effectively scale down the reforming process is to coat the catalyst directly onto the heat exchange surfaces of an integrated reactor/heat exchanger. In this …

The Effect Of Office Chair Backrest Design On The Body's Metabolic Response To Office Work, Stephen H. Freier

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Most office chairs have a backrest that is wider at the shoulders than at the hips. Recently, a new office chair was developed that has a backrest that is narrower at the shoulders and wider at the hips (upwardly tapered backrest). The upwardly tapered backrest should allow users to increase their ventilatory efficiency, compared to a conventional, wide backrest. This new backrest design will hypothetically allow a user to retract their scapulae, increase expansion of the chest cavity, thus allowing the lungs more space to expand. Specific measures of improved ventilatory efficiency are an increase in tidal volume (V_{t …}

Development Of A Velocity Metric For Rigid-Body Planar Motion, Luis Ernesto Criales Escobar

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Two motions of motion quality have been developed for planar motion. They are the "best motion measure" and the "velocity metric". The "best motion measure" identifies the best motion for a given displacement. The "velocity metric" quantifies the discrepancy between two planar motions for the same rigid body.

The best motion measure compares the motion of each particle on the body to an "ideal", but usually unobtainable, motion. This ideal motion moves each particle from its current position to its desired position on a straight-line path. Although the ideal motion is not a valid rigid body motion, this does not …

Reconfigurable End Effector Allowing For In-Hand Manipulation Without Finger Gaiting Or Regrasping, Jacob Ames Ziesmer

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The goal of this thesis is to move a step towards the solution of the bin picking problem. A novel metamorphic end effector is proposed, tested for proof of concept and analyzed using standard techniques of degrees of freedom and graph theory as well as a classical dynamic analysis. Once proof of concept was achieved, the results from the analysis were formed into an optimization program with the hope of finding a more stable, predictable mechanism.

Development And Implementation Of Novel Bristle Tool For Surface Treatment Of Metallic Components, Piyush Khullar

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Despite advances in paints and coatings technology, protective coatings are prone to eventual corrosion, degradation and/or failure. Consequently, a corrosive layer will develop that can undermine the performance and integrity of structural components. Therefore, both the corrosive layer and defunct coating must be periodically removed, and an acceptable level of surface cleanliness and texture must be obtained prior to the reapplication of new paint. Currently, an array of processes and equipment are used for efficiently cleaning and conditioning metallic surfaces, such as grit blasting, needle guns, and a variety of non-woven and coated abrasive tools.

This research investigates the method …