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Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

Second-Harmonic Optical Vortex Conversion From Ws₂ Monolayer, Arindam Dasgupta, Jie Gao, Xiaodong Yang Dec 2019

Second-Harmonic Optical Vortex Conversion From Ws₂ Monolayer, Arindam Dasgupta, Jie Gao, Xiaodong Yang

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Wavelength, polarization and orbital angular momentum of light are important degrees of freedom for processing and encoding information in optical communication. Over the years, the generation and conversion of orbital angular momentum in nonlinear optical media has found many novel applications in the context of optical communication and quantum information processing. With that hindsight, here orbital angular momentum conversion of optical vortices through second-harmonic generation from only one atomically thin WS2 monolayer is demonstrated at room temperature. Moreover, it is shown that the valley-contrasting physics associated with the nonlinear optical selection rule in WS2 monolayer precisely determines the output circular …


Crash Safety In The Introductory Physics Lab, Daniel Ludwigsen, Janet Brelin-Fornari, Joseph Neal Sep 2019

Crash Safety In The Introductory Physics Lab, Daniel Ludwigsen, Janet Brelin-Fornari, Joseph Neal

Daniel Ludwigsen

Crash Safety in the Introductory Physics Lab Abstract In the field of vehicle occupant protection and crash safety, the Deceleration Sled offers researchers a controlled, repeatable, and relatively cost-effective means to test interior parts such as safety restraint systems. The sled can accelerate a 2000 lb payload to achieve a speed of 40 mph before a hydraulically controlled deceleration models the deformation of the vehicle structure during a crash. Understanding the dynamics of the sled and interpreting test results incorporates many of the core concepts of a first course in introductory physics. This application of physics principles is the inspiration …


Exploring The Electrical Properties Of Twisted Bilayer Graphene, William Shannon May 2019

Exploring The Electrical Properties Of Twisted Bilayer Graphene, William Shannon

Senior Theses

Two-dimensional materials exhibit properties unlike anything else seen in conventional substances. Electrons in these materials are confined to move only in the plane. In order to explore the effects of these materials, we have built apparatus and refined procedures with which to create two-dimensional structures. Two-dimensional devices have been made using exfoliated graphene and placed on gold contacts. Their topography has been observed using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) confirming samples with monolayer, bilayer, and twisted bilayer structure. Relative work functions of each have been measured using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) showing that twisted bilayer graphene has a surface potential …


Transferring Power Through A Magnetic Couple, Nickolas Cruz Villalobos Jr. May 2019

Transferring Power Through A Magnetic Couple, Nickolas Cruz Villalobos Jr.

Senior Theses

Properties of several working magnetic coupled rotors have been measured and their performance compared to theoretical models. Axial magnetic couplers allow rotors to work within harsh environments, without the need for seals, proper alignment, or overload protection on a motor. The influence of geometrical parameters, such as distance from the center of the rotors, polarity arrangement, and the number of dipole pairs were experimentally tested. These results can be used to improve rotor designs, to increase strength and efficiency.


Development Of Physics Based Machine Learning Algorithms, Rob Jennings Jan 2019

Development Of Physics Based Machine Learning Algorithms, Rob Jennings

Master’s Theses

In this study, a baseball pitch was examined to try to understand its behavior, and make a predictive model of it. A baseball pitch was tested experimentally with a wind tunnel and modeled computationally with COMSOL CFD software. Five input variables (spin rate, sting angle, seam orientation: Y axis, seam orientation: Z axis, and air velocity) were controlled, with force in three axes recorded as outputs. The experimental and computational results were examined and seen to be interdependent for all input variables. Experimental and computational data were both insufficient for predicting system behavior. Experimental data collection would have required an …


Theoretical Study Of Fano Resonance In A Mechanical System, Alex Alberts Jan 2019

Theoretical Study Of Fano Resonance In A Mechanical System, Alex Alberts

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Resonance conditions are a major area of study in theoretical and experimental investigation. Normally, a resonance condition is characterized by a symmetric shape on either side of the resonance. In some cases, we can observe an asymmetric resonance shape, which is called a Fano resonance. We will study the appearance of Fano resonance in a purely mechanical system. The frequency response of the primary system is approximated using the method of multiple scales focusing on the location of the resonance condition. Then, curve fitting is used to approximate the Fano parameter associated with the system, which provides a measurement of …