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Articles 31 - 60 of 149

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Advancements In Dual-Pump Broadband Cars For Supersonic Combustion Measurements, Sarah Augusta. Tedder Jan 2010

Advancements In Dual-Pump Broadband Cars For Supersonic Combustion Measurements, Sarah Augusta. Tedder

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Space- and time-resolved measurements of temperature and species mole fractions of nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen were obtained with a dual-pump coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) system in hydrogen-fueled supersonic combustion free jet flows. These measurements were taken to provide time-resolved fluid properties of turbulent supersonic combustion for use in the creation and verification of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models. CFD models of turbulent supersonic combustion flow currently facilitate the design of air- breathing supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) engines. Measurements were made in supersonic axi-symmetric free jets of two scales. First, the measurement system was tested in a laboratory environment using …


Silver-Polyimide Nanocomposite Films: Single-Stage Synthesis And Analysis Of Metalized Partially-Fluorinated Polyimide Btda/4-Bdaf Prepared From Silver(I) Complexes, Joshua Erold Robert Abelard Jan 2010

Silver-Polyimide Nanocomposite Films: Single-Stage Synthesis And Analysis Of Metalized Partially-Fluorinated Polyimide Btda/4-Bdaf Prepared From Silver(I) Complexes, Joshua Erold Robert Abelard

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Multifunctional Polymer Synthesis And Incorporation Of Gadolinium Compounds And Modified Tungsten Nanoparticles For Improvement Of Radiation Shielding For Use In Outer Space, Emily Grace Harbert Jan 2010

Multifunctional Polymer Synthesis And Incorporation Of Gadolinium Compounds And Modified Tungsten Nanoparticles For Improvement Of Radiation Shielding For Use In Outer Space, Emily Grace Harbert

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


The Functionalization Of Carbon Nanosheets, Ronald A. Quinlan Jan 2009

The Functionalization Of Carbon Nanosheets, Ronald A. Quinlan

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Carbon nanosheets are a novel two-dimensional nanostructure made up of 2-20 graphene atomic planes oriented with their in-plane axis perpendicular to the growth substrate. Previous efforts in developing nanosheet technology have focused on the characterization of the system and their development as an electron source due to the high atomic enhancement factor (beta) and low turn on field. Further investigation of nanosheets as high surface area electrodes revealed poor wetting by polymeric material and extreme hydrophobic behavior.;Because nanosheet technology has promise as a high surface area electrode material, this thesis research has focused on three areas of interest: the enhancement …


New Point Comfort Lighthouse Mathews, Virginia Site Assessment Plan, C. Scott Hardaway Jr., Donna A. Milligan, Kevin P. O'Brien, Christine A. Wilcox Feb 2008

New Point Comfort Lighthouse Mathews, Virginia Site Assessment Plan, C. Scott Hardaway Jr., Donna A. Milligan, Kevin P. O'Brien, Christine A. Wilcox

Reports

New Point Comfort is located at the southern tip of Mathews County (Figure 1) between Chesapeake and Mobjack Bays. The New Point Comfort Lighthouse itself is on an island (Figure 2) that was once attached to the mainland but is now almost 0.6 miles from the mainland and only 0.33 acres in area above mean low water. Previous studies have highlighted the problems which contribute to the instability of the island. McKay (2003) listed these factors which may allow continued erosion and potential damage up to and including the base of the lighthouse itself: rise in sea level, low base …


Twine-Top Modifications Of Sea-Scallop Dredges: Reducing Yellowtail-Flounder Bycatch, Kelli A. Milleville Jan 2008

Twine-Top Modifications Of Sea-Scallop Dredges: Reducing Yellowtail-Flounder Bycatch, Kelli A. Milleville

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Effects Of Metal-Based Montmorillonite Clay And Zeolite Additives On The Fire Retardance And Smoke Suppression Of Poly(Vinyl Chloride), Alexander George Zestos Jan 2008

Effects Of Metal-Based Montmorillonite Clay And Zeolite Additives On The Fire Retardance And Smoke Suppression Of Poly(Vinyl Chloride), Alexander George Zestos

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Synthesis And Field Emission Properties Of Carbon Nanostructures, Kun Hou Jan 2008

Synthesis And Field Emission Properties Of Carbon Nanostructures, Kun Hou

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

This dissertation focuses on developing carbon nanostructures for application as the electron emissive material in novel back-gated triode field emission devices. The synthesis, characterization, and field emission properties of carbon nanostructures, including 1-D carbon nanofibers (CNF), 2-D carbon nanosheets (CNS), and chromium oxide coated carbon nanosheets (CrOx-CNS), are presented in this work.;First, we have fabricated aligned carbon nanofiber based back-gated triode field emission devices and confirmed the operation of these devices. 1-D carbon nanofibers were directly synthesized on blank TiW substrates using direct current plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. It was found that the morphology of carbon nanofibers could be …


Time-Resolved Magnetic Flux And Ac-Current Distributions In Superconducting Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide Thin Films And Multifilaments, Ran Yang Jan 2008

Time-Resolved Magnetic Flux And Ac-Current Distributions In Superconducting Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide Thin Films And Multifilaments, Ran Yang

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Time-resolved magneto-optical imaging (TRMOI) technique allows dynamic ac transport measurements on superconductors. The high time and spatial resolutions of the measurements also offer good quantitative data analysis of the MO images. YBa2Cu 3O7-delta (YBCO) was discovered as a high-temperature superconductor (HTSC) which has wide applications due to its high critical temperature of Tc = 91 K, and high critical current density Jc in the order of 106-7 Acm-2. Many of the applications require high ac current load and a high magnetic field. We study the interaction behavior of YBCO thin films in an ac transport current and a dc magnetic …


An Evaluation Of Norovirus Persistence In Estuarine Water And Of Methods For Its Detection In Treated Sewage Effluent, Margaret H. Fagan Jan 2008

An Evaluation Of Norovirus Persistence In Estuarine Water And Of Methods For Its Detection In Treated Sewage Effluent, Margaret H. Fagan

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Novel Approaches To The Fabrication Of Highly Conductive Silver Surfaces Well Adhered To Polyimide Substrates, Luke Michael Davis Jan 2008

Novel Approaches To The Fabrication Of Highly Conductive Silver Surfaces Well Adhered To Polyimide Substrates, Luke Michael Davis

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Parallel Unstructured Grid Generation For Complex Real-World Aerodynamic Simulations, George Zagaris Jan 2008

Parallel Unstructured Grid Generation For Complex Real-World Aerodynamic Simulations, George Zagaris

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Parallel Three-Dimensional Acoustic And Elastic Wave Simulation Methods With Applications In Nondestructive Evaluation, Kevin Edward Rudd Jan 2007

Parallel Three-Dimensional Acoustic And Elastic Wave Simulation Methods With Applications In Nondestructive Evaluation, Kevin Edward Rudd

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

In this dissertation, we present two parallelized 3D simulation techniques for three-dimensional acoustic and elastic wave propagation based on the finite integration technique. We demonstrate their usefulness in solving real-world problems with examples in the three very different areas of nondestructive evaluation, medical imaging, and security screening. More precisely, these include concealed weapons detection, periodontal ultrasography, and guided wave inspection of complex piping systems. We have employed these simulation methods to study complex wave phenomena and to develop and test a variety of signal processing and hardware configurations. Simulation results are compared to experimental measurements to confirm the accuracy of …


Boron Carbide Filled Neutron Shielding Textile Polymers, Derrick Anthony Manzlak Jan 2007

Boron Carbide Filled Neutron Shielding Textile Polymers, Derrick Anthony Manzlak

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


The Impact Of Drainage Ditches On Salt Marsh Flow Patterns, Sedimentation And Morphology: Rowley River, Massachusetts, Lynsey E. Lemay Jan 2007

The Impact Of Drainage Ditches On Salt Marsh Flow Patterns, Sedimentation And Morphology: Rowley River, Massachusetts, Lynsey E. Lemay

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Salt marshes along many tidal systems in New England have been ditched since colonial times. These ditches have been thought to help control mosquito populations and increase salt marsh hay production by improving water drainage from the marsh. Although these ditches are prominent geomorphic features, little quantitative work has focused on how these man-made ditches may alter marsh hydrology and geomorphology. This study attempts to quantify the ways in which ditches alter sediment and water transport pathways and how that affects the overall morphology and surface geology. This study also addresses treatment affects on sedimentation from fertilization and fish removal …


Fluorescence Imaging Study Of Free And Impinging Supersonic Jets: Jet Structure And Turbulent Transition, Jennifer Ann Inman Jan 2007

Fluorescence Imaging Study Of Free And Impinging Supersonic Jets: Jet Structure And Turbulent Transition, Jennifer Ann Inman

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

A series of experiments into the behavior of underexpanded jet flows has been conducted at NASA Langley Research Center. This work was conducted in support of the Return to Flight effort following the loss of the Columbia. The tests involved simulating flow through a hypothetical breach in the leading edge of the Space Shuttle Orbiter along its reentry trajectory, with the goal of generating a data set with which other researchers can test and validate computational modeling tools. Two nozzles supplied with high-pressure gas were used to generate axisymmetric underexpanded jets exhausting into a low-pressure chamber. These nozzles had exit …


Optical Characterization Of Ferromagnetic Heterostructure *Interfaces And Thin Films, Haibin Zhao Jan 2006

Optical Characterization Of Ferromagnetic Heterostructure *Interfaces And Thin Films, Haibin Zhao

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

This thesis presents optical characterizations of interfaces in ferromagnetic heterostructures and thin films used for spin polarized electronic devices. In these experiments, femtosecond laser spectroscopies are exploited to investigate the interface magnetization reversal, spin precession, and band offset, which are crucial in determining the performances of spintronic devices.;First, magnetization-induced second-harmonic-generation (MSHG) is applied to study interface magnetism in a hybrid structure containing a noncentrosymmetric semiconductor---Fe/AlGaAs. The reversal process of Fe interface layer magnetization is compared with the bulk magnetization reversal. In Fe/AlGaAs (001), the interface magnetization is found to be decoupled from the bulk magnetization based on the different switching …


Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy Of Half -Metallic Chromium Dioxide, Hailong Huang Jan 2006

Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy Of Half -Metallic Chromium Dioxide, Hailong Huang

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

This thesis presents ultrafast laser pump-probe differential transmission experiments on epitaxial CrO2 (110). The experiments were conducted at the wavelengths of 600 nm, 800 nm and 1200 nm, corresponding to the transition energies of 2 eV, 1.5 eV and 1 eV respectively. The wavelength dependent results, comparing with linear optical absorption, revealed the electronic structure of the material. The experimental results also showed polarization dependence of the probe beams. This is attributed to the electronic orbital anisotropy.;Temperature dependence was observed in the pump-probe experiments. The ultrafast transmission data show similar temperature dependence as ultrafast MOKE (Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect) data. A …


Simulation Of Turbidity Maximums In The York River, Virginia, Jae-Il Kwon Jan 2005

Simulation Of Turbidity Maximums In The York River, Virginia, Jae-Il Kwon

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Two of the most important processes in cohesive sediment transport, erosion rate and settling velocity, were the focus of this study. Settling velocities were estimated by the Owen tube method and the acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) method. A novel erosion model, namely a constant erosion rate model, was implemented in a three-dimensional hydrodynamic eutrophication model (HEM-3D) to simulate the turbidity maximums in the York River system, Virginia. Two one-month periods of model simulations were conducted to mimic typical dry (November--December, 2001) and wet (March--April, 2002) seasons. In order to have enough data to verify the model, four slack water surveys …


Photochemical Modification Of Polyethylene Terephthalate Surface, Zhengmao Zhu Jan 2005

Photochemical Modification Of Polyethylene Terephthalate Surface, Zhengmao Zhu

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The prospect of obtaining desired surface-mediated characteristics while retaining bulk-mediated physical properties and avoiding potential environmental issues with wet chemical technology lends considerable appeal to photochemical approaches to surface modification.;We undertook a combined experimental and computational approach to investigate the effect of deep UV irradiation on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surface. its response to 172 nm UV from a xenon examiner lamp in the absence of oxygen was characterized with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Time of Flight/Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF/SIMS), transmission infrared spectroscopy (IR), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The surface chemistry details suggested that the primary photochemical reactions …


Characterization Of Ionic, Dipolar And Molecular Mobility In Polymer Systems, Zhenrong Guo Jan 2005

Characterization Of Ionic, Dipolar And Molecular Mobility In Polymer Systems, Zhenrong Guo

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Changes in the ionic and dipolar molecular mobility in a polymer system are the basis for the changes in the dielectric mechanical properties of polymer materials. Frequency Dependent Dielectric Measurements (FDEMS) and Ion Time-of-Flight (ITOF) are two important techniques to investigate ionic and dipolar molecular mobility in polymer systems. The results can be related to the macro- and molecular dielectric, electrical and dynamic properties of polymeric materials. The combination of these two methods provides a full view of electric, dielectric and dynamic behavior for the systems as they undergo chemical and/or physical changes during polymerization crystallization, vitrification, and/or phase separation.;The …


Vibrational Lifetimes Of Hydrogen And Oxygen Defects In Semiconductors, Baozhou Sun Jan 2005

Vibrational Lifetimes Of Hydrogen And Oxygen Defects In Semiconductors, Baozhou Sun

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Characterization of defect and impurity reactions, dissociation, and migration in semiconductors requires a detailed understanding of the rates and pathways of vibrational energy flow and of the coupling mechanisms between local modes and the phonon bath of the host material. Information on the inelastic microscopic interaction can be obtained by measuring the lifetime of local vibrational modes. This dissertation presents lifetime measurements of hydrogen and oxygen defects in semiconductors by means of time-resolved infrared pump-probe spectroscopy.;First, we measured the vibrational lifetime of H- and D-related bending modes in Si and other semiconductors. Time-resolved pump-probe and linewidth measurements reveal that the …


Sonar Sensor Interpretation For Ectogeneous Robots, Wen Gao Jan 2005

Sonar Sensor Interpretation For Ectogeneous Robots, Wen Gao

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

We have developed four generations of sonar scanning systems to automatically interpret surrounding environment. The first two are stationary 3D air-coupled ultrasound scanning systems and the last two are packaged as sensor heads for mobile robots. Template matching analysis is applied to distinguish simple indoor objects. It is conducted by comparing the tested echo with the reference echoes. Important features are then extracted and drawn in the phase plane. The computer then analyzes them and gives the best choices of the tested echoes automatically. For cylindrical objects outside, an algorithm has been presented to distinguish trees from smooth circular poles …


Synthesis And Characterization Of Hydrogen-Rich Polyimide Materials For Radiation Shielding, Sha Yang Jan 2005

Synthesis And Characterization Of Hydrogen-Rich Polyimide Materials For Radiation Shielding, Sha Yang

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Evaluating Restored Oyster Reefs In Chesapeake Bay: How Habitat Structure Influences Ecological Function, Janet A. Nestlerode Jan 2004

Evaluating Restored Oyster Reefs In Chesapeake Bay: How Habitat Structure Influences Ecological Function, Janet A. Nestlerode

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

A shortage of shell resources for restoring reefs of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, has led to widespread use of substitute materials. The effectiveness of such alternative substrates as habitat for reef-associated fauna other than oysters is largely unresolved. I investigated the habitat value of oyster shell, surf clam (Spisula solidissima) shell, and pelletized coal ash reefs for benthic and nektonic communities. Oyster recruitment, survival, and growth were monitored on reefs of oyster and surf clam shell near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay and York River, USA. Oyster shell supported greater oyster growth and survival and offered the highest degree …


Solid State Nmr Characterization Of Conductive Polyanilines, Yanina Anatolievna Goddard Jan 2004

Solid State Nmr Characterization Of Conductive Polyanilines, Yanina Anatolievna Goddard

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Different forms of ring deuterated polyaniline with different conductivity have been characterized by solid state deuteron nuclear magnetic resonance.;Quadrupole echo (QE) spectra of all forms of polyaniline consist of a superposition of lineshapes for nearly rigid aromatic rings and a small fraction of rings which undergo fast 180?? flips. The intensity of the fast flipping component is temperature dependent and different for conductive emeraldine salt (ES) and non-conductive emeraldine base (EB). This is a manifestation of the different structure and morphology of these polymers.;Simultaneous measurements of QE lineshapes and the relaxation time anisotropies allowed an accurate description of motion in …


Optimizing Combat Capabilities By Modeling Combat As A Complex Adaptive System, Steven Mains Jan 2004

Optimizing Combat Capabilities By Modeling Combat As A Complex Adaptive System, Steven Mains

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Procuring combat systems in the Department of Defense is a balancing act where many variables, only some under control of the department, shift simultaneously. Technology changes non-linearly, providing new opportunities and new challenges to the existing and potential force. Money available changes year over year to fit into the overall US Government budget. Numbers of employees change through political demands rather than by cost-effectiveness considerations. The intent is to provide the best mix of equipment to field the best force against an expected enemy while maintaining adequate capability against the unexpected. Confounding this desire is the inability of current simulations …


Synthesis And Characterization Of Polyimide Residuum, Friable Balloons, Microspheres And Foams, Erik Saul Weiser Jan 2004

Synthesis And Characterization Of Polyimide Residuum, Friable Balloons, Microspheres And Foams, Erik Saul Weiser

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

In order to meet requirements of future NASA systems for advanced polymeric cellular materials, research was undertaken to develop the next generation of polyimide foams which could be utilized as a reusable structural insulation on future Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Programs. This research activity focused on developing polyimide foam and foam structures which were made using monomeric solutions or salt solutions formed from the reaction of a dianhydride and diamine dissolved in a mixture of foaming agents and alkyl alcohols. This process produced a precursor solid residuum which could then be manufactured into foams, friable balloons and microspheres. Polyimide foams …


Lookahead Scheduling In A Real-Time Context: Models, Algorithms, And Analysis, Benjamin J. Coleman Jan 2004

Lookahead Scheduling In A Real-Time Context: Models, Algorithms, And Analysis, Benjamin J. Coleman

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Our research considers job scheduling, a special type of resource assignment problem. For example, at a cross-docking facility trucks must be assigned to doors where they will be unloaded. The cargo on each truck has various destinations within the facility, and the unloading time for a truck is dependent on the distance from the assigned door to these destinations. The goal is to assign the trucks to doors while minimizing the amount of time to unload all trucks.;We study scheduling algorithms for problems like the cross-docking example that are different from traditional algorithms in two ways. First, we utilize real-time, …


Dual Energy Scanning Beam X -Radiography, Randolph Frank Wojcik Jan 2004

Dual Energy Scanning Beam X -Radiography, Randolph Frank Wojcik

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Dual energy X-radiography is a method first developed in the mid-1970's by which one uses the information contained in the energy spectrum of the transmitted X-ray flux through an object. With this information one can distinguish the types of materials present in a radiograph and thus allow a computer to subtract them from the image enhancing the contrast of the remaining materials. Using this method, one can see details, which would have been hidden by overlying structures of other materials such as seen in radiographs of parts, made up of mixtures of metals and composites. There is also great interest …