Digital Commons Network^™

Towards A Methodology For Integrated Freeform Manufacturing Systems Development With A Control Systems Emphasis, Jacquelyn K. Stroble

Masters Theses

"A variety of fully integrated Freeform Fabrication (FFF) systems have been developed, a selected group for research and several for commercialization. The design methodology behind most of them is not documented, standardized, or rational. It is important to understand that the final product from any integrated system is affected not only by the unit manufacturing processes themselves, but also by the extent the individual units are assimilated into an integrated process. Thus, a scheme consisting of eight steps and the salient five elements necessary to create or retrofit an existing system to achieve an Integrated Freeform Manufacturing System (FFMS) is …

Compressor Valve Failure Detection And Prognostics, Raghuram Puthali Ramesh

Masters Theses

"Reciprocating compressors are commonly used machinery for industrial applications. Unscheduled downtime and maintenance activity on the compressors causes considerable loss in throughput and efficiency of a plant. Of all the failures that cause unscheduled downtime in reciprocating compressors, valve related causes are predominant. Most of the failures associated with the valves are tracked to the failure of moving elements within the valve. Achieving higher reliability of critical reciprocating systems requires continuously monitoring the system and performing dynamic analysis of the sensory data for valve fault diagnosis. Continuous monitoring will improve the time and cost to repair through keeping a constant …

Increasing Effectiveness Of Public Private Partnerships In The Irish Construction Industry, Louis Gunnigan

Doctoral

By 2003 the first Irish Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects had reached the operational stage. Media reports were emerging of significant differences in the effectiveness of these projects.

This research set out to find a means by which effectiveness of PPPs could be increased and to develop a model that would assist PPP practitioners with this task in the future. Through a literature review, the Irish PPP process was mapped, the changes encountered in the introduction of PPP were investigated and a conceptual model – based on a traditional process model - was proposed. The model was tested by examining …

Potential Of A Suite Of Robot/Computer-Assisted Motivating Systems For Personalized, Home-Based, Stroke Rehabilitation, Michelle J. Johnson, Xin Feng, Laura M. Johnson, Jack M. Winters

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Background

There is a need to improve semi-autonomous stroke therapy in home environments often characterized by low supervision of clinical experts and low extrinsic motivation. Our distributed device approach to this problem consists of an integrated suite of low-cost robotic/computer-assistive technologies driven by a novel universal access software framework called UniTherapy. Our design strategy for personalizing the therapy, providing extrinsic motivation and outcome assessment is presented and evaluated.

Methods

Three studies were conducted to evaluate the potential of the suite. A conventional force-reflecting joystick, a modified joystick therapy platform (TheraJoy), and a steering wheel platform (TheraDrive) were tested separately with …

Towards Efficient Computation Of Quality Bounded Solutions In Pomdps: Expected Value Approximation And Dynamic Disjunctive Beliefs, Pradeep Reddy Varakantham, Rajiv Maheswaran, Tapana Gupta, Milind Tambe

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

While POMDPs (partially observable markov decision problems) are a popular computational model with wide-ranging applications, the computational cost for optimal policy generation is prohibitive. Researchers are investigating ever-more efficient algorithms, yet many applications demand such algorithms bound any loss in policy quality when chasing efficiency. To address this challenge, we present two new techniques. The first approximates in the value space to obtain solutions efficiently for a pre-specified error bound. Unlike existing techniques, our technique guarantees the resulting policy will meet this bound. Furthermore, it does not require costly computations to determine the quality loss of the policy. Our second …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Reinventing A Level 7 Programme In Electrical Engineering And Greatly Improving On Student Retention, Eugene Coyle, Mike Murphy, Frank Costello, Leslie Shoemaker

Books/Book chapters

Following the successful implementation over a number of decades of a three-year Diploma in Electrical and Control Engineering at Technological University Dublin, the programme entered a period of extreme difficulty and uncertainty in the late nineteen ninetees and early years of the new millennium. As with many such engineering programmes, student numbers seeking to enter began to diminish. Furthermore, engagement and retention of students who had enrolled on the programme became evermore challenging, necessitating some radical moves in the formation and operation of the programme and in putting additional student support mechanisms in place. The situation hit rock bottom between …

Growing Research In A Traditionally Teaching-Oriented College, Mike Murphy, Michael Dyrenfurth

Conference papers

There is increasing pressure on universities to contribute to ‘the knowledge society’ by increasing the level of research activity and output within the university. This is particularly true in the sciences, engineering and technology. This increased pressure applies equally to traditionally teaching-oriented colleges (TTOC), although not at the same scale as research-intensive universities. For the TTOC, given the primacy of teaching, this paper discusses the nexus between teaching and research and the question ‘why do research?’ is addressed within the overarching goal of embedding a research culture within the college. Initiatives to develop and grow sustainable research activity in traditionally …

Sensors For The Detection Of Hazardous Emissions, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

This contribution will detail recent developments in sensor technology for the detection of hazardous emissions. The accurate measurement of such emissions is necessary if they are to be controlled to the appropriate regulations.

Increasing Effectiveness Of Public Private Partnerships In The Irish Construction Industry, Louis Gunnigan

Doctoral

By 2003 the first Irish Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects had reached the operational stage. Media reports were emerging of significant differences in the effectiveness of these projects.

This research set out to find a means by which effectiveness of PPPs could be increased and to develop a model that would assist PPP practitioners with this task in the future. Through a literature review, the Irish PPP process was mapped, the changes encountered in the introduction of PPP were investigated and a conceptual model – based on a traditional process model - was proposed. The model was tested by examining …

Using Gis To Assess Ireland's Knowledge Economy And Its Readiness For Knowledge Based Activity, Niall Mcguinness

Dissertations

The attractiveness of emerging low wages economics to primary industries such as manufacturing and production is forcing many western economies to transition to knowledge economies. In the absence of many forms of primary industry lost to low wage economies, the European Union and its members are fast realising the importance of attracting knowledge based enterprise in order to maintain Europe’s economic climate. Ireland too has a stated aim to become a knowledge economy by the year 2010. This can be achieved by investing in higher education and attracting knowledge industry to the country. Ireland has made some progress to achieving …

Optimal Neuro-Controller Synthesis For Impulse-Driven System, Xiaohua Wang, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a new controller design technique for systems driven with impulse inputs. Necessary conditions for optimal impulse control are derived. A neural network structure to solve the resulting equations is presented. The solution concepts are illustrated with a few example problems that exhibit increasing levels of difficulty. Two linear problems-one scalar and one vector-and a benchmark nonlinear problem-Van Der Pol oscillator-are used as case studies. Numerical results show the efficacy of the new solution process for impulse driven systems. Since the theoretical development and the design technique are free from restrictive assumptions, this technique is applicable to many …

Rfid Instrumentation In A Field Application, Theresa M. Swift, Martha J. Molander, Steve Eugene Watkins

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The behavior of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags is investigated in a field application. The RFID instrumentation is used to mark the position of point strain sensors in a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), short-span bridge. The tags are surface mounted on carbon FRP structural elements and covered with a resin wear layer, i.e. the deck of the bridge. The smart composite bridge was installed in 2000 and serves as a field testbed for various sensor technologies including the RFID tags. The operation of the RFID network is tested in the field and compared to laboratory tags. Specific research issues include long-term survivability …

Nondestructive Evaluation Of Rc Structures Strengthened With Frp Laminates Containing Near-Surface Defects In The Form Of Delaminations, Mahmut Ekenel, John J. Myers

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are being utilized in a wide range of application areas in structural rehabilitations because these materials are less affected by corrosive environmental conditions and known to provide longer life with less maintenance. However, there are still some concerns about FRP strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) structures, such as the presence of near-surface defects. Currently limited data exists regarding this issue. the presence of near-surface defects in the form of delaminations between the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) laminate and concrete substrate can significantly affect the structural integrity and stiffness of the structural section. These defects should be …

Quantification Of Steroid Sex Hormones Using Solid-Phase Extraction Followed By Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Youssef Filali-Meknassi, Muriel Auriol, Craig D. Adams, Rao Y. Surampalli

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this study, the occurrence of trace amounts of natural and synthetic steroid estrogens in the aquatic environment was studied using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry, following solid-phase extraction (SPE). the SPE was performed with C18 and NH2 cartridges. the first objective was to develop a reliable method for analyzing steroid estrogens (resulting from human and animal excretions) in different matrices. the method developed was then applied to quantify the occurrence of natural and synthetic hormones (estrone [E1], 17β-estradiol [βE2], 17α-estradiol [αE2], estriol [E3], and 17α-ethinylestradiol [EE2]) in environmental samples in surface water and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) …

A Comparison Of Techniques To Forecast Consumer Satisfaction For Vehicle Ride, Elizabeth A. Cudney, David Drain, Kenneth M. Ragsdell, Kioumars Paryani

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a comparison of methods for the identification of a reduced set of useful variables using a multidimensional system. the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System and a standard statistical technique are used reduce the dimensionality of vehicle ride based on consumer satisfaction ratings. the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System and cluster analysis are applied to vehicle ride. the research considers 67 vehicle data sets for the 6 vehicle ride parameters. This paper applies the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System to forecast consumer satisfaction and provides a comparison of results with those obtained from a standard statistical approach to the problem. Copyright © 2007 SAE International.

The Solution Of Traffic Signal Timing By Using Traffic Intensity Estimation And Fuzzy Logic, Paothai Vonglao

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study aims at calculating the traffic signal timing that suits traffic intensity at intersections studied in the inner city of Ubon Rachathani Provice, Thailand. The mixed models between maximum likelihood estimation and Bayesian inference are presented to estimate traffic intensity. A queuing system is used to generate the performance of traffic flow. A fuzzy logic system is applied to calculate the optimal length of each phase of the cycle. The fortran language is used to produce the computer program for computation. The algorithm of the computer programming is based on EM algorithm, Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm, queuing generation …

Production Well Operations Optimization In Water Distribution System Using Genetic Algorithm, Vineet Katiyar

LSU Master's Theses

The City of Chandler, Arizona lies in semi-arid area and the water resources management has been a major concern by the State citizen. There is always a need of optimizing the available water resources when the rate of demand constantly beats the rate of replenishment. In this study we have developed a management model to link the Chandler water distribution model (EPANET) with the Chandler groundwater flow model (MODFLOW) under an optimization framework (Genetic algorithm). The EPANET model supplied by the Chandler city municipal authority has several improper setting (pumping schedules, valves settings, pressure zones etc.). The original model has …

Pre-Treatment Of Dynamically Varying Waste Gas Concentrations Using Activated Carbon Prior To Biofiltration: Effect Of Cycle Length On Degree Of Load Equalization, Kodi L. Collins

LSU Master's Theses

Dynamically varying waste gas concentrations pose challenges to the operation and design of air pollution control techniques such as biofilters. Although design approaches are becoming well established for biofilters treating gases containing VOC concentrations that are constant as a function of time, many industrial processes emit gas streams contaminated with volatile organic compounds at concentrations that fluctuate with time. Application of an effective load equalization technique could eliminate some challenges associated with fluctuating pollutant concentrations. Recent research has demonstrated that granular activated carbon (GAC) can serve as a passively controlled system to provide load-equalization as a pre-treatment prior to biofiltration. …

Aconitic Acid From Sugarcane: Production And Industrial Application, Nicolas Javier Gil Zapata

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Trans aconitic acid (TAA) is the predominant organic acid in cane leaf matter (CLM) juice. Its concentration is three to six times higher than the level found in sugarcane stalks. The variation of composition in terms of total fermentable sugars (TFS), anions, and cations of the LCP85-384 sugarcane variety during 2003-2006 seasons, as well as the ripener (Polado-L®) effect were analyzed. TAA content ranged between 2.1-3.1 kg / t CLM. The TFS in CLM juice yielded a fermentation efficiency of 92%, four points lower than with sugar molasses. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), solid-liquid extraction and ion exchange were evaluated for the …

Transcendental Eigenvalue Problems Associated With Vibration, Buckling And Control, Jayaram Subramanian

LSU Master's Theses

The static and dynamic analysis of structures requires us to obtain solutions of their espective governing differential equations subject to appropriate boundary conditions. The dynamic analysis of non-uniform continuous structures is of primary interest, as most traditional methods take the help of discrete models to analyze them. Well established discrete model methods lead to an algebraic eigenvalue problem, the characteristic equation associated with which is a polynomial. The spectral characteristics of a continuous system nevertheless are represented by transcendental functions and cannot be approximated by polynomials efficiently. Hence finite dimensional discrete models are not capable of predicting the response of …

Optimum Energy Allocation For Detection In Wireless Sensor Networks, Krishna Kishore Gunturu

LSU Master's Theses

The problem of binary hypothesis testing in a wireless sensor network is studied in the presence of noisy channels and for non-identical sensors. We have designed a mathematically tractable fusion rule for which optimal energy allocation for individual sensors can be achieved. In this thesis we considered two methods for transmitting the sensor observations; binary modulation and M-ary modulation. In binary modulation we are able to allocate the energy among the sensors and protect the individual quantized bits where as the M-ary modulation provides optimum energy allocation only among the sensors. The goal is to design a fusion rule and …

Influence Of Temperature On The Performance Of Wetlands Treating Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds, Maria G. Murillo

LSU Master's Theses

Various studies have presented models to predict the performance of constructed wetlands at different temperatures focused on the removal of conventional pollutants, and common configuration of constructed wetlands. Investigations on the effect of temperature on the performance of constructed wetlands treating chlorinated volatile organic compounds are limited to microcosm studies. This study is meant to come up with kinetic and energy balance input data for mathematical models that can be used to predict the performance of upflow constructed treatment wetlands treating chlorinated ethenes and ethanes at different ambient temperatures. Bench scale continuous upflow columns will be conducted to investigate the …

Effects Of Capping On Biodegradation Of Organic Contaminants In Sediments, Eun Ju Lee

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Sediment capping remains an effective remediation technique for contaminated sediments due to its capability to contain contaminants and provide a sound habitat for indigenous biota. This research investigated the effect of capping on biodegradation of organic contaminants in Anacostia River sediments using both experimental and modeling techniques. 14C–Phenanthrene mineralization was monitored under various redox conditions in Anacostia River sediments. Mineralization of 14C–phenanthrene was strongly linked to sulfate reduction, which was the more energetic process than any other anaerobic condition in Anacostia sediments. Sulfate is a more promising terminal electron acceptor for intrinsic degradation in Anacostia River and other PAH contaminated …

Using Building Energy Simulation And Geospatial Modeling Techniques In Determine High Resolution Building Sector Energy Consumption Profiles, Shem C. Heiple

Dissertations and Theses

A technique is presented for estimating hourly and seasonal energy consumption profiles in the building sector at spatial scales down to the individual taxlot or parcel. The method combines annual building energy simulations for cityspecific prototypical buildings and commonly available geospatial data in a Geographical Information System (GIS) framework. Hourly results can be extracted for any day and exported as a raster output at spatial scales as fine as an individual parcel (

Development And Implementation Of The Bring Your Own Water Treatment System In Dense, Rural, And Mountainous Rwandan Communities, Maximilian Gold, Evan A. Thomas, Richard L. Byyny, Jean Pierre Habanabakize

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Over a billion people in the world lack access to safe drinking water1. While numerous technological, medical, and educational solutions have been implemented for the benefit of disadvantaged communities, there is no 'magic bullet'. Instead, development agencies must partner directly with these communities to address their public health needs through appropriate technology solutions, backed up by education and assessment. The "Bring Your Own Water (BYOW) Treatment System" developed by the Engineers Without Borders-USA chapters at the University of Colorado at Boulder Chapter (EWB-CU) and the Johnson Space Center (EWB-JSC) is uniquely designed to address the water treatment requirements of two …

Development Of A Biomass Transducer For Automated Microalgal Bioreactors, Amar Shivaram Hegde

LSU Master's Theses

A highly sensitive miniaturized biomass transducer is necessary for continuous and reliable monitoring of the microalgal biomass in a computer controlled, automated microalgal bioreactor. Previous known methods to determine microalgal biomass applicable in these bioreactors are based on single wavelength turbidimetric or fluorescence. The objectives of this research were to (1) determine the light absorption characteristics of some commercially applicable microalgae in the electromagnetic wavelength range of 200-800 nm (2) design and construct a new miniaturized biomass transducer (3) process the transducer output to correlate with the biomass. Wavelength sensitivity analysis was conducted on the commercially important microalgal species - …

Urban Stream Stabilization Using Regional Hydraulic Geometry Curves For Bankfull Floodplain Design, Jonathan Edward Fourrier

LSU Master's Theses

The objective of this thesis was to determine the effectiveness of hydraulic geometry curves for designing bankfull floodplains to stabilize urban streams. In stable streams bankfull discharge is contained within the stream's banks. Higher flows spread out onto the floodplain where the water's velocity drops due to the increase in area and vegetation. This dissipation of energy promotes sediment deposition, decreases flow velocity, and reduces channel erosion. In cases like Galbraith Drain where historical gage data are not available and bankfull indicators are not present, a degraded stream's bankfull depth may be estimated with hydraulic geometry curves. Over forty cross …

Impact Of Ammonia On The Leaching Characteristics Of Mercury From Coal Fly Ash, Harmanjit Mallhi

Masters Theses

"Approximately half of the electricity produced in the United States is generated by coal-fired power plants. Coal combustion products (CCPs) such as fly ash, bottom ash, flue gas desulphurization (FGD) material, boiler slag are either disposed in landfills or impoundments, or beneficially used...It has been long known that fly ash contains many trace elements (As, Se, Hg Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb, Cu,Co, etc.) that can be of environmental concern. Mercury is of special interest since it is a known carcinogen and has the ability to bio-accumulate. The primary objectives of thesis research were to understand the leaching behavior of mercury …

Multiresolution Wavelet Analysis Of Event-Related Eeg Potentials Using Ensemble Of Classifier Data Fusion Techniques For Early Diagnosis Of Alzheimer's Disease, Apostolos Topalis

Theses and Dissertations

The recent advances and knowledge in medicine and nutrition have greatly improved our average life expectancy. An unfortunate consequence of this longer life span, however, is a dramatic increase in the number of individuals suffering from dementia, and more specifically, from Alzheimer's disease (AD). Furthermore, AD remains under-diagnosed and under-treated until its more severe stages due to lack of standard diagnostic tools available to community clinics. A search for biomarkers that will allow early diagnosis of the disease is therefore necessary to develop effective medical treatments. Such a biomarker should be non-invasive, simple to obtain, safe, inexpensive, accurate, and most …