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The Cost Of Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder And Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries, Amy L. Gilliland Mar 2010

The Cost Of Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder And Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries, Amy L. Gilliland

Theses and Dissertations

Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (mTBIs) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are two of the signature wounds of war. Due to the advances in technology the survival rates are higher than in previous wars, however, the weaponry has changed. The world has seen an increase in the use of suicide bombs, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) which increases the number of blast related injuries. One of the major problems with blast related injuries is that they can be invisible to the naked eye. The lack of physical evidence suggests the soldier is not injured and can …


Part Count: Monolithic Part Effects On Manufacturing Labor Cost, An Aircraft Applied Model, Aaron M. Lemke Mar 2010

Part Count: Monolithic Part Effects On Manufacturing Labor Cost, An Aircraft Applied Model, Aaron M. Lemke

Theses and Dissertations

There are significantly different manufacturing processes and part counts associated with composites that are not currently addressed within the aircraft procurement and life cycle management processes in the Department of Defense (DoD). A series of affordability initiatives have culminated in significant evidence over the last decade to better quantify the impact of primarily composite structures in aircraft. An Air Force Research Laboratory program, Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft (ACCA), provides substantial support for the impact of part size on life cycle cost for payload aircraft. This research evaluates select methods used and seeks to introduce modifications to the projected manufacturing hours …


Method Of Measuring The Economic Impact Of A Radiological Dispersal Event Within An Urban Environment, Antoine N. Munfakh Mar 2010

Method Of Measuring The Economic Impact Of A Radiological Dispersal Event Within An Urban Environment, Antoine N. Munfakh

Theses and Dissertations

A radiological dispersal event (RDE) is the result of a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) or a dirty bomb. An RDD is a low‐yield conventional bomb surrounded by radiological material (RM) such as Cesium‐137 or Cobalt‐60. Upon detonation, the blast of the conventional explosive is designed to spread the RM over a wide area. The RM will then be inhaled or ingested by people, or otherwise absorbed into the environment. An RDD is an affordable, feasible, and economically devastating option for terrorist groups. Possible RM could be stolen or acquired cheaply from the millions of radioactive sources used worldwide in industry, …


Mechanical Properties Characterization And Business Case Analysis Of The Fiber Metal Laminate Glare-3 For Use As Secondary Aircraft Structure, Benjamin O. Elton Mar 2010

Mechanical Properties Characterization And Business Case Analysis Of The Fiber Metal Laminate Glare-3 For Use As Secondary Aircraft Structure, Benjamin O. Elton

Theses and Dissertations

This effort explored the mechanical characteristics and economic feasibility of using the fiber metal laminate, GLARE-3, as a secondary aircraft structure; specifically, the cargo floor of a C-130. The mechanical properties were determined through static four-point bending and tensile testing and dynamic impact testing. Aggregate behavior of the constituent materials was predicted using a model which consisted of Mass Volume Fraction (MVF) and Classical Laminated Plate Theory (CLPT) methods using known values for the constituents. Static testing was conducted on coupon-level specimens using standardized testing procedures. Static tensile tests were conducted on specimens with four different fiber orientations, 0°, 22.5°, …


Predicting Over Target Baseline (Otb) Acquisition Contracts, Kristine E. Thickstun Mar 2010

Predicting Over Target Baseline (Otb) Acquisition Contracts, Kristine E. Thickstun

Theses and Dissertations

Cost estimators use a variety of methods to develop estimates at completion (EACs) and new methods continue to be developed. Research has shown there is no best method for computing EACs for all acquisition contracts. However, some methods perform better under specific circumstances. In 2009, Captain Trahan investigated the use of a Gompertz growth model for developing EACs. She found that this method is more reliable for Over Target Baseline (OTB) contracts than the standard indexed based approaches. Captain Trahan’s model is an excellent model to use for OTB contracts or contracts with a high likelihood of becoming an OTB …


Improved Modeling Of Midlatitude D-Region Ionospheric Absorption Of High Frequency Radio Signals During Solar X-Ray Flares, Evelyn A. Schumer Mar 2010

Improved Modeling Of Midlatitude D-Region Ionospheric Absorption Of High Frequency Radio Signals During Solar X-Ray Flares, Evelyn A. Schumer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to improve modeling of midlatitude D-region ionospheric absorption of high frequency radio signals during solar X-ray flares through analysis of HF propagation data obtained during the HF Investigation of D-region Ionospheric Variation Experiment (HIDIVE) and obtained at the Canadian Space Agency NORSTAR riometer in Pinawa, Manitoba, Canada and X-ray flux data, as reported by GOES satellites. The findings of the data analysis were then used to validate and suggest improvements for two existing HF absorption models, the operational Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) D-region Absorption model and the physical AbbyNormal model. Analysis of the …


Three Dimensional Positron Annihilation Momentum Measurement Technique (3dpamm) Applied To Measure Oxygen-Atom Defects In 6h Silicon Carbide, Christopher S. Williams Mar 2010

Three Dimensional Positron Annihilation Momentum Measurement Technique (3dpamm) Applied To Measure Oxygen-Atom Defects In 6h Silicon Carbide, Christopher S. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

A three-dimensional Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy System (3DPASS) capable to simultaneously measure three-dimensional electron-positron (e--e+) momentum densities measuring photons derived from e--e+ annihilation events was designed and characterized. 3DPASS simultaneously collects a single data set of correlated energies and positions for two coincident annihilation photons using solid-state double-sided strip detectors (DSSD). Positions of photons were determined using an interpolation method which measures a figure-of-merit proportional to the areas of transient charges induced on both charge collection strips directly adjacent to the charge collection strips interacting with the annihilation photons. The subpixel resolution was measured for both double-sided …


Monocular Passive Ranging By An Optical System With Band Pass Filtering, Joel R. Anderson Mar 2010

Monocular Passive Ranging By An Optical System With Band Pass Filtering, Joel R. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

An instrument for monocular passive ranging based on atmospheric oxygen absorption near 762 nm has been designed, built and deployed to track emissive targets, including the plumes from jet engines or rockets. An intensified CCD array is coupled to variable band pass liquid crystal display filter and 3.5 – 8.8 degree field of view optics to observe the target. By recording sequential images at 7 Hz in three 6 nm width bands, the transmittance of the R-branch of the O2 (X-b) (0,0) band is determined. A metric curve for determining range from transmittance is developed using the HITRAN spectral …


Optical And Electrical Characterization Of Bulk Grown Indium-Gallium-Arsenide Alloys, Austin C. Bergstrom Mar 2010

Optical And Electrical Characterization Of Bulk Grown Indium-Gallium-Arsenide Alloys, Austin C. Bergstrom

Theses and Dissertations

Advances in crystal growth techniques have allowed increased quality in growth of bulk ternary InxGa1-xAs. Here, the optical and electrical properties of samples grown through the vertical Bridgman (or multi-component zone melting growth) method have been investigated through photoluminescence spectroscopy and Hall effect measurements. Indium mole fractions varied from 0.75 for 1. Hall effect measurements at temperatures ranging from 10 to 300 K revealed moderate n-type doping with carrier concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 9.6×1016 cm-3 at 10 to 15 K. Carriers from deep donor levels became appreciable between 50 and 100 K. Hall …


Numerical Investigation Of Statistical Turbulence Effects On Beam Propagation Through 2-D Shear Mixing Layer, James C. Bowers Mar 2010

Numerical Investigation Of Statistical Turbulence Effects On Beam Propagation Through 2-D Shear Mixing Layer, James C. Bowers

Theses and Dissertations

A methodology is developed for determining the validity of making a statistical turbulent approach using Kolmogorov theory to an aero-optical turbulent ow. Kolmogorov theory provides a stochastic method that has a greatly simplified and robust method for calculating atmospheric turbulence effects on optical beam propagation, which could simplify similar approaches to chaotic aero-optical flows. A 2-D laminar Navier-Stokes CFD Solver (AVUS) is run over a splitter plate type geometry to create an aero-optical like shear mixing layer turbulence field. A Matlab algorithm is developed to import the flow data and calculates the structure functions, structure constant, and Fried Parameter ( …


Time Dependent Channel Packet Calculation Of Two Nucleon Scattering Matrix Elements, Brian S. Davis Mar 2010

Time Dependent Channel Packet Calculation Of Two Nucleon Scattering Matrix Elements, Brian S. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

A new approach to calculating nucleon-nucleon scattering matrix elements using a proven atomic time-dependent wave packet technique is investigated. Wave packets containing centripetal barrier information are prepared in close proximity to nuclear well. This is accomplished by first using an analytic equation to determine the wave packets in a suitable intermediate asymptotic state where the centripetal barrier is negligible. Then, the split operator technique is used to propagate the wave packets back to their original positions under the full Hamiltonian. Here, one wave packet is held stationary while the other is allowed to evolve and explore the nuclear well. Scattering …


Calculation Of Collisional Cross Sections For The ²P3/2 > ²P1/2 Transition In Alkali-Noble Gas Systems, Samuel D. Butler Mar 2010

Calculation Of Collisional Cross Sections For The ²P3/2 > ²P1/2 Transition In Alkali-Noble Gas Systems, Samuel D. Butler

Theses and Dissertations

Collisional cross sections were calculated as a function of energy for two coupled one dimensional, spherically symmetric potentials. The Split Operator Method was used to propagate an initial Moller state, chosen to be a Gaussian in the asymptotic limit, through a potential. The correlation between the wave packet and Moller final state was calculated at each time step. Using the Channel Packet Method, the correlation function was used to obtain scattering matrix elements. From scattering matrix elements for several different effective potential values and using the Method of Partial Waves, the collisional cross section is calculated for the transition from …


Evaluation Of Interplanetary Magnetic Field Tracing Models Using Impulsive Seps, Brian P. Elliott Mar 2010

Evaluation Of Interplanetary Magnetic Field Tracing Models Using Impulsive Seps, Brian P. Elliott

Theses and Dissertations

Current Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) models are evaluated in this study to determine which model(s) perform an accurate representation of this magnetic structure. These IMF models include the Parker Spiral model, the Potential Field Source Surface (PFSS) model, the Wang-Sheeley-Arge (WSA) model and the ENLIL model. Impulsive Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) are used as tracers to determine the magnetic structure of the IMF and provide source locations for model comparisons. Each individual model is analyzed, compared to the identified solar source region and a longitude/latitude offset of these traces assigned. The model connection of the PFSS and Parker models is …


Simulation Of A Diode Pumped Alkali Laser, A Three Level Numerical Approach, Shawn W. Hackett Mar 2010

Simulation Of A Diode Pumped Alkali Laser, A Three Level Numerical Approach, Shawn W. Hackett

Theses and Dissertations

This paper develops a three level model for a continuous wave diode pumped alkali laser by creating rate equations based on a three level system. The three level system consists of an alkali metal vapor, typically Rb or Cs, pumped by a diode from the 2S1/2 state to the 2P3/2 , a collisional relaxation from 2P3/2 to 2P1/ 2 , and then lasing from 2P1/2 to 2S1/2 . The hyperfine absorption and emission cross sections for these transitions are developed in detail. Differential equations for intra-gain pump attenuation …


Optical Properties Of Si, Ge, Gaas, Gasb, Inas, And Inp At Elevated Temperatures, Thomas R. Harris Mar 2010

Optical Properties Of Si, Ge, Gaas, Gasb, Inas, And Inp At Elevated Temperatures, Thomas R. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Investigation of the optical and electrical behavior of some semiconductors at very high temperatures has not been an area of much study, at least not experimentally. The importance of such research becomes obvious due to the effects of high temperatures on semiconductor devices such as infrared detectors and light emitters. Besides the destructive effects of thermal stress and melting, changes in the optical properties of the material can greatly affect device performance. In this research, the infrared absorption of Si, Ge, GaAs, GaSb, InAs, and InP was measured from 0.6 to 25 μm at temperatures ranging from 295 up to …


Passive Ranging Using Infra-Red Atmospheric Attenuation, Douglas J. Macdonald Mar 2010

Passive Ranging Using Infra-Red Atmospheric Attenuation, Douglas J. Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

Methods of estimating range to an emissive target based on the depth of an atmospheric absorption band are demonstrated. The present work uses measurements of the CO2 absorption band centered at 2.0 µm where signal-to-background ratios are maximum for many applications. Model results, based on high-resolution transmission molecular absorption (HITRAN) database cross sections, are used to predict range accuracy at ranges of up to 50 km and are compared with short range (<5km) experimental results. The spectra of 23 high explosive events were used to validate the model. Using the assumption of a blackbody spectrum, extracted ranges consistently underestimated the true range by approximately 13%. By incorporating the stoichiometry of the fireball from previous research and using particulate contribution as a parameter, the error for the range estimates could be reduced to 3%.


Experimental Validation Techniques For The Heleeos Off-Axis Laser Propagation Model, John D. Haiducek Mar 2010

Experimental Validation Techniques For The Heleeos Off-Axis Laser Propagation Model, John D. Haiducek

Theses and Dissertations

The High Energy Laser End-to-End Operational Simulation (HELEEOS) off-axis scattering algorithm is designed to predict the irradiance that will be detected at a given off-axis location due to atmospheric scattering of a high-energy laser. The HELEEOS system models the propagation of the laser through the atmosphere, accounting for such effects as turbulence, thermal blooming, and atmospheric absorption. The HELEEOS off-axis scattering algorithm uses the scattering phase functions of the Mie scattering models to predict the amount of radiation that will be scattered toward a particular observation location from each point along the beam path, and the total irradiance that will …


Rubidium Recycling In A High Intensity Short Duration Pulsed Alkali Laser, Wooddy S. Miller Mar 2010

Rubidium Recycling In A High Intensity Short Duration Pulsed Alkali Laser, Wooddy S. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Laser induced fluorescence was used to study how pump pulse duration and alkali recycle time effects maximum power output in a Diode Pumped Alkali Laser (DPAL) system. A high intensity short pulsed pump source was used to excited rubidium atoms inside a DPAL-type laser. The maximum output power of the laser showed a strong dependence upon the temporal width of the pump pulse in addition to the input pump intensity. A linear relationship was observed between the maximum output power and the pulse width due to the effective lifetime of the excited state, defined as the time it takes for …


Scene Change Artifacts In Fourier Transform Spectroscopy Of Temporally Changing Sources, Anthony M. Young Mar 2010

Scene Change Artifacts In Fourier Transform Spectroscopy Of Temporally Changing Sources, Anthony M. Young

Theses and Dissertations

Improved understanding of midwave infrared (1-5 micron) spectral emissions from detonation fireballs is needed to develop phenomenological models for battle space optical forensics. The ability to measure radiance over a wide band pass at arbitrary resolutions make Fourier-transform spectrometers (FTS) an attractive tool. However, interferometer based spectroscopic measurements can be corrupted when the observed intensity changes during data acquisition. While small, random fluctuations in scene intensity translate into noise, systematic variations introduce scene-change artifacts (SCAs) into Fourier-transformed spectrum.


Development And Demonstration Of A Field-Deployable Fast Chromotomographic Imager, Daniel C. O'Dell Mar 2010

Development And Demonstration Of A Field-Deployable Fast Chromotomographic Imager, Daniel C. O'Dell

Theses and Dissertations

A field deployable hyperspectral imager utilizing chromotomography (CT), with a direct vision prism (DVP) as the dispersive element, has been constructed at AFIT. This research is focused on the development and demonstration of the CT imager. An overview of hyperspectral imaging, chromotomography, a synopsis of reconstruction algorithms, and other CT instruments are given. The importance of component alignment, instrument calibration, and exact prism angular position data are discussed. A simplistic \shift and add" reconstruction algorithm was utilized for this research. Although limited in its ability to reconstruct a spatially and spectrally diverse scene, the algorithm was adequate for the testing …


Afm-Patterned 2-D Thin-Film Photonic Crystal Analyzed By Complete Angle Scatter, Nicholas C. Herr Mar 2010

Afm-Patterned 2-D Thin-Film Photonic Crystal Analyzed By Complete Angle Scatter, Nicholas C. Herr

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to use an atomic force microscope (AFM) to generate a 2-D square array of sub-wavelength surface features from a single material over a region large enough to permit optical characterization. This work is an extension of previous AFIT nano-patterning work and is in response to the small subunit sizes demanded for the production of optical metamaterials and photonic crystals. A diamond nano-indentation AFM probe was used to produce a 325-μm by 200-μm array of indentations in a 120-nm thick polystyrene film deposited on silicon. Indentation spacing of 400 nm produced well-defined surface features with …


Thermal Neutron Point Source Imaging Using A Rotating Modulation Collimator (Rmc), Nathan O. Boyce Mar 2010

Thermal Neutron Point Source Imaging Using A Rotating Modulation Collimator (Rmc), Nathan O. Boyce

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrates a previously untested capability of the Rotating Modulation Collimator (RMC) to image a point-like neutron source. The encouraging results, achieved using low-energy neutrons, provide motivation for further refinement and continued research with higher-energy neutrons. The detector and the masks on an existing RMC imaging system were exchanged to function with neutrons. The source in this research produced a poly-energetic spectrum of neutrons through the reaction. The source of alpha particles was a 72.7 mCi 239Pu source. The RMC detector was located 250 cm from the bare source and operated for three hours to generate a modulation …


Changes To Electrical Conductivity In Irradiated Carbon-Nickel Nanocomposites, David F. Coy Mar 2010

Changes To Electrical Conductivity In Irradiated Carbon-Nickel Nanocomposites, David F. Coy

Theses and Dissertations

Pre and post irradiation resistivity and XAFS measurements have been conducted to examine the effects of 0.5 MeV electron irradiations on nickel-carbon composites. Results showed a decrease in surface resistivity in all sample types of 14-30% following irradiation with a total electron exposure of 4 x 10-16 cm-2. Results also showed a corresponding decrease in NiO content for the irradiated samples as compared to measurements of non-irradiated samples. Surface resistivity measurement capabilities were established and measurement techniques refined to produce repeatable results of sufficient precision to discern changes in resistivity for an exposure of 2 x 10 …


In-Situ, Gate Bias Dependent Study Of Neutron Irradiation Effects On Algan/Gan Hfets, Janusz K. Mikina Mar 2010

In-Situ, Gate Bias Dependent Study Of Neutron Irradiation Effects On Algan/Gan Hfets, Janusz K. Mikina

Theses and Dissertations

AlGaN/GaN Heterostructure Field Effect Transistors (HFETs) have come under increased study in recent years due to their highly desirable material and electrical properties and survivability even during and after exposure to extreme temperature and radiation environments. In this study, unpassivated and SiN passivated Al0.27Ga0.73N/GaN HFETs were subjected to neutron radiation at 120 K. The primary focus of the research was the effects of neutron irradiation on drain current, gate leakage current, threshold voltage shift, gate-channel capacitance, and the effects of biasing the gate during irradiation. In-situ measurements were conducted on transistor current, gate-channel capacitance, and gate …


The Material Properties Of Cssnbr3 And Csbr:Sn-1% And Their Potential As Scintillator Detector Material, Neal B. Kleinschmidt Mar 2010

The Material Properties Of Cssnbr3 And Csbr:Sn-1% And Their Potential As Scintillator Detector Material, Neal B. Kleinschmidt

Theses and Dissertations

The search for superior nuclear radiation detection materials is ongoing. Current scintillator materials using Thallium doped Sodium Iodide or Cesium Iodide are the benchmarks for ease of use and quick identification of isotope species. This research aims to explore Cesium Bromide doped with 1% molar tin (CsBr:Sn-1%) and Cesium Tin Bromide (CsSnBr3) as candidate materials for a new scintillator. The techniques of Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS), X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) and Cathodoluminescence are used to determine the suit- ability of CsSnBr3 and CsBr:Sn-1% with Sn4+ as a potential scintillator materials and explore their …


Application Of Satellite-Derived Wind Profiles To Joint Precision Airdrop System (Jpads) Operations, David C. Meier Mar 2010

Application Of Satellite-Derived Wind Profiles To Joint Precision Airdrop System (Jpads) Operations, David C. Meier

Theses and Dissertations

The Joint Precision Airdrop System has revolutionized military airdrop capability, allowing accurate delivery of equipment and supplies to smaller drop zones, from higher altitudes than was previously possible. This capability depends on accurate wind data which is currently provided by a combination of high-resolution forecast models and GPS dropsondes released in the vicinity of the dropzone shortly before the airdrop. This research develops a windprofiling algorithm to derive the needed wind data from passive IR satellite soundings, eliminating the requirement for a hazardous dropsonde pass near the drop zone, or allowing the dropsonde to be dropped farther from the dropzone. …


Positron Annihilation Ratio Spectroscopy (Psars) Applied To Positronium Formation Studies, Robert C. Slaughter Mar 2010

Positron Annihilation Ratio Spectroscopy (Psars) Applied To Positronium Formation Studies, Robert C. Slaughter

Theses and Dissertations

A Positron Annihilation of Radiation Spectrometer (PsARS) was developed and characterized. PsARS spectroscopy as well as digital Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) was applied to measure positronium formation on gold nanoparticles deposited through an evaporative method onto a thin capillary tube. This gold coated capillary tube was designed to be used for positronium lifetime studies in local electric field experiments. High local electric fields can polarize a positron-electron pair, which may result in an extended lifetime of the positron. These fields may be created through the interaction of an external electric field with silver nanoparticles deposited onto the surface of …


Improving Low Order, Linear, Positive Spatial Quadratures For The Partial Current Neutron Transport Method, John M. Snyder Mar 2010

Improving Low Order, Linear, Positive Spatial Quadratures For The Partial Current Neutron Transport Method, John M. Snyder

Theses and Dissertations

AFIT researchers have developed a new approach to solving Discrete Ordinates equations, which approximate the linear Boltzmann Transport Equation (BTE). The usual approach is von Neumann iteration on the scattering source, which requires repeated sweeps through the spatial-angular grid. Acceptable convergence requires complicated and expensive acceleration schemes. The new approach, Partial-Current Transport (PCT) with Adaptive Distribution Iteration, eliminates scattering source iteration through matrix inversions and a reduced-size global linear algebra problem. It creates the needed matrices directly from the standard spatial quadratures used in the sweeping. Positivity, linearity, and (higher-than-first-order) accuracy are the key desirable qualities with all Discrete Ordinates …


Uncertainty Quantification Of Multi-Component Isotope-Separation Cascade Model, Khoi D. Tran Mar 2010

Uncertainty Quantification Of Multi-Component Isotope-Separation Cascade Model, Khoi D. Tran

Theses and Dissertations

Monte Carlo uncertainty quantification (UQ) capability has been added to a code for modeling multi-component steady-state isotope-separation enrichment cascades to characterize the propagation of uncertainties in input data that define the cascade and the feed. Random samples of error for every computational input are drawn from its individual uncertainty distribution and added to the inputs, creating a set of enrichment cascade problems with perturbed inputs. The set of problems is solved using the verified code. The cascade outputs are then characterized using the empirical cumulative distribution. The uncertainty output data are analyzed to gain new insights into the behaviors of …


An Evaluation Of A Networked Radiation Detection System, Leif A. Hansen Mar 2010

An Evaluation Of A Networked Radiation Detection System, Leif A. Hansen

Theses and Dissertations

First responders assess a Nuclear/Radiological (NUCRAD) event in a timely and accurate manner by creating a site characterization that reflects the location of various levels of contamination based on their instruments’ readings. The survey team experiences difficulty in accurately recording this critical data due to the challenge of operating multiple devices and communicating the devices’ readings to other survey members. First responders produce a representation of the contamination or activity on a map that contain rings outlining the levels of activity and/or single locations of a single activity. Recently, several agencies began creating software programs that record a first responder’s …