Digital Commons Network^™

Analysis Of Supersaturated Designs, Harrison Kelly

Theses

In today's fiercely competitive marketplace, successful and profitable companies distinguish themselves by bringing new products to market before their competitors. The cycle time to develop and launch new products largely depends on a company's ability to study large numbers of factors and to separate, or detect, the significant factors from the insignificant factors. Most ordinary experimental situations with many variables are easily satisfied with the use of a saturated, or nearly-saturated, fractional factorial experimental designs. However, there are occasions where the cost of mnning a statistically designed experiment can be so great as to prohibit the use of these techniques, …

Comparing The Ability Of Subjective Quality Factor And Information Theory To Predict Image Quality, Shyi-Shyang Li

Theses

The purpose of this project is to compare the ability of the Subjective Quality Factor and Information Theory to predict image quality as a function of film speed for two different methods of exposing film. One exposure holds the total number of photons constant and the other allows the flux to vary. This study will: 1 . Determine the relationship between grain size and image quality for constant flux when the resulting images are reproduced at the same size. 2. Compare the resulting granularity and image quality of the constant flux condition with the normal exposure method of varying the …

Blind Equalization, Daniel Diguele

Theses

An equalizer is an adaptive filter that compensates for the non-ideal characteristics of a communication channel by processing the received signal. The adaptive algorithm searches for the inverse impulse response of the channel, and it requires knowledge of a training sequence, in order to generate an error signal necessary for the adaptive process. There are practical situations where it would be highly desirable to achieve complete adaptation without the use of a training sequence, hence the the term "blind". Examples of these situations are multipoint data networks, high-capacity line-of-sight digital radio, and reflection seismology. A blind adaptive algorithm has been …

Development Of Sensitometric Techniques For The Characterization Of Stereolithographic Resins, Rudd Matthew Hardesty

Theses

Four desktop sensitometers of stereolithographic resins were created and tested against the characteristic curves of the resins produced under exposure conditions used with a Stereolithographic Apparatus. Two sensitometers measure the percent conversion as a function of exposure, one measures the optical density, and the fourth is an attempt to reproduce the characteristic curve with an alternate exposure source. It was concluded that the slopes of the characteristic curves can be determined by measuring the optical density of the resins. However, the slopes cannot be determined by measuring the percent conversion of the resins as a function of exposure. The critical …

A Vhdl Design Of A Jpeg Still Image Compression Standard Decoder, Douglas Carpenter

Theses

Digital images require large amounts of memory to be stored in a computer system. The JPEG compression standard allows the amount of memory storage required by a digital image to be reduced with little to no perceptible loss of image quality. This thesis is a design of an ASIC that implements a decoder of JPEG compressed images. The decoder implements the baseline decoder defined by the JPEG standard with a few exceptions, the most notable being that only grayscale images can be decompressed. With such an ASIC, the speed of decompressing images is greatly increased. The decoder was designed by …

Sentinel: Monumental Sculpture, Charles Jerome Washburn

Theses

None provided.

Synthesis And Characterization Of Low-Melting Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Poly(Ester-Imide)S., Sunny Jacob

Theses

Two new series of low-melting liquid crystalline poly(ester-imide)s, (PEIM(s)) containing biphenyldiimide mesogen with a high aspect ratio was prepared by the polycondensation of ll-(3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxydiimido)-bis undecanoic acid with various aliphatic diols and methyl esters of hydroquinone and 4,4'-biphenol by melt polymerization. The mesogenic diimide diacid was prepared by reacting 3,3',4,4'- biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride with 11 -amino undecanoic acid using the method of Augl and Wrasidlo. The synthesized polymers were characterized by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), IR Spectroscopy, Dilute Solution Viscosity, Thermogravimetry (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Polarizing Light Microscopy (PLM). The data obtained from GPC indicated the presence of a wide …

Design And Characterization Of An Amperometric Glucose Detector For Flow Injection Analysis, Jean Wallace

Theses

An amperometric glucose detector, based on platinized membrane electrodes, for use in flow injection analysis has been designed and characterized. The platinized electrodes prepared for the sensor were constructed from a perfluorinated polymer matrix, Nafion 117, through an impregnation-reduction technique. This technique encompasses the incorporation of platinum (II) ions into the polymer, which are subsequently reduced to platinum (0). Once constructed, the platinized impregnated membrane (PIM) electrodes were characterized electrochemically, under both aqueous and non-aqueous conditions. The PIM electrodes were shown to preconcentrate ions of varying size and charge, as well as retain the complex ionic molecules necessary for mediation …

Human Face Profile Recognition, Vincent Wong

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to implement an automatic person identification system based on face profiles. Each person's face profile can be quite unique within a small sample population and therefore it can be used as the basis of an automatic person identification system. To quantify human face profiles for use in the recognition system, Fourier descriptors are used to describe the open curve extracted from a face profile. Fourier descriptors in the low-frequency range are shown to be useful for human face profile recognition. By using 16 Fourier coefficients, a correct recognition rate of 92% for 60 subjects …

Heat Transfer In Dirsig An Infrared Synthetic Scene Generation Model, Joseph Sirianni

Theses

Improvements to the thermodynamic model in the RIT Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Lab's synthetic image generation software model, DIRSIG, were made to account for three forms of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation from an internal heat source. A validation was completed that collected truth data and evaluated the performance of the modifications. The simulated contrast of the final temperature images was relatively close to truth contrast. In addition, the exposed area term from the thermodynamic model was modified with the DIRSIG shape factor calculation for four different scenarios to improve background object temperature interactions. The best scenario was …

Design And Implementation Of A Real-Time Morphological Image Processor Prototype, Jens Rodenberg

Theses

Morphology, the study of form and structure, is also a method used for processing images. Morphological image processing can be used for many purposes, including edge detection, shape recognition, smoothing, and enhancement of images. A prototype for a real-time Morphological Image Processor has been developed to process 512 x 512 extended 8-bit gray scale images, using a 7 x 7 extended 8-bit gray scale mask. This prototype processor was developed jointly with another M.S. thesis candidate, Jeffrey Hanzlik. Software was also developed to allow the user to conveniently use a personal computer to transfer images to and from the Morphological …

Heuristics For Selecting Gray Scale Morphological Structuring Elements, Paul Fetter

Theses

This thesis explores some heuristics for choosing 8 bit gray scale morphological structuring elements for reducing noise. The variables of size, shape and volume that enter into the choice of structuring elements create a very large number of possible structuring elements. Some general heuristics to guide the choice of an appropriate structuring element will make the task easier. Both the absolute error of the image and the appearance of the image will be used to judge the results. The experiments were performed on 3 images. Each of the images had noise added before processing; one set of data had 10 …

An Edge-Finder Based On Fuzzy Perceptual Grouping, Yue Zhang

Theses

Much recent research in computer vision has been aimed at the recognition of objects from scenes. Perceptual grouping has demonstrated its importance in creating descriptions of objects. Elementary edge descriptors are grouped into more complex structures based on relations such as proximity, parallelism, symmetry, and junction. However, exact determinations of these relations are impossible, because the relation is naturally uncertain and the output of low-level processing is not perfect. In this paper, an edge finding scheme based on fuzzy perceptual grouping is introduced. The geometrical relations are considered as fuzzy relations. The grouping operations that are based upon the fuzzy …

Colorimetric Characterization Of A Desktop Drum Scanner Using A Spectral Model, Ming-Ching James Shyu

Theses

A scanner characterization method based on an analytic spectral model was derived. The method first modeled the spectral formation of each medium using either Beer-Bouguer Law or Kubelka-Munk theory. Scanner digital counts were then empirically related to dye concentrations. From these estimated dye concentrations, either spectral transmittance or spectral reflectance factor could be predicted. These estimated spectral data were used to calculate tristimulus values and then color differences for the target object. A Howtek D4000 desktop drum scanner was colorimetrically characterized accordingly. The average characterization errors were all less than CIELAB color difference of 1.0 for Kodak IT8.7/1, Kodak Q-60C, …

Silicon-On-Insulator Mosfets: Material, Process And Device Characteristics, Brian Dinse

Theses

NMOS and PMOS Single-crystal-silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs have been fabricated at RIT using a Bonded and Etched-back process for substrate formation. A test chip, containing inverters, contact and sheet resistance structures, and various NMOS and PMOS transistors, was fabricated on a 2000A SOI substrate formed by a Bonded and Etched-back technique. Effective mobilities, subthreshold swings, and threshold voltages of the fabricated devices were extracted to investigate the impact of a Bonded and Etched-back process on device performance. A hole mobility of 486 cm2/V-s was obtained in PMOS SOI, comparable to state-of-the-art, and exceeding any mobility previously reported at RIT. A subthreshold …

Plugged-In: 40 Years Of Digital Imaging, Carol Christy Brown

Theses

To create an interactive piece that will provide to the user a feel for the rapid development of digital imaging, the key players involved and its impact on the way we create visual media today. This interactive presentation will seek to establish how this new medium emerged from the collaboration of many creative minds in the scientific and art worlds.

Synthesis, Copolymerization And Characterization Of Novel N-Substituted Phenyl Maleimides, Victor Vandell

Theses

Six target N-substituted maleimides were synthesized using a modified synthetic procedure. The six target maleimides synthesized and their yields were N-phenyl maleimide (40.8%), p- Chloro maleimide (33.3 %), m-Nitro maleimide (59 %), p-Methoxy maleimide (11.5 %), p-Nitro maleimide (53.9 %), and the Fast Garnet Azo Dye maleimide (2.2%). Of these six maleimides the m- Nitro and Fast Garnet derivatives are novel compounds. Three of the maleimides were copolymerized with styrene to show that these N-substituted maleimides can be incorporated into a polymer backbone. The three maleimides polymerized with styrene were the p-Chloro, m-Nitro, and Fast Garnet derivatives. Percent incorporation of …

A Flexible Development System For Stepper Motor Based Electro-Mechanical Subassembly Design, Joseph Baco

Theses

In cooperation with Rochester Institute of Technology and Eastman Kodak Company's Clinical Diagnostics Division, this thesis project describes the design of a PC-based development tool which will aid in the design and testing of electromechanical sub assemblies incorporating stepper motors. This tool will integrate the ability to perform digital I/O along with open loop stepper motor control methodologies bundled under a Windows based software package to produce a user interface aimed towards the mechanical and electrical engineering development communities. In its maximum configuration, the system consists of 8 single processor control nodes, each of which is capable of executing a …

Multichannel Analysis Of Object-Color Spectra, Debra S. Seitz Vent

Theses

An optimization program was written to determine a set of channel responses for measuring object-color spectra. The program incorporated the Complex method of optimization to search the feasible space. The optimum set was determined based upon minimization of the number of channels, the average color difference (AE*ab) over a set of 116 colors and three illuminants, and the average reflectance factor difference between the actual and estimated spectra. It was expected that it would be possible to identify a system which would fall between current spectrophotometers and the ideal but unrealizable system whose responses are the three CIE standard color-matching …

Surface Modification Of Fluoropolymers For The Improvement Of Adhesion: O2-Cf4-Ar Radio Frequency Plasma Modification Of Poly (Tetrafluoroethylene), Kan Lu

Theses

None provided.

Modelling Of Groundwater Flow And Pollutants Affecting Concrete Foundations, Jamil A. Gharsan Moqbil

Theses

This thesis presents a finite difference model and its associated computer program. The model has been developed for simulating the pumpage and predicting the water table fluctuations corresponding to different boundary conditions. The mathematical model solves the partial differential equation of groundwater flow by using the finite different techniques.

The model has been verified against known field measurements taken from existing wells in Al-Ain area. Water samples from these existing wells have been collected and tested in the UAE university laboratories to determine their chemical characteristics. All field data have given close results to those predicted by the model and …

Collective Interpretation Of Seismic Reflection, Gravity, Magnetic, And Resistivity Data In The Salalah Plain, Oman, For Hydrogeologic Purposes, Slyam Bin Saeed Bin Salim Ba-Awain

Theses

An interpretive geophysical study in the growing Salalah Plain, Dhofar Governate, Sultanate of Oman, was made during 1993 and part of 1994.

This investigation stems from the need to develop the main and the only water resource in this region. It is aimed to make use of the combined geophysical tools (seismic rflection, gravity, magnetics and resistivity) and available surface and borehole data to assess the environmental impact of the geophysical results.

Several seismic reflection lines were picked and interpreted; one on a horizon near the Taqah limestone (main aquifer), and the other on a horizon near the Mesozoic- Cenozoic …

An In-Scene Parameter Estimation Method For Quantitative Analysis, William C. Snyder

Theses

This thesis describes the development of a general in-scene parameter estimation method for quantitative image evaluation. The Maximum Likelihood Ratio (MLR) estimator uses samples from a selected population of known objects in the image to estimate one or more unknown parameters. The estimate is based on statistically matching the population sample residuals to their simulated distribution. The match is characterized by the likelihood ratio function. To compute the likelihood ratio, stochastic simulation is employed to estimate the density of the residuals. The likelihood ratio of the actual residuals and this simulated density is a surface that is then numerically maximized …

Optimization Of The Heat Pumping Capacity Of A Thermoelectric Heat Pump, David A. Heavner

Theses

A steady state model of a thermoelectric heat pump fitted with pin fin heat exchange surfaces is developed from the equations governing the operation of a thermoelectric device and pressure drop/ heat transfer correlations for staggered tube banks in cross flow. The model computes current draw, heat pumped at the cold side, heat rejected at the hot side, hot and cold side exhaust temperatures, and hot and cold side pin base temperatures when given the following parameters: ambient temperature, thermoelectric geometry factor, number of thermocouple junctions, input voltage, pin diameter, pin height, transverse pin stagger, longitudinal pin stagger, contact resistance …

A Study Of The Biofiltration Process Under Shock-Loading Conditions, Helen Androutsopoulou

Theses

Biofiltration is a new technology for treating airstreams contaminated with emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It employs porous particles which are placed in reactors, in packed-bed configurations, after appropriate microorganisms have been immobilized on the solid support.

Biofiltration involves complex processes, and is not yet well understood. In this thesis the response of biofilter units to quantitative and qualitative changes in the inlet airstreams was examined. Steady state data were also analyzed through the use of an existing detailed model.

Experiments were performed with two small-scale biofilters, and with ethanol and butanol as model compounds. Each biofilter was dedicated …

Solvent Sublation Of Toluene From Aqueous Phase, Mei Chen

Theses

Solvent sublation, a surface chemical technique, was used to remove toluene from aqueous solution into a layer of paraffin oil.

Analytical methods for GC determination of toluene in both gas and aqueous phase were set up. The comparison of solvent sublation and conventional air stripping on toluene removal was carried out. It was found that solvent sublation provides significant improvement over air stripping in removing toluene from water, and reduces toluene emission to the atmosphere. The toluene emissions reduction by solvent sublation are 30%-70% under different conditions. The effects of air flowrates and thickness of organic layer were studied. Increased …

Remediation Of Contaminated Sites Using Hot Gas Injection, Sanjay Jayabal

Theses

Remediation of contaminated subsurface sites at lower cost and time than currently used technologies are being demonstrated for a systems concept using new technology developed at the Hazardous Substance Management Research Center at New Jersey Institute of Technology. A technique for pneumatic fracture is employed to "open" subsurface passages to enhance vacuum extraction of contaminants. Economical and environmentally sound destruction of these contaminants is then accomplished using catalytic oxidation followed by scrubbing to remove air pollutants. The hot gas from this phase of the process is then injected into the subsurface formation after being used to preheat the fuel/air mixture …

Simulation Analysis Of Fddi Network Using Network Ii.5 Software Package, Anastassis A. Lazarides

Theses

In recent years, one of the most exciting advances in media has been the use of fiber optics in LANs. The bandwidth provided by Fiber Optic Technology has drastically increased the number of new applications that can be supported by communication networks. In order to support a variety of services, in 1986, the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X3, and the ASC X3T9.5 Task Group developed a new standard; the Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) [1]. This is a high speed (100 Mbps) optical communication network based on a token passing mode of operation. The Medium …

Multi-Disk Subsystem Organizations For Very Large Databases, Zhiyi Huang

Theses

This thesis investigates efficient mappings of very large databases with non-uniform access to its data. to a. multi-disk subsystem.

Two algorithms are developed to distribute the database across multiple disks, possibly with replication, in order to minimize latency and maximize throughput. These algorithms are compared with respect to the amount of replication overhead incurred to achieve desired throughput.

A simulator is developed to simulate these two mapping algorithms and investigate the efficiency of these two mappings.

3-D Reconstruction And Morphological Analysis Of Normal Rectum, Saritha Sundaresan

Theses

There is no documentation of the 3-D dimensions of normal rectum. We present a method for the architectural and volumetric analysis of the rectum which makes use of a computerized 3-D reconstruction and CT scans of cross-sections of the rectum. The technique is simple, fast, yet potentially reliable. An attempt has been made to calculate the volume, area and average diameter of non-distended rectums (normal). Once we can standardize the technique, then we can study dimensions of the rectum in adult males and females. This thesis constitutes a unified presentation of the essential aspects of the method used in this …