Digital Commons Network^™

Furniture From The Landscape, Gerard J. Alonzo

Theses

None provided.

Correlation Of Finite Element And Experimental Eigenvectors, Derek J. Krebs

Theses

A technique for correlating a complex structure's finite element eigenvectors with its respective experimental eigenvectors is presented. The technique provides a quantitative comparison of the finite element and experimental eigenvectors by using a reduced finite element mass matrix in a "cross" orthogonality check. Comparisons of two case studies are presented: a thin plate with motion in the Z-direction only and a 3-dimensional table structure with motion in three principal coordinate directions . Along with the orthogonality check, the difference in the eigenvectors is computed and shown graphically. The orthogonality check between the finite element and experimental eigenvectors can serve as …

A Comparative Study Of Edge Detection Techniques, Jaskaran Singh Dhaliwal

Theses

The problem of detecting edges in gray level digital images is considered. A literature survey of the existing methods is presented. Based on the survey, two methods that are well accepted by a majority of investigators are identified. The methods selected are: 1) Laplacian of Gaussian (LoG) operator, and 2) An optimal detector based on maxima in gradient magnitude of a Gaussian-smoothed image. The latter has been proposed by Canny[], and will be referred as Canny's method. The purpose of the thesis is to compare the performance of these popular methods. In order to increase the scope of such comparison, …

An Artificial Neural Network For Redundant Robot Inverse Kinematics Computation, Wibawa Utama

Theses

A redundant manipulator can be defined as a manipulator that has more degrees of freedom than necessary to determine the position and orientation of the end effector. Such a manipulator has dexterity, flexibility, and the ability to maneuver in presence of obstacles. One important and necessary step in utilizing a redundant robot is to relate the joint coordinates of the manipulator with the position and orientation of the end-effector. This specification is termed as the direct kinematics problem and can be written as x = f(q)
where x is a vector representing the position and orientation of the end-effector, q …

Design And Analysis Of Movable Boundary Allocation Protocol, Karun Sekhri

Theses

The increasing digital communications traffic will require very high speed networks. The use of high communication speed increases the ratio between end to end propagation delay and the packet transmission time. This increase causes rapid performance deterioration and restricts the utilization of the high system bandwidth in broadcast channel based systems. Using several parallel channels in place of a single channel improves this ratio. For a given system bandwidth the total system capacity is increased by bandwidth division and parallel communication. FTDMA protocols have been suggested for the parallel channel network and these protocols are suitable for different loads. In …

Statistical Process Control For High Precision Deep Drawn Sheet Metal Parts, Sunil S. Shah

Theses

In today's world, industrial expertise has come to be judged in terms of the quality of the product. Good quality has become the ultimate aim in a manufacturing environment, which leads to many innovations for ease in the inspection of parts. In considering a metal working company like Hudson Tool & Die Company, a study of the various operations and the application of Statistical Process Control to the forming operations is performed using STORM software. Important characteristics have been carefully studied with regards to metal forming like uniform metal thickness, radius of the bend, depth of the drawing operation. In-depth …

Control Of Stress In Silicon Nitride Thin Films, Ajay Krishnan

Theses

Silicon nitride thin films of varying composition and thickness were deposited on silicon substrates by reactive rf diode sputtering of a silicon target using an argon/nitrogen gas mixture. Film stoichiometry could be controlled by varying the partial pressure of nitrogen, the total sputtering gas pressure and the target rf power. Films with refractive index of 2.01, the value for stoichiometric silicon nitride, could be obtained. Film stress was measured by wafer curvature; refractive index and thickness of deposited films were obtained by ellipsometry and interferometry measurements. The etch rate in buffered HF for films with refractive index 2.05 was 29A/min; …

Construction Cost Estimating In Project Management, Kalpit N. Patel

Theses

The primary objective of Cost Estimating is to support the timely generation of bid or alternative estimates. Cost Estimating also supports management analysis of estimate accuracy, reasonableness and project risk through the generation of summary reports and analysis. Estimates also provide a base of information during construction for such items as scope changes to the contract, variations in costs of the project cost, total project cost, feedback for scheduling etc.

Contruction cost estimating is the process of identifying and compiling the many items of cost that will enter into a construction project. This is a procedure that requires very detailed …

Experimental Evaluation Of Process Zone Deformation In Concrete, Cherng-Maou Meng

Theses

Concrete structures are often subjected to a variety of loading conditions. Under ultimate load design, concrete structures can resist these loads without evident deformation. However, under service, tension cracks will develop and depending on their location, they may impair load carrying capacity.

It is generally believed that microcrack development is preceeded by formation of a relatively long microcracked region. A large number of studies have indicated that due to formation of this process zone (microcracked zone), Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) principles are not applicable to concrete. However, a number of nonlinear models can be developed if the length of …

A Comparative Study Of Cadmium Uptake By Cells Of Gram-Positive And Gram-Negative Bacteria, Shubhangi Rajan Bhende

Theses

Cadmium uptake by cells of Gram-positive and Gram- negative bacteria was studied. Gram-positive and Gram- negative bacterial cells were separated from activated sludge collected from the Parsippany Troy Hills Water Pollution Control Plant (NJ) by isolating them on agar plates. These were grown separately and used for uptake experiments.

Gram-positive bacterial cells showed 17% more uptake of cadmium as compared to Gram-negative cells at 30°C and pH 6.6. More than 95% of the total cadmium removal from the solution was observed during first 5 min. of cell-metal contact time. In case of Gram-positive bacteria cadmium uptake decreased by 5-10% after …

Configuring Maps For A Satellite Communication Network By Self- Organization, Yizhong Chen

Theses

There are several management tasks in a telecommunication network. Among which traffic management is one of the most important and difficult tasks. It is concerned with maximizing network efficiency when the network is under stress either due to overload or failure. New attempts to automate this task such as expert system based approach are yet to be perfected. In this thesis, we advocate a new concept of traffic management. Our scheme consists of two levels. At the first level, we introduce a Self-organization model to dynamically configure a map for a satellite communication network. The second level is a routing …

Thermal Desorption Of Contaminated Soils, Chengdi Dong

Theses

The objectives of this research are of twofold, namely, to investigate the desorption behaviors of hazardous constituents evolved from several types of contaminated soils, and to evaluate the in-situ thermal treatment of organic chemical contaminated soil.

Two clay soil minerals and a silty sand with five organic compounds, dichlorophenol, trichlorophenol, pentachlorophenol, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene (TCE) were used in this study. The desorption behaviors were evaluated by thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and a simulator of in situ desorption by heating probes. The results of TGA analysis revealed that a completely removal of organic contaminants can be achieved in a moderate temperature. They …

Prestressed Concrete Columns Under Bending And Axial Load, Ajit Chiplunkar

Theses

A general analysis and design equation for slender and nonslender prestressed concrete columns subjected to uniaxial or biaxial moments combined with axial load is proposed. The proposed equation is an extension to the one developed by Hsu for reinforced concrete columns. The analytical results of the ultimate loads of eccentrically loaded slender prestressed columns are compared with the experimental results reported by Brown and Hall and Aroni respectively. The comparative study shows that the proposed equation of interaction diagram is in good agreement with the actual tests.

The ultimate loads of biaxially loaded short columns are also compared with the …

Three Dimensional Finite Element Analysis Of A Tibial Ankle Prosthesis, Harrison Philip Crowell Iii

Theses

In this study, three dimensional finite element analysis is used to evaluate and compare partially and fully porous coated tibial components, of an ankle prosthesis, implanted in the distal tibia. The geometry of the distal tibia is determined from measurements of cross sections of a human tibia. From the measurements, solid models of the cancellous and cortical bone are created. A solid model of the tibial component is created and positioned in the solid model of the bone. From the solid model, a finite element model is created for the partially coated case and for the fully coated case. Each …

The Application Of Microwave Technology To The Remediation Of Non- Volatile Organic-Contaminated Soil, Huiping Gu

Theses

The application of microwave technology to the remediation of soils contaminated with non-volatile organic chemicals is the subject of this thesis. It had been previously shown in this laboratory that volatile and semi-volatile organics could be steam distilled from soil. This study has been focussed on the applicability of microwave treatment of soil contaminated with non-volatile organics at relatively low temperatures achievable by in situ microwave treatment. Non-volatile toxics, like dioxin, pose their greatest danger when excavated and transported, according to the EPA, therefore, there is an urgent need for an in situ remediation process. Microwave treatment is one of …

Non-Parametric Dominant Point Detection Algorithms, Kuo-Wei Huang

Theses

Dominant point detection is one of the most important preprocessing steps for landmark-based shape recognition and point-based motion estimation. Two new methods for detecting dominant points are presented. Both methods do not require any input parameter and the dominant points obtained by these methods remain relatively the same even when the object curve is scaled or rotated.

In the first method, for each boundary point, a support region is assigned to the point based on its local properties. Each point is then smoothed by a Gaussian filter with a width proportional to its determined support region. A significance measure for …

Adhesion Effects In Micro Mechanisms, Dennis Alan Kalgren

Theses

Dielectric resonators (DR) are suitably shaped objects made of high dielectric constant materials like TiO2, BaO, ZnO, and accessory ingredients, which can function as electrical resonators covering a very wide frequency range upto 40GHz. The physical dimensions of dielectric resonators are in mm range. High dielectric constant material resonators seem to be ideally suited for microwave applications because of their miniature size, low loss, insensitivity to magnetic dc biasing fields, and ability to concentrate large RF magnetic fields in small volumes. However temperature stabilization of dielectric resonators is an important consideration as the center frequency is a function of temperature. …

An Mcs Basic-52 Sbc Using Anything But An 8052ah-Basic, Hyunyeop Lee

Theses

This thesis exploits the ways to develop a new MCS BASIC-52 SBC using anything but an 8052AH-BASIC microcontroller. The 8052AH-BASIC based SBC offers short development time and low system cost; it is advantageous for numerous applications especially in the instrumentation, measurement and process control. However, the 8052AH-BASIC is no longer officially supported by INTEL and could disappear. Also, this SBC is not adequate for applications where power consumption is an important factor because the 8052AH-BASIC, a MOS product, draws a considerable amount of current.

To solve these problems we demonstrate how the 8052AH-BASIC can be replaced by any of a …

Towards An Understanding Of Women's Status In The Labor Force, Despina Papageorgiou

Theses

The thesis examines the status of women in the labor force from the economic and sociological point of view. It explores both the occupational segregation and the differences in earnings.

None of the existing theories provides a sufficient explanation either of the causes of the problems, or of the effects of women's position in the labor force. Each study has its limitations.

The previous studies failed to predict the dynamic effects of the changes that rapidly take place in the business environment and the increasing demand for highly qualified and experienced professionals. These changes facilitated women's entrance to top-management positions …

Selection Of Master Degrees Of Freedom In Model Reduction Techniques, Yixing Qi

Theses

Based on the model reduction technique called SEREP (System Equivalent Reduction Expansion Process), systematic ways to select the master degrees of freedom (the degrees of freedom kept in the reduced model) are developed and their usefulness is demonstrated by the examples. The following two criteria are ' developed for two specific objectives.

When we need to identify the response of the full model from the response of the reduced model (usually obtained from the experiments,) we hope to reduce the estimation error between the estimated response and the actual one. We also hope to keep the points which will have …

Single Token Integrated Dama In Multiple Bus Local Networks, Srinivasan Ramadurai

Theses

Multiple-bus local Networks (MBLNs) provide an architecturally simple solutions to serve high-reliability-high capacity local area networks(LAN) applications. Access mechanisms for MBLNs possessing stability and favorable delay characteristics are developed in this thesis. A new technique is proposed that uses a single explicit token to achieve demand assignment multiple access (DAMA) to arbitrate access on all the buses in the system. Analytical model was developed and compared to simulation results that indicates performance improvement in terms of delay characteristics of the system of buses.

Temperature Dependent Current-Voltage Characteristics Of Tisi2/N+/P Silicon Shallow Junctions, Bhupendra M. Shah

Theses

Analyses of temperature dependent current-voltage characteristics, of titanium silicide films on n+/p silicon shallow junctions, has been presented here. The fabrication technique involves the formation of shallow pn junctions, by ion-implantation of As+ through titanium films evaporated on P type silicon. The improvement of the activation of dopants has been fulfilled by different annealing processes in conjunction with the dopant drive-in. Electrical measurement of temperature dependent current-voltage technique has been employed to characterize these devices. The temperature dependent factors such as energy bandgap narrowing, majority carrier degeneracy, diffusivities, mobilities and minority carrier life time are evaluated by using key approximations.

Application Specific Integrated Circuits For Single Board Computer, Ximing Shi

Theses

A single board computer is the central part of many microprocessor-based instruments. The implementation of the logic portion of a single board computer using Xilinx Logic Cell Array makes the computer system more powerful. Xilinx Logic Cell Array is a new kind of Programmable Gate Array in application specific integrated circuit with high design flexibility and functional density. The XACT Development System provides schematic capture and auto place-and-route for design entry.

In this thesis, a Xilinx Logic Cell Array was developed and implemented in the 8052AH-Basic based Single Board Computer design. Also, the logic and timing verification and simulation of …

Removal Of Heavy Metal Ions From Wastewater By Foam Flotation, Xue-Jun Tang

Theses

The foam flotation technique was used to remove Cr³⁺, Cr⁶⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, and Nz²⁺ from solution The simulated wastewater contained 20 - 50 ppm of each of these ions. Fe³⁺ is added into wastewater as coagulant to produce floc. These dissolved metal ions are adsorbed onto the floc and/or coprecipitate with them. The floc can be then removed from solution by foam flotation. Under optimal conditions, such as pH=6.3 - 7.4, Fe³⁺=160 ppm for hexavalent Chromium or 90 ppm for others and Lauryl Sulfate=90 ppm, …

Delay Improvement And Reliability Enhancement In A Cim-Based Factory Network, Vimalkumar Upadhya

Theses

Today, Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) refers to the integration of computer-controlled factory floor devices with engineering design and plant management computers. In general, there is a need for more efficient factory networks than are currently available. To this end, it is essential to investigate new network architectures and study their performance.

A number of CIM networks are analyzed in this thesis, and a new CIM network architecture is proposed. The throughput and delay characteristics of all these network architectures are derived from their respective simulation models. The results indicate that the proposed CIM network architecture has superior performance characteristics, compared to …

Cad/Cam : An Analysis And Application To An Industrial Environment, Kulendu Vyas

Theses

This work is intended to explore details of CAD/CAM techniques and to check its application in medium size industry. To achieve this goal, a thorough study has been carried out on current CAD/CAM techniques, keeping in mind it's requirements, source and application, considering both the hardware and software side of it. To check application of CAD/CAM in an industrial environment, Schering Plough corporation was chosen as a subject. The main theme behind this application to the Schering Corp. was to develop the CAD/CAM capability within company, in order to gain better control over the quality and productivity, and to reduce …

Computer-Aided Planning For Automatic Assembly Of Printed Circuit Boards, Qin Xiang

Theses

A study of printed circuit board assembly in the context of process planning and optimization of assembly motion is presented. A knowledge-based system is developed utilizing software packages VP-Expert, dBase 3 for the Universal automatic assembly machines. The planning of time-optimal assembly motion falls into the travelling salesman problem whose solution is obtained using a composite algorithm. Branch-and-bound algorithm is also discussed for solving the travelling salesman problem.

Optical Isolation Of Single Board Computer For Use In High Electrical Noise Environments, Meng Xiao

Theses

This thesis describes various electrical noises, noise environments and noise effects for electronic logic circuitry. The optical isolator is introduced and its concept, classification and characteristics are discussed.

Various design considerations are reviewed: input forward current, reverse breakdown protection, threshold, current transfer ratio, isolation voltage, data rate, common mode rejection, CMOS compatibility, isolation resistance, isolation capacitance, temperature effect and cost.

A multi-channel optical isolated input/output interface board for 8052AH BASIC SBC is designed. It includes 16 input channels, 16 output channels, decoder circuit, latching circuit, PC895 interface and input protection circuit. The sample board has been built, tested in the …

Design And Processing Of Micromechanical Sensor Devices, Zhixiong Joe Zhou

Theses

A multi-purpose cantilever beam and microbridge accelerometer structure has been designed and fabricated in this work. This same structure with modification can be employed as a capacitive accelerometer, mechanical resonance accelerometer, and a piezoresist accelerometer. Surface microengineering processing techniques have been developed in this work. The cavity structure significantly reduced the parasitic capacitance. This work reports the first instance of spin-on glass for rnicromechanical device applications as both a sacrifical layer and a planarization material for the cavity. Other results of this thesis including:

1. LPCVD low temperature oxide as the base material from which the cavity is etched;

2. …

Teaching Mechanical Design Using The Axiomatic Approach, Lisa E. Hailey

Theses

Many authors on the subject of design state that it cannot be taught, it must be learned through experience. This thesis offers a method in which design can be taught to senior mechanical engineering students. The axiomatic approach to design, authored by Dr. Nam P. Suh of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, states that all good designs follow two axioms, the independence axiom and the information axiom. By teaching students to use these axioms, and the corollaries and theorems derived from the axioms, educators can teach students the basic concepts of good design.

To show how this approach can be …