Digital Commons Network^™

Vacuum Ultraviolet Modification Of Polymers, Daniel P. Tracy

Theses

Helium and argon arc plasmas rotating in a magnetic field were used as a source of vacuum-ultraviolet radiation (VUV) for modifying polymer surfaces. Surface modification was examined for treated samples of poly (tetraf luoroethylene) (PTFE), fluorinated ethylenepropylene copolymer (FEP), polyimide (PI) and poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) . Weight loss and contact angle experiments were carried out for polymers exposed to arcs of various parameters and exposure times. Additional experiments were carried out using various UV filters positioned against the exposed polymer surface to determine the photon energies necessary to induce polymer modification.

Thin Film Electroluminescence, Ian Mackay

Theses

The history of electroluminescent(EL) device research is reviewed with an emphasis on the polycrystalline materials effort. The mechanism of EL behavior for direct-current(DC) and alternating-current(AC) powder structures as well as thin film devices is summarized. Current AC device characteristics are evaluated and matrix addressing constraints to low power operation are discussed. Alternatives for lower voltage operation including high dielectric strength materials for AC use, and DC device designs are considered. Attempts at the fabrication of a low voltage, pulsed operation, DC device using a sputtered active layer are reported. Limited results are reported due to difficulties with the RF deposition …

Environment "Atmosphere", Kathleen A. Rose

Theses

I have been very interested in the creation of space (atmosphere) by framing a portion of the environment with a viewfinder. I am specially interested in the relationship of people with people and their connection with their environment. My curiosity stems from my background in sociology; I have a BA in sociology concentrating in urban society and the structure of culture. I also studied urban anthropology and did a hands- on- investigation of Irish culture which resulted in a hand made photography book . The photographic work of Walker Evans, Ernest Haas, Robert Frank, Linda Connor, Dean Brown, Alfred Stieglitz, …

Liberation: Design That Liberates Rather Than Handicaps Us, M. Amelia Kennedy

Theses

In my studies to become an industrial designer I have placed the strongest emphasis on two specific concerns: the design of products that support safe human activity (ergonomics), and the design of products that are accessible to physically impaired people. During this time I have been struck by the fact that these two concerns are always discussed separately, as if they had distinct applications in design that never related. The underlying assumption is that the general population and the the physically impaired are mutually exclusive groups. For this thesis project I set out to challenge that assumption by finding design …

Determination Of Image Quality For Added Noise As A Function Of Spatial Frequency, Yun-Ching Kuo

Theses

The noise in color images which is referred to as chromatic noise represents a distribution within three spectral bands and contributes to chromatic and achromatic visual effects. The chromatic noise depends very strongly on the spatial frequency response of the visual system. Therefore, this study characterizes the variation in perceived chromatic noise level and generates the noise field to add to the color image samples. From these degraded images, we found that noise in low spatial frequencies is much more disturbing than in the medium and high spatial frequency regions. The perceived quality scales of the modulated chromatic noise images …

Geometric And Organic Imagery, Douglas Charles Kenney

Theses

My purpose for attending graduate school was to increase my growth both as an artist and as an individual. Before coming to R.I.T. I had seven years of ceramics experience and I understood how a new environment and interaction with new people would assist my personal development. Moreover, the Master of Fine Arts degree would strengthen the quality of my work and provide me with the credentials needed to instruct at the university level. Considering the potential options an M.F.A. degree would give me, production pottery lost its appeal. I applied to graduate schools and was accepted at R.I.T. . …

Implementation Of A Research Goniospectrophotometer For Appearance Research, R. Mitchell Miller

Theses

A research-grade goniospectrophotometer was modified to improve its measurement capabilities for appearance research. Hardware, optical, and environmental modifications produced a device capable of measuring the spectral reflectance factors of a sample over the wavelength range from 380 to 700 nanometers at user-selectable illuminating and viewing geometries. Several extensive Pascal programs were written to provide a user-friendly interface to facilitate the control of the instrument, as well as, the collection, reduction, and display of data.

Characterization And 1h-Nmr Applications Of Hexaaza Macrocyclic Complexes Of Lanthanides, Mary Disano

Theses

Samples of PrL(CH3C00)2Cl-nH20 ( L=2,7J3,1S,-tetremethyl- 3,6, 1 4, 1 7,23,24-hexaazatricycloi 1 7.3. 1 .18'12] tetracosa-1(23), 2, 6, 8, 10, 12(24), 13, 17, 19, 21-decaene) were tested as lanthanide shift reagents using 1-heptanol, diisopropyl amine and hexylamine as substrates. These tests were unsuccessful. Syntheses of similar compounds with nitrate, carbonate, picrate, and chloroacetate counteranions were attempted in our desire to prepare template complexes with displeceable counteranions. A successful lanthanide shift reagent has not yet been synthesized.

Pmos Ccd, Mary J. Marek

Theses

Charge Coupled Devices are being used in optical imaging devices, shift registers, digital logic and such signal processing components as variable delay lines, transversal filters and signal correlators. The following work is focused on the design and fabrication of a CCD functioning as an 8-bit shift register.

Optimal Algorithmic Testing Of Re-Programmable Logic Arrays, Arvind Chopra

Theses

This research delineates a test strategy and detailed sequence of test vectors for a new class of programmable logic devices (PLDs). This new class of devices is based on architectures that contain programmable logic arrays (PLAs) programmed by on chip integrated static RAMs or EEPROMS. The new PLD architecture poses unique testing problems which require 100% nodal test coverage. Previous PLAs/PLDs did not require that 100% of the nodes be tested since their circuits utilized fuse link crosspoints and were not dynamically reprogrammable. Such devices could be tested by a unique personality pattern that combined the application and the test …

Design Of Robotic Lan Controller And Map Interface, Jayesh M. Joshi

Theses

An application specific integrated circuit has been designed for use as a gateway between two local area networks. This silicon chip provides the gateway function to link the NJIT robotics network and the MAP IEEE-standardized network. This IC utilizes the available Motorola MC 68824 Token Bus Controller for the MAP data path. A special IO design compatible with an optical communication link is used to interface into the NJIT RLAN network.

The gateway IC serves as an asynchronous buffer between the 5Mbps MAP link and the 500 bps local optical link. The control protocol provides the master function for polling …

Historic Site Marker Identity Program For The National Register Of Historic Places Of Rochester, New York, Susanna D. Cassell

Theses

None provided.

Elements Affecting Style, Aminta Romaguera

Theses

In order to make a comparison between the elements that affect the changes and the dominant tendencies in the design of jewelry at different times, I will briefly trace its development since the beginning of the twentieth century. This historical background will also allow me to point out how the style of jewelry has changed in the past decades, and the events influencing these changes, while also giving me a better idea of how these have influenced my thesis work.

A Workshop For Parents Of Children With Learning Disabilities, Kathy Taylor

Theses

The purpose of this paper was to justify the need of a workshop for parents of learning disabled children . The need determined by the result of a questionnaire filled out by the parents of LD children.

Once the need of the workshop was established a review of the literature in the field of learning disabilities was completed . This was done to give the presenter the necessary background to conduct a factual and effective workshop . Research was included on historical background of the LD field, definitions, characteristics, and social issues.

Methods of an effective presenter were also researched …

The Independent Fee Appraiser: A Survey Of The Appraisal Profession, Roger P. Durkin

Theses

No abstract provided.

Continental Ceramics At Auction: A Statistical Analysis Of The Effects Of Property Designations Upon Final Sale Price, Margaret Scott Wallace

Theses

This study, Continental Ceramics at Auction: A Statistical Analysis of the Effects of Property Designations Upon Final Sale Price by Margaret Scott Wallace, explores the relationship between auction catalogue property designations and the final sale prices of 18th-century continental ceramics. Conducted as part of the Master of Valuation Sciences program at Lindenwood College, the research focuses specifically on sales held by Sotheby’s and Christie’s in New York between 1984 and 1986.

The central hypothesis posits that identifying the seller—especially when associated with prestige or recognizability—positively influences the auction outcomes. The study utilizes statistical methodologies, including crosstabulations and regression analysis, to …

Identity Type Appropriateness Analysis Based Upon William Cavino's Classification System For Symbols And Logos: Verbal Symbols, Stewart Brett Deboer

Theses

This analysis has led me to believe that an appropriate style of identity mark for LVA-LC should fall within the realm of either a verbal symbol or that of a figurative mark. The potential competition and co-existence with a second identity mark is the primary reason for focusing my attention further within those areas. A strictly typographic treatment seems to be the most appropriate format for communication, clarity, and identity.

Modal Analysis Of A Robot Arm Using The Finite Element Analysis And Modal Testing, Shashank C. Kolhatkar

Theses

The objective of the present work was to study the technique of modal analysis using theoretical and experimental methods. A PUMA UNIMATION five axis robot was used as a model. The finite element analysis was performed using MacNeai Schwendler Corporation's NASTRAN code. Intergraph's Rand Micas pre- and post-processor was used to discretize the model and subsequently to display the animated mode shapes after the analysis was done with NASTRAN. The modal testing was performed using Structural Measurement Systems' STAR software and Bruel & Kjaer's instrumentation including a spectrum analyzer, accelerometer and hammer. Due to the size and weight of the …

Competitive Bidding Strategy In The Construction Industry : A Game Theoretic Approach, Hongbin Chen

Theses

A game theoretic approach is applied to analyze competitive bidding in the construction industry because previous models do not consider the conflict of interest that exists among competitors. The game theoretic model improves corporate performance when compared to previous Bayesian analyses.

The game theoretic model is discussed in conjunction with construction contracting practice. Competitive bidding is formulated as a game theoretic model in which a contractor optimizes his bid price to maximize his utility or corporate performance. Using available historical data, order statistics are employed to access the distribution of estimated costs among bidders for a project. The winner's curse …

A Study Of Employee Alcohol And Drug Abuse Programs, Phyllis E. Waters

Theses

This study is primarily concerned with drugs and alcohol in the workplace, the range and impact of chemical abuse and how companies are coping with this problem.

The purpose of this study is to study organizations which have formal employee assistance or drug rehabilitation programs and what kind of impact such programs have on reducing drug abuse in the work place.

The first chapter tells the history of these early occupational programs and how they evolved into what is commonly known today as Employee Assistance Programs. It also explains how alcoholism and drug abuse became accepted as a disease.

The …

A Non-Invasive Technique For Burn Area Measurement, Jong-Daw Yu

Theses

The need for a reliable and accurate method for assessing the surface area of burn wounds currently exists in the branch of medicine involved with burn care and treatment. The percentage of the surface area is of critical importance in evaluating fluid replacement amounts and nutritional support during the 24 hours of postburn therapy. A noninvasive technique has been developed which facilitates the measurement of burn area. The method we shall describe is an inexpensive technique to measure the burn areas accurately.

Our imaging system is based on a technique known as structured light. Most structured light computer imaging systems, …

Reduced Complexity Receivers For Trellis Coded Modulations Via Punctured Trellis Codes, Bonchul Koo

Theses

We introduce a new concept, called matched punctured trellis encoding, that simplifies the complexity of Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation (MLSE) receivers for combined trellis encoding and modulations with memory. Matched punctured trellis encoding is applied to tamed frequency modulation (TFM) which is a bandwidth efficient correlative - FM scheme. TFM finds applications in satellite, microwave radio, and mobile communications.

Our approach is based on puncturing a rate - 1/2 matched convolutional code to obtain a rate - 2/3 mismatched code. A matched code is one that produces trellis coded modulations of minimum complexity. Puncturing these codes to obtain mismatched codes …

Schottky-Barrier Solar Cells, Surface Patterning For Efficient Light Collection, Constantinos Manolis

Theses

Different geometrical surface configurations are considered here for a Au/n-Si semiconductor Schottky-barrier solar cell to improve their light collection efficiency.

Optical and electrical properties are theoretically analyzed for two given optical wavelengths of 0.9 and 0.5 micrometers respectively.

The configurations considered are: V-shaped, Star- shaped, M-shaped, asymmetric-V-shaped, and asymmetric-M-shaped. They all show a significant improvement in the short-circuit current over a flat cell model, while the open-circuit voltage remains practically unchanged.

Computer Controlled Oxygen Bioreactor, Dinesh Sachdeva

Theses

A computer controlled oxygen bioreactor has been designed to obtain more accurate values for oxygen bioreactor requirements and to optimize oxygen productivity with respect to oxygen concentration. This study solves a specific problem relating to oxygen concentration measurement and bioreactor control. The proposed reactor system is computer controlled to insure a desired oxygen concentration supply to an oxygen consuming reaction or organism. This thesis also explains and illustrates the bioreactor and its computer control system.

The computer controller incorporates oxygen sensing, oxygen measurement and temperature measurement, Electrical circuits have been designed and built for proper signal conditioning, data acquisition, data …

Microbial Competition In The Biodegradation Of Phenol, Mary Ellen Frank

Theses

Three phenol degraders were isolated from the mixed liquor of the Livingston, NJ municipal treatment plant. Shaker flask experiments using one of the degraders (a Pseudomonas sp.) resulted in the determination of its kinetic rate constants. The second phenol degrader (a Xanthamonas) lost its phenol degrading ability while being stored, and its kinetic rate constants could not be determined. The third phenol degrader (a Pseudomonas cepacia) formed flocs which interfered with the spectrophotometric determination of biomass and therefore its kinetic rate constants also could not be determined.

Mixed culture experiments were carried out using a the Pseudomonas sp. and a …

Synthesis Of Highly-Strained Gem-Difluoro Compounds By Reaction Of Difluoromethylene With Cycloalkenes, Deyi Yang

Theses

Trans-Cyclooctene is thought to be more reactive than cis-cyclooctene due to its trans-structure. When cis or trans-clooctene reacts with difluormethylene (:CF₂), trans-9,9-difluorobicyclo[ 6,1,0] nonane was generated in much higher yield than cis-9,9-difluorobicyclo[6,1,0]nonane. [PhCF₃P⁺CF₂Br]Br^- was chosen to be the difluoromethylene precursor in this study. The reason was that the reaction condition for trans-cyclooctene and :CF₂ should be at low temperature. Only [PhCF₃P⁺CF₂Br]Br^- could generate CF₂ at lower temperature (e.g. room temperature). We succeeded in the synthesis of trans-9,9-difluorobicyclo[6,1,0]nonane and its cis isomer and …

Thermal Decomposition Of 1,1,2- Trichloroethane In Hydrogen In Tubular Flow Reactors At Atmospheric Pressure, Chen-Chung Yeh

Theses

The decomposition of 1,1,2-trichloroethane in a hydrogen gas bath was carried out at 1 atmosphere total pressure in three different surface to volume ratio flow reactors. Temperature ranged from 440 to 850 °C and the residence times studied were in the range 0.2 - 2.3 seconds. Application of the first order rate expression to this data yields a linear relationship for each temperature studied and thus global rate constants for loss of reactant were determined.

It was found that conversion of the reagent was a function of both temperature and residence time. The major products observed are 1, 2-dichloroethylene (CHClCHCl), …

Application Of Microwave Energy To Remediation Of Soils Contaminated With Chromium, Chih-Ju Jou

Theses

A process based upon microwave treatment has been developed to render soil non-hazardous after that soil had been classified as hazardous due to heavy metal contamination. It has been applied to chromium-contaminated soil. The object of the present regulations is to prevent damage to water supplies as a result of the leaching of heavy metal ions from the soils. This object is expressed in the standard test for leaching, namely, the EPA EP Leachate test. This process can be used to immobilize metal ions sufficiently to meet the aforementioned standard. The present standard is based upon acid leaching, and not …

A Computer Program On The Economics Of Collection And Sortation Of Recyclable Materials In Municipal Solid Wastes, Ara Nigogos Kahyaoglu

Theses

The first version of the economic of recyclable materials in municipal solid waste analysis program was developed in interpretive BASIC by Rutgers the State University of New Jersey. Since BASIC is a line interpretative language several restrictions were encountered, the major one being the language size restriction.

The first objective was to obtain a truly portable program that would not be dependent on specific compilers and operating systems. The second objective was to generate a program that had the capability for expansion.

The C language was used over other high level languages such as PASCAL and FORTRAN because it had …

The Evaluation Of Polysulfone Composites As Structural Implants In Orthopaedic Surgery, Howard L. Scalzo

Theses

Two polysulfone composites were evaluated to determine their use as structural implants in orthopaedic surgery. The first composite, carbon fiber reinforced polysulfone (C/PS), was evaluated for environmental degradation in an in vivo and in vitro study. The C/PS composites were implanted subcutaneously in the abdomen of rabbits for the in vivo study and immersed in saline solution at 32° C for the in vitro study. The second composite, hydroxylapatite coated polysulfone (HA/PS), was evaluated for bone ingrowth in an in vivo study, and for attachment strength between the HA and the PS in an in vitro study. Also, two surface …