Digital Commons Network^™

Advanced Controller Design Using Neural Networks For Nonlinear Dynamic Systems With Application To Micro/Nano Robotics, Qinmin Yang

Doctoral Dissertations

"The dissertation focuses on neural network (NN) control designs for nonlinear systems with application to micro/nano robotic. Critical problems in nano scale including thermal drift are also addressed"--Abstract, page iv.

Nonlinear Optimization Approach For Upfc Power Flow Control And Voltage Security: Sufficient System Constraints For Optimality, Radha P. Kalyani

Doctoral Dissertations

"This dissertation provides a nonlinear optimization algorithm for the long term control of Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) to remove overloads and voltage violations by optimized control of power flows and voltages in the power network. It provides a control strategy for finding the long term control settings of one or more UPFCs by considering all the possible settings and all the (N-1) topologies of a power network. Also, a simple evolutionary algorithm (EA) has been proposed for the placement of more than one UPFC in large power systems"--Abstract, page iv.

Experimental And Analytical Evaluation Of Frp-Confined Large Size Reinforced Concrete Columns, Silvia Rocca

Doctoral Dissertations

"Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) jacketing of Reinforced Concrete (RC) columns, as a rapidly growing strengthening technique, requires appropriate design methods. However, the current available design guides are based on models, in their majority semi-empirical, and calibrated with small-scale plain concrete specimens. These models might not be reliable in predicting the strength and ductility enhancement sought through FRP-confinement in RC columns with geometric and material properties as found in practice. This dissertation presents the research conducted in three technical papers. In the first paper, the performance of 22 FRP-wrapped RC columns of medium- and large-scale is studied. The results of the …

Harding University Catalog 2007-2008, Harding University

Harding Academic Catalogs

Academic catalog for the undergraduate programs at Harding University.

Harding University Graduate School Of Religion 2007-2008 Catalog, Harding University

Harding Academic Catalogs

Academic catalog for the graduate program in Bible and religion.

Harding University Graduate Catalog 2007-2008, Harding University

Harding Academic Catalogs

Academic catalog for the graduate programs at Harding University.

Manufacturing Of Glass Ribbon Reinforced Transparent Composites Using The Autoclave Process, Josef Patrick Seale

Masters Theses

"Clear transparent panels have many applications ranging from windows on an aircraft to protective safety guards on industrial equipment. Glass ribbon reinforced transparent composites are light weight, load bearing and have a high impact resistance.

A transparent composite is based on the concept of matching the refractive index of the glass ribbon with that of a resin system. It is not necessary that the resin refractive index match the glass refractive index before the cure cycle, only that the refractive indexes match after curing.

Transparent composites have a high impact resistance that would be mechanically ideal for aircraft windows and …

Modeling And Control Of Freeze-Form Extrusion Fabrication, Xiyue Zhao

Masters Theses

"Freeze-form Extrusion Fabrication (FEF) is an additive manufacturing technique that extrudes ceramic loaded aqueous pastes layer by layer below the paste freezing temperature for component fabrication. As the FEF is aimed at being conducted at low environmental temperatures, down to -20°C, it is necessary to investigate the effect of environmental temperature on the process. The advantages of fabrication at low temperature have been proved by experiments. Comparisons in terms of operation parameters, self-sustaining ability, and system dynamic response were performed at different environmental temperatures ranging from 20°C to -20°C.

It is commonly known in paste extrusion processes that due to …

Learning Transformations Through Cross-Cultural E-Mentoring: Perspectives From An Online Faculty Development Forum, Charlotte Nirmalani Gunawardena, Jennifer Linder-Vanberschot, Deborah Lapointe, Kerrin Barret, Julia Mummert, Marlie Saligumba Cardiff, Jason Skinner

University Libraries & Learning Sciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Employing qualitative research methods, this study discusses the learning transformations of e-mentors from the United States and protégés from Sri Lanka who engaged in online problem solving tasks that were part of a faculty development forum.

An Inside Look Behind Pandora.Com, Jackie Shane

University Libraries & Learning Sciences Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

A Simulation Environment Modeling The Use Of Wireless Sensor Networks For The Detection And Mapping Of Wildfires, Matthew Gann

Masters Theses

"Over the past 5 years, billions of dollars have been spent fighting wildfires which consume thousands of acres. Currently, satellites are the primary source of information regarding the location of large scale wildfires. The satellites in use are capable of reporting the location of the wildfire, but these reports are generated infrequently and have a low spatial resolution, where the reported location of the fire can be off by 500 meters. Timely detection (latency) and frequent report (throughput) are needed to help prevent the destruction caused by wildfires. This thesis, a system is described based on an ad-hoc wireless sensor …

Nonlinear Control Of Nonholonomic Mobile Robot Formations, Travis Alan Dierks

Masters Theses

"In this thesis, the framework developed to control a single nonholonomic mobile robot is expanded to include the control of formations of multiple nonholonomic mobile robots. A combined kinematic/torque control law is developed for leader-follower based formation control using backstepping in order to accommodate the dynamics of the robots and the formation in contrast with kinematic-based formation controllers typically found in literature"--Abstract, page iv.

Mechanical Properties And Microstructure Study For Direct Metal Deposition Of Titanium Alloy And Tool Steel, Yaxin Bao

Masters Theses

"This thesis is focused on the research about DMD (Direct Metal Deposition) which is an additive manufacturing process and used in various engineering applications such as producing fully dense and net shape productions in difficult-to-machine materials. In this study, the microstructure was analyzed through optical microscopy and some mechanical properties were tested with different equipments such as SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and micro-hardness tester...In summary, this thesis validated that DMD process can be improved through surface treatments and is capable of repairing molds for die casting industry"--Introduction, page 1.

Vapor Phase Uptake Of Volatile Organic Contaminants By Hybrid Poplar Trees, Sally Rebecca Breite

Masters Theses

"Phytoremediation, the use of plants to immobilize, degrade or remove contaminants from the environment, shows great promise as a remediation technique for many contaminated sites. Phytovolatilization in particular is of great interest for sites contaminated with chlorinated solvents and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), many of which are recalcitrant to biodegradation. Hybrid poplar trees have been shown to uptake, translocate and volatilize numerous aqueous-phase VOCs, however vapor phase uptake of such compounds has only recently been observed and for only one contaminant, tetrachloroethylene (PCE). One semi-volatile and five volatile compounds were dosed to poplar trees in aqueous and vapor phase …

Enhanced Functional Analysis System Technique For Managing Complex Engineering Projects, Sofia Tan

Masters Theses

"This study presents an Enhanced Functional Analysis Systems Technique (EFAST) tool to facilitate communication amongst various stakeholders such as the customers, program managers, systems architects, and systems engineers. the EFAST maps the customer requirements to downstream system functions and subsystem/component requirements, and outlines the interactions between various system and subsystem level and activities using a top-down approach. A bottom-up approach is used to populate the system element cost and time estimates. The EFAST tool compares the budgeted development resources with the estimated development resources to provide a realistic picture for realizing project in terms of performance, cost, and schedule. The …

Interactive And Dialogue Based Learning In Engineering Education, Siddartha Thummuri

Masters Theses

"This thesis focuses on a class room architecture that provides high levels of interactivity which enhances the students' learning environment both in distance and on-campus contexts and forms a basis for practical learning. Two analyses are presented in this thesis, the first one being a simple measure of levels of interactivity in this course architecture, based on rubric and the second one, a comparative analysis, to demonstrate the effectiveness of interactive (multi-directional information flow) classrooms as opposed to conventional (unidirectional information flow) classrooms and that this course architecture is ideal for enhancement of distance learning and an excellent route to …

Executable System Architecting Using Systems Modeling Language In Conjunction With Colored Petri Nets - A Demonstration Using The Geoss Network Centric System, Renzhong Wang

Masters Theses

"Models and simulation furnish abstractions to manage complexities allowing engineers to visualize the proposed system and to analyze and validate system behavior before constructing it. Unified Modeling Language (UML) and its systems engineering extension, Systems Modeling Language (SysML), provide a rich set of diagrams for systems specification. However, the lack of executable semantics of such notations limits the capability of analyzing and verifying defined specifications. This research has developed an executable system architecting framework based on SysML-CPN transformation, which introduces dynamic model analysis into SysML modeling by mapping SysML notations to Colored Petri Net (CPN), a graphical language for system …

Optimal Formation Of Supplier Networks For Product Design And Production Phases To Realize An Evolving Product Family, Padmavathi K. Pakala

Masters Theses

"Due to rapid changes in customer requirements and vast improvements in technology, many product development companies have identified strategies like time-to-market (TTM) compression and product family development as critical for attaining success in today's hyper-competitive markets. Compressing the TTM, to a large extent, is dependent on the suppliers and the project execution skills of the integrator companies. This study presents a methodology for selecting suppliers for two significant phases of the product realization process, namely, product design and production. The proposed methodology uses a two-stage approach for supplier selection where suppliers for product design are selected in the first stage …

E-Design Tools For Friction Stir Welding: Cost Estimation Tool, Pradeep Kumar Tipaji

Masters Theses

"A cost model is an important tool for product design and material selection. An efficient and effective cost estimation tool is necessary for early design evaluation. In this paper, cost estimation models that estimate the production cost for Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Friction Stir (FS), and Friction Stir Spot (FSS) welded joints are presented. These models determine the cost incurred to fabricate each joint along with a detailed explanation of each cost component. Each cost component has been closely analyzed and major cost components have been included in the cost model"--Abstract, page iv.

A Software Defined Radio For Research Into Cognitive Radio, Jason Michael Pratt

Masters Theses

Software defined radios are capable of transmitting and receiving signals over a broad range of frequencies, and can alter their carrier frequency, modulation scheme, and power level by changing the software controlling the radio. Because of these capabilities, a software defined radio is the necessary platform for research into cognitive radio. The aim of cognitive radio is to more fully utilize the RF spectrum by allowing wireless communication systems to scan the spectrum for unused frequency bands and dynamically establish communication over one of those unused bands. This thesis gives a brief introduction into cognitive radio, and currently existing software …

Magnetohydrodynamic Power Generation In A Scramjet Using A Post Combustor Generator, Nathan Lee Mundis

Masters Theses

"A scramjet with a post combustor MHD generator is examined. A quasi-one-dimensional model is developed to calculate the flow path from tip to tail. The model includes losses due to combustion irreversibility, incomplete combustion, chemically reacting flow, friction, MHD losses, and nozzle plume modeling. Flight Mach number, magnetic field strength, gas conductivity, MHD load factor, and MHD generator expansion angle are all varied in order to assess their effects on MHD power generated and thrust lost in the engine. The trends produced through the above variations are summarized in a set of model-fit equations. It is concluded that a post …

Cfd Simulation Of Contact Planarization, Shanti Vusirikala

Masters Theses

"Semiconductor devices form the essential components of most electronic devices. The fabrication of circuit elements to manufacture these devices is done by a process known as photolithography, using photoresist layer deposition, optical masks, and etching. As feature sizes become smaller, higher optical precision is required, necessitating an optically flat surface on the photoresist layer. The surface of the photoresist layer can become uneven because of conformation to the topography of the layers underneath or a change in shape of the layer after evaporation of solvent. To combat this, Brewer Science, Inc. has developed a contact planarization process (CON-TACT®) in which …

Friction Stir Processing Of Cast Magnesium Alloys, Timothy A. Freeney

Masters Theses

"This thesis investigates the feasibility and benefits of using friction stir processing as a thermo-mechanical microstructural modification tool for local property enhancement or casting repair of magnesium alloys, specifically high strength EV31A and WE43"--Abstract, page iv.

Toward Improving Performance Measurement In Public Sector Organizations, Matthew Thomas Kutz

Masters Theses

"The objective of this research is to investigate various means of improving the performance measurement methods for public sector organizations. A case study is conducted using data from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). As a government organization, MoDOT must publish measurements of its performance for the general public and for the legislators who provide funding. Currently, MoDOT produces a quarterly publication, called the Tracker, for performance measurement reporting. This research hypothesizes that the Tracker is not an effective performance measurement system and stakeholders of MoDOT would benefit from a more concise and pointed report of MoDOT performance. A software …

Manufacturing Of High Performance Composites Using Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding, V. G. K. Menta

Masters Theses

"The objective of this research is to establish and enhance the existing Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process to manufacture high performance composite parts usable in the aerospace industry.

Flat, hat, pi and multi stiffened panels have been manufactured by the VARTM process using AS4-5HS and AS4-8HS carbon fabric, and SI-ZG-5A low viscosity epoxy resin. Silicone-based reusable molds have been designed and developed to manufacture stiffened panels. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments of the SI-ZG-5A resin system were conducted to determine the storage modulus, loss modulus, and the glass transition temperature. The density and …

A Light-Weight Middleware Framework For Fault-Tolerant And Secure Distributed Applications, Ian Jacob Baird

Masters Theses

"This thesis outlines the design, implementation, and performance of a lightweight middleware framework for interprocess communication with an update log propagation algorithm. The system was designed and implemented using a point-to-point based lightweight middleware framework and compared to a similar system implemented utilizing CORBA--Abstract, page iii.

Terahertz Data Processing For Standoff Detection Of Improvised Explosive Devices, Amit Bipin Shah

Masters Theses

"Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are homemade, non-conventional explosive devices, which are used to destruct and incapacitate individuals and property. IEDs are becoming a popular weapon of attack among terrorists and insurgents due to their easy of making and capability to cause major damage. Hence, is has become necessary to develop efficient systems for detecting and disarming these devices. The Terahertz technology which uses electromagnetic radiations between 0.3 THz to 10 THz for imaging is one of the most recently developed detection techniques and is ideally suitable for detection of IEDs and similar devices. Although a lot of work has been …

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 …

Common Data Set, 2006-2007, Planning, Research, And Policy Analysis

Common Data Set (2001-present)

Common Data Set 2006-2007 for Illinois State University

The Pioneer, Vol. 12, No. 1, Winter 2007, Illinois State University, College Of Education

The Pioneer (alumni newsletter)

Alumni Newsletter for University High School, College of Education