Engineering Commons^™

An Analysis Of Mutually Dispersive Brown Symbols For Non-Linear Ambiguity Suppression, Matthew J. Papaphotis

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis significantly advances research towards the implementation of optimal Non-linear Ambiguity Suppression (NLS) waveforms by analyzing the Brown theorem. The Brown theorem is reintroduced with the use of simplified linear algebraic notation. A methodology for Brown symbol design and digitization is provided, and the concept of dispersive gain is introduced. Numerical methods are utilized to design, synthesize, and analyze Brown symbol performance. The theoretical performance in compression and dispersion of Brown symbols is demonstrated and is shown to exhibit significant improvement compared to discrete codes. As a result of this research a process is derived for the design of …

Translation And Rotation Invariant Multiscale Image Registration, Jennifer L. Manfra

Theses and Dissertations

The most recent research involved registering images in the presence of translations and rotations using one iteration of the redundant discrete wavelet transform. We extend this work by creating a new multiscale transform to register two images with translation or rotation differences, independent of scale differences between the images. Our two-dimensional multiscale transform uses an innovative combination of lowpass filtering and the continuous wavelet transform to mimic the two-dimensional redundant discrete wavelet transform. This allows us to obtain multiple subbands at various scales while maintaining the desirable properties of the redundant discrete wavelet transform. Whereas the discrete wavelet transform produces …

An Integrated Architecture And Feature Selection Algorithm For Radial Basis Neural Networks, Timothy D. Flietstra

Theses and Dissertations

There are two basic ways to control an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) as it searches for targets: allow the UCAV to act autonomously or employ man-in-the-loop control. There are also two target sets of interest: fixed or mobile targets. This research focuses on UCAV-based targeting of mobile targets using man-in-the-loop control. In particular, the interest is in how levels of satellite signal latency or signal degradation affect the ability to accurately track, target, and attack mobile targets. This research establishes a weapon effectiveness model assessing targeting inaccuracies as a function of signal latency and/or signal degradation. The research involved …

Selecting Salient Features In High Feature To Exemplar Ratio Conditions, Ismail Aslan

Theses and Dissertations

A key tenet to the Air Force's vision of Global Vigilance, Reach, and Power is the ability to project power via the use of aerial refueling. Scheduling of limited tanker resources is a major concern for Air Mobility Command (AMC). Currently the Combined Mating and Ranging Planning System (CMARPS) is used to plan aerial refueling operations, however due to the complex nature of the program and the length of time needed to run a scenario, the need for a simple tool that runs in much shorter time is desired. Ant colony algorithms are recently developed heuristics for finding solutions to …

Modeling And Analysis Of Multicommodity Network Flows Via Goal Programming, Matthew A. Scott

Theses and Dissertations

In this research we focused on the mobility system modeled by the AMC mobility planner's calculator (AMPCALC). We developed AMPCALC as a user-friendly tool and allow the user to easily carry out strategic airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation calculations that are covered in Air Force Pamphlet 10-1403. In this study, Excel software and its macro language, Visual Basic for Application, are our two main tools. In the methodology of the thesis we examined fundamental aspects of the mobility system in AMPCALC. We discussed formulation logic of the mobility cycle. We presented ramp use optimization and tanker optimization processes. We …

Investigation Of Cooperative Behavior In Autonomous Wide Search Munitions, Robert E. Dunkel Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of wide-area search munitions in various scenarios using different cooperative behavior algorithms. The general scenario involves multiple autonomous munitions searching for an unknown number of targets of different priority in unknown locations. Three cooperative behavior algorithms are used in each scenario: no cooperation, cooperative attack only, and cooperative classification and attack. In the cooperative cases, the munitions allocate tasks on-line as a group, using linear programming techniques to determine the optimum allocation. Each munition provides inputs to the task allocation routine in the form of probabilities of successfully being able …

Third Quarter Report, Covering January Through March 2002, John Farley

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Progress from June 2001-November 2001 was presented at the winter meeting of the American Nuclear Society in Reno (November 12-15, 2001), and incorporated into a refereed conference proceeding. A copy of the refereed conference proceeding has been provided to Tony Hechanova. In brief, the paper described the new program to examine the corrosive effects of lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) on steels. We employed various types of surface studies (Scanning Electron Microscope [SEM], and X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometry [XPS]) to examine steel samples that had been exposed to LBE for various lengths of time at various temperatures. The goal is to understand the …

A Collaborative Visualization Framework Using Jini™ Technology, Chad M. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

It is difficult to achieve mutual understanding of complex information between individuals that are separated geographically. Two well-known techniques commonly used to deal with this difficultly are collaboration and information visualization. This thesis develops a generic flexible framework that supports both collaboration and information visualization. It introduces the Collaborative Visualization Environment (COVE) framework, which simplifies the development of real-time synchronous multi-user applications by decoupling the elements of collaboration from the application. This allows developers to focus on building applications and leave the difficulties of collaboration (i.e., concurrency controls, user awareness, session management, etc.) to the framework. The framework uses an …

Smart Structures For Control Of Optical Surfaces, D. Michael Sobers Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The development of lightweight, large-aperture optics is of vital importance to the Department of Defense and the US Air Force for advancing remote sensing applications and improving current capabilities. Synthetic polymer optics offer weight and flexibility advantages over current generation glass mirrors, but require active control to maintain tight surface figure tolerances. This research explores the feasibility of using imbedded piezoelectric materials to control optical surfaces. Membrane-based and stiff piezo-controlled mirrors were constructed to develop and validate control techniques. Test results verified that surface control on the order of tens of wavelengths is possible using these systems.

Identifying Enlisted Stay And Leave Population Characteristics With Discriminant Analysis, Zabrina Y. Hoggard

Theses and Dissertations

The research contribution of this thesis is the first known integrated architecture and feature selection algorithm for Radial Basis Neural Networks (RBNNs). The objective is to apply the network iteratively to determine the final architecture and feature set used to evaluate a problem. Additionally, this thesis compares three different classification techniques, Discriminant Analysis (DA), Feed-Forward Neural Networks (FFN) and RBNNs against several hard to solve problems. These problems were used to evaluate general classifier performance as well as the performance of the feature selection techniques. This thesis describes the classification techniques as well as the measures used to evaluate them. …

An Interactive Decision Support System For Scheduling Fighter Pilot Training, Cuong T. Nguyen

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. Air Force is developing Modular Aircraft Support System (MASS) program to replace the current Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE). AGE supplies electricity, nitrogen, hydraulics and other support equipment to maintenance activities at the flight line. Current AGE makes up one-third of the deployment footprint. AGE is also mostly aircraft specific, and has reliability problems. The MASS alternative focuses on modularity based on a plug-and-play approach. The technological improvements and possible reduction in the footprint make MASS a good alternative. The AF has to determine now, whether MASS can supply similar functionality and decrease the deployment footprint to theater, while …

Photocurrent Enhancement By Ticl4 Post-Treatment For Tio2 Nanoporous Film Electrode, Yan-Jie Ren, Li Zhang, Sheng-Min Cai

Journal of Electrochemistry

Enhanced photocurrent in dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell was obtained by post-treating the TiO₂ nanoporous film electrode with TiCl₄. By investigating the effect of the post-treatment on surface area, pore size distribution, laser pulse induced current transient of the film electrode, photocurrent increase by the post-treatment was assigned to the improved electron percolation resulting from broadening of interparticle neck.

Effect Of The Brightener On The Behavior Of The Silver Electrodeposition, Jin Hu, Hui-Min Wu, Xiang-Ming Feng, Wei-Dong Li, Zheng-Zhong Zuo, Yun-Hong Zhou

Journal of Electrochemistry

The effect of the brightener on the behavior of the silver electrodeposition in cyanide solution was studied by potentiostatically step and rotating dise electrode (RDE) as well as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the silver electrodeposition was not changed by the addition of the brightener to the fundarmental solution. But it apparently increased the solution's micro-leveling effection and remarkably improved the coating's surface lightness. The coating's orientation isn't changed by the addition of the brightener in the light of the XRD result. The effectivness of the brightener was also discussed by the half-wideth …

Determination Of Copper In The Waste Water Of Plating By Chronocoulometry For Flowing Solution, Xin-Hua Lin, Wei Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

The chronocoulometry for flowing solution was devoloped and applied to the detemination of copper(Ⅱ) in the waste water of plating. The linear range of copper(Ⅱ) was 2～16mg/L, and the relative standard deviation was less than 0.1% (n =8). The recovery was 98%～103% for copper(Ⅱ) in the waste water.Chronocoulometry for flowing solution overcomed noise disturbance resulting from capacity current and variety of property of electrode surface. This method was sensitive,accurate and well reproducible.

Raman Spectroscopic Study On Mechanism Of Aluminum Triphosphate Pigment, Zhi-Jun Gu, Yong-Gui Liao, Zhi-Gang Zhang, Qi-Long Guo, Fang-Teng Su

Journal of Electrochemistry

The painted steel sample whose coating contained anticorrosive pigment has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy. The protective mechanism of aluminum triphosphate pigment for A3 steel is proposed as follows: Aluminum triphosphate can be dissolved and arrive at the surface of the steel.The dissolved triphosphate ions can complex with ferric ions.And the new products, namely ferric triphosphate, can strongly adhere at the surface of the steel by chemical bonds slowly. At last, a compact protective film, which effectively separates the steel substrate from the aggressive media, is formed at the steel surface.

Varying Current Electro-Synthesis Of Glyoxalic Acid In Pairs In The Fixed-Bed Electrolytic Cell, Yin-Sheng Chen, Xin-Sheng Zhang, Ying-Chun Dai, Wei-Kang Yuan

Journal of Electrochemistry

As for the process of the electro oxidation of glyoxal to glyoxalic acid, the electrolytic result of either fixed bed electrolytic cell or varying current electrolysis was better than that of either flat plate electrolytic cell or constant current electrolysis. The average current density of varying current electro synthesis of glyoxalic acid in pairs was 1535 A/m² and the current efficiency were 85.3% and 86.7% and the selectivity were 93.9% and 94.0% for the anodic oxidation and cathodal reduction respectively. The initial composition of anodic electrolyte was 7% glyoxal and 8% hydrochloric acid (W/W) and the cathodal electrolyte consisted …

Electrochemical Synthesis And Characterization Of The Nickel Electropolyurushiol Coordination Polymer, Feng Gao, Guo-Cai Shen, Jie-Yuan Tang, Wen-Gong Zhang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The nickel electropolyurushiol coordination polymer (EPU Ni²⁺) was obtained by the reaction between nickel chloride isopropyl alcohol solution with electropolyurushiol (EPU). The electrochemical polymerization of urushiol and the preparation of nickel electropolyurushiol coordination polymer were investigated. The coordination polymer was characterized by XPS, FT-IR, DMTA and AES methods, and its composition and structure were determined.The content of Ni²⁺ reached up to 7.5%. It was shown that there was certain coordination between Ni²⁺ and electropolyurushiol in the coordination polymer, thus cross-inks were formed. Therefore the glass transition temperature of the coordination polymer increased and heat resistance was …

Electrosynthesis Of Glyoxylic Acid In A Packed Bed Reactor, Jin-Hong Fan, Jun Li, Yu-Zhong Su, Hao-Qi Gao

Journal of Electrochemistry

Glyoxylic acid was produced by electroreduction of oxalic acid in a packed bed reator. The cathodic and anodic electrolytes were super-saturated oxalic and hydrochloric acid aqueous solutions separated by a super-acid ion-exchange membrane. The current efficiency and yield of glyoxylic acid were studied under different structured packed bed reactors and different electrode materials, temperatures and current densities. The results indicated that the current efficiency of synthsis of glyoxylic acid was over 66.2% and the concentration of glyoxylic acid could reach 2.02% after 45min electrolysis with cathode of lead particles and anode of graphite board under conditions of temperature 32 ℃, …

Further Evidence For Surface Properties Of Porous Silicon Resulting In Electroluminescence, Zhan-Jun Zhang, Bin Wu, Jing-Jian Li, Zhong-Fan Liu, Sheng-Min Cai

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electroluminescence of porous silicon in solutions at positive biases was investigated by luminescence spectrometer. The electroluminescence of porous silicon in solutions mainly depended on its surface properties. The elelctroluminescence was much enhanced when the sample of porous silicon was electrolyzed once again which had undergone an electroluminescence test. The tests of both cyclic voltammetry and the luminescence of the sample of porous silicon prepared by repeated electrolysis provided further evidence that the electroluminescence of porous silicon in solutions at positive biases stemmed from the oxidation of Si-H on the surface of porous silicon. The voltage tunable emitting for porous …

An Investigation Of Inhibition Mechanism Of Cerium For Aluminum Alloy 2024-T3, Min-Hua Shao, Yan Fu, Rong-Gang Hu, Chang-Jian Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

Cerium compounds are promising inhibitors for aluminum alloy. However, the inhibition mechanism is not very clear. Scanning microreference electrode (SMRE) technique was used to probe the potential imaging of Al 2024 T3 in NaCl and CeCl₃ solution. The results of SMRE showed that in NaCl solution a severe localized corrosion occurred on the surface of Al 2024 specimen at once and maintained for a long time. The corrosion activity of Al alloy in CeCl₃ decreased with immersion time and disappeared finally. Additionally, the competition of inhibition and aggression between Ce³⁺ and Cl^- on Al alloy was …

Photoelectrochemistry Of La3+ Doped Semiconductor Porous Films Sensitized By Ru(Bpy)2(Ncs)2 Dye, Li Zhang, Yan-Jie Ren, Sheng-Min Cai

Journal of Electrochemistry

The La³⁺-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared with hydrothermal method.The photoelectrochemical properties of La³⁺-doped TiO₂ nanoporous-film electrode sensitized by Ru(bpy)₂(NCS)₂ were studied. The conversion efficiency of light to electricity and the energy conversion efficiencies were ineased with the depth of La³⁺-doped TiO₂ nanoporous-film electrode.

Study On The Orthogonal Test Of Al-Substituted α-Ni(Oh)2 Prepared By Complexation-Precipitation Method, Hui Chen, Jian-Ming Wang, Tao Pan, Hui-Ming Xiao, Jian-Qing Zhang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Al-substituted α-Ni(OH)₂ was prepared by a complexation-precipitation method and characterized by XRD.The electrochemical performance was tested by the charge-discharge method. The experimental results of orthogonal test showed that the effect order of some key preparative conditions on the electrochemical performance of Al-substituted α-Ni(OH)₂ was the concentration of aqueous ammonia, the content of aluminum and pH value.The optimum prepareative conditions for obtaining the sample with maximum specific discharge capacity (304 mAh·g^-1) were 0.5 mol·L^-1 aqueous ammonia, 15 mol% Al content and pH 11.0.

Uncertainty In Determination Of Hydrogen Diffusion Coefficient In Metal Hydride Electrode Based On The Transition Region Of Diffusion-Controlled Impedance, Xian-Xia Yuan, Nai-Xin Xu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Hydrogen diffusion coefficient in MlNi_3.75Co_0.65 Mn_0.4Al_0.2 metal hydride electrode has been determined with transition region of diffusion-controlled impedance. Multiple solutions were obtained at each data point because of the periodic characteristic of some functions used in the calculation, and the maximum difference between the solutions reached several orders of magnitude. On the other hand, the solutions varied for different data points in the transition region of diffusion-controlled impedance of the same experimental plot. It could be concluded that this method is not so well defined and some modification is required.

The Determination Of The Best Modified Way And Microscopical Analysis For Enzyme/Immunoelectrodes, Sa-Ying Dong, Hong-Ren Wang, Yu-Zhu Gao, Guang-Zhang Chen, Ming-Xiang Lv, Bo-Yi Tian

Journal of Electrochemistry

In this paper, the electrochemical response characteristics of enzyme and immuno electrodes were studied by cyclic voltammetry under different conditions. Our goals were to determine the best modified way of bioelectrode, which was the base of biosensor's application. 30U GOD and 0.8 mg/mL SEC1 antibody were suitable to bioelectrode preparation and detection. The microscopical analysis was finished with scan microscopy.

Design And Evaluation Of Processes For Fuel Fabrication: Quarterly Progress Report #2, Georg F. Mauer

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

The second quarter of the project covered the following:

• Project review with Dr. Mitchell Meyer, ANL West: A project review of the transmuter fuels project was conducted during the January 2002 AAA meeting in Las Vegas.

• A second graduate student, Mr. Richard Silva, began working on the project. Rich will develop detailed 3-D process simulation models as his M.Sc. thesis project. Rich is employed with Bechtel at the Yucca Mountain project.

• AAA Seminar Presentation by Mr. Jae-Kyu Lee and G. Mauer. Title: Transmuter Fuel Fabrication Processes.

• More equipment detail and estimates were developed for different manufacturing …

Preliminary Study On Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell, Shu-Qin Song, Li-Kang Chen, Jian-Guo Liu, Zhao-Bin Wei, Qin Xin

Journal of Electrochemistry

The performance of a direct ethanol fuel cell based on Nafion115 was reported.PtRu/C and Pt/C were used as ethanol anode and oxygen cathode catalysts in a single cell of size 9 cm² .The effects of temperature, oxygen pressure, the flow rate of ethanol, and oxygen, and ethanol concentration were tentatively studied. The experimental results showed that the cell open circuit voltage 0.608 V, the cell voltage 0.329 V at 50 mA/cm², and the peak power density 19.25 mW/cm² were reached under the conditions of T_cell =85 ℃, P_O2 =0.5 MPa, C_ethanol =1.0 mol/L …

Modeling Corrosion In Oxygen Controlled Lbe Systems With Coupling Of Chemical Kinetics And Hydrodynamics: Quarterly Progress Report 11/16/01- 2/15/02, Samir Moujaes, Yitung Chen

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The Lead-Bismuth eutectic (LBE) has been determined from previous experimental studies by the Russians and the European scientific community to be a potential material that can be used as a spallation target and coolant for the AAA proposed application.

Properly controlling the oxygen content in LBE can drastically reduce the LBE corrosion to structural steels. However, existing knowledge of material corrosion performance was obtained from point-wise testing with very limited density. The transport of oxygen and corrosion products, their interaction and variation of corrosion/precipitation along the flow are not well understood.

The first subtask of this project involves using a …

Development Of A Systems Engineering Model Of The Chemical Separations Process: Quarterly Progress Report 11/16/01- 2/15/02, Yitung Chen, Randy Clarksean, Darrell Pepper

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The AAA program is developing technology for the transmutation of nuclear waste to address many of the long-term disposal issues. An integral part of this program is the proposed chemical separations scheme.

Two activities are proposed in this Phase I task: the development of systems engineering model and the refinement of the Argonne code AMUSE (Argonne Model for Universal Solvent Extraction). The detailed systems engineering model is the start of an integrated approach to the analysis of the materials separations associated with the AAA Program. A second portion of the project is to streamline and improve an integral part of …

Design And Analysis For Melt Casting Metallic Fuel Pins Incorporating Volatile Actinides: Quarterly Progress Report 11/16/01- 2/15/02, Yitung Chen, Randy Clarksean, Darrell Pepper

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

An important aspect of the Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA) program is the development of a casting process by which volatile actinide element (i.e., americium) can be incorporated into metallic alloy fuel pins. The traditional metal fuel casting process uses an inductively heated crucible.

This process works well for the fabrication of metal fuel pins traditionally composed of alloys of uranium and plutonium, but does not work well when highly volatile actinides are included in the melt. The problem occurs both during the extended time period required to superheat the alloy melt as well as when the chamber must be evacuated. …

Hydrogen-Induced Embrittlement Of Candidate Target Materials For Applications In Spallation-Neutron-Target Systems, Ajit K. Roy, Brendan O'Toole

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effect of hydrogen on cracking of candidate target materials for applications in spallation-neutron-target (SNT) systems such as accelerator production of tritium (APT) and accelerator transmutation of waste (ATW). The test materials will undergo appropriate thermal treatments prior to being hydrogen-charged by potentiostatic cathodic polarization technique in a simulated aqueous environment at different temperatures of interest. The specimens, upon completion of testing, will be metallographically examined. Further, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) will be used to determine the extent and nature of cracking in the specimens tested. The thrust of the proposed …