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Articles 4681 - 4710 of 4850

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Vegetation Studies Of The Amazon Basin Using Enhanced Resolution Seasat Scatterometer Data, David G. Long, Perry J. Hardin, Peter T. Whiting Mar 1994

Vegetation Studies Of The Amazon Basin Using Enhanced Resolution Seasat Scatterometer Data, David G. Long, Perry J. Hardin, Peter T. Whiting

Faculty Publications

The Seasat-A scatterometer (SASS) was designed to measure the near-surface wind field over the ocean by inferring the wind from measurements of the surface radar backscatter. While backscatter measurements were also made over land, they have been primarily used for the calibration of the instrument. This has been due in part to the low resolution of the scatterometer measurements (nominally 50 km). In a separate paper the present authors introduced a new method for generating enhanced resolution radar measurements of the Earth's surface using spaceborne scatterometry. In the present paper, the method is used with SASS data to study vegetation …

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Epistemic Decision Theory Applied To Multiple-Target Tracking, Wynn C. Stirling, T. K. Moon, S. E. Budge, J. B. Thompson Feb 1994

Epistemic Decision Theory Applied To Multiple-Target Tracking, Wynn C. Stirling, T. K. Moon, S. E. Budge, J. B. Thompson

Faculty Publications

A decision philosophy that seeks the avoidance of error by trading off belief of truth and value of information is applied to the problem of recognizing tracks from multiple targets (MTT). A successful MTT methodology should be robust in that its performance degrades gracefully as the conditions of the collection become less favorable to optimal operation. By stressing the avoidance, rather than the explicit minimization, of error, the authors obtain a decision rule for trajectory-data association that does not require the resolution of all conflicting hypotheses when the database does not contain sufficient information to do so reliably. This rule, …

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Electromagnetic Characteristics Of Superquadric Wire Loop Antennas, Michael A. Jensen, Yahya Rahmat-Samii Feb 1994

Electromagnetic Characteristics Of Superquadric Wire Loop Antennas, Michael A. Jensen, Yahya Rahmat-Samii

Faculty Publications

The analysis of antenna configurations in the form of a generalized superquadric loop, which includes circular, elliptical and rectangular loop geometries, is presented in this paper. Use of a Galerkin form of the moment method with piecewise sinusoidal subsectional basis and testing functions provides rapid numerical convergence and accurate representation of the antenna current. A convenient parametric representation for the superquadric curve is developed to allow a subsectional formulation using curved wire segments, rather than the commonly employed piecewise linear segments, to construct the geometry. Both magnetic frill and delta gap source models are implemented to allow a detailed study …

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The Impact Of Coal Pyrolysis On Combustion, Peter R. Solomon, Thomas H. Fletcher Jan 1994

The Impact Of Coal Pyrolysis On Combustion, Peter R. Solomon, Thomas H. Fletcher

Faculty Publications

The pyrolysis process has impacts throughout coal combustion. The roles of pyrolysis in various aspectsof the coal combustion process are described, including the devolatilization yield, nitrogen release, softening and swelling, soot formation, and char reactivity. These processes can be understood and quantitatively predicted using recently developed network pyrolysis models that describe the transformation of the coal's chemical structure. The models are described and examples of their predictive ability for important coal combustion phenomena are presented.

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Coordinated Intelligent Control Via Epistemic Utility Theory, Wynn C. Stirling Oct 1993

Coordinated Intelligent Control Via Epistemic Utility Theory, Wynn C. Stirling

Faculty Publications

An approach to local reactive coordinated intelligent control based on the concept of an epistemic system, together with a principle of action that may be exercised locally, is presented. An epistemic system provides a mechanism for agents to characterize their knowledge corpora, options, goals, and beliefs. Levi's rule of epistemic utility provides a principle of action for decision making by comparing the informational value of rejection with the belief of correctness. Decisions are made locally and reactively, rather than globally. Coordination is implemented between agents by sharing and learning the epistemic systems of other agents. The resulting coordination model is …

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Effects Of Crosstalk On Fidelity In Page-Oriented Volume Holographic Optical Data Storage, Gregory P. Nordin, P. Asthana May 1993

Effects Of Crosstalk On Fidelity In Page-Oriented Volume Holographic Optical Data Storage, Gregory P. Nordin, P. Asthana

Faculty Publications

Using numerical simulation, we quantitatively examine the effects of cross talk on the recall fidelity of stored binary data in a page-oriented volume holographic memory system. We discuss the trade-off between the signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed bits and the optical throughput of the system (i.e., the fraction of the incident beam that is diffracted to the detector plane). We show that significant gains in the signal-to-noise ratio can be achieved with modest decreases in optical throughput in the region where the highest throughput occurs. The magnitude of this trade-off is influenced by both beam degeneracy and coherent recording cross …

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Resolution Enhancement Of Spaceborne Scatterometer Data, David G. Long, Perry J. Hardin, Peter T. Whiting May 1993

Resolution Enhancement Of Spaceborne Scatterometer Data, David G. Long, Perry J. Hardin, Peter T. Whiting

Faculty Publications

A method for generating enhanced resolution radar images of the Earth's surface using spaceborne scatterometry is presented. The technique is based on an image reconstruction technique that takes advantage of the spatial overlap in scatterometer measurements made at different times to provide enhanced imaging resolution. The reconstruction algorithm is described, and the technique is demonstrated using both simulated and actual Seasat-A Scatterometer (SASS) measurements. The technique can also be used with ERS-1 scatterometer data. The SASS-derived images, which have approximately 4-km resolution, illustrate the resolution enhancement capability of the technique, which permits utilization of both historic and contemporary scatterometer data …

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Analysis Of Weighted Fan-Out/Fan-In Volume Holographic Interconnections, Gregory P. Nordin, P. Asthana, B. Keith Jenkins, A. R. Tanguay Mar 1993

Analysis Of Weighted Fan-Out/Fan-In Volume Holographic Interconnections, Gregory P. Nordin, P. Asthana, B. Keith Jenkins, A. R. Tanguay

Faculty Publications

The feasibility of employing volume holographic techniques for the implementation of highly multiplexed weighted fan-out/fan-in interconnections is analyzed on the basis of interconnection fidelity, optical throughput, and complexity of recording schedule or implementation hardware. These feasibility criteria were quantitatively evaluated using the optical beam propagation method to numerically simulate the diffraction characteristics of volume holographic interconnections recorded in a linear holographic material. We find that conventional interconnection architectures (that are based on a single coherent optical source) exhibit a direct trade-off between interconnection fidelity and optical throughput on the one hand, and recording schedule or hardware complexity on the other. …

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An Overview Of Acerc Research In Fuel Characterization And Reaction Mechanisms, Ronald J. Pugmire, Thomas H. Fletcher Jan 1993

An Overview Of Acerc Research In Fuel Characterization And Reaction Mechanisms, Ronald J. Pugmire, Thomas H. Fletcher

Faculty Publications

A major objective of the Advanced Combustion Engineering Research Center is the development and verification of data on fuel characterization and reaction mechanisms and rates that can be incorporated into submodels for use in the comprehensive combustion codes. As technology has advanced, the levels of analytical sophistication has also advanced, making it possible to augment the existing body of information with new data. From this new data it is possible to draw new insights regarding the complex nature of coal and the various processes associated with combustion. The ACERC program has made it possible to bring different disciplines together to …

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Swelling Properties Of Coal Chars During Rapid Coal Pyrolysis And Combustion,, Thomas H. Fletcher Jan 1993

Swelling Properties Of Coal Chars During Rapid Coal Pyrolysis And Combustion,, Thomas H. Fletcher

Faculty Publications

Coal devolatilization experiments are commonly conducted at moderate temperatures (800 to 1300 K) and heating rates (103 to 104 Ks−1) in inert environments in order to measure evolved species before secondary reaction in the gas phase. However, chars from these experiments exhibit different physical characteristics than chars obtained under typical combustion conditions (1500 to 2000 K, 105 Ks−1, and 3 to 10 mol% oxygen). Experiments were conducted in two laminar, entrained-flow reactors to determine characteristics of coal chars in inert and oxygen-rich environments. One flow reactor was heated electrically, with gas temperatures of …

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Chemical Structural Features Of Pyridine Extracts Of The Argonne Premium Coals Using 13c Nmr Spectroscopy, Thomas H. Fletcher, S Bai, Ronald J. Pugmire, Steven Wood, David M. Grant Jan 1993

Chemical Structural Features Of Pyridine Extracts Of The Argonne Premium Coals Using 13c Nmr Spectroscopy, Thomas H. Fletcher, S Bai, Ronald J. Pugmire, Steven Wood, David M. Grant

Faculty Publications

Soxhlet extractions were performed on the eight Argonne Premium coals using pyridine purged with argon and followed by a novel washing procedure to remove the pyridine. Mass closure (extracts plus residues) on duplicate experiments accounted for 94-96% of the original coal, repeatable to within 2%. Chemical structural features determined from 13C NMR analyses of the extracts and residues showed more attachments per aromatic cluster for the residues, indicating a greater degree of covalent bonding in the residue than in the extract. 1H NMR analysis of the extracts showed a gradual increase in the hydrogen aromaticity with rank, along …

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Progress In Coal Pyrolysis, Peter R. Solomon, Thomas H. Fletcher, Ronald J. Pugmire Jan 1993

Progress In Coal Pyrolysis, Peter R. Solomon, Thomas H. Fletcher, Ronald J. Pugmire

Faculty Publications

The heterogeneous nature of coal and the complexity of the pyrolysis process have made it very difficult to perform unambiguous experiments to determine the rates and mechanisms in coal pyrolysis. However, recent years have seen a number of new experimental and theoretical approaches which shed new light on the subject. This paper considers the recent progress on kinetics, the formation of volatile products, network models, cross-linking, rank effects, and the ‘two-component’ model of coal structure. Recent experiments which measured coal particle temperatures at high heating rates provide reasonable agreement on kinetic rate constants. These rates also agree with those derived …

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Overview Of Acerc Comprehensive Model Development, Thomas H. Fletcher, Scott C. Hill Jan 1993

Overview Of Acerc Comprehensive Model Development, Thomas H. Fletcher, Scott C. Hill

Faculty Publications

A major objective of the Advanced Combustion Engineering Research Center (ACERC) is the development of comprehensive combustion models to help in the solution of critical national combustion problems. Computer models incorporate research and technology results from center projects and from external research programs. The synergistic integration of scientific knowledge that is expected from the NSF engineering research centers is demonstrated to a great extent at ACERC by the development of these software tools. The transfer of technology from ACERC to industry is also accomplished in part by the implementation of the models at industrial firms. The effort to develop such …

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Photopolymer-Based Stratified Volume Holographic Optical Elements, Gregory P. Nordin, A. R. Tanguay Dec 1992

Photopolymer-Based Stratified Volume Holographic Optical Elements, Gregory P. Nordin, A. R. Tanguay

Faculty Publications

We report the implementation of stratified volume holographic optical elements (SVHOE's) using DuPont's Omnidex holographic photopolymer material and an in situ exposure technique for simultaneous multilayer grating recording. Experimental measurement of the +1-order angular sensitivity of a seven-layer SVHOE structure shows remarkable agreement with both theory and numerical simulation for incidence angles near the Bragg angle. For SVHOE's having modulation layers that individually operate in the Bragg or transition diffraction regimes, the envelope of the SVHOE angular sensitivity is experimentally shown to approximate closely that of a single modulation layer.

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Diffraction Properties Of Stratified Volume Holographic Optical Elements, Gregory P. Nordin, R. V. Johnson, A. R. Tanguay Dec 1992

Diffraction Properties Of Stratified Volume Holographic Optical Elements, Gregory P. Nordin, R. V. Johnson, A. R. Tanguay

Faculty Publications

We present a unified treatment of the diffraction properties of stratified volume holographic optical elements (SVHOE's). We show that the relative phasing of the diffraction orders as they propagate from layer to layer gives rise to a unique notched diffraction response of the +1 order (for the case of Bragg incidence) as a function of the normalized buffer-layer thickness, the grating spatial frequency, and the readout wavelength. For certain combinations of these parameters Bragg diffraction behavior characteristic of volume holographic optical elements (VHOE's) is observed, whereas for other combinations pure Raman-Nath behavior periodically recurs. By using these same relative-phasing arguments, …

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Heterogeneity Of Intergranular Damage In Copper Crept In Plane-Strain Tension, Brent L. Adams, David P. Field Sep 1992

Heterogeneity Of Intergranular Damage In Copper Crept In Plane-Strain Tension, Brent L. Adams, David P. Field

Faculty Publications

The authors wish to acknowledge support of this work by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences of the U. S. Department of Energy. An interface damage function (IDF), which statistically describes the area fraction of interface damage as a function of up to eight parameters defining crystallite interfaces, was determined for commercial purity copper specimens crept in plane strain tension. The IDF was determined from stereological parameters measured on plane sections cut through damaged specimens. The eight-dimensional space of the function was investigated by analyzing two-dimensional projections of the complete domain. Certain special interfaces were observed to damage preferentially. A …

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Interface Cavitation Damage In Polycrystalline Copper, Brent L. Adams, David P. Field Jun 1992

Interface Cavitation Damage In Polycrystalline Copper, Brent L. Adams, David P. Field

Faculty Publications

The authors acknowledge the support of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences of the United States Department of Energy. Determination of an interface damage function (IDF) from a stereological procedure similar to that presented by Hilliard is described. The mathematical and experimental simplicity of the method is utilized in measuring an IDF for polycrystalline copper crept at 0.6T sub m under uniaxial tension. Whereas previous work focused on a five parameter description of the local state of a grain boundary, the domain of the IDF is increased to eight degrees of freedom in the present study to include the complete …

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Experimental Measurement Of Rov Tether Tension, Tim W. Mclain, S M. Rock Jun 1992

Experimental Measurement Of Rov Tether Tension, Tim W. Mclain, S M. Rock

Faculty Publications

In the undersea operation of a tethered ROV system, the pilot's ability to control precisely the ROV is often limited by disturbance forces generated by drag due to currents that act either directly on the ROV or indirectly on the ROV through the tether. The objective of this research, which was conducted at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), was to characterize the magnitude and dynamics of tether forces by measuring them during operation. To achieve this, a tether tension sensor and data logging system were developed. This system was used to measure the forces in the tether of …

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A General Three Dimensional All Quadrilateral Surface Mesh Generation Algorithm, Roger Cass Apr 1992

A General Three Dimensional All Quadrilateral Surface Mesh Generation Algorithm, Roger Cass

Theses and Dissertations

Among the available all-quadrilateral mesh generation algorithms progressive-front offers the best quality and robustness. The paving algorithm is a progressive-front technique that generates a two dimensional mesh of all quadrilaterals on planar surfaces. The technique is particularly suited to meshing irregular boundaries with interior holes. This thesis presents an extension of the paving algorithm to generalized three dimensional surfaces. The major problems in three-dimensional surface mesh generation are projection of nodes, calculation of interior angles, and connection of mesh fronts. The solutions to these problems are presented. This work is part of the ongoing CUBIT project at Sandia Labs. The …

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Note On The Number Dependence Of Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulations Of The Viscosity Of Structured Molecules, Richard L. Rowley, James F. Ely Mar 1992

Note On The Number Dependence Of Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulations Of The Viscosity Of Structured Molecules, Richard L. Rowley, James F. Ely

Faculty Publications

Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations have been performed for a system of 512 four-site models representing n-butane molecules. The results are compared to simulations previously reported for 125 molecules to check a recently reported number dependence in such simulations. A small system size dependence was observed at low shear rates, but the rheological behavior is not affected. Considerably greater certainty is obtained using larger systems.

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Chemical Percolation Model For Devolatilization: Ii. Temperature And Heating Rate Effects On Product Yields, Thomas H. Fletcher, Alan R. Kerstein, Ronald J. Pugmire, David M. Grant Jan 1992

Chemical Percolation Model For Devolatilization: Ii. Temperature And Heating Rate Effects On Product Yields, Thomas H. Fletcher, Alan R. Kerstein, Ronald J. Pugmire, David M. Grant

Faculty Publications

The chemical percolation devolatilization (CPD) model describes the devolatilization behavior of rapidly heated coal based on the chemical structure of the parent coal. Percolation lattice statistics are employed to describe the generation of tar precursors of finite size based on the number of cleaved labile bonds in the infinite lattice. The chemical percolation devolatilization model described here includes treatment of vapor-liquid equilibrium and a cross-linking mechanism. The cross-linking mechanism permits reattachment of metaplast to the infinite char matrix. A generalized vapor pressure correlation for high molecular weight hydrocarbons, such as coal tar, is proposed based on data from coal liquids. …

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Chemical Structure Of Char In The Transition From Devolatilization To Combustion, Thomas H. Fletcher, Mark S. Solum, David M. Grant, Ronald J. Pugmire Jan 1992

Chemical Structure Of Char In The Transition From Devolatilization To Combustion, Thomas H. Fletcher, Mark S. Solum, David M. Grant, Ronald J. Pugmire

Faculty Publications

Coal devolatilization experiments are generally conducted separately from char oxidation experiments, and the relationship between the chars generated in the two types of research is often ignored. However, char is one of the most important products of coal devolatilization and must be characterized as a function of temperature and heating rate in a manner similar to that for gaseous devolatilization products. The chemical structure of the parent coal directly affects devolatilization behavior. In this work, the chemical structure of chars from five coals of different rank are examined, and implications on char reactivity are discussed. Chars were obtained as a …

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Spaceborne Radar Measurement Of Wind Velocity Over The Ocean-An Overview Of The Nscat Scatterometer System, David G. Long, F. M. Naderi, Michael H. Freilich Jun 1991

Spaceborne Radar Measurement Of Wind Velocity Over The Ocean-An Overview Of The Nscat Scatterometer System, David G. Long, F. M. Naderi, Michael H. Freilich

Faculty Publications

Scatterometry and scatterometer design issues are reviewed. The design of the NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT) to be flown on the Japanese ADEOS mission is presented. Building on Seasat experience, the NSCAT system includes several enhancements, such as three antenna azimuths in each of two swaths, and an onboard digital Doppler processor to allow backscatter measurements to be colocated everywhere within the orbit. These enhancements will greatly increase the quality of the NSCAT wind data. The ground processing of data is discussed, and scatterometers of the next decade are briefly described.

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Identifiability In Wind Estimation From Scatterometer Measurements, David G. Long, Jerry M. Mendel Mar 1991

Identifiability In Wind Estimation From Scatterometer Measurements, David G. Long, Jerry M. Mendel

Faculty Publications

The problem of identifiability of a wind vector that is estimated from wind scatterometer measurements of the radar backscatter of the ocean's surface is addressed. The traditional wind estimation approach produces multiple estimates of the wind direction. A second processing step, known as dealiasing or ambiguity removal, is used to select a single wind estimate from these multiple solutions. Dealiasing is typically based on various ad hoc considerations. The traditional wind estimation approach results in multiple solutions associated with local minima in an objective function formed from the noisy backscatter measurements. The authors discuss the question of the uniqueness of …

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Set-Valued Filtering And Smoothing, Wynn C. Stirling, Darryl Morrell Feb 1991

Set-Valued Filtering And Smoothing, Wynn C. Stirling, Darryl Morrell

Faculty Publications

A theory of discrete-time optimal filtering and smoothing based on convex sets of probability distributions is presented. Rather than propagating a single conditional distribution as does conventional Bayesian estimation, a convex set of conditional distributions is evolved. For linear Gaussian systems, the convex set can be generated by a set of Gaussian distributions with equal covariance with means in a convex region of state space. The conventional point-valued Kalman filter is generated to a set-valued Kalman filter consisting of equations of evolution of a convex set of conditional means and a conditional covariance. The resulting estimator is an exact solution …

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Convex Bayes Decision Theory, Wynn C. Stirling, Darryl Morrell Feb 1991

Convex Bayes Decision Theory, Wynn C. Stirling, Darryl Morrell

Faculty Publications

The basic concepts of Levi's epistemic utility theory and credal convexity are presented. Epistemic utility, in addition to penalizing error as is done with traditional Bayesian decision methodology, permits a unit of informational value to be distributed among the hypotheses of a decision problem. Convex Bayes decision theory retains the conditioning structure of probability-based inference, but addresses many of the objections to Bayesian inference through relaxation of the requirement for numerically definite probabilities. The result is a decision methodology that stresses avoiding errors and seeks decisions that are likely to be highly informative as well as true. By relaxing the …

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A Median-Filter-Based Ambiguity Removal Algorithm For Nscat, David G. Long, Scott J. Shaffer, R. Scott Dunbar, S. Vincent Hsiao Jan 1991

A Median-Filter-Based Ambiguity Removal Algorithm For Nscat, David G. Long, Scott J. Shaffer, R. Scott Dunbar, S. Vincent Hsiao

Faculty Publications

A description is given of the baseline NSCAT (the NASA scatterometer) ambiguity removal algorithm and the method used to select the set of optimum parameter values. An extensive simulation of the NSCAT instrument and ground data processor provides a means of testing the resulting tuned algorithm. This simulation generates the ambiguous wind-field vectors expected from the instrument as it orbits over a set of realistic mesoscale wind fields. The ambiguous wind field is then de-aliased using the median-filter-based ambiguity removal algorithm. Performance is measured by comparison of the selected wind fields with the true wind fields. Results have shown that …

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Model-Based Estimation Of Wind Fields Over The Ocean From Wind Scatterometer Measurements. I. Development Of The Wind Field Model, David G. Long, Jerry M. Mendel May 1990

Model-Based Estimation Of Wind Fields Over The Ocean From Wind Scatterometer Measurements. I. Development Of The Wind Field Model, David G. Long, Jerry M. Mendel

Faculty Publications

For pt.II see ibid., vol.28, no.3, p.361-373 (1990). A parametric model for near-surface mesoscale wind fields suitable for use in a model-based approach to estimate the wind field over a large region of the scatterometer measurement swath from measurements of the radar backscatter of the ocean's surface is discussed. The assumptions made in developing the model are described, and the accuracy of the resulting model is evaluated. The model is based only on scatterometer data and is computationally tractable, consisting of a linear equation relating the near-surface wind field to a vector of model parameters which is estimated from the …

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Model-Based Estimation Of Wind Fields Over The Ocean From Wind Scatterometer Measurements. Ii. Model Parameter Estimation, David G. Long, Jerry M. Mendel May 1990

Model-Based Estimation Of Wind Fields Over The Ocean From Wind Scatterometer Measurements. Ii. Model Parameter Estimation, David G. Long, Jerry M. Mendel

Faculty Publications

For pt.I see ibid., vol.28, no.3, p.349-360 (1990). The feasibility of a model-based approach to wind field estimation is discussed. In this approach the parametric model for near-surface mesoscale wind fields developed in pt.I is used. The parameters of the model are estimated from the wind scatterometer measurements; the wind field estimate is then computed from the estimated model parameters. Unlike the traditional pointwise approach, this approach takes advantage of the inherent correlation in the winds at different sample points to estimate the wind field more accurately and resolve directional ambiguity. The accuracies of wind field estimates obtained using the …

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The Development Of The Smelting Industry In The Central Salt Lake Valley Communities Of Midvale, Murray, And Sandy Prior To 1900, Charles E. Hughes Jan 1990

The Development Of The Smelting Industry In The Central Salt Lake Valley Communities Of Midvale, Murray, And Sandy Prior To 1900, Charles E. Hughes

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis found that the three communities of Midvale, Murray, and Sandy were the center of the smelting industry in the Salt Lake Valley. These communities became the center of smelting because of their central location, the readily available water supply, and the availability of an inexpensive, efficient transportation system to ship the bullion. The smelters were surrounded by two major mountain ranges which provided a ready supply of good lead, silver, and copper ore.

The development of the smelting industry followed three separate phases or periods. The first phase was one of experimentation or period of discovery, in which …

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