Engineering Commons^™

Evaluating The Communications Capabilities Of The Generalized Hypercube Interconnection Network, Sanjay Krishnamurthy

Theses

This thesis presents results of evaluating the communications capabilities of the generalized hypercube interconnection network. The generalized hypercube has outstanding topological properties, but it has not been implemented in a large scale because of its very high wiring complexity. For this reason, this network has not been studied extensively in the past. However, recent and expected technological advancements will soon render this network viable for massively parallel systems.

We first present implementations of randomized many-to-all broadcasting and multicasting on generalized hypercubes, using as the basis the one-to-all broadcast algorithm presented in [3]. We test the proposed implementations under realistic communication …

Impact Of Access Points On Multilane Highway Accidents, Tao Qu

Theses

This thesis presents an analysis of reported accidents on multilane highways and regression models that identify the primary explanatory variables that have a significant effect on accident rates midblock to signalized intersections. The analysis was based on traffic and reported accident data provided by New Jersey DOT. The access points per mile and the accident rates per million-vehicle-miles-traveled were analyzed based on a large number of roadway sections which were selected from five NJ State routes. Comparative accident analysis related with traffic and roadway geometric characteristics were performed. The analysis showed that approximately 30% of accidents occurred between intersections, which …

Design And Implementation Of Generalized Adaptive Neural Filters, Chun Yip Tam

Theses

Generalized Adaptive Neural Filters (GANF) are a class of adaptive non-linear filters. This thesis presents a hardware implementation of GANF. Two designs are considered: the single neuron implementation and the multi-neuron implementation. The GANF design includes the window generator, threshold decomposer, training and filtering unit. The designs are verified through a logic design/simulation tool, Logic Works.

Design Of A Communications Interface For A Very High Performance Computer, Jesse Boyd Zydallis

Theses

PetaFLOPS computing power is the newest goal of Federal Government agencies, in the increasingly active supercomputer field. To obtain this performance goal by the year 2007, sophisticated parallel processing designs are required. To effectively create network interfaces/routers for interprocessor communications in such computer systems, it requires optimal hardware and software codesigns.

An interface is presented for the NJIT New Millennium Computing Point Design, a system that targets 100 TeraFLOPS performance by the year 2005. The router handles store-and-forward switching and wormhole routing for the system.

Dynamic Friction Measurement, Modeling, And Compensation For Precise Motion Control, Simon Cohn

Theses

In this thesis, measurements of dynamic friction in a hydrodynamic journal bearing were performed for varying sinusoidal velocity excitations, loads, and lubricants. The results indicate that the friction data displays a negative slope in the mixed region of friction vs. velocity (f-v) curves, and also shows that the dynamic friction is not just a function of current velocity, but also a function of velocity history (hysteresis). These results are in agreement with previous experimental investigations by other investigators in lubricated friction.

Secondly, a dynamic friction model is fully explored and partially extended to provide quantitative agreement to measured friction values. …

Kinematic Analysis Of A Swash-Plate Mechanism Using Transformation Matrices, David Edgar Evans

Theses

The swash-plate mechanism is used to transfer rotational motion into translational motion and vice versa. Using transformation matrices to describe each joint, the displacements of the swash-plate mechanism were analyzed. The general transformation matrix model for the plane joint, not previously developed using transformation matrices, was presented. The solution was tested using a computer program. Examples of three different swash-plate angles; 10, 45, and 25' were considered. The solution was found to agree with previous solutions while offering a more complete description of the mechanism. Future work in this area could include a complete static, velocity, and/or dynamic analysis of …

Design, Fabrication And Characterization Of The Infrastructure For A Two Part Non Volatile Ram, Suma Madapur

Theses

The present trend is to be able to develop cheaper and more convenient methods to design and fabricate non volatile RAM that will lead to an alteration of the computer architecture itself This will help replace the DRAM, which the computers currently have in their memory. The proposed NVRAM is designed to overcome the common difficulties faced with the use of ferroelectric materials used in the fabrication of NVRAM. The new idea essentially consists of fabricating the circuitry component separately and the substrate component separately and binding the two with the help of a conducting material. Electrical properties such as …

Optimal Synthesis Of A Planar Four-Bar Function Generator Based On Imderect Measure Of Structural Error, Robert Ellis

Theses

A novel technique for optimal synthesis of a planar four-bar function generator is presented. An indirect measure of structural error is used to formulate an objective function which, along with its derivatives, is straightforward to evaluate and results in an elegant and robust algorithm. Lagrange multipliers are used to incorporate the loop closure constraint into the objective function.

In this thesis, the formulation of the objective function and the minimization algorithm are described, examples are presented, and the virtues and shortcomings of the algorithm are discussed.

Parameter Optimization For Curl Distortion In Building Parts Using 3-D Laser Stereolithography, Laurel A. Hanesian

Theses

The curl distortions in rapid prototyping using 3-D laser stereo lithography occur as the top layers shrink after being drawn and attaching to the bottom layers. The amount of curl is dependent upon the how much shrinkage the layer has finished prior to adhesion. It is also dependent on how deep the cure of the top layer amounts to as it adheres into the bottom layer. This thesis investigated the effect of build parameters on the distortions associated with the diagnostic 'Letter-H' shaped test part. The same parameters were also considered in a time optimization study, using calculated, predicted results …

A Design-For Retirement Rating Model For Environmentally Conscious Products, Xin He

Theses

Design-For-Retirement is a concept that allows one to design a product such that its retirement time and post-life treatment are optimized to lead to the minimum environmental impact and maximum financial gain. Retired product parts or subassemblies face three primary multi-lifecycle engineering treatments. The first one is to recondition them for reuse in the next lifecycle. The second one is to convert their post life parts into a material form for recycling back into new parts. The last is to dump or landfill them. Each option has a significantly different environmental cost-benefit ratio. Another important concern is the dismantling process …

Development And Characteristics Of Carbon Nitride Thin Solid Films For Advanced Coating Applications, Muhammad A. Hussain

Theses

Carbon nitride films were synthesized on silicon substrate by reactive magnetron sputtering of graphite target in an environment of Ar and nitrogen gas. The performance of a negative carbon ion source was also investigated to use the source in negative ion-beam-assisted deposition. These films were synthesized at room temperature at a constant pressure of 5 mtorr and at 300 Watts R.17 power, but at different composition of nitrogen in Ar-N₂ gas mixture ranging from 0-53 percent. The films deposited were microscopically smooth, amorphous and their properties found to be varied with nitrogen composition in plasma. The deposition rate was …

The In0.75ga0.25as/In0.52al0.48as/Inp Hall Effect Magnetic Field Sensor, Oleg Mitrofanov

Theses

The magnetic field sensor is produced from III-V group semiconductor materials. The structure is designed for molecular beam epitaxy growth technique (MBE) on the semiinsulating InP substrate. The sensitive element is the In_0.75Ga_0.25As/In_0.52Al_0.48As heterostructure. The sensor uses the classic Hall effect in two-dimension electron gas (2DEG) formed at pseudomorphic strained epilayer of In_0.75Ga_0.25As. Properties of the 2DEG are preferential for the Hall effect sensor performance. Comparatively to bulk, electron mobility is higher. The device combines high magnetic field sensitivity and temperature stability. The sensor is designed for operation …

Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition Of Boron Nitride Thin Films From Triethylamine Borane Complex And Ammonia, Narahari Ramanuja

Theses

Boron nitride thin films were synthesized on Silicon and quartz substrates by low pressure chemical vapor deposition using triethylamine-borane complex and ammonia as precursors. The films were processed at 550°C, 575°C and 600°C at a constant pressure of 0.05 Torr at different precursor flow rates and flow ratios.

Several analytical methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x- ray photo-electron spectroscopy, ultra-violet/visible spectrophotornetry, ellipsometry, surface profilometry and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the deposited films. The films deposited were uniform, amorphous and the composition of the films varied with deposition temperature and precursor flow ratios. The stresses in …

A Study To Analyze And Improve Mechanical And Electro-Mechanical Designs Using Design For Quality Manufacturability (Dfqm) Technique, Bhavani P. Veerapaneni

Theses

The competitive nature of modern manufacturing demands that an innovative approach be used to build advanced and robust designs. Shortening the product development time, which is the period from initial design to full production, is a priority to most manufacturers today. Design for Quality Manufacturability (DFQM) is a methodology to address manufacturing / assembly quality issues during product design. As a consequence DFQM helps shorten the product development time.

The DFQM methodology addresses the issue of quality manufacturability (QM) - the likely hood that defects will occur during the manufacture of a product in a standard plant. The DFQM architecture …

Voc Removal From Nitrogen By A Membrane-Based Combined Absorption-Stripping Process, Boya Xia

Theses

A regenerative membrane-based absorption process has been extensively studied to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air/N₂ using silicone oil as absorbent. The absorbent liquid is regenerated by applying vacuum in a membrane-based stripper. In this process, there are no flooding, loading and entrainment, which limit the gas/liquid flow rate in the traditional absorption process. In the present study, attention has been focused on the removal of volatile component(s) from binary gas mixtures such as methanol-N₂, and toluene-N₂, and from a model multicomponent mixture of gasoline vapor constituents and nitrogen. The process performance was tested …

Modeling And Numerical Analysis Of Beam Matrix Plasma Display System, Jingwu Zhang

Theses

This research investigates a new display device - Beam Matrix Plasma Display Panel (BM PDP). The scan of a PDP in such a system is accomplished through two electrical-beam guns instead of semiconductor switches.

The BM-PDP eliminates the expensive semiconductor switches in the current plasma display device systems. Its drive circuit has only three parts: electron beam guns, resistors and capacitors. During the operation of BM PDP, first a switch cell is turned on by a selection gun (X gun). Then another electron gun (Y gun) emits electrons onto column electrodes and capacitors. When the voltage over the corresponding luminous …

Investigation Of Optical Properties Of Inp, Ain And Sapphire For Applications In Non-Contact Semiconductor Process Monitoring, Rajasekhar Velagapudi

Theses

The objective of this thesis was to develop a reliable multi-wavelength pyrometer for simultaneous measurement of the wafer temperature and its optical properties in the wavelength range of 1 to 20 microns and temperature range of 30 to 1500° C. The spectral emissometer has been utilized for measurement of the temperature dependent optical properties of InP, AlN and Sapphire. The experimental results presented in this thesis showed that the measurement of high temperature optical properties could be performed reliably with a novel approach using the spectral ernissometer. The temperature determination capability of the emissometer was tested and verified using a …

Melt Hydroperoxidation Polypropylene With Potential Application In Pollution Control, Zeena Cherian

Theses

The primary objective of this study is to introduce tertiary hydroperoxide functional groups into polypropylene (PP) melt by injecting air. This was done first by mixing additive free polypropylene powder with air in a batch mixer. The influence of air flow rate, temperature, mixing time and rotor RPM on the concentration of hydroperoxide groups were studied. Iodometric analysis and fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis were the techniques used to detect and quantify the concentration of hydroperoxide groups. In the second phase of the study, hydroperoxide groups were introduced in polypropylene through reactive processing in a single screw extruder. It was …

Removal Of Vocs From Superfactant-Flushed Wastewater By Membrane Based Modified Pervaporation Process, Anirban Das

Theses

An aqueous solution of a volatile organic compound (VOC) e.g. trichloroethylene (TCE) is passed through the bores of hydrophobic microporous polypropylene hollow fibers having a plasma polymerized silicone coating on the fiber outside diameter; a vacuum is maintained on the shell side of the fiber to remove the VOC and recover it by condensation. Process performance has been obtained over a range of feed flow rates, concentrations of VOC and the surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)). In solutions without surfactant or low surfactant concentrations, the pores are not wetted and remain gas-filled. The VOC is stripped from the solution into …

Recovery Of Intracellular Materials By Electroporation, Wendy Elaine Reid

Theses

Electroporation is commonly used to transfer genetic materials such as DNA into the cell by exposing the cell to a high electric field that momentarily permeabilizes the cell membrane. This premise was utilized to use electroporation as a means of releasing intracellular proteins. A procedure has been developed for the release of intracellular proteins through the use of electroporation. This procedure is a breakthrough. In general, industrial scale techniques to recover proteins from microorganisms are inefficient (Clarkson, 1993). A benefit of this electroporation-based mechanism would be the reduction of steps in the downstream processing required to purify the desired product. …

Signal Processing Topics In Multicarrier Modulation : Frequency Offset Correction For Ofdm And Multiuser Interference Cancellation For Mc-Cdma, Pingping Zong

Theses

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is discussed as a special form of multi-carrier modulation (MCM). One major problem of the OFDM system is the sensitivity to an unknown frequency offset at the receiver. To improve the performance of the OFDM system, correction of the frequency offset is required before decision making. An adaptive method of frequency offset correction is presented. The adaptation algorithm used here is based on the LMS and the estimation is proven unbiased. A multiuser communications system having similar signal structure to the OFDM system, termed as multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA), is discussed. The MC-CDMA …

Analysis Of Safe Separation Distances From Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines, James Stephen Haklar

Dissertations

Accidental rupture of natural gas transmission pipelines with subsequent ignition of the escaping gas can result in the loss of life and property. In the United States, current means of protecting both the pipeline and the public include the establishment of class locations, in which specific pipeline design, construction and operation requirements must be attained. In addition, distances at which the pipelines can be safely set back from the community, called safe separation distances, have been developed in some European countries (e.g., Great Britain, the Netherlands) through use of risk assessment principles. However, to date there has been no simple, …

Automobile Air Bag Inflation System Based On Fast Combustion Reaction, Yacoob Tabani

Dissertations

Current automobile air bag inflator technology is complex, expensive and environmentally unsafe. A new and novel air bag inflator based on fast combustion reactions of methane-oxygen mixtures has been developed and studied. The thermodynamics and mass flow parameters of this new inflator have been modeled and found to be in agreement with experimental results.

The performance of the fast combustion inflator was evaluated in terms of pressure-time relationships inside the inflator and in a receiving tank simulating an air bag as well as the temperature-time relationship in the tank.

In order to develop this fast combustion inflator, several critical issues …

Electrocatalytic Control Of Exhaust Soot, Victor L. Callahan

Dissertations

The feasibility of combining electrostatic precipitation and use of a catalytic wall in a straight tube reactor as a means of destroying soot particles was investigated. Enhanced particle diffusion to the wall by an applied electric field provided the means of particle capture for subsequent catalytic oxidation at the active surface in a small length tube.

Soot particles flowing in a gas stream are influenced by the following transport mechanisms: convective flux as a result of bulk flow, diffusion flux as a result of particle concentration or number density gradient, and an electrostatic flux from the coulombic attraction as charged …

A Decision Support System For The Equipment Selection Of Robotic Manufacturing Cells, Lars Johan Resare

Theses

Considering the principles of concurrent engineering, a Decision Support System (DSS) is developed to aid in the equipment selection of robotic manufacturing cells. The objective is to synchronously and simultaneously select proper equipment for the cell to provide efficient performance, subject to operational and budgetary constraints.

The DSS consists of several modules, including a data base that houses the specifications of equipment available in the market place, a first cut selection module, and an optimization engine. In its development, the optimization scheme utilizes analytical models and algorithms that capture different sources of variability in production, such as tolerances, clearances and …

Mixed Metal Removal And Recovery By Hollow Fiber Membrane-Based Extractive Adsorber, Ramprakash Chilukuri

Theses

The feasibility and efficiency of simultaneous removal of multiple cations as well as anionic heavy metals from wastewater into a mixed extractant kept stagnant on the shell side of a 2-fiber-set hollow fiber membrane extractor operated as a fixed bed adsorber was explored. The novel extracting solvent was a mixture of an acidic or chelating extracting agent for one or more cations and a basic extracting agent, e.g., trioctylamine (TOA) for extracting anions; both were dissolved in the same diluent kerosene for simultaneous and synergistic extraction of cations and anions. In the stripping part of the fixed bed operation, alkaline …

Electrophysiologic Studies Of Hypothalamic Adenosine-5'-Triphosphate-Sensitive Potassium Channels, Dinora Hernandez

Theses

Of particular interest in this study were the electrical phenomena involving currents from the ATP sensitive K channel in isolated hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN) neurons. These neurons may play an important role in the glucose-sensing system of the body. Rat VMN neurons were isolated. For neuronal isolation, the proteolytic enzyme pronase was used. However, pronase was too harsh. The use of papain, another proteolytic enzyme, led to better neuronal morphology. The perforated patch clamp technique was used to gain access to the cell's interior. For membrane pore formation, nystatin was used; but seal formation was difficult. Amphotericin was used instead, …

Characteristics Of Recycled Plastics And Applications For Highway Appurtenances, Keith Macbain

Theses

Recycling is gaining widespread support in many communities as an environmentally acceptable solution to the management of solid waste. The success of these recycling programs depends largely on the development of high-value end use for the recycled products. This research involves an experimental and analytical study on the development of high-value, high-volume end uses for recycled plastic shapes. The experimental part includes material tests to determine mechanical properties of various recycled plastics. A constitutive model is proposed and verified that can be used in characterization of recycled plastics. Bending tests of recycled plastic beams were performed to assess strength, stiffness …

Mechanical Design Of An Experimental Parallel Robot, Philip Song

Theses

OSCAR, or Operational Space Controlled Adjustable Robot, is a parallel-actuated manipulator, also known as Stewart Platform or platform manipulator. The apparatus consists of two platforms (base and top) and six prismatic actuators in between. The main advantage of a platform manipulator is the fact that it can out-perform serial manipulators in both load capacity and precision. However, there are disadvantages and weaknesses such as limited mobility. A platform manipulator has reduced workspace compared to serial manipulators. The problem of limited workspace is solved by enabling OSCAR to change its prismatic leg positioning about the base platform.

During the course of …

Pervaporation-Assisted Esterification Of Salicylic Acid, Chaiya Chandavasu

Theses

The coupling of a pervaporation membrane unit with a reactor has been investigated as a means of improving the overall process efficiency. As model system, the esterification of salicylic acid with methanol in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst was studied in a unit consisting of a batch reactor externally coupled with a pervaporation module containing a composite poly(vinyl alcohol) membrane. The reaction was carried out at temperatures between 336 and 345 K. The catalyst was sulfuric acid at concentrations varying from 0.5 to 2.0 molar. Various initial molar ratios (Θ_B) of methanol and salicylic acid, ranging from …