Engineering Commons^™

Hardware Based Data Compression System Using Sliding Dictionary Algorithm, Hemant L. Nerurkar

Theses

Popular data compression schemes found in the literature are software based and present innumerable difficulties in hardware implementation. A data compression scheme, which can be directly implemented in hardware using systolic arrays, has been described. The scheme has a remarkable ability to 'adapt' itself to the changing statistics of the source file. Results generated after a comprehensive study and simulations of the algorithm have been presented. The scheme is inherently suitable for parallel processing. It can be incorporated in transmitting devices since it can be fabricated on a single VLSI chip. Comparison has been made with the LZW scheme. A …

Analysis Of An Inertial Navigation System On A Silicon Wafer, Ashok K. Parida

Theses

This thesis describes a self-contained inertial navigation system for commercial vehicles. It is low cost miniature system employing some of the newest techniques in micromechanical and microelectronic hardware.

The system employes an array of vibrating tuning fork gyros, a number of feedback force-balance accelerometers, and a central processing unit, all fabricated on a silicon wafer using integrated circuit fabrication technology. A miniature platform (size of a golf ball) driven by gearless torque motors is used to provide a quiet environment for the gyros and accelerometers. There are radio links between components that are on and off the platform (eliminating need …

Kinetic Study Of Degradation Of Refractory Organic Chemicals : 2, 4-Dichlorophenol, 2, 4-D And Pyridine; Using Ozone/Hydrogen Peroxide/Uv Radiation, Milind K. Pradhan

Theses

In this study Ozone/Hydrogen Peroxide/UV radiation is used to destroy refractory organic chemicals in aqueous solutions. 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4-D and Pyridine are the three chemicals used. Hydrogen Peroxide in combination with UV light proved to be most effective in destroying the parent chemical completely. Ozone and UV system was the next most effective system. UV alone was the least effective.

Kinetic study of the Hydrogen Peroxide and UV system was done using a Chemkin program. The results predicted by the Chemkin program matched closely with the experimental results. More work is currently being done using the Chemkin program to study other …

Non-Linear Finite Element Of Analysis Of Reinforced Concrete Members, Chellathurai Jeyamohan

Theses

A finite element analysis of reinforced concrete members is used to study the initiation and propagation of cracks and the behavior at the interface of concrete and steel. The increase of concrete strength due to the biaxial compression and the shear capacity of the cracked elements are also considered in the analysis.

The results of the present analysis are compared with some available experimental data in beam tests. It has been found that the present analysis is capable of calculating the stress ( or moment ) and strain ( or deformation ) from zero load upto the ultimate load.

Analysis Of Nitrated Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Pah-Quinones And Related Compounds In Ambient Air, Yalan Wang

Theses

Studies were conducted to characterized airborne particulate extractable organic matter (EOM) with respect to chemical composition and biological activity. It has been well established that the nitrated polycyclic hydrocarbons (nitroPAH) are environmental contaminants. To identify nitro-PAH in ambient air sample, a technique was developed involving introduction of a reducer column into an reversephase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Strong fluorescence signals were achieved from nitro-PAH and detected together with u.v. signals for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of nitro-PAH. 2-Nitrotriptycene was synthesized according to published procedures and used as an internal standard. By use of the above technique, 9nitroanthracene, …

Feasibility Of Using Canine Olfaction As A Means Of Detecting Hazardous Substances, Stuart David Messur

Theses

Two specific applications for using canine olfaction as a means of detecting hazardous substances have been recognized: detection of residual contamination on hazardous waste cleanup equipment (DECON), and detection of leaking underground gasoline tanks (LUST).

With the DECON project, the dog's ability to detect low emissions of some common hazardous compounds was tested. As a safe and effective training tool for presenting hazardous compounds to the dog, permeation tubes filled with m-xylene or 1,1,1-trichloroethane were constructed and calibrated. Hidden tubes emitting as low as 0.5 µg/min were consistently detected by the dogs. During olfactory field tests, "hot spots" of m-xylene …

An Investigation Of Electrical And Optical Properties Of Sputtered Amorphous Silicon Nitride And Germanium Thin Films, Rajendra S. Khandelwal

Theses

Low temperature preparation of thin amorphous Silicon Nitride and Germanium Films by direct RF sputter deposition was investigated. Influence of various sputtering parameters on film properties was studied. Infrared transmission spectrophotometry was used to evaluate optical properties of the films whereas electrical characteristics of the films were determined from current-voltage measurements of MIS structures. For Silicon Nitride films it was observed that the stoichiometry, as indicated by the IR transmission, dielectric constant and current density versus square root of electric field measurements, was a strong function of the sputtering gas composition and particularly the Ar/N ratio in the sputtering gas. …

Properties Of Sputtered A-Ge And A-Ge : H Thin Films, Hanjin Cho

Theses

The effect of the amorphous and glassy structure of amorphous germanium films on their electrical characteristics was investigated experimentally. The films were deposited onto silicon substrates using a modified MRC 8800 triode sputtering system. The Poole-Frenkel and Schottky mechanisms are discussed in detail and the shortcomings of the accepted picture of the former in amorphous materials are dealt with. It was concluded on the basis available evidence that the current flow in amorphous germanium favors the Poole-Frenkel mechanism at high fields.

Amorphous hydrogenated germanium films which were deposited by bias sputtering were characterized by measuring the infrared absorption. The films …

Construction Labor And Productivity : Productivity Improvements, Stavros C. Nicolaou

Theses

Construction productivity has been on the decline in the last decade. Although an important factor in the nation's economy, productivity of construction labor has been given little attention over the years. A review of the literature dealing with construction was performed that revealed the importance of the declining productivity as well as the confusion among construction managers and labor leaders as to what productivity is all about and how it can be improved. It has been found also, that construction labor motivation, which is the most important factor in improving productivity, is almost nonexist. Very few construction companies employ any …

The Degradation Of Trace Pollutants In Wastewater, Christine M. Cheng

Theses

The effect of different treatments on the degradation of chlorinated organic pollutants in wastewater has been studied. The model compound investigated was para-chlorophenol. The different treatments used were ozone, UV irradiation, ultrasound, air flow and pure oxygen.

It is concluded that ozone has the greatest effect, ozone-UV irradiation follows closely behind, and UV irradiation has much less of an effect in degrading the p-chlorophenol.

P-chlorophenol was found to have an immeasureably slow degradation rate when treated with air even at an elevated temperature of 55°C.

The oxygen, at room temperature, showed a degradation of p-chlorophenol which, although small, was much …

Theoretical Studies Of A Norbornane Mimic Of Acyl-Alpha-Chymotrypsin, Pin-Nan Chen

Theses

Molecular mechanics calculations were used to investigate the structural flexibility of the norbornane mimic which is a model of an acyl-alpha-chymotrypsin intermediate. The Amber molecular mechanics force field was used to perform the conformational analysis.

Comparison of the optimized conformations of different energy has shown the relative structural rigidity of this molecule. Structural superposition of the minimized mimic to the native conformation of chymotrypsin shows that the mimic has a very similar spatial arrangement of its functional groups compared to the catalytic triad of the real enzyme.

Molecular electrostatic potential maps calculated in planes parallel to the average plane containing …

Wear And Development Of Wear Testing Methodology, Tirumalai S. Suresh

Theses

The existing wear and friction theories, and wear testing methods have been analysed to meet the objective of this study. One of the key factors in the analysis of a wear problem is the computation of wear and friction coefficient for a material, under real operating conditions. A new wear testing methodology has been developed and a wear tester has been designed and assembled. The tests have been performed at constant sliding speed and different applied loads for a Cast-Iron - hardened Steel pair.

Sorption Characteristics And Their Effects On Geotechnical Properties Of Illite, Gnanmoorthy Selvakumar

Theses

An experimental investigation of the sorption characteristics of phenol, chlorophenol and chlorobenzene on to illite and of the effect of sorption on the geotechnical properties of illite was performed. Various adsorption isotherms have been considered for the equilibrium adsorption study data. It was found that the Freundlich adsorption isotherm closely fits the experimental results. In addition, the results of desorption study indicated that the sorption process for these systems is not completely reversible.

The index properties of illite were found to be influenced by the sorption of contaminants, i.e., the Atterberg limits of illite increased in accordance with increases in …

High Tech Transition And The Organization, Chetan H. Shah

Theses

The future outlook of any corporation depends upon the resourcefulness of those who manage the planning and operating functions of the business. Time and accuracy are two critical criteria in effective managerial reports for decision making. The electronic computer is a welcome addition into the industry. While its applications to payroll, accounting, sales, and inventory have been extensive, computing has nevertheless been criticized. This study concentrates on determining the impact computing has had on the managers and especially on the people working in the organization from clerks to the top level management.

While an investigation of the existing literature was …

Flexural Behavior Of Portland Cement Based Composites Subjected To High Strain Rates, Edward Roland

Theses

This investigation studied the modulus of rupture and energy of rupture of mortar, concrete, and steel fiber reinforced mortar at various rates of flexural straining. The strengths of the composites were varied by changing the water cement ratios. Single point flexural loading tests were conducted on 4" x 4" x 20" specimens using a weight dropped from a height of 30" to produce the dynamic loading. Strain rates were varied between 0.1 and 1.9 per second. The inertial effects of acceleration of the specimen were taken into account.

These tests produced data that demonstrated slightly greater ratios of dynamic to …

The Non-Contacting Surface Area Assessment Of Burn Wounds Using Computer Imaging Methods, Sarmishtha Meeta Rath

Theses

The need for a reliable and accurate method for assessing the surface area of burn wounds currently exists in the branch of medicine involved with burn care and treatment. The percentage of the body affected by burns, measured by the percent total burn surface area, is of critical importance in evaluating fluid replacement amounts and nutritional support during the first 24 hours of postburn therapy. A simple technique has been developed which facilitates the measurement of burned areas non-invasively. Directly measuring burn surfaces yields quantitative results which can be used in assessing the extent of burns, monitoring the healing progression …

Benzene Losses From Aqueous Solutions During Geotechnical Laboratory Testing, Konstadinos Vogiatzis

Theses

This study addressed the problem of using volatile organics in geotechnical laboratory tests. Previous experiments with volatile organics such as benzene and trichloroethylene with soils had shown significant concentration losses during the tests. The purpose of the study was to identify the sources of loss and to quantify the magnitude of loss.

Vapor - liquid equilibrium was used to predict theoretical evaporation losses of benzene from aqueous solutions. Calculations were made for both an infinite volume of air and for a finite volume. Experiments were then performed to verify the theoretical predictions.

Other losses considered were those during solution preparation, …

Implementation Of Xilinx Development System And Xilinx Lca Application, Youcheng Wu

Theses

The Xilinx Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) is a large array of programmable logic cells. Creating logic design using the Xilinx ASIC offers ease of implementation, high function density, design flexibility and lower consumption of supply power. The techniques of implementation of system and design with Xilinx CAD/CAM System include system analysis, modification, update, optimal design algorithms and real circuit emulation.

This thesis combines the setup and operation of the complete Xilinx system, and implement Xilinx LCA into 8052AH-BASIC based Single Board Computer and user's menu of real LCA chip evaluation Board. It presents our own design, construction, test and demonstration …

Current Trends In Facilities Planning, Chaochou Yang

Theses

In the past year the costs of computing and computer graphics have come down dramatically. At the same time, the computer graphic system has become easier to use, As a result, computer support has become more costeffective than before.

In this thesis, the writer describes types of systems first, then looks at computer usage. He first defines the technologies of DSS, CAD and MIS, then takes a detailed, step-by-step look at facilities planning and the various ways in which computers are used for support. Well-conceived planning is an important prerequisite to effective computer use. The remainder of the thesis expands …

Xilinx Asic Design For A Single Board Computer, Hong Zhan Ye

Theses

Xilinx Application-Specific IC is a new kind of programmable cell array with high design flexibility and functional density. It not only has excellent circuit-board utilization and low power consumption, but it also offers easy implementation with lower engineering cost and very short production-rampup period.

This thesis provides a complete and specific procedure for implementing Xilinx LCA into a 8052AH-BASIC based single board computer with XACT development system. It verifies all the results from debugging SBC2064 design using both XACT query system and P-SILOS simulator.

The technology of implementing a whole system design with software and hardware fully proves the possibility …

Particle Size Distribution In Isothermal Batch Emulsion Polymerization, Bhavin R. Patel

Theses

A detailed modified mathematical model for particle size distribution in isothermal batch emulsion polymerization of Styrene and Vinyl acetate is proposed on the basis of the population balance approach in presence of several kinetic and mass transfer processes. This study is limited to Smith-Ewart's case II, which assumes instantaneous free radical termination within the polymer particles. Radical desor¬ption mechanism from polymer particles is included in the model and the desorption rate is formulated from the diffu¬sion theory which suggests that the rate co-efficient should be inversely proportional to the surface area of polymer particles.

Experimental runs are made using laser …

Hydrodechlorination Reactions On Silica-Supported Rhodium Catalysts, Yung-Ming Chen

Theses

The objectives of this study were to investigate the pathways of the hydrodechlorination reactions over silica-supported Rh catalysts as well as identify selectivities and deactivation properties.

Reaction of 1,2-dichloroethane with hydrogen over Rh/SiO₂ catalyst was studied in the temperature range 200 to 300°C. Formation of two intermediates was proposed while 1,2-dichloroethane was adsorbed on the catalyst, the reactive intermediates then produce ethane, ethylene, chloroethane and methane. From the methane formation, it was inferred that the ethane hydrogenolysis occured over the Rh/SiO₂ catalysts. Higher conversion to C₁ and C₂ hydrocarbons was observed at higher reaction temperature. The …

Steady-State Operation Of Bench-Scale Activated Sludge Process Using Phenol And 2-Chlorophenol As Substrates, Jeffrey Richard Caputi

Theses

Experiments were conducted to determine whether a continuous process similar to the common activated sludge process could be operated at a relative steady state with phenol and 2-chlorophenol as the sole carbon sources. After a number of unsuccessful trials, process conditions were developed which allowed for operation at a relative steady state with respect to the concentration of microorganisms in the reactor and the concentration of phenol and 2-chlorophenol in the effluent.

Phenol and 2-chlorophenol were removed at better than 99 percent efficiency on a continuous basis. The mixed liquor grown under the conditions of the experiment was highly filamentous …

The Effect Of Inorganic Salts On Adsorption Of Organics By Fly Ash, Pai-Yuan Horng

Theses

Optimum amounts of inorganic salts ( monovalent, divalent, and trivalent chlorides ) added to various bituminous coal fly ashes in batch adsorption treatment experiments indicates the possibility of improving adsorption capacity.

Experiments were conducted on aqueous solutions of three priority pollutants : phenol, toluene, benzene. Both high fusion and low fusion fly ashes were used as sorbent materials. Removal of organic pollutants was measured using a total organic carbon analyzer.

Isotherm tests positively indicate that the addition of inorganic salts to fly ash significantly increases adsorption capacity. The study shows that removal of organic pollutants by fly ash depends on …

The Kinetics And Mechanism Studies Of Cathodic Electro-Initiated Crosslinking Polymerization Of Unsaturated Polyester Prepolymer, Joseph Yuan-Ji Sheng

Theses

The cathodic electro-initiated polymerization reaction of the unsaturated polyester prepolymer has been found to have the characteristics of the first order ionic initiation polymerization mechanism. The rate of polymer formation is directly proportional to the current intensity and voltage supplied, but inversely proportional to the reaction temperature. The rate of initiation can be expressed as a function of the initial concentration of the prepolymer, residence time and reaction temperature. The rate expression of the initiation step has been derived based upon the experimental data collected as follows:

ln W = k0 exp[-Ea/RT] Ca0 ln t + ln b

where k0 …

Performance Of Second Order Delta Modulation System, Reza Aghazadeh Alavi

Theses

The performance of an ordinary delta modulation (DM) system under three types of input signals was investigated. These signals were band limited Gaussian noise, 800 Hz sine wave, and speech signal. The affects of 2nd DM added to the ordinary DM in improving the performance of the system were researched. This is called a Second Order Delta Modulation System. The obtained data showed an increase of about 3dB in the overall Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of the system, in the worse case.

Input to the 2nd DM is the band limited error of the first DM. A linear phase …

Mrp Ii As A Tool For Inventory Management : Application, Implementation, And Its Alternatives, Yi-Hsin Chiu

Theses

MRP II has been used universally as a tool for production planning in various manufacturing systems. Its foundation of success is based on an accurate inventory management. Due to the rational pricing of computer hardware and software, the selection of an appropriate off-the-shelf MRP II package has become an important topic. Moreover, implementation of a commercial MRP II package significantly affects its capability of handling an assigned task. The scope of this thesis is to discuss how to successfully implement MRP II through a design and development of a proper inventory data base in order to expand its application. The …

Automated Manufacturing Technology As A Factor In Production Planning And Control, Henry Steven Nicholas

Theses

The field of automated manufacturing technology is examined. The physical hardware is described, including transfer systems, feeder systems, placing devices, automated work stations, sensors, and actuators. The interrelation of the hardware elements is described and various applications are identified. The role of the control system and its interaction with the hardware is examined. The data communications network required for the control system is considered. Various types of computers, computer network structures, and process control strategies are examined.

The use of automated manufacturing technology requires a new approach to production planning and control. The traditional approach is described and several problem …

The Feasibility And Economics Of Resource Recovery Using Municipal Solid Waste, Joachim Aloysius Pinto

Theses

This thesis gives an overview of the feasibility and economics of a resource recovery project. The feasibility study of a resource recovery project is done by analyzing its markets, economics, and environmental aspects. The use of market development, accurate capital and operating cost estimation procedures and environmental impact analysis help in predicting fairly accurately the feasibility of a resource recovery facility and also gives a good estimate of the economics of the project.

The thesis also discusses the different system design that are or were used in waste-to-energy conservation. It is quite evident from the discussion that the only two …

Modeling And Simulation Studies On Nmos Vlsi, Chang-Joo Kim

Theses

This thesis has two parts. The first part deals with the theoretical analysis and experimental verification of the variation of channel resistance and threshold voltage as a function of drain and source voltages in NMOS transistor with the substrate taken as reference. And the second part deals with simulation and optimization of the NMOS sense amplifier circuits.

Firstly, the NMOS transistor with the substrate taken as reference node is analysed and a set of formulas is derived for the variation of channel resistance as a function of the terminal voltages. Experimental results (using SCL 4007AE from Signetics) show good agreement …