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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Synthesis, Processing And Characterization Of Nanocrystalline Titanium Dioxide, Shipeng Qiu Jan 2006

Synthesis, Processing And Characterization Of Nanocrystalline Titanium Dioxide, Shipeng Qiu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Titanium dioxide (TiO2), one of the basic ceramic materials, has found a variety of applications in industry and in our daily life. It has been shown that particle size reduction in this system, especially to nano regime, has the great potential to offer remarkable improvement in physical, mechanical, optical, biological and electrical properties. This thesis reports on the synthesis and characterization of the nanocrystalline TiO2 ceramic in details. The study selected a simple sol-gel synthesis process, which can be easily controlled and reproduced. Titanium tetraisopropoxide, isopropanol and deionized water were used as starting materials. By careful control of relative proportion …


Integrated Wavelength Stabilization Of Broad Area Semiconductor Lasers Using A Dual Grating Reflector, Jason O'Daniel Jan 2006

Integrated Wavelength Stabilization Of Broad Area Semiconductor Lasers Using A Dual Grating Reflector, Jason O'Daniel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A new fully integrated wavelength stabilization scheme based on grating-coupled surface-emitting lasers is explored. This wavelength stabilization scheme relies on two gratings. The first grating is fabricated on the p-side of the semiconductor laser in close proximity to the laser waveguide such that it couples light out of the guided mode of the waveguide into a propagating mode in the substrate; this grating is known as the grating coupler. The second grating is fabricated on the n-side of the substrate such that for the stabilization wavelength, this second grating operates in the Littrow condition and is known as the feedback …


Optimizing The Global Performance Of Build-To-Order Supply Chains, Tarek Shaalan Jan 2006

Optimizing The Global Performance Of Build-To-Order Supply Chains, Tarek Shaalan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Build-to-order supply chains (BOSCs) have recently received increasing attention due to the shifting focus of manufacturing companies from mass production to mass customization. This shift has generated a growing need for efficient methods to design BOSCs. This research proposes an approach for BOSC design that simultaneously considers multiple performance measures at three stages of a BOSC – Tier I suppliers, the focal manufacturing company and Tier I customers (product delivery couriers). We present a heuristic solution approach that constructs the best BOSC configuration through the selection of suppliers, manufacturing resources at the focal company and delivery couriers. The resulting configuration …


Propagation Effect In Inhomogeneous Media, Including Media With Light-Induced And Fixed Gratings, Chang-Ching Tsai Jan 2006

Propagation Effect In Inhomogeneous Media, Including Media With Light-Induced And Fixed Gratings, Chang-Ching Tsai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Optical waves propagation in various types of volume gratings, materials with constant impendence and optical fibers are studied. Instability of cross–phase modulation and of Energy transfer via GRON-type (Grating-type Orientational Nonlinearity in Liquid Crystal) Stimulated Scattering is numerically observed. Two diffractive optical elements made of volume gratings are suggested and analyzed. A transmission hologram based on the analogy with Stimulated Raman Adiabatic Passage (STIRAP) in nonlinear optics is proposed. This transmission hologram demonstrates high diffraction efficiency and low sensitivity to polarization and hologram strength. The other is a reflection hologram with two crossed-gratings. It features good angular selectivity in comparison …


Development Of A Simplified Finite Element Approach For Frp Bridge Decks., Jignesh Vyas Jan 2006

Development Of A Simplified Finite Element Approach For Frp Bridge Decks., Jignesh Vyas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Moveable bridges in Florida typically use open steel grid decks due to the weight limitations. However, these decks present rideability, environmental, and maintenance problems, for they are typically less skid resistant than a solid riding surface, create loud noises, and allow debris to fall through the grids. Replacing open steel grid decks that are commonly used in moveable bridges with a low-profile FRP deck can improve rider safety and reduce maintenance costs, while satisfying the strict weight requirement for such bridges. The performance of the new deck system, which includes fatigue and failure tests were performed on full-size panels in …


Using The Software Adapter To Connect Legacy Simulation Models To The Rti, Deepak Kumar Rachapalli Jan 2006

Using The Software Adapter To Connect Legacy Simulation Models To The Rti, Deepak Kumar Rachapalli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The establishment of a network of persistent shared simulations depends on the presence of a robust standard for communicating state information between those simulations. The High Level Architecture (HLA) can serve as the basis for such a standard. While the HLA is architecture, not software, use of Run Time Infrastructure (RTI) software is required to support operations of a federation execution. The integration of RTI with existing simulation models is complex and requires a lot of expertise. This thesis implements a less complex and effective interaction between a legacy simulation model and RTI using a middleware tool known as Distributed …


Removal Of Refractory Tkn From An Effluent Wastewater Using Sodium Ferrate, Lucia Lettie Jan 2006

Removal Of Refractory Tkn From An Effluent Wastewater Using Sodium Ferrate, Lucia Lettie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research addresses refractory forms of nitrogen that, even with advanced biological nitrification-denitrification systems are not removed completely from domestic wastewater. TKN (Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen), ammonia plus organic nitrogen, is one of the forms to measure the levels of nitrogen present in effluent wastewaters. Ferrate, a strong oxidant, was used for the treatment of these nitrogen forms with the objective of producing nitrogen compounds that can be removed by subsequent biological processes. Bench-scale experiments were performed on effluent samples taken prior to chlorination from an Orlando, FL wastewater treatment facility, using a biological nutrient removal process. The samples were treated …


Magnetic Properties Of Sputter Deposited Fe-Based Amorphous Thin Films For Resonator Application, Chaitali China Jan 2006

Magnetic Properties Of Sputter Deposited Fe-Based Amorphous Thin Films For Resonator Application, Chaitali China

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this study we investigate the magnetic properties of Fe-based amorphous thin films. Fe1-x-y-zBxSiyCz, Fe80-xNixB20, Fe80-xMnxB20, and Fe73-xMnxB27 films were deposited on silicon and glass substrates in a DC and RF magnetron sputtering system. Inductive magnetic measurements were performed to investigate the magnetic properties, including induced anisotropy and magnetostriction, of the as-deposited and annealed films using an M-H Looper. The chemical composition of the films was characterized using secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). The physical thickness of the films was determined by use of a stylus profilometer. The M-H Looper studies indicated that the induced anisotropy (Hk) depends strongly on …


Prediction And Measurement Of Radiated Emissions Based On Empirical Time Domain Conducted Measurements, Larry Freeman Jan 2006

Prediction And Measurement Of Radiated Emissions Based On Empirical Time Domain Conducted Measurements, Larry Freeman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis develops a novel method to predict radiated emissions measurements. The techniques used are based on standard Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) qualification test methods. The empirical data used to formulate the final results was restricted to pertinent data protocol waveforms however the entire method may be applied to any waveforms for which empirical radiated emissions have been measured. The method provides a concise means for predicting worst case radiated emissions profiles based on empirical measured data.


Effects Of Fiber And Lithium On Mechanical Properties Of Concrete Made Fromrecycled Concrete Aggregate, Ashraf Eskander Jan 2006

Effects Of Fiber And Lithium On Mechanical Properties Of Concrete Made Fromrecycled Concrete Aggregate, Ashraf Eskander

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The growing demand of construction aggregates has raised concern about the availability of natural aggregates. Over two billion tons of natural aggregate are produced each year in the United States and that number is expected to increase to 2.5 billion tons by 2020. This has raised concern about the availability of natural aggregate. Discarding demolished concrete into landfills is a costly solution from an economical and environmental point of view. Many U.S. highway agencies are re-using Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA) as construction material. The use of fiber reinforcement in Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) has recently become a popular option in …


Change Orders And Productivity Loss Quantification Using Verifiable Site Data, Engy Serag Jan 2006

Change Orders And Productivity Loss Quantification Using Verifiable Site Data, Engy Serag

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Change orders occur frequently in most construction projects, where contract modifications that increase the contract value between 5 to 10% are expected. Changes occur not only because of errors and omissions, but also for other reasons such as scope of work changes, or changes because of unforeseen conditions encountered on the site; a problem which is very common in most heavy construction projects. Changes themselves might not cause productivity losses; in this case the damage calculation will be straightforward. However, changes may cause disruption in unchanged work where the working conditions are impacted, and as a result, lost productivity (inefficiency) …


Driver-Gas Tailoring For Test-Time Extension Using Unconventional Driver Mixtures, Anthony Amadio Jan 2006

Driver-Gas Tailoring For Test-Time Extension Using Unconventional Driver Mixtures, Anthony Amadio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To study combustion chemistry at low temperatures in a shock tube, it is of great importance to increase experimental test times, and this can be done by tailoring the interface between the driver and driven gases. Using unconventional driver-gas tailoring with the assistance of tailoring curves, shock-tube test times were increased from 1 to 15 ms for reflected-shock temperatures below 1000 K. Provided in this thesis is the introduction of tailoring curves, produced from a 1-D perfect gas model for a wide range of driver gases and the production and demonstration of successful driver mixtures containing helium combined with either …


Quantitative Assessment Of Software Development Project Management Issues Using Process Simulation With System Dynamics Elements, Carolyn Mizell Jan 2006

Quantitative Assessment Of Software Development Project Management Issues Using Process Simulation With System Dynamics Elements, Carolyn Mizell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The complexity of software development projects makes estimation and management very difficult. There is a need for improved cost estimation methods and new models of lifecycle processes other than the common waterfall process. This work has developed a new simulation model of the spiral development lifecycle as well as an approach for using simulation for cost and schedule estimation. The goal is to provide a tool that can analyze the effects of a spiral development process as well as a tool that illustrates the difficulties management faces in forecasting budgets at the beginning of a project which may encourage more …


Automated Visual Database Creation For A Ground Vehicle Simulator, Pedro Claudio Jan 2006

Automated Visual Database Creation For A Ground Vehicle Simulator, Pedro Claudio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research focuses on extracting road models from stereo video sequences taken from a moving vehicle. The proposed method combines color histogram based segmentation, active contours (snakes) and morphological processing to extract road boundary coordinates for conversion into Matlab or Multigen OpenFlight compatible polygonal representations. Color segmentation uses an initial truth frame to develop a color probability density function (PDF) of the road versus the terrain. Subsequent frames are segmented using a Maximum Apostiori Probability (MAP) criteria and the resulting templates are used to update the PDFs. Color segmentation worked well where there was minimal shadowing and occlusion by other …


Effect Of Germanium Doping On Erbium Sensitization In The Erbium Doped Silicon Rich Silica Material System, Forrest Ruhge Jan 2006

Effect Of Germanium Doping On Erbium Sensitization In The Erbium Doped Silicon Rich Silica Material System, Forrest Ruhge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The continued size reduction in electronic integrated circuits has lead to a demand for on-chip high-bandwidth and low loss communication channels. Optical interconnects are considered an essential addition to the silicon electronics platform. A major challenge in the field of integrated Si photonics is the development of cost effective silicon compatible light sources. This thesis investigates the sensitization of group IV doped silica films emitting at 1.535μm for applications as silicon compatible light sources. Thin erbium-doped silica films containing excess silicon and germanium were deposited using a multi-gun sputter system. The composition of the deposited materials was verified by Rutherford …


Molecular Structure-Nonlinear Optical Property Relationships For A Series Of Polymethine And Squaraine Molecules, Jie Fu Jan 2006

Molecular Structure-Nonlinear Optical Property Relationships For A Series Of Polymethine And Squaraine Molecules, Jie Fu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation reports on the investigation of the relationships between molecular structure and two-photon absorption (2PA) properties for a series of polymethine and squaraine molecules. Current and emerging applications exploiting the quadratic dependence upon laser intensity, such as two-photon fluorescence imaging, three-dimensional microfabrication, optical data storage and optical limiting, have motivated researchers to find novel materials exhibiting strong 2PA. Organic materials are promising candidates because their linear and nonlinear optical properties can be optimized for applications by changing their structures through molecular engineering. Polymethine and squaraine dyes are particularly interesting because they are fluorescent and showing large 2PA. We used …


Three-Photon Absorption Process In Organic Dyes Enhanced By Surface Plasmon Resonance, Ion Cohanoschi Jan 2006

Three-Photon Absorption Process In Organic Dyes Enhanced By Surface Plasmon Resonance, Ion Cohanoschi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Multi-photon absorption processes have received significant attention from the scientific community during the last decade, mainly because of their potential applications in optical limiting, data storage and biomedical fields. Perhaps, one of the most investigated processes studied so far has been two-photon absorption (2PA). These investigations have resulted in successful applications in all the fields mentioned above. However, 2PA present some limitations in the biomedical field when pumping at typical 2PA wavelengths. In order to overcome these limitations, three-photon absorption (3PA) process has been proposed. However, 3PA in organic molecules has a disadvantage, typical values of σ3' are small (10-81 …


On-Chip Spiral Inductor/Transformer Design And Modeling For Rf Applications, Ji Chen Jan 2006

On-Chip Spiral Inductor/Transformer Design And Modeling For Rf Applications, Ji Chen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Passive components are indispensable in the design and development of microchips for high-frequency applications. Inductors in particular are used frequently in radio frequency (RF) IC's such as low-noise amplifiers and oscillators. High performance inductor has become one of the critical components for voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) design, for its quality factor (Q) value directly affects the VCO phase noise. The optimization of inductor layout can improve its performance, but the improvement is limited by selected technology. Inductor performance is bounded by the thin routing metal and small distance from lossy substrate. On the other hand, the in-accurate inductor modeling further …


Design, Analysis And Implementation Of Orthogonal Frequency Coding In Saw Devices Used For Spread Spectrum Tags And Sensors, Derek Puccio Jan 2006

Design, Analysis And Implementation Of Orthogonal Frequency Coding In Saw Devices Used For Spread Spectrum Tags And Sensors, Derek Puccio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

SAW based sensors can offer wireless, passive operation in numerous environments and various device embodiments are employed for retrieval of the sensed data information. Single sensor systems can typically use a single carrier frequency and a simple device embodiment, since tagging is not required. In a multi-sensor environment, it is necessary to both identify the sensor and retrieve the sensed information. This dissertation presents the concept of orthogonal frequency coding (OFC) for applications to SAW sensor technology. OFC offers all advantages inherent to spread spectrum communications including enhanced processing gain and lower interrogation power spectral density (PSD). It is shown …


Prediction And Allocation Of Live To Virtual Communication Bridging Resources, Stephanie Lackey Jan 2006

Prediction And Allocation Of Live To Virtual Communication Bridging Resources, Stephanie Lackey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This document summarizes a research effort focused on improving live-to-virtual (L-V) communication systems. The purpose of this work is to address a significant challenge facing the tactical communications training community through the development of the Live-to-Virtual Relay Radio Prediction Algorithm and implementation of the algorithm into an Integrated Live-to-Virtual Communications Server prototype device. The motivation for the work and the challenges of integrating live and virtual communications are presented. Details surrounding the formulation of the prediction algorithm and a description of the prototype system, hardware, and software architectures are shared. Experimental results from discrete event simulation analysis and prototype functionality …


Enhancing Situational Awareness Through Haptics Interaction In Virtual Environment Training Systmes, Kelly Hale Jan 2006

Enhancing Situational Awareness Through Haptics Interaction In Virtual Environment Training Systmes, Kelly Hale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Virtual environment (VE) technology offers a viable training option for developing knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA) within domains that have limited live training opportunities due to personnel safety and cost (e.g., live fire exercises). However, to ensure these VE training systems provide effective training and transfer, designers of such systems must ensure that training goals and objectives are clearly defined and VEs are designed to support development of KSAs required. Perhaps the greatest benefit of VE training is its ability to provide a multimodal training experience, where trainees can see, hear and feel their surrounding environment, thus engaging them in …


Applications Of Linear And Nonlinear Optical Effects In Liquid Crystals, Hakob Sarkissian Jan 2006

Applications Of Linear And Nonlinear Optical Effects In Liquid Crystals, Hakob Sarkissian

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Liquid crystals have been a major subject of research for the past decades. Aside from the variety of structures they can form, they exhibit a vast range of optical phenomena. Many of these phenomena found applications in technology and became an essential part of it. In this dissertation thesis we continue the line to propose a number of new applications of optical effects in liquid crystals and develop their theoretical framework. One such application is the possibility of beam combining using Orientational Stimulated Scattering in a nematic liquid crystal cell. Our numerical study of the OSS process shows that normally …


A Hybrid Simulation Methodology To Evaluate Network Centricdecision Making Under Extreme Events, Sergio Quijada Jan 2006

A Hybrid Simulation Methodology To Evaluate Network Centricdecision Making Under Extreme Events, Sergio Quijada

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Currently the network centric operation and network centric warfare have generated a new area of research focused on determining how hierarchical organizations composed by human beings and machines make decisions over collaborative environments. One of the most stressful scenarios for these kinds of organizations is the so-called extreme events. This dissertation provides a hybrid simulation methodology based on classical simulation paradigms combined with social network analysis for evaluating and improving the organizational structures and procedures, mainly the incident command systems and plans for facing those extreme events. According to this, we provide a methodology for generating hypotheses and afterwards testing …


The Effectiveness Of A Specifically Designed Green Roof Stormwater Treatment System Irrigated With Recycled Stormwater Runoff To Achieve Pollutant Removal And Stormwater Volume Reduction, Michael Hardin Jan 2006

The Effectiveness Of A Specifically Designed Green Roof Stormwater Treatment System Irrigated With Recycled Stormwater Runoff To Achieve Pollutant Removal And Stormwater Volume Reduction, Michael Hardin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One of our greatest threats to surface-water quality is polluted stormwater runoff. In this research, investigated is the use of a green roof irrigated with recycled stormwater runoff to remove pollutants from stormwater runoff and reduce the volume of stormwater runoff leaving developed areas. The green roof properties of interest are the filtration and biological processes as well as the roof's ability to hold water and increase evapotranspiration, reducing the volume of stormwater runoff from the source. Because of the above mentioned reasons the experiment consists of a water quality analysis and a water budget done on several experimental chambers …


Transmission Lines For Ir Signal Routing, Tasneem Mandviwala Jan 2006

Transmission Lines For Ir Signal Routing, Tasneem Mandviwala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, the design, fabrication, and characterization of coplanar striplines, vias, and microstrip lines is investigated, from the point of view of developing interconnections for antenna-coupled infrared detectors operating in the 8- to 12-micron wavelength range. To our knowledge, no previous efforts have been made to study the performance of metallic-wire transmission lines at infrared frequencies. Both the design and fabrication of these structures present unique challenges. Because of attenuation and dispersion issues, the analytical formulas for transmission-line parameters that are valid below a few hundred GHz are not applicable in the infrared. Therefore, numerical modeling was performed to …


Examining Route Diversion And Multiple Ramp Metering Strategies For Reducing Real-Time Crash Risk On Urban Freeways, Vikash Gayah Jan 2006

Examining Route Diversion And Multiple Ramp Metering Strategies For Reducing Real-Time Crash Risk On Urban Freeways, Vikash Gayah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent research at the University of Central Florida addressing crashes on Interstate-4 in Orlando, Florida has led to the creation of new statistical models capable of calculating the crash risk on the freeway (Abdel-Aty et al., 2004; 2005, Pande and Abdel-Aty, 2006). These models yield the rear-end and lane-change crash risk along the freeway in real-time by using static information at various locations along the freeway as well as real-time traffic data that is obtained from the roadway. Because these models use the real-time traffic data, they are capable of calculating the respective crash risk values as the traffic flow …


Prototype Of Coupling Unit Network For Power Line Communications, Bharath Srinivasan Jan 2006

Prototype Of Coupling Unit Network For Power Line Communications, Bharath Srinivasan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Power Line Communications has made impressive strides since its introduction. Power Line Communications (PLC) or Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) is the method of transmitting broadband signals over the power lines and making it available at the power outlet in homes. It provides last mile communication and makes use of existing power lines to transmit signals, thereby eliminating the need to lay cables all over again. PLC is fast becoming a commercial reality in the United States. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is working toward making PLC a standard with particular emphasis on power emission issues and interference with nearby …


Predicting Surface Scatter Using A Linear Systems Formulation Of Non-Paraxial Scalar Diffraction, Andrey Krywonos Jan 2006

Predicting Surface Scatter Using A Linear Systems Formulation Of Non-Paraxial Scalar Diffraction, Andrey Krywonos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Scattering effects from rough surfaces are non-paraxial diffraction phenomena resulting from random phase variations in the reflected wavefront. The ability to predict these effects is important in a variety of applications including x-ray and EUV imaging, the design of stray light rejection systems, and reflection modeling for rendering realistic scenes and animations of physical objects in computer graphics. Rayleigh-Rice (small perturbation method) and Beckmann-Kirchoff (Kirchhoff approximation) theories are commonly used to predict surface scatter effects. In addition, Harvey and Shack developed a linear systems formulation of surface scatter phenomena in which the scattering behavior is characterized by a surface transfer …


A Derivation Of An Empirical Equation For Estimating The Acoustical Shadow Zone Length Of Roadway Noise Barriers, Wayne Arner Jan 2006

A Derivation Of An Empirical Equation For Estimating The Acoustical Shadow Zone Length Of Roadway Noise Barriers, Wayne Arner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to derive an empirical equation that estimates the acoustical shadow zone length (SZL) of roadway noise barriers. The acoustical shadow zone is the area behind a noise barrier of reduced sound levels, generally to some stated level at or near background. The ability to predict the SZL can be used as a method to evaluate the performance, and possibly the design, of roadway noise barriers. The current federally required roadway noise model is the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Traffic Noise Model (TNM). TNM uses insertion loss (IL) to evaluate the effectiveness of a barrier. …


Image-Based Material Editing, Erum Khan Jan 2006

Image-Based Material Editing, Erum Khan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Photo editing software allows digital images to be blurred, warped or re-colored at the touch of a button. However, it is not currently possible to change the material appearance of an object except by painstakingly painting over the appropriate pixels. Here we present a set of methods for automatically replacing one material with another, completely different material, starting with only a single high dynamic range image, and an alpha matte specifying the object. Our approach exploits the fact that human vision is surprisingly tolerant of certain (sometimes enormous) physical inaccuracies. Thus, it may be possible to produce a visually compelling …