Engineering Commons^™

Using Heart Variability To Measure The Effects Of Manual Medicine On Autonomic Activity, Michael Zullow

Theses

A pilot study was performed to test the theory that manual medicine techniques known as the CV4 (compression of fourth cerebral ventricle) maneuver and a sacral hold/iliac bridge hold combination increase parasympathetic activity. Manual medicine techniques are widely practiced by Doctors of Osteopathy and Chiropractors to treat physical and mental health problems. Those who have received manual therapy have reported to experience less pain, better mobility, and a greater feeling of relaxation. To help us learn about the effects of manual therapy, autonomic activity was measured scientifically rather than subjectively in this study by monitoring respiration rate and heart rate, …

Soot Capture In An Electrocatalytic Reactor, Thana Slanvetpan

Theses

A major problem with many soot emission control devices is the fact that they quickly become loaded with soot which must be removed by a regeneration process. A soot capture reactor using a large flow channel was studied in order to eliminate channel plugging and avoid regeneration. Electrostatic precipitation was used in order to enhance particle diffusion to the catalyst wall of the reactor tube. The system effectiveness for soot capture was measured with filter paper sampling of the incoming versus the outgoing flow through the reactor. Soot filter loadings were analyzed by laser optical transmission. From the soot filter …

Modeling Of Deformed Swept Volumes With Sde And Its Applications To Nc Simulation And Verification, Feng Lu

Theses

Representation of swept volumes has important applications in NC simulation and verification as well as robot-motion planning. Most research on .the representation of swept volumes has been limited to rigid objects. In this study, a sweep deferential equation (SDE) approach is presented for the representation of deformed swept volumes generated by flexible objects.

The deformed swept volume analysis is integrated with machining physics to account for tool deformation/deflection for the NC simulation. End milling is modeled and analyzed and the tool deformations are calculated and integrated with the SDE program. A program is developed in C++ for the generation of …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Phosphosilicate Glass Films By Lpcvd For Sensor Application, Hui Wu

Theses

This study was dedicated to the synthesis of the thin film materials required to fabricate the waveguide and the reference arm barrier for integrated optical sensor. Phosphosilicate glass (PSG) thin films were synthesized on silicon and quartz wafers by LPCVD using Ditertiarybutylsilane(DTBS), Trimethylphosphite(TMP) and oxygen as precursors. The films were processed at different temperatures between 600°C and 700°C at a constant pressure, and at different flow rate of TMP.

The effect of TMP flow rate and deposition temperature on deposition parameters and the properties of PSG films were investigated. The films deposited were uniform, amorphous, low stress and the composition …

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 …

Development Of Aqueous Scrubber To Oxidize And Absorb Nitric Oxide, Wanna Lolertpiphop

Theses

The use of sodium chlorite (NaClO₂) and alkaline aqueous cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) as oxidizing agents to promote the absorption of nitric oxide from flue gases was investigated in a semicontinuous bubbling scrubber. The efficiency of the scrubbing solutions to remove nitric oxide was evaluated as a function of operating conditions such as pH, concentration of the oxidants, residence time, temperature, flue gas compositions.

Under acid conditions, sodium chlorite can stoichiometrically react and absorb 99.5% NO and 80% SO₂ in the same scrubber with 0,672 M NaClO₂ in buffered solution at pH 6, and 0.3 M NaOH. …

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 …

Computational Determination Of Laminar Flow Loss Coefficients In 90° Channel Bend, Leonard Paul Parkin

Theses

Loss coefficients for laminar two dimensional incompressible channel (or duct) flow in a 90° bend are investigated using FEM software, FIDAP. This problem consists of a two dimensional duct with a 90° bend of constant radius flowing with water, at 70°F and atmositeno conditions. The bend radius to duct width ratios examined were 1.5 and 1.0. Both bend radius to duct width ratios were analyzed for Reynolds Number ranging from 50 to 1800. The pressure and velocity distributions were found and used to determine the pressure due to the bend. The results show the pressure loss effect due to the …

Microstrip Zero-Sum Antenna; Cad And Experimental Study, Tuan H. Lam

Theses

A microstrip antenna array consisting of two elements combined with a stripline hybrid (rat-race) ring coupler is used to implement a zero-sum antenna. Numerical optimization of individual antenna elements in terms of feed location and patch size was achieved using IE3D (Zeland Software Inc., Fremont, CA), a fullwave 3-D planar electromagnetic simulation software. Further, design of a hybrid (rat-race) ring coupler in a stripline environment was carried out, yielding the sum and difference functions as 0.5 dB and 40 dB, respectively. A combination of a two-element antenna array and a hybrid (rat-race) ring coupler as a zero sum antenna has …

Biodegradation Of Naphthalene Using Pseudomonas Putida (Atcc 17484) In Batch And Chemostat Reactors, Jay Boyd Best

Theses

Kinetic experiments were conducted using Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 17484) to determine the rate of growth when naphthalene was provided as a sole carbon source in suspended biomass systems. Batch and chemostat reactors were used under three sets of conditions: non-aerated, aerated at 29.5° C, and aerated at 25.5° C. A number of concentrations were tested under each set of conditions. Data regression was used to determine parameters for Monod (non-inhibitory), Andrews (inhibitory), and zero-order kinetics. Although the Andrews fit of the data provided a slightly lower sum-of-squares error (SSE), the amount of data scatter and the weak inhibition made the …

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 …

Multi-Lifecycle Assessment Of Cathode Ray Tubes, Devendra Jayant Badwe

Theses

Over the past few years environmental issues and concerns have become more and more important, as they become a common part of most people's personal experience. In these regards, the electronics industry is facing substantial problems in terms of end-of-life management of its products, televisions and monitors in particular. The building blocks of this industry are usually viewed as relatively "clean". However, manufacturing by-products of the electronics industry and the disposition of electronics are becoming increasingly important technical, financial, and environmental issues.

Within the context of the above issues, environmentally responsible disposal of Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT's), which is still …

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 …

Determination Of Effects Of Stress On Polymeric Ankle-Foot Due To Weight Change: Experimental Stress Analysis, Lin Yu Wang

Theses

Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are devices that assist patients who sustained an abnormal motion at the ankle joint of the foot due to traumatic injury and stroke, etc. The objective of this project is to determine the stress patterns in AFOs under different loading conditions such as weights and genders. Thus, the location of failure can be predicted, and a redesign process can be developed. Furthermore, those experimental results will be used to verify the results obtained from the previous Finite Element Analysis (FEA) ^[11,10]. Results from the experiment showed a significant stress change due to load change. This stress …

Utilizing A Product Rejuvenation Framework To Investigate University Aviation Association Members' Perceptions Of The Cessna 172 As A Single Engine Trainer, George A. Wrigley Iii

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this research was to utilize a product rejuvenation framework to investigate if sufficient market demand exists for Cessna in relaunching the 172 in the collegiate trainer market. The Collegiate Aviation Guide, a publication of the University Aviation Association listing UAA members and their respective aviation offerings, was used to establish the initial population for the research. The UAA members located within the 50 United States which 1) had a flight training program, and 2) owned and operated their own fleet of aircraft, represented the survey population. A total of 64 schools met the established criteria, with 55 …

A Proposed Approach To Iso Compliance And Validation For Metrology Laboratories, J. Lyle Bagley

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

International competition among metrology laboratories, as well as their customers, has intensified the incentive to seek either accreditation to ISO Guide 25 or ISO 9000 quality system registration for the laboratory. The debate continues as to which is more beneficial to the laboratory and its customers once the decision is made to pursue one or the other. This study addresses the advantages and limitations of each, and how best to prepare for complying with ISO standards. The literature was reviewed and ISO certification experts were questioned about these issues. The results were combined with new applications of existing operations research …

Flexural Behavior Of Thermoplastic Beams With And Without Frp Reinforcement, Hilmi Coskun

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This thesis presents the results of an experimental and theoretical study of the flexural behavior of thermoplastic beams with and without fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) rebars. Tests are conducted on commercially available thermoplastic beams known as Seatimber. The normal stress-strain relations of both the thermoplastic material and FRP rebars are obtained in tension and compression experimentally. These mechanical property curves are then used as part of the input for developing the theoretical moment-curvature relations using an iterative equilibrium procedure. The moment-curvature relations are in turn used for predicting the beam load-deflection curves via the central finite-difference procedure. Behavior predictions are made …

Minimizing Post-Production Weight Growth In Tanks Using A Decision Analysis Model, Michael F. Cochrane

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Post-production weight growth of tanks is an historic problem for the military. Tanks are difficult to transport because of their weight, and post-production modifications tend to cause this weight to increase over the lifecycle of the tank. In this thesis, a computer model is constructed which uses influence diagrams to model tank weight growth as a probabilistic process. Historical weight data for the MI Abrams tank program is used to derive probabilities for the model. The model is used to predict tank weight growth over both the short and long term with the goal of understanding more about how and …

Thermal And Mechanical Behavior Of Cryogenic Propellant Tank Concepts For Advanced Launch Vehicles, H. Kevin Rivers

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

An important step in developing a cost-effective, fully-reusable, launch vehicle is the development of durable, lightweight, insulated, cryogenic propellant tanks. Current cryogenic tanks are expendable, and much of the technology that exist is not usable on future vehicles. As part of the Reusable Launch Vehicle/ X-33 Program, an experimental apparatus for evaluating the effects of both thermal and mechanical loading on cryogenic-tank concepts was developed at the NASA Langley Research Center. Studies to determine the behavior of various liquid-oxygen- and liquid-hydrogen-tank concepts under simulated mission conditions were performed as part of this research and are reported. Selected analytical studies of …

Formal Specification Of Fragmentation And Reassembly In Ipv6, Ibrahim Sahin

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Development and implementation of a networking standard such as the new Internet Protocol (IPv6) is a very difficult process. Different implementations of the standard must be fully compatible to allow different computers to communicate with each other. However, standards are often ambiguous, frequently a result of providing specifications in the English language. A more formal specification could assist in the design of systems. This thesis demonstrates that capability using the Prototype Verification System (PVS).

In this thesis study, a formal specification for fragmentation and reassembly in IPv6 was created to provide a tool for the standardization of IPv6 using PVS. …

Shock Waves In Nonequilibrium Gases And Plasmas, William M. Hilbun

Theses and Dissertations

An analysis and assessment of three mechanisms describing plasma/shock wave interactions was conducted under conditions typically encountered in a weakly ionized glow discharge. The mechanisms of ion-acoustic wave damping, post-shock energy addition and thermal inhomogeneities were examined by numerically solving the Euler equations with appropriate source terms adapted for each mechanism. Ion-acoustic wave damping was examined by modeling the partially ionized plasma as two fluids in one spatial dimension using the Riemann problem as a basis. Post-shock energy addition in the form of nonequilibrium vibrational energy relaxation was also examined in one spatial dimension using the Riemann problem as a …

Selective Cvd Growth Of Diamond Crystals On Tungsten, Charles Randal Cole

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Typical field emitters consist of sharp metal tips which usually have a short life due to erosion and contamination. To improve the performance of regular field emitters, diamond can be placed on the emitter tip. This is done by selectively growing diamond on tungsten tips using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processing. Diamond exhibits negative electron affinity, so that electrons will be emitted by properly biasing the tip.

To obtain single crystal growth right at the tip, a cantilever controlled nucleation method was developed which worked better than other methods. Surface preparation was also important to the growth process. An oxide …

Parameter Estimation For Real Filtered Sinusoids, Daniel R. Zahirniak

Theses and Dissertations

This research develops theoretical methods for parameter estimation of filtered, pulsed sinusoids in noise and demonstrates their effectiveness for Electronic Warfare EW applications. Within the context of stochastic modeling, a new linear model, parameterized by a set of Linear Prediction LP coefficients, is derived for estimating the frequencies of filtered sinusoids. This model is an improvement over previous modeling techniques since the effects of the filter and the coefficients upon the noise statistics are properly accounted for during model development. From this linear model, a relationship between LP coefficient estimation and Maximum Likelihood ML frequency estimation is derived and several …

Foreign Military Sales Supply Support: Is There A Better Way?, Eric G. Ellmyer, Won Joon Jang

Theses and Dissertations

In today's world of declining defense budgets, there is an increasing need for South Korea to ensure they obtain the best dollar value when procuring defense articles. With the increasing financial situation, the purpose of this thesis is to research a surrogate third party firm and determine to what degree South Korea and other foreign military sales customers obtain the best value for their money for follow-on support item procurements. South Korea has participated in the Parts and Repair Ordering System program since its inception. However, South Korea has received little, if any, feedback regarding lead time and cost performance …

A Comparison Of The Military's Organic Movement And Commercial Express Carriers, Travis E. Condon, Kirk A. Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

The DoD has begun outsourcing airlift in order to expedite high priority cargo movement. However, are commercial express carriers more expedient in the cargo delivery than the Air Force organic transportation system? Although anecdotal evidence suggests commercial carriers are faster, little empirical research has been conducted on this subject. This study compares the military's organic transportation system with Federal Express in the delivery of high priority cargo to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The Large Sample Test of Hypothesis was used to determine if there was a significant difference between the cargo transit times of the two. The mean delivery time …

Applying Cross-Decking And Activity-Based Costing To Military Distribution Centers: A Proposed Framework, Jonathan P. Elliott, Dwight H. Hintz Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Current events and fiscal constraints have focused DoD planners' attention on reducing logistics costs and improving efficiency while maintaining effective combat operations support. Military leaders are seeking private industry best practices that may help the DoD achieve these goals. Two commercially successful business practices that may help the DoD achieve its goals are cross-docking and Activity-Based Costing (ABC). Cross-docking is a commercially proven approach to material distribution through a distribution center that can help reduce inventories, speed material flows, and cut related logistics activity costs. However, the DoD is faced with the challenge of costing current and potential logistics processes …

Identification And Reduction Of Bottlenecks Concerning Micap Re-Supply Of F-16 Weapons System Avionics Line Replaceable Units, Karl N. Muno, Patrick K. Pezoulas

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis evaluates selected F-16 avionics Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) transiting the logistics pipeline in order to examine the existence of bottlenecks and explore potential solutions within the current Department of Defense (DoD) logistics reparable pipeline. A previous study reported that a reduction in the overall pipeline resupply time of at least one day equates to a savings of approximately $25.45 million (Hill et al, 1990:iii). Bottlenecks cause movement delays to the entities moving through the logistics reparable pipeline. The pipeline segments are: AO (requisition), AE (item availability), AS (shipment status), and D6 (receipt). The bottlenecks of concern are those …

Modeling Intelligent Control Of Distributed Cooperative Inferencing, Edward M. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The ability to harness different problem-solving methods together into a cooperative system has the potential for significantly improving the performance of systems for solving NP-hard problems. The need exists for an intelligent controller that is able to effectively combine radically different problem-solving techniques with anytime and anywhere properties into a distributed cooperative environment. This controller requires models of the component algorithms in conjunction with feedback from those algorithms during run-time to manage a dynamic combination of tasks effectively. This research develops a domain-independent method for creating these models as well as a model for the controller itself. These models provide …

Reorientations Of Flexible Spacecraft Using Momentum Exchange Devices, Kevin A. Ford

Theses and Dissertations

We study rest-to-rest reorientations of flexible spacecraft using momentum exchange devices. A new and concise form of the equations of motion for a rigid body containing a cluster of gimbaled momentum wheels is developed using the Euler-Newton approach. Special restrictions of the gimbaled momentum wheel equations yield equations of motion for the momentum wheel cluster and the control moment gyroscope cluster. A mathematical model of a free spacecraft with Euler-Bernoulli appendages is developed. Using the assumed modes method, a complete set of equations is developed which describes the dynamics of a spacecraft with flexible appendages and gimbaled momentum wheels. Special …