Engineering Commons^™

Discovery Of Strong Coupling Between Lattice-Band Carriers And Impurity-Band Carriers In Augmented Photoconductivity Measurements On Si:As, Si:Bi, And Si:Al At 7-16 K, James Edward Heath

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

In this work, low-temperature photoconductivity measurements using excitation in the long-wavelength infrared were performed in conjunction with infrared-blocked band-gap excitation in the first studies of the energy transfer between carriers moving in lattice bands and those associated with an impurity band in a semiconductor. Extrinsic (impurity-band) excitations were produced in Si:As, Si:Bi, and Si:Al detectors by infrared photoexcitation at 29-33.5 μm wavelengths (37-43 meV); this could be augmented by simultaneous intrinsic (band-gap) photoexcitation using infrared-blocked white light to inject lattice-band carriers. Carrier transport was induced by applied electric fields of 35-175 V /cm. The experiments were performed at temperatures of …

A Finite State Machine Synthesizer, Jiuling Liu

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis presents a Finite State Machine (FSM) Synthesizer developed at Portland State University. The synthesizer starts from a high level behavioral description, in which no states are specified, and generates the lower level FSM descriptions for simulation and physical layout generation.

Data Reduction Procedure For An Experimental Method Of Measuring The Velocity-Coupled Response Function Of Solid Propellants, William H. Jarvis

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

A computer program has been developed for calculation of the velocity-coupled response function of solid-propellants from experimentally measured pressure data. The proposed velocity-coupled response function measurement apparatus consists of an end-burner combustor where the propellant sample is oscillated in a direction normal to the flow in the presence of a standing acoustic wave within the combustion chamber. The pressure measurements are made at select points along the length of the chamber.

The data reduction program consists of a Runge-Kutta routine driven by a BFGS multivariable search routine. The Runge-Kutta routine determines the pressure distribution within the chamber of the proposed …

Automatic Meshing Of Free-Form Deformation Solids, Ssuta S. Hsu

Theses and Dissertations

Development of computer models and subsequent finite element analysis, are important aspects of modern engineering design. In this process, the geometry creation and finite element analysis software are well developed; however, the process of discretizing a geometry into a proper finite element model is time consuming and tedious. The work presented here uses the free-form deformation method to create smooth solid models, and invokes a solid subdivision and transition method to generate the hexahedron finite elements. The combination of these two techniques provides an automatic mesh generator that is easy to use, creates acceptable hexahedron elements for finite element analysis, …

Study Of Direct Semiconductor Materials For An Optically Controlled Switch, Sung Taek Ko

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A model for a bulk GaAs photoconductive switch has been developed and solved to determine the performance of the device in closing and opening switch applications. The GaAs material has been characterized by deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). Two electron traps (EL2 and EL5) and one hole trap (Cu_B} have been detected and were included in the model. Simulation studies are performed on several GaAs switch systems composed of different combinations and density of deep levels to investigate the influence of deep traps in a photoconductive switch system. The electron occupancy of each deep trap is traced in …

Expert Systems For Automated Maintenance Of A Mars Oxygen Production System, Ming-Tsang Ho

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A prototype expert system has been developed for maintaining autonomous operation of a Mars oxygen production system. Normal operation conditions and failure modes according to certain desired criteria are tested and identified. Several schemes for failure detection and isolation using forward chaining, backward chaining, knowledge-based and rule-based are devised to perform several housekeeping functions. These functions include self-health checkout, an emergency shut down program, fault detection and conventional control activities. An effort has been made to derive the dynamic model of the system using Bond-Graph technique in order to develop the model-based failure detection and isolation scheme by estimation method. …

The Effects Of Nonlinearities On The Optimal Design Of Forced Vibrating Beams, Cheryl Celestine Jackson

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The optimal design of a beam under harmonic excitations is formulated and solved numerically for linear and nonlinear forced vibration theories. The beam has a nonuniform cross-sect ion, whose thickness can change during the optimization procedure. Based on the numerical results, for the given input frequency range, the linear vibration theory produces a more conservative design than the nonlinear vibration theory.

The analytical formulation for both theories is presented. For the linear case, a mean case is defined for the self-weight on a beam, and an alternating case is defined for input forcing frequencies which cause fatigue variations on a …

Experimental Study Of Pressure And Heating Rate On A Swept Cylindrical Leading Edge Resulting From Swept Shock Wave Interference, Christopher E. Glass

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

An experimental study of the effects of leading edge sweep on surface pressure and heat transfer rate for swept shock wave interference is presented. This study was conducted as a cooperative agreement between NASA Langley Research Center and Calspan-University of Buffalo Research Center. Experimental tests were conducted in the Calspan 48-inch Hypersonic Shock Tunnel at a nominal Mach number of 8, nominal unit Reynolds number of 1.5 x 10⁶ per foot, leading edge and incident shock generator sweep angles of 0^o, 15^o, and 30^o, and incident shock generator angle-of-attack fixed at 12.5^{o …}

An Experimental Study Of Dewatering Of Alum Sludge, Uday G. Kelkar

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The use of aluminum sulfate (Alum) as a coagulant for treating surface water was introduced in 1884. When this salt is added to water, the aluminum Ion hydrolyzes by reaction that consumes alkalinity in water. The gelatinous hydroxide thus formed in the reaction, carries suspended material with it as it settles. In addition, however, it is likely that positively charged hydroxyl-bridge dimmers and higher polymers are formed which interact specifically with the colloidal particles, bringing about coagulation. These gelatinous floes settle by gravity, called sludge, consists of relatively large quantities of suspended and colloidal inorganic and organic materials.

The disposal …

Low Speed Flowfield Characterization By Infrared Measurements Of Surface Temperatures, Ehud Gartenberg

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

An experimental program was aimed at identifying areas in low speed aerodynamic research where infrared imaging systems can make significant contributions. Implementing a new technique, a long electrically heated wire was placed across a laminar jet. By measuring the temperature distribution along the wire with the IR imaging camera, the flow behavior was identified. Furthermore, using Nusselt number correlations, the velocity distribution could be deduced. The same approach was used to survey wakes behind cylinders in a wind-tunnel. This method is suited to investigate flows with position dependent velocities, e.g., boundary layers, confined flows, jets, wakes and shear layers. It …

An Adaptive Remeshing Finite Element Method For High-Speed Compressible Flows Using Quadrilateral And Triangular Elements, Gururaja R. Vemaganti

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In this study a new adaptive remeshing method for high speed compressible flow analysis is presented. The method uses quadrilateral elements where possible, and triangles are introduced as needed. The primary goal of this study is to develop a remeshing method which uses both the concepts of unstructured and structured meshes for the finite element analysis to predict accurate aerodynamic heating in problems related to high speed viscous flows. The remeshing method uses a solution based on an old mesh to create a new mesh based on an advancing front technique. In the present implementation, a structured mesh of quadrilaterals …

Performance Modeling And Enhancement For The Atamm Data Flow Architecture, Sukhamoy Som

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Algorithm To Architecture Mapping Model (ATAMM) is a new marked graph model from which the rules for data and control flow in a homogeneous, multicomputer, data flow architecture may be defined. This research is concerned with performance modeling and performance enhancement for periodic execution of large-grain, decision-free algorithms in such an ATAMM defined architecture. Performance measures and bounds are established. Algorithm transformation techniques are identified for performance enhancement and reduction of computing element requirements. Operating strategies are developed for optimum time performance and for sub-optimum time performance under limited availability of computing elements. An ATAMM simulator is used to test …

Transient Hot-Film Sensor Response In A Shock Tube, Kelly Ryan Ortgies

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Shock tube experiments have been performed to determine the response of a hot-film sensor, mounted flush on the side-wall of a shock tube, to unsteady flow behind a normal shock wave. The present experiments attempt to isolate the response of the anemometer due only to the change in convective heat transfer at the hot-film surface. The experiments, performed at low supersonic shock speeds in air, are described along with the data acquisition procedure. The change in convective heat transfer i s deduced from the data and the results are compared with those from transient boundary-layer theory and another set of …

Application Of Hough Transformation To Detect Ovulatory Patterns In Cervical Mucus Images, Shiliang Wang

Dissertations and Theses

A microcomputer system called ovulocomputer is proposed. The system is used to predict and detect ovulation of women. It will use image processing and analysis, pattern recognition theory, spectrophotometry, ionometry and conductometry to measure various physical and chemical properties of cervical mucus that are related to blood hormone levels.

The functions and characteristics of cervical mucus are introduced in this thesis. Among them, the identification of cervical mucus images, named the ferning test, and related features, are well described.

A new idea, called ferning test automation, which has been neither proposed nor developed before, is presented and explained in detail …

A Dielectric Study Of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Mohamed Mounir Shalaby

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Methodology For Designing Spacecraft Onboard Processing Systems, Mohammad Nadeem Ahmad

Theses

A three layer methodology is presented for designing spacecraft onboard computer systems. The system design is perceived as a sequence of three hierarchical layers: the Dedicated Processing Layer, the Application and Support Processing Layer, and the Communications Processing Layer. Each layer implements a distinct set of functions and offers services at different levels of abstraction. As opposed to the ISO/OSI Reference Model, where the prime objective is to implement peripheral interaction between two systems, the layered approach used here is to address the problems in system design itself. The problem is approached in a bottom-up fashion, starting with the description …

A Microcomputer Based Non-Invasive Cardiopulmonary Monitor Using A Microwave Interferometer, Tanmoy K. Basu

Theses

With a microwave interferometer the vibrational velocity of the anterior (front), as well as posterior (back) chest wall can be monitored and recorded. The recorded signals are a reflection of the mechanical cardiac activity within the chest cavity, as opposed to Electrocardiogram (ECG) which is a reflection of the electrical cardiac activity. The interferometer recordings are obtained with no physical contact between the instrument and the subject. Moreover, the subject can be fully clothed since microwave energy readily passes through normal dry clothing.

A microwave interferometer that is capable of detecting the vibrational velocity of the surfaces of the chest …

A Research Analysis : Differences Between Contemporary Corporate Management And Entrepreneurial Management, Kevin A. Gugliotta

Theses

A research analysis was conducted to distinguish the differences between contemporary corporate management and entrepreneurial management. A major difference is in the attitude, perception, and priority of the senior management and the organizational mission. Other distinguishing differences are related to individual and organizational leadership, organizational hierarchy and structure, decision-making authority, and compensation systems for employees.

Design Of A Temperature Sensor For Gallium Arsenide Ic Applications, Raviprakash Raviprakash Gutala

Theses

This thesis presents the design of a temperature sensor circuit including sensor, differential amplifier, and a memory element for gallium arsenide IC standard cell applications. A standard 1-um depletion-mode GaAs MESFET technology has been used for the design of the circuit. The circuit is intended to be used as a standard cell in GaAs les providing an alarm when the sensor temperature reaches 125 °C. The circuit includes a NAND latch which is set when the chip cell temperature reaches 125 °C. The output of the latch can be sensed by additional circuits (on or off the GaAs chip) which …

Microprocessor-Based Processing Unit Implemented By Xilinx Programmable Logic Array, Lee Chuan Hu

Theses

The 8052 microprocessor-based processing unit is a super single board computer with many unusual features: memory page selecting with page indicators, on-board EPROM/PROM programmer, real time clock, battery back-up RAM, and memory mapped I/O. It is implemented by using Xilinx programmable logic array and can be used for various instruments. Xilinx user-programmable Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) is a large logic array with up to 9000 equivalent gates. The advantages of programmable logic devices over standard ICs are more flexibility, design security, lower cost, higher performance, reduced power consumption, smaller size, and increased reliability. The system development time is also greatly …

Reliability Problems And Failure Mechanisms In Ic Packaging, Dilip J. Patel

Theses

Today, reliability is acknowledged as an important item in design and operation of electronics circuits and system.

This thesis provides information on evaluation of the reliability for hermetic and non hermetic IC packages made by different manufacturers.

Literature study concentrates on the reliability and related problems in IC packages developed between 1970 and 1988.

Several failure mechanisms and failure modes are discussed to point out how higher reliability in IC packages may be achieved.

The bibliography is given in a chronological order to help further research in this area.

Generation Of Atomic Nitrogen By Gas Discharge In Microwave Cavity, Jong-Shun Shieh

Theses

A microwave discharge system for producing atomic nitrogen at low flow rate and low pressure has been investigated. The molecular nitrogen passes through a microwave cavity in a quartz tube and is dissociated by the microwave energy. Subsequent recombination of nitrogen atoms produces a characteristic yellow glow due to the relaxation of excited molecular nitrogen to its ground state. The titration of nitric oxide with atomic nitrogen was used to measure the atomic nitrogen yield. At a 2 sccm nitrogen flow rate the atomic nitrogen yield was 8.75*10¹⁵ atom/sec, which corresponds to a nitrogen generation efficiency of about 1%. …

A Wideband Continuous Phase Shifter For Ka-Band, William J. Tanis

Theses

The design, fabrication and test of a 45 degree microstrip phase shifter capable of full Ka-band performance is presented. The design uses a Lange coupler with two ports terminated with beam-lead varactor diodes to provide continuous phase shift. Although this concept has been employed at X-band and below, this thesis demonstrates its feasibility for wideband use at frequencies as high as 40 GHz. The design uses thin-film capacitors, beam-lead diodes, simulated grounds, and air bridges to achieve a planar geometry and to simplify the production process. Detailed test results using various test circuits are shown for comparison to actual phase …

X.25 Interface Packet Level Simulation, Arvind Tewari

Theses

An X.25 interface was simulated at the packet level and data packets successfully transmitted from the Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (a process) to the Data Terminal Equipment (another process). This was executed interactively. Two independent processesg were generated on the AT&T 3B15 computer and inter-process communication (IPC) used to transfer the data. The X.25 interface is based on the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model of the International Standards Organization.

Durability Of Slurry Cut-Off Walls Around Hazardous Waste Sites, M. Khalid Umer

Theses

A study was undertaken in order to provide insight into the behavior of backfill materials when in contact with hazardous chemicals. It was found that the liquid limit is not a reliable parameter in assessing clay behavior when exposed to these chemicals. However, the expansion index provided a consistent correlation to permeability when all other conditions were kept constant. In addition, the use of fly ash mixed with clay showed an increase in the values of permeability even though its grain size is finer than that of sand. It is believed that this phenomenon was the result of the absence …

Study Of Steel-Concrete Interface Behavior Of Reinforced Concrete Members, Jun Wan

Theses

The main objective of this thesis work is to study the steel-concrete interface behavior of reinforced concrete members using the nonlinear finite element method.

The reinforced concrete member was modeled as a continuum consisting of plane stress rectangular elements which represent the concrete, pin-joint two node bar elements which represent the reinforcing steel, and the nondimensional linkage elements which represent the bond stress-slip, aggregate interaction and dowel action effects. The load increment procedure is employed to carry out the nonlinear analysis.

An axially loaded tensile specimen, a deep beam specimen and a shallow beam specimen were analyzed. The results from …

The Influence Of Aggregate Grading With Two Different Binders On Mechanical Strength Of Polymer Concrete, Pei-Yuan Gao

Theses

The scope of this research is to study the influence of grading of the aggregate on the mixing design and the strength of polymer concrete .

Also, the curing conditions, the modification of polymer and the application of coupling agent were investigated.

Based on the experimental results, two numerical methods were developed to be used in combining the aggregates to obtain the desired specific surface area and the grading of the aggregate.

A computer program was developed for one of the methods to give all the possible compositions of the aggregate.

Theoretical explanation is offered and a numerical example is …

Thermodynamic And Leaching Studies Of Various Systems, Satya D. Rami

Theses

The group contribution approach is a reliable and fast method for the prediction of liquid phase activity coefficients in none lectrolyte, nonpolymeric mixtures at low to moderate pressures and temperatures between 300 and 425 K. It has become widely used in practical chemical engineering applications in cases where little or no relevant experimental information is available.

The two group contribution methods examined in the course of this work, are the Knox and & UNIFAC models. Group interaction parameters are evaluated for each of these models and results compared. Although the results for both models are similar when sufficient data are …

Molecular Modeling In Anatoxin And Other Semirigid Agonists, Wen-Chung Shang

Theses

Conformational search and molecular mechanics calculations were combined to investigate the structural flexibility of isoquinolone, the anatoxin series, and the ferruginine series. Ring searching allow all rational conformations to be generated.

Isoquinolone shows conformational similarity to isoarecolone but is much less potent which suggests that the proximity of the methyl group beta to the carbonyl groups affects the bioactivity of isoquinolone. The very active agonist-anatoxin, without a similar conformation as isoarecolone, shared a similar electrostatic potential contour in the vicinity between the two atoms connected to the electro-positive nitrogen and hydrogen bonding site. These phenomena were not found in ferruginine …

Ionitriding To Improve The Wear Resistance Of Ferrous Materials, Ravi K. Kodali

Theses

In this work the effect of ionitriding treatment on wear resistance of ferrous materials was studied. A basic understanding of the ionitriding concepts were given and the advantages of this process over other conventional nitriding treatments were outlined. The effect of various parameters like gas composition, temperature, pressure, process duration and power density on the metallurgical aspects of this process were discussed. Under technical aspects of this technology, advantages of pulsed direct current over conventional direct current nitriding systems were given. In this work wear tests were performed on components made from gray cast iron, alloy steel (AISI 4340), and …