Engineering Commons^™

Sorption Of The Aircraft Deicing Fluid Component Methyl-Benzotriazole In Soil, David L. Kellner

Theses and Dissertations

The air transportation industry requires deicing/anti-icing (ADAF) fluids to maintain flight operations in cold weather conditions. Additives to the ADAF aid in the performance of these agents. Approximately 52M liters of concentrated aircraft deicing fluid are used in North America per year in an attempt to correct this safety problem. Among the additives to ADAF are corrosion inhibitors flame retardants, wetting agents, and thickening agents. Some of these agents are known to be toxic to microorganisms. Identification of the transport processes of these agents in the environment is a necessary first step to understanding how to remediate ADAF. Methyl-Benzotriazole (MeBT) …

Analysis Of Radio Frequency Interference Effects On A Modern Coarse Acquisition Code Global Positioning System (Gps) Receiver, Kenneth D. Johnston

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the performance of a twelve channel Standard Positioning Service (SPS) based (Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver using an eight state Kalman filter in a hostile radio frequency (RF) environment and to develop instructional tools for teaching RF interference on GPS receivers. The two types of jamming signals generated included Continuous Wave (CW) and Swept CW. Actual GPS and jamming signals were used in the research. The signals received from GPS satellites exhibit a Doppler shift which vary between approximately plus six Kilohertz. The Doppler shift frequency can be reasonably predicted for a …

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Mission Level Simulation, Jennifer G. Walston

Theses and Dissertations

We develop an object-oriented simulation that models the surveillance and Active Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) missions of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) RQ-1A Predator. The simulation, written in Java using the Silk simulation package, interfaces with a Reactive Tabu Search routing algorithm to provide optimal UAV routes. The routing algorithm is called by the simulation to account for changes in weather conditions and to provide a means of dynamically retasking the UAV. The simulation and analysis support a UAV Battlelab initiative to test the operational effects of proposed changes in Predator performance and UAV capability to perform in …

A Validation Assessment Of Thunder 6.5'S Intelligence, Surveillance, And Reconnaissance Module, Francine N. Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

A validation assessment of THUNDER 6.5's Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) module is accomplished using formulational and experimental validation techniques. A comparison of ISR purposes and processes according to military doctrine is made with the purposes and processes of ISR implemented within THUNDER 6.5. This comparison provides an overview of the process, an understanding of the level of aggregation within THUNDER, insight into possible problem areas in THUNDER, and a basis for improving THUNDER ISR processes. Sensitivity analysis of the ISR parameters as they relate to the Quality, Quantity, and Timeliness of ISR is also presented to provide insight into …

A Bayesian Decision Model For Battle Damage Assessment, Daniel W. Franzen

Theses and Dissertations

Battle damage assessment (BDA) is critical to success in any air campaign. However, Desert Storm highlighted numerous deficiencies in the BDA process, and operations since Desert Storm continue to point out weaknesses. We present a review of the Phase I BDA decision, or physical damage assessment, and model the decision process using a Bayesian belief network. Through subject matter expert (i.e., the targeteers) elicitation sessions, imagery was found to be critically important to the BDA process yet this information is generally not retained. This use of "perfect information" is delineated in the BDA process models. We proposed a methodology based …

Two-Stage Stochastic Linear Programming With Recourse: A Characterization Of Local Regions Using Response Surface Methodology, David T. Mills

Theses and Dissertations

The LP recourse problem applies to two-stage optimization problems where uncertainty in resource availability of the second stage hinders informed decision making. The recourse function affords a way to compensate "later" for an error in prediction "now." The literature provides a rich body of work on the optimization of such problems, but little research has been accomplished regarding the characterization of the surface in the local region of optimality, in particular sensitivity analysis. A decision maker faced with considerations other than the modeled objective function must be presented with a way to estimate the impact of operating at non-optimal decision …

Heat Transfer To The Inclined Trailing Wall Of An Open Cavity, Orval A. Powell

Theses and Dissertations

Experimental and computational heat transfer investigations were performed on a cavity with an inclined trailing wall (20-degrees to the horizontal), simulating one under investigation for use in a scramjet engine. Heat transfer data are reported in the form of Stanton number obtained using a curve fit to the recorded transient surface temperature history under cold flow conditions. Ascending from the reattachment point, the Stanton number increased by nearly 50% due to flow compression. This effect of flow compression was also evident at the junction of the cavity floor and inclined trailing wall, where the Stanton number also increased by 50%. …

Constructive Induction Machines For Data Mining, Marek Perkowski, Stanislaw Grygiel, Qihong Chen, Dave Mattson

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

"Learning Hardware" approach involves creating a computational network based on feedback from the environment (for instance, positive and negative examples from the trainer), and realizing this network in an array of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Computational networks can be built based on incremental supervised learning (Neural Net training) or global construction (Decision Tree design). Here we advocate the approach to Learning Hardware based on Constructive Induction methods of Machine Learning (ML) using multivalued functions. This is contrasted with the Evolvable Hardware (EHW) approach in which learning/evolution is based on the genetic algorithm only.

The Behavior Of Inorganic Material In Biomass-Fired Power Boilers: Field And Laboratory Experiences, Larry Lin Baxter 8507091, Thomas R. Miles, Thomas R. Miles Jr, Bryan M. Jenkins, Thomas Milne, David Dayton, Richard W. Bryers, Larry L. Oden

Faculty Publications

This paper highlights some of the major findings of the Alkali Deposits Investigation, a collaborative effort to understand the causes of unmanageable ash deposits in biomass-fired electric power boilers. A group of interested industrial institutions and the US DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office's Biomass Power Program through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory jointly sponsored the project. The industries contributed both funding and, in most cases, use of facilities to the project and included Mendota Biomass Power and Woodland Biomass Power (both associated with Thermo Electron Energy Systems), CMS Generation Operating (formerly Hydra-Co Operations), Wheelabrator, Shasta and Hudson Energy, …

Combustion Properties Of Biomass, B. M. Jenkins, Larry Lin Baxter 8507091, T. R. Miles Jr, T. R. Miles

Faculty Publications

Properties of biomass relevant to combustion are briefly reviewed. The compositions of biomass among fuel types are variable, especially with respect to inorganic constituents important to the critical problems of fouling and slagging. Alkali and alkaline earth metals, in combination with other fuel elements such as silica and sulfur, and facilitated by the presence of chlorine, are responsible for many undesirable reactions in combustion furnaces and power boilers. Reductions in the concentrations of alkali metals and chlorine, created by leaching the elements from the fuel with water, yield remarkable improvements in ash fusion temperatures and confirm much of what is …

Study Of Localized Corrosion Of Metals By Using The Electrochemical Techniques With Spatial Resolution, Chang-Jian Lin, Xiang-Dong Zhuo, Zu-De Feng, Rong-Gui Du, Zhao-Wu Tian

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrochemical inhomogeneities at interface of metal/solution play an important and often controlling role in localized corrosion of metals. The traditional electrochemical techniques involving potential, current density or ac impedance measurements over bulk specimens can only provide average and general information of the interface. Thus, the development of in situ imaging techniques is essential for further characterizing electrochemical inhomogeneities at the metal/solution interface of localized corrosion system. The electrochemical techniques with spatial resolution,including scanning single micro electrode, scanning double micro electrodse and scanning micro chemical probes are reviewed. The effects of electrochemical inhomogeneities on the corrosion behavior, and the mechanism …

Electrochemical Surface Characterization Of Titanium Alloy(Ti-6al-4v), Jian-Zhong Chen, Qing-Liang Gao, Zhong-Yi Wang, Wen-Jing Xue

Journal of Electrochemistry

With its low density and high strength ratio, titanium alloy(Ti₆Al₄V) has become one of the most important materials both in the fields of aerospace and biomedical assays. Recently, titanium alloy was used as the implantation materials in human body because of its biocompatibility. The elecrochemical impedance techniques were then used to investigate the corrosion behavior of this material in hydrochloride and sulfuric acid solutions. A comparison between impedance spectra and anodic polarization over the correlated range of applied voltage confirms that AC impedance data can be used as a powerful tool for surface characterization of titanium …

Kinetic Study Of Electrooxidation Of Benzene, Xin-Sheng Zhang, Ping Ding, Ying-Chun Dai, Wei-Kang Yuan

Journal of Electrochemistry

A reaction kinetic study for electrochemical oxidation of benzene was performed on a PbO₂ rotating disk electrode in 1 mol/L H₂SO₄ aqueous solution. The reaction orders, the activation energies and transfer coefficient were measured, and the kinetic expression was obtained.

Pitting Corrosion Of Ni-Based Alloy In Thiosulfate-Ion Containing Chloride Solutions, Yung-Fa Lee, Ting-Yu Wang, Wen-Ta Tsai

Journal of Electrochemistry

The effect of thiosulfate ion on the pitting corrosion behavior of Ni-Based Alloy 690 in chloride solution was investigated. In plain sodium thiosulfate solution, Alloy 690 was immune to pitting corrosion. However, the addition of low concentration of sodium thiosulfate can enhance the initiation of pitting corrosion of Alloy 690. Nevertheless, inhibition of pitting corrosion was observed at high concentration of addition.

Effect Of Stress On Electrochemical Behaviour Of Various Thermal History Zones And Different Phase Structures On The Weldment For Low Alloy Steel, Yin-Shun Wu, De-Yu Liu, Bei Cao, Feng-Li Wang, Zhi Fang, Lin Zhang, Zheng-Rong Zhang, Hai Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrochemical behaviour of various thermal history zones on the weldment for steel 16Mn and also of the ferrite, pearlite in various zones was measured by use of a self-developed measuring technique for investigating the electrochemicl behaviour of single and mixed phase structures in metal materials. Especially the effect of stress on this electrochemical behaviour was investigated. The results showed that by comparison with non-stress condition, the free corrosion potential of the various thermal history zones and of the ferrite, pearlite under stress condition was shifted in negative direction, correspondingly their free corrosion current density was increased, the free corrosion …

Structural And Electrochemical Studies On Todorokite/Vernadite As Cathodes For Rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries, Wei Chu, De-Yao Liu, Jin-Kua You, Yong Yang, Zu-Geng Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

XRD, TEM, ICP, low scan-rate CV and charge/discharge tests were carried out for the studies on the structural and electrochemical behavior of a prepared 3 V manganese oxide cathode for rechargeable lithium ion batteries.XRD analysis revealed that the cathode sample is mainly composed of tunneled Todorokite and layered Vernadite. TEM investigation confirmed that the morphology of the sample is a laminated construction with approximate 10nm layer space. The reversibility of Li⁺ removal/intercalation and structural stability of this sample framework to lithium insertion are good in CV and charge/discharge tests. The discharge capacities were found to be about 129mAh/g obtained …

Studies Of Electrochemical Characteristics Of Pasted Nickel Hydroxide Electrode With Surface Deposited Cobalt, Xian-You Wang, Yun-Shi Zhang, Jie Yan, Zheng Zhu, Hua-Tang Yuan, De-Ying Song

Journal of Electrochemistry

The surface of the spherical nickel hydroxide particles used as an active material in pasted nickel electrodes is surface-deposited with cobalt. This paper investigated the effects of the amount of cobalt deposit on the characteristics of nickel hydroxide electrode. The performances of the electrode, such as discharge capacity, utilization of active material and reversibility of Ni(OH)₂/NiOOH redox reaction, were studied by comparing the charging/discharging curves and cyclic voltammograms. The mechanism of action of cobalt deposits has been described in terms of the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of nickel hydroxide electrode.

Electrohydrodimerization Of Fumarodinitrile On Liquid Gallium Electrode, He Wei, Huang Ying, Sheng-Tao Zhang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrohydrodimerization (EHD) of fumarodinitrile on liquid gallium electrode can take place not only in hydrotropic solution of tetraethylammonium p-toluenesulphonate (TEA-PTS), but also in aqueous solution containing low concentration of strong surfactants, such as TritonX-100. In solution without organic surfactant, FDN yields a single two-electron reduction wave corresponding to the formation of a saturated monomer called as butanedinitrile. If some TEA-PTS or TritonX-100 is added into the solution, the original two-electron wave is splitted into two continuous single-electron reduction wave and corresponding EHD of fumarodinitrile is obtained.

A New Cell Structure For Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell, Ming Han, Hong-Feng Xu, Bao-Lian Yi

Journal of Electrochemistry

Separating the functions of current collection and gas flow distribution and then to design two separate elements to achieve the desired performance characteristics, a nonconventional cell structure for proton exchange membrane fuel cells bave been developed. The current collector is achieved using a thin stain steel sheet, the gas flow distribution is achieved using a carbon paper that has the desired chemical durabiliy when in contact with the proton exchange membrane. Combining these two separate elements into a single divice yields a bifunctional device that performs as a bipolar separator plate. The advantages of this alternative appproach to making biplar …

Oxidation Mechanism Of Hypophosphite, Dong-Bai Sun, Ying Jin, Hong-Ying Yu, De-Jun Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

There exist two oxidation current peaks on the anodic polarization curve between -0.7 V and 0 V (SCE) in Na-hypophosphite solution. Peak Ⅰ (-0.55 V, SCE) , which represents the oxidation process from H₂PO₂^- to H₂PO₃^-, has been studied previously. Peak Ⅱ, which is located at the potential about -0.4 V (SCE), is investigated emphatically in this paper. The results show that, peak Ⅰ and Ⅱ are corresponding to two successive steps in oxidation process of H₂PO₂^-, i.e. peak Ⅱ corresponds to the oxidation process of …

Synthesis And Application Of Polymeric Corrosion Inhibitor For Reinforced Concrete, Wei-Wei Lin, Sheng-Xian Wang, Jian-Qing Zhang, Jun Yuan, Zhen-Guo Ji

Journal of Electrochemistry

A new polymer E-T was synthesized and used as a corrosion inhibitor for reinforced concrete. The inhibitive behavior and mechanism were studied with linear polarization, Tafel polarization, EIS and XPS method in simulated pore solution system with concrete samples. The result showed that the polymer was a mixing type inhibitor. A 1% dosage was sufficient to imhibit the corrosion of steel in simulated pore solution system. The salt endurance was enhanced from 0.02 mol/L to 0.10 mol/L. The result also showed the good synergetic effect of NaNO₂, especially in low NaNO₂ concentration. The EIS showed that E-T …

Study On The Mechanism Of Ni/Zro2 Composite Electrodeposition, Qun-Jia Peng, Dao-Bin Mu, Ju-Sheng Ma, Xiang-Yun Tang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The effects of cathodic current density and amount of particle dispersion in solution on the codeposition of Ni/ZrO₂ composite in Watts bath were studied, and the machanism of the composite electrodeposition was investigated. The study shows that the composite electrodeposition is controlled by the transfer of particles to the cathode when the dispersion amount is small, causing the decrease of the codeposition with the increase of current density. With large amount dispersion, the composite electrodeposition is first controlled by the strong adsorption of particles on the cathode at low current density, resulting in the increase of the codeposition with …

Electrodeposition Of Neodymium-Iron Group Alloy Films In (P-Ch3C6H4So3)3Nd System, Peng Liu, Ye-Xiang Tong, Qi-Qin Yang, Yan-Sheng Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Neodymium p-toluenesulfonate was prepared and applied to the electrodepositon of neodymium-iron group alloy films. This salt has high solubility in DMF and can be dehydrated easily. Cyclic voltammograms of Pt electrode in (p-CH₃C₆H₄SO₃) 3Nd + MCl₂(M=Fe,Co,Ni) + DMF indicated that the neodymiun-iron group alloys can be elcetrodeposited from this medium, the Nd-Fe, Nd-Co and Nd-Ni films were obtained by electrolysis at constant potential. The Nd-Fe, Nd-Co and Nd-Ni films are amorphous in which the rare earth contents are in the range of 15 at%～60 at% as analyzed by XRD and …

Study On Steel Corrosion In Simulated Biofilm Environment In Seawater, Qing-Fei Wang, Jing Sui, Run-Xi Su, De-Ying Kong, Shi-Zhe Song

Journal of Electrochemistry

Biofilm is one of the main factors that influence metal corrosion in seawater environment. According to the structure and property of biofilm, a natural biopolymeric gel, calcium alginate(an extracellular biopolymer containing carboxylate functional groups) can deposite on metal surfaces to form films. Corrosion behavior of alloyed steel E2, 10CrMoAl and 18-8 stainless steel were studied in simulated biofilm environment by various electrochemical methods ,including measurements of the corrosion potential, polarization curves,galvanic current and electrochemical impedance. The results show that such an approach is informative to reveal “how” and “to what extent” biofilm can influence the metal corrosion process.

The Nuclear Policy Of India And Pakistan: Implications For Deterrence, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article analyzes the implications of India's and Pakistan's decisions to "go nuclear" in 1998.

Energy And Resource Assessment Of The Caribbean Marine Research Center, Lee Stocking Island, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

A project is being coordinated by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) with the Perry Foundation and the Caribbean Marine Research Center (CMRC) on Lee Stocking Island in the Bahamas. The purpose of the research is to demonstrate energy and water savings associated with efficient technologies in an isolated sub-tropical climate. The project is being used as a test case to examine how energy and resource independent eco-tourism projects might be successfully accomplished in Florida and other Caribbean locations.

FSEC plans to monitor energy and water consumption in two buildings at the center. The VIP (Scientists' quarters) building has been …

Crop Updates 1999 - Lupins, Greg Shea, Geoff Thomas, Mark Sweetingham, Bill O'Neill, Wallace Cowling, Bevan Buirchell, Hua'an Yang, David Luckett, Allan Brown, John Hamblin, Joanne E. Barton, Kedar Adhikari, Nick Galwey, Miles Dracup, Bob French, Debbie Thackray, Roger Jones, Brenda Coutts, Narelle Reeve, Y. Cheng, R. A.C. Jones, Francoise Berlandier, Linnet Cartwright, James Fisher, Art Diggle, Bill Bowden, Chris Gazey, Luigi Morsechi, Terry Piper, Peter Newman, Dave Nicholsen, Mohammad Amjad, Glen Riethmuller, Ron Javis, Paul Blackwell, C. L. White

Crop Updates

This article contains twenty three papers

1998 LUPIN HIGHLIGHTS

LUPIN ANTHRACNOSE

1. Anthracnose overview, Greg Shea, Geoff Thomas and Mark Sweetingham, Agriculture Western Australia

2. Anthracnose – Critical seed infection levels for resistant and susceptible varieties, Geoff Thomas, Mark Sweetingham, Bill O'Neill and Greg Shea, Agriculture

Western Australia

3. Fungicide seed treatment for anthracnose and brown spot control in lupin, G. Thomas and M. Sweetingham, Agriculture Western Australia

LUPIN BREEDING AND AGRONOMY

4. Anthracnose resistance in lupins – an innovative Australian research effort 1996-1998, Wallace Cowling1'2, Bevan Buirchell_1,2 Mark Sweetinqham_1,2, Hua'an Yang₂, …

Crop Updates 1999 - Cereals, Len W. Broadbridge, Doug Abrecht, D. Bakker, Greg Hamilton, Cliff Spann, Doug Rowe, Peter Fisher, Jennifer Bignell, Matthew Braimbridge, Bill Bowden, Ross Brennan, Reg Lunt, Senthold Asseng, Cherie Rowles, Simon Bedbrook, Chris Gazey, Mike Bolland, Garren Knell, Lyn Abbott, Zed Rengel, Wayne Pluske, Erin Cahill, Bill Crabtree, Matthew Evans, Tim Nielsen, Jat Bhathal, Rob Loughman, D. Rasmussen, Roger A C Jones, Sean Kelly, Ian Riley, Sharyn Tayor, Vivien Vanstone, Dominie Wright, Debbie Thackray, Simon Mckirdy, George Yan, Robin Wilson, Iain Barclay, Robin Mclean, Dean A. Diepeveen, Bill Lambe, Wal Anderson, Brenda Shackley, Mechelle Owen, Peter Burgess, Ben Curtis, Mohammed A. Hamza, Jamie Henderson, Frank Boetel, Alfredo Impiglia, Frances Hoyle, Darshan Sharma, Pierre Fievez, Blakely Paynter, Glenn Macdonald, Kevin Young, Andrew Blake, Keith Devenish, P J. Dolling, Roy Latta, Lisa-Jane Blacklow, Chris Matthews, Angelo Loi, Brad Nutt, Rochelle Mcrobb, David Webb, Andrew Mcrobb, Clinton K. Revell, James Ridsdill-Smith, Celia Pavri, David Tennant, Darryl Mclements, Ross Thompson, Mike Ewing, Tim Woodburn, Paul Yeoh, James Fisher, Art Diggle, Mark Whitten, Andrew Rate, Paul Carlile, Ed Blanchard, Bevan Buirchell, Lorraine Osborne, Tress Walmsley, Terry Piper, Cameron Weeks, Michael Dodd, Amanda Falconer, Caroline Peek, Glenn Adam, Camray Gethin, Richard Guinness, Daniel Fels, Andrew Rintoul, Mal Lamond, Roger Tapp, Craig White

Crop Updates

This article covers sixty papers

FOREWORD

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

PLENARY PAPERS

1. Western Australia’s climate: trends and opportunities, Len W. Broadbridge, Director, Bureau of Meterorology

2. Managing seasonal variations in agriculture, Dr Doug Abrecht, Director, Dryland Research Institute, Merredin

CROP ESTABLISHMENT

3. Soil management to prevent waterlogging on duplex soils in the Great Southern, D. Bakker, Greg Hamilton, Cliff Spann and Doug Rowe, Agriculture Western Australia

4. The influence of no-till and press wheels on crop production for heavy soils, Peter Fisher, Jennifer Bignell, Matthew Braimbridge, Greg Hamilton, Agriculture

Western Australia

NUTRITION

5. Fertiliser nitrogen, applied late, needs …

A Mutant Of Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii With Reduced Rate Of Photorespiration, Kensaku Suzuki, Tarlan G. Mamedov, Toraoyoshi Ikawa

Papers in Biochemical Engineering

Photorespiration rates under air-equilibrated conditions (0.04% CO₂ and 21% O₂) were measured in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii wild-type 2137, a phosphoglycolate-phosphatase-deficient (pgpl) mutant and a suppressor double mutant (7FR2N) derived from the pgpl mutant. In both cells grown under 5% CO₂ and adapted air for 24 h in the suppressor double mutant, the maximal rate of photorespiration (phosphoglycolate synthesis) was only about half of that in either the wild type or the pgpl mutant (18-7F) cells. In the progeny, the reduced rate of photorespiration was accompanied by increased photosynthetic affinity for inorganic carbon and the capacity for growth …

Comparison Of Toms And Avhrr Volcanic Ash Retrievals From The August 1992 Eruption Of Mt. Spurr, N. A. Krotkov, O. Torres, C. Seftor, A. J. Krueger, A. Kostinski, William I. Rose, Gregg J. Bluth, D. Schneider, S. J. Schaefer

Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences Publications

On August 19, 1992, the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) onboard NOAA-12 and NASA's Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) onboard the Nimbus-7 satellite simultaneously detected and mapped the ash cloud from the eruption of Mt. Spurr, Alaska. The spatial extent and geometry of the cloud derived from the two datasets are in good agreement and both AVHRR split window IR (11–12µm brightness temperature difference) and the TOMS UV Aerosol Index (0.34–0.38µm ultraviolet backscattering and absorption) methods give the same range of total cloud ash mass. Redundant methods for determination of ash masses in drifting volcanic clouds offer many advantages …