Engineering Commons^™

Resonance Detection And Acoustic Behaviour In Polymer Intake Manifolds, Amrith Ramanan

Masters Theses

The Automotive Industry, over the last few years, has been placing major emphasis on the use of lightweight components in engines as well as other structural components. The material for these lightweight components are being chosen in such a way that they require minimal secondary operations to place the components in service. One area that has developed is the use of Polymer (Plastic) Intake Manifolds for Internal Combustion engines. Plastics meet all the criteria for quality low cost production with a minimum weight component. Plastic intake manifolds, however, have been found to be excessively noisy in operation. This noise can …

Metastable Phases Of Mgo-Tio2 Solid Solutions, Liang-Chieh Ma

Masters Theses

Magnesium titanium oxide powders were synthesized by the sol-gel method using alkoxides of magnesium and titanium with different ratios. Matastable phases of qandilite, Mg₂TiO₄, were found with Mg:Ti ratios down to 1.52:1 in lower temperature 600 °C than in the equilibrium condition which is above 1200 °C. Powder samples were examined by neutron powder diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for analysis of structure and oxidation states. Also, samples were tested for the Mg:Ti ratios by induced coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The structure refinements of the samples were done by General Structure Analysis System (GSAS) …

An Imaging System For Concrete Bridge Inspection, Mohammed Talal Al-Bataineh

Masters Theses

Bridges are the most important element in the road network because of, the strategic position a bridge occupies, its direct impact on safety, and its high cost. Therefore, a continuous maintenance and inspection should be performed. During the past years visual inspection has been the primary method of bridge inspection.

Pontis is a comprehensive bridge management system developed as a tool to assist in the challenging task of bridge management. Pontis stores bridge inventory and inspection data and formulates network-wide preservation and improvement policies for use in evaluating the needs of each bridge in a network.

The concrete bridge inspection …

Development Of A Simulation For The Prediction Of Pvdf Surface Velocity Sensor Response For Vibrating Beams And Rectangular Plates, Brian C. Zellers

Masters Theses

A simulation for the prediction of Polyvinylidene Flouride (or PVDF) sensor charge response to structural vibration displacements of beam and rectangular plate structures was developed. The simulation uses measured vibration displacements from an actual structure using point sensors (accelerometers) assembled in an array on the surface of the structure. The PVDF sensor charge output equation was written for a PVDF film of constant spatial sensitivity so that numerical analysis tools in Matlab® can be used to solve the equation. Preliminary experimental results showed that the bending strain component, due to transverse vibration displacements, is the dominant term for both the …

Building Deconstruction Guidelines: Tools For Recovering Building Materials, Ali Ayedh Merzen

Masters Theses

The traditional method of tearing down building when its life cycle is completed is known as demolition, which means destroying most of the structures and burying it in the landfills. This is the most common practice in most countries, but in recent years there is a new movement toward using the components of these buildings. Burying usable or recyclable materials in landfills means more pollution and increasing the need for more landfills. The concept of reusing or recycling building materials is known as Deconstruction. This practice is relatively new in the construction industry and requires more research and studies to …

Stanford Student Satellite Program, Robert J. Twiggs, Bulent Altan

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs and Bulent Altan titled "Stanford Student Satellite Program" from December 20, 2002.

Development Of Water-Based Ink System For Braille Printing, Saurabh Varma

Masters Theses

The most commonly used system of writing by and for blind persons is called Braille, named after its French inventor, Louis Braille (1809-1952). Braille is comprised of a rectangular six-dot cell on its end, with up to 63 possible combinations using one or more of the six dots. Braille is the only reliable method of literacy for blind persons, because it enables them to read and write by touch¹.

Currently, Braille is printed by special embossers that serve as a printing press. These embossers create Braille output when it is attached appropriately to computers. The speed of these …

A Response To Lisa Heinzerling's Article “Five-Hundred Life-Saving Interventions And Their Misuse In The Debate Over Regulatory Reform”, Tammy O. Tengs

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

[Excerpt] "I am writing in response to Lisa Heinzerling's article “Five-Hundred Life-Saving Interventions and Their Misuse in the Debate Over Regulatory Reform,”1 published in the Spring 2002 issue of Risk: Health, Safety & Environment. Dr. Heinzerling comments on two papers that my colleagues and I, affiliated with the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, produced as part of research funded by the National Science Foundation over a decade ago. The first is the article “Five-Hundred Lifesaving Interventions and Their Cost-Effectiveness,” published in the journal Risk Analysis in 1995. In this article we described the cost per year of lives saved of …

The Evolution And Implications Of The Concentration Profiles Of An Analyte In Porous Adsorbent Particles Packed In A Capillary Electrochromatography Column Operated In The Analytical Mode, B. A. Grimes, Athanasios I. Liapis

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this work, a mathematical model is constructed and solved to describe the propagation and dispersion of the mass wave of an analyte in a capillary electrochromatography (CEC) column packed with porous adsorbent particles and operated in the analytical mode. The evolution and dynamic behavior of the isoconcentration contours of the concentration of the analyte in the pores of the particles are presented in order to demonstrate the significant impact that the velocity of the intraparticle electroosmotic flow (EOF) encountered in CEC systems could have in reducing the overall intraparticle mass transfer resistance. It is shown that under both unretained …

Implementation Of Gy-Eq For Deterministic Effects Limitation In Shield Design, John W. Wilson, Myung-Hee Y. Kim, Giovanni De Angelis, Francis A. Cucinotta, Nobuaki Yoshizawa, Francis F. Badavi

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The NCRP has recently defined RBE values and a new quantity (Gy-Eq) for use in estimation of deterministic effects in space shielding and operations. The NCRP's RBE for neutrons is left ambiguous and not fully defined. In the present report we will suggest a complete definition of neutron RBE consistent with the NCRP recommendations and evaluate attenuation properties of deterministic effects (Gy-Eq) in comparison with other dosimetric quantities.

Auger Timing Effects On Performance Of A Combine Unloading System, Todd Philip Cole

Open Access Master's Theses (through 2010)

Performance effects were measured on a combine unloading system using three different auger timing settings.Performance measures included maximum startup torque, mean operating torque, standard deviation of the operating torque, flow rate of grain through the system, and mechanical damage to the grain.The performance effects were measured with the system unloading corn and soybeans.

The data were statistically analyzed to check for interactions between the grains and differences between the timings.Using an alpha value of 0.1 it was found that timing 1 for both grains had a 3% (<2.4 L/s) higher flow rate over timings 2 and 3.Timings 1 and 2 for both grains had higher maximum startup torque, about 10% (60 N·m) more torque required than timing 3.In soybeans, timings 2 and 3 also had the smallest standard deviation in operating torque, about 30% (20 N·m) less than timing 1.We were unable to detect any differences in mechanical damage to corn or soybeans as a result of unloading auger timing.These findings suggest that timing 3, with the cross augers lagging 90° behind the vertical unloading auger, may require less maximum startup torque and less variation in torque for the cross augers to effectively fill the loosely filled space left after the vertical auger lifts the grain without extra torque effects of having the augers push against each other as they do in timing 1.

Advisor: Michael F. Kocher

Interactive Learning Tools: Animating Statics, Nancy Hubing, David B. Oglesby, Timothy A. Philpot, Vikas Yellamraju, Richard H. Hall, Ralph E. Flori

Business and Information Technology Faculty Research & Creative Works

Computer-Based Modules for Engineering Instruction Must Be Concise, Flexible, Educational and Engaging in Order to Effectively Supplement Traditional Classroom Teaching Tools. a Computer Example that Takes More Time Than a Chalkboard Presentation is Not Likely to Be Useful in Today's Engineering Classroom. Flexible Navigation is Necessary So that the Instructor Can Quickly and Easily Respond to Student Questions. Useful Modules Must Also Improve Problem-Solving Skills or Clarify Troublesome Concepts in Order to Be Considered Worthy of Inclusion in the Limited Class Time Available. Finally, and Perhaps Most Importantly, Effective Computer-Based Modules Must Meet the Challenge of Holding the Student's Attention. …

Nonstoichiometry And Electrical Transport In Sc-Doped Zirconia, Igor Kosacki, Harlan U. Anderson, Yasunobu Mizutani, Kenji Ukai

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The results of electrical conductivity measurements on ZrO₂: Sc (ScSZ) ceramics as a function of oxygen activity and temperature are presented. The influence of the microstructure on electrical transport is discussed and the experimental data for dense microcrystalline specimens have been compared with those obtained for dense nanocrystalline thin films. From these results the electronic and ionic contribution to the electrical transport has been determined and correlated with microstructure. It has been found that nanocrystalline ScSZ films possess quite different nonstoichiometry compared with that observed for microcrystalline specimens in the fact that the electronic conductivity is enhanced so …

Investigation Of The Corrosion Of Steel By Lead-Bismuth Eutectic (Lbe) Using Scanning Electron Microscopy And X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Daniel Koury

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Lead Bismuth Eutectic (LBE) has been proposed for use in programs for accelerator transmutation of waste. LBE is the leading candidate material as a spallation target and an option for the sub-critical blanket coolant. The corrosion of 316 and 316L stainless steels by LBE has been studied using UNLV's facilities for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). We have compared exposed and unexposed samples and studied the differences. Some amount of surface contamination is present on the samples and has been removed by ionbeam etching. The unexposed samples reveal typical stainless steel characteristics: a chromium oxide passivation …

2002 Statewide Bridge Sufficiency Rating Report, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

This report contains information specific to the county of interest, plus summary tables relating information about all Indiana county bridge conditions and funding levels.

Using The Boundary Element Method For Prediction Of Sound Radiated From An Arbitrarily Shaped Vibrating Body, Mark J. Christensen

Masters Theses

The Boundary Element Method can be used to predict sound pressure levels radiated from an arbitrarily shaped vibrating body. Using the Direct, Indirect and Approximation formulation one can solve such an ‘exterior’ acoustic problem. In this work, the Direct formulation was chosen. The two major methods employed for implementation of this formulation are the Combined Helmholtz Integral Equation Formulation (CHIEF) and the Burton–Miller Method. Since the CHIEF method was easier to program and adapt to changes, it was decided that the CHIEF method would be the focus of this research. Using the CHIEF method as a guide, a computer simulation …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Applying Learner-Centered Pedagogy To An Engineering Circuit-Theory Class At Smith College, Susan E. Voss, Glenn Ellis

Engineering: Faculty Publications

This paper discusses examples of learner-centered activities that have been incorporated into a circuit-theory course at Smith College. The learner-centered activities are organized around the structures of community, knowledge, and assessment. Specific examples include the use and ongoing development of "Concept Tests," frequent assessment of the students and the course, a peer-editing process facilitated by using class time to edit lab reports, and discussions and readings related to the social context within which electrical engineering concepts reside. This course is part of a program-wide effort to integrate learner-centered pedagogy into the entire engineering science curriculum.

Improving The Conceptual Understanding Of Kinematics Through Graphical Analysis, Glenn W. Ellis, Warren A. Turner

Engineering: Faculty Publications

In this study, we use graphical analysis to develop a learner-centered approach to understanding kinematics. The learner-centered approach offers three advantages: it is consistent with pedagogy that has been shown to be effective for learning, it can be naturally integrated with real-time data collection using motion detectors or video analysis, and it provides a mechanism for developing insight into both physics and calculus. Students discover fundamental principles through a series of laboratory modules. The learning process is integrated into a conceptual framework through a variety of activities and application projects.

Upper Spokane River Model: Boundary Conditions And Model Setup, 2001, Spencer Slominski, Robert Leslie Annear, Chris Berger, Scott A. Wells

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Washington Department of Ecology is interested in a water quality model for the Upper Spokane River system for use in developing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). The goals of this modeling effort are to:

• Gather data to construct a computer simulation model of the Spokane River system including Long Lake Reservoir and the pools behind Nine Mile dam, Upper Falls dam and Upriver dam for 2001 based on the calibration conducted for 1991 and 2000 data sets, (Annear et al, 2001).

• Ensure that the model accurately represents the system hydrodynamics and water quality (flow, temperature, dissolved oxygen …

A Framework For Prognostics Reasoning, Thomas C. Clutz

Theses and Dissertations

The use of system data to make predictions about the future system state commonly known as prognostics is a rapidly developing field. Prognostics seeks to build on current diagnostic equipment capabilities for its predictive capability. Many military systems including the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) are planning to include on-board prognostics systems to enhance system supportability and affordability. Current research efforts supporting these developments tend to focus on developing a prognostic tool for one specific system component. This dissertation research presents a comprehensive literature review of these developing research efforts. It also develops presents a mathematical model for the optimum allocation …

Lunar Lava Tube Radiation Safety Analysis, Giovanni De Angelis, J. W. Wilson, M. S. Clowdsley, J. E. Nealy, D. H. Humes, J. M. Clem

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

For many years it has been suggested that lava tubes on the Moon could provide an ideal location for a manned lunar base, by providing shelter from various natural hazards, such as cosmic radiation, meteorites, micrometeoroids, and impact crater ejecta, and also providing a natural environmental control, with a nearly constant temperature, unlike that of the lunar surface showing extreme variation in its diurnal cycle. An analysis of radiation safety issues on lunar lava tubes has been performed by considering radiation from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and Solar Particle Events (SPE) interacting with the lunar surface, modeled as a regolith …

Management Commitment To Construction Safety, Areen M. Shaar

Masters Theses

The objective of all businesses including construction is to make money and to be profitable. The costs resulting from personal injuries and equipment damage, combined with the associated financial impact resulting from schedule disruptions, insurance hikes, and workers compensation can definitely impact the profitability of any construction operation. Most times those costs can be minimized or avoided by giving safety more attention on construction job sites.

The main purpose of this research is to determine the correlation between management commitment to safety and its impacts on the frequency of injuries and illnesses. To achieve this, a survey was methodically developed …

Training Fuzzy Systems With The Extended Kalman Filter, Daniel J. Simon

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The generation of membership functions for fuzzy systems is a challenging problem. We show that for Mamdani-type fuzzy systems with correlation-product inference, centroid defuzzification, and triangular membership functions, optimizing the membership functions can be viewed as an identification problem for a nonlinear dynamic system. This identification problem can be solved with an extended Kalman filter. We describe the algorithm and compare it with gradient descent and with adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) based optimization of fuzzy membership functions. The methods discussed in this paper are illustrated on a fuzzy filter for motor winding current estimation, and are compared with Butterworth …

A Performance Study Of Lam And Mpich On An Smp Cluster, Brian Patrick Kearns

Dissertations and Theses

Many universities and research laboratories have developed low cost clusters, built from Commodity-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components and running mostly free software. Research has shown that these types of systems are well-equipped to handle many problems requiring parallel processing. The primary components of clusters are hardware, networking, and system software. An important system software consideration for clusters is the choice of the message passing library.

MPI (Message Passing Interface) has arguably become the most widely used message passing library on clusters and other parallel architectures, due in part to its existence as a standard. As a standard, MPI is open for anyone …

On Clustering And Retrieval Of Video Shots Through Temporal Slices Analysis, Chong-Wah Ngo, Ting-Chuen Pong, Hong-Jiang Zhang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Based on the analysis of temporal slices, we propose novel approaches for clustering and retrieval of video shots. Temporal slices are a set of two-dimensional (2-D) images extracted along the time dimension of an image volume. They encode rich set of visual patterns for similarity measure. In this paper, we first demonstrate that tensor histogram features extracted from temporal slices are suitable for motion retrieval. Subsequently, we integrate both tensor and color histograms for constructing a two-level hierarchical clustering structure. Each cluster in the top level contains shots with similar color while each cluster in bottom level consists of shots …

Motion Retrieval By Temporal Slices Analysis, Chong-Wah Ngo, Chong-Wah Ngo, Hong-Jiang Zhang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this papel; we investigate video shots retrieval based on the analysis of temporal slice images. Temporal slices are a set of2D images extracted along the time dimension of image sequences. They encode rich set of motion clues for shot similarity measure. Because motion is depicted as texture orientation in temporal slices, we utilize various texture features such as tensor histogram, Gabor feature, and the statistical feature of co-occurrence matrix extracted directly from slices for motion description and retrieval. In this way, motion retrieval can be treated in a similar way as texture retrieval problem. Experimental results indicate that the …

Survey Of Aviation Maintenance Technical Manuals, Phase 3 Report: Final Report And Recommendations, Alex Chaparro, Loren S. Groff

Publications

This report contains the results from the final phase of a three-phase research effort. Phase 1 of this research effort surveyed the procedures used by five aircraft manufacturers to develop maintenance documentation. Several potential human factors issues were identified in the processes used by these manufacturers to develop their maintenance manuals. The issues included the reactive rather than proactive use of user evaluations, the limited use of user input and procedure validation, no systematic attempts to track errors, and the lack of standards for measuring document quality. In Phase 2, a written survey was used to solicit information about user …

Mechanism Of Preconditioning By Isoflurane In Rabbits: A Direct Role For Reactive Oxygen Species, Katsuya Tanaka, Dorothee Weihrauch, Franz Kehl, Lynda M. Ludwig, John F. Ladisa, Judy R. Kersten, Paul S. Pagel, David C. Warltier

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

LARGE quantities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) released during reperfusion after coronary artery occlusion damage proteins responsible for intracellular homeostasis, produce tissue injury, depress contractile function, and increase myocardial infarct size. In contrast, small quantities of ROS may exert beneficial effects during ischemia and reperfusion when released before a prolonged ischemic event. ROS derived from mitochondria during a brief ischemic episode produce preconditioning. Free radical scavengers administered during ischemic preconditioning (IPC) markedly attenuate the protective effect of the preconditioning stimulus on infarct size. These data suggest that IPC is mediated in part by small quantities of ROS released during preconditioning. …

A Simple Method For Indexing Powder Diffraction Patterns Of Cubic Materials:(1) Using The Θ-Values Of Reference, Me Kamwaya

Tanzania Journal of Science

From the values of sin2θ taken from powder photographs of the cubic crystal system, a variable constant, K, which is a multiple of (h2 + k2 + l2) can be determined. The smallest value of sin2θ1 gives rise to a multiple of one, two, or three which corresponds to the smallest value of Σhl2 for the primitive, bcc and fcc crystals, respectively. The old assumption that when indexing, the occurrence of numbers of the form (h2 + k2 + l2) = 8n + 7, where n = 0.1.2.3… should cause each of (h2 + k2 + l2) to be multiplied …