Engineering Commons^™

Flexible Manufacturing System Utilizing Computer Integrated Control And Modeling, Yahia Mohammed Al-Smadi

Theses

In today's fast-automated production, Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) play a very important role by processing a variety of different types of workpieces simultaneously. This study provides valuable information about existing FMS workcells and brings to light a unique concept called Programmable Automation.

Another integrated concept of programmable automation that is discussed is the use of two feasibility approaches towards modeling and controlling FMS operations; the most commonly used is programmable logic controllers (PLC), and the other one, which has not yet implemented in many industrial applications is Petri Net controllers (PN). This latter method is a unique powerful technique to …

Determination Of Phase Composition Of Sputtered Tantalum On Steel Substrates By Resistivity Measurements, Younes Abbassi

Theses

The objective of this thesis was to develop a method of distinguishing between alpha and beta phases of tantalum films on steel substrates, using the four-point probe resistivity measurements. While there is a large difference between resistivities of the two Ta phases, the problem is challenging because the measurements are influenced by the low resistivity of steel.

For reference, the resistivity measurements of tantalum coatings (1-20 μm) on silicon and silicon dioxide substrates were conducted first. The measured resistivities were related to the crystallographic phase composition of Ta, which has lower resistivity in bcc form, α-phase, (13.5 to 42 μΩcm), …

Modeling Corrosion In Oxygen Controlled Lbe Systems With Coupling Of Chemical Kinetics And Hydrodynamics-Phase Two, Samir Moujaes, Yitung Chen

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The proposed work will combine chemical kinetics and hydrodynamics in target and test-loop lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) systems to model system corrosion effects. This approach will result in a predicative tool that can be validated with corrosion test data, used to systematically design tests and interpret the results, and provide guidance for optimization in LBE system designs. The task includes two subtasks. The first subtask is to try to develop the necessary predictive tools to be able to predict the levels of oxygen and corrosion products close to the boundary layer through the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling. The …

Development Of A Systems Engineering Model Of The Chemical Separations Process, Yitung Chen, Darrell Pepper, Randy Clarksean

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Two activities are proposed: the development of a systems engineering model and the refinement of the Argonne code AMUSE (Argonne Model for Universal Solvent Extraction). The detailed systems engineering model will be the start of an integrated approach to the analysis of the materials separations associated with the AAA Program. A second portion of the project will streamline and improve an integral part of the overall systems model, which is the software package AMUSE. AMUSE analyzes the UREX process and other related solvent extraction processes and defines many of the process streams that are integral to the systems engineering model. …

Design And Evaluation Of Processes For Fuel Fabrication, Georg F. Mauer

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

The objective of this project is the design and evaluation of manufacturing processes for transmuter fuel fabrication. The large-scale deployment of remote fabrication and refabrication processes will be required for all transmutation scenarios. Current program emphasis is on a five-year effort to determine the feasibility of transmutation as a technology to limit the need for repository storage of spent commercial fuel. The evaluation of the fabrication processes will create a decision support data base to document design, operations, and costs. Fabrication processes required for different fuel types differ in terms of equipment types, throughput, and cost. Differential cost Implications of …

Design And Evaluation Of Processes For Fuel Fabrication: Quarterly Progress Report #3, Georg F. Mauer

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

The third quarter of the project covered the following:

• Literature Search: The process of evaluating the pertinent literature continued. Results are summarized.

• Mr. Richard Silva, developed an initial work cell simulation with two robots. Rich will continue to develop detailed 3-D process simulation models as his M.Sc. thesis project. Rich is employed with Bechtel at the Yucca Mountain project.

• The equipment detail and estimates were refined based on the literature survey results for different manufacturing plant design options.

• Concepts and Methods for Vision-Based Hot Cell Supervision and control (Ph.D. Student Jae-Kyu Lee )

Stereo Matching Algorithm By Propagation Of Correspondences And Stereo Vision Instrumentation, Peerajak Witoonchart

Theses

A new image processing method is described for measuring the 3-D coordinates of a complex, biological surface. One of the problems in stereo vision is known as the accuracy-precision tradeoff problem. This thesis proposes a new method that promises to solve this problem. To do so, two issues are addressed. First, stereo vision instrumentation methods are described. This instrumentation includes a camera system as well as camera calibration, rectification, matching and triangulation. Second, the approach employs an array of cameras that allow accurate computation of the depth map of a surface by propagation of correspondences through pair-wise camera views.

The …

A Computational Model Of Spasticity Based On A Decoupling Of The Alpha And Gamma Efferents, Bruno A. Mantilla

Theses

It is generally accepted that spasticity results from changes in the excitability of the stretch reflex. This change lowers the threshold of the motoneurons of the spinal cord where the integration of a signal from velocity/position sensors is processed and then fed back to the contracting muscle (alphaextrafusal and gamma-intrafusal fibers). The stretch reflex depends on the initial length of the muscle, the stretch velocity and voluntary activity. The exact sequence of the triggering events remains unknown, is poorly understood and as a result is controversial. The clinical classification scales are mainly subjective and by definition, inaccurate.

This computational model …

Dry Particle Coating And Granulation In Rotating Fluidized Beds, Madhuri Kolli

Theses

The practicability of using rotating fluidized bed as dry particle coater and granulator is investigated in this study. Dry particle coating, in which fine guest particles are coated onto bigger host particles in the absence of binders or solvents, is studied for various systems of host and guest particles. Coating results are explained by considering the collisions between the host and guest particles and among themselves. Balance between collisional energy and adhesion energy is suggested to be the limiting condition for the adhesion and hence the coating of guest particles onto host particles. It is observed that the experimental and …

Impact Of Truck Regulation And 65mph Speed Limit On Truck Accidents In New Jersey, Rajat G. Rajbhandari

Theses

The state of New Jersey enacted two regulations with significant importance to the highway operations: 65 mph speed limit and truck restriction on the National Network. The speed limit of 65mph was used on limited sections of interstate system highways with an objective to reduce energy consumption by vehicles and truck restriction was used on the interstate system and other state highway system to reduce large truck accidents and thereby increase truck safety. In this research, the safety impacts of these two regulations on truck crashes were studied.

The research focused on monthly truck crashes along the highway sections where …

Recent Advances In Silicon Light Emitting Diodes, Aravind Balakrishnan

Theses

A silicon based light emitting diode (LED) is a new gateway for combining optoelectronics with CMOS integrated circuits. The choice of silicon is limited due to its indirect band gap nature. There are new approaches for improving emission efficiencies in Si-LED to nearly 1% at room temperature. Boron implantation has been employed to introduce dislocation array and as a p-type dopant to form p-n Junction in an n-type Si substrate. The device operates as a conventional LED under forward bias. The temperature dependence of radiative recombination rate is addressed by Varshni empirical formula. The difference between the energy at which …

Dynamic Properties Of Fire Sprinkler Systems, James S. Dillingham, Rakesh K. Goel

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Four fire protection systems have been attached to a small building model for testing their dynamic properties. Three of the systems used CPVC (fire rated) plastic pipes while the fourth was made from schedule-40 steel pipe. The building model was securely attached to a three by three foot shake table in one of two orientations and was able to experience base accelerations along both its principle axis (longitudinal, transverse). Test procedures involved sending a sine sweep with a progressively increasing frequency at a constant acceleration value. Various recording locations provided data showing fundamental frequencies with pronounced amplification over the base …

Magnetoelastic Sensing Apparatus And Method For Remote Pressure Query Of An Environment, Craig A. Grimes, Plamen G. Stoyanov, Dimitris Kouzoudis

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

A pressure sensing apparatus for operative arrangement within an environment, having: a sensor comprising a hermetically-sealed receptacle, at least one side of which has an flexible membrane to which a magnetically hard element is attached. Enclosed within the receptacle is a magnetostrictive element that vibrates in response to a time-varying magnetic field. Also included is a receiver to measure a plurality of successive values for magneto-elastic emission intensity of the sensor taken over an operating range of successive interrogation frequencies to identify a resonant frequency value for the sensor. Additional features include: (a) the magnetically hard element may be adhered …

Syntheses And Photoluminescence Of Zinc Oxide Polyaniline Coaxial Nanowires And Their Array, Zhi-Xin Zheng, Yan-Yan Xi, Ping Dong, Huai-Guo Huang, Jian-Zhang Zhou, Lin-Lin Wu, Zhong-Hua Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

A novel nanomaterial, zinc oxide (ZnO) and polyaniline (PANI) coaxial nanowires and their array in the template, was synthesized using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane as template. The morphology of these coaxial nanowires was observed with transmission electron microscope (TEM). The experiments on photoluminescence (PL) of coaxial nanowires and their array in AAO membrane show that the visible emission band of ZnO shifts from 530 nm to 400 nm and the luminescence is enhanced for the coaxial nanowires array in AAO membrane,and the visible emission band shifts to a lower wavelergth (385 nm) for coatial nanowires in NaOH solution. Possible …

Electrochemical Properties Of Mixed Metal Oxide Coated Titanium Anodes In Seawater, Ting-Yong Wang, Li-Kun Xu, Guang-Zhang Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Mixed metal oxide coated titanium anodes prepared by thermal decomposition were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical measurement, while the consumption rate of an anode was also measured in seawater. In order to examine the practical performances of mixed metal oxide-coated anodes, a simulating test on floating dock in seawater has also been carried out. The SEM results indicate that oxide layers exhibited a cracked-mud morphology which endows the anode with good electrocatalytic activity. The electrochemical measurements showed that mixed metal oxide-coated anodes exhibit excellent electrochemical activity and electrochemical stability in seawater. Owing to good corrosion resistance and low …

Development Of 200～500 W Portable Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Power System, Li-Qing Hu, Li-Rong Zhou, Zheng Li, Jian-Wei Xia, Ming-Zhu Fu, Xin Wu, Yun Zhu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The Properties of the Portable PEM Fuel Cell Power Source are very unique compared with the common primary or rechargeable electro-chemical battery. This paper describes the In this work, of the 200～500 W portable PEM fuel cell power system, was developed. The system mainly composed of four subsystem: 1)Fuel cell stack; 2)Air delivery; 3)Hydrogen source; 4)Heat dissipation and system control.

Studies On Sulfate Reducing Bacteria Influenced Corrosion Of 90/10 Cu/Ni Alloy, Guang-Zhou Liu, Jian-Hua Qian, Yan Ma, Jian-Hua Wu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrochemical techniques such as measurements of corrosion potential,the polarization resistance, and potentiodynamic scanning technique were used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of 90/10 Cu/Ni alloy in Postgate C medium containing sulfate reducing bacteria(SRB). The results showed that the corrosion potential of the alloy changed from -0.20 to -0.75 V(SCE) when bacteria inocula was added, and the polarization resistance R_p decreased obviously, which corresponds to an increased corrosion rate. The shape ofthe anodic polarization curves was drastically changed in the presence of SRB, and an active-passive transition was observed. Electron probe microanalyzer was used to investigate the morphology and chemical …

Self-Assembled Monolayer Of Schiff Bases On Au Electrode, Ke-Qiang Ding, Qing-Fei Wang, Zhen-Bin Jia, Na Tian, Ning Wang, Ru-Ting Tong, Xin-Kui Wang, Hui-Bo Shao

Journal of Electrochemistry

Schiff bases tailored with -SH group, was self-assembled on Au substrate for the first time. The packing degree of this monolayer was described with SEM technique. Spontaneously, the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was briefly characterized with CV and EIS methods. Though Comparing with the SAM of alkanethiol, the membrane we fabricated was relatively loose, our work is the first step to study Schiff bases by means of self-assembled monolayer.

Effect Of Cl- On The Transition Current Density Of Zn During The Electrodeposition Of Zn-Ni Alloys, Ren-He Yin, Zheng-Hua Fang, Wei-Min Cao

Journal of Electrochemistry

There exists a transition current density of Zn when the normal co-deposition of Zn-Ni alloys at chloride baths turns to anomalous type. The value increases with Cl^- concentration, but is independent of pH, this is because the existence of Cl^- decreases the evolution overpotential of Ni metal and has a catalytic effect on it.

The Preparation And Characterization Of Growing Preferentially Cds Nanopartile Film, Huai-Guo Huang, Yan-Yan Xi, Zhi-Xin Zheng, Jia-Wei Yan, Jian-Zhang Zhou, Ling-Ling Wu, Zhong-Hua Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

CdS nanoparticle films were prepared on the PANI film, PATP film, Au film and ITO respectively by constant current deposition or current impulse method, and their structure and character were also studied. The results show that the substrates influence the structure and character of CdS particle film.

An Investigation On Sr-Doped Spinel Phase-LisrXMn2-XO4, Hui Zhan, Yun-Hong Zhou

Journal of Electrochemistry

Sr-doped spinel phase-LiSr_xMn_2-xO₄ was successfully prepared by solid-state method. Structural and electrochemical characterizations were carried out. Although Sr²⁺ has a large ion radius-1.12 , the spinel structure can be well maintained for LiSr_xMn_2-xO₄ sample as far as the x value doesn't surpass 0.05. Electrochemical study presents supporting evidence that doping the stoichiometric LiSr_xMn_2-xO₄ phase with Sr is an effective way to improve the cycleability of LiSr_xMn_2-xO₄ spinel material. A remarkable enhancement of the cycleability with retention of the initial …

Polishing Rate And Dependent Factors Of Copper In Nh3 ·H2O Aqueous Solution Containing K3Fe(Cn)6 During Cmp, Han-Wei He, Yue-Hua Hu, Ke-Long Huang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Dependence of polishing rates of copper on concentrations of NH₃·H₂O, passivator K₃[Fe(CN)₆], γ-Al₂O₃ abrasives and polishing pressures, polishing rotative rates were studied. Dependent mechanisms were explained. It was shown a linear relation between polishing and polishing pressures and rotative rates within some range, non-linear relation between polishing and various reagent concentrations. Preston coefficient was varied. CMP recipe of the best polishing rate was gained: 4%K₃Fe(CN)₆+1%NH₃·H₂O+25%γ-Al₂O₃, K_p=0.02383. Technics conditions were 300 rpm and 80 kpa. The …

Electrosynthesis Of Glyoxylic Acid In A Cooled Cathode Reactor, Jin-Hong Fan, Jun Li, Xue-Yun Chen, Wei Li, Hao-Qi Gao

Journal of Electrochemistry

Glyoxylic acid was produced by electroreduction of oxalic acid in a well designed cooled cathode reactor. The cathodic and anodic electrolytes were super-saturated oxalic acid and hydrochloric acid aqueous solutions separated by a super-acid ion-exchange membrane. The current efficiency and time-space yield of glyoxylic acid were studied under different temperatures of cathode and electrolyte, current densities, materials of cathode. With the cooled cathode reactor, the energy consumption was reduced and higher oxalic acid concentration was available in solution, so that current efficiency was improved. The results indicated that the average time-space yield of glyoxylic acid was about 0.032 kg·dm^{-3 …}

Spinal Fixation System, Matthew N. Songer, Jeffrey D. Vlahos, Thomas S. Kilpela, Gopal Jayaraman

Michigan Tech Patents

An implantable, spinal, vertebral replacement device comprises a tubular cage for fitting into a space left by a missing vertebral body and for optionally retaining bone graft material. First and second transverse plates are respectively positioned at opposed ends of the tubular cage for supporting the respective cage ends and for pressing a plate face against an adjacent vertebral body in spinal columnsupporting relation. The transverse plates are each joined in transverse relation to at least one vertebral attachment plate which, in use, extends generally parallel to the spine. The vertebral attachment plate defines screw holes for screw securance to …

Corrosive Electrochemical Behavior Of Carbon Steel In Microbiological Medium, Jing Liu, Hong-Bo Fan, Hai-Ping Xu, Jia-Shen Zheng, Li-Ming Xu, Zong-Qiang Mao

Journal of Electrochemistry

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB)grows and propagates, PH of the solution is dropped from 7.5 to 5.8, and forms the biofilms on carbon steel in culture medium. The micro-environment on the surface of carbon steel is changed under the biofilms, the factors accelerate the formation of the pitting corrosion. When the biofilm on carbon steel is cleaned out, the surface of carbon steel have the non-uniform pitting corrosion. The activity of SRB and the porous structure of biofilms induced the initiation and development of the pitting corrosion of carbon steel. The process of microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) involves the development of SRB …

Electrocatalytic Oxidation Of Formaldehyde On The Proline Film Modified Electrode, Yu-Rong Ma, Qiu-Xia Yang, Guo-Bao Li, Zheng-Kai Xi, Xue-Lin Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The proline film modified electrode and its electrochemical behavior was studied by cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry. After incorporation of Ni(Ⅱ), the cyclic voltammograms of the proline Ni(Ⅱ) film electrode exhibited a typical redox peak, which appeared at potential of 0.52 V anodic and 0.44 V cathodic in NaOH. The formal potentials E' were linearly dependent on the pH, and the peak currents ip were linearly dependent on the square root of the scan rates, thus charge transfer in the film was controlled by diffusion. The diffusion coefficient is figured out to be 2×10^_-10 cm²·s^-1. The …

Preparation,Structure And Properties Of Electrochromic Rhodium Oxide Films, Hai-Hong Wang, Tao Wang, Man-Ming Yan, Zhi-Yu Jiang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrochromic rhodium oxide films were prepared on ITO substrate by sol-gel method. The films exhibited reversible two-color (bright yellow at reduction and dark green at oxidation) electrochromic behavior in alkaline solution with good cycle stability. In-situ XRD, TGA-DTA, IR, XPS methods were used for studying the structure and chemical process of the films. The diffusion coefficient during the electrochromic process was measured by electrochemical impedance spectra method. It was found that the rhodium oxide films may be suitable for the use in electrochromic devices.

Recent Developments In The Electrolyte For Lic6/Electrolyte/Cathode Battery, Cui-Ying Wang, Sheng-Liang Zhao, Guang-Ming Zhu, Jin-Kua You, Zu-Geng Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

We present a reviewed the development and status of electrolyte for LiC 6/electrolyte/cathode battery. The effect of the salt, solvent, additive and impurity on the conductivity of the electrolyte, formation of the solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) and cycle life of the battery were described.

A Blend Conducting Membranes For Direct Methanol Fuel Cells, Lei Li, Jun Zhang, Hong Wu, Yu-Xin Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

An attempt was made to modify membranes for direct methanol fuel cells by blending Nafion or polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) from their solutions. The proton conductivity and methanol barrier property as a function of the membrane compositions are discussed. Compared with the Nafion 117 membrane, the PVDF-Nafion blend membranes with 25 wt% of Nafion showed a decrease in the conductivity by about 2 orders of magnitude, and the methanol barrier properties increased about 3 orders of magnitude. If the ratio (σ/P) is adopted to characterize the performance of the membrane, the PVDF-PSSA and PVDF-Nafiion blend membranes …

Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Of Quaternary Alingan-Based Multiple Quantum Wells, Mee-Yi Ryu, C. Q. Chen, E. Kuokstis, J. W. Yang, Grigory Simin, M. Asif Khan, G. G. Sim, P. W. Yu

Faculty Publications

Time-resolvedphotoluminescence(PL)dynamics has been studied in AlInGaN/AlInGaN multiple quantum wells(MQWs) grown by a pulsed metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (PMOCVD) procedure. The PL decay kinetics was found to be sensitive to the emission energy and temperature. The PL decay time increases with decreasing emission energy, which is a characteristic of localized carrier/exciton recombination due to alloy fluctuations. Its temperature dependence shows radiative recombination to be the dominant process at low temperatures, indicating a high quality of PMOCVD grown quaternary AlInGaN MQWs and establishing them as promising structures for the active region of deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes.