Engineering Commons^™

Generic Performance Evaluation Tool Implementation For An Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer, James M. Mengert

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Evaluation software for analyzing general analytical model applications utilizing MATLAB is presented in this thesis. The focus is to provide an interactive environment for the evaluation of model applications relating to an Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer. The Generic Performance Evaluation Tool (GPET) was developed by researchers at Old Dominion University and NASA-Langley Research Center and was a NASA-Langley Research Center sponsored project. GPET is capable of producing a multitude of object-oriented input data for any number of individual model applications. The tool is also capable of creating user-defined input interfaces for the purpose of viewing and/or editing input object data, …

Using Stiffeners For Improved Geometric Fidelity Of Flexible Elements, Ankit Kapoor

Masters Theses

Flexible hoses play an important role in safe operation of a transportation vehicle in automotive and aerospace field. Due to lack of accurate and efficient modeling techniques for such flexible elements with large deformation, most Computer Aided Engineering system do not address the problem in their solution methods.

In this thesis a method is presented to improve the geometric fidelity of flexible element models by using off-axis bi-linear stiffeners (spring) into a discrete linear beam model. Resulting deflection of a hose were compared with the digital scans of an actual deflection of the hose. Though the method is computationally expensive, …

Comparing Refractory Coatings On Shell Sand Utilizing Elevated Temperature And Collapsibility Testing, Suet Fong Cheah

Masters Theses

This research study examines the effects of refractory coatings on a shell sand using laboratory testing equipment as opposed to the more laborious and time consuming processes of molding, melting, filling, shakeout, and obtaining dimensions of actual castings. As of today, there have not been any such laboratory test methods. This research project focused on quantifying distortion, mass change, and impact strength found in refractory coated shell sand. The equipment used was the thermal distortion tester (TDT) and a modified impact tester. The thermal distortion curves (TDC), mass change, and impact strength are provided and compared for all systems studied. …

Structure And Spectroscopy Of Polymer Ultra Thin Films And Nanocomposites, Ramesh Chandra Kattumenu

Masters Theses

This research involves the study of structure and properties of polymer composite thin films. The intrinsic relation between the morphology and thickness of polymer thin films is the main idea behind this research. Polymer films with thickness in the range of 3nm to 600nm (comparable with the characteristic molecular length scale - radius of gyration) are studied for changes in morphology with temperature and thickness using Atomic Force Microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The study of very thin polymer films using Force Modulation technique with AFM and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy showed that polymers could be characterized with these techniques at …

Controlled Release Systems For Non-Viral Vectors, Angela K. Pannier, Lonnie D. Shea

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Adapting controlled release technologies to the delivery of non-viral vectors has the potential to overcome barriers that limit gene therapy. Controlled release systems can enhance gene delivery and increase the extent and duration of transgene expression relative to more traditional delivery methods. Delivery vehicles for controlled release are fabricated from natural and synthetic polymers, which function either by releasing the vector into the local tissue environment or by maintaining the vector at the polymer surface. Vector release or binding is regulated by the effective affinity of the vector for the polymer, which depends upon the strength of molecular interactions. These …

Anisotropy Of Exchange Stiffness And Its Effect On The Properties Of Magnets, K. D. Belashchenko

Kirill Belashchenko Publications

Using the spin-spiral formulation of the tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital method, the principal components of the exchange stiffness tensor are calculated for typical hard magnets including tetragonal CoPt-type and hexagonal YCo₅ alloys. The exchange stiffness is strongly anisotropic in all studied alloys. This anisotropy makes the domain wall surface tension anisotropic. Competition between this anisotropic surface tension and magnetostatic energy controls the formation and dynamics of nanoscale domain structures in hard magnets. Anisotropic domain wall bending is described in detail from the general point of view and with application to cellular Sm–Co magnets. It is shown that the repulsive …

Willamette River Basin Temperature Tmdl Model: Model Scenarios, Robert Leslie Annear, Michael Lee Mckillip, Sher Jamal Khan, Chris Berger, Scott A. Wells

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is developing a TMDL for temperature in the Willamette River basin shown in Figure 1. The study area included the Willamette River and all major tributaries (except the Tualatin River where a TMDL process was already concluded). A large section of the Columbia River was also modeled to provide adequate boundary representation of tidal flows in the lower Willamette River. The Willamette River below the Oregon City Falls in the Portland metropolitan area has a typical diurnal tidal range of 1 m. The development of a dynamic model of temperature and …

Inside Unlv, Gian Galassi, Carol C. Harter, Jeffrey Koep

Inside UNLV

No abstract provided.

Quarternair Cugasete And Cuga0.5in 0.5te2 Thin Films Fabrication Using Flash Evaporation, A. Harsono Soepardjo

Makara Journal of Technology

Quarternair CuGaSeTe and CuGa0.5In 0.5Te2 Thin Films Fabrication Using Flash Evaporation. Quarternair materials CuGaSeTe and CuGa0.5In 0.5Te2 are the basic materials to solar cell fabrication. These materials have high absorption coefficients around 103 – 105 cm-1 and band gap energy in the range of 1-5 eV. In this research, the films were made by flash evaporation method using quarternair powder materials of CuGaSeTe and CuGa0.5In 0.5Te2 to adhere in a glass substrate. After the films were obtained, the properties of these films will be characterized optically and electrically. The lattice parameter of the films and the crystalline film structure were …

Graded Channel Mosfet Simulation With S-Pisces 2b, Hartono Siswono

Makara Journal of Technology

Graded Channel MOSFET simulation with S-Pisces 2B. Graded-Channel Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-effect- Transistor or GCMOSFET is being discussed in this paper. GCMOSFET technology has been developed to meet the growing demand for low power and high performance application. In this paper, it will be shown that, compared to ungraded MOSFET, the GCMOSFET device offers the advantage of significantly higher drive current. The higher drive current is achieved because the effecctive channel length of GCMOSFET is shorter than the ungraded MOSFET’s. From the simulation result with S-PISCES 2B and MATLAB, it can been shown that the ID from GCMOSFET is higher than the …

Construction Of Depth-Structure Shelf-Edge Map For Case Study Of Kujung Formation, East Java Sea, Saifatur Rusli, Suparto Suparto

Makara Journal of Technology

Construction of Depth-Structure Shelf-edge Map for Case Study of Kujung Formation, East Java Sea. In general, reflection seismic method has capability to represent sub-surface in time domain. Seismic cross-section that depicts the formation of sub-surface usually use time domain in the format of TWT (Two Way Times). This due to in the process of seismic data acquisition, seismic wave propagates in down-going and up-going manner so that the obtained results from data processing are in the format of TWT seismic vs. shot points. This paper will describe the construction of depth-structure map for case study of Kujung Formation, East Java …

Critical Variables Of Solder Paste Stencil Printing For Micro-Bga And Fine-Pitch Qfp, Jianbiao Pan, Gregory L. Tonkay, Robert H. Storer, Ronald M. Sallade, David J. Leandri

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Stencil printing continues to be the dominant method of solder deposition in high-volume surface-mount assembly. Control of the amount of solder paste deposited is critical in the case of fine-pitch and ultrafine-pitch surface-mount assembly. The process is still not well understood as indicated by the fact that industry reports 52-71% surface-mount technology (SMT) defects are related to the solder paste stencil printing process. The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical variables that influence the volume, area, and height of solder paste deposited. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of relevant process parameters on the amount …

Data Smoothing And Interpolation Using Eighth-Order Algebraic Splines, Daniel J. Simon

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

A new type of algebraic spline is used to derive a filter for smoothing or interpolating discrete data points. The spline is dependent on control parameters that specify the relative importance of data fitting and the derivatives of the spline. A general spline of arbitrary order is first formulated using matrix equations. We then focus on eighth-order splines because of the continuity of their first three derivatives (desirable for motor and robotics applications). The spline's matrix equations are rewritten to give a recursive filter that can be implemented in real time for lengthy data sequences. The filter is lowpass with …

Engineering At San Jose State University, Spring 2004, San Jose State University, Charles W. Davidson College Of Engineering

Engineering at San Jose State University

No abstract provided.

Models, Composability, And Validity, Eric Werner Weisel

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Composability is the capability to select and assemble simulation components in various combinations into simulation systems to satisfy specific user requirements. The defining characteristic of composability is the ability to combine and recombine components into different simulation systems for different purposes. The ability to compose simulation systems from repositories of reusable components has been a highly sought after goal among modeling and simulation developers. The expected benefits of robust, general composability include reduced simulation development cost and time, increased validity and reliability of simulation results, and increased involvement of simulation users in the process. Consequently, composability is an active research …

Numerical Study Of Combustion Of Hydrogen And Ethylene In A Two-Dimensional Dual-Mode Scramjet Combustor, Robert A. Carson

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This thesis presents computational fluid dynamics results for two-dimensional flow geometries utilizing two fuels, hydrogen (H2) and ethylene (C2H4). Upstream interaction was evident with the use of both fuels due in part to recirculation in the combustor, the inlet pressures and the combustion process. Results were obtained for hydrogen using a reduced chemical kinetic model while results obtained for ethylene employed a reduced chemical kinetic model as well as an expanded chemical kinetic model.

Initially, an examination of grid composition was conducted in order to select the most numerically efficient and accurate grid for reacting flow in the current combustor …

Metrics For Human Driving Of Multiple Robots, Dan R. Olsen Jr., Jonathan Turner, Stephen Bart Wood

Faculty Publications

A goal of human-robot interaction is to expand the capability of human beings so that they can control multiple robots simultaneously. This provides leverage for human attention beyond single robot interaction. The number of such robots that can be operated is called the fan-out of a human-robot team. We define the concepts of neglect-tolerance as a measure of autonomy and interaction-effort as a measure of required human attention. A model for fan-out is presented that predicts a human's ability to control multiple robots. We validate this model using robot simulations and user studies. Using the validated model we demonstrate enhanced …

Generating Series For Interconnected Nonlinear Systems And The Formal Laplace-Borel Transform, Yaqin Li

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Formal power series methods provide effective tools for nonlinear system analysis. For a broad range of analytic nonlinear systems, their input-output mapping can be described by a Fliess operator associated with a formal power series. In this dissertation, the inter connection of two Fliess operators is characterized by the generating series of the composite system. In addition, the formal Laplace-Borel transform of a Fliess operator is defined and its fundamental properties are presented. The formal Laplace-Borel transform produces an elegant description of system interconnections in a purely algebraic context.

Specifically, four basic interconnections of Fliess operators are addressed: the parallel, …

Scaling And Characterization Of Direct Current Glow Discharge Plasma In Atmospheric Air, Abdel-Aleam Hefney Mohamed

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A microhollow cathode discharge was used as a plasma cathode to sustain a stable direct current glow discharge in atmospheric pressure air. The volumetric scale of glow discharge increased from the millimeter to the centimeter range by extending the plasma in lateral and axial directions. In the axial direction, the length of the glow discharge column was varied from 1 mm to 2 cm, with the sustaining voltage increasing linearly with the glow discharge column length. Extension in the lateral direction was obtained by operating discharges in parallel. The glow discharge plasma of the parallel discharge columns was found to …

Microdischarge Arrays, Wenhui Shi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Microhollow cathode discharges (MHCDs) are DC or pulsed gas discharges between two electrodes, separated by a dielectric, and containing a concentric hole. The diameter of the hole, in this hollow cathode configuration, is in the hundred-micrometer range. MHCDs satisfy the two conditions necessary for an efficient excimer radiation sources: (1) high energy electrons which are required to provide a high concentration of excited or ionized rare gas atoms; (2) high pressure operation which favors excimer formation (a three-body process). Flat panel excimer sources require parallel operation of MHCDs. Based on the current-voltage characteristics of MHCD discharges, which have positive slopes …

Computational Sensing And Active Flow Control Of Airfoil At Stall Conditions, Ersin Gercek

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

During airfoil stall condition, the flow over airfoil loses its momentum, creating high pressure zones and adverse pressure gradients on the airfoil upper surface. When the adverse pressure forces and viscous forces get greater than the flow momentum, the flow can no longer remain attached on the surface and separates towards a low pressure zone.

In order to eliminate separation, the low momentum flow on the suction side should be predicted and removed from the airfoil surface to maintain high momentum and low pressure flow conditions over the airfoil. This study is conducted to apply active computational sensing and control …

Speaker Normalization For Improved Automatic Speech Recognition For Digital Libraries, Wei Wang

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The context of this thesis work is the improvement of automatic speech recognition (ASR) for use with digital libraries. First, commonly used multimedia file formats and codecs are surveyed with the objective of identifying those formats that preserve speech quality while keeping file sizes compact. The main contribution of the work is a new technique for speaker adaptation based on frequency scale modifications. The frequency scale is modified using a minimum mean square error matching of a spectral template for each speaker to a "typical speaker" spectral template. Each spectral template is computed from the average amplitude-normalized spectra of several …

On The Dynamics And Kinetic Energy Of Axisymmetric And Wavy Taylor-Couette Flows, Javier M. Montefort

Dissertations

An experimental study of axisymmetric and wavy Taylor-Couette flows is presented in this research. The study is conducted to investigate the flowcharacteristics under steady state conditions in axisymmetric and wavy Taylor flows. Additionally, the time-dependent formation of axisymmetric vortices is also experimentally investigated. The radii and aspect ratios of the experimental facility utilized in this research are 0.672 and 20, respectively. The working fluid used during the experiments is water. The experiments were performed within the Taylor numbers range comprised by TC < T < 105 TC . A numerical scheme based on finite differences technique has been developed to validate …

High Temperature Heat Exchanger Project: Quarterly Progress Report January 1, 2004 Through March 31, 2004, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas. Research Foundation, Robert F. D. Perret

Publications (NSTD)

Mutually satisfactory language has been developed to permit signing of a subcontract between the General Atomics Corporation and the UNLV Research Foundation. The contract is signed.

A Value Focused Thinking Model For The Development And Selection Of Electrical Energy Source Alternatives At Military Installations, Gregory T. Schanding

Theses and Dissertations

Electrical power on military installations is vital for mission accomplishment. Most installations obtain electrical power from a local commercial utility. Although commercial power service has a very low interruption rate, the threat of a sustained power outage resulting from a terrorist act or a natural disaster is of concern. The military should posture itself to prevent such power outages and prepare to mitigate the adverse effects associated with the loss of power. This thesis presents a Value Focused Thinking approach to the development of a decision analysis model to assist a decision maker at a military installation in the generation …

Metal Superplasticity Enhancement And Forming Process, Rajiv S. Mishra, Murray W. Mahoney

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A shaped metallic component is formed by friction stirring at least a segment of a single piece of bulk metal to impart superplasticity thereto and thereby yield a single superplastic metal blank from the single piece of bulk metal. The metal blank is then deformed by a metal deformation process such as forging, rolling, drawing, bending, extruding, gas forming, punching, and stamping.

Vector Dissipativity Theory For Large-Scale Impulsive Dynamical Systems, Wassim H. Haddad, Vijaysekhar Chellaboina, Qing Hui, Sergey Nersesov

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

Modern complex large-scale impulsive systems involvemultiplemodes of operation placing stringent demands on controller analysis of increasing complexity. In analyzing these large-scale systems, it is often desirable to treat the overall impulsive system as a collection of interconnected impulsive subsystems. Solution properties of the large-scale impulsive system are then deduced from the solution properties of the individual impulsive subsystems and the nature of the impulsive system interconnections. In this paper, we develop vector dissipativity theory for large-scale impulsive dynamical systems. Specifically, using vector storage functions and vector hybrid supply rates, dissipativity properties of the composite large-scale impulsive systems are shown to …

The Predictive Validity Of The Afit Graduate Management Program Admission Requirements: A Reassessment And Extension, Sarah E. Woods

Theses and Dissertations

This research is based on the Air Force and AFIT balancing mission requirements of personnel needed for duty and training airmen in advanced studies. Currently, over 50% of AFIT students do not meet AFIT entrance requirements. The purpose of this research was to examine criteria to determine its predictability of graduate success, as measured by graduate GPA, as well as determine whether performance is different for students who require criteria to be waived. Current AFIT eligibility criteria include undergraduate GPA, GRE test scores, or GMAT test scores. Other variables examined in this study include: GRE-Analytical test scores; rank/grade; prior enlistment; …

Static Analysis Of Memory-Accessing Gestures In Java, Christopher R. Hill

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

We propose the notion of Java-program gestures that are composed of a series of memory-accessing instructions. By finding patterns in gestures whose execution can be atomic, we can load them in an intelligent memory controller. This process can improve performance of the Java Virtual Machine, decrease code footprint, and reduce power consumption in hardware. In this thesis we formally define a language of gestures and introduce a method of detecting them statically at compile-time. We introduce a simple heuristic for reducing the number of gestures that must be loaded into the memory controller and show that finding the minimum number …

Modeling, Fabrication, And Optimization Of Niobium Cavities: Phase Iii Third Quarterly Report, Robert A. Schill Jr., Mohamed Trabia

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Niobium cavities are important parts of the integrated NC/SC high-power linacs. Over the years, researchers in several countries have tested various cavity shapes. They concluded that elliptically shaped cells are the most appropriate shape for superconducting cavities. The need for very clean surfaces lead to the use of a buffered chemical polishing produce for surface cleaning to get good performance of the cavities. The third phase concludes the experimental a fluid flow study and optimization study. The first quarter and second quarter of phase three also begins the experimental set-up of secondary emission studies from niobium in superconducting mode. This …