Engineering Commons^™

Ceas E-News 05.19.2009, College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences News

First Geek Gamez event attracts a wide variety of "engineers"

Time Domain Equalizer Design Using Bit Error Rate Minimization For Uwb Systems, Syed Imtiaz Husain, Jinhong Yuan, Jian Zhang, Richard K. Martin

Faculty Publications

Ultra-wideband (UWB) communication systems occupy huge bandwidths with very low power spectral densities. This feature makes the UWB channels highly rich in resolvable multipaths. To exploit the temporal diversity, the receiver is commonly implemented through a Rake. The aim to capture enough signal energy to maintain an acceptable output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) dictates a very complicated Rake structure with a large number of fingers. Channel shortening or time domain equalizer (TEQ) can simplify the Rake receiver design by reducing the number of significant taps in the effective channel. In this paper, we first derive the bit error rate (BER) of …

Multi-Objective Design Of Transient Network Models, Bong Seog Jung, Misgana K. Muleta, Paul F. Boulos

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The optimal design of a water distribution system under transient conditions is formulated as a two-objective optimization problem. The objectives are minimization of the total pipe costs and maximization of the hydraulic reliability for the transient network design model. Unlike most optimization models in which demands are set to their end-of-life levels, this approach assumes that the demand loadings vary throughout the design life of the system. Evolutionary algorithms are applied to support efficient search for Pareto optimal solutions to the dual-objective optimization problem. An example application is presented and relevant conclusions are stated.

Sabin Collection (Mss 260), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 260. Letterbook containing correspondence of railroad engineer, Alpheus T. Sabin. Of particular note is information about railroad stations built in Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis, Tennessee. Also includes a store account book from Princeton, Kentucky, 1882-1885, and a small diary kept by Mrs. E.R. Sabin related to Princeton social life, 1890.

Fiber Inline Core-Cladding-Mode Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Fabricated By Two-Point Co2 Laser Irradiations, Tao Wei, Xinwei Lan, Hai Xiao

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We report a fiber inline Mach-Zehnder-type core-cladding-mode interferometer fabricated by two-point CO2 laser irradiations on a single-mode fiber. the laser irradiations caused efficient light coupling from the core mode to the lower order cladding modes and vice versa. High-quality interference spectra with a fringe visibility of about 20 dB were observed for four different interferometer lengths (5, 10, 20, and 40 mm). the temperature sensitivity of the device with a length of 5 mm was measured to be 0.0817 nm/°C. the sensitivity for refractive index measurement of the device was comparable with a long-period fiber grating of LP04 cladding mode. …

Coupling Of Integrated Biosphere Simulator To Regional Climate Model Version 3, Jonathan M. Winter, Jeremy S. Pal, Elfatih A. B. Eltahir

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Works

A description of the coupling of Integrated Biosphere Simulator (IBIS) to Regional Climate Model version 3 (RegCM3) is presented. IBIS introduces several key advantages to RegCM3, most notably vegetation dynamics, the coexistence of multiple plant functional types in the same grid cell, more sophisticated plant phenology, plant competition, explicit modeling of soil/plant biogeochemistry, and additional soil and snow layers.

A single subroutine was created that allows RegCM3 to use IBIS for surface physics calculations. A revised initialization scheme was implemented for RegCM3–IBIS, including an IBIS-specific prescription of vegetation and soil properties.

To illustrate the relative strengths and weaknesses of RegCM3–IBIS, …

Device Considerations For Development Of Conductance-Based Biosensors, Kangho Lee, Pradeep R. Nair, Adina Scott, Muhammad A. Alam, David B. Janes

Birck and NCN Publications

Design and fabrication of electronic biosensors based on field-effect-transistor (FET) devices require understanding of interactions between semiconductor surfaces and organic biomolecules. From this perspective, we review practical considerations for electronic biosensors with emphasis on molecular passivation effects on FET device characteristics upon immobilization of organic molecules and an electrostatic model for FET-based biosensors.

Tobacco Mosaic Virus Templated Synthesis Of One Dimensional Inorganic-Polymer Hybrid Fibres, Jianhua Rong, Fiona Oberbeck, Xinnan Wang, Xiaodong Li, Jerry Oxsher, Zhongwei Niu, Qian Wang

Faculty Publications

Inorganic–polymer hybrid nanofibres were prepared by using a rod-like tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) as a template. With tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as a precursor, long silica-coated TMVfibres were formed via a head-to-tail assembly, which showed a substantial increase of the elastic modulus. Furthermore, homogenous titania–TMV hybrid fibres could be prepared using polyaniline-coated TMV fibres as a template, which were used to form a composite film that was able to sense liquefied petroleum gases.

A Wireless Sensor Data Fusion Framework For Contaminant Detection, Joshua Kiepert, Sin Ming Loo

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

In recent years, much research has been done on wireless sensor networks and sensor data fusion, however there has been limited work regarding implementation of real systems that are capable of providing a highly connected sensor network for data logging and data fusion applications. This paper describes the design and implementation of a wireless, portable, and reconfigurable sensor network framework. This sensor node design has proven to be effective for monitoring environmental conditions of aircraft cabins and is well suited to environmental monitoring and detection of contaminants in large areas when utilizing sensor data fusion features.

High Efficiency Excitation Of Plasmonic Waveguides With Vertically Integrated Resonant Bowtie Apertures, Edward C. Kinzel, Xianfan Xu

Birck and NCN Publications

In recent years, many nanophotonic devices have been developed. Much attention has been given to the waveguides carrying surface plasmon polariton modes with subwavelength confinement and long propagation length. However, coupling far field light into a nano structure is a significant challenge. In this work, we present an architecture that enables high efficiency excitation of nanoscale waveguides in the direction normal to the waveguide. Our approach employs a bowtie aperture to provide both field confinement and high transmission efficiency. More than six times the power incident on the open area of the bowtie aperture can be coupled into the waveguide. …

The Effective Slip Length And Vortex Formation In Laminar Flow Over A Rough Surface, Anoosheh Niavarani, Nikolai V. Priezjev

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

The flow of viscous incompressible fluid over a periodically corrugated surface is investigated numerically by solving the Navier–Stokes equation with the local slip and no-slip boundary conditions. We consider the effective slip length which is defined with respect to the level of the mean height of the surface roughness. With increasing corrugation amplitude the effective no-slip boundary plane is shifted toward the bulk of the fluid, which implies a negative effective slip length. The analysis of the wall shear stress indicates that a flow circulation is developed in the grooves of the rough surface provided that the local boundary condition …

Robotics - One Of The Steps To Space Exploration, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Robotics - one of the steps to space exploration" from May 9, 2009.

Robotics - One Of The Steps To Space Exploration, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Robotics - one of the steps to space exploration" from May 9, 2009.

Effects Of Photointensity Gradient On Directional Crystal Growth In Blends Of Crystalline Polymer And Photoreactive Monomer Undergoing Photopolymerization-Induced Phase Transformation, Pankaj Rathi, Soo Jeoung Park, Thein Kyu

College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering

Effects of light intensity gradient on development of intricate hierarchical morphology of semicrystalline polyethylene oxide (PEO) and photoreactive diacrylate (DA) blends undergoing photopolymerization-induced crystallization have been demonstrated experimentally and theoretically. The melting temperature of PEO was found to decline upon addition of DA monomer. A solid-liquid phase diagram has been established by self-consistently solving the combined phase field free energy of crystal solidification and Flory-Huggins (FH) free energy of liquid-liquid demixing. Dynamic calculations were performed using time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau (model C) equations by incorporating the combined phase field and FH free energy densities coupled with the photopolymerization kinetics. The spatiotemporal development …

Optimization And Stress Analysis Of A Single Stage Rotary Compressor Shaft, Arjunkumar Tummuri

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science & Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Arjunkumar Tummuri May 5, 2009.

Enhancing Engine Block Quality By Reducing Metal Chips In Porosities - A Case Study, Santosh Kumar Kurella

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Santosh Kumar Kurella on March 25, 2009.

Design Optimization Of The Rolling Piston Type Rotary Compressor, Pavankumar Kurmagadda

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science & Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Pavankumar Kurmagadda May 5, 2009.

A Systematic Approach To Developing National Technology Policy And Strategy For Emerging Technologies, Pisek Gerdsri

Dissertations and Theses

As the pace of global competition increases, a country's competitiveness becomes of greater concern. Technology drives competitiveness and is a crucial factor for economic development in developed and developing economies. This poses a need for governments to be involved in supporting technology research and development in their countries. A government must not only provide support when an emerging technology is being considered, it should also nurture and guide its development. The effective national technology policies and strategies should go beyond merely identifying the critical technologies.

This research has developed a systematic and comprehensive approach for policy makers to strategically define …

Performance Analysis Of Coal-Fired Boiler And Natural Gas Fired Boiler At Morehead State University, Devender Banne

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science & Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Devender Banne on May 4, 2009.

Learning Area Coverage For A Self-Sufficient Colony Robot, Gary Parker, Richard Zbeda

Computer Science Faculty Publications

It is advantageous for colony robots to be autonomous and self-sufficient. This requires them to perform their duties while maintaining enough energy to operate. Previously, we reported the equipping of power storage for legged robots with high capacitance capacitors, the configuration of one of these robots to effectively use its power storage in a colony recharging system, and the learning of a control program that enabled the robot to navigate to a charging station in simulation. In this work, we report the learning of a control program that allowed the simulated robot to perform area coverage in a self-sufficient framework …

Acuta Enews May 2009, Vol 38, No. 5

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

Report from Annual Conference in Altanta

See the Conference on Your Desktop

Tech talk: Revisiting the iPhone in an Ever-careful way............ Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

From ACUTA Headquarters: What's New with Social Networking at ACUTA?... Jeri Semer, CAE, Exec. Dir.

DC update .........Dave Ostrom, Washington state University (retired)

lnfo Links ............ Randy Hayes, Univ. of Northern lowa

Board Report, April............ Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego state University

Free Cabling Resource Guide

Another Great Conference, More Terrific Prizes!

Welcome New Members

Check lt Out: RFls/RFPs, Job Postings, Press Releases, Special. Deals!

Annual Conference Photo Supplement

Powering The Future: The Fabrication Of A Novel Passive Micro Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell, Zachary Chin

Senior Honors Projects

The scope of this research includes principles of operation, areas of enhancement, and the fabrication processes of micro direct ethanol fuel cells. This research spreads light on the technology of fuel cells, offers methods to aide the performance of the direct ethanol fuel cell, and provides the method to produce an enhanced micro direct ethanol fuel cell power supply. The proposed micro direct ethanol fuel cell provides power independent of its orientation and without external fluid pumps. In satisfying these details the fuel cell system is entirely sealed within a small package fabricated using rapid prototyping technology and operates solely …

Computational Modeling Of The Internal Structure In The Breast, Jordan Greenlee

Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Many researchers who are using microwave modality in the area of breast cancer detection employ oversimplified models of the internal structure of the breast. Use of engineered or biologically inaccurate models could render inaccurate results. Therefore, a mathematical biological model is implemented in this work and aims to bridge the gap between biologists and engineers. The results of the proposed breast duct model show that older women have smaller breast ducts leading to less dense breasts, which is in agreement with medical knowledge. Also, younger women have larger breast ducts leading to more dense breasts which are consistent with the …

Low Voltage, Low Power, Bulk-Driven Amplifier, Shama Huda

Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The importance of low voltage and low powered electronics is increasing with advances in medical electronics. This branch of electronics specifically requires low voltage and low power to make efficient innovative medical equipment. Low power electronics are also desirable because it conserves energy and power. This paper proposes a design of a differential in - differential our amplifier that uses a bulk-driven differential pair for the input pair. In addition, it also used bulk-driven current mirrors for the tail current sink and the active loads. The bulkdriven technique helps to achieve the low voltage design. 90nm CMOS technology was considered …

From Interval Computations To Constraint-Related Set Computations: Towards Faster Estimation Of Statistics And Odes Under Interval, P-Box, And Fuzzy Uncertainty, Martine Ceberio, Vladik Kreinovich, Andrzej Pownuk, Barnabas Bede

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In interval computations, at each intermediate stage of the computation, we have intervals of possible values of the corresponding quantities. In our previous papers, we proposed an extension of this technique to set computations, where on each stage, in addition to intervals of possible values of the quantities, we also keep sets of possible values of pairs (triples, etc.). In this paper, we show that in several practical problems, such as estimating statistics (variance, correlation, etc.) and solutions to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with given accuracy, this new formalism enables us to find estimates in feasible (polynomial) time.

Analysis Of Information And Computation In Physics Explains Cognitive Paradigms: From Full Cognition To Laplace Determinism To Statistical Determinism To Modern Approach, Vladik Kreinovich, Roberto Araiza, Juan Ferret

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In this paper, we analyze the problem of prediction in physics from the computational viewpoint. We show that physical paradigms like Laplace determinism, statistical determinism, etc., can be naturally explained by this computational analysis. In our explanations, we use the notions of the Algorithmic Information Theory such as Kolmogorov complexity and algorithmic randomness, as well as the novel, more physics-oriented variants of these notions.

Combined Heat And Power In The Irish Market, Barry Cullen, Jim Mcgovern

Other resources

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) production offers significant benefits in terms of energy efficiency and CO2 abatement and is generally considered to be a key technology in the move towards sustainable energy in Ireland. As a distributed generation technology it immediately benefits from reduced transmission and distribution losses, and as a combined generator its total plant efficiency indicates a significant decrease in fuel costs and a reduction in harmful emissions. The corresponding positive effect on energy security through reduced consumption is notable also. It therefore holds a significant place in the country’s future energy strategy. The present work offers a …

Linear Analysis Of Ordinary Bridges Crossing Fault-Rupture Zones, Rakesh K. Goel, Anil K. Chopra

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Rooted in structural dynamics theory, two approximate procedures for estimating peak responses of linearly elastic “ordinary” bridges crossing fault-rupture zones are presented: response spectrum analysis (RSA) procedure and a linear static analysis procedure. These procedures estimate the peak response by superposing peak values of quasi-static and dynamic responses. The peak quasi-static response in both procedures is computed by static analysis of the bridge with peak values of all support displacements applied simultaneously. In RSA, the peak dynamic response is estimated by dynamic analysis including all significant modes, which is simplified in the latter procedure to static analysis of the bridge …

Nonlinear Analysis Of Ordinary Bridges Crossing Fault-Rupture Zones, Rakesh K. Goel, Anil K. Chopra

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Rooted in structural dynamics theory, three approximate procedures for estimating seismic demands for bridges crossing fault-rupture zones and deforming into their inelastic range are presented: modal pushover analysis (MPA), linear dynamic analysis, and linear static analysis. These procedures estimate the total seismic demand by superposing peak values of quasi-static and dynamic parts. The peak quasi-static demand in all three procedures is computed by nonlinear static analysis of the bridge subjected to peak values of all support displacements applied simultaneously. In the MPA and the linear dynamic analysis procedures, the peak dynamic demand is estimated by nonlinear static (or pushover) analysis …

Assessing The Feasibility Of Wind Power Production For The University Of Rhode Island’S Bay Campus, Kenneth A. Critz

Senior Honors Projects

Governor Carcieri and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) set a goal for Rhode Island to be powered by 15% renewable energy resources. It was determined that wind power was the only utility scale means of renewable energy production abundant enough to satisfy this initiative. In January of 2006 the RI WINDS program was established and Applied Technology Management (ATM) was contracted to perform a preliminary assessment of potential areas, including RI coastal waters, where wind power could be developed. This assessment indicated that “there are significant wind resources in the State of Rhode Island both onshore and …