Engineering Commons^™

An Fpga-Based System For Tracking Digital Information Transmitted Via Peer-To-Peer Protocols, Karl R. Schrader

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the problem of identifying and tracking digital information that is shared using peer-to-peer file transfer and Voice over IP (VoIP) protocols. The goal of the research is to develop a system for detecting and tracking the illicit dissemination of sensitive government information using file sharing applications within a target network, and tracking terrorist cells or criminal organizations that are covertly communicating using VoIP applications. A digital forensic tool is developed using an FPGA-based embedded software application. The tool is designed to process file transfers using the BitTorrent peer-to-peer protocol and VoIP phone calls made using the Session …

On The Inside Of Spaceshipone, Dan Linehan

ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program

Hear the inside story of the development, testing and flight of the world’s first privately built and piloted manned spacecraft by the author of “SpaceShip One” An Illustrated History”. Exciting photos, videos and animations will help explain how and why all this took place.

Optical And Electrical Properties Of Compound And Transition Metal Doped Compound Semiconductor Nanowires, Sivakumar Ramanathan

Theses and Dissertations

Nanotechnology is the science and engineering of creating functional materials by precise control of matter at nanometer (nm) length scale and exploring novel properties at that scale. It is vital to understand the quantum mechanical phenomena manifested at nanometer scale dimensions since that will enable us to precisely engineer quantum mechanical properties to realize novel device functionalities. This dissertation investigates optical and electronic properties of compound and transition metal doped compound semiconductor nanowires with a view to exploiting them for a wide range of applications in semiconductor electronic and optical devices. In this dissertation work, basic concepts of optical and …

Decentralized Estimation Using Information Consensus Filters With A Multi-Static Uav Radar Tracking System, David W. Casbeer

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation lays out a multi-static radar system with mobile receivers. The transmitter is at a known location emitting a radar signal that bounces off a target. The echo is received by a team of UAVs that are capable of estimating both time-delay and Doppler from the received signal. Several methods for controlling the movement of mobile sensor platforms are presented to improve target tracking performance. Two optimization criteria are derived for the problem, both of which require some type of search procedure to find the desired solution. Simulations are used to show the benefit of using closed-loop sensor control …

Redox, Pressure And Mass Transfer Effects On Syngas Fermentation, Allyson White Frankman

Theses and Dissertations

The fermentation of syngas (a mixture of CO, CO2 and H2) to produce ethanol is of interest as an alternative fuel. Clostridium carboxidivorans, has been found to produce higher than average amounts of ethanol and butanol from CO-rich mixtures. This project sought to determine the effects of the redox level in the solution, partial pressures in the headspace and mass transfer limitations on the products obtained through fermentation of syngas. It was determined that cysteine sulfide has a greater effect on the redox level of the media used to grow bacteria, than does the gas composition. Therefore, changing gas …

Wireless Local Positioning System, Seyed A. Zekavat

Michigan Tech Patents

A method of locating mobiles via a dynamic base station. The method includes transmitting a first wireless signal from the dynamic base station at a first time, and receiving the first wireless signal at the mobile. The method also includes transmitting a second wireless signal from the mobile in response to receiving the first wireless signal, and receiving the second wireless signal at the dynamic base station at a second time. The method also includes determining a time difference between the first time and the second time, determining an angle of arrival of the second wireless signal, and locating the …

An Inverse Method For Predicting Tissue-Level Mechanics From Cellular Mechanical Input, Wangdo Kim, Derek C. Tretheway, Sean S. Kohles

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Extracellular matrix (ECM) provides a dynamic three-dimensional structure which translates mechanical stimuli to cells. This local mechanical stimulation may direct biological function including tissue development. Theories describing the role of mechanical regulators hypothesize the cellular response to variations in the external mechanical forces on the ECM. The exact ECM mechanical stimulation required to generate a specific pattern of localized cellular displacement is still unknown. The cell to tissue inverse problem offers an alternative approach to clarify this relationship. Developed for structural dynamics, the inverse dynamics problem translates measurements of local state variables (at the cell level) into an unknown or …

Imaging Radiation Pneumonitis In A Rat Model Of A Radiological Terrorism Incident, Robert C. Molthen, Qingping Wu, Gary S. Krenz, Meetha Medhora, Elizabeth R. Jacobs, John E. Moulder

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

We have developed a rat model of single, sub-lethal thoracic irradiation. Our irradiation protocol is considered representative of exposures near the detonation site of a dirty bomb or small nuclear device. The model is being used to investigate techniques for identifying, triaging and treating possible victims. In addition to physiological markers of right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary vascular resistance, and arterial distensibility, we present two methods for quantifying microvascular density. We used methods including microfocal X-ray imaging to investigate changes in lung structure/function resulting from radiation exposure. Radiation pneumonitis is a complication in subjects receiving thoracic irradiation. A radiographic hallmark of …

Gulf Coast High Performance Affordable Housing Demonstration Project, Florida Solar Energy Center, Janet Mcilvaine

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In 2007 and 2008, the Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership worked with five partners in region of the Gulf Coast recovering from Hurricane Katrina. The High Performance Affordable Housing Demonstration Home was conceived to give builders in the region a cost-effective model of high performance to emulate. This report summarizes the status of work with the five partners, including the proposed energy efficiency package to reach the goal of 30% whole house energy source savings calculated under the 2008 Building America Benchmarking Procedure, standard construction practices, and implementation challenges. Four Demonstration houses were completed in 2008. Three met the 30% …

Virta-Flaneurazine-Sl, Clinical Study, Collaborative Project

Dyson College- Seidenberg School of CSIS : Collaborative Projects and Presentations

This entry adheres to the use of the quad chart template to provide a succint description only of the current research project undertaken by the participants. It provides for the following information:

1. Participants and Affiliations
2. Overall Project Goals
3. Illustrative picture
4. Specific research/artistic/pedagogic foci

Programmable Media Conference - Pace, Collaborative Project

Dyson College- Seidenberg School of CSIS : Collaborative Projects and Presentations

This entry adheres to the use of the quad chart template to provide a succint description only of the current research project undertaken by the participants. It provides for the following information:

1. Participants and Affiliations
2. Overall Project Goals
3. Illustrative picture
4. Specific research/artistic/pedagogic foci

Determinants Of Cross Organizational Software Project Success, And Ozbay

Dissertations and Theses

The importance of software development (SWD) has been rapidly increasing over the past few decades. As this industry has grown, there has been an increasing deployment of cross organizational (C/O) SWD (also called distributed development or global software development) projects. These C/O SWD projects have adversely impacted the already low success rates of SWD projects. Methods to address problems of C/O SWD projects are not available to SWD managers primarily because challenges that underlie C/O SWD are incompletely understood.

This dissertation explored the problems associated with C/O SWD in real-life contexts. Inductive case study research methods and grounded theory were …

Egyptian Fractions Revisited, Olga Kosheleva, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

It is well known that the ancient Egyptians represented each fraction as a sum of unit fractions -- i.e., fractions with unit numerators; this is how they, e.g., divided loaves of bread. What is not clear is why they used this representation. In this paper, we propose a new explanation: crudely speaking, that the main idea behind the Egyptian fractions provides an optimal way of dividing the loaves. We also analyze the related properties of fractions.

Localization Quality Assessment In Source Separation-Based Upmixing Algorithms, Dan Barry, Gavin Kearney

Conference papers

In this paper we explore the source localisation accuracy and perceived spatial distortion of a source separation based upmix algorithm for 2 to 5 channel conversion. Unlike traditional upmixing techniques, source separation based techniques allow individual sources to be separated from the mixture and repositioned independently within the surround sound field. Generally, spectral artefacts and source interference generated during the source separation process are masked when the upmixed sound field is presented in its entirety; however, this can lead to perceived spatial distortion and ambiguous source localisation. Here, we use subjective testing to compare the localisation perceived on a purposely …

Preliminary Performance Evaluation Of A Near Zero Energy Home In Gainesville, Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The U.S. Department of Energy's Building America (BA) program is working to increase the energy efficiency of new and existing homes while increasing comfort, and durability and reducing resource use. As part of this program we pursue opportunities to research highly efficient homes with the goal of understanding what works, what doesn't work, and the most economic ways to reach very high efficiency targets. The program aims to create cost neutral zero energy homes by 2020. In pursuit of this goal, this home and other research homes around the country designed to approach or achieve the zero energy goal are …

A New Justification Of Wang Transform Operator In Financial Risk Analysis, Vladik Kreinovich, Hung T. Nguyen, Songsak Sriboonchitta

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

One of the most widely used (and most successful) methods for pricing financial and insurance instruments under risk is the Wang transform method. In this paper, we provide a new explanation for the empirical success of Wang's method -- by providing a new simpler justification for the Wang transform.

Economic Impact Of South Dakota’S Regional Water Systems, Matthew J. Pajl, Delvin E. Deboer, Gary Taylor, Dwight Adamson

Water and Environmental Engineering Research Reports

Regional water systems are a primary conduit of water supply for much of South Dakota’s rural and small community populations. As of 2006, greater than one-third of South Dakota’s population was served by water supplied from regional water systems, and when Lewis and Clark Rural Water delivers water to Sioux Falls, over one-half of South Dakota’s population will be served by regional water systems. Greater than 75% of incorporated communities with public water supplies are served by regional water systems, either as bulk communities or as individual customers. Many farms and agricultural industries use rural water for domestic use, livestock …

Optimization Of Engineering Tolerance Design Using Revised Loss Functions, Jeh-Nan Pan, Jianbiao Pan

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Engineering tolerance design plays an important role in modern manufacturing. Both symmetric and asymmetric tolerances are common in many manufacturing processes. Recently, various revised loss functions have been proposed for overcoming the drawbacks of Taguchi's loss function. In this article, Kapur's economic tolerance design model is modified and the economic specification limits for both symmetric and asymmetric losses are established. Three different loss functions are compared in the optimal symmetric and asymmetric tolerance design: a revised Taguchi quadratic loss function, an inverted normal loss function and a revised inverted normal loss function. The relationships among the three loss functions and …

Estimating Vertical Stress On Soil Subjected To Vehicular Loading, Tyler Olmstead, Erika Fischer

United States Army: Publications

This report describes a preliminary study in support of ongoing research to model soil stress resulting from vehicular traffic on unprepared ground. The soils used in this study were sand, wet sand, and silt. The soils in the prepared soil beds were first characterized as to strength, density, and plasticity. Then pressure sensors were embedded at depths of 2 and 5 in. These were then traversed several times by a Mine Detonation Trailer (MDT) and the pressure produced by a single chosen wheel re-corded. The actual measured load of this wheel was 4700 pounds. The same series of measurements were …

90-Billion Gallon Biofuel Deployment Study -- Executive Summary, Sandia National Laboratories

United States Department of Energy: Publications

This study concludes that 90 billion gallons per year of biomass-derived ethanol can be produced and distributed with enduring government commitment and continued technological progress. Specifically, the model projects that 90 billion gallons of ethanol can be produced per year in the U.S.: 15 billion gallons per year from corn ethanol, with the balance from cellulosic ethanol.

Risk Mitigation For Highway And Railway Bridges, Andrzej S. Nowak, Marek Kozikowski,, Marta Lutomirska,

Mid-America Transportation Center: Final Reports and Technical Briefs

Performance of the transportation network strongly depends on the performance of bridges. Bridges constitute a vital part of the transportation infrastructure system and they are vulnerable to extreme events such as natural disasters (i.e., hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, major storms), as well as hazards stemming from negligence and improper maintenance, collisions (vessels and vehicles), intentional acts of vandalism, and terrorist attacks. These structures must be protected but the current approach to risk is not rational. Therefore, the objective of this project is to develop efficient risk analysis procedures for assessment of the actual safety reserve in highway and railway bridges. The …

Is Parallel Programming Hard, And If So, Why?, Paul E. Mckenney, Maged M. Michael, Manish Gupta, Philip William Howard, Josh Triplett, Jonathan Walpole

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Of the 200+ parallel-programming languages and environments created in the 1990s, almost all are now defunct. Given that parallel systems are now well within the budget of the typical hobbyist or graduate student, it is not unreasonable to expect a new cohort in excess of several thousand parallel languages and environments to appear in the 2010s. If this expected new cohort is to have more practical impact than did its 1990s counterpart, a robust and widely applicable framework will be required that encompasses exactly what, if anything, is hard about parallel programming. This paper revisits the fundamental precepts of concurrent …

On Stresses Induced In A Thermal Barrier Coating Due To Indentation Testing, Jin Yan, Anette M. Karlsson, Marion Bartsch, Xi Chen

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Instrumented indentation has been suggested as a method to determine interfacial fracture toughness of thermal barrier coatings. However, in a previous experimental study we showed that the results are ambiguous. In this work, we investigate the experimental results by numerical simulations incorporating the material microstructure. In the numerical simulations, based on finite element analyses, the stress fields that are associated with the loading and unloading of the indenter are investigated. By comparing these stress fields to the damage observed in the experimental study, including crack path and interfacial delaminations, we explain key findings from the experimental observations. Our results suggest …

Preliminary Performance Evaluation Of A Near Zero Energy Home In Callaway, Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center, Eric Martin

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The U.S. Department of Energy's Building America (BA) program is working to increase the energy efficiency of new and existing homes while increasing comfort, and durability and reducing resource use. As part of this program we pursue opportunities to research highly efficient homes with the goal of understanding what works, what doesn't work, and the most economic ways to reach very high efficiency targets. The program aims to create cost neutral zero energy homes by 2020. In pursuit of this goal, this home and other research homes around the country designed to approach or achieve the zero energy goal are …

Materializing A Binary Hyperlens Design, Alexander V. Kildishev, Uday K. Chettiar, Zubin Jacob, V. M. Shalaev, Evgenii Narimanov

Birck and NCN Publications

We present a design of cylindrical hyperlens made of a layered binary material. The design approach uses an improved effective medium theory to take account of radius-dependent effects due to curvature of material interfaces resulting in nonperiodically distributed thicknesses of the lens layers. The performance of this lens is compared versus the designs with periodically thick layers, which we showed in earlier papers. Detailed quantitative results analyzed for the lenses with the same number and starting order of layers prove better functioning of the lens designed with this approach.

Imaging Gold Nanorods By Plasmon-Resonance-Enhanced Four Wave Mixing, Yookyung Jung, Hongtao Chen, Ling Tong, Ji-Xin Cheng

Other Nanotechnology Publications

The current work investigates the four-wave mixing (FWM) signal from gold nanorods (NRs) using two synchronized lasers and its potential applications in bioimaging. Using the lightning rod model, we show that the strongest FWM occurs when the pump laser wavelength is tuned to be resonant with the longitudinal plasmon resonance wavelength of NR. The calculation is experimentally demonstrated by comparing the intensities of FWM from NRs with different plasmon resonance wavelengths. The FWM signal is further found to be enhanced by aggregation of NRs and is strongly dependent on pulse width. The FWM intensity from NRs is similar to 39 …

Influence Of Dimensionality On Thermoelectric Device Performance, Raseong Kim, Supriyo Datta, Mark S. Lundstrom

Birck and NCN Publications

The role of dimensionality on the electronic performance of thermoelectric devices is clarified using the Landauer formalism, which shows that the thermoelectric coefficients are related to the transmission, T(E), and how the conducting channels, M(E), are distributed in energy. The Landauer formalism applies from the ballistic to diffusive limits and provides a clear way to compare performance in different dimensions. It also provides a physical interpretation of the "transport distribution," a quantity that arises in the Boltzmann transport equation approach. Quantitative comparison of thermoelectric coefficients in one, two, and three dimensions shows that the channels are utilized more effectively in …

Acuta Enews February 2009, Vol 38, No. 2

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

From the President............. Corinne Hoch, Columbia Univ., ACUTA President

Strategic Leadership forum

Tech Talk: "VoIP Is Dead" declaration isn't cause to worry........... Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

Cast your vote in ACUTA election

DC update.............. Dave Ostrom, Washington State Univ. (retired)

Board Report.............. Riny Ledgewood, San Diego State Univ., ACUTA Secretary/Treasurer

Welcome New Members

Check it out: press releases.... job postings.... RFIs/FRPs

Effect Of Synthesis Time And Treatment On Porosity Of Mesoporous Silica Materials, Asli Ertan, Pradeep Kodumuri, Orhan Talu, Surendra N. Tewari

Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Nitrogen adsorption at 77 K on mesoporous silica materials (MPS) with varying synthesis time and treatment conditions was investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were also used to characterize the mesoporous materials. This study was performed at 6, 24 and 72-h synthesis times. It is shown that 6-h is not enough for complete formation of the MPS material and at least 24-h is necessary. The pore structure starts decaying for the 72-h synthesis time. The three-after-synthesis treatment conditions used were 1) washed, 2) washed and calcined and 3) directly calcined after synthesis. Ethanol/HCl …

Integrated Cognitive Architectures: A Survey, Hui-Qing Chong, Ah-Hwee Tan, Gee-Wah Ng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This article aims to present an account of the state of the art research in the field of integrated cognitive architectures by providing a review of six cognitive architectures, namely Soar, ACT-R, ICARUS, BDI, the subsumption architecture and CLARION. We conduct a detailed functional comparison by looking at a wide range of cognitive components, including perception, memory, goal representation, planning, problem solving, reasoning, learning, and relevance to neurobiology. In addition, we study the range of benchmarks and applications that these architectures have been applied to. Although no single cognitive architecture has provided a full solution with the level of human …