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2016

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Articles 7201 - 7230 of 9606

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Using Fluorescence To Characterize Four Day Simulated Distribution System Trihalomethane Content In Florida Groundwaters, Jonathan Ousley Jan 2016

Using Fluorescence To Characterize Four Day Simulated Distribution System Trihalomethane Content In Florida Groundwaters, Jonathan Ousley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) regulates public water systems and has established limits for certain disinfection by products (DBPs) that have been linked to health effects, such as bladder cancer. The regulation of DBPs, specifically total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), have encouraged water treatment professionals to assess the type and amount of organic precursors in their supplies. Three of the more common water quality parameters that are monitored as DBP surrogates include dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultraviolet absorbance (UV254), and specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA). Although DOC, UV254, and SUVA have been effectively correlated to DBP formation, …

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Recognizing Pain Using Novel Simulation Technology, Justin C. Grace Jan 2016

Recognizing Pain Using Novel Simulation Technology, Justin C. Grace

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Effective pain management and time to treatment is essential in patient care. Despite scientific evidence supporting the need to treat pain and an emphasis on addressing pain as a priority, pain management continues to be an unresolved issue. As a member of the health care team, nurses are integral to optimal pain management. Currently, nursing schools have limited innovative or alternative methods for teaching pain assessment and management. Simulation in nursing education provides a unique opportunity to expose students to realistic patient situations and allow them to learn and make mistakes without causing harm. However, modern low- and high-fidelity simulation …

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Impairment Of Continuous Insulin Delivery Therapy And Analysis From Graeco-Latin Square Design Model, Norou Diawara, Ayodeji Demuren, Eric Gyuricsko Jan 2016

Impairment Of Continuous Insulin Delivery Therapy And Analysis From Graeco-Latin Square Design Model, Norou Diawara, Ayodeji Demuren, Eric Gyuricsko

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The desire to deliver measured amount of insulin continuously to patients with type I diabetes, for glycemic control, has attracted a lot of attention. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion has seen some success in recent years. However, occlusion of insulin delivery may prevent the patient from receiving the prescribed dosage, with adverse consequence. An in vitro study of insulin delivery is performed, using different insulin pumps, insulin analogs and operating conditions. The aim is to identify incidences of occlusion due to bubble formation in the infusion line. A detailed statistical analysis was performed on the data collected to determine any significant …

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Optimal Switch Timing For Piezoelectric-Based Semi-Active Vibration Reduction Techniques, Christopher Kelley Jan 2016

Optimal Switch Timing For Piezoelectric-Based Semi-Active Vibration Reduction Techniques, Christopher Kelley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Semi-active vibration reduction techniques switch a piezoelectric transducer between an open circuit and a shunt circuit in a way that reduces vibration. The steady-state vibration amplitude is reduced by exploiting the change in stiffness between states, manipulating the converted electrical energy, or both. Semi-active techniques typically require four switches per vibration cycle. Control laws such as state switching and synchronized switch damping require switches to occur at every displacement extrema. Due to the complexity of analyzing a system with discrete switches, these control laws were developed based on intuition. The few analyses that attempt to determine an optimal switching law …

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Experimental Study Of Sinkhole Failure Related To Groundwater Level Drops, Mohamed Alrowaimi Jan 2016

Experimental Study Of Sinkhole Failure Related To Groundwater Level Drops, Mohamed Alrowaimi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sinkholes are natural geohazard phenomena that cause damage to property and may lead to loss of life. They can also cause added pollution to the aquifer by draining unfiltered water from streams, wetland, and lakes into the aquifer. Sinkholes occur in a very distinctive karst geology where carbonate, limestone, dolomite, or gypsum, are encountered as the bedrock that can naturally be dissolved by groundwater circulating through them. Sinkholes can occur gradually or suddenly with catastrophic impact depending on the geology and hydrology of the area. Predicting the formation and the collapse of a sinkhole based on the current ground investigation …

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A Hybrid Simulation Framework Of Consumer-To-Consumer Ecommerce Space, Oloruntomi Joledo Jan 2016

A Hybrid Simulation Framework Of Consumer-To-Consumer Ecommerce Space, Oloruntomi Joledo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the past decade, ecommerce transformed the business models of many organizations. Information Technology leveled the playing field for new participants, who were capable of causing disruptive changes in every industry. "Web 2.0" or "Social Web" further redefined ways users enlist for services. It is now easy to be influenced to make choices of services based on recommendations of friends and popularity amongst peers. This research proposes a simulation framework to investigate how actions of stakeholders at this level of complexity affect system performance as well as the dynamics that exist between different models using concepts from the fields of …

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Dynamic Modeling Approach To Quantify Change Orders Impact On Labor Productivity, Zain Al-Kofahi Jan 2016

Dynamic Modeling Approach To Quantify Change Orders Impact On Labor Productivity, Zain Al-Kofahi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In construction projects, change orders are commonly faced. These change orders, which are issued by the owner, may cause interruption to the contractor's work, resulting in damages such as loss of labor productivity, delay damages, and cost overruns which may lead to claims. The relationship between change orders and loss of labor productivity is not well understood because of the difficulty in linking the cause of the productivity loss to the change order. So, to receive compensation, the contractor needs to prove with a credible calculation that the productivity loss was a result of the change order issued by the …

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Probabilistic-Based Computing Transformation With Reconfigurable Logic Fabrics, Mohammed Alawad Jan 2016

Probabilistic-Based Computing Transformation With Reconfigurable Logic Fabrics, Mohammed Alawad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Effectively tackling the upcoming "zettabytes" data explosion requires a huge quantum leap in our computing power and energy efficiency. However, with the Moore's law dwindling quickly, the physical limits of CMOS technology make it almost intractable to achieve high energy efficiency if the traditional "deterministic and precise" computing model still dominates. Worse, the upcoming data explosion mostly comprises statistics gleaned from uncertain, imperfect real-world environment. As such, the traditional computing means of first-principle modeling or explicit statistical modeling will very likely be ineffective to achieve flexibility, autonomy, and human interaction. The bottom line is clear: given where we are headed, …

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Mdm2 Case Study: Computational Protocol Utilizing Protein Flexibility Improves Ligand Binding Mode Predictions, Anthony Thomas Ascone Jan 2016

Mdm2 Case Study: Computational Protocol Utilizing Protein Flexibility Improves Ligand Binding Mode Predictions, Anthony Thomas Ascone

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Recovery of the P53 tumor suppressor pathway via small molecule inhibitors of onco-protein MDM2 highlights the critical role of computational methodologies in targeted cancer therapies. Molecular docking programs in particular, provide a quantitative ranking of predicted binding geometries based on binding free energy allowing for the screening of large chemical libraries in search of lead compounds for cancer therapeutics. This study found improved binding mode predictions of medicinal compounds to MDM2 using the popular docking programs AutoDock and AutoDock Vina, while adopting a rigid-ligand/flexible-receptor protocol. Crystal structures representing small molecule inhibitors bound to MDM2 were selected and a total of …

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Comparative Characterization Of Molybdenum Oxide Thin Films Grown On Various Substrates Using Temporally Different Pulsed Laser Deposition Techniques, Krishna Harsha Puppala Jan 2016

Comparative Characterization Of Molybdenum Oxide Thin Films Grown On Various Substrates Using Temporally Different Pulsed Laser Deposition Techniques, Krishna Harsha Puppala

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) technique, with its vast tunability in terms of thin film fabrication has been the center of this study. By changing the temporal component of the laser source used for deposition into the femtosecond (fs) regime, interesting structural, morphological changes can be achieved which may prove to be beneficial for photocatalytic applications. In particular, molybdenum oxide thin films, which are the less well-studied and potentially newer candidates for photocatalysis applications have been chosen for investigation. Hence, a detailed characterization study of molybdenum oxide thin films synthesized using femtosecond-based (f-PLD) and nanosecond-based (n-PLD) techniques, was carried out in …

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Faraday Rechargeable Battery System, Alex Gasper, Bret Omsberg Jan 2016

Faraday Rechargeable Battery System, Alex Gasper, Bret Omsberg

Electrical Engineering

The modern electronic age has given birth to a variety of innovative and hand-held devices that are carried with the consumer nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The one shortfall of these devices is their energy storage, or in most cases, a battery. The Faraday Rechargeable Battery System is a unique system that will generate electricity through rotational movement of a tire. This can be a bike, a car, or any other transportation vehicle that uses wheels for movement. The kinetic energy that is engendered either by the user or an engine can then be converted into …

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Celis: Compact Eyesafe Lidar System, Space Dynamics Laboratory Jan 2016

Celis: Compact Eyesafe Lidar System, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

SDL has developed a novel Compact Eyesafe Lidar System (CELiS) designed to monitor airborne particulate matter (PM) emissions. It uses a 1.57 µm wavelength commercial laser, an 8 inch off-axis parabolic mirror, and a 200 µm diameter InGaAs avalanche photodetector (APD). The laser, mirror, and APD are mounted on a carbon fiber breadboard and housed in an environmentally-sealed housing. CELiS can operate over an 80°C temperature range with an optical path change of only 100 µm.

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Shield: Shotgun Interdiction Of Enemy Low-Flying Drones, Space Dynamics Laboratory Jan 2016

Shield: Shotgun Interdiction Of Enemy Low-Flying Drones, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

When conventional disruption and neutralization methods fail, it’s time to choose a kinetic solution. SHIELD is a preliminary concept for an automatic, state-of-the art kinetic defense system. Drones can be eliminated at ranges up to 100 meters. The SHIELD weapon system design consists of an ultra-reliable, high-capacity, semiautomatic shotgun with tungsten shot. This weapon system is coupled with precision pointing, target tracking, and real-time ballistics, ensuring high first-round hit probability. Battle-network capable, SHIELD can perform slew-to-cue operations and cue other networked systems.

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Schneider Electric: Intro To Plc Programming, Brent Marshall Jan 2016

Schneider Electric: Intro To Plc Programming, Brent Marshall

A with Honors Projects

This student project provides a brief description of the project: tutorial and demonstration for programming on the schneider electric PLC with SoMachine Basic.

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Regression Analysis Of Pem Fuel Cell Transient Response, Russell L. Edwards, Ayodeji Demuren Jan 2016

Regression Analysis Of Pem Fuel Cell Transient Response, Russell L. Edwards, Ayodeji Demuren

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

To develop operating strategies in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell-powered applications, precise computationally efficient models of the fuel cell stack voltage are required. Models are needed for all operating conditions, including transients. In this work, transient evolutions of voltage, in response to load changes, are modeled with a sum of three exponential decay functions. Amplitude factors are correlated to steady-state operating data (temperature, humidity, average current, resistance, and voltage). The obtained time constants reflect known processes of the membrane heat/water transport. These model parameters can form the basis for the prediction of voltage overshoot/undershoot used in computational-based control systems, …

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An Efficient Solution To The Mixed Shop Scheduling Problem Using A Modified Genetic Algorithm, V. Nguyen, H. P. Bao Jan 2016

An Efficient Solution To The Mixed Shop Scheduling Problem Using A Modified Genetic Algorithm, V. Nguyen, H. P. Bao

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

The mixed job shop scheduling problem is one in which some jobs have fixed machine orders and other jobs may be processed in arbitrary orders. In past literature, optimal solutions have been proposed based on adaptations of classical solutions such as by Johnson, Thompson and Giffler among many others, by pseudopolynomial algorithms, by simulation, and by Genetic Algorithms (GA). GA based solutions have been proposed for flexible Job shops. This paper proposes a GA algorithm for the mixed job shop scheduling problem. The paper starts with an analysis of the characteristics of the so-called mixed shop problem. Based on those …

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Rdg: Remote Door Gunner, Space Dynamics Laboratory Jan 2016

Rdg: Remote Door Gunner, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Leveraging decades of experience in precision optical and spacecraft pointing systems, SDL developed the Remote Door Gunner (RDG) system, a M240/M134 door gunner station. RDG was designed for operation inside a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

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Design And Investigation Of Vitiated-Air Heater For Oblique Detonation-Wave Engine, Matthew M. Hoban Jan 2016

Design And Investigation Of Vitiated-Air Heater For Oblique Detonation-Wave Engine, Matthew M. Hoban

Honors Undergraduate Theses

A facility was designed to provide high-enthalpy, hypersonic flow to a detonation chamber. Preliminary investigation identified 1300 K and Mach 5 as the total temperature and Mach number require to stabilize an oblique detonation wave inside the detonation chamber. Vitiated-air heating was the preheating method chosen to meet these capabilities. The vitiator facility heats compressed air while still retaining about 50% of the original oxygen content. Schlieren flow visualization and conventional photography was performed at the exit plane of a choke plate, which simulated the throat of a converging-diverging nozzle. A shock diamond formation was observed within the jet exhausting …

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Finite Element Simulation Of Single-Lap Shear Tests Utilizing The Cohesive Zone Approach, Wilson A. Perez Jan 2016

Finite Element Simulation Of Single-Lap Shear Tests Utilizing The Cohesive Zone Approach, Wilson A. Perez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Many applications require adhesives with high strength to withstand the exhaustive loads encountered in regular operation. In aerospace applications, advanced adhesives are needed to bond metals, ceramics, and composites under shear loading. The lap shear test is the experiment of choice for evaluating shear strength capabilities of adhesives. Specifically during single-lap shear testing, two overlapping rectangular tabs bonded by a thin adhesive layer are subject to tension. Shear is imposed as a result. Debonding occurs when the shear strength of the adhesive is surpassed by the load applied by the testing mechanism. This research develops a finite element model (FEM) …

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Silver Nanoparticles Supported On Carbon Nanotube Carpets: Influence Of Surface Functionalization, Anil K. Karumuri, Dhawal P. Oswal, Heather A. Hostetler, Sharmila M. Mukhopadhyay Jan 2016

Silver Nanoparticles Supported On Carbon Nanotube Carpets: Influence Of Surface Functionalization, Anil K. Karumuri, Dhawal P. Oswal, Heather A. Hostetler, Sharmila M. Mukhopadhyay

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

The effectiveness of nanoparticle-based functional devices depends strongly on the surface morphology and area of the support. An emerging powerful approach of increasing the available surface area without decreasing strength or increasing bulk is to attach arrays of suitable nanotubes on the surface, and to attach the necessary nanoparticles to them. Earlier publications by this team have shown that carpet-like arrays of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be successfully grown on a variety of larger carbon substrates such as graphite, foams and fabric, which offer hierarchical multiscale supporting architecture suitable for the attachment of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). A limiting factor of …

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Control Of Metal-Release And Tuberculation In A Silica-Laden Groundwater Distribution System On The Volcanic Island Of Lana'i, Samantha Myers Jan 2016

Control Of Metal-Release And Tuberculation In A Silica-Laden Groundwater Distribution System On The Volcanic Island Of Lana'i, Samantha Myers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A corrosion control study for two distinct water distribution systems (WDS) has been completed for the Pulama Lana'i Water Company (Pulama). This project evaluated the use of chemical inhibitors to control corrosion and tuberculation within the Manele Bay WDS and the Lana'i City WDS. Pulama provides water to a population of 3,100 residents and is considering incorporating alternative water supplies in the future. Hence, knowing baseline corrosion rates within the WDS was desired. Several groundwater wells feed each of the WDS's; however, water quality between wells varies. Well water supplied to the WDS's is generally of high quality, therefore, the …

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Joint Modeling Of Traffic Related Crashes: A Copula Based Approch, Tammam Nashad Jan 2016

Joint Modeling Of Traffic Related Crashes: A Copula Based Approch, Tammam Nashad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study contributes to safety literature on transportation safety by employing copula based models for count frequency analysis at a macro-level. Most studies in the transportation safety area identify a single count variable (such as vehicular, pedestrian or bicycle crash counts) for a spatial unit and study the impact of exogenous variables. While the traditional count models perform adequately in the presence of a single count variable, it is necessary to modify these approaches to examine multiple dependent variables for each study unit. To that extent, the current research effort contributes to literature by developing two multivariate models based on …

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Smart Grasping Using Laser And Tactile Array Sensors For Ucf-Manus- An Intelligent Assistive Robotic Manipulator, Kiran Prakash Jan 2016

Smart Grasping Using Laser And Tactile Array Sensors For Ucf-Manus- An Intelligent Assistive Robotic Manipulator, Kiran Prakash

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents three improvements in the UCF MANUS Assistive Robotic Manipulator's grasping abilities. Firstly, the robot can now grasp objects that are deformable, heavy and have uneven contact surfaces without undergoing slippage during robotic operations, e.g. paper cup, filled water bottle. This is achieved by installing a high precision non-contacting Laser sensor1 that runs with an algorithm that processes raw-input data from the sensor, registers smallest variation in the relative position of the object with respect to the gripper. Secondly, the robot can grasp objects that are as light and small as single cereal grain without deforming it. To …

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Passive, Wireless Saw Ofc Strain Sensor And Software Defined Radio Interrogator, James Humphries Jan 2016

Passive, Wireless Saw Ofc Strain Sensor And Software Defined Radio Interrogator, James Humphries

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices have exhibited unique capabilities to meet the demands for many applications due to the inherent properties of SAW devices and piezoelectric materials. In particular, SAW devices have been adapted as sensors that can be configured to operate both passively and wirelessly. SAW sensors can be operated in harsh environmental extremes where typical sensor technologies are not able to operate. Because the sensors are passive, a radio transceiver is required to interrogate the sensor and receive the reflected response that has been modulated by the SAW device. This dissertation presents the design of a passive, wireless …

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Design And Optimization Of Superjunction Vertical Dmos Power Transistors Using Sentaurus Device Simulation, Raul Mendoza Macias Jan 2016

Design And Optimization Of Superjunction Vertical Dmos Power Transistors Using Sentaurus Device Simulation, Raul Mendoza Macias

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vertical double-diffused metal oxide semiconductor (VDMOS) power transistor has been studied. The use of superjunction (SJ) in the drift region of VDMOS has been evaluated using three-dimensional device simulation. All relevant physical models in Sentaurus are turned on. The VDMOS device doping profile is obtained from process simulation. The superjunction VDMOS performance in off-state breakdown voltage and specific on-resistance is compared with that in conventional VDMOS structure. In addition, electrical parameters such as threshold voltage and charge balance are also examined. Increasing the superjunction doping in the drift region of VDMOS reduces the on-resistance by 26%, while maintaining the same …

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Three-Dimensional Simulation Study Of Low Voltage (<100v) Superjunction Lateral Dmos Power Transistors, Jhonatan Garcia Jan 2016

Three-Dimensional Simulation Study Of Low Voltage (<100v) Superjunction Lateral Dmos Power Transistors, Jhonatan Garcia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A new revolutionary concept was presented two decades ago, known as "semiconductor Superjunction (SJ) theory" to enhance the trade-off relationship between specific on resistance, Rsp, and off-state breakdown voltage, BV, in medium to high voltages (more than 100 V) power MOSFETs. The SJ concept was first applied and commercialized to vertical structures, but it hasn't been used yet in low voltage MOSFETs with lateral structures. This thesis provides a review of the most common structures, principles and design techniques for discrete power MOSFETs. It also presents a simulation study of the application of these SJ concepts in the design of …

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Method For Derivation And Synthesis Of Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirement Limits For Achieving System Level Electromagnetic Compatibility, Larry Freeman Jan 2016

Method For Derivation And Synthesis Of Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirement Limits For Achieving System Level Electromagnetic Compatibility, Larry Freeman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As humans endeavor to build large-scale complex systems, it will necessitate the integration of engineering practices and techniques to allocate many of the design aspects and responsibility across traditional boundaries. Many of today's large-scale complex systems, like commercial aircraft, satellite systems, and even automobiles use parts from all over the world. A recently completed airframe, largest commercial aircraft in the world, took nearly 30 years to build, required over 400 different suppliers from 20 different countries. These kinds of projects dictate a method for derivation and synthesis of electromagnetic environmental effects (E3) requirement limits for achieving system level electromagnetic compatibility …

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An Integrated Design For Six Sigma-Based Framework To Align Strategy, New Process Development, And Customer Requirements In The Airlines Industry, Mohammed Alghamdi Jan 2016

An Integrated Design For Six Sigma-Based Framework To Align Strategy, New Process Development, And Customer Requirements In The Airlines Industry, Mohammed Alghamdi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When organizations create new strategy maps, key new processes are often identified. This is important for organizations to stay competitive in the global marketplace. This document describes the development, implementation, and validation of a framework that properly aligns and links an organization's strategy and new process development. The proposed framework integrates the Balanced Scorecard management system (BSC) and the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology, leveraging their strengths, overcoming weaknesses, and identifying lessons learned to help bridge the gap between strategy development and execution. The critical-to-quality conceptual model is used as an integrative component for the framework. Literature search has …

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Applied Advanced Error Control Coding For General Purpose Representation And Association Machine Systems, Bowen Dai Jan 2016

Applied Advanced Error Control Coding For General Purpose Representation And Association Machine Systems, Bowen Dai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

General-Purpose Representation and Association Machine (GPRAM) is proposed to be focusing on computations in terms of variation and flexibility, rather than precision and speed. GPRAM system has a vague representation and has no predefined tasks. With several important lessons learned from error control coding, neuroscience and human visual system, we investigate several types of error control codes, including Hamming code and Low-Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes, and extend them to different directions. While in error control codes, solely XOR logic gate is used to connect different nodes. Inspired by bio-systems and Turbo codes, we suggest and study non-linear codes with …

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Virtual Resistance Based Dc-Link Voltage Regulation For Microgrid Dg Inverters., Siddhesh Shinde Jan 2016

Virtual Resistance Based Dc-Link Voltage Regulation For Microgrid Dg Inverters., Siddhesh Shinde

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research addresses the practical issues faced by Microgrid Distributed Generation (DG) inverters when operated in islanded mode. A Microgrid (MG) is an interconnection of domestic distributed loads and low voltage distributed energy sources such as micro-turbine, wind-turbine, PVs and storage devices. These energy sources are power limited in nature and constrain the operation of DG inverters to which they are coupled. DG inverters operated in islanded mode should maintain the power balance between generation and demand. If DG inverter operating in islanded mode drains its source power below a certain limit or if it is incapable of supplying demanded …

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