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Articles 78481 - 78510 of 196383

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Pharmacokinetic Modeling Of 99mtc-Hmpao Images Of Isolated Perfused Rat Lungs, Katherine C. Barry Apr 2018

Pharmacokinetic Modeling Of 99mtc-Hmpao Images Of Isolated Perfused Rat Lungs, Katherine C. Barry

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) imaging biomarker technetium-labeled hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) exists in two forms, the oxidized, cell-permeable form and the reduced, cell-impermeable form. Recent studies revealed that the lung uptake of 99mTc-HMPAO increases early in rat models of human acute lung injury. Lung uptake of 99mTc-HMPAO is the net result of multiple cellular and vascular processes, many of which can vary with acute illness. Thus, when a change in the lung uptake of 99mTc-HMPAO is detected, it is unclear how much of this change is due to alteration in the activity of the targeted cellular process versus alteration of …

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Anaerobic Co-Digestion Of Aqueous Liquid From Biosolids Pyrolysis, Seyedfatemeh Seyedi Apr 2018

Anaerobic Co-Digestion Of Aqueous Liquid From Biosolids Pyrolysis, Seyedfatemeh Seyedi

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Pyrolysis is a process to treat biosolids and recover energy. During pyrolysis, conversion of organic matter to energy-rich products yields biochar, py-gas, and pyrolysis liquids (aqueous phase and non-aqueous bio-oil). The aqueous pyrolysis liquid (APL), is a high-COD liquid with no apparent use that contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen-containing compounds. One potential beneficial use of APL is as a co-digestate to produce more biogas for renewable energy from anaerobic digesters at municipal water resource recovery facilities. Some of the organics in APL may be converted to biomethane via anaerobic digestion under proper conditions. However, some APL organics are known …

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Immersive Visualization In Biomedical Computational Fluid Dynamics And Didactic Teaching And Learning, John Thomas Venn Apr 2018

Immersive Visualization In Biomedical Computational Fluid Dynamics And Didactic Teaching And Learning, John Thomas Venn

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Virtual reality (VR) can stimulate active learning, critical thinking, decision making and improved performance. It requires a medium to show virtual content, which is called a virtual environment (VE). The MARquette Visualization Lab (MARVL) is an example of a VE. Robust processes and workflows that allow for the creation of content for use within MARVL further increases the userbase for this valuable resource. A workflow was created to display biomedical computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and complementary data in a wide range of VE’s. This allows a researcher to study the simulation in its natural three-dimensional (3D) morphology. In addition, it …

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Effect Of Low Aeration And Heat Drying On Anaerobic Digester Performance And Microbial Community, Dylan Thomas Friss Apr 2018

Effect Of Low Aeration And Heat Drying On Anaerobic Digester Performance And Microbial Community, Dylan Thomas Friss

Master's Theses (2009 -)

This thesis describes three research projects on anaerobic digestion (AD) that investigated functional differences and relationships between microbial composition and digester function. Both archaeal and bacterial communities were characterized using high throughput (Illumina) sequencing technology with universal 16S rRNA gene primers. In the first project, limited aeration, and limited aeration with an aerotolerant enrichment culture were investigated as possible methods to increase digester functional performance in comparison to a strictly anaerobic control digester. No functional differences were observed at quasi-steady state between the limited aerated digester (LAD), limited aerated anaerobic digester augmented with an aerotolerant enrichment culture (LADE), and strictly …

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Investigation Of Reactive Oxygen Species Production In The Rat Lung Using Optical Imaging, Nina Friedly Apr 2018

Investigation Of Reactive Oxygen Species Production In The Rat Lung Using Optical Imaging, Nina Friedly

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Oxidative stress, the imbalance between production of oxidants or reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant activity, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic lung diseases. The objective of this thesis was to develop a robust protocol for measuring the rate of H2O2 production in isolated perfused rat lungs and to determine the cellular sources of that rate using Amplex Red (AR). For a given lung, AR (25 mM) along with horseradish peroxidase (5 U/ml) and ascorbate oxidase (1U/ml) were added to a perfusate reservoir that was recirculated through the lungs and sampled at 5 minute intervals …

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Computational Methods For Modeling Multicomponent Droplet Vaporization, Alanna Y. Cooney Apr 2018

Computational Methods For Modeling Multicomponent Droplet Vaporization, Alanna Y. Cooney

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models for combustion of multicomponent hydrocarbon fuels must often prioritize computational efficiency over model complexity, leading to oversimplifying assumptions in the sub-models for droplet vaporization and chemical kinetics. Therefore, a computationally efficient hybrid droplet vaporization-chemical surrogate approach has been developed which emulates both the physical and chemical properties of a multicomponent fuel. For the droplet vaporization/physical portion of the hybrid, a new solution method is presented called the Coupled Algebraic-Direct Quadrature Method of Moments (CA-DQMoM) with delumping which accurately solves for the evolution of every discrete species in a vaporizing multicomponent fuel droplet with the computational …

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Uncertainty Aware Mapping Of Embedded Systems For Reliability, Performance, And Energy, Wenkai Guan Apr 2018

Uncertainty Aware Mapping Of Embedded Systems For Reliability, Performance, And Energy, Wenkai Guan

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Due to technology downscaling, embedded systems have increased in complexity and heterogeneity. The increasingly large process, voltage, and temperature variations negatively affect the design and optimization process of these systems. These factors contribute to increased uncertainties that in turn undermine the accuracy and effectiveness of traditional design approaches. In this thesis, we formulate the problem of uncertainty aware mapping for multicore embedded system platforms as a multi-objective optimization problem. We present a solution to this problem that integrates uncertainty models as a new design methodology constructed with Monte Carlo and evolutionary algorithms. The solution is uncertainty aware because it is …

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Investigation Of The Effects Of Prosthetic Knee Condition On Novice Transfemoral Amputee Runners, Natalie Nelson Apr 2018

Investigation Of The Effects Of Prosthetic Knee Condition On Novice Transfemoral Amputee Runners, Natalie Nelson

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Some unilateral transfemoral amputees (TFAs) run in a prosthesis with an articulating prosthetic knee, others choose to run without a knee (prosthetic socket and foot are linked via a straight, non-articulating pylon) to increase stability. Research regarding unilateral TFA running with an unlocked versus locked prosthetic knee (approximately equivalent to the no-knee condition) with respect to energy cost and temporal metrics is limited; no studies have investigated the impact of knee condition on kinematic metrics. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the prosthetic knee of a running-specific prosthesis (RSP) should be unlocked or locked for unilateral TFAs …

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Using Collapsible Systems To Mitigate Buckling In Thin Flexible Instruments In Robotic Surgery, Brandon Scott Sargent Apr 2018

Using Collapsible Systems To Mitigate Buckling In Thin Flexible Instruments In Robotic Surgery, Brandon Scott Sargent

Theses and Dissertations

Robotic surgery procedures may include long, thin flexible instruments that are inserted by the robot into the patient. As the robot inserts these devices, due to their geometry, they are prone to buckling failure. To mitigate buckling failure, a support system is needed on the robot. This system supports the device but also adapts to the varying ex vivo length of the device as it is inserted. This work presents four collapsible support systems designed to mitigate buckling failure of long, thin instruments while accounting for changing length. The Ori-Guide is an origami-inspired system that has enabled a part reduction …

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Large-Scale Strength Testing Of High-Speed Railway Bridge Embankments: Effects Of Cement Treatment And Skew Under Passive Loading, Daniel Ethan Schwicht Apr 2018

Large-Scale Strength Testing Of High-Speed Railway Bridge Embankments: Effects Of Cement Treatment And Skew Under Passive Loading, Daniel Ethan Schwicht

Theses and Dissertations

To investigate the passive force-displacement relationships provided by a transitional zoned backfill consisting of cement treated aggregate (CTA) and compacted gravel, a series of full-scale lateral abutment load tests were performed. The transitional zoned backfill was designed to minimize differential settlement adjacent to bridge abutments for the California High Speed Rail project. Tests were performed with a 2-D or plane strain backfill geometry to simulate a wide abutment. To investigate the effect of skew angle on the passive force, lateral abutment load tests were also performed with a simulated abutment with skew angles of 30º and 45º. The peak passive …

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Development, Classification And Biomedical Applications Of Nano Composite Piezoresponsive Foam, Aaron Jake Merrell Apr 2018

Development, Classification And Biomedical Applications Of Nano Composite Piezoresponsive Foam, Aaron Jake Merrell

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the development of and applications for Nano-Composite Piezoresponsive Foam (NCPF). This self-sensing foam sensor technology was discovered through research in a sister technology, High Deflection Strain Gauges (HDSG), and was subsequently developed with some of the same base materials. Both technologies use nano and micro conductive additives to provide electrically responsive properties to materials which otherwise are insulative. NCPF sensors differ from HDSGs in that they provide a dual electrical response to dynamic and static loading, which is measured through an internally generated charge, or a change in resistance. This dissertation focuses on the development of …

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Reinforcing Bar Splice Performance In Masonry With Self-Consolidating Grout, Aaron Brent Roper Apr 2018

Reinforcing Bar Splice Performance In Masonry With Self-Consolidating Grout, Aaron Brent Roper

Theses and Dissertations

The use of self-consolidating grout in reinforced masonry construction provides various advantages such as reduced labor, faster construction, decreased noise pollution and better structural response. This is a relatively new building material however, and little research on self-consolidating grout's structural properties has been conducted. The purpose of this study was to analyze the performance or bond capacity of steel reinforcing bar splices in masonry with self-consolidating grout. Twelve masonry panels approximately 40 in. wide and 32 in. tall consisting of Type S mortar and concrete masonry units grouted with self-consolidating grout and No. 5 steel reinforcing bars were constructed with …

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Quantifying Grain Boundary Atomic Structures Using The Smooth Overlap Of Atomic Positions, Jonathan Lake Priedeman Apr 2018

Quantifying Grain Boundary Atomic Structures Using The Smooth Overlap Of Atomic Positions, Jonathan Lake Priedeman

Theses and Dissertations

In this work, the relationship between grain boundary crystallography and grain boundary atomic structure is examined, using [1 0 0] - symmetric tilt grain boundaries in nickel. The structural unit model is used as a benchmark to evaluate the atomic structure description capacities of an emerging structural descriptor, the local environment representation, which itself is a refinement of the also-emergent Smooth Overlap of Atomic Positions (SOAP) descriptor. We show that the local environment representation encodes both the information of the structural unit model and additional information, such as distortion in the structural units and the arrangement of the structural units …

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The Estimation Of The Rapidscat Spatial Response Function, Samuel Gary Bury Apr 2018

The Estimation Of The Rapidscat Spatial Response Function, Samuel Gary Bury

Theses and Dissertations

RapidScat is a pencil-beam wind scatterometer which operated from September 2014 to August 2016. Mounted aboard the International Space Station (ISS), RapidScat experiences significant altitude and attitude variations over its dataset. These variations need to be properly accounted for to ensure accurate calibration and to produce high resolution scatterometer images. Both the antenna pose and the one-way antenna pattern need to be validated. The spatial response function (SRF) is the two-way antenna pattern for a scatterometer combined with the processing and filtering done in the radar system electronics, and is dominated by the two-way pattern. To verify the pointing of …

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Simulation And Experiments To Understand The Manufacturing Process, Microstructure And Transport Properties Of Porous Electrodes, Mohammad Mehdi Forouzan Apr 2018

Simulation And Experiments To Understand The Manufacturing Process, Microstructure And Transport Properties Of Porous Electrodes, Mohammad Mehdi Forouzan

Theses and Dissertations

Battery technology is a great candidate for energy storage applications. The need for high-performance and cost-effective batteries has motivated researchers to put much effort into improving battery performance. In this work, we attempt to understand the elements that affect the microstructure and performance of two battery systems. The first part of this work focuses on the investigation of transport and structural properties of porous electrodes in an alkaline electrolyte. A DC polarization method was deployed for tortuosity measurements. An apparatus was designed to flow specified current through and measure the voltage drop over the porous electrodes. Using a modified Ohm's …

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Optimization Methods For A Reconfigurable Ota Chamber, Matthew David Arnold Apr 2018

Optimization Methods For A Reconfigurable Ota Chamber, Matthew David Arnold

Theses and Dissertations

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology has enabled increased performance of wireless communication devices. The increased complexity associated with MIMO devices requires more realistic testing environments to ensure device performance. This testing can be accomplished by either very accurate but expensive anechoic chambers, less accurate but inexpensive mode-stirred chambers, or the newly introduced reconfigurable over-the-air chamber (ROTAC) that combines the benefits of both anechoic chambers and reverberation chambers. This work focuses on efficient optimization methods to quantify the performance of the ROTAC. First, an efficient optimization technique that combines convex optimization and a simple gradient descent algorithm is developed that can be …

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Multiplexed Optofluidics For Single-Molecule Analysis, Matthew Alan Stott Apr 2018

Multiplexed Optofluidics For Single-Molecule Analysis, Matthew Alan Stott

Theses and Dissertations

The rapid development of optofluidics, the combination of microfluidics and integrated optics, since its formal conception in the early 2000's has aided in the advance of single-molecule analysis. The optofluidic platform discussed in this dissertation is called the liquid core anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguide (LC-ARROW). This platform uses ARROW waveguides to orthogonally intersect a liquid core waveguide with solid core rib waveguides for the excitation of specifically labeled molecules and collection of fluorescence signal. Since conception, the LC-ARROW platform has demonstrated its effectiveness as a lab-on-a-chip fluorescence biosensor. However, until the addition of optical multiplexing excitation waveguides, the platform lacked …

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An Analysis Of Using Error Metrics To Determine The Accuracy Of Modeled Historical Streamflow On A Global Scale, Elise Katherine Jackson Apr 2018

An Analysis Of Using Error Metrics To Determine The Accuracy Of Modeled Historical Streamflow On A Global Scale, Elise Katherine Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Streamflow data is used throughout the world in applications such as flooding, agriculture, and urban planning. Understanding daily and seasonal patterns in streamflow is important for decision makers, so that they can accurately predict and react to seasonal changes in streamflow for the region. This understanding of daily and seasonal patterns has historically been achieved through interpretation of observed historical data at stream reaches throughout the individual regions. Developing countries have limited and sporadic observed stream and rain gage data, making it difficult for stakeholders to manage their water resources to their fullest potential. In areas where observed historical data …

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Efficient Fpga Soc Processing Design For A Small Uav Radar, Luke Oliver Newmeyer Apr 2018

Efficient Fpga Soc Processing Design For A Small Uav Radar, Luke Oliver Newmeyer

Theses and Dissertations

Modern radar technology relies heavily on digital signal processing. As radar technology pushes the boundaries of miniaturization, computational systems must be developed to support the processing demand. One particular application for small radar technology is in modern drone systems. Many drone applications are currently inhibited by safety concerns of autonomous vehicles navigating shared airspace. Research in radar based Detect and Avoid (DAA) attempts to address these concerns by using radar to detect nearby aircraft and choosing an alternative flight path. Implementation of radar on small Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV), however, requires a lightweight and power efficient design. Likewise, the radar …

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Analysis Of Student Understanding Of The Change Order Process, Austin C. Eberle Apr 2018

Analysis Of Student Understanding Of The Change Order Process, Austin C. Eberle

Construction Management

Effective project management comes from controlling cost, time, and quality on a project. As construction projects become more complex, changes in the original contract documents will arise due to the nature of human error. How a project manager documents and addresses change events can alter the successfulness of a project. This study attempts to look at senior level construction management major student’s understanding of the change order management process. The goal of the study is to ascertain how well the students feel the construction management curriculum prepared them to manage change events in industry. Students were asked to demonstrate their …

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California & Foothill Tunnel Feasibility Project:, Tyler J. Rohde Apr 2018

California & Foothill Tunnel Feasibility Project:, Tyler J. Rohde

Construction Management

Safety on and off campus while attending college is one of the fastest growing concerns around the country. Having a secure path to get to campus is also a large problem to a select number of students here at California Polytechnic State University. The "Rape" Tunnel at the corner of California and Foothill Boulevard is considered to many to be a danger because of its unpredictable accessibility and the stigma that surrounds it.

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Modular Utility Rack And Accessory Line, Ian Philip Thomas Apr 2018

Modular Utility Rack And Accessory Line, Ian Philip Thomas

Construction Management

There is a large gap in the market for heavy duty work racks for fleet vehicles. Modular racks have recently been introduced to the industry allowing contractors the ability to customize them to their needs. However, all customizable racks are limited to lightweight applications. The high strength steel rack I have designed is both modular, and sturdy enough to handle up to an estimated one thousand pounds. On our website, contractors will be able to scroll through the available attachments for his make and model rack and view them built on to his vehicle in 3D computer generated graphics.

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Aligning Construction Management Students' Minors With The Needs Of Industry Professionals, Isaac Alexis Maximov Apr 2018

Aligning Construction Management Students' Minors With The Needs Of Industry Professionals, Isaac Alexis Maximov

Construction Management

While in college, students will have to decide if they want to pursue a minor, in addition to their bachelor’s degree. To pursue a minor one has to take additional units, and one usually does this without any free electives, meaning their graduation date is most likely delayed. A minor, in theory, should provide additional benefits such as being more hirable and earning potential; however, in the construction industry, the minors construction management students are taking do not align with the needs of construction industry professionals in. And while most students believe having a minor will increase their salary, this …

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The Skilled Framing Carpenter Shortage On The Central Coast Of California: A Focus On Residential Construction, Trevor John Nally Apr 2018

The Skilled Framing Carpenter Shortage On The Central Coast Of California: A Focus On Residential Construction, Trevor John Nally

Construction Management

The residential construction industry has many critical components. When one of these components is not operating optimally, it can be detrimental to the system as a whole. A critical component to residential construction is skilled craftspeople. Without them, there can be no significant physical work completed on any residential project. Currently the component of skilled craftspeople in residential construction is in a state of short supply. Throughout the United States, there is an inadequate amount of craftspeople to fill the demand for their skills. The Central Coast of California is experiencing this issue much like the rest of the nation …

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Acoustical Damping For Poly Canyon Village's Music Room, Jayvee Martir Apr 2018

Acoustical Damping For Poly Canyon Village's Music Room, Jayvee Martir

Construction Management

Poly Canyon Village was a project by Clark Construction and Architect Niles Bolton Associates that was completed in 2009 that provided housing for upcoming and continuing students. One of the buildings, labeled “Aliso” has constructed the music practice room for students to either play their musical instruments or have it become a convenient area to record, with one particular band “Tin Kitty” having problems with being too loud. Even so, there is potential for this music room to become much more than what it currently is. This paper is a research paper that covers the various materials and methods of …

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Skills And Traits Recruiters Value Most When Interviewing Construction Management Students For Internships And Full-Time Positions, Noel Medina Apr 2018

Skills And Traits Recruiters Value Most When Interviewing Construction Management Students For Internships And Full-Time Positions, Noel Medina

Construction Management

Interviews are a common method for companies to find whether a candidate meets all the requirements for the job at hand. Questions asked by interviewers tend to focus on hard skills, also known as technical skills, soft skills and other traits that are highly valued by the company. The objective of this project is to find which hard skills, soft skills and traits construction management professionals’ value most when interviewing students. The methods used for data gathering were in-person interviews and a survey, which was sent to construction industry contacts. The ultimate goal of this report is to relay these …

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Perceptions Of Efficiency In Construction Jobsite Safety, Jay Doyle Apr 2018

Perceptions Of Efficiency In Construction Jobsite Safety, Jay Doyle

Construction Management

This project is to examine the perception of jobsite safety practices of California contractors. Preliminary research found that jobsite safety practices are not a hinderance on a project schedule when managed well. A survey of students and industry professionals was the methodology used to gather this information. This survey consisted of various questions about the perception of safety practices on jobsites the respondent has worked on themselves, as well as their perception about safety in the construction industry as a whole. Significant findings were that half of the surveyed individuals had worked on a job site in which they lost …

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Feasibility Analysis For Reclaim Device During Shotcrete Application, Cameron Neil Berkins Apr 2018

Feasibility Analysis For Reclaim Device During Shotcrete Application, Cameron Neil Berkins

Construction Management

Shotcrete application has proven advantages over cast-in-place concrete under many different situations. Ease of access, minimal formwork, and higher productivity are prime examples. Its uses have exponentially increased through technical innovations to improve the ready-mix, nozzlemen technique, application surfaces, and to ensure higher dependability of the equipment. Unfortunately, concrete waste is still one of the highest percentages of overall waste in the construction industry. Shotcrete rebound, the material that falls from the wall due to lack of cohesion during installation, has slowly been reduced due to ready-mix alterations over the years, but effective recycling processes have yet to be implemented. …

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Bank Of Italy Building's Net Zero Energy Renovation: A Case Study, Joshua Kai Balaban Apr 2018

Bank Of Italy Building's Net Zero Energy Renovation: A Case Study, Joshua Kai Balaban

Construction Management

The designation of Net-Zero Energy describes a building that meets all of its energy demand with on-site renewable energy generation. The Bank of Italy Building, in Downtown San Jose, California, is currently undergoing design-development to transform a landmark historical site into a modern, Net-Zero Energy building. This paper will analyze the project team’s design approach to minimizing energy demand and meeting this demand with on-site renewable energy. It will also evaluate the unique challenges associated with preserving the historical character of the existing structure, while converting it into a high-performing building. The research will consider similar past projects and approaches; …

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Cost Analysis Of Modern Residential Solar Installations, Alex Scott Adams Apr 2018

Cost Analysis Of Modern Residential Solar Installations, Alex Scott Adams

Construction Management

This paper is a detailed cost analysis of standard photovoltaic panels and Tesla’s solar tiles. This analysis is specifically for the San Luis Obispo area, and focuses on comparing and contrasting new and old styles of residential solar for the average single family dwelling. This is important because there will become more consumers of solar in this area as the price becomes more favorable, and as sustainable practices become the norm. This trend is set to continue because of the movement to combat climate change. Solar energy fits into this movement because it is a source of energy that is …

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