Engineering Science and Materials Commons^™

Flexible Tools For Specifying Design Variation, Trichy Pasupathy, Xiaoping Zhao, Robert Wilhelm

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

This paper describes flexible tools for specifying design variations that are based on nonuniform profile tolerance definitions. These tools specify bounds of design performance that can be used for negotiation among engineers in a collaborative design process. These specification methods allow for the capture of many different design functions that are not easily described with current tool designs. In addition, these specification methods lend themselves to efficient verification methods. Profile tolerance definitions provide the most general variation controls for complex mechanical surfaces. Common design practices and engineering standards for profile tolerances exhibit many weaknesses and limitations. We present a rationale …

Me-Em 2006 Annual Report, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Annual Reports

Table of Contents

• Overview, Mission, and Vision
• Comments on the Strategic Plan
• Enrollment, Degrees, and Expenditure Data
• External Advisory Board
• Faculty and Staff
• Students
• Alumni
• Resources
• Graduates
• Publications

Nanoparticle-Induced Negative Differential Resistance And Memory Effect In Polymer Bistable Light-Emitting Device, Ricky J. Tseng, Jianyong Ouyang, Chih-Wei Chu, Jinsong Huang, Yang Yang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Recently, electrical bistability was demonstrated in polymer thin films incorporated with metal nanoparticles [J. Ouyang, C. W. Chu, C. R. Szmanda, L. P. Ma, and Y. Yang, Nat. Mater. 3, 918 (2004)]. In this letter, we show the evidence that electrons are the dominant charge carriers in these bistable devices. Direct integration of bistable polymer layer with a light-emitting polymer layer shows a unique light-emitting property modulated by the electrical bistability. A unique negative differential resistance induced by the charged gold nanoparticles is observed due to the charge trapping effect from the nanoparticles when interfaced with the light-emitting layer.

In Vivo Laparoscopic Robotics, Mark E. Rentschler, Stephen R. Platt, Jason Dumpert, Shane M. Farritor, Dmitry Oleynikov

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Robotic laparoscopic surgery is evolving to include in vivo robotic assistants. The impetus for the development of this technology is to provide surgeons with additional viewpoints and unconstrained manipulators that improve safety and reduce patient trauma. A family of these robots have been developed to provide vision and task assistance. Fixed-base and mobile robots have been designed and tested in animal models with much success. A cholecystectomy, prostatectomy, and nephrectomy have all been performed with the assistance of these robots. These early successful tests show how in vivo laparoscopic robotics may be part of the next advancement in surgical technology.

Non-Operative Management Of Posterior Tibialis Tendon Dysfunction: Design Of A Randomized Clinical Trial [Nct00279630], Kornelia Kulig, Amy B. Pomrantz, Judith M. Burnfield, Stephen F. Reischl, Susan Mais-Requejo, David B. Thordarson, Ronald W. Smith

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Background: Posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a common cause of foot pain and dysfunction in adults. Clinical observations strongly suggest that the condition is progressive. There are currently no controlled studies evaluating the effectiveness of exercise, orthoses, or orthoses and exercise on Stage I or IIA PTTD. Our study will explore the effectiveness of an eccentric versus concentric strengthening intervention to results obtained with the use of orthoses alone. Findings from this study will guide the development of more efficacious PTTD intervention programs and contribute to enhanced function and quality of life in persons with posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction. …

Study Of Low Speed Transitional Regime Gas Flows In Microchannels Using Information Preservation (Ip) Method, Umit Kursun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Proper design of thermal management solutions for future nano-scale electronics or photonics will require knowledge of flow and transport through micron-scale ducts. As in the macro-scale conventional counterparts, such micron-scale flow systems would require robust simulation tools for early-stage design iterations. It can be envisioned that an ideal Nanoscale thermal management (NSTM) solution will involve two-phase flow, liquid flow and gas flow. This study focuses on numerical simulation gas flow in microchannels as a fundamental thermal management technique in any future NSTM solution. A wellknown particle-based method, Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) is selected as the simulation tool. Unlike continuum …

The Role Of Electrospinning In The Emerging Field Of Nanomedicine, S. Y. Chew, Y. Wen, Yuris A. Dzenis, K. W. Leong

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The fact that in vivo the extracellular matrix or substratum with which cells interact often includes topography at the nanoscale underscores the importance of investigating cell-substrate interactions and performing cell culture at the submicron scale. An important and exciting direction of research in nanomedicine would be to gain an understanding and exploit the cellular response to nanostructures. Electrospinning is a simple and versatile technique that can produce a macroporous scaffold comprising randomly oriented or aligned nanofibers. It can also accommodate the incorporation of drug delivery function into the fibrous scaffold. Endowed with both topographical and biochemical signals such electrospun nanofibrous …

Design And Performance Evaluation Of An Integrated Miniature Single Stage Centrifugal Compressor And Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, Dipjyoti Acharya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An attempt has been made in this present work to design, fabricate and performance evaluate an integrated single stage centrifugal compressor and permanent magnet synchronous motor which is a key component of the reverse brayton cycle cryocooler. An off the shelf compressor – the driven and electric motor – the driver was not available commercially to suffice the requirements of the reverse brayton cryocooler. The integrated compressor-motor system was designed and tested with air as the working fluid at mass flow rate of 7.3 grams per sec, with a compression ratio of 1.58 and driven by a 2 KW permanent …

Commissioning Of A Dynamic Mechanical Analyzerfor The Characterization Of Low Temperature Nitife Shape Memory Alloys, Maruthi Diwakar Nandiraju

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

NiTiFe shape memory alloys can undergo transformations between cubic, trigonal and monoclinic phases at low temperatures. The low hysteresis associated with the trigonal R-phase transformation make them candidates for actuator applications at low temperatures. However, the literature available on these alloys is limited and there is a need to establish processing structure-property correlations. This study was undertaken with the objective of determining and understanding such correlations in a Ni46.8Ti50Fe3.2 alloy. First, a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) was successfully commissioned to facilitate mechanical testing between -150 and 600ºC. The experiments performed over selected ranges of stress and temperature probed a range …

Efficient Inverted Polymer Solar Cells, G. Li, C.-W. Chu, V. Shrotriya, Jinsong Huang, Y. Yang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

We investigate the effect of interfacial buffer layers—vanadium oxide (V₂O₅) and cesium carbonate (Cs₂CO₃)—on the performance of polymer solar cells based on regioregular poly-(3-hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl C₆₀ butyric acid methyl ester blend. The polarity of solar cells can be controlled by the relative positions of these two interfacial layers. Efficient inverted polymer solar cells were fabricated with the structure of indium tin oxide (ITO)/Cs₂CO₃/polymer blend/vanadium oxide (V₂O₅)/aluminum (Al). Short-circuit current of 8.42 mA/cm2, open-circuit voltage of 0.56 V, and power conversion efficiency of …

Improving The Power Efficiency Of White Light-Emitting Diode By Doping Electron Transport Material, Jinsong Huang, Wei-Jen Hou, Juo-Hao Li, Gang Li, Yang Yang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Highly efficient white light emission was realized via the partial energy transfer from blue host polyfluorene (PF) to orange light emission dopant rubrene. A more balanced charge transport was achieved by adding an electron transport material, 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tertbutylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD), into the PF-rubrene system to enhance the electron transportation. Efficiency improvement by as much as a factor of 2 has been observed through the addition of PBD. These devices can easily reach high luminance at low driving voltages, thus achieving high power efficiency at high luminance (14.8, 13.5, and 12.0 lm/W at the luminances of 1000, 2000, and 4000 cd/m², …

Piezoelectromagnetic Waves In A Ceramic Plate Between Two Ceramic Half-Spaces, S. N. Jiang, Q. Jiang, X. F. Li, S. H. Guo, H. G. Zhou, J. S. Chang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

We analyze the propagation of piezoelectromagnetic waves guided by a plate of polarized ceramics between two ceramic half-spaces. An exact dispersion relation is obtained, which reduces to a few known elastic, electromagnetic, and quasistatic piezoelectric wave solutions in the literature as special cases. Numerical solutions to the equation that determines the dispersion relation show the existence of guided waves. The results are useful for acoustic wave and microwave devices.

Cracking Of Martensitic Alloy Ep-823 Under Controlled Potential, Ajit K. Roy, M. K. Hossain

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

The susceptibility of martensitic Alloy EP-823 to stress corrosion cracking was evaluated with and without an applied cathodic potential using the slow-strain-rate (SSR) testing technique. The magnitude of the applied potential was based on the corrosion potential determined by cyclic polarization. The cracking susceptibility in an acidic environment at different temperatures was expressed in terms of the true failure stress (ơ_f), time to failure (TTF), and ductility parameters, including percent elongation (%El) and percent reduction in area (%RA). The data indicate that the magnitudes of ơ_r, TTF, %El, and %RA were reduced due to cathodic charging. …

Evolutionary Algorithm For The Placement Of Fluid Power Valves On A Valve Stand, Trichy M. Kethara Pasupathy, Ravi Teja Seethamraju, Robert G. Wilhelm

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The choice of placement of fluid power valves on a valve stand and routing by pipes has an impact on operational costs. Choosing the right placement that provides optimum routing configuration or determining the optimum routing for a chosen placement are both computationally hard problems. An evolutionary algorithm (EA), to minimize operational costs while optimizing placement and routing of valves, is developed here. The best practices in the industry are abstracted and implemented in the EA. In this paper, the algorithm and its performance for examples with varying complexities are presented. Our results meet or exceed experienced designers’ solutions.

Static And Modal Analysis Of The Magnetic Levitation Vehicle, Santosh Kumar Desetty

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The magnetic levitation train project at Old Dominion University has been stalled due to many technical problems. The control system is the main component of the vehicle, which is supposed to maintain an intended gap of 1 cm between the vehicle and the track while traveling, hence providing a smooth ride. The goal of the project is to document the mathematics of the complete system so that the control algorithm can be implemented and modified with the expectation of obtaining an improved levitation and propulsion.

The complete system includes the vehicle, the track, and the concrete guide-way. The focus of …

Tensile Properties Of Martensitic Stainless Steels At Elevated Temperatures, Ajit K. Roy, Srinivasarao R. Kukatla, Bhagath Yarlagadda, V. N. Potluri, Martin Lewis, Brendan O'Toole

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

Tensile properties of quenched and tempered martensitic alloys EP-823, HT-9, and 422 were evaluated at temperatures ranging from ambient to 600 °C as a function of three different tempering times. The results indicated that the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and the failure strength were gradually reduced with increasing temperature. The ductility parameters were enhanced at elevated temperatures due to increased plastic flow. However, the tempering time did not significantly influence these properties. The evaluation of the fracture surfaces by scanning electron microscopy revealed reduced cracking and dimpled microstructures, indicating enhanced ductility at higher testing temperatures.

Residual Stress Characterization In Structural Materials By Destructive And Nondestructive Techniques, Ajit K. Roy, Anand Venkatesh, Vikram Marthandam, Satish Dronavalli, Douglas P. Wells, Ronald Rogge

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

Transmutation of nuclear waste is currently being considered to transform long-lived isotopes to species with relatively short half-lives and reduced radioactivity through capture and decay of minor actinides and fission products. This process is intended for geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuels for shorter durations in the proposed Yucca Mountain repository. The molten lead-bismuth-eutectic will be used as a target and coolant during transmutation, which will be contained in a subsystem vessel made from materials such as austenitic (304L) and martensitic (EP-823 and HT-9) stainless steels. The structural materials used in this vessel will be subjected to welding operations and …

Me-Em 2005 Annual Report, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Annual Reports

Table of Contents

• Overview, Mission, and Vision
• Comments on the Strategic Plan
• Enrollment and Expenditure Data
• Professional Advisory Committee
• Faculty & Staff
• Students
• Alumni
• Entrepreneurs
• Resources
• Graduates
• Publications

Medical Technology: Contexts And Content In Science And Technology, Michael A. De Miranda, Mark Doggett, Jane T. Evans

Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Electronic Commerce Negotiation In A Supply Chain Via Constraint Evaluation, R. Wilhelm, B. Chu, R. Sun

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Negotiation is of critical importance in e-commerce applications where the supply chain is dynamic and reconfiguring. In this research supply chain negotiation problems are addressed as constraint-satisfaction problems. In general each negotiation is handled in the largest scope possible to avoid the suboptimality that can result from many local solutions. This global approach, however, must be balanced with time constraints that apply in e-commerce supply chain execution. In this paper, we describe a new approach for e-commerce supply chain negotiation via constraint evaluation. As well, results from prototype software, distributed across the internet, are discussed. Beyond the general formulation, we …

Influence Of Composition And Heat-Treatment On The Charge Transport Properties Of Poly(3-Hexylthiophene) And [6,6]-Phenyl C61-Butyric Acid Methyl Ester Blends, Jinsong Huang, Gang Li, Yang Yang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blends have been demonstrated to form highly efficient polymer photovoltaic devices. In this letter, the time-of-flight technique is used to investigate the influence of composition and heat treatment on charge transport properties of P3HT and PCBM blends. The transport of electrons and holes both display a transition from dispersive to nondispersive and return to dispersive again as the percentage of PCBM increases. A balanced mobility of both electron and hole is obtained at a composition of 1:1 weight ratio, and it is nearly independent of the electrical field in …

Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance Of Martensitic Stainless Steels For Transmutation Applications, Phani P. Gudipati

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The susceptibility of Alloy EP-823 to stress corrosion cracking has been evaluated using smooth and notched cylindrical specimens in neutral and acidic solutions at ambient and elevated temperatures using constant load and slow strain rate testing (SSR) techniques. C-ring and U-bend specimens have also been tested in the acidic solution. The effect of hydrogen on the cracking susceptibility has been evaluated under controlled cathodic potential. While no failures were observed with smooth specimens at constant load, the notched specimens showed failure. The SSR test results indicate that the true failure stress (o'_f), time to failure and ductility parameters …

Cfd Analysis Of 3-D Thermalhydraulics Flow Effects On Wall Concentration Gradient Profiles For Lbe Loop Fittings, Narain Armbya

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The objective of the thesis is to study the effects of thermalhydraulics flows on the wall concentration gradient profiles in LBE loop fittings. To that end detailed models of the fittings have been constructed to study these effects. These fittings include sudden expansion, sudden contraction, t-joint and elbow. The typical flow rates chosen for these simulations are typical of design criteria chosen for the loop with Reynolds numbers expected around 200,000 and the usual axial temperature profiles which are being characterized in the DELTA loop at LANL. STAR-CD is the simulation package used to make these predictions, which include detailed …

Stress Corrosion Cracking And Hydrogen Embrittlement Of Martensitic Alloy Ep-823, Mohammad K. Hossain

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This investigation is focused on the evaluation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC), localized corrosion, and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) susceptibility of martensitic Alloy EP-823 in neutral and acidic solutions at ambient and elevated temperatures. While no failures were observed in smooth specimens in the neutral solution, failures were noticed in the 90°C acidic solution at constant-load (CL) leading to a threshold stress (O'_th) of 102 ksi. The presence of a notch reduced the O'_th value to 91 ksi in a similar environment. The ductility (%El and %RA), time-to-failure (TTF), and true failure stress (O'_r) were gradually …

Science For Stewardship: Multidisciplinary Research On Uss Arizona, Matthew A. Russell, Larry E. Murphy, Donald L. Johnson, Timothy J. Foecke, Pamela J. Morris, Raphy Mitchell

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The National Park Service’s Submerged Resources Center and USS Arizona Memorial are conducting and coordinating research directed at understanding the nature and rate of natural processes affecting the deterioration of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The USS Arizona Preservation Project is designed to be multi-year, interdisciplinary and cumulative, with each element contributing to developing an overall management strategy designed to minimize environmental hazard from fuel oil release and provide the basic research required to make informed management decisions for long-term preservation. The primary project focus is toward acquiring requisite data for understanding the complex corrosion and deterioration processes …

Environment-Induced Degradations In A Target Structural Material For Transmutation Applications, Ramprashad Prabhakaran

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This investigation is focused on the evaluation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and localized corrosion behavior of Type 422 stainless steel in aqueous environments at ambient and elevated temperature. The results of constant load SCC testing using smooth specimens showed no failure in the neutral solution but a threshold stress of 97 ksi was observed in the 90°C acidic environment. SCC testing by the slow-strain-rate test method indicate that the time-to-failure, true failure stress and ductility parameters were gradually reduced with increasing temperature, showing more pronounced effect in the acidic solution. The application of a controlled cathodic potential showed further …

Embrittlement And Localized Corrosion In Alloy Ht-9, Sudheer Sama

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This investigation is focused on the evaluation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC), hydrogen embrittlement (HE) and localized corrosion susceptibility of Alloy HT -9 in neutral and acidic solutions at 30, 60 and 90°C. Constant-load and slow-strain-rate (SSR) testing techniques were used to evaluate the SCC and HE behavior of this alloy by using smooth and notched tensile specimens. Hydrogen effect on the cracking behavior was evaluated by applying cathodic (negative) potential to the test specimens. Localized corrosion susceptibility was evaluated by cyclic potentiodynamic polarization technique. The results of constant load SCC testing showed a threshold stress at 80% of the …

Review Of The Product Development Process And Information Flow In The Manufacturing Industry: Problems And A Possible Wav Forward, E Opiyo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

No abstract provided.

Bar Clamp Having Ergonomic Handle, M. Susan Hallbeck, Myung-Chul Jung

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The present invention generally relates to a handle assembly for a hand operable bar clamp having a fixed jaw, a movable jaw and a drive for translating the movable jaw towards the fixed jaw. The assembly includes a handgrip and a trigger handle. The handgrip having an elongated rear portion has a generally rounded surface and being contoured to complement the natural transverse curve pf a human palm. The trigger handle is pivotal with respect to the handgrip. The trigger handle included an elongated front portion having a rounded front surface and being contoured to complement the natural palmer curve …

Me-Em 2004 Annual Report, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Annual Reports

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan
• Enrollment and Expenditure Data
• Faculty & Staff
• Industrial Advisory Committee
• Students
• Academic Programs
• Alumni
• Donations
• Contracts & Grants
• Graduates
• Publications