Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Quantification Of Relativistic Perturbation Forces On Spacecraft Trajectories, Nicholas Palma Mastricola

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The intent of the work presented in this thesis is to show that relativistic perturbations should be considered in the same manner as well known perturbations currently taken into account in planet-satellite systems. It is also the aim of this research to show that relativistic perturbations are comparable to standard perturbations in speciffc force magnitude and effects. This work would have been regarded as little more then a curiosity to most engineers until recent advancements in space propulsion methods { e.g. the creation of a artiffcial neutron stars, light sails, and continuous propulsion techniques. These cutting-edge technologies have the potential …

Modeling Mechanical Response Of Heterogeneous Materials, Siladitya Pal

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Heterogeneous materials are ubiquitous in nature and as synthetic materials. These materials provide unique combination of desirable mechanical properties emerging from its heterogeneities at different length scales. Future structural and technological applications will require the development of advanced light weight materials with superior strength and toughness. Cost effective design of the advanced high performance synthetic materials by tailoring their microstructure is the challenge facing the materials design community. Prior knowledge of structure-property relationships for these materials is imperative for optimal design. Thus, understanding such relationships for heterogeneous materials is of primary interest. Furthermore, computational burden is becoming critical concern in …

Energy Harvesting From Body Motion Using Rotational Micro-Generation, Edwar. Romero-Ramirez

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Autonomous system applications are typically limited by the power supply operational lifetime when battery replacement is difficult or costly. A trade-off between battery size and battery life is usually calculated to determine the device capability and lifespan. As a result, energy harvesting research has gained importance as society searches for alternative energy sources for power generation. For instance, energy harvesting has been a proven alternative for powering solar-based calculators and self-winding wristwatches. Thus, the use of energy harvesting technology can make it possible to assist or replace batteries for portable, wearable, or surgically-implantable autonomous systems. Applications such as cardiac pacemakers …

Structural And Surface Property Characterization Of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes For Orthopedic Implants, Tolou Shokuhfar

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This research focused on the to modification of the surface structure of titanium implants with nanostructured morphology of TiO₂ nanotubes and studied the interaction of nanotubes with osteoblast cells to understand the parameters that affect the cell growth. The electrical, mechanical, and structural properties of TiO₂ nanotubes were characterized to establish a better understanding on the properties of such nanoscale morphological structures.

To achieve the objectives of this research work I transformed the titanium and its alloys, either in bulk sheet form, bulk machined form, or thin film deposited on another substrate into a surface of titania nanotubes …

Parametric Combustion Modeling For Ethanol-Gasoline Fuelled Spark Ignition Engines, Yeliana

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Ethanol-gasoline fuel blends are increasingly being used in spark ignition (SI) engines due to continued growth in renewable fuels as part of a growing renewable portfolio standard (RPS). This leads to the need for a simple and accurate ethanol-gasoline blends combustion model that is applicable to one-dimensional engine simulation.

A parametric combustion model has been developed, integrated into an engine simulation tool, and validated using SI engine experimental data. The parametric combustion model was built inside a user compound in GT-Power. In this model, selected burn durations were computed using correlations as functions of physically based non-dimensional groups that have …

Me-Em Enewsbrief, December 2009, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Me-Em Enewsbrief, September 2009, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Me-Em Enewsbrief, June 2009, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Afrc Translation Experiments For Space Propulsion, Carrie S. Niemela

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

No abstract provided.

Immobilizing Bacteriorhodopsin On A Single Electron Transistor, Karl A. Walczak

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

As awareness of potential human and environmental impacts from toxins has increased, so has the development of innovative sensors. Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) is a light activated proton pump contained in the purple membrane (PM) of the bacteria Halobacterium salinarum. Bacteriorhodopsin is a robust protein which can function in both wet and dry states and can withstand extreme environmental conditions. A single electron transistor(SET) is a nano-scale device that exploits the quantum mechanical properties of electrons to switch on and off. SETs have tremendous potential in practical applications due to their size, ultra low power requirements, and electrometer-like sensitivity.

The main …

Electron Transport In E X B Devices, Emily C. Fossum

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

A Hall thruster, an E × B device used for in-space propulsion, utilizes an axial electric field to electrostatically accelerate plasma propellant from the spacecraft. The axial electric field is created by positively biasing the anode so that the positivelycharged ions may be accelerated (repelled) from the thruster, which produces thrust. However, plasma electrons are much smaller than ions and may be accelerated much more quickly toward the anode; if electrons were not impeded, a "short circuit" due to the electron flow would eliminate the thrust mechanism. Therefore, a magnetic field serves to "magnetize" plasma electrons internal to the thruster …

Decentralized Or Centralized Production : Impacts To The Environment, Industry, And The Economy, Abigail R. Clarke-Sather

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Since product take-back is mandated in Europe, and has effects for producers worldwide including the U.S., designing efficient forward and reverse supply chain networks is becoming essential for business viability. Centralizing production facilities may reduce costs but perhaps not environmental impacts. Decentralizing a supply chain may reduce transportation environmental impacts but increase capital costs. Facility location strategies of centralization or decentralization are tested for companies with supply chains that both take back and manufacture products.

Decentralized and centralized production systems have different effects on the environment, industry and the economy. Decentralized production systems cluster suppliers within the geographical market region …

Micro-Fabrication Of Bio-Mems Based Force Sensor To Measure The Force Response Of Living Cells, Varun Gouthaman

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Understanding how a living cell behaves has become a very important topic in today’s research field. Hence, different sensors and testing devices have been designed to test the mechanical properties of these living cells. This thesis presents a method of micro-fabricating a bio-MEMS based force sensor which is used to measure the force response of living cells. Initially, the basic concepts of MEMS have been discussed and the different micro-fabrication techniques used to manufacture various MEMS devices have been described. There have been many MEMS based devices manufactured and employed for testing many nano-materials and bio-materials. Each of the MEMS …

Hall-Effect Thruster-Cathode Coupling : The Effect Of Cathode Position And Magnetic Field Topology, Jason D. Sommerville

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Hall-effect thruster (HET) cathodes are responsible for the generation of the free electrons necessary to initiate and sustain the main plasma discharge and to neutralize the ion beam. The position of the cathode relative to the thruster strongly affects the efficiency of thrust generation. However, the mechanisms by which the position affects the efficiency are not well understood. This dissertation explores the effect of cathode position on HET efficiency. Magnetic field topology is shown to play an important role in the coupling between the cathode plasma and the main discharge plasma. The position of the cathode within the magnetic field …

Me-Em 2009 Annual Report, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Annual Reports

Table of Contents

• Energy Systems
• Health Systems
• Faculty & Staff
• Students
• Alumni
• Resources
• Graduates
• Publications
• ME-EM Community

Me-Em 2008 Annual Report, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Annual Reports

Table of Contents

• Engineering Education
• Students
• Alumni
• Resources
• Graduates
• Publications
• ME-EM Community

Quantum Dot / Optical Protein Bio-Nano Hybrid System Biosensing, Mark H. Griep

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The integration of novel nanomaterials with highly-functional biological molecules has advanced multiple fields including electronics, sensing, imaging, and energy harvesting. This work focuses on the creation of a new type of bio-nano hybrid substrate for military biosensing applications. Specifically it is shown that the nano-scale interactions of the optical protein bacteriorhodopsin and colloidal semiconductor quantum dots can be utilized as a generic sensing substrate.

This work spans from the basic creation of the protein to its application in a novel biosensing system. The functionality of this sensor design originates from the unique interactions between the quantum dot and bacteriorhodopsin molecule …

Adaptive Control Of Sinusoidal Brushless Dc Motor Actuators, Liangtao Zhu

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Electrical Power Assisted Steering system (EPAS) will likely be used on future automotive power steering systems. The sinusoidal brushless DC (BLDC) motor has been identified as one of the most suitable actuators for the EPAS application. Motor characteristic variations, which can be indicated by variations of the motor parameters such as the coil resistance and the torque constant, directly impart inaccuracies in the control scheme based on the nominal values of parameters and thus the whole system performance suffers. The motor controller must address the time-varying motor characteristics problem and maintain the performance in its long service life.

In this …

Photolithography Based Patterning Of Bacteriorhodopsin Films, Christopher M. Anton

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The patterning of photoactive purple membrane (PM) films onto electronic substrates to create a biologically based light detection device was investigated. This research is part of a larger collaborative effort to develop a miniaturized toxin detection platform. This platform will utilize PM films containing the photoactive protein bacteriorhodopsin to convert light energy to electrical energy.

Following an effort to pattern PM films using focused ion beam machining, the photolithography based bacteriorhodopsin patterning technique (PBBPT) was developed. This technique utilizes conventional photolithography techniques to pattern oriented PM films onto flat substrates. After the basic patterning process was developed, studies were conducted …

Bislug Flow In Circular And Noncircular Channels And The Role Of Interface Stretching On Energy Dissipation, Joseph E. Hernandez

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The area of microfluidics has increased in popularity with such fields as MEMS, microreactors, microscaleheat exchangers, etc. A comprehensive understanding of dissipation mechanisms for fluid flow in microchannels is required to accurately predict the behavior in these small systems. Tests were performed using a constant pressure potential created by two immiscible fluids juxtaposed in a microchannel. This study focused on the flow and dissipation mechanisms in round and square microchannels. There are four major dissipation mechanisms in slug flow; wall shear, dissipation at the contact line, menisci interaction and the stretching of the interface. A force balance between the internal …

Development Of A Direct Evaporation Bismuth Hall Thruster, Dean Richard Massey

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Hall thrusters have been under active development around the world since the 1960’s. Thrusters using traditional propellants such as xenon have been flown on a variety of satellite orbit raising and maintenance missions with an excellent record. To expand the mission envelope, it is necessary to lower the specific impulse of the thrusters but xenon and krypton are poor performers at specific impulses below 1,200 seconds.

To enhance low specific impulse performance, this dissertation examines the development of a Hall-effect thruster which uses bismuth as a propellant. Bismuth, the heaviest non-radioactive element, holds many advantages over noble gas propellants from …

Multiscale Constitutive Modeling Of Polymer Materials, Pavan Kumar Valavala

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Materials are inherently multi-scale in nature consisting of distinct characteristics at various length scales from atoms to bulk material. There are no widely accepted predictive multi-scale modeling techniques that span from atomic level to bulk relating the effects of the structure at the nanometer (10^-9 meter) on macro-scale properties. Traditional engineering deals with treating matter as continuous with no internal structure. In contrast to engineers, physicists have dealt with matter in its discrete structure at small length scales to understand fundamental behavior of materials. Multiscale modeling is of great scientific and technical importance as it can aid in designing …

Me-Em 2007 Annual Report, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Annual Reports

Table of Contents

• Research Expansion
• Research Groups
• Faculty & Staff
• Students
• Alumni
• Resources
• Graduates
• Publications

Non-Intrusive Pressure Measurement In Microchannels, Derek Fultz

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

A non-intrusive interferometric measurement technique has been successfully developed to measure fluid compressibility in both gas and liquid phases via refractive index (RI) changes. The technique, consisting of an unfocused laser beam impinging a glass channel, can be used to separate and quantify cell deflection, fluid flow rates, and pressure variations in microchannels. Currently in fields such as microfluidics, pressure and flow rate measurement devices are orders of magnitude larger than the channel cross-sections making direct pressure and fluid flow rate measurements impossible. Due to the non-intrusive nature of this technique, such measurements are now possible, opening the door for …

Effect Of Segmented Anodes On The Performance And Plume Of A Hall Thruster, Alexander W. Kieckhafer

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Development of alternative propellants for Hall thruster operation is an active area of research. Xenon is the current propellant of choice for Hall thrusters, but can be costly in large thrusters and for extended test periods. Condensible propellants may offer an alternative to xenon, as they will not require costly active pumping to remove from a test facility, and may be less expensive to purchase. A method has been developed which uses segmented electrodes in the discharge channel of a Hall thruster to divert discharge current to and from the main anode and thus control the anode temperature. By placing …

Aerothermodynamic Cycle Analysis Of A Dual-Spool, Separate-Exhaust Turbofan Engine With An Interstage Turbine Burner, Ka Heng Liew

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This study focuses on a specific engine, i.e., a dual-spool, separate-flow turbofan engine with an Interstage Turbine Burner (ITB). This conventional turbofan engine has been modified to include a secondary isobaric burner, i.e., ITB, in a transition duct between the high-pressure turbine and the low-pressure turbine. The preliminary design phase for this modified engine starts with the aerothermodynamics cycle analysis is consisting of parametric (i.e., on-design) and performance (i.e., off-design) cycle analyses.

In parametric analysis, the modified engine performance parameters are evaluated and compared with baseline engine in terms of design limitation (maximum turbine inlet temperature), flight conditions (such as …

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

Experimental And Modeling Study Of The Filtration And Oxidation Characteristics Of A Diesel Oxidation Catalyst And A Catalyzed Particulate Filter, Kiran C. Premchand

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

A diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) with a catalyzed diesel particulate filter (CPF) is an effective exhaust aftertreatment device that reduces particulate emissions from diesel engines, and properly designed DOC-CPF systems provide passive regeneration of the filter by the oxidation of PM via thermal and NO₂/temperature-assisted means under various vehicle duty cycles. However, controlling the backpressure on engines caused by the addition of the CPF to the exhaust system requires a good understanding of the filtration and oxidation processes taking place inside the filter as the deposition and oxidation of solid particulate matter (PM) change as functions of loading …

Integrated Solar Energy And Absorption Cooling Model For Hvac (Heating, Ventilating, And Air Conditioning) Applications In Buildings, Sharizal Shaik Ahmedullah

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The demands in production and associate costs at power generation through non renewable resources are increasing at an alarming rate. Solar energy is one of the renewable resource that has the potential to minimize this increase. Utilization of solar energy have been concentrated mainly on heating application. The use of solar energy in cooling systems in building would benefit greatly achieving the goal of non-renewable energy minimization.

The approaches of solar energy heating system research done by initiation such as University of Wisconsin at Madison and building heat flow model research conducted by Oklahoma State University can be used to …

Emission Cross Sections For Neutral Xenon Impacted By Xe+ And Xe2+, Jason D. Sommerville

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Ion impact emission cross sections for eleven transitions from the 5p⁵6p configuration to the 5p⁵6s configuration of neutral xenon occurring in the spectral region between 700 nm and 1000 nm have been measured experimentally. Collisions between both singly- and doublyionized xenon and neutral xenon have been studied. These cross sections are of primary use in the development of a spectrographic diagnostic for Hall effect thruster plasma. A detailed discussion of the experimental methods and the subsequent data reduction is included. The results are presented and the importance of these data for spectrographic emission models of Hall …