Applied Mechanics Commons^™

An On-Sun Parametric Study Of Solar Hydrogen Production Using Wo3 Photoanodes, Christopher K. Halford

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The solar production of hydrogen using photoactive electrodes is a topic receiving much attention in recent years. The use of thin metal oxide films as photoanodes allows the water splitting reaction to occur at a much lower applied voltage than would be necessary with a straight electrolysis process. Researchers have reported up to 18% solar to hydrogen efficiencies over short periods. The University of Nevada Las Vegas in conjunction with the UK based firm Hydrogen Solar have developed a prototype of this type of cell using a WO3 photoanode. An on-sun test facility has been constructed by the UNLV Center …

Experimental Evaluation And Modeling Of Engine Driven Heat Pump, Isaac Y. Mahderekal

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Recently, the Gas Engine-Driven Heat Pump (GHP) System has become an economic choice and more attractive climate control system than the conventional air conditioner due to its advantage in reducing fossil fuel consumption and environmental pollution. The GHP is a new type of heat pump in which the compressor (the core part) is driven by a gas engine. The GHP typically uses the work produced by the engine to drive a vapor-compression heat pump. At the same time, the waste heat rejected by the engine is used for heating purposes.

To improve the system performance of the GHP, a numerical …

Integrated Reliability And Sizing Optimization Of A Large Composite Structure, Christopher D. Eamon, Masoud Rais-Rohani

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research Publications

In this paper, we present the application of probabilistic design modeling and reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) methodology to the sizing optimization of a composite advanced submarine sail structure under parametric uncertainty. With the help of probabilistic sensitivity analysis, the influence of individual random variables on each structural failure mode is examined, and the critical modes are treated as probabilistic design constraints under consistent lower bounds on the corresponding reliability indices. Whereas the failure modes are applied to structural components in the solution of the RBDO problem, the overall system reliability is also evaluated as a post-optimization step. The results indicate …

Multiscale Modeling Of Impact On Heterogeneous Viscoelastic Solids With Evolving Microcracks, Flavio V. Souza

Department of Engineering Mechanics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Multiscale computational techniques play a major role in solving problems related to viscoelastic composite materials due to the complexities inherent to these materials. In the present work, a numerical procedure for multiscale modeling of impact on heterogeneous viscoelastic solids containing evolving microcracks is proposed in which the (global scale) homogenized viscoelastic incremental constitutive equations have the same form as the local scale viscoelastic incremental constitutive equations, but the homogenized tangent constitutive tensor and the homogenized incremental history dependent stress tensor depend on the amount of damage accumulated at the local scale. Furthermore, the developed technique allows the computation of the …

Interfacial Energy Between Carbon Nanotubes And Polymers Measured From Nanoscale Peel Tests In The Atomic Force Microscope, Mark C. Strus, Camilo I. Cano, R. Byron Pipes, Cattien V. Nguyen, Arvind Raman

Other Nanotechnology Publications

The future development of polymer composite materials with nanotubes or nanoscale fibers requires the ability to understand and improve the interfacial bonding at the nanotube-polymer matrix interface. In recent work [Strus MC, Zalamea L, Raman A, Pipes RB, Nguyen CV, Stach EA. Peeling force spectroscopy: exposing the adhesive nanomechanics of one-dimensional nanostructures. Nano Lett 2008;8(2):544–50], it has been shown that a new mode in the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), peeling force spectroscopy, can be used to understand the adhesive mechanics of carbon nanotubes peeled from a surface. In the present work, we demonstrate how AFM peeling force spectroscopy can be …

Low Temperature, Organic-Free Synthesis Of Ba3B6O9(Oh)6 Nanorods And Ss-Bab2O4 Nanospindles, Rui Li, Xinyoung Tao, Xiaodong Li

Faculty Publications

Using a low temperature, organic-free hydrothermal technique, single-crystalline barium polyborate Ba₃B₆O₉(OH)₆ (BBOH) nanorods were synthesized. It was found that β-BaB₂O₄(BBO) nanospindles can be achieved by annealing the BBOH nanorods at a relatively low temperature of 810 °C. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques were used to characterize these nanomaterials. The formation mechanisms are discussed in conjunction with the crystallographic characteristics and surface energy of the BBOH nanorods and BBO nanospindles. UV-vis absorption spectra demonstrated that both BBOH nanorods and BBO nanospindles are …

A System For Measuring The Lift And Drag Forces Of A Spinning Golf Ball Held Fixed Within A Wind Tunnel, Ryan R. Miller

Master's Theses

A system was designed, built and tested in order to test the aerodynamic properties of a standard golf ball in a wind tunnel manufactured by ELD, Inc. model 406(B). The system consists of a rotating shaft, on which the golf ball is attached, connected to a two-axis force transducer. Additionally, an automated data acquisition system was built for enhanced precision of measurements. Data for wind speeds up to 160 ft/s and rotational speeds up to 8,600 rpm were obtained and analyzed. The purpose of the designed apparatus was to allow for studies to better understand the lift and drag coefficients …

Newsletters Of First 10 Years, Tractor Museum

Friends of the Larsen Tractor Museum

Newsletters distributed to supporters of the Larsen Tractor Museum.

1998 Spring Newsletter 1 - Non-profit Status, Dedication of Museum, Nebraska Tractor Test Law Beginnings

1998 Winter Newsletter 2 - First Annual Meeting, Library Established, State Fair Report, Winnepeg Plowing Contests

1999 Spring Newsletter 3 - Nebraska State Museum Affiliation, Fundraising Goals, Fuel Saving Devices in the 1920s

1999 Fall Newsletter 4 - Museum Studies Luis Vasquez, Tractor Raffle, Renovation Goals, Fundraising Goals, Annalyzing Tractor Test Results

1999 Winter Newsletter 5 - Mission Statement, Logo and Letterhead, Tractor Storage Facility, Bylaw Amendments, Hand Tool History, The Davidson Traction Dynamometer

2000 Spring …

Thermocapillary Effects In Driven Dewetting And Self-Assembly Of Pulsed Laser-Irradiated Metallic Films, Agegnehu Atena, Mikhail Khenner

Mathematics Faculty Publications

In this paper the lubrication-type dynamical model is developed of a molten, pulsed laser-irradiated metallic film. The heat transfer problem that incorporates the absorbed heat from a single beam or interfering beams is solved analytically. Using this temperature field, we derive the 3D long-wave evolution PDE for the film height. To get insights into dynamics of dewetting, we study the 2D version of the evolution equation by means of a linear stability analysis and by numerical simulations. The stabilizing and destabilizing effects of various system parameters, such as the peak laser beam intensity, the film optical thickness, the Biot and …

Thermocapillary Effects In Driven Dewetting And Self-Assembly Of Pulsed Laser-Irradiated Metallic Films, Agegnehu Atena, Mikhail Khenner

Mathematics Faculty Publications

In this paper the lubrication-type dynamical model is developed of a molten, pulsed laser-irradiated metallic film. The heat transfer problem that incorporates the absorbed heat from a single beam or interfering beams is solved analytically. Using this temperature field, we derive the 3D long-wave evolution PDE for the film height. To get insights into dynamics of dewetting, we study the 2D version of the evolution equation by means of a linear stability analysis and by numerical simulations. The stabilizing and destabilizing effects of various system parameters, such as the peak laser beam intensity, the film optical thickness, the Biot and …

Co-Op E3 Cockshutt 30 Restoration, Tractor Museum

Tractor Maintenance, Repair, and Restoration

Larsen Tractor Museum 2009 Restoration Project

Identification Of Multiple Oscillation States Of Carbon Nanotube Tipped Cantilevers Interacting With Surfaces In Dynamic Atomic Force Microscopy, Mark Strus, Arvind Raman

Birck and NCN Publications

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have gained increased interest in dynamic atomic force microscopy (dAFM) as sharp, flexible, conducting, nonreactive tips for high-resolution imaging, oxidation lithography, and electrostatic force microscopy. By means of theory and experiments we lay out a map of several distinct tapping mode AFM oscillation states for CNT tipped AFM cantilevers: namely, noncontact attractive regime oscillation, intermittent contact with CNT slipping or pinning, or permanent contact with the CNT in point or line contact with the surface while the cantilever oscillates with large amplitude. Each state represents fundamentally different origins of CNT-surface interactions, CNT tip-substrate dissipation, and phase contrast …

Converging Flow Between Coaxial Cones, O. Hall, A. D. Gilbert, C. P. Hills

Articles

Fluid flow governed by the Navier-Stokes equation is considered in a domain bounded by two cones with the same axis. In the first, 'non-parallel' case, the two cones have the same apex and different angles θ = α and β in spherical polar coordinates (r, θ, φ). In the second, 'parallel' case, the two cones have the same opening angle α, parallel walls separated by a gap h and apices separated by a distance h/sinα. Flows are driven by a source Q at the origin, the apex of the lower cone in the parallel case. The Stokes solution for the …

Nonaxisymmetric Stokes Flow Between Concentric Cones, O. Hall, C. P. Hills, A. D. Gilbert

Articles

We study the fully three-dimensional Stokes flow within a geometry consisting of two infinite cones with coincident apices. The Stokes approximation is valid near the apex and we consider the dominant flow features as it is approached. The cones are assumed to be stationary and the flow to be driven by an arbitrary far-field disturbance. We express the flow quantities in terms of eigenfunction expansions and allow for the first time for nonaxisymmetric flow regimes through an azimuthal wave number. The eigenvalue problem is solved numerically for successive wave numbers. Both real and complex sequences of eigenvalues are found, their …

Convergence, Adaptive Refinement, And Scaling In 1d Peridynamics, Florin Bobaru Ph.D., Mijia Yabg Ph.D., Leonardo F. Alves M.S., Stewart A. Silling Ph.D., Ebrahim Askari Ph.D., Jifeng Xu Ph.D.

Department of Engineering Mechanics: Faculty Publications

We introduce here adaptive refinement algorithms for the non-local method peridynamics, which was proposed (in J. Mech. Phys. Solids 2000; 48:175–209) as a reformulation of classical elasticity for discontinuities and long-range forces. We use scaling of the micromodulus and horizon and discuss the particular features of adaptivity in peridynamics for which multiscale modeling and grid refinement are closely connected. We discuss three types of numerical convergence for peridynamics and obtain uniform convergence to the classical solutions of static and dynamic elasticity problems in 1D in the limit of the horizon going to zero. Continuous micromoduli lead to optimal rates of …

An Investigation On The Dynamic Behavior Of An Overhead Valve Actuating Mechanism, Michael Noonan

Theses

This project involves the measurement and simulation of the dynamic performance of a pushrod valvetrain, in particular that of the outer valve spring. The engine was donated by S&S Cycle Wisconsin. A motoring test rig was constructed to obtain high speed camera footage of the spring coils motion. Individual static spring coil displacement measurements were taken, and their stiffness studied. Spring and pushrod natural resonant frequencies were measured. All data acquisition and analysis was carried out with Labview programs written during the project. Programs were written to model individual static coil stiffness using the close coil, open coil, and theories …

Variational Asymptotic Micromechanics Modeling Of Composite Materials, Tian Tang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The issue of accurately determining the effective properties of composite materials has received the attention of numerous researchers in the last few decades and continues to be in the forefront of material research. Micromechanics models have been proven to be very useful tools for design and analysis of composite materials. In the present work, a versatile micromechanics modeling framework, namely, the Variational Asymptotic Method for Unit Cell Homogenization (VAMUCH), has been invented and various micromechancis models have been constructed in light of this novel framework. Considering the periodicity as a small parameter, we can …

Predicting Young’S Modulus Of Nanowires From First-Principles Calculations On Their Surface And Bulk Materials, Guofeng Wang, Xiaodong Li

Faculty Publications

Using the concept of surface stress, we developed a model that is able to predict Young’s modulus of nanowires as a function of nanowire diameters from the calculated properties of their surface and bulk materials. We took both equilibrium strain effect and surface stress effect into consideration to account for the geometric size influence on the elastic properties of nanowires. In this work, we combined first-principles density functional theory calculations of material properties with linear elasticity theory of clamped-end three-point bending. Furthermore, we applied this computational approach to Ag, Au, and ZnOnanowires. For both Ag and Aunanowires, our theoretical predictions …

Newsletters For The Larsen Tractor Museum, Tractor Museum

Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum: Planning and Development Documents

No abstract provided.

Hardware Dispenser Project, John D. Raff, Dave Owen, Paul Sheppard

Service-Learning Program

The purpose of this design project was to develop a system that will allow employees of the ARC to be able to work on a greater variety of projects and to improve their productivity. The hardware dispenser group developed a design for a tray that would help the ARC employees work quicker and more efficiently. The tray has bins to hold hardware which the supervisor loads onto the tray. The employee slides a bag over the tip of the funnel and into the clip which holds the bag in place. The worker then chooses which parts need to be in …

Lester Larsen: Progress Of Tractor Test Work 1946 -1956, Tractor Museum

Individuals Associated with the Nebraska Tractor Test

When Lester F. Larsen was hired as Engineer in Charge of the Nebraska Tractor Test, the laboratory had been inactive since 1941 due to World War II. Much of the test equipment was out of order and in need of repair. He kept a journal called the Progress of Tractor Test Work. This journal of day to day activities extended from 1946 through 1956.

Reliability Analysis Of Plank Decks, Andrzej S. Nowak, Christopher D. Eamon

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research Publications

The objective of this study is to summarize the load and resistance criteria for highway bridge plank decks, and to estimate the reliability of plank decks designed by AASHTO Code. Both transverse and longitudinal planks for a variety of typical stringer spacings and plank sizes are considered. Truck traffic load data is based on the model used to calibrate the 1994 AASHTO LRFD Code. However, for plank decks, wheel load rather than whole vehicle weight is most important, and these statistics are developed for this study. For wood planks, dead load and dynamic load are not significant. The limit state …

Test 006: Case 10-20, Tractor Museum

Case-New Holland

Test 006: Case 10-20

All tractors tested at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory were certified by their manufacturers as being stock model machines, conforming to specifications filed with the application for test. No special or high-test fuels were used except as recommended by the manufacturer as necessary.

All results within the official tractor test report were actually attained in tests and are without correction or allowances for friction, temperature, altitude, etc. The results were initially accomplished with the tractor in charge of skilled operators employed by the University.

Unless otherwise noted, each tractor was apparently in good condition at the …

Test007: Case 20-30, Tractor Museum

Case-New Holland

All tractors tested at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory were certified by their manufacturers as being stock model machines, conforming to specifications filed with the application for test. No special or high-test fuels were used except as recommended by the manufacturer as necessary.

All results within the official tractor test report were actually attained in tests and are without correction or allowances for friction, temperature, altitude, etc. The results were initially accomplished with the tractor in charge of skilled operators employed by the University.

Unless otherwise noted, each tractor was apparently in good condition at the end of the testing …

Development Of Miniature Hybrid Rockets For Orbital Upkeep And Transfer Applications In Nano/Pico-Satellites, Derek Willingham

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research has developed and constructed a successful miniature hybrid rocket test assembly for research into hybrid rocket scaling issues. It is hoped that such systems will find eventual integration into small satellites. The test assembly houses 3" fuel grains and provides an inlet for gaseous oxidizer. Although far from complete, preliminary data were taken with PMMA and GOx and some useful conclusions were drawn that will benefit future research into this topic. Fuel grains with combustion chambers whose diameters range from 1/16" to 3/8" were tested at different flow rates and thrust data gathered. Maximum flow information was gathered …

Restart Capabilities Of Hybrid Rocket Motor Utilizing Gaseous Propane And Oxygen Injection System, Joseph Gracy

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Hybrid rockets have become an increasingly popular application in professional and amateur rocketry for their outstanding performance and reliability. An issue pressing the marketability and functionality of these rockets is the ability to restart with an exclusive system after primary ignition. Research and development of a system that can be used reliably in either application to achieve restart under various conditions has been made recently using dual injection of GOX and C3H8 using a 200kV ignition system while implementing a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) formable polymer as primary fuel. The system used a manual valve arrangement for control. The design features most …

A Review Of Variable Valve Timing Devices, Paul Shelton

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Variable valve timing (VVT) has evolved from simple, manual controlled engine management to automatic, electronic works of engineering. Starting from the need for more power and extending into fuel efficiency and low emissions, VVT has evolved from the constant changing of needs. This paper summarizes various devices used to control the timing of valves from the early 1920s up until 2007.

Parallel Mpi/Fortran Finite Element Symmetrical/Unsymmetrical Domain Decomposition, Siroj Tungkatara

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

MPI/FORTRAN finite element analysis software based on Domain Decomposition (DD) formulas has been developed in this work. Efficient input data storage/data communication schemes, domain partitioning, fast symbolical and numerical sparse assembly, symmetrical/unsymmetrical sparse solver and robust symmetrical/unsymmetrical iterative solvers algorithms are all incorporated into the developed code. Parallel Precondition Conjugated Gradient (PCG) and Flexible Generalized Minimum Residual (FGMRES) are developed. Efficient computational techniques used in the developed code are explained. Numerical performance and the accuracy of the developed code are conducted on acoustic examples with medium to large grid sizes. The results obtained from ODU Wilbur cluster (under parallel processing …

Morphologies And Kinetics Of A Dewetting Ultrathin Solid Film, Mikhail Khenner

Mathematics Faculty Publications

The surface evolution model based on geometric partial differential equation is used to numerically study the kinetics of dewetting and dynamic morphologies for the localized pinhole defect in the surface of the ultrathin solid film with the strongly anisotropic surface energy. Depending on parameters such as the initial depth and width of the pinole, the strength of the attractive substrate potential and the strength of the surface energy anisotropy, the pinhole may either extend to the substrate and thus rupture the film, or evolve to the quasiequilibrium shape while the rest of the film surface undergoes phase separation into a …

Enhanced Stability Of A Dewetting Thin Liquid Film In A Single-Frequency Vibration Field, Mikhail Khenner

Mathematics Faculty Publications

Dynamics of a thin dewetting liquid film on a vertically oscillating substrate is considered. We assume moderate vibration frequency and large (compared to the mean film thickness) vibration amplitude. Using the lubrication approximation and the averaging method, we formulate the coupled sets of equations governing the pulsatile and the averaged fluid flows in the film, and then derive the nonlinear amplitude equation for the averaged film thickness. We show that there exists a window in the frequency-amplitude domain where the parametric and shear-flow instabilities of the pulsatile flow do not emerge. As a consequence, in this window the averaged description …