Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Analyzing And Improving Stochastic Network Security: A Multicriteria Prescriptive Risk Analysis Model, David L. Lyle

Theses and Dissertations

This research optimized two measures of network security by hardening components and improving their reliability. A common measure of effectiveness (MOE) for networks is statistical reliability, which ignores the effects of hostile actions. A new MOE which includes hostile actions was developed. Both measures require component reliability functions, derived using fault trees. Fuzzy Logic and Monte Carlo simulation were used to quantify uncertainty. Results from the model are compared to traditional Risk Assessment results.

Experiments In Aggregating Air Ordnance Effectiveness Data For The Tacwar Model, James E. Parker

Theses and Dissertations

An interactive MS Access&trademark; based application that aggregates the output of the SABSEL model for input into the TACWAR model is developed. The application was developed following efforts to create a functional approximation of the SABSEL data using neural networks, statistical networks, and traditional statistical techniques. These approximations were compared to a look-up table methodology on the basis of accuracy, (RMSE

Correlation Of Dynamic Dielectric Properties To Reaction Kinetics And Changing Mechanical Properties Of Epoxy Resins During Cure, Yunfei Wang

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The principal objective of this paper is to describe how complex impedance, obtained from frequency dependent dielectric sensing technique, can be used as an effective diagnostic tool for in situ real-time investigation in the fabrication of thermoset structures.;Two epoxy systems (Pr500 from 3M and My720 from Ciba Geigy) with different functionality are characterized in terms of their dielectric, thermal, and rheological behavior. It is observed that there is a one to one relationship between Tg and conversion which is independent of cure temperature. The chemical kinetics of the reaction is satisfactorily described by an autocatalyzed reaction mechanism. The chemical rate …

The Synthesis Of Reflective And Electrically Conductive Polyimide Films Via An In Situ Self-Metallization Procedure Using Silver(I) Complexes, Robin Elaine Southward

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Optically reflective polyimide films have been prepared by the incorporation of silver(I) acetate and a {dollar}\beta{dollar}-diketone solubilizing agent, hexafluoroacetylacetone (HFAH), into a dimethylacetamide solution of the poly(amic acid) formed from {dollar}3,3\sp\prime,4,4\sp\prime{dollar}-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BTDA) and {dollar}4,4\sp\prime{dollar}-oxydianiline {dollar}(4,4\sp\prime{dollar}-ODA). Optically reflective and conductive polyimide films have been prepared by replacing the {dollar}\beta{dollar}-diketone (HFAH), with the less substituted {dollar}\beta{dollar}-diketone, trifluoroacetylacetone (TFAH). The former system has been both cast directly from the poly(amic acid) resin and cast from the poly(amic acid) resin onto a fully imidized {dollar}\rm BTDA/4,4\sp\prime{dollar}-ODA base (forming a metallized topcoat). Thermal curing of the silver(I)-containing poly(amic acid) leads to imidization with …

Propagation Of Rayleigh Waves In Thin Films, Agus A. Ananda

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

With the advent of thin film technology and more recently its applications in microelectronics and control of surface properties, the interest in mechanical properties of thin films has grown tremendously. Mechanical defects such as creep, fracture and adhesion loss, play a very important role in physical instabilities of thin film materials. An acoustic microscope has been built to study mechanical properties of thin-films. The microscope operates at a nominal frequency of 50 MHz. Rayleigh surface waves velocities on the surface of film-substrate systems were measured from V(z) curves generated by the acoustic microscope. V(z) curves are produced from interference between …

Discrete-Time Linear And Nonlinear Aerodynamic Impulse Responses For Efficient Cfd Analyses, Walter A. Silva

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

This dissertation discusses the mathematical existence and the numerical identification of linear and nonlinear aerodynamic impulse response functions. Differences between continuous-time and discrete-time system theories, which permit the identification and efficient use of these functions, will be detailed. Important input/output definitions and the concept of linear and nonlinear systems with memory will also be discussed. It will be shown that indicial (step or steady) responses (such as Wagner's function), forced harmonic responses (such as Theodorsen's function or those from doublet lattice theory), and responses to random inputs (such as gusts) can all be obtained from an aerodynamic impulse response function. …

Characterization Of Epoxy-Amine Systems And Nylon-11 And Pvdf Degradation, Wendy Raquel Mahler

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Microstructure On The Thermal Degradation Behavior Of Poly(Vinyl Chloride), Hoang Vi Tran

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

The Treatment Of Vegetable Processing Waste Water Using A Pilot Scale Sequencing Batch Reactor Activated Sludge Process, Peter Hassett

Theses

The SBR process is a discontinuous, unsteady state process and has developed popularity in many countries assisted by reliable control technology for example programmable logic control. A typical SBR installation achieves equalisation, aeration and clarification of batches of wastewater on a timed sequence in one basin. This is in contrast to a volume sequenced process such as the conventional continuous stirred tank reactor where individual treatment objectives are met in separate basins. Advantages include, flexability, minimum energy input, consistent effluent quality and inhibition of filament organism growth by properly controlling substrate concentration and aeration sequences. Nitrification, denitrification and Bio-P removal …

The Synthesis, Characterization, And Molecular Modeling Of Cyclic Arylene Ether Oligomers, Sheeba Ahmed

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Cyclophanes are a family of bridged cyclic aromatic compounds that have found extensive applications in host-guest chemistry, molecular recognition, biomimetics and most recently as precursors in ring-opening polymerizations.;This research presents the synthesis of several novel cyclic arylene ether oligomers, based on 1,3-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl) benzene and 3,3{dollar}\sp\prime{dollar}-methylene diphenol and 3,3{dollar}\sp\prime{dollar}-(ethylene dioxy) diphenol, and their characterization by LC-MS/MS, 1-D {dollar}\sp1{dollar}H-NMR and x-ray crystallography. Electrospray ionization (ES) along with MS/MS was used to characterize cyclic oligomers of molecular weight up to 1600 Da. The thermal properties of these cyclic oligomers were studied by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).;These cyclic oligomers …

A Monte Carlo Model Of Uncertainty In A Deterministic Hazardous Waste Transportation Risk Assessment, Michael A. Cowen

Masters Theses

This thesis is aimed at developing and applying advanced modeling tools in the prediction of risk to the general public from transportation of chemical waste on public highways. The modeling tools developed can then be used to compare alternative waste management scenarios. The application considered is related to the transport of hazardous waste generated by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to current treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. DOE is currently considering four different scenarios.

The application considered can be more specifically defined as an analysis of the risk to the general public from transporting the 63 shipments of …

Investigation Of The Optical Properties Of Ordered Semiconductor Materials, Jack E. Mccrae Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Optical studies have been conducted upon CdGeAs₂ and ZnGeP₂, two of the most promising semiconductors being developed for mid-infrared non-linear optics applications. These experiments included photoluminescence (PL) studies of both compounds as well as photoreflectance (PR) measurements upon CdGeAs₂. In addition, Hall effect measurements were carried out upon CdGeAs₂, to aid in interpretation of the optical data. PL was measured as a function of laser power, sample temperature, and crystal orientation for CdGeAs₂. One broad weak peak near 0.38 eV, and another somewhat narrower and often far brighter peak near 0.57 …

On-Line System Identification For Control System Applications In Particle Accelerators, Mahesh Chowdhary

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Particle accelerators require a number of feedback systems in order to stabilize a variety of parameters. The Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility presents a unique set of control and identification problems. This accelerator produces a continuous electron beam with energies between 0.5 and 4.0 GeV to be delivered to the experimental halls. In order to meet stringent beam quality requirements specified by the experimental halls, the position and the energy of the electron beam needs to stabilized at various locations in the accelerator.;A number of noise measurement tests were conducted at various locations in the …

The Thermal Cure Of Phenylethynyl-Terminated Polyimides And Selected Model Compounds, Karen H. Wood

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The ability to process high performance polymers into useful adhesives and high quality composites has been significantly advanced by synthetic techniques in which oligomers terminated with reactive groups cure or crosslink at elevated temperature after the article has been fabricated. Several matrix resin systems of considerable interest to the aerospace community utilize phenylethynyl terminated imide (PETI) technology developed at the Langley Research Center to achieve this advantage. This work addresses the cure chemistry of PETI oligomers.;The thermal cure of selected oligomers and model compounds was studied using a variety of analytical techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, high pressure liquid chromatography, …

The Promotion Of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Depolymerization By Metal-Based Initiators, Jason Andrew Macko

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Iron Oxides And Atmospheric Corrosion Of Steel, Sei Jin Oh

Physics Theses & Dissertations

The study of corrosion behavior was performed using three different analytical techniques, which provided information on the formation, development and layering of iron oxides on the corrosion products as a function of atmospheric conditions, exposure time and type of steel. In particular, the protective layer formed on weathering steel was investigated as a function of different amounts of alloying elements in the steel, atmospheric conditions and exposure times. Combined together, the results provided a better understanding of the atmospheric corrosion behavior of steel, and formed a part of database of the atmospheric corrosion characteristics.

Accurate characterization of the iron oxides …

The Effects Of Human-Computer Communication Mode, Task Complexity, And Desire For Control On Performance And Discourse Organization In An Adaptive Task, Cristina Bubb-Lewis

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study examined how different communication patterns affected task performance with an adaptive interface. A Wizard-of-Oz simulation (Gould, Conti, & Hovanyecz, 1983) was used to create the impression of a talking and listening computer that acted as a teammate to help participants interact with a computer application.

Four levels of communication mode were used which differed in the level of restriction placed on human-computer communication. In addition, participants completed two sets of tasks (simple and complex). Further, a personality trait, Desire for Control (DC), was measured and participants were split into high and low groups for analysis. Dependent measures …