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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™

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2011

James Madison University

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Articles 1 - 18 of 18

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Development Of A Methodology For Dormitory Energy Load Estimation And Analysis, John Michael Real Dec 2011

Development Of A Methodology For Dormitory Energy Load Estimation And Analysis, John Michael Real

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

In recent years interest in reducing energy consumption at the building levels has been increasing, especially in the higher education sector. Many examples exist of higher education institutions reducing their environmental impact through energy consumption reductions, however the majority of these are anecdotal examples and it is difficult to replicate these initiatives at other institutions, either due to resource constraints, financial constraints, or a lack of reproducible methodology. This issue is further compounded by the fact that a generalized methodology does not exist for the purposes of estimating building energy loads, especially in dormitories in the absence of expensive and …

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The Examination Of The Feasibility Of Implementing A Biosphere Reserve In The Maltese Islands : Applying A Conservation Value Evaluation Framework, Alexander Borg Dec 2011

The Examination Of The Feasibility Of Implementing A Biosphere Reserve In The Maltese Islands : Applying A Conservation Value Evaluation Framework, Alexander Borg

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Biosphere reserves are protected areas which are internationally recognized within the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s Man and the Biosphere Programme for promoting and establishing a balanced relationship between people and nature. Biosphere reserve management is guided by principles of biodiversity conservation; sustainable development; local, national and international partnership and support; local capacity-building; research and monitoring and co-operative management that is multidisciplinary, multi-stakeholder and locally-based. The research evaluated the feasibility of implementing the biosphere reserve concept in the Maltese Islands. This was studied by applying a conservation framework which consisted of holistic conservation value appraisal criteria – incorporating …

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Proposing A Path For Sustainability Curricula: Identifying Core Thinking And Learning Elements For Sustainability Higher Education, Timothy F. Botkin Dec 2011

Proposing A Path For Sustainability Curricula: Identifying Core Thinking And Learning Elements For Sustainability Higher Education, Timothy F. Botkin

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Research indicates that sustainability higher education (SHE) has been promoted since the 1970s but has not achieved satisfactory progress in meeting original goals. Reflecting the evasive nature of sustainability as a goal, SHE programs appear stunted and there is little overall guidance with regard to curricula development. This dissertation addresses this issue by conducting a comprehensive literature research and sampling of those in sustainability post-graduate programs in an effort to determine an articulable set of core thinking and learning elements to assist in implementing SHE programs. Initial research identified fifteen core element candidates. These were incorporated into a survey sent …

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Integrated Waste Management As A Climate Change Stabilization Wedge For The Maletese Islands, Clyde Falzon Dec 2011

Integrated Waste Management As A Climate Change Stabilization Wedge For The Maletese Islands, Clyde Falzon

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Planet Earth is finding difficulty in dealing with the continuous increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. This is leading to change in climate which leads to extensive damage to communities, ecosystems and resources. This study is focussed on the waste sector which is the second largest greenhouse gas emitter in the Maltese islands after the energy (including transport) sector. Moreover, if practiced according to standards, waste management can lead to emission reduction. This work is based on the stabilisation wedges strategy and specifically focused on the integrated waste management wedge. Moreover in this work a life cycle assessment methodology is …

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Residential Solar Energy In The Valley: A Feasibility Assessment And Carbon Mitigation, Deanna Leigh Zimmerman Dec 2011

Residential Solar Energy In The Valley: A Feasibility Assessment And Carbon Mitigation, Deanna Leigh Zimmerman

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This project explores whether the Shenandoah Valley can achieve its 25x’25 goals in the residential sector using the two most feasible solar energy technologies, solar photovoltaic electric power production and solar thermal hot water generation. After a review of the barriers to the adoption of solar energy in households, the potential rates of adoption and energy output are estimated using U.S. Census data and Department of Energy data. Multiple scenarios are explored, including the “maximum theoretical” contribution of solar energy to the residential sector as well as scenarios of household behavior under different constraints. With respect to solar photovoltaic, it …

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Wetting Properties Induced In Nano-Composite Poss-Ma Polymer Films By Atomic Layer Deposited Oxides, Kyle A. Vasquez, Anita J. Vincent-Johnson, W. Chris Hughes, Brian H. Augustine, Kyoungmi Lee, Gregory N. Parsons, Giovanna Scarel Sep 2011

Wetting Properties Induced In Nano-Composite Poss-Ma Polymer Films By Atomic Layer Deposited Oxides, Kyle A. Vasquez, Anita J. Vincent-Johnson, W. Chris Hughes, Brian H. Augustine, Kyoungmi Lee, Gregory N. Parsons, Giovanna Scarel

Department of Physics and Astronomy - Faculty Scholarship

Due to their unique properties, nano-composite polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane (POSS) copolymer films are attractive for various applications. Here we show that their natural hydrophobic character can become hydrophilic when the films are modified by a thin oxide layer, up to 8 nm thick, prepared using atomic layer deposition. A proper choice of the deposition temperature and thickness of the oxide layer are required to achieve this goal. Unlike other polymeric systems, a marked transition to a hydrophilic state is observed with oxide layers deposited at increasing temperatures up to the glass transition temperature (∼110 °C) of the POSS copolymer film. …

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Holism And Non-Separability Applied To Quantum Mechanics, Catherine E. Nisson May 2011

Holism And Non-Separability Applied To Quantum Mechanics, Catherine E. Nisson

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Einstein was never satisfied with quantum mechanics. He argued that quantum mechanics was incomplete for two main reasons; it violated the locality principle and the separability principle. The violation of separability is an unavoidable consequence of quantum interactions. Non-separability can be seen in quantum entanglement. Non-locality, however, is more controversial. Einstein and his associates published the EPR paper in order to argue for the incompleteness of quantum mechanics. Years later, John Bell formulated what became known as the Bell Inequalities in response to the EPR paper. The Bell Inequalities are seen as a major obstacle for quantum locality. I will …

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Small Wind Industry, Stakeholder, And Site Analysis In Support Of The Small Wind Training And Testing Facility At James Madison University, Curt Louis Dvonch May 2011

Small Wind Industry, Stakeholder, And Site Analysis In Support Of The Small Wind Training And Testing Facility At James Madison University, Curt Louis Dvonch

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This work is in support of the development of the Small Wind Training and Testing Facility at James Madison University. The facility is intended to provide small wind training and testing capabilities that are tailored to the needs of small wind energy stakeholders in the Commonwealth of Virginia and across the greater mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. This work focuses on the development of testing capabilities by analyzing the state of the small wind industry in the region, by surveying a sample of small wind stakeholders in the region, and by tailoring the development of the facility to meet …

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A Study Of Solar Power Implementation Business Model Options For Grand Junction, Colorado, Virginia Phillips May 2011

A Study Of Solar Power Implementation Business Model Options For Grand Junction, Colorado, Virginia Phillips

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This dissertation analyzed three solar power implementation business models that would transfer the burden of capital, operational, and maintenance costs from an individual to an entity with available funding. Solar power has long been touted as an emissions free and environmentally friendly alternative to more conventional forms of energy, such as coal. Most of Colorado’s electricity is generated from coal-fired power plants. To combat climate change and reduce health risks, Colorado has implemented a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requiring that 30% of electricity produced in 2020 come from a renewable resource, such as solar. Of this, three percent must derive …

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Initiation Of A Framework For Closed-Loop, Integrated Design And Planning For The Simplest Of Building Types, Vernacular Stuctures, Vedad Hasanovic May 2011

Initiation Of A Framework For Closed-Loop, Integrated Design And Planning For The Simplest Of Building Types, Vernacular Stuctures, Vedad Hasanovic

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The purpose of this review is to promote a framework for the diversification of the built environment, where adequate human shelter can be more readily available. Shelter will be required as the effects of climate change impact more people around the world. The commonalities that are shared among these structures worldwide give reason, as to their importance, and as humans begin to familiarize themselves with descent culture; models for sustainable living that are found in nature. (Holmgren, 2002) Vernacular structures prove that it is possible to build safe, dependable and cost-effective shelter without negatively impacting the surrounding environment. These structures …

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Technology Assessment Of Hydrokinetic Energy: Run-Of-River And In-Stream Tidal Systems, Andréa René Badger May 2011

Technology Assessment Of Hydrokinetic Energy: Run-Of-River And In-Stream Tidal Systems, Andréa René Badger

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This is an assessment of the emerging technology of hydrokinetic energy, specifically for current-based systems in rivers, streams or canals. The over reliance on fossil fuels for our power and energy needs is not only environmentally detrimental, but also unsustainable. By exploring means of electric power that emerge from existing technology, society can become less dependent upon non-renewable resources and move towards self-sustaining practices. I will begin with a US electricity overview, and then transition into a discussion about hydropower and its shift to hydrokinetic energy technology. After comparing both turbine and non-turbine hydrokinetic energy systems, the thesis then delves …

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Impediment Sensitive-Role Based Access Control, Joseph Frederick Blumberg May 2011

Impediment Sensitive-Role Based Access Control, Joseph Frederick Blumberg

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This paper introduces a variation to the Role Based Access Control (RBAC) model called Impediment Sensitive RBAC (IS-RBAC) to be used for implantable and closely-worn medical devices. The IS-RBAC represents impediments including instrument failures, user failures, and environmental situations. IS-RBAC accommodates the impacts that the three types of impediments convey on two foundation set definitions, namely, the data set and the set of user role assignments. With these new definitions, IS-RBAC model strengthens the weaknesses caused to the protection of data from user and instrument failures and environmental situations, mitigates threats from users with elevated user role privileges, and ultimately …

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A System Dynamics Approach Towards Assessing Posidonia Oceanica Habitat, Justine Schembri May 2011

A System Dynamics Approach Towards Assessing Posidonia Oceanica Habitat, Justine Schembri

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Posidonia oceanica habitat is one of the most important coastal shallow water habitats in the Mediterranean region and provides highly valuable and varied ecological services such as supporting high species diversity, protecting against coastal erosion, and sequestering carbon. Posidonia oceanica habitat is declining as a result of a multitude of converging pressures, both natural and anthropogenic, in the coastal zone. The slow rate at which Posidonia oceanica meadows undergo recovery, in contrast to the rapid dynamics that bring about their decline, is consequently of great concern. The need to proactively manage this valuable resource must be met in order that …

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‘The Eco-Gozo Vision’: A Study Set Against Criteria Of Good Governance And Sustainability, Amity Gauci May 2011

‘The Eco-Gozo Vision’: A Study Set Against Criteria Of Good Governance And Sustainability, Amity Gauci

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

To make up for social fragmentation of modern life and its alienation from nature, lately sustainable communities and eco islands have arisen around the world as a worldwide movement. Given this context, this study will address the island of Gozo. Gozo is the subject of an Eco Island Vision; a Vision with the aim to transform Gozo into an eco island by 2020. Thus the intent of this study is to present an evaluation of the Vision based on principles of good governance and sustainability. The research methodology has been based on a triangulation approach: a desk study to establish …

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Shock-Associated Noise Generation In Curved Coanda Turbulent Wall Jets, Caroline P. Lubert, Richard J. Shafer Jan 2011

Shock-Associated Noise Generation In Curved Coanda Turbulent Wall Jets, Caroline P. Lubert, Richard J. Shafer

Department of Mathematics and Statistics - Faculty Scholarship

Curved three-dimensional turbulent Coanda wall jets are present in a multitude of natural and engineering applications. The mechanism by which they form a shock-cell structure is poorly understood, as is the accompanying shock-associated noise (SAN) generation. This paper discusses these phenomena from both a modeling and experimental perspective. The Method of Characteristics is used to rewrite the governing hyperbolic partial differential equations as ordinary differential equations, which are then solved numerically using the Euler predictor-corrector method. The effects of complicating factors -- such as radial expansion and streamline curvature -- on the prediction of shock-cell location are then discussed. This …

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Heat Recovery Mechanism In The Excitation Of Radiative Polaritons By Broadband Infrared Radiation In Thin Oxide Films, Anita J. Vincent-Johnson, Kyle A. Vasquez, John E. Bridstrup, Andrew E. Masters, Xiaofeng Hu, Giovanna Scarel Jan 2011

Heat Recovery Mechanism In The Excitation Of Radiative Polaritons By Broadband Infrared Radiation In Thin Oxide Films, Anita J. Vincent-Johnson, Kyle A. Vasquez, John E. Bridstrup, Andrew E. Masters, Xiaofeng Hu, Giovanna Scarel

Department of Physics and Astronomy - Faculty Scholarship

This work probes radiative polaritons in thin oxide layers as a mean to capture and absorb broadband infrared radiation and transform it into heat. A heat recovery mechanism, based on the Seebeck effect, is used as the tool of the investigation. Heat production challenges the current understanding which views the excitation of radiative polaritons as only accompanied by the emission of electromagnetic radiation. The heat recovery mechanism presented here can inspire the design of infrared energy harvesting devices, similar to photovoltaic cells, and other devices to convert energy from a wide range of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum using thermoelectric power …

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Narrowing The Digital Divide: The Young Women Leaders Program Herstory Project, Stephanie Newton, Emily Peters, Victoria Tucker, Christine Quilpa, Edith Lawrence, Clare Vierbuchen Jan 2011

Narrowing The Digital Divide: The Young Women Leaders Program Herstory Project, Stephanie Newton, Emily Peters, Victoria Tucker, Christine Quilpa, Edith Lawrence, Clare Vierbuchen

VA Engage Journal

Research suggests that girls are at especial disadvantage in the field of informational technology and are less likely than boys to take courses or seek out careers in this area. The Young Women Leaders Program (YWLP), a mentoring program at the University of Virginia that pairs at-risk middle school girls with college women for a year of mentoring, developed the YWLP HerStory project to engage middle school girls in informational technology through their development of technology projects focused on psychosocial issues of importance to them. This study reviewed an early version of the YWLP HerStory’s technology curriculum and training for …

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Smoke Signals: An Investigation Of The Effects Of Eco-Stoves On Community And The Environment, Claire Hennigan, Amy Rogers Jan 2011

Smoke Signals: An Investigation Of The Effects Of Eco-Stoves On Community And The Environment, Claire Hennigan, Amy Rogers

VA Engage Journal

The use of solid biomass fuels and the implementation of eco-stoves to mitigate its harmful effects has become a popular topic in discussions on global development. An article published on use of traditional fuels in The New Yorker reports, “A map of the world's poor is easy to make…just follow the smoke.” Eco-stoves are now being constructed in impoverished communities around the world as an alternative to traditional stove models as a means to improve health and overall quality of life. Global Brigades, a sustainable development NGO, has been working in communities in rural Honduras to construct an eco-stove model …

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