Mask Projection Microstereolithography (MPSLA) is an additive manufacturing process capable for fabricating true three-dimensional microparts and hence, holds promise as a potential micro-fabrication process for micro-machine components. With only a few MPSLA systems developed and studied so far, the research in this field is inchoate and experimental in nature. The process of curing a micropart using an MPSLA system has not been analytically modeled and no literature on process planning for MPSLA is available. In order to employ the MPSLA technology for microfabrication, it is necessary to model its part building process and formulate a process planning method to cure dimensionally accurate microparts. As a part of this thesis, an MPSLA system is designed and assembled. The process of curing a single layer using this system is analytically modeled as the Layer cure model. The Layer cure model is formulated in two steps. First, the irradiance received by the resin surface is modeled as a function of the system parameters (Irradiance model). Then, the resin used in the system is characterized to experimentally determine its working curve. The Irradiance model and the resin characterization enable us to compute the dimensions of any layer cured using our MPSLA system in terms of the process parameters. The Layer cure model has been validated by curing test layers on our system. Finally, the Layer cure model has been inverted to formulate a process planning method to cure layers of the required dimensions. Using this process planning method, it is possible to cure layers within a dimensional error of 3%.

Human rights are commonly taken to include both behavioral freedoms, such as a right to express opinions, and safeguards against the behaviors of others, such as a right not to be tortured. I examine the claim by Allen Buchanan and others that democracy should be considered a human right. I discuss what human rights are, what they do, and what they obligate moral agents to do, comparing this framework to attributes of democracy. I conclude that while democracy itself is both too nebulous and too specific to be the subject of a human right, it may be proper to speak of a human right to state self-determination.

There are unique cases when designing products where a prototype is required to demonstrate critical operations of a system or subsystem such that it will serve as a basis for how the design will move forward. These prototypes are oftentimes on the critical design path. Due to the fact there is typically some aspect of a prototype that is not well understood there can be a considerable amount of uncertainty associated with the amount of resources needed to design such a prototype. The goal of this thesis is to address how to systematically reduce uncertainty for the purpose of creating a robust cost estimate. This statement does highlight the problem of defining what a robust estimate is, which results in addressing the key question driving this research: "When is enough information gathered to generate a robust estimate for the design of prototype systems?" The crux of the problem lies in how to characterize the interactions and uncertainty associated with cost, schedule, and performance. Additionally, the breakdown of a prototype system into its subsystems results in errors exist at each division. The result is a cost estimation method that has been generated by leveraging the principles of design methodology. Two test cases are applied including one theoretical model, and one project from the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). The GTRI project was work performed for the Georgia Department of Transportation related to the filling of cracks on asphalt road surfaces. These examples are evaluated from the view point of the Validation Square in order to verify the effectiveness beyond example problems.

Human rights are commonly taken to include both behavioral freedoms, such as a right to express opinions, and safeguards against the behaviors of others, such as a right not to be tortured. I examine the claim by Allen Buchanan and others that democracy should be considered a human right. I discuss what human rights are, what they do, and what they obligate moral agents to do, comparing this framework to attributes of democracy. I conclude that while democracy itself is both too nebulous and too specific to be the subject of a human right, it may be proper to speak of a human right to state self-determination.

This thesis entitled "Transformation through Trade. The pioneers of the New Eastern Policy in the 50s and 60s." examines the efforts of the German entrerpreneurs during the Cold War to revive trade relations with the Sowjetunion and to the states within its sphere of power. Because Europe was divided politically into two antagonistic systems, and due to the embargo imposed on West Germany by the Allied Powers, the entrepreneurs encountered extreme difficulties in their attemps to renew trade. The determined efforts of the economic diplomats, which were fundamental in creating conditions for the new eastern policy, reached their peak in 1970 when the Gas Pipeline Deal was concluded. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)