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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
571

A methodology for rapid vehicle scaling and configuration space exploration

Balaba, Davis 12 January 2009 (has links)
Drastic changes in aircraft operational requirements and the emergence of new enabling technologies often occur symbiotically with advances in technology inducing new requirements and vice versa. These changes sometimes lead to the design of vehicle concepts for which no prior art exists. They lead to revolutionary concepts. In such cases the basic form of the vehicle geometry can no longer be determined through an ex ante survey of prior art as depicted by aircraft concepts in the historical domain. Ideally, baseline geometries for revolutionary concepts would be the result of exhaustive configuration space exploration and optimization. Numerous component layouts and their implications for the minimum external dimensions of the resultant vehicle would be evaluated. The dimensions of the minimum enclosing envelope for the best component layout(s) (as per the design need) would then be used as a basis for the selection of a baseline geometry. Unfortunately layout design spaces are inherently large and the key contributing analysis i.e. collision detection, can be very expensive as well. Even when an appropriate baseline geometry has been identified, another hurdle i.e. vehicle scaling has to be overcome. Through the design of a notional Cessna C-172R powered by a liquid hydrogen Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell, it has been demonstrated that the various forms of vehicle scaling i.e. photographic and historical-data-based scaling can result in highly sub-optimal results even for very small O(10-3) scale factors. There is therefore a need for higher fidelity vehicle scaling laws especially since emergent technologies tend to be volumetrically and/or gravimetrically constrained when compared to incumbents. The Configuration-space Exploration and Scaling Methodology (CESM) is postulated herein as a solution to the above-mentioned challenges. This bottom-up methodology entails the representation of component or sub-system geometries as matrices of points in 3D space. These typically large matrices are reduced using minimal convex sets or convex hulls. This reduction leads to significant gains in collision detection speed at minimal approximation expense. (The Gilbert-Johnson-Keerthi algorithm is used for collision detection purposes in this methodology.) Once the components are laid out, their collective convex hull (from here on out referred to as the super-hull) is used to approximate the inner mold line of the minimum enclosing envelope of the vehicle concept. A sectional slicing algorithm is used to extract the sectional dimensions of this envelope. An offset is added to these dimensions in order to come up with the sectional fuselage dimensions. Once the lift and control surfaces are added, vehicle level objective functions can be evaluated and compared to other designs. For each design, changes in the super-hull dimensions in response to perturbations in requirements can be tracked and regressed to create custom geometric scaling laws. The regressions are based on dimensionally consistent parameter groups in order to come up with dimensionally consistent and thus physically meaningful laws. CESM enables the designer to maintain design freedom by portably carrying multiple designs deeper into the design process. Also since CESM is a bottom-up approach, all proposed baseline concepts are implicitly volumetrically feasible. Furthermore the scaling laws developed from custom data for each concept are subject to less design noise than say, regression based approaches. Through these laws, key physics-based characteristics of vehicle subsystems such as energy density can be mapped onto key system level metrics such as fuselage volume or take-off gross weight. These laws can then substitute some historical-data based analyses thereby improving the fidelity of the analyses and reducing design time.
572

Particle-droplet collisions in spray drying

Martijn van der Hoeven Unknown Date (has links)
Spray drying is a widely used unit operation for producing particulate products directly from a liquid feed. Important processes that occur inside the spray dryer are droplet formation, droplet drying and interactions between droplets and recycled fines. Various studies have looked at the first two processes, but the latter phenomenon has received less attention. Literature on droplet-particle interaction which aims at quantitatively describing agglomeration in spray drying is scarce and mainly qualitative. For product quality the formation of agglomerates is often desirable. This thesis models and investigates the collisions of individual particles with single droplets. The surface tack of drying droplets has been identified as an important variable for the formation of agglomerates. In this thesis a novel method for measuring tack from the liquid phase has been further improved. The improvements are a more accurate load measurement, an automated control of the tack probe and an improved layout of the sample holder and probe. The key feature of the device is its ability to measure tack of drying droplets, whereas other devices measure tack by wetting a powder. Using our method the tack of a commonly spray dried product, yeast extract, has been measured. From these experiments it was found that with decreasing average moisture content the surface tack increases to a maximum. Below a critical average moisture content the surface of the droplet is dry and the tack rapidly decreases upon further drying. Another important parameter in determining the degree of agglomeration is the degree of penetration. If the particle penetrates the droplet too deeply, the agglomerate structure becomes too dense. To predict the penetration depth, a non-dimensional model has been developed. It describes the penetration of a particle into a liquid droplet during a head-on collision. It is based on a force balance and incorporates surface tension force, viscous force and capillary pressure force. The important parameters determining the collision outcome are the contact angle, the size of the droplet relative to the particle, the Reynolds and Weber numbers. For each contact angle an equilibrium penetration position exists, at this point the surface tension force vector is perpendicular to the penetration direction. Five different penetrations regimes are identified. At low Reynolds numbers, viscous forces dominate and the particle asymptotically travels towards the equilibrium position. Reducing the viscous drag force by increasing the Reynolds number results in initially overshooting the equilibrium position, but the surface tension force pulls the particle back, to attain the equilibrium in an oscillating motion. At even higher Reynolds numbers the particle fully penetrates the droplet, and reaches the centre of the droplet for even higher values for the Reynolds number. The ejection regime is found at high Reynolds number and low Weber numbers and the liquid should be non-wetting. Using the regime maps one is able to identify in which region a spray dryer is operating. Although the full penetration regimes are useful for capturing fines, it should be avoided when agglomeration is desired. The ejection regime should be avoided as well. To validate the model, impact experiments were carried out by dropping glass spheres on the surface of different liquids. These validation experiments were the first attempt to experimentally validate the collision of a single particle with a liquid surface. Besides yeast extract, which has non-Newtonian rheological properties, silicone oils with constant viscosities of 100 mPa•s and 1 Pa•s have been tested. The penetration over time for different impact velocities was determined by analysing high speed camera recordings. The typical penetration times ranged from 0.2 s to 2 s. To obtain accurate location data was recorded at frame rates up to 38 000 frames per second. Glass spheres, with a size of 2 mm were used to allow the visual tracking. Modelling the impacts showed that the model consistently predicted faster penetration times than were observed experimentally. The relative difference increased with increasing viscosity. A parameter fitting exercise showed that better agreement could be obtained by using a higher viscosity and a higher contact angle in the model. With this knowledge the most likely factor influencing the model-experiment mismatch was identified as being the dynamics of wetting of the particle surface. It was also found that using the dynamic contact angle in the model would improve its results. The non-Newtonian characteristics of the yeast extract resulted in the particle rebound and the formation of an air cavity upon impact. The tack measurement technique and penetration model presented in this thesis will be useful tools for the design of spray dryers. Recommendations are made for further model improvement. The experimental validation is the first attempt to validate the presented model. Future improvements are recommended and suggestions are presented.
573

Assessment of injury risks associated with wearing the enhanced combat helmet and night vision goggle - driver: frontal vehicle collision study

Nakaza, Edward Takeshi, Safety Science, Faculty of Science, UNSW January 2007 (has links)
The requirement to operate vehicles in low light and/or night environments whilst wearing night vision goggle (NVG) systems has become increasingly common during military operations. There is very limited research investigating injury risks associated with these systems during ground vehicle collisions. This study examined the injury risks associated with wearing the Australian Defence Force - Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) and NVG system, in frontal vehicle collisions. This project consisted of two components: (1) crash tests using a sled and (2) numerical simulations of impacts. Four dynamic sled tests were conducted using a 50th percentile, male, Hybrid III dummy positioned on a rigid seat. Frontal impact tests were performed at a 40 km/h change in velocity (*v) and 20 g deceleration. The test configurations were as follows: (a) Base; (no helmet or additional equipment); (b) ECH; and, (c) ECH and NVG. Condition (c) was carried out twice, to determine repeatability. The sled test protocols were reconstructed precisely with the numerical simulation package MADYMO and the simulations were shown to correlate well with the experimental results. Using this validated model, four parametric studies were undertaken to assess the influence of counterweights, seat cushion, seatbelt pre-tensioner, and the vehicle's *v and acceleration on injury risks. The study found that neck loads were within acceptable limits, with the exception of the neck extension moment, which was exceeded for all NVG conditions. Based on the parametric studies, no major improvements were observed in the neck extension moments with the use of counterweights or a seat cushion. In contrast the use of a seatbelt pre-tensioner was observed to decrease greatly this neck injury risk in certain scenarios. The study also identified that a *v of 15 km/h and peak acceleration of up to 14 g were required to keep the neck extension moment below the prescribed injury criteria. However, the high neck extension moment values may have been partially attributable to the stiff Hybrid III neck. This study identified a possible injury mechanism for soldiers using the ECH and NVG system during specific impact scenarios. The method applied in this project was designed to be repeatable.
574

Electrospray ionisation fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance and quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry of metal-flavonoid complexes

Sarowar, Chowdhury Hasan, Chemistry, Faculty of Science, UNSW January 2009 (has links)
Positive-ion electrospray ionisation Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance and ion trap mass spectrometry have been used to investigate the reactions of the flavonoids 3-hydroxyflavone, 5-hydroxyflavone, 5-methoxyflavoe, quercetin, quercitrin and rutin with monovalent Li+, Na+, K+ and Cs+, divalent Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ and trivalent La3+ and Eu3+ metal cations. The effect of capillary-skimmer potential difference and the ion residence time in the hexapole ion trap of the Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer are systematically investigated for the flavonoid-alkali and divalent metal ion experiment. It is observed that these variables impact significantly on the type of ions observed in the ESI experiments and hence the mass spectra. The binding selectivity of alkali metal ions towards 3-hydroxyflavone, 5-hydroxyflavone and 5-methoxyflavone are determined using the results from FTICR mass spectrometry experiments. The selectivity order follows the order Li+>Na+>K+ for individual flavonoids. Collision-induced dissociation experiments are carried out by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance and ion trap mass spectrometry to compare the fragmentation behaviour of metal-flavonoid complexes. Low energy collision-induced dissociation experiments of the [2L+M]+ for 3-hydroxyflavone, 5-hydroxyflavone and 5-methoxyflavone alkali metal complexes show the loss of ligand only. When the energy is increased only the lithiated dimer [2L+Li]+ for 5-methoxyflavone shows the loss of methyl radical along with the ligand. For quercitrin the predominant dissociation pathways are the loss of rhamnose for Li+, Na+ and K+ complexes although aglycone loss is also observed for the K+ complex. The favourable dissociation pathways for rutin are the loss of disaccharide, aglycone and rhamnose for the Na+ complex and the loss of disaccharide for the K+ complex. Collision-induced dissociation data are also used to determine the threshold dissociation energies for displacement of one flavonoid ligand from alkali metal flavonoid complexes. The threshold dissociation energies for loss of one ligand from [2L+M]+ of 5-methoxyflavone and quercitrin follow the order Li+ > Na+ > K+, rutin follows the order Na+ > K+ > Li+ , and 3-hydroxyflavone and 5-hydroxyflavone follow the order Li+ > Na+. For the same metal cation experiment, 5-methoxyflavone system has the highest dissociation energy compared to the 3-hydroxyflavone and 5-hydroxyflavone experiment. Preliminary DFT calculations show that the calculated dissociation energies follow the same trend as the experimental dissociation energies for the simple flavonoid alkali metal cation experiments. For 5-methoxyflavone-divalent metal cation (Zn2+, Cu2+ and Pb2+) complexes loss of methyl radical is the common process. CO loss is also observed for the Zn2+ complex whereas CHO and H2O losses are observed for Cu2+. For 3-hydroxyflavone and 5-hydroxyflavone divalent metal cation experiments loss of ligand is the dominant process. Zn2+ and Cu2+ complexes also show CO loss. La3+ and Er3+ with the same flavonoids show the ligand as the dominant product. For quercetin-divalent metal cation experiment, ligand loss is the dominant process. For quercitrin and rutin various dissociation products are observed where the dissociation occurs via the loss of the rhamnose and/or the disaccharide moieties. Similar dissociation patterns are also observed for La3+ and Er3+ complexes for quercitrin and rutin.
575

Blink behaviour based drowsiness detection : method development and validation /

Svensson, Ulrika. January 2004 (has links)
Thesis (M.S.)--Linköping University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-64). Also available online via the VTI web site (www.vti.se).
576

Αναγνώριση κινδύνου σύγκρουσης αυτοκινήτου με προπορευόμενο με ψηφιακή επεξεργασία σημάτων video

Ευαγγελίου, Κωνσταντίνος 21 October 2011 (has links)
Η αποφυγή συγκρούσεων με αναγνώριση της θέσης και της σχετικής ταχύτητας προπορευόμενων οχημάτων είναι μια άκρως ενδιαφέρουσα εφαρμογή που βρίσκεται σε πειραματικό στάδιο. Η ύπαρξη πολλαπλών αντικειμένων στο οπτικό πεδίο της κάμερας δημιουργεί προβλήματα στον ακριβή εντοπισμό του προπορευόμενου οχήματος, ενώ η έλλειψη βάσεων δεδομένων με κατηγοριοποιημένα παραδείγματα είναι ένα επιπλέον εμπόδιο για την ανάπτυξη της εφαρμογής αυτής. Στην εργασία αυτή περιγράφονται οι υπάρχουσες εφαρμογές όσον αφορά στο πρόβλημα της μηχανικής όρασης στην αυτοκίνηση, τα προβλήματα που λύνουν αλλά και οι δυσκολίες που συνεχίζουν να υπάρχουν. Αναφέρονται οι αιτίες της έλλειψης βάσεων δεδομένων με κατηγοριοποιημένα παραδείγματα και αναλύεται η ημιαυτόματη μέθοδος (Random Walker) στην οποία καταφεύγουμε για τον λόγο αυτό. Εν συνεχεία θα παρουσιαστούν τα αποτελέσματα της ανάπτυξης σε Matlab που πραγματοποιήθηκε, τα συμπεράσματα που προέκυψαν, αλλά και οι μελλοντικές προκλήσεις. / In this diplom work, the ways followed to deal with the issue of mechanical vision in car driving are described. The reasons why there there are not any specific data sets are decribed and the focus of this work is on the Random Walker algorithm.
577

Estudo da evolução estelar através de aglomerados globulares galáticos

Campos, Fabíola January 2013 (has links)
Nós apresentamos ajustes multicromáticos de isócronas ao diagrama cor-magnitude do aglomerado globular NGC 6366, baseados em dados fotométricos que obtivemos com o Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope e de arquivos do Hubble Space Telescope (HST) ACS/WFC. Nós corrigimos os dados por avermelhamento diferencial e calculamos a linha de tendência média dos diagramas cor-magnitude. Nós comparamos os dados com modelos de isócronas estelares de Dartmouth Stellar Evolution Database e PAdova and TRieste Stellar Evolution Code, ambos com a difusão microscópica começando na sequência principal. Considerando todas as determinações prévias de metalicidade desse aglomerado, nós testamos de metalicidades [Fe 111]=-1.00 até [Fe 111]=-0.50, e idades de 9 a 13 Ganos. Depois de determinar a extinção total para seletiva somente com estrelas pertencentes ao aglomerado, Rv=3.06 + 0.14, nós encontramos os parâmetros para esse aglomerado com sendo avermelhamento E (13 — V)= 0.69 ± 0.02(int) +0.04(ext), módulo de distância (m — M)v= 15.02 ± 0.07(int) ±0.13(ext), Idade= 11 ± 1.15 Ganos. Os modelos evolucionários falham em reproduzir a sequência de baixa Tef em diagramas cor-magnitude de multi-bandas, indicando que eles ainda tem uma descrição incompleta. Nós encontramos que as isócronas de Dartmouth Stellar Evolution Database ajustam melhor o ramo das sub gigantes e baixa sequência principal do que as isócronas de PAdova and TRieste Stellar Evolution Code. O uso de anãs brancas de aglomerados globulares em vez de anãs brancas do campo no estudo da formação, propriedades físicas e evolução estelar é justificado por vários fatores. Dentre eles o fato de que as anãs brancas mais frias de aglomerados globulares velhos são remanescentes das estrelas mais velhas que se formaram durante a formação do halo, ou seja, trazem informação da época em que a Galáxia estava se formando. Utilizamos as tabelas fotométricas de dados obtidos com o HST/ACS por Richer et al. (2008) e Bedin et al. (2009) dos aglomerados globulares NGC 6397 e M 4, respectivamente, que alcançam a volta para o azul da sequência de esfriamento das anãs brancas. Com a análise da sequência de esfriamento desses aglomerados, demonstramos que a cristalização de anãs brancas acontece através da liberação de calor latente. Demonstramos também, pela primeira vez, o problema dos modelos de sequência de esfriamento de anãs brancas na volta para o azul e propormos que uma possível solução é, além de considerar o efeito da absorção induzida por colisão, é também necessário considerar que na atmosfera de anãs brancas mais frias de aglomerados globulares há uma mistura de H e He, em vez de uma atmosfera de II puro. / We present multichromatic isochrone fits to the colour-magnitude data of the globular cluster NGC 6366, based on photometric data obtained with Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope and archive data from Hubble Space Telescope (HST) ACS/WFC. We corrected the photometric data for differential reddening and calculated the mean ridge fine of the colour magnitude diagrams. We compared the isochrones of Dartmouth Stellar Evolution Database and PAdova and TRieste Stellar Evolution Code, both with microscopic diffusion starting on the main sequence. Bracketing all previous determinations of this cluster, we tested metallicities from [FelH]=- 1.00 to [Fe/H]=-0.50, and ages from 9 to 13 Gyrs. After determining the total to selective extinction ratio only from stars belonging to this cluster, obtaining Rv=3.06 + 0.14, we found the parameters for this cluster to be reddening E(B — V)=0.69 ± 0.02(int) ±0.04(ext), distance modulus (m — M)v= 15.02 ± 0.07(int) ±0.13(ext), Age= 11 ± 1.15 Gyr. Evolutionary models fail to reproduce the low-T eff main sequence in multi-band colour magnitude diagrams, indicating that they still have an incomplete physical description. We found that the Dartmouth Stellar Evolution Database isochrones fit better the sub giant branch and low main sequence than the PAdova and TRieste Stellar Evolution Code. The use of white dwarf stars from globular clusters instead of field white dwarf stars in the study of formation, physical properties and stellar evolution is justified by several factors. Among them is the fact that the coolest white dwarf stars in old globular clusters are remnants of the oldest stars that formed during the formation of the Galactic halo, i. e., bring us information about the time that the Galaxy was still forming. We use the photometric data obtained with the HST/ACS by Richer et al. (2008) and Bedin et al. (2009) of the globular clusters NGC 6397 and M 4, respectively, that reach the blue turn of the white dwarf cooling sequence.With the analysis of the cooling sequence of these clusters, we demonstrated that the crystallization of white dwarfs occurs with the release of latent heat. Also, we demonstrate, for the first time, the problem of the blue turn in the white dwarf cooling sequence and propose that a possible solution is, in addition to considering the effect of collision-induced absorption, it is necessary to consider that the atmosphere of cooler white dwarf stars is composed by a mixture of H and He, rather than an atmosphere of pure H.
578

On the significance of borders

Kubin, Ingrid, Gardini, Laura 08 1900 (has links) (PDF)
We propose a prototype model of market dynamics in which all functional relationships are linear. We take into account three borders, defined by linear functions, which are intrinsic to the economic reasoning: non-negativity of prices; downward rigidity of capacity (depreciation) and a capacity constraint for the production decision. Given the linear specification, the borders are the only source for the emerging of cyclical and more complex dynamics. In particular, we discuss centre bifurcations, border collision bifurcations and degenerate flip bifurcations - dynamic phenomena the occurrence of which are intimately related to the existence of borders. / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series
579

The impact of Brexit on trade patterns and industry location: a NEG analysis

Commendatore, Pasquale, Kubin, Ingrid, Sushko, Iryna 08 1900 (has links) (PDF)
We explore the effects of Brexit on trade patterns and on the spatial distribution of industry between the United Kingdom and the European Union and within the EU. Our study adopts a new economic geography (NEG) perspective developing a linear model with three regions, the UK and two separated regions composing the EU. The 3-region framework and linear demands allow for different trade patterns. Two possible ante-Brexit situations are possible, depending on the interplay between local market size, local competition and trade costs: industrial agglomeration or dispersion. Considering a soft and a hard Brexit scenario, the ante-Brexit situation is altered substantially, depending on which scenario prevails. UK firms could move to the larger EU market, even in the peripheral region, reacting to the higher trade barriers, relocation representing a substitute for trade. Alternatively, some EU firms could move in the more isolated UK market finding shelter from the competition inside the EU. We also consider the post-Brexit scenario of deeper EU integration, leading to a weakening of trade links between the EU and the UK. Our analysis also reveals a highly complex bifurcation sequence leading to many instances of multistability, intricate basins of attraction and cyclical and chaotic dynamics. / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series
580

Nízkoenergetické procesy při srážce H + H- / Low-energy processes in H + H- collision

Eliášek, Jiří January 2014 (has links)
In this work we generalize existing theory of low-energy collisions of atomic hydrogen with its anion. We extend the non-local resonance model for this system by adding new discrete state and two continua that are coupled with it. We calculate numerically cross sections for associative electron detachment process that is important for models of early universe. We add cross section for collision detachment and show spectra of outgoing electrons. We show how the isotopic effect is involved in studied collision. We also calculate charge transfer, elastic scattering cross sections, and reaction rates for hydrogen collisions with deuterium anion. We compare our results with recent experiments and we discuss their reliability. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

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