A vortex shedding model is developed to predict the flow fields around turbine flowmeter blades. This model is used to simulate the flow separation and reattachment in the leading edge areas and the wake flows of the blades. Lewis's inverse blade design method is developed and quite successfully applied to simulate the displacement effect of the separation bubbles in the leading edge areas. A new method is introduced to apply the Kutta condition in unsteady flows around the blades wi th separation points on a blade surface or the flow with blade interaction. This method does not require a large amount of iterative calculation. A model is built up to predict the turbine flowmeter performance when the inlet flow conditions are known. The panel method is applied to predict the inlet flow conditions for the cases without inlet swirl. An experimental study of the flow inside a turbine flowmeter is carried out using Laser Doppler Anemometry(LDA) to measure the throughout velocity fields around a flowmeter at different flowrates and with different inlet swirls. A clear picture of the flow field is thus obtained. The measured resul ts are also used to validate the developed turbine flowmeter performance prediction model. The numerical prediction are tested with experimental results. The theoretical and experimental data agree with each other very well in the cases without inlet swirl and reasonably ",ell in other tested cases with inlet swirl.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are an increasingly utilized therapy for end-stage heart failure. Thrombosis within the graft from the pump to the aorta has been documented, but is poorly researched. This study examines the effect of graft geometry, as measured by radius of curvature, bend angle, and diameter, on thrombogenic flow patterns within the graft for a range of flow conditions. It also examines the effect blood properties, including viscosity and density, on these flow patterns. The results indicated that radius of curvature had a powerful effect on thrombogenic flow patterns. Flowrate and bend angle were also influential. The results of this study offer insight on how graft geometry may interact with flow conditions and blood properties to produce regions of stagnation or recirculation within the outflow graft, which may precipitate thrombogenesis and pose a risk to patients.

The application of pressure to chemical substances can change their physical properties (optical, magnetic, and electrical) and it can also be used to alter some chemical reactions. The need for compatible pressure generating instruments is constantly growing in various high pressure (HP) researches. The work described in this thesis is focused on development, construction, testing of several high pressure cells of novel design. These designs were developed to meet the requirements of different research collaborations. The main objective of this project is to develop high pressure cells for magnetic studies in the magnetic properties measurement system known as MPMS, which is the most popular commercial magnetometer nowadays. Three high pressure cells were designed and tested for different type of magnetic measurements. The first design presented in this thesis is a cylinder type pressure cell which is specially designed to measure the magnetic susceptibility of the pressure-sensitive material under pressure. The cell is driven by compressed helium gas which allows the internal pressure to be adjusted with small increments (1 MPa) through the regulator of the external gas cylinder. The cell was made of non-magnetic beryllium copper alloy and designed to work up to 100 MPa at 400 K temperature. The design was verified with finite element analysis (FEA) simulation and its sample volume was optimised to provide large sample capacity which allows high quality data to be collected in the MPMS. Modified from the earlier turnbuckle magnetic diamond anvil cell (TM-DAC) reported in Konstantin V. Kamenev (KVK) group, the second high pressure cell presented in this thesis is an opposed diamond anvil pressure cell. The working mechanism of this cell is based on the turnbuckle principle. The cell was specifically developed for iHelium3 system which is a add-on cryostat of the MPMS. The cell was coded TM-3He-DAC to distinguish with the original TMDAC. The cell is 6 mm in diameter and 7 mm in length, which are smaller than the dimensions of the predecessor (TM-DAC). Copper titanium alloy was used in building the cell to further reduce the magnetic background from the cell. The cell is capable of achieving close to 5 GPa sample pressure in the loading test and the magnetic background is significantly lower than the TM-DAC. The development of this cell enables high pressure magnetic measurements to be performed at extreme low temperature (0.5 K) in the iHelium3 system. The third high pressure cell developed for the MPMS is also a turnbuckle diamond anvil cell, however, all the material used in the cell is non-metallic to enable high-pressure ac magnetic measurement to be performed. An advanced high strength polymer was assessed using finite element analysis and experimental testing. The performance and failure modes for the key components of the cell working in tension and in compression were evaluated and the ways for optimising the designs were established. The cell is coded PTM-DAC in this thesis and the composite gasket was also developed and tested for the PTM-DAC. The cell is approximately 14 mm long, 8.5 mm in diameter and was demonstrated to reach pressures of 5.6 GPa. Ac susceptibility data collected on Dy2O3 and U6Fe demonstrated the performance of the cell in magnetic property measurement and confirmed that there was no screening of the sample by the environment which typically accompanies used of conventional metallic high pressure cells in oscillating magnetic fields. Based on the experience of from the development of above two turnbuckle diamond anvil cell, a turnbuckle sapphire anvil cell (T-SAC) was developed in this project for high-pressure neutron scattering. Commercial spherical sapphire were used as anvil in the cell as they are much more cost effective if compared to the diamond anvil. The developed T-SAC can generate and maintain sample pressures above 6 GPa with a sample volume 6 X 10-² mm³ which is 6 times that of conventional diamond anvil cell (DAC). Failure analysis was performed on the sapphire anvil to gain a better understanding of the failure mechanism of the spherical sapphire anvil. The cell had been used in measuring the crystal structure of single crystal niobium at 1.6 GPa through small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique. The cell is less than 16 mm in length and 14 mm in diameter, it is the smallest sapphire anvil cell to date. The miniature feature allow it can be fit into most cryostat of modern scientific instrument without difficulties. Lastly, two piston-cylinder type high pressure cells were developed for high-pressure chemistry studies. These cells were designed to pressurise large amount of liquid sample (particular for water-based sample) up to 800 MPa in a controllable manner. Each design is presented separately with stress analysis in FEA and a description of the working mechanism. Hoop strain at the external surface of the cell was measured and then the internal pressure was calculated through the Lam´e equation. After that, the load and attainable internal pressure was calibrated for the users. These cells have been used in the high-pressure study of salicylaldoximes process, bio-diesels decomposition and crystallization, material polymerisation and pharmaceutical experiments.

Através de um modelo teórico de um coletor solar plano calcula-se o rendimento e seu comportamento sob influência de variáveis como velocidade do vento, ângulo de incidência da radiação solar, temperatura de operação, temperatura ambiente, fluxo de operação e umidade relativa. A seguir tais influências são medidas experimentalmente. Como consequência são propostos procedimentos adicionais aos já existentes para uma melhor determinação da eficiência térmica de coletores solares planos. / Based on a theoretical model of a solar flat-plate collector, calculations are made of the thermal efficiency under influence of several parameters such as wind speed, angle of incidence of solar radiation, operating temperature, ambient temperature, operating flow and relative humidity. Furthermore, these influences are measured experimentally. As a consequence, we propose additional procedures to those already existing for an improved determination of the thermal efficiency of flat-plate solar collectors.

Aerosol particulate matter adversely affects the climate, environment and human health. Mechanistic studies have indicated that ultrafine aerosol nanoparticles, those under 100 nm in diameter, may have significant health impacts due to their relatively high number concentration, surface area and potential for deep penetration into the human lung. However, epidemiological evidence remains limited due to the lack of measurement networks that monitor local concentrations of ultrafine particles. Direct ultraviolet (UV) photoionisation electrically charges aerosol nanoparticles for subsequent detection by a mechanism distinct from the ion-particle collisions of conventional methods. The aim of this work is to evaluate photoionisation theory in order to understand and interpret measurements from a low-cost aerosol particle sensor. To accomplish this, theoretical equations are analysed, modelled and compared with experimental results for validation. The photoelectric yield of aerosol particles is explored in terms of particle size, concentration, material, and morphology giving insight into the interaction of light and particles. This thesis introduces the first analysis of photoionisation, recombination, convection/diffusion and transport of particles in an electric field using analytical, numerical, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. Characteristic times and dimensionless parameters are defined to determine regimes under which the measurement system is dominated by each of the charging or transport mechanisms. The level of modelling detail required for accurate prediction of aerosol charging and capture methods is demonstrated over a range of conditions. In a continuous flow of aerosol particles, an electric field is applied to capture charge as it is photoemitted from particles and before the emitted charge and particles can recombine. This method yields a novel current measurement directly representative of photoemission. The CFD model agrees well with electrical current measurements demonstrating that the physics of the problem is suitably represented. It is demonstrated that photoemission is linearly proportional to total (mobility) surface area for a large range of sizes and concentrations of particles of self-similar material and morphology, with agglomerated silver particles having 5$\times$ yield of agglomerated carbon from a propane flame. It is shown for the first time that agglomerated particles have a significantly higher photoelectric yield (2.6$\times$) than sintered, close-packed spheres of the same mobility diameter and material, directly contradicting two of the three previous relevant studies. Close-packed spheres have less material exposed to both the photon flux and the particle's surroundings than an agglomerate of the same particle mobility diameter, thereby reducing photoelectric activity. The photoelectrically active area is defined explicitly in this work to reflect the effect of a particle's morphology; the revised definition produces good agreement with experimental results.

Através de um modelo teórico de um coletor solar plano calcula-se o rendimento e seu comportamento sob influência de variáveis como velocidade do vento, ângulo de incidência da radiação solar, temperatura de operação, temperatura ambiente, fluxo de operação e umidade relativa. A seguir tais influências são medidas experimentalmente. Como consequência são propostos procedimentos adicionais aos já existentes para uma melhor determinação da eficiência térmica de coletores solares planos. / Based on a theoretical model of a solar flat-plate collector, calculations are made of the thermal efficiency under influence of several parameters such as wind speed, angle of incidence of solar radiation, operating temperature, ambient temperature, operating flow and relative humidity. Furthermore, these influences are measured experimentally. As a consequence, we propose additional procedures to those already existing for an improved determination of the thermal efficiency of flat-plate solar collectors.

It is not always possible to provide students and new users of complex instrumentation with sufficient hands-on use to fully develop the required knowledge of the instrument. Access may also be limited when there is a need to develop data collection and processing procedures. One solution to this problem is to develop a simulation of the instrument in readily accessible computer software. Modern computer-based technology allows traditional instrumentation to be replaced with Virtual Instruments consisting of digital control/acquisition hardware and software that graphically represents the functions of the physical instrument.In this thesis, operating and analysis software to simulate the operation of complex analytical instrumentation was successfully developed using a numerical model of the instrument. The approach will reduce the need for machine time for operator training and the development of data collection processing procedures. In particular the thesis developed software to emulate the behaviour of a VG-354 Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer. Graphical programming tools were employed to create a modular set of Virtual Instruments that formed the basis of the model. The Simulated Mass Spectrometer produced results that compared well with real data obtained from the physical instrument.Virtual Instrument peak centring and measurement modules were then developed to operate the Simulated Mass Spectrometer in peak jumping mode. Uncertainties were reduced with improved analysis techniques employing polynomial least-squares fits for peak centring and single-collector isotope ratio measurements. The techniques also have the potential to accommodate hysteresis effects in the magnetic sector analyser, further reducing uncertainty.

This submission investigates the creative music-making process from its conception as an idea or musical image to its realisation in the form of a CD of the musical performance. The discussion is based on two recitals by the author in association with two different ensembles. The first recital was with the contemporary world music group Tatopani on November 24th 2005 at Sweet Basil in Tokyo, Japan. The second was with the Hiroko Takada Quartet on March 9th 2006 at the Elder Music Unit in the The University of Adelaide. It discusses the processes that led to the two recitals from three perspectives : first from the musical perspective of the group; second, from the author's perspective as an individual performer, with emphasis on the contrast between multi-instrumentalism and focusing on a single instrument ; and, third, from the practical and organizational perspective, with particular emphasis on the recording process itself. Examples from the author's recitals are used to demonstrate the discussion, and CDs of the complete recitals are integral to the submission. / Thesis (M. Mus.) -- University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music, 2006.

BLAST is a balloon-borne large-aperture, submillimetre telescope, which makes large area (1-200 square degree) surveys of Galactic and extragalactic targets. Since BLAST observes in the stratosphere, it is able to make broad-band observations between 200um and 550um which are difficult or impossible to perform from the ground. BLAST has been designed to probe star formation both in the local Galaxy and in the high redshift (z=1-4) universe. Because BLAST is flown on an unmanned stratospheric balloon platform, it has been designed to be able to operate autonomously, without needing operator intervention to perform its scientific goals. This thesis includes an overview of the design of the BLAST platform, with emphasis on the command and control systems used to operate the telescope. BLAST has been flown on two long-duration balloon flights. The first of these, from Esrange, Sweden in June of 2005, acquired ~70 hours of primarily Galactic data. During the second flight, from Willy Field, Antarctica in December of 2006, BLAST acquired ~225 hours of both Galactic and extragalactic data. Operational performance of the platform during these two flights is reviewed, with the goal of providing insight on how future flights can be improved. Reduction of the data acquired by these large-format bolometer arrays is a challenging procedure, and techniques developed for BLAST data reduction are reviewed. The ultimate goal of this reduction is the generation of high quality astronomical maps which can be used for subsequent portions of data analysis. This thesis treats, in detail, the iterative, maximum likelihood map maker developed for BLAST. Results of simulations performed on the map maker to characterise its ability to reconstruct astronomical signals are presented. Finally, astronomical maps produced by this map maker using real data acquired by BLAST are presented, with a discussion on non-physical map pathologies resulting from the data reduction pipeline and map making procedures.

A pilot scale fluidized bed biomass gasifier developed at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas was instrumented with thermocouples, pressure transducers and motor controllers for monitoring gasification temperature and pressure, air flow and biomass feeding rates. A process control program was also developed and employed for easier measurement and control. The gasifier was then evaluated in the gasification of sorghum, cotton gin trash (CGT) and manure and predicting the slagging and fouling tendencies of CGT and manure. The expected start-up time, operating temperature and desired fluidization were achieved without any trouble in the instrumented gasifier. The air flow rate was maintained at 1.99 kg/min and the fuel flow rate at 0.95 kg/min. The process control program considerably facilitated its operation which can now be remotely done. The gasification of sorghum, CGT and manure showed that they contained high amounts of volatile component matter and comparable yields of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane. Manure showed higher ash content while sorghum yielded lower amount of hydrogen. Their heating values and gas yields did not vary but were considered low ranging from only 4.09 to 4.19 MJ/m3 and from 1.8 to 2.5 m3/kg, respectively. The production of hydrogen and gas calorific values were significantly affected by biomass type but not by the operating temperature. The high values of the alkali index and base-to acid ratio indicated fouling and slagging tendencies of manure and CGT during gasification. The compressive strength profile of pelleted CGT and manure ash showed that the melting (or eutectic point) of these feedstock were around 800 degrees C for CGT and 600 degrees C for manure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed relatively uniform bonding behavior and structure of the manure ash while CGT showed agglomeration in its structure as the temperature increased. The instrumentation of the fluidized bed gasifier and employing a process control program made its operation more convenient and safe. Further evaluation showed its application in quantifying the gasification products and predicting the slagging and fouling tendencies of selected biomass. With further development, a full automation of the operation of the gasifier may soon be realized.