A complete method for calculating the largest Lyapunov exponent is developed in this thesis. For phase space reconstruction, a time delay estimator based on the average mutual information is discussed first. Then, embedding dimension is evaluated according to the False Nearest Neighbors algorithm. To obtain the parameters of all of the sub-functions and their derivatives, a multilayer feedforward neural network is applied to the time series data, after the time delay and embedding dimension are fixed. The Lyapunov exponents can be estimated using the Jacobian matrix and the QR decomposition. The possible applications of this method are then explored for various chaotic systems. Finally, the method is applied to some real world data to demonstrate the general relationship between the onset and progression of faults and changes in the largest Lyapunov exponent of a nonlinear system.

Exotic aspects of quantum mechanics, such as quantum entanglement, can be exploited to solve computational problems that are impractical to solve with conventional computers. With the realization of robust solid-state qubits, such as Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, an outstanding challenge is to develop experimental approaches that can control the interactions between individual qubits. This dissertation develops a diamond-based experimental system that exploits acoustic waves or mechanical vibrations to mediate interactions between spin qubits. This spin-mechanical system features three essential elements: robust qubits, high quality-factor diamond nanomechanical resonator, and strong spin- mechanical coupling, thus enabling a new and promising platform for pursuing solid- state quantum computer. For the spin-mechanical system, NV centers are created near the surface of a bulk diamond through nitrogen ion implantation followed by stepwise high temperature annealing. We successfully suppress environmental fluctuations and achieve NV centers with stable and spectrally narrow (< 50 MHz) fluorescence at low temperature, which is crucial for the spin-mechanical system. Diamond nanomechanical resonators with a fundamental frequency near 1 GHz have been successfully fabricated with a diamond-on-insulator approach. The resonators are suspended from a silicon substrate and are supported with long and thin tethers, decoupling the mechanical modes from the surrounding environment. Diamond nanofabrication is still in its infancy. Numerous fabrication problems occurring during etching, mask transfer, and wafer bonding have been painstakingly resolved. Strong spin-mechanical coupling is demonstrated via the strain coupling of the NV excited-states. The spin-mechanical coupling takes place through a 𝚲-type three- level system, where two ground-spin-states couple to an excited-state through a phonon-assisted as well as a direct dipole optical transition. Both coherent population trapping and optically-driven spin transitions have been realized. The coherent population trapping demonstrates the coupling between an acoustic wave and an electron spin coherence through a dark state, thus avoiding the short lifetime of the excited state. The optically-driven spin transitions can enable the quantum control of both spin and mechanical degrees of freedom. This dissertation includes previously published co-authored material.

Researchers and practitioners have found that the type of mechanical system utilized to thermally condition a space impacts the noise level for occupants. Indeed, in schools, air conditioning systems are by far the largest contributors to room noise (Bradley, 2002; Nelson et al., 2005; Siebein et al., 2000). Studies have also demonstrated the impact of noise on youth\'s cognitive performance. The problem is worsened in non-native speakers and children with hearing loss (which can be temporary due to colds and allergies or permanent). No studies yet have bridged those two widely-supported findings: if the type of mechanical system impacts (and often dictates) the noise level in the room, and if the noise level in the room impacts the performance of the student, might there be a correlation between mechanical system type and student achievement? An examination of 73 elementary schools in a single Orlando, Florida school district suggests that, for schools populated with students of similar socio-economic background, schools cooling with the noisiest types of mechanical system, with both a compressor and fan exposed to the room, underperformed on standardized student achievement tests relative to those with quieter types of systems. Also, schools with the highest percentages of low socio-economic level children are more likely to get the noisiest type of cooling system. Mechanical system data was gathered through an online survey answered by facility maintenance managers and school percentage student achievement scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) were obtained from public online data for years 2003 to 2010 for third grade only. This is the earliest students are tested by the FCATs and studies show a larger impact of noise at an early age. This study examined as well the extent to which teachers believe noise from mechanical systems has an effect on student learning and under what conditions. Results from an online survey sent to third grade teachers in the same schools show that teachers generally judge noise levels in their classroom to be sufficiently quiet and do not consider noise to be a problem that needs addressing. However, in open-ended questions teachers demonstrated an understanding of the effects of noise in children\'s concentration and classroom speech communication. / Ph. D.

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Saab Aerostructures has developed the Crew Entrance Door (CED) for Airbus A400M. Airbus has decided some different load cases for which the Crew Entrance Door must be built to withstand without something breaking down. The door is maneuvered by a mechanical system and the load cases are essential for the sizing of the components in the mechanical system. Saab has previously used MS Excel to analytically calculate resulting forces in the mechanical system due to external and/or internal loads in the different load cases. This report describes how the mechanical system for A400M Crew Entrance Door instead can be modeled and solved numerically with the computer program MSC Adams/View. Creating a model of a mechanical system in MSC Adams/View proved to be easy and fairly quick. The benefit of working with MSC Adams instead of MS Excel is that it is quicker and more user friendly. The major differences when comparing results were believed to be an effect of comparing results from a kinematic model with results from a dynamic model. Therefore it is in the Authors opinion that the analytical method to calculate resulting forces with MS Excel can be replaced by numerical calculations with MSC Adams/View. However, apart from calculating reaction forces there are additional post-simulation calculations for which it is perhaps more beneficial to use MS Excel. To do these post-simulation calculations in MS Excel it is easy to use exported results from MSC Adams. If Saab Aerostructures decide to start working with MSC Adams/View and if Saab wants geometry to be imported to the model, then an advise from the Author is to have a software installed which can convert step-files (*.stp or *.step) to the MSC Adams preferred file format Parasolid (*.xmt_txt or *.x_t). The software should also be able to repair geometry which will greatly increase mass accuracy.

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No description available.

In this thesis we are going to study the energy shaping problem on controlled Lagrangian systems with degree of underactuation less than or equal to two. Energy shaping is a method of stabilization by designing a suitable feedback control force on the given controlled Lagrangian system so that the total energy of the feedback equivalent system has a non-degenerate minimum at the equilibrium. The feedback equivalent system can then be stabilized by a further dissipative force. Finding a feedback equivalent system requires solving a system of PDEs. The existence of solutions for this system of PDEs is guaranteed, under some conditions, in the case of one degree of underactuation. Higher degrees of underactuation, however, requires a more careful study on the system of PDEs, and we apply the formal theory of PDEs to achieve this purpose in the case of two degrees of underactuation. The thesis is divided into four chapters. First, we review the basic notion of energy shaping and state the results for the case of one degree of underactuation. We then devise a general scheme to solve the energy shaping problem with degree of underactuation equal to one, together with some examples to illustrate the general procedure. After that we review the tools from the formal theory of PDEs, as a preparation for solving the problem with two degrees of underactuation. We derive an equivalent involutive system of PDEs from which we can deduce the existence of solutions which suit the energy shaping requirement.

Induction motors and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are widely used in industry to drive machinery trains. However, some mechanical trains driven by VFD-motor systems have encountered torsional vibration problems. This vibration can induce large stresses on shafts and couplings, and reduce the lifetime of these mechanical parts. Long before the designed lifetime, the mechanical train may encounter failure. This thesis focuses on VFDs with voltage source rectifiers for squirrel-cage induction motors of open-loop Volts/Hertz and closed-loop Field Oriented Control (FOC). First, the torsional vibration problems induced by VFDs are introduced. Then, the mathematical model for a squirrel-cage induction motor is given. Two common control methods used in VFD are discussed - open-loop Volts/Hertz and closed-loop FOC. SimPowerSystems and SimMechanics are used as the modeling software for electrical systems and mechanical systems respectively. Based on the models and software, two interface methods are provided for modeling the coupled system. A simple system is tested to verify the interface methods. The study of open-loop Volts/Hertz control method is performed. The closed-form of electromagnetic torque sideband frequency due to Pulse Width Modulation is given. A torsional resonance case is illustrated. The effects of non-ideal power switches are studied, which shows little in uence on the system response but which uses little energy consumption. A study of a non-ideal DC bus indicates that a DC bus voltage ripple can also induce a big torsional vibration. Next, the study of the closed-loop FOC control method is presented. Simulation for a complete VFD machinery train is performed. With the recti er and DC bus dynamic braking, the system shows a better performance than the ideal-DC bus case. Lastly, a parametric study of the FOC controller is performed. The effects of primary parameters are discussed. The results indicate that some control parameters (i.e. speed ramps, proportional gain in speed PI controller) are also responsible for the mechanical torsional vibration.

Polyimide thin films have been widely used in microelectronic and Micro-Electro-Mechanical System applications due to their many excellent characteristics including low dielectric constant, easy processing, good step coverage ability, high heat resistance and chemical resistance. This paper presents the design, fabrication and complete characterization of an innovative capacitive relative humidity (RH) microsensor. The double polyimide thin films adopted in this study function as a capacitance sensing layer and a protecting layer of top electrodes respectively. To improve the humidity sensitivity and responding speed, interlacing out-of-plane electrodes are designed in the RH microsensor. The higher sensitivity ( 1.25 pF/¢HRH ), optimized sensing linearity ( 99.968¢H ) , very low hysteresis ( 0.24 ¢HRH ), excellent stability ( 1.36 ¢HRH ) , high accuracy ( ¡Ó 1.12 ¢HRH ) and fast response ( within 1 seconds ) characteristics of the RH microsensor have been demonstrated in this thesis.