The voice plays a vital role in human communication. The purpose of voice research is to advance the understanding of voice production physics, with the ultimate goal of leading to improved voice care. In this research computational and synthetic vocal fold models were used to explore the role of subglottal geometry in vocal fold vibration. Three specific studies were performed. First, the effect of the inferior vocal fold surface angle on voice production was investigated using a two-dimensional self-oscillating finite element vocal fold model. Varying the inferior angle resulted in significant changes to model vibratory motion, glottal width, flow rate, and energy transfer. The changes were attributed primarily to changes in structural, rather than aerodynamic, factors. Second, subglottic stenosis (SGS) was introduced and parametrically varied in a similar computational model to determine the influence of SGS on vocal fold vibration. High severities of SGS influenced several factors related to vibration, including glottal width, flow rate, flow resistance, and vibration frequency. Subglottal pressure distributions and flow patterns were also affected. Third, the response of a self-oscillating silicone vocal fold model to varying degrees of SGS in an experimental setup was studied. Consistent with the computational SGS study, SGS had an effect on the synthetic model response at high severities. Changes were seen particularly in subglottal pressure and radiated acoustic sound, and consequently glottal efficiency, which may have important implications regarding the effect of SGS on the human voice.

Fluid structure interactions occur to some extent in nearly every type of fluid flow. Understanding how structures interact with fluids and visa-versa is of vital importance in many engineering applications. The purpose of this research is to explore how fluids interact with flexible and rigid structures. A computational model was used to model the fluid structure interactions of vibrating synthetic vocal folds. The model simulated the coupling of the fluid and solid domains using a fluid-structure interface boundary condition. The fluid domain used a slightly compressible flow solver to allow for the possibility of acoustic coupling with the subglottal geometry and vibration of the vocal fold model. As the subglottis lengthened, the frequency of vibration decreased until a new acoustic mode could form in the subglottis. Synthetic aperture particle image velocimetry (SAPIV) is a three-dimensional particle tracking technique. SAPIV was used to image the jet of air that emerges from vibrating human vocal folds (glottal jet) during phonation. The three-dimensional reconstruction of the glottal jet found faint evidence of flow characteristics seen in previous research, such as axis-switching, but did not have sufficient resolution to detect small features. SAPIV was further applied to reconstruct the smaller flow characteristics of the glottal jet of vibrating synthetic vocal folds. Two- and four-layer synthetic vocal fold models were used to determine how the glottal jet from the synthetic models compared to the glottal jet from excised human vocal folds. The two- and four-layer models clearly exhibited axis-switching which has been seen in other 3D analyses of the glottal jet. Cavitation in a quiescent fluid can break a rigid structure such as a glass bottle. A new cavitation number was derived to include acceleration and pressure head at cavitation onset. A cavitation stick was used to validate the cavitation number by filling it with different depths and hitting the stick to cause fluid cavitation. Acceleration was measured using an accelerometer and cavitation bubbles were detected using a high-speed camera. Cavitation in an accelerating fluid occurred at a cavitation number of 1.

Voice is an important tool for communication. Consequently, voice disorders tend to severely diminish quality of life. Voice research seeks to understand the physics that govern voice production to improve treatment of voice disorders. This thesis develops a method for creating complex synthetic laryngeal models and obtaining flow data within these complex models. The method uses Computed Tomography (CT) scan data to create silicone models of the larynx. Index of refraction matching allows flow field data to be collected within a synthetic complex larynx, which had previously been impossible. A short proof-of-concept of the method is set forth. Details on the development of a mechanically-driven synthetic model are presented. Particle image velocimetry was used to collect flow field data in a complex and a simplified supraglottal model to study the effect of complex geometry on the supraglottal jet. Axis switching and starting and closing vortices were observed. The thesis results are anticipated to aid in better understanding flow structures present during voice production.

Origami-inspired design is an emerging field capable of producing compact and efficient designs. The object of a surrogate fold is to provide a fold-like motion in a non-paper material without undergoing yielding. Compliant mechanisms provide a means to achieve these objectives as large deflections are achieved. The purpose of this thesis is to present a summary of existing compliant joints suitable for use as surrogate folds. In doing so, motions are characterized which no existing compliant joint provides. A series of compliant joints is proposed which provides many of these motions. The possibility of patterning compliant joints to form an array is discussed. Arrays capable of producing interesting motions are noted.

The influence of vocal fold (VF) vibration on perfused flow through VF vasculature is an area of research that has previously received limited attention. The aim of the research presented in this thesis was to contribute towards an improved understanding of the effects vibration on perfusion through vasculature within the VFs. This was done using a series of computational simulations of geometric changes to, and perfusion through, microchannels embedded in VF models. A computational structural model based on synthetic VF models used in previous experimental studies was first developed. The model and its embedded microchannel were initially studied under static pressure loads applied to the inner surfaces of the channel as well as to the VF inferior and medial surfaces. It was shown that the channel volume decreased linearly and the channel length increased quadratically with increasing pressure on the external VF surfaces. Changes in Poisson's ratio and its influence on the embedded channel's maximum deflection, volume, and length were also studied. Across the range of Poisson's ratios that has been studied for silicone used in synthetic VF models (0.4 to 0.495) there was shown to be limited change in microchannel maximum deflection, channel length, and volume for equivalent pressure loads. The model was then modified to include an external oscillating pressure load on the VF surface that caused the model to vibrate. Two separate studies were conducted to determine how frequency and deflection amplitude affected the predicted perfusion flow rate through the embedded microchannel by accounting for the changes in microchannel geometry during vibration. These studies showed that frequency had little effect on predicted flow rate, while increased deflection amplitude led to greater reductions in predicted flow rate. These reductions in flow rate were attributed to channel lengthening and cross section deformation during vibration, with the latter playing a much larger role. Reductions in flow rate results were found to favorably agree with measured experimental flow rate reductions reported previously. Computational fluid dynamics simulations of water flowing through the inflated embedded microchannel during vibration were also conducted. These simulations were used to explore how changes in vibration length, amplitude, and frequency affected the fluid dynamics in the microchannel whilst minimizing geometric changes to the microchannel. The flow rates from each of the simulation cases were compared to determine which of the vibration parameters contributed the most to flow losses. Vibration length and amplitude were shown to be statistically significant. An investigation was undertaken to further elucidate the mechanisms behind the flow losses induced by vibration. The effects of channel elongation, increased channel curvature, pressure rises, and pressure gradients during vibration were analyzed. Changes in channel elongation and pressure were shown to significantly contribute to flow losses and flow rate reduction. The results from these simulations were compared with the structural simulations which analyzed how changes in microchannel geometry affected flow rate reductions. Changes in the microchannel geometry were shown to contribute much more significantly to reductions in perfusion flow rate compared to changes in vibration parameters (i.e., vibration length, amplitude, and frequency).

No description available.

Origami is a useful tool for generating novel spatial mechanisms that can address needs in a variety of fields. However, replicating paper folding in other materials requires surrogate folds---some way to approximate folding in otherwise rigid materials. This work presents a collection of potential surrogate fold designs suitable for use in origami-inspired applications. The designs are sorted into families and rated against several design characteristics of interest to engineers and designers to create the Surrogate Fold Catalog. The catalog is formatted to be searchable and filterable based on manufacturability, kinematic motion, and additional utility. Using this collection of surrogate folds can improve the efficiency of the design process and the efficacy of the final design. The value of integrating surrogate folds early in the design process is demonstrated in the design of gossamer reflectarray antennas. Mathematical models are provided that predict the location and amount of slip required to allow the array to roll compactly and minimize plastic deformation. Surrogate folds for different folding patterns are designed to allow for the predicted slip. Several cases of the design and use of surrogate folds with a range of materials and applications are presented, including forged carbon fiber and stained glass. A physical collection of various surrogate folds is shown as the Foldable Book of Surrogate Folds. Digital versions of the Surrogate Folds and the Foldable Book of Surrogate Folds are available in supplementary material.

O papel da litologia e da organização tectônica Proterozóica para entendimento da gênese do relevo, em termos de erosão diferencial, tem sido relativamente negligenciado nos últimos decênios em favor de linhas de explicação baseadas nas mudanças paleoclimáticas, tectônica moderna, e geoquímica de superfície. Fato que tem permitido a formação de modelos explicativos fechados sobre a gênese e dinâmica do relevo. Entretanto, em áreas de embasamento cristalino a organização tectônica e a diversidade composicional químico-mineralógica das rochas auxilia fortemente o entendimento do papel da erosão diferencial, na explicação da diversidade de compartimentos geomórficos. A organização tectônica das rochas, através de sistemas de falhas e dobras de fundo (estudados na década de 1950 por Francis Ruellan), tem papel fundamental no entendimento dos processos de erosão diferencial responsável pela diversidade de compartimentos geomórficos. Neste sentido, este trabalho procura provar, através do método da Associação e Indeterminação Geomorfológica de Leopold e Langbein (1970), que a Região Serrana do Espírito Santo, e, em especial, a da bacia hidrográfica do Rio Benevente é resultante da erosão diferencial sobre rochas de rica diversidade químico-mineralógica, organizada por meio de dobras de fundo e sistemas de falhas transcorrentes conjugadas. Para realização desta investigação foi elaborado uma proposta de cartografia hidrogeomorfológica para pesquisa de bacias hidrográficas, estudando-se a evolução dos perfis fluviais longitudinais, perfis morfogeológicos, estruturas tectônicas e composição químico-mineralógica das unidades litológicas associado a compartimentação morfológica do relevo. Tudo fundamentado no método escolhido. O que certamente parece ser uma coisa óbvia, no entanto, evidencia a atuação de um verdadeiro sistema de dissecação fluvial, associado ao rebaixamento de níveis de base (knickzonas) que evoluem conforme o mergulho da foliação metamórfica dos flancos das dobras e da zona de dano associado às falhas. A conclusão que se chega é a de que o relevo da bacia do Rio Benevente, e por sua vez da Região Serrana do Estado, configura-se como compartimentos geomórficos residuais resultantes da evolução de knickzonas fluviais associadas à organização tectônica das dobras de fundo responsáveis pela gênese de níveis diferenciais de resistência litológica e de distribuição espacial das falhas e fraturas. A composição das unidades litológicas também influencia, fortemente, a compartimentação do relevo, estando o nível de convexização dos relevos e a dissecação na forte dependência do grau de participação dos minerais do grupo dos plagioclásios, anfibólios e piroxênios na constituição litológica das litoestruturas / The role of lithology and Proterozoic tectonic organization for understanding the genesis of relief in terms of differential erosion, has been relatively neglected in recent decades in boon of lines of explanation based on paleoclimatic changes, modern tectonics, and geochemistry. This fact has allowed the formation of \"closed\" on the genesis and dynamics of relief explanatory models. However, in sites of crystalline basement tectonics organization and compositional diversity chemical-mineralogical Rocks strongly supports the understanding of the role of differential erosion, in explaining the diversity of geomorphic compartments. The tectonic organization of the rocks through system failure and bottom folds (studied in the 1950s by Francis Ruellan) plays a fundamental role in understanding the processes of differential erosion responsible for the diversity of geomorphic compartments. In this sense, this work seeks to prove, by the method of the Association and Indeterminacy Geomorphological Leopold and Langbein (1970), the mountainous region of the Espírito Santo, and in special the river basin Benevente is the result of differential erosion of rocks rich chemical-mineralogical diversity, organized by folds background and strike-slip fault systems combined. To carry out this research hydrogeomorphological a proposed mapping is designed to survey watershed studying the evolution of longitudinal river profiles, profiles morphogeologicals, tectonic structures and chemical-mineralogical composition of rock units associated with morphological partitioning of relief. All based on the method chosen. This certainly seems like an obvious thing, however, highlights the work of a true system of river dissection, associated with the lowering of baseline levels (knickzones) that evolve according to the metamorphic foliation dipping flanks of the folds and the damage zone associated with the fault. The conclusion reached is that the relief Benevente River basin, and in turn the mountainous region of the state, appears as residual geomorphic compartments resulting from the evolution of river knickzonas associated with the organization of tectonic folds background responsible for the genesis of differential levels of lithologic resistance and spatial distribution of faults and fractures. The composition of the lithological units also influences strongly the partitioning of relief, being the level of reliefs and round dissecting the strong dependence of the degree of participation of the group of the minerals plagioclase amphibole and pyroxene in the lithological constitution of lithostructurals

No contexto da fonação, as pregas vocais são responsáveis pela produção primária do sinal de voz na laringe. Tão importantes quanto complexas, elas exibem uma dinâmica rica e uma série de comportamentos que determinam as características fundamentais do sinal emitido pela boca. Com o intuito de avaliar suas propriedades sob a luz dos métodos da dinâmica não-linear de sistemas, este trabalho tem por objetivo principal desenvolver uma técnica de extração e simulação de sua dinâmica. Para isto são empregados modelos determinísticos das pregas vocais e imagens de videolaringoscopia de alta velocidade. Estes elementos são usados para reproduzir a dinâmica e cinemática das pregas de indivíduos saudáveis através de um procedimento de otimização dos parâmetros mecânicos destes modelos de pregas. Feito isto, os modelos são usados para avaliar o comportamento não-linear das pregas vocais através de uma análise modal não-linear cujo propósito foi descrever como as não-linearidades estruturais das pregas podem influenciar na voz. Os resultados mostram a eficiência de um método capaz de reproduzir a maior parte dos padrões de vibração das pregas e uma relação de dependência entre sua energia mecânica e sua frequência fundamental de vibração, que é fruto das não-linearidades estruturais das pregas vocais. / As far as phonation is concern, the vocal folds produce the primary voice signal within larynx. As important as complex, they exhibit a rich dynamics capable to influence the fundamental voice features. In light of nonlinear dynamical methods, this work has as purpose to develop a method to extract and simulate the vocal folds dynamics. Deterministic vocal folds models and high-speed videolaryngoscopy are used to reproduce the dynamics of healthy subjects and evaluate their nonlinear behavior and some phenomena raised by the nonlinearities. Nonlinear normal modes are employed to understanding how the nonlinearities may influence the primary phonation. The results show that the method could reflect the most important vibratory patterns. Additionally, the nonlinear analysis has shown energy-frequency dependence and a complex dynamics with structural nonlinearities.

No contexto da fonação, as pregas vocais são responsáveis pela produção primária do sinal de voz na laringe. Tão importantes quanto complexas, elas exibem uma dinâmica rica e uma série de comportamentos que determinam as características fundamentais do sinal emitido pela boca. Com o intuito de avaliar suas propriedades sob a luz dos métodos da dinâmica não-linear de sistemas, este trabalho tem por objetivo principal desenvolver uma técnica de extração e simulação de sua dinâmica. Para isto são empregados modelos determinísticos das pregas vocais e imagens de videolaringoscopia de alta velocidade. Estes elementos são usados para reproduzir a dinâmica e cinemática das pregas de indivíduos saudáveis através de um procedimento de otimização dos parâmetros mecânicos destes modelos de pregas. Feito isto, os modelos são usados para avaliar o comportamento não-linear das pregas vocais através de uma análise modal não-linear cujo propósito foi descrever como as não-linearidades estruturais das pregas podem influenciar na voz. Os resultados mostram a eficiência de um método capaz de reproduzir a maior parte dos padrões de vibração das pregas e uma relação de dependência entre sua energia mecânica e sua frequência fundamental de vibração, que é fruto das não-linearidades estruturais das pregas vocais. / As far as phonation is concern, the vocal folds produce the primary voice signal within larynx. As important as complex, they exhibit a rich dynamics capable to influence the fundamental voice features. In light of nonlinear dynamical methods, this work has as purpose to develop a method to extract and simulate the vocal folds dynamics. Deterministic vocal folds models and high-speed videolaryngoscopy are used to reproduce the dynamics of healthy subjects and evaluate their nonlinear behavior and some phenomena raised by the nonlinearities. Nonlinear normal modes are employed to understanding how the nonlinearities may influence the primary phonation. The results show that the method could reflect the most important vibratory patterns. Additionally, the nonlinear analysis has shown energy-frequency dependence and a complex dynamics with structural nonlinearities.