There are four big medium density fibreboard (MDF) plants in New Zealand with a total production capacity of close to one million cubic meters per year. A significant quantity of boards (nearly 3% or about 30,000 cubic meters per year) is rejected due to defects such as weak core, low modulus of rupture and elasticity, low internal bonding and delamination. The main cause of these defects, is lack of complete understanding of the inter relationship during the hot-pressing stage between the initial inputs such as temperature, moisture content, platen pressure and its impact on the properties of boards. The best solution is to develop a mathematical model to assist in understanding these relationships and to solve the equations in the model by using advanced software. This will reduce the number of expensive experiments and will enable us to see some of the parameters, which are otherwise difficult to visualise. Several earlier researchers have tried to model hot pressing of wood composites, mostly either for particle board or oriented strand board (OSB), and only a few are for MDF. The type of numerical methods used to solve the model equations and various assumptions, changes from one investigator to the other. The non-availability of source code to convert the mathematical equations into programme, is one of the reasons for this model development. To improve the productivity of MDF plants in New Zealand, there was a need to develop a computer programme which can include all the latest findings and can remove the defects which are present in earlier models. This model attempts a more complete integration than in the previous models of all the components such as heat transfer, moisture movement and vertical density profile formation in a one-dimensional model of hot pressing of MDF. One of the important features added in the heat and mass transfer part of the model is that the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) equation given for solid wood was modified to be applicable for the MDF fibres. In addition, this EMC equation can cover the complete range of hot pressing temperature from 160ºC to 200ºC. The changes in fibre moisture content due to bound water diffusion, which was were earlier neglected, was considered. The resin curing reactions for phenol formaldehyde and urea formaldehyde resins are also incorporated into the model, with the energy and water released during the curing reaction being included in the energy and mass balances. The validation of the heat and mass transfer model was done by comparing the values of core temperature and core pressure from the model and the experiments. The experimental value of core pressure and core temperature is obtained by putting a thermocouple and pressure transducer in the middle of the mat. The experimental core temperature results show qualitative agreement with the predicted results. In the beginning, the core temperatures from both experiment and model overlap each other. In the middle of the press cycle, the experimental core temperature is higher by 10ºC and by the end the difference decreases to 5ºC. The vertical density profile (VDP) is a critical determining factor for the strength and quality of MDF panels. The earlier concept of ratio of modulus of elasticity of the layer to the sum of modulus of elasticity of all the layers in the previous time step, given by Suo and Bowyer (1994), is refined with the latest published findings. The equation given by Carvalho et al. (2001) is used to calculate the MOE of different layers of the mat. The differential equation of a Maxwell element given by Zombori (2001) is used to measure stress, nonlinear strain function and relaxation of fibres. The model gives good agreement of peak and core density at lower platen temperature at 160ºC but with the increase of platen temperature to 198ºC, the rise in peak density is comparatively higher. There is a distinct increase in predicted peak density by 150 kg/m³ in comparison to the experimental result, where the increase is only by 10 kg/m³. There is a large decline (50 kg/m³) in core density in the experimental results in comparison to only a slight decline (13 kg/m³) in the predicted results. The use of Matlab provides a very convenient platform for producing graphical results. The time of computation at present is nearly 20 hrs in a personal computer with Pentium four processor and one GB RAM. The model can predict properties of a pressed board for the standard manufacturing conditions and also the new hot pressing technologies such as the use of steam injection or a cooling zone in the continuous press. A comparative study has been done to show the advantages of using new hot pressing technology. The present model will become an important tool in the hands of wood technologist, process engineers and MDF manufacturing personnel, to better understand the internal processes and to improve production and quality of MDF boards. This theoretical model helped in developing better understanding of internal processes. By using it, we can analyse the impact of platen temperature, moisture content on the core temperature, core pressure and density profile. It gives better insight into the relationship between core pressure and delamination of the board. The model is also able to predict the internal changes in the new hot pressing technologies such as the steam injection pressing and the use of a cooling zone in a continuous press. Using the simulation results, the exact time needed for the complete curing of resin can be calculated and then these results can be applied in the commercial plants. If the pressing time is reduced, then the over all production of both batch press and continuous press will increase. The second part of the project is the development of an empirical model to correlate the physical properties from the MDF board to the mean density. The empirical model is simple and straightforward, and thus can be applied in commercial operation for control and optimization. The empirical model can predict peak density, core density, and modulus of rupture, elasticity and internal bonding within the limits in which those relationships are derived. The model gives good results for thickness ranging from 10 to 13.5 mm and density ranging from 485 kg/m³ to 718 kg/m³.

Herschel and JCMT surveys of nearby star-forming regions have provided excellent images of cold dust emission across several wavelengths with unprecedented dynamic range and resolutions. Here we present spectral emissivity index and temperature maps of dust in the star-forming clumps of the Perseus molecular cloud determined from fitting SEDs to the combined Herschel and JCMT observations in the 160 μm, 250 μm, 350 μm, 500 μm, and 850 μm bands, employing the technique developed by Sadavoy et al. (2013). In NGC1333, the most complex and active star-forming clump in Perseus, we demonstrate that CO line contamination in the JCMT SCUBA-2 850 μm band is typically insignificant. The derived spectral emissivity index, β, and dust temperature, T, ranges between 0.8 - 3.0 and 7 - 50 K, respectively. Throughout Perseus, we see indications of heating from B stars and embedded protostars, and smooth β variations on the smaller scales. The distribution of β values seen in each clump differs from one clump to another, and is in general different from the diffuse ISM values (i.e., ~2), suggesting that dust grain evolution is significant in star-forming clumps. We also found coincidences between low β regions and local temperature peaks as well as locations of outflows, which may provide hints to the origins of these low β value grains, and dust grain evolution in star-forming clumps in general. / Graduate / mcychen@uvic.ca

This thesis outlines a novel approach to make ill-posed inverse source problem well-posed exploiting inhomogeneous media. More precisely, we use Maxwell fish-eye lens to make scattered field emanating from distinct regions of an object of interest more directive and concentrated onto distinct regions of observation. The object of interest in this thesis is a thin slab placed conformally to the Maxwell fish-eye lens. Focused Green’s function of the background medium results in diagonal dominance of the matrix to be inverted for inverse problem solution. Hence, the problem becomes well-posed. We have studied one-dimensional variation of a very thin dielectric slab of interest having conformal shape to the lens. This method has been tested solving the forward problem using both Mie series and using COMSOL. Most common techniques for solving inverse problem are full non-linear inversion techniques, such as: distorted Born iterative method (DBIM) and contrast source inversion (CSI). DBIM needs to be regularized at every iteration. In some cases, it converges to a solution, and, in some cases, it does not. Diffraction tomography does not utilize regularization. It is a technique under Born approximation. It eliminates ill-posedness, but it works only for small contrast. Our proposed method works for high contrast and also provides well-posedness. In this thesis, our objective is to demonstrate inverse source problem and inverse scattering problem are not inherently ill-posed. They are ill-posed because conventional techniques usually use homogeneous or non-focusing background medium. These mediums do not support separation of scattered field. Utilization of background medium for scattered field separation casts the inverse problem in well-posed form.

Purpose - The purpose of this research is to investigate market entry modes selection of Swedish SMEs concerning their entry in Chinese market. The information we extracted from various Swedish SMEs may to some extent functional to other Swedish SMEs as well while seeking to enter in the foreign market. Design/methodology/approach -The authors employ multiple case studies. The data was collected with telephone interviews with managers and directors. Findings - The study indicates that numerous internal and external factors are driving the SMEs to choose a specific entry mode while internationalizing their business in a foreign market. Research limitations/implications - The study and the findings are based on four cases. Therefore the results can only be considered tentative. Additionally, the retrospective nature of the research design is challenging, as it puts weight on the respondents’ memory and ability to identify change. Practical implications –The information can be utilized for managers in SMEs to understand the factors that influence them while they are choosing an appropriate entry mode. Original/value – In contrast with previous research we focused on how the internal and external factors drive the firms to choose a specific entry mode in a foreign market. This information will may have some functional for other SMEs while entering in foreign markets.

An experimental research program was designed to study laminar flows through and over models of porous media with or without inertial effects. The models used were made up of circular or square rods arranged to cover solid volume fraction ϕ ranging from 0.03 to 0.49, and filling fraction h / H ranging from 0.34 to 1 of the test channel. In this way, the ratios of the depth of the test section to the porous medium pore H / l ranged from 5.75 to 18.25. Three types of model porous media were tested: (1) two-dimensional ‘horizontal’ models, having rod axes aligned along the span of the channel in a staggered or non-staggered fashion; (2) three-dimensional ‘vertical’ models with rod axes aligned in the transverse direction; and (3) three-dimensional ‘mesh’ models with rod axes aligned along both transverse and spanwise directions. Using a pressure-driven viscous fluid, the bulk Reynolds number Rebulk was varied from 0.1 to 10.3. Velocity measurements were obtained using particle image velocimetry at various streamwise-transverse planes of the test section. Differential pressure measurements were also obtained using electronic transducers. These measurements were used to determine relevant governing equations for the flow through the porous media; to characterize the effects of ϕ rod shape and arrangement, h / H, H / l, porous media dimensionality, and Rebulk on the flow; and to predict the flow at the porous medium-free flow interface. The Izbash and quadratic Forchheimer equations were respectively found to describe well the flow through two- and three-dimensional porous media. Penetration of the free flow into the porous medium varied with ϕ and rod arrangement, but was nearly independent of the rod shape. At the interface between the porous medium and the free flow, h / H and H / l effects were found to be counteractive. Penetration was highest for the vertical models compared with the mesh and horizontal models. Inertial dependence of interfacial flow was weak when porous medium conditions were considered. The interfacial flow was found to follow a dose response formulation with a predictable slip coefficient.

No description available.

In this dissertation the proper determination and allowable signs of the effective parameters of metamaterial structures will be examined. First, a method that was commonly used to determine the presence of a negative index of refraction will be discussed. It will be shown that this method, which relies on the appearance of transmission peaks in the region where the real parts of the effective permittivity and permeability are expected to be negative, does not provide sufficient evidence that a negative index exists. Two alternate methods will then be presented that can be used to properly determine the sign of the index. Then, the form of the index in media that exhibit backward wave propagation will be examined from a purely three dimensional wave propagation point of view. It will be shown that in an isotropic medium backward wave propagation requires that the index be negative and in an anisotropic medium it requires that the index be negative along at least one of the three principal axes. In short, the necessary and sufficient condition for the negative index of refraction is the existence of the backward wave. Next, a technique commonly used to retrieve the effective parameters in metamaterials from transmission and reflection data will be considered. It will be shown that this retrieval technique can lead to unphysical claims that the imaginary parts of the effective permittivity or permeability can be negative even though the medium remains passive. By comparing the effective parameters obtained analytically and from the retrieval technique it will be shown that these unphysical claims are the result of error in the numerical simulations. The concepts of causality and analyticity will also be discussed by considering the Lorentzian model and it will be shown that this model does not allow the imaginary parts of the permittivity or permeability to be negative in the metamaterials consisting of split ring resonators and split wires.

In this dissertation the proper determination and allowable signs of the effective parameters of metamaterial structures will be examined. First, a method that was commonly used to determine the presence of a negative index of refraction will be discussed. It will be shown that this method, which relies on the appearance of transmission peaks in the region where the real parts of the effective permittivity and permeability are expected to be negative, does not provide sufficient evidence that a negative index exists. Two alternate methods will then be presented that can be used to properly determine the sign of the index. Then, the form of the index in media that exhibit backward wave propagation will be examined from a purely three dimensional wave propagation point of view. It will be shown that in an isotropic medium backward wave propagation requires that the index be negative and in an anisotropic medium it requires that the index be negative along at least one of the three principal axes. In short, the necessary and sufficient condition for the negative index of refraction is the existence of the backward wave. Next, a technique commonly used to retrieve the effective parameters in metamaterials from transmission and reflection data will be considered. It will be shown that this retrieval technique can lead to unphysical claims that the imaginary parts of the effective permittivity or permeability can be negative even though the medium remains passive. By comparing the effective parameters obtained analytically and from the retrieval technique it will be shown that these unphysical claims are the result of error in the numerical simulations. The concepts of causality and analyticity will also be discussed by considering the Lorentzian model and it will be shown that this model does not allow the imaginary parts of the permittivity or permeability to be negative in the metamaterials consisting of split ring resonators and split wires.

Commercial buildings are among the largest consumers of energy. In an attempt to control and reduce operating expenses, building owners and organizations leasing commercial space are pursuing energy efficiency measures to generate a higher return on investment. In this study, an extensive literature review is used to identify and discuss energy efficiency considerations for medium-size building owners and how savings from these measures may benefit organizations through employee satisfaction and retention. For the purpose of this study, the specific topics related to commercial building energy efficiency that were investigated include (1) outcomes of building retrofits (2) corporate social responsibility and performance; (3) performance of energy efficient buildings; (4) employee commitment, satisfaction productivity and organizational profitability; (5) green companies and employee attraction; (6) the cost of turnover. There is little literature specifically focused on the impact that energy efficient buildings have on medium-sized building owners and no literature that quantifies the financial benefits through a reduction in employee turnover or attrition. Facility managers of all building sizes will benefit from gaining (1) a broad understanding of the impact of energy efficiency measures on employees (2) the ability to articulate the impact of the building’s role on employee productivity, turnover and other HR related issues (3) the insight needed to contribute to strategic discussions within their organization about how facilities can benefit organizational profitability. This research does not attempt to claim or determine a causal relationship between energy efficiency and employee turnover however it does discuss issues that that could affect employee attrition.. Further research to determine this causality would benefit the study of energy efficiency and its total impact on organizations.

This study aims at analyzing and explaining the use of information technology (IT) and its effect on organizational structures in SMEs in Turkey. Today, information technology has come to play a more and more important role in most organizations and especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Researchers give different meanings on the concept of IT as how IT is used or interpreted in organizations. This thesis focuses on the impact of IT on organizational structure. A framework for analysis consisting of four eras of IT use has been developed and forms the basis of research method for analyzing the effects of IT in SMEs. In the framework, the dominant technology actually creates an organization metaphor, which helps to determine how organizational structures will be affected by the use of information technology. The variables to be investigated in the areas of organizational structure are control, specialization, formalization, span of control, communication and collaboration, interorganizational relations. Through a case study of two small and medium sized companies in the electronics and manufacturing industries, it is found that formation of information networks especially external networks has a precise effect on organization structures. The results prove that IT has significant impacts on decentralization, specialization, communication, and interorganizational relations. Also, it is clear that managerial support for IT and IT implementation is found to be a major factor for information technology to be used effectively.