The bell-shaped lift distribution (BSLD) wing design methodology advanced by Ludwig Prandtl in 1932 was proposed as providing the minimum induced drag. This study used this method as the basis to analyze its characteristics in two wing formation flight. Of specific interest are the potential efficiency savings and the optimal positioning for formation flight. Additional comparison is made between BSLD wings and bird flight in formation. This study utilized Computational Flow Dynamics (CFD) simulations on a geometric modeling of a BSLD wing, the Prandtl-D glider. The results were validated by modified equations published by Prandtl, by CFD modeling published by others, and by Trefftz plane analysis. For verification, the results were compared to formation flight research literature on aircraft and birds, as well as published research on non-formation BSLD flight. The significance of this research is two part. One is that the BSLD method has the potential for significant efficiency in formation flight. The optimal position for a trailing wing was determined to be partially overlapping the leading wing vortex core. For a BSLD wing these vortices are located inboard from the wingtips resulting in wingtip overlap and have a wider impact downstream than the elliptical lift distribution (ELD) wingtip vortices. A second aspect is that avian research has traditionally been studied assuming the ELD model for bird flight, whereas this study proposes that bird flight would be better informed using the BSLD.

Yes / In this paper, a novel dual-polarized highly-folded self-grounded Bowtie antenna that is excited through I-shaped slots is proposed for applications in sub-6GHz 5G multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna systems. The antenna consists of two pairs of folded radiation petals whose base is embedded in a double layer of FR-4 substrate with a common ground-plane which is sandwiched between the two substrate layers. The ground-plane is defected with two I-shaped slots located under the radiation elements. Each pair of radiation elements are excited through a microstrip line on the top layer with RF signal that is 180° out of phase with respect to each other. The RF signal is coupled to the pair of feedlines on the top layer through the I-shaped slots from the two microstrip feedlines on the underside of the second substrate. The proposed feed mechanism gets rid of the otherwise bulky balun. The Bowtie antenna is a compact solution with dimensions of 32×32×33.8 mm3. Measured results have verified that the antenna operates over a frequency range of 3.1–5 GHz and exhibits an average gain and antenna efficiency in the vertical and horizontal polarizations of 7.5 dBi and 82.6%, respectively.

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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2018 highlights the importance of short-lived greenhouse gasses to combat global warming. This study explores the relationship between Gross Domestic Product per capita and methane per capita. The relationship is explored in relation to the Environmental Kuznets Curve theory where the subjects to examination used are High Income Countries and Low Income Countries based on United Nation classifications in 2019. In total 47 countries are examined where 30 countries are High Income Countries and 17 are Low Income Countries. The relationships are examined for the time periods 1970 to 2017 through Fixed Effect Models. To improve accuracy additional control variables are added: Population in agriculture (% of total employment), balance of payments and forest areas. With the added control variables, the time frame used in Fixed Effect Models changes to 1991 to 2017. The different Fixed Effect Models provide inverted U-shaped relationships for Low Income Countries and uncertain results for High Income Countries according to the Environmental Kuznets Curve.

Yes / In this paper, balanced dual segment cylindrical dielectric antennas (CDRA) with ultra wide-band operation are reported. First a T-shaped slot and L-shaped microstrip feeding line are suggested to furnish a balanced coupling mechanism for feeding two DRAs. Performance of the proposed antenna was analyzed and optimized against the target frequency band. The proposed antenna was then modified by adding a C-shaped strip to increase the gain. The performances of both balanced antennas were characterized and optimized in terms of antenna reflection coefficient, radiation pattern, and gain. The antennas cover the frequency range from 6.4 GHz to 11.736 GHz, which is 58.7% bandwidth. A maximum gain of 2.66 dB was achieved at a frequency of 7 GHz with the first antenna, with a further 2.25 dB increase in maximum gain attained by adding the C-shaped strip. For validation, prototypes of the two antennas were fabricated and tested. The predicted and measured results showed reasonable agreement and the results confirmed good impedance bandwidth characteristics for ultra-wideband operation from both proposed balanced antennas.

Yes / Empirical results of an electrically small printed monopole antenna is described with fractional bandwidth of 185% (115 MHz–2.90 GHz) for return-loss better than 10 dB, peak gain and radiation efficiency at 1.45 GHz of 2.35 dBi and 78.8%, respectively. The antenna geometry can be approximated to a back-to-back triangular shaped patch structure that is excited through a common feed-line with a meander-line T-shape divider. The truncated ground-plane includes a central stub located underneath the feed-line. The impedance bandwidth of the antenna is enhanced with the inclusion of meander-line slots in the patch and four double split-ring resonators on the underside of the radiating patches. The antenna radiates approximately omnidirectionally to provide coverage over a large part of VHF, whole of UHF, entire of L-band and some parts of S-band. The antenna has dimensions of 48.32×43.72×0.8 mm3, which is corresponding with the electrical size of 0.235λ_0×0.211λ_0×0.003λ_0, where λ_0 is free-space wavelength at 1.45 GHz. The proposed low-profile low-cost antenna is suitable for application in wideband wireless communications systems. / H2020-MSCA-ITN-2016 SECRET-722424 and UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under grant EP/E022936/1

The ring opening polymerization of D,L-lactide (DLLA) using multifunctional hydroxyl-terminated initiators and catalyst/coinitiator systems based on Sn(Oct)2 afforded the preparation of star-shaped, poly(D,L-lactide)s (PDLLA)s of controlled molar mass, narrow molar mass distributions, and well-defined chain end functionality. Various modifications of star-shaped PDLLA resulted in macromolecules with tailored functionalities for biomedical applications. Star-shaped PDLLAs were modified to contain photoreactive methacrylate end groups and subsequent photo-crosslinking was performed. Photo-crosslinked networks based on methacrylated star-shaped PDLLAs exhibited thermal properties and mechanical performance that were superior to current approved clinical adhesives. In addition, the thermal and mechanical properties of the networks were strongly dependent on the composition and molar mass of the star-shaped PDLLA precursors. Tensile strengths in the range of 8-21 MPa were obtained while the Young's modulus increased from 12 to 354 MPa and were higher for networks based on urethane containing polymers. Star-shaped PDLLAs bearing complementary adenine and thymine terminal units were also prepared. The hydrogen bonding associations between complementary PDLLA macromolecules depended strongly on molar mass and hence, the concentration of multiple hydrogen bonding units. 1H NMR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of hydrogen-bonded complexes with a 1:1 optimal stoichiometry and an association constant of 84 M-1. The hydrogen-bonded complexes also exhibited significantly higher solution viscosities than non-blended polymer solutions of similar molar mass and concentration. Thermoreversible associations of PDLLA-based complementary polymers were observed in the melt phase and the melt viscosity of a blended complex was consistently an order of magnitude higher than non-functionalized star-shaped PDLLA of similar molar mass. Furthermore, melt electrospinning of the hydrogen-bonded complexes successfully resulted in fibers of significantly larger diameter (9.8 ± 2.0 µm) compared to the individual precursors (PDLLA-A = 4.0 ± 0.6 µm and PDLLA-T = 4.4 ± 1.0 µm). These results suggested that thermoreversibility, as well as the strength of the hydrogen bonding interactions between the end groups of the tailored star-shaped PDLLA-based supramolecular polymers controlled the fiber diameter in the melt electrospinning process. Highly ordered microporous honeycomb structures were developed on photo-functional star-shaped PDLLA surfaces. The pore dimensions were dependent on polymer solution concentration, polymer molar mass and relative humidity. The combination of self-organizing and cross-linking techniques resulted in free-standing, PDLLA membranes with high chemical stability as well as higher mechanical strength for further material patterning. Amikacin, an antibiotic commonly used for treating infections was successfully encapsulated in star-shaped PDLLA fibers that were electrospun from solution. Preliminary results suggested that molecular architecture influenced the encapsulation of the antibiotic and subsequent drug release profile. / Ph. D.

Doubly-Salient Reluctance Machines (DSRMs) sidestep many of the issues with permanent magnet and induction machines and embody the lowest cost and simplest manufacturing of the motor technologies. Major drawbacks to RMs have been (1) the need for failure-prone electrolytic capacitors, (2) large torque ripple, and (3) acoustic noise. Conventionally, these drawbacks have been addressed independently either through (1) excitation control or (2) machine design, but not as a holistic system or solution. This disseratation presents a design for high-efficiency low-cost RM while producing smooth output torque and avoiding pulsating inverter input current and the associated electrolytic capacitor. We propose a method for shaping the machine reluctance profile to reduce machine torque ripple to a desired level (here, <5%) without compromising on machine efficiency or power density, a Shaped Reluctance Machine (ShRM). Furthermore, a comprehensive approach which combines both phase excitation control and machine design to cooperatively address the excursions of input and output powers from their average values which results in less than 5% ripple for both electrical and mechanical net power — essentially a DC Reluctance Machine (DCRM). Compared to conventional practice in DSRMs, electrical power ripple is reduced by 85 times and torque ripple is reduced by almost 20 times, while overall efficiency, torque density, and power density are maintained. / Ph. D.

The AASHTO LRFD design specifications and the AASHTO manual for bridge evaluation are consistently revised using knowledge of previous bridge failures. Although modern steel structures are designed to resist fatigue cracking from service loads, cracks in the tension flanges of steel bridge girders have been observed as a result of stress concentrations, design errors, welding quality control, and vehicular impacts. Cracks can grow in size with time and active cyclic live loads and may result in a member fracture. Fracture is a dangerous limit state which occurs with little to no warning. One method to quantify the stress field in the vicinity of a crack tip is by calculating the Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) around the crack tip. Finding SIFs for a cracked geometry may help an engineer to determine the fracture potential based on crack dimensions found during the inspection. Rolled I-beam and steel plate girders are extensively used as bridge superstructure members to efficiently carry live loads. This research was focused on determining Stress Intensity Factors (SIFs) of partially cracked I-sections using Finite Element Analysis. Two different tension flange crack profiles were studied: edge cracks, and full-width cracks. The SIF solutions were further used to study the fracture behavior and stress redistribution in the partially cracked flexural I-shaped members. / Master of Science / Steel is one of the fundamental materials used in the construction of bridge structures, and steel girder bridges are one of the most common types of bridge structures seen in the United States. Past bridge failures have helped engineers to understand shortcomings in design specifications, and AASHTO codes have been developed and revised over the years to reflect an improved understanding and evolution of engineering behavior. Engineers must make sure that a design is robust enough for functional use of the component during its service life. It is also equally important to understand the potential chances of failure and make the structure strong enough to overcome any failure mechanisms. Fracture is one structural failure mode which occurs with little to no warning and hence is very dangerous. One efficient way to quantify the stress field in the vicinity of a crack tip is by calculating the Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) around a crack tip. Fracture literature is available which describes different methods of determining SIFs for cracked members. However, there are no solutions available to find a SIF of a partially cracked flexural I-shaped members. This research was focused on determining Stress Intensity Factors and studying the fracture behavior of partially cracked I-sections using Finite Element Analysis. The resulting SIF solutions were further used to study the fracture behavior and stress redistribution in partially cracked flexural I-shaped members.