In this study, we establish a car model which better resembles a real car and compare with the simplified car model as a reference. When taking the circular polarization antenna into consideration, we need the refined car model in the simulation. Besides, TPMS antenna measurements are conducted and the results are compared with the simulation to verify the accuracy of our simulation. The result of the simulation shows that the signal cannot be received when TPMS antenna is mounted on the rear tires. Proper solution is suggested to alleviate this problem. Due to the limitation of the measurement environment, we consider using scale-sized car model for the measurement of the antenna radiation pattern. Also, we compare the radiation pattern in the scale-sized car model with that in the full-sized car model. For the measurement of the vehicular antenna, we find that using the scale-sized car model for the preliminary estimation of the antenna radiation pattern is feasible and practicable.

This thesis presents an atomic-scale study of nanoindentation, with carbon materials and both bcc and fcc metals as test specimens. Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using Newtonian mechanics and many-body potentials, are employed to investigate the elastic-plastic deformation behaviour of the work materials during nanometresized indentations. In a preliminary model, the indenter is represented solely by a non-deformable interface with pyramidal and axisymmetric geometries. An atomistic description of a blunted 90° pyramidal indenter is also used to study deformation of the tip, adhesive tip-substrate interactions and atom transfer, together with damage after adhesive rupture and mechanisms of tip-induced structural transformations and surface nanotopograpghy. To alleviate finite-size effects and to facilitate the simulation of over one million atoms, a parallel MD code using the MPI paradigm has also been developed to run on multiple processor machines. The work materials show a diverse range of deformation behaviour, ranging from purely elastic deformation with graphite, to appreciable plastic deformation with metals. Some qualitative comparisons are made to experiment, but available computer power constrains feasible indentation depths to an order of magnitude smaller than experiment, and over indentation times several orders of magnitude smaller. The simulations give a good description of nanoindentation and support many of the experimental features.

No description available.

The method of fabrication of electrodes by using a laser-puller is a commonly used method to produce small electrodes. Simulation shows that the taper-shaped insulation layer of a puller-made electrode has an obvious effect on its voltammetric response, especially when the electrode has a small RG (the ratio of the insulating sheath radius to the electrode radius). The effect of low-pass filtering on the voltammetric response of a very small puller-made electrode has also been studied.

The method of fabrication of electrodes by using a laser-puller is a commonly used method to produce small electrodes. Simulation shows that the taper-shaped insulation layer of a puller-made electrode has an obvious effect on its voltammetric response, especially when the electrode has a small RG (the ratio of the insulating sheath radius to the electrode radius). The effect of low-pass filtering on the voltammetric response of a very small puller-made electrode has also been studied.

No description available.

It has become widely recognized that the development of postwar suburbia in North America has had a detrimental effect on community identity, environmental sustainability, and social conscience. Suburban development is often prominent in mid-sized cities made up of a low density or “flat” urban landscape. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo’s urban core consists of three such cities (Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo). As one of Canada’s most economically stable and fastest growing municipalities, it provides a rich opportunity for regional growth through intensification. In the Region of Waterloo’s latest planning policy plan, “A Vision for a Sustainable and Livable Waterloo Region” is outlined. In addition to this comprehensive policy, a two-part “Visualizing Densities” study provided a comprehensive analysis of the existing communities throughout Waterloo Region and how they can be improved. Both of these documents helped to promote sustainable growth in the downtown and inner city areas, however, they have not effectively addressed how to deal with existing suburban areas. The Visualizing Densities Part II study proposed a redesign of a three selected existing suburban study areas throughout the region. Although these proposals had good intentions, they all but ignored the existing network of streets and built fabric. Therefore, it only really addressed how to design and build a new green field development. By building upon current suburban redevelopment concepts and strategies, this thesis will develop an adaptable process for existing suburban community revitalization. This process will be applied to a suburban study area set within the city of Waterloo (one of the regions mid-sized cities). A critical aspect of this process will be the renewed role that architects must play as analysts, visionaries and educators. The overall intention of this thesis will be to develop a means of engaging and revitalizing existing suburban areas into more efficient, self-sustaining, and responsive community networks.

It has become widely recognized that the development of postwar suburbia in North America has had a detrimental effect on community identity, environmental sustainability, and social conscience. Suburban development is often prominent in mid-sized cities made up of a low density or “flat” urban landscape. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo’s urban core consists of three such cities (Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo). As one of Canada’s most economically stable and fastest growing municipalities, it provides a rich opportunity for regional growth through intensification. In the Region of Waterloo’s latest planning policy plan, “A Vision for a Sustainable and Livable Waterloo Region” is outlined. In addition to this comprehensive policy, a two-part “Visualizing Densities” study provided a comprehensive analysis of the existing communities throughout Waterloo Region and how they can be improved. Both of these documents helped to promote sustainable growth in the downtown and inner city areas, however, they have not effectively addressed how to deal with existing suburban areas. The Visualizing Densities Part II study proposed a redesign of a three selected existing suburban study areas throughout the region. Although these proposals had good intentions, they all but ignored the existing network of streets and built fabric. Therefore, it only really addressed how to design and build a new green field development. By building upon current suburban redevelopment concepts and strategies, this thesis will develop an adaptable process for existing suburban community revitalization. This process will be applied to a suburban study area set within the city of Waterloo (one of the regions mid-sized cities). A critical aspect of this process will be the renewed role that architects must play as analysts, visionaries and educators. The overall intention of this thesis will be to develop a means of engaging and revitalizing existing suburban areas into more efficient, self-sustaining, and responsive community networks.

In Jordan around 98 percent of manufacturing and service sector firms are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), while around 80 percent of the Jordanian labour force is employed by S MEs. However, SMEs face considerable difficulties in obtaining sufficient funds, especially from external sources such as commercial banks. This has been recognized in Jordan by the establishment of a loan guarantee scheme in 1994. However, neither this nor any other similar scheme introduced by a developing country has b een fully evaluated to establish its impact and success. The purpose is to evaluate the effects of the Jordanian loan guarantee scheme to establish its role in improving the supply of funds to SMEs, and to suggest policies and procedures for the improvement of the scheme. The methodology for the study is based upon an interview questionnaire survey of 142 Jordanian firms receiving loans from the commercial banks backed by a guarantee. It covers firms in different types of business (manufacture, services, retail and agriculture) and in different locations (Amman, Zarqa, Irbid, Balqa and Aqaba). The study also utilizes interviews with the credit managers of commercial banks participating in the loan guarantee scheme. The thesis is organized around nine chapters including on the Jordanian economy, SMEs in Jordan, a literature review of loan guarantee schemes and the qualitative and quantitative results of the surveys. The main findings are that younger borrowers and newer SME firrns are more able to receive commercial bank ftinding under the scheme than they would otherwise obtain. The scheme also helps firms with uncertain profitability and projects that are traditionally viewed as 'low quality' (e. g. low level of education or female entrepreneurs) to obtain extra finance. These projects have low default rates and do not have high failure rates suggesting a substantial market failure. However, the study finds that the commercial banks tend to use the scheme as an additional source of security in their lending, and do not necessarily lend to riskier projects, as they require similar levels of collateral. Further, the study draws attention to the management of the scheme, so that it needs to be better marketed to the target group and there needs to be better monitoring and follow-up of projects. Lessons could also be leamt from other guarantee schemes, such as in the UK, including the introduction of a premium charge for firms.

No description available.