Over the past few years, energy storage devices have received tremendous interest due to the increasing demand for sustainable and renewable energy in modern society. Supercapacitors are considered as one of the most promising energy storage devices because of their high power density and long cycle life. However, low energy density remains as the main shortcoming for supercapacitors. The overall performance of supercapacitors is predominantly determined by the characteristics of the electrodes. Specifically, constructing nanostructured electrode material has been proven as an efficient way to improve the performance by providing large surface area and short ionic and electronic diffusion paths. Another approach to improve the performance of supercapacitors is the rational design of the asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC), which can extend the operation voltage. In this regard, we have focused on the synthesis and utilization of several nanomaterials, in particular, pseudocapacitance materials such as metal oxides and metal phosphides, on both positive and negative electrodes, as well as the ASC design and fabrication. First, three-dimensional TiO2 nanorod arrays have been synthesized on Ti substrate by a facile one-step hydrothermal method and demonstrated as an ideal supercapacitor positive electrode, which exhibited good areal capacitance and excellent cycling stability. Owing to the novel “dissolve and grow” mechanism, this method provides a simple and low-cost technique for flexible supercapacitor application. Second, using cobalt phosphide and iron phosphide as examples, we have demonstrated metal phosphides as high-performance supercapacitor negative electrodes for the first time. Cobalt phosphide nanowire arrays have been synthesized and presented a high capacitance of 571.3 mF/cm2. To improve the cycling stability, gel electrolyte was used to suppress the irreversible electrochemical reaction. The flexible solid-state asymmetric MnO2//CoP supercapacitor exhibited good electrochemical performance, such as a high energy density of 0.69 mWh/cm3 and a high power density of 114.2 mW/cm3. Furthermore, a PEDOT coating has been adapted to further enhance the cycling stability as well as capacitance performance of FeP nanorod arrays. The FeP/PEDOT electrode represents an outstanding capacitance of 790.59 mF/cm2 and a good stability of 82.12% retention after 5000 cycles. In addition, a MnO2//FeP/PEDOT ASC was fabricated with an excellent volumetric capacitance of 4.53 F/cm3 and an energy density of 1.61 mWh/cm3.

The field of microfluidics is expanding into what is known as paper microfluidics. This uses a paper platform rather than materials (i.e. PDMS, PMMA) that are commonly used in microfluidics research. Current devices require an expensive manufacturing process and external sources to power the device. Such devices are not practical in low resource environments. As a consequence, it is the goal of this Thesis to develop a three-dimensional, multiplexed assay chip using nitrocellulose membranes. This device comprises of multiple layers of nitrocellulose membranes with defined fluidic channels. The multiple layers are bound together using double backed tape, and imbedded between the layers are conjugate reagents. In the detection region both antibodies and aptamers were evaluated. The fiberglass pad where conjugate reagents would be contained, were initially saturated in dye. As sample was inputted into the three-dimensional chip, the fluid path could be visualized. Without the use of the conjugate pad the chip’s four detection regions showed detection within one minute of one another. However, the addition of this fibrous pad skewed time points dramatically. The hypothesis that a three-dimensional chip could be designed to detect different biomarkers in a multi-analyte sample was satisfied. However, simultaneous detection was only possible if the conjugate pad was either neglected or, possibly, a different material was used. Additionally, current lateral flow assay technologies, another research area that paper microfluidics spawns from, use antibodies in order to capture biomarkers in sample and provide visual signal to the user. However, antibodies are sensitive to denaturation with pH and temperature, whereas aptamers can withstand much more extreme environmental conditions. A two-dimensional nitrocellulose chip was designed to compare antibodies and aptamers as capture reagents to detect VEGF, using colloidal gold as a particle to visualize detection. Both monoclonal and polyclonal anti-VEGF antibodies were used and showed no signal. On the other hand, the anti-VEGF aptamer produced a visual signal when conjugated to biotin on its 5’ end. This data was further validated by a separate project analyzing the binding kinetics of the antibody and the aptamer using Surface Plasmon Resonance. Therefore, the hypothesis that aptamers could be used as a possible capture reagent in a paper microfluidic chip for the detection of VEGF was satisfied.

This thesis studies the problem of estimating the interior structure of a collapsed building using embedded Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radios as sensors. The two major sensing problems needed to build the mapping system are determining wall type and wall orientation. We develop sensing algorithms that determine (1) load-bearing wall composition, thickness, and location and (2) wall position within the indoor cavity. We use extensive experimentation and measurement to develop those algorithms. In order to identify wall types and locations, our research approach uses Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurement between pairs of UWB radios. We create an extensive database of UWB signal propagation data through various wall types and thicknesses. Once the database is built, fingerprinting algorithms are developed which determine the best match between measurement data and database information. For wall mapping, we use measurement of Time of Arrival (ToA) and Angle of Arrival (AoA) between pairs of radios in the same cavity. Using this data and a novel algorithm, we demonstrate how to determine wall material type, thickness, location, and the topology of the wall. Our research methodology utilizes experimental measurements to create the database of signal propagation through different wall materials. The work also performs measurements to determine wall position in simulated scenarios. We ran the developed algorithms over the measurement data and characterized the error behavior of the solutions. The experimental test bed uses Time Domain UWB radios with a center frequency of 4.7 GHz and bandwidth of over 3.2 GHz. The software was provided by Time Domain as well, including Performance Analysis Tool, Ranging application, and AoA application. For wall type identification, we use the P200 radio. And for wall mapping, we built a special UWB radio with both angle and distance measurement capability using one P200 radio and one P210 radio. In our experimental design for wall identification, we varied wall type and distance between the radios, while fixing the number of radios, transmit power and the number of antennas per radio. For wall mapping, we varied the locations of reference node sensors and receiver sensors on adjoining and opposite walls, while fixing cavity size, transmit power, and the number of antennas per radio. As we present in following chapters, our algorithms have very small estimation errors and can precisely identify wall types and wall positions.

O presente trabalho investiga a maneira segundo a qual a produção cultural das gerações pós-Shoá concilia a sensação de irrealidade do genocídio e as memórias que o circundam. É a partir daí que partimos para a análise de Maus a survivors tale (publicação completa em 1991), obra de Art Spiegelman que se dedica a arquitetar o discurso de seu pai, Vladek Spiegelman, sobrevivente da Shoá. Além do testemunho e de uma série de referências históricas - fotografias, panfletos, livros e depoimentos de outros sobreviventes, Art mescla as memórias pública e privada e também lança mão de outros mecanismos de representação que quebram a barreira da incompreensibilidade da Shoá, tal como ilustrações que justapõem o passado e presente. A medida em que investigamos outros trabalhos teóricos que abordam a Shoá - inclusive o outro trabalho de Spiegelman, denominado Metamaus (2011) - verificamos como as propostas culturais das gerações posteriores ao genocídio oferecem novos olhares e, consequentemente, novas perspectivas ao estudo de tamanha situação traumática. A hipótese do presente trabalho é de que o autor de Maus cria uma dinâmica tridimensional na transformação transgeracional da realidade do passado por meio de sua ressignificação simbólica. / This work investigates the way in which the cultural production of post-Shoah generations reconciles the unreality of the genocide and the memories that surround it. It is from this point that we begin with the analysis of Maus a survivor\'s tale (final edition in 1991), Art Spiegelman\'s main work through which he represents his father\'s life narrative as a war survivor of the Shoah. Armed with his story, as well as with a series of historical references, such as photographs, pamphlets, books and stories from other survivors, Art merges the public and private memories by using other mechanisms of representation that break the barrier of the incomprehensibility of Shoah, such as illustrations that juxtapose past and present. As we investigate other theoretical works that address the Shoah - including Spiegelman\'s other work called Metamaus (2011) - we see how the cultural proposals of post-genocide generations offer new insights and consequently new perspectives for the study of such traumatic situation. Our hypothesis is that the author of Maus creates a three-dimensional dynamics in the transgenerational transformation of the reality of the past by means of its symbolic resignification.

The purposes of this study were: (1) to compare nine groups of subjects composed of intellectually normal children, mentally retarded adolescents, and mentally retarded adults on a three dimensional concept formation task; (2) to determine the effects of discrimination training on the sortings of the nine groups on the experimental task. The 207 subjects of this study were divided into nine groups. Seven of t he groups, consisting of high average and low average grade 3, superior high average, and low average grade 6, and high and low adolescent retardates were chosen on the bases of school grade level (3, 6, and adolescent retarded) and IQ level (low average, high average, superior, low and high adolescent, and low and high adult retarded) with each group composed of 21 subjects, except the two adolescent groups which were composed of 30 subjects each. The remaining two groups, high and low adult retardates, were chosen on the bases of chronological age (between 20-35) and IQ level (high and low mildly retarded), with both groups composed of 30 subjects. One-third of the subjects in each group were given special discrimination training with the task objects. The experimental task required each subject to place 27 objects in three trays which could be moved back and forth. The trays were stacked one on another vertically but separated by one-sixteenth of one inch. Each tray was divided into nine boxes. The objects were of three kinds: sphere, cube, and tetrahedron; three sizes: 1, 1 1/2, and 1 3/4 inches; and three shades of blue: dark, medium, and light. Each subject was directed to place the objects in the three dimensional matrix as he desired. The discrimination subjects of each group performed the same task, but they received special orientation training with the trays and objects. One task object, a medium sized, medium blue cube was pre-placed in the center box of the middle tray for an anchor point for each subject to use for his sortings. The results of this study indicate the following: The nine diverse groups included in this study did not show statistically significant differences in their grouping of identical color shades, identical forms and identical sizes in the three dimensional matrix when each element The nine groups did not significantly (statistically) differ in their use of the left to right direction in their grouping of identical color, identical form, and identical size horizontally as well as vertically. This lack of significance also applied to the use of the front to back direction in sorting color, form and size differences both horizontally and vertically. Discrimination training did not significantly affect the performance of the nine groups on any of the dimensions measured in this study. Adult and adolescent retarded groups showed noticeable effects from discrimination training by increasing their responses to size likenesses in their horizontal sortings. In general, normal subjects increased their groupings of identical elements more than retarded subjects, hut the findings indicate that IQ and chronological age did not significantly (statistically) affect discrimination training in these nine groups. Neither chronological age nor IQ significantly (statistically) affected the subjects' concrete tendency to place the largest size objects into the top tray which was most accessible for sorting.

The ability to create three-dimensional (3D) images offers a wide variety of solutions to meet ever increasing consumer demands. As popularity for 3D cinema and television continues to grow, 3D images will remain an important area of research and development. While there are a variety of ways to create a 3D model, textel images are quickly become the preferred solution that has been captured with a texel camera. The combination of multiple texel images taken around a scene can be used to form a texel model. Offering both visual and dimensional accuracy, texel models are becoming invaluable tools for disaster management, situational awareness, and even military application. However, displaying a texel model often provides challenges, and the problems that arise when viewing texel models will be discussed and corrected in this paper.

This work details the design and fabrication of an ultra-wideband periodic spiral antenna (PSA) with a notch filter embedded directly into the radiating aperture. Prototype fabrication of the PSA reveals long assembly time due to forming the antenna element, therefore modifications are made to allow fabricating the antenna elements on a thin, flexible, Polyimide substrate. A transmission line model is develop to support the updated configuration of the antenna elements. In addition, a symmetric spurline filter is integrated into the arms of the spiral antenna in order to address the common problem of interference in ultra-wideband systems. For the first time, a placement study is conducted to show the optimal location of the filter as a function of frequency. The presented transmission line model demonstrates the ability to decouple the design of the filter and antenna by being able to predict the resonant frequency and achieved rejection after integration of the two. Measured results show a gain rejection of 21 dB along with the ability to tune the resonance of the filter from 1.1 – 2.7 GHz using a lumped capacitor. For high power applications, thermal measurements are conducted, and for the first time, thermal profiles along the top of the antenna are used to show the radiation bands in a spiral antenna. Power tests are successfully conducted up to 40 W across the entire operational bandwidth and up to 60 W for 2 GHz and below. At these elevated power levels, a large voltage is generated across the lumped capacitor used to tune the resonance of the spurline filter; this issue is addressed through the development of a capacitive wedge that is overlapped on top of the spurline stub, which increases the voltage handling to 2,756 V. Measured results reveal a reduced tuning range compared to using lumped capacitors and a gain rejection of greater than 10 dB for all configurations.

The objective of the dissertation is to develop and describe kinematic models (Pseudo-Rigid-Body Models) for approximating large-deflection of spatial (3D) cantilever beams that undergo multiple bending motions thru end-moment loading. Those models enable efficient design of compliant mechanisms, because they simply and accurately represent the bending and stiffness of compliant beams. To accomplish this goal, the approach can be divided into three stages: development of the governing equations of a flexible cantilever beam, development of a PRBM for axisymmetric cantilever beams and the development of spatial PRBMs for rectangular cross-section beam with multiple end moments. The governing equations of a cantilever beam that undergoes large deflection due to force and moment loading, contains the curvature, location and rotation of the beam. The results where validated with Ansys, which showed to have a Pearson's correlation factor higher than 0.91. The resulting deflections, curvatures and angles were used to develop a spatial pseudo-rigid-body model for the cantilever beam. The spatial pseudo-rigid-body model consists of two links connected thru a spherical joint. For an axisymmetric beam, the PRB parameters are comparable with existing planar PRBMs. For the rectangular PRBM, the parameters depend on the aspect ratio of the beam (the ratio of the beam width over the height of the cross-section). Tables with the parameters as a function of the aspect ratio are included in this work.

In this dissertation, I utilize digital holographic microscopy (DHM) to study the motility of biological cells. As an important feature of DHM, quantitative phase microscopy by digital holography (DH-QPM) is applied to study the cell-substrate interactions and migratory behavior of adhesive cells. The traction force exerted by biological cells is visualized as distortions in flexible substrata. Motile fibroblasts produce wrinkles when attached to a silicone rubber film. For the non-wrinkling elastic substrate polyacrylamide (PAA), surface deformation due to fibroblast adhesion and motility is visualized as tangential and vertical displacement. This surface deformation and the associated cellular traction forces are measured from phase profiles based on the degree of distortion. Intracellular fluctuations in amoeba cells are also analyzed statistically by DH-QPM. With the capacity of yielding quantitative measures directly, DH-QPM provides efficient and versatile means for quantitative analysis of cellular or intracellular motility. Three-dimensional profiling and tracking by DHM enable label-free and quantitative analysis of the characteristics and dynamic processes of objects, since DHM can record real-time data for micro-scale objects and produce a single hologram containing all the information about their three-dimensional structure. Here, I utilize DHM to visualize suspended microspheres and microfibers in three dimensions, and record the four-dimensional trajectories of free-swimming cells in the absence of mechanical focus adjustment. The displacement of microfibers due to interactions with cells in three spatial dimensions is measured as a function of time at sub-second and micrometer levels in a direct and straightforward manner. It has thus been shown that DHM is a highly efficient and versatile means for quantitative tracking and analysis of cell motility.

Computer-assisted three-dimensional (3D) mapping using stereo and multi-image (“softcopy”) photogrammetry is shown to enhance the visual interpretation of geomorphology in steep terrain with the direct benefit of greater locational accuracy than traditional manual mapping. This would benefit multi-parameter correlations between terrain attributes and landslide distribution in both direct and indirect forms of landslide hazard assessment. Case studies involve synthetic models of a landslide, and field studies of a rock slope and steep undeveloped hillsides with both recently formed and partly degraded, old landslide scars. Diagnostic 3D morphology was generated semi-automatically both using a terrain-following cursor under stereo-viewing and from high resolution digital elevation models created using area-based image correlation, further processed with curvature algorithms. Laboratory-based studies quantify limitations of area-based image correlation for measurement of 3D points on planar surfaces with varying camera orientations. The accuracy of point measurement is shown to be non-linear with limiting conditions created by both narrow and wide camera angles and moderate obliquity of the target plane. Analysis of the results with the planar surface highlighted problems with the controlling parameters of the area-based image correlation process when used for generating DEMs from images obtained with a low-cost digital camera. Although the specific cause of the phase-wrapped image artefacts identified was not found, the procedure would form a suitable method for testing image correlation software, as these artefacts may not be obvious in DEMs of non-planar surfaces. / Modelling of synthetic landslides shows that Fast Fourier Transforms are an efficient method for removing noise, as produced by errors in measurement of individual DEM points, enabling diagnostic morphological terrain elements to be extracted. Component landforms within landslides are complex entities and conversion of the automatically-defined morphology into geomorphology was only achieved with manual interpretation; however, this interpretation was facilitated by softcopy-driven stereo viewing of the morphological entities across the hillsides.In the final case study of a large landslide within a man-made slope, landslide displacements were measured using a photogrammetric model consisting of 79 images captured with a helicopter-borne, hand-held, small format digital camera. Displacement vectors and a thematic geomorphological map were superimposed over an animated, 3D photo-textured model to aid non-stereo visualisation and communication of results.