Current Search: engineering (x)
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- Title
- The Development of a Reentry Program for Women in Engineering at the University of Central Florida.
- Creator
-
Morse, Lucy C., Whitehouse, Gary E., Engineering
- Abstract / Description
-
University of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; In order to familiarize local women with advanced degree possibilities in engineering and with expanding loal industry, as well as increasing the graduate enrollment in the College of Engineering, the Univeristy of Central Florida has developed a Reentry Program for Women in the Industrial Engineering Department. Master of Science degrees are offered to the women with four options: Operations Research, Computer Systems, Engineering...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; In order to familiarize local women with advanced degree possibilities in engineering and with expanding loal industry, as well as increasing the graduate enrollment in the College of Engineering, the Univeristy of Central Florida has developed a Reentry Program for Women in the Industrial Engineering Department. Master of Science degrees are offered to the women with four options: Operations Research, Computer Systems, Engineering Administration, and Engineering Systems Analysis. The program is designed for women who received a bachelor's degree at least two years ago in mathematics, engineering, physics, or another hard science. Seed money for the program was obtained as a mini-grant from the Women's Reentry Consortium. The major component of the program is a mathematics review course which offers an intensive review of college math through differential equations. An Industrial Advisory Board is an integral part of the program and is giving support for potential employment of women during their schooling and afterwards, as well as making sure the women are going in directions consistent with the needs of industry. A special orientatioin, available tutoring, and a Professional Development Day are some of the features incorporated in this program. After the math review course, the women are mainstreamed into the standard graduate program with continued support.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1982
- Identifier
- CFR0008130, ucf:52970
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0008130
- Title
- INVESTIGATION OF NASCAR RESTRICTOR PLATE MANIFOLD INSERT USING WAVE ENGINE SIMULATION AND RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY.
- Creator
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Gross, John Mason, Hoekstra, Robert, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
With the increasing growth in computer processing power, computer based computational fluid dynamics simulations are finding increasing acceptance and use in the field of internal combustion engine development. Once fully developed, such simulations provide detailed and expedient tools for testing existing theories, as well as new ideas. While numerous studies on wave propagation and fluid flow in intakes manifolds exist, most restrict the analysis to a single intake runner and port,...
Show moreWith the increasing growth in computer processing power, computer based computational fluid dynamics simulations are finding increasing acceptance and use in the field of internal combustion engine development. Once fully developed, such simulations provide detailed and expedient tools for testing existing theories, as well as new ideas. While numerous studies on wave propagation and fluid flow in intakes manifolds exist, most restrict the analysis to a single intake runner and port, examining only the dynamics from the runner-to-plenum junction downstream to the valve. While such analyses provide comprehensive models for wave propagation dynamics in the runner, little is published on the fluid dynamics and wave propagation in the plenum, and the interactions between runners when an intake manifold's geometric constraints prevent symmetry in the manifold. This paper will examine the modeling of a 2003 specification Dodge Motorsports NASCAR Restrictor Plate engine using Ricardo's WAVE engine simulation computational fluid dynamics software. This examination will include an introduction to the software and required engine data for constructing a comprehensive model, the process used to validate the simulation's output with acquired engine performance data, and the use of response surface methodology to optimize the dimensions of the plenum insert associated junction. Additionally, an analysis of the problems with modeling this area of the manifold using one-dimensional CFD will be conducted, as well as a discussion of the theories surrounding the insert. Finally, a new hypothesis regarding the insert as well as future work to examine this hypothesis will be introduced.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- Identifier
- CFE0000124, ucf:46204
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000124
- Title
- DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF A FULL-FEATURED LABSCALE HYBRID ROCKET ENGINE.
- Creator
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Platt, Kyle, Petersen, Eric, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The design, development, integration and testing of a full-featured, Lab-Scale Hybrid Rocket Engine was not only envisioned to be the chosen method of putting student payloads into space, but to be an invaluable teaching resource. The subject of the present thesis is the analysis, design, development, integration and demonstration of a lab-scale hybrid rocket motor. The overarching goal of this project was to establish a working developmental lab model from which further research can be...
Show moreThe design, development, integration and testing of a full-featured, Lab-Scale Hybrid Rocket Engine was not only envisioned to be the chosen method of putting student payloads into space, but to be an invaluable teaching resource. The subject of the present thesis is the analysis, design, development, integration and demonstration of a lab-scale hybrid rocket motor. The overarching goal of this project was to establish a working developmental lab model from which further research can be accomplished. The lab model was specifically designed to use a fuel source that could be studied in normal laboratory conditions. As such, the rocket engine was designed to use Hydroxyl Terminated Polybutadiene as the fuel and Liquid Nitrous Oxide as the oxidizer. Developing the rocket engine required the usage of several electronics modules and a software package. The custom-designed electronics modules were a Signal Conditioning & Data Amplification Interface and a Data Acquisition Network. The software package was coded in Visual Basic (VB). A MathCAD regression rate computer model was designed and written to geometrically constrain the engine design. Further, the computer model allowed for the "what-if" situations to be evaluated. Using ProPep, solutions to the Equilibrium Thermodynamics Equations for the fuel and oxidizer mixture were obtained. The resultants were used as initial input to the computer model for predicting the lab-scale rocket's Chamber Pressure, Chamber Temperature, Ratio of Specific Heats and Molecular Weight. Details on the model, the rocket hardware, and the successful test firing are provided.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0000972, ucf:46714
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000972
- Title
- SYNTHESIS OF ALKYLTHIOL-CONTAINING FLUORENE DERIVATIVES FOR GOLD NANOPARTICLE FUNCTIONALIZATION.
- Creator
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Mukundarajan, Sriram, Belfield, Kevin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
A novel synthetic methodology has been developed for attaching fluorene derivatives, containing different types of electron donating and accepting groups at the 2 and 7 positions, to gold nanoparticles of different sizes by exploiting the affinity of the thiol functional group for gold. The distance between the dye and nanoparticles was varied by introducing two alkyl chains containing different number of carbon atoms at the 9 position on the fluorene ring system. The methodology that was...
Show moreA novel synthetic methodology has been developed for attaching fluorene derivatives, containing different types of electron donating and accepting groups at the 2 and 7 positions, to gold nanoparticles of different sizes by exploiting the affinity of the thiol functional group for gold. The distance between the dye and nanoparticles was varied by introducing two alkyl chains containing different number of carbon atoms at the 9 position on the fluorene ring system. The methodology that was developed gave enough scope for performing Radiative Decay Engineering (RDE) studies, in order to investigate the impact of gold nanoparticles on the singlet oxygen quantum yields of fluorene dyes that already exhibit high singlet oxygen quantum yields as well as high two photon absorption (2PA) cross-sections. The dialkylation of the fluorene derivatives was accomplished by reacting the dye with Ñ, ç-dibromoalkanes containing different number of carbon atoms in a biphasic reaction mixture containing toluene and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as a phase transfer catalyst. The bromine atom on the alkyl chains was converted to thioester by reaction with potassium thioacetate. This was followed by the hydrolysis of the thioester to form the thiol moiety. The compounds synthesized were characterized using 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Functionalization of gold nanoparticles was attempted by bringing into contact a solution of the thiol compound in toluene and an aqueous gold nanoparticles solution. UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy was used to monitor the progress of the attachment. Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy was used to probe the enhancement of Raman signal by the metallic nanoparticles.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000769, ucf:46589
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000769
- Title
- A HOLISTIC USABILITY FRAMEWORK FOR DISTRIBUTED SIMULATION SYSTEMS.
- Creator
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Dawson, Jeffrey, Rabelo, Luis, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This dissertation develops a holistic usability framework for distributed simulation systems (DSSs). The framework is developed considering relevant research in human-computer interaction, computer science, technical writing, engineering, management, and psychology. The methodology used consists of three steps: (1) framework development, (2) surveys of users to validate and refine the framework, and to determine attribute weights, and (3) application of the framework to two real-world systems...
Show moreThis dissertation develops a holistic usability framework for distributed simulation systems (DSSs). The framework is developed considering relevant research in human-computer interaction, computer science, technical writing, engineering, management, and psychology. The methodology used consists of three steps: (1) framework development, (2) surveys of users to validate and refine the framework, and to determine attribute weights, and (3) application of the framework to two real-world systems. The concept of a holistic usability framework for DSSs arose during a project to improve the usability of the Virtual Test Bed, a prototypical DSS, and the framework is partly a result of that project. In addition, DSSs at Ames Research Center were studied for additional insights. The framework has six dimensions: end user needs, end user interface(s), programming, installation, training, and documentation. The categories of participants in this study include managers, researchers, programmers, end users, trainers, and trainees. The first survey was used to obtain qualitative and quantitative data to validate and refine the framework. Attributes that failed the validation test were dropped from the framework. A second survey was used to obtain attribute weights. The refined framework was used to evaluate two existing DSSs, measuring their holistic usabilities. Ensuring that the needs of the variety of types of users who interact with the system during design, development, and use are met is important to launch a successful system. Adequate consideration of system usability along the several dimensions in the framework will not only ensure system success but also increase productivity, lower life cycle costs, and result in a more pleasurable working experience for people who work with the system.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001256, ucf:46906
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001256
- Title
- ADDING CEREBRAL AUTOREGULATION TO A LUMPED PARAMETER MODEL OF BLOOD FLOW.
- Creator
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Gentile, Rusty, Kassab, Alain, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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A mathematical model of blood flow in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) was improved by adding cerebral autoregulation. This is the process by which blood vessels constrict or dilate to keep blood flow steady in certain organs during pressure changes. The original lumped parameter model transformed the fluid flow into an electrical circuit. Its behavior is described using a system of thirty-three coupled differential equations that are solved numerically using a fourth-order...
Show moreA mathematical model of blood flow in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) was improved by adding cerebral autoregulation. This is the process by which blood vessels constrict or dilate to keep blood flow steady in certain organs during pressure changes. The original lumped parameter model transformed the fluid flow into an electrical circuit. Its behavior is described using a system of thirty-three coupled differential equations that are solved numerically using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method implemented in MATLAB. A literature review that includes a discussion of autoregulation mechanisms and approaches to modeling them is followed by a description of the model created for this paper. The model is based on the baroreceptor or neurogenic theory of autoregulation. According to this theory, nerves in certain places within the cardiovascular system detect changes in blood pressure. The brain then compensates by sending a signal to blood vessels to constrict or dilate. The model of the control system responded fairly well to a pressure drop with a steady state error of about two percent. Running the model with or without the control system activated had little effect on other parameters, notably cardiac output. A more complete model of blood flow control would include autonomic regulation. This would vary more parameters than local autoregulation, including heart rate and contractility. This is suggested as a topic of further research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFH0004214, ucf:44933
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004214
- Title
- Investigation into the Feasibility of Adding Turbulators to Rocket Combustion Chamber Cooling Channels Using a Conjugate Heat Transfer Analysis.
- Creator
-
Buchanan, Tyler, Kapat, Jayanta, Raghavan, Seetha, Ghosh, Ranajay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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A conjugate heat transfer analysis will be carried out to simulate an 89 kN thrust chamber hydrogen cooling channel, to determine the feasibility of adding turbulators to the combustion chamber cooling channels at various parameters such as angle, pitch, and height of the turbulator. An existing regeneratively cooled chamber environment is simulated and used as a baseline case to be compared against. The new design includes using ribbed turbulators or delta wedges in the cooling channels to...
Show moreA conjugate heat transfer analysis will be carried out to simulate an 89 kN thrust chamber hydrogen cooling channel, to determine the feasibility of adding turbulators to the combustion chamber cooling channels at various parameters such as angle, pitch, and height of the turbulator. An existing regeneratively cooled chamber environment is simulated and used as a baseline case to be compared against. The new design includes using ribbed turbulators or delta wedges in the cooling channels to increase the heat transfer on the channel hot wall (wall adjacent to the hot gas wall) and on the two channel sidewalls. With a higher heat transfer coefficient, the sidewalls behave like fins for heat transfer and participate more in the overall heat transfer process in the channel. Efficient rib and wedge geometries are chosen based on previous investigations. A conjugate heat transfer analysis is performed using a straight duct with the rib and wedge geometries included, with boundary conditions similar to those found in the combustion chamber, to provide thermal hydraulic performance data at numerous turbulator configurations. The baseline channel's maximum hot wall temperature is the target maximum hot wall temperature that is desired to be reduced. The goal is to reduce the hot gas side wall temperature at a minimal cost in pressure drop.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007160, ucf:52320
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007160
- Title
- EXPLORING TECHNIQUES FOR MEASUREMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF DATA QUALITY WITH APPLICATION TO DETERMINATION OF THE LAST KNOWN POSITION (LKP) IN SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR) DATA.
- Creator
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Wakchaure, Abhijit, Hua, Kien, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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There is a tremendous volume of data being generated in today's world. As organizations around the globe realize the increased importance of their data as being a valuable asset in gaining a competitive edge in a fast-paced and a dynamic business world, more and more attention is being paid to the quality of the data. Advances in the fields of data mining, predictive modeling, text mining, web mining, business intelligence, health care analytics, etc. all depend on clean, accurate data. That...
Show moreThere is a tremendous volume of data being generated in today's world. As organizations around the globe realize the increased importance of their data as being a valuable asset in gaining a competitive edge in a fast-paced and a dynamic business world, more and more attention is being paid to the quality of the data. Advances in the fields of data mining, predictive modeling, text mining, web mining, business intelligence, health care analytics, etc. all depend on clean, accurate data. That one cannot effectively mine data, which is dirty, comes as no surprise. This research is an exploratory study of different domain data sets, addressing the data quality issues specific to each domain, identifying the challenges faced and arriving at techniques or methodologies for measuring and improving the data quality. The primary focus of the research is on the SAR or Search and Rescue dataset, identifying key issues related to data quality therein and developing an algorithm for improving the data quality. SAR missions which are routinely conducted all over the world show a trend of increasing mission costs. Retrospective studies of historic SAR data not only allow for a detailed analysis and understanding of SAR incidents and patterns, but also form the basis for generating probability maps, analytical data models, etc., which allow for an efficient use of valuable SAR resources and their distribution. One of the challenges with regards to the SAR dataset is that the collection process is not perfect. Often, the LKP or the Last Known Position is not known or cannot be arrived at. The goal is to fully or partially geocode the LKP for as many data points as possible, identify those data points where the LKP cannot be geocoded at all, and further highlight the underlying data quality issues. The SAR Algorithm has been developed, which makes use of partial or incomplete information, cleans and validates the data, and further extracts address information from relevant fields to successfully geocode the data. The algorithm improves the geocoding accuracy and has been validated by a set of approaches.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0004050, ucf:49142
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004050
- Title
- EFFECTS OF HOSPITAL STRUCTURAL COMPLEXITY AND PROCESS ADEQUACY ON THE PREVALENCE OF SYSTEMIC ADVERSE EVENTS AND COMPLIANCE ISSUES: A BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN PERSPECTIVE.
- Creator
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Fiedler, Beth, Wan, Thomas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the relationships among structural complexity, process adequacy, and level of quality in a hospital environment of care from the perspective of the biomedical engineering technician (BMET). The BMET health support occupation is under-represented in research. The BMET influences on patient outcomes were observed indirectly through the influence on nursing performance. The unit of analysis is biomedical engineering technician. The study...
Show morePurpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the relationships among structural complexity, process adequacy, and level of quality in a hospital environment of care from the perspective of the biomedical engineering technician (BMET). The BMET health support occupation is under-represented in research. The BMET influences on patient outcomes were observed indirectly through the influence on nursing performance. The unit of analysis is biomedical engineering technician. The study examined the predictors of adverse events in hospital care and suggested how to promote reduction in adverse events (hospital acquired infections) associated with medical equipment. Methods: Primary data were gathered by the Biomedical Engineering Interdepartmental Survey of BMETs' professional perception of organizational factors (Structural Complexity), process factors (Process Adequacy), Level of Quality and control variables that characterizes the study population. A total of 317 BMETs in 46 states and the District of Columbia completed the survey. The survey instrument was developed using Dillman's Tailored Design Methods and validated for reliability. A majority of respondents reported 5+ years of experience working at large, non-profit, Joint Commission accredited, urban facilities across 5 regions. The effect of structural complexity and process adequacy was analyzed by structural equation modeling (SEM) under the theoretical framework of Donabedian's Structure-Process-Outcome model. Findings: The SEM data analysis indicates strong, positive relationships between constructs as statistically significant (2-tailed) with normal distribution: 1) Structural Complexity and Process Adequacy at Beta =.889, t=7.248, p<0.001; 2) Process Adequacy and Level of Quality at Beta =.563, t=3.136, p=0.002; and 3) Structural Complexity and Level of Quality at Beta =.430, t=2.469, and p=0.014. Translation of these findings into equation form as follows: Level of Quality = .889 Structural Complexity + .563 Process Adequacy The study finds several determinants of quality derived from structural complexity including 1) uniform standards, 2) inter-professional training, and 3) coordination evidence. In addition, the intervening effect of process adequacy comprising regular meetings, equipment purchasing involvement, formal equipment training across departments, and formal department information on the level of quality is supported. Conclusion: Predictors identified from interdepartmental and inter-professional partnerships and associated processes suggest that integration of the biomedical engineering technician into the hospital delivery system can improve the quality of care. Administrators can manage and improve quality through employing simple, effective and efficient solutions such as 1) updating internal hospital policy to require regularly scheduled meetings between nursing and biomedical staff regarding equipment issues, 2) linking the BMET department goals to organization objectives, 3) interdepartmental reporting of hospital acquired infections, and 4) standardizing clinical engineering practices to facilitate increased internal and external hospital quality.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003980, ucf:48670
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003980
- Title
- A Computer Graphics Analysis of a Freeway Merge Control System.
- Creator
-
Risher, Thomas A., Bauer, Christian, Engineering
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis; In 1975, C.S. Bauer completed a doctoral dissertation at the University of Florida which treated the Green Band Merging Control System on I-75 in Tampa, Florida. In this work, Bauer suggested the possibility for the use of computer graphics as a toll for analysis of the bands generated by the Green Band Control System Simulation developed in his dissertation. The use of computer generated movies of the bands displayed to ramp...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis; In 1975, C.S. Bauer completed a doctoral dissertation at the University of Florida which treated the Green Band Merging Control System on I-75 in Tampa, Florida. In this work, Bauer suggested the possibility for the use of computer graphics as a toll for analysis of the bands generated by the Green Band Control System Simulation developed in his dissertation. The use of computer generated movies of the bands displayed to ramp drivers by the system allows the comparison of various band control strategies without the need for field implementation and testing. With the goal of producing such films in mind, the research topic discussed in this paper was undertaken. The report introduces the reader to some of the basic aspects of computer graphics and presents specialized computer software and interface hardware for producing automated computer graphics movies from a Tektronix 4010 storage display. A brief discussion of the Tampa System and its associated simulation program is presented, and representative frames from the moves of the Tampa System produced in the research are discussed. Suggestions for additional work that could be undertaken in the research area conclude the report.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1976
- Identifier
- CFR0011597, ucf:53042
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011597
- Title
- A GPSS/360 Computer Model for Simulation of Automobile Traffic at Intersections.
- Creator
-
Golovcsenko, Igor V., ,, Engineering
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis
- Date Issued
- 1974
- Identifier
- CFR0011598, ucf:53135
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011598
- Title
- An Experimental Investigation of the State of Creativity, Critical Thinking and Creativity Training in Undergraduate Engineering Students.
- Creator
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Sola, Eric, Hoekstra, Robert, Kotnour, Timothy, McCauley, Pamela, Fiore, Stephen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This research explores creativity and critical thinking skills in undergraduate engineering students. The study undertook two experiments in order to gather a better understanding of several factors regarding the interactions between students' creative abilities and the effects of the undergraduate engineering curriculum. Experiment 1 focused on the differences in creative and critical thinking skills in freshman versus senior undergraduate engineering students. Experiment 2 centered on the...
Show moreThis research explores creativity and critical thinking skills in undergraduate engineering students. The study undertook two experiments in order to gather a better understanding of several factors regarding the interactions between students' creative abilities and the effects of the undergraduate engineering curriculum. Experiment 1 focused on the differences in creative and critical thinking skills in freshman versus senior undergraduate engineering students. Experiment 2 centered on the variation in the effects of long-term versus short-term creativity training on senior engineering students. Creative skill was measured using the Test for Creative Thinking (-) Drawing Production (TCT-DP) developed by Urban and Jellen (2010). Measurements for critical thinking utilized the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Assessment (WGCTA) (Watson (&) Glaser, 2008).Experiment 1 found evidence suggesting the freshman engineers within the study were more creative than senior engineers (F = 3.159, P-Value = 0.078). Surprisingly, there was no evidence suggesting the senior engineers had superior critical thinking skills over the freshman engineers (F = 1.054, P-Value = 0.306). The study groups' data was also compared to the normative data provided by the WGCTA test, in order to determine the standing of the two engineering sample groups against the general population. The study's freshman group average ranked in the 70th percentile (freshman engineers' average) when compared to the normative general population's average (50th percentile). The senior participants, on the other hand, scored significantly lower than their corresponding normative group, moving from the 50th percentile (normative average) to slightly above the 35th percentile (senior engineers' average). Based on this evidence, current engineering education methods are detrimental not only to the creative skills of engineering students, but their critical thinking capabilities as well.Experiment 2 results suggested that long-term creativity training provides statistically significant improvements over short-term creativity training (F = 40.381, P-Value = 0.000). This significance was established even though the long-term group was found to have been trained inadvertently before the start of their official training, simply by their knowledge of the course's requirements to provide creative solutions. As such, these results suggest both that continuous creativity training benefits the recipient individuals, and that beginning a more creative approach to collegiate engineering curricula may start as easily as initiating courses with the known expectation that students use creativity in their problem solving whenever feasible. This study provides new insights into the state of creativity and critical thinking in undergraduate engineers. Based on the resulting data, engineering education must be examined and restructured to provide students with the necessary tools to improve their creative and critical thinking skills. Through the use of creativity and critical thinking training and instruction methods, educators can effectively address these observed deficiencies, resulting in engineering students being better prepared for their professional lives within the 21st century workplace.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006183, ucf:51134
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006183
- Title
- EXPRESSION OF HETEROLOGOUS PROTEINS IN TRANSGENIC TOBACCO CHLOROPLASTS TO PRODUCE A BIOPHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOPOLYMER.
- Creator
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Devine, Andrew, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The chloroplast has been demonstrated to be an ideal compartment to accumulate certain proteins or their biosynthetic products that would be harmful if they were accumulated in the cytoplasm. Hyper-expression of foreign proteins in chloroplast transgenics has accumulated up to 46% total soluble protein, this is possible due to the ~100 chloroplast genomes per chloroplast and ~100 chloroplasts per cell which can therefore, contain up to 10,000 copies of the transgene. Maternal gene inheritance...
Show moreThe chloroplast has been demonstrated to be an ideal compartment to accumulate certain proteins or their biosynthetic products that would be harmful if they were accumulated in the cytoplasm. Hyper-expression of foreign proteins in chloroplast transgenics has accumulated up to 46% total soluble protein, this is possible due to the ~100 chloroplast genomes per chloroplast and ~100 chloroplasts per cell which can therefore, contain up to 10,000 copies of the transgene. Maternal gene inheritance of plastids in most crop plants results in natural gene containment. Chloroplast transformation also eliminates positional effects that are frequently observed with nuclear transformation and no gene silencing has been observed so far at the level of transcription or translation. Consequently, independent chloroplast transgenic lines have very similar levels of foreign gene expression and there is no need to screen hundreds of transgenic events. The chloroplast genome has also been used in molecular farming to express human therapeutic proteins, vaccines for human or animal use and biomaterials. In this study we have produced a Nicotiana tabacum cv. petit Havana chloroplast transgenic line that expresses a cholera toxin B subunit (from Vibrio Cholerae)-human proinsulin (a,b and c chain) fusion protein, designated CTB-Pris. The pLD-PW vector contains the CTB-Pris gene cloned into the universal chloroplast transformation vector pLD-ctv in which the 16S rRNA promoter drives the aadA gene selectable marker, which confers resistance to spectinomycin; the psbA 5' untranslated region (UTR) which enhances translation of CTB-Pris in the presence of light and the psbA 3'UTR confers transcript stability. The trnI and trnA homologous flanking sequences facilitated site-specific integration of transgenes into the tobacco chloroplast genome. Site-specific integration was demonstrated by PCR and Southern blot analysis with probes for CTB-Pris. Western Blot analysis has demonstrated the presence of abundant CTB-Pris in transgenic plants with both CTB polyclonal and proinsulin monoclonal antibodies. Southern blot analysis has also confirmed that homoplasmy had been achieved in the T0 generation. The expression levels for CTB-Proinsulin varied between 270ìg/100mg to 364.8ìg/100mg of plant tissue which equates to ~30% total soluble protein. In the second study the E. coli ubiC gene that codes for chorismate pyruvate-lyase (CPL) was integrated in the tobacco chloroplast genome under the control of the light-regulated psbA 5' untranslated region. CPL catalyzes the direct conversion of chorismate an important branch point intermediate in the shikimate pathway that is exclusively synthesized in plastids to pHBA and pyruvate. pHBA is the major monomer in liquid crystal polymers (LCPs). These thermotropic polyesters have excellent properties, including high strength/stiffness, low melt viscosity, property retention at elevated temperatures, environmental resistance and low gas permeability. The leaf content of pHBA glucose conjugates in fully mature T1 plants exposed to continuous light (total pooled material) varied between 13-18% DW, while the oldest leaves had levels as high as 26.5% DW. The highest CPL enzyme activity observed in total leaf material was 50,783 pkat/mg of protein, which is equivalent to ~35% of the total soluble protein. Animal studies in the Daniell lab, suggest that the CTB-Proinsulin producing plants suppress insulitis and clinical symptoms of diabetes in NOD mice. These observations demonstrate the versatility of chloroplast gene expression for production of biopharmaceuticals and biopolymers.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001056, ucf:46794
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001056
- Title
- TEXT-IMAGE RESTORATION AND TEXT ALIGNMENT FOR MULTI-ENGINE OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION SYSTEMS.
- Creator
-
Kozlovski, Nikolai, Weeks, Arthur, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Previous research showed that combining three different optical character recognition (OCR) engines (ExperVision® OCR, Scansoft OCR, and Abbyy® OCR) results using voting algorithms will get higher accuracy rate than each of the engines individually. While a voting algorithm has been realized, several aspects to automate and improve the accuracy rate needed further research. This thesis will focus on morphological image preprocessing and morphological text restoration that goes to OCR...
Show morePrevious research showed that combining three different optical character recognition (OCR) engines (ExperVision® OCR, Scansoft OCR, and Abbyy® OCR) results using voting algorithms will get higher accuracy rate than each of the engines individually. While a voting algorithm has been realized, several aspects to automate and improve the accuracy rate needed further research. This thesis will focus on morphological image preprocessing and morphological text restoration that goes to OCR engines. This method is similar to the one used in restoration partial finger prints. Series of morphological dilating and eroding filters of various mask shapes and sizes were applied to text of different font sizes and types with various noises added. These images were then processed by the OCR engines, and based on these results successful combinations of text, noise, and filters were chosen. The thesis will also deal with the problem of text alignment. Each OCR engine has its own way of dealing with noise and corrupted characters; as a result, the output texts of OCR engines have different lengths and number of words. This in turn, makes it impossible to use spaces a delimiter as a method to separate the words for processing by the voting part of the system. Text aligning determines, using various techniques, what is an extra word, what is supposed to be two or more words instead of one, which words are missing in one document compared to the other, etc. Alignment algorithm is made up of a series of shifts in the two texts to determine which parts are similar and which are not. Since errors made by OCR engines are due to visual misrecognition, in addition to simple character comparison (equal or not), a technique was developed that allows comparison of characters based on how they look.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001060, ucf:46799
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001060
- Title
- Dynamic modeling of pwm and single-switch single-stage power factor correction converters.
- Creator
-
Zhu, Guangyong, Batarseh, Issa E., Engineering
- Abstract / Description
-
University of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; The concept of averaging has been used extensively in the modeling of power electronic circuits to overcome their inherent time-variant nature. Among various methods, the PWM switch modeling approach is most widely accepted in the study of closed-loop stability and transient response because of its accuracy and simplicity. However, a non-ideal PWM switch model considering conduction losses is not available except for converters...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; The concept of averaging has been used extensively in the modeling of power electronic circuits to overcome their inherent time-variant nature. Among various methods, the PWM switch modeling approach is most widely accepted in the study of closed-loop stability and transient response because of its accuracy and simplicity. However, a non-ideal PWM switch model considering conduction losses is not available except for converters operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM) and under small ripple conditions. Modeling of conductor losses under large ripple conditions has not been reported in the open literature, especially when the converter operates in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). In this dissertation, new models are developed to include conduction losses in the non-ideal PWM switch model under CCM and DCM conditions. The developed model is verified through two converter examples and the effect of conduction losses on the steady state and dynamic responses of the converter is also studied. Another major constraint of the PWM switch modeling approach is that it heavily relies on finding the three-terminal PWM switch. This requirement severely limits its application in modeling single-switch single-stage power factor correction (PFC) converters, where more complex topological structures and switching actions are often encountered. In this work, we developed a new modeling approach which extends the PWM switch concept by identifying the charging and discharging voltages applied to the inductors. The new method can be easily applied to derive large-signal models for a large group of PFC converters and the procedure is elaborated through a specific example. Finally, analytical results regarding harmonic contents and power factors of various PWM converters in PFC applications are also presented here.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1999
- Identifier
- CFR0001716, ucf:52925
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0001716
- Title
- Gate and throughput optimizations for null convention self-timed digital circuits.
- Creator
-
Smith, Scott Christopher, DeMara, Ronald, Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract / Description
-
University of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; Convention Logic (NCL) provides an asynchronous design methodology employing dual-rail signals, quad-rail signals, or other Mutually Exclusive Assertion Groups (MEAGs) to incorporate data and control information into one mixed path. In NCL, the control is inherently present with each datum, so there is no need for worse case delay analysis and control path delay matching. This dissertation focuses on optimization methods for NCL...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; Convention Logic (NCL) provides an asynchronous design methodology employing dual-rail signals, quad-rail signals, or other Mutually Exclusive Assertion Groups (MEAGs) to incorporate data and control information into one mixed path. In NCL, the control is inherently present with each datum, so there is no need for worse case delay analysis and control path delay matching. This dissertation focuses on optimization methods for NCL circuits, specifically addressing three related architectural areas of NCL design. First, a design method for optimizing NCL circuits is developed. The method utilizes conventional Boolean minimization followed by table-driven gate substitutions. It IS applied to design time and space optimal fundamental logic functions, a time and space optimal full adder, and time, transistor count, and power optimal up-counter circuits. The method is applicable when composing logic functions where each gate is a state-holding element; and can produce delay-insensitive circuits requiring less area and fewer gate delays than alternative gate-level approaches requiring full minterm generation. Second, a pipelining method for producing throughput optimal NCL systems is developed. A relationship between the number of gate delays per stage and the worse case throughput for a pipeline as a whole is derived. The method then uses this relationship to minimize a pipeline's worse-case throughput by partitioning the NCL combinational circuitry through the addition of asynchronous registers. The method is applied to design a maximum throughput unsigned multiplier, which yields a speedup of 2.25 over the non-pipelined version, while maintaining delay-insensitivity. Third, a technique to mitigate the impact of the NULL cycle is developed. The technique Wher increases the maximum attainable throughput of a NCL system by reducing inherent overheads associated with an integrated data and control path. This technique is applied to a non-pipelined Cbit by 4-bit unsigned multiplier to yield a speedup of 1.61 over the standalone version. Finally, these techniques are applied to design a 72+32x32 multiply and &cumulate (MAC) unit, which outperforms other delay-insensitive/self-timed MACs in the literature. It also performs conditional rounding, scaling, and saturation of the output, whereas the others do not; thus further distinguishing it from the previous work. The methods developed facilitate speed, transistor count, and power tradeoffs using approaches that are readily automatable.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2001
- Identifier
- CFR0001377, ucf:52924
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0001377
- Title
- Topology and control investigation for low-voltage high-current isolated DC-DC converters.
- Creator
-
Mao, Hong, Batarseh, Issa, Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract / Description
-
University of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; High conversion efficiency and fast transient response at high switching frequency are the two main challenges for low-voltage high-current DC-DC converters, which are the motivations of the dissertation work. To reduce the switching power loss, soft switching is a desirable technique to keep power loss under control at high switching frequencies. A Duty-Cycle-Shift (DCS) concept is proposed for half-bridge DC-DC converters to...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; High conversion efficiency and fast transient response at high switching frequency are the two main challenges for low-voltage high-current DC-DC converters, which are the motivations of the dissertation work. To reduce the switching power loss, soft switching is a desirable technique to keep power loss under control at high switching frequencies. A Duty-Cycle-Shift (DCS) concept is proposed for half-bridge DC-DC converters to reduce switching loss. The concept of this new control scheme is shifting one of the two symmetric PWM driving signals close to the other, such that ZVS can be achieved for the lagging switch due to the shortened resonant interval.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- Identifier
- CFR0001718, ucf:52921
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0001718
- Title
- Computing a diameter-constrained minimum spanning tree.
- Creator
-
Abdalla, Ayman Mahmoud, Deo, Narsingh, Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract / Description
-
University of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; In numerous practical applications, it is necessary to find the smallest possible tree with a bounded diameter. A diameter-constrained minimum spanning tree (DCMST) of a given undirected, edge-weighted graph, G, is the smallest-weight spanning tree of all spanning trees of G which contain no path with more than k edges, where k is a given positive integer. The problem of finding a DCMST is NP-complete for all values of k; 4
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; In numerous practical applications, it is necessary to find the smallest possible tree with a bounded diameter. A diameter-constrained minimum spanning tree (DCMST) of a given undirected, edge-weighted graph, G, is the smallest-weight spanning tree of all spanning trees of G which contain no path with more than k edges, where k is a given positive integer. The problem of finding a DCMST is NP-complete for all values of k; 4 <= k <= (n - 2), except when all edge-weights are identical. A DCMST is essential for the efficiency of various distributed mutual exclusion algorithms, where it can minimize the number of messages communicated among processors per critical section. It is also useful in linear lightwave networks, where it can minimize interference in the network by limiting the traffic in the network lines. Another practical application requiring a DCMST arises in data compression, where some algorithms compress a file utilizing a data-structure, and decompress a path in the tree to access a record A DCMST helps such algorithm to be fast without sacrificing a lot of storage storage space.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2001
- Identifier
- CFR0002215, ucf:52914
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0002215
- Title
- Energy aware design and analysis for synchronous and asynchronous circuits.
- Creator
-
Di, Jia, Yuan, Jiann S., Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract / Description
-
University of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; Power dissipation has become a major concern for IC designers. Various low power design techniques have been developed for synchronous circuits. Asynchronous circuits, however have gained more interests recently due to their benefits in lower noise, easy timing control, etc. But few publications on energy reduction techniques for asynchronous logic are available. Power awareness indicates the ability of the system power to scale...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; Power dissipation has become a major concern for IC designers. Various low power design techniques have been developed for synchronous circuits. Asynchronous circuits, however have gained more interests recently due to their benefits in lower noise, easy timing control, etc. But few publications on energy reduction techniques for asynchronous logic are available. Power awareness indicates the ability of the system power to scale with changing conditions and quality requirements. Scalability is an important figure-of-merit since it allows the end user to implement operational policy just like the user of mobile multimedia equipment needs to select between better quality and longer battery operation time. This dissertation discusses power /energy optimization and performs analysis on both synchronous and asynchronous logic.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- Identifier
- CFR0001720, ucf:52913
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0001720
- Title
- A unified approach to dynamic modeling of high switching frequency pwm converters.
- Creator
-
Iannello, Christopher J., Batarseh, Issa, Engineering
- Abstract / Description
-
University of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; This dissertation will present the development of a unified approach for dynamic modeling of the PWM and soft-switching power converters. Dynamic modeling of non-linear power converters is very important for the design and stability of their closed loop control. While the use of equivalent circuits is often preferred due to simulation efficiency issues, no unified and widely applicable method for the formulation of these equivalents...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; This dissertation will present the development of a unified approach for dynamic modeling of the PWM and soft-switching power converters. Dynamic modeling of non-linear power converters is very important for the design and stability of their closed loop control. While the use of equivalent circuits is often preferred due to simulation efficiency issues, no unified and widely applicable method for the formulation of these equivalents exists.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2001
- Identifier
- CFR0000833, ucf:52929
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0000833