View All Items

Title: Implementation And Performance Comparisons For The Crisfield And Stiff Arc Length Methods In FEA.
Creator: Silvers, Thomas, Gordon, Ali, Nicholson, David, Kassab, Alain, Ilie, Marcel, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis (FEA) applied to structures, displacements at which the tangent stiffness matrix KT becomes singular are called critical points, and correspond to instabilities such as buckling or elastoplastic softening (e.g., necking). Prior to the introduction of Arc Length Methods (ALMs), critical points posed severe computational challenges, which was unfortunate since behavior at instabilities is of great interest as a precursor to structural failure. The original...
Show moreIn Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis (FEA) applied to structures, displacements at which the tangent stiffness matrix KT becomes singular are called critical points, and correspond to instabilities such as buckling or elastoplastic softening (e.g., necking). Prior to the introduction of Arc Length Methods (ALMs), critical points posed severe computational challenges, which was unfortunate since behavior at instabilities is of great interest as a precursor to structural failure. The original ALM was shown to be capable in some circumstances of continued computation at critical points, but limited success and unattractive features of the formulation were noted and addressed in extensive subsequent research. The widely used Crisfield Cylindrical and Spherical ALMs may be viewed as representing the 'state-of-the-art'. The more recent Stiff Arc Length method, which is attractive on fundamental grounds, was introduced in 2004, but without implementation, benchmarking or performance assessment. The present thesis addresses (a) implementation and (b) performance comparisons for the Crisfield and Stiff methods, using simple benchmarks formulated to incorporate elastoplastic softening. It is seen that, in contrast to the Crisfield methods, the Stiff ALM consistently continues accurate computation at, near and beyond critical points.
Show less
Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004277, ucf:49544
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004277

Title: Quantum Chemical Studies for the Engineering of Metal Organic Materials.
Creator: Rivera Jacquez, Hector, Masunov, Artem, Balaeff, Alexander, Harper, James, Heider, Emily, Zou, Shengli, Kaden, William, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Metal Organic Materials (MOM) are composed of transition metal ions as connectors and organic ligands as linkers. MOMs have been found to have high porosity, catalytic, and optical properties. Here we study the gas adsorption, color change, and non-linear optical properties of MOMs. These properties can be predicted using theoretical methods, and the results may provide experimentalists with guidance for rational design and engineering of novel MOMs. The theory levels used include semi...
Show moreMetal Organic Materials (MOM) are composed of transition metal ions as connectors and organic ligands as linkers. MOMs have been found to have high porosity, catalytic, and optical properties. Here we study the gas adsorption, color change, and non-linear optical properties of MOMs. These properties can be predicted using theoretical methods, and the results may provide experimentalists with guidance for rational design and engineering of novel MOMs. The theory levels used include semi-empirical quantum mechanical calculations with the PM7 Hamiltonian and, Density Functional Theory (DFT) to predict the geometry and electronic structure of the ground state, and Time Dependent DFT (TD-DFT) to predict the excited states and the optical properties.The molecular absorption capacity of aldoxime coordinated Zn(II) based MOMs (previously measured experimentally) is predicted by using PM7 Theory level. The 3D structures were optimized with and without host molecules inside the pores. The absorption capacity of these crystals was predicted to be 8H2 or 3N2 per unit cell. When going beyond this limit, the structural integrity of the bulk material becomes fractured and microcrystals are observed both experimentally and theoretically.The linear absorption properties of Co(II) based complexes are known to change color when the coordination number is altered. In order to understand the mechanism of this color change TD-DFT methods are employed. The chromic behavior of the Co(II) based complexes studied was confirmed to be due to a chain in coordination number that resulted in lower metal to ligand distances. These distances destabilize the occupied metal d orbitals, and as a consequence of this, the metal to ligand transition energy is lowered enough to allow the crystals to absorb light at longer wavelengths.Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) present an extension of MOM principles to the main group elements. The synthesis of ordered COFs is possible by using predesigned structures andcarefully selecting the building blocks and their conditions for assembly. The crystals formed by these systems often possess non-linear optical (NLO) properties. Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) is one of the most used optical processes. Currently, there is a great demand for materials with NLO optical properties to be used for optoelectronic, imaging, sensing, among other applications. DFT calculations can predict the second order hyperpolarizability ?2 and tensor components necessary to estimate NLO. These calculations for the ?2 were done with the use of the Berry's finite field approach. An efficient material with high ?2 was designed and the resulting material was predicted to be nearly fivefold higher than the urea standard.Two-photon absorption (2PA) is another NLO effect. Unlike SHG, it is not limited to acentric material and can be used development of in vivo bio-imaging agents for the brain. Pt(II) complexes with porphyrin derivatives are theoretically studied for that purpose. The mechanism of 2PA enhancement was identified. For the most efficient porphyrin, the large 2PA cross-section was found to be caused by a HOMO-LUMO+2 transition. This transition is strongly coupled to 1PA allowed Q-band HOMO-LUMO states by large transition dipoles. Alkyl carboxyl substituents delocalize the LUMO+2 orbital due to their strong ?-acceptor effect, enhancing transition dipoles and lowering the 2PA transition to the desirable wavelengths range.The mechanism 2PA cross-section enhancement of aminoxime and aldoxime ligands upon metal addition of is studied with TD-DFT methods. This mechanism of enhancement is found to be caused by the polarization of the ligand orbitals by the metal cation. After polarization an increase in ligand to ligand transition dipole moment. This enhancement of dipole moment is related to the increase in 2PA cross-sections.
Show less
Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005990, ucf:50777
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005990

Title: Biomechanics of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip - An engineering study of closed reduction utilizing the Pavlik harness for a range of subtle to severe dislocations in infants.
Creator: Huayamave, Victor, Divo, Eduardo, Kassab, Alain, Reddi, Lakshmi, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is an abnormal condition where hip joint dislocation, misalignment, or instability is present in infants. Rates of incidence of DDH in newborn infants have been reported to vary between 1 and 20 per 1000 births, making it the most common congenital malformation of the musculoskeletal system. DDH early detection and treatment is critical to avoid the use of surgical treatment in infants and to prevent future complications such as osteoarthritis in adult...
Show moreDevelopmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is an abnormal condition where hip joint dislocation, misalignment, or instability is present in infants. Rates of incidence of DDH in newborn infants have been reported to vary between 1 and 20 per 1000 births, making it the most common congenital malformation of the musculoskeletal system. DDH early detection and treatment is critical to avoid the use of surgical treatment in infants and to prevent future complications such as osteoarthritis in adult life. To this day several non-surgical treatments involving the use of harnesses and braces have been proposed to treat DDH in infants, with the Pavlik harness being the current non-surgical standard used to treat DDH at early stages. Although the Pavlik harness has been proven to be successful treating subtle dislocations, severe dislocations do not always reduce. Until now the use of the harness remains an empirical method, and its effectiveness often depends on physician expertise or trial-error procedures; thus a clear guideline has not been established to determine the best optimal harness configuration to treat both subtle and severe dislocations. The goal of this dissertation is to understand the connection between reductions for subtle and severe dislocations and passive muscle forces and moments generated while the harness is used during treatment. While the understanding of DDH biomechanics will provide a valuable clinically applicable approach to optimize and increase harness success rate, it is not without its difficulties. This research has created and developed a three-dimensional based on patient-specific geometry of an infant lower limb. The kinematics and dynamics of the lower limb were defined by modeling the hip, femur, tibia, fibula, ankle, foot, and toe bones. The lines of action of five (5) adductor muscles, namely, the Adductor Brevis, Adductor Longus, Adductor Magnus, Pectineus, and Gracilis were identified as mediators of reduction and its mechanical behavior was characterized using a passive response. Four grades (1-4) of dislocation as specified by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) were considered, and the computer model was computationally manipulated to represent physiological dislocations. To account for proper harness modeling, the femur was restrained to move in an envelope consistent with its constraints. The model of the infant lower limb has been used to analyze subtle and severe dislocations. Results are consistent with previous studies based on a simplified anatomically-consistent synthetic model and clinical reports of very low success of the Pavlik harness for severe dislocations. Furthermore the findings on this work suggest that for severe dislocations, the use of the harness could be optimized to achieve hyperflexion of the lower limb leading to successful reduction for cases where the harness fails.This approach provides three main advantages and innovations: 1) the used of patient-specific geometry to elucidate the biomechanics of DDH; 2) the ability to computationally dislocate the model to represent dislocation severity; and 3) the quantification of external forces needed to accomplish reduction for severe dislocations. This study aims to offer a practical solution to effective treatment that draws from engineering expertise and modeling capabilities and also draws upon medical input. The findings of this work will lay the foundation for future optimization of non-surgical methods critical for the treatment of DDH.
Show less
Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005631, ucf:50216
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005631

Title: Modeling and Simulation of All-electric Aircraft Power Generation and Actuation.
Creator: Woodburn, David, Wu, Xinzhang, Batarseh, Issa, Georgiopoulos, Michael, Haralambous, Michael, Chow, Louis, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Modern aircraft, military and commercial, rely extensively on hydraulic systems. However, there is great interest in the avionics community to replace hydraulic systems with electric systems. There are physical challenges to replacing hydraulic actuators with electromechanical actuators (EMAs), especially for flight control surface actuation. These include dynamic heat generation and power management.Simulation is seen as a powerful tool in making the transition to all-electric aircraft by...
Show moreModern aircraft, military and commercial, rely extensively on hydraulic systems. However, there is great interest in the avionics community to replace hydraulic systems with electric systems. There are physical challenges to replacing hydraulic actuators with electromechanical actuators (EMAs), especially for flight control surface actuation. These include dynamic heat generation and power management.Simulation is seen as a powerful tool in making the transition to all-electric aircraft by predicting the dynamic heat generated and the power flow in the EMA. Chapter 2 of this dissertation describes the nonlinear, lumped-element, integrated modeling of a permanent magnet (PM) motor used in an EMA. This model is capable of representing transient dynamics of an EMA, mechanically, electrically, and thermally.Inductance is a primary parameter that links the electrical and mechanical domains and, therefore, is of critical importance to the modeling of the whole EMA. In the dynamic mode of operation of an EMA, the inductances are quite nonlinear. Chapter 3 details the careful analysis of the inductances from finite element software and the mathematical modeling of these inductances for use in the overall EMA model.Chapter 4 covers the design and verification of a nonlinear, transient simulation model of a two-step synchronous generator with three-phase rectifiers. Simulation results are shown.
Show less
Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005074, ucf:49975
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005074

Title: Uncertainty treatment in performance based seismic assessment of typical bridge classes in United States.
Creator: Mehdizadeh Nasrabadi, Mohammad, Mackie, Kevin, Catbas, Necati, Yun, Hae-Bum, Xanthopoulos, Petros, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Bridge networks are expensive and complex infrastructures and are essential components of today's transportation systems. Despite the advancement in computer aided modeling and increasing the computational power which is increasing the accessibility for developing the fragility curves of bridges, the complexity of the problem and uncertainties involved in fragility analysis of the bridge structures in addition to difficulties in validating the results obtained from the analysis requires...
Show moreBridge networks are expensive and complex infrastructures and are essential components of today's transportation systems. Despite the advancement in computer aided modeling and increasing the computational power which is increasing the accessibility for developing the fragility curves of bridges, the complexity of the problem and uncertainties involved in fragility analysis of the bridge structures in addition to difficulties in validating the results obtained from the analysis requires precaution in utilization of the results as a decision making tool. The main focus of this research is to address, study and treatment of uncertainties incorporated in various steps of performance based assessments (PBA) of the bridge structures. In this research the uncertainties is divided into three main categories. First, the uncertainties that come from ground motions time and frequency content alteration because of scarcity of the recorded ground motions in the database. Second, uncertainties associated in the modeling and simulation procedure of PBA, and third uncertainties originated from simplistic approach and methods utilized in the conventional procedure of PBA of the structures. Legitimacy of the scaling of ground motions is studied using the response of several simple nonlinear systems to amplitude scaled ground motions suites. Bias in the response obtained compared to unscaled records for both as recorded and synthetic ground motions.Results from this section of the research show the amount of the bias is considerable and can significantly affect the outcome of PBA. The origin of the bias is investigated and consequently a new metric is proposed to predict the bias induced by ground motion scaling without nonlinear analysis. Results demonstrate that utilizing the predictor as a scaling parameter can significantly reduce the bias for various nonlinear structures. Therefore utilizing the new metric as the intensity measuring parameter of the ground motions is recommended in PBA. To address the uncertainties associated in the modeling and simulation, MSSS concrete girder bridge class were selected due to the frequency of the construction in USCS region and lack of seismic detailing. A large scale parameters screening study is performed using Placket-Burman experimental design that considers a more complete group of parameters to decrease the computational expense of probabilistic study of the structure's seismic response. Fragility analysis for MSSS bridge is performed and the effect of removing the lesser important parameters the probabilistic demand model was investigated. This study reveals parameters reduction based on screening study techniques can be utilized to increase efficiency in fragility analysis procedure without compromising the accuracy of the outcome. The results from this study also provides more direct information on parameter reduction for PBA as well as provide insight into where future investments into higher fidelity finite element and constitutive models should be targeted. Conventional simplistic PBA approach does not account for the fundamental correlation between demand and capacity models. A more comprehensive PBA approach is presented and fragility analysis is performed with implementation of a new formulation in the component fragility analysis for MSSS bridge class and the outcome is compared with the one from conventional procedure. The results shows the correlation between demand and capacity affects the outcome of PBA and the fragility functions variation is not negligible. Therefore using the presented approach is necessary when accuracy is needed.
Show less
Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005531, ucf:50309
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005531

Title: Prediction of Optical Properties of Pi-Conjugated Organic Materials for Technological Innovations.
Creator: Nayyar, Iffat, Masunov, Artem, Saha, Haripada, Stolbov, Sergey, Gesquiere, Andre, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Organic ?-conjugated solids are promising candidates for new optoelectronic materials. The large body of evidence points at their advantageous properties such as high charge-carrier mobility, large nonlinear polarizability, mechanical flexibility, simple and low cost fabrication and superior luminescence. They can be used as nonlinear optical (NLO) materials with large two-photon absorption (2PA) and as electronic components capable of generating nonlinear neutral (excitonic) and charged ...
Show moreOrganic ?-conjugated solids are promising candidates for new optoelectronic materials. The large body of evidence points at their advantageous properties such as high charge-carrier mobility, large nonlinear polarizability, mechanical flexibility, simple and low cost fabrication and superior luminescence. They can be used as nonlinear optical (NLO) materials with large two-photon absorption (2PA) and as electronic components capable of generating nonlinear neutral (excitonic) and charged (polaronic) excitations. In this work, we investigate the appropriate theoretical methods used for the (a) prediction of 2PA properties for rational design of organic materials with improved NLO properties, and (b) understanding of the essential electronic excitations controlling the energy-transfer and charge-transport properties in organic optoelectronics. Accurate prediction of these electro-optical properties is helpful for structure-activity relationships useful for technological innovations.In Chapter 1 we emphasize on the potential use of the organic materials for these two applications. The 2PA process is advantageous over one-photon absorption for deep-tissue fluorescence microscopy, photodynamic therapy, microfabrication and optical data storage owing to the three-dimensional spatial selectivity and improved penetration depth in the absorbing or scattering media. The design of the NLO materials with large 2PA cross-sections may reduce the optical damage due to the use of the high intensity laser beams for excitation. The organic molecules also possess self-localized excited states which can decay radiatively or nonradiatively to form excitonic states. This suggests the use of these materials in the electroluminescent devices such as light-emitting diodes and photovoltaic cells through the processes of exciton formation or dissociation, respectively. It is therefore necessary to understand ultrafast relaxation processes required in understanding the interplay between the efficient radiative transfer between the excited states and exciton dissociation into polarons for improving the efficiency of these devices. In Chapter 2, we provide the detailed description of the various theoretical methods applied for the prediction as well as the interpretation of the optical properties of a special class of substituted PPV [poly (p-phenylene vinylene)] oligomers. In Chapter 3, we report the accuracy of different second and third order time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) formalisms in prediction of the 2PA spectra compared to the experimental measurements for donor-acceptor PPV derivatives. We recommend a posteriori Tamm-Dancoff approximation method for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of 2PA properties. Whereas, Agren's quadratic response methods lack the double excitations and are not suitable for the qualitative analysis of the state-specific contributions distorting the overall quality of the 2PA predictions. We trace the reasons to the artifactual excited states above the ionization threshold. We also study the effect of the basis set, geometrical constraints and the orbital exchange fraction on the 2PA excitation energies and cross-sections. Higher exchange (BMK and M05-2X) and range-separated (CAM-B3LYP) hybrid functionals are found to yield inaccurate predictions both quantitatively and qualitatively. The failure of the exchange-correlation (XC) functionals with correct asymptotic is traced to the inaccurate transition dipoles between the valence states, where functionals with low HF exchange succeed. In Chapter 4, we test the performance of different semiempirical wavefunction theory methods for the prediction of 2PA properties compared to the DFT results for the same set of molecules. The spectroscopic parameterized (ZINDO/S) method is relatively better than the general purpose parameterized (PM6) method but the accuracy is trailing behind the DFT methods. The poor performances of PM6 and ZINDO/S methods are attributed to the incorrect description of excited-to-excited state transition and 2PA energies, respectively. The different semiempirical parameterizations can at best be used for quantitative analysis of the 2PA properties. The ZINDO/S method combined with different orders of multi-reference configuration interactions provide an improved description of 2PA properties. However, the results are observed to be highly dependent on the specific choice for the active space, order of excitation and reference configurations.In Chapter 5, we present a linear response TD-DFT study to benchmark the ability of existing functional models to describe the extent of self-trapped neutral and charged excitations in PPV and its derivative MEH-PPV considered in their trans-isomeric forms. The electronic excitations in question include the lowest singlet (S1) and triplet (T1†) excitons, positive (P+) and negative (P-) polarons and the lowest triplet (T1) states. Use of the long-range-corrected DFT functional, such as LC-wPBE, is found to be crucial in order to predict the physically correct spatial localization of all the electronic excitations in agreement with experiment. The inclusion of polarizable dielectric environment play an important role for the charged states. The particle-hole symmetry is preserved for both the polymers in trans geometries. These studies indicate two distinct origins leading to self-localization of electronic excitations. Firstly, distortion of molecular geometry may create a spatially localized potential energy well where the state wavefunction self-traps. Secondly, even in the absence of geometric and vibrational dynamics, the excitation may become spatially confined due to energy stabilization caused by polarization effects from surrounding dielectric medium.In Chapter 6, we aim to separate these two fundamental sources of spatial localization. We observe the electronic localization of P+ and P- is determined by the polarization effects of the surrounding media and the character of the DFT functional. In contrast, the self-trapping of the electronic wavefunctions of S1 and T1(T1†) mostly follows their lattice distortions. Geometry relaxation plays an important role in the localization of the S1 and T1† excitons owing to the non-variational construction of the excited state wavefunction. While, mean-field calculated P+, P- and T1 states are always spatially localized even in ground state S0 geometry. Polaron P+ and P- formation is signified by the presence of the localized states for the hole or the electron deep inside the HOMO-LUMO gap of the oligomer as a result of the orbital stabilization at the LC-wPBE level. The broadening of the HOMO-LUMO band gap for the T1 exciton compared to the charged states is associated with the inverted bond length alternation observed at this level. The molecular orbital energetics are investigated to identify the relationships between state localization and the corresponding orbital structure.In Chapter 7, we investigate the effect of various conformational defects of trans and cis nature on the energetics and localization of the charged P+ and P- excitations in PPV and MEH-PPV. We observe that the extent of self-trapping for P+ and P- polarons is highly sensitive on molecular and structural conformations, and distribution of atomic charges within the polymers. The particle-hole symmetry is broken with the introduction of trans defects and inclusion of the polarizable environment in consistent with experiment. The differences in the behavior of PPV and MEH-PPV is rationalized based on their orbital energetics and atomic charge distributions. We show these isomeric defects influence the behavior and drift mobilities of the charge carriers in substituted PPVs.
Show less
Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005110, ucf:50722
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005110

Title: A multi-scale approach to study Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: from Mechanical Properties and Crystal Structure of the Cell's Materials to the Development of an Interactive and Interconnected Educational Tool.
Creator: Aman, Amjad, Orlovskaya, Nina, Xu, Yunjun, Das, Tuhin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Solid Oxide Fuel Cells are energy conversion devices that convert chemical energy of a fuel directly into electrical energy. They are known for being fuel-flexible, have minimal harmful emissions, ideal for combined heat and power applications, highly energy-efficient when combined with gas or steam turbines. The current challenges facing the widespread adoption these fuel cells include cost reduction, long-term testing of fully integrated systems, improving the fuel cell stack and system...
Show moreSolid Oxide Fuel Cells are energy conversion devices that convert chemical energy of a fuel directly into electrical energy. They are known for being fuel-flexible, have minimal harmful emissions, ideal for combined heat and power applications, highly energy-efficient when combined with gas or steam turbines. The current challenges facing the widespread adoption these fuel cells include cost reduction, long-term testing of fully integrated systems, improving the fuel cell stack and system performance, and studies related to reliability, robustness and durability. The goal of this dissertation is to further the understanding of the mechanical properties and crystal structure of materials used in the cathode and electrolyte of solid oxide fuel cells, as well as to report on the development of a supplementary educational tool that could be used in course related to fuel cells. The first part of the dissertation relates to the study of LaCoO3 based perovskites that are used as cathode material in solid oxide fuel cells and in other energy-related applications. In-situ neutron diffraction of LaCoO3 perovskite during uniaxial compression was carried out to study crystal structure evolution and texture development. In this study, LaCoO3 was subjected to two cycles of uniaxial loading and unloading with the maximum stress value being 700-900 MPa. The in-situ neutron diffraction revealed the dynamic crystallographic changes occurring which is responsible for the non-linear ferroelastic deformation and the appearance of hysteresis in LaCoO3. At the end of the first cycle, irreversible strain was observed even after the load was removed, which is caused by non-recoverable domain reorientation and texture development. At the end of the second cycle, however, no irreversible strain was observed as domain reorientation seemed fully recovered. Elastic constants were calculated and Young's modulus was estimated for LaCoO3 single crystals oriented along different crystallographic directions. The high temperature mechanical behavior study of LaCoO3 based perovskites is also of prime importance as solid oxide fuel cells operate at high temperatures. Incidentally, it was observed that as opposed to the behavior of most materials, LaCoO3 exhibits stiffening between 700 oC to 900 oC, with the Young's modulus going from a value of ~76 GPa at room temperature to ~120 GPa at 900 oC. In-situ neutron diffraction, XRD and Raman spectroscopy were used to study structural changes occurring in the material as it was heated. The results from these experiments will be discussed.The next portion of the dissertation will focus on electrolytes. Numerical simulation was carried out in order to predict the non-linear load-stress relationship and estimation of biaxial flexure strength in layered electrolytes, during ring-on-ring mechanical testing.Finally, the development of an interactive and inter-connected educational software is presented that could serve as a supplementary tool to teach fuel cell related topics.
Show less
Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006436, ucf:51467
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006436

Title: Study On Anisotropic Plasticity And Fracture Of Lightweight Metal Sheets.
Creator: Jia, Yueqian, Bai, Yuanli, Kassab, Alain, Raghavan, Seetha, Gou, Jihua, Wu, Thomas, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: How to reduce weight and increase fuel efficiency is a critical challenge in transportation industries. One way to resolve the problem is to adopting lightweight alloys (i.e. advanced high strength steel, aluminum alloys, or magnesium alloy) in structure designs and manufacturing. Fully understanding the mechanical properties of these materials is a key step.In order to fully characterize the plasticity and fracture of magnesium AZ31B-H24 sheets, a set of mechanical experiments (170 in total)...
Show moreHow to reduce weight and increase fuel efficiency is a critical challenge in transportation industries. One way to resolve the problem is to adopting lightweight alloys (i.e. advanced high strength steel, aluminum alloys, or magnesium alloy) in structure designs and manufacturing. Fully understanding the mechanical properties of these materials is a key step.In order to fully characterize the plasticity and fracture of magnesium AZ31B-H24 sheets, a set of mechanical experiments (170 in total) were performed under both monotonic and non-proportional loading conditions, including monotonic uniaxial tension, notch tension, in-plane uniaxial compression, wide compression (or called biaxial compression), plane strain compression, through-thickness compression, in-plane shear, punch test, uniaxial compression-tension reverse loading, and two-step uniaxial tension (cross-loading).Both the plastic strain histories and stress responses were obtained under the above loading conditions, which give a comprehensive picture of mechanical behaviors of this material. No apparent cross-hardening effect was observed for this material.An extended orthotropic yield criterion involving two linear anisotropic transformation tensors, CPB06ex2, in conjunction with its associated flow rule was fully calibrated to describe both the anisotropy in plastic flow and tension-compression asymmetry in stress-strain behaviors.A fully modularized framework to combine isotropic, kinematic, and cross hardening behaviors was established under non-monotonic loading conditions. Three sets of state variables were defined and applied to consider the effects of, a) loading history, b) twinning and de-twinning and c) different pre-strain.In order to predict ductile fracture of metal sheets, the (")mixed(") stress/strain invariants based Modified-Mohr-Coulomb (MMC) fracture model was transferred into an all-strain based MMC (eMMC) model under plane stress condition, predicting the fracture strain dependent on strain ratio or ? angle, instead of stress triaxiality and Lode angle parameter. The strain ratio or ? angle could be directly measured by digital image correlation (DIC), while the latter required finite element analysis to be determined. This method makes it possible to study material fracture behavior while bypassing plasticity. The eMMC fracture locus can be fully calibrated by fracture strains directly measured from DIC. The fracture strain was also extended by a linear transformation operating to the plastic strain tensor to incorporate the fracture anisotropy. All models were implemented into Abaqus/Explicit as a user material subroutine (VUMAT). Good prediction capability has been demonstrated for magnesium AZ31B-H24 sheets by FE simulation using shell elements.The current framework was also applied for TRIP780, BH240, DP600, and EDDQ steel sheets with adjustment, under different loading conditions. The FE simulation results for TRIP780 correlated well with experimental data under different monotonic loading conditions. The analytical results for BH240, DP600, and EDDQ demonstrated good prediction capability for cross-hardening behavior, and validated by the non-proportional experimental data under two-stage uniaxial tension.
Show less
Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006121, ucf:51165
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006121

Title: A Comparative Evaluation of FDSA,GA, and SA Non-Linear Programming Algorithms and Development of System-Optimal Dynamic Congestion Pricing Methodology on I-95 Express.
Creator: Graham, Don, Radwan, Ahmed, Abdel-Aty, Mohamed, Al-Deek, Haitham, Uddin, Nizam, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: As urban population across the globe increases, the demand for adequatetransportation grows. Several strategies have been suggested as a solution to the congestion which results from this high demand outpacing the existing supply of transportation facilities.High (-)Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes have become increasingly more popular as a feature on today's highway system. The I-95 Express HOT lane in Miami Florida, which is currently being expanded from a single Phase (Phase I) into two Phases,...
Show moreAs urban population across the globe increases, the demand for adequatetransportation grows. Several strategies have been suggested as a solution to the congestion which results from this high demand outpacing the existing supply of transportation facilities.High (-)Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes have become increasingly more popular as a feature on today's highway system. The I-95 Express HOT lane in Miami Florida, which is currently being expanded from a single Phase (Phase I) into two Phases, is one such HOT facility. With the growing abundance of such facilities comes the need for in- depth study of demand patterns and development of an appropriate pricing scheme which reduces congestion.This research develops a method for dynamic pricing on the I-95 HOT facility such as to minimize total travel time and reduce congestion. We apply non-linear programming (NLP) techniques and the finite difference stochastic approximation (FDSA), genetic algorithm (GA) and simulated annealing (SA) stochastic algorithms to formulate and solve the problem within a cell transmission framework. The solution produced is the optimal flow and optimal toll required to minimize total travel time and thus is the system-optimal solution.We perform a comparative evaluation of FDSA, GA and SA non-linear programmingalgorithms used to solve the NLP and the ANOVA results show that there are differences in the performance of the NLP algorithms in solving this problem and reducing travel time. We then conclude by demonstrating that econometric forecasting methods utilizing vector autoregressive (VAR) techniques can be applied to successfully forecast demand for Phase 2 of the 95 Express which is planned for 2014.
Show less
Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005000, ucf:50019
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005000

Title: Engineering and Application of Ultrafast Laser Pulses and Filamentation in Air.
Creator: Barbieri, Nicholas, Richardson, Martin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Continuing advances in laser and photonic technology has seen the development of lasers with increasing power and increasingly short pulsewidths, which have become available over an increasing range of wavelengths. As the availability of laser sources grow, so do their applications. To make better use of this improving technology, understanding and controlling laser propagation in free space is critical, as is understanding the interaction between laser light and matter.The need to better...
Show moreContinuing advances in laser and photonic technology has seen the development of lasers with increasing power and increasingly short pulsewidths, which have become available over an increasing range of wavelengths. As the availability of laser sources grow, so do their applications. To make better use of this improving technology, understanding and controlling laser propagation in free space is critical, as is understanding the interaction between laser light and matter.The need to better control the light obtained from increasingly advanced laser sources leads to the emergence of beam engineering, the systematic understanding and control of light through refractive media and free space. Beam engineering enables control over the beam shape, energy and spectral composition during propagation, which can be achieved through a variety of means. In this dissertation, several methods of beam engineering are investigated. These methods enable improved control over the shape and propagation of laser light. Laser-matter interaction is also investigated, as it provides both a means to control the propagation of pulsed laser light through the atmosphere, and provides a means to generation remote sources of radiation.
Show less
Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004650, ucf:49881
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004650

Title: Nonlinear dynamic modeling, simulation and characterization of the mesoscale neuron-electrode interface.
Creator: Thakore, Vaibhav, Hickman, James, Mucciolo, Eduardo, Rahman, Talat, Johnson, Michael, Behal, Aman, Molnar, Peter, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Extracellular neuroelectronic interfacing has important applications in the fields of neural prosthetics, biological computation and whole-cell biosensing for drug screening and toxin detection. While the field of neuroelectronic interfacing holds great promise, the recording of high-fidelity signals from extracellular devices has long suffered from the problem of low signal-to-noise ratios and changes in signal shapes due to the presence of highly dispersive dielectric medium in the neuron...
Show moreExtracellular neuroelectronic interfacing has important applications in the fields of neural prosthetics, biological computation and whole-cell biosensing for drug screening and toxin detection. While the field of neuroelectronic interfacing holds great promise, the recording of high-fidelity signals from extracellular devices has long suffered from the problem of low signal-to-noise ratios and changes in signal shapes due to the presence of highly dispersive dielectric medium in the neuron-microelectrode cleft. This has made it difficult to correlate the extracellularly recorded signals with the intracellular signals recorded using conventional patch-clamp electrophysiology. For bringing about an improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio of the signals recorded on the extracellular microelectrodes and to explore strategies for engineering the neuron-electrode interface there exists a need to model, simulate and characterize the cell-sensor interface to better understand the mechanism of signal transduction across the interface. Efforts to date for modeling the neuron-electrode interface have primarily focused on the use of point or area contact linear equivalent circuit models for a description of the interface with an assumption of passive linearity for the dynamics of the interfacial medium in the cell-electrode cleft. In this dissertation, results are presented from a nonlinear dynamic characterization of the neuroelectronic junction based on Volterra-Wiener modeling which showed that the process of signal transduction at the interface may have nonlinear contributions from the interfacial medium. An optimization based study of linear equivalent circuit models for representing signals recorded at the neuron-electrode interface subsequently proved conclusively that the process of signal transduction across the interface is indeed nonlinear. Following this a theoretical framework for the extraction of the complex nonlinear material parameters of the interfacial medium like the dielectric permittivity, conductivity and diffusivity tensors based on dynamic nonlinear Volterra-Wiener modeling was developed. Within this framework, the use of Gaussian bandlimited white noise for nonlinear impedance spectroscopy was shown to offer considerable advantages over the use of sinusoidal inputs for nonlinear harmonic analysis currently employed in impedance characterization of nonlinear electrochemical systems. Signal transduction at the neuron-microelectrode interface is mediated by the interfacial medium confined to a thin cleft with thickness on the scale of 20-110 nm giving rise to Knudsen numbers (ratio of mean free path to characteristic system length) in the range of 0.015 and 0.003 for ionic electrodiffusion. At these Knudsen numbers, the continuum assumptions made in the use of Poisson-Nernst-Planck system of equations for modeling ionic electrodiffusion are not valid. Therefore, a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) based multiphysics solver suitable for modeling ionic electrodiffusion at the mesoscale neuron-microelectrode interface was developed. Additionally, a molecular speed dependent relaxation time was proposed for use in the lattice Boltzmann equation. Such a relaxation time holds promise for enhancing the numerical stability of lattice Boltzmann algorithms as it helped recover a physically correct description of microscopic phenomena related to particle collisions governed by their local density on the lattice. Next, using this multiphysics solver simulations were carried out for the charge relaxation dynamics of an electrolytic nanocapacitor with the intention of ultimately employing it for a simulation of the capacitive coupling between the neuron and the planar microelectrode on a microelectrode array (MEA). Simulations of the charge relaxation dynamics for a step potential applied at t = 0 to the capacitor electrodes were carried out for varying conditions of electric double layer (EDL) overlap, solvent viscosity, electrode spacing and ratio of cation to anion diffusivity. For a large EDL overlap, an anomalous plasma-like collective behavior of oscillating ions at a frequency much lower than the plasma frequency of the electrolyte was observed and as such it appears to be purely an effect of nanoscale confinement. Results from these simulations are then discussed in the context of the dynamics of the interfacial medium in the neuron-microelectrode cleft. In conclusion, a synergistic approach to engineering the neuron-microelectrode interface is outlined through a use of the nonlinear dynamic modeling, simulation and characterization tools developed as part of this dissertation research.
Show less
Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004797, ucf:49718
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004797

Title: Transient and Distributed Algorithms to Improve Islanding Detection Capability of Inverter Based Distributed Generation.
Creator: Alhosani, Mohamed, Qu, Zhihua, Mikhael, Wasfy, Haralambous, Michael, Behal, Aman, Xu, Chengying, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Recently, a lot of research work has been dedicated toward enhancing performance, reliability and integrity of distributed energy resources that are integrated into distribution networks. The problem of islanding detection and islanding prevention (i.e. anti-islanding) has stimulated a lot of research due to its role in severely compromising the safety of working personnel and resulting in equipment damages. Various Islanding Detection Methods (IDMs) have been developed within the last ten...
Show moreRecently, a lot of research work has been dedicated toward enhancing performance, reliability and integrity of distributed energy resources that are integrated into distribution networks. The problem of islanding detection and islanding prevention (i.e. anti-islanding) has stimulated a lot of research due to its role in severely compromising the safety of working personnel and resulting in equipment damages. Various Islanding Detection Methods (IDMs) have been developed within the last ten years in anticipation of the tremendous increase in the penetration of Distributed Generation (DG) in distribution system. This work proposes new IDMs that rely on transient and distributed behaviors to improve integrity and performance of DGs while maintaining multi-DG islanding detection capability.In this thesis, the following questions have been addressed: How to utilize the transient behavior arising from an islanding condition to improve detectability and robust performance of IDMs in a distributive manner? How to reduce the negative stability impact of the well-known Sandia Frequency Shift (SFS) IDM while maintaining its islanding detection capability? How to incorporate the perturbations provided by each of DGs in such a way that the negative interference of different IDMs is minimized without the need of any type of communication among the different DGs?It is shown that the proposed techniques are local, scalable and robust against different loading conditions and topology changes. Also, the proposed techniques can successfully distinguish an islanding condition from other disturbances that may occur in power system networks. This work improves the efficiency, reliability and safety of integrated DGs, which presents a necessary advance toward making electric power grids a smart grid.
Show less
Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005295, ucf:50567
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005295

Title: Field Theoretic Lagrangian Stencils from Off-Shell Supermultiplet Gauge Quotients.
Creator: Katona, Gregory, Klemm, Richard, Hubsch, Tristan, Peale, Robert, Shivamoggi, Bhimsen, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Recent efforts to classify off-shell representations of supersymmetry without a central charge have focused upon directed, supermultiplet graphs of hypercubic topology known as Adinkras. These encodings of Super Poincare algebras, depict every generator of a chosen supersymmetry as a node-pair transformtion between fermionic / bosonic componentfields. This research thesis is a culmination of investigating novel diagrammatic sums of gauge quotients by supersymmetric images of other Adinkras,...
Show moreRecent efforts to classify off-shell representations of supersymmetry without a central charge have focused upon directed, supermultiplet graphs of hypercubic topology known as Adinkras. These encodings of Super Poincare algebras, depict every generator of a chosen supersymmetry as a node-pair transformtion between fermionic / bosonic componentfields. This research thesis is a culmination of investigating novel diagrammatic sums of gauge quotients by supersymmetric images of other Adinkras, and the correlated building of field theoretic worldline Lagrangians to accommodate both classical and quantum venues. We find Ref [40], that such gauge quotients do not yield other stand alone or (")proper(") Adinkras as afore sighted, nor can they be decomposed into supermultiplet sums, but are rather a connected (")Adinkraic network("). Their iteration, analogous to Weyl's construction for producing all finite-dimensional unitary representations in Lie algebras, sets off chains of algebraic paradigms in discrete-graph and continuous-field variables, the links of which feature distinct, supersymmetric Lagrangian templates. Collectively, these Adiankraic series air new symbolic genera for equation to phase moments in Feynman path integrals. Guided in this light, we proceed by constructing Lagrangians actions for the N = 3 supermultiplet YI /(iDI X) for I = 1, 2, 3, where YI and X are standard, Salam-Strathdee superfields: YI fermionic and X bosonic. The system, bilinear in the component fields exhibits a total of thirteen free parameters, seven of which specify Zeeman-like coupling to external background (magnetic) fluxes. All but special subsets of this parameter space describe aperiodic oscillatory responses, some of which are found to be surprisingly controlled by the golden ratio, ? ? 1.61803, Ref [52]. It is further determined that these Lagrangians allow an N = 3 ? 4 supersymmetric extension to the Chiral-Chiral and Chiral-twisted-Chiral multiplet, while a subset admits two inequivalent such extensions. In a natural progression, a continuum of observably and usefully inequivalent, finite-dimensional off-shellrepresentations of worldline N = 4 extended supersymmetry are explored, that are variatefrom one another but in the value of a tuning parameter, Ref [53]. Their dynamics turnsout to be nontrivial already when restricting to just bilinear Lagrangians. In particular, wefind a 34-parameter family of bilinear Lagrangians that couple two differently tuned supermultiplets to each other and to external magnetic fluxes, where the explicit parameter dependence is unremovable by any field redefinition and is therefore observable. This offers the evaluation of X-phase sensitive, off-shell path integrals with promising correlationsto group product decompositions and to deriving source emergences of higher-order background flux-forms on 2-dimensional manifolds, the stacks of which comprise space-time volumes. Application to nonlinear sigma models would naturally follow, having potential use in M- and F- string theories.
Show less
Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005011, ucf:50004
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005011

nonlinear optics (13)	+ -
Nonlinear Optics (8)	+ -
Nonlinear optics (4)	+ -
Two-Photon Absorption (4)	+ -
integrated photonics (4)	+ -

nonlinear dynamics (4)	+ -
Z-scan (3)	+ -
nonlinear (3)	+ -
nonlinear spectroscopy (3)	+ -
solitons (3)	+ -
two-photon absorption (3)	+ -
Femtosecond (2)	+ -
Filamentation (2)	+ -
Finite Element Analysis (2)	+ -
Nonlinear (2)	+ -
Nonlinear Autopilot (2)	+ -
Nonlinear Control (2)	+ -
Pavlik Harness (2)	+ -
Solitons (2)	+ -
non-linear muscle model (2)	+ -
nonlinear guided waves (2)	+ -
second harmonic generation (2)	+ -
silicon photonics (2)	+ -
white-light continuum (2)	+ -
(Numerical) Algebraic Geometry (1)	+ -
(Super) Zeeman (1)	+ -
1PA (1)	+ -
2PA (1)	+ -
6 degrees of freedom (1)	+ -
ANOVA (1)	+ -

ETD Collection (91)	+ -
Honors Collection (2)	+ -

English (92)	+ -
Engilsh (1)	+ -

University of Central Florida (93)	+ -
Christodoulides, Demetrios (14)	+ -
Hagan, David (12)	+ -
Vanstryland, Eric (10)	+ -
Richardson, Martin (8)	+ -

Search In

Pages

Pages

Sort Results By:

Narrow results by:

Topical Subject

Collection

Type of Resource

Language

Creator

Format

Owner