NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program, 1990, Volume 1

The 1990 Johnson Space Center (JSC) NASA/American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Summer Faculty Fellowship Program was conducted by the University of Houston-University Park and JSC. A compilation of the final reports on the research projects are presented. The topics covered include: the Space Station; the Space Shuttle; exobiology; cell biology; culture techniques; control systems design; laser induced fluorescence; spacecraft reliability analysis; reduced gravity; biotechnology; microgravity applications; regenerative life support systems; imaging techniques; cardiovascular system; physiological effects; extravehicular mobility units; mathematical models; bioreactors; computerized simulation; microgravity simulation; and dynamic structural analysis

Survey on model-based manipulation planning of deformable objects

A systematic overview on the subject of model-based manipulation planning of deformable objects is presented. Existing modelling techniques of volumetric, planar and linear deformable objects are described, emphasizing the different types of deformation. Planning strategies are categorized according to the type of manipulation goal: path planning, folding/unfolding, topology modifications and assembly. Most current contributions fit naturally into these categories, and thus the presented algorithms constitute an adequate basis for future developments.Preprin

Aerospace medicine and biology. A continuing bibliography with indexes, supplement 224

This bibliography lists 127 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in September 1981

ReSCon '09, Research Student Conference: Book of Abstracts

The second SED Research Student Conference (ReSCon2009) was hosted over three days, 22-24 June 2009, in the Lecture Centre at Brunel University. The conference consisted of technical presentations, a poster session and social events. The abstracts and presentations were the result of ongoing research by postgraduate research students from the School of Engineering and Design at Brunel University. The conference is held annually, and ReSCon plays a key role in contributing to research and innovations within the School

Aerospace medicine and biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes, supplement 164

This bibliography lists 275 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in January 1977

Advances in CAD/CAM/CAE Technologies

CAD/CAM/CAE technologies find more and more applications in today’s industries, e.g., in the automotive, aerospace, and naval sectors. These technologies increase the productivity of engineers and researchers to a great extent, while at the same time allowing their research activities to achieve higher levels of performance. A number of difficult-to-perform design and manufacturing processes can be simulated using more methodologies available, i.e., experimental work combined with statistical tools (regression analysis, analysis of variance, Taguchi methodology, deep learning), finite element analysis applied early enough at the design cycle, CAD-based tools for design optimizations, CAM-based tools for machining optimizations

Fully integrated rechargeable pedot : PSS energy storage device for smart textiles applications

Energievoorziening en opslag is een belangrijk onderdeel van slimme textielsystemen omdat het de vereiste energie levert om het systeem van stroom te voorzien. Deze thesis is een voortzetting van een vorige studie, en was vooral gericht op het verbeteren van de prestaties en het uiterlijk van het onderdeel door de verbetering van de fabricagetechnieken en het onderzoeken van het werkingsprincipe en mechanisme van de TESD component. De ontwikkelde component transformeerde, van de vroegste naar de nieuwste vorm, via vier verschillende en verbeterde fabricagemethoden die de prestaties en het uiterlijk van het apparaat verbeterden. De component met de naam TESD 1.2 THL is de beste vorm van ons textiel-energieopslagonderdeel tot nu toe. Uit de studie van het mechanisme werd complex gedrag van ionische en elektronische oorsprong waargenomen in het grensvlakgebied van het gebruikte geleidende polymeer, PEDOT:PSS. Een grotere verhouding van PEDOT tot PSS, met een hogere soortelijke weerstand, is wenselijk, maar verder onderzoek is nodig. Weerstand tegen wassen van het apparaat en het conceptontwerp voor de integratie van onze TESD in kleding werd ook uitgewerkt. Over het geheel genomen lieten de resultaten veelbelovend potentieel zien voor de verdere ontwikkeling van een op textiel gebaseerd energieopslagapparaat

Three dimensional simulation of cloth drape

Research has been carried out in the study of cloth modelling over many decades. The more recent arrival of computers however has meant that the necessary complex calculations can be performed quicker and that visual display of the results is more realistic than for the earlier models. Today's textile and garment designers are happy to use the latest two dimensional design and display technology to create designs and experiment with patterns and colours. The computer is seen as an additional tool that performs some of the more tedious jobs such as re-drawing, re-colouring and pattern sizing. Designers have the ability and experience to visualise their ideas without the need for photo reality. However the real garment must be created when promoting these ideas to potential customers. Three dimensional computer visualisation of a garment can remove the need to create the garment until after the customer has placed an order. As well as reducing costs in the fashion industry, realistic three dimensional cloth animation has benefits for the computer games and film industries. This thesis describes the development of a realistic cloth drape model. The system uses the Finite Element Method for the draping equations and graphics routines to enhance the visual display. During the research the problem of collision detection and response involving dynamic models has been tackled and a unique collision detection method has been developed. This method has proved very accurate in the simulation of cloth drape over a body model and is also described in the thesis. Three dimensional design and display are seen as the next logical steps to current two dimensional practices in the textiles industry. This thesis outlines current and previous cloth modelling studies carried out by other research groups. It goes on to provide a full description of the drape method that has been developed during this research period

Exploring the potential for functional enhancement of rugby union shirts through the development and implementation of sports-specific textile test methods

Determination of rugby union shirt prototype functional performance is currently reliant on generic Standard fabric test methods or unstructured human participant trials that, often, do not take into account the demands of the game. Current research, sponsored by Canterbury of New Zealand, describes the development and implementation of reproducible rugby shirt specific textile test methods to determine the effects of contemporary garment construction. Four rugby shirt functions were chosen for investigation: rugby ball-shirt friction interaction, garment strength, thermoregulatory response to exercise when clothed and on-field garment serviceability. Using a sled-type tribometer, the rugby ball-shirt friction interaction was investigated in a range of contemporary shirt designs during simulated light human interference. It was found that the addition of polymer grip textures did not necessarily enhance traction unless raised geometric textures, adhered to the fabric surface, promoted frictional interlocking with ball pimples. A fully-manufactured shirt, as opposed to Standard bulk stock fabric, tensile strength protocol was developed to benchmark a range of contemporary shirt constructions using the strip method. Tensile strength was affected by fabric construction and anisotropy whereby micromesh fabrics, particularly orientated in the course direction, were weakest. In some cases, seam specimens were much weaker than fabric specimens in the same shirt. The thermoregulatory response to rugby attire was investigated using a novel rugby backs­specific intermittent treadmill protocol designed to replicate the physiological and locomotive demands of competitive professional match-play. The thermal and moisture management properties of baselayer, padding and shirt technologies highlighted significant thermoregulatory effects of garment choice. The thermal functionality of baselayers was superior to that of a 100% cotton t-shirt and did not impose a further thermophysical load when worn beneath a team-shirt. Shoulder padding increased skin temperature, sweat rate and rate of change of core temperature, even when worn singly. The need for a structured rugby-shirt specific wearer trial was highlighted from observation of current procedures employed by manufacturers in the rugby shirt industry. Three distinct elements of the wearer trial process were investigated: wear-service conditions replicating the physiological intensity of game-specific demands of rugby, structured garment assessment techniques including failure criteria, and unbiased player questioning through self-administered questionnaires. The range of rugby shirt performance predictors and potential design weaknesses observed in the current research has highlighted the need for a more systematic research-led approach to prototype rugby shirt testing. It is hoped manufacturers will adopt the textile test methods described to better understand rugby apparel functionality, necessary for the potential improvement of match-day performance through superior garment design