In search of space: Fourier spectroscopy, 1950-1970

In the large grey area between science and technology, specialisms emerge with associated specialists. But some specialisms remain ‘peripheral sciences’, never attaining the status of ‘disciplines’ ensconced in universities, and their specialists do not become recognised professionals. A major social component of such side-lined sciences – one important grouping of technoscientific workers – is the ‘research-technology community’. An important question concerning research-technology is to explain how the grouping survives without specialised disciplinary and professional affiliations. The case discussed illustrates the dynamics of one such community

Spartan Daily, March 4, 1960

Volume 47, Issue 85https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/4001/thumbnail.jp

In search of space: Fourier spectroscopy, 1950-1970

In the large grey area between science and technology, specialisms emerge with associated specialists. But some specialisms remain ‘peripheral sciences’, never attaining the status of disciplines ensconced in universities, and their specialists do not become recognised professionals. A major social component of such side-lined sciences – one important grouping of techno-scientific workers – is the research-technology community. An important question concerning research-technology is to explain how the grouping survives without specialised disciplinary and professional affiliations. The case discussed illustrates the dynamics of one such community

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 39 Number 1, Spring 1997

6 - BLUE SKY INVASION Searching for the American Dream, aerospace workers transform the Santa Clara Valley. By David Beers \u2779, Illustrations by Dug Waggoner 15 - SEEING IS BELIEVING Professor Sally Wood develops software to help students visualize basic engineering concepts. By Laura Trujillo \u2792 18 - CONFRONTING THE SCARS OF CENTURIES A legal challenge to California\u27s Proposition 209 is the latest round in a long- running debate over affirmative action. By Margaret M. Russell 26 - SHADOWY ALLIANCE A recent expose alleging CIA links to the crack cocaine epidemic in California\u27s inner cities raises questions about responsibility and truth in journalism. By Peter Kornbluhhttps://scholarcommons.scu.edu/sc_mag/1063/thumbnail.jp

Spartan Daily, February 17, 1997

Volume 108, Issue 17https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/9094/thumbnail.jp

A Novel CAD Tool for Electric Educational Diagrams

Computer-aided design (CAD) is a technological revolution, very powerful and with large applicability to problem solving. It is essential in many different disciplines ranging from architecture to education, medicine, physics, or gaming. In this work, we propose a novel CAD tool, called CADDi, to assist in the design of electric diagrams in the educational context. We are applying the theory of formal languages to create WDLang, an easy-to-use, highly expressive, unequivocal, and correct programming language for designing electric circuits. This programming language is the cornerstone of CADDi, which automatically generates the equivalent ladder diagram (explains the circuit operation) to the programmed circuit, offering additional features that allow analysis of its functionality in an interactive way. It also offers a graphical interface to directly design ladder diagrams, or to modify the automatically generated ones. The existing electrical CAD tools are either very simple, e.g., for creating good-looking diagrams with no functionality, or too complex, for professional systems design. CADDi is extremely useful for learning purposes. It assists users on how to generate ladder diagrams, and on understanding the behavior of electrical circuits. Additionally, it serves as an assessment tool for self-evaluation in the translation from wiring diagrams to ladder ones. In order to make CADDi highly accessible, it was implemented as a web page

MECHATRONIC SYSTEM DESIGN - A HYDRAULIC-BASED ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM DESIGN AND REFINEMENT OF A TECHNICAL ELECTIVE MECHATRONICS COURSE

The improvement of consumer products and industrial processes, in terms of functionality and reliability, has recently focused on the integration of sensors and real time controllers with attached actuators into the given physical system. The likelihood of long-term market penetration of smart devices has placed an emphasis on preparing engineering graduates for technology leadership roles in the workforce. This thesis examines mechatronic systems in two manners. First, an intelligent automotive internal combustion engine cooling system is studied for ground vehicles using hydraulic actuators which offer the opportunity for greater versatility and performance. Second, improvements to a technical elective mechatronics course at Clemson University in the Department of Mechanical Engineering have been completed to offer a better educational experience for both undergraduate and graduate students. Traditional and modern internal combustion engine cooling systems typically use a mechanical wax based thermostat along with a number of mechanical and/or electric actuators to remove the excessive heat of combustion from the engine block. The cooling system\u27s main objective is to maintain the engine temperature within a prescribed range which optimizes engine performance and promotes mechanical longevity. However, the cooling system adds to parasitic engine losses and vehicle weight, so a mechatronic based smart thermal management system has been designed to explore the higher power density and controllability of hydraulic actuators. In this research project, the experimental data has been initially gathered using a 4.6L gasoline engine with a mechanical wax based thermostat valve, engine driven coolant pump, and a hydraulic motor driven radiator fan with classical feedback control. A series of mathematical models for the hydraulic, electric, and thermal automotive subsystems have been developed to estimate the engine, coolant, and radiator temperatures as well as the overall system performance for various operating conditions. The experimental test platform features a medium duty eight cylinder internal combustion engine, stand-alone radiator, engine dynamometer, smart cooling system components, high speed data acquisition system, and real-time control algorithm with associated sensors. Specifically, J-type and K-type thermocouples measure the engine block, coolant, and radiator core temperatures at various locations. A multiplexer switches these input signals at predetermined intervals to accommodate the large number of temperature probes. Further, optical sensors measure the engine and radiator fan speeds, and pressure sensors record the hydraulic line pressures. A hydraulic direction control valve was used to adjust the speed of the radiator fan. The experimentally recorded engine data was compared with the numerical simulation results to estimate the engine\u27s thermal behavior for warm up and idle conditions. The findings demonstrated that the proposed experimental model and mathematical models successfully controlled the engine temperature within ±1.5°K . In the future, the mathematical models can be used for linear quadratic regulator and Lyapunov-based nonlinear controllers after further refinement and the addition of state variables for the engine thermal management system. To implement such a mechatronic-based cooling system, engineers must have a fundamental understanding of system dynamics, control theory, instrumentation, and system integration concepts. Given the growing industrial demand for graduates with diverse engineering knowledge, a mechatronic systems course has been designed in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University. This mechatronics course, ME 417/617, has been designed to introduce both engineering and personal skills. The students, who would successfully complete the course, will be able to join global work teams designing smart products. The course uses various teaching paradigms such as classroom activities, laboratory experiments, team based design projects, and plant tours to introduce the concepts and offer hands-on experience. As part of a continuous improvement process, the course has been evaluated using assessment methods such as pre- and post-tests, qualitative measures, and advisory panel observations. Over a four course offering period (2008-2011), the pre- and post-tests reflect improvements in the students\u27 personal growth (7.0%), team building (12.8%), mechanics/engineering (25.4%), and human factor (17%) skills. The qualitative assessment was completed using student feedback regarding the course content. Most of the students reported that they liked the course and its \u27hands-on\u27 experimental approach. An advisory panel, consisting of industry experts, course instructors, and faculty analyzed the progress of students and evaluated the course materials. The advisory panel\u27s recommendations established the direction for continuous improvements to successfully teach the concepts of mechatronics and better meet the student needs. Going forwards, the mechatronic systems course will serve an important role in preparing graduates for future endeavors

Spartan Daily, April 30, 1979

Volume 72, Issue 56https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/6484/thumbnail.jp