Non-Standard Sound Synthesis with Dynamic Models

Full version unavailable due to 3rd party copyright restrictions.This Thesis proposes three main objectives: (i) to provide the concept of a new generalized non-standard synthesis model that would provide the framework for incorporating other non-standard synthesis approaches; (ii) to explore dynamic sound modeling through the application of new non-standard synthesis techniques and procedures; and (iii) to experiment with dynamic sound synthesis for the creation of novel sound objects. In order to achieve these objectives, this Thesis introduces a new paradigm for non-standard synthesis that is based in the algorithmic assemblage of minute wave segments to form sound waveforms. This paradigm is called Extended Waveform Segment Synthesis (EWSS) and incorporates a hierarchy of algorithmic models for the generation of microsound structures. The concepts of EWSS are illustrated with the development and presentation of a novel non-standard synthesis system, the Dynamic Waveform Segment Synthesis (DWSS). DWSS features and combines a variety of algorithmic models for direct synthesis generation: list generation and permutation, tendency masks, trigonometric functions, stochastic functions, chaotic functions and grammars. The core mechanism of DWSS is based in an extended application of Cellular Automata. The potential of the synthetic capabilities of DWSS is explored in a series of Case Studies where a number of sound object were generated revealing (i) the capabilities of the system to generate sound morphologies belonging to other non-standard synthesis approaches and, (ii) the capabilities of the system of generating novel sound objects with dynamic morphologies. The introduction of EWSS and DWSS is preceded by an extensive and critical overview on the concepts of microsound synthesis, algorithmic composition, the two cultures of computer music, the heretical approach in composition, non- standard synthesis and sonic emergence along with the thorough examination of algorithmic models and their application in sound synthesis and electroacoustic composition. This Thesis also proposes (i) a new definition for “algorithmic composition”, (ii) the term “totalistic algorithmic composition”, and (iii) four discrete aspects of non-standard synthesis

Ono: an open platform for social robotics

In recent times, the focal point of research in robotics has shifted from industrial ro- bots toward robots that interact with humans in an intuitive and safe manner. This evolution has resulted in the subfield of social robotics, which pertains to robots that function in a human environment and that can communicate with humans in an int- uitive way, e.g. with facial expressions. Social robots have the potential to impact many different aspects of our lives, but one particularly promising application is the use of robots in therapy, such as the treatment of children with autism. Unfortunately, many of the existing social robots are neither suited for practical use in therapy nor for large scale studies, mainly because they are expensive, one-of-a-kind robots that are hard to modify to suit a specific need. We created Ono, a social robotics platform, to tackle these issues. Ono is composed entirely from off-the-shelf components and cheap materials, and can be built at a local FabLab at the fraction of the cost of other robots. Ono is also entirely open source and the modular design further encourages modification and reuse of parts of the platform

Virtual distributed environments for systems with time requirements

Virtualization is widely propagating technology that is used to run multiple virtual machines on the same computational unit by means of a piece of firmware, hardware or software called a hypervisor. Despite having been used since the 60as, the current indisputable need for fast reliable communication may put this technology to question. This project analyzes the amount of impact the virtualization has on the transmission times. In the first part, the Xen hypervisor, configured with different virtual environments, simulating complex scenarios, will be evaluated to determine the size of the impact. As a bridge between the multiple virtual machines, middleware Ice, will be used. Furthermore lower in the scale, for embedded systems, the XtratuM hypervisor was designed to support real-time systems. The second part is dedicated to evaluating whether the communication maintains the real time property of these systems. Bare boned virtualization will be implemented in this second part of the project.Ingeniería en Tecnologías de Telecomunicació

Non-determinism in the narrative structure of video games

PhD ThesisAt the present time, computer games represent a finite interactive system. Even in their more experimental forms, the number of possible interactions between player and NPCs (non-player characters) and among NPCs and the game world has a finite number and is led by a deterministic system in which events can therefore be predicted. This implies that the story itself, seen as the series of events that will unfold during gameplay, is a closed system that can be predicted a priori. This study looks beyond this limitation, and identifies the elements needed for the emergence of a non-finite, emergent narrative structure. Two major contributions are offered through this research. The first contribution comes in the form of a clear categorization of the narrative structures embracing all video game production since the inception of the medium. In order to look for ways to generate a non-deterministic narrative in games, it is necessary to first gain a clear understanding of the current narrative structures implemented and how their impact on users’ experiencing of the story. While many studies have observed the storytelling aspect, no attempt has been made to systematically distinguish among the different ways designers decide how stories are told in games. The second contribution is guided by the following research question: Is it possible to incorporate non-determinism into the narrative structure of computer games? The hypothesis offered is that non-determinism can be incorporated by means of nonlinear dynamical systems in general and Cellular Automata in particular

Long Term Loading and Additional Material Properties of Vectran Fabric for Inflatable Structure Applications

The recent production of high performance fibers has given way to the development of inflatable structures capable of fulfilling architectural needs that once required the use of metal alloys. The design of these structures requires engineers to know many properties about the unique textile of which the structure is composed. This thesis presents both testing methodology and results for a number of key properties using woven fabric constructed of Vectran fibers.;The primary source for test standards was the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Some alterations were made to standards in an effort to uniquely characterize specific properties of Vectran woven fabric in situations and environments not specifically discussed by ASTM. ASTM standards are also evaluated for their ability to properly characterize Vectran woven fabric, and concerns are discussed for complications which were encountered while using ASTM methods for this specific work.;Material characterization was primarily focused on the creation of a model capable of accurately predicting creep failure times given an applied stress in the fabric. Complications with the long term loading of specimens for creep testing required the development of a new loading frame and material grips, both of which are described in detail. Quasi-static testing was performed, providing the ultimate strength and Young\u27s modulus of the material. Quasi-static testing was also performed to evaluate the fabrics ability to withstand the affects of submersion and environmental crease folding. Finally, friction testing was performed on a number of surfaces, both wet and dry.;Long term loading produced a logarithmic model for predicting creep failure times with an estimated accuracy within 3.67% of the applied load. It was suggested that this error is the direct result of the known repeatability and accuracy errors in the loading frame. Despite this error, the manufactured loading frame and material grips displayed improved results over testing with MTS systems.;Quasi-static testing provided tensile values in both the warp and fill direction for multiple Vectran woven fabric constructions. The Young\u27s modulus was found to have two distinct values for strain of low and high magnitudes in both the fill and warp directions. Additionally, neither submersion nor changes in pressure for crease folding appeared to affect the strength of Vectran. However, the simulated environment used for the crease fold method negatively affected the material. Though further testing is called for, it was suggested that Vectran may observe an increasing loss in strength with respect to time at elevated temperatures. Friction tests were completed, characterizing both bare Vectran woven fabrics, and urethane coated woven fabrics on a number of surfaces, both wet and dry

Design and fabrication of meso-scale flexural testing apparatus for evaluating aligned CNT composite flexures

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2007.Includes bibliographical references (p. 58).The objective of this research is to explore the possibility of using aligned Carbon Nanotube (CNT) based composites in flexures by measuring the kinematics of a composite flexure. The first phase of the research, described in this thesis, is to design, fabricate and assemble a testing apparatus optimized for evaluating aligned CNT based composites. Using existing literature on composites and present limitations on their growth, functional requirements are set down for the testing apparatus. Several designs are qualitatively evaluated, leading to a near optimal design form. This chosen design is modeled as a spring-mass system, and the exact geometry needed to satisfy the functional requirements is determined. The design of the full apparatus is expanded to contain the necessary probes and actuators. The testing apparatus is fabricated using CNC machining, and assembled in a controlled environment to reduce thermal and mechanical error during operation. The system is calibrated and its resolution is found to be 0.021 N over a range of 28.5 N applied force and 1.5 pm over a range of 816 pm applied displacement. Several non-linearities are noted and corrected mathematically.by Robert M. Panas.S.B