Mirror - Vol. 35, No. 04 - September 23, 2009

The Mirror (sometimes called the Fairfield Mirror) is the official student newspaper of Fairfield University, and is published weekly during the academic year (September - May). It runs from 1977 - the present; current issues are available online.https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/archives-mirror/1773/thumbnail.jp

Potential field theory and its applications to classical mechanical problems

Advances in many scientific fields are expected to come from work in nanotechnology. Engineering at nano-scales presents novel problems that classical mechanics cannot solve. Many engineers are uncomfortable designing at this level because classical or continuum mechanics does not apply and quantum mechanics is said to apply in a tangible way. There are unique opportunities to contribute to the design, controls, and analysis of systems that are particularly suited to mechanical engineering. Within the derivations of classical mechanics are assumptions that limit its use to bulk engineering. These assumptions are examined to determine what principles can be extended to smaller scales. To allow engineers to do their job at these scales, it is necessary to understand strength and how changing scales affects the strength of material this leads directly to sets of variables necessary for engineering at any scale. Potential field theory is an old method that is experiencing a resurgence of interest. Potential fields are used to study quantum mechanics at the atomic scale, crack and dislocation mobility at the micro-scale, and even bulk analysis. It encompasses many problems that can be formulated using partial differential equations. These series solutions are well suited for computerized numerical approximation. Because of recent advances in computational abilities, potential field theory deserves a fresh look as a candidate for multiscale modeling and as the math that binds each level together

Philosophical foundations of the Death and Anti-Death discussion

Perhaps there has been no greater opportunity than in this “VOLUME FIFTEEN of our Death And Anti-Death set of anthologies” to write about how might think about life and how to avoid death. There are two reasons to discuss “life”, the first being enhancing our understanding of who we are and why we may be here in the Universe. The second is more practical: how humans meet the physical challenges brought about by the way they have interacted with their environment. Many persons discussing “life” beg the question about what “life” is. Surely, when one discusses how to overcome its opposite, death, they are not referring to another “living” thing such as a plant. There seems to be a commonality, though, and it is this commonality is one needing elaboration. It ostensibly seems to be the boundary condition separating what is completely passive (inert) from what attempts to maintain its integrity, as well as fulfilling other conditions we think “life” has. In our present discussion, there will be a reminder that it by no means has been unequivocally established what life really is by placing quotes around the word, namely, “life”. Consider it a tag representing a bundle of philosophical ideas that will be unpacked in this paper

Scalability study for robotic hand platform

The goal of this thesis project was to determine the lower limit of scale for the RIT robotic grasping hand. This was accomplished using a combination of computer simulation and experimental studies. A force analysis was conducted to determine the size of air muscles required to achieve appropriate contact forces at a smaller scale. Input variables, such as the actuation force and tendon return force, were determined experimentally. A dynamic computer model of the hand system was then created using Recurdyn. This was used to predict the contact (grasping) force of the fingers at full-scale, half-scale, and quarter-scale. Correlation between the computer model and physical testing was achieved for both a life-size and half-scale finger assembly. To further demonstrate the scalability of the hand design, both half and quarter-scale robotic hand rapid prototype assemblies were built using 3D printing techniques. This thesis work identified the point where further miniaturization would require a change in the manufacturing process to micro-fabrication. Several techniques were compared as potential methods for making a production intent quarter-scale robotic hand. Investment casting, Swiss machining, and Selective Laser Sintering were the manufacturing techniques considered. A quarter-scale robotic hand tested the limits of each technology. Below this scale, micro-machining would be required. The break point for the current actuation method, air muscles, was also explored. Below the quarter-scale, an alternative actuation method would also be required. Electroactive Polymers were discussed as an option for the micro-scale. In summary, a dynamic model of the RIT robotic grasping hand was created and validated as scalable at full and half-scales. The model was then used to predict finger contact forces at the quarter-scale. The quarter-scale was identified as the break point in terms of the current RIT robotic grasping hand based on both manufacturing and actuation. A novel, prototype quarter-scale robotic hand assembly was successfully built by an additive manufacturing process, a high resolution 3D printer. However, further miniaturization would require alternate manufacturing techniques and actuation mechanisms

Fluid dynamics of biological and mechanical olfaction

The sense of smell is critical to a number of animals, from moths all the way to the largest mammal on land, the elephant. Despite these animals ranging across eight orders of magnitude in body mass, there are commonalities in their methods for bringing odor molecules to their sensors. Understanding the olfaction of animals can also inspire the design of autonomous smelling machines, which are currently limited in their speed and sensitivity. Most previous work on olfaction has focused on the neuroscience of animal olfaction or the algorithms involved in processing data from machine olfaction. In this dissertation, we focus on the fluid mechanics of olfaction. We used a combined experimental and theoretical approach, with particular emphasis on building machines that can mimic the olfaction of animals. We show that many animals have a hierarchical structure to their olfaction systems, either antenna or nasal cavities, that increase their surface area to improve the chance of odor deposition. Animals optimize their olfaction with behaviors varying from sniffing to angling their antenna obliquely to the wind. Both methods slow down the air near the sensing surfaces, which increases the number of molecules that can deposit by diffusion.Ph.D

Steampunk: The Inner Workings

Steampunk, as a literary genre and cultural phenomena, is a relatively recent innovation that is increasingly receiving critical attention. From the proto-steampunk of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, through the novels of its acknowledged founding fathers K.W. Jeter, Tim Powers and James Blaylock, to contemporary works by China Miéville, Cherie Priest and Paul Di Filipo, steampunk has been plagued by the lack of a unifying definition. Every author, academic and critic has their own definition of it, which may share similarities with others, but none of them can agree on the core ingredients of the genre. Related to the important task of defining steampunk is the need to answer the question: 'Is steampunk a literary genre?' In many respects, steampunk has moved beyond the literary world. Fashion, art and sub-cultures have all embraced steampunk as a style, an aesthetic, a way of life and even a philosophy. This could be the reason for the inability to find a single unifying definition of steampunk. This thesis will argue that, rather than a genre, steampunk is best understood as an aesthetic which can be applied, like any aesthetic, to any literary genre to produce a work that is steampunk-inflected, such as science fiction steampunk, alternate history steampunk, steampunk fantasy, historical steampunk, steampunk romance or gothic steampunk. After evaluating both scholarly and popular definitions of steampunk I will explore four key aspects of the steampunk aesthetic: the neo-Victorian tropes which dominate steampunk texts; the relationship between magic and science in the steampunk universe; the places and people who inhabit steampunk worlds; and the revolutionary message of most steampunk creations. Throughout my discussion will focus primarily on a range of texts acknowledged as steampunk: Michael Moorcock’s The Warlord of the Air (1971), K. W. Jeter’s Infernal Devices (1987), Tim Powers’ The Anubis Gates (1983), William Gibson and Bruce Sterling’s The Difference Engine (1991), Paul Di Filippo’s The Steampunk Trilogy (1995), Neal Stephenson’s The Diamond Age (1995), Gail Carriger’s ‘Parasol Protectorate’ series (2009 – current), Mark Hodder’s ‘Burton and Swinburne’ series (2010 – current), Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura by Troika Games and Runic Games’ Torchlight (2009) and Torchlight 2 (2011)

Mirror - Vol. 32, No. 03 - September 21, 2006

The Mirror (sometimes called the Fairfield Mirror) is the official student newspaper of Fairfield University, and is published weekly during the academic year (September - May). It runs from 1977 - the present; current issues are available online.https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/archives-mirror/1688/thumbnail.jp