Investigation of the Selective Laser Melting process with tungsten metal powder

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a leading Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology used for high value low volume manufacturing. It is currently used commercially for processing of steels, titanium, nickel- and aluminum-alloys in medical and aerospace industries. It is not used currently for refractory metals, mainly because of the intrinsic problems of processing higher melting point materials but also due to the process being driven slowly by the industries involved. Successful SLM processing requires development of material specific processing parameters that differ between materials and so the system must be developed to match each material used. In this study, processing of tungsten is considered for the production of solid and porous parts. The study also considers the role of the pure tungsten powder interaction with processing conditions within SLM. The process quality is quantified in terms of porosity, integrity and microstructure. The reasons why the parameters used have the effects observed is discussed and the effects on future development of this technology in this field is discussed

The attitudinal and physical relationships of man to the motorcycle as a problem in painting

I am presenting in my paintings the figurative elements of man and motorcycle as a series of juxtapositions. Each painting is composed of two panels: one depicting some aspect of man; the other providing some view of the machine. I have examined man and motorcycle with an eye for those qualities which I felt best related them in attitude or physical similarities. They are not to be necessarily related to each other in function, as wheel to leg or foot or handlebar to hand, but quite frequently to depict unrelated functional configurations. Concern for what either subject is doing has no place in my painting. The subjects are merely "things" to be inspected as one might do with museum articles whose functions are unknown or unimportant; but which might have physical qualities which produce an element of interest. The motorcycles of the paintings are not "working models"; you are not to read them as such. You would be hard put to identify precisely the mechanical aspects of the machine found in the paintings, because a precise blueprint of this was not my intention at all

Home school curricula : constitutional issues

The purpose of this study was to analyze the extent to which state statutes offer some regulation of the curricula offered in home schooling situations. A further purpose was to analyze court decisions which have had some impact on the curricula of home schools. The analysis of statutes showed that all fifty states have provisions which allow home schooling. Twenty-three states have passed laws specifically related to home schooling. Eighteen states allow home schooling by approval of a governmental agency or body. Home schooling is allowed in two states by case law and in one state by Attorney General's ruling. The remaining six states have statutes that allow home schooling by either licensure or registration as a private religious school or "other acceptable means of education.

A Bridge to the Future: Cultivating Academic Leadership Today for Better Communities Tomorrow

The purpose of this project is to develop a plan for expanding and funding the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute (GEHLI). Currently, teams of leadership scholars selected from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) develop projects relating to the academic community in addition to studying the dynamics of effective leadership. Consistent with VCU\u27s vision of partnering with and service to metropolitan Richmond, we propose that future teams of leadership scholars develop outreach projects that involve and benefit the local community. The training in which scholars would participate would include learning about the Richmond community, its needs and goals, as well as the dynamics of leadership. Project teams would collaborate with community groups or leaders, thereby strengthening the bonds between VCU and the community, and providing public service, in accordance with VCU\u27s mission. Projects might include education, outreach, fundraising, mentoring, or research that would benefit Richmond and provide scholars with opportunities to network with local leaders. Financial and philanthropic resources will be investigated and a list of potential funding organizations will be generated

African American freshman students at UNC Asheville: a strategy for retention and success

Enrollment of African American students at predominantly white institutions has seen substantial growth since the late 1970s due in great part to federal legislation such as affirmative action and other access-focused policies. Broad specified judicial actions like these should have eased the path for public universities to welcome and retain African American students in large numbers (Bobo, 1998). However, multiple issues continue to exist that thwart university access and success, and African Americans continue to drop out at high rates, especially in their freshman year (Townsend, 2007). These problems include complex university cultures, continued lack of access, poor academic preparation, low sense of belonging, and challenging social and academic climates. Research demonstrates that African American students, once admitted to college, continue to believe they do not belong in these educational settings (Harper & Griffin, 2011). We must improve the retention and success of these students by providing programs and resources that facilitate their social and academic transition into the collegiate environment. In this disquisition, I address the impact of a residential living learning community specifically for African American students, called SANKOFA. The hope is that having a group of students with similar cultural backgrounds in addition to providing specific training of faculty and staff to facilitate coursework and educational programming for this population, the sense of belonging to UNC Asheville will increase for these students. Once integrated, their opportunities for success in that first year of college can improve, which enhances their chances of graduation by almost 40% (Smedley, B.D., 2000)

The Progression of Women in Legislation: From Property to People

In this thesis, the transformation of the legal status of women will be examined. Beginning with a discussion of the common law foundations and focusing especially on coverture, this paper will provide a history of how women’s place in society developed through legislation as they gradually evolved from being recognized as the property of their husbands to being sovereign individuals. This progression for women was slow, and remains incomplete. Despite progress, echoes of patriarchal oppression still exist in law today

Figure studies : color, space, and form

In the Fall Semester of 1974 I began a series of painted studies of the human figure. Working directly from the model, mostly in evening classes because of the three and four hour sessions, I limited the earliest paintings to single sessions. That limitation imposed others. First, size was an important factor. By reducing the scale to that of the visual image at a comfortable working distance, I could eliminate potential problems of distortion difficult to avoid in large-scale painting. The smaller scale also enabled me to complete a painting during each session, whereas large-scale painting is geared to continued sessions over an extended period. I felt, too, that there was desirable discipline in trying to accomplish a set amount within a particular period of time. Initially that experience was helpful, but I soon discovered that while I was developing some proficiency in drawing I was not sharpening as well my perception of color. The time limitation was forcing me to adopt a method approach, relying on the same colors again and again, rather than a situational approach based on accurate observation and notation

Development of the artist's painting and prints

This thesis study has been a search into the development and meaning of the artist's paintings and prints. It has been an effort to interpret simply and enthusiastically the demands felt by the artist in abstraction. Abstract art has always existed, but not until this century has it become known as such* Down through the ages we have seen that the creation of a work of art must of necessity grow and form a new image, actually it must be reborn, if it is to become real art

Evaluation of torso stability using the basin of stability chair

Low back pain (LBP) is a costly problem in modern health care that affects up to 80% of the population at some point in life. The link between low back and torso instability or spinal motion has not been clearly defined. Past studies evaluating torso dynamics have employed the use of unstable seating apparatuses to analyze various aspects of human torso stability. Traditionally, these devices measure Kinematic Variability (KV). However, previous devices had design limitations making them unable to measure dynamic stability parameters such as the Basin of Stability (BoS). In this research project an innovative new device for measuring unstable seating was designed, constructed, and performance tested. The new device, the BoS Chair, presented several key challenges and required the custom fabrication of each major component utilizing CAD software and CNC machinery. A new seating arrangement was devised using a kneeling chair configuration to isolate the upper torso. The new seating configuration implemented a high deflection angle joint allowing the chair to tilt farther than previous devices enabling the calculation of the basin of stability. The design also required the ability to adjust restorative torque, known simply as the difficulty level. These features required safety measures and a sturdy safety frame to accompany the device. Testing of the new BoS chair required the formulation of Threshold of Stability (ToS) and Basin of Stability test procedures. The ToS procedure tested participants through a series of increasing difficulties until failure was detected. The point of failure marked the threshold of the participant. Using the ToS information, a preliminary BoS procedure was conducted to record temporal movement parameters using a gyroscopic sensor. Tests were conducted with six male and six female participants. ToS trials were statistically compared and analyzed, revealing that height and weight had a significant confounding effect on the results. The effect was successfully remedied through normalization. It showed that the BoS chair could be used to study the torso balance control of participants regardless of their size. The stability graphs and stabilograms generated from the preliminary BoS data indicated that the recording device and trial methods were sufficient. These initial Basin of Stability tests will form the foundation for the development of future BoS testing protocols. The BoS chair is as a durable and flexible tool for measuring torso stability that was designed to detect Lagrangian Coherent structures in a novel way. The preliminary BoS data collected in this research will be useful for future Basin of Stability research and provide preliminary data for grant proposals. With the device constructed and baseline data available for human subjects (i.e. controls), we are now prepared for future projects that measure torso stability in patient populations to improve our understanding of this condition and its effect on low back pain

Restoration

My thesis essay and creative work examines and critiques contemporary attitudes towards environmental sustainability by exploring the philosophies and practices of earlier global cultures that led them to a more harmonious existence with the natural world. My interest in this subject is intensely personal and based on my experience as an immigrant to the U.S. Growing up in the mountains of Colombia, I learned the importance of balance in life. We understood that our actions had a direct effect on the environment. As children, we are taught that humans are deeply connected to nature, dependent on its vital resources for survival and, therefore, responsible for acting as caretakers of our environment for the benefit of our entire community. In moving to the U.S., I observed many differences including a disconnection between people and nature, which is most evident in the vast amount of consumption and misuse of resources. As a citizen, I am concerned about what is lost when we remove the natural world from our lives and value a sanitized way of life that is mainly concerned with convenience. My research investigates cultures that for centuries, have lived in harmony and balance with the natural world. My research intended to compel the viewer to think about what these cultures might teach us about the way we distribute and use natural resources. My hope is to make work that contributes to a deeper appreciation and awareness of the consequence of our culture