Thermo-elastic optical coherence tomography

The absorption of nanosecond laser pulses induces rapid thermo-elastic deformation in tissue. A sub-micrometer scale displacement occurs within a few microseconds after the pulse arrival. In this Letter, we investigate the laser-induced thermo-elastic deformation using a 1.5 MHz phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. A displacement image can be reconstructed, which enables a new modality of phase-sensitive OCT, called thermo-elastic OCT. An analysis of the results shows that the optical absorption is a dominating factor for the displacement. Thermo-elastic OCT is capable of visualizing inclusions that do not appear on the structural OCT image, providing additional tissue type information

Design and validation of an EB-PVD shadowed TBC thickness prediction model

This MQP group set out to modify an existing model for predicting thermal-barrier coating thickness on a flat plate. Sponsored by Pratt & Whitney, a leading aircraft engine manufacturer in East Hartford, Conn., we combined onsite experimental design with on-campus scientific analysis. The short-term goal of this project is to design and analyze a predictive model for shadowed-coating profiles. This will contribute greatly to WPI's joint venture with Pratt & Whitney to create a rules-based software program that can predict the coating thickness on any modeled shape

Le motivazioni a prestare Servizio Civile Nazionale: uno studio esplorativo condotto con gli aspiranti volontari presso l'Università degli Studi di Palermo

Dal momento della sua istituzione, numerosi studi in campo psico-sociale si sono occupati del Servizio Civile Nazionale (SCN) con diverse ricerche che si sono focalizzate in modo particolare sul profilo motivazionale dei giovani volontari, marcatamente differente rispetto a quello degli ormai scomparsi obiettori di coscienza e assai più simile, per diversi aspetti, a quello dei “veri” volontari. Il presente studio, in un’ottica esplorativa, intende fornire un apporto alla migliore comprensione delle motivazioni che spingono un numero crescente di giovani a prestare SCN. In una prospettiva di ricerca-azione che intende coniugare conoscenza e cambiamento, inoltre, lo studio vuol rappresentare un contributo al miglioramento della qualità dell’esperienza di servizio civile

Feasibility study of Montreal.

The Montreal feasibility project investigated whether a WPI Project Center is possible and desirable in Montreal, Canada. It identified possible companies and organizations to sponsor project work, loccated possible housing, provided information regarding everyday living requirements, and researched the culture and laws in Montreal. Montreal was determined to be an excellent site for a future project center, based upon the analysis and feasibility study conducted while the team was there