Distributed Sensing and System Identification of Cantilever Beams and Plates in the Presence of Weak Nonlinearities

While the mathematical foundation for modal analysis of continuous systems has long been established, flexible structures have become increasingly widespread and developing tools for understanding their mechanics has become increasingly important. Cantilever beams and plates, in particular, have been extensively studied due to their practical importance as approximations of more complex structures. The focus of this thesis is on understanding the dynamics of vibrating cantilever beams and plates through analytical and experimental investigation. Various models for the mechanics of these structures, of varying physical fidelity, are described and compared. A fiber optic sensing system is utilized to experimentally acquire distributed strain measurements, which are used to estimate the mode shapes and natural frequencies for the cantilever structures. These experimental estimates are compared with analytical and numerical solutions corresponding to the models previously introduced. Next, a detailed case study is described which demonstrates the nonlinear response in a cantilever beam\u27s first mode and implements an empirical procedure for estimating a variable parameter model which accounts for its varying system parameters. By implementing the described identification methods, parameter variations due to a system\u27s nonlinear response are included in a modified linear model and significantly reduce the errors in predicted response. Based on this research, methods to experimentally estimate and validate the mode shapes and system parameters can be implemented for other beam- and plate-like structures

Observation of Tool Life of Micro End Mills

Prediction of mechanical machining tool life is an integral part of commercial manufacturing. Failure of micro end mills is still not well understood, and further work needs to be done to accurately predict tool life. The objective of this study is to observe the distribution of tool life for micro end mills under aggressive machining conditions without lubri-cation for 300-um-diameter micro end mills while machining 6061-T6 aluminum alloy. The average tool life was 3 to 7 times greater for the nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) coated micro end mills as compared with the uncoated (as received) tools. For both NCD coated and uncoated micro end mills the tool life increased as the cutting speed was in-creased from 32 to 48 m/min, suggesting the presence of a built-up-edge during machining. The variance in the tool life data was approximately an order of magnitude greater than what is expected in macro-scale machining

Distributed Sensing of a Cantilever Beam and Plate Using a Fiber Optic Sensing System

As the capabilities of Fiber Optic Sensing Systems continue to improve, their application to real-time distributed sensing for structural analysis and control of flexible systems is increasingly feasible. This paper will report experimental results on the use of a Fiber Optic Sensing System for static and dynamic shape estimation of a cantilever beam and plate. Demonstrating the use of this sensor technology in benchtop experiments is the first step in effectively incorporating fiber optic sensors in the Integrated Adaptive Wing Technology Maturation aeroelastic half-span wind tunnel model for real-time shape sensing and feedback for drag optimization, maneuver load alleviation, gust load alleviation, and flutter suppression control laws. The effectiveness of the sensing system will be analyzed and the application of these results to aeroelasticity experimentation will be discussed

Using real time student feedback as an emotion awareness and regulation tool in an assessed, online, collaborative project

Over the last decade, research has increasingly highlighted the inextricable links between emotion and cognition as well as the profound effects emotions have in academic contexts in both individual and social learning settings (Pekrun and Linnenbrink-Garcia, 2012). Although much of this research has been undertaken in face-to-face learning, such notions have also been evidenced in online learning environments (Henritius et al., 2019; Reis et al., 2018). With the increased understanding of the importance of emotions in educational contexts, researchers have started to develop tools that can be used by students to help raise awareness of their emotions and help them regulate their feelings when undertaking learning activities (Järvelä et al., 2016). One such tool is The Socio-Emotional Sampling Tool (SEST) (Webster and Hadwin, 2013) which aims to prompt students to metacognitively monitor and evaluate their current emotional state before, during and after undertaking computer-supported collaborative learning activities. The SEST has been developed to have both research and instructional purposes; on the one hand, it can be used as a research tool to collect data about students’ emotional experiences, whilst on the other hand it can be used as an instructional tool to help students become more aware of their emotions and think about ways of regulating their feelings. In this research, we have adapted the SEST and implemented this tool (using real time student feedback) throughout an 9-week assessed, online collaborative project in the Communication and Information Technologies (TM255) module at The Open University. Specifically, students were presented with the opportunity to fill out short feedback forms on four occasions throughout the project (once before it had started, twice during the project, and once after it had finished). Although each form aimed to assess students’ current feelings towards the activity, the two forms completed during the task were also aimed at getting students to think about how they could regulate their emotions. Links to each of the four forms were embedded into the weekly content of module’s Virtual Learning Environment. In this presentation, we will report preliminary findings from the study as well as discuss practical implications of using real time student feedback as an emotion awareness and regulation tool in assessed, online, collaborative projects in a distance learning setting

Prospectus, September 8, 2010

UNEMPLOYMENT CREATES NEW ROLE, AND PAIN, FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES; Poll: Obama\u27s appeal slides in Illinois; Chuck Shepherd\u27s News of the Weird; Album Review: Ra Ra Riot\u27s The Orchard; Parkland teacher feature: Kim Pankau; Not to fear, help is here!; Unemployment, and my new car; Reason for optimism in Mideast talks; He\u27s baaack : More Students Are Moving Back With Their Parents After Graduation; Businesses see advantage in green buildings; Student Government; Leafmaniahttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2010/1021/thumbnail.jp

Prospectus, September 1, 2010

MAYBE MONEY DOES GROW ON TREES: A GUIDE TO YOUR FINANCIAL AID PAPERWORK PROCESS; Colleges say new health law may imperil student policies; Chuck Shepherd\u27s News of the Weird; Passion Pit Finally Makes it to the C-U, Finally!; Campus wants greater attire awareness; Older adults\u27 use social networks growing fast, study finds; How to save public television: The PBS Channel; Pricy conditions for new book editions; Bicycle safety a growing concern in Illinois; Dogs and other pets welcome at Florida dorm; Prospectus Pick: Murder By Death; Understanding Islamhttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2010/1020/thumbnail.jp

Prospectus, October 20, 2010

WILL TEACHERS TWEET? NOT ANYTIME SOON.; Change in AP exams should relieve stress for high school pupils; Chuck Shepherd\u27s News of the Weird; Human Pandora, Part 1: Band of Horses; Didn\u27t your mama ever tell ya? Parkland\u27s Civility Committee hopes to enlighten students and staff; A Prospectus guide to transferring; A quiet shift in GOP stance on gay marriage; A touching example of respect for Old Glory; Fashion lads that shouldn\u27t be seen at school; How to catch up when you\u27re falling behind; Don\u27t let the flu bugs bite; Prospectus Pick: BIood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy; Hester ties NFL record for career TD returns; Do you have any secrets on staying healthy during flu season?; Twisted pumpkinshttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2010/1026/thumbnail.jp

Overview of Game and Content Design for a Mobile Game that Will Prepare Students in Calculus and Physics Prerequisites to the Engineering Curriculum

As part of a research project which assists veterans as they exit the military, complete engineering degrees, and enter the workforce as engineering professionals, a range of serious games for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education is under development. The current focus of this development is CAPTIVATE, a serious game to assist student veterans in mastering the calculus and physics skills that are necessary prerequisites to the main engineering curriculum. Building on the development and lessons learned from MAVEN, a game developed previously to help student veterans master precalculus skills, the design and initial implementation for CAPTIVATE involves careful consideration regarding game and instructional design. Many of the positive aspects from the design of MAVEN will be implemented in CAPTIVATE. First, the overall framework developed for MAVEN will be reused in CAPTIVATE. This modular framework involves both a model and process that combine game, instructional, and software design in a way that supports adaptability throughout the design and development cycle. Additionally by embedding concepts in game play similar to well-known board games such as Battleship, computer games such as Minesweeper, and console or mobile games such as Guitar Hero, students will use their calculus and physics skills to complete tasks in a familiar environment. In addition, the game itself will consist of a series of sub-games each focusing on a topic that students traditionally struggle to understand. Furthermore, students will be offered access to learning resources and assessed regularly as they progress through the game. CAPTIVATE will also overcome some shortcomings from the previous development. While MAVEN was developed for desktop deployment, CAPTIVATE is targeted for deployment on a variety of mobile device including Apple and Android phones and tablets to engage students in interactive games that support their endeavor to build a solid foundation in mathematics and science topics. Additionally by creating games that are short and easily accessible, students will be able to engage with the material at a time and place convenient for them. The development of CAPTIVATE supports student veterans as they transition from the military to engineering degree programs and helps to accelerate them through their STEM prerequisite courses

A Pilot Program For The Recruitment and Education of Navy Veterans Based on System-Level Technical Expertise and Leadership Maturation Developed During Service

The project, Stern2STEM, aims to advance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education through the preparation of student veterans to pursue baccalaureate STEM degrees and support the re-employment of these veterans into the Department of Defense (DoD) and the wider defense support industry. The program builds on the training that veterans have received in highly skilled technical areas, both in the classroom and “on-the-job”, to develop system level expertise in their respective technical disciplines. Key components of the program include: (1) establishing a mechanism for outreach and recruitment; (2) providing leveling, tutoring, mentoring, and support for students; (3) teaching and learning through proven pedagogical practices and through sound academic advising; (4) partnering with the DoD community to facilitate student career placement in the DoD STEM workforce; (5) providing workforce development for DoD STEM professionals. This paper will discuss the academic challenges that student veterans face while in higher education and the current STEM pipelines as students move through their college to professional careers. The early impact of academic tutoring, professional advising, mentorship, career placement, and recruitment of current service members into STEM disciplines through involvement with Stern2STEM will be discussed. Through Stern2STEM’s systematic interventions, the project has the potential to have a significant impact on the broader STEM education community as many of the principles, lessons learned, and tools developed will prove valuable for institutions which have a large population of student veterans

Prospectus, November 3, 2010

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA RANKS TOP 5 IN COLLEGE DESTINATIONS INDEX; Interested, but not smothering: Student-Parent relationships are continuing on in college; Chuck Shepherd\u27s News of the Weird; Human Pandora, Part 2: Death Cab Cor Cutie; Why you should tune in to PCTV, Autumn Learning Opportunities: Non-credit classes at Parkland; The Illinois Traction Society; Can Republicans rescind \u27Obamacare\u27?; Voters, beware a bum\u27s rush; DIY or DIE: Reconstructing Clothes; Public Symposium on Digital Technology in Champaign-Urbana; Prospectus Pick: MTV\u27s Daria; Quidditch dies off the page and onto campus fields; PCTV Broadcast Schedule: Novemberhttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2010/1028/thumbnail.jp