3,623 research outputs found
A Direct Distance to the LMC Cepheid HV 12198 from the Infrared Surface Brightness Technique
We report on a first application of the infrared surface brightness technique
on a Cepheid in the Large Magellanic Cloud, the variable HV 12198 in the young
globular cluster NGC 1866. From this one star, we determine a distance modulus
of 18.42 +- 0.10 (random and systematic uncertainty) to the cluster. When the
results on further member Cepheids in NGC 1866 become available, we expect to
derive the distance to the LMC with a +- 3-4 percent accuracy, including
systematic errors, from this technique.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted in ApJ Letter
The bend stiffness of S-DNA
We formulate and solve a two-state model for the elasticity of nicked,
double-stranded DNA that borrows features from both the Worm Like Chain and the
Bragg--Zimm model. Our model is computationally simple, and gives an excellent
fit to recent experimental data through the entire overstretching transition.
The fit gives the first value for the bending stiffness of the overstretched
state as about 10 nm*kbt, a value quite different from either B-form or
single-stranded DNA.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figur
Effective medium approach for stiff polymer networks with flexible cross-links
Recent experiments have demonstrated that the nonlinear elasticity of in
vitro networks of the biopolymer actin is dramatically altered in the presence
of a flexible cross-linker such as the abundant cytoskeletal protein filamin.
The basic principles of such networks remain poorly understood. Here we
describe an effective medium theory of flexibly cross-linked stiff polymer
networks. We argue that the response of the cross-links can be fully attributed
to entropic stiffening, while softening due to domain unfolding can be ignored.
The network is modeled as a collection of randomly oriented rods connected by
flexible cross-links to an elastic continuum. This effective medium is treated
in a linear elastic limit as well as in a more general framework, in which the
medium self-consistently represents the nonlinear network behavior. This model
predicts that the nonlinear elastic response sets in at strains proportional to
cross-linker length and inversely proportional to filament length. Furthermore,
we find that the differential modulus scales linearly with the stress in the
stiffening regime. These results are in excellent agreement with bulk rheology
data.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure
Realizing lateral wrap-gated nanowire FETs: Controlling gate length with chemistry rather than lithography
An important consideration in miniaturizing transistors is maximizing the
coupling between the gate and the semiconductor channel. A nanowire with a
coaxial metal gate provides optimal gate-channel coupling, but has only been
realized for vertically oriented nanowire transistors. We report a method for
producing laterally oriented wrap-gated nanowire field-effect transistors that
provides exquisite control over the gate length via a single wet etch step,
eliminating the need for additional lithography beyond that required to define
the source/drain contacts and gate lead. It allows the contacts and nanowire
segments extending beyond the wrap-gate to be controlled independently by
biasing the doped substrate, significantly improving the sub-threshold
electrical characteristics. Our devices provide stronger, more symmetric gating
of the nanowire, operate at temperatures between 300 to 4 Kelvin, and offer new
opportunities in applications ranging from studies of one-dimensional quantum
transport through to chemical and biological sensing.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures. Submitted version, published version available
at http://http://pubs.acs.org/journal/nalef
A senior high school for Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Thesis (M.Arch.) Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture, 1947.Accompanying drawings held by MIT Museum.Bibliography: leaves 45-46.by James P. Storm.M.Arch
Nonlinear elasticity of composite networks of stiff biopolymers with flexible linkers
Motivated by recent experiments showing nonlinear elasticity of in vitro
networks of the biopolymer actin cross-linked with filamin, we present an
effective medium theory of flexibly cross-linked stiff polymer networks. We
model such networks by randomly oriented elastic rods connected by flexible
connectors to a surrounding elastic continuum, which self-consistently
represents the behavior of the rest of the network. This model yields a
crossover from a linear elastic regime to a highly nonlinear elastic regime
that stiffens in a way quantitatively consistent with experiment.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
NOVEL CONTROL STRATEGIES FOR SHIPBOARD POWER CONVERSION SYSTEMS TO MEET THE PULSED LOAD REQUIREMENTS IN MIL-STD-1399
Large, immediate changes in electrical loading cause stresses in power systems. In large power systems, such as the grid used in residential, commercial and industrial applications, the typical change in electrical loading is a very small percentage of the power ratings of the electrical generators. As such, abrupt changes in electrical loading will cause relatively little stress to the power system. In naval applications, however, the distribution systems have a much lower power rating, so the stresses from load changes are much more significant. This thesis presents a novel solution to reduce the undesired effects of these load changes. Through the use of an energy storage system (ESS), switch-mode DC power converter, and an engineered control scheme, the undesired effects of large pulsed loads may be mitigated.
A physics-based model of the system was constructed to provide a proof of concept of the solution, and is verified utilizing a laboratory prototype. The simulated and experimental measurements are compared against the specified constraints provided in MIL-STD-1399.Outstanding ThesisLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited
Distances to six Cepheids in the LMC cluster NGC1866 from the near-IR surface-brightness method
We derive individual distances to six Cepheids in the young populous star
cluster NGC1866 in the Large Magellanic Cloud employing the near-IR surface
brightness technique. With six stars available at the exact same distance we
can directly measure the intrinsic uncertainty of the method. We find a
standard deviation of 0.11 mag, two to three times larger than the error
estimates and more in line with the estimates from Bayesian statistical
analysis by Barnes et al. (2005). Using all six distance estimates we determine
an unweighted mean cluster distance of 18.30+-0.05. The observations indicate
that NGC1866 is close to be at the same distance as the main body of the LMC.
If we use the stronger dependence of the p-factor on the period as suggested by
Gieren et al. (2005) we find a distance of 18.50+-0.05 (internal error) and the
PL relations for Galactic and MC Cepheids are in very good agreement.Comment: Presented at the conference "Stellar Pulsation and Evolution" in
Monte Porzio Catone, June 2005. To appear in Mem. Soc. Ast. It. 76/
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