Simulation of Flowing Plasma Discharges With Applications to Lasers, Fuel Cells, and Microthrusters

231 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007.Small satellites (few kg) require muN - mNs thrust for station keeping with nominal power requirements (few Watts). MDs deposit power to flowing Ar (at 10s Torr), and the incremental velocity, gas temperature, and thrust are studied. Due to the large surface-to-volume ratio and low Reynolds number, heat conduction to the walls and viscous losses play a significant role in determining thrust. Geometrical parameters like nozzle length and angle, and flow parameters such as power, pressure, and flow rate can be used to optimize the thrust.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD

Simulation of Flowing Plasma Discharges With Applications to Lasers, Fuel Cells, and Microthrusters

231 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007.Small satellites (few kg) require muN - mNs thrust for station keeping with nominal power requirements (few Watts). MDs deposit power to flowing Ar (at 10s Torr), and the incremental velocity, gas temperature, and thrust are studied. Due to the large surface-to-volume ratio and low Reynolds number, heat conduction to the walls and viscous losses play a significant role in determining thrust. Geometrical parameters like nozzle length and angle, and flow parameters such as power, pressure, and flow rate can be used to optimize the thrust.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD

Robust Imitation Strategies

Performance is the lifeblood of a firm's management. Performance itself depends on the adaptation of strategy, based on learning and the environment. An important way that firms adapt their strategy is through imitation or mimetic isomorphism. Imitation implies a referent for such adaptations. This article seeks to determine who or what should serve as that referent. Accordingly, this research (1) develops a broad and rich model of industry dynamics, bringing together literature from industrial economics, strategic groups, learning, and resource-based theories; (2) examines the robustness of imitations strategies; and (3) develops a framework of the managerial implications of imitative behavior in varying industry conditions

Robust Imitation Strategies

Performance is the lifeblood of a firm’s management. Performance itself depends on the adaptation of strategy based on learning and the environment. An important way that firms adapt their strategy is through imitation or mimetic isomorphism. Imitation implies a referent for such adaptations. This article seeks to determine who or what should serve as that referent. Accordingly, this research (1) develops a broad and rich model of industry dynamics, bringing together literature from industrial economics, strategic groups, learning, and resource-based theories; (2) examines the robustness of imitations strategies; and (3) develops a framework of the managerial implications of imitative behavior in varying industry conditions