Distribution automation applications of fiber optics

Motivations for interest and research in distribution automation are discussed. The communication requirements of distribution automation are examined and shown to exceed the capabilities of power line carrier, radio, and telephone systems. A fiber optic based communication system is described that is co-located with the distribution system and that could satisfy the data rate and reliability requirements. A cost comparison shows that it could be constructed at a cost that is similar to that of a power line carrier system. The requirements for fiber optic sensors for distribution automation are discussed. The design of a data link suitable for optically-powered electronic sensing is presented. Empirical results are given. A modeling technique that was used to understand the reflections of guided light from a variety of surfaces is described. An optical position-indicator design is discussed. Systems aspects of distribution automation are discussed, in particular, the lack of interface, communications, and data standards. The economics of distribution automation are examined

A piezo-bar pressure probe

Piezo-bar pressure type probe measures the impact velocity or pressure of a moving debris cloud. It measures pressures up to 200,000 psi and peak pressures may be recorded with a total pulse duration between 5 and 65 musec

Stress: What Is It and How Can It Be Quantified?

An animal may be considered to be in a state of stress if abnormal behavior or extreme adjustments in its behavior or physiology are necessary in order to cope with adverse aspects of its environment. Methods used to determine if an animal is stressed can be either behavioral or physiological. Behavioral methods may be highly erroneous due to their subjective nature since alterations in behavior do not necessarily prove that an animal is stressed. There is no single measure of stress that can be used in all situations at this time. Every measure must be critically evaluated to ensure that it is valid for each application. An integrated approach using both behavioral observations and physiological measures is necessary

Stress: What is It and How Can It Be Quantified?

An animal may be considered to be in a state of stress if abnormal behavior or extreme adjustments in its behavior or physiology are necessary in order to cope with adverse aspects of its environment. Methods used to determine if an animal is stressed can be either behavioral or physiological. Behavioral methods may be highly erroneous due to their subjective nature since alterations in behavior do not necessarily prove that an animal is stressed. There is no single measure of stress that can be used in all situations at this time. Every measure must be critically evaluated to ensure that it is valid for each application. An integrated approach using both behavioral observations and physiological measures is necessary

Review of meteoroid-bumper interaction studies at McGill University

Experimental investigation of meteoroid-bumper impact, debris cloud expansion, and second surface pressure loadin

U-Pn geochronology of deformed metagranites in central Sutherland, Scotland: evidence for widespread late Silurian metamorphism and ductile deformation of the Moine Supergroup during the Caledonian orogeny

Within the Caledonides of central Sutherland, Scotland, the Neoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Moine Supergroup record NW-directed D2 ductile thrusting and nappe assembly, accompanied by widespread tight-to-isoclinal folding and amphibolite-facies metamorphism. A series of metagranite sheets which were emplaced and penetratively deformed during D2 have been dated using SHRIMP UâPb geochronology. Zircon ages of 424 8 Ma (Vagastie Bridge granite), 420 6 Ma (Klibreck granite) and 429 11 Ma (Strathnaver granite) are interpreted to date emplacement, and hence regional D2 deformation, during mid- to late Silurian time. Titanite ages of 413 3 Ma (Vagastie Bridge granite) and 416 3 Ma (Klibreck granite) are thought to date post-metamorphic cooling through a blocking temperature of c. 550â 500 8C. A mid- to late Silurian age for D2 deformation supports published models that have viewed the internal ductile thrusts of this part of the orogen as part of the same kinematically linked system of forelandpropagating thrusts as the marginal Moine Thrust Zone. The new data contrast with previous interpretations that have viewed the dominant structures and metamorphic assemblages within the Moine Supergroup as having formed during the early to mid-Ordovician Grampian arcâcontinent orogeny. The mid-to late Silurian D2 nappe stacking event in Sutherland is probably a result of the collision of Baltica with the Scottish segment of Laurentia

Automatic Dispensing Pill Caddy for the Elderly

The report, Aging in the United States, finds that baby boomers who are at retirement age are in worse health compared with previous generations. More of them are living with chronic conditions such as high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease; all which require medication. The report also anticipates the number of people with dementia could nearly triple in the coming decades, resulting in senior adults requiring more assistance with daily activities. Our product intends to enhance the quality of life of the older adult population by providing a pill dispenser that creates convenience with alerts and notifications. This makes the dosage easily accessible to those with cognitive and other impairments, and helps these adults to live a healthier lifestyle all the while minimizing the stress involved and time needed to take their medication. The demographics for our customer base include those who are ages 65+ who have difficulty with memory, individuals who live with multiple diseases/chronic conditions, and elderly individuals who live independently and require regular assistance. We will reach our most relevant market by selling our product individually and also by providing access to hospitals, insurance companies, and care providers. Our product will add value to our end user’s life, is easily accessible for the elderly customers and can easily be changed with evolving technology.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1190/thumbnail.jp

Exciton Regeneration at Polymeric Semiconductor Heterojunctions

Control of the band-edge offsets at heterojunctions between organic semiconductors allows efficient operation of either photovoltaic or light-emitting diodes. We investigate systems where the exciton is marginally stable against charge separation, and show via E-field-dependent time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy that excitons that have undergone charge separation at a heterojunction can be efficiently regenerated. This is because the charge transfer produces a geminate electron-hole pair (separation 2.2-3.1nm) which may collapse into an exciplex and then endothermically (E=100-200meV) back-transfer towards the exciton.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures. Manuscript in press in Phys. Rev. Let

Growing Eggplant in The Lower Rio Grande Valley.

6 p