Engineering

Evoluzione della rappresentazione grafica nel progetto dei meccanismi.

by Michela Cigola

Ceccarelli M., Cigola M., Evoluzione della rappresentazione grafica nel progetto dei meccanismi, in Atti del Convegno “Il Disegno di Progetto dalle origini a tutto il XVIII secolo. Storia e sviluppi”, Dipartimento di Rappresentazione e Rilievo dell’Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, Roma 1997; pp.427-433. ISBN 88-7448-766-5

Service robots for restoration of goods of cultural heritage

by Michela Cigola

Ceccarelli M., Cigola M., Service robots for restoration of goods of cultural heritage in Service Robots and Robotics: Design and Application edited by di M. Ceccarelli, published by IGI Global Hershey, Pennsylvania (USA) 2012; pp. 213-228. ISBN 978-1-4666-0291-5 (hardcover) - ISBN 978-1-4666-0292-2 (ebook); DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-0291-5.ch012

Preservation and benefit of goods of Cultural Heritage need careful activity of survey and restoration that can be... more Preservation and benefit of goods of Cultural Heritage need careful activity of survey and restoration that can be understood as service tasks for suitable robotic systems. New service robots can be conceived once the specificity of the application in Cultural Heritage area for architectural goods is carefully considered both with technical aspects and from operators viewpoints. In particular, in this chapter no technical aspects are also discussed as fundamental for the acceptance and use by no-technical operators in the new field of service robot application for survey and restoration of architectonic goods of Cultural Heritage value. Examples are illustrated from authors’ experience with the aim to stress the problems and challenges in applications for service robotic systems in Cultural Heritage frames.

The influence of the Society of Jesus on the spread of european mechanical knowledge in China in the XVIth and XVIIth centuries

by Michela Cigola

Cigola M., The influence of the Society of Jesus on the spread of european mechanical knowledge in China in the XVIth and XVIIth centuries, in Explorations in the History of Machines and Mechanisms Proceedings of HMM2012, T. Koetsier & M. Ceccarelli editors, Part 1, “History of Mechanisms and machine science” vol. 15; Springer, Dordrecht, Heidelberg, London, New York 2012; pp 69-79. ISSN 1875-3442 ISBN 978-94-007-4131-7 DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-4132-4

This article aims to investigate the role played by various missionaries of the Society of Jesus in the development... more This article aims to investigate the role played by various missionaries of the Society of Jesus in the development and spread of European scientific and mechanical knowledge in China between the XVIth and XVIIth centuries.

Before Rolling Thunder: Hyundai Construction in Southeast Asia, 1965-1973

by John P. DiMoia

in process, aiming to submit to JAS, JKS or Positions later in 2012? in process, aiming to submit to JAS, JKS or Positions later in 2012?

Blue-phase templated fabrication of three-dimensional nanostructures for photonic applications

by Flynn Castles

Published in 'Nature Materials'

F. Castles, F. V. Day, S. M. Morris, D-H. Ko, D. J. Gardiner, M. M. Qasim, S. Nosheen, P. J. W. Hands, S. S. Choi, R.... more F. Castles, F. V. Day, S. M. Morris, D-H. Ko, D. J. Gardiner, M. M. Qasim, S. Nosheen, P. J. W. Hands, S. S. Choi, R. H. Friend, and H. J. Coles

Official link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat3330

A promising approach to the fabrication of materials with nanoscale features is the transfer of liquid-crystalline structure to polymers. However, this has not been achieved in systems with full three-dimensional periodicity. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of self-assembled three-dimensional nanostructures by polymer templating blue phase I, a chiral liquid crystal with cubic symmetry. Blue phase I was photopolymerized and the remaining liquid crystal removed to create a porous free-standing cast, which retains the chiral three-dimensional structure of the blue phase, yet contains no chiral additive molecules. The cast may in turn be used as a hard template for the fabrication of new materials. By refilling the cast with an achiral nematic liquid crystal, we created templated blue phases that have unprecedented thermal stability in the range −125 to 125 °C, and that act as both mirrorless lasers and switchable electro-optic devices. Blue-phase templated materials will facilitate advances in device architectures for photonics applications in particular.

Flexoelectric and elastic coefficients of odd and even homologous bimesogens

by Flynn Castles

Published in 'Physical Review E' [copyright (2012) American Physical Society].

Katie L. Atkinson, Stephen M. Morris, Flynn Castles, Malik M. Qasim, Damian J. Gardiner, and Harry J. Coles
more Katie L. Atkinson, Stephen M. Morris, Flynn Castles, Malik M. Qasim, Damian J. Gardiner, and Harry J. Coles

Official link: http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevE.85.012701
PDF: http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/~fc252/PRE_85_012701_2012.PDF

It is known that bimesogenic liquid crystals exhibit a marked “odd-even” effect in the flexoelastic ratio (the effective flexoelectric coefficient to the average elastic coefficient), with the ratio being higher for the “odd-spaced” bimesogens (those with an odd number of alkyl groups in the spacer chain) than their neighboring even-spaced counterparts. To determine the contribution of each property to the flexoelastic ratio, we present experimental results on the flexoelectric and elastic coefficients of two homologous nonsymmetric bimesogens which possess odd and even alkyl spacers. Our results show that, although there are differences in the flexoelectric coefficients, there are substantially larger differences in the effective elastic coefficient. Specifically, the odd bimesogen is found to have both a low splay elastic coefficient and a very low bend elastic coefficient which, when combined, results in a significantly lower effective elastic coefficient and consequently a higher flexoelastic ratio.

A-magnetic optic-mechanical device to quantify finger kinematics for fMRI studies of bimanual coordination

by Maurizio Bertollo

Ingenieria y Estado en Bolivia durante la primera mitad del siglo XX

by Manuel E. Contreras

Published in Cueto, M. (1995). Saberes andinos: Ciencia y tecnología en Bolivia, Ecuador y Perú. Lima: Instituto de Estudios Peruanos.

Analyzes the professionalization of enginering in Bolivia, the develoepment of the first engineering faculties and the... more Analyzes the professionalization of enginering in Bolivia, the develoepment of the first engineering faculties and the relationship of engineers with the Bolivian state.

Elektrik Mühendisliğinin Sosyal Hayatın Gelişimi Üzerine Etkileri

by mehmet cem ates

Mühendislik bilimsel ve teknik bilgileri problemleri çözmek ve insan ihtiyaçlarını karşılamak için kullanma sanatıdır. İnsanoğlu tarihin ilk devirlerinden beri mühendisliğin temel olgularını kullanmış, son elli yıldan beridir de mühendisliği uzmanlaşma alanına oturtmuştur. Bu uzmanlaşmayla birlikte mühendisliğin hayatımız üzerine olan etkileri daha net biçimde ortaya çıkmış, mühendislik ve gelişim kavramları birlikte anılmaya başlanmıştır. Şüphesiz ki hayatımızda bir dönüm noktası olan elektrik ve bu elektriği var eden ve sistemleştiren elektrik mühendisliği, insan yaşamını teknik açıdan olduğu kadar sosyal yönden de gelişmesine en çok katkıda bulunan mühendislik dallarından biridir.   

Investigation of Shelf Life of Potency and Activity of the Lactobacilli Produced Bacteriocins Through Their Exposure to Various Physicochemical Stress Factors

by Myrto-Panagiota Zacharof

published in Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins
2012, DOI: 10.1007/s12602-012-9102-2 by Springer

Three Lactobacilli strains, Lactobacillus casei NCIMB 11970, Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 8014, Lactobacillus lactis... more Three Lactobacilli strains, Lactobacillus casei NCIMB 11970, Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 8014, Lactobacillus lactis NCIMB 8586 have been used for the production of bacteriocins. Though, their production phase, their biochemical nature, their mode of activity even their genetic structure have been widely investigated, there are hardly any studies investigating their potency and activity in depth of time, in other words their shelf life under several physicochemical conditions that may occur during their production in large scale. As such, the effect of several factors influencing the activity and the potency of bacteriocins when produced in large scale was examined as due to bacteriocins peptide nature degradation or denaturation might occur, under extreme physicochemical conditions. During scale-up process, differences between the output data may occur, such as concerning biomass, metabolic by-products and limiting substrate concentrations. These may affect negatively the activity and the potency of the bacteriocins. For investigating these effects and minimizing them, numerous studies were conducted, which were related to the exact phase of the production of these substances, the effect of dilution and temperature changes. These studies could be used in order to minimize the scaling-up effect when decided to produce these peptides in large scale.

Design and Optimization Method for Inertial Particle Separator Systems

by Eyas Alfaris

Engineering Barriers: An Empirical Investigation Into the Mechanics of Downward Mobility.

by Bonnie Slade

Slade, B. (2008). Engineering Barriers: An Empirical Investigation into the Mechanics of Downward Mobility. Socialist Studies, 4, 2, 21-40.

This paper explores the regulation of professional engineering and how the licensing process itself impacts the labour... more This paper explores the regulation of professional engineering and how the licensing process itself impacts the labour market position of immigrant engineers. Guided by the social ontology and method of inquiry of institutional ethnography, this paper provides a map of the licensing process for engineering in Ontario and shows how immigrant engineers are constructed as exceptions to the process, despite the fact that immigrant engineers outnumber Ontario engineering graduates. Having to first go though individualized academic and work experience assessments, they also require one year Canadian work
experience. Research has shown that it is difficult for immigrant engineers to successfully complete the licensing process. This paper details the administrative work processes that cause delays and difficulties for immigrant engineers, and discusses the labour market implications of not having a professional licence.

Enhancement of Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico's plasma machine cooling system

by Angel Gonzalez-Lizardo

A Wide Input-Output Voltage Range AC-DC Converter with a Fuzzy PI+D Controller

by Farhad Ghadaki

"Co-authored with Mohammad Bagher Akbari Haghighat", "Co-authored with Mohammad-Ali Shamsi-Nejad"

This paper presents a two stage wide input-output voltage range ac-dc converter. First stage of the converter is a... more This paper presents a two stage wide input-output voltage range ac-dc converter. First stage of the converter is a commercially available front-end boost power factor corrector (PFC) and second stage is a simple step-down dc-dc converter. This work is based on classical off-line ac-dc power supplies architecture. The main improvement is the employment of Fuzzy Proportional-Integral-Derivative (FPI+D) controller to control the step-down converter. The main goal of the utilized controller is to regulate the output voltage in a wide range of reference voltage and load changes. Achieving these goals is possible by applying this robust controller that can handle inherent nonlinearities of dc-dc converters operating in both continuous-conduction-mode (CCM) and discontinuous-conduction-mode (DCM). Besides simulation results, a 200W universal-line hardware prototype was built to evaluate the proposed scheme experimentally. Developed prototype has the input voltage range of 85-265 Vac and the wide output voltage range between 10-200 Vdc.

The Techno-politics of Colour: Britain and the European Struggle for a Colour Television Standard

by Andreas Fickers

Materializing Europe. Transnational Infrastructures and the Project of Europe

by Andreas Fickers

Edited by Alexander Badenoch & Andreas Fickers (Palgrave-Macmillan, 2010).

Transnational infrastructures have long been an integral part of projects to unite Europe. From the first ceremonial... more Transnational infrastructures have long been an integral part of projects to unite Europe. From the first ceremonial train of the European Coal and Steel Community to the new border signs that have replaced checkpoints along motorways, such technologies of connection have served as powerful symbols of European unification. In interpreting infrastructures as mediating interfaces of European projects, this book aims to analyze the complex histories of network technologies in their material, institutional and symbolic performances. Taking material networks as the focal point of study allows the authors to tell a truly transnational history, broadening fruitfully our perspectives on a number of historical narratives. It expands the time frame for exploring European integration by pointing to the longer processes of international connection and co-operation. These broadened spatial and temporal horizons allow to de-centre the processes of formal integration surrounding the EU after WWII to reveal a broader range of actors and forces in European history.

Rilevamento architettonico e robotica: nuove frontiere dell’innovazione tecnologica per l’analisi, lo studio e la tutela dell’architettura storica.

by Michela Cigola

Cigola M., rilevamento architettonico e robotica: nuove frontiere dell’innovazione tecnologica per l’analisi, lo studio e la tutela dell’architettura storica, in Rappresentazione e formazione – tra ricerca e didattica. Collana di studi e ricerche sul disegno dell’architettura e dell’ambiente, vol. 4, Roma 2008; pp. 127-140. ISBN 978-88-548-1633-6.

Sistemi informativi per il patrimonio urbano. riflessioni ed applicazioni. SIT/GIS sistems for knowledge, study and analyses of territory, cities and architecture.

by Michela Cigola

Pelliccio A, Cigola M., Vallerotonda M., SISTEMI INFORMATIVI PER IL PATRIMONIO URBANO. RIFLESSIONI ED APPLICAZIONI, in Conservazione del Patrimonio Architettonico e Urbano, a cura di R. Mingucci e M. Centofanti, n. 2/2008 di DisegnareCon, Rivista digitale del Dipartimento di Architettura e Pianificazione territoriale, Università di Bologna; pp. 1-9. ISSN 1828 5961

Historical development of paper-mills and theirs machines in South Latium during the nineteenth century.

by Michela Cigola

Cigola M., Ceccarelli M., Historical development of paper-mills and theirs machines in South Latium during the nineteenth century, in History of machines for heritage and engineering development, J.J. de la Portilla & M.Ceccarelli editors, “History of Mechanisms and machine science” vol. 14; Springer, Dordrecht, Heidelberg, London, New York 2011; pp 85-117. ISSN 1875-3442 ISBN 978-94-007-1250-8 DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-1251-5

Descriptive Geometry and the Theory of Mechanisms in nineteenth century Italian engineering: similarities and interrelationship. Contiguità e commistione tra Geometria Descrittiva e Teoria dei Meccanismi nell’Ingegneria italiana del XIX secolo.

by Michela Cigola

Ceccarelli M., Cigola M., CONTIGUITÀ E COMMISTIONE TRA GEOMETRIA DESCRITTIVA E TEORIA DEI MECCANISMI NELL’INGEGNERIA ITALIANA DEL XIX SECOLO, in Disegnare Idee Immagini, anno X n. 39/2009; pp. 12-25. ISBN 978-88-492-1852-7, ISSN IT 1123-9247