Abstract: A hybrid experimental-numerical approach is disclosed to determine the Mixed Mode (I/III) dynamic fracture initiation toughness of engineering materials. Cylindrical Aluminum alloy specimens with a V-notch spiral crack on the surface at spiral angles of 0°, 11.25°, 22.5°, 33.75°, and 45° are subjected to dynamic torsion load using torsional Hopkinson bar apparatus. The torque applied to the specimen at the onset of fracture is measured through strain gages attached to the incident and transmitter bars. A stereo digital image correlation is performed to measure the full-field deformation, and the crack mouth opening displacement as a function of loading time and is used to estimate the time at which the crack initiation is started. The dynamic stress intensity factors are extracted numerically based on the dynamic interaction integral method using Abaqus. The Mode-I (KId), Mode-III (KIIId), and Mixed Mode (K(I/III)d) dynamic initiation toughness is presented as a function of spiral angles and loading rate.

Abstract: A self contained, automatic water quality monitoring and treatment system includes a water quality interface control module having a signal processor configured to: receive signaling containing information about a baseline test of pH and ORP levels of water to be monitored and also about a subsequent test of the pH and ORP levels of water to be monitored later in time to the baseline test; determine corresponding signaling containing information about the quality of the water being monitored based upon a percentage of change between the baseline test and the subsequent test later in time to the baseline of the pH and ORP levels of water being monitored; and provide the corresponding signaling for remote awareness, including wireless signaling for providing mobile or Internet awareness, and/or for controlling the treatment of the water being monitored.

Abstract: An electronics module includes a housing with: (i) a forced convection chamber including an internal forced convection space; and, (ii) a passive chamber including an internal passive space that is separated from the forced convection space. At least one fan is connected to the housing and adapted to induce forced convection airflow in the forced convection space. A heat sink is connected to the housing and includes: (i) a heat input portion exposed to the passive space; and, (ii) a heat output portion exposed to the forced convection space. A circuit board assembly is located in the passive space and includes at least one electronic component that is thermally engaged with the heat input portion of the heat sink. A clamping plate is secured to the heat sink and captures the circuit board to the heat sink. The circuit board is isolated from the fan-induced forced convection airflow.

Abstract: A hybrid experimental-numerical approach is disclosed to determine the Mixed Mode (I/III) dynamic fracture initiation toughness of engineering materials. Cylindrical Aluminum alloy specimens with a V-notch spiral crack on the surface at spiral angles of 0°, 11.25°, 22.5°, 33.75°, and 45° are subjected to dynamic torsion load using torsional Hopkinson bar apparatus. The torque applied to the specimen at the onset of fracture is measured through strain gages attached to the incident and transmitter bars. A stereo digital image correlation is performed to measure the full-field deformation, and the crack mouth opening displacement as a function of loading time and is used to estimate the time at which the crack initiation is started. The dynamic stress intensity factors are extracted numerically based on the dynamic interaction integral method using Abaqus. The Mode-I (KId), Mode-III (KIIId), and Mixed Mode (K(I/III)d) dynamic initiation toughness is presented as a function of spiral angles and loading rate.

Abstract: An electronics module includes a housing with: (i) a forced convection chamber including an internal forced convection space; and, (ii) a passive chamber including an internal passive space that is separated from the forced convection space. At least one fan is connected to the housing and adapted to induce forced convection airflow in the forced convection space. A heat sink is connected to the housing and includes: (i) a heat input portion exposed to the passive space; and, (ii) a heat output portion exposed to the forced convection space. A circuit board assembly is located in the passive space and includes at least one electronic component that is thermally engaged with the heat input portion of the heat sink. A clamping plate is secured to the heat sink and captures the circuit board to the heat sink. The circuit board is isolated from the fan-induced forced convection airflow.

Abstract: An electronics module includes a housing with: (i) a forced convection chamber including an internal forced convection space; and, (ii) a passive chamber including an internal passive space that is separated from the forced convection space. At least one fan is connected to the housing and adapted to induce forced convection airflow in the forced convection space. A heat sink is connected to the housing and includes: (i) a heat input portion exposed to the passive space; and, (ii) a heat output portion exposed to the forced convection space. A circuit board assembly is located in the passive space and includes at least one electronic component that is thermally engaged with the heat input portion of the heat sink. A clamping plate is secured to the heat sink and captures the circuit board to the heat sink. The circuit board is isolated from the fan-induced forced convection airflow.

Abstract: Electrostatic charge grounding is achieved by connecting an outer surface touchscreen conductive coating to a grounded conductor in a graphics terminal using an electrostatic charge routing system that provides a path for electrons that accumulate on the conductive coating to pass through one or more non-conductive elements in the graphics terminal. The grounded conductor can be a bezel made of metal or another conductor, a conductive paint layer applied to a bezel or other graphics terminal element, a metal spline pin or a metal screw. The electron path defined by the electrostatic charge routing system can include conductive and dissipative elements such as metal spline pins, metal screws, conductive epoxy, conducting plastic elements providing a short, closed electron bridge.

Abstract: An electronics module includes a housing with: (i) a forced convection chamber including an internal forced convection space; and, (ii) a passive chamber including an internal passive space that is separated from the forced convection space. At least one fan is connected to the housing and adapted to induce forced convection airflow in the forced convection space. A heat sink is connected to the housing and includes: (i) a heat input portion exposed to the passive space; and, (ii) a heat output portion exposed to the forced convection space. A circuit board assembly is located in the passive space and includes at least one electronic component that is thermally engaged with the heat input portion of the heat sink. A clamping plate is secured to the heat sink and captures the circuit board to the heat sink. The circuit board is isolated from the fan-induced forced convection airflow.

Abstract: Asphalt roofing systems including multiple sealing strips between two overlaid asphalt roof shingles are described. Additional sealing strips can enhance wind and water resistance of a roof. Simulations are carried out with three tab asphalt roofing shingles to determine desirable locations for multiple sealing strips between overlaid shingles.

Abstract: Electrostatic charge grounding is achieved by connecting an outer surface touchscreen conductive coating to a grounded conductor in a graphics terminal using an electrostatic charge routing system that provides a path for electrons that accumulate on the conductive coating to pass through one or more non-conductive elements in the graphics terminal. The grounded conductor can be a bezel made of metal or another conductor, a conductive paint layer applied to a bezel or other graphics terminal element, a metal spline pin or a metal screw. The electron path defined by the electrostatic charge routing system can include conductive and dissipative elements such as metal spline pins, metal screws, conductive epoxy, conducting plastic elements providing a short, closed electron bridge.

Abstract: A self contained, automatic water quality monitoring and treatment system includes a water quality interface control module having a signal processor configured to: receive signaling containing information about a baseline test of pH and ORP levels of water to be monitored and also about a subsequent test of the pH and ORP levels of water to be monitored later in time to the baseline test; determine corresponding signaling containing information about the quality of the water being monitored based upon a percentage of change between the baseline test and the subsequent test later in time to the baseline of the pH and ORP levels of water being monitored; and provide the corresponding signaling for remote awareness, including wireless signaling for providing mobile or Internet awareness, and/or for controlling the treatment of the water being monitored.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for deformation mapping of a tissue is provided. The method includes utilizing a device to measure transient three-dimensional deformations in a tissue sample. The device comprises a non-contacting, high-speed stereo imaging apparatus and a mechanism for digital image correlation. The method further includes identifying regions of the tissue that are prone to damage based upon the deformations.

Abstract: A stereo calibration method is proposed to calibrate an interface's shape and position when the measurement system is in one media and measures deformation and strain of an object that is submerged in a different media. After the interface's shape and position are modeled by parameters, an explicit model of object points as measurement is established taking account of refraction happening at the interface. Efficiency and convergence are assured by using measurement of object points to acquire initial estimates for refraction angles at the interface. Then, an optimization method is performed to get the optimized value of interface parameters. Last, based on the resulting interface parameters, 3-dimensional positions of object points in all the subsequent measurement could be reconstructed accurately. Therefore, the distortion induced by refraction in the measurement is corrected.

Abstract: A playground security system comprises a power supply and a monitoring station. The monitoring station comprises a camera, a light and/or an audio deterrent device which are electrically connected to the power supply. The monitoring station can be contained in a post; and the post is part of a playground structure or can be a stand alone post. The audio deterrent device emits signals in a frequency range that is bothersome to humans between the ages of about 13 to about 25 years. The audio deterrent device and light are activated by a motion sensor. Further, the system includes a dusk-to-dawn sensor which also controls the audio deterrent device and the light. The camera can be in an “always-on” mode and can be adapted to transmit signals containing visual or audio-visual information. The camera signals can be stored and viewed remotely from the playground.

Abstract: A stereo calibration method is proposed to calibrate an interface's shape and position when the measurement system is in one media and measures deformation and strain of an object that is submerged in a different media. After the interface's shape and position are modeled by parameters, an explicit model of object points as measurement is established taking account of refraction happening at the interface. Efficiency and convergence are assured by using measurement of object points to acquire initial estimates for refraction angles at the interface. Then, an optimization method is performed to get the optimized value of interface parameters. Last, based on the resulting interface parameters, 3-dimensional positions of object points in all the subsequent measurement could be reconstructed accurately. Therefore, the distortion induced by refraction in the measurement is corrected.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for deformation mapping of a tissue is provided. The method includes utilizing a device to measure transient three-dimensional deformations in a tissue sample. The device comprises a non-contacting, high-speed stereo imaging apparatus and a mechanism for digital image correlation. The method further includes identifying regions of the tissue that are prone to damage based upon the deformations.

Abstract: For an optical sensor, a simple approach to obtain a mapping function that transforms sensor coordinates of a generic imaging system to coordinates of a virtual, projective camera. The sensor plane of this virtual camera is established using a planar calibration object and does not require known features on the object. Two in-plane motions are sufficient to establish the distortion-free virtual camera. The sensor plane of the virtual projective camera is used to calibrate all subsequent images obtained by the optical sensor. For a generic sensor, the present method is a simple approach to obtain a mapping function that transforms sensor measurements into a virtual sensor system. The virtual sensor system is established using a uniform bias. The virtual sensor system is used to calibrate all subsequent measurements obtained by the sensor.