Abstract This paper discusses robotics, a technology that deals with the design, construction and operation of robots that are used in numerous applications. It looks at how these applications range from industries that require accurate and repetitive tasks (such as the car and computer manufacturing industries), dangerous tasks such as diffusing of bombs and other chores that cannot be performed by humans, e.g., carrying out research on far-away planets, or walking inside live volcanoes. It provides a description of what robots are and how they work, the history of robotics, the present applications of robots, the impact of robots in our lives and their limitations as well as the future of robots. It also discusses how close we are in the development of a "bionic" man.
Outline
Robotics and Robots Defined
Origins of the Word "Robot" and "Robotics"
History of Robotics
How Robots Work?
Applications of Robots
The Future of Robotics
Conclusion
From the Paper "Although robots as we know them today are a relatively recent invention, the idea of automated machine or a mechanical man has fascinated the human mind since the ancient times. For example, the ancient Greek poet Homer in his writings described maidens of gold, who are supposed to be mechanical helpers built by Hephaistos, the Greek god of metalsmiths. Similarly, in ancient Jewish legend, robot-like servants made of clay are brought to life by a spoken charm. (Tesler) In more recent times, Leonardo da Vinci, the "Renaissance man" drew plans for a mechanical man. Eighteenth century watchmakers were also famous for making mechanical, robot-like creatures. (Bekey)"
Abstract This paper reviews the work of Edsger Dijkstra and mentors who brought human factors to the science of systems design. The author explains Dijkstra realized in the early days of operating system design that computers had the ability to become familiar household items but only if they were easy to use and did not cause more problems than they solved. The paper stresses that many computer design engineers become stuck in the abstract phase of design and fail to make the jump to thinking that their ideas are an actual sellable product.
From the Paper "There were many systems designers who were his technical equal, but few had the foresight to make the computer marketable to the general public. He tackled systems design form a problem-solution perspective instead of just designing bigger and bigger systems, he realized that a system that was clumsy and slow would be on no use to humankind. While other designers focused on faster and bigger, Dijkstra preached simplicity. He also emphasized stability. If the system continuously locked and crashed then it was of no use to the user. Dijkstra realized that these issues were important if computers were to enter into mainstream society."
This paper discusses the issues of building multistory buildings on areas of landfill, areas of dumped discarded items such as debris and garbage, using Battery Park City, New York City as an example.
Abstract This paper reports that one way that builders are finding available land is by using places previously thought unsafe or unsuitable to build on, such as landfill sites. This paper explains that landfill sites can safely be used to build high-rise buildings, provided the density of the landfill, the size of the foundation pieces and the deepness of the foundation pilings are taken into consideration. The author points out that there have been no reported problems from the settling of the landfill site on which Battery Park City was built.
From the Paper "First, it is important to understand what landfills are and why they are here. Landfills are areas where the city or other municipality has dumped discarded items such as debris and garbage. The city often dumps large items there, as well, and eventually the landfill reaches its capacity. Landfills are important because debris and garbage has to go somewhere, but many people remain concerned that landfills are dangerous, and that hazardous materials are being dumped into landfills, which could harm people in the future. When someone decides to build on a landfill site, as the one in Battery Park City, the question of stability comes up. After all, they are essentially building on garbage and debris, which seems likely to shift and move as it settles."
Abstract This paper traces the history of commercial and domestic energy use. It covers the conversion methods necessary to obtain electricity, the infrastructure required for the production, transfer and distribution of power, the generation and distribution of electricity in the U.S., the different methods available to generate electricity and the purpose and the effect of the deregulation of the power industry in the U.S.
History of Electricity
Electricity Generation and Distribution in the U.S.
Methods of Electricity Generation
Conclusion
From the Paper "Electricity is a secondary source of energy. It is obtained by converting primary sources of energy like coal, natural gas, oil (examples of potential energy); hydraulic and wind sources (kinetic energy); or nuclear energy into electrical energy. Electricity generators covert energy from primary energy sources to forms of secondary (electric) energy. Although generating electricity was easy, the ability to transport it over long distances proved difficult. George Westinghouse developed the transformer, which allowed power to be transmitted efficiently across long distances. A transformer changes electricity from low voltage to high voltage. Electricity can be transported over long distances more efficiently at a high voltage. "
Abstract In software engineering, the Waterfall Model describes a development method that is linear and sequential and which has distinct goals for each phase of development. This paper describes the Waterfall Model and then provides a list of advantages and disadvantages of the process. The paper presents controversial issues of the Waterfall Model and shows samples of the Waterfall Development Model, also known as the Software Development Life Cycle. The paper concludes with a summary of the future of the Waterfall Model.
From the Paper "As the computer - business interaction spectrum has become more diverse, this rigid development ladder has become less applicable to the software development process. With the shift from single computer applications to computer supported collaborative work (CSCW) this model has all but outlived its usefulness. Today's applications are utilized across an enterprise, and each department can have its own unique cultural needs, and wants to have its own feedback loop into the development cycle. By becoming aware of different styles of software used, and how they relate to phases in the development process, a developer can detect if projects have gone out of control, or are staying on track."
Abstract This paper provides a detailed and in-depth explanation about the papermaking process. It explains the chemical process of how the materials are transformed from wood to paper pulp. A history of this practice is also discussed and and examination of how it has developed over history. The paper looks at the current big players in the market and includes many charts and tables.
From the Paper "Papermaking originated in China in around 105 A.D. and its creation is generally attributed to a court official called Cai Lun. The first paper was made from a mixture of nonwood fibers, including mulberry bark. Knowledge of papermaking then spread to the Middle East through central Asia and reached Europe in the 12th century. From there, that knowledge later spread to North America and eventually to the rest of the world. A wide variety of fibers have been used to make paper, but in the years leading up to the 18th century, relatively large quantities were being made from linen rags. At that time, each individual sheet was made separately. The papermaker would dip a mesh known as a forming screen into a vat containing a solution of water and fiber (the stock). A sheet of paper would then be formed on the screen solely through the natural bonding of the fibers as the screen was lifted out of the water/fiber solution and drained. The sheet was then pressed and dried. Traditional papermakers in Japan and Taiwan, as well as papermaking craftspeople in other countries, still make paper using this time-honored process."
Abstract Soil has long been deemed important by agricultural concerns, however, it was only within the last 150 years that rail travel and, later, large-scale civic works made the study of soil important to civil engineers. The paper shows that the sub-study of civil engineering that is dedicated to the study of soil is more commonly known as soil mechanics. This field is used to assess the soil topography of land before major public or private construction projections are created.
From the Paper "The five main types of soil particles that are encountered by civil engineers include (in order of particle size) boulders, gravel, sand, silt cohesive, and clay. Boulders are the largest elements in soil and usually present a problem to civil engineers, but may be used in a place where the soil is otherwise soft to form a foundation upon which to build a road or other civic work. Historically, boulders were used for this purpose before it was cost-effective to introduce other materials. There are cost efficiencies in the use of boulders: they can often be found where bedrock is not near the surface of the earth, such as in the great lakes region where they were deposited during the last ice age."
Tags: mechanical, properties, Direct, Shear, Bearing, Ratio
Abstract This paper describes the geographic region of Megalopolis (urban area in Northern America) and its sub-region of Nantucket (off Cape Cod). It also deals with the history of Nantucket and the causes that led to the formation of the megalopolis in northeastern USA. Megalopolis comes from the Greek words for "very large" (Mega) and city (polis). The concept of Megalopolis lies in the fact that cities are not viewed as individual units but as regions that spread out from the city nucleus.
From the Paper "Modern cities were formed as a result of the establishment of large-scale industries during the Industrial Revolution. Many people migrated from the rural areas to the urban industrialized areas with a hope of earning more in the city. Thus the metropolitan cities gradually grew in size with the establishment of industries and the inflow of workers. In the 20th century in the United States the growth of the urban city gradually spread to the outskirts of the city as well."
Tags: city, urban, planning, suburb, state, metropolitan
Abstract Changes in electronics are part of the constantly shifting nature of all industries toward faster, leaner, more efficient solutions. The future of electronics is much like the future of all technologies. The need to pack more into smaller cases is driving much of the innovation in electronics. But, one of the realities that the industry will be quickly facing is that they do not have the same room for growth as characterized the industry ten years ago. The fact is that chips are moving toward their logical limits in miniaturization, wires, while getting smaller, still have to take up space, which, when you include millions of transistors on, for example, an LCD screen, you hit a physical limit. Electronics continues to move in the three above-named directions: smaller footprint, faster conductivity and greater reliability of components. This paper will focus on the trends and future of electronics.
Abstract This paper is on urban renewal - the rise of post-modernism in Providence. The nature of urban renewal in Providence has been hotly contested by some as a move that is not in keeping with the original historic character of the city.
Tags: URBAN STUDIES / PLANNING (DESIGN), modernism in providence
Abstract Summary: This paper is written about Canadarm. Canadarm represents a very sophisticated piece of aerospace engineering-eight years in the making and costing about $100 million ("Case Study: Canadarm and Canadarm2," n.d.). Fifteen meters in length and weighing 410 kg (making it unable to support itself in Earth gravity), the Canadarm boasts six joints-or what are called six degrees of freedom: two at the shoulder (yaw, pitch); one at the elbow (pitch); and three at the wrist (pitch, yaw, roll).
Abstract This paper examines the theory, components and mechanics of a hydropower plant, discusses how water is controlled and converted into fluid power and then into electrical power, and describes the components used to do it.
Abstract This paper discusses in detail the changes in the fuels that have been used to generate electricity as a result of the electric utility deregulation in the United States, but more specifically, in California and Pennsylvania.
