From the Paper ""Pilot Error" is the identified cause of a large fraction of aircraft accidents, and the role of pilot error (and other human errors, e.g. by ground controllers) is tending to increase as improvements in aircraft design, weather forecasting, and other technical areas of aviation reduce the role of structure failures and other "unavoidable" causes of aviation mishaps. By the 1970s, fifty-five percent of accidents were attributed to pilot error (Hurst 13). Clearly, the human factor, in various forms, plays an ever increasing role in air accidents.
Human error may take many forms, from gross displays of bad airmanship to unconscious errors which can be attributed to fatigue or to unconscious perceptual errors. When human error is identified as the primary or contributory cause of an accident, our principal concern is not to fix blame, but to identify (...)"
Abstract This paper examines the controversial stem cell research, including the moral dilemmas put forward by those who oppose this type of research. The author of the paper argues, however, that the benefits in the medical world from stem cell research would outweigh by far the moral costs. The paper argues that since the embryos left over from infertility clinics are going to be wasted anyway, they should be put to use by helping to save someone else's life.
From the Paper "Last year, President Bush approved the use of federal funds to support limited research on only existing human embryonic stem cell lines. But as proponents of stem cell research have pointed out, this isn?t enough. Restricting federal funding to a limited number of cell lines will hamper the progress of the research. Proponents will continue to pressure the United States government to expand these limits and are hopeful that science will benefit from this pressure soon.
Shortly before this decision was made, Sen. Bill Frist, the Senate's only physician spoke at a Senate sub-committee meeting. I am absolutely convinced ... that we can address the use of living tissue, of living cells that otherwise would not be used," said Frist. "I believe within an appropriate ethical construct, we can use that tissue to the benefit of hundreds of others, thousands of others, maybe millions of others." (Wildmoon, 2000)"
Abstract This paper discusses Alumina or Aluminum Oxide, the only oxide formed by the metal aluminum, which occurs in nature as the minerals corundum, diaspore, gibbsite and most commonly as bauxite, which is an impure form of gibbsite. The author submits that its industrial and commercial use in the modern times took off after the development of the Bayer process, which made possible the wide-scale, low cost production of the material.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Background Information: History of Alumina
Initial Manufacture of Alumina
Manufacture of Aluminum & the Bayer Process
New Natural Forms of Alumina
Properties of Alumina
Mechanical Properties
Thermal Properties
Electrical Properties
Structure of Crystalline Alumina
Alumina (Aluminum Oxide) Structure
Structure of Liquid Alumina
Applications of Alumina
Ceramics
As an Insulating Material
Electronics
Mechanical Ceramics
Military Uses
Bio Medical
Chemical Ceramics
Enameling
Refractory Uses
Chemical Industry
Catalysts, Fillers, and the Glass industry
The Bayer Process
Grinding of Bauxite
Digestion of Bauxite
Settling and washing of Residues
Crystallization of Hydrates
Calcination of Hydrate
Conclusion
From the Paper "Fused alumina (the substance produced after being melted and re-crystallized) is identical in chemical and physical properties with natural corundum. It is a very hard material and its hardness is exceeded only by diamond and a few synthetic substances such as carborundum, and silicon carbide. This property of alumina lends itself for use as an abrasive material. Another useful property of the material is its high melting point, i.e., above 2000?C (3632?F), which makes it useful as a refractory and as linings of special furnaces. The mechanical, chemical, and electrical properties of Alumina (99.7% purity) often used in the ceramic industry are depicted in the following tables:..."
Abstract This paper reviews the life and works of three scientists in the field of scientific management. It evaluates how the three leaders have benefited numerous companies throughout the world and how each pioneer in one way or another has been able to increase productivity by lowering unnecessary unit work loads. It looks at the life of Dr. Lillian Gilbreth, the wife of Frank Gilbreth who was a pioneer in the industrial engineering field. It examines her education and her work in the shadow of her famous husband and against sexual discrimination. Fredrick Taylor is noted for his famed motion studies and his overall work principles have been transported all over the globe. The third scientist is Charles Bedaux who established his first management consultancy firm in Cleveland in 1916 and his work in measuring human energy has provided the basis for many work programs.
From the Paper "Frank Gilbreth was most known for his passion for studying efficiency. Gilbreth logically examined how repetitive tasks were performed, such as the movements and motions of sports players, physicians, disabled individuals, and factory workers. He then described methods that a person could do that would enable them to perform the task the ?one best way.? His theories were designed to save people time through a more efficient use of the body's movements. Much is known about Frank Gilbreth, but his wife Lillian Gilbreth, was also a pioneer in the industrial engineering field as well. Lillian seemed to be in her husbands? shadow, but she herself was also a pioneer of scientific management. "
Abstract This paper examines the issue of rapid prototyping in which is one attempt at expediting the process of prototyping and combines computer-aided design (CAD) with computer aided manufacturing (CAM) to produce prototypes faster than traditional methods. It looks at how companies rely on having efficient and rapid development cycles in order to remain profitable.
Outline
Introduction
Importance of Topic
Description of Rapid Prototyping
Approaches to Rapid Prototyping
Benefits of Rapid Prototyping
Drawbacks to Rapid Prototyping
Industries and Businesses Using Rapid Prototyping
Outlook
Conclusion
From the Paper "Prototypes have long been a valuable part of manufacturing and machining processes. The simplest form of a prototype provides a non-working model of the finished product that allows possible design flaws to be noted and corrected prior to investing in an entire production run. Materials, dimensions, production difficulties and other aspects of a product can be evaluated in a "real-world" environment prior to moving ahead with a new product. The benefits of prototyping are that companies are able to evaluate products without necessarily committing to them, and designs can be optimized in small lots so that resources are not spent inefficiently ("The Solid," 2001)."
Abstract This paper explains that Big Dig, a state-of-the-art eight-to-ten-lane expressway, for the most part underground or underwater, will run through downtown Boston and the Ted Williams Tunnel to Logan Airport. The paper reviews three areas of environmental concern: The digging and dumping of the dirt, mitigation and air quality. The author points out that the mitigation aspect of the project protects the city from devastating noise disruption, dust, traffic gridlock and economic damage.
From the Paper "There are other benefits as well. According to Daniel Wood of Public Roads Magazine, the Big Dig will be "good news for the local shellfish population because of the construction of an artificial reef in Boston Harbor" (Public Roads). The reef, created in collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is designed to compensate for filling in over one acre of blue mussel habitat in the harbor during the closing and capping of the former municipal landfill on Spectacle Island. Wood also says that, "As the northernmost artificial reef system in the United States, the complex is expected to become home to lobsters, crabs, and finfish, as well as the displaced blue mussels" "
Abstract Articles 1 and 2 of "Code of Ethics" state that meeting "public needs" and "public welfare" is a duty of professional engineers. The Articles make a clear distinction between commitments to technical precision and moral or social duty. A number of sub-tenets of the Articles aim to ensure that an engineer conforms to the Articles. However, the "Code" is not legally enforceable and therefore can be breached. Additionally, commitment to the public welfare of an individual practitioner could be compromised due to externalities.
Abstract Imagine a world without automobiles, trains, airplanes, water transportation such as ships, or pipelines. Without these five different modes of transportation life would be different. These modes of transportation make life enjoyable as they make it possible to have the quality of life that most people enjoy. The economy of many countries can be tracked with the methods of transportations determining how wealthy a country may be. "The fact that transportation represents 3.3 percent of our national income understates the importance of that sector to our economy and our well-being" (Moore 2001). The role of transportation over the years and the costs of transportation play a vital role in the lives of people today.
Discusses the difficulties of implementing lean manufacturing techniques and the need for top management support if a company is to be successful in the implementation of the techniques.
Abstract This paper looks at the increasing pressure on companies to produce more with fewer human resources. It looks at approaches to lean management techniques and the most successful process of implementation. The paper considers time and activity studies, both traditional methods and computer-based methods, and how, if done properly, they can be used effectively in the implementation of the lean manufacturing techniques.
From the Paper "Companies today are expected to compete globally, meet higher standards, and increase profits, but often with fewer people and fewer resources. Striving to meet these seemingly impossible goals, organizations began to develop lean manufacturing techniques. To improve employee productivity, time and activity studies are conducted. There are traditional methods of gathering time information which is through the use of stopwatches and personal observations. However, technology has brought about new computer-based programs too. Whatever the way that a company may decide to conduct the studies, they first need to understand the benefits that motion and time studies can bring to their organization. After the time studies occur, the company should be able to successfully put into practice the results that the studies show."
Abstract This paper discusses how light emitting diodes (LEDs) work, materials used to make them, their significance in everyday appliances, and what they may be used for in the future by employing new technologies. The full utility of these devices has not yet been realized; they are highly efficient and have many applications in illumination and storage technology. This paper "sheds some light" on the many uses for this seemingly simple device.
From the Paper "Before discussing semiconductors and semiconductor devices we should first cover the basics of conduction. Conductivity of a material is dependent on three factors. First is the number of charge carriers per unit volume or carrier density. Charge carriers can be electrons, holes or ions or any combination thereof. The second factor is the charge per carrier. This is typically measured in Coulombs so it is the elementary charge in the case of electrons and holes or is the charge of the ion in that case. The third factor is the charge mobility. This factor is a little more complicated and will be covered in more depth later. It is dependent, however, on acceleration of the carrier, dependent on electric field strength, and the average time between collisions, which is dependent on temperature and defect concentration. The conductivity is then the product of these three terms."
Abstract This paper provides an overview and background of the history of electrical engineering. The paper discusses some of its key contributors and examines the primary functions of electrical and electronic engineers today. The paper explores the future trends in employment in this field. A summary of the research is presented in the conclusion.
From the Paper "Knowledge of electricity is certainly not new. The fact that amber ("electra" in Greek) when rubbed will attract light objects has been well established for more than 2,000 years. Likewise, the unique properties of the lodestone or magnet have been widely known and used by mankind for a wide variety of purposes for over 1,000 years; however, it was not until the eighteenth century, that significant progress was made in the understanding and use of electrical energy (Electronics 1). Today, electrical engineering embraces a wide range of sciences and disciplines, and the applications for such processes continue to be identified and expanded."
Abstract This paper looks at Preston Tucker, a revolutionary, and at the same time, a rebel, an inventor, and at the same time, a hero. It looks at how he was a man before his time who managed to design an automobile that was so very advanced that, until today, no one has been able to catch up with that invention. It also explores how he was a man who dared to stand up for what he believed in and how he was a rebel in that he stood up bold and strong against the 'Big Three' automobile manufacturers of that time.
From the Paper "Born in the year 1903 in Michigan, the United States of America, Preston was alternatively called a visionary, and a con artist. Whatever he may have been, he was responsible for the creation of a futuristic car design that the car manufacturers of today have still not managed to emulate or imitate, and the man achieved all this in the year 1948, when his first futuristic car was launched amid great fanfare. However, after just a mere two short years, the Tucker Corporation had to close down because of speculation about certain bad business practices being followed by Tucker."
Abstract This paper examines how there are a number of companies conducting extensive research and development of the creation of hydrogen cars due to a too great reliance on dwindling fossil fuels and environmental problems. In particular, it looks at how hydrogen fuel cars have a number of advantages over gasoline powered automobiles.
From the Paper "Since the first motorized horse and buggy, the automobile has undergone a number of changes in design and mechanics, based on consumer interest and other factors such as cost, availability of fuel, ease of manufacturability and the like. One of the areas that has undergone these changes is in power used to run the vehicles. The first automobiles were powered either by steam or electricity. The former had functional problems, and the latter were slow, heavy, impractical and expensive. Once the internal combustion engine was developed that used fuels such as fuel as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, the other types of cars could not compete."
Abstract This paper contends that the price of oil has a measurable impact on the economy. However, the paper explores at what point the terrorist attack of 2001, the corporate scandals of 2002 and the Iraq war of 2003 became simply economic footnotes rather than an influencing factor on the buying power of the American public. The paper explains that since the price of oil does not exist in an economic vacuum, there are some indicators that can be tied directly to the price of oil. The paper claims that understanding the impact of oil prices involves examining the economic effects that occur directly following rising oil prices and placing those effects in their proper context.
From the Paper "It is this fact that makes the case that although oil prices are extremely high, they are not to the catastrophic levels that investor psychology proclaims them to be. But the oil price increase is nevertheless significant, especially with the percent of increase for oil prices as high as it has been. It therefore may appear confusing that the economy has been able to resist a major pull downward. Restraint by the Federal Reserve, undaunted consumer confidence and fearless corporate purchasing have all contributed to the economy's ability to weather the oil price storm."
Abstract This paper looks at Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks and switches including the problems associated with the old existing networks and the introduction of Broadband Integrated Networks. The paper also compares ATM networks with the traditional circuit and packet switching systems as well as discussing different categories of ATM switches and buffering schemes.
Outline
Origins of ATM
Evolution to a Broadband Integrated Network
Service Characteristics
Information Rate and Burstiness
Service Examples
Transfer Modes
Extreme Transfer Modes
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
Benefits of ATM
ATM Cell Structure
Cell Size
BISDN Protocol Stack
Transmission Delay
Header Functionality
Virtual Paths
Statistical Multiplexing
Making an ATM Call
ATM Switching
Classification of Switch Fabrics
Time Division Switch Fabrics
Shared Medium Single Bus Structure
Space Division Fabrics
Single Path Self Routing Switch
Switch Problems
Buffering
From the Paper "Asynchronous Transfer Mode is a digital technique for high speed switching. The unit of multiplexing and switching is a cell which comprises a short fixed length information packet with a fixed length header to carry signalling information. By offering access at the cell level, information from many sources with widely differing activity patterns and transmission rates can be interleaved on a single transmission link or switched through an ATM node. As in other packet switching environments capacity is used only when it is needed."
