TTU Published Journals @ Volpe Library
Not a member yet
971 research outputs found
Sort by
SoWaF: Shuffling of Weights and Feature Maps: A Novel Hardware Intrinsic Attack (HIA) on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)
Get PDFSecurity of inference phase deployment of Convolutional neural network (CNN) into resource-constrained embedded systems (e.g., low-end FPGAs) is a growing research area. Using secure practices, third-party FPGA designers can be provided with no knowledge of initial and final classification layers. In this work, we demonstrate that hardware intrinsic attack (HIA) in such a “secure” design is still possible. Proposed HIA is inserted inside mathematical operations of individual layers of CNN, which propagates erroneous operations in all the subsequent CNN layers that lead to misclassification. The attack is non-periodic and completely random; hence it becomes difficult to detect. Five different attack scenarios with respect to each CNN layer are designed and evaluated based on the overhead resources and the rate of triggering in comparison to the original implementation. Our results for two CNN architectures show that in all the attack scenarios, additional latency is negligible (<0.61%), increment in DSP, LUT, FF is also less than2.36%. Three attack scenarios do not require any additional BRAM resources, while in two scenarios BRAM increases, which compensates with the corresponding decrease in FF and LUTs. To the authors’ best knowledge this work is the first to address the hardware intrinsic CNN attack where the attacker does not have knowledge of the full CNN
New Sustainability Methods for Denim
Get PDFThe production of denim is an enormous issue in today’s textile industry, as thousands of liters of water, massive amounts of energy, and an excessive use of chemicals are necessary to create just one pair of jeans. This research is an examination of new methods that manufacturers can use to produce denim in a more sustainable way, as to lower environmental impact. One of the major negative impacts on the environment from the creation of denim is the water pollution from the dyes that are used to create denim products (Radocchia, 2018). A second major issue with the production of denim is the fact that each manufacturer has their own individual standards for sustainability, creating many differing cycles of production, some of which are less sustainable than others. Until all of the manufacturers are using approved sustainable methods to produce denim, new methods and technologies in terms of upcycling denim will need to be explored to help counteract the negative impacts of denim production (Chua, 2020). This research explores new innovative ways to make denim more sustainable through various ways, such as upcycling, recycling, and overall reconstruction for consumer use
Exploring the Sustainability in the Textile Industry
No full textThere is a growing concern about sustainability in the textile industry, which is causing companies to make drastic changes. This research is the examination of the harm that the textile industry can cause to the environment and how society will respond to the textile industry changing their environmental policies. The development of the sustainability issue essentially surrounds the many damages it causes to the environment. The earth’s natural resources are being used at a rate that the natural ecosystem cannot handle (Carp, 2020). This information lead us further into the consumer end of the textile industry. A study that recruited 593 responses from women living in the USA showed results that environmentally friendly companies are more appealing than not (Moon, H. & Lee, H.H. 2018). We know that environmental policies are possible because one source revealed their exact statistics on how they have reduced chemical waste (Roy et al., 2020). Also, it has been found that recycling the fabric waste to make products like insulation is entirely possible (Briga-S, A., et al.). Furthermore, there are known specific companies that have utilized the findings on how to reduce environmental destruction. Zara and H&M are two companies that are open about their ongoing transition to environmentally friendly products and how they support sustainability (Moon, H. & Lee, H.H. 2018). This research explores the possible repercussions that companies experience based on if they support the elimination of environmental harm or if they let the damage pass by
Assessment of an NV Magnetometer for Use in Precision Ultracold Neutron Experiments
Get PDFThe UCNτ experiment aims to improve current measurements of the mean free neutron lifetime. One innovation of UCNτ is that a large-volume magneto-gravitational trap is used to prevent polarized ultracold neutrons (UCN) from interacting with the walls of the trap, which prevents them from being lost to material interactions. Thus, the UCNτ experiment can more accurately count neutrons lost specifically to beta decay. Small defects in the magnetic field can still cause losses of UCN stored in the trap, so it is important to be able to detect these defects and account for them. The automated Hall probe currently in use has limited resolution and requires long periods of time to measure magnetic field gradients in the large area of the trap. A possible improvement would be a Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) fluorescence microscopy setup which could increase the spatial resolution at which field data can be collected and increase the speed of data collection. Potential spatial resolution and design requirements of such a device were investigated using a typical NV magnetometry setup. Results of this work will be discussed in this presentation
Improving Lift Characteristics of Supercritical Airfoil via Upper Airfoil Section Modification
No full textThe research shown examines changes in the lift performance of a super-critical airfoil by varying the airfoil upper section thickness. This research is motivated by new approaches in dynamic wing re-configuration studies initiated by NASA, where configuration via mechanical wing movement was successfully implemented in military aircraft. FLUENT software is used with ANSYS Workbench in order to develop numerical simulation for compressible transonic flows (Mach number 0.7-0.9). The baseline simulations have been successfully compared with published data and selected experimental results. Preliminary findings point to improvements in airfoil lift characteristics as a result of increasing the upper section thickness of the airfoil
Photocatalytic Methods for Contaminant Degradation and Hydrogen Production in Waste Water Using Solar/UV Radiation
Get PDF"Photocatalyst-based advanced oxidation processes have been reported as a useful treatment approach for waste water decontamination purposes including for removal of medicines, organic chemicals, and for bacterial disinfection among others. The technique is also beneficial for hydrogen production simultaneously to the elimination of contaminants. The optimization and upscaling of this technology for large scale implementation has established big challenges for environmental engineers.
Most of the photocatalytic methods for contaminant degradation are based on the TiO2 semiconductor photocatalyst which is readily available, environmentally friendly, and possesses significant photocatalytic activity. The big challenge associated with this is that it is photo-responsive only in the ultraviolet region that comprises only 4% of the solar spectrum falling on Earth. Therefore, synthesis of a new photocatalyst or, alternatively, the modification of the TiO2 for a cost-efficient visible-light-responsive photocatalyst that is capable of both mineralizing contaminants and producing hydrogen is a desirable project goal. For example, modification of TiO2 crystals by doping with other co-catalysts such as CdS, MoS, etc. and novel metals is expected to be an excellent potential approach for this purpose so that the composite system potentially will display a broad spectrum for photoresponse.
This research focuses on developing a general technique to synthesize an efficient CdS doped TiO2 photocatalyst for carbamazepine degradation. In addition, structural characterization of this catalyst and the evaluation of the kinetics of photocatalytic degradation in UV and visible light will be performed. Comparisons with current literature values for validation of the catalytic material will be also included.
Early Age Properties of Zeolite Cementitious Materials
Get PDFThe cement industry is recognized as being responsible for a large amount of CO2 emission during the production of portland cement. In order to minimize CO2 emissions by limiting the use of cement, natural pozzolans may be a sustainable solution for making concrete. One such natural pozzolan is alumina-silicate based clinoptilolite type of natural zeolite. It has three dimensional crystalline frame structures with extremely small pores having alkali and alkaline earth cations. In the present research, application of natural zeolite as a supplementary cementitious material for producing durable concrete has been investigated. In this respect, clinoptilolite zeolite with very high purity (97%) replaced portland cement at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% by mass. Setting time, workability, as well as heat of hydration of paste via isothermal calorimetry was conducted to assess the effects on early age properties. Research results revealed that replacement of zeolite increase the demand for water in the fresh mixture, although this situation can be overcome by adding low amount of high range water reducing admixture without any segregation. Research results also shown that zeolite accelerates the setting time due to the nucleation effect of C-S-H precipitation. Additionally, replacement of portland cement with zeolite can produce lower heat of hydration in the cementitious paste due to adsorption of water by its grain along with slow dissolution process of the fresh mixture. However, from practical point view, incorporation of 15% natural zeolite was found as an appropriate option for improving the early age properties
Machiavellian Mischief: Gender Distinctions Between Machiavels in Heywood's The Second Part of King Edward IV
Get PDFIn Thomas Heywood’s drama, The Second Part of King Edward IV, the pages include a wide range of characters who exude Machiavellian characteristics. Most notably, the male characters in Heywood’s drama, such as Richard III and Dr. Shaw fit the standard definition of "Machiavellian" almost perfectly. Each of these men are distinctly Machiavellian in that they are schemers who typically prefer convenience over morality, and they commit many evil deeds which they never repent for. These lawless actions propel them to or keep them in power, making them Machiavellian. On the other hand, women such as Jane Shore, Queen Elizabeth, and Mistress Blage may also be viewed as Machiavellian as their sins are also for their own gain, but so are their acts of kindness. While the men typically execute feigned acts of kindness to further their own gain or access to power, the women perform genuinely good deeds for the same purpose. Thus, the women aid in displaying that not all Machiavellian characters are completely without morality. While Machiavelli makes clear in The Prince that characters must be evil or feign kindness in order to gain or keep power, I believe that does not necessarily reign completely true. I analyze the parallels between male and female characters in The Second Part of King Edward IV to argue that the women, while somewhat Machiavellian in their traits and tendencies, are not complete Machiavels like their male counterparts but still further their personal goals of power through their Machiavellian characteristics
Determining Optimal Nutrient Value through Leaf Tissue Analysis on Tomato
Get PDFThe number of vegetable producers using controlled environments and hydroponics for production in the United States has grown significantly in the last decade. There are many different hydroponic nutrient solutions on the market and these solutions have recommended rates of application that are specifically designed to suit the needs of newer hybrid lines. The management of heirloom tomatoes is different as each heirloom line has specific nutritional needs that may require more or less of an individual nutrient than the standard hybrid line. The optimization of Total Dissolved Solids (i.e. fertilizer solution) for each heirloom line is required to achieve the maximum production of saleable fruit. If not optimized, excess fertilization has the potential to become an economic cost and reduce sustainability. Each variety can require a significantly different solution strength in order to reach its maximum potential yield. This work developed methodologies required to determine optimal nutrient plans for three of the tomato varieties being grown at the Tennessee Tech University Oakley Farm greenhouses. Through leaf analysis the tomatoes were tested with an industry standard nutrient package. By testing the leaves, we found that the nutrients were in the normal range for “greenhouse tomatoes”, but it was obvious from observation that the heirloom varieties were all lacking individual nutrients like Calcium, Nitrogen and Magnesium. We feel that further research is necessary utilizing individual nutrients instead of a standard nutrient package to determine the appropriate levels of macro and micronutrients needed for the most popular commercial heirloom varieties
Diving in with ICP-Mass Spectrometry
No full textThe intent of this project is to quantitatively analyze the human impact on systems of water and the environment, specifically looking at samples around locations suspected of higher pollution. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) is an analytical technique able to detect low concentrations of metal/nonmetal ions with high sensitivity. Samples were collected in Oak Ridge, Norris, and Gallatin, TN. Nitric acid was used to stabilize the metal/nonmetal ions in tap water and the natural water samples collected until analyzed via ICPMS. It is predicted that natural water sampled near the sources of anticipated pollution will have a higher concentration of heavy metal ions than the tap water or water sampled further away from said sources