18397 research outputs found
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Reactive Control Strategies for Optimal Electric Power Generation in Wave Energy Converters
No full textWave energy holds significant but largely untapped potential as a source of renewable electricity. This research focuses on enhancing the performance of wave energy converters to maximize electric power generation under varying ocean conditions. It defines key principles of power absorption and introduces a novel device that integrates energy conversion, motion sensing, and control in a single system. Various passive control strategies are examined using realistic wave models, and different generator types are evaluated for heave motion. The work establishes a comprehensive wave-to-electricity framework, bridging wave dynamic, mechanical and electrical systems to enable efficient, real-time control and energy conversion.</p
Unraveling the Mysteries of Gamma-ray Bursts with Fast-cadenced Optical Imaging
No full textUsing the Dark Energy Camera, capturing images of the sky every minute, this thesis investigates the enigmatic cosmic explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. Advanced tools were developed, including machine learning algorithms, to search for gamma-ray burst afterglows. No confirmed cases were found, providing new insights into the behavior of these rare events. In addition, one unusual gamma-ray burst was studied in-depth and was found to be the result of the collapse of a massive star and showed unexpected features that challenge existing models of how these explosions emit light. This work helps prepare for future discoveries with upcoming telescopes.</p
Low and high speed laser cladding for refurbishment of ferrous components
No full textLaser cladding processes can repair ferrous (iron-based) components that make up the majority of modern heavy industrial machinery. Through repairs, laser cladding can substantially reduce energy costs associated with manufacture and transport of replacement components. The thesis studies how two laser cladding processes affect three iron alloy families, and investigates the reduction of porosity specific to grey cast irons. The thesis further studies microstructure transformations within an emerging alloy system (AlCoCrFeNi2.1), and investigates the recycling of stainless steel powders to improve the sustainability of the process. The thesis benefits society by enabling more sustainable repair processes for vital industrial machinery.</p
Impact of Organizational Culture on Bullying Behavior in Public Sector Organizations
No full textOrganizational culture can significantly influence the prevalence of bullying in workplaces. However, there is a dearth of empirical research that thoroughly investigates the various aspects of organizational culture directly linked to bullying behaviors in public sector organizations. To address this gap, a research study was conducted, interviewing senior-level managers across the Victorian Public Sector (VPS), Australia, aiming to identify the cultural elements contributing to bullying behaviors in their workplaces. Utilizing Schein’s organizational culture framework, this study reveals that hierarchical power distance, bureaucratic control, bullying as a political tactic, inaction against bullying incidents, and leaders’ prerogative are the primary cultural features that foster a negative environment and escalate bullying levels. It is imperative for organizations to recognize and rectify these cultural issues to prevent bullying behaviors and foster a safe and respectful workplace culture.</p
Application of tree water use sensors to build a real-time urban forest management system
No full textThis thesis examines the mechanisms by which urban trees utilize water and the various factors that influence their water demand. The primary objective is to enhance the management of urban forests. By leveraging real-time monitoring techniques, this research develops tools aimed at optimizing irrigation practices and improving tree health in accordance with fluctuating weather patterns. The findings present practical solutions for city planners, facilitating the sustainability of urban forests, the enhancement of green spaces, and the bolstering of urban resilience against climate change, thereby benefiting both urban ecosystems and their communities.</p
Laser Fabricated Optics for Applications in Computational Imaging, Infrared Imaging, and Astronomy Instrumentation
No full textThis research explored how powerful, ultrafast lasers can be used to carefully shape and improve materials for use in microscopes, telescopes, and advanced imaging tools. By refining the way these lasers interact with different materials, the project developed new techniques for creating tiny, precise optical structures. These advances can help improve medical imaging, space exploration instruments, and scientific research tools, making them more accurate, efficient, and accessible for future discoveries.</p
Electrostatic Technologies for Lunar Dust Mitigation
No full textThe damaging impacts of Lunar dust on infrastructure is one of the primary issues prohibiting a long-term presence on the Lunar surface. The adherence of the dust caused severe issues for the Apollo missions, and remain problematic today. Many lunar dust mitigation technologies have been developed, but none have focused on preventing deposition. Methods were developed in this research to prevent lunar dust particles from reaching susceptible surfaces by altering their trajectory through electrostatic repulsion. Laboratory experiments were used to confirm the validity of computer simulations, which were then used to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach under Lunar conditions.</p
Fast and Accurate 3D hand-object Pose Estimation for Embedded Applications
No full textUnderstanding human activities in everyday and professional scenarios requires fast and accurate 3D hand-object pose estimation. Most existing 3D hand-object pose estimation models rely on dedicated hardware support to address these challenges, limiting their practicality on everyday devices such as smartphones. In this paper, we propose a lightweight solution for hand and object pose estimation for mobile applications, using only RGB images as input, which greatly improves efficiency while maintaining high accuracy, demonstrating the feasibility of real-time hand pose estimation in low-computation environments. This makes a new contribution to interactive applications centered on the human hand under hardware constraints.</p
Unravelling the Mechanisms and Structure of Acid Stable Mixed Metal Oxide Water Oxidation Catalysts through X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy
No full textThis research explores the use of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) in understanding the structure-function relationships of electrocatalyst materials for renewable chemical synthesis. It examines factors that can affect spectroscopic observations, both using ex-situ and in-situ spectroelectrochemical techniques. Additionally, this research explores the role of XAS in gaining a deeper understanding of catalyst stability for multimetallic systems in acid environments. This research supports the development of more efficient, long-lasting materials for renewable chemical synthesis, contributing to 'green' solutions for industrial chemical synthesis and other energy solutions.</p
Insights Into Refugees' Economic Settlement: Evidence From Australia
No full textThis thesis examines the economic integration of refugees in Australia, focusing on employment and entrepreneurship. Using data from the "Building a New Life in Australia" (BNLA) survey, it identifies key factors influencing refugees' economic outcomes, such as language proficiency, mobility, and community support. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, advocating for targeted interventions to enhance refugee self-sufficiency and long-term contributions to the economy.</p