81 research outputs found
Electrical meridian diagnosis
No full textIn the recent years, people are more concern about health issue as the population ages. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), many people are doubtful about its theories as many are not proven scientifically by clinical trials. Unlike TCM, many instruments for diagnosing an illness were developed in Western Medicine.In this report, the Bio-Pulse TC and Meridian Testing Program is used to explore the skin conductivity at acupuncture points and electrical meridian diagnosis. It will discuss errors in measurement, different measurement methods, effect of an exercise and compute equivalent impedance between the test probe and the hand held electrode. We study the effect of exercise by means of a small group of subjects who volunteered to do aerobic exercise, jogging, meditation and Tai Chi. Measurements show that energy level of the body has increased after an exercise using Bio-Pulse apparatus. We propose a new method based on measuring five Shu Xue points related to the Heart, Small Intestine, Lung and Large Intestine meridians to find out whether the reading of the acupuncture points are balanced for the left and right side of the body after an exercise. Results from five Shu Xue analysis have shown that it is balanced especially for exercises such as jogging, meditation and Tai Chi and the graph generally follows an increasing trends from the Jing well point to the He sea point. Measurement using Jing well points have proved to be most reliable as the analysis shown that the variance of Jing well points is lowest as compared to other points.Bachelor of Engineerin
Electrical meridian diagnosis
No full textIn the recent years, people are more concern about health issue as the population ages. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), many people are doubtful about its theories as many are not proven scientifically by clinical trials. Unlike TCM, many instruments for diagnosing an illness were developed in Western Medicine.In this report, the Bio-Pulse TC and Meridian Testing Program is used to explore the skin conductivity at acupuncture points and electrical meridian diagnosis. It will discuss errors in measurement, different measurement methods, effect of an exercise and compute equivalent impedance between the test probe and the hand held electrode. We study the effect of exercise by means of a small group of subjects who volunteered to do aerobic exercise, jogging, meditation and Tai Chi. Measurements show that energy level of the body has increased after an exercise using Bio-Pulse apparatus. We propose a new method based on measuring five Shu Xue points related to the Heart, Small Intestine, Lung and Large Intestine meridians to find out whether the reading of the acupuncture points are balanced for the left and right side of the body after an exercise. Results from five Shu Xue analysis have shown that it is balanced especially for exercises such as jogging, meditation and Tai Chi and the graph generally follows an increasing trends from the Jing well point to the He sea point. Measurement using Jing well points have proved to be most reliable as the analysis shown that the variance of Jing well points is lowest as compared to other points.Bachelor of Engineerin
Strain-tuning of periodic optical devices : tunable gratings and photonic crystals
No full textThesis (Sc. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2003.Includes bibliographical references (p. [161]-173).This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.The advancement of micro- and nano-scale optical devices has heralded micromirrors, semiconductor micro- and nano-lasers, and photonic crystals, among many. Broadly defined with the field of microphotonics and microelectromechanical systems, these innovations have targeted applications in integrated photonic chips and optical telecommunications. To further advance the state-of-the-art, dynamically tunable devices are required not only for demand-based reconfiguration of the optical response, but also for compensation to external disturbances and tight device fabrication tolerances. In this thesis, specific implementations of strain-tunability in two photonic devices will be discussed: the fundamental diffractive grating element, and a photonic band gap microcavity waveguide. For the first part, we demonstrate high-resolution analog tunability in microscale diffractive optics. The design concept consists of a diffractive grating defined onto a piezoelectric-driven deformable membrane, microfabricated through a combination of surface and bulk micromachining. The grating is strain-tuned through actuation of high-quality thin-film piezoelectric actuators. Device characterization shows grating period tunability on the order of a nanometer, limited by measurement uncertainty and noise. The results are in good agreement with analytical theory and numerical models, and present immediate implications in research and industry. For the second part, we generalize the piezoelectric strain-tunable membrane platform for strain-tuning of a silicon photonic band gap microcavity waveguide. Additional motivation for this strain-tuning approach in silicon photonic crystals lies in:(cont.) (a) the virtual absence of electro-optic effects in silicon, and (b) the ability to achieve tuning with low power requirements through piezoelectric actuation. Compared to current thermo-optics methods, piezoelectric actuation affords faster and more localized tuning in high-density integrated optics. The small-strain perturbation on the optical resonance is analyzed through perturbation theory on unperturbed full 3D finite-difference time-domain numerical models. Device fabrication involves X-ray nanolithography and multi-scale integration of micro- and nano-fabrication methods. Experimental characterization achieved dynamically-tunable resonances with 1.54 nm tunable range (at 1.55 Mum optical wavelengths), in good agreement with theory. This is the first demonstration of strain tunability in photonic crystals and contributes to the development of smart micro- and nano-scale photonics.by Chee Wei Wong.Sc.D
Designing shallow foundation to Eurocode 7
No full textBritish Codes and Standards (BS) have been used in practice for many years and for the past few years, it is use co-existence with Eurocodes (EC) for the past few years. The whole suite of structural Eurocodes is expected to replace the current BS Codes and standards in 2010. With this replacement, practicing engineers will need to be familiar with the methodology, design philosophy and assumptions adopted in the code.
This report presents the differences in designing shallow foundations using different geotechnical codes namely BS8004, US Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and EC7. The three codes are discussed and design examples will be used in making comparison between the codes.Bachelor of Engineering (Civil
Exfoliation of BN nanosheets for toughening SiO2f/SiO2 composites
No full textSilica composites have been found to exhibit favourable properties in both high temperature and wave transparent applications. However, pure silica composites also undergo very brittle failure and techniques to improve their toughness has seen limited success.
This project investigates the optimal processing parameters of the exfoliation of BN nanosheets using ball milling and ultrasonic probing methods, as well as its effect on the flexural properties and toughness mechanisms when incorporated in SiO2f/SiO2 composites. The starting material used h-BN to be processed into nanosheets while the composite was prepared with quartz matrix embedded into quartz layers of simple 2D weave fibres. It was found that after 16 hours of ultrasonication proceeding the ball milling process of 300 rpm for 15 hours, the size remained in the range of 200-250 nm.
Four SiO2f/SiO2 composites were prepared with 1, 2 and 4 layers of BN coatings as interfaces between fibre and matrix, including one control sample without interface. Flexural testing was conducted to gauge the toughness based on the nature of the flexural stress-strain curves. The results show positive results as the BN nanosheets displayed signs of improving the toughening mechanism in demonstrating pseudo-plasticity effect as BN is applied.
There was a general decreasing trend in average flexural yield strength and flexural modulus as more BN interface is applied, while the flexural strain at 50% yield strength increased. The data shows the effectiveness of the BN nanosheets in improving the toughness. Overall, the samples with 2-layer BN show a good pseudo-plasticity with acceptable flexural strength of ~40 MPa as compared to ~50 MPa in the control sample. The relatively high flexural strength together with its favourable toughening effect on the composite makes 2 layers of BN the optimal condition in this study.
The fracture surfaces as observed in SEM analysis show increasing fibre pull-out length from ~30µm to 500-2000 µm. This evidence show increasing toughening mechanism due to more absorption of fracture energy as the number of layers of interfacial layers increased. Also, the residual matrix surrounding the fibres decrease with more coatings, proving the interfacial bonding between the fibre and matrix weakens as coating increases.
The study achieved in both the exfoliation technique of synthesising BN nanosheets and its toughening effect, which paves the way into further studies to enable silica composites in real life applications. Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Engineering
Sub-fm/Hz(1/2) displacement measurement on MgF2 whispering gallery mode microcavity
No full textWe present sub-fm/Hz(1/2) displacement measurement on the MgF2 whispering gallery mode microcavity. We analyze power spectral density of the displacement from 1 Hz to 100 kHz of the Fourier offset frequency. (C) 2020 The Author(s
Investigation of disclosure of derivatives in financial statements of financial institutions : a cross-cultural study.
No full textThe paper compiles the standards of disclosure of derivatives in U.S, U.K. and Singapore(IAS). It evaluates the de facto derivative disclosure practices in these countries. It also compares the derivative disclosures practices in Singapore before and after CFC recommendation
Static tensile test of metal alloys
No full textThis report reviews on the Final Year Project (FYP) B186, Static Tensile Test of Metal Alloys. Aluminum 6061-T6 is used in this research and experimentation. The static tensile test was conducted, and the results would then be compared with prior FYP reports and available data.
The author studied past final year reports and familiarised with the ASTM Standards. The objective of this project is to define the mechanical properties for Aluminum 6061-T6. Similar to previous FYP, the fabrication of specimen is Computer Numerical Control (CNC) wire cutting and the experiment is performed in the longitudinal direction. Unlike past final year projects, the author makes adjustments to the specimen dimensions. The design and fabrication of specimen will follow the ASTM E8/E8M standard.
Static tensile test is the most common destructive testing that provides information about the material’s mechanical properties such as Modulus of Elasticity, Yield Strength and Ultimate Tensile Strength. After the test is performed, raw data will be collected to plot the stress-strain curve. The results will be analysed and compared against past FYP findings. In addition, this report aims to serve as a future reference on Aluminum 6061-T6.
This project will focus on improving the experimental procedure to obtain accurate and consistent results. Lastly, this report aims to serve as future reference on Aluminum 6061-T6, and recommendations for static tensile tests will be discussed.Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering
The Chinese Civilizing Process: Eliasian Thought as an Effective Analytical Tool for the Chinese Cultural Context
No full textThis thesis is an effort to apply Elias’s thinking on social development to the Chinese social situation. At first glance his account of the civilizing process would appear incompatible with this context, in that, after state formation with the Qin and Han dynasties beginning in 221 BC, Chinese civilization remained both stable and highly traditional for well over two millennia. It is argued, however, that closer scrutiny reveals a process that was merely interrupted for a considerable period. The traditional system relied upon a symbiotic relationship between local society and the centre whereby the centre remained relatively small and aloof, not interfering with local social relations, as long as local society provided the required taxes and labour. In this situation the state had the monopolies of both violence and taxation that Elias would look for, but left local society to its own devices primarily because it was already pacified. This self-reinforcing system was enshrined and codified in the Confucian cannon over the course of centuries from the Han dynasty.
Central control of the distribution of resources was eventually required to re-start the Chinese civilizing process, for this was the mechanism through which the local social structure would finally be altered. This only happened within the past century as the Chinese people struggled to grapple with their own ‘backwardness’ in the face of incessant Western and Japanese incursions. At this point the old system was toppled and replaced by progressively more aggressive central governments who saw as their most important task the destruction of the traditional social order in the interest of modernization. As the Chinese state consciously and forcibly took control of the distribution of resources at all levels of society, traditional social relations were stretched and warped, and the Chinese civilizing process re-commenced its long-stalled march toward modernization. This has been evidenced both by the dramatic growth in mobility and the rapidly extending chains of interdependence in the form of guanxi connections primarily during the Post-Opening period after 1978
Subprime crisis : the impact of different types of debt on corporate performance.
No full textThis study examines the impact of different types of debt used by firms on corporate performance during the subprime crisis. We find that the dependency on Term Loans during the crisis would result in the decline in corporate performance during the crisis period. On the other hand, the research findings show that if firms were dependent on Other Debts before the crisis, these firms would experience an improvement in corporate performance during the crisis period. Likewise, if firms were able to access both Term Loans and Revolving Credit Lines amidst the credit crunch, these firms would be able to experience an increase in their corporate performance after the crisis period.
The second part of the study includes the examination of the effect of the accessibility to drawn and undrawn credit lines on the differential impact on corporate performance. For pre-crisis to crisis period, result indicates that firms possessing pre-existing Undrawn Credit Lines during the pre-crisis period would not perform significantly better than firms which did not have access to Undrawn Credit Lines. We attribute this finding to the likelihood of increased regulatory within the global banking industry and thus reduced accessibility to Undrawn Credit Lines for firms which failed to project stable cash flows. For crisis to post-crisis period, we find that firms that had access to Undrawn Credit Lines during the crisis were able to perform better after the crisis, as compared to firms that did not have access to the Undrawn Credit Lines.BUSINES
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