Vacuum Braking System (MECH)

ABSTRACT:

A moving train contains energy, known as kinetic energy, which needs to be removed from the train in order to cause it to stop.  The simplest way of doing this is to convert the energy into heat.  

The conversion is usually done by applying a contact material to the rotating wheels or to discs attached to the axles.  The material creates friction and converts the kinetic energy into heat.  The wheels slow down and eventually the train stops.  The material used for braking is normally in the form of a block or pad

The vast majority of the world's trains are equipped with braking systems which use compressed air as the force used to push blocks on to wheels or pads on to discs.  These systems are known as "air brakes" or "pneumatic brakes".  The compressed air is transmitted along the train through a "brake pipe".  Changing the level of air pressure in the pipe causes a change in the state of the brake on each vehicle.  It can apply the brake, release it or hold it "on" after a partial application.  The system is in widespread use throughout the world.  An alternative to the air brake, known as the vacuum brake, was introduced around the early 1870s, the same time as the air brake.  

Like the air brake, the vacuum brake system is controlled through a brake pipe connecting a brake valve in the driver's cab with braking equipment on every vehicle.  The operation of the brake equipment on each vehicle depends on the condition of a vacuum created in the pipe by an ejector or exhauster.  The ejector, using steam on a steam locomotive, or an exhauster, using electric power on other types of train, removes atmospheric pressure from the brake pipe to create the vacuum.   With a full vacuum, the brake is released.  With no vacuum, i.e. normal atmospheric pressure in the brake pipe, the brake is fully applied.

Space Elevator (MECH)

ABSTRACT:

Experts agree that the biggest drain of energy takes place when a vehicle blasts off, pushing through Earth’s gravitational pull requires great amounts of fuel, but once they get out of our atmosphere, the rest is easy.

If you could cut out that “blast off” portion, space travel would be easier and much more fuel-efficient.

In a Space Elevator scenario, a Maglev vehicle would zoom up the side of an exceedingly tall structure and end up at a transfer point where they’d then board a craft to the Moon, Mars, or any other distant destination.

If it all sounds like too much science fiction, take a look at the requirements for making the Space Elevator a reality. A new material has been developed, however, called carbon nanotubes, that is 100 times as strong as steel but with only a fraction of the weight.

A carbon nanotube is an idea that makes this all sound much more achievable.          

In this concept, which is very fuel efficient and which brings space tourism closer common man uses the newly added concept of nanotubes to light.

Continuously Variable Transmission ( MECH )

ABSTRACT:

The stop go traffic condition has become synonymous with driving in our big cities.  In such a case will automatics transmission make sense to the Indian customer. Well the Indians haven’t taken to automatics like fish to water.  The reason being conventional automatics always consume slightly more fuel than manual transmission and the lack of sophisticated automatics.

With the increase in traffic conjunction in the cities stop go traffic has become a big hassle with constant gear changing.  In such a situation CVTs or continuous variable transmission proves it usefulness.  It is advantageous to use CVT over manual transmission as the engine will always operate at the optimum regime and throttle position.  Thereby it could maximize the power output relative to fuel position.

The continuously variable transmission will be commercialized within the next few years.  This trial blazing technology has the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry.  The superior performance attained by this technology ahs been hitherto unimaginable.  The reduction in exhaust emission and fuel consumption make this technology truly amazing and promising.

PULSE DETONATION ENGINE ( MECH )

ABSTRACT

A pulse detonation engine is an unsteady propulsive device in which the combustion chamber is periodically filled with a reactive gas mixture, a detonation is initiated, the detonation propagates through the chamber, and the product gases are exhausted. The high pressures and resultant momentum flux out of the chamber generate thrust.

                                     Quasi-steady thrust levels can be achieved by repeating this cycle at relatively high frequency and/or using more than one combustion chamber operating out of phase. A pulse detonation engine has a detonation chamber with a sidewall. At least two fuel ports are located in the sidewall, spaced longitudinally apart from each other. An oxygen fuel mixture is introduced into the forward port and detonated. This creates a detonation wave which propagates with an air fuel mixture introduced into the rearward fuel port.

                                 After the detonation, purge air passes through the chamber before the next detonation. A rotating sleeve valve mounted around the detonation opens and closes the fuel ports as well the purge ports. One of the newest and most exciting areas of pulse-jet development is the Pulse Detonation Engine (PDE). While they work on similar principles to a regular pulsejet, the PDE has one very fundamental difference -- it detonates the air/fuel mixture rather than just allowing it to simply deflagrate (burn vigorously). The exact details on many of the PDE designs currently being developed are rather sketchy -- mainly because they have the potential to be extremely valuable so most of companies researching in this field are not about to tell us what they're doing. It seems that nobody yet has the PDE developed to the point of being a practical propulsion device (or at least if they have, they're not telling anyone). From what I've been able to gather, the main focus is currently being placed on researching and improving the detonation process.

                                     The current generation of PDEs doesn’t seem capable of continuous running for any length of time -- they're more or less just single-shot devices requiring several seconds to recharge between detonations. Many developers have high hopes that the PDE will ultimately become the most cost-effective method of propelling supersonic sub-orbital craft. The ultra-high compressions obtained by detonation offer the potential for much better fuel-efficiency than even the best turbojet, and the fact that they are an air-breathing engine reduces the fuel-load and increases safety when compared to rocket motors.

Seismic Behavior Of Isolated Bridges ( CIVIL )

ABSTRACT:
Bridges are lifeline structures. They act, as an important link in surface transportation network and failure of bridges during a seismic event will seriously hamper the relief and rehabilitation work. There are many cases of damage of bridges in the past earthquakes all over the world. Due to their structural simplicity, bridges are particularly vulnerable to damage and even collapse when subjected to earthquakes. The fundamental period of vibration of a majority of bridges is in the range of 0.2 to 1.2 second. In this range, the structural response is high because it is close to the predominant periods of earthquake-induced ground motions. The seismic forces on the bridges can be reduced if the fundamental period of the bridge is lengthened or the energy dissipating capability is increased. Therefore, the seismic isolation is a promising alternative for earthquake-resistant design of bridges. Considerable efforts have been made in the past two decades to develop improved seismic isolation design procedure for new bridges and comprehensive retrofit guidelines for existing bridges. One of the goals of the seismic isolation is to shift the fundamental frequency of a structure away from the dominant frequencies of earthquake ground motion and fundamental frequency of the fixed base superstructure. The other purpose of an isolation system is to provide an additional means of energy dissipation, thereby reducing the transmitted acceleration into the superstructure. The suitability of a particular arrangement and type of isolation system will depend on many factors including the span, number of continuous spans, and seismicity of the region, frequencies of vibration of the relatively severe components of the earthquake, maintenance and replacement facilities.  

Engineering Aspects Of Reinforced Soil ( CIVIL )

ABSTRACT:
Reinforced soil is composite material which is formed by the associating of frictional soil and tension resistant elements in the form of sheets, strips, nets or mats of metal, synthetic fabrics or fibre reinforced plastics and arranged in the soil mass in such a way as to reduce or supress the tensile strain which night develop under gravity and boundary forces. It is well known that most granwar soils are strong in compression and shear and weak in tension. The performance of such soils can be improved by introducing reinforcing elements in the direction of tensile straine in the same way as in reinforced concrete.
The variety and range of application of reinforced soil is unlimited severs field applications include retaining walls, abutments, away walls, embankments dams, hill roads, housing, foundations, railways, industry, pipe works, waterway structure and under ground structures.
The soil reinforcement technique results in
(i) a simple , composite material, quick and easy to make
(ii) a flexible material, able to withstand important deformation without damage.
(iii) A heavy material both from the technical and architectural paint of view and
(iv) An economical material.
These merits of reinforced soil enabled its use in almost all civil engineering structures. 

Mobile Inspection Platform ( CIVIL )

ABSTRACT:
There is a need for reliable and economic Mobile Inspection Platform (MIP) for the inspection of Bridges. We have in our country, a large number of road bridges. Every year new road bridges are added to the existing bridges. The older bridge require maintenance to continue to permit serviceability. For proper maintenance, assessment is to be done. Inspection for assessment is to be done not only from the top of the carriageway, but also from the side and bottom of the deck, and also around the sub-structure. The MIP provides a very economic and convenient means of producing such inspection data. Minor maintenance can also be carried out using MIP... . 

Superplasticisers For Ready Mix Concrete Plants ( CIVIL )

ABSTRACT:

Superplasticisers are high range water reducing admixtures..Admixture is defined as a material other than cement ,water and aggregate that is used as an ingredient of concrete and is added to the batch immediately before or during mixing. The development of superplasticisers is one the major break throughs in concrete technology, which will have a significant effect on the production and use of concrete in the next millennium. Superplasticisers have been greatly responsible for development of the following connects.
1) High performance connects
2) High strength concrete
3) High durability concrete
4) Self compacting concrete
5) High volume flyash /slag concrete
6) Fibre reinforced concrete
7) Anti washout concrete under water.

A superplasticiser is one of a class of admixtures called water reducers that are use to lower the mix water requirement of the concrete. They are chemically different from normal water reducers and are capable of reducing water contents by about 30 percent. They are variously known as superplasticisers, super fluidizers , superfluidifiers, super water reducers or high range water reducers. In Japan, during the late 1960’s superplasticisers were developed. Ready mix concrete incorporating water reducers and workability enchancers make use of superplasticisers and delivers increased workability without loss of ultimate strength or durability. The role of superplasticisers in ready mix concrete industry is essential where ordinary as well as high strength or high performance concrete with slump retention capability are to be produced. Superplasticisers can be used to reduce the amount of water to produce high strength concrete and to reduce the amount of cement.

Evacuation Patterns In High Rise Buildings ( CIVIL )

ABSTRACT:
This topic deals with the evacuation pattern in high rise buildings mainly on the onset of fire.The ability to warn population of the impending disasters has become a reality only in the last few years. The ability to track and warn must be complimented with the capability of effecting a timely evacuation of potentially threatened areas. The two problems that exist are the ability to adequately disseminate a warning of an impending disaster and that of producing an evacuation once the warning has been received. These problems can be overcome by the development of a timely and accurate warning system, identification of escape routes, and establishment of a policy wherein every one within a threatened area is required to evacuate when an order is given... . 

Plastic As Soil Stabilizer ( CIVIL )

ABSTRACT:
Use of plastic products such as polythene bags,bottles, containers and packing strips etc. is increasing day by day. As a result amount of waste plastic also increased. This will leads to various environmental problems. Many of the wastes produced today will remain in the environment for many years leading to various environmental concerns. Therefore it is necessary to utilize the wastes effectively with technical development in each field. Many by-products are being produced using the plastic wastes. This paper presents the details of studies, conducted by various researchers on the possible use of waste plastic for soil stabilization. The results of the studies indicate that by adding plastic strips in soil; shear strength, tensile strength and California bearing ratio (CBR) value of the soil increases. . 

Thermal Expansion Of Concrete ( CIVIL )

ABSTRACT:
Concrete structures and its members are underconstant multi-axial stress and exposed to various temperatures. The purpose of this study is to clarify the thermal expansion of plain concrete under constant multi-axial stress. The thermal expansion of concrete between 20C and 100C, under constant compressive stress including tri-axial loading can be concluded to be equal to the sum of elastic deformation caused by external forces, the thermal expansion without external load and creep strain. The thermal expansion of air dried concrete and water saturated concrete is smaller than the thermal expansion of pre-heated concrete.. . 

Application Of Large Deformation Analysis In Soil Mechanics ( CIVIL )

ABSTRACT:

In soil mechanics, the material nonlinearity and itscomputer implementation in the finite element (FE) analysis have been treated in great efforts. However, significantly less effort has been spent on introducing the equally important concepts of finite strain/large deformation in soil mechanics, despite the fact that the effect of deformation upon the overall geometry of structures may not be ignored in many geotechnical engineering problems.

The application of large deformation analysis in two soil mechanics problems will be presented. One is a rigid footing penetrating into two-layered clay, and the other is a fully-bonded anchor lifted up in a homogeneous clay.
The load - displacement curves and the bearing or uplift capacity factors predicted by the large deformation analysis are given. The effect of large deformation is discussed based on comparing the small and large deformation analysis results. Unlike the small deformation analysis of cohesive soil, it is found that in large deformation analysis, the soil self-weight can have a significant effect on the load-displacement behaviour.. . 

FENG SHUI AND VAASTU SHASTRA ( CIVIL )

                                                            ABSTRACT :




The name Feng shui is derived from two words, which are “Feng” and “shui”. Feng means "wind," and shui means "water" (pronounced fung-shway). In Chinese culture, gentle wind and smooth water have always been associated with a good harvest and good health, while harsh winds and stagnant water have been linked to famine and disease. Therefore, "good" feng-shui has come to mean good livelihood and fortune, and "bad" Feng-shui has come to mean hardship and misfortune.
            Feng shui is the chinese art of placement which helps us to create harmony, balance the positive energy in our environment through the proper use of furnishing, art, mirror, objects, plants and all others around and in our environment. Positive energy is created in our environment by work with the natural flow of energy. 

REACTIVE POWDER CONCRETE ( CIVIL )

                                                                 ABSTRACT:


Reactive Powder Concrete is a developing composite material that will allow the concrete industry to optimize material use, generate economic benefits and build structures that are strong, durable and sensitive to environment.RPC is an ultra high strength and high ductility cementitious composite with enhanced physical and mechanical properties. It was first developed in the early 1990’s by Bouygue’s laboratory in France. It consists of a special concrete where its microstructure is optimized by precise gradation of all particles in the mix to yield maximum density. At the level of maximum compressive strength of concrete, the coarse aggregate becomes the weakest link in concrete. In order to increase the compressive strength of concrete even further, the only way is to remove the coarse aggregate. This philosophy has been employed in RPC. It is a material which can resist direct primary tensile stresses and having the potential to structurally compete with steel. 

SPACE MOUSE ( C.S.E )

ABSTRACT

Space mouse opens a new age for man-machine communication. This device is based on the technology used to control the first robot in space and has been adapted for a wide range of tasks including mechanical design, real time video animation and visual simulation. It has become a standard input device for interactive motion control of three-dimensional graphic objects in up to six degrees of freedom. Space mouse works with standard serial mouse interface without an additional power supply. The ergonomic design allows the human hand to rest on it without fatigue. Thus flying an object in six degrees of freedom is done without any strain.

LINUX KERNEL RELEASE 2.6 ( C.S.E )

ABSTRACT

Linus Torvalds as a Minix-like Operating System started the Linux kernel project in 1991 for his 386. (Linus had originally wanted to name the project Freax, but the now-familiar name is the one that stuck.) The first official release of Linux 1.0 was in March 1994, but it supported only single-processor i386 machines. Just a year later, Linux 1.2 was released (March 1995) and was the first version with support for different hardware platforms (specifically: Alpha, Sparc, and Mips), but still only single-processor models. Linux 2.0 arrived in June of 1996 and also included support for a number of new architectures, but more importantly brought Linux into the world of multi-processor machines (SMP). After 2.0, subsequent major releases have been somewhat slower in coming (Linux 2.2 in January 1999 and 2.4 in January 2001), each revision expanding Linux’s support for new hardware and system types as well as boosting scalability. (Linux 2.4 was also notable in being the release that really broke Linux into the desktop space with kernel support for ISA Plug-and-Play, USB, PC Card support, and other additions.) Linux 2.6, released 12/17/03, stands not only to build on these features, but also to be another “major leap” with improved support for both significantly larger systems and significantly smaller ones (PDAs and other devices.)

TELE IMMERSION ( E.E.E )

ABSTRACT

With Tele-Immersion you will interact with your friend on the other side of the globe through a simulated holographic environment. This technology will change the way we live.
Tele-Immersion is a technology that can be virtually realized by 2010 and can be implemented by internet 2.It allows various people from various geographic locations to come together.
Tele-Immersion differs from virtual reality by the way that virtual reality allows us to move in a 3D environment whereas Tele-Immersion only creates a 3D environment.
The applications of Tele-Immersion are very large and it is a technology that is going to affect various sectors. Tele-Immersion will take to new heights the idea of video conferencing.
This paper deals with the uses, future and applications of Tele-Immersion. It also deals with the components used to recreate the holographic environment, display technology.

WAVELET TRANSFORMS ( E.E.E )

ABSTRACT

Mathematical transformations are applied to signals to obtain further information from the signal that is not readily available in the raw signal. By applying the various transformations available today, the frequency information in these signals is obtained. There are many transforms that are used quite often by engineers and mathematician’s. Hilbert transforms, short-time Fourier transforms, Radon transform, and the Wavelet transform constitute only a small portion of a huge list of transforms available at engineer’s and mathematician’s disposal where each transformation technique has its own area of application, advantages and disadvantages.

SPACE SHUTTLES AND ITS ADVANCEMENTS ( MECH )

ABSTRACT

In its 23 year history, the NASA space shuttle program has seen exhilarating highs and devastating lows. The fleet has taken astronauts on dozens of successful missions, resulting in immeasurable scientific gains.  But this success has had a serious cost. In 1986, the challenger exploded during launch procedures, and on February 1^st of 2003, the Columbia broke up during re-entry over Texas.

This seminar report would be covering the following points:-

• A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE.
• THE SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION.
• SPACE PLANES AND THE REPLACEMENT OF SPACE SHUTTLES.

This seminar will be taking a brief look  into the latest space planes namely the “HYPER SONIC PLANES WITH AIR BREATHING ENGINES” that are being planned to be rolled out by NASA for space exploration purpose.

RE-ENTRY OF SPACE VEHICLE ( MECH )

ABSTRACT

Re-entry capsules promises to intensify international competition in launch services, microgravity research and space technology development. These systems will also confer an important strategic advantage in the conduct of materials and in life science research.

The objective of this paper is to provide a modest degree of understanding of the complex inter-relation which exist between performance requirements mission constraints , vehicle design and trajectory selection of typical re-entry mission. A brief presentation of the flight regimes, the structural loading and heating environment experienced by booth no lifting and lifting re-entry vehicle is given.

SMART SENSORS ( E.C.E )

ABSTRACT

Smart sensors are sensors with integrated electronics that can perform one or more of the following function logic functions, two-way communication, make decisions.
The advent of integrated circuits, which became possible because of the tremendous progress in semiconductor technology, resulted in the low cost microprocessor. Thus if it is possible to design a low cost sensor which is silicon based then the overall cost of the control system can be reduced .We can have integrated sensors which has electronics and the transduction element together on one silicon chip. This complete system can be called as system-on-chip .The main aim of integrating the electronics and the sensor is to make an intelligent sensor, which can be called as smart sensor. Smart sensors then have the ability to make some decision. Physically a smart sensor consists of transduction element, signal conditioning electronic and controller/processor that support some intelligence in a single package. In this report the usefulness of silicon technology as a smart sensor, physical phenomena of conversion to electrical output using silicon sensors, characteristics of smart sensors. A general architecture of smart sensor is presented.

STEGANOGRAPHY ( E.C.E )

ABSTRACT

Steganography comes from the Greek and literally means, “Covered writing”. It is one of various data hiding techniques, which aims at transmitting a message on a channel where some other kind of information is already being transmitted. This distinguishes steganography from covert channel techniques, which instead of trying to transmit data between two entities that were unconnected before.
The goal of steganography is to hide messages inside other “ harmless” messages in a way that does not allow any “enemy” to even detect that there is a second secret message present. The only missing information for the “enemy” is the short easily exchangeable random number sequence, the secret key, without the secret key, the “enemy” should not have the slightest chance of even becoming suspicious that on an observed communication channel, hidden communication might take place.
Steganography is closely related to the problem of “hidden channels” in secure operating system design, a term which refers to all communication paths that cannot easily be restricted by access control mechanisms. In an ideal world we would all be able to sent openly encrypted mail or files to each other with no fear of reprisals. However there are often cases when this is possible, either because the working company does not allow encrypted email or the local government does not approve of encrypt communication. This is where steganography can come into play.