Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Furey, Michael.
To develop and specify a design for a cost-effective, high-resolution x-ray spectrometer and its x-ray lenses is the goal of this proposal. Optimized polycarpellary lenses will be fabricated, characterized and implemented in the spectrometer. Based on the results a system analysis is performed and verified in a feasibility study.
This is a Phase I feasibility study to evaluate the accuracy and the speed for measuring particle hygroscopic growth using the water-based aerosol mobility imaging system already developed between Aerosol Dynamics Inc. and Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). One of the key parameters determining the impact of atmospheric aerosols on global climate is aerosol hygroscopicity, or uptake of water as a function of relative humidity. To date there is no rapid means of making this measurement over the range of particle sizes and humidity values of importance. This project aims to fill this need.
This project will develop and design a prototype for an advanced spectro-polarimeter, which measures the polarization of light at various wavelengths. This spectro-polarimeter will combine the functionality of both spectrometer and polarimeter in one compact, lightweight and inexpensive device. Unlike devices on market today, this device allows for simultaneous, real-time measurements of fast biological processes. This advance in spectro-polarimeters can be applied in the chemical, medical and biological fields to research new drugs, control dynamics of drugs in blood, and improve medical diagnosis by enabling the study of tissue structure, cellular and sub-cellular structures of proteins and DNA. This project will also help develop other applications for such devices as imaging, identification of targets embedded in dense scattering media, and biochemical sensing.
The objective of this project, by BNL and PVI, is to develop radiation-modified materials like titanium, nickel, aluminum, steel, refractory metals and alloys by implanting them with ions. Ion implantation radically improves strength & friction resistance. The focus will be on components of products like jet engines & windmills. Example: implanting windmill parts subject to friction may greatly reduce operating costs. Currently, electric power from wind is a factor of 1.5 more costly than coal due to labor costs [frequent lubrication of parts involves stopping a windmill & opening its nacelle (enclosures)]. A 50% friction reduction through ion implantation of parts will reduce the need for lubricants and make wind-generated electricity cheaper than fossil fuel. Major PVI role is adapting laboratory experimental results into commercially viable industrial processes and marketing them.