This series of experiments aims to characterize the cyclic behavior of cold-formed steel (CFS) stud-to-sheathing connections. This connection provides the key energy dissipating behavior in wood sheathed CFS shear walls, and provides bracing to the studs under gravity and out-of-plane loads. A simple testing rig is developed consisting of two CFS lipped channels facing toe-to-toe connected on t...

Common methods of loading magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents into nanoparticles often suffer from challenges related to particle formation, complex chemical modification/purification steps, and reduced contrast efficiency. This study presents a simple, yet advanced process to address these issues by loading gadolinium, an MRI contrast agent, exclusively on a liposome surface using...

In this paper we present algorithms and experiments for multi-scale assembly of complex structures by multi-robot teams. We also focus on tasks where successful completion requires multiple types of assembly operations with a range of precision requirements. We develop a hierarchical planning approach to multi-scale perception in support of multi-scale manipulation, in which the resolution of t...

Cold forging has played a critical role in fasteners and has been widely used in automotive production, manufacturing, aviation and 3C (Computer, Communication, and Consumer electronics). Despite its extensive use in fastener forming and die design, operator experience and trial and error make it subjective and unreliable owing to the difficulty of controlling the development schedule. This stu...

Cadmium has been identified as a threat to worker health and the environment. A test program was conducted to evaluate the performance of environmentally acceptable substitutes for cadmium plating. Fifteen test coatings were exposed to natural marine, industrial, and rural atmospheres for 12 -months. Additional laboratory tests were conducted to determine coating abrasion resistance, adhesion, ...

The friction coefficient of a specific material combination is often assumed to be invariant in manufacturing processes such as during the tightening threaded fastener joints. This paper considers impact storage conditions on friction. Fasteners were stored hot humid and sub-zero temperature study thread under-head contacts. Four Zn-flake coatings, commonly used automotive industry considered. ...

Weight reduction is often a key factor in modern mechanical design, therefore materials such as carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) are increasingly used and integrated within multi-material structures using adhesive technologies, which require high effort difficult to disassemble. The capability of blind rivet nut (BRN) join different without these disadvantages has created growing industr...