RESEARCH NOTES

Solar Satisfaction

System's energy performance near peak efficiency

The solar-powered energy system atop the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center is performing close to its peak efficiency but has produced less energy than expected.

photo by Stanley Leary The photovoltaic system is on the roof of the green-and-blue-trimmed Georgia Tech Aquatic Center. (200-dpi JPEG version - 130k)

Installed in July 1996, the photovoltaic system is the largest rooftop system connected to a utility grid in the country. It supplements the Aquatic Center's main electrical system and serves as a research model.

From July 1996 through January 1997, the system produced 162 megawatt hours of energy, enough to power 16 average Georgia homes for one year. Researchers had predicted 409 megawatt hours per year, enough to power about 40 homes.

"The system has performed pretty much up to expectations," says Mike Ropp, a doctoral student in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). "We have quantified that by looking at the system's efficiency instead of just the output because, obviously, the output is dependent on the input."

Researchers attribute the lower energy production to several factors, including fuses blown in July when lightning struck the Aquatic Center roof, a water main break in October 1996 that flooded the electrical control room, and experiments that required partial shutdowns in December 1996 and January 1997.

Also, sunlight levels were lower than expected and extremely high temperatures in August decreased the system's efficiency.

The photovoltaics system was one of several Georgia Tech projects showcased during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games when the Aquatic Center was the site of swimming and diving events.

It was designed by Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi and Dr. Miroslav M. Begovic of ECE and Richard Long of Georgia Tech's Office of Facilities. The project was initiated under Georgia Tech's University Center of Excellence for Photovoltaic Research and Education (UCEP). Sponsors include Georgia Power Co., the U.S. Department of Energy and Georgia Tech.

Look for an in-depth report on photovoltaics research in the Spring RESEARCH HORIZONS.

Further information is available from Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi or Michael Ropp, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0250. (Telephone: 404/894-7692) (E-mail: ajeet.rohatgi@ee.gatech.edu; mr52@prism.gatech.edu)

Detecting the Diabolical Tech researchers evaluating new technique for detecting deadly concealed land mines Georgia Tech is one of five universities whose researchers will evaluate new electronic surveillance measures against a hidden and deadly menace: the concealed land mines currently endangering the populations of more than 60 nations. With U.S. Army sponsorship, researchers at Duke University, Caltech, Georgia Tech, Ohio State University and Stanford University will explore innovations in mine detection ranging from a microelectronic, chemical-sniffing "nose" and through-the-air ultrasound to ground-shaking seismic waves and unique mathematical and computational aids. Industry partners providing some technical support include EG&G, Hughes Aircraft Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp. The collaborators plan 12 different research projects to better detect buried -- and often diabolically clever -- military booby traps that often kill or maim innocent noncombatants. The projects will fall under three research areas: Chemical-sensing processes that mimic smell Radar, magnetic, infrared and sound sensors Sensor-information processing. Georgia Tech researchers led by Dr. Waymond Scott, an associate professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will investigate a new technique for detecting land mines. "We are proposing a technique that uses both acoustics and electromagnetic waves in a synergistic manner to detect the mines," says Scott. "The synergism has the potential to detect mines that would be impossible to detect otherwise." Scott plans to use acoustic waves to vibrate the earth and any hidden mines. "The acoustic properties of the earth and the mine are quite different; therefore, the vibrations of the mine and of the earth near the mine will be quite different from vibrations of the earth farther away from the mine," he says. "We will use a specially designed electromagnetic radar to measure the differences in the vibrations and identify the location of the mine." According to a Department of Defense research report, estimates of the number of uncleared mines worldwide range from 85 million (by the U.S. Department of State) to 105 million (by the United Nations) spread over 62 nations. Between 500,000 and 1 million new mines are believed to be deployed each year. And between 10,000 and 100,000 people are said to be killed or maimed by them annually. Further information is available from Dr. Waymond Scott, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0250. (Telephone: 404/894-3048) (E-mail: waymond.scott@ee.gatech.edu)

Electronic Protection and Attack Research GTRI's R&D capabilities address most DoD electronic protection and attack areas graphic courtesy Judy Wiesman Research at GTRI supports development of advanced radar and communication systems that have low vulnerability to enemy air defense passive detection networks. (200-dpi JPEG version - 325k) The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) offers research and development capabilities in most technical areas typically encompassed by the Department of Defense thrust in electronic protection and attack. These areas include electronic countermeasures (ECM) and electronic counter-countermeasures, as well as associated capabilities in radar, communications and antennas. GTRI is involved in all aspects of the life cycle of equipment -- from research and development in the early stages of development, to systems integration, test and evaluation, logistics reliability and maintainability. An appropriate blend of hardware, software and analytical expertise is applied to the challenges of electronic protection and attack. Further information and a brochure are available from Jim Cofer, Advanced Programs Office, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0801. (Telephone: 404/894-3346) (Fax: 404/894-5274) (E-mail: jim.cofer@gtri.gatech.edu)

Transportation Institute Funded New Tech center explores and coordinates transportation research in Georgia The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has provided start-up funding to Georgia Tech for a new multi-disciplinary center on campus. The center, which will be called the Georgia Transportation Institute (GTI), will conduct research, development, education and technology transfer pertaining to all forms of transportation in the State of Georgia. The role of the GTI will be to coordinate and enhance the involvement of Georgia Tech and other state universities doing research in transportation. "Transportation-related research has been a strategic area at Georgia Tech for several years," says Jean-Lou Chameau, vice provost for research and dean of graduate studies. "We have seen a significant increase in those activities, including the successful demonstration of the Atlanta Short Haul Transportation System during the Olympics. Another example is a multi-year, multi-million dollar project sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a new model for estimating automobile pollutant emissions. The Georgia Transportation Institute will help us foster and enhance those activities, and serve the state better in an area critical to its economy and future." "Our goal is to bring together the people doing transportation research in the state," says Bob Cassanova, director of GTRI's Aerospace and Transportation Laboratory (AERO). "The GTI makes it possible for our sponsors to tap into all of the resources that Georgia Tech has to offer, as well as the expertise of researchers from other universities in the state." The GTI was the suggestion of GDOT Commissioner Wayne Shackleford, who believed that the state needed to consolidate its transportation resources. "We felt that the Institute would be a good way to expand transportation research in Georgia by having one organization that could oversee research for the entire state," says Lamar Caylor, chief of the Research and Development Branch for GDOT. "Other states, like Texas and Virginia, have had similar organizations for a long time. The GTI will make Georgia more competitive in the area of transportation research." Further information is available from Dr. Bob Cassanova, Aerospace and Transportation Laboratory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, GA 30332-0860. (Telephone: 770/528-7826) (E-mail:bob.cassanova@ gtri.gatech.edu)

"Electronic House Calls"

New prototype interactive system may make home health care more accessible

The prototype for an electronic house call system that could make health care as accessible as cable television has been developed and tested by Georgia Tech, the Medical College of Georgia, the U.S. Army and a private cable company.

photo courtesy Medical College of Georgia A patient has her temperature taken via computer on a prototype system developed by Georgia Tech and partner researchers. (200-dpi JPEG version - 130k)

The prototype has been tested in the homes of 25 patients of MCG Hospital and Clinics and Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon. It also is being tested at Westlake Manor, a 100-bed nursing home in Augusta, with links to a physician's office and home.

The electronic house call's target audience is what developers call "frequent flyers" -- people whose chronic health problems require constant attention that can lead to frequent doctor visits and hospital stays.

Jones Intercable Inc., a Denver-based company that services the Augusta area, provided the cable service -- which not only brings a signal into the home, but also gets one back out -- at no cost to test patients. Development and initial testing of the electronic house call system was funded primarily by grants from the Department of the Army and the Georgia Research Alliance.

Researchers fashioned the prototype from existing computer hardware, with additions such as a multi- function patient monitor -- like one used in intensive care units -- into which blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes and other medical devices are plugged. The patient's computer also is fitted with a videoconferencing camera that can be remotely controlled by the nurse.

Tech's Biomedical Interactive Technology Center also developed a touch-screen monitor, says senior research engineer Michael F. Burrow. For example, a patient touches a telephone icon on the screen to make the initial connection with the nurse practitioner.

The computer system uses a commercially available videoconferencing program that enables the nurse and patient to see each other and talk throughout the examination. The electronic house call prototype also accepts data from a variety of medical devices, such as those registering blood pressure and blood oxygen levels. The nurse can listen to heart and lungs and perform an electrocardiogram.

The system provides audio instructions and images on the screen to assist the patient during an exam and "gives instructions on how to use the instruments," Burrow says.

"For the most part, patient feedback has been positive," Burrow continues. "The patients like the idea of being monitored at their homes and interacting with the nurse frequently."

Developers at Tech and MCG want to fine-tune the electronic house call into a more standardized, commercially viable piece of equipment, and they are seeking a company willing to do that.

As is, the prototype costs about $15,000 for each unit. But Burrow thinks it could realisically cost less. "I'd like to see a system that would cost less than $10,000," he says.

Further information is available from Michael Burrow, Biomedical Interactive Technology Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0823. (Telephone: 404/894-7034) (E-mail: michael.burrow@bitc.gatech.edu)

Researchers Honored Dr. David Ku, professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering, is the recipient of the 1996 Gustus L. Larson Memorial Award presented by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Dr. David Roessner, professor in the School of Public Policy, was named a 1996 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Michael Phillips, South Carolina state coordinator for the Georgia Tech/Clark Atlanta University- sponsored Electronic Commerce Resource Center, was awarded the 1996 SOLE Field Award by the International Society of Logistics. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to electronic logistics commerce and logistics in general. Dr. Richard Salant, professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering, received the 1996 Worthington Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The award recognized his achievements in the design of controllable seals. Two faculty members were named Fellows of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in December 1996. Dr. Robert Trebits, director of the Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Lab of the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), was recognized for his work in millimeter wave reflectivity. Dr. Michael Tuley, a principal research engineer in GTRI's Signatures Technology Laboratory, was recognized for his nationally known work on radar cross section reduction. Dr. Ward Winer, chair of the School of Mechanical Engineering and Regents' Professor, received the Donald Marlow Award from the American Society for Engineering Education. It recognized his creative, distinguished leadership in engineering education.

-- Articles by Toni Baker, Monte Basgall, Amanda Crowell, Joey Goddard, Lea McLees, Rick Robinson, Victor Rogers, John Toon

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Last updated: May 30, 1997