Bicycle Spokes Research Articles

Improved engineered scoring system for bicycle lane mapping development

This paper intends to present the development of the Improved Bicycle Lane Engineered Scoring System (iBLESS). The iBLESS consists of a numerical ranking table that compares traffic volume data; speed limit; number of lanes; road width; presence of the vehicle parking; presence of night street light; road grade; overall travel length; and presence of existing bicycle lanes that is utilized to design and map the optimum achievable locations for the implementation of bicycle lanes. The City of Tyler, Texas, is utilizing the iBLESS to design a Hub-and-Spoke bicycle lane network around the city. The current map design utilizing the iBLESS is comprised of eleven bicycle spokes, and seven bicycle spoke-connections, reaching a total distance of over 55 miles (88.5km) of bicycle lanes. The presence of bicycle lanes will extend throughout the entire city, resulting in the introduction of a new mode of transportation to the City of Tyler. Results indicate that the iBLESS is a simple and useful methodology to compare and analyze roads for bicycle lane development. Since this system selects the optimal road candidates, the bicycle users feel more comfortable using bicycle lanes as opposed to riding in a roadway.

The comparison of device materials of sliding sudare using a prototyping method

Sliding Sudare has a big potential to be developed considered its high effectiveness in minimizing building energy consumption while still maintaining its visibility quality. Meanwhile, its original blinds that is made of bamboo cannot withstand extreme weather and have a short lifespan. Therefore, this research is to investigate the effectiveness of the other material alternatives namely stainless steel, plastic, and natural fiber. A scaled model is used for prototyping the materials in the shape of bicycle spokes, PLA+ (3D printer filament), and bamboo slats as the blinds. These everyday objects were tested in terms of their physical characteristic and were measured by four parameters (security requirement, weather resistance, construction process, and cost-effectiveness). From the research, it was concluded that bicycle spokes has the highest overall performance with the highest advantages in weather resistance requirement, cost-effectiveness, and construction; whilst PLA+ and bamboo slats have the least overall performance though both have high advantage in terms of security requirement.

Controllable Core-Shell BaTiO3@Carbon Nanoparticle-Enabled P(VDF-TrFE) Composites: A Cost-Effective Approach to High-Performance Piezoelectric Nanogenerators.

Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs), as a promising solution to harvest mechanical energy from ambient environment, have attracted much attention over the past decade. Here, the core-shell structured BaTiO3@Carbon (BT@C) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a simple surface-modifying method and then used to fabricate the efficient PENGs with poly[(vinylidene fluoride)-co-trifluoroethylene] (P(VDF-TrFE)). The carbon shell with the uniform thickness of 10-15 nm can increase the content of the polar β phase in P(VDF-TrFE) and significantly enhance the interfacial polarization between BT NPs and the polymer matrix during the poling process. Out of all compositions, the 15 wt % BT@C/P(VDF-TrFE) PENG exhibited the optimal piezoelectric performance with an output voltage of ∼17 V and a maximum power of 14.3 μW under bending-releasing mode. More importantly, the PENG can also efficiently harvest other types of mechanical energy from human activities and exhibits stable output after 1500 bending-releasing cycles. When the PENG was bent and beat by bicycle spokes, a peak voltage of 16 V was generated, which can light up 12 white LEDs directly and charge the commercial capacitors. Our research provides a new strategy to fabricate flexible and efficient PENGs from a nanoscale viewpoint; it can be hopefully applied in energy-harvesting systems and wearable electric sensors.

Digital Speedometers and Wireless Indicator Lights on Cyclist Jackets

Abstract – Bicycles has become the best solution to be able to reduce the level of congestion for the citizens of the world. Cycling is an activity carried out by someone to be able to go from place to destination and cycling has also become a hobby for some people. Even so, bicycles also experience infrastructure problems, namely bicycle lanes which are still rarely available. Some countries in the world have not fully provide special lanes for bicycle users. This causes bicycle users to use highways that are more often used by other vehicles. And it can cause accidents for bicycle users. Therefore, in the implementation of the wireless indicator lights on this jacket, the author wants to provide a better solution to overcome this problem, that is by combining indicator lights with jackets so that it can function to signal to other road users. In Addition, the author also designed a digital speedometer that can later appear on the LCD screen (liquid crystal display). For this speedometer, by placing a magnetic sensor on the forks as a magnetic speed reader placed on the bicycle spokes. For indicator lights on this jacket, the input uses a touch sensor and brake levers will be attached to the front of the bike through the bluetooth master transmission system and the bluetooth slave on the jacket, so the indicator light on the jacket will light up and form the right, left or stop direction and will be displayed on the LCD with the digital speedometer.Keyword : Speedometer, Bluetooth, Bicycle, Indicator Light, Wireless

Striking Iron: The Art of African Blacksmiths

Striking Iron: The Art of African Blacksmiths

Analysis of wave energy reduction and sediment stabilization by mangroves in Gazi Bay, Kenya

Ndirangu MD, Chira RM, Wang’ondu V, Kairo JG. 2018. Wave energy reduction and sediment stabilization by mangroves in Gazi Bay, Kenya. Biodiversitas 19: 83-94. Mangrove forests provide natural protection to the coast by attenuating wave energy and stabilizing sediments. The efficiency of coastal protection is likely to decline with increased degradation and losses of mangrove forests. Nevertheless, there are few empirical studies to test these hypotheses. The objective of the study was to investigate how wave energy and sediment stabilization vary with tree density in a monospecies stand of mangroves (Sonneratia alba) at Gazi Bay, Kenya. Seven belt transects were randomly selected along 900 m stretches of shoreline with homogenous emergent wave energy. Structural parameters, including; tree density, pneumatophores density, and basal areas were quantified using two quadrat measuring 25 m by 20 m along each transect. Three intertidal stations, each with five sampling points were sampled for wave energy using uniform plaster of Paris clod cards. Sediment stability was measured using improvised sinking metal disks made from bicycle spokes, and sediment accretion was monitored by Surface Elevation Tables (SETs). All transects showed significant difference in pneumatophores density (F (2.39) =25.15), tree density (F (2.33) =24.79), and basal area (F (2.39) = 29.66). The wave energy sampled by tree stems between stations and the correlation of wave energy reduction against tree density/ha, pneumatophores density, and basal areas per m2 also showed a significant difference. Regression analysis showed a significant difference in the sediment stability against tree density (R2 = 61%) and basal areas (R2 = 72.8%) while there was no significant difference between sediment stability and pneumatophores density (R2= 47%). Regression analysis between mean sediment accretion rates against all parameters were not significant. This study will help the managers and the government on the merit of using mangroves as bio-shields in protecting coastlines against erosion and stabilizing sediment in the wake of much anticipated global changing climate and sea-level rise.

Plain radiography in children with spoke wheel injury: A retrospective cohort study

Background and purposeBicycle spoke injury (BSI) mostly occurs in children as a result of entrapment of the leg in the bicycle spokes. No guideline or protocol exists that defines what type of radiography is indicated to diagnose or rule out a fracture commonly associated with these injuries. The aim of this study was (1) to evaluate the type of radiographs that are obtained in children with BSI, (2) to assess in which anatomical regions fractures occur and (3) to evaluate on which radiographs a fracture can be detected in children with BSI. Patients and methodsA retrospective cohort study was performed in paediatric patients presenting at the Emergency Department (ED) of a university hospital with a paediatric surgery department between June 2008 and December 2013. ResultsIn 99 of the 320 children (31.4%) evaluated with radiography following BSI a fracture was diagnosed. In almost two third of the patients (63%) radiographic imaging of two or more anatomical regions was performed. In 98 children (99%) the fracture was located at the distal tibia or fibula. All fractures were diagnosed on a radiograph of the ankle or lower leg (including the ankle region). No fractures of the foot were diagnosed. ConclusionWe suggest that in children with a clinical suspicion of a fracture at the ankle region, in which no fracture is seen at the radiograph of the ankle, no additional radiographs are necessary.

Using qualitative methodology to elucidate themes for a traditional tooth gauging education tool for use in a remote Ugandan community

The gauging of unerupted deciduous canine teeth occurs in approximately one in three children in some areas of Uganda. It is believed that such teeth are 'maggots' that cause fever, diarrohea and vomiting. Traditional healers use knitting needles, bicycle spokes, scissors or broken glass to extract the teeth. Post-ebino extraction complications include septicaemia, anaemia, difficulties in feeding and pain. Some children require hospitalization. Health is further compromised when multiple ebino extractions occur at one time, increasing the risk of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome transmission. An ebino education initiative was developed in the southwest Ugandan province of Rukungiri, based on the findings of five community-based focus group discussions. The initiative involved role-plays, didactic presentations and discussion/debate workshops to 23 women's groups in 15 communities (total number of women exposed = 1874). After 1.5 years of the programme's inception, community awareness of the scientific causes and alternatives to ebino extractions had increased (as gauged by follow-up focus group discussion findings) and the number of hospital admissions for traditional tooth extraction complications had reduced. The appropriateness of the model in exploring and addressing ebino extraction beliefs and attitudes is discussed, as are implications of the strategy in its implementation in other communities where ebino extractions are prevalent.

The reconservation of 105 Bronze age ceramics

Abstract Wiltshire County Council's Conservation Centre in Salisbury, UK, undertook condition surveys at the two designated museums in Wiltshire: the Wiltshire Heritage Museum (Devizes, UK), and Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum (Salisbury, UK). It was found that a total of 105 Bronze Age ceramic vessels from both museum collections required urgent conservation treatment. The vessels are parts of internationally important type series in Wiltshire with exceptional provenance, many having been discovered by pioneers of archaeology such as William Cunnington, Richard Colt Hoare and General Augustus Pitt Rivers. The vessels had been restored in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries with unsuitable materials such as cement, animal glue, shellac, sealing wax and bicycle spokes. Research was undertaken to try and establish who the previous restorers had been. Cement removal methods were assessed in a pilot project. Electrically powered hand tools were proven to give the most controllable results. With ...

The drag force on an American football

We have measured the drag coefficient on an American football oriented so that its major axis is pointed directly into the wind. The football was suspended from the top of a wind tunnel by bicycle spokes attached to small bearings. The results are similar to the drag coefficients reported by Rouse (1946) for the case of an ellipsoid with major diameter/minor diameter similar to the length/diameter for the football. The drag coefficient for a spinning football is slightly lower than that for a nonspinning football. Both are in the range of 0.05–0.06, about half the value assumed by Brancazio (1985), about one-third that reported by Rae and Streit (2002) and far smaller than that reported by Cunningham and Dowell (1976).

自転車用スポークの疲労強度

By the fatigue tests of bicycle spokes subjected to repeated tensile loads, the following results are obtained:1. Since the fatigue fracture of bicycle spokes begins with a crack at the root of the head, the shape and condition under which this part contacts with the spoke hole in the wheel hub seriously affect the fatigue strength.2. The surface of the fracture on the head of spokes in this test shows the same appearance as that which actually occurs, but is quite different from the one obtained by static tensile test. The reason is that the fracture in the latter test occurred by shear stress.3. The fatigue limit of sample spokes (240kg being the static tensile strength) was 85kg, and corrosion with acids, sea water etc. decrease the fatigue strength.

A Cloud Chamber of Light Weight for Balloon Flights

Some constructional details of cloud chambers used for balloon flights are described. Details are given on the fabrication of transparent plastic front walls and cylinders for the cloud chambers. A relatively large number of bicycle spokes is used for holding the chamber together, thus distributing material stresses, enabling one to make the aluminum parts of the cloud chamber quite light. The back and front walls of the cloud chambers are somewhat spherically curved, resulting in considerable reduction of material thicknesses. By the same means a piece of slightly curved metal gauze is sufficient to limit the motion of the rubber diaphragm in the compressed position. A mechanism used for adjusting expansion ratios can be removed before a balloon flight. Gas and liquid can be inserted through bicycle valves. The cloud chambers are 12 inches in diameter, 3½ inches deep, and weigh approximately 6 pounds.

A NEW FORM OF SPLINTING.

7272. Batten G. B. April 9. Splints.-Splints, or sheets of material for making them, are formed by corrugating, folding, or grooving a light material such as paper, cardboard, papier mOchU, wocd, aluminium, celluloid, vulcanite, &c., so as to strengthen such material. The corrugations or depressions may be formed by moulding, stamping, or any suitable means. Fig. 1 shows a sheet formed of two sheets A, B of corrugated paper, each having flat sheets 1, 2 and 3, 4 on each side. The sheets may be strengthened in any desired direction by wires, such as bicycle spokes, laid in the corrugations or across them.