title: Supporting collaboration and engagement using a whiteboard-like display

authors: Apperley, Mark

subjects: computer science

abstract: Large interactive display surfaces have the potential to combine the simplicity, spontaneity and presence of a conventional whiteboard with the convenience, clarity, and archiving and retrieval capabilities of a computer display. Recent developments in display projection and large surface digitising have brought the cost of such displays to a level where they can be utilised to support a range of everyday activities. This paper describes the LIDS (Large Interactive Display Surfaces) project, recently commenced at the University of Waikato. LIDS focuses on the use of low-cost whiteboard-like shared interactive displays, and is exploring whiteboard metaphors and lightweight interaction techniques to support group collaboration and engagement. Three closely related application areas are being studied: (i) support for single and multiple site meetings and informal discussions, (ii) the use of such displays in teaching, and (iii) their use in personal information management.

text: Supporting collaboration and engagement using a whiteboard-like display Large interactive display surfaces have the potential to combine the simplicity, spontaneity and presence of a conventional whiteboard with the convenience, clarity, and archiving and retrieval capabilities of a computer display. Recent developments in display projection and large surface digitising have brought the cost of such displays to a level where they can be utilised to support a range of everyday activities. This paper describes the LIDS (Large Interactive Display Surfaces) project, recently commenced at the University of Waikato. LIDS focuses on the use of low-cost whiteboard-like shared interactive displays, and is exploring whiteboard metaphors and lightweight interaction techniques to support group collaboration and engagement. Three closely related application areas are being studied: (i) support for single and multiple site meetings and informal discussions, (ii) the use of such displays in teaching, and (iii) their use in personal information management.

year: 2000

title: Modeling and simulation of the dynamic process in high energy ball milling of metal powders

authors: Wang, Wei

abstract: Mechanical alloying/mechanical grounding by using high-energy ball milling has been considered as a promising materials processing technique to synthesize materials. In this study, modeling simulation has been carried out to investigate the impacts, which are basic events in milling, as well as the milling dynamics in order to control and optimize this process. 

A 3-dimensional model has been developed to simulate the head-on impact process between two balls or between a ball and the vial wall with powder in between by considering the elastic deformation of impact objects, and the visco-plastic flow and elastic deformation of the powder compact. The comparison between the experimental results published in literature and the simulation outcome demonstrates that this model is the best to simulate the head-on impact process, which involves powder. Application of the model in high-energy ball milling shows that the ball-ball and ball-wall impacts do have some difference. It was also observed that the ball size, impact velocity and powder thickness all affect the impact pressure, and that the deformation of balls is substantial comparing to the powder thickness involved in an impact. 

3-dimensional models have also been developed to simulate the movement of balls considering the effects of powder, ball spinning and oblique impact of balls. The multi-ball impacts, which have been proved to occupy a substantial fraction among impacts, were also considered. Having realised the importance of knowing the volume of the powder involved in each impact, a model was also developed to estimate this volume. The prediction of the weight of powder involved in each impact made based on this model was in good agreement with the observation reported. 

A 3-dimensional global model has been developed for the SPEX-8000 Mixer/Mill based on the mechanics of the machine. By using this model, the motion of the vial was numerically determined. Then the global model was coupled with the models for the impacts in order to predict the dynamics of milling process. The simulation results revealed that the movement of balls after milling starts can be separated into two stages. The first stage is the unstable stage, which lasts for less than 0.3 second and involves mostly rolling and slipping of balls on the vial wall. The second stage is the stable stage, when the impact frequency, the mean impact velocity and mean spinning velocity of balls do not change significantly over time. Numerical experiments indicate that the frequency of impacts between balls and the vial wall is linearly proportional to the number of balls and the frequency of impacts between balls is nearly proportional to the square of the number of balls and the square of radius of balls. It is also shown that the majority of the impacts occur at low velocities of less than 4 m/s and with impact angles in the range of 15∼75°. The prediction of the impact frequency and impact angle distribution made from the simulation agrees well with the probability analysis. 

An effective model has been developed for the first time to calculate the time needed for mechanical milling based on probability analysis. This model can be used once the effective impact frequency and the fraction of powder effectively mechanically milled powder are known. The latter can be achieved through modeling. The milling efficiency corresponding to various ball numbers and sizes have been evaluated. The results show that there is an optimum number for the best milling efficiency for a given size of balls. 

Global models for the milling process in a planetary mill and an attritor mill have also been developed. Preliminary simulation experiments have been conducted.

text: Modeling and simulation of the dynamic process in high energy ball milling of metal powders Mechanical alloying/mechanical grounding by using high-energy ball milling has been considered as a promising materials processing technique to synthesize materials. In this study, modeling simulation has been carried out to investigate the impacts, which are basic events in milling, as well as the milling dynamics in order to control and optimize this process. 

A 3-dimensional model has been developed to simulate the head-on impact process between two balls or between a ball and the vial wall with powder in between by considering the elastic deformation of impact objects, and the visco-plastic flow and elastic deformation of the powder compact. The comparison between the experimental results published in literature and the simulation outcome demonstrates that this model is the best to simulate the head-on impact process, which involves powder. Application of the model in high-energy ball milling shows that the ball-ball and ball-wall impacts do have some difference. It was also observed that the ball size, impact velocity and powder thickness all affect the impact pressure, and that the deformation of balls is substantial comparing to the powder thickness involved in an impact. 

3-dimensional models have also been developed to simulate the movement of balls considering the effects of powder, ball spinning and oblique impact of balls. The multi-ball impacts, which have been proved to occupy a substantial fraction among impacts, were also considered. Having realised the importance of knowing the volume of the powder involved in each impact, a model was also developed to estimate this volume. The prediction of the weight of powder involved in each impact made based on this model was in good agreement with the observation reported. 

A 3-dimensional global model has been developed for the SPEX-8000 Mixer/Mill based on the mechanics of the machine. By using this model, the motion of the vial was numerically determined. Then the global model was coupled with the models for the impacts in order to predict the dynamics of milling process. The simulation results revealed that the movement of balls after milling starts can be separated into two stages. The first stage is the unstable stage, which lasts for less than 0.3 second and involves mostly rolling and slipping of balls on the vial wall. The second stage is the stable stage, when the impact frequency, the mean impact velocity and mean spinning velocity of balls do not change significantly over time. Numerical experiments indicate that the frequency of impacts between balls and the vial wall is linearly proportional to the number of balls and the frequency of impacts between balls is nearly proportional to the square of the number of balls and the square of radius of balls. It is also shown that the majority of the impacts occur at low velocities of less than 4 m/s and with impact angles in the range of 15∼75°. The prediction of the impact frequency and impact angle distribution made from the simulation agrees well with the probability analysis. 

An effective model has been developed for the first time to calculate the time needed for mechanical milling based on probability analysis. This model can be used once the effective impact frequency and the fraction of powder effectively mechanically milled powder are known. The latter can be achieved through modeling. The milling efficiency corresponding to various ball numbers and sizes have been evaluated. The results show that there is an optimum number for the best milling efficiency for a given size of balls. 

Global models for the milling process in a planetary mill and an attritor mill have also been developed. Preliminary simulation experiments have been conducted.

year: 2000

title: Outdoor education: Opportunities provided by a place based approach

authors: Brown, Mike

subjects: place-based

abstract: This paper calls for educators to consider the role that ‘place’ has in outdoor education experiences. It is suggested that greater emphasis and acknowledgment be given to ‘place(s)’ and how they may help students make sense of both their personal and communal identity. The paper is interwoven with a narrative from the author’s experiences of working with Pākehā and Māori students on a course that consciously utilised a ‘place-based’ approach to teaching and learning. The paper challenges the conception that outdoor education requires ‘high-impact’ adventurous activities, instead suggesting that we seek to develop a modest pedagogy which acknowledges our relationships with place(s) as a way to understand who we are , how we connect to others and how we both give and take meanings from the places in which we live and learn. These issues have potential implications for educators and programme designers.

text: Outdoor education: Opportunities provided by a place based approach This paper calls for educators to consider the role that ‘place’ has in outdoor education experiences. It is suggested that greater emphasis and acknowledgment be given to ‘place(s)’ and how they may help students make sense of both their personal and communal identity. The paper is interwoven with a narrative from the author’s experiences of working with Pākehā and Māori students on a course that consciously utilised a ‘place-based’ approach to teaching and learning. The paper challenges the conception that outdoor education requires ‘high-impact’ adventurous activities, instead suggesting that we seek to develop a modest pedagogy which acknowledges our relationships with place(s) as a way to understand who we are , how we connect to others and how we both give and take meanings from the places in which we live and learn. These issues have potential implications for educators and programme designers.

year: 2008