Finished my thesis!!!!! [Archive]

CameronPotter

6th June 2006, 08:29 PM

Hi all,

I know five exclamation marks might be considered poor form but I have just finished the soft copy (i.e. not printed yet) version of my Ph.D. thesis. Thus, this is a happy post and has gratuitous use of smilies. http://www.ubeaut.biz/approval.gif

http://www.ubeaut.biz/woohoo.gifhttp://www.ubeaut.biz/woohoo.gifhttp://www.ubeaut.biz/woohoo.gifhttp://www.ubeaut.biz/woohoo.gif

It feels good to have finished this 3.5 years worth of project and I am really proud of the result, even if Rsser (Ern) has recently had a gentle dig at me ;) :p.

No more of this: http://www.ubeaut.biz/banghead.gif

And tonight I will do a little of this: http://www.ubeaut.biz/beersmiley.gifand I would be doing a bit of this: http://www.ubeaut.biz/tequila.gif but most of my friends (and even my girlfriend) are interstate or overseas... http://www.ubeaut.biz/violin.gif

I if everything goes right http://www.ubeaut.biz/crossfingers.gif, in a few months (it takes that long to mark the thesis http://www.ubeaut.biz/deal.gif) I will accept my bit of paper that makes me Dr Cam. http://www.ubeaut.biz/bow.gif

(Not that I will use the title much as I think that people who get uptight about titles also partake in http://www.ubeaut.biz/wanker.gif).

I will be taking a cake in to share with the staff and I will take the opportunity to thank my supervisor with a blackwood bowl I made: http://www.ubeaut.biz/biggringift.gif

And then soon I will be leaving the School of Engi. here at Tas Uni. http://www.ubeaut.biz/waving.gif and going off into the big scary world (and enjoying working to approximate office hours). :cool:

Cam

Exador

6th June 2006, 08:33 PM

Let me be the first to congratulate you. Well done:cool:. What was the thesis on?

CameronPotter

6th June 2006, 08:36 PM

Cheers mate (fast response).

Thesis is on very short-term windspeed and windpower predictions to enable windfarming to integrate more smoothly with the electricity grid and markets... Tough stuff to do, but I think that is kind of the point. :)

Auld Bassoon

6th June 2006, 08:39 PM

Terrific Cam and a great big "Well Done"! :)

bitingmidge

6th June 2006, 08:42 PM

Yep congratulations Dr Cam, I've just had a TimTam for you!

With that sort of title, you could get a job on ABC radio!

Cheers,

P:D

jmk89

6th June 2006, 08:43 PM

Bloody well done and have a few sobering Cascades from me.
I remember finishing my Masters thesis - I felt as tho' the weight of the world had been lifted from me and went on a two day bender (of which I could only ever recall the first 8 hours).
One word of caution. Until it is printed, bound and submitted (so it is the Uni's problem) make sure you have several back ups on different devices in different places. We don't want there to be a slip from here on in (printers and binders can and do arrange for all manner of Fock ups to occur.

echnidna

6th June 2006, 08:46 PM

Congraulations Cam,

or is that Doc Cam

or should it be

Potty Doc? ;) ;)

Rocker

6th June 2006, 08:47 PM

But what about the Orange-bellied parrot?

Rocker

Glenn_M

6th June 2006, 08:48 PM

Congratulations Cam, something to be proud of. Best of luck in the big wide world.......

Cheers,
Glenn

ozwinner

6th June 2006, 08:48 PM

Mate.......
You could have gone here to get it done.
http://www.masterpapers.com/prices.php

Al :p

CameronPotter

6th June 2006, 08:58 PM

Thanks for the congratulations fellas.

Mate.......
You could have gone here to get it done.
http://www.masterpapers.com/prices.php

Al :p

What do you think I did... It just took me 3.5 years to find the site! ;)

Yep congratulations Dr Cam, I've just had a TimTam for you!

With that sort of title, you could get a job on ABC radio!

Cheers,

P:D

So long as it isn't on an American chat show I will be happy. Actually, I am a big fan of Dr Karl's...

One word of caution. Until it is printed, bound and submitted (so it is the Uni's problem) make sure you have several back ups on different devices in different places. We don't want there to be a slip from here on in (printers and binders can and do arrange for all manner of Fock ups to occur.

TRUST ME... I have a number of copies - at home at work, on my email, on my girlfriends email, on my mum's email, on my dad's email, on the server, on a memory stick... Need I go on? :p Thanks for the advice though. It would be heartbreaking to lose it at this stage.

(Don't anyone send me a virus). :rolleyes:

But what about the Orange-bellied parrot?

Rocker

Don't worry about it mate. When there is a bird strike it doesn't slow the turbines down all that much... :p

Actually, it is a concern that is blown right out of proportion. It is most likely propagated by not in my backyarders who would prefer to breathe in pollution than look at a windfarm... See here: http://www.yes2wind.co.uk/birds_debunk.html

or here:
http://www.futureenergy.org/infowindbirds.html

(Biased sites yes, but they have done studies, the supposition that birds hit the windmills is exactly that - supposition).

AND FINALLY...

Congraulations Cam,

or is that Doc Cam

or should it be

Potty Doc? ;) ;)

Potty Doc of course! I counsel people on their issues with folding or scrunching problems... :cool:

Phil Spencer

6th June 2006, 09:27 PM

Congratulations Cameron

Phil

CameronPotter

6th June 2006, 09:31 PM

Thanks Phil,

Oh and Al, the piccie didn't attach (or my computer blocked it or something?), but from the name of it I think I can guess what it was... :D

ss_11000

6th June 2006, 09:44 PM

congratulations dr cam sir........

Captain Chaos

6th June 2006, 10:04 PM

Onya Cam,
Congratulations & well done. I hope that you're not goin to abandon us under edjimicated weekend wood warriors for the caviar & chips set. ;):D
Once you've settled down & sobered up a bit I reckon that you ought to design & develop a wind powered wood lathe for me & rsser ( Ern ) to test!:p
BGJ Cam,make your degree work for you mate.
Regards,
Barry.

Groggy

6th June 2006, 10:07 PM

Dr Cam? It sounds like some sicko website! Better stick to just Cam. ;):D But tell me, do you think we are going to be able to have nuclear powered windmills? :p

Seriously Cam, congratulations, it takes considerable effort and determination to achieve what you have done.

AlexS

6th June 2006, 10:15 PM

Congratulations Cam, well done. Now you can go and do all those things that you didn't have time to do for the last 3.5 years.

dazzler

6th June 2006, 10:35 PM

well done mate:D

CameronPotter

6th June 2006, 10:39 PM

congratulations dr cam sir........

Don't you start! I have a hard enough time getting the international students to stop calling me "Sir"... :p

Onya Cam,
Congratulations & well done. I hope that you're not goin to abandon us under edjimicated weekend wood warriors for the caviar & chips set. ;):D
Once you've settled down & sobered up a bit I reckon that you ought to design & develop a wind powered wood lathe for me & rsser ( Ern ) to test!:p
BGJ Cam,make your degree work for you mate.
Regards,
Barry.

Don't worry mate. I only see it as a qualification, it does change a person into something else and anyway, I can't abandon you guys - where else would I turn for help? :D

As for a wind powered lathe, you've already got one... You just have to buy your electricity carefully... :p Actually, small wind turbines will become more common in the future is my guess (kind of like small solar panels).

p.s. What does BGJ stand for? The only thing I can think of is blasphemy (and is that forbidden on the board)?

Dr Cam? It sounds like some sicko website! Better stick to just Cam. ;):D But tell me, do you think we are going to be able to have nuclear powered windmills? :p

How would you know about sicko websites eh? ;) As for nuclear powered windmills... You never know how pollies will try to put a spin on things... :eek:

Congratulations Cam, well done. Now you can go and do all those things that you didn't have time to do for the last 3.5 years.

Thanks Alex (and hear, hear about your signature). As for having time. I have actually tried my best to leave work at work for the last few years. It worked for most of the time so it hasn't been that bad actually. To tell the truth, I have probably had more time (and more money) to do the things I have wanted during my PhD than I have during the rest of my life - but I suppose that isn't really all that long. I am REALLY looking forward to making some real money though. :D

Cam

ss_11000

6th June 2006, 10:43 PM

Don't you start! I have a hard enough time getting the international students to stop calling me "Sir"... :p

:D :D :D i wont do it again sir....:p :p :p ;) :rolleyes: ;) :eek:

chrisb691

6th June 2006, 10:51 PM

Well done Cam, and congratulations. Not going to mozz you by using doc at this time, but when you get the bit of paper..who knows? :cool:

Tikki

6th June 2006, 11:10 PM

Congrats Cam ... onya kiddo!! :cool:

Cheers
Tikki :)

BrisBen

6th June 2006, 11:21 PM

Well done mate

Maybe you could put your thesis to practical use:

I have this problem controlling my wind, can you help me out...?

:D

johnc

6th June 2006, 11:24 PM

Congratulations Cam, I think I can almost understand how you feel, the relief at coming to the end must be enormous. I've read the energy use in constructing the wind turbines almost outways the power they generate. I hope that is all B.S. and that your research paper goes some way to debunk that view. Not that you probably care at the moment go and enjoy the freedom of no more hard slog for the time being.

John.

echnidna

6th June 2006, 11:35 PM

Gee Doc, you studied the wrong subject.

Wind power is about to become redundant.
Probably due to a large extent by the greenies objecting to visual pollution caused by looking at windmills.

Ziggy's back, hes been appointed to investigate nuclear power.

Allus wondered why a nuclear physicist was head honcho of telstra.

hmmmm.

scooter

7th June 2006, 12:33 AM

Congrats Cam, a load off the mind.

Cheers...............Sean

RufflyRustic

7th June 2006, 09:23 AM

Congrats Cam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whoo Hooo!!!! Hope this doesn't hurt your head when you read it:D

Cheers
Wendy

silentC

7th June 2006, 10:05 AM

Well done mate. Congratulations. How's the head today? ;)

Daddles

7th June 2006, 10:07 AM

Good on ya Cam. Now you've got something to wave at people when they accuse you of being a know it all bastard :D

Richard

chrisp

7th June 2006, 11:14 AM

Well done Cam!

Now you'll be able to post to the BB without any feelings of guilt about writing your thesis hanging over your head.

Iain

7th June 2006, 12:15 PM

And don't use the title on your licence or whatever, because when some poor bastard has a coronary at Melb airport and you are called.................
(Won't mention who this happened to:o ).
And those big bladed things on the hills near us, I always thought they were for cooling down the dairy cows in the summer:rolleyes:
And don't worry about the parrots, they can't read.

jmk89

7th June 2006, 01:18 PM

:D It is 14 hours since Cam has posted in any forum. Do you think he is still celebrating by trying to drink all the Cascade in Hobart?:D

KevM

7th June 2006, 01:29 PM

Studley 2436

7th June 2006, 01:58 PM

Congratulations Cam. It is a great relief I am sure to have it all finished and be able to take a breath before joining the work force.

*L* I think the Australian published that there might be a chance of killing one parrot/year with that wind farm. You have certainly done a good thesis. I read today that wind farms have about 20% efficiency as you can't dictate them to work hard at the particular time you need your electricity. I have always wondered the economics of wind farming just as now I wonder the price of nuclear power. It used to be they said that nuclear was going to get so cheap that they wouldn't be able to charge for it!!!!! Now they say it is competitive with coal. Are wind farms still at the developement stage?

Anyway enough heavy BS for a happily hung over Dr Cam. What about a thesis on the use of windfarms to produce parrot paté? That would be pretty good new Australian delicacy.

Studley

CameronPotter

7th June 2006, 04:10 PM

I should hopefully know in about 3 months time...

As for partying hard etc. there wasn't really anyone around. :rolleyes: Mind you, I also had a rather important presentation this morning which accounts for my lack of posts more than any headache... :cool: Shameful really. :eek:

There are a lot of fallacies about windfarms and the problem is that they are sprinkled with enough truth they are hard to disprove unless you really know where to look and what to look for...

Windfarms do operate at about 25-30% of their capacity on average - thus they can't be ramped up during peak time. But that isn't their purpose. Instead they basically save using the fuel (including water for hydro) from other power stations.

They certainly don't take much to build. Actually, they are fairly easy to install. Where the problem comes from is needing back-up reserves to account for drop offs in the windspeed. This back up is usually supplied by other power stations running below peak efficiency... This is a real problem - and it is the problem that my thesis addresses. If you know what to expect in the future, you don't need to be so conservative in your safety margins.

Gotta love nuclear energy, so much greener than seeing a wind turbine on a cliff... :mad: (I know you were being sacarastic though Echnidna). :)

It does appear that Australia is about to take a step in the wrong direction. Windpower is now actually getting close-ish to being competitive with coal in Europe (although starting a proper industry basis does take time and money). For any economists out there, you would be staggered by the externalities (i.e. additional costs to the community) associated with most power systems. If the externalities are considered, windpower is already the cheapest power source, but many people like to make simple evaluations on pure money numbers.

As for being a know-it-all bastard... I knew I did the Ph.D. for some reason... :D

echnidna

7th June 2006, 05:15 PM

Now that we have a wind expert I can ask some questions.

I read somewhere that using the energy created by windpower can effect the relationship between the earth and the moon.

But this relationship creates the tides and winds.

Could the moon's orbit alter?

So is the sky gunna fall on us?:eek:

(signed chicken little):D :D :D :D

Wongo

7th June 2006, 05:19 PM

Congratulations Dr. Cam. Well done.

I know it is a bit late now but do you know my mate from the Sunshine Coast can get you a degree from the "University of you know where" for a very reasonable price. Obviously a PhD will cost a bit more. :D

Cheers

jmk89

7th June 2006, 05:19 PM

Cam

Did you look at the use of vanadium redox battery storage in conjunction with wind power generation on King Island? I always thought that cheap storage of power generated in non-peak periods for use in peak (or when wind was not plentiful) sounded like a great way to deal with some of the issues of varuiable production with all renewables and variable consumption of power. But that's a very non-expert opinion.

Jeremy

CameronPotter

7th June 2006, 05:25 PM

So is the sky gunna fall on us?:eek:
(signed chicken little):D :D :D :D

Pretty much yes. It is something of a plot to take over the world...

Your Sincerely Dr Evil. :D

Actually, it really is a fair question. I don't know about it affecting the relationship between the earth and the moon - I seriously doubt that as that would take a LOT of energy. However, I haven't seen a good case study on how a windfarm affects the surrounds over a period of time. Theoretically there should be little effect, but the energy from the wind is no longer going where it used to go. However, I have heard a few things:

1. Wind turbines don't produce still air on the other side, so only a portion of the energy is used and the rest continues on.

2. The wind that is used would usually dissipate through various forces and it is likely that the amount taken by a windfarm is minor.

3. Possibly the greater concern is more localised and to do with creating eddies and swirls that weren't there before - but that is true for ANY structure. If we want to live in a modern society, we will change what is arround us - in fact, that is true for all societies (including hunter gatherers) but to different extents of course.

Cam

CameronPotter

7th June 2006, 05:29 PM

Wongo, Al has already pointed me to another place where I can get my second degree cheap and fast... ;)

Jeremy, the problem is that there is no such thing as cheap power storage. The batteries used to store power aren't that different from car batteries - which means lots of space and lots of expense. Think about what you would require for your house alone... There are certainly advocates of the storage method, but they also tend to be the same people who say we should use renewables regardless of expense - i.e. they often aren't very well grounded in reality. This is not to say that there aren't promising options, but right now, the extra expense of a storage facility would be enormous.

Cam

Wongo

7th June 2006, 05:32 PM

Jeremy, the problem is that there is no such thing as cheap power storage. The batteries used to store power aren't that different from car batteries - which means lots of space and lots of expense. Think about what you would require for your house alone... There are certainly advocates of the storage method, but they also tend to be the same people who say we should use renewables regardless of expense - i.e. they often aren't very well grounded in reality. This is not to say that there aren't promising options, but right now, the extra expense of a storage facility would be enormous.

What a load of rubbish. :D :D :D

CameronPotter

7th June 2006, 05:38 PM

Which bit? Surely not all of it Wongo?:D :rolleyes: :D

Carry Pine

7th June 2006, 06:13 PM

Congratulations, Cameron. The first wind turbine I see in orange on my next trip... I'll know who it's dedicated to.
Carry Pine

CameronPotter

7th June 2006, 06:15 PM

Cheers mate, but is that a good thing? :confused: ;)

:cool:

DanP

7th June 2006, 06:22 PM

Dr Cam, Medicine Woman. :p

Well Done Cam.

Dan

Dan_574

7th June 2006, 06:34 PM

congrats cam, have you seen this model,

http://www.ata.org.au/wp-content/articles/95_hush_turbine.pdf

have one on each house.

how long was your thesis.

Rossluck

7th June 2006, 06:42 PM

Sincere congratulations mate. I know the feeling: simultaneous release and relief tinged with a strange emptiness, like you've lost your baby.

Don't be like me, I completed a PhD, framed it, hung it on the wall and went out and started a business in a totally unrelated field.

In retrospect, the 3.5 years you've just completed may turn out to be the best years of your life ....http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/images/icons/icon14.gif

Iain

7th June 2006, 08:51 PM

Don't be like me, I completed a PhD, framed it, hung it on the wall and went out and started a business in a totally unrelated field.
....http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/images/icons/icon14.gif
I know exactly what you are saying but unfortunately it never works out like that (Forensics, now whatever I can find, except that, burnout:( )

CameronPotter

8th June 2006, 11:10 AM

The Hush turbine is an interesting turbine but is quite different from what I have been investigating (as mine is definitely focussed on utility sized windfarming). I saw it at the World Wind Energy Conference last year.

Looks nice too!

Rossluck and Iain, I already have a job lined up in Seattle and it is doing exactly what my thesis was on (well close enough for jazz anyway). I got the job through meeting a guy at a conference. It is actually pretty much the perfect job (but I would have liked to stay in Australia...)

Cam

Iain

8th June 2006, 11:17 AM

I used to get to travel to the USA 4 or 5 times a year with work, never any time for play though.
There was always some smart asre in the office who wanted to go when it was announced I was off again, just used to offer them the tickets.
After the first few times got a bit fed up with the travel, on a first name basis with every cloud between Melbourne and wherever I was off to this time.
Would have been nice to live there for a while.
How long do you plan on staying in Seattle?

Studley 2436

8th June 2006, 11:22 AM

We lose another good one. Shame there isn't more going on in Australia to keep our top graduates here.

I always wonder Cam with wind turbine design why they just use those three bladed fans? Years and years ago that was something I went through with Auto radiator fans and it was found that putting a fan in front of the radiator with many blades and a collar on the outside much like the mini turbine shown here was a much better way to go. Saved about 10BHP or going electric and getting it to blow through the radiator about 15BHP. Loved it cheap horsepower.

Studley

CameronPotter

8th June 2006, 11:24 AM

Well actually, I will be coming back to Australia fairly frequently to keep up contacts here... :cool:

The company is looking at expanding into Australia, so I will probably spend a couple of years in the States before coming abck here and opening an office (if everything goes to plan). :D

So it is actually not all bad. It will be a fun time and a good life experience, but still a bit of a wrench.

Cam

Iain

8th June 2006, 11:28 AM

Seattle, watch out for the worst burger joint on the north side of town, 23rd St I think.

CameronPotter

8th June 2006, 11:30 AM

Actually, the many bladed design tends to be manufactured such that it is fairly light (and thus weak). This isn't really practical for windfarms. Also the three bladed ones also have more controlability and when you do all the aerodynamic tests on them - you see they are pretty much optimal (or so I am told, definitely not my area of expertise).

There are new techniques and new ideas, but the fact that people keep going back to the three blade model for the large turbines says something I reckon...:cool: Still, I am not an expert on this and I have seen some pretty out there designs that claim to be better, but they still need further development.

Cam

CameronPotter

8th June 2006, 11:32 AM

Seattle, watch out for the worst burger joint on the north side of town, 23rd St I think.

Cryptic... :confused: Watch out for it as in they are awful; or they are good, but in a bad way; or the clientele????

Iain

8th June 2006, 11:35 AM

Cryptic... :confused:
:D :D :D
Applies to any town city in USA, so I have been told, never been to Seattle but it will be near a large Ford or Dodge dealership.
Picked it up when I was in Vietnam of some US airmen, was the standard joke about greasy food in all towns:D
Could well apply here, pick a town, any town;)

echnidna

8th June 2006, 11:41 AM

Lang Lang

CameronPotter

8th June 2006, 11:42 AM

Ahhh. I see. I think that the Northern suburbs are actually meant to be the nicer suburbs in Seattle, so maybe it is upside down? ;)

Iain

8th June 2006, 11:48 AM

Lang Lang
Palace Hotel, opposite the panel beater, must be good food cos the sign sez so, went there once 4 years ago:mad:

Bob38S

8th June 2006, 11:51 AM

Congrats - well done - now for more time to enjoy yourself!
Bob

echnidna

8th June 2006, 11:53 AM

But where's 23rd street ?

CameronPotter

8th June 2006, 12:02 PM

I dunno... But he did say in the northern suburbs. :D

Carry Pine

8th June 2006, 09:14 PM

Of course the best thing for you now Cameron is that you have credibility. Like you can say things and other have to listen. Like the guy who says that there is no such thing as 'road rage.' It really is 'intermittent explosive disorder'. Those poor buggers who were born with that syndrome!! Some of them even look the same, but I'm not going there.

I suggest you come out and justify us tool and wood purchasers by identifying something like 'postmodern xylo-regression syndrome'. In a world of plastic and silicon chips our nervous systems drive us to rediscover our inner need to carve and make things from wood in order to justify our existence.
How you tie this in with your 'special subject' of wind turbines is up to you.
Well done, anyway. And thanks for the advice along the way.
Carry Pine