MATLAB

Quality Assurance (QA) for medical linear accelerators (linac) is the primary concern in
external beam radiation therapy. In this research, we have developed a MATLAB-based software
named Quality Assurance for Linacs (QALMA), which is unique, due to cost-effectiveness, user
friendly interface, and customizability. It includes five modules to perform different QA tests: Star
Shot analysis, Picket Fence test, Winston-Lutz test, MLC log file analysis, and verification of light
& radiation field coincidence. We also pay attention to quality assurance of 6DOF treatment couch
that plays a very important role in radiation therapy. We developed an Arduino based 3D printed
6DOF robotic phantom to check the accuracy of the treatment couch. This robotic phantom was
experimentally validated under clinical standards, and customizable upon requirements of the
quality assurance Task. The current features of this robotic phantom open development opportunities
beyond the specific couch application, such as organs motion simulation.

The technical and scientific challenges to provide reliable sources energy for US
and global economy are enormous tasks, and especially so when combined with strategic
and recent economic concerns of the last five years. It is clear that as part of the mix of
energy sources necessary to deal with these challenges, fuel cells technology will play
critical or even a central role. The US Department of Energy, as well as a number of the
national laboratories and academic institutions have been aware of the importance such
technology for some time. Recently, car manufacturers, transportation experts, and even
utilities are paying attention to this vital source of energy for the future. In this thesis, a
review of the main fuel cell technologies is presented with the focus on the modeling, and
control of one particular and promising fuel cell technology, aluminum air fuel cells. The
basic principles of this fuel cell technology are presented. A major part of the study
consists of a description of the electrochemistry of the process, modeling, and simulations
of aluminum air FC using Matlab Simulink™. The controller design of the proposed
model is also presented. In sequel, a power management unit is designed and analyzed as an alternative source of power. Thus, the system commutes between the fuel cell output
and the alternative power source in order to fulfill a changing power load demand. Finally,
a cost analysis and assessment of this technology for portable devices, conclusions and
future recommendations are presented.