Wind friction threshold speeds (u,t) for particle movement (saltation) were determined in a wind tunnel operating at martian surface pressure with a 95 percent CO 2 and 5 percent air atmosphere. The relationship between friction speed (u,) and free-stream velocity (%0) is extended to the critical case for Mars of momentum thickness Reynolds numbers (Re0) between 425 and 2000. It is determined t...

In a previous work, we confirmed the existing effects of “Out of the Body” tactile illusion for virtual and augmented objects through funneling and saltation. However, it required a virtual imagery to be attached to the user for directly extending one’s body. This paper aims at investigating similar phantom tactile sensations exist when the virtual object is visually detached from the user’s bo...

We propose a method of estimating the fast-scale stability margin of dc–dc converters based on Filippov’s theory—originally developed for mechanical systems with impacts and stick-slip motion. In this method one calculates the state transition matrix over a complete clock cycle, and the eigenvalues of this matrix indicate the stability margin. Important components of this matrix are the state t...

We apply a model for sand dunes to calculate formation of dunes on Mars under the present Martian atmospheric conditions. We find that different dune shapes as those imaged by Mars Global Surveyor could have been formed by the action of sand-moving winds occuring on today’s Mars. Our calculations show, however, that Martian dunes could be only formed due to the higher efficiency of Martian wind...