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We have demonstrated micromachining of bulk 3C silicon carbide (3C- SiC) wafers by employing 1028nm wavelength femtosecond laser pulses of energy less than 10 nJ directly from a femtosecond laser oscillator, thus eliminating the need for an amplified system and increasing the micromachining speed by more than four orders of magnitude.
We have investigated the ablation behaviour of single crystal SrTiO3 <100> with focus on the influence of the pulse duration at a wavelength of 248 nm. The experiments were performed with KrF-excimer lasers with pulse durations of 34 ns and 500 fs, respectively. Femtosecond-ablation turns out to be more efficient by one order of magnitude and to eliminate the known problem of cracking of SrTiO3 during laser machining with longer pulses. In addition, the cavities ablated with femtosecond pulses display a smoother surface with no indication of melting and well-defined, sharp edges. These effects can be explained by the reduced thermal shock effect on the material by using ultrashort pulses.
Modern portable electronic devices have seen component heat load increasing, while the space available for heat dissipation has decreased. This requires the thermal management system to be optimized to attain the high performance heat sink. Heat sinks plays a major role for dissipating heat in electronic devices. Phase change material (PCM) is used to enhance the heat dissipation in heat sink. This paper reports the results of an experimental investigation of the performance of Pin fin heat sinks filled with phase change materials for thermal management of electronic devices. The experimental set ups are prepared with the graphical programming language with Lab VIEW (Laboratory Virtual Instruments for Engineering Workbench. Three different types of Pin fin Heat sink with and without PCM are investigated based on different operational timings and the temperature is acquired with the help of Data Acquisition Card (DAQ). The results indicated that the inclusion of the PCM could stabilize the temperature for a longer period and reduce the heating rates and peak temperatures of heat sink with increasing the number of fins can enhance the thermal performance of electronic devices.
This paper presents a project developed at the K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology (Tamilnadu,India) aimed at designing, implementing, and testing an autonomous multipurpose vehicle with safe, efficient, and economic operation. This autonomous vehicle moves through the crop lines of a Agricultural land and performs tasks that are tedious and/or hazardous to the farmers. First, it has been equipped for spraying, but other configurations have also been designed, such as: a seeding ,plug platform to reach the top part of the plants to perform different tasks (pruning, harvesting, etc.), and a trailer to transport the fruits, plants, and crop waste.
The goal of this paper is to design a low-loss 1 x 32 Y-branch optical splitter for optical transmission systems, using two different design tools employing Beam Propagation Method. As a first step, a conventional 1 x 32 Y-branch splitter was designed and simulated in two-dimensional environment of OptiBPM photonic tool. The simulated optical properties feature high loss, high asymmetric splitting ratio and a large size of the designed structure, too. In the second step of this work we propose an optimization of the conventional splitter design leading to suppression of the asymmetric splitting ratio to one-third of its initial value and to the improvement of the losses by nearly 2 dB. In addition, 50% size reduction of the designed structure was also achieved. This length-optimized low-loss splitter was then modelled in a three-dimensional environment of RSoft photonic tool and the simulated results confirm the strong improvement of the optical properties.
The master thesis concentrates on two different cases to generate energy from MSW. In the first case, the MSW is incinerated in an incineration plant. This approach represents the present situation in the waste treatment in large parts of the UK.
In the second case, the OFMSW is separated in a treatment facility and used in a fermentation plant. The remaining waste is again used as a feedstock in an incineration plant. The difference in the net energy yield between these two cases is investigated in this thesis.
To calculate the difference in the energy yield of case 1 and case 2, a research of the existing literature about comparisons of incineration and fermentation plants and their results are reflected and data about the MSW in the UK is collected. With the input of the literature and the researched data, a model is built which compares the two different cases of waste treatment. The results of the comparisons are then examined by varying different parameters. This step is repeated by using different input parameters. Afterwards, the results are compared and analysed.
In the next part of the thesis, an economic analysis of the incineration and fermentation combined technology plant is made. In this analysis, the investment costs, the annual profits and the annual costs of an additional fermentation plant are discussed and calculated. The result of the analysis is displayed as an amortization time calculation. The results are then analysed by varying the parameters in a sensitivity analysis.
Finally, the research question is answered and a forecast for possible plant designs with an incineration and a fermentation plant in combination are discussed.
In the residential construction industry, the focus on energy efficiency and cost effectiveness has been gaining importance. In order to achieve these contradicting objectives, a shift towards a reduced complexity in building practices can be observed.
Within the HVAC sector, the Tempering method for space heating has received particular attention as an alternative way to heat museums and buildings worthy of preservation.
In spite of the simplified design, this space heating system is claimed to offer significant advantages in its present field of application.
This study evaluates the implementation of Tempering in the residential context. So far, there is no scientific research on the implementation of Tempering in energy efficient-dwellings.
This master thesis provides initial results on achievable heat flux values, the impact on heat generation efficiency, the inherent installation costs as well as the particular
consequences in terms of end energy consumption of the building as a whole. The findings are compared to the individual performances of well-established heat emission approaches.
By means of a numerical analysis and a case study on a real-case single-family home, it is found that the heat flux values of Tempering systems suffice for the implementation within buildings, which comply with the low-energy building standard. Comparing radiant walls, radiant floors and radiators, the inherent installation costs are lowest for Tempering and radiant floors. The impact on the end energy consumption depends largely on the utilised heat generation system. With a gas-condensing boiler, Tempering performs equal to the radiant systems. When a ground source heat pump system is installed, however, Tempering performs poorly and accounts for a significantly increased energy consumption. Radiator systems are found to be the most energy-efficient method for space heating in both cases.
In times of global climate change, it is increasingly important to investigate emissions and resource consumption of all machines and, if possible, to improve them. This includes within the transport sector car ferries.
In order to reduce the environmental impacts of car ferries, the electrification has penetrated into this sector, which has led to the world's first fully electric car ferry. One of the most important components to operate this ferry is the energy storage. Not only the battery storage of the ferry itself is needed, but also an onshore battery storage system is needed to support the electrical grid.
The present study examines how storage technologies and concepts can impact the environment considering the world's first all-electric car ferry, MF Ampere, which operates in Norway.
To examine this, the current onshore battery storage system is compared to a concrete sphere storage system. For this purpose, data from the first test run of this new storage technology, which was successfully carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute in 2016, is considered. Subsequently, a life cycle assessment of the two storage systems is carried out to compare the environmental impacts.
The concrete sphere storage system performs better for 15 of 17 impact categories compared to the existing onshore battery storage system. Depending on the impact category the impact reduction is about 2% to 8%.
Nevertheless, it is difficult to estimate how long the useful life and how good the efficiency of the concrete ball storage will be, since no system of this size has been tested yet. Also, the costs of the concrete sphere storage system have not been considered.
Breath analysis offers a non-invasive and rapid diagnostic method for detecting various volatile organic compounds that could be indicators for different diseases, particularly metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus. The development of type 2 diabetes mellitus is closely linked to metabolic dysfunction of adipose tissue and adipocytes. However, the VOC profile of human adipocytes has not yet been investigated. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection and head-space needle trap extraction (two-bed Carbopack X/Carboxen 1000 needle traps) were applied to profile VOCs produced and metabolised by human Simpson Golabi Behmel Syndrome adipocytes. In total, sixteen compounds were identified to be related to the metabolism of the cells. Four sulphur compounds (carbon disulphide, dimethyl sulphide, ethyl methyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide), three heterocyclic compounds (2-ethylfuran, 2-methyl-5-(methyl-thio)-furan, and 2-pentylfuran), two ketones (acetone and 2-pentanone), two hydrocarbons (isoprene and n-heptane) and one ester (ethyl acetate) were produced, and four aldehydes (2-methyl-propanal, butanal, pentanal and hexanal) were found to be consumed by the cells of interest. This study presents the first profile of VOCs formed by human adipocytes, which may reflect the activity of the adipose tissue enzymes and provide evidence of their active role in metabolic regulation. Our data also suggest that a previously reported increase of isoprene and sulphur compounds in diabetic patients may be explained by their production by adipocytes. Moreover, the unique features of this profile, including a high emission of dimethyl sulphide and the production of furan-containing VOCs, increase our knowledge about metabolism in adipose tissue and provide diagnostic potential for future applications.
Product ion distributions resulting from the primary reactions of H3O+ with nine D-labeled volatile organic compounds and the subsequent sequential reactions with H2O have been determined using a Proton Transfer Reaction Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (PTR-TOF 8000 (IONICON Analytik GmbH)) at various reduced electric field (E/N) values ranging from 80 up to 150 Td and for two different absolute humidity levels of air sample < 0.1% and 5%. The specific D-labeled compounds used in this study are acetone-d6, toluene-d8, benzene-d6, ethanol-d (C2H5OD), ethanol-d2 (CH3CD2OH), ethanol-d6, 2-propanol-d8, 2-propanol-d3 (CD3CH(OH)CH3), and isoprene-d5 (CH2CHC(CD2)CD3). With the exception of the two 2-propanol compounds, non-dissociative proton transfer is the dominant primary reaction pathway. For 2-propanol-d8 and 2-propanol-d3 the major primary reaction channel involved is dissociative proton transfer. However, unlike their undeuterated counterparts, the primary product ions undergo subsequent deuterium/hydrogen isotope exchange reactions with the ever present water in the drift tube, the extent of which of course depends on the humidity within that tube. This exchange leads to the generation of various isotopologue product ions, the product ion branching percentages of which are also
dependent on the humidity in the drift tube. This results in complex mass spectra and the distribution of product ions leads to issues of reduced sensitivity and accuracy. However, the effect of D/H exchange considerably varies between the compounds under study. In the case of acetone-d6 it is very weak (<1%), because the exchange process is not facile when the deuterium is in the methyl functional group. In comparison, the H3O+/ benzene-d6 (C6D6) reaction and sequential reactions with water result in the production of the isotopologue ions C6Dn(H7-n)+ (where n = 0–6). Changing the value of E/N and/or the humidity in the drift tube considerably affects the amount of the isotope exchange reactions and hence the resulting sequential product ion distributions. An important conclusion of the findings from this work is that care must be taken in the choice of an exogenous deuterated compound for use in breath pharmacokinetic studies using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry; otherwise the resulting D/H exchange processes impose interpretative problems.
© 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Transparent laser-structured glasses with superhydrophilic properties for anti-fogging applications
(2019)
Ultrashort pulse laser structuring enables direct modification of glass surfaces to generate superhydrophilic properties for anti-fogging applications. This approach makes coatings dispensable and the generated surfaces remain thermally, mechanically, and chemically resistant. However, the laser-generated structures usually cause scattering, which decreases transmission and may disturb the vision through the modified glass in the dry state. The aim of this study was to find a laser-processing strategy to achieve superhydrophilic, anti-fogging properties on glass surfaces with maximum transmission and minimal visual perception of the generated structure. For this purpose, we used an ultrashort-pulsed laser to generate periodic patterns of rippled circles or rough holes with varying pitch. The water contact angle and transmission of the structured glasses were measured as a function of the structured area. It was found that a periodic pattern of holes, which covers less than 1% of the surface, is already sufficient to reach the superhydrophilic state (contact angle < 5°) and provides nearly the same transmission as pristine glass. Pictures of objects imaged through dry, structured glasses, which were placed close to the lens or object, showed in both cases only a minimal decrease of contrast. If this minor drawback can be accepted, this direct laser structuring approach could be an interesting alternative to coating-based techniques and leaves even room to apply additional coatings for the fabrication of multi-functional special glasses.
In this thesis the effect of dc voltage bias on the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of capacitors and especially ferroelectric dielectric ceramic capacitors (FDCC) is analysed. Further the influence of the dc biased ESR on the losses of capacitors is investigated. Also piezoelectric resonances (PR) occurring in FDCCs with applied dc bias and their influence on the losses are analysed.
Therefore a measurement circuit to measure the impedance and thus the ESR of capacitors in combination with a vector network analyser (VNA) is developed. Using the developed circuit the ESR of capacitors of different technologies is measured and their behaviour with dc bias is evaluated. The losses of an FDCC are measured in a power electronic (PE) circuit with a developed calorimetric measurement system (CMS). The influence of the PR is investigated by tuning the switching frequency of the PE system and thus the frequency of the capacitor current exactly into the PR. The measured losses are then compared to a calculation based on the capacitor current harmonics and the respective ESR.
The measurements show an increase of the ESR with dc bias for all measured FDCCs. The loss measurements show a significant increase of the losses in an FDCC if the current frequency matches the PR frequency. Consequently a decrease of the PE system's efficiency is measured. The loss calculations do not exactly match the measurements but there is a systematic deviation of the same order for all measurements.
Varying mindsets in Design Thinking. Why they change during the process and how to nudge them
(2019)
Stress testing is part of today’s bank risk management and often required by the governing regulatory authority. Performing such a stress test with stress scenarios derived from a distribution, instead of pre-defined expert scenarios, results in a systematic approach in which new severe scenarios can be discovered. The required scenario distribution is obtained from historical time series via a Vector-Autoregressive time series model. The worst-case search, i.e. finding the scenario yielding the most severe situation for the bank, can be stated as an optimization problem. The problem itself is a constrained optimization problem in a high-dimensional search space. The constraints are the box constraints on the scenario variables and the plausibility of a scenario.
The latter is expressed by an elliptic constraint. As the evaluation of the stress scenarios is performed with a simulation tool, the optimization problem can be seen as black-box optimization problem. Evolution Strategy, a well-known optimizer for black-box problems, is applied here. The necessary adaptations to the algorithm are explained and a set of different algorithm design choices are investigated. It is shown that a simple box constraint handling method, i.e. setting variables which violate a box constraint to the respective boundary of the feasible domain, in combination with a repair of implausible scenarios provides good results.
In engineering design, optimization methods are frequently used to improve the initial design of a product. However, the selection of an appropriate method is challenging since many
methods exist, especially for the case of simulation-based optimization. This paper proposes a systematic procedure to support this selection process. Building upon quality function deployment, end-user and design use case requirements can be systematically taken into account via a decision
matrix. The design and construction of the decision matrix are explained in detail. The proposed
procedure is validated by two engineering optimization problems arising within the design of box-type boom cranes. For each problem, the problem statement and the respectively applied optimization methods are explained in detail. The results obtained by optimization validate the use
of optimization approaches within the design process. The application of the decision matrix shows the successful incorporation of customer requirements to the algorithm selection.
Adult muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) II deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of long-chain fatty acid metabolism. It is typically associated with recurrent episodes of exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria, in most cases caused by a c.338C > T mutation in the CPT2 gene. Here we present the pedigree of one of the largest family studies of CPT II deficiency caused by the c.338C > T mutation, documented so far. The pedigree comprises 24 blood relatives
of the index patient, a 32 year old female with genetically proven CPT II deficiency. In total, the mutation was detected in 20 family members, among them five homozygotes and 15 heterozygotes. Among all homozygotes, first symptoms of CPT II deficiency occurred during childhood. Additionally, two already deceased relatives of the index patient were carriers of at least one copy of the genetic variant, revealing a remarkably high prevalence of the c.338C > T mutation within the tested family. Beside the index patient, only one individual had been diagnosed with CPT II deficiency prior to this study and three cases of CPT II deficiency were newly detected by this family study, pointing
to a general underdiagnosis of the disease. Therefore, this study emphasizes the need to raise awareness of CPT II deficiency for correct diagnosis and accurate management of the disease.
Breath analysis holds great promise for real-time and non-invasive medical diagnosis. Thus, there is a considerable need for simple-in-use and portable analyzers for rapid detection of breath indicators for different diseases in their early stages. Sensor technology meets all of these demands. However, miniaturized breath analyzers require adequate breath sampling methods. In this context, we propose non-contact sampling; namely the collection of breath samples by exhalation from a distance into a miniaturized collector without bringing the mouth into direct contact with the analyzing device. To evaluate this approach different breathing maneuvers have been tested in a real-time regime on a cohort of 23 volunteers using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. The breathing maneuvers embraced distinct depths of respiration, exhalation manners, size of the mouth opening and different sampling distances. Two inhalation modes (normal, relaxed breathing and deep breathing) and two exhalation manners (via smaller and wider lips opening) forming four sampling scenarios were selected. A sampling distance of approximately 2 cm was found to be a reasonable trade-off between sample dilution and requirement of no physical contact of the subject with the analyzer. All four scenarios exhibited comparable measurement reproducibility spread of around 10%. For normal, relaxed inspiration both dead-space and end-tidal phases of exhalation lasted approximately 1.5 s for both expiration protocols. Deep inhalation prolongs the end-tidal phase to about 3 s in the case of blowing via a small lips opening, and by 50% when the air is exhaled via a wide one. In conclusion, non-contact breath sampling can be considered as a promising alternative to the existing breath sampling methods, being relatively close to natural spontaneous breathing.
Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common and severe disease with a highly increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Through the circulatory disorder and the linked undersupply of oxygen carriers in the lower limbs, the ongoing decrease of the pain-free walking distance occurs with a significant reduction in patients’ quality of life. Studies including activity monitoring for patients with PAD are rare and digital support to increase activity via mobile health technologies is mainly targeted at patients with cardiovascular disease in general. The special requirement of patients with PAD is the need to reach a certain pain level to improve the pain-free walking distance. Unfortunately, both poor adherence and availability of institutional resources are major problems in patient-centered care.
Objective: The objective of this trackPAD pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of a mobile phone–based self tracking app to promote physical activity and supervised exercise therapy (SET) in particular. We also aim for a subsequent patient centered adjustment of the app prototype based on the results of the app evaluation and process evaluation.
Methods: This study was designed as a closed user group trial, with assessors blinded, and parallel group study with face-to-face components for assessment with a follow-up of 3 months. Patients with symptomatic PAD (Fontaine stage IIa or IIb) and possession of a mobile phone were eligible. Eligible participants were randomly assigned into study and control group, stratified by their distance covered in the 6-min walk test, using the software TENALEA. Participants randomized to the study group received usual care and the mobile intervention (trackPAD) for the follow-up period of 3 months, whereas participants randomized to the control group received only usual care. TrackPAD records the frequency and duration of training sessions and pain level using manual user input. Clinical outcome data were collected at the baseline and after 3 months via validated tools (6-min walk test, ankle-brachial index, and duplex ultrasound at the lower arteries) and self-reported quality of life. Usability and quality of the app was determined using the user version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale.
Results: The study enrolled 45 participants with symptomatic PAD (44% male). Of these participants, 21 (47%) were randomized to the study group and 24 (53%) were randomized to the control group. The distance walked in the 6-min walk test was comparable in both groups at baseline (study group: mean 368.1m [SD 77.6] vs control group: mean 394.6m [SD 100.6]).
Conclusions: This is the first trial to test a mobile intervention called trackPAD that was designed especially for patients with PAD. Its results will provide important insights in terms of feasibility, effectiveness, and patient preferences of an app-based mobile intervention supporting SET for the conservative treatment of PAD.
Cultural Due Diligence
(2020)
Much research has been conducted in recent years to discover the reasons for the high failure rate of M&As, whereas one frequently cited reason is the incompatibility of the corporate cultures. In order to minimize this risk and to be able to react to these differences already at an early stage, Cultural Due Diligence offers itself as part of the due diligence process. Unlike existing, more general research, I emphasize the cultural challenges companies face when investing transnationally with this thesis. Using the results of a single case study with inductive character, I answer the question how to conduct Cultural Due Diligence in cross-border M&As and propose an appropriate model. The findings reveal that especially in cross-border M&As, cultural incompatibility poses a risk for failure. I was able to find out that companies that seek to grow internationally with M&As deal with similar issues in terms of corporate culture as pointed out in existing Cultural Due Diligence methods. The present study, however, shows that national culture has a great influence on corporate culture, which is why it is essential to include it in the cultural assessment in cross-border acquisitions. This provides information about why there are differences, besides the fact that they exist. Only this understanding puts a company in the appropriate starting position to recognize differences, understand them, assess whether these differ-ences are acceptable, as well as to develop appropriate strategies to address them in the integration phase.