Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Alternative solutions of support systems'

This work deals with the design of a new concept of construction of main parts of machine tools. It is based on the essence of the modular building system and the solution is to use of small elements that will make a whole group. The content of the thesis is focused on the creation of the procedure for the first prototype of the kit. Specific machine is then modeled from a solution.

With the globalisation and constant changes in the marketplace, enterprises are adapting themselves to face new challenges. Therefore, strategic corporate alliances to share knowledge, expertise and resources represent an advantage in an increasing competitive world. This has led the integration of companies, customers, suppliers and partners using networked environments. This thesis presents three novel solutions in the tooling area, developed for Seco tools Ltd, UK. These approaches implement a proposed distributed computing architecture using Internet technologies to assist geographically dispersed tooling engineers in process planning tasks. The systems are summarised as follows. TTS is a Web-based system to support engineers and technical staff in the task of providing technical advice to clients. Seco sales engineers access the system from remote machining sites and submit/retrieve/update the required tooling data located in databases at the company headquarters. The communication platform used for this system provides an effective mechanism to share information nationwide. This system implements efficient methods, such as data relaxation techniques, confidence score and importance levels of attributes, to help the user in finding the closest solutions when specific requirements are not fully matched In the database. Cluster-F has been developed to assist engineers and clients in the assessment of cutting parameters for the tooling process. In this approach the Internet acts as a vehicle to transport the data between users and the database. Cluster-F is a KD approach that makes use of clustering and fuzzy set techniques. The novel proposal In this system is the implementation of fuzzy set concepts to obtain the proximity matrix that will lead the classification of the data. Then hierarchical clustering methods are applied on these data to link the closest objects. A general KD methodology applying rough set concepts Is proposed In this research. This covers aspects of data redundancy, Identification of relevant attributes, detection of data inconsistency, and generation of knowledge rules. R-sets, the third proposed solution, has been developed using this KD methodology. This system evaluates the variables of the tooling database to analyse known and unknown relationships in the data generated after the execution of technical trials. The aim is to discover cause-effect patterns from selected attributes contained In the database. A fourth system was also developed. It is called DBManager and was conceived to administrate the systems users accounts, sales engineers’ accounts and tool trial monitoring process of the data. This supports the implementation of the proposed distributed architecture and the maintenance of the users' accounts for the access restrictions to the system running under this architecture.

I examensarbetet utförs en totalkostnadsanalys av tre olika transportalternativ av gipsskivor till kontorsbyggen i citymiljö åt Skanska. I det ena alternativet levereras gipsskivorna direkt från fabrik till byggarbetsplats. I det andra alternativet köps gipsskivorna in från en grossist och i det tredje alternativet går gipsskivorna via en terminal hos en tredjepartslogistiker. Slutsatserna som tagits fram visar på att ett lågt inköpspris kan medföra öka kostnader längre fram i kedjan i form av sämre kvalité och längre väntetider för personalen.

Abstract The development of embedded systems is becoming increasingly challenging; it is intellectually demanding knowledge work that requires collaboration among a wide range of skills. Software development is a largely cognitive activity, based on the worker’s internal mental processes rather than on physical labour. Developers face several individual and team cognition-related challenges in their work, including complex decision-making and problem-solving processes. Therefore, it is suggested that the software development process should be modelled as a set of problem-solving activities. This thesis proposes that supporting the cognitive work of collaborative development requires addressing the entire system’s life cycle with practical solutions. In this work, the above-mentioned challenges are addressed in terms of communication and collaboration practices, knowledge management and coordination, and transparent tools and processes. Moreover, these solutions are integrated into a workflow that structures and supports the development process. Finally, a development process is outlined that addresses the decision-oriented nature of software development in such a manner that the necessary data is provided for decision points that guide and coordinate the development efforts. A qualitative research approach has been chosen, and the work is based on interviewing industrial experts. Several cases were set up to define the state of the practice in industrial organisations developing embedded systems for different domains. Current challenges were identified and solutions were developed and validated in case companies. The main result of the dissertation is a set of solutions integrated into the organisational workflow to support collaborative development. The main principles are that the necessary information must be provided and work and its objectives must be justified and put into the correct context. The industrial cases indicate that utilising the suggested solutions can improve collaboration among organisations and teams by helping disseminate and use the required information. Mitigating the cognitive burden speeds up the development work and reduces the effort required from developers and decision makers. In this manner, organisations may achieve better results, primarily because the produced data and results will fulfil their purposes better and provide less waste
Tiivistelmä Ohjelmistotuotanto nykymaailmassa muuttuu koko ajan haastavammaksi, kehitysprojektit ovat monimutkaisia ja hajautettuja sekä vaativat monialaista osaamista. Tiukat aikataulupaineet puolestaan tuovat mukaan oman problematiikkansa. Ohjelmistokehitys on suurelta osin kognitiivista työtä, jossa tarvitaan erilaisia taitoja ja eri alojen asiantuntijoita. Kognitiivinen työ tarkoittaa abstraktin tiedon käsittelyä ennemmin kuin fyysistä työtä. Ohjelmistojen kehittäjät törmäävät useisiin henkilökohtaiseen sekä ryhmätyöhön liittyviin haasteisiin, näistä esimerkkeinä monitahoinen tiedon käsittely, päätöksenteko ja ongelmanratkaisu. Onkin ehdotettu, että ohjelmistonkehitysprosessit ymmärrettäisiin ongelmanratkaisu- ja päätöspainotteisina prosesseina. Tässä työssä ehdotetaan, että tukeakseen ohjelmistonkehitysprosessia koko tuotteen tekemisen elinkaari on otettava huomioon ja työntekijöiden roolit ja vastuut on linkitettävä kehitysprosesseihin sekä kehitysprosessin eri vaiheisiin. Havaittuihin kognitiivisiin ongelmiin ja tarpeisiin vastataan yhteistyö- ja kommunikaatiokäytännöin, tiedonhallinnan, läpinäkyvyyden, työnkulun, ja päätöspainotteisten prosessien kautta. Tulokset kerättiin käyttäen menetelmänä laadullista tapaustutkimusta, ja työ perustuu useiden teollisten asiantuntijoiden haastatteluihin. Tutkimus toteutettiin useassa eri teollisuuden organisaatiossa. Aluksi määritettiin lähtötilanne organisaatioissa sekä kirjallisuuden perusteella, kartoitettiin ongelmat, jonka jälkeen kehitettiin tärkeimmiksi havaittuihin ongelmiin ratkaisuja. Työn tuloksena esitetään joukko ratkaisuja, jotka yhdistetään organisaation työnkulkuun. Lisäksi esitellään päätöksentekoon painottuva kehitysprosessi, jonka lähtökohtana on havainto, että vaadittavien tehtävien sekä työn tulosten on vastattava oikeaan tarpeeseen – työlle ja halutuille työn tuloksille on annettava riittävät tiedot, perustelut, päämäärä sekä oikea konteksti. Tapaustutkimukset osoittavat, että työn tulokset parantavat organisaatioiden välistä yhteistyötä helpottamalla oikean tiedon keräämistä, saamista ja käyttöä. Lisäksi ylimääräisen kognitiivisen taakan vähentäminen nopeuttaa kehitystyötä ja keventää kehittäjien ja päätöksentekijöiden työkuormaa. Täten organisaatiot voivat saavuttaa parempia työn tuloksia lähinnä siksi, että tuotettu tieto ja tulokset vastaavat paremmin tarpeisiin

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2010.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-78).
Many of the nation's largest airports, including Los Angeles International Airport, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport are located within areas designated by the EPA as having ambient particulate matter concentrations that exceed National Ambient Air Quality standards. When inhaled, fine particulate matter can enter the blood stream from the lungs and increase the risk of illness and premature mortality. This thesis examines the potential of two jet fuel types, ultra low sulfur jet fuel and synthetic paraffinic kerosene, to reduce aviation's contribution to ambient particulate matter concentrations. Scaling factors were developed for airport criteria pollutant emissions to model alternative jet fuels in aircraft and ground support equipment. These linear scaling factors were based on currently published studies comparing standard diesel and jet fuels with alternative jet fuels. It was found that alternative jet fuels lower or maintain all air pollutant emissions considered (primary particulate matter, sulfur oxides, nitrous oxides, unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide) for both aircraft and ground support equipment. To quantify the potential benefits of changing fuel composition on ambient particulate matter concentrations, a study of the Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport was completed using both emissions inventory analysis and atmospheric modeling. The atmospheric modeling captures both primary particulate matter and other emissions that react in the atmosphere to form secondary particulate matter. It was found that the use of an ultra low sulfur jet fuel in aircraft gas turbines could reduce the primary particulate matter inventory by 37% and synthetic paraffinic kerosene could reduce the primary particulate matter inventory by 64%. The atmospheric modeling predicts that an ultra low sulfur jet fuel in aircraft could reduce ambient particulate matter concentrations due to aircraft by up to 57% and synthetic paraffinic kerosene could reduce particulate matter concentrations due to aircraft by up to 67%. Thus, this study indicates that the majority of air quality benefits at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport that could be derived from the two fuels considered can be captured by removing the sulfur from jet fuel through the use of an ultra low sulfur jet fuel.
by Pearl Donohoo.
S.M.in Technology and Policy

A strong trend of returning to nuclear power is evident in different places in the world. Forty-five countries are planning to add nuclear power to their grids and more than 66 nuclear power plants are under construction. Nuclear power plants that generate electricity and steam need to improve safety to become more acceptable to governments and the public. One novel practical solution to increase nuclear power plants' safety factor is to build them away from urban areas, such as offshore or underground. To date, Land-Based siting is the dominant option for siting all commercial operational nuclear power plants. However, the literature reveals several options for building nuclear power plants in safer sitings than Land-Based sitings. The alternatives are several and each has advantages and disadvantages, and it is difficult to distinguish among them and choose the best for a specific project. In this research, we recall the old idea of using the alternatives of offshore and underground sitings for new nuclear power plants and propose a tool to help in choosing the best siting technology. This research involved the development of a decision model for evaluating several potential nuclear power plant siting technologies, both those that are currently available and future ones. The decision model was developed based on the Hierarchical Decision Modeling (HDM) methodology. The model considers five major dimensions, social, technical, economic, environmental, and political (STEEP), and their related criteria and sub-criteria. The model was designed and developed by the author, and its elements' validation and evaluation were done by a large number of experts in the field of nuclear energy. The decision model was applied in evaluating five potential siting technologies and ranked the Natural Island as the best in comparison to Land-Based, Floating Plant, Artificial Island, and Semi-Embedded plant.

The thesis explores the technical feasibility of an alternative method of decoupling air-conditioning systems function within the context of ecological issues. The system is a variant of dedicated outdoor air systems to separate dehumidification and cooling in air conditioning equipment. The project specifically investigates locating these components within the building envelope. Placement in the envelope moves the systems closer to fresh air and offers architectural expression for components that are normally out of sight. Designers, engineers, building science, mechanical, structural, biologist, and architectural engineers ideally as agents offer beneficial improvement to the system. The reduction in size of components into the building envelope offers risk. The thesis design space uses historical works, biological analogues, and past work to ground the technical understanding of the topic. Specific use of biological inspired design realizes translation from other systems to improve the alternative decoupled air conditioning system. The thesis develops prototype models for lighting analysis and for sensible and latent heat calculations. Psychrometric charts serve as tools to understand the thermodynamic air-conditioning process in conventional direct expansion vapor compression and solar liquid desiccant air conditioning systems. Data, models, and sketches provide tools for improvements to the 'thick' building envelope. Finally, the diagrams translate into functional decompositions for modifications to improve the system. The thesis probes the constraints in the areas of cost, fabrication, and technology that may not yet exist for selective improvement rather than a barrier to development of the thesis.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Building Construction, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010.
Committee Chair: Roper, Kathy; Committee Co-Chair: Kangari, Roozbeh; Committee Member: Ashuri, Baabak; Committee Member: Castro, Daniel; Committee Member: Rouse, William. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Background: The companies of Industry 4.0 need to invest in digitalising their organizations as software is growing into a decisive manufacturing determinant. Especially in the SaaS business and the transformation to Industry 4.0, there are many small companies that are driving the transformation while competing for market share. In this context, the SaaS providers need to develop an understanding of the success of their solution. While the Information Systems Success Model by DeLone and McLean has found some application in the context of SaaS solutions, there is no specific model for the SaaS industry. Furthermore, there is the underlying need to understand which antecedents cause or influence the success of an information system. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop an Information Systems Success Model for Software-as-a-Service companies and to understand the antecedents and their relationships to the success of SaaS solutions from the SaaS provider’s point of view. Method: This study followed an abductive approach due to the possibility to simultaneously review existing theory and examine the empirical findings in the analysis. Furthermore, an exploratory study was conducted utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative data was gathered through a standardized online survey of the customers of a SaaS provider and then analysed using Structural Equation Modelling. The qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with SaaS providers, SaaS customers, and researchers of related fields and then analysed using a hermeneutic data analysis approach. The results of both methods were then triangulated to create the adapted model. Conclusion: Three antecedents of information systems success in the SaaS context were identified as part of this study. The antecedents are Management Support, User Involvement, and Trust. These antecedents can be used as levers by the SaaS provider to steer the success of their solution. Furthermore, the antecedents are integrated in a comprehensive Information Systems Success Model to measure and understand the success of SaaS solutions from the SaaS provider’s point of view.

The new millennia has been characterised by developments in the digital world, creating a new space for social work practice globally. The aim of this research is to explore the online medium as an alternative resource for social work with online groups through an observation and interviews in an online group for Bipolar Disorderin Sweden. The results found that lived experience proved central to all forms of participation and support was seen as a resource to be shared. The implications for social work practice were found on multiple levels with broad areas of influence, such as utilising the online medium as an alternative source of insight, thereby allowing needs assessment, both onindividual and [sub]group level. Accessibility by way of the internet was seen as a catalyser to participation as well as a comprehensive method in creating such communities both locally and internationally through the development of digital social work.

Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le domaine mathématique de l’analyse des équations aux dérivées partielles non-linéaires. Plus précisément, nous avons fait ici l’étude de problèmes quasi-linéaires singuliers. Le terme "singulier" fait référence à l’intervention d’une non-linéarité qui explose au bord du domaine où ’équation est posée. La présence d’une telle singularité entraîne un manque de régularité et donc de compacité des solutions qui ne nous permet pas d’appliquer directement les méthodes classiques de l’analyse non-linéaire pour démontrer l’existence de solutions et discuter des propriétés de régularité et de comportement asymptotique de ces solutions. Pour contourner cette difficulté, nous sommes amenés à établir des estimations a priori très fines au voisinage du bord du domaine en combinant diverses méthodes : méthodes de monotonie (reliée au principe du maximum), méthodes variationnelles, argument de convexité, méthodes de point fixe et semi-discrétisation en temps. A travers, l’étude de trois problèmes-modèle faisant intervenir l’opérateur p-Laplacien, nous avons montré comment ces différentes méthodes pouvaient être mises en œuvre. Les résultats que nous avons obtenus sont décrits dans les trois chapitres de cette thèse : Dans le Chapitre I, nous avons étudié un problème d’absorption elliptique singulier. En utilisant des méthodes de sur- et sous solutions et des méthodes variationnelles, nous établissons des résultats d’existence de solutions. Par des méthodes de comparaison locale, nous démontrons également la propriété de support compact de ces solutions, pour de fortes singularités. Dans le Chapitre II, nous étudions le cas d’un système d’équations quasi-linéaires singulières. Par des arguments de point fixe et de monotonie, nous démontrons deux résultats généraux d’existence de solutions. Dans un deuxième temps, nous faisons une analyse plus détaillée de systèmes du type Gierer-Meinhardt modélisant des phénomènes biologiques. Des résultats d’unicité ainsi que des estimations précises sur le comportement des solutions sont alors obtenus. Dans le Chapitre III, nous faisons l’étude d’un problème d’absorption, parabolique singulier. Nous établissons par une méthode de semi-discrétisation en temps des résultats d’existence de solutions. Grâce à des inégalités d’énergie, nous démontrons également l’extinction en temps fini de ces solutions
This thesis deals with the mathematical field of nonlinear partial differential equations analysis. More precisely, we focus on quasilinear and singular problems. By singularity, we mean that the problems that we have considered involve a nonlinearity in the equation which blows-up near the boundary. This singular pattern gives rise to a lack of regularity and compactness that prevent the straightforward applications of classical methods in nonlinear analysis used for proving existence of solutions and for establishing the regularity properties and the asymptotic behavior of the solutions. To overcome this difficulty, we establish estimations on the precise behavior of the solutions near the boundary combining several techniques : monotonicity method (related to the maximum principle), variational method, convexity arguments, fixed point methods and semi-discretization in time. Throughout the study of three problems involving the p-Laplacian operator, we show how to apply this different methods. The three chapters of this dissertation the describes results we get :– In Chapter I, we study a singular elliptic absorption problem. By using sub- and super-solutions and variational methods, we prove the existence of the solutions. In the case of a strong singularity, by using local comparison techniques, we also prove that the compact support of the solution. In Chapter II, we study a singular elliptic system. By using fixed point and monotonicity arguments, we establish two general theorems on the existence of solution. In a second time, we more precisely analyse the Gierer-Meinhardt systems which model some biological phenomena. We prove some results about the uniqueness and the precise behavior of the solutions. In Chapter III, we study a singular parabolic absorption problem. By using a semi-discretization in time method, we establish the existence of a solution. Moreover, by using differential energy inequalities, we prove that the solution vanishes in finite time. This phenomenon is called "quenching"

This research presents the definition of a game model, adapted to represent the alternative dispute resolution processes, according to which an abstract model is proposed, splitting the negotiation in steps. By the description of each step, the objectives, and necessary tasks to achieve them, are identified. Based on the researches presented, for each step, tasks are identified that could use Artificial Intelligence techniques, to support negotiators or third neutrals to lead the processes. Besides the possibilities presented by other authors, related to information retrieval, argumentation models, negotiation systems, among other subjects, two new approaches are presented: a conceptualization building system and the use of information filtering for recommender systems
O trabalho apresenta a definição de um modelo de jogo adaptado para representar os processos de solução extrajudicial de conflitos, a partir do qual propõe-se um modelo abstrato em que o procedimento de solução de conflitos é dividido em etapas. Através da descrição geral de cada etapa, identificam-se os objetivos e as ações necessárias para atingi-los. Com base nas pesquisas apresentadas no enquadramento teórico, para cada etapa são identificadas ações em que técnicas de Inteligência Artificial são ou poderiam ser utilizadas, pelos próprios negociadores ou pelos terceiros neutros, para auxiliá-los na condução do procedimento. Finalmente, além das possibilidades já estudadas ou em estudo por outros autores envolvendo recuperação de informações, modelos de argumentação e sistemas de negociação, entre outros temas, são apresentadas duas novas perspectivas, identificadas ao longo da pesquisa.Tratam da construção de conceitualizações e do uso de filtragem.

La present tesi doctoral s’ha centrat en el repte d’aconseguir, mitjançant Fabricació Additiva (FA), models per a assaig quirúrgic, sota la premissa que els equips per fer-los haurien de ser accessibles a l’àmbit hospitalari. L’objectiu és facilitar l’extensió de l’ús dels prototips com a eina de preparació d’operacions quirúrgiques, transformant la pràctica mèdica actual de la mateixa manera que en el seu moment ho van fer tecnologies com les que van facilitar l’ús de radiografies. El motiu d’utilitzar FA, en lloc de tecnologies més tradicionals, és la seva capacitat de materialitzar de forma directa les dades digitals obtingudes de l’anatomia del pacient mitjançant sistemes d’escanejat tridimensional, fent possible l’obtenció de models personalitzats. Els resultats es centren en la generació de nou coneixement sobre com aconseguir equipaments d’impressió 3D multimaterials accessibles que permetin l’obtenció de models mimètics respecte als teixits vius. Per facilitar aquesta buscada extensió de la tecnologia, s’ha focalitzat en les tecnologies de codi obert com la Fabricació per Filament Fos (FFF) i similars basades en líquids catalitzables. La recerca s’alinea dins l’activitat de desenvolupament de la FA al CIM UPC, i en aquest àmbit concret amb la col·laboració amb l’Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Barcelona (HSJD). El primer bloc de la tesi inclou la descripció de l’estat de l’art, detallant les tecnologies existents i la seva aplicació a l’entorn mèdic. S’han establert per primer cop unes bases de caracterització dels teixits vius -sobretot tous- per donar suport a la selecció de materials que els puguin mimetitzar en un procés de FA, a efectes de millorar l’experiència d’assaig dels cirurgians. El caràcter rígid dels materials majoritàriament usats en impressió 3D els fa poc útils per simular tumors i altres referències anatòmiques. De forma successiva, es tracten paràmetres com la densitat, la viscoelasticitat, la caracterització dels materials tous a la indústria, l’estudi del mòdul elàstic de teixits tous i vasos, la duresa d’aquests, i requeriments com l’esterilització dels models. El segon bloc comença explorant la impressió 3D mitjançant FFF. Es classifiquen les variants del procés des del punt de vista de la multimaterialitat, essencial per fer models d’assaig quirúrgic, diferenciant entre solucions multibroquet i de barreja al capçal. S’ha inclòs l’estudi de materials (filaments i líquids) que serien més útils per mimetitzar teixits tous. Es constata com en els líquids, en comparació amb els filaments, la complexitat del treball en processos de FA és més elevada, i es determinen formes d’imprimir materials molt tous. Per acabar, s’exposen sis casos reals de col·laboració amb l’HJSD, una selecció d’aquells en els que el doctorand ha intervingut en els darrers anys. L’origen es troba en la dificultat de l’abordatge d’operacions de resecció de tumors infantils com el neuroblastoma, i a la iniciativa del Dr. Lucas Krauel. Finalment, el Bloc 3 té per objecte explorar nombrosos conceptes (fins a 8), activitat completada al llarg dels darrers cinc anys amb el suport dels mitjans del CIM UPC i de l’activitat associada a treballs finals d’estudis d’estudiants de la UPC, arribant-se a materialitzar equipaments experimentals per validar-los. La recerca ampla i sistemàtica al respecte fa que s’estigui més a prop de disposar d’una solució d’impressió 3D multimaterial de sobretaula. Es determina que la millor via de progrés és la de disposar d’una pluralitat de capçals independents a fi de capacitar la impressora 3D per integrar diversos conceptes estudiats, materialitzant-se una possible solució. Cloent la tesi, es planteja com seria un equipament d’impressió 3D per a models d’assaig quirúrgic, a fi de servir de base per a futurs desenvolupaments.
La presente tesis doctoral se ha centrado en el reto de conseguir, mediante Fabricación Aditiva (FA), modelos para ensayo quirúrgico, bajo la premisa que los equipos para obtenerlos tendrían que ser accesibles al ámbito hospitalario. El objetivo es facilitar la extensión del uso de modelos como herramienta de preparación de operaciones quirúrgicas, transformando la práctica médica actual de la misma manera que, en su momento, lo hicieron tecnologías como las que facilitaron el uso de radiografías. El motivo de utilizar FA, en lugar de tecnologías más tradicionales, es su capacidad de materializar de forma directa los datos digitales obtenidos de la anatomía del paciente mediante sistemas de escaneado tridimensional, haciendo posible la obtención de modelos personalizados. Los resultados se centran en la generación de nuevo conocimiento para conseguir equipamientos de impresión 3D multimateriales accesibles que permitan la obtención de modelos miméticos respecto a los tejidos vivos. Para facilitar la buscada extensión de la tecnología, se ha focalizado en las tecnologías de código abierto como la Fabricación por Hilo Fundido (FFF) y similares basadas en líquidos catalizables. Esta investigación se alinea dentro de la actividad de desarrollo de la FA en el CIM UPC, y en este ámbito concreto con la colaboración con el Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Barcelona (HSJD). El primer bloque de la tesis incluye la descripción del estado del arte, detallando las tecnologías existentes y su aplicación al entorno médico. Se han establecido por primera vez unas bases de caracterización de los tejidos vivos – principalmente blandos – para dar apoyo a la selección de materiales que los puedan mimetizar en un proceso de FA, a efectos de mejorar la experiencia de ensayo de los cirujanos. El carácter rígido de los materiales mayoritariamente usados en impresión 3D los hace poco útiles para simular tumores y otras referencias anatómicas. De forma sucesiva, se tratan parámetros como la densidad, la viscoelasticidad, la caracterización de materiales blandos en la industria, el estudio del módulo elástico de tejidos blandos y vasos, la dureza de los mismos, y requerimientos como la esterilización de los modelos. El segundo bloque empieza explorando la impresión 3D mediante FFF. Se clasifican las variantes del proceso desde el punto de vista de la multimaterialidad, esencial para hacer modelos de ensayo quirúrgico, diferenciando entre soluciones multiboquilla y de mezcla en el cabezal. Se ha incluido el estudio de materiales (filamentos y líquidos) que serían más útiles para mimetizar tejidos blandos. Se constata como en los líquidos, en comparación con los filamentos, la complejidad del trabajo en procesos de FA es más elevada, y se determinan formas de imprimir materiales muy blandos. Para acabar, se exponen seis casos reales de colaboración con el HJSD, una selección de aquellos en los que el doctorando ha intervenido en los últimos años. El origen se encuentra en la dificultad del abordaje de operaciones de resección de tumores infantiles como el neuroblastoma, y en la iniciativa del Dr. Lucas Krauel. Finalmente, el Bloque 3 desarrolla numerosos conceptos (hasta 8), actividad completada a lo largo de los últimos cinco años con el apoyo de los medios del CIM UPC y de la actividad asociada a trabajos finales de estudios de estudiantes de la UPC, llegándose a materializar equipamientos experimentales para validarlos. La investigación amplia y sistemática al respecto hace que se esté más cerca de disponer de una solución de impresión 3D multimaterial de sobremesa. Se determina que la mejor vía de progreso es la de disponer de una pluralidad de cabezales independientes, a fin de capacitar la impresora 3D para integrar diversos conceptos estudiados, materializándose una posible solución. Para cerrar la tesis, se plantea cómo sería un equipamiento de impresión 3D para modelos de ensayo quirúrgico, a fin de servir de base para futuros desarrollos.

An Engineering Decision Support System, EDSS, was developed using Bayesian mathematics which incorporates knowledge and confidence components observed in alternative-criterion pair decision making. The separation of knowledge and confidence has been previously unaccounted for in decision-making methods. EDSS provides decision support to individuals or teams which must make choices between alternatives using alternative-criterion pair evaluations. Further, EDSS was instanciated into computer software. The EDSS decision support system was statistically tested using two variables, mechanical experience of the participants and the use of a decision method, at two different levels and in a replicated factorial experiment. The experiment consisted of teams of subjects solving a simple mechanical design problem. Data from the experiment was collected for eighteen different metrics in four categories. This research reports on each of eighteen metrics using the hypothesis that the use of EDSS will show improvements in, or positive impact on, the following four categories: the decision making productivity of idea processing, the decision-making process, the perception of the decisions made by the decision makers, and the ease of use of a computer decision support tool. Statistical results of the experiment showed that EDSS successfully matched ad-hoc and Pugh's decision matrix performance for sixteen of the eighteen metrics and statistically exceeded the remaining two. These two metrics are, the conduction of more evaluations of alternative-criterion pairs ,and increased problem understanding. This research also shows that a new alternative-criterion pair evaluation method has been successfully created that provides for: - A separation of knowledge and confidence in the Belief Model of decision making. - Decision results without complete evaluation of all alternative-criterion pairs. - Aggregation of preferences from team members. - A convenient means for investigating decision improvements.
Graduation date: 1997

abstract: Energy projects have the potential to provide critical services for human well-being and help eradicate poverty. However, too many projects fail because their approach oversimplifies the problem to energy poverty: viewing it as a narrow problem of access to energy services and technologies. This thesis presents an alternative paradigm for energy project development, grounded in theories of socio-energy systems, recognizing that energy and poverty coexist as a social, economic, and technological problem. First, it shows that social, economic, and energy insecurity creates a complex energy-poverty nexus, undermining equitable, fair, and sustainable energy futures in marginalized communities. Indirect and access-based measures of energy poverty are a mismatch for the complexity of the energy-poverty nexus. The thesis, using the concept of social value of energy, develops a methodology for systematically mapping benefits, burdens and externalities of the energy system, illustrated using empirical investigations in communities in Nepal, India, Brazil, and Philippines. The thesis argues that key determinants of the energy-poverty nexus are the functional and economic capabilities of users, stressors and resulting thresholds of capabilities characterizing the energy and poverty relationship. It proposes ‘energy thriving’ as an alternative standard for evaluating project outcomes, requiring energy systems to not only remedy human well-being deficits but create enabling conditions for discovering higher forms of well-being. Second, a novel, experimental approach to sustainability interventions is developed, to improve the outcomes of energy projects. The thesis presents results from a test bed for community sustainability interventions established in the village of Rio Claro in Brazil, to test innovative project design strategies and develop a primer for co-producing sustainable solutions. The Sustainable Rio Claro 2020 initiative served as a longitudinal experiment in participatory collective action for sustainable futures. Finally, results are discussed from a collaborative project with grassroots practitioners to understand the energy-poverty nexus, map the social value of energy and develop energy thriving solutions. Partnering with local private and non-profit organizations in Uganda, Bolivia, Nepal and Philippines, the project evaluated and refined methods for designing and implementing innovative energy projects using the theoretical ideas developed in the thesis, subsequently developing a practitioner toolkit for the purpose.
Dissertation/Thesis
Doctoral Dissertation Sustainability 2020

碩士
建國科技大學
自動化工程系暨機電光系統研究所
99
Abstract From the motion equation of the “bare” uniform beam (without any number of spring-mass systems and in-span support), an eigenfunction consisting of five integration constants is obtained. Where the last eigenfunction is substituted into the four compatible equations, one force-equilibrium equation and incorporating with the equation of motion for each attaching point of the spring-mass system, and the boundary equations for the two ends of the beam, a matrix equation of the form is got. The solutions of = 0 (where denotes a determinant) give the “exact” natural frequencies of the “constrained” beam (carrying any number of spring-mass systems and in-span support) and the substitution of each corresponding values of into the associated eigenfunction for each attaching points will determine the corresponding mode shapes. Since the order of is 5n+4, where n is the total number of spring-mass systems and in-span support, the “explicit” mathematical expressions for the existing approach becomes lengthy intractable if n > 2. The “numerical assembly method” introduced in this paper aims at improving the last drawback of the existing approach. The “exact” solutions in this paper refer to the numerical results obtained from the “continuum” models for the classical analytical approaches rather than from the “discretized” ones for the conventional finite element methods. Keyword：spring-mass system, in-span support, eigenfunction, numerical assembly method