Participatory Sensing Systems (PSS) are a type of Mobile Crowdsensing System where users voluntarily participate in contributing information. Task initiators create tasks, targeting specific data that needs to be gathered by the users’ device sensors. Such systems have been designed with different requirements, such as data trustworthiness, accountability, and incentives, in a secure and private way. However, it is complex to protect user privacy without affecting the performance of the rest of the system. For example, with task assignment, either the user authenticates anonymously, or discloses its sensors for an efficient allocation. If the user identity is hidden from the system, it could receive a task it cannot perform. This thesis aims to design an anonymous authentication model for PSS based on privacy-preserving attribute-based signatures. The proposed solution allows the Participatory Sensing System to enforce sensor requirements for efficient task allocation. In addition to the design, experiments measuring the performance of the operations are included in the thesis, to prove it is suitable for real-world scenarios. / Participatory Sensing Systems (PSS) är en typ av mobilt Crowdsensing-system där användare frivilligt deltar i att bidra med information. Aktivitetsinitiatorer skapar uppgifter, inriktade på specifik data som behöver samlas in av användarnas enhetssensorer. Sådana system har utformats med olika krav, såsom datatillförlitlighet, ansvarighet och incitament, på ett säkert och privat sätt. Det är dock komplicerat att skydda användarnas integritet utan att påverka prestandan för resten av systemet. Till exempel, med uppgiftstilldelning, antingen autentiserar användaren anonymt eller avslöjar sina sensorer för en effektiv tilldelning. Om användaridentiteten är dold från systemet kan den få en uppgift som den inte kan utföra. Denna avhandling syftar till att designa en anonym autentiseringsmodell för PSS baserad på integritetsbevarande attributbaserade signaturer. Den föreslagna lösningen gör det möjligt för Participatory Sensing System att upprätthålla sensorkrav för effektiv uppgiftsallokering. Utöver designen ingår experiment som mäter verksamhetens prestanda i avhandlingen, för att bevisa att den är lämplig för verkliga scenarier.

Today, in the automotive industry, many of the interior parts in the car are made of ABS and PC/ABS polymeric blend. These materials are used in the areas for example: instrument panels, tunnel consoles and door panels. The extensive use of these materials means that it is important to gain in-depth knowledge about the materials,their properties; and also their behaviour when in contact with different chemicals andat different conditions.This study aims to address the potential problem of the polymers used in the interiorof the car - ABS and PC/ABS cracking due to environmental factors. This study proposes to introduce a low-cost test method to compare the polymeric materials and choose the best one for future purposes with the environmental circumstances in mind for materials to have a good service life.During the thesis project, ABS and PC/ABS samples were tested for environmental stress cracking to compare the strained materials against PEG 400 and an assemblyfluid chemical. These tests were conducted at three different temperature levels.Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to verify the polymeric materialsthat the samples were made of. Optical microscope and FTIR were employed to analyzethe samples for crazes / cracks and degradation of material, respectively.This thesis helped in establishing a good starting point for ESC testing of different materials for the organization. The test method was used to test the failure of material sin ESC. It was observed that the chemicals used for the testing were aggressive and accelerated the cracking process in the materials rapidly. Another observation of the tests was that high strain also caused the materials to fail quickly. While comparing the materials, PC/ABS polymer blend was more resistant than ABS materials to cracking when exposed to same strain level during the creep rupture test (test in absence ofchemicals acting as a reference test for ESC).

Master of Science / Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Todd Easton / History has shown that epidemics can occur at random and without warning — devastating the populations which they impact. As a preventative measure, modern medicine has helped to reduce the number of diseases that can instigate such an event, nevertheless natural and man-made disease mutations place us continuously at risk of such an outbreak. As a second line of defense, extensive research has been conducted to better understand spread patterns and the efficacy of various containment and mitigation strategies. However, these simulation models have primarily focused on minimizing the impact to groups of people either from an economic or societal perspective and little study has been focused on determining the utility maximizing strategy for an individual. Therefore, this work explores the decisions of individuals to determine emergent behaviors and characteristics which lead to increased probability of survival during an epidemic. This is done by leveraging linear program optimization techniques and the concept of Agent Based Simulation, to more accurately capture the complexity inherent in most real-world systems via the interactions of individual entities. This research builds on 5 years of study focused on rural epidemic simulation, resulting in the development of a 4,000-line computer code simulation package. This adaptable simulation can accurately model the interactions of individuals to discern the impact of any general disease type, and can be implemented on the population of any contiguous counties within Kansas. Furthermore, a computational study performed on the 17 counties of northwestern Kansas provides game theoretical based insights as to what decisions increase the likelihood of survival. For example, statistically significant findings suggest that an individual is four times more likely to become infected if they rush stores for supplies after a government issued warning instead of remaining at home. This work serves as a meaningful step in understanding emergent phenomena during an epidemic which, subsequently, provides novel insight to an individual’s utility maximizing strategy. Understanding the main findings of this research could save your life.

A utilização de plataformas HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop) tem aumentado dentro do processo de desenvolvimento de ECU\'s em indústrias do ramo automotivo. A principal justificativa para tal aumento é a utilização da metodologia de desenvolvimento baseada em modelo, a qual integra a técnica HIL como um de seus principais pilares, possibilitando redução no tempo e custos de desenvolvimento de uma ECU. Quando aplicada a validação de sistemas de controle de freios, a simulação HIL possui vital importância, pois permite a prévia visualização de efeitos diretamente relacionados à dinâmica veicular, os quais somente podiam ser analisados através da realização de testes em pistas. No entanto, os benefícios da simulação HIL não se restringem somente as aplicações industriais. A possibilidade de análise dos efeitos produzidos por um módulo eletrônico de controle através de simulações cria um campo para a utilização da técnica HIL como uma ferramenta efetiva no ensino de sistemas eletrônicos veiculares. Neste trabalho demonstra-se a implementação de uma plataforma HIL ABS para aplicações didáticas. Esta plataforma é implementada incluindo o uso de um circuito elétrico para emulação de cargas e aquisição de sinais, de uma interface com entradas e saídas reconfiguráveis, de uma ECU ABS e de um computador de simulação, o qual executa os softwares de manipulação de dados e de simulação de dinâmica veicular. Os resultados obtidos através de simulações realizadas com a plataforma desenvolvida são comparados com resultados de testes reais, validando desta forma o modelo proposto. / The HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop) platforms utilization has increased within the development process of ECUs in the automotive industry. The main reason for this increase is the usage of the model based development methodology, which integrates the HIL technique as one of its main pillars, allowing a reduction in the time and costs of developing an ECU. When applied to the validation of brake control systems, HIL simulation has a vital importance, since it allows a prior visualization of effects directly related to the vehicle dynamics, which could only be analyzed by performing track tests. However, the benefits of HIL simulation are not only restricted to the industrial applications. The possibility of analyzing the effects produced by an electronic control module through simulations creates a field for the use of the HIL technique as an effective tool for teaching vehicular electronic systems. This work demonstrates the implementation of an ABS HIL platform for didactic applications. This platform is implemented including the usage of an electrical circuit for loads emulation and signals acquisition, an interface with reconfigurable inputs and outputs, an ABS ECU and a simulation computer, which runs the data manipulation and vehicle dynamic simulation softwares. The results obtained through the performed simulations with the developed platform are compared with actual test results, validating therefore the proposed model.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-29T13:31:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Veronica Alves Fernandes.pdf: 735488 bytes, checksum: 17a9a3ad754bc7c9da20380eae98f911 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The present study aims to create a reflecion on how the psychoanalytic theory supported in clinical practice and based on ethics of well say desire can be as a beacon for institutions on showing other ways of dealing with the ideals, values and laws instituted in the social field. We start with a brief history of the Health Reform Movement in Brazil and how it has culminated with the establishment of the SUS. Then, we present the basic health care foccus (ABS) and we questioned the malaise that is present in the relationships developed between patients and healthcare professionals at UBS, as well as the barriers and obstacles that exist for the realization and consolidation on adverstising health prevention actions performed at this services centers. A literature review allowed us to verify the insertion of psychoanalysis in different health services, particularly in mental health network and hospital care, noting the importance of the listening of the singularity of the subject in these spaces and the effects of shifts in rigid positions and ideals of patients, the team of health professionals and therefore, the institutional relations. We used the theoretical and methodological psychoanalytic speech oriented by the teachings of Freud and Jacques Lacan to demonstrate the contribution of psychoanalysis to the ethics of public health, including primary care services, taking relevance on the fact that psychoanalysis does not flinch when faces the speech of the subject, only element that can make an exception and break the homogeneity and standardization of all that generalizable knowledge, seeking universality, ultimately crystallize on the subject and in its history. Giving voice to the subject seems essential if we are to advance the goals of health initiatives that aim a change on the territories of the ones that live in large urban centers, which, therefore, must go beyond the effects of interventions in socio-economic and culture where the community and the individual are / O presente estudo teve por objetivo refletir como a teoria psicanalítica sustentada na prática clínica pautada na ética de bem-dizer o desejo, pode sinalizar nas instituições outros modos de lidar com os ideais, valores e as leis instituídos no campo social. Partimos de um breve histórico do Movimento da Reforma Sanitária no Brasil que culminou com a instituição dos SUS e, em seguida, apresentamos a atenção básica à saúde (ABS) e interrogamos o mal-estar que se faz presente nas relações que se estabelecem entre pacientes e profissionais de saúde nas UBS, assim como os impasses e obstáculos que se verificam para a efetivação e consolidação das ações de promoção e prevenção à saúde realizadas nestes serviços. Uma revisão bibliográfica nos permitiu verificar a inserção da psicanálise em diversos serviços de saúde, principalmente, na rede de saúde mental e na atenção hospitalar, assinalando a importância de sustentar a escuta do singular do sujeito nestes espaços e os efeitos de deslocamentos em posições rígidas e pré-concebidas nos pacientes, na equipe de profissionais da saúde e, consequentemente, nas relações institucionais. Utilizamos como marco teórico-metodológico o discurso psicanalítico orientado no ensino de Freud e Jacques Lacan para demonstrar a contribuição da ética da psicanálise para o campo da saúde pública, incluindo os serviços de atenção básica, atentando para o fato de que a psicanálise não recua diante da fala do sujeito, único elemento que pode fazer exceção e marcar uma ruptura na homogeneidade e padronização de todo saber generalizável que, buscando a universalidade, acaba por cristalizar o sujeito em sua história. Dar voz ao sujeito nos parece essencial se pretendemos avançar nos objetivos das ações em saúde que visam mudanças nos territórios de vida das populações dos grandes centros urbanos, que, para tanto, devem ir além de intervenções nos efeitos decorrentes das condições sócio-econômicas e culturais em que a comunidade e o sujeito se encontram

A utilização de plataformas HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop) tem aumentado dentro do processo de desenvolvimento de ECU\'s em indústrias do ramo automotivo. A principal justificativa para tal aumento é a utilização da metodologia de desenvolvimento baseada em modelo, a qual integra a técnica HIL como um de seus principais pilares, possibilitando redução no tempo e custos de desenvolvimento de uma ECU. Quando aplicada a validação de sistemas de controle de freios, a simulação HIL possui vital importância, pois permite a prévia visualização de efeitos diretamente relacionados à dinâmica veicular, os quais somente podiam ser analisados através da realização de testes em pistas. No entanto, os benefícios da simulação HIL não se restringem somente as aplicações industriais. A possibilidade de análise dos efeitos produzidos por um módulo eletrônico de controle através de simulações cria um campo para a utilização da técnica HIL como uma ferramenta efetiva no ensino de sistemas eletrônicos veiculares. Neste trabalho demonstra-se a implementação de uma plataforma HIL ABS para aplicações didáticas. Esta plataforma é implementada incluindo o uso de um circuito elétrico para emulação de cargas e aquisição de sinais, de uma interface com entradas e saídas reconfiguráveis, de uma ECU ABS e de um computador de simulação, o qual executa os softwares de manipulação de dados e de simulação de dinâmica veicular. Os resultados obtidos através de simulações realizadas com a plataforma desenvolvida são comparados com resultados de testes reais, validando desta forma o modelo proposto. / The HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop) platforms utilization has increased within the development process of ECUs in the automotive industry. The main reason for this increase is the usage of the model based development methodology, which integrates the HIL technique as one of its main pillars, allowing a reduction in the time and costs of developing an ECU. When applied to the validation of brake control systems, HIL simulation has a vital importance, since it allows a prior visualization of effects directly related to the vehicle dynamics, which could only be analyzed by performing track tests. However, the benefits of HIL simulation are not only restricted to the industrial applications. The possibility of analyzing the effects produced by an electronic control module through simulations creates a field for the use of the HIL technique as an effective tool for teaching vehicular electronic systems. This work demonstrates the implementation of an ABS HIL platform for didactic applications. This platform is implemented including the usage of an electrical circuit for loads emulation and signals acquisition, an interface with reconfigurable inputs and outputs, an ABS ECU and a simulation computer, which runs the data manipulation and vehicle dynamic simulation softwares. The results obtained through the performed simulations with the developed platform are compared with actual test results, validating therefore the proposed model.

<p>Huvudsyftet med arbetet har varit att undersöka potentialen för värmedriven kylproduktion, dvs. absorptionskyla, i Linköpings energisystem. Bakgrunden är att många energibolag söker efter nya avsättningsområden för fjärrvärme pga. det överskott på värme som finns sommartid i energisystem med kraftvärme. Dessutom förväntas elpriserna fortsätta stiga då Sverige med stor sannolikhet kommer att följa resten av Europa och gå från ett energidimensionerat system till ett effektdimensionerat system. Till följd av detta blir energieffektiviserande åtgärder allt viktigare och absorptionskyla innebär att mer el kan produceras i ett system med kraftvärme, istället för att konsumeras.</p><p>Det finns två typer av absorptionskylmaskiner (ABS) tillgängliga på marknaden, antingen har de fjärrvärme eller ånga som drivmedel. Den typ av ABS som drivs av fjärrvärme lämpar sig för produktion av komfortkyla, dvs. kyla som inte behöver komma ned till så låga temperaturer. Ångdriven ABS kan däremot komma ned till lägre temperaturer, något som kan passa vid processkyla. En förutsättning för absorptionskyla är tillgång till billig värme/ånga. Tekniska Verken har tack vare avfallsförbränning tillgång till billig värme. Ångan i systemet produceras däremot idag med olja och el, något som gör det dyrare att generera absorptionskyla med hjälp av ånga.</p><p>En fallstudie utfördes på de två industrierna Linköpingsmejeriet och Swedish Meats där anslutningsmöjligheterna för absorptionskyla undersöktes. Främst behovet av processkyla har undersökts då det var betydligt större än behovet av komfortkyla. Ett antal fall med olika förutsättningar för att tillgodose dessa kylbehov till de båda industrierna har simulerats i MODEST. Utifrån de resultat som erhållits har följande slutsatser dragits.</p><p>• I dagsläget finns inte tillräckligt med ångproduktion i systemet för att tillgodose både det befintliga ångbehovet samt den mängd ånga som behövs för att framställa kylan.</p><p>• En investering i nya biopannor till ett kraftvärmeverk kan ge tillräcklig mängd billig ånga och värme för att ge lönsamhet i värmedriven kylproduktion.</p><p>• Koldioxidutsläppen, lokala såväl som globala, minskar som en följd av övergång från el-kompressorer till absorptionskylmaskiner. En investering i nya biopannor skulle minska utsläppen ytterligare, då fossilt bränsle ersätts.</p><p>• En investering i en litiumbromid absorptionskylmaskin är inte lönsam vid en så pass liten efterfråga som har varit aktuellt i de undersökta fallen.</p> / <p>The main purpose of this thesis has been to look in to the potential of a production of district cooling using heat as the source of power, i.e. absorptions cooling, in the energy system of Linköping. In the light of the fact that many energy companies are looking for new markets for district heating due to the surplus of heat in the summertime in an energy system with CHP (Combined Heat and Power). Furthermore, the price on electricity is expected to continue to rise since Sweden is most likely to follow Europe’s lead and embrace a power dimensioned energy system. As a result of that transition, energy efficient measures will be more important and absorption cooling implies that more electricity can be produced, instead of consumed, in a CHP system.</p><p>There are two different types of absorption cooling machines available in the market, with either district heating or steam as the source of power. A machine using district heating as the source of power is most suitable to produce comfort cooling i.e. the cold does not need to attain such low temperatures. A steam driven absorption cooling machine is able to attain the very low temperatures needed for cooling used in the processing industry. A condition for absorption cooling is the access to low-cost heat/steam. Tekniska Verken (an energy company) has due to waste incineration access to low-cost heat. The steam in the energy system is produced with oil and electricity, which makes it more expensive to generate absorption cooling with steam as the power source.</p><p>A casestudy was preformed at two industries in Linköping, Linköpingsmejeriet and Swedish Meats, where the possibility for connection of district cooling was examined. Mainly the cooling needed in the processing industry has been examined as this is need is considerably larger than the need for comfort cooling. A number of cases with different conditions for producing district cooling have been simulated in MODEST. The following conclusions have been drawn based on the results of the simulations.</p><p>• In the energy system of today there is not enough steam production to fulfil both the current need for steam and the amount of steam needed for cooling production.</p><p>• An investment in new CHP-plants using biomass fuels will generate enough heat and steam to be profitable for cooling production using heat as a source of power.</p><p>• The emission of carbon dioxide will decrease as a result of the transmission from compression cooling to absorption cooling. The emission will decrease further if an investment in new CHP plants with biomass fuels is carried out. This will then replace the use of fossil fuels.</p><p>• An investment in lithium bromide absorptions cooler will not be profitable with such a small demand as the one in question.</p>

Different methods for quality assessment of separated andcommingled plastics from household and electronic waste havebeen developed. Especial attention has been given tospectroscopic methods since they are non-destructive andrequire little or no sample preparation at all. A wide variety of low molecular weight compounds have beenidentified in recycled polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylenefrom hard packaging waste by gas chromatography- massspectroscopy (GC-MS) after microwave assisted extraction (MAE).Low molecular weight substances such as alcohols, esters,ketones and fragrance and flavour compounds were detected inthe recycled resins. The major category of compounds identifiedin the virgin resins is conformed by aliphatic hydrocarbonssuch as alkanes and alkenes. It was found that theconcentration of aromatic hydrocarbons without functionalgroups, e.g. ethylbenzene and xylenes in recycled HDPE wasapprox. 5 times higher and equal to 120 and 35 ppb,respectively. The potential of near infrared (NIR) and Fourier transformRaman (FT-Raman) spectroscopy in combination with multivariateanalysis as a rapid, non-destructive and accurate analyticalmethod has been studied and the feasibility of these methodsfor at/in line characterisation of several properties ofrecyclates has also been explored. NIR in diffuse reflectance mode has been successfully usedfor quantification of antioxidants in polyethylene, thestandard error of prediction is almost comparable to the errorof wet methods, i.e., extraction plus liquid chromatography.The error of prediction of this method is 35 ppm for Irganox1010 and 68 ppm for Irgafos 168. The inaccuracy in thequantification of Irgafos 168 is due to the fact that thisantioxidant degrades during polymer processing. NIR and Mid-infrared (Mid-IR) worked well for fastdetermination of molecular weight and crystallinity of therecycled HDPE and acceptable errors of prediction, comparableto that of the reference methods, i.e. size exclusionchromatography (SEC) and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) have been obtained. The present thesis also shows that NIR and Raman are goodcandidates for in/on line compositional analysis of mixedpolymer fractions from recycled plastic waste. Diffusereflectance NIR allows a rapid and reliable measurement ofpellets and requires no previous sample preparation. Thecomposition of binary blends can be determined with highaccuracy. The PP content in the PP/HDPE blends was predictedwith a RMSEP equal to 0.46 %w in the 0-15 %wt region and theRMSEP for PP in the PP/ABS blends was 0.3 %wt. The thermal and thermoxidative stability of recycled PP,HDPE and a 20/80 PP/HDPE blend subjected to multiple extrusionhave been studied by DSC, thermal analysis (TGA) andchemiluminiscence (CL). A decrease in Toxand OIT was observed after each extrusion step.The drop in OIT was sharper after the first two extrusions. TheOIT values produced by DSC and CL were in good agreement.However, CL provided more information about the oxidationprocess taking place in the blends. The moisture content in recycled polyamide 6,6 was readilydetermined by NIR in transmission mode and it could bepredicted with a RMSEP = 0.05 %wt. The accuracy of the methodappeared to be as good as that of the more time consumingthermal methods such as TGA, DSC and loss on dry (LOD), whichwere used as reference methods. The influence of differentamounts of water on the viscoelastic properties of nylon hasbeen investigated. <b>Keywords:</b>Recycling, HDPE, PP, blends, nylon 6,6, ABS,water content, MAE, GC-MS, NIR, FT-Raman, chemiluminiscence,low molecular weight compounds, antioxidant content,crystallinity, molecular weight, thermal stability,characterisation methods, analysis of polymers, blends.

Huvudsyftet med arbetet har varit att undersöka potentialen för värmedriven kylproduktion, dvs. absorptionskyla, i Linköpings energisystem. Bakgrunden är att många energibolag söker efter nya avsättningsområden för fjärrvärme pga. det överskott på värme som finns sommartid i energisystem med kraftvärme. Dessutom förväntas elpriserna fortsätta stiga då Sverige med stor sannolikhet kommer att följa resten av Europa och gå från ett energidimensionerat system till ett effektdimensionerat system. Till följd av detta blir energieffektiviserande åtgärder allt viktigare och absorptionskyla innebär att mer el kan produceras i ett system med kraftvärme, istället för att konsumeras. Det finns två typer av absorptionskylmaskiner (ABS) tillgängliga på marknaden, antingen har de fjärrvärme eller ånga som drivmedel. Den typ av ABS som drivs av fjärrvärme lämpar sig för produktion av komfortkyla, dvs. kyla som inte behöver komma ned till så låga temperaturer. Ångdriven ABS kan däremot komma ned till lägre temperaturer, något som kan passa vid processkyla. En förutsättning för absorptionskyla är tillgång till billig värme/ånga. Tekniska Verken har tack vare avfallsförbränning tillgång till billig värme. Ångan i systemet produceras däremot idag med olja och el, något som gör det dyrare att generera absorptionskyla med hjälp av ånga. En fallstudie utfördes på de två industrierna Linköpingsmejeriet och Swedish Meats där anslutningsmöjligheterna för absorptionskyla undersöktes. Främst behovet av processkyla har undersökts då det var betydligt större än behovet av komfortkyla. Ett antal fall med olika förutsättningar för att tillgodose dessa kylbehov till de båda industrierna har simulerats i MODEST. Utifrån de resultat som erhållits har följande slutsatser dragits. • I dagsläget finns inte tillräckligt med ångproduktion i systemet för att tillgodose både det befintliga ångbehovet samt den mängd ånga som behövs för att framställa kylan. • En investering i nya biopannor till ett kraftvärmeverk kan ge tillräcklig mängd billig ånga och värme för att ge lönsamhet i värmedriven kylproduktion. • Koldioxidutsläppen, lokala såväl som globala, minskar som en följd av övergång från el-kompressorer till absorptionskylmaskiner. En investering i nya biopannor skulle minska utsläppen ytterligare, då fossilt bränsle ersätts. • En investering i en litiumbromid absorptionskylmaskin är inte lönsam vid en så pass liten efterfråga som har varit aktuellt i de undersökta fallen. / The main purpose of this thesis has been to look in to the potential of a production of district cooling using heat as the source of power, i.e. absorptions cooling, in the energy system of Linköping. In the light of the fact that many energy companies are looking for new markets for district heating due to the surplus of heat in the summertime in an energy system with CHP (Combined Heat and Power). Furthermore, the price on electricity is expected to continue to rise since Sweden is most likely to follow Europe’s lead and embrace a power dimensioned energy system. As a result of that transition, energy efficient measures will be more important and absorption cooling implies that more electricity can be produced, instead of consumed, in a CHP system. There are two different types of absorption cooling machines available in the market, with either district heating or steam as the source of power. A machine using district heating as the source of power is most suitable to produce comfort cooling i.e. the cold does not need to attain such low temperatures. A steam driven absorption cooling machine is able to attain the very low temperatures needed for cooling used in the processing industry. A condition for absorption cooling is the access to low-cost heat/steam. Tekniska Verken (an energy company) has due to waste incineration access to low-cost heat. The steam in the energy system is produced with oil and electricity, which makes it more expensive to generate absorption cooling with steam as the power source. A casestudy was preformed at two industries in Linköping, Linköpingsmejeriet and Swedish Meats, where the possibility for connection of district cooling was examined. Mainly the cooling needed in the processing industry has been examined as this is need is considerably larger than the need for comfort cooling. A number of cases with different conditions for producing district cooling have been simulated in MODEST. The following conclusions have been drawn based on the results of the simulations. • In the energy system of today there is not enough steam production to fulfil both the current need for steam and the amount of steam needed for cooling production. • An investment in new CHP-plants using biomass fuels will generate enough heat and steam to be profitable for cooling production using heat as a source of power. • The emission of carbon dioxide will decrease as a result of the transmission from compression cooling to absorption cooling. The emission will decrease further if an investment in new CHP plants with biomass fuels is carried out. This will then replace the use of fossil fuels. • An investment in lithium bromide absorptions cooler will not be profitable with such a small demand as the one in question.

The objective of this study is to process and characterize the compatibilized blends of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polyamide-6 (PA6) using olefin based reactive copolymers and subsequently to utilize this blend as a matrix material in short glass fiber (SGF) reinforced composites and organoclay based nanocomposites by applying melt processing technique. In this context, commercially available epoxydized and maleated olefinic copolymers, ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EMA-GMA) and ethylene-n butyl acrylate-carbon monoxide-maleic anhydride (EnBACO-MAH) were used as compatibilizers at different ratios. Compatibilizing performance of these two olefinic polymers was investigated through blend morphologies, thermal and mechanical properties as a function of blend composition and compatibilizer loading level. Incorporation of compatibilizer resulted in a fine morphology with reduced dispersed particle size. At 5 % EnBACO-MAH, the toughness was observed to be the highest among the blends produced. SGF reinforced ABS and ABS/PA6 blends were prepared with twin screw extrusion. The effects of SGF concentration and extrusion process conditions on the fiber length distribution, mechanical properties and morphologies of the composites were examined. The most compatible organosilane type was designated from interfacial tension and short beam flexural tests, to promote adhesion of SGF to both ABS and PA6. Increasing amount of PA6 in the polymer matrix improved the strength, stiffness and also toughness of the composites. Effects of compatibilizer content and ABS/PA6 ratio on the morphology and mechanical properties of 30% SGF reinforced ABS/PA6 blends were investigated. The most striking result of the study was the improvement in the impact strength of the SGF/ABS/PA6 composite with the additions of compatibilizer. Melt intercalation method was applied to produce ABS/PA6 blends based organoclay nanocomposites. The effects of process conditions and material parameters on the morphology of blends, dispersibility of nanoparticles and mechanical properties were investigated. To improve mixing, the screws of the extruder were modified. Processing with co-rotation yielded finer blend morphology than processing with counter-rotation. Clays were selectively exfoliated in PA6 phase and agglomerated at the interface of ABS/PA6. High level of exfoliation was obtained with increasing PA6 content and with screw speed in co-rotation mode. Screw modification improved the dispersion of clay platelets in the matrix.