M. Tech. (Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Background: There are critical unmet needs for improved strategies in the detection and diagnosis of M.tuberculosis infection in children, and for prevention of tuberculosis disease in children. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination has limited the utility of tuberculin skin testing (TST) in areas with high vaccine coverage. Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of M.tuberculosis infection in children with household tuberculosis contacts, using QFT-GIT testing in comparison with TST. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional design to assess the performance of a new T-cell based blood test, namely QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube (QFT-GIT), for diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in the children (n=182) of adults (n=124) with pulmonary tuberculosis, additionally to determine the prevalence of M.tuberculosis infection in children with household tuberculosis contacts, using QFT-GIT testing in comparison with TST. The study was carried out at Chris Hani Hospital. For children involved in the study, tuberculosis exposure information was obtained, together with TST, QFT-GIT, and HIV testing. Data obtained from both experiments was statistically analysed using SPSS version 24 to determine whether there was a significant agreement between QFT-GIT and TST on the detection of M.tuberculosis prevalence in children with house hold contacts with confirmed M.tuberculosis infection. Results: This study examined the sensitivity and specificity of the QFT-GIT tests compared with the standard TST for diagnosing latent tuberculosis disease in paediatric contacts. Because of the lack of a latent tuberculosis “gold standard”, the specificity and sensitivity of QFT-GIT was calculated with a two-by-two table method. The specificity of the QFT-GIT was 84% and the sensitivity was 85%. There was a good correlation between QFT-GIT and TST (Cohen’s kappa of 0.705). Seventeen percent (17%) of the 182 children tested by QFT-GIT yielded indeterminate results. Age was associated with indeterminate QFT-GIT results in paediatric tuberculosis contacts. Point prevalence for QFT-GIT was recorded as 31% at baseline and 39.5% after six months indicating variability between QFT-GIT results at baseline and after six months. Conclusion: It was concluded that the prevalence of tuberculosis infection was common among South African children who live with an adult with active tuberculosis. The agreement between QFT-GIT assay and TST for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis in children was high. Although TST and QFT-GIT assays appeared comparable, QFT-GIT showed higher positivity rate amongst those contacts with reported household tuberculosis exposure compared to TST. The QFTGIT assay was a better indicator of the risk of M.tuberculosis infection than TST in a BCG-vaccinated population.

No description available.

O aumento da prevalência de doenças alérgicas como a asma, tem sido atribuído à falta de estímulos infecciosos. A atopia, que embasa as manifestações alérgicas, caracteriza-se por uma disfunção imune com predomínio da resposta do tipo Th2. Experimentos em modelos animais com micobactérias e seus produtos têm demonstrado resultados promissores na proteção e reversão de resposta imune do tipo Th2. A imunoterapia para alérgenos inalatórios tem mostrado resultados positivos e o uso do BCG como adjuvante poderia trazer benefícios adicionais. Em estudo randomizado duplo cego foram avaliados 21 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com idades de 8 a 17 anos sensibilizados ao Dermatophagoides pteronissynus (Dpt) e portadores de asma leve ou moderada persistentes. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos e tratados com imunoterapia específica (ITE) para Dpt. O Grupo A recebeu como adjuvante, no início da ITE, uma aplicação do diluente do BCG e o Grupo B uma dose da vacina BCG. Na avaliação realizada após o período de indução da ITE constatou-se nos dois grupos diminuição significativa dos sintomas, da necessidade de medicação para asma, da hiperreatividade brônquica inespecífica, da reatividade cutânea ao Dpt juntamente com a melhora da função pulmonar. Houve uma redução no índice de estimulação da cultura de células mononucleares do sangue periférico estimuladas com Dpt, acompanhada de uma elevação da IL-10 no sobrenadante e dos níveis da IgG específica para Dpt e da IgE total. Os eosinófilos, a IgE específica para Dpt do sangue e o óxido nítrico no ar exalado não se alteraram. Não houve diferença na comparação dentre os grupos, exceto na proliferação das células mononucleares do sangue periférico estimuladas com PPD, que foi maior no Grupo B. Conclusão: a ITE levou a resultados satisfatórios com melhora clínica e alterações imunológicas já ao final do período de indução. A avaliação do uso do BCG como adjuvante, não mostrou benefícios adicionais. / The increase of allergic diseases, such as asthma, has often been explained by a decline in infectious stimulation. Atopy that is characterized as an immune dysfunction promotes a strong type Th2 immune response and underlines allergic diseases. Experimental animal models researches with mycobacteria and its products had led to promising results in prevention or reversion of type Th2 response. Positive results have been obtained to allergens specific immunotherapy (SIT) and its association with BCG vaccine, as an adjuvant, could promote additional benefits. In a randomized double blind study 21 patients sensitized to mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) with mild or moderate persistent asthma, aged 8 to 17 years of both sex were evaluated. Patients were divided in two groups. Group A received at the beginning of SIT one dose of BCG diluent and Group B one dose of BCG vaccine. After the SIT induction period we observed in both groups a significant decrease in asthma symptoms, bronchial hyperreactivity, immediate cutaneous reactivity to Dpt and the necessity of drugs intake. Specific lymphoproliferation against Dpt significantly decreased while IL-10 levels, specific IgG and total IgE increased. Blood eosinophils, specific IgE, others immunoglobulins levels and nitric oxide in exhaled air didn\'t change. There were no differences in all parameters evaluated between the two groups except on specific lymphoproliferation against PPD that was higher in Group B. Conclusions: improvement in symptoms and immunologicals changes where observed at the end of SIT induction period. BCG as adjuvant didn\'t add additional benefits.

O aumento da prevalência de doenças alérgicas como a asma, tem sido atribuído à falta de estímulos infecciosos. A atopia, que embasa as manifestações alérgicas, caracteriza-se por uma disfunção imune com predomínio da resposta do tipo Th2. Experimentos em modelos animais com micobactérias e seus produtos têm demonstrado resultados promissores na proteção e reversão de resposta imune do tipo Th2. A imunoterapia para alérgenos inalatórios tem mostrado resultados positivos e o uso do BCG como adjuvante poderia trazer benefícios adicionais. Em estudo randomizado duplo cego foram avaliados 21 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com idades de 8 a 17 anos sensibilizados ao Dermatophagoides pteronissynus (Dpt) e portadores de asma leve ou moderada persistentes. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos e tratados com imunoterapia específica (ITE) para Dpt. O Grupo A recebeu como adjuvante, no início da ITE, uma aplicação do diluente do BCG e o Grupo B uma dose da vacina BCG. Na avaliação realizada após o período de indução da ITE constatou-se nos dois grupos diminuição significativa dos sintomas, da necessidade de medicação para asma, da hiperreatividade brônquica inespecífica, da reatividade cutânea ao Dpt juntamente com a melhora da função pulmonar. Houve uma redução no índice de estimulação da cultura de células mononucleares do sangue periférico estimuladas com Dpt, acompanhada de uma elevação da IL-10 no sobrenadante e dos níveis da IgG específica para Dpt e da IgE total. Os eosinófilos, a IgE específica para Dpt do sangue e o óxido nítrico no ar exalado não se alteraram. Não houve diferença na comparação dentre os grupos, exceto na proliferação das células mononucleares do sangue periférico estimuladas com PPD, que foi maior no Grupo B. Conclusão: a ITE levou a resultados satisfatórios com melhora clínica e alterações imunológicas já ao final do período de indução. A avaliação do uso do BCG como adjuvante, não mostrou benefícios adicionais. / The increase of allergic diseases, such as asthma, has often been explained by a decline in infectious stimulation. Atopy that is characterized as an immune dysfunction promotes a strong type Th2 immune response and underlines allergic diseases. Experimental animal models researches with mycobacteria and its products had led to promising results in prevention or reversion of type Th2 response. Positive results have been obtained to allergens specific immunotherapy (SIT) and its association with BCG vaccine, as an adjuvant, could promote additional benefits. In a randomized double blind study 21 patients sensitized to mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) with mild or moderate persistent asthma, aged 8 to 17 years of both sex were evaluated. Patients were divided in two groups. Group A received at the beginning of SIT one dose of BCG diluent and Group B one dose of BCG vaccine. After the SIT induction period we observed in both groups a significant decrease in asthma symptoms, bronchial hyperreactivity, immediate cutaneous reactivity to Dpt and the necessity of drugs intake. Specific lymphoproliferation against Dpt significantly decreased while IL-10 levels, specific IgG and total IgE increased. Blood eosinophils, specific IgE, others immunoglobulins levels and nitric oxide in exhaled air didn\'t change. There were no differences in all parameters evaluated between the two groups except on specific lymphoproliferation against PPD that was higher in Group B. Conclusions: improvement in symptoms and immunologicals changes where observed at the end of SIT induction period. BCG as adjuvant didn\'t add additional benefits.

台灣有超過2,000家在營業中的旅行社，營運規模由3到5個員工到數千人員工，由極輕量化的公司營運一直到大型營運的公司皆存在旅遊產業中。 本研究個案試著運用幾種企業管理常用的理論模組，讓閱讀本文的人士能夠清楚地了解，如何在適當的時機做對的決策，以擴大營運規模。 以本個案的綜合旅行社為例，年間服務出境旅客超過20萬人次，在過去七年間，員工人數成長約2.5倍，業績成長約3倍，並且上興櫃成功；除了公司內部作業平台的改善及優化之外，本個案要闡明的是，在快速變遷的環境中，如何掌握機會，做好決策，並落實執行的過程。期望能提供有效的資訊給有意將公司大型化的同業參考，並也藉由個案檢視公司成長的決策過程，由累積公司成長的經驗中建立有效、穩定的公司決策模式。讓個案中的公司與有興趣閱讀的人員可以從文中獲得知識的累積與經營事業的啟發。

This thesis aims to realize the strategic analysis of K Brewery, to disclose its strategic competitive advantage and its chances to succeed on a highly competitive beer market. Hence, the author analyzes global background and beer industry (external analysis) as well as identifies company's specific sources and abilities (internal analysis). Finally, the synthesis of findings of both analyses allows comparing company's strength and weaknesses with its potential threatens and opportunities.

Abstract The main objective of this study is to observe product development sourcing strategies over technology life-cycle stages, including assessing evaluation conditions and strategy formulating models. This dissertation approaches product development sourcing from the perspectives of 1) main concepts of product development and technology life-cycles, 2) mapping product development activities over technology life-cycles, 3) mapping product development sourcing over technology life-cycles, and 4) a decision making flowchart. The individual findings are further synthesised and a three dimensional view to analyse the strategic positioning of technology, product and market development as a core context of the organisation is presented. This as it is proposed that the product development sourcing strategies should be analysed and decided according to strategic positioning of the technologies, products and markets and based on the related life-cycle phases. Different product development sourcing strategies can increase the competitiveness of the company by effectively managing critical knowledge of the technology and product development resources. The dissertation is qualitative and inductive in nature and is based on both, reviewing the literature and interviewing experienced industrial managers. The empirical material is based on semi-structured interviews with R&D managers and meetings with R&D directors. The study was realised by investigating historical data on product development activities and sourcing strategies of one of the high-tech industry leaders over four technology generations. The technology evolution of all the generations are considered and the collected data is analysed to understand if there are any significant relationships with the literature based findings. The analysis consists of five individual publications and related synthesis in this compilation. The principal results of this study is a product development sourcing framework (PDSF) proposing how product development sourcing strategies could be managed according to technology maturity levels by considering the specific needs and motivations of each prevailing situation. This necessitates the understanding of the characteristics of different technology life-cycle stages, and evaluating product development activities. This study points out how different models can be utilised to support the evaluation. As a result, various factors can be used to support the product development sourcing decisions for each specific situation, whereas strategy formulating theories are also beneficial as a support for these decisions. The main implications include providing a structure, PDSF, to support managers in their decisions on product development activities and sourcing strategies. The created PDSF is an amalgam of seven technology life-cycles that enable cross-functional investigations over each technology with market penetration situation, manufacturing capabilities, product development factors, and sourcing capability factors of all technology products. Aside providing support for selecting suitable product development sourcing strategies, this study may also ease the considerations over killing unproductive projects and unprofitable product lines. / Tiivistelmä Tämä tutkimus tarkastelee tuotekehityksen hankintastrategioita teknologioiden, tuotteiden ja markkinasegmenttien eri elinkaarivaiheissa. Väitöskirja lähestyy tuotekehityksen hankintaa seuraavista näkökulmista: 1) tuotekehityksen ja teknologioiden elinkaarien pääkonseptit, 2) tuotekehitystoiminnat teknologianelinkaarien vaiheissa, 3) tuotekehityksen hankinnat teknologianelinkaaren vaiheissa, ja 4) päätöksenteon vuokaavio. Yksittäiset löydökset on edelleen syntetisoitu ja kolmiulotteinen näkemys teknologioiden, tuotteiden ja markkinoiden kehittymiseen on esitetty keskeisenä kontekstina organisaatioille. Väitöstutkimus esittää että tuotekehityksen hankintastrategiat pitäisi analysoida ja päättää perustuen teknologioiden, tuotteiden ja markkinoiden strategiseen positioon elinkaarivaiheissa. Erilaiset tuotekehityksen hankintastrategiat voivat parantaa yritysten kilpailukykyä teknologioihin ja tuotekehitysresursseihin liittyvän kriittisen tiedon tehokkaan johtamisen ansiosta. Väitöskirja on luonteeltaan laadullista tutkimusta hyödyntäen induktiivista päättelylogiikkaa perustuen sekä aiemman kirjallisuuden tarkasteluun, että empiirisesti puolistrukturoituihin haastatteluihin kokeneiden tuotekehityspäälliköiden ja -johtajien kanssa. Tutkimus toteutettiin tarkastelemalla neljään eri teknologiasukupolveen liittyviä tuotekehityksen ja hankintastrategioiden historiatietoa ja aineistoa yhdessä johtavassa korkeanteknologian yrityksessä. Tarkasteltujen teknologiasukupolvien teknologiaevoluutiota on pohdittu ja kerättyä dataa on analysoitu mahdollisten merkittävien yhteyksien tunnistamiseksi ja ymmärtämiseksi suhteessa aikaisempiin tutkimuksiin ja kirjallisuuteen. Suoritettu analyysi sisältää viisi erillistä osajulkaisua ja tässä kokoomaosassa esitetyn synteesin. Tämän tutkimuksen keskeinen tulos on kehitetty tuotekehityksen hankintaviitekehys (PDSF) joka esittää tuotekehityksen hankintastrategioiden muodostamisen ja valitsemisen perustuen teknologioiden, tuotteiden ja markkinoiden kypsyysasteisiin, elinkaarivaiheisiin. Tämä edellyttää eri teknologiaelinkaarivaiheiden erityispiirteiden ymmärtämistä ja tuotekehitysaktiviteettien strategista arviointia. Tutkittuja strategisia tekijöitä voidaan hyödyntää tukemaan tuotekehityksen hankintamallin valitsemista ja päätöksiä. Tutkimuksen keskeiset implikaatiot sisältävät struktuurin luomisen, tuotekehityksen hankintaviitekehyksen (PDSF) muodossa tukemaan tuotekehitysjohtajia heidän päätöksenteossaan liittyen tuotekehityksen hankintastrategioihin. Luotu tuotekehityksen hankintaviitekehys mahdollistaa poikkiorganisaatiollisen tarkastelun tuotekehityksen strategisista hallintamalleista huomioiden teknologioiden, tuotteiden ja markkinasegmenttien elinkaaret ja niiden vaikutukset strategiseen päätöksen tekoon. Lisäksi, tämä tutkimus voi myös osaltaan helpottaa tuottamattomien tuotteiden ja tuotelinjojen lakkauttamiseen liittyvää analyysia ja päätöksentekoa.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] El sistema de bomba de calor geotérmica (GSHP) es una tecnología prometedora para utilizar la energía geotérmica somera (EGS). En este sistema, un intercambiador enterrado de calor de perforación (BHE) desempeña un papel principal e influye directamente en el coeficiente de rendimiento estacional (SCOP) de este sistema geotérmico poco profundo. Se han llevado a cabo diferentes estudios para mejorar el rendimiento del BHE, incluyendo el uso de materiales avanzados para el plástico de las tuberías, uso de fluido caloportador (o de transferencia de calor) y de relleno/grouting, de mayor transferencia de calor, diseño de nuevas geometrías, y la optimización del BHE para ser utilizado como sistemas de almacenamiento de energía térmica (BTES). Los costes de perforación, el consumo eléctrico de las bombas de calor y la resistencia térmica de las perforaciones pueden reducirse utilizando materiales con propiedades termofísicas adecuadas, como los nanofluidos y los materiales de almacenamiento térmico. De este modo, no sólo se produce una transferencia de calor más significativa entre el fluido caloportador, el relleno y el terreno, sino que también se reduce el efecto térmico sobre el entorno. El fluido de transferencia de calor es uno de los factores de optimización de la BHE que se utilizará para el almacenamiento de energía térmica (TES). Una mayor conductividad térmica en el fluido de transferencia de calor mejora la eficacia de la transferencia de calor entre el fluido y los materiales alrededor, lo que lleva a alcanzar con mayor rapidez la temperatura de cambio de fase en los materiales de almacenamiento. Cuando se usa un fluido de transferencia de calor con una conductividad térmica superior, la temperatura del material de almacenamiento de calor experimenta fluctuaciones más rápidas, lo que reduce significativamente la duración necesaria para un cambio de fase completo. Además, usar materiales de cambio de fase (PCM) para almacenar calor en lugar del relleno convencional permite aprovechar el BHE como sistema BTES. Además de disminuir considerablemente la profundidad de perforación necesaria, el sistema BTES puede almacenar y liberar energía diaria y estacionalmente para reducir la carga durante las horas punta. Sin embargo, hay un vacío notable en la bibliografía sobre la exploración y aplicación de nuevos materiales de almacenamiento de calor y fluidos de transferencia de calor en las BHE para hacerlas aptas para fines de BTES. Aunque se han aplicado diversas innovaciones para mejorar el rendimiento de los BHE, como el uso de materiales plásticos avanzados y la optimización del diseño, la mayor parte de la investigación se ha centrado en el uso convencional de los BHE. Debería prestarse más atención a las ventajas potenciales del aprovechamiento de los intercambiadores de calor mediante la aplicación de nanofluidos y PCM como fluidos de transferencia de calor y medios de almacenamiento de calor, respectivamente. Como ya se ha mencionado, estos materiales poseen propiedades termofísicas superiores que pueden dar lugar a una transferencia de calor más eficiente, una reducción de los costes de perforación, un menor consumo de electricidad en las bombas de calor y una disminución de la resistencia térmica de la perforación. Esta laguna en la investigación hace necesaria una investigación en profundidad para determinar la viabilidad y factibilidad de la aplicación de estos materiales avanzados en las BHE, facilitando en última instancia su transformación en sistemas BTES fiables. Por lo tanto, los principales objetivos de esta tesis doctoral son estudiar experimental y numéricamente los impactos del uso de materiales avanzados para el fluido caloportador y el relleno/grouting tales como nanofluidos y PCMs, en el rendimiento del BHE como sistemas BTES. El estudio pretende seleccionar los materiales más favorables, convirtiéndose en una referencia práctica y fiable para futuros proyectos y sectores industriales. / [CA] El sistema de bomba de calor geotèrmica (GSHP, en anglès) és una tecnologia prometedora per a utilitzar l'energia geotèrmica succinta (EGS). En este sistema, un bescanviador enterrat de calor de perforació (BHE, en anglès) exercix un paper principal i influïx directament en el coeficient de rendiment estacional (SCOP) d'este sistema geotèrmic poc profund. S'han dut a terme diferents estudis per a millorar el rendiment del *BHE, incloent-hi l'ús de materials avançats per al plàstic de les canonades, ús de fluid termòfor (o de transferència de calor) i de grouting, de major transferència de calor, disseny de noves geometries, i l'optimització del BHE per a ser utilitzat com a sistemes d'emmagatzematge d'energia tèrmica (BTES, en anglès). Els costos de perforació, el consum elèctric de les bombes de calor i la resistència tèrmica de les perforacions poden reduir-se utilitzant materials amb propietats termo-físiques adequades, com els nanofluids i els materials d'emmagatzematge tèrmic. D'esta manera, no sols es produïx una transferència de calor més significativa entre el fluid termòfor, el farciment i el terreny, sinó que també es reduïx l'efecte tèrmic sobre l'entorn. El fluid de transferència de calor és un dels factors d'optimització de la *BHE que s'utilitzarà per a l'emmagatzematge d'energia tèrmica (*TES). Una major conductivitat tèrmica en el fluid de transferència de calor millora l'eficàcia de la transferència de calor entre el fluid i els materials al voltant, la qual cosa porta a aconseguir amb major rapidesa la temperatura de canvi de fase en els materials d'emmagatzematge. Quan s'usa un fluid de transferència de calor amb una conductivitat tèrmica superior, la temperatura del material d'emmagatzematge de calor experimenta fluctuacions més ràpides, la qual cosa reduïx significativament la duració necessària per a un canvi de fase complet. A més, usar materials de canvi de fase (PCM, en anglès) per a emmagatzemar calor en lloc del farciment convencional permet aprofitar el BHE com a sistema BTES. A més de disminuir considerablement la profunditat de perforació necessària, el sistema BTES pot emmagatzemar i alliberar energia diària i estacionalment per a reduir la càrrega durant les hores punta. No obstant això, hi ha un buit notable en la bibliografia sobre l'exploració i aplicació de nous materials d'emmagatzematge de calor i fluids de transferència de calor en les BHE per a fer-les aptes per a fins de BTES. Encara que s'han aplicat diverses innovacions per a millorar el rendiment dels BHE, com l'ús de materials plàstics avançats i l'optimització del disseny, la major part de la investigació s'ha centrat en l'ús convencional dels BHE. Hauria de prestar-se més atenció als avantatges potencials de l'aprofitament dels bescanviadors de calor mitjançant l'aplicació de nanofluids i PCM com a fluids de transferència de calor i mitjans d'emmagatzematge de calor, respectivament. Com ja s'ha esmentat, estos materials posseïxen propietats termo-físiques superiors que poden donar lloc a una transferència de calor més eficient, una reducció dels costos de perforació, un menor consum d'electricitat en les bombes de calor i una disminució de la resistència tèrmica de la perforació. Esta llacuna en la investigació fa necessària una investigació en profunditat per a determinar la viabilitat i factibilitat de l'aplicació d'estos materials avançats en les BHE, facilitant en última instància la seua transformació en sistemes BTES fiables. Per tant, els principals objectius d'esta tesi doctoral són estudiar experimental i numèricament els impactes de l'ús de materials avançats per al fluid termòfor i el grouting com ara nanofluids i PCMs, en el rendiment del BHE com a sistemes BTES. L'estudi pretén seleccionar els materials més favorables, convertint-se en una referència pràctica i fiable per a futurs projectes i sectors industrials. / [EN] Due to severe environmental pollution and worldwide energy deficiency, exploiting renewable energies has become more critical than ever. Shallow geothermal energy (SGE) is considered a sustainable and renewable energy source with significant advantages in space heating and cooling, industrial applications, greenhouses, electricity production, agriculture industry devices, and hot water production, among others. The ground source heat pump (GSHP) system is a promising technology for utilizing SGE. In this system, a borehole heat exchanger (BHE) plays an important role and directly influences the coefficient of performance (COP) of this shallow geothermal system. Different approaches have been carried out to enhance the performance of the BHE, including using advanced materials for pipes, heat transfer fluids, and backfill/grout, designing new geometries, and optimizing the BHE to be used as borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) systems. Drilling costs, heat pump electricity consumption, and borehole thermal resistance can be reduced using materials with appropriate thermo-physical properties like nanofluids and heat storage materials. This results in not only a more significant heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid, the backfill/grout, and the soil but also lessens the thermal effect on the surroundings. Heat transfer fluid is one of the factors in optimizing the BHE to be used for thermal energy storage (TES). Increased thermal conductivity in the heat transfer fluid enhances heat transfer efficiency between the fluid and the heat storage materials, leading to a more rapid attainment of the phase change temperature in the storage materials. In essence, when employing a heat transfer fluid with superior thermal conductivity, the temperature of the heat storage material experiences quicker fluctuations, resulting in a significant reduction in the duration required for a complete phase change. Moreover, the use of phase change material (PCM) as a heat storage medium instead of conventional backfill/grout enables the BHE to be beneficial and applicable as a BTES system. In addition to decreasing the required borehole depth considerably, the BTES system can store and release energy daily and seasonally to reduce the load during peak hours. However, there is a notable gap in the literature concerning exploring and applying new heat storage and heat transfer fluid materials in BHEs to render them suitable for TES purposes. While various approaches have been undertaken to enhance BHE performance, including using advanced materials and design optimizations, most research has concentrated on the conventional goal of BHEs. More attention should be given to the potential advantages of these heat exchangers by applying nanofluids and PCMs as heat transfer fluids and heat storage media, respectively. As mentioned above, these materials possess superior thermo-physical properties that can lead to more efficient heat transfer, reduced drilling costs, lower electricity consumption in heat pumps, and diminished borehole thermal resistance. This research gap necessitates an in-depth investigation to determine the feasibility and practicality of implementing these advanced materials in BHEs, ultimately facilitating their transformation into reliable BTES systems. The outcomes of such research endeavors hold the promise of addressing environmental concerns and global energy deficiencies by advancing the utilization of renewable energy sources like SGE sustainably and effectively. Therefore, the main objectives of this doctoral dissertation are to study experimentally and numerically the impacts of using advanced materials for heat transfer fluid and backfill/grout, such as nanofluids and PCMs, on the performance of the BHE as BTES systems. The study aims to select the most favorable materials, making it a practical and reliable reference for future projects and industry sectors. / This research has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program named GEOCOND under grant agreement No [727583]. / Javadi, H. (2024). Experimental and Numerical Study of the Thermo-Fluid Dynamics of Borehole Heat Exchangers Incorporating Advanced Materials to be Optimized for use as Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/203144 / Compendio