Climate change is a critical global issue that continues to shape the way we understand and interact with the world around us. It is discussed more than ever before, especially in politics. To slow down the temperature rise of our planet, decreasing the amount of green house gas emissions produced by our way of living, industries, and the production of energy is necessary. Ocean Harvesting Technologies (OHT), a company from Sweden based in Blekinge, is currently developing a new iteration of renewable, wave energy converters (WEC) that they claim to be ecient from both an energy and cost perspective. A new prototype is in development where thermal and fluid characteristics inside the WEC during operation, are important aspects that need to be evaluated. This project is aimed to develop a computational simulation model of the WEC and perform simulations in order to evaluate the cooling and heating performance of the current model that is under development. The methodology used for this project was divided into three stages to streamline the work: steady-state stationary conjugate heat transfer(CHT) simulations, and transient airflow simulations with motion and compressible air, that are combined into a full-system transient CHT model for operational conditions. CAD models and delimi- tations were provided by OHT and the model was broken down, simplified and assessed to begin the work. The computational software used for the simulations in this project was STAR-CCM+ and the complete process of pre-processing, simulation setup/run and post-processing was executed using the same software. To simulate the fluid and the oper- ational motion of the WEC, the Overset mesh methodology was used, and to resolve the turbulent flow, URANS k! SST was used in the solver. The thermodynamic simulations were initially set up and simulated in two sub-models in order to speed up the method development and to get an early indication of the performance of the WEC. The first sub-simulation handled the compressible air together with the Overset mesh motion while the second simulation aimed to model the thermodynamics of the generator components, ball screw, and other solids. Since OHT is in a relatively early development phase, no experimental data could be used for validation, however, data sheets for generator com- ponents and simple handbook calculations were used to validate the simulation models performance. The sub-simulations resulted in an ecient simulation strategy and a lot of knowledge and understanding of the system performance was gained to implement in the full-system model The final outcome of this thesis work was a complete CHT model that showed the ca- pability of running several hundreds of seconds of operational time while producing a significant amount of performance data such as temperature profiles of critical parts, air pressure/temperature fluctuations, and drag losses of the complete WEC. Furthermore, the sub-simulation models can be used individually as stand-alone models in order to op- timize the system on a component level, e.g., drag losses from the generator components during motion.

Neurodegenerative diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent due to the ageing population, and are among the major contributors to disability and disease worldwide. The identification of the gene defects responsible for many of these conditions has played a major role in our understanding of the pathogenic processes involved, and provided opportunity to develop targeted treatment strategies. Cholinergic neurotransmission supports a wide range of physiological and behavioural processes and its dysfunction of cholinergic signalling has been associated with a number of disorders, including myasthenias, cardiovascular disease(1), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (2), Alzheimer’s disease (ADi), schizophrenia, addiction(3), and depression(4). SLC5A7 encodes the Na+/Cl- dependent, high-affinity choline transporter (CHT) which represents the rate limiting step in acetylcholine (Ach) synthesis and is critical for normal cholinergic signalling. The work in this thesis details two new inherited disorders, caused by distinct pathogenic disease mechanisms, associated with novel SLC5A7 mutations. Chapter three documents the discovery of two autosomal-dominantly acting SLC5A7/CHT mutations associated with adult onset motor neurone disorders. Initially we identified a frameshift mutation that results in premature truncation of the transporter protein in a large Welsh kindred affected with distal hereditary motor neuropathy type VII (dHMN-VII), in which neurodegeneration and muscle paresis is largely restricted to the distal limb muscles and vocal cords. The mutation responsible results in the dominant-negative interference of the mutant molecule with function of the wild type choline transporter, resulting in significantly reduced (although not completely abolished) transporter activity. This finding is further evidenced by the discovery of a second dHMN family associated with a distinct frameshift SLC5A7 mutation indicative of a similar dominant-negative disease mechanism. Together these findings corroborate a dominant-negative disease mechanism arising from C-terminal truncating SLC5A7 mutations associated with dHMN, and provide further insight into the role of aberrant choline transporter function in neurological disease. Chapter four describes N-terminal missense mutations located in the transmembrane spanning region of SLC5A7/CHT, associated with a severe infantile neuromuscular disorder characterised by predominantly central hypotonia and developmental delay. The phenotypic effects of these mutations are likely to result from the near abolition of CHT-mediated choline transport in homozygous individuals, and are in keeping with those observed in CHT knock-out mouse models(5). The development of a mouse model of the human motor neurone disease arising from SLC5A7 frameshift mutations should allow for further investigation of the mechanism by which truncated CHT leads to the dHMN phenotype. Chapter 5 details treatment hypotheses for dHMN, as well as the generation of a patient-specific knock-in mouse model carrying an Slc5a7 mutation orthologous to that identified in dHMN-VII families in chapter 3, and results from preliminary neurological phenotyping of the mouse model. This model will be crucially important for the exploration of treatment options in dHMN-VII motor neurone disease as a prelude to clinical trials in humans.

[ES] Actualmente, los vehículos propulsados por motores de combustión interna alternativos (MCIA) constituyen uno de los mayores agentes contaminantes para el medio ambiente. En este sentido, ha existido una importante cooperación internacional para promulgar leyes que regulen las emisiones contaminantes. De manera que los fabricantes de coches han impulsado el desarrollo de tecnologías más limpias y amigables con el medio ambiente. Ante esta situación, ha surgido recientemente la electrificación, como uno de los proyectos más ambiciosos de la industria automotriz para los próximos años. Sin embargo, esta meta parece aún lejana en el horizonte. En tal sentido, la hibridación con motores térmicos y eléctricos parece ser el camino a seguir en el corto plazo. Por consiguiente, los MCIA seguirán siendo la principal fuente de propulsión terrestre durante los años venideros. Para mitigar los inherentes efectos contaminantes de los motores de combustión interna, se han propuesto diferentes tecnologías para desarrollar motores más eficientes. Entre ellas, la aplicación de recubrimientos térmicos en las paredes de la cámara de combustión apunta a reducir las pérdidas por calor en el motor, y así aumentar su eficiencia térmica. El objetivo principal de esta tesis es estudiar el impacto de aplicar recubrimientos térmicos en las paredes de la cámara de combustión en motores de combustión interna. En este sentido, determinar los flujos de calor experimentalmente a través de las paredes es complicado y no del todo fiables, debido a que dependen de la medición de las temperaturas de pared. Por este motivo, el CFD-CHT es utilizado. El primer paso fue validar la herramienta computacional que es utilizada para los cálculos en motores de combustión interna. Para ello se realizó un estudio preliminar en geometrías sencillas como una tubería circular o un canal rectangular. Se evaluaron los modelos de transferencia de calor y se determinó la relevancia de ciertos parámetros como la rugosidad. Para complementar el estudio, se realizó un análisis de las temperaturas en una geometría más realista como el pistón de un MCIA. Los valores de temperatura calculados por el software fueron casi iguales a las medidas experimentales. Por consiguiente, la fiabilidad de la herramienta computacional fue verificada. Seguidamente, se plantea una metodología para abordar al problema de modelar capas muy finas de recubrimientos térmicos en el espacio tridimensional. Para de esta manera poder simular las paredes recubiertas en la cámara de combustión. La metodología consiste en definir un material equivalente con un espesor y número de nodos que permitan un mallado computacionalmente realista. Para ello se utilizó un DoE en combinación con un análisis de regresión múltiple. Los primeros estudios se llevaron a cabo en un motor de gasolina. El modelado se llevó a cabo para dos configuraciones: motor con paredes metálicas y motor con pistón y culata recubiertos. A través de un análisis exhaustivo de la transferencia del calor, se evaluó el impacto que tenía aplicar el revestimiento térmico en el motor. La comparación con datos experimentales demuestran la utilidad del cálculo CHT para evaluar las pérdidas de calor en un MCIA. Sin embargo, ninguna mejora fue observada en el motor de gasolina debido al tipo de recubrimiento aplicado en las paredes de la cámara de combustión. Las simulaciones llevadas a cabo en el motor de gasolina permitieron determinar que los cálculos CHT son computacionalmente largos. En este sentido, una serie de estrategias diseñadas a optimizar los cálculos han sido analizadas con el fin de reducir los tiempos de cálculo. A través de este estudio, se encontró una metodología para optimizar la malla del dominio computacional. Esta última, emplea un refinamiento AMR basado en la distancia de pared. Este método es utilizado para modelar el impacto de aplicar un revestimiento tér / [CA] Actualment, els vehicles propulsats per motors de combustió interna alter- natius (MCIA) constitueixen un dels majors agents contaminants per al medi ambient. En aquest sentit, ha existit una important cooperació internacional per a promulgar lleis que regulen les emissions contaminants. De manera que els fabricants de cotxes han impulsat el desenvolupament de tecnologies més netes i amigables amb el medi ambient. Davant aquesta situació, ha sorgit recentment l'electrificació, com un dels projectes més ambiciosos de la indústria automotriu per als pròxims anys. No obstant això, aquesta meta sembla encara llunyana en l'horitzó. En tal sentit, la hibridació amb motors tèrmics i elèctrics sembla ser el camí a seguir en el curt termini. Per consegüent, els MCIA continuaran sent la principal font de propulsió terrestre durant els anys esdevenidors. Per a mitigar els inherents efectes contaminants dels motors de combustió interna, s'han proposat diferents tecnologies per a desenvolupar motors més eficients. Entre elles, l'aplicació de recobriments tèrmics en les parets de la cambra de combustió apunta a reduir les pèrdues per calor en el motor, i així augmentar la seua eficiència tèrmica. L'objectiu principal d'aquesta tesi és estudiar l'impacte d'aplicar reco- briments tèrmics en les parets de la cambra de combustió en motors de combustió interna. En aquest sentit, determinar els fluxos de calor experi- mentalment a través de les parets és complicat i no del tot fiable, pel fet que depenen del mesurament de les temperatures de paret. Per aquest motiu, el CFD-CHT (Computational fluid dynamics-Conjugate Heat Transfer) és utilitzat. El primer pas va ser validar l'eina computacional que és utilitzada per als càlculs en motors de combustió interna. Per a això es va realitzar un estudi preliminar en geometries senzilles com una canonada circular o un canal rectangular. Es van avaluar els models de transferència de calor i es va determinar la rellevància de certs paràmetres com la rugositat. Per a complementar l'estudi, es va realitzar una anàlisi de les temperatures en una geometria més realista com el pistó d'un MCIA. Els valors de temperatura calculats pel software van ser quasi iguals a les mesures experimentals. Per consegüent, la fiabilitat de l'eina computacional va ser verificada. Seguidament, es planteja una metodologia per a abordar el problema de modelar capes molt fines de recobriments tèrmics en l'espai tridimensional, per a d'aquesta manera poder simular les parets recobertes en la cambra de combustió. La metodologia consisteix a definir un material equivalent amb una grossària i nombre de nodes que permeten un mallat computacionalment realista. Per a això es va utilitzar un DoE (Design of experiments) en combinació amb una anàlisi de regressió múltiple. Els primers estudis es van dur a terme en un motor de gasolina. El mod- elatge es va dur a terme per a dues configuracions: motor amb parets metàl·liques i motor amb pistó i culata recoberts. A través d'una anàlisi exhaustiva de la transferència de la calor, es va avaluar l'impacte que tenia aplicar el revestiment tèrmic en el motor. La comparació amb dades experi- mentals demostren la utilitat del càlcul CHT per a avaluar les pèrdues de calor en un MCIA. No obstant això, cap millora va ser observada en el motor de gasolina a causa de la mena de recobriment aplicada en les parets de la cambra de combustió. Les simulacions dutes a terme en el motor de gasolina van permetre determinar que els càlculs CHT són computacionalment llargs. En aquest sentit, una sèrie d'estratègies dissenyades per a optimitzar els càlculs han sigut analitzades amb la finalitat de reduir els temps de càlcul. A través d'aquest estudi, es va trobar una metodologia per a optimitzar la malla del domini computacional. Aquesta última, empra un refinament AMR basat en la distància de paret. / [EN] Currently, vehicles powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) are targeted as contributing largely to environmental pollution. In this regard, there has been significant international cooperation to enact laws that regulate the polluting emissions. Hence, the car manufacturers have oriented efforts to the development of cleaner and more eco-friendly technologies. In order to face this situation, electrified vehicles have emerged as one of the most promising projects in the automotive industry for the coming years. However, this target still seems far on the horizon. In this sense, hybridization with thermal and electric engines seems to be the path to follow in the short term. Consequently, ICEs will continue to be one of the important sources of terrestrial propulsion in the coming years. To mitigate the inherent polluting effects of internal combustion engines, different technologies have been proposed to develop more efficient engines. Among them, the application of thermal coatings on the combustion chamber walls. This technology aims at reducing the heat losses in the engine, and thus increase its thermal efficiency. The main objective of this thesis is to study the impact of coating the combustion chamber walls of an engine on heat losses and thermal efficiency. The experimental definition of the heat fluxes through the walls is complex and not very reliable because it requires the measurement of wall temperatures. For this reason, CFD-CHT (Computational fluid dynamics-Conjugate Heat Transfer) is used. The first step was to validate the computational tool employed for CFD-CHT calculations in internal combustion engines. For this, a preliminary study in simple geometries such as a circular pipe or a rectangular channel was performed. Heat transfer models were evaluated and the relevance of certain parameters such as roughness was determined. To reinforce the study, a thermal analysis in a more realistic geometry such as the piston of a CI engine was carried out. The temperature values calculated by the software were almost the same as the experimental measurements. Consequently, the reliability of the computational tool was verified. Next, a methodology was proposed to address the problem of modeling very thin layers of thermal coating for three-dimensional CFD-CHT calculations. The methodology consists in defining an "equivalent material" with a thickness and number of nodes that allow a computationally realistic mesh. For this, a DoE in combination with a multiple regression analysis was employed. The first CFD-CHT simulations in ICEs were carried out for a gasoline engine. The study was performed for two configurations: metallic engine and engine with coated piston and cylinder head. An exhaustive heat transfer analysis was made in order to determine the impact of applying the thermal coating on the engine. Comparison with experimental data proved the suitability of the CHT calculations to evaluate heat losses in ICEs. However, no improvement on engine efficiency was observed in the gasoline engine due to the type of coating applied on the combustion chamber walls. Experience with the gasoline engine calculations showed that CHT calculations were very time consuming. In this regard, some strategies aimed at optimizing the calculations were analyzed in order to reduce calculation times. The most successful methodology was based on AMR cell refinement to optimize the mesh and reduce significantly the computational costs. This approach was used to study the impact of applying a new generation thermal coating on the piston top of a Diesel engine. The results obtained indicated that this type of coating allows for some improvement in the thermal efficiency of the engine without affecting its performance. / The author wishes to acknowledge the financial support received through contract FPI-2018-S2-1205 of the Programa para la Formación de Personal investigador (FPI) 2018 of Universitat Politècnica de València. Parts of the work presented in this thesis have received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme undergrant agreement No 724084.The author wishes to thank IFPEN for their permission to use their single cylinder engine geometry and experimental results, as well as Saint Gobain Research Provence for providing the coating characteristics.The respondent wants to express its gratitude to CONVERGENT SCIENCE Inc. and Convergent Science GmbH for their kind support for performingthe CFD-CHT calculations using CONVERGE software / Escalona Cornejo, JE. (2021). Modelling of Heat Losses through Coated Cylinder Walls and their Impact on Engine Performance [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/165244 / TESIS

Background Nuclear reactors utilizing molten fuels rather than solid fuels show a massive advantage in energy yield, waste handling and safety features. The only successful reactor utilizing a molten fuel was called the ‘Molten Salt Reactor Experiment’ (MSRE), built and operated in the Oak Ridge national laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee, U.S.A. during the 1960s. The molten salts in question are fluoride compounds under the name of “FLiBe”. In this thesis, the heat exchangers of the MSRE are modelled and simulated, with the aim to test whether current computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software and mathematical models can accurately predict molten salt heat transfer behaviour.  Methods All programs used are open-source and/or free-access to facilitate open collaboration between researchers in this growing field. All models and findings produced in this thesis are free to use for future research. The program Onshape was used to draw CAD-models based on hand-drawn technical documents released by ORNL. Several programs, e.g., Simscale and Salome, were used to create high detailed meshes of the heat exchangers. The CFD software Simscale and OpenFOAM have been used to simulate the heat exchangers, using the 𝑘 − 𝜔 𝑆𝑆𝑇 Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence model to perform a multiregion conjugate heat transfer (CHT) analysis. The program Paraview has been used for all post-processing on the large datasets.  Results A working toolchain with open-source programs for CFD has been identified. Highly detailed, full-scale and accurate CAD-drawings of the two heat exchangers have been produced. Models have been finely meshed, containing tens of millions of cells, with good quality measures. The simulations produced physically sound and valuable data: Great heat transfer predictive capability with high accuracy to the data presented by ORNL. Pressure data showed a consistent over-prediction with a factor of ~2. Possibility of error within the MSRE measurement.  Conclusions CHT using modern turbulence methods work well for the intended purpose and can be used by industry to simulate molten salt heat transfer. Open-source programs perform well and can be used by researchers to share ideas and progress. Doubts around certain measurements from the MSRE, showing large uncertainties. Future projects have been outlined to continue the work performed in this thesis. Molten salt reactors show fantastic promise as an energy generation method and should be seriously considered for the future of clean, reliable energy.