The work of this dissertation is centered on two non-conventional synthetic approaches to ferromagnetic nanomaterials: high-throughput experimentation (HTE) (polyol process) and continuous flow (CF) synthesis (aqueous reduction and the polyol process). HTE was performed to investigate phase control between FexCo1-x and Co3-xFexOy. Exploration of synthesis limitations based on magnetic properties was achieved by reproducing Ms=210 emu/g. Morphological control of FexCo1-x alloy was achieved by formation of linear chains using an Hext. The final study of the FexCo1-x chains used DoE to determine factors to control FexCo1-x, diameter, crystallite size and morphology. [Ag] with [Metal] provide statistically significant control of crystallite size. [OH]/[Metal] predict 100 % FexCo1-x at > 30. To conclude section 1, a morphological study was performed on synthesis of Co3-xFexOy using the polyol process. Co3-xFexOy micropillars were synthesized at various sizes. The close proximity of the particles in the nanostructure produced an optical anisotropy and was magnetically induced which is evidence for the magneto-birefringence effect. The second non-conventional synthetic approach involves continuous flow (CF) chemistry. Co nanoparticles (Ms=125 emu/g) were newly synthesized by aqueous reduction in a microreactor and had 30 ±10 nm diameter and were produced at >1g/hr, a marker of industrial-scale up viability. The final work was the CF synthesis of FexCo1-x. The FexCo1-x was synthesized with limitation to the composition. The maximum FexCo1-x phase composition at 20 % resulted from the aqueous carrier solvent triggering oxide formation over FexCo1-x.

The Swedish truck industry is looking for new material solutions to achieve lighter engines with increased strength to meet customer demands and to fulfil the new regulations for more environmentally friendly trucks. This could be achieved by increasing the peak pressure in the cylinders. Consequently, a more efficient combustion is obtained and the exhaust lowered. This, however, exposes the engine to higher loads and material physical properties must therefore be enhanced. One material that could meet these demands is Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI). Its mechanical and physical properties make it ideal as cylinder block material, though there are drawbacks concerning its machinability as compared to other materials that are commonly used for the same purpose. Knowledge about machining of the material and its machinability is consequently inadequate. The main goal of this thesis is to identify and investigate the effect of the major factors and their individual contributions on CGI machining process behaviour. When the relationship between the fundamental features; machinability, material microstructure, and material physical properties, are revealed, the CGI material can be optimized, both regarding the manufacturing process and design requirements. The basic understanding of this is developed mainly through experimental analysis as, e.g., machining experiments and material characterization. The machining model presented in this thesis demonstrates the influence of material and process parameters on CGI machinability. It highlights machinability from both design and production planning perspectives. Another important objective of the thesis is an inverse thermo−mechanical FE model for intermittent machining of CGI. Here, experimental results obtained from a developed simulated milling method are used as input data, both to calibrate and validate the model. With these models, a deeper understanding is obtained regarding the way to achieve a stable process, which is the basis for future optimization procedures. The models can therefore be used as a foundation for the optimization of CGI component manufacturing. / <p>QC 20111121</p> / MERA - OPTIMA CGI / FFI - OPTIMA phase two

Os protetores solares (PS) são os grandes responsáveis pela proteção da pele quando exposta à radiação solar, por isso a importância sanitária de se otimizar o desenvolvimento deste cosmético tipo II e monitorar para que seja eficaz em seu propósito. O principal objetivo deste trabalho é aplicar os conceitos de Qualidade por Design (QbD), ferramentas estatísticas de desenho experimental (DoE - Design of Experiments) e o conceito de tecnologia analítica de processo (PAT - Process Analytical Technology) para desenvolver uma formulação e processo produtivo de um PS de modo a modernizar os processos da indústria cosmética, fazendo as análises durante o processo e eliminando o controle de qualidade final. Trata-se de um sistema de desenvolvimento sistematizado, onde se executa as ferramentas de QbD para avaliar os dados obtidos ao longo da fase experimental. Para a fase experimental, empregou-se o desenho fatorial e desenho do compósito central (CCD - Central Composite Design) como ferramenta estatística, para a execução do planejamento de experimentos (DoE - Design of Experiments). As respostas foram analisadas através da metodologia de superfície resposta (RSM - Response Surface Methodology). Tais ferramentas são fundamentais para a determinação do desenho de concepção (design space), para se obter o PS com as melhores características físico-químicas e de processo dentro do escopo delineado. Para o desenvolvimento da metodologia de análise in line, optou-se pela utilização da espectrometria UV, utilizando-se ferramentas como análise de regressão dos mínimos quadrados (PLS) devido a praticidade em transforma-la em uma ferramenta PAT, para isto, a quimiometria foi empregada para modelar sistemas que são desconhecidos e complexos, como um PS, e trazendo respostas diretas como a aprovação do produto antes de ser embalado, por exemplo. A abordagem apresentada baseia-se na construção da qualidade ao longo do desenvolvimento e otimização de PS e torna possível o monitoramento da qualidade em tempo real. / The sunscreens are great responsible for the skin protection when it is exposed to direct sunlight, so it means a great importance of health to optimize the development of type II cosmetic and monitor for it to be effective in its purpose. The objective of this work is to apply the concepts of Quality by Design and statistical tools of experimental design (DoE - Design of experiments), as well as applying the process analytical technology (PAT - Process Analytical Technology) concept for formulation and manufacturing process development of a topical sunscreen being able to modernize the cosmetic industry processing, including real time analyses and eliminating quarantine step, which waits analysis approval performed by the quality assurance, and then release the product for sale. As it is a systematic development, where critical quality attributes and risk assessment were performed to evaluate over obtained data. During experimental phase, the factorial design was used as a statistical tool for design of experiments implementation, and the responses were analyzed by response surface methodology (RSM - Response Surface Methodology). This mapping is critical to determination of the product design (design space), i.e. get sunscreen with the best physical and chemical characteristics and processing within the outlined scope. For in line methodology development, UV spectrometry was opted to be used due to less effort in sample preparation and due to great easiness to turn it into a PAT tool. For this, chemometrics was used, which brings together chemical and statistical elements to obtain three main elements: empirical modeling, multivariate modeling and chemical data, making it able to model systems that are unknown and complex, as a sunscreen, getting direct answers as product release approval before being packed, for example. The presented approach was based on the construction of quality throughout the sunscreen development and optimization making possible the real time quality monitoring.

Os protetores solares (PS) são os grandes responsáveis pela proteção da pele quando exposta à radiação solar, por isso a importância sanitária de se otimizar o desenvolvimento deste cosmético tipo II e monitorar para que seja eficaz em seu propósito. O principal objetivo deste trabalho é aplicar os conceitos de Qualidade por Design (QbD), ferramentas estatísticas de desenho experimental (DoE - Design of Experiments) e o conceito de tecnologia analítica de processo (PAT - Process Analytical Technology) para desenvolver uma formulação e processo produtivo de um PS de modo a modernizar os processos da indústria cosmética, fazendo as análises durante o processo e eliminando o controle de qualidade final. Trata-se de um sistema de desenvolvimento sistematizado, onde se executa as ferramentas de QbD para avaliar os dados obtidos ao longo da fase experimental. Para a fase experimental, empregou-se o desenho fatorial e desenho do compósito central (CCD - Central Composite Design) como ferramenta estatística, para a execução do planejamento de experimentos (DoE - Design of Experiments). As respostas foram analisadas através da metodologia de superfície resposta (RSM - Response Surface Methodology). Tais ferramentas são fundamentais para a determinação do desenho de concepção (design space), para se obter o PS com as melhores características físico-químicas e de processo dentro do escopo delineado. Para o desenvolvimento da metodologia de análise in line, optou-se pela utilização da espectrometria UV, utilizando-se ferramentas como análise de regressão dos mínimos quadrados (PLS) devido a praticidade em transforma-la em uma ferramenta PAT, para isto, a quimiometria foi empregada para modelar sistemas que são desconhecidos e complexos, como um PS, e trazendo respostas diretas como a aprovação do produto antes de ser embalado, por exemplo. A abordagem apresentada baseia-se na construção da qualidade ao longo do desenvolvimento e otimização de PS e torna possível o monitoramento da qualidade em tempo real. / The sunscreens are great responsible for the skin protection when it is exposed to direct sunlight, so it means a great importance of health to optimize the development of type II cosmetic and monitor for it to be effective in its purpose. The objective of this work is to apply the concepts of Quality by Design and statistical tools of experimental design (DoE - Design of experiments), as well as applying the process analytical technology (PAT - Process Analytical Technology) concept for formulation and manufacturing process development of a topical sunscreen being able to modernize the cosmetic industry processing, including real time analyses and eliminating quarantine step, which waits analysis approval performed by the quality assurance, and then release the product for sale. As it is a systematic development, where critical quality attributes and risk assessment were performed to evaluate over obtained data. During experimental phase, the factorial design was used as a statistical tool for design of experiments implementation, and the responses were analyzed by response surface methodology (RSM - Response Surface Methodology). This mapping is critical to determination of the product design (design space), i.e. get sunscreen with the best physical and chemical characteristics and processing within the outlined scope. For in line methodology development, UV spectrometry was opted to be used due to less effort in sample preparation and due to great easiness to turn it into a PAT tool. For this, chemometrics was used, which brings together chemical and statistical elements to obtain three main elements: empirical modeling, multivariate modeling and chemical data, making it able to model systems that are unknown and complex, as a sunscreen, getting direct answers as product release approval before being packed, for example. The presented approach was based on the construction of quality throughout the sunscreen development and optimization making possible the real time quality monitoring.

<p>At Acreo AB located in Norrköping, Sweden, research and development in the field of organic electronics have been conducted since 1998. Several electronic devices and systems have been realized. In late 2003 a commercial printing press was installed to test large scale production of these devices. Prior to the summer of 2005 the project made significant progress. As a step towards industrialisation, the variability and yield of the printing process needed to bee studied. A decision to implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Design of Experiments (DOE) to evaluate and improve the process was taken.</p><p>SPC has been implemented on the EC-patterning step in the process. A total of 26 Samples were taken during the period October-December 2005. An - and s-chart were constructed from these samples. The charts clearly show that the process is not in statistical control. Investigations of what causes the variation in the process have been performed. The following root causes to variation has been found: </p><p>PEDOT:PSS-substrate sheet resistance and poorly cleaned screen printing drums. </p><p>After removing points affected by root causes, the process is still not in control. Further investigations are needed to get the process in control. Examples of where to go next is presented in the report. In the DOE part a four factor full factorial experiment was performed. The goal with the experiment was to find how different factors affects switch time and life length of an electrochromic display. The four factors investigated were: Electrolyte, Additive, Web speed and Encapsulation. All statistical analysis was performed using Minitab 14. The analysis of measurements from one day and seven days after printing showed that:</p><p>- Changing Electrolyte from E230 to E235 has small effect on the switch time</p><p>- Adding additives Add1 and Add2 decreases the switch time after 1 and 7 days</p><p>- Increasing web speed decreases the switch time after 1 and 7 days </p><p>- Encapsulation before UV-step decreases the switch time after 7 days</p>

This thesis illustrates analysis of the influence of the non-machining processes on product quality by experimental design and statistical analysis. For the analysis objective / dishwasher production in Arcelik Dishwasher plant is examined. Sheet metal forming processes of dishwasher production constitutes the greatest portion of production cost and using the Pareto analysis technique / four pieces among twenty six pieces are determined to be investigated. These four pieces are the U Sheet, L Sheet, Inner Door and Side Panel of the dishwasher. By the help of the flow diagrams production process of the determined pieces are defined. Brainstorming technique and cause&amp / effect diagrams are used to determine which non-machining process parameters can cause pieces to be scrapped. These parameters are used as control factors in experimental design. Taguchi&amp / #8217 / s L16(215) orthogonal array, Taguchi&amp / #8217 / s L16(215) orthogonal array using S/N transformation and 28-4 fractional factorial design are used on purpose. With repetitions and confirmation experiments the effective parameters are determined and optimum level of these parameters are defined for the improvements on scrap quantity and quality of production.

At Acreo AB located in Norrköping, Sweden, research and development in the field of organic electronics have been conducted since 1998. Several electronic devices and systems have been realized. In late 2003 a commercial printing press was installed to test large scale production of these devices. Prior to the summer of 2005 the project made significant progress. As a step towards industrialisation, the variability and yield of the printing process needed to bee studied. A decision to implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Design of Experiments (DOE) to evaluate and improve the process was taken. SPC has been implemented on the EC-patterning step in the process. A total of 26 Samples were taken during the period October-December 2005. An - and s-chart were constructed from these samples. The charts clearly show that the process is not in statistical control. Investigations of what causes the variation in the process have been performed. The following root causes to variation has been found: PEDOT:PSS-substrate sheet resistance and poorly cleaned screen printing drums. After removing points affected by root causes, the process is still not in control. Further investigations are needed to get the process in control. Examples of where to go next is presented in the report. In the DOE part a four factor full factorial experiment was performed. The goal with the experiment was to find how different factors affects switch time and life length of an electrochromic display. The four factors investigated were: Electrolyte, Additive, Web speed and Encapsulation. All statistical analysis was performed using Minitab 14. The analysis of measurements from one day and seven days after printing showed that: - Changing Electrolyte from E230 to E235 has small effect on the switch time - Adding additives Add1 and Add2 decreases the switch time after 1 and 7 days - Increasing web speed decreases the switch time after 1 and 7 days - Encapsulation before UV-step decreases the switch time after 7 days

The commercial buildings sector in the United States used 18 percent (17.93 Quads) of the U.S. primary energy in 2006. Office buildings are the largest single energy consumption category in the commercial buildings sector of the United States with annual energy consumption around 1.1 Quads. Traditional approaches used in commercial building designs are not adequate to save energy in both depth and scale. One of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption is to improve energy performance of HVAC systems. High-performance HVAC systems and components, as well as application of renewable energy sources, were surveyed for buildings in hot and humid climates. An analysis of performance and energy saving potential estimation for selected HVAC systems in hot and humid climates was developed based on energy consumption simulation models in DOE-2.1E. A calibrated energy consumption model of an existing office building located in the hot and humid climate conditions of Texas was developed. Based on this model, the energy saving potential of the building was estimated. In addition, energy consumption simulation models were developed for a new office building, including simulation of energy saving measures that could be achieved with further improvements of HVAC system above the energy conservation codes requirements. The theoretical minimum energy consumption level for the same office building was estimated for the purpose of evaluating the whole building energy efficiency level. The theoretical minimum energy consumption model of the office building was designed to provide the same level of comfort and services to the building occupants as provided in the actual building simulation model. Finally, the energy efficiency of the building that satisfies valid energy conservation codes and the building with an improved HVAC system was estimated based on theoretically minimum energy consumption level. The analysis provided herein can be used for new building practitioners and existing building owners to evaluate energy reduction potential and the performance of innovative technologies such as dedicated outdoor air system, displacement ventilation, improved cooling system efficiency, air source heat pumps and natural gas heat pumps.

This paper attempts to use image processing methods to reduce the influences of ambient light and scattering effect on the performance of an underwater range finder. The Taguchi method, as well, is employed to increase the repeatability of underwater range finding. In this study, the image processing methods of the least-squares approximation, brightness and contrast adjustment, and primary color processing are presented. The illumination center is also used to estimate the position of the laser spot in the image. In addition, a bandpass optical filter at the receiving end is used to investigate the effects of filters on the quality of range finding. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed image processing methods, a series of DOE process runs are carried out to study effects of the design parameters on quality of range finding. For each image processing method, its corresponding control factors and levels are assigned to an inner orthogonal array. To make the proposed image processing methods robust against noises, both environmental illumination and turbidity are forced into the experiments by utilizing an outer orthogonal array. Images for processing are then captured under different noise conditions in accordance with the allocation of the outer noise array. And, according to the layout of the inner array, the S/N ratio of each treatment combination is calculated. After that, the optimum combination of control factors is predicted through the analysis of variance. Then, the confirmation experiments are carried out to verify that the combination of control factors at the perceived best levels is valid. Based on the results of experiments and analyses, it is found that the least-squares approximation is better than other proposed image processing methods for increasing the quality of range finding. Moreover, the effect of increasing quality of range finding by using the least-squares approximation is superior to that of using a bandpass optical filter. Even though a range finding system has incorporated a bandpass optical filter for filtering out unwanted noises, the quality of range finding can still be increased distinctly while the algorithm of the least-squares approximation is employed. As well, the least-squares approximation is feasible to reduce the scattering effects in the laser images if the size of the sparse backscattering light spot is smaller than that of the target light spot.

Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) and Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) technologies aim at improving the availability, reliability, maintainability, and safety of systems through the development of fault diagnostic and failure prognostic algorithms. In complex engineering systems, such as aircraft, power plants, etc., the prognostic activities have been limited to the component-level, primarily due to the complexity of large-scale engineering systems. However, the output of these prognostic algorithms can be practically useful for the system managers, operators, or maintenance personnel, only if it helps them in making decisions, which are based on system-level parameters. Therefore, there is an emerging need to build health assessment methodologies at the system-level. This research employs techniques from the field of design-of-experiments to build response surface metamodels at the system-level that are built on the foundations provided by component-level damage models.