This is a master thesis project carried out during a 20-week period in the spring of 2020 and that corresponds to 30 credits. The project covered concept development of a contactor (switch for controlling high current). The client ABB Control Products in Västerås, Sweden, have noticed an emerging need within the megatrend electrification in line with a growing energy demand. This comprises a new 1-pole DC-contactor (direct current contactor) within the application of EV-charging (electric vehicle charging). The problem, that this project has been based on, was to create a theoretically functioning concept for a 1-pole DC-contactor based on the client's existing 2-pole DC-contactor. In addition, some other requirements for the concept (formulated as project objectives) have also composed the problem. The research question below has been formulated as a support for carrying out the project. “How can a 2-pole DC-contactor be redesigned into a 1-pole DC-contactor, applicable in EV-charging?” By answering the research question, the project sought to contribute with a value that describes the general benefit of the project by what the concept brings in relation to the growing energy demand. The project has been carried out by using several product development methods that have led to a result which is a theoretically functioning concept. The concept has been presented as a CAD-model, it consists of three main sections: the bottom, the middle and the top. The sections consist of different components that together constitutes the concept. The concept has been able to mimic existing product to such an extent that it can be perceived to fit into the same product family. The core of the concept is that it is estimated to be capable of conducting current at 3000 A and breaking it at 1500 V. By taking advantage of the concept, which in consultation with the client has been considered to consist of a good overall solution, the further development of the new contactor can proceed towards industrialization. This, in despite to the fact that not all project objectives have been fulfilled. In future work it is recommended to develop certain areas of the design in order to later proceed to, among other things, testing the strength and conductivity of a future prototype. The project has resulted in an economic value and a scientific value due to a pending patent of a solution which has helped to make the concept work. In addition, the developed concept has created an opportunity to be able to charge heavy vehicles and charge more vehicles with higher power and higher speed. Thus, the concept has contributed to the megatrend electrification. Finally, the value generated by the entirety of the project can be summarized to that the concept can contribute to a more sustainable future in line with a growing energy demand, where more people choose renewable sources using electric vehicles for transportation.

<p><i>Enterovirus</i> (EV), a genus within the <i>Picornaviridae </i>family, contains icosahedral positive-stranded RNA viruses linked to different human and mammalian diseases with a variety of symptoms ranging from the common cold to central nervous system infection. An important member within this genus is EV-D68. Unlike many enteroviruses that use the gastrointestinal tract as the transmission and propagation route, EV-D68 infects the respiratory tract and causes respiratory illness, especially in children. Severe infections of EV-D68 also lead to acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a polio-like neurological disease. Especially in recent years, EV-D68 has been on a global upswing. However, no antiviral interventions against EV-D68 infection have been developed to date. Antibodies neutralizing EV-D68 have significant vaccine and therapeutic potentials. Here, the structures of the immune complex between EV-D68 and the Fab molecules of EV-D68 human monoclonal antibodies have been reconstructed using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). These structures show two Fab binding loci on the virion surface as well as the essential amino acids involved in binding. In addition to antibodies, a drug candidate against EV-D68 has been investigated in this work as an antiviral strategy. It is likely that this drug blocks viral entry through binding in the hydrophobic pocket underneath the viral protein 1, the largest structural protein of EV-D68. Furthermore, the morphogenesis of EV-D94, another causative virus of polio-like disease, which is closely related to EV-D68 with 85% sequence identity, has been investigated using cryo-EM. Compared to EV-D68, the shape of the canyon and the loops containing the immunogenic recognition sites are different in EV-D94. The structures of each of the three stages of EV-D94 particles (the full native virion, the uncoating intermediate, and the empty virion) were identified and delineate the viral uncoating process. These findings reveal useful knowledge and new insights to develop treatments against human EVs. </p><p></p>

Fordonsindustrin är en viktig kugge i världens ekonomiska motor. Under de senaste åren har industrinstått inför en stor förändring. Styrande organ har satt upp nya regelverk och målsättningar sompressar industrin att tänka om och hitta nya alternativa lösningar till den klassiskaförbränningsmotorn. Omställningen som krävs skapar stora utmaningar för tillverkare och deras produktionslinor. Syftetmed arbetet är att undersöka utmaningarna och skapa en förståelse för hur skiftet påverkar industrinsproduktion. Genom en litteraturstudie och intervjustudie har utmaningar identifierats och undersökts.Litteraturstudien är gjord genom att hitta artiklar och rapporter via databaser, så som Google scholaroch Scopus. För att få ett perspektiv inifrån industrin har en intervjustudie gjorts. Studien hade tvådeltagare, som båda har lång erfarenhet från olika arbetsuppgifter inom industrin. Arbetet kommer fram till att det finns en mängd utmaningar i samband med omställningen.Utmaningarna varierar i storlek och komplexitet. Det är tydligt att utmaningarna ofta ärsammanhängande och påverkar varandra. I arbetet presenteras fyra huvudutmaningar medtillhörande under-utmaningar. • Uppskalning av produktion Batteriproduktion Produktionskostnad Supply chain Specialized workforce • Greenfield vs Brownfield Plats • Flexibilitet Den omöjliga ekvationen • Osäkerhet Det framgår av arbetet att omställningens utmaningar går att generaliseras, men att lösningarna behöver anpassas utefter varje specifikt fall. Alla tillverkare tar med sig olika arv och resurser in i omställningen som behöver hanteras på olika sätt. Utmaningarna som presenteras kräver djupa analyser och bra strategier för att kunna hanteras på ett bra sätt. Arbetets mål var att undersöka de utmaningar som finns i samband med produktions omställningen till eldrivna fordon. Målet anses vara uppnått och utmaningarna identifierade. Det rekommenderas att utvidga arbetet med en bredare litteraturstudie och intervjustudie för att kunna skapa en tydligare struktur över de mest fördelaktiga strategierna. / The automotive industry is a crucial component of the global economy. In recent years, the industry has faced significant changes as governing bodies have established new regulations and objectives that essentially force the sector to rethink and find alternative solutions to the traditional combustion engine. This transition poses significant challenges for manufacturers and their production lines. The purpose of this study is to investigate these challenges and gain an understanding of how the shift impacts the industry's production. Through a literature review and interview study, challenges have been identified and examined. The literature review involved searching for articles and reports through databases such as Google Scholar and Scopus. To gain an insider perspective from the industry, an interview study was conducted, involving two participants with extensive experience in various roles within the industry. The study concludes that there are numerous challenges associated with the transition. These challenges vary in size and complexity, and it is evident that they are often interconnected and mutually influential. The study presents four main challenges with their respective sub-challenges: • Scaling up production: Battery production Production costs Supply chain Specialized workforce • Greenfield vs Brownfield: Location considerations • Flexibility: The impossible equation • Uncertainty The study reveals that the challenges of the transition can be generalized, but the solutions need to be tailored to each specific case. Each manufacturer brings different legacies and resources into the transition that need to be addressed in different ways. The presented challenges require in-depth analysis and effective strategies to be managed successfully. The goal of the study was to examine the challenges associated with the production transition to electric vehicles, and it is considered to have been achieved with the identification of the challenges. It is recommended to expand the study with a broader literature review and interview study to establish a clearer structure for the most advantageous strategies.

Georgia Tech has the privilege of competing in EcoCAR 3, a four-year competition in which 16 universities are given a stock 2016 Chevrolet Camaro and work to transform it into a hybrid electric sports car. In this thesis, an overview of the first two years of the author’s work on the team as the Engineering Manager, the graduate student overseeing all vehicle engineering work, will be detailed. The competition will be introduced and described before a discussion on vehicle electrification and the various ways it has been achieved by manufacturers and competition teams. Next, the design of the Georgia Tech vehicle will be presented with a focus on powertrain and supporting component selection. The vehicle model underlying many of these decisions will then be discussed in detail, showing how the team used Simulink and Engineering Equation Solver to effectively predict vehicle performance, emissions, energy consumption, and cooling needs. Building on this, the controls design process known as model/software/hardware in the loop will be discussed in the context of the Georgia Tech team’s use of this process. Finally, a progress update will be given, including photos of the team vehicle in current build state weeks before the Year 2 Competition.

Forskningsfråga Är det möjligt att skapa riskjusterad överavkastning med hjälp av nyckeltal inom industribranschen på den Nordiska aktiemarknaden? Syfte Går det att generera en riskjusterad överavkastning genom att använda en investeringsstrategi baserad på något eller några av nyckeltalen P/S, P/E, P/B, EV/EBITDA samt med en egen modell innehållandes de tre förstnämnda nyckeltalen. Detta undersöker vi genom att samla in data och utföra statistiska tester där vi ställer portföljer med låga värden på nyckeltalen mot portföljer med höga värden på nyckeltalen. Teori Teorin inom området är uppdelat i två läger, de som påstår att marknaden är effektiv som t.ex. Fama och de som påstår att marknaden är ineffektiv som t.ex. Haugen. Vi redovisar många olika studier som har försökt hitta metoder för att skapa överavkastning. Vi har även tagit med teorier inom behavioral finance för att försöka förstå uppkomsten av anomalier på aktiemarknaderna. Metod Vi har genomfört en kvantitativ studie som grundar sig på rådata från tre olika marknader, OMX Stockholm, OMX Helsinki och OMX Copenhagen. Vi valde att bara använda aktier listade inom industribranschen, dels på grund av att det är lättare att jämföra aktier inom samma segment och dels för att det fanns mest företag att tillgå inom industrisektorn. Studien har en undersökningsperiod på åtta år, den sträcker sig från 2003-04-01 till 2011-04-01. Vi har riskjusterat portföljerna med hjälp av Jensens Alpha samt signifikanstestat portföljerna mot varandra med hjälp av Mann-Whitney U testet.  Kunskapsgap Mycket av forskningen kring realtivvärdering är utförd på den amerikanska marknaden. Den Nordiska marknaden har undersökts väldigt sparsamt och det saknas relevant forskning kring nyckeltal och riskjusterade portföljer.  Resultat och slutsats Studiens resultat kan tolkas på olika sätt. Alla portföljer med låga nyckeltal fick riskjusterad överavkastning när de jämfördes med respektive industriindex. Dock var det endast två av portföljerna som visade ett signifikant resultat i Mann-Whitney U testet. Dessa två portföljer var P/B samt den egna modellen på Helsingforsbörsen. Vi tolkar resultaten som att det är möjligt att skapa riskjusterad överavkastning med hjälp av nyckeltalen. Dock hade nyckeltalet EV/EBITDA ett avvikande resultat och gick inte i linje med den tidigare forskningen samt våra andra portföljer eftersom höga EV/EBITDA gav högre avkastning än låga på två marknader.

The development of electric vehicle (EV) greatly promotes building a green and sustainable society. The new technology also brings new challenges. With the penetration of electric vehicles, the charging demands are increasing, and how to efficiently coordinate EVs' charging activities is a major challenge and sparks numerous research efforts. In this dissertation, we investigate the EV charging scheduling problem under the public charging and home charging scenarios from different perspectives. First, we investigate the EV charging scheduling problem under a charging station scenario by jointly considering the revenue of the charging station and the service requirements of charging customers. We first propose an admission control algorithm to guarantee the non-flexible charging requirements of all admitted EVs being satisfied before their departure time. Then, a utility based charging scheduling algorithm is proposed to maximize the profit for the charging station. With the proposed charging scheduling algorithm, a win-win situation is achieved where the charging station enjoys a higher profit and the customer enjoys more cost savings. Second, we investigate the EV charging scheduling problem under a parking garage scenario, aiming to promote the total utility of the charging operator subject to the time-of-use pricing. By applying the analyzed battery charging characteristic, an adaptive utility oriented scheduling algorithm is proposed to achieve a high profit and low task declining probability for the charging operator. We also discuss a reservation mechanism for the charging operator to mitigate the performance degradation caused by charging information mismatching. Third, we investigate the EV charging scheduling problem of a park-and-charge system with the objective to minimize the EV battery degradation cost during the charging process while satisfying the battery charging characteristic. A vacant charging resource allocation algorithm and a dynamic power adjustment algorithm are proposed to achieve the least battery degradation cost and alleviate the peak power load, which is beneficial for both the customers and charging operator. Fourth, we investigate the EV charging scheduling problem under a residential community scenario. By jointly considering the charging energy and battery performance degradation during the charging process, we propose a utility maximization problem to optimize the gain of the community charging network. A utility maximized charging scheme is correspondingly proposed to achieve the utility optimality for the charging network. In summary, the research outcomes of the dissertation can contribute to the effective management of the EV charging activities to meet increasing charging demands. / Graduate

Bakgrund: Med ett ökande intresse för aktier söker fler efter tips och knep för att åstadkomma det alla investerare strävar efter, att överprestera marknaden. Investeringsstrategier som ämnar slå marknaden har länge studerats på en rad olika marknader och över olika tidsperioder, men få har utförts på Nasdaq First North. Tidigare studier har främst fokuserat på större aktiemarknader likt NYSE eller FTSE, medan svenska studier tenderar att undersöka Stockholmsbörsen. Därmed finns ett utrymme att undersöka huruvida en investeringsstrategi kan konstrueras som kan slå Nasdaq First North över tid. Strategierna som analyseras bygger på de multiplar som anses mest lämpade för de relativt unga och små bolagen på First North. Syfte: Studien ämnar analysera om investeringsstrategier baserade på multiplarna EV/Sales, EV/EBITDA, och P/B kan utnyttjas för att generera överavkastning i såväl absoluta som riskjusterade mått över en längre tid gentemot jämförelseindexet First North All-Share, som utgörs av samtliga värdepapper noterade på aktiemarknaden First North. Metod: Studien använder sig av en kvantitativ forskningsansats med ett deduktivt tillvägagångssätt. Datan för samtliga bolag noterade på First North under tidsperioden 2010- 2021 har hämtats in för att skapa lågt respektive högt värderade portföljer för varje multipel. Dessa har sedan utvärderats utifrån årlig och ackumulerad avkastning samt riskjusterade mått i form av Jensens alfa, Treynorkvot och Sharpekvot. Resultat: Fem av sex portföljer genererade ackumulerad överavkastning gentemot index medan samtliga portföljer överavkastat index sett till riskjusterade mått över studiens elvaåriga tidsperiod. Högst absolut avkastning genererades av den lågt värderade EV/Sales portföljen, och lägst avkastning genererades av den högt värderade P/B portföljen. / Background: With an increasing interest in the stock market, more people are searching for simple tips and tricks in order to achieve what all investors strive for, beating the market. Several investment strategies have been studied on different markets and over different time periods, however few of these on Nasdaq First North. Previous studies have mainly focused on larger stock markets such as the NYSE or FTSE, whilst Swedish studies tend to analyse Nasdaq Stockholm. As a result, there is room for examining whether an investment strategy can be constructed which can beat Nasdaq First North over time. The strategies which are analysed are based on the multiples deemed most suitable for the relatively young and small companies listed on First North. Purpose: The study aims to analyse whether investment strategies based on the valuation multiples EV/Sales, EV/EBITDA and P/B can be exploited to generate excess returns in both absolute and risk adjusted terms against the benchmark index First North All-Share, which is comprised of all stocks listed on the stock market First North.  Method: The study applies a quantitative research approach. Data for all companies listed on First North over the time period 2010-2021 have been collected in order to create low and high valued portfolios for each multiple. These have in turn been evaluated based on yearly and accumulated returns as well as risk adjusted measures such as their Jensens alpha, Treynor index and Sharpe ratio.  Results: Five of six portfolios generated excess accumulated returns against the benchmark index and all six generated excess risk adjusted returns against the benchmark index over the eleven-year time period. The highest absolute return was generated by the low EV/Sales portfolio and the lowest absolute return was generated by the high P/B portfolio.

For the purpose of this study, data for low voltage distribution transformer loading in small communities in Maryland was collected from a local electric utility company. Specifically, analysis was done on three distribution transformers on their system. Each of these transformers serves at least one electric vehicle (EV) owner. Of the three transformers analyzed, Transformer 2 serves eight residential homes and has the highest risk of experiencing an overload if all customers purchase at least one EV. Transformer 2 has a nameplate rating of 25kVA (22.5kW assuming a 0.9 power factor). With one EV owner, Transformer 2 has a peak load of 46.82kW during the study period between August 4 and August 17, 2013. When seven additional EVs of different types were added in a simulated scenario, the peak load for Transformer 2 increased from 46.82kW to 89.76kW, which is outside the transformer thermal limit. With the implementation of TOU pricing, the peak load was reduced to 56.71kW from 89.76kW. By implementing a combination of TOU pricing and appliance cycling through demand side management (DSM), the peak load was further reduced to 52.27kW. / Master of Science

Title: Theoretical multiples as an investment strategy Authors: August Forsberg och William Rydman Supervisor: Øystein Fredriksen Background: Whether it is possible to generate excess return over time has been debated throughout the history and the results of previous research have found it possible. One approach to generate excess return is by using relative valuation. Even though there are theories on how to conduct the valuation method, a lot of actors in the market simplifies and misinterpret relative valuation. This leads onto the question if the gap between theory and practice has grown too big and if the common mistakes in relative valuation might be counteracted by calculating and using theoretical multiples as an investment strategy. Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze whether theoretical multiples can identify mispricing’s in the stock market. Further, the authors aim to examine if it is possible to generate excess return and a more accurate valuation by calculating the difference between theoretical- and reported multiples. Methodology: To achieve the aim of the study, a quantitative method with a deductive approach has been used. The study examines Swedish listed companies at OMX Stockholm Large Cap during the period 2008 to 2018. In order to evaluate the investment strategy, comparative portfolios have been designed based on the difference between theoretical and reported multiples. A total of eight portfolios have been constructed with low respectively high P/E, EV/EBITDA, P/BV and EV/Sales, where the portfolios are weighted once a year. Results: The study's results show that theoretical multiples work as an investment strategy for generating excess returns. In three out of four multiples, the overvalued shares performed better than the undervalued ones. By contrast, the undervalued shares generate higher riskadjusted returns than the overvalued ones. Although the psychological element in relative valuation is reduced by the investment strategy, the authors conclude that the share prices are largely influenced by other actors in the market. Key words: Efficient market hypothesis, Excess return, Investment strategies, Relative valuation, Multiples, Theoretical multiples, P/E, EV/EBITDA, P/BV, EV/Sales. / Titel: Teoretiska multiplar som investeringsstrategi Författare: August Forsberg och William Rydman Handledare: Øystein Fredriksen Bakgrund: Huruvida det är möjligt att generera överavkastning över tid har länge diskuterats och tidigare forskning menar att det är möjligt. Ett tillvägagångssätt för att generera överavkastning är att använda sig av relativvärdering. Trots att det finns teorier om hur värderingsmetoden ska genomföras, förenklas och misstolkas relativvärdering ofta av aktörer på marknaden. Det leder in på frågan om gapet mellan teori och praktik har blivit för stort samt om värderingsmetodens fallgropar kan motverkas genom beräkningen av teoretiska multiplar som investeringsstrategi. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att analysera om teoretiska multiplar kan identifiera felprissättningar på marknaden. Vidare ämnar studien att undersöka om det genom att beräkna differensen mellan teoretiska- och redovisade multiplar går att generera överavkastning och en mer precis värdering. Metod: För att uppnå syftet med studien har en kvantitativ metod med deduktiv ansats använts. Studien undersöker bolag noterade på OMX Stockholm Large Cap under perioden 2008 till 2018. För att utvärdera investeringsstrategin har jämförelseportföljer utifrån differensen mellan teoretiska och redovisade multiplar utformats. Totalt har åtta portföljer konstruerats med låga respektive höga P/E, EV/EBITDA, P/BV och EV/Sales där portföljerna viktas om en gång per år. Resultat: Studiens resultat visar att teoretiska multiplar fungerar som investeringsstrategi för att generera överavkastning. I tre av fyra multiplar har de övervärderade aktierna presterat bättre än de undervärderade. Däremot genererar de undervärderade aktierna högre riskjusterad avkastning än de övervärderade. Även om det psykologiska inslaget i relativvärdering minskas av investeringsstrategin, blir författarnas slutsats att aktiekurserna till stor del påverkas av andra aktörer på marknaden. Sökord: Effektiva marknadshypotesen, Överavkastning, Investeringsstrategi, Relativvärdering, Multiplar, Teoretiska multiplar, P/E, EV/EBITDA, P/BV, EV/Sales.

Wireless charging of the EVs offers a convenient, reliable, and automatic charging of the autonomous vehicles without user interference. The focus of this thesis is the design and optimization of new structures for stationary EV wireless charging applications. The fundamentals of the Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) system and its main components including the magnetic couplers, transmitter and receiver power converters, and control methods are studied in depth. The requirements of the EV wireless charging application and design criteria are discussed in detail. The advantages and disadvantages of each topology are highlighted, and possible candidates for EV wireless charging applications are selected. Optimization of the resonant networks in terms of maximum efficiency and misalignment tolerance is studied. Different resonant topologies are studied in detail and their sensitivity functions are extracted. For each topology, an efficiency model is presented that includes the inverter, resonant capacitors, resonant inductor, diode-bridge, and core and conduction losses. Each topology is optimized with two different objective functions and the results are compared through the simulation and experiments. According to the optimization results, suitable topologies for the EV wireless charging application are selected. In order to increase the power density of the wireless charging system, and save ferrite material, integrated inductors into the magnetic couplers are proposed. In this structure, the DC-DC inductor is integrated into the receiver main coil and the resonant inductor is integrated into the transmitter coil. This integration introduces new challenges to the design of the resonant network and magnetic coupler due to the unwanted cross-coupling effect. To address this issue, the fully integrated magnetic structure is optimally designed to have minimum cross-coupling. Moreover, the resonant network is designed based on an optimization problem that includes the cross-coupling into the system equations to ensure maximum efficiency. The proposed fully-integrated magnetic structure is built and experimental tests are presented to validate the performance of the proposed magnetic structure and its optimization method. To reduce the implementation cost, size and weight a PCB-based magnetic coupler is proposed to replace the Litz wire in the magnetic coupler of the WPT system. Moreover, the proposed PCB-magnetic coupler increases the repeatability of the design and reduces manufacturing errors. The PCB-based magnetic coupler is studied through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to minimize the AC resistance of the coil. Different parameters such including the number of the PCB layers, copper cross-section, and layer thickness are studied in detail to evaluate their effect on the coil resistance. Thermal analysis is performed to ensure the feasibility of the design under different loading conditions. A 3.3 kW/85 kHz wireless charging system is built and experimental tests are presented. A novel modular resonant topology for fast wireless charging is proposed. A modular structure offers reliability, scalability, and better thermal management. The proposed topology is made by multi-parallel inverter legs connected to an LCC resonant network. The outputs of the resonant networks are connected in parallel to feed the transmitter coil with a high excitation current. The proposed modular system is compared with a conventional system and it showed superior performance in different aspects. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)