This dissertation is the first attempt to demonstrate the use of magnetic-levitation (maglev) positioners for commercial applications requiring nanopositioning. The key objectives of this research were to devise the control strategies and motion planning to overcome the inherent technical challenges of the maglev systems, and test them on the developed maglev systems to demonstrate their capabilities as the next-generation nanopositioners. Two maglev positioners based on novel actuation schemes and capable of generating all the six-axis motions with a single levitated platen were used in this research. These light-weight single-moving platens have very simple and compact structures, which give them an edge over most of the prevailing nanopositioning technologies and allow them to be used as a cluster tool for a variety of applications. The six-axis motion is generated using minimum number of actuators and sensors. The two positioners operate with a repeatable position resolution of better than 3 nm at the control bandwidth of 110 Hz. In particular, the Y-stage has extended travel range of 5 mm × 5 mm. They can carry a payload of as much as 0.3 kg and retain the regulated position under abruptly and continuously varying load conditions. This research comprised analytical design and development, followed by experimental verification and validation. Preliminary analysis and testing included open-loop stabilization and rigorous set-point change and load-change testing to demonstrate the precision-positioning and load-carrying capabilities of the maglev positioners. Decentralized single-input-single-output (SISO) proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control was designed for this analysis. The effect of actuator nonlinearities were reduced through actuator characterization and nonlinear feedback linearization to allow consistent performance over the large travel range. Closed-loop system identification and order-reduction algorithm were developed in order to analyze and model the plant behavior accurately, and to reduce the effect of unmodeled plant dynamics and inaccuracies in the assembly. Coupling among the axes and subsequent undesired motions and crosstalk of disturbances was reduced by employing multivariable optimal linear-quadratic regulator (LQR). Finally, application-specific nanoscale path planning strategies and multiscale control were devised to meet the specified conflicting time-domain performance specifications. All the developed methodologies and algorithms were implemented, individually as well as collectively, for experimental verification. Some of these applications included nanoscale lithography, patterning, fabrication, manipulation, and scanning. With the developed control strategies and motion planning techniques, the two maglev positioners are ready to be used for the targeted applications.

Diffusion in bulk has been well studied and our understanding may be said to be adequate if not complete. Similarly, surface diffusion has been investigated by a number of workers and a fair understanding of it has emerged. When guest particles are confined within the micropores of solids such as zeolites, the resulting phase is neither bulk nor an adsorbed phase but something in between. Properties of such a phase have not been understood sufficiently. Such phase found within these porous solids display rich variety in their property. In part, such a variety arises from the large number of factors that determine their properties. Present thesis attempts to study the relationship of some of these factors, viz., the pore size and the disorder in the pore sizes, the sorbate sizes, the role of orienta-tional motion, the inhomogeneities in temperature etc. to diffusion of the guest molecules in porous solids. Chapter 1 gives a brief overview of the literature and the present understanding in the field of diffusion of spherical atoms and small molecules in microporous materials with special attention to zeolites.,The discussion is focussed on the experimental, theoretical and computer simulation results reported in the last few years. In chapter 2 an analytic expression is derived for the diffusion coefficient of a sorbate in a crystalline porous solid with bottlenecks. This is done by assuming a situation of quasiequi-Hbrium and by applying some elementary results of kinetic theory of gases. The diffusion coefficients obtained from the analytic expression is found to agree well with the molecular dynamics results. Further, it is found to reproduce the diffusion anomaly and its temperature dependence for different zeolites such as Y, A and p. The present calculations provide a strong theoretical support for the levitation effect obtained so far purely from molecular dynamics calculations. The computational effort involved in evaluating the derived expression is at least an order of magnitude less as compared to the molecular dynamics simulations. Levitation effect is found to exist in crystalline porous solids, irrespective of the geometry and topology of the void network of the host - the zeolite. Does levitation effect exist in non-crystalline porous solids where a distribution of pore sizes is seen instead of a single size? Chapter 3 attempts to answer this question via detailed molecular dynamics simulations on zeolite Y whose perfectly crystalline pore structure has been modified by introducing disorder. A normal distribution characterized by its width <TQ of 12-ring window diameters has been generated. Investigation of motion of spherical sorbates within such a disordered host suggests that levitation effect persists although the intensity of the anomalous peak is reduced compared to crystalline faujasite. Further, there is a breakdown of the linear relationship between the self-diffusivity D and 1 /^ where a99 is the sorbate diameter in the disordered host. Comparison of similarity between the effect of temperature and that of disorder are discussed. Chapter 4 investigates the role of orientation on diffusion of methane in zeolite NaCaA during intercage and intracage migration. In this work, diffusion of a five site model of methane within porous zeolite A has been investigated by molecular dynamics simulation. Methane exhibits interesting orientational preference during its passage through the 8-membered window, the rate determining step for overall diffusion: (2+2) (or scissor) orientation is preferred to (1+3) (or inverted umbrella) orientation. This suggests strong translational-orientational coupling. This is supported by ab initio mixed basis calculations thereby suggesting that the results are not a consequence of the classical potential employed. Partial freezing of certain rotational degrees of freedom is observed during the passage of methane through the 8-ring window. Intracage motion of methane shows that methane performs a rolling motion rather than a sliding motion within the supercage. In Chapter 5, diffusion of methane and neopentane through the pores of zeolite NaY has been investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulation. Intercage motion consisting of diffusion through 12-ring window of zeolite NaY is seen to occur with strong orientational preference for (2+2) orientation in the case of neopentane but not methane. Comparison of the result with methane diffusion through the 8-ring window of zeolite NaCaA reported in chapter 4 suggests that such a preferential orientation is a typical characteristic of systems whose levitation parameter is close to unity. Temperature dependence of translational-orientational coupling during the passage through the bottleneck has been obtained. As seen earlier, partial freezing of certain rotational degrees of freedom also exists. Little or no freezing is observed around the molecular axis of symmetry parallel to the vector, ft, perpendicular to the window plane since it does the orientation of the molecule with respect to fi. Analysis of intracage motion suggests existence of rolling motion in preference to sliding motion both in methane and neopentane. It is suggested that globular molecules show a predominance of rolling motion in comparison to anisotropic molecules such as benzene. Chapter 6 reports results from molecular dynamics(MD) simulations and its comparison to the quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) measurements of the diffusion of propane, NaY zeolite, at different temperatures and at a relatively high loading. The contributions to S(Q, cu) from ballistic and diffusive motions are analysed. The self-diffusivity D has been calculated from mean squared displacement (MSD) as well as from the dynamic structure factor (S(Q,cu)) computed from the MD simulation. Both the values are consistent with each other. Also, they are in reasonable agreement with the experimental QENS results. The MD results indicate a fixed jump length diffusion process, whereas, the QENS data fits well to a jump diffusion model with a Gaussian distribution of jump lengths. Diffusion is often accompanied by a reaction or sorption which in turn can induce temperature inhomogeneities. In chapter 7 Monte Carlo simulations of Lennard-Jones atoms in zeolite NaCaA are reported for the presence of a hot zone presumed to be created by a reaction. Our simulations show that the presence of localized hot regions can alter both the kinetic and transport properties such as diffusion. An enhancement in diffusion coefficient is seen in the presence of a local hot spot. Further, the enhancement of the diffusion constant is greater for systems with larger barrier height, a surprising result that may be of considerable significance to many chemical and biological processes. We find an unanticipated coupling between reaction and diffusion due to the presence of hot or cold zone in addition to that which normally exists between them via concentration. Chapter 8 explores the possibility of exploiting a judicial combination of levitation effect and blow-torch effect for the separation of mixtures. In this study, Monte Carlo simulations have been carried out for three different binary mixtures in zeolite NaCaA with hot spot placed just before the position of the window along one direction. The binary mixture consisting of two types of particles both of which are from the linear regime does not separate well while the separation achieved of the mixture with one component from the linear regime and another from the anomalous regime is excellent. The separation factors obtained in the case of the latter mixture is more than an order of magnitude larger than that of the conventional separation methods. In the case of Ne-Ar mixture in NaCaA also, where Ne is in the linear regime and Ar is in the anomalous regime, the separation attained is excellent. These results suggest that a combination of levitation and blow-torch effects can be used to obtain extraordinary separation. Here the levitation effect specifies the sign and the magnitude of the energy barrier. The blow-torch drives the component in positive or negative direction depending on the energy barrier of the guest species. An appendix describes an additional but unrelated work carried out: a Monte Carlo study of the orthorhombic(fJ), monoclinic(ct) and liquid phases of toluene in the isobaric isothermal ensemble employing variable shape simulation cell. The structure has been characterized in terms of the radial distribution functions and orientational correlation functions. The transition from the orthorhombic low temperature (3-phase to the high temperature monoclinic cc-phase has been successfully simulated. The transition is first order and lies between 140 and 145K in agreement with experiment. The reverse transition from the a-to the (3-phase does not take place in agreement with experiment. The liquid phase density and the heat of vapourization are in good agreement with the experimental values.

This dissertation reports the investigation conducted on the static and dynamic behavior of the passive diamagnetic levitation systems. Attachment of a device to a substrate hinders the optimum performance ability of vibrating devices by altering the dynamic behavior of the moving part whilst introducing higher overall stiffness. The significance of this effect is prominent especially in vibration based energy harvesters as higher stiffness elevates the resonance frequency of the system, making it difficult to tune into ambient low frequencies. Other advantages of the proposed method are given by the removal of mechanical bending elements, which are often the source of energy dissipation through thermo-elastic damping and affects device reliability and durability. In this research, diamagnetically levitated resonators that can be utilized in energy harvesting were proposed and investigated as a possible solution to overcome these problems. Permanent magnets in an opposite neighboring poles (ONP) configuration were used to provide the magnetic field required for levitation. Pyrolytic graphite (PG), which is the known highest diamagnetic material, serves as the levitating proof mass. Experimental results show that the static levitation height has a linear dependence on the thickness and a nonlinear dependence on the area of the levitating proof mass that can be approximated to a third order polynomial equation. Also, the study proved that a thinner proof mass provides a higher air gap while length of the proof mass beyond a certain value (l >10 mm for the experimental system considered in this dissertation) has no significant effect on increasing the air gap. It was also observed that levitation can slightly increase by attaching magnets to a sheet of steel (ferromagnetic material). To the best of my knowledge, this dissertation is the first to address the parameterized studies in the dynamics of diamagnetic levitated objects by permanent magnets. Measurements performed on a diamagnetic levitating prototype system show that the resonance frequencies are lowered by approximately 3- 4 orders of magnitude in levitated systems compared to the attached systems demonstrating the feasibility of using levitating techniques for micro to meso scale energy harvester applications. Also, there is a significant dissimilarity observed in this study compared to the mechanically attached systems: The resonance frequency has a dependence on magnetic field strength, and is shifting towards lower values when increasing the strength of the magnetic field. This indicates that the virtual spring of a levitated proof mass is not a constant and therefore, the resonance frequency of the diamagnetic levitated systems is able to be fine-tuned by varying the magnetic field. Finite Element Method (FEM) models were developed using COMSOL software that can simulate 3D magnetic flux formation of an array of permanent magnets and the diamagnetic levitation. The appropriate magnetic force equation from the two force equations that exist in the literature was established for the static levitation with the help of experimental and simulation results. Moreover, these models are able to provide the magnetic force exerted on diamagnetic objects at different heights, stable levitation height and position and also an indication of the maximum stably levitated size of the diamagnetic material. Future endeavor of this study is to realize the diamagnetic levitation in energy harvesters. The results obtained from this research will not be limited to harvester applications but will also be beneficial to other diamagnetic levitation related systems, as these parameters are fundamental and necessary for the foundation of the research in the field of interest.

The implementation of high-speed passenger trains (HST) within existing highway right-of-way (ROW) offers a solution for regions with a demand for the capacity and service offered by HST but lacking the support for sharing freight rail ROW or acquiring new ROW corridors. The states of Florida, Colorado, California and Nevada propose to use highway ROW for their HST projects to increase the capacity of the corridor, prevent or minimize impacts and prevent disruption of freight rail operations. Despite the constraints of using existing highway ROW, such as speed-limiting degrees of curvature and safety concerns, solutions and mitigation measures exist. The purpose of this thesis is to present the HST projects in the United States proposing use of highway ROW, the potential benefits and engineering issues to consider and the feasibility of using the existing I-35 ROW in Texas for HST. / text

Recent trends in energy production have led to a renewed interest in improving grid level energy storage solutions. Flywheel energy storage is an attractive option for grid level storage, however, it suffers from high parasitic loss. This study investigates the extent to which passive diamagnetic bearings, a form of electromagnetic bearing, can help reduce this parasitic loss. Such bearings require three main components: a weight compensation mechanism (lifter-floater), a stabilizing mechanism and an electrical machine. This study makes use of a new radial modification of an existing linear multi-plattered diamagnetic bearing. Here a prototype is built and analytical expressions derived for each of the three main components. These expressions provide a method of estimating displacements, fields, forces, energy and stiffness in the radial diamagnetic bearing. The built prototype solution is found to lift a 30 [g] mass using six diamagnetic platters for stabilization (between ring magnets) with a disc lifter and spherical floater for weight compensation. The relationship between mass and number of platters was found to be linear, suggesting that, up to a point, increases in mass are likely possible and indicating that significant potential exists for these bearings where high stiffness is not needed – for instance in flywheel energy storage. The study examines methods of reducing bearing (parasitic) losses and demonstrates that losses occur in three main forms during idling: air-friction losses, electrical machine losses, stabilizing machine losses. Low speed (158 [rpm]) air-friction losses are found to be the dominant loss at 0.1 [W/m3]. The focus of this study, however, is on loss contributions resulting from the bearing’s electrical machine and stabilizing machine. Stabilizing machine losses are found to be very low at: 1 × 10−6 [W/m3] – this leaves electrical machine losses as the dominant loss. Such electrical machine losses are analysed and divided into eddy current loss and hysteresis loss. Two components of hysteresis loss are remanent field related cogging loss and remagetization loss. Eddy current losses in silicon steel laminations in an electrical machine are quite high, especially at high speeds, with losses in the order of 1 × 105 [W/m3]. Noting the further high cost of producing single unit quantities of custom lamination-based electrical machine prototypes, this high loss prompts a look at potentially lower cost ferrite materials for building these machines. A commercial sample of soft magnetite ferrite is shown to have equivalent eddy current losses of roughly 1 × 10−13 [W/m3]. The study notes that micro-structured magnetite has significant hysteresis loss. Such loss is in the order of 1 × 10−3 [W/m3] when referring to both remanence related cogging and remagnetization. This study, thus, extends its examination of loss to nano-structured magnetite. Magnetite nano-particles have shown superparamagnetic (no hysteresis) behaviour that promises the elimination of hysteresis losses. A co-precipitation route to the synthesis of these nano-particles is examined. A detailed examination involving a series of 31 experiments is shown to demonstrate only two pathways providing close-to-superparamagnetic behaviour. After characterization by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) and crude colorimetry, the lowest coercivity and remanence found in any given sample falls at −0.17 [Oe] (below error) and 0.00165 [emu/g] respectively. These critical points can be used to estimate hysteresis related power loss, however, to produce bulk ferrite a method of sintering or bonding synthesized powder is needed. A microwave sintering solution promises to preserve nano-structure when taking synthesized powders to bulk material. A set of proof-of-concept experiments provide the ground work for proposing a future microwave sintering approach to such bulk material production. The study uses critical points measured by way of SEM, XRD, SQUID characterization (e.g. remanence and coercivity) to implement a modified Jiles-Atherton model for hysteresis curve fitting. The critical points and curve fitting model allow estimation of power loss resulting from remanent related cogging and remagnetization effects in nano-structured magnetite. Such nano-structured magnetite is shown to exhibit hysteresis losses in the order of 1 × 10−4 [W/m3] from remagnetization and 1 × 10−7[W/m3] from remanence related cogging drag. These losses are lower than those of micro-structured samples, suggesting that nano-structured materials have a significant positive effect in reducing electrical machine losses for the proposed radial multi-plattered diamagnetic bearing solution. The lower parasitic loss in these bearings suggests excellent compatibility with flywheel energy storage applications.

O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar o fenômeno da força de radiação acústica produzida por ondas progressivas e estacionárias. Neste trabalho o estudo da força produzida por ondas estacionárias é aplicado na análise de um levitador acústico e o estudo da força de radiação acústica por ondas progressivas é feito visando a futura construção de um separador acústico. Neste trabalho é utilizado o método dos elementos finitos para simular o comportamento de um levitador acústico. Primeiramente, é feita a simulação de um levitador acústico que consiste de um transdutor de Langevin com uma face de emissão plana que opera na freqüência de aproximadamente 20 kHz e um refletor plano. O método dos elementos finitos é utilizado para determinar o deslocamento da face do transdutor e o potencial acústico que atua numa esfera pequena. O deslocamento da face do transdutor obtido numericamente é comparado com o medido experimentalmente por um vibrômetro de fibra ótica e o potencial acústico determinado pelo método dos elementos é verificado experimentalmente colocando pequenas esferas de isopor no levitador. Depois de verificar o modelo numérico, o método dos elementos finitos é utilizado na otimização de um levitador acústico composto de um refletor côncavo e um transdutor com face de emissão côncava. Os resultados numéricos mostram que a força de radiação acústica no novo levitador é aumentada em 604 vezes quando comparada com o levitador composto de um transdutor com face plana e refletor plano. Este trabalho também apresenta um modelo numérico para determinar a trajetória de partículas esféricas na presença de uma onda de ultra-som progressiva. O modelo assume que as seguintes forças atuam na partícula: gravidade, empuxo, forças viscosas e força de radiação acústica devido a uma onda progressiva. Com o objetivo de não restringir o tamanho das partículas que podem ser utilizadas no modelo é empregada uma equação empírica do coeficiente de arrasto, válida para uma grande faixa de número de Reynolds. O modelo proposto requer a distribuição de pressão gerada pelo transdutor de ultra-som. A distribuição de pressão é medida experimentalmente utilizando um hidrofone calibrado. A verificação do modelo é feita soltando-se pequenas esferas de vidro (com diâmetros da ordem de 500 m) em frente a um transdutor de ultra-som de 1 MHz e 35 mm de diâmetro. / The objective of this work is to study the acoustic radiation force produced by progressive and standing waves. In this work, the studies related to the acoustic radiation force generated by ultrasonic standing waves are applied in the analysis of an acoustic levitator and the studies involving the acoustic radiation force generated by progressive waves are conducted aiming the design of acoustic separators. In this work, the finite element method is used to simulate an acoustic levitator. First, an acoustic levitator consisting of a 20 kHz Langevin ultrasonic transducer with a plane radiating surface and a plane reflector is simulated by the finite element method. The finite element method is used to determine the transducer face displacement and the acoustic radiation potential that acts on a small sphere. The numerical displacement is compared with that obtained by a fiber-optic vibration sensor and the acoustic radiation potential determined by the finite element method is verified experimentally by placing small Styrofoam spheres in the levitator. After verifying the numerical method, the finite element method was used to optimize an acoustic levitator consisting of a concave-faced transducer and a curved reflector. The numerical results show that the acoustic radiation force in the new levitator is enhanced 604 times compared with the levitator consisting of a plane transducer and a plane reflector. This work also presents a numerical model to determine the trajectory of sphere particles when submitted to ultrasonic progressive waves. This model assumes that the following forces act on the particle: gravity, buoyancy, viscous forces and acoustic radiation force due to the progressive wave. In order not to restrict the model to a small particle size range, the viscous forces that act on the sphere are modeled by an empirical relationship of drag coefficient that is valid for a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The numerical model requires the pressure field radiated by the ultrasonic transducer. The pressure field is obtained experimentally by using a calibrated needle hydrophone. The numerical model validation is done by dropping small glass spheres (on the order of 500 m diameter) in front of a 1-MHz 35-mm diameter ultrasonic transducer.

<p>High precision magnetic levitation control methodologies during the manufacture of Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays are designed, manipulated, and experimentally validated in this thesis. OLED displays have many advantages over conventional display technologies including thinner, lighter, lower power consumption, higher resolutions, and greater brightness. However, OLED displays require tighter environmental conditions of the manufacturing processes without the introduction of vibration and contamination. For this reason, magnetic levitation is used to transport the displays attached on the carrier during the manufacturing process. This thesis addresses several critical problems related to implement the levitation control performance of the carrier's motion during the manufacturing process. </p> <p>Attractive magnetic levitation requires measurement of the airgap between the carrier and the levitation electromagnets. An algorithm for modeling the gap sensor installation errors was developed and subsequently used for controller development. A levitation controller only was initiated as the stationary point for optimal state feedback controller-observer compensator developed in this study. This optimal state feedback controller-observer compensator allows the carrier to be passed from support fixtures without the introduction of vibration. This controller was designed, and its levitation control performance confirmed with both simulation and experimental validation. To implement the levitation control performance of the carrier's motion, a second order notch filter and a first order low pass filter are designed to minimize the mechanical resonance and noise from the gap sensor, respectively. To reduce the sudden change of the levitation forces owing to the discrete allocation of the levitation electromagnets, a section control algorithm is developed; the sum of the levitation forces is equal to the weight of the carrier and the sum of the moment along the propulsion axis is equal to zero. </p> <p>Using the developed control strategies, the peak to peak variation of the carrier’s motion at a standstill was 50 µm. This same motion at low-speed 30 mm/s was 250 µm. While at high speed 300 mm/s was 430 µm. The relative improvement in the levitation control performance of optimal state feedback controller-observer compensator over the levitation controller only was a peak to peak attenuation of 50 µm at low-speed and 270 µm at high-speed. Most significantly while using optimal state feedback controller-observer compensator could be passed from support fixture to support fixture, i.e., through the deadzone, without mechanical contact or other manufacturing processes, inhibiting vibration. </p> <p>Having comparative simulation and experimental validation, the proposed control strategies were validated to improve the levitation control performance of the carrier under uncertain disturbance and sensor installation error, and it is expected to manufacture OLED displays with high productivity and low defect rate.</p>

The project originated with the question "What is the future of urban mobility?" and the counterquestion "What is the future of urbanity?". To understand the future of mobility, we first need to try to understand more of the future context where it'll reside. Mobility and the context it exists within are two symbiotic yet constantly evolving elements. This project seeks to speculate about their respective state in the year of 2050. Our global population keeps on growing, and more people are moving into urbanized regions. Already today more 90% of the worlds population is concentrated on roughly 10% of our planets land surface, and the density keeps increasing. To cope with the expanding population, cities need to keep growing and create sustainable infrastructure. The trend in densely populated regions has been to grow in the vertical axis. Besides just residential spaces, modern cities are starting to distribute shops, utilities and other typical city content vertically as well. City blocks and their content that used to be spread out in the horizontal plane are now increasingly being housed within compact hubs over multiple levels vertically. This project proposes the idea of a prototype sub-city within a mega city in the South East Asian region, around the year of 2050. Created as a way to prototype solutions to challenges found in hyper densely populated regions ranging from urban planning and congestion to general liveability. The fictional district has a highly vertically oriented cityscape, consisting of many interconnected highrises and megastructures. Traversing the walls of the buildings, vertically and horizontally, are vehicles propelled through magnetic levitation technology on an inductive infrastructure retrofitted onto or built into the buildings in the region. The far future, visionary setting of the project intends to provoke thoughts and reflection about an urban lifestyle within a far more vertically oriented environment. The thesis also aims to paint a picture of a car free city hub where vehicles are bound to the vertical plane, and the horizontal plane is devoted to the community of the city. Whether it's on the ground level or multiple stories up in a luscious "sky garden", the horizontal planes belong to the people and are roamed by foot. The process behind the development of the project involved research into the future setting and emerging technologies. Creative development and ideation were done using analogue as well as digital sketching, brainstorm sessions and physical and digital mockuping. The final vizualisations and compositions were designed from storyboards describing typical use cases of the vehicle. After researching topics of future cityscapes, creating the future premise of the project and ideating and refining various ideas, the end result of the thesis is Vertal Hex. A maglev propelled shuttle targetting future businesses. Travelling along the walls of the interconnected megastructures making up the future cityscape and company campuses, it allows it's passengers to reach their destinations anywhere within the hub entering right at the floor of their destination.

The project is highly inspired by the rise of vertical cityscape and how it can shape a new context for mobility to exist within. When the destinations travelled will be spread out in the vertical landscape instead of only the horizontal one. A rearrangement of housing, schools, restaurants and parks will create new needs for mobility to fill. In which the vehicles restricted to the two dimensional format of today can not. This will create a new era of vertical transportation to combat the densification of the future. The project investigates how new technologies such as magnetic levitation could be applied to architecture and open up space for vertical transportation. To give a flexible mobility system in high rise, high density urban areas. And with this create walkways thriving with nature on the horizontal planes. That promotes walkability, social connections and gives more space to people. For this to work, the project was set in the year of 2050 inside of a protoype district. By the reason to let the technology mature, this will also be a pivotal time of how to accommodate for the densification. Exploring how mobility would work and the everdaylives of the innhabitants in the district. The Project aims to provoke the perception of what a future urban area could be and how it would affect the need for transportation. When the premise was set, the mission was to create this new type of mobility, its functionality, its experience and of course a vehicle to convey these different elements. This was made through a number of ideation sessions, physical prototypes, hand sketches, digital sketches and digital modeling. Realizing it into an viable solution. The result of this project is Vertal Mono, A compact vehicle suited for the era of vertical transportation. It is designed to be a daily commuting vehicle within Vertico district, a prototype district testing vertically connected cityscapes. Mono is designed to be the smaller human footprint pod of the Vertal line up. It is nimble and flexible, being able to reach anywhere at any time. It is an essential part of mobility to the inner circles of the district and part of the communities living there. Vertal offers an on demand shared experience whether the occupant is riding for a single minute or for 15. The interior space offers great flexibility as a response to the vast range of usecases it needs to fulfill.

In dieser Arbeit sind im neu gegründeten Arbeitsbereich Umweltphysik an der Universität Osnabrück im Aerosol-Labor verschiedene Versuchsaufbauten geplant und realisiert worden. Den zentralen Kern aller Experimente stellt hierbei die Paul-Falle dar, mit deren Hilfe Aerosole elektrodynamisch levitiert werden können. Außerdem ist das im Aerosol-Labor entwickelte Fast-Fourier-Transformations-(FFT)-Auswerteverfahren zur Analyse der Streubilder der Aerosole beschrieben worden und seine Gültigkeit an speziellen Modell-Aerosolen aufgezeigt worden. Die Eigenschaften der in dieser Arbeit betrachteten Modell-Seesalzaerosole, welche durch einen Mikrotropfengenerator erzeugt werden, sind detailliert untersucht worden. Es ist gelungen, das Verhalten von drei Modell-Seesalzaerosolarten auch für den metastabilen Bereich der Übersättigung zu untersuchen. Es konnte dabei für die reinen NaCl- und NaBr-Salzlösungen nachgewiesen werden, dass es einen eindeutigen Zusammenhang zwischen der Temperatur und dem jeweiligen Wasserdampf-Partialdruck gibt. Es konnte ein linearer Zusammenhang zwischen dem Logarithmus des kritischen Wasserdampf-Partialdruckes und der inversen Temperatur (1/T) eindeutig aufgezeigt und die gültigen Koeffizienten der linearen Regression angegeben werden. Ein Vergleich mit den Lösungswärmen für makroskopische Systeme aus der Literatur ergab einen deutlichen exothermen Enthalpie-Anteil für die übersättigte NaCl-Lösung. Auch für Natriumbromid kann ein zusätzlicher exothermer Enthalpie-Anteil festgestellt werden. Ferner konnten die Nukleationsraten beim Kristallisationsvorgang für die einzelnen Temperaturen ermittelt werden. Es konnte qualitativ festgestellt werden, dass je höher die Temperatur ist, desto höher die Nukleationsrate ist. Es konnte eine Ausgleichsgerade bestimmt werden, welche das Verhalten der Nukleationsraten über (1/T) der absoluten Temperatur für die beiden Salze NaBr und NaCl annähernd beschreibt.