High mobility has been a standard in the modern world for decades. This has resulted in high energy consumption, diminishing fossil energy reserves and rising levels of greenhouse gases. By recovering the energy lost in deceleration of vehicles the total energy consumption can be decreased and exhaust emissions reduced. This can be done with a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) that converts kinetic energy to electric energy during deceleration, which then can be used for acceleration. KERS requires an electrical storage device with high power density, due to the high power levels generated at heavy braking. Batteries does not generally meet these requirements, especially in the cost-effective point of view, but different types of capacitors can be used to obtain a cheap and effective system. To get such an energy storage device small, lightweight and inexpensive while the technology is sustainable requires avoidance of rare metals and hazardous materials. In this master thesis energy and power levels for KERS has been modelled, based on standardized measurements techniques and small paper-based supercapacitors have been built and tested in order to model size, weight and price for a full-scale energy storage device to a KERS-application. The models showed that energy consumption in urban traffic could be reduced with 18% and with an electrode material for the energy storage device with a capacitance of about 1500 F/m2 a reasonable size and weight is obtained. To reach these values of capacitance in paper-based supercapacitors further testing is required on area and layer dependence and for different electrodes.

Es erfolgte die Untersuchung der Eigenschaften der gegebenen Zeitreihen der Wirkleistung von zwei Windenergieanlagen sowie des gesamten Windparks. Außerdem analysiert wurden die entsprechenden Eigenschaften der auf Viertelstundendaten konvertierten Reihen. Diese Eigenschaften, wie z.B. Mittelwert, Varianz o.a. Maximum wurden als Informationen angesehen und so ermöglichte die Gegenüberstellung einen Rückschluss auf dem Informationsverlust. Da die gegebene Einspeiseleistung keine Periodizitäten aufwies, erfolgte anschließend die Erzeugung synthetischer Daten.

Thesis (M. S.)--Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Nerem, Robert M.; Committee Member: Gleason, Rudolf L.; Committee Member: Taylor, W. Robert; Committee Member: Vito, Raymond P.; Committee Member: Wang, Yadong.

Objectifs : L’objectif principal de ce travail était de fabriquer une matrice œsophagienne décellularisée tubulaire implantable dans un modèle porcin. Méthodes : Des œsophages de porcs étaient prélevés et décellularisés selon un protocole basé sur l’Acide Déoxycholique. La décellularisation devait être confirmée par analyse histologique et quantification de l’ADN résiduel. L’évaluation des Glycosaminoglycanes, des protéines de structures (Collagène, Elastine, Fibronectine et Laminine) était réalisée par étude histologique et immunohistochimique sur les MD. Les tests mécaniques étaient réalisés en traction circonférentielle, longitudinale, et à l’éclatement. La biocompatibilité des MD a été évaluée in vivo sur un modèle murin. L’ensemencement était réalisé par des Adipose Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) appliquées sous forme de feuillets sur les MD tubulaires. L’efficience de la maturation des MD in vivo était réalisée sur un modèle murin. L’implantation des MD était faite après une œsophagectomie par laparotomie dans un modèle porcin. Résultats : 103 œsophages ont été décellularisés. Les MD ne présentaient pas de noyau résiduel et leur quantification d’ADN résiduel était inférieure à 50 ng/mg de tissu sec. Les caractéristiques biologiques (quantité, qualité et distribution) étaient préservées après la décellularisation. Le comportement mécanique des MD était similaire aux œsophages natifs. L’ensemencement par des ADSCs via l’application de feuillets sur les MD permettait une cellularisation des couches externes. La maturation dans le grand épiploon permettait la vascularisation des MD sans bénéfice d’un ensemencement préalable. L’œsophagectomie était réalisée sur 6 porcs. Un individu est décédé, et 4 porcs ont présenté des complications postopératoires. La régénération tissulaire des MD était confirmée un mois après leur implantation. Conclusion : La substitution œsophagienne par une MD après une œsophagectomie est réalisable sur un modèle porcin / Decellularized matrixes (DM) are commonly used to facilitate a constructive remodeling response in several types of tissue, including the esophagus. Surgical procedure of the esophagus is often complicated by stricture, but preclinical studies have shown that the use of a DM can mitigate stricture and promote a constructive outcome. Recognizing the potential benefits of DM derived from homologous tissue (i.e., site-specific ECM), the objective of the present study was to prepare, characterize, and assess the in-vivo remodeling properties of DM from porcine esophagus. The developed protocol for esophageal DM preparation is compliant with previously established criteria of decellularization and results in a scaffold that maintains important biologic components and an ultrastructure consistent with a good mechanical behavior. Stem cells remained viable when seeded upon the esophageal DM in vitro, and the in-vivo host response showed a pattern of constructive remodeling when implanted in soft tissue.

Although millions of individuals worldwide are affected by blinding retinal degenerative diseases, most have very few options for treatment and no hope for vision restoration. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) replacement therapies represent a promising treatment option, but their effectiveness is limited by an overall lack of physical support for injected cells. Stem cell scaffolds can be used to provide this support by serving as an attachment platform for cells before, during, and after implantation. Thus, the design of polymer scaffolds with appropriate biochemistry, mechanical properties, and morphology is a critical step toward developing feasible stem cell therapies for blinding eye diseases. In this work, we aim to design a regenerative scaffold for the retina and determine the interplay among these three key design parameters. First, the feasibility of using a synthetic scaffold to grow and differentiate iPSCs to neural progenitor cells is demonstrated. The porous and degradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffolds employed were able to support a greater density of differentiating iPSCS than traditional tissue culture plastic. Additionally, the power of chitosan, a naturally occurring polymer, to overcome the toxic effects of copper nanoparticles is described. For two different cell types, various doses, and several time points, chitosan coated copper nanoparticles were significantly less toxic than non-coated particles. The mechanical properties of the human retina and the effects of aging and disease were also estimated using measurements of compressive modulus in animal models. In order to reach a range similar to native tissue, polymer mechanical properties were controlled using cross-linking density and surfactant templating. The influence of morphology was studied by inducing polymer structure changes via surfactant templating. Morphology significantly influenced water uptake and compressive modulus for both cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and cross-linked chitosan hydrogels. Surfactant templating did not negatively affect the biocompatibility of PEG hydrogels and slightly improved the ability of chitosan hydrogels to support the growth and differentiation of iPSCs. Overall we have demonstrated the ability to tune polymer structure, mechanical properties, and biochemistry. These results add to the growing body of research aimed to understand and control cell/material interactions for biomaterial optimization.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第22340号 / 医博第4581号 / 新制||医||1042(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 影山 龍一郎, 教授 井上 治久, 教授 上杉 志成 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第22347号 / 医博第4588号 / 新制||医||1042(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 生田 宏一, 教授 江藤 浩之, 教授 濵﨑 洋子 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Landscape had significance to society once. The significance of these landscapes was associated with agronomic practices, a spiritual connection to nature, and a platform for social interaction within the community. To date, the sense of significance landscapes once had to human culture, has been lost. In the spirit of time, man has actively exiled himself from nature and its productive processes. This dissertation focuses on the adaptive reuse of an urban drosscape. The decommissioned Cotex Ltd. textile mill is located in a densely formed urban environment, where the process of de-industrialisation and rapid urbanisation has transformed the rural environment into an ever expanding informal settlement. The concept of a landscape machine represents the possibility to return a productive programme to a formerly functional and industrious land use, while at the same time reassuring that economic, social and ecological components establish in the urban setting. The concept of public industry becomes evident. The aim of the project is to design a productive landscape that functions between man, the remaining post-industrial relics of the textile mill and the urban landscape of Chumbuni. The design integrates the existing industrial heritage to feed new social and educational programmes through means of a productive landscape, which in turn will address urban issues and propose rehabilitation strategies for the area. The landscape intervention will act as a hybrid landscape, encouraging the exiled man to return to ‘nature’ and to research, as well as test, sustainable landscape machines which are appropriate and functional to the urban environment. The landscape design investigates the potential to integrate the agricultural and recreational experiences, in order to generate a new landscape typology for urban wastelands. The proposed programme celebrates the productive heritage of Zanzibar and incorporates this into the processes and experiences of crop cultivation, regional culture, social interaction and ecological development, as proposed products. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

Upcycling in today’s society is still relatively rare, with most upcycling occurring in works by artists and product designers. This ‘creative reuse’ is a form of minimising waste products in a more effective process than recycling. This study deals with the design of an upcycling centre and how interior architecture is a framework for the upliftment of the host building in the Pretoria CBD, the model inhabitants (namely waste pickers and crafts people), waste materials and the surrounding environment. Many people perceive the self-starter occupation of streetwaste picking as being dirty and inferior. However, those who practice waste picking usually do so as a means of survival, and can offer valuable assistance in environmental sustainability. Waste pickers are often isolated as a social group – unable to reach higher income levels or living conditions. Ignorance around this informal economic sector has led to a divided and fragmented society, particularly within the Pretoria CBD (identified as the location for the intervention). Finding sustainable solutions to waste reuse and job creation, such as this proposed upcycling centre, which actively engage various members of society (in this case, waste pickers, crafts people and the broader community) is important. This is because such programmes can be beneficial to communities living in dense neighbourhoods, as they can provide the key blocks of cohesiveness and symbiosis for building a prosperous future. The interior architecture discipline is relevant here as being a tangible framework to enable cultural production of new objects, environmental sustainability, cultivation of human capital and a support system for model inhabitants. Waste material and discarded products can inform the character of an interior space, and reflect user intervention with built forms that echo the activity and daily routines within the community. As a facilitator, the interior architecture has been imagined to stimulate, inspire, revive and be perceived as a cyclic journey of renewal. This is the concept which governs the experience, activity and process for users entering the proposed upcycling centre. This proposed intervention of the identified Minty’s Tyres building utilises three theories to guide and inform its responses. Firstly, environmental psychology theory guides the alteration of the building to respond to community and social inclusion strategies. Secondly, adaptive reuse theory informs the alteration of the building in response to the new programme as a form of upcycling and improving the building’s user experience and resource efficiency. Finally, regenerative design theory based on restorative actions and technology is consulted to produce a system that is both efficient and sustainable. The architecture itself (i.e. the physical building, materials and structure) is developed alongside the actual site and ecological surroundings. / Mini Dissertation MInt(Prof)--University of Pretoria 2018. / Architecture / MInt(Prof) / Unrestricted

Vor dem Hintergrund der Energiewende wird in diesem Beitrag die aktuelle Flächeninanspruchnahme für Anlagen für erneuerbare Energien (Windenergieanlagen, Biogasanlagen, Photovoltaik-Freiflächenanlagen) in Deutschland analysiert. Dabei geht es um die notwendigen Datengrundlagen und geeigneten Indikatoren für die Beobachtung der weiteren Entwicklung. Es wird deutlich, dass noch erhebliche Datenlücken bestehen und eine zentrale Sammlung von Geodaten zu diesem Thema bisher fehlt. Konkret wurde eine aktuelle Flächeninanspruchnahme von insgesamt mindestens 314 km² festgestellt (bis 2013). Dabei nehmen die Photovoltaik-Freiflächenanlagen mit 49,9 % den höchsten Flächenanteil ein. Wird jedoch die benötigte Anbaufläche für nachwachsende Rohstoffe für die Biogasanlagen in die Rechnung einbezogen, so liegt der aktuelle Flächenbedarf insgesamt zwischen ca. 11 300 km² und 17 700 km². Dies entspricht zwischen 3,2 % und 5 % der Fläche der Bundesrepublik. Die Flächeninanspruchnahme wird allerdings aufgrund der bestehenden Datenlücken eher unterschätzt. Weiterhin kommen noch Flächen für Wasserkraftwerke und Pumpspeicheranlagen sowie die Geothermie hinzu, die hier nicht betrachtet wurden.