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We propose a mathematical framework that integrates low-level sensory signals from monitoring engineering systems and their components with high-level decision models for maintenance optimization. Our objective is to derive optimal adaptive maintenance strategies that capitalize on condition monitoring information to update maintenance actions based upon the current state of health of the system. We refer to this sensor-based decision methodology as "sense-and-respond logistics". As a first step, we develop and extend degradation models to compute and periodically update the remaining life distribution of fielded components using in situ degradation signals. Next, we integrate these sensory updated remaining life distributions with maintenance decision models to; (1) determine, in real-time, the optimal time to replace a component such that the lost opportunity costs due to early replacements are minimized and system utilization is increased, and (2) sequentially determine the optimal time to order a spare part such that inventory holding costs are minimized while preventing stock outs. Lastly, we integrate the proposed degradation model with Markov process models to derive structured replacement and spare parts ordering policies. In particular, we show that the optimal maintenance policy for our problem setting is a monotonically non-decreasing control limit type policy. We validate our methodology using real-world data from monitoring a piece of rotating machinery using vibration accelerometers. We also demonstrate that the proposed sense-and-respond decision methodology results in better decisions and reduced costs compared to other traditional approaches.

This thesis describes the study and characterization of secondary created structures in PN junction of silicon solar cells. Secondary created structure is the term which means the structures created for the purpose of suppressing the negative influence of local defects and edges of the solar cell. This means in particular laser notches used to isolate the edges. Furthermore, the secondary created structure means modification defective area using focused ion beam milling. Theoretical part of this work deals with short introduction to the topic of solar cells. There are mentioned the physical nature of the solar cell and the technology associated with the issue of solar cells. Experimental section begins with a description of the experimental methods. For diagnostic methods were used both electrical (UI characteristics, noise characteristics) and optical methods (measuring local radiation - CCD camera, thermal imager, lock-in thermography). Furthermore, there was also used a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with technology using Focused Ion Beam (FIB). Sequentially there are presented individual results of characterization of created structures by laser. These partial results are incorporated into a comprehensive methodology developed for characterizing laser-created structures. The experimental part is finished by a presentation of the results of the research use of focused ion beam technology for sputtering defective areas of solar cells.