abstract: It is well known that the geckos can cling to almost any surface using highly dense micro/nano fibrils found on the feet that rely on Van Der Waals forces to adhere. A few experimental and theoretical approaches have been taken to understand the adhesion mechanism of gecko feet. This work explains the building procedure of custom experimental setup to test the adhesion force over a temperature range and extends its application in space environment, potentially unsafe working condition. This study demonstrates that these adhesive capable of switching adhesive properties not only at room environment but also over a temperature range of -160 degC to 120 degC in vacuum conditions. These conditions are similar to the condition experienced by a satellite in a space orbiting around the earth. Also, this study demonstrated various detachment and specimen patch preparation methods. The custom-made experimental setup for adhesion test can measure adhesion force in temperature and pressure controlled environment over specimen size of 1 sq. inch. A cryogenic cooling system with liquid nitrogen is used to achieve -160 degC and an electric resistive heating system are used to achieve 120 degC in controlled volume. Thermal electrodes, infrared thermopile detectors are used to record temperature at sample and pressure indicator to record vacuum condition in controlled volume. Reversibility of the switching behaviour of the specimen in controlled environment confirms its application in space and very high or very low-temperature conditions. The experimental setup was developed using SolidWorks as a design tool, Ansys as simulation tool and the data acquisition utilizes LabVIEW available in the market today. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Mechanical Engineering 2016

As space missions continue to increase in complexity, the operational capabilities and amount of gathered data demand ever more advanced systems. Currently, mission capabilities are often constrained by the link bandwidth as well as onboard processing capabilities. A large number of commands and complex ground station systems are required to allow spacecraft operations. Thus, methods to allow more efficient use of the bandwidth, computing capacity and increased autonomous capabilities are of strong research interest. Artificial Intelligence (AI), with its vast areas of application scenarios, allows for these challenges and more to be tackled in the spacecraft design. Particularly, the flexibility of Artificial Neural Networks as Machine Learning technology provides many possibilities. For example, Artificial Neural Networks can be used for object detection and classification tasks. Unfortunately, the execution of current Machine Learning algorithms consumes a large amount of power and memory resources. Additionally, the qualification of such algorithms remains challenging, which limits their possible applications in space systems. Thus, an increase in efficiency in all aspects is required to further enable these technologies for space applications. The optimisation of the algorithm for System on Chip (SoC) platforms allows it to benefit from the best of a generic processor and hardware acceleration. This increased complexity of the processing system shall allow broader and more flexible applications of these technologies with a minimum increase of power consumption. As Commercial off-the-shelf embedded systems are commonly used in NewSpace applications and such SoC are not yet available in a qualified manner, the deployment of Machine Learning algorithms on such devices has been evaluated. For deployment of machine learning on such devices, a ConvolutionalNeural Network model was optimised on a workstation. Then, the neural network is deployed with Xilinx’s Vitis AI onto a SoC which includes a powerful generic processor as well as the hardware programming capabilities of an Field ProgrammableGate Array (FPGA). This result was evaluated based on relevant performance and efficiency parameters and a summary is given in this thesis. Additionally, a tool utilising a different approach was developed. With a high-level synthesis tool the hardware description language of an accelerated linear algebra optimised network is created and directly deployed into FPGA logic. The implementation of this tool was started, and the proof of concept is presented. Furthermore, existing challenges with the auto-generated code are outlined and future steps to automate and improve the entire workflow are presented. As both workflows are very different and thus aim for different usage scenarios, both workflows are outlined and the benefits and disadvantages of both are outlined.

Les moteurs piézoélectriques inertiels sont classiquement considéréscomme des moteurs d’une grande simplicité, mais offrant des forces et desvitesses inférieures aux autres technologies de moteurs piézoélectriques. L’étudeprésentée porte sur l’introduction d’un actionneur piézoélectrique amplifiécomme composant actif du moteur inertiel. L’objectif des travaux est decomprendre et valider, théoriquement et expérimentalement, l’intérêt del’innovation sur la vitesse maximale du moteur ainsi sur l’appel de courantnécessaire à son fonctionnement. La modélisation, analytique puis numérique,permet d’argumenter sur le réel intérêt et les limites de l’amplification dans lesmoteurs piézoélectriques inertiels. En complément, les conceptions, réalisationset tests de trois échelles de moteurs sont effectués, pour divers environnements.Les contraintes vont de la compatibilité à un fort champ magnétique (typeImagerie médicale par Résonnance Magnétique) jusqu’aux contraintes dudomaine spatial (vide, sollicitations mécaniques), en passant par laminiaturisation, la maximisation des efforts, ainsi que le fonctionnement à desbasses températures (jusqu’à -180°C). L’utilisation de paramètres « ajustables »des moteurs inertiels, tels que le signal de commande par exemple, permet des’assurer de la possible répétabilité des moteurs mais aussi d’étendre lespossibilités d’application. Finalement, la démarche de conception à l’aide deparamètres « arrêtés » complétés par des paramètres « ajustables » semblantoffrir de bonnes perspectives d’application au domaine mécatronique, elle estsynthétisée et globalisée afin de permettre aux concepteurs de la mettre enoeuvre. / Inertial Piezoelectric Motors are basically considered as extremely simplemotors, but weak and slow compared to other piezoelectric motor technologies.The present study is about introduction of amplified piezoelectric actuator asactive component of an inertial motor. The aim of this work is to understand andvalidate the benefits from amplification in terms of motor maximal speed as wellas motor input current, with theory and experimentations. Building of models,analytical and numerical, allows arguing on real interests and limitations of theproposed innovation. As a complement, designs, realisations and tests are madeon three different scales of motors, in order to fit various environmentsconstrains. These constrains go from strong magnetic fields compatibility (suchas Magnetic Resonant Medical Imaging) to space application field (vacuum,vibrations…), passing by miniaturisation, force maximisation, as well as lowtemperature operation (down to -180°C). In addition to design, use of“adjustable” parameters of inertial motors, input signal as an example, giveslarger application opportunities, by increasing force range, etc. Finally, becausedesign process using “stopped” and “adjustable” parameters seems to offergood application perspectives to mechatronics field, this process is summarisedand generalised in order to be implemented by designers.

This master thesis describes a detached house, requirements for the detached house, price, technical-economic index and card of cost indicator. The author performed an analysis of selected houses and itemized budgets of selected houses. Different shapes, technologies and solutions of materials are included in the analysis. The author, from the analysis, inferred the behavior of technical-economic index (TEI) of detached houses. The author described behavior in the particular and sub models. The author suggested methodology of calculation of the price data, the spatial data and the structure of price TEICF2 (technical-economic index, complex formula, version 2) of planned detached house. The author founded his methodology on particular and sub models. The principle of methodology TEICF2 consists in the analogy of the planned detached house with the model with same parameters. The author implemented TEICF2 into application dyCBI. Application dyCBI is working on Microsoft Excel.