Nous définissons des formes normales géodésiques pour les séries générales des groupes de réflexions complexes G(de,e,n). Ceci nécessite l'élaboration d'une technique combinatoire afin de déterminer des décompositions réduites et de calculer la longueur des éléments de G(de,e,n) sur un ensemble générateur donné. En utilisant ces formes normales géodésiques, nous construisons des intervalles dans G(e,e,n) qui permettent d'obtenir des groupes de Garside. Certains de ces groupes correspondent au groupe de tresses complexe B(e,e,n). Pour les autres groupes de Garside, nous étudions certaines de leurs propriétés et nous calculons leurs groupes d'homologie sur Z d'ordre 2. Inspirés par les formes normales géodésiques, nous définissons aussi de nouvelles présentations et de nouvelles bases pour les algèbres de Hecke associées aux groupes de réflexions complexes G(e,e,n) et G(d,1,n) ce qui permet d'obtenir une nouvelle preuve de la conjecture de liberté de BMR (Broué-Malle-Rouquier) pour ces deux cas. Ensuite, nous définissons des algèbres de BMW (Birman-Murakami-Wenzl) et de Brauer pour le type (e,e,n). Ceci nous permet de construire des représentations de Krammer explicites pour des cas particuliers des groupes de tresses complexes B(e,e,n). Nous conjecturons que ces représentations sont fidèles. Enfin, en se basant sur nos calculs heuristiques, nous proposons une conjecture sur la structure de l'algèbre de BMW. / We define geodesic normal forms for the general series of complex reflection groups G(de,e,n). This requires the elaboration of a combinatorial technique in order to determine minimal word representatives and to compute the length of the elements of G(de,e,n) over some generating set. Using these geodesic normal forms, we construct intervals in G(e,e,n) that give rise to Garside groups. Some of these groups correspond to the complex braid group B(e,e,n). For the other Garside groups that appear, we study some of their properties and compute their second integral homology groups. Inspired by the geodesic normal forms, we also define new presentations and new bases for the Hecke algebras associated to the complex reflection groups G(e,e,n) and G(d,1,n) which lead to a new proof of the BMR (Broué-Malle-Rouquier) freeness conjecture for these two cases. Next, we define a BMW (Birman-Murakami-Wenzl) and Brauer algebras for type (e,e,n). This enables us to construct explicit Krammer's representations for some cases of the complex braid groups B(e,e,n). We conjecture that these representations are faithful. Finally, based on our heuristic computations, we propose a conjecture about the structure of the BMW algebra.

The aim of the master’s thesis is analysis of practical application limits of waste-gate TwinScroll turbocharger located in BMW X6 M vehicle by using DFSS (Design For Six Sigma) tools. The goal is to create a special measurement device for a measurement of waste gate leakage with chance of testing all sorts of characteristics having impact on key parameters of turbocharger.

I mitt arbete ämnar jag besvara frågan “Hur uttrycks stora fordonstillverkares eco-branding i förhållande till paradigmskiftet mot krav på hållbar utveckling?”. Syftet är att undersöka svårigheterna och balansgången med eco-branding inom fordonsindustrin. Detta görs utifrån en branding-studie av tre stora fordonstillverkares användning av eco-branding, ihop med mina egna erfarenheter av ett liknande designprojekt. Grafisk identitet och visuell kommunikation studeras utifrån el och hybridbilarna BMW i3, Tesla Model S och Toyota Prius. Positionering av företagen inom området kopplas till teori om hållbar utveckling, eco-branding och greenwashing för att diskutera krav på transparens och företagens upplevda legitimitet och trovärdighet. Det framkommer att de olika företagen brandar sig på olika sätt, med olika grad av eco-branding. Något som beror mycket på vilka värderingar och historia företaget och dess varumärke har. Även om det är en balansgång mellan greenwashing och trovärdighet, så kan alla ses ha olika styrkor; samt svagheter att förbättra för ökad transparens eller trovärdighet. En slutsats är dock att eco-branding börjar bli mer trovärdig och att greenwashing-trenden generellt börjat mattas av. Gemensamt för alla aktörer är att framtidsvisionen är det centrala i varumärkesbyggandet. Dock har konventionella fordonstillverkare svårare förutsättningar att förhålla sig till paradigmskiftet än nyare aktörer. / In this essay I aim to answer the question “How is the eco-branding of large automotive companies expressed, in relation to the paradigm shift towards demands for sustainability?”. The purpose is to examine the difficulties and balancing of eco-branding within the automotive industry. This is done through a comparative analysis of three large automotive companies and their use of eco-branding, together with my own experience from a similar design project. Corporate identity and visual communication is studied through the electric and hybrid cars BMW i3, Tesla Model S and Toyota Prius. The positioning of the brands within the field is linked to theory on sustainable development, eco-branding and greenwashing; to discuss demands for transparency and the brands perceived legitimacy and credibility. It is revealed that the different companies brand themselves in relatively different ways, with different degrees of eco-branding.This depends on the values and history of the company and it’s brand. Even though there is a balancing between greenwashing and credibility, they all have different strengths, as well as areas for improvement to increase company transparency and authenticity. A conclusion is however that eco-branding is becoming more credible and the trend of greenwashing is generally started to slightly diminish. It is revealed that future vision plays a central part in all of the brands. However conventional companies are shown to have significantly more difficulties in positioning themselves within the paradigmshift compared to newer actors.

This master thesis includes a comprehensive analysis of the new car sales via the internet. The SLETPE and SWOT analyses were used for the overall analysis of the external and internal environment. The opinion about this new way of selling cars was inspected by marketing research. The current websites of companies are described and assessed, because of the importance for the implementation of e-commerce.

Thesis (MA (Political Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.