The performance of commercial Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags is primarily limited by present techniques used for tag antenna design. Currently, industry techniques rely on identifying the RFID tag application (books, clothing, etc.) and then building antenna prototypes of different configurations in order to satisfy minimum read range requirements. However, these techniques inherently lack an electromagnetic basis and are unable to provide a low cost solution to the tag antenna design process. RFID tag performance characteristics (read-range, chip-antenna impedance matching, surrounding environment) can be very complex, and a thorough understanding of the RFID tag antenna design may be gained through an electromagnetic approach in order to reduce the tag antenna size and the overall cost of the RFID system. The research presented in this thesis addresses RFID tag antenna design process for passive RFID tags. With the growing number of applications (inventory, supply-chain, pharmaceuticals, etc), the proposed RFID antenna design process demonstrates procedures to design tag antennas for such applications. Electrical/geometrical properties of the antennas designed were investigated with the help of computer electromagnetic simulations in order to achieve optimal tag performance criteria such as read range, chip-impedance matching, antenna efficiency, etc. Experimental results were performed on the proposed antenna designs to compliment computer simulations and analytical modelling.

Freileitungsmaste aus herkömmlichen Beton werden bereits heute in großer Zahl in Mittelspan-nungsnetzen eingesetzt. Im Bereich der Hochspannungsfreileitungen existieren bisher international nur wenige erste Freileitungen mit Masten aus herkömmlichen Beton. Um zukünftig Elektroenergie über große Entfernungen über Trassen mit geringen Flächenbedarf transportieren zu können, sind neue Hochspannungsfreileitungen in kompakter Bauweise notwendig. Um dieses Ziel zu erfüllen, sollen die Kompaktmaste aus ultra-hochfestem Beton (UHPC) hergestellt werden. Dafür ist eine neue Sorte von UHPC mit hoher Festigkeitsklasse zu entwickeln. Die mechanischen, elektrischen und thermischen Eigenschaften des neuen Betonmaterials waren zunächst unbekannt. Bisher gab es kaum Kenntnisse über die elektrischen und thermischen Belas-tungen, die auf die Betonmaste einer Freileitung in kompakter Bauweise einwirken. Ein Teilthema im interdisziplinären Forschungsprojekt „KoHöMaT“ (gefördert durch das Bundesmi-nisterium für Wirtschaft und Energie) war es, gemeinsam mit Forschungsinstituten (IMB, Fichtner, Lapp, Europoles, KIT, iBMB) die Materialparameter des neuen UHPC zu bestimmen. Den Einfluss der elektromagnetischen Belastungen auf die Lebensdauer und die Festigkeit des Ver-bundes aus Stahl und Beton habe ich untersucht. Aufgabe meiner Arbeit ist es auch, die elektrischen und thermischen Eigenschaften, wie die elektrische Leitfähigkeit, die elektrische Festigkeit, die Per-mittivität, den Verlustfaktor und die Wärmeleitfähigkeit experimentell zu bestimmen. Anhand der experimentellen Untersuchungen wurde der Versagensmechanismus des UHPC-Betons bei Span-nungsbelastung identifiziert. Die am Betonmast auftretenden elektrischen und thermischen Belas-tungen wurden mit Hilfe von verschiedenen FEM-Modellen berechnet und den gemessenen Fes-tigkeiten gegenübergestellt. Es wurde der Einfluss permanenter elektrischer Felder auf die mechanischen Eigenschaften des UHPC bestimmt. Hierfür wurde die Druckfestigkeit des Betons vor und nach Dauerversuchen bei verschiedenen Spannungsbelastung gemessen. Der Verbund zwischen Stahl und Beton wurde in Lastwechselversuchen thermisch hoch beansprucht und dessen mechanische Festigkeit vor und nach der thermischen Belastung bei Auszugsversuchen gemessen. Aufgrund der befürchtenden gesundheitlichen Risiken für Menschen und Tiere, sowie der gegen-seitigen Beeinflussung benachbarter elektronischer Systeme (EMV) dürfen die elektromagnetischen Felder von Freileitungen die jeweiligen maximal zulässigen Grenzwerte nicht überschreiten. Ich habe die Berechnungen der elektrischen und magnetischen Feldverteilung für die im Verbundvorhaben entwickelten Mastdesigns durchgeführt. Gemeinsam mit den Forschungsinstituten (Europoles, Fichtner, Lapp) wurden die Mastdesigns hinsichtlich der Feldverteilung optimiert. / The Overhead line towers made of conventional concrete are already used in large numbers in the medium voltage nowadays. So far, only a few towers of overhead transmission line made of con-ventional concrete which exists internationally in the area of high voltage. In order to be able to transmit electrical energy over long distances by routes of less floor space requirements, new high voltage overhead lines in compact construction are necessary. To achieve this goal, the compact towers have to be made of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). Therefore, a new kind of UHPC with a high strength class has to be developed. For this kind of new concrete, the mechanical, electrical and thermal characteristics were unknown till now either, there was rare knowledge about the electric and thermal loads which have an effect on the concrete towers of an overhead line in compact construction method. The main purpose part of this interdisciplinary research project 'KoHöMaT “, which funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy), was to identify the material parameters of the new UHPC together with the following research institutes (IMB, Fichtner, Lapp, Europoles, KIT, iBMB). It was examined the influence of electromagnetic loads on the lifetime and its’ strength bond be-tween both of composite steel and concrete, also as my major involve was to determine the elec-trical and thermal properties experimentally, such as electrical conductivity, electrical strength, per-mittivity, dissipation factor and finally thermal conductivity. As a result, the failure mechanism of the UHPC under the electrical stresses has been identified then,the electrical and thermal loads on the concrete towers were calculated by using various FEM models accordingly, the measured values were used in the determination of electrical strength. All mentioned theoretical calculated parameters were compared with the real measured parameters. The influence of permanent electric fields on mechanical properties of the UHPC was determined as well. Mainly, the compressive strength of the concrete was measured before and after durability tests at different voltage loads. In addition, the composite (interface) between steel and concrete was thermal extremely loaded by alternating load tests. Its mechanical strength has been measured by pull-out tests before and after this thermal loads. Due to the fear of health risks for both humans and animals, as well as the mutual influence of neighboring electronic systems (EMV), the electromagnetic fields of open lines must not exceed the respective maximum permissible limit values. The calculations of the electrical and magnetic field distribution were carried out for the mast design developed in the composite project. Together with the other research institute (Europoles, Fichtner, Lapp). the tower designs were optimized with re-gard to the field distribution.

Background: There are several strategies that focal companies can opt for to manage their supplychain. Different combinations of configurations and governance mechanisms are argued to havedifferent sustainability outcomes. First, main firms need to decide if they manage the relationshipwith suppliers themselves or if they hire a third party. Second, the buying companies could leadthe relationship with providers by incorporating collaboration or relying on industry certificates.Besides, Swedish companies, as well as Swedish citizens, are claimed to be highly sustainable.Purpose: The goal of this project is to discover the strategies top Swedish companies implementin their supply chains regarding sustainability, and their influence on the position of the companyin the Sustainable Brand Index. As a result, this project will help to determine which specificactions are most likely to lead to increased supply chain sustainability.Method: To fulfil the research purpose, a qualitative study has been conducted. Seven case studies,consisting of five semi-structured interviews with employees from Swedish companies, and twoperipherical secondary-data based ones, were coded and analysed using the grounded analysisfollowing an abductive approach.Conclusion: The results show that the configuration framework available in the literature is notas accurate as it could be, therefore, a new one is proposed. The combination that appeared to havethe best sustainability outcomes entailed a partially closed configuration i.e., extending monitoringto lower tiers, and a spectrum in the governance mechanisms gathering focal company owninitiatives and certifications.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / Future sea bases, such as the Maritime Prepositioning Force (Future), will serve as key distribution nodes and must be able to sustain forces ashore and selectively offload supplies from storerooms quickly and efficiently. Current MPF ships maximize the available cargo storage onboard and have little ability to selectively offload supplies. To make selective offload a reality, MPF(F) requires lower stowage densities and new technologies to efficiently move items, especially for those supplies needed in direct support of forces ashore. The difficult questions are how dense and in what configurations MPF(F) storerooms can be packed, and how items should be retrieved in order to selectively offload supplies and provide acceptable response time. We analyze the trade-off between storage density and mean retrieval time in a dynamic environment for different storage densities and configurations in notional storerooms aboard a future sea base. We examine two demand scenarios and two different retrieval rules to determine how each storage configuration responds to retrieval requests over time. Our results provide insight into the types of storeroom configurations that provide the best mean retrieval times and how a simple retrieval rule can significantly reduce mean retrieval time under certain demand conditions. / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, ein enantiomerenspezifisches Analysenverfahren für die Bestimmung von Hexabromcyclododecan (HBCD) in Biota-Proben zu entwickeln und die bei erhöhten Temperaturen auftretende Isomerisierung der HBCD-Stereoisomere zu untersuchen. Als erstes wurden die sechs HBCD-Enantiomere isoliert, mittels Einkristallstrukturanalyse, NMR- und IR-Spektroskopie charakterisiert und erstmals die spezifischen Drehwinkel der reinen Enantiomere mit den absoluten Konfigurationen und der Elutionsreihenfolge auf einer chiralen beta-PM-Cyclodextrin-Phase korreliert. Die Untersuchungen der HBCD-Enantiomere in Biota-Proben wurden mit einem HPLC-Tandem-MS-System unter Verwendung einer Kombination aus einer C18- und einer chiralen beta-PM-Cyclodextrin-Phase durchgeführt. Das entwickelte Analysenverfahren wurde validiert und ein Messunsicherheitsbudget erstellt. Die mittlere Wiederfindung für die internen Standards lag im Bereich von 96 - 104 % und die Nachweisgrenzen lagen zwischen 6 und 21 pg/g. Mit Hilfe dieses Analysenverfahrens wurden sowohl maritime als auch Süßwasser Biota-Proben von verschiedenen Probenahmepunkten in Europa untersucht. Die ermittelten Enantiomeren-Verhältnisse, die in allen Fällen vom (±)-alpha-HBCD dominiert wurden, zeigten signifikante Abweichungen von den razemischen Zusammensetzungen. Auffällig hierbei war, dass eine bevorzugte Anreicherung der zuerst eluierenden HBCD-Enantiomere ((-)-alpha-, (-)-beta- und (+)-gamma-HBCD) stattfand. Im Ergebnis der Untersuchungen zur thermisch induzierten intramolekularen Isomerisierung der HBCD-Stereoisomere konnten die verschiedenen Isomerisierungsreaktionen eindeutig aufgeklärt und die jeweiligen Geschwindigkeitskonstanten bei einer Temperatur von 160 °C ermittelt werden. Ergänzend wurde die Isomerisierung mit Hilfe der statistischen Thermodynamik unter Verwendung eines neuen Ansatzes für die klassische Hybrid Monte-Carlo-Simulation untersucht. / The major objectives of this thesis were the development of an analytical procedure for the enantio-specific determination of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in biota samples and the investigation of the interconversion of the individual HBCD isomers at elevated temperatures. The six HBCD enantiomers were isolated, characterised by X-ray diffractometry, NMR- and IR-spectroscopy and the sense of rotation was correlated for the first time with the absolute configurations of the HBCD enantiomers as well as their order of elution on a chiral beta-PM-cyclodextrine-phase. Trace quantification of the individual HBCD enantiomers was achieved by means of high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry equipped with a combination of a C18- and a chiral analytical column. Validation data and an uncertainty budget were determined. The mean recoveries of the different enantiomeric internal standards ranged from 96 to 104 % and the limits of detection are in the range of 6 to 21 pg/g. The analytical procedure was successfully applied to marine and freshwater biota samples from different European sites. The enantiomeric pattern of the six HBCD enantiomers, with (±)-alpha-HBCD as the dominant diastereomer, was determined for all biota samples and showed in most cases a significant deviation from the technical racemate. In these cases a preferential enrichment of the first eluted enantiomers ((-)-alpha-, (-)-beta- and (+)-gamma-HBCD) could be observed. The unambiguous elucidation of the individual isomerisation reactions as well as the quantification of all respective rate constants for the interconversion of the HBCD stereoisomers at 160 °C was done. A mechanistic explanation for the differences of the rate constants which govern the composition of HBCD diastereomers at equilibrium was given. Additionally, the interconversion was investigated by means of statistical thermodynamics using a new approach to classical hybrid Monte-Carlo simulations.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:21:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Karina Jorge.pdf: 3084239 bytes, checksum: 3de3e9558aa23fb366967551b5a3e910 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-12-13 / The intention of this research was to investigate as in the city of S?o Paulo, in elapsing of century XIX, the co-participation of knowing doctors to them, of engineering, of the architecture and the performance of the administrators they had implied in the modification in the urban configuration of the city and had defined a new structure in organization and functioning. It investigates, over all, the debate and practical the relative ones to the implantation of the hospitals, isolation hospitals, cemeteries and saint marries of mercy through the urban historical study of the S?o Paulo city. It tried to perceive how the urban practice implemented by the administrators through the doctors and engineers were based on the miasma theory. These buildings, according to related theory, would contain organic substance that when decomposing, exhaled miasmas, and therefore, they would have to be situated outside of the urban defined borders at that time. The studies had been made under the point of view of the public health, investigating the origin and formation of the buildings relating them, and the relation of these buildings with the urban way. It is also distinguished in this research, how the prescriptions in the medicine and architecture treaties about the salubrious of the cities, had been transferred to the legislation, through the Municipal Laws. By means of the law off August 30th of 1828, that it extinguished the positions of Physicist and Surgeon, the City councils had started to be responsible for public health and, through the Imperial Decree of October 1st of 1828, established it form of the elections of the members of the City councils and included the first Code of Positions in the organic law of the respective Chambers. / O prop?sito dessa pesquisa foi o de investigar como na cidade de S?o Paulo, no decorrer do s?culo XIX, a co-participa??o dos saberes m?dicos, da engenharia, da arquitetura e a atua??o dos administradores implicaram na modifica??o no tecido urbano da cidade e definiram uma nova estrutura de organiza??o e funcionamento. Investiga, sobretudo, o debate e as pr?ticas relativas ? implanta??o dos hospitais, lazaretos, cemit?rios e casas de miseric?rdia atrav?s do estudo hist?rico urban?stico da cidade de S?o Paulo. Procurou-se perceber como as pr?ticas urbanas implementadas pelos administradores atrav?s dos m?dicos e engenheiros aos seus servi?os estavam fundamentadas na teoria miasm?tica. Estes edif?cios, segundo a referida teoria, conteriam mat?ria org?nica que ao se decompor exalavam miasmas e, portanto, deveriam se localizar fora do meio urbano definido na ?poca. Os estudos foram feitos sob o ponto de vista da sa?de p?blica, investigando a origem e forma??o dos edif?cios relacionados ? mesma e a rela??o desses edif?cios com o meio urbano. Destaca-se nessa pesquisa tamb?m, como as prescri??es presentes nos tratados de medicina e arquitetura sobre a salubridade das cidades foram transferidas para a legisla??o, atrav?s das Posturas Municipais. Mediante a lei de 30 de agosto de 1828, que extinguiu os cargos de F?sico-mor e Cirurgi?o-mor, as C?maras Municipais passaram a ser respons?veis pela sa?de p?blica e, atrav?s do Decreto Imperial de 1? de outubro de 1828, estabeleceu-se a forma das elei??es dos membros das C?maras Municipais e incluiu-se o primeiro C?digo de Posturas na lei org?nica das respectivas C?maras.

Les molécules possédant des atomes identiques en positions interchangeables existent sous différentes formes appelées " configurations de spin nucléaire " identifiées par la symétrie de la fonction d'onde rovibrationnelle et la valeur de leur spin nucléaire total. Dans le cas des molécules hydrogénées présentes dans les milieux interstellaires et cométaires, la mesure des rapports entre populations de configuration de spin différentes montre que ces dernières ne sont pas à l'équilibre thermodynamique attendu dans les conditions de température du milieu. L'origine de ce déséquilibre reste en débat, et des études plus poussées concernant la conversion de spin nucléaire (CSN) dans la phase solide et à l'interface avec la phase gazeuse à basse température sont nécessaires pour mieux comprendre les observations. Ce travail de thèse expérimental est dédié à l'étude de la CSN du CH4 dans des matrices d'argon et de krypton. La molécule de méthane présente trois configurations de spin qui peuvent être distinguées par spectroscopie d'absorption infrarouge à transformée de Fourier. Dans un premier temps, le travail a consisté en l'étude de la spectroscopie du méthane dans ces matrices (attributions, influence de l'environnement cristallin...). Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons étudié la dynamique de CSN par retour à l'équilibre de matrices préalablement enrichies en une espèce de spin donnée. L'influence de (i) la nature, (ii) la concentration en CH4 et (iii) la température (4.2 K - 10 K) des matrices sur les temps de conversion mesurés ont permis de mettre en évidence les différents mécanismes (inter et intramoléculaires) responsables de la modification des espèces de spin nucléaire de CH4. Ces travaux suggèrent que, pour des glaces astrophysiques, l'équilibre des populations relatives entre les configurations de spin devrait être obtenu en phase solide, ce qui remet en cause l'hypothèse de la conservation des rapports otho/para dans les glaces cométaires et interstellaires.

Abstract This study aims to clarify the early development stages of technology intensive companies. The current literature does not offer an extensive review of stage perspectives for company growth – the overall picture of the field is somewhat vague. The evolution of this field remains unclear as well as the current state. Further, recent empirical stage models focusing on technology intensive companies have not been delineated. As companies move through their early stages, they face events which contribute to or detract from their aim. A study focusing on these events may provide fresh viewpoints for understanding the management processes. This study seeks to clarify how the literature describes the early stages of technology intensive companies, and what viewpoints are highlighted by the management as a company progresses through these sequences. This retrospective multiple case study clarifies the topic with two meta-analyses and a sequential incident study carried out in ten young technology intensive companies in Finland and Thailand. First, well covered areas, trends, and ideas for fresh approaches are studied through a meta-analysis of the past 60 years of literature focusing on stages of development. Based on recent empirical studies, a sequential self assessment framework is formed. Second, it is studied whether the case study methodology could be utilised to further clarify the early stages of technology intensive companies. Third, the experiences of ten case companies are reflected through the framework in order to test the framework, and to study what viewpoints these cases reveal about the early stages of technology intensive companies. This study provided an extensive review of the research focusing on the stages of development. A four-stage framework was found applicable for a self-assessment of the early stages in technology intensive companies, while ten case studies and cross case analysis provided partial support for the framework. In addition, this study provided many potential fresh viewpoints for a theory related to the early stages of technology intensive companies. These viewpoints are considered here as starting points for further research, which is expected to provide sufficient evidence for further modification of the framework. / Tiivistelmä Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena on selkeyttää teknologiaintensiivisten yritysten varhaisia kehitysvaiheita. Kirjallisuus ei tarjoa kattavaa katsausta yrityksen kehitysvaiheita käsittelevästä tutkimuksesta – kokonaiskuva aiheesta jää jokseenkin epämääräiseksi samoin kuin alan kehitys ja nykytila. Lisäksi viimeaikaisten empiiristä aineistoa sisältävien vaihemallien tuloksia ei ole koottu yhteen. Varhaisissa kehitysvaiheissaan yritykset kohtaavat sekä tavoitteitaan edistäviä että estäviä tapahtumia. Tapahtumia tutkimalla on mahdollista nostaa esille tuoreita näkökulmia varhaisiin vaiheisiin liittyviin johtamisprosesseihin. Tämä tutkimus pyrkii selvittämään, kuinka teknologiayrityksen varhaiset kehitysvaiheet on kuvattu kirjallisuudessa ja mitä näkökulmia varhaisen kehityksen läpi käyneiden yritysten johto korostaa. Tämä takautuva monitapaustutkimus analysoi aihetta kahden meta-analyysin ja vaiheittain toteutetun kriittiset tapahtumat -menetelmän avulla. Tapaustutkimus suoritettiin kymmenessä suomalaisessa ja thaimaalaisessa yrityksessä. Ensiksi 60 edeltävää vuotta käsittävässä meta-analyysissä analysoitiin vaihemallien historia ja nykytila, trendit ja potentiaaliset ideat uusille lähestymistavoille. Viimeaikaisten empiiristen tutkimusten perusteella muodostettiin synteesi varhaisten kehitysvaiheiden itsearviointikehykseksi. Toiseksi tutkittiin voidaanko tapaustutkimusta hyödyntämällä edelleen selventää teknologiaintensiivisten yritysten varhaisia kehitysvaiheita. Kolmanneksi kymmenen tapausyrityksen kokemuksia peilattiin itsearviointikehykseen tarkoituksena testata kehystä ja analysoida mitä näkökulmia tapaukset paljastavat teknologiaintensiivisten yritysten varhaisista vaiheista. Tutkimus tarjosi laajan katsauksen yrityksen kehitysvaiheisiin keskittyvään tutkimuskenttään. Nelivaiheinen kehys todettiin soveltuvaksi varhaisten kehitysvaiheiden itsearviointiin teknologiaintensiivisissä yrityksissä – kymmenen tapausta ja näiden vertailu antoi osittaisen tuen tälle. Lisäksi tutkimus tarjosi useita uusia näkökulmia teknologiaintensiivisten yritysten varhaisia kehitysvaiheita käsittelevään teoriaan. Nämä näkökulmat toimivat lähtökohtana jatkotutkimuksille, joiden oletetaan tuovan riittävästi todistusaineistoa itsearviointikehyksen edelleenkehittämiseksi.

Artificial human muscles have traditionally been operated through pneumatic means, and are known as Pneumatic Artificial Muscles (PAMs). Over the last several decades, Hydraulic Artificial Muscles (HAMs) have also been investigated due to their high power-to-weight ratio and human-like characteristics. Compared to PAMs, HAMs typically exhibit faster response, higher efficiency, and superior position control; characteristics which provide potential for application in rehabilitation robotics. This thesis presents a new approach to actuate artificial muscles in an antagonistic pair configuration. The detailed mechanical design of the test platform is introduced, along with the development of a dynamic model for actuating an artificial elbow joint. Also, custom manufactured Oil-based Hydraulic Artificial Muscles (OHAMs) are implemented in a biceps-triceps configuration and characterized on the test platform. Furthermore, an integrator-backstepping controller is derived for HAMs with different characteristics (stiffness and damping coefficients) in an antagonistic pair configuration. Finally, simulations and experimental results of the position control of the artificial elbow joint are discussed to confirm the functionality of the OHAMs utilizing the proposed actuating mechanism and the effectiveness of the developed control algorithm. / Graduate

Sustainability has become a critical issue due to global warming, scarcity of resources, and the high costs of raw materials. It is vital to reconsider linear business models and value creation processes and transition towards circularity. The growth of the electric vehicles market is promising; however, it comes with a major downside. Soon there will be a considerable number of used batteries without the original capacity and potentially hazardous that cannot go to landfill due to environmental and economic reasons. In this regard, the use of electric vehicle batteries in second life (EVBSL) is suggested as a solution. EVBSL comes with benefits such as the extension of the battery life cycle, extracting value from the remaining capacity of the battery, reduction in the upfront costs of the electric vehicle, and create new revenue streams for the companies. And since various actors are involved in EVBSL, it is essential to study this phenomenon from an ecosystem perspective. Despite the recent focus of researchers on EVBSL, there are several gaps in the current literature on this topic. The first gap concerns the challenges and enablers of implementing circular business models (CBMs) for EVBSL. The second gap concerns the second life operations of electric vehicles (EV). There is a lack of research on the solutions that can guide the ecosystem actors to manage EVBSL-related activities. And the third gap concerns the limited research on the preconditions of circular business model innovation for the EVBSL that focuses on the transition from linear business models to CBMs. Therefore, this thesis aims to develop knowledge of the factors that influence the implementation of CBMs for EVBSL from an ecosystem perspective. This study intends to address these gaps by conducting qualitative research. An exploratory research design has been deemed adequate due to its flexibility and compatibility. This research draws on the existing literature on the second life of EV batteries, and circular business models. In total, 20 interviews and 15 workshops have been conducted covering 15 companies in the EVBSL ecosystem. Purposeful sampling was employed to select the EVBSL ecosystem actors with the aim of covering the key actors such as OEMs, battery manufacturer, recycling companies, remanufacturers, energy utility companies, material supplier for battery parts, construction and housing company, and public transportation companies. The collected data was analyzed via qualitative methods such as thematic analysis.  The results of this study have led to the identification of nine key challenges and seven key enablers. Moreover, two dimensions (i.e., time frame and responsible entity) are identified from the empirical data, through which companies can structurally categorize and work with the identified key challenges and enablers. Based on this, a guiding framework is suggested that could support firms in the EV battery ecosystem to establish and manage various configurations for second-life operations in a series of phases such as firm-level initiation, ecosystem construction, firm-level optimization, and ecosystem orchestration. Finally, the current linear business models (traditional sales of products and services, product maintenance and support, R&D, consultancy, and services), upcoming CBMs (regenerating, looping, and sharing), and the preconditions (for value creation, capture, and delivery) for the circular business model innovation are extracted.  This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in several ways. It enhances the current literature on challenges and enablers of EVBSL by covering various actors in this ecosystem and extends the knowledge on the scope of these factors. Moreover, this study is the first one that suggests a guiding framework for the ecosystem actors through configurations for second-life operations while shedding light on the preconditions of circular business innovation for EVBSL. This study also provides interesting insights for practitioners and managers in the EVBSL ecosystem. / RECREATE project