The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) industry has grown incredibly fast over the past few years, due to the irresistible character and properties of MEMS. MEMS devices have been widely used in various fields such as aerospace, microelectronics, and the automobile industry. Increasing prominence is given to the development and research of MEMS; this is largely driven by the market requirements. Multi-physics coupled fields are often present in MEMS. This makes the modelling and analysis o such devices difficult and sometimes costly. The coupling between electrostatic and mechanical fields in MEMS is one of the most common and fundamental phenomena in MEMS; it is this configuration that is studied in this thesis. The following issues are addressed: 1. Due to the complexity in the structural geometry, as well as the difficulty to analyze the behaviour in the presence of coupled fields, simple analytical solutions are normally not available for MEMS. The finite element method (FEM) is therefore used to model electrostaticmechanical coupled MEMS. In this thesis, this avenue is followed. 2. In order to capture the configuration of the system accurately, with relatively little computational effort, a geometric non-linear mixed assumed stress element is developed and used in the FE analyses. It is shown that the developed geometrically non-linear mixed assumed stress element can produce an accuracy level comparable to that of the Q8 element, while the number of the degrees of freedom is that of the Q4 element. 3. Selected algorithms for solving highly non-linear coupled systems are evaluated. It is concluded that the simple, accurate and quadratic convergent Newton-Raphson algorithm remains best. To reduce the single most frustrating disadvantage of the Newton method, namely the computational cost of constructing the gradients, analytical gradients are evaluated and implemented. It is shown the CPU time is significantly reduced when the analytical gradients are used. 4. Finally, a practical engineering MEMS problem is studied. The developed geometric nonlinear mixed element is used to model the structural part of a fixed-fixed beam that experiences large axial stress due to an applied electrostatic force. The Newton method with analytical gradients is used to solve this geometrically nonlinear coupled MEMS problem. / Dissertation (MEng (Mechanical))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted

Multireference coupled cluster (MRCC) methods are a highly accurate approach for sys- tems with quasi-degeneracies, where the static correlation plays an important role. How- ever, while canonical MRCC is successful for many systems, it can be used only for small sized systems. Nonetheless, it was shown that large systems can be described by the domain-based local pair natural orbital approach (DLPNO). In our group, we developed DLPNO-MkCCSD, DLPNO-TCCSD and DLPNO-MkCCSD(T) methods, which were able to recover more than 99.7% of the canonical correlation energy, while the computation of systems with more than 2000 basis functions took only a few hours on a single CPU core. Moreover, we also implemented a tailored variant of MRCC which successfully described excited states of cyclobutadiene, while the traditional MRCC under-performed.

The ability of organisms to sense – and properly respond to – their environment is crucial to their survival. Higher organisms communicate with conspecifics to ensure the survival of the species. Nematodes, such as the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, are ubiquitous across all biomes, and rely on chemical communication to convey information with one another. The small molecules they utilize in this communication are called ascarosides. These modular pheromones are employed by all taxa, ranging from Caenorhabditis to Ascaris. The ascaroside, ascr#8, is release by hermaphroditic C. elegans to attract potential mates. Previous work has shown that a class of male specific neurons are required for sensation of this pheromone. Here, we show that these neurons initiate a neural circuit modulated by the FMRFamide-like neuropeptide, flp-3. This neuropeptide is sensed by a set of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), NPR-10 and FRPR-16. Together, these components determine the behavioral valence of males to ascr#8. Within the male-specific sensory neurons, the CEM, we show that another group of GPCRs sense the ascr#8. Two of these receptors, DMSR-12 and SRW-97, are expressed in the cilia, suggesting their involvement in direct sensation of the cue. As a targeted approach to identifying and confirming receptors for ascr#8, we have developed a bioactive photoaffinity probe. We have also confirmed that the ability of ascr#8 to attract males is conserved across the genus. Together, these studies coalesce to deepen our understanding of sex-specific chemosensation and neuronal processing. These results can be used to better understand the defects that are seen in neurodegenerative diseases – many of which exhibit sex-specific defects in neuronal processing.

Lighting consumes approximately 20-25% of the energy produced worldwide. LED based lighting is rapidly becoming the preferred choice over incandescent and fluorescent based lighting. LEDs have advantages such as high efficacy, long operating lifetime and excellent lumen maintenance. Therefore, to gain benefits from LEDs for lighting purposes, they must be driven with efficient drivers which maintain high LED efficacy and long LED lifetime. A review of existing LED drivers is done, and their advantages and drawbacks are identified. Existing fault-tolerant drivers are also reviewed. Several dimming methods and their effects on the LED efficacy and lifetime are investigated. As a result, a converter with coupled inductors, suitable as an LED driver which has high efficiency and can maintain high LED efficacy, incorporated with a high efficiency dimming method, is chosen. For the proposed LED driver, a comprehensive analysis on the effects of coupling type and coupling coefficient on converter performance is done. This is carried out to establish the best coupled inductor structure and coupling coefficient, for the proposed LED driver. The coupled inductor obtained is used to achieve high LED efficacy and also used to eliminate the need for an output filtering capacitor. This results in a highly compact, high efficiency and low cost LED driver. A lossless method of LED string current sensing is proposed, so that driver efficiency is not negatively impacted. The LED driver and a digital control system are designed, with the fault-tolerant feature incorporated. The LED driver and the control system are simulated and practically implemented. The results obtained show excellent LED driver performance. The fault-tolerant feature can enable the driver to operate under fault conditions, saving repair costs and down time. Additionally, a novel digitally controlled LED driver, which can drive several independent multiple LED loads, is proposed. This novel driver is simulated and practically implemented; with the results showing excellent driver performance. The novel LED driver can simplify and reduce costs of existing LED lighting systems. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / Unrestricted

This study examines the topic of open innovation in EVs. Initially a brief description of the concept of innovation and open innovation is carried out. Moreover, the three processes of open innovation are deployed while the coupled process is described in more detail. Furthermore, a short description is also given for corporate entrepreneurship, alliances, and the U.S. government policy. Also, this report considers Tesla Motors’ partnerships as a case study and it aims to give an insight of how the coupled process of open innovation is. Concluding, Tesla Motors follows the coupled innovation process by establishing strategic partnerships.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is increasingly being used in nuclear reactor safety analysis as a tool that enables safety related physical phenomena occurring in the reactor coolant system to be described in more detail and accuracy. Validation is a necessary step in improving predictive capability of a computationa code or coupled computational codes. Validation refers to the assessment of model accuracy incorporating any uncertainties (aleatory and epistemic) that may be of importance. The uncertainties must be identi ed, quanti ed and if possible, reduced. In the rst part of this thesis, a discussion on the development of an approach and experimental facility for the validation of coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics codes and System Thermal Hydraulics (STH) codes is given. The validation of a coupled code requires experiments which feature signi cant two-way feedbacks between the component (CFD sub-domain) and the system (STH sub-domain). Results of CFD analysis that are used in the development of a exible design of the TALL-3D experimental facility are presented. The facility consists of a lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) thermal-hydraulic loop operating in forced and natural circulation regimes with a heated pool-type 3D test section. Transient analysis of the mixing and strati cation phenomena in the 3D test section under forced and natural circulation conditions in the loop show that the test section outlet temperature deviates from that predicted by analytical solution (which the 1D STH solution essentially is). Also an experimental validation test matrix according to the key physical phenomena of interest in the new experimental facility is developed. In the second part of the thesis we consider the risk related to steam generator tube leakage or rupture (SGTL/R) in a pool-type design of lead-cooled reactor (LFR). We demonstrate that there is a possibility that small steam bubbles leaking from the SGT will be dragged by the turbulent coolant ow into the core region. Voiding of the core might cause threats of reactivity insertion accident or local damage (burnout) of fuel rod cladding. Trajectories of the bubbles are determined by the bubble size and turbulent ow eld of lead coolant. The main objective of such study is to quantify likelihood of steam bubble transport to the core region in case of SGT leakage in the primary coolant system of the ELSY (European Lead-cooled SYstem) design. Coolant ow eld and bubble motion are simulated by CFD code Star-CCM+. First, we discuss drag correlations for a steam bubble moving in liquid lead. Thereafter the steady state liquid lead ow eld in the primary system is modeled according to the ELSY design parameters of nominal full power operation. Finally, the consequences of SGT leakage are modeled by injecting bubbles in the steam generator region. An assessment of the probability that bubbles can reach the core region and also accumulate in the primary system, is performed. The most dangerous leakage positions in the SG and bubble sizes are identi ed. Possible design solutions for prevention of core voiding in case of SGTL/R are discussed.

Quality control and quality assurance of pavements is today primarily based on core samples. Air void content and pavement thickness are parameters that are evaluated. However, no parameter connected to the stiffness is evaluated. There is a need for fast and reliable test methods that are truly non-destructive in order to achieve an effective quality control and quality assurance of pavements. This licentiate thesis presents surface wave testing using air-coupled microphones as receivers. The measurements presented in this work are performed in order to move towards non-contact measurements of material stiffness. The non-contact measurements are compared to conventional accelerometer measurements in order to compare the noncontact measurements to a “reference test”. The two appended papers are focused on evaluating one parameter in each paper. In the first paper all equipment needed to perform non-contact measurements are mounted on a trolley in order to enable measurements while rolling the trolley forward. It is shown that rolling measurements can provide rapid and reliable measurements of the Rayleigh wave velocity over large areas. However, the measurements are shown to be sensitive to misalignments between the microphone array and the measured surface. An uneven surface can thus cause major errors in the calculated results. The second paper presents an alternative method to evaluate the thickness resonance frequency of a concrete plate. It is demonstrated how the established Impact Echo method can give erroneous results when aircoupled microphones are used as receivers. Instead a method based on backward wave propagation is introduced. It is demonstrated how waves with negative phase velocities can be identified in a narrow frequency span close to the thickness resonance. / <p>QC 20141128</p>

In line with the rising demand for smarter solutions and embedded systems, Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have gained increasing importance for digital computing devices and Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications, most notably for mobile wearable devices. This achievement is driven by MEMS resonators' inherent properties such as simplicity, sensitivity, reliability, and low power consumption. Hence, they are being explored for ultra-low-power computing machines. Several fundamental digital logic gates, switching, and memory devices have been demonstrated based on MEMS microstructures' static and dynamic behavior. The interest of researchers in using MEMS resonators is due to seeking an alternative approach to circumvent the notable current leakage and power density problems of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The continuous miniaturization of CMOS has increased the operating speed and reduces the size of the device. However, this has led to a relative increase in the leakage energy. This drawback in CMOS has renewed the interest of researchers in mechanical digital computations, which can be traced back to the work of Charles Babbage in 1822 on calculating engines. This dissertation presents axially-loaded and coupled-MEMS resonators investigations to demonstrate memory elements and different logic functions. The studies in this dissertation can be categorized majorly into three parts based on the implementation of logic functions using three techniques: electrothermal frequency tunability, electrostatic frequency modulations, and activation/deactivation of the resonant frequency. Firstly, the influence of the competing effects of initial curvature and axial loads on the mechanical behavior of MEMS resonator arches are investigated theoretically to predict the tunability of arches under axial loads. Then, the concept of electrothermal frequency tunability is used to demonstrate fundamental 2-bit logic gates. However, this concept consumes a considerable amount of energy due to the electrothermal technique. Next, the dynamic memory element and combinational logic functions are demonstrated using the concept of electrostatic frequency modulation. Though this approach is energy efficient compared to the electrothermal technique, it does not support the cascadability of MEMS resonator-based logic devices. Lastly, complex multifunctional logic gates are implemented based on selective modes activation and deactivation, resulting in significant improvement in energy efficiency and enabling cascadability of MEMS resonator-based logic devices.

Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1979 / Includes bibliographical references. / by Leslie Louis Szepesi, Jr. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Screening compounds with image-based analysis is an important part in the processof drug discovery. It is an efficient way to screen compounds as it gives moreinformation than for example HTS. High-content screening as it is also called, hasreally progressed in recent years, as the field of data science evolves, and with it sodoes the efficiency of how images can be processed into information. Anotherimportant part of the drug discovery field is the family of receptors GPCRs, a largefamily of over 800 different receptors in humans. The reason GPCRs are importantin drug discovery is because of the large number of drugs targeting them. In thisexperiment we wanted to use image-based analysis to challenge drugs orcompounds that were said to be specific and see if they actually are that specific, orif we can see indications of the drug also working somewhere else. While the drugswe tested did not appear to cause any morphological perturbations large enough todistinguish them from the control, some drugs appear to cluster differently. Thismight suggest that they affect multiple targets, but it needs to be followed up upon inorder to draw any substantial conclusions.