The PCR-based genome walking method has been commonly used to isolate upstream regions from known cDNA sequences. The limitation of this technique is based on the location of the restriction site upstream to the gene-specific primer in the genome; hence, different restriction enzymes have to be used to isolate larger upstream fragments. In this paper, we present the advantageous use of partial and size-selected DNA as templates for genome walking, in isolating larger upstream fragments. We have successfully tested this approach to isolate larger upstream fragments using the FailSafe™ PCR System. Use of partial digestion and size selection can provide better chances in obtaining larger flanking regions of known DNA sequence, when compared to use of total digested DNA.

This thesis explores new methods for achieving load-carrying joints between the dissimilar materials of continuous fibre reinforced polymer matrix composites and structural metals. The new composite-to-metal joining methods investigated in this work exploit the metal-to-metal joining techniques of arc micro-welding, resistance spot welding, and metal filler brazing, to form novel micro-architectured metal adherends that can be used for enhanced composite-to-metal joining. Through a combination of equipment instrumentation and metallographic inspection of fabricated prototype joints, understanding is gained of how materials respond when processed by manufacturing techniques that have not previously been exploited for dissimilar material joining. Mechanical testing of prototype joints; both to ultimate loading strength and partial failure states, with subsequent inspection of specimens and comparative performances evaluation enabled joining performance characterisation of the new joining methods. Key results include: the identification of micropin reinforced adhesive joints to exhibit pseudo-ductile failure characteristics, resistance spot weld reinforcement of adhesive joints to boost bonding performance, and the use of a polymer infused metal foam to overcome difficulties of thermoplastic to metal adhesion. Through this work knowledge of how novel micro-architectures reacted under mechanical loading enabled insights to be gained into how perceived manufacturing defects can benefit joining performance. Such examples include, localised material weakness that lead to global pseudo-ductile failure behaviour, and low-strength secondary joining mechanisms boosting primary load transfer systems. By comparison of the diverse joining methods investigated in this work, trends were identified that suggest joining performance between the two dissimilar materials is improved by increasing the direct interaction between the composite reinforcement fibres and the metal structure. It is demonstrated that joining improvements are gained by forming mechanical connections between metals and composite precursory material before the final manufacturing process of the composite.

Cílem této práce je vývoj dvoukanálového kontroléru krokových motorů. V rámci práce je popsán jak vývoj elektroniky, tak vývoj příslušného software. Elektronika kontrolŕu je založena na mikrokontroléru STM32F405 a driverů krokových motorů vyráběných firmou Trinamic. Pro komunikaci s nadřazenými systémy je implementován protokol CANOpen a sběrnice I\textsuperscript{2}C a USB. Elektronika byla navržena v software KiCAD and využívá čtyřvrstvého plošného spoje a moderních výrobních technologií. Co se týká software, byl vyvinut jak firmware pro mikrokontrolér, tak software pro ovládání kontroléru. Obě části software využívají programovacího jazyka Rust, který se zaměřuje na bezpečnost práce s pamětí, rychlost a zero-cost abstrakce. Sekundárním cílem této práce je ukázat, jak lze tento programovací jazyk s výhodou použít pro programování nízkoúrovňového embedded software. Firmware kontroléru implementuje nezávislé řízení pohybu obou os kontroléru a to jak v rychlostním, tak v pozičním režimu a zároveň implementuje bezpečnostní funkce pro případy selhání komunikace. Výsledný kontrolér by měl být použit v rámcí výzkumné skupiny Robotiky a Umělé Inteligence a studenty na Ústavu Automatizace FEKT VUT.