This work deals with the fabrication of closed cavities in Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics (LTCC). In recent years, the LTCC ceramics have become widely used in the areas of sensors, MEMS and micro-fluidic applications. When fabricating such devices, it is important that the cavities maintain their compactness and dimensions after the manufacturing process . This is achieved primarily with the right choice of lamination process and its parameters and also by appropriate setting of the firing profile. The theoretical part describes the various steps in the production of LTCC structures and the most common technological processes used for creating structures with cavities and micro - channels . In the practical part are selected laminating procedures performed on the test pattern, which contains cavities of different sizes. Emphasis was placed on the correct execution of each method , while gradually modifying the lamination parameters. The achieved results are further discussed in terms of process parameters and their influence on the dimensions of manufactured cavities.

The object of this diploma thesis is to analyze, persuant to numerical simulation of current technology of production aluminous casting roller-reck V9X, causes of the rise of cold lap and laminations defects. Consequently, to work up a project of variant solution of the shape of casting so, as to come to elimination mentioned defects. This variant solving will be tested with numerical simulation as well. Fruitfulness of these designed changes will be verified by testing molten of the casting. In terms of solve the problem the simulation of cycling of the mold and subsequently the filling of the casting will be effected. During the analyse of filling of the die the first phase of filling will be effected too.It means the movement of the piston throught the chambre. Simulation of solidification of the casting wont be effected because of the type of the defect.

The main aim of this Master Thesis is the design of several hydraulic structures to decrease as much as possible the huge flooding caused by the Escartana gully which drains its water towards the city of Albacete (Spain) and its surrounding areas, affecting to their inhabitants; and causing huge material damages in residential and industrial areas, and loss of crops in nearby farmland. Some alternatives such as embankment dams with or without drainage systems inside the dam body and a roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam have been proposed to be built, being necessary to carry out a multicriteria analysis in order to decide which alternative has the best fit according to the analyzed features of the region. The alternative chosen to be developed was the RCC dam for the advantages of this typology, currently in development and implantation in some countries like Spain. For this reason, a RCC dam is planned to be built some kilometers upstream of these areas, with the objective of controlling the future floods coming from this watershed by decreasing its peak flow. In order to increase the beneficial effects of the construction of the dam, a channel downstream is also designed to drain the discharged overflows by the drainage systems of the dam towards a natural endorheic area, the Salobral Lagoon (currently dried-up), located 13 kilometers downstream of the dam’s location. This lagoon is connected hydraulically to the drainage network of Albacete by means of the Salobral channel and due to its huge storage capacity, it allows to reduce substantially the peak flows over the Salobral channel avoiding the dangerous flooding and potential damages caused by them. As a result of the projected hydraulic structures, Albacete and its surrounding areas would increase substantially their protection against the floods coming from the Escartana watershed.

The digital transformation of engineering design processes is essential for the aerospace industry to remain competitive in the global market. Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) frameworks play a crucial role in this transformation by integrating various engineering disciplines and enabling the optimization of complex spacecraft structures. Since the design team consists of multiple entities from different domains working together to build the final product, the design and analysis tools must be readily available and compatible. An integrated approach is required to handle the problem's complexity efficiently. Additionally, most aerospace structures are made from composite panels. It is challenging to optimize such panels as they require the satisfaction of constraints where the design ply thicknesses and orientations can only take discrete values prescribed by the manufacturers. Heuristics such as particle swarm or genetic algorithms are inefficient because they provide sub-optimal solutions when the number of design variables is large. They also are computationally expensive in handling the combinatorial nature of the problem. To overcome these challenges, this work proposes a two-fold solution that integrates multiple disciplines and efficiently optimizes composite spacecraft structures by building a rapid design framework. The proposed model-based design framework for spacecraft structures integrates commercially available software from Siemens packages such as NX and HEEDS and open-source Python libraries. The framework can handle multiple objectives, constraint non-linearities, and discrete design variables efficiently using a combination of black-box global optimization algorithms and Mixed Integer Programming (MIP)-based optimization techniques developed in this work. Lamination parameters and MIP are adopted to optimize composite panels efficiently. The framework integrates structural, thermal and acoustic analysis to optimize the spacecraft's overall performance while satisfying multiple design constraints. Its capabilities are demonstrated in optimizing a small spacecraft structure for required structural performance under various static and dynamic loading conditions when the spacecraft is inside the launch vehicle or operating in orbit. / Doctor of Philosophy / The design of new spacecraft takes several years and requires significant resources. The primary design objective is to minimize spacecraft mass/cost while satisfying the mission requirements. This is done by altering the structure's geometric and material properties. Most spacecraft panels are made from composite materials where the orientations of fiber paths and the thickness of the panel determine its strength and stiffness. Finding the best values for these parameters cannot be done efficiently using existing optimization algorithms, as several combinations of orientations can give a similar performance which can be subpar. In this dissertation, mathematical programming is adopted for fast evaluation of optimum panel properties, thereby saving a significant amount of resources compared to conventional techniques. Moreover, the requirements that govern the design process are handled one at a time in an organization. This leads to discrepancies in the various teams' designs that satisfy all requirements. A framework is built to integrate all requirements to account for their conflicting nature and quickly give the best possible spacecraft structural design configuration.

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One of the major technical challenges with creating 3D artificial tissue constructs is the lack of simple and effective methods to integrate vascular networks within them. Without these vascular-like networks, the cells embedded within the constructs quickly become necrotic. This thesis details the use of a commercially available, low-cost, 3D printer modified with a microfluidic printhead in order to generate instantly perfusable vascular-like networks integrated within gel scaffolds seeded with cells. The printhead featured a coaxial nozzle that allowed the fabrication of hollow, gel tubes (500µm–2mm) that can be easily patterned to create single or multi-layered constructs. Media perfusion of the channels caused a significant increase in cell viability. This microfluidic nozzle design was further modified to allow for multi-axial extrusion in order to 3D print and pattern bi- and tri-layered hollow channel structures. Most available methodologies lack the ability to create multi-layered concentric conduits inside natural extracellular matrices, which would more accurately replicate the hierarchal architecture of biological blood vessels. The nozzle used in this work allowed, for the first time, for these hierarchal structures to be embedded within layers of gels in a fast, simple and low cost manner. This scalable design allowed for versatility in material incorporation, thereby creating heterogeneous structures that contained distinct concentric layers of different cell types and biomaterials. This thesis also demonstrates the use of non-extrusion based 3D biofabrication involving planar processing by means of hydrogel adhesion. There remains a lack of effective adhesives capable of composite layer fusion without affecting the integrity of patterned features. Here, silicon carbide was found for the first time to be an effective and cytocompatible adhesive to achieve strong bonding (0.39±0.03kPa) between hybrid hydrogel films. Multi-layered, heterogeneous constructs with embedded high-resolution microchannels (150µm-1mm) were fabricated in this way. With the new 3D fabrication technology developed in this thesis, gel constructs with embedded arrays of hollow channels can be created and used as potential substitutes for blood vessel networks as well as in applications such as drug discovery models and biological studies. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Additive manufacturing (AM) involves any three-dimensional (3D) fabrication technologies that is used to produce a solid model of a predetermined design. AM techniques have recently been used in tissue engineering applications for fabrication of 3D artificial tissues that resemble architectures and material properties similar to that of the native tissue. Utilizing AM for this purpose presents the advantage of increased control in feature patterning, which leads to the realization of more complex geometries. However, there still remains a lack of simple and effective methods to integrate vascular networks within these 3D artificially engineered scaffolds and tissue constructs. Without these vascular-like networks, the cells embedded within the constructs would quickly die due to a lack of nutrient delivery and waste transport. This remains one of the biggest challenges in true 3D tissue engineering. This thesis presents a number of fast, effective and low-cost AM biofabrication techniques to address this challenge.

The tensile behavior of two ceramic matrix composites (CMC's) was observed. The materials of interest in this study were a glass-ceramic matrix composite (GCMC) reinforced with Nicalon fibers and a Blackglas™ composite also reinforced with Nicalon fibers. Both had a symmetric cross-ply layup. Initial observations of the composites showed significant porosity and some cracking in the Blackglas™ samples. The GCMC samples showed considerably less damage. From the observed tensile behavior of the cross-ply composites, a 'back-out' factor for determining the 0° ply data of the composite was calculated using Classical Lamination Theory (CLT). The predicted behavior of the 0° ply was then compared to actual data supplied by McDonnell Douglas Corporation. While the Blackglas™ material showed good correlation, the GCMC did not. Analysis indicates that the applicability of this technique is strongly influenced by the initial microstructure of the composite, i.e., porosity, cracking. Fracture mirror measurements were also observed to determine the in-situ strength of the Nicalon fibers. Resulting characteristic strength and Weibull modulus values combined with measured fiber pullout lengths were then used to determine material parameters such as the ultimate tensile strength, strain to failure, work of pullout, sliding distance at the characteristic strength, and interfacial shear stress. Comparisons of measured and calculated ultimate tensile strengths and strains to failure showed good agreement. This research was sponsored by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Dahlgren VA. / Master of Science

This thesis is a study of a primary passage and progression from light to dark. A secondary passage considers possibilities of a broader connection to context and a clear definition of entrance into the archive. Typologically, this thesis examines the archive as a room within a room. / Master of Architecture

Cette thèse présente le développement d’une méthodologie qui permet d’analyser la structure en couches du cortex cérébral, en utilisant l’imagerie par résonance magnétique en champ intense (IRM à 7 teslas). Alors que l’architecture corticale est traditionnellement étudiée par imagerie microscopique de coupes de tissu post-mortem, l’utilisation d’une technique non invasive telle que l’IRM permet d’envisager d’étudier la lamination corticale in vivo, et ainsi de dépasser les atlas architecturaux classiques comme celui de Brodmann.Deux approches ont été utilisées pour l’acquisition d’images à haute résolution. La première, développée pour l’imagerie in vivo, utilise une reconstruction super-résolue à partir de coupes épaisses acquises dans différentes géométries. La seconde, basée sur une séquence tridimensionnelle optimisée pour l’imagerie post-mortem, a permis l’acquisition d’images de pièces anatomiques.La contribution principale de cette thèse réside dans le développement d’un couple de méthodes permettant d’extraire automatiquement, en chaque point du cortex, un profil caractérisant son architecture en couches. Pour permettre l’extraction robuste de ces profils, un modèle original de l’influence de la courbure corticale a été développé et implémenté.Ces méthodes ont été testées et validées sur plusieurs pièces anatomiques. Ce travail permet d’envisager la caractérisation de l’architecture des aires corticales, voire leur délimitation automatique, en utilisant l’IRM en champ intense. / This thesis presents the development of a methodology for the analysis of the layered structure of the cerebral cortex, using high-field magnetic resonance imaging (7-tesla MRI). While cortical layers are traditionally studied using microscopic imaging of post-mortem tissue slices, the use a non-invasive technique such as MRI will enable in vivo studies, and thus allow new approaches beyond the use of classical architectural atlases such as Brodmann's.Two imaging methodologies have been used to acquire high-resolution images. First, a method based on super-resolution reconstruction from thick slices acquired in different geometries was developed for in vivo imaging. Second, a three-dimensional imaging sequence optimized for post-mortem tissue allowed imaging excised brain specimen.The main contribution of this thesis consists of a pair of methods that perform an automatic extraction of cortical profiles, which characterize the laminar architecture at any cortical location. In order to allow robust extraction of these profiles, an original model of the influence of cortical curvature was developed and implemented.These methods were tested and validated on multiple brain specimen. This work allows envisaging an automatic microarchitectural characterization of cortical areas, and even architectural parcellation, using high-field MRI.

Det byggs i trä i Sverige som aldrig förr. Det blir alltmer populärt för varje år som går att ersätta prefabricerade element i betong samt pelare och balkar i stål med element med motsvarande funktion i antingen korslimmat trä eller limträ. Under tidsperioden 2010 till och med 2019 har andelen nyproducerade lägenheter i flerbostadshus, som byggts i trä, ökat med 122 %. Det kommer delvis som en följd att det först 1994 blev tillåtet att bygga flervåningshus i trä när funktionskrav infördes. Vid byggande i trä finns det olika sorters trämaterial att välja mellan, tre av dem är konstruktionsvirke, limträ och korslimmat trä. Konstruktionsvirke är ursågade delar av trädstammar och limträ samt korslimmat trä är sammansatta trämaterial av konstruktionsvirke i form av lameller och lim. Skillnaden mellan limträ och korslimmat trä är att lamellerna, lagren, är lagda i samma riktning i limträ och som namnet antyder, korsvis i korslimmat trä. Limträ har formen av pelare och balkar medan korslimmat trä bildar massiva skivelement. Eftersom trä är ett organiskt material kommer det vid hög temperatur att antända och förbrännas. Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka huruvida brandförloppet skiljer sig mellan konstruktionsvirke, limträ och korslimmat trä samt ta reda på om limmet påverkar brandförloppet eller inte i fallen med limträ och korslimmat trä. Uppsatsen är av det kvalitativa slaget, och analyserar därmed redan framtagen information snarare än tillföra egen. Informationen hämtas från intervjuer med personer med för uppsatsen relevanta kompetenser och från litteraturstudier. Eftersom alla tre i uppsatsen analyserade material består av eller är konstruktionsvirke kommer brandförloppen i stora drag vara jämförbara. Lamelleringseffekten i limträ och korslimmat trä kommer göra brandförloppen i de materialen mer gynnsamma. Den stora skillnaden i brandförlopp kommer bero på huruvida det ingående limmet i limträ och korslimmat trä delaminerar vid upphettning. Det finns flera olika sorters lim tillåtna för ändamålet, där vissa sorter delaminerar och andra inte. Uppsatsens slutsats är att materialen som tidigare nämnts i stort genomgår samma brandförlopp och att valet av lim kommer ha påverkan på brandförloppet då eventuell delaminering är ogynnsamt för konstruktionen. / In Sweden, building with wood have never been so popular as now and to exchange prefabricated elements in concrete and pillars and beams in steel with corresponding elements in either cross-laminated timber and or glued-laminated timber becomes increasingly more popular on a yearly basis. During the timeframe from 2010 through 2019 the share of newly produced flats in multi-storey buildings have risen with 122 %. In part, it can be explained by the introduction of function-based design in Sweden 1994, before that, wooden multi-storey buildings were not allowed. When building with wood, there are several wooden materials to choose from, three of which are dimensional lumber, glued-laminated timber, and cross-laminated timber. Dimensional lumber is sawed parts of logs and glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber are engineered wood composed by dimensional lumber in form of laminating stock and adhesives. The difference between glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber are that the laminating stock, the layers, are oriented the same way in glued-laminating lumber and as the name suggests, crossed, perpendicular to each other in cross-laminated timber. Glued-laminated timber is used as pillars and beams while cross-laminated timber is used as massive wooden panels. Since wood is an organic material, it will ignite and combust at high temperatures. The purpose of the thesis is to examinate whether the fire course differs in dimensional lumber, glued-laminated timber, and cross-laminated timber. The thesis is qualitative, and therefore analyses already researched information rather than providing new. The information is provided by interviews with people with relevant functions according to the thesis and from literary studies. As all three materials analysed in the thesis are composed of or are dimensional lumber the fire course will broadly be comparable, however, the in glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber inherent laminating effect will make these materials fire course more advantageous. The main divergence in fire course will depend on whether the in glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber inherent adhesive will delaminate when heated or not. There are several different types of adhesives allowed for the purpose where some types will delaminate and other will not when heated. The conclusion of the thesis is that the earlier mentioned materials broadly experience the same fire course, and that the choice of adhesive will have effect on the fire course due to eventual delamination being disadvantageous for the construction. / <p>Betyg 2021-06-04</p>