The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. It is obvious that the status quo from that year cannot reflect the needs of present world. Because of this fact it is necessary to approach a reform. But the question is what the reform should deal with. There are plenty of reforming efforts in discussion. These proposals do not take into consideration only the reform of the Security Council but also other bodies within United Nations. In my thesis I will focus only on reforming the Security Council as a main body of the whole organization that should be able to react on security threats flexibly. The feasibility of UN reform depends on the agreement of the permanent members that can due to their veto right block any of the proposals. And for the time being, they use their privilege to do so because they are afraid of limitations of their rights and position. We cannot come up only with a clear proposal how to reform but also it is necessary to focus on the proper arguments why the permanent members should agree with the reform. The main target of the following master thesis is to find out whether the reform is feasible based on accessible information with respect to hindrances and positions of permanent members that are currently more passive than active.

Wood is a renewable material, it is strong in relation to its weight, climate smart but also combustible. Owing to its many advantages and the easy access in Sweden, wood is motivated as a topical building material. However, the aspects related to the combustible nature need to be considered in the design of buildings with a wooden frame. Whether and in such cases how to take into account the increased permanent fire load is a problem of which there are shared opinions. Today's regulatory framework is unclear in some aspects in its formulation and thus leaves room for interpretation. The purpose of this work is to investigate the reasonableness of tabulated data for permanent fire load and the sharp boundary between a BR1 building and a BR0 building but also by surveying how the industry handles the issue. In order to assess the reasonableness for the tabulated data, the method has been calculations with two different methods; one that follows BBR's guidelines (method 1) and another where calculations of the charring depth (method 2) have been performed, as well as a survey and a literature study. The result from the calculations in method 1 shows that in order for the level of the total fire load not to exceed the standard value for a residence of 800 MJ/m2, a low coefficient is required, and thus in principle all wood is assumed to be protected. According to the calculations in method two, it is possible to read out how the permanent fire load is affected by different protective linings and carbonation rates. The survey shows that the most common way to dimension fire protection is through simplified sizing, which entails that one does not have to consider whether the permanent fire load increases due to a combustible frame. There are divided opinions about whether Boverket's rules are enough to achieve adequate protection and how to handle it. The literature study shows that for the timber frame to be counted as fully protected it needs to be three layers of fire gypsum board in the ceiling and that two layers on the walls. Several conclusions can be drawn; the calculations indicate that a permanent fire load of 200 MJ/m2 (2013:11) is unreasonable in a wooden frame building also that if the permanent fire load is considered it becomes costly both economically and in terms of space. Even that Boverket's rules need to be clarified and adapted further against tall wood buildings and that fire projectors work differently and the experience of working with tall wood buildings differs greatly.

This thesis is a study on an unconventional slow speed direct drive permanent magnet (PM) generator. Unlike a standard permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) which has the copper coils wound around iron teeth, the work in this thesis will present a generator where the copper coils are directly mounted on the stator which eliminates the slots and teeth in the generator. By having a slotless design it is possible to eliminate cogging torque, iron losses in teeth and achieve a lightweight design. These characteristics can prove useful when developing generators for an application such as wind turbines, or more specifically vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) in remote areas where weight and serviceability is of concern. This thesis consists of two main parts where the main focus was on the design and simulation of slotless generators. The second part of the thesis was to investigate an available slotless axial flux machine. For the simulations, three different models were created in 2D using CAD software. Two of the models were double-rotor slotless generators and one was a single rotor variant. The electromagnetic properties of these models were analysed using FEMM and COMSOL. The results showed that the double rotor variant with the smaller magnets were more favourable considering the price of magnets and no iron core losses. The experimental results of the axial flux machine gave insight into the construction of commercially available axial slotless generators which could be used to further analyse these types of machines.

It’s well known that MnAl(C) material consists of a metastable phase (τ) with promising ferromagnetic properties, produced either by controlled cooling from the high-temperature hexagonal ε-phase or rapid cooling that freezes the ε-phase followed by low-temperature annealing. Due to the high cooling rates involved, additive manufacturing (AM) especially selective laser melting (SLM), has been identified as a possible method to retain the high-temperature ε-phase, hence containing a potential capacity to produce permanent magnets upon low-temperature annealing. Moreover, the competency of additive manufacturing to address manufacturing design complexity, material scarcity and tailored properties, yields a great opportunity to produce permanent magnets with suitable magnetic properties for complex applications. This work provides a systematic study on three main aspects; development of printing parameters for improved relative density of as-printed MnAl(C) samples; investigation of the influence of scanning strategies on the crystallographic texture of as-printed and annealed samples; investigation of the influence of annealing time and temperature on τ-phase purity and magnetic properties. It was found that laser remelting (multiple laser exposure) combined with specific scanning strategies is a promising path to enhance the relative density of as-printed samples. Some specific scanning strategies were found to be capable of retaining relatively strong crystallographic textured ε-phase in as-printed samples. Following the annealing process for ε→τ transformation, only a partial transformation of crystallographic texture was observed. Characterization of annealed samples through XRD (x-ray diffraction) and phase fractions calculations through Rietveld refinement reveals that relatively short annealing times and low temperatures result in incomplete ε→τ transformation. In addition, longer annealing times and higher temperatures surpass the complete ε→τ transformation and lead to the formation of equilibrium phases subsequently reducing the magnetic performance. Furthermore, the experimental findings demonstrated a pronounced influence of higher carbon content in the powder, resulting in improved magnetic properties.

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This thesis studies wave energy converters developed at Uppsala University. The wave energy converters are of point absorbing type with direct driven linear generators. The aim has been to study generator design with closed stator slots as well as offshore experimental studies. By closing the stator slots, the harmonic content in the magnetic flux density is reduced and as a result the cogging forces in the generator are reduced as well. By reducing these forces, the noise and vibrations from the generator can be lowered. The studies have shown a significant reduction in the cogging forces in the generator. Moreover, by closing the slots, the magnetic flux finds a short-cut through the closed slots and will lower the magnetic flux linking the windings. The experimental studies have focused on the motion of the translator. The weight of the translator has a significant impact on the power absorption, especially in the downward motion. Two different experiments have been studied with two different translator weights. The results show that with a higher translator weight the power absorption is more evenly produced between the upward and downward motion as was expected from the simulation models. Furthermore, studies on the influence of the changing active area have been conducted which show some benefits with a changing active area during the downward motion. The experimental results also indicate snatch-loads for the wave energy converter with a lower translator weight. Within this thesis results from a comparative study between two WECs with almost identical properties have been presented. The generators electrical properties and the buoy volumes are the same, but with different buoy heights and diameters. Moreover, experimental studies including the conversion from AC to DC have been achieved. The work in this thesis is part of a larger wave power project at Uppsala University. The project studies the whole process from the energy absorption from the waves to the connection to the electrical grid. The project has a test-site at the west coast of Sweden near the town of Lysekil, where wave energy systems have been studied since 2004.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Civil Engineering / Stefan A. Romanoschi / Permanent deformation (rutting) is the most critical load-associated distress that develops on asphalt pavements significantly affecting their performance. Past research work focused on estimating permanent deformation of asphalt mixes using empirical prediction models or prediction models based on linear elastic material models. In recent years, mechanistic and mechanistic-empirical prediction models have been developed to take into account the behavior of asphalt material (viscoelastic, viscoplastic or elasto-visco-plastic). This research project aims to evaluate existing mechanistic models that predict permanent deformation (rutting) in asphalt mixes by comparing computed permanent deformation to that measured in a full-scale accelerated pavement test. Six pavement sections were constructed in the Civil Infrastructure Systems Laboratory (CISL) of Kansas State University with six different asphalt mixes. The sections were loaded with up to 700,000 load repetitions of a 22,000lb single axle. The transverse profiles at the pavement surface were measured periodically. For material characterization, asphalt mix samples fabricated in the laboratory, were subjected to dynamic modulus (|E*|), static creep - flow time (Ft), dynamic creep - flow number (Fn), triaxial and uniaxial strength tests, repetitive shear at constant height (RSCH) and frequency sweep at constant height (FSCH). The finite element software, Abaqus, was used to simulate and evaluate four permanent deformation prediction models, which are: creep model, elasto-visco-plastic model, viscoelastic model and Drucker-Prager model. The predicted permanent deformation was then compared to permanent deformation measured in CISL for the six of asphalt pavement sections. It was found that, with some improvements, creep and elasto-visco-plastic models could be used to predict permanent deformation in asphalt mixes. The viscoelastic model greatly under-predict permanent deformation, and the Drucker-Prager model with hardening criteria over predicts permanent deformation as compared to values measured in CISL.

Thesis (PhD (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.

Thesis (PhD (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Certain types of electric machines are particularly susceptible to the proliferation of eddy currents flowing within the solid conducting regions in the rotor. Single-layer, non-overlapping windings within uneven open slots are some stator properties that can produce damaging, asynchronous magnetic field harmonics which manifest in the rotor as eddy currents. The ohmic losses caused by these eddy currents are a source of inefficiency and can cause a marked increase in the temperature of the rotor. This temperature rise can be dangerous for the magnets, which have to be kept within temperature limits to avoid partial or full demagnetization. The research work presented here is concerned with reducing the effect of eddy currents in the rotor magnets and solid rotor yoke of an electric machine. The work presents analytical methods to calculate the magnetic fields, eddy currents and solid loss in an electric machine due to current in the winding and due to the interaction of the permeance variation in the stator with the magnets in the rotor. A method is also suggested where the analytical theory can be used with a magnetostatic finite element solution to produce a transient solid loss result. The research work also investigates a method for optimal segmentation in both level and penetration, and provides some design suggestions. The work presents the method of partial magnet segmentation, which is a technique whereby thin incisions are made into the magnet material from one or both sides. Another method of partial rotor segmentation is also presented where the incisions are made into a portion of the magnet-facing solid yoke. These methods attempt to interrupt the flow of eddy currents and increase the resistance ‘seen’ by the eddy currents, while also keeping construction difficulty and cost to a minimum. The methods are verified using finite element calculations which are compared to measured results. The result is that partial magnet segmentation is a very useful, effective and practical method of segmenting magnets. The loss reduction profile can be similar to that of traditional full segmentation. The method of partial rotor segmentation also shows a large reduction in rotor power loss. With implementation of these methods on a test machine, one can expect an efficiency increase of more than 4 % / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sekere tipes van elektriese masjiene is veral sensitief vir die vloei van werwelstrome in solied geleidende gebiede in die rotor. Enkellaag, nie-oorvleuelende wikkelings in oneweredige oop gleuwe is enkele stator eienskappe wat skadelike, asinchrone magneetveld harmonieke tot gevolg kan hê, wat as werwelstrome in die rotor manifesteer. Die ohmiese verliese wat deur hierdie werwelstrome teweeg gebring word is 'n bron van ondoeltreffendheid en kan lei tot 'n merkbare toename in die temperatuur van die rotor. Hierdie temperatuur styging hou gevaar in vir die magnete en moet binne temperatuur limiete gehou word om gedeeltlike of self volle demagnetisering te vermy. Die navorsing vervat in hierdie document is gemoeid met die vermindering van die effek van werwelstrome in die rotor magnete en in die soliede rotor juk van 'n elektriese masjien. Die werk bied analitiese metodes aan vir die berekening van die magneetvelde, werwelstrome en soliede verliese in ’n elektriese masjien as gevolg van strome in die wikkelings en die interaksie van die permeansie variasie van die stator met die magnete in die rotor. ’n Metode word ook voorgestel waar die analitiese teorie saam met ’n magnetostatiese eindige element oplossing gebruik word om ’n resultaat vir die oorgang soliede verliese te verkry. Die navorsingswerk ondersoek ook ’n metode vir die optimale segmentering in beide vlak sowel as penetrasie, en verskaf sekere ontwerp voorstelle. Die werk bied die metode aan van gedeeltelike magneet segmentering, wat 'n tegniek is waarvolgens dun insnydings gemaak word aan een of beide kante van die magneet materiaal. Nog ’n metode van gedeeltelike rotor segmentering word beskou waar die insnydings in in ’n gedeelte aan die magneetkant van die soliede rotor juk gemaak word. Hierdie metodes poog om die vloei van werwelstrome te onderbreek en die weerstand soos "gesien" deur die werwelstrome te verhoog, terwyl konstruksie kompleksiteit en koste tot ’n minimum beperk word. Die metodes word bevestig deur eindige element berekeninge wat met gemete resultate vergelyk word. Die gevolg is dat gedeeltelike magneet segmentering 'n baie nuttige, doeltreffende en praktiese metode van die segmentering van magnete is. Die verliesverminderingsprofiel van gedeeltelike segmentering kan soortgelyk wees aan dit van tradisionele volle segmentering. Die metode van gedeeltelike rotor segmentering toon ook 'n groot afname in rotor drywingsverlies. Met die implementering van hierdie metodes op ’n toetsmasjien, kan ’n mens ’n verhoging in benuttingsgraad verwag van meer as 4 %

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In hierdie tesis word ’n nuwe lug kern permanent magnet (PM) lineêre generator (LG) vir toepassing tot direk aangedrewe (DA) oseaan golf energie omsetters (GEO) ontwikkel. Die nuwe LG word ontwikkel vanaf die lineêre dubbel-kant topologie in ’n poging om probleme met die huidige longitudinale vloed (LV) yster kern LGs, wat tot dusvêr oorheersend voorkom in eksperimentele DA-GEOs, te oorkom. Die grootste probleem met hierdie LGs is die masiewe aantrekkings kragte tussen hul yster stators en die PM transleerders. ’n Groot hoeveelheid strukturuele staal word benodig om die luggaping te handhaaf, terwyl die las op die laars ook ’n groot probleem is. Die nuwe LG gebruik ’n lug kern stator wat alle aantrekkings kragte tussen die stator en transleerder elimineer en dus die nodige strukturuele material verminder. Die topologie van die transleerder is ook van so ’n aard dat die netto aantrekkings kragte op enige spesifieke PM ideaal nul is; dit verminder die strukturuele materiaal selfs verder. Die transleerder het ook ’n nuwe transversale vloed pad wat die sogenaamde paarwyse vloed koppeling wat in LV-LGs voorkom, en die negatiewe effekte daarvan, verhoed. ’n Aantal nuwe bydraes tot die veld van LGs vir DA-GEO word in hierdie tesis gemaak. ’n Nuwe topologie lug kern PMLG is ontwikkel soos bespreek. Dit sluit in die ontwikkeling van analitiese en eindige element modelle en ’n optimerings prosedure wat vinnig optimale dimensies vir minimum aktiewe massa van die nuwe LG vind. In die ontwerp word dit ook gevind dat die drywingsdigtheid van LGs verbeter kan word deur zero oorvleuling tussen die die stator en transleerder by die slag endte toe te laat. ’n 1 kW prototipe van die nuwe LG word ontwerp en gebou; die uitvoerbaarheid van die konstruksie vir die nuwe topologie op ’n klein skaal word dus gedemonstreer. ’n Unieke toets opstelling word ook ontwerp en is gebasseer op bestaande toerusting in die vorm van ’n wind turbine generator en rug-aan-rug spannings bron omsetters. Met die toets opstelling word ’n enkel frekwensie golf ge-emuleer om die teorie en simulasies te verifieer en word ook ’n voorspellende beheer strategie geimplementeer, wat vir die eerste keer gedemonstreer word vir LGs vir DA-GEOs. Goeie ooreenstemming tussen die gemete en gesimuleerde data bevestig die voorgestelde modellerings en ontwerps metodes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In this thesis, a novel air-cored permanent magnet (PM) linear generator (LG) is developed with application to direct drive (DD) wave energy converters (WECs). The novel LG is developed from the linear double-sided topology in an attempt to overcome the problems with current longitudinal flux (LF) iron-cored LGs, which have so far been dominant in experimental DD-WECs. The biggest problem with these LGs is the massive attraction forces between their iron stators and PM translators. A large amount of structural steel is required to maintain the air gap, while the load on the bearings is also a large concern. The novel LG uses an air-cored stator which eliminates any attraction forces between the stator and translator and hence reduces the required structural material. Furthermore, the topology of the translator is such that the net attraction force on any particular PM is ideally zero, which even further reduces the structural material required for the translator. A new transverse circulating flux path is also introduced in the translator which prevents pair-wise flux coupling and its negative effects as observed in LF-LGs. A number of new contributions are made to the field of LGs for DD-WECs in this thesis. A novel topology aircored PMLG is developed as described. This includes the development of analytical and finite element models and an exhaustive optimisation procedure for quickly finding optimal dimensions for minimum active mass of the novel LG. In the design it is also found that the power density of LGs can be improved by allowing zero overlap between the stator and translator at the stroke ends. A 1 kW prototype of the novel LG is designed and built; the feasibility of constructing the novel LG on a small scale is as such demonstrated. A unique test rig is designed based on existing equipment in the form of a wind turbine generator and back-to-back voltage source converters. The test rig allows emulation of a monochromatic wave for verifying the theory and simulations and also allows for implementation of a predictive control strategy, which is for the first time demonstrated for LGs for DD-WECs. Good agreement between measured and simulated data confirms the presented modelling and design methods.