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The research focus was to determine diffusion mechanisms responsible for densification behavior of SHS produced Al2O3/TiB2 Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs). Previous research has shown SHS produced Al₂O₃/TiB₂ composites exhibited unique microstructural properties that contributed to high strength, fracture toughness, and hardness properties. Pressureless densification of SHS produced Al₂O₃/TiB₂ composites would provide a cost savings because the equipment for pressureless densification is less expensive and less complicated than equipment required for densification with pressure. Models for sintering of CMCs and calculation of Sintering Time Constants (STC) were used to predict the densification behavior of the SHS produced Al2O3/TiB2 composite. The Levin, Dirnfeld, Shwam equation was used to determine the Rate Controlling Diffusion Mechanism (RCDM) and activation energy for sintering. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis of the as-milled reaction product powder revealed the presence of an aluminum borate (Al₁₈B₄O₃₃) as a third phase, as well as, in pressureless heat treated samples. Based on experimental results and analysis, it seemed possible the Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ compound may have formed by reaction of Al₂O₃ with TiB2 along their interfaces. Aluminum borates have been observed to form Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ (s) + B₂O₃ (l) at temperatures above 1000°C. The RCDM for densification of SHS produced Al₂O₃/TiB₂ was found to be liquid phase diffusion with volume diffusion also likely being active during densification. In addition, Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ seemed to be the preferred compound formed during oxidation. Further research should be performed to control formation of Al₁₈B₄O₃₃; as well as, on the oxidation behavior of the SHS produced Al2O3/TiB2. / Master of Science

yes / Heavy petroleum industries, including the Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit, are among some of the biggest contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The FCC unit’s regenerator is where these emissions originate mostly, meaning the operation of FCC regenerators has come under scrutiny in recent years due to the global mitigation efforts against climate change, affecting both current operations and the future of the FCC unit. As a result, it is more important than ever to develop models that are accurate and reliable at predicting emissions of various greenhouse gases to keep up with new reporting guidelines that will help optimise the unit for increased coke conversion and lower operating costs. Part 1 of this paper was dedicated to reviewing the riser section of the FCC unit. Part 2 reviews traditional modelling methodologies used in modelling and simulating the FCC regenerator. Hydrodynamics and kinetics of the regenerator are discussed in terms of experimental data and modelling. Modelling of constitutive parts that are important to the FCC unit, such as gas–solid cyclones and catalyst transport lines, are also considered. This review then identifies areas where the current generation of models of the regenerator can be improved for the future. Parts 1 and 2 are such that a comprehensive review of the literature on modelling the FCC unit is presented, showing the guidance and framework followed in building models for the unit.

The production of embryos has been described as a revolutionary process with the ability to make cattle systems more successful. However, despite constant research done in the field of embryology, there remains a discrepancy between the quality of in vitro produced (IVP) and in vivo derived (IVD) embryos. This difference is potentially associated with the lack of synchronization between nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation events within the oocyte, which is carefully mediated in the ovarian environment and the cumulus oocyte complex (COC). The purpose of this thesis was to utilize a pre-maturation culture system to keep oocytes in an arrested germinal vesicle (GV) state before subjecting them to maturation. In the first half of the experiment, oocytes were pre-matured in C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) supplemented medium for 12 hours. Following pre-maturation, oocytes were transferred to amphiregulin (AREG) for another 12 hours to develop. This procedure is known as CAPA-AREG. After fertilization and a 7- day culture, embryos were assessed for cleavage rate and blastocyst rate. Embryos were also subjected to staining in order to evaluate lipid content and mitochondrial activity via confocal microscopy and ImageJ software. Hurdles in acquiring data also encouraged an assessment on the IVF laboratory and how procedures can be optimized. Overall, embryology lab procedures must be strictly followed, and the laboratory environment must be maintained to the best of the staff’s ability to increase success rates. Due to mishaps in the laboratory, the effectiveness of CNP and AREG on improving bovine oocyte maturation and embryo development is still inconclusive. Further research is required to determine if CNP and AREG can be utilized in future bovine IVF procedures.

Landstinget Blekinge är en av Blekinge Läns största fastighetsägare och har idag ett stort elbehov på grund av sin energiintensiva verksamhet. I enlighet med organisationens miljöplan finns önskemål om att utreda möjligheterna att producera egen el med solceller. Denna utredning har som syfte att analysera egenproducerad solel utifrån lönsamhet och långsiktig hållbarhet.Rapporten utgår från att beskriva potential och ekonomiska förutsättningar för installation och drift av solcellsanläggningar i Sverige, framtida energisystem, samt hur en installation skulle förändra förutsättningarna för den dagliga verksamheten för Landstinget utifrån underhåll och säkerhet. Därefter presenteras en teoretisk projektering som resulterade i två olika solcellsanläggningar för att påvisa eventuell lönsamhet, kostnad för producerad el och en uppskattad årsproduktion i förhållande till Landstingets årliga elbehov. För att genomföra en adekvat projektering och få kunskap gällande underhåll och säkerhet genomfördes intervjuer med sakkunniga och företag som investerat i solcellsanläggningar. Resultatet presenteras som två olika anläggningar vilka skiljer sig åt map storlek och montering. Placeringsalternativ A) har en installerad toppeffekt på 101 kW med en investeringskostnad på 1 100 00 – 1 260 000 kr och placeringsalternativ B) en installerad toppeffekt på 145 kW till en kostnad av 1 500 000 – 1 740 000 kr. Trots dessa skillnader blev divergensen i återbetalningstid och kostnad för producerad el marginell, både med och utan solcellsstöd. Lönsamheten är mest fördelaktig vid ett beviljat solcellsstöd och ger större ekonomisk hållbarhet med en återbetalningstid på 9,8 – 11,3 år för placeringsalternativ A) och 10 – 11,5 år för placeringsalternativ B). I förhållande till en livslängd för anläggningarna på 25 – 30 år är det en lönsam investering.Med en större årsproduktion och lättare montering i förhållande till vindlast drogs en slutsats om att anläggningen på 145 kW skulle gynna Landstinget mest både ur ett ekonomiskt och hållbart perspektiv. Det genom att anläggningen efter återbetalningstiden genererar en högre kostnadsbesparing, samt resulterar i en större minskning av av koldioxidutsläpp till följd av en av högre årsproduktion. Flera källor visar att solceller är en del av ett framtida energisystem och långsiktigt hållbart pga fördelar gentemot minskade utsläpp av växthusgaser. Genom en eventuell investering i solceller kan Landstinget Blekinge stärka och utveckla ett grönt varumärke med en förnybar energiförsöjning i form av en solcellanläggning som bidrar till hållbar utveckling i enlighet med organisationes miljöplan, samt nationella och europeiska klimat- och miljömål. / The County Council of Blekinge is one of the county’s largest property owner and has today a great need of external distribution och electricity due to the organization’s energy intensive operations. According to the County Council’s environmental plan there is a desire to investigate the possibilities of producing electricity with solar cells. Therefore this feasibility study has the purpose of analyzing its profitability anf long-term sustainability following a possible future investment.The report proceeds to describe potential and economic prerequisites for solar cells in Sweden, future energy systems, as well as changing conditions for the daily operations regarding maintenance and safety with a solar cell plant. Thereafter, with the use of a theoretical projection of a solarplant that resulted in two different, the study determines possible profitability, cost of produced electricity and an estimated yearly production relative to the County Council’s need of external electricity. To perform an adequate projection and receive knowledge about maintenance and safety interviews with special advisers and organizations which have invested in solar cell plants interviews was performed. The result is presented as two solar plants that differs in size and mounting. Alternative A) has an installed power of 101 kW with a cost of investment of 1 100 00 – 1 260 000 SEK, and alternative B) har an installed power of 145 kW to the cost of 1 500 000 – 1 740 000 SEK. Despite the differences was the disparity in pay-back-time and cost of produced electricity fractional, with our without subsidies. The profitability is the most benefitial with an issued subsidy for solar cells and implicates a shorter pay-back-period of 9,8 – 11,3 years for alternative A) and 10 – 11,5 years for alternative B). Relative to the economic lifespan of a solar plant of 25 – 30 years it is a profitable investment.With a higher estimated yearly production and easier mounting considering wind load a conclusion was drawn that alternative B) with an installed power 145 kW would benefit the County Council the most from an economic and sustainable perspective. Because after the pay-back-period has ended it would generate more savings of money and a greater lowering of carbon dioxide emissions as a result of the higher annual production of electricity. Several sources show that solar cells are a aprt of a future energy system and is long-term sustainable due to benefits considering lowered carbon dioxide emissions. At an investment the County Council of Blekinge could strengthen and develop a green brand with a renewable energy supply with a solar cell plant which would contribute to sustainable development according to the organization’s environmental plan, as well as national and European climate and environmental goals.

Grappling with the success of their business ventures and coping with the rise in number of new products FifeX was working on, operating out of their shared office in the St Andrews Technology Centre, the co-founders were feeling more ‘cramped’ than ever before. The decision was made to relocate. Although it was felt to be long overdue, much to their relief they finally moved to larger premises in Tayport in July, 2006. The activity of moving was a starting point for a number of place making activities. Using the case of FifeX, this thesis explores the process of place making. It seeks to understand place making from ‘inside’ the activity of place making itself. The guiding research question in this thesis is, what happens -during place making- when people move into ‘new’ business premises? More specifically, this thesis asks the following questions: (i) what are the comparative advantages / disadvantages of the alternative ways of explaining place making? and (ii) which theory or combination of theories, has greater explanatory value in analysing place making / moving? The study, which uses FifeX as an empirical setting is best described as an in-depth qualitative narrative exploration, and thus narrates the unfolding processes of deciding to relocate, relocating, moving and place making. Three different theoretical perspectives (control, engagement, polyphony) were applied, each in turn, to three separate (yet interrelated) instances of place making (a story about a wall, one about chairs, and one about a worktop) in order to cast fresh light on the constitutive talk-entwined-activities of place making. The study demonstrates that although efforts to control space may dominate the discourse and activities of place making, control only explains some of what happens during place making. The findings of the case suggest that place is the outcome of inhabitants’ ongoing experiences and understanding. This thesis argues that alternative theoretical perspectives (engagement and polyphony) are better at explaining what goes on. But because they do not operate ‘naturally’ within the dominant paradigm, it is noted that an alternative practice-based perspective is needed which combines the effectiveness of engagement and polyphony, with the attractiveness of control. A model is presented to help reflect on place making which provides an alternative route for thinking about relocating, moving, and place making that is expected to create engagement and polyphony in a decent way. The proposed model is centred on thinking directed toward: (i) individual place, (ii) inside space, and (iii) what story(s) the space tell outsiders. The focus is on balancing the tensions that emerge from dialoging on these three aspects of space and place.

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