National Programme on Micro and Smart Materials and Systems (NPMASS) / A computer-aided technique is developed in this thesis to systematically generate concepts for sensors of a wide variety. A database of building blocks, based on physical laws and effects that capture the transduction rules underlying the working principles of sensors, has been developed to synthesize concepts. The proposed method uses the database to first create a concept-space graph and then selects concepts that correspond to paths in the graph. This is in contrast to and more efficient than existing methods, such as, compositional synthesis and graph-grammar synthesis, where solution paths are laid out first and then a concept-space graph is generated. The research also explores an approach for synthesis of concepts for closed-loop sensors, where a quantity is sensed indirectly after nullifying its effect by using negative feedback. These sensors use negative feedback to increase the dynamic range of operation without compromising the sensitivity and resolution. According to the literature, generation of un-interesting solutions is a major drawback of the building block-based synthesis approaches. In the proposed approach, this shortcoming is mitigated substantially by using some rules. For a number of the concepts generated, in the sensor problems attempted, we found that those concepts were already implemented in existing patents; thus emphasising the usefulness of the concepts produced. The synthesis approach proposed new, feasible sensor concepts, thereby indicating its potential as a stimulator for enhancing creativity of designers. Another important problem is to improve the robustness of designs. Robustness can be achieved by minimizing the side effects. Side effects are defined as unwanted effects that affect the intended working of the sensor. The research presents an algorithm that (a) predicts the potential side effects for the synthesized concepts of sensors; (b) aids in quantifying the magnitude of the side effects, thus helping the designer to predict the significant side effects; and (c) suggests ways to improve the robustness of the design.

Le maintien ou l'amélioration de la biodiversité est un des objectifs importants de la gestion forestière durable. La flore du sous-bois, qui représente la partie la plus diversifiée de la flore dans les forêts tempérées, joue des rôles écologiques importants. Pourtant, elle pourrait être impactée par l'augmentation de la mécanisation de la gestion forestière. A l'échelle de la parcelle, nous avons étudié en forêt de Montargis les effets simples et combinés de caractéristiques du peuplement et de la surface en cloisonnement sur la diversité floristique du sous-bois (richesse et abondance). Les caractéristiques du peuplement (type de peuplement ou surface terrière des essences à étaient les meilleurs indicateurs de la diversité du sous-bois. La surface des cloisonnements avait un effet négligeable. A plus petite échelle – à l’intérieur du cloisonnement – nous avons étudié la réponse statistique de la diversité du sous-bois à la position dans ou hors du cloisonnement, à des facteurs micro-environnementaux (humidité du sol, compaction du sol, lumière) et aux caractéristiques du peuplement. A cette échelle, les meilleurs modèles incluaient pour les groupes écologiques la position par rapport au cloisonnement, l’humidité du sol et/ou la compaction du sol, selon le groupe écologique considéré. Au niveau espèce, la position par rapport au cloisonnement était le facteur dominant. Globalement, les cloisonnements avaient soit pas d’effet soit un impact positif sur la diversité floristique de sous-bois. Ces résultats ont dépendants du contexte écologique et historique de la forêt de Montargis. L’utilisation d’engins plus lourds ou des passages répétés sur une plus longue période pourraient changer ces conclusions. / Maintaining or improving biodiversity is an important goal of sustainable forest management.Ground flora, which is responsible for most floristic diversity in temperate forests, plays multiple important roles in biodiversity but may be impacted by the increasing mechanisation of forest practices. At stand scale, we investigated in Montargis forest the individual and combined effects of tree stand attributes and skid trail area on ground flora diversity. Tree stand attributes (stand type or basal area) were the best indicators of ground flora diversity, depending on the successional traits or light preference of the species group. The effects of skid trail area were negligible. At finer scale, we studied plant response to skid trail disturbance (represented by subplot on and off skid trails), micro-environmental factors (soil moisture, soil compaction, light) and stand attribute (stand type, basal area). The best models for ecological groups included subplot location, soil moisture or soil compaction, depending on which ecological groups (classified by life form, seed bank persistence, light and moisture requirements) the species belonged to. Stand type as a covariate played a significantly important role in fine-scale diversity pattern. Subplot location was the dominant factor at species level. In conclusion, skid trails had either no impact or a positive impact on ground flora diversity. These results are dependent on the context of Montargis forest (ecological and historical), especially that mechanized harvesting is relatively recent. The employment of heavier machines and increased number of passages is likely to happen. This might induce greater soil compaction and negative effects on plant.

No description available.

The thesis deals with the design and creation of a weather station suitable for gardeners. The created device is able to measure temperature, pressure, humidity, amount of precipitation, wind speed and direction, UV index and also temperature and soil moisture at several depths. The weather station is powered by a battery with auxiliary charging from a photovoltaic panel. The thesis is divided into several parts. The theoretical part describes the individual physical principles of measurement of the considered physical quantities. Subsequently, a comparison of available sensors is made and then a final selection is made. The third part deals with the design and implementation of the hardware circuitry including the creation of the PCB. In this section, the holders of each sensor are also designed for printing on a 3D printer, which are then printed. The fourth section deals with software design issues, which is described in more detail. Finally, the whole weather station is assembled, wired and the functionality of all components is verified by sending the measured data to Thingspeak.

To date only very few bistatic measurements (airborne or in controlled laboratories) have been reported. Therefore most of the current remote sensing methods are still focused on monostatic (backscatter) measurements. These methods, based on theoretical, empirical or semi-empirical models, enable the estimation of soil roughness and the soil humidity (dielectric constant). For the bistatic case only theoretical methods have been developed and tested with monostatic data. Hence, there still remains a vital need to gain of experience and knowledge about bistatic methods and data. The main purpose of this thesis is to estimate the soil moisture and the soil roughness by using full polarimetric bistatic measurements. In the experimental part, bistatic X-band measurements, which have been recorded in the Bistatic Measurement Facility (BMF) at the DLR Oberpfaffenhofen, Microwaves and Radar Institute, will be presented. The bistatic measurement sets are composed of soils with different statistical roughness and different moistures controlled by a TDR (Time Domain Reflectivity) system. The BMF has been calibrated using the Isolated Antenna Calibration Technique (IACT). The validation of the calibration was achieved by measuring the reflectivity of fresh water. In the second part, bistatic surface scattering analyses of the calibrated data set were discussed. Then, the specular algorithm was used to estimate the soil moisture of two surface roughnesses (rough and smooth) has been reported. A new technique using the coherent term of the Integral Equation Method (IEM) to estimate the soil roughness was presented. Also, the sensitivity of phase and reflectivity with regard to moisture variation in the specular direction was evaluated. Finally, the first results and validations of bistatic radar polarimetry for the specular case of surface scattering have been introduced. / Aktuell sind nur sehr wenige Messungen mit bistatischem Radar durchgeführt worden, sei es von Flugzeuggetragenen Systemen oder durch spezielle Aufbauten im Labor. Deshalb basieren die meisten der bekannten Methoden zur Fernerkundung mit Radar auf monostatis-chen Messungen der Rückstreuung des Radarsignals. Diese Methoden, die auf theoretischen, empirischen oder halb-empirischen Modellen basieren, ermöglichen die Schätzung der Oberfächenrauhigkeit und die Bodenfeuchtigkeit (Dielektrizitätskonstante). Im bistatischen Fall wurden bisher nur theoretische Modelle entworfen, die mittels monostatischer Messungen getestet wurden. Aus diesem Grund ist es von großer Bedeutung, Erfahrung und Wissen über die physikalischen Effekte in bistatischen Konfigurationen zu sammeln. Das Hauptziel der vorliegenden Dissertation ist es, anhand vollpolarimetrischer, bistatischer Radarmessungen die Oberfächenrauhigkeit und Bodenfeuchtigkeit zu bestimmen. Im experimentellen Teil der Arbeit werden die Ergebnisse bistatischer Messungen präsentiert, die in der Bistatic Measurement Facility (BMF) des DLR Oberpfaffenhofen aufgenommen wurden. Die Datensätze umfassen Messungen von Böden unterschiedlicher statistischer Rauhigkeit und Feuchtigkeit, die mittels eines Time Domain Reflectivity (TDR) Systems bestimmt werden. Zur Kalibration des BMF wurde die Isolated Antenna Calibration Technique (IACT) verwendet und anhand der Messung der Reflektivität von Wasser überprüft. Im zweiten Teil der vorliegenden Arbeit wird anhand der kalibrierten Daten eine Analyse der Oberflächenstreuung in bistatischen Konfigurationen vorgenommen. Im Anschluss daran wird mittels des Specular Algorithm eine Schätzung der Bodenfeuchte zweier Proben unter- schiedlicher Rauhigkeit (rau und fein) durchgeführt. Ein neues Verfahren zur Schätzung der Oberfächenrauhigkeit, das auf dem kohärenten Term der Integral Equation Method (IEM) basiert, wurde eingeführt. Daneben wird die Empfindlichkeit der Phase sowie der Reflektivität des vorwärtsgestreuten Signals gegenüber Veränderungen der Bodenfeuchtigkeit analysiert. Schließlich werden erste Ergebnisse und Validierungen bistatischer Radarpolarimetrie für den Fall der Vorwärtsstreuung präsentiert.

Ziel der Arbeit ist es, ein genaueres Prozessverständnis zur Abflussbildung an Hängen auf der Basis der räumlichen Verbreitung periglazialer Deckschichten zu erhalten. Das Untersuchungsgebiet ist ein 6 ha großes, forstlich bewirtschaftetes Quelleinzugsgebiet im Osterzgebirge. Das anstehende Gestein ist Gneis. Der oberflächennahe Untergrund ist aus zwei- und dreigliedrigen Deckschichten zusammengesetzt. Auf der Punkt-, Hang- und Kleineinzugsgebietsskala werden hydrometrische, hydrochemische und geoelektrische Methoden sowie Färbeversuche eingesetzt, um auf die dominierenden Abflussbildungsprozesse schließen zu können. Aus der Synthese der Teilergebnisse werden drei typische Prozessabläufe in Abhängigkeit von der Gebietsvorfeuchte abgeleitet. Diese verdeutlichen, dass bei geringer Vorfeuchte Sättigungsoberflächenabfluss im Quellsumpf vorherrscht, bei mittlerer bis hoher Vorfeuchte dagegen Zwischenabfluss der dominierende Abflussprozess ist. Die Abflusswirksamkeit der Niederschläge steigt zudem mit zunehmender Vorfeuchte nichtlinear an. Es wird herausgestellt, dass die hydraulisch anisotropen Eigenschaften der Basislage entscheidend die oberflächennahen Fließwege des Wassers beeinflussen. Sie besitzt durch ihre hohe Lagerungsdichte einerseits vertikal wasserstauende Eigenschaften. Andererseits kann Wasser, begünstigt durch das dominant sandige Substrat und das hangparallel eingeregelte Bodenskelett innerhalb der Schicht bevorzugt lateral geleitet werden. Die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse verdeutlichen die Bedeutung der Eigenschaften der periglazialen Deckschichten für die Abflussbildung an Mittelgebirgshängen. / The aim of this study is to contribute to the understanding of runoff processes on slopes based on the spatial distribution of periglacial cover beds. The study area is a 6 ha large forested spring catchment in the Eastern Ore Mountains, Saxony. Bedrock is gneiss overlain by periglacial cover beds comprising two or three layers. On plot, hillslope and small-catchment scales hydrometrical, hydrochemical and geoelectrical methods as well as tracer experiments are used to determine the constitutive runoff processes. From the synthesis of partial results, three pre-moisture controlled process cycles are derived. With low pre-moisture, saturation overland flow dominates in the spring bog. In contrast, with medium or high pre-moisture interflow occurs. Besides, with rising pre-moisture runoff coefficients increase in a non-linear manner. It is emphasised that the hydraulic anisotropic structure of the Basal Layer is the major control factor for subsurface water-flow paths. On the one hand, this layer acts as an aquitard for seeping water because of its high bulk density. On the other hand, water within the layer is able to flow laterally because of the sandy texture and the coarse clasts oriented parallel to the slope. These findings highlight the importance of relic periglacial cover beds for runoff generation in subdued mountains.

In der Landnutzung stellt die Bewertung der Versorgung mit organischer Bodensubstanz (OBS) eine besondere Herausforderung dar. Dabei wird der Einfluss der Bodenfeuchte aufgrund des globalen Klimawandels an Bedeutung gewinnen, da die Wasserverfügbarkeit Einfluss auf die Aktivität der bodenlebenden Mikroorganismen nimmt. Ziel der Arbeit waren daher Aussagen, inwieweit verschiedene Wassergehalte den biologischen Umsatz bei der Inkubation von Bodenproben mit unterschiedlicher Herkunft sowie organischer Düngung beeinflussen. In einem Modellversuch wurden Bodenproben ungedüngter Parzellen von drei deutschen Dauerfeldversuchen in einer zweifaktoriellen Blockanlage in Abhängigkeit von organischer Düngung (Weizenstroh, Stallmist) und Wassergehalt inkubiert. Die Experimente wurden in vier Feuchtigkeitsstufen mit 10, 40, 65 und 90 % der Feldkapazität über einen Zeitraum von 85 Tagen bei einer Temperatur von 25 °C realisiert. Zusätzlich sind vor und nach der Inkubation Thermogravimetrische Bodenanalysen (TGBA) durchgeführt worden. Die Ergebnisse belegen einen mit dem Wassergehalt steigenden C-Umsatz, da die Aktivität von aeroben Mikroorganismen bis zur Wassersättigung des Bodens zunimmt. Die Steigerung war bei Zugabe von Weizenstroh höher als bei Stallmist, ohne Düngerzusatz signifikant niedriger. Gleichzeitig änderte sich die Dynamik der Abbauprozesse. Durch besonders trockene Verhältnisse wurde die Umsetzung verzögert, zudem sank die Umsatzrate langsamer. Ein dauerhafter Einfluss des Standorts auf den Umsatz der Düngemittel war dagegen nicht nachweisbar. Der biologische Abbau im Inkubationsversuch veränderte darüber hinaus die thermische Zerfallsdynamik. Die größten Veränderungen wurden nach Zugabe von Stroh festgestellt. Nicht geklärt werden konnte, ob in Böden mit höherer Versorgung durch organische Substanz gleiche Ergebnisse erzielt werden können. / In land use, the assessment of the supply of organic soil matter (OBS) is a particular challenge. The influence of soil moisture on global climate change will become increasingly important, as water availability influences the activity of soil-living microorganisms. The aim of the work is therefore to determine the extent to which different water contents influence the biological turnover during the incubation of soil samples with different origins as well as organic fertilisation. In a model experiment, soil samples from unfertilized plots of three German long-time field experiments were incubated in a two-factor block facility depending on organic fertilization (wheat straw, manure) and water content. The experiments were carried out in four humidity levels with 10, 40, 65 and 90 % of the field capacity over a period of 85 days at a temperature of 25 °C. In addition, thermogravimetric soil analyses (TGBA) were performed before and after incubation. The results prove a C turnover increasing with the water content, since the activity of aerobic microorganisms increases until the water saturation of the soil. The increase was higher with the addition of wheat straw than with manure, without fertilizer significantly lower. At the same time, the dynamics of the degradation processes changed. Due to particularly dry conditions, conversion was delayed and the turnover rate fell more slowly. A lasting influence of the site on fertilizer turnover was not proved. In addition, the biological degradation in the incubation experiment changed the thermal decay dynamics. The largest changes were observed after the addition of straw. It could not be clarified whether the same results could be achieved in soils with a higher supply of organic matter.

Thesis (M.Sc. Agriculture. (Soil Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The constant growth experienced by the coffee industry has led to the high-volume production of coffee waste worldwide. One of the main coffee wastes is spent coffee ground (SCG), a residue obtained after the ground coffee beans are treated under pressure. The present study was aimed to investigate the utilization of SCG to amend soil physicochemical properties. This study was conducted at Greenhouse Biotechnologies Research Centre of Excellence, University of Limpopo, South Africa, where the effect of various rates of SCG concentration in volume percentage (vol%) was tested for a period of nine months. The spent coffee ground residue was collected from four restaurants at Haenertsburg, and the application rates were 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 vol%. To evaluate the change in soil physicochemical properties overtime, the incubation period was divided into four test periods namely T1 was after a month, T3 after 3 months, T6 after 6 months, and T9 after 9 months. Physicochemical properties including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), total organic carbon (TOC), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), C:N ratio, large macroaggregates (LM), small macroaggregates (sM), microaggregates (m), unaggregated silt and clay (s+c), mean weight diameter (MWD) and soil moisture content (SMC) were quantified at the end of each test period. Results revealed that the interaction between incubation periods and various SCG application rates significantly (p<0.05) increased pHw, EC, MWD, LM, base cations and significantly decreased TOC, heavy metals, SMC, m, and sM. Spent coffee ground increased pHw and EC of the soil at all application rates and reached a maximum of 7.8 units at T6 in treatment SCG-5 and 202.30 S/cm at T9 in treatment SCG-50 above the control respectively. Total organic carbon increased by 548% above control in the highest treatment (SCG-50) at T1, but, however, started declining from T3 in all treatments across the incubation period. SCG’s highest application rates (SCG-20 to SCG-50) reduced the soil Cd toxicity (threshold of >2 mg/kg), but however, also reduced the availability of micronutrients (Cu and Zn) during the incubation period. At T9, Mg, Ca, K, and P increased from mean values of 55.9 to 77.9, 40.9 to 62.2, 77.4 to 112, and 22.0 to 30.0 mg/Kg above control in treatments with high application rates. LM increased whilst sM, and m decreased across the incubation period in all treatments. MWD increased by 46% at T1 and reached its maximum of 56% at T6 in treatment SCG-50 above control. Additionally, there was a positive relationship between LM and MWD. Soil moisture content however increased to 60.26% at T1 in treatment SCG-50 and decreased from T3 across the incubation period. Spent coffee ground has the potential to be used as a liming material, a chelating agent, and for water management in semi-arid areas. It retains and cycles nutrients and improves soil structure through aggregation. However, research should be done in field conditions to access the effectiveness of this residue. / NRF

No description available.

No description available.