The main questions concerning energy technologies today are their economical and environmental impacts. These entities are (at the present) assessed on the basis that operations proceed as newly installed/designed systems, during an assumed working life period. While this is the common way of perceiving energy systems, performance-over-time will change as an effect of (e.g. material) degradation and not solely of different operation scenarios. How and to what extent, is the question that needs assessing in order to evaluate if these changes will jeopardise the intended system performance requirement. In turn, this pro-active assessment and analysis is in line with today’s performance based directives, laws, regulations and concepts; of which the working life is an essential part. The main context of the thesis, is a contribution to the Research and Development (R&D) topic on life performance of energy technologies, with papers on a literature review and case study on two system parts: solar collector and ground heat exchanger (borehole); within the energy technology area of combined solar energy technologies/systems utilised in buildings. The thesis specifically presents a general description of requirements on constructed works and their material, components and systems. It also gives an insight to the energy technology R&D and engineering sector, regarding durability and service life assessment methodologies; and also to the durability of constructed works sector, regarding the needs for assessing material degradation in relation to system performance. The case studies presented in the thesis, show how durability of energy technologies may be sought-after, as well as specific knowledge and useful tools, methodologies and test setups for assessing long-term performance of combined solar energy technologies (in this case a solar-assisted heat pump system utilising a building integrated Unglazed Solar Collector and energy storage). The utilisation of solar collectors and heat pumps (primarily for space and domestic tap water heating) has rapidly increased in Sweden during the last decades. Sweden has today the largest heat pump market in Europe. During recent years, there has also been an increased interest in heating systems that combine heat pumps with solar collectors (glazed and unglazed) and energy storages; with the aim of attaining a system that provides higher energy and greater economical performances than individual solar collector or heat pump systems. If these systems are to be successful they must be economically feasible; placing emphasis on the cost, durability and performance of the system. The main issue on life performance of energy technologies is how and to what extent, performance reduction in individual materials and components influences the overall system performance; as the essence of energy system sustainability is system performance. / QC 20101117

No / Media content is becoming ubiquitous and globally accessible, and can be held and accessed just as easily on a global network as on local devices which are increasingly intelligent and network ready. Digital intelligence is becoming seamless and invisible, enabling more attention to be paid to the content and the user’s interaction with it. The effects of convergence on the media landscape are substantial. Traditional media distribution channels are increasingly in the hands of the consumer rather than the distributor. News information can be generated by the general public by means of mobile devices and have a dynamic global impact via social networking sites. Political elections are being influenced in real time by information circulating on social networks in addition to the more formal statements of policy. This paper explores some of these transformative effects, the disruptive effects on traditional business models, and their implications for the future.

In today's society we need an emergency communication system to facilitate communication for when disaster strikes. Where the previous attempts only focused on the network communication and were missing a messaging capability between users. This thesis focused on using blockchain technologies and distributed technologies to validate if a messaging application could be built for a LoRaMesh network by using these technologies. This thesis uses the Design science method to create a design and a proof-of-concept messaging application based on the LoRaMesh protocols network constraints. The first step was to gather knowledge about Blockchain technologies and distributed technologies since these were found to be able to complement weaknesses of IoT protocols and their devices. This knowledge was then used to create a design which could then be used to create the proof-of-concept application and a controlled experiment used to validate the solution.  The controlled experiment was executed in two different iterations for a total of 430 test runs. From this controlled experiment quantitative data could be collected and then measured using the statistical analysis method linear regression analysis. The linear regression analysis was used to produce statistical data to validate the design and proof-of-concept application by controlling it against a standard p-value. The results and conclusions of this thesis contributed to new knowledge by showing how Blockchain technologies and distributed technologies can be used to complement each other. To gain a decentralized message application which can be used in an Emergency communication network based on the LoRaMesh protocols network constraints.

In 1987, Gro Harlem Bruntland formally introduced and popularized the concept of sustainable development. She defined it as being “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own” (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). Several cities, including the City of Hamilton have adopted certain environmental practices and technologies in an endeavor to improve their level of urban sustainability and achieve Bruntland’s goal of sustainable development. These practices include the support of individuals and city organizations that investigate new sustainable design alternatives for current infrastructure development. Such sustainable alternatives include the consumption of locally grown produce to avoid the detrimental effects associated with the transportation of imported foods via transport trucks, the installation of Rooftop Gardens as a viable option of ‘greening’ modern urban landscapes, and the construction of R-2000 Homes to reduce energy consumption rates and decrease the levels of harmful emissions that would normally be produced by conventional homes. The implications and/or benefits associated with any of the aforementioned designs were calculated using an environmental assessment tool developed by a professor at the University of British Columbia: Ecological Footprint (EF) Analysis. The final results of this study indicated that consuming locally grown produce, installing Rooftop Gardens, and living in R-2000 homes have the potential to enhance the state of the environment by improving air quality, reducing energy consumption, reducing water consumption, improving storm water retention, or by enhancing the biodiversity of a city’s landscape. However, in order to reap the benefits of any or all of the above ‘green’ practices or technologies and begin to establish a sustainable community, the fundamental doctrines that have influenced modern development practices, particularly those that place economic progress in front of the conservation and preservation of the environment, will need to be changed. / Thesis / Master of Engineering (ME)

This report examines usability shortcomings of a self-checkout (SCO) and subsequently explores improvement suggestions for these issues using the double diamond design process. Shortcomings are identified through a heuristic evaluation against Jakob Nielsen’s ten usability heuristics and through a user study conducted in a retail environment. After prioritizing the identified problems, two issues are addressed: members missing to input their membership information and the checkout process slowing down due to the bag selection and payment method screens. After studying how other SCOs operate and gathering user opinions on SCO experiences, improvement proposals are presented. A new step for inputting membership information is proposed and a redesign of the screens for bag selection and payment method is suggested. To verify if the new design contributes to increased usability, a test is conducted; however, the results are not significant enough to demonstrate an improvement.

New electronic technologies like computers and the Internet continue to spread to all parts of the world. Developing nations like Malawi have experienced this thrust in the area of electronic technologies. Mzuzu University, a relatively new university in the Malawian education system has made tremendous efforts in providing computers and the internet to faculty members of the University. It was however not clear if such efforts had resulted in corresponding application and integration of the technologies in teaching and learning. This study ventured to investigate prevailing levels of utilization of the computer technology and the Internet in teaching and learning at the university and uncover factors that facilitate or hinder use and integration of the technologies in teaching and learning. Results of the study revealed that while most faculty members actively engaged with electronic technologies, such engagements often excluded instructional use. Where electronic technologies have been used for instructional purposes, it has been mainly for accessing information for teaching. Factors that affect utilization and integration of electronic technologies comprise limited availability of the technologies; unreliability of the available technologies due to related issues like power outages and poor reception; lack of training; lack of technical, pedagogical and administrative support; and lack of faculty involvement in decision making relating to electronic technologies. / Ph. D.

Over the last few years, several advancements have been made in water and wastewater pipe renewal technologies that have allowed utilities to utilize innovative renewal techniques that decrease project costs, the impact of the project on the surrounding citizens and environment, and allow for expedited pipeline renewals compared to traditional open trench methods. The challenge now is in getting utilities to implement new innovative technologies within their system. This thesis provides background information on a number of the technologies available for the renewal of water and wastewater system pipelines. It then provides State of the Art Literature and State of the Art Practice Reviews based on technology use trends in literature and technology use trends in utility practice. The information from both reviews is then synthesized to provide a clear view of the state of the water and wastewater pipeline renewal technology industry, including the trends by pipe material, drivers for renewal, and technology type. / Master of Science

This study was conducted in collaboration with Eskilstuna Strängnäs Energi och Miljö, which is in the process of developing an application for its customers. The study examined how user experience is affected by the design of navigation structures when switching between an application and a web solution for ordering one-time services.  A prototype of a design solution was developed based on insights from users in the primary target group. These individuals participated in usability tests and shared their thoughts and opinions, which were then compiled into an affinity diagram for further iteration.  By involving users in the design process, it is possible to ensure that their needs and requirements form the basis of the design solutions. One conclusion of the study is that well-designed navigation structures can create seamless experiences for users in their journey to achieve their goals.

Yes / This paper presents an innovative application of wireless, mobile and ubiquitous technologies to support informal and collaborative learning in Kenyan rural farming communities. Such an approach is achieved by the development of a knowledge management system (KMS) integrated with existing local community communication channels, together with experimental knowledge management (KM) initiatives employing the VeSeL (Village e-Science for Life) distributed resource kits (DRKs). The initiatives support illiterate and semi-literate farming community groups, in learning new agriculture practices, and also enable the use of advanced digital technology to improve their agricultural practices and literacy levels. Results of a recent field trip to Kenya are presented and an application sketch is developed. The process of applying wireless and Internet technologies for the education of local farming communities, using irrigation and water management as the application, concludes the paper. / EPSRC

Yes / With the expected increase in the numbers of persons with dementia, providing timely, adequate, and affordable care and support is challenging. Assistive and health technologies may be a valuable contribution in dementia care, but new challenges may emerge. The aim of our study was to review the state of the art of technologies for persons with dementia regarding issues on development, usability, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, deployment, and ethics in 3 fields of application of technologies: (1) support with managing everyday life, (2) support with participating in pleasurable and meaningful activities, and (3) support with dementia health and social care provision. The study also aimed to identify gaps in the evidence and challenges for future research. Methods: Reviews of literature and expert opinions were used in our study. Literature searches were conducted on usability, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, and ethics using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases with no time limit. Selection criteria in our selected technology fields were reviews in English for community-dwelling persons with dementia. Regarding deployment issues, searches were done in Health Technology Assessment databases. Results: According to our results, persons with dementia want to be included in the development of technologies; there is little research on the usability of assistive technologies; various benefits are reported but are mainly based on low-quality studies; barriers to deployment of technologies in dementia care were identified, and ethical issues were raised by researchers but often not studied. Many challenges remain such as including the target group more often in development, performing more high-quality studies on usability and effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, creating and having access to high-quality datasets on existing technologies to enable adequate deployment of technologies in dementia care, and ensuring that ethical issues are considered an important topic for researchers to include in their evaluation of assistive technologies. Conclusions: Based on these findings, various actions are recommended for development, usability, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, deployment, and ethics of assistive and health technologies across Europe. These include avoiding replication of technology development that is unhelpful or ineffective and focusing on how technologies succeed in addressing individual needs of persons with dementia. Furthermore, it is suggested to include these recommendations in national and international calls for funding and assistive technology research programs. Finally, practitioners, policy makers, care insurers, and care providers should work together with technology enterprises and researchers to prepare strategies for the implementation of assistive technologies in different care settings. This may help future generations of persons with dementia to utilize available and affordable technologies and, ultimately, to benefit from them.