CONCEPT DESIGN FOR A SUEZMAX TANKER POWERED BY A 70MW SMALL MODULAR REACTOR

This paper describes a preliminary concept design study for a Suezmax tanker that is based on a conventional hull form with alternative arrangements for accommodating a 70MW Small Modular Reactor (SMR) propulsion plant. Emerging nuclear technology concepts, associated design risks and technical options available are outlined within the context of risk based ship design. It is concluded that the concept is feasible and the adoption of the technology would be compatible with the target application. However, further maturity of nuclear technology solutions and the development and harmonisation of the regulatory framework will be necessary before implementation of the ideas presented would be viable.

Successfully developing workplace-related skills using digital assistance systems

An important aspect for companies in dealing with the demands of the working world is the continuous and requirement-specific further training of employees. The possibility of workplace-related learning has a major importance in this context. In this context, digital assistance systems can be used to provide targeted support for the learning process. This paper presents current research findings from the funding priority "Work in the Digitalized world" on the use of digital assistance systems for competence development as well as on relevant design criteria for the development and implementation of workplace-related learning assistance systems. In addition, the article explores the question of what role artificial intelligence (AI) can play as a learning technology in in-house further training. In this context, the article highlights the challenges and associated design options for AI-supported learning in the process of work. Finally, the development and design of symbiotic interaction (human-machine) will be addressed and the possibility of reciprocal learning in the interaction between humans and assistance systems will be highlighted.

On the Likelihood of Encountering Design Conditions During Heavy Transport - A Case Study of 56 Replicate Voyages From Korea to the Suez Canal

A critical element in heavy transport design is the identification of design wave conditions. Since most transports are one-of-a-kind, statistically meaningful comparisons of observed vs. design conditions are nonexistent. The present paper examines the experience from a recent oil and gas giga-project, encompassing 56 replicate voyages from Korea to the Suez Canal. In doing so, this paper provides an anchor point for assessing the real-world likelihood of exceeding design wave conditions during heavy transport. Voyage maximum wave conditions from the 56 replicate voyages are found to closely follow a Weibull distribution, allowing for the ready evaluation of observed 1-in-N voyage extremes. These observed wave conditions are compared with corresponding design values on both a year-round and seasonal (3-month) basis. Three important observations are drawn from these comparisons. First, operating limits established by heavy transport contractors to avoid waves above a predetermined threshold do not eliminate the need to design for higher wave conditions. Over the 56 replicate voyages studied, observed wave conditions slightly exceeded the contractor's self-imposed operating limit (i.e., by approximately 10% or less) on five separate voyages; on a sixth voyage, this same operating limit was exceeded by approximately 40%. Second, simplified tools for evaluating design wave conditions using Global Wave Statistics do not consistently estimate the 1-in-10 voyage extreme. While the simplified approach is shown to be conservative for the route studied, the associated design margin varies considerably throughout the year. Third, SafeTrans voyage simulations are observed to well-predict the 1-in-10 voyage extreme for the route studied.

Design Considerations of Solar-Driven Hydrogen Production Plants for Residential Applications

The objective of this work is to discuss design considerations related to the development of a stand-alone photovoltaic driven hydrogen production and consumption system. The referred system is currently on the design-phase so this work describes in particular the associated design considerations, governing equations, schematics and the expected system efficiency. The system design requirements include the production of enough energy to power an average residence located in the Ica city, Peru. The system design has been divided in four subsystems, each one having its own design considerations and limitations, (i) power, hydrogen (ii) production, (iii) storage and (iv) consumption. Regarding the power subsystem, the required considerations to generate the maximum amount of solar energy in the minimum amount of space are presented. For hydrogen production, different electrolyzer related technologies have been accounted for; including proton exchange (PEM), alkaline (AEC) and polymer (PEC). Hydrogen and oxygen storages are a critical aspect in the full hydrogen chain production. Currently no single technology satisfies all of the criteria required. As such, present technologies and selection considerations are presented. For using the produced hydrogen, fuel cell stacks including PEM and solid oxide ones are assessed. Finally, the right the combination of current, voltage (including conversion from DC to a constant AC supply) and fuel utilization maximizing efficiency and power output is determined.

Circularly Polarized Hybrid Dielectric Resonator Antennas: A Brief Review and Perspective Analysis

Recently, it has been a feasible approach to build an antenna, in view of the potential advantages they offer. One of the recent trends in dielectric resonator antenna research is the use of compound and hybrid structures. Several considerable investigations have been already underway showing quite interesting and significant features in bandwidth, gain, and generation of circular polarization. A critical review on a journey of circularly polarized hybrid dielectric resonator antennas is presented in this article. A general discussion of circular polarization and DR antennas are provided at the forefront. Evolution, significant challenges, and future aspects with new ideas in designing hybrid dielectric resonator antennas are indicated at the end of the review. State-of-the-art advances and associated design challenges of circularly polarized hybrid DR antennas and related empirical formulas used to find resonance frequency of different hybrid modes produced are discussed in this paper.

Influence of Powertrain Topology and Electric Machine Design on Efficiency of Battery Electric Trucks–A Simulative Case-Study

The advancement of electric mobility as a measure to comply with international climate targets and sustain renewable resources in the future has led to an electrification of the mobility sector in recent years. This trend has not been spared in the logistics and commercial vehicle sector. Emerging electric powertrain concepts for long-haul vehicles have since been developed and adapted to different use cases and axle concepts. In this paper, the authors show the influence of the powertrain topology and the associated design of the electric machine on the efficiency and energy consumption of commercial vehicles. For this, existing series or prototype long-haul axle topologies are analyzed regarding their efficiency and operating points within four driving cycles. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis on the influence of the total gearbox ratio tests the assumed designs. We find that single-machine topologies offer efficiency advantages over multiple-machine topologies. However, this study highlights a joint consideration of application-specific machine design and topology to realize the full technological potential.

Ensuring Quality of Web Portals Through Accessibility Analysis

With the increase in number of electronic services being delivered through web portals, a lot of emphasis is being given to ensure the quality of web portals in terms of contents and associated design aspects. This has led to studies investigating various requirements of web users and to guidelines for quality enhancement in order to make web portals accessible to all irrespective of one's age, physical challenges, ethnicity, and level of literacy. In this chapter, the authors address the accessibility issues of web portals based on ongoing research. They analyze the accessibility in three levels (i.e., at the levels of authoring tool, web component, and user-agent). The contents of this chapter can throw light on the design aspects of web portals, web browsers, and media players to make them more suitable for users in general.

Soft actuated material: Exploration of a programmable composite

This paper describes the development of a programmable composite material and investigates its application in architecture as flexible and controllable surfaces. The composite leverages qualities found in the field of soft robots, that is, strength, precision, and the ability to change shape through vacuum actuation. It is an exploration of a range of applications for shape shifting composites within different phases of architecture. This research has deployed a controlled form-actuator of a designed surface as a reusable and flexible approach for concrete formwork and as a continuously changing spatial element, which aims to create a more engaging relationship between habitat and inhabitant. The design method linked to this composite aims to converge technology and material behavior and therethrough create a more linear process from design to construction. This paper elaborates on the design, simulation and fabrication methods, and their development through empirical research from individual actuatable cells to a controllable multi-cell surface and associated design tool.

Multi-Objective Design Exploration of a Canine Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt for Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a condition that affects humans and animals in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up within the ventricles of the brain, causing an increase in intracranial pressure. The CSF can be released using a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, which effectively removes the fluid from the ventricles of the brain to the peritoneal cavity. In canines, hydrocephalus is sometimes a fatal condition complicated by shunt failure due to obstructions. The medical procedure is also expensive and has a high failure rate over the long term. In this paper, we present a systematic framework to carry out the multi-objective design exploration of canine shunts for managing hydrocephalus. We demonstrate the efficacy of the framework by designing a shunt prototype to meet specific goals of meeting the CSF flow rate target, minimizing shear stress on the shunt, and minimizing shunt weight. The shunt design variables considered for the problem include the inner diameter, inlet hole diameter, and the distance from the inlet holes to the outlet. A multi-objective design problem is formulated using the systematic framework to explore the combination of shunt design variables that best satisfy the conflicting goals defined. The framework and associated design constructs are generic and support the formulation and decision-based design of similar biomedical devices for different health conditions.