Making Things for People: An Iterative Design Procedure Informed by Human Behaviour

<p>Technology inevitably evolves and develops rapidly in the modern era, industries and professions continue to strive in integrating, adapting and utilising these advancements to improve, optimise and improve the process of design to manufacture to the user experience. Although disruptive at first causing a reluctance of technological adoption within a workplace and ultimately progression of an industry, the eventual impact and benefits noticeably outweigh the initial time and cost within industry adoption, adaptation and development. Architecture and design is not immune to this phenomenon; from computational 2D and 3D modeling, BIM and cloud based data to physical prototyping with 3D printing, laser cutting and automated CNC routing, these are a few select examples that has forced the industry of design to rethink processes, possibilities and realistic opportunities where none existed prior. One such system that fits into this category is the advent of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. The numerous possibilities to which these visually and spatially immersive systems opportune for immense innovation often lacks direction or an ultimate goal thus rendering this piece of software to often be little more than a visualisation tool. This thesis recognises the unique position that VR allows and seeks to interrogate and deconstruct current, traditional design processes to better utilise VR in aiding and reinforcing the idea of partial testing of ideas and concepts throughout the design cycle. Different sciences such as psychology, processes and automation from computational design and considerations within software development will be employed and injected into the broader architectural context in which this research presides. In addition to the VR headset, external hardware that better capture human metrics such as EEG, eye tracking, GSR will be considered to developed a seamless tool and workflow that allows us, as designers to better interrogate clients behaviour within our designed digital representations which leads to validations, evaluations and criticisms of our actions within the architectural realm.</p>

Making Things for People: An Iterative Design Procedure Informed by Human Behaviour

<p>Technology inevitably evolves and develops rapidly in the modern era, industries and professions continue to strive in integrating, adapting and utilising these advancements to improve, optimise and improve the process of design to manufacture to the user experience. Although disruptive at first causing a reluctance of technological adoption within a workplace and ultimately progression of an industry, the eventual impact and benefits noticeably outweigh the initial time and cost within industry adoption, adaptation and development. Architecture and design is not immune to this phenomenon; from computational 2D and 3D modeling, BIM and cloud based data to physical prototyping with 3D printing, laser cutting and automated CNC routing, these are a few select examples that has forced the industry of design to rethink processes, possibilities and realistic opportunities where none existed prior. One such system that fits into this category is the advent of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. The numerous possibilities to which these visually and spatially immersive systems opportune for immense innovation often lacks direction or an ultimate goal thus rendering this piece of software to often be little more than a visualisation tool. This thesis recognises the unique position that VR allows and seeks to interrogate and deconstruct current, traditional design processes to better utilise VR in aiding and reinforcing the idea of partial testing of ideas and concepts throughout the design cycle. Different sciences such as psychology, processes and automation from computational design and considerations within software development will be employed and injected into the broader architectural context in which this research presides. In addition to the VR headset, external hardware that better capture human metrics such as EEG, eye tracking, GSR will be considered to developed a seamless tool and workflow that allows us, as designers to better interrogate clients behaviour within our designed digital representations which leads to validations, evaluations and criticisms of our actions within the architectural realm.</p>

From Cycleway to Urbanism: Planning for Coastal Cycleway

<p>A strategic use of cycling to create liveable and healthier cities is increasingly common in cities across the globe and among forward-thinking urban designers, policy makers or political entities who often improve bicycle infrastructure and install bicycle supporting policies to augment urban cycling (Pucher & Buehler 2012). Yet, cycling can do more than improving urban mobility and health. As pedal-powered vehicles are also means for cultural and artistic expression, subcultural social interaction (Fincham 2007), economic opportunity and urban servicing (Lorenz & Bufton 2011) which is reflected in geographically distinct bicycle cultures (Pelzer 2010). There is an increasing focus on cycle planning by local and regional governments throughout New Zealand. However there is a tendency to design cycle route in isolation, not approaching it as an urbanistic issue. In August 2014, Prime Minister John Key has announced $100 million in new funding that will be made available over the next four years to accelerate cycleways in urban centres. There is strong growth in cycling trails internationally, and in New Zealand there is also strong demand for family based cycling activities and products. Should more cycleways be provided and improved, and if so, how should they be planned? My project will attempt to go beyond the set aims to create more urbanistic approach to cycleway. This research draws upon an idea of the Great Harbour Way (GHW) - Te Aranui o Poneke, initiated by group of walkers and cyclists being a concept to develop and market a 75km shared pedestrian and cycle path around the shoreline of Wellington Harbour. The project aims to promote a walkway and cycleway as an enjoyable and convenient form of travelling around the harbour of Wellington, New Zealand. However, the way it has been conceived, the GHW undermines its possibilities. Our cycling infrastructure needs to evolve not only from transport or engineering perspective but also with architecture perspective to respond to those changing demands on the issues of cycleway planning. This aim of this study is to provide a greater ambition towards GHW by planning orientated research which could increase the numbers, activity of and engagement of cyclists with a particular focus on the Great Harbour Way cycle route. Firstly, the thesis briefly goes over the current status of cycling, addressing the increasing popularity and role of utilitarian cycling in Wellington. Secondly, the study will review and discusses previous cycling planning theories and discuss different models of cycle route planning. In this part, it will also take the project of New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, and Norwegian National Tourist Routes as a case study, discussing the planning strategy of how to implement cycling in our city. The case studies show that the entire visitor experience is important, not just the cycling aspect. This is particularly true for those markets whose primary motivation is not cycling. Accommodation, services, information, scenic values and other activities combine to make the experience more appealing to a broader range of visitors. Thirdly, the thesis proposes a cycling supportive architectural interventions at three different sites and scales to catalyse the GHW project. Last part of the study tried to resolves the complex access problems of the site through integrated planning/landscape architecture thereby creating a usable, functional and adaptable plan for the Wellington to Petone link. Conclusions of the design proposals and future suggestions are included in the last chapter.</p>

From Cycleway to Urbanism: Planning for Coastal Cycleway

<p>A strategic use of cycling to create liveable and healthier cities is increasingly common in cities across the globe and among forward-thinking urban designers, policy makers or political entities who often improve bicycle infrastructure and install bicycle supporting policies to augment urban cycling (Pucher & Buehler 2012). Yet, cycling can do more than improving urban mobility and health. As pedal-powered vehicles are also means for cultural and artistic expression, subcultural social interaction (Fincham 2007), economic opportunity and urban servicing (Lorenz & Bufton 2011) which is reflected in geographically distinct bicycle cultures (Pelzer 2010). There is an increasing focus on cycle planning by local and regional governments throughout New Zealand. However there is a tendency to design cycle route in isolation, not approaching it as an urbanistic issue. In August 2014, Prime Minister John Key has announced $100 million in new funding that will be made available over the next four years to accelerate cycleways in urban centres. There is strong growth in cycling trails internationally, and in New Zealand there is also strong demand for family based cycling activities and products. Should more cycleways be provided and improved, and if so, how should they be planned? My project will attempt to go beyond the set aims to create more urbanistic approach to cycleway. This research draws upon an idea of the Great Harbour Way (GHW) - Te Aranui o Poneke, initiated by group of walkers and cyclists being a concept to develop and market a 75km shared pedestrian and cycle path around the shoreline of Wellington Harbour. The project aims to promote a walkway and cycleway as an enjoyable and convenient form of travelling around the harbour of Wellington, New Zealand. However, the way it has been conceived, the GHW undermines its possibilities. Our cycling infrastructure needs to evolve not only from transport or engineering perspective but also with architecture perspective to respond to those changing demands on the issues of cycleway planning. This aim of this study is to provide a greater ambition towards GHW by planning orientated research which could increase the numbers, activity of and engagement of cyclists with a particular focus on the Great Harbour Way cycle route. Firstly, the thesis briefly goes over the current status of cycling, addressing the increasing popularity and role of utilitarian cycling in Wellington. Secondly, the study will review and discusses previous cycling planning theories and discuss different models of cycle route planning. In this part, it will also take the project of New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, and Norwegian National Tourist Routes as a case study, discussing the planning strategy of how to implement cycling in our city. The case studies show that the entire visitor experience is important, not just the cycling aspect. This is particularly true for those markets whose primary motivation is not cycling. Accommodation, services, information, scenic values and other activities combine to make the experience more appealing to a broader range of visitors. Thirdly, the thesis proposes a cycling supportive architectural interventions at three different sites and scales to catalyse the GHW project. Last part of the study tried to resolves the complex access problems of the site through integrated planning/landscape architecture thereby creating a usable, functional and adaptable plan for the Wellington to Petone link. Conclusions of the design proposals and future suggestions are included in the last chapter.</p>

A 3D CAD model input pipeline for REFMUL3 full-wave FDTD 3D simulator

The use of advanced simulation has become increasingly more important in the planning, design, and assessment phases of future fusion plasma diagnostics, and in the interpretation of experimental data from existing ones. The design cycle of complex reflectometry systems, such as the ones being planned for next generation machines (IDTT and DEMO), relies heavily on the results produced by synthetic diagnostics, used for system performance evaluation and prediction, both crucial in the design process decision making. These synthetic diagnostics need realistic representations of all system components to incorporate the main effects that shape their behavior. Some of the most important elements that are required to be well modelled and integrated in simulations are the wave launcher structures, such as the waveguides, tapers, and antennas, as well as the vessel wall structures and access to the plasma. The latter are of paramount importance and are often neglected in this type of studies. Faithfully modelling them is not an easy task, especially in 3D simulations. The procedure herein proposed consists in using CAD models of a given machine, together with parameterizable models of the launcher, to produce a description suited for Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) 3D simulation, combining the capabilities of real-world CAD design with the power of simulation. However, CAD model geometric descriptions are incompatible with the ones used by standard FDTD codes. CAD software usually outputs models in a tessellated mesh while FDTD simulators use Volumetric Pixel (VOXEL) descriptions. To solve this interface problem, we implemented a pipeline to automatically convert complex CAD models of tokamak vessel components and wave launcher structures to the VOXEL input required by REFMUL3, a full wave 3D Maxwell FDTD parallel code. To illustrate the full procedure, a complex reflectometry synthetic diagnostic for IDTT was setup, converted and simulated. This setup includes 3 antennas recessed into the vessel wall, for thermal protection, one for transmission and reception, and two just for reception.

Symbiotic Exploration of Silage Machinery Based on Technological System Evolution

In order to make each functional module of silage machinery have a high degree of adaptability and meet the market demand of coordinated operation of each functional module, this paper preliminarily explores the symbiosis concept in the field of silage equipment, and applies the technology system evolution theory to the symbiotic design of silage equipment. In the design stage, the designers divide the functional modules of the silage machinery according to the market and user needs, and then analyze the symbiosis of the interrelated modules and screen out the functional modules with weak adaptability, so as to carry out the technical system evolution and optimize each functional module, and then establish the layout scheme between modules, so that the various functional modules of the silage machinery have strong adaptability, improve product quality, reduce design costs, shorten the design cycle, and realize the user’s demand for the coordinated operation of multi-functional silage machinery.

Efficacy of STC in Magnetically Coupled High Frequency Power Electronics Systems: Full-Bridge DC-DC Converter

Due to its simple gain selection and implementation procedures high-gain sliding mode control idea was introduced. Apart from achieving robustness features, the aim was to reduce product-design cycle time. To overcome its basic chattering issues, it was replaced by complex super twisting control (STC). Subsequently, the research in this field has been extensive, intense and persistent. The idea has been validated in several applications generating great hope in minds of industry experts. Its real success, however, would depend on its adoption and diffusion into industry domain, where an analysis of validating STC based products is due. In STC, selection of gains is based on worst-case values of disturbance and/or its derivative. Can such procedure ensure controller’s reliable functioning? This article proposes that such simplistic procedure of gain selection may not work for power electronics controllers where, particularly, the actuation or controlled power transfer to load is through magnetically-coupled system. Using practical approach, this article elaborates that optimally designed transformer, driven by high-gain super twisting controller, invites problem of core saturation leading to higher switching losses, poor operating duty cycle of the system and there could be problem of reliability. It further details an alternate high-gain controller that generates superior efficacy.

Rapid Design, Fabrication, and Optimization of 3D Printed Photonic Topological Insulators

Photonic topological insulators have emerged as an exciting new platform for backscatter-free waveguiding even in the presence of defects, with applications in robust long-range energy and quantum information transfer, low-threshold lasing, and chiral quantum optics. We demonstrate a design for spin-Hall photonic topological insulators with remarkably low refractive index contrast, enabling the synthesis of photonic topological waveguides from polymeric materials for the first time. Our design is compatible with additive manufacturing methods, including fused filament fabrication, and constitutes the first demonstration of a 3D printed photonic topological insulator. We combine rapid device fabrication through 3D printing with high-speed FDTD simulation to showcase an iterative design cycle capable of screening thousands of device configurations with unprecedented speed. We have identified and experimentally verified a non-intuitive geometry for bent topological waveguides with optimized transmission. Our rapid design cycle represents a powerful new tool set for designing, optimizing, and synthesizing photonic topological materials.

Delivering User Experience over Networks: Towards a Quality of Experience Centered Design Cycle for Improved Design of Networked Applications

To deliver the best user experience (UX), the human-centered design cycle (HCDC) serves as a well-established guideline to application developers. However, it does not yet cover network-specific requirements, which become increasingly crucial, as most applications deliver experience over the Internet. The missing network-centric view is provided by Quality of Experience (QoE), which could team up with UX towards an improved overall experience. By considering QoE aspects during the development process, it can be achieved that applications become network-aware by design. In this paper, the Quality of Experience Centered Design Cycle (QoE-CDC) is proposed, which provides guidelines on how to design applications with respect to network-specific requirements and QoE. Its practical value is showcased for popular application types and validated by outlining the design of a new smartphone application. We show that combining HCDC and QoE-CDC will result in an application design, which reaches a high UX and avoids QoE degradation.