Automated bioprocess feedback operation in a high throughput facility via the integration of a mobile robotic lab assistant

Biotechnological processes development is challenging due to the sheer variety of process parameters. For efficient upstream development parallel cultivation systems have proven to reduce costs and associated timelines successfully, while offering excellent process control. However, the degree of automation of such small scale systems is comparably low and necessary sample analysis requires manual steps. Although the subsequent analysis can be performed in a high-throughput manner, the integration of analytic devices remains challenging. Especially, when cultivation and analysis laboratories are spatially separated. Mobile robots offer a potential solution, but the implementation in research laboratories is not widely adopted. Our approach demonstrates the integration of a small scale cultivation system into a liquid handling station for an automated sample procedure. The samples are transferred via a mobile robotic lab assistant and subsequently analysed by a high-throughput analyzer. The process data is stored in a centralized database. The mobile robotic workflow guarantees a flexible solution for device integration and facilitates automation. Restrictions regarding spatial separation of devices are circumvented, enabling a modular platform throughout different laboratories. The presented cultivation platform is evaluated based on industrial relevant E. coli BW25113 high cell density fed-batch cultivation. Here its suitability for accelerating bioprocess development is proven. The necessary magnesium addition for reaching high cell densities in mineral salt medium is automated via a feedback operation loop. The feedback operation loop demonstrates the possibility for advanced control options. This study sets the foundation for a fully integrated facility with different cultivation scales sharing the same data infrastructure, where the mobile robotic lab assistant physically connects the devices.

Bike Shop

<p>The aim of the research is to develop a new model of bicycling supporting infrastructure that is cost-efficient, easily fabricated and installed, energy-efficient, globally transportable and adaptable to site. Cycling has entered into a new era, with a large population of active cyclists competing with unsustainable fossil fuel transport systems. The increase in cycling is a result of rising fossil fuel costs and a more environmentally aware public. The thesis seeks an architectural way of provoking greater incentives for cycling by increasing its appeal and ease of engagement, while decreasing related infrastructure costs. The design proposes ‘Bike Shop’, an architecturally integrated cycling support facility that can be positioned at regular intervals along a cycling route. The design research challenge is to conceive a facility that is self-sustaining, adaptable, economically produced, environmentally sensitive, portable and able to be applied globally. As a vehicle for design, the Great Harbour Way/Te Aranui o Pōneke will be used. The Great Harbour Way includes plans for a parallel cycling route that stretches over 50 kilometres along the shoreline in the Greater Wellington region from Eastbourne to Owhiro Bay. The Greater Wellington Regional Council has proposed their second highest funding of large projects over $5 million for walking and cycling development in the region. The funding of $17.05 million goes towards the development for a walkway/cycleway between Ngaraunga and Petone. This thesis will test how prefabricated methods such as kit-of-parts and mass customisation techniques can reduce costs yet encourage adaptability to address the wide range of conditions that the Great Harbour Way offers. The challenge of the design experiment for this facility will be to become a new model of cycling infrastructure around the world. The thesis proposes to reinterpret the Bike Shop as a linear sequence of cycling facilities that inhabit the Great Harbour Way. The Bike Shop is to be placed on this stretch of shoreline at fixed intervals. At these locations with the wide range of site conditions the design challenge is for the facility to arrive as a kit-of-parts, be assembled quickly and adapted to unique site conditions. The thesis proposes a program where each architecturally integrated facility along the linear sequence will function as new cycling infrastructure, where simultaneously a bike can be repaired or a tire can be inflated or a bicyclist can rest and rehydrate with other cyclists off the road. In this way, each facility will promote safe cycling, thereby providing safety, environmentally sustainable energy, and public health benefits to more cyclists. In this way, the thesis argues that the facilities will be recognized as signifiers of the city as well as markers of location and orientation. Overall this thesis invites prefabricated elements to be adaptable in ways that make them responsive and beautifully reflect the site rather than just repetitive.</p>

Bike Shop

<p>The aim of the research is to develop a new model of bicycling supporting infrastructure that is cost-efficient, easily fabricated and installed, energy-efficient, globally transportable and adaptable to site. Cycling has entered into a new era, with a large population of active cyclists competing with unsustainable fossil fuel transport systems. The increase in cycling is a result of rising fossil fuel costs and a more environmentally aware public. The thesis seeks an architectural way of provoking greater incentives for cycling by increasing its appeal and ease of engagement, while decreasing related infrastructure costs. The design proposes ‘Bike Shop’, an architecturally integrated cycling support facility that can be positioned at regular intervals along a cycling route. The design research challenge is to conceive a facility that is self-sustaining, adaptable, economically produced, environmentally sensitive, portable and able to be applied globally. As a vehicle for design, the Great Harbour Way/Te Aranui o Pōneke will be used. The Great Harbour Way includes plans for a parallel cycling route that stretches over 50 kilometres along the shoreline in the Greater Wellington region from Eastbourne to Owhiro Bay. The Greater Wellington Regional Council has proposed their second highest funding of large projects over $5 million for walking and cycling development in the region. The funding of $17.05 million goes towards the development for a walkway/cycleway between Ngaraunga and Petone. This thesis will test how prefabricated methods such as kit-of-parts and mass customisation techniques can reduce costs yet encourage adaptability to address the wide range of conditions that the Great Harbour Way offers. The challenge of the design experiment for this facility will be to become a new model of cycling infrastructure around the world. The thesis proposes to reinterpret the Bike Shop as a linear sequence of cycling facilities that inhabit the Great Harbour Way. The Bike Shop is to be placed on this stretch of shoreline at fixed intervals. At these locations with the wide range of site conditions the design challenge is for the facility to arrive as a kit-of-parts, be assembled quickly and adapted to unique site conditions. The thesis proposes a program where each architecturally integrated facility along the linear sequence will function as new cycling infrastructure, where simultaneously a bike can be repaired or a tire can be inflated or a bicyclist can rest and rehydrate with other cyclists off the road. In this way, each facility will promote safe cycling, thereby providing safety, environmentally sustainable energy, and public health benefits to more cyclists. In this way, the thesis argues that the facilities will be recognized as signifiers of the city as well as markers of location and orientation. Overall this thesis invites prefabricated elements to be adaptable in ways that make them responsive and beautifully reflect the site rather than just repetitive.</p>

Holistic Network Modelling for Debottlenecking of a Highly Integrated and Complex System for Optimizing Hydrocarbon Evacuation

This paper deals with debottlenecking approach of complex and integrated system through means of Holistic Modeling for optimizing hydrocarbon evacuation. As prudent operator for the complex network, it is crucial to pursue strategic ideas and innovative concepts to optimize supply demand balance, fulfill contractual obligations to optimize resources to maximize value creation, whilst protecting investment decisions for monetization of the new field development. It therefore necessitates to prioritize system reliability and de-bottlenecking initiatives to implement successful business plans with appropriate timely reconfiguration at various intensities of the network. It is consequently essential to decipher the pain points by performing root cause analysis and troubleshooting to achieve optimal fit for purpose solution by gaining better understanding of network characteristic, supply distribution & operating topology. Paper focus on a bold step change that was commenced to develop an end-to-end Holistic Network Model from well head (fields) to product delivery to scrutinize the network and propose suitable alleviation by appraising the debottleneck requirement at offshore riser collection manifold which serves as integrated facility for multiple hubs and fields. Model was validated with plant information and deployed to yield robust & realistic results. Multiple sensitivity scenarios were accomplished to analyze current riser manifold configuration limitation checks for tie-back of new field such as ullage opportunity, pressure variations, hydraulic fluxes, potential choking of low-pressure wells/fields and prospective blending specifications violations etc. Obstacles across affected manifold could be estimated and its reconfiguration was planned by means of variations in operating philosophy, alterations in the manifold assembly with appropriate manifold debottlenecking recommendation. Analytics of Integrated Network modelling could qualify not only technical obligations but also empower representative economic evaluation for debottlenecking by appending precise requirement in terms of manifold reconfiguration, backed up by appraised data from network model. Model output also assisted to gauze the potential for enhancing network capacity by implementing appropriate reforms to optimize evacuation for new field line ups. Integrated network model developed with an aid of basic network elements can be subjected to estimate vital features for comprehensive network such as pressure and flow across the various nodes in the system. Methodology describes how by developing an integrated network model that summarize the granularity of a highly complex offshore gas network has facilitated to strategize the manifold reconfiguration and appraise debottleneck requirement besides proposing appropriate mitigation. With integrated network modeled on a single platform allows a uniform data transfer from various elements such as fields, facilities, pipelines, gas highways and terminals into the model which assist for network optimization. The situational analysis via modeling could enable the elimination of new dedicated infrastructure for field evacuation leading to CAPEX optimization there by facilitating its optimal monetization. It reveals extensive usage of model with physical boundaries steering decision for project implementation.

Toward a Tailored Model of Youth Justice: A Qualitative Analysis of the Factors Associated with Successful Placement in a Community-Integrated Facility

Community-integrated facilities provide security and care for justice-involved youth, minimizing risks, while allowing youth to build on protective factors within their community. Literature on the specific factors that determine appropriate placement in a community-integrated facility, versus a more restrictive high-security setting, is scarce. Current screening and assessment tools for youth are mostly applied after placement and mainly focus on the reoffending risk. The current paper explored which youth, who would previously have been placed in a high-security setting, could be successfully placed in a less secure community-integrated facility. Through qualitative analysis, based on the perspectives of professionals, youth and parents, the current paper identified six distinct domains to guide appropriate screening and outlines guidelines for policy and practice. These domains include: motivation to comply, short and long-term perspective, current offense context, crime history, safety and support from youth’s network, and mental health and intellectual abilities.