Design and construction of large-area flexible printed-circuit automotive electrical interconnection harnesses

The replacement of automotive wiring harnesses with large-area flexible printed circuits (FPCs) would help to reduce the vehicle weight and emissions. To help clarify what a future large-area FPC interconnection harness should be capable of, a detailed design exercise to meet the engineering specification of the instrument panel wiring harness of a specific midrange passenger car was carried out. To demonstrate the added value of using an FPC, intelligence in the form of active circuitry was incorporated in the designs. Two generic architectural concepts were pursued. The first, a single large-area FPC, supported the wire harness geometry, all point-to-point interconnections, and current ratings up to 4 A. However, the panel size was too large to be manufactured on existing automotive FPC process lines. The second, intended to be a collection of smaller FPCs that could be manufactured on existing automotive FPC process lines, was found not to be practical as originally conceived. A physical implementation of the single large-area FPC design was made in stages at different company sites using various pieces of equipment, some of which are not normally used for FPC or electrical circuit manufacture. Modified versions of the equipment could be used to create a large-area automotive FPC manufacturing line

Large-area flexible printed circuits for automotive applications

To meet the demands for safety and passenger comfort, modem passenger cars offer more and increasingly sophisticated electrical and electronic systems. The wiring harnesses that support such systems become too large, complex and heavy, when designed for a conventional electrical architecture based on 14 volts, posing several challenges to automotive manufacturers. Alternative electrical architectures based on 42 volts and in-vehicle multiplexing promise to reduce the size and weight of the wiring harness, but these architectures are yet to be fully developed and standardized. In the near term, alternative wiring solutions have gained the interest of automotive manufacturers. Small flexible printed circuits (FPCs) have previously been integrated into automotive instrument clusters. The benefits of reduced weight and space requirements of such FPCs compared to a wire harness has fuelled an interest in much larger FPCs as substitutes for the Instrument Panel and door harnesses in high-volume production cars. This research investigates the materials typically used in FPC manufacture, for applicability within a passenger car. [Continues.

Lumen shape reconstruction using a soft robotic balloon catheter and electrical impedance tomography

Incorrectly sized balloon catheters can lead to increased post-surgical complications, yet even with preoperative imaging, correct selection remains a challenge. With limited feedback during surgery, it is difficult to verify correct deployment. We propose the use of integrated impedance measurements and Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) imaging to assess the deformation of the balloon and determine the size and shape of the surrounding lumen. Previous work using single impedance measurements, or pressure data and analytical models, whilst demonstrating high sizing accuracy, have assumed a circular cross section. Here we extend these methods by adding a multitude of electrodes to detect elliptical and occluded lumen and obtain EIT images to localise deformations. Using a 14 Fr (5.3 mm) catheter as an example, numerical simulations were performed to find the optimal electrode configuration of two rings of 8 electrodes spaced 10 mm apart. The simulations predicted that the maximum detectable aspect ratio decreased from 0.9 for a 14mm balloon to 0.5 at 30mm. The sizing and ellipticity detection results were verified experimentally. A prototype robotic balloon catheter was constructed to automatically inflate a compliant balloon while simultaneously recording EIT and pressure data. Data were collected in experiments replicating stenotic vessels with an elliptical and asymmetrical profile, and the widening of a lumen during angioplasty. After calibration, the system was able to correctly localise the occlusion and detect aspect ratios of 0.75. EIT images further localised the occlusion and visualised the dilation of the lumen during balloon inflation

Experimental and economic analysis of concrete absorber collector solar water heater with use of dimpled tube

To increase the usage of solar water heaters in India, a low-cost solar collector made of concrete is experimentally investigated in Pune. The concrete slab consisting metal fibers is placed in a wooden box, with immersed serpentine copper tube and provided with glazing on top. With an objective of improving the efficiency of the collector, a heat transfer augmentation technique (dimple) is fabricated on water carrying serpentine tube. Testing is carried out in rainy, winter and summer seasons for different water flow rates to understand the working of collector throughout the year. Testing results show that average water temperature collected per day is 59 °C-69 °C. Further, to find the exact effect of dimples on outlet water temperature, two completely identical concrete plate collectors-one with a dimpled tube and other with a smooth tube, are designed, fabricated and tested simultaneously. The effect of dimples is observed up to 2.5 °C. Also, a detailed economic analysis and environmental benefits of concrete collector solar water heater for India are investigated in this paper

Evaluating The Impact Of Electricity And Electron Movement On The Electric Grid From Distributed Generation

The United States’ electric grid is currently undergoing a monumental energy transition involving the incorporation of new fuel sources, generation types, and operational modifications. Since 1920, the U.S. energy collective has been overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), where during this tenure they have pursued the direct regulation of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). This reasoning has been utilized over 300 times in federal cases and proceedings as the adoption rate of DERs has increased, which is based upon the language allowing the federal regulation of electricity based upon the flow of electrons. This is based solely upon the understanding that electrons flow in one direction in an alternating current environment. This problem presents an opportunity to determine electron behavior comparatively in direct and alternating current environments, and thus settling this energy policy debate. The Quantum Movement Theory was established in 2023 to provide definition to quantify electron movement in specific environments. This theory established two equations that define the amount of electrons moved and the magnitude of their distance. The application of the Quantum Movement Theory demonstrates that electrons do not flow but oscillate in an alternating current environment. This outcome accomplishes more than a regulatory disagreement, but rather contributes towards decarbonization, technological innovations, and increased energy security

Advanced Radio Frequency Antennas for Modern Communication and Medical Systems

The main objective of this book is to present novel radio frequency (RF) antennas for 5G, IOT, and medical applications. The book is divided into four sections that present the main topics of radio frequency antennas. The rapid growth in development of cellular wireless communication systems over the last twenty years has resulted in most of world population owning smartphones, smart watches, I-pads, and other RF communication devices. Efficient compact wideband antennas are crucial in RF communication devices. This book presents information on planar antennas, cavity antennas, Vivaldi antennas, phased arrays, MIMO antennas, beamforming phased array reconfigurable Pabry-Perot cavity antennas, and time modulated linear array

Development of Anti-Icing Airfield Heated Pavement Systems Using Solar Energy

This dissertation analyzes developing and assessing the viability of an anti-icing airfield heated pavement system using solar energy. This study includes two components, a field experimentation component and a numerical analysis component. Field experimentation investigates two systems: (1) an electrical heated pavement system with a photovoltaic energy system as its power source, and (2) a hydronic heated pavement system with a solar water-heating system as its heating source. The systems operate under an automated thermostat heating sequence for operation optimization and energy conservation. Study results found the solar systems capable of supplying enough energy to maintain pavement surface temperature above freezing and melt snow. A finite element model (FEM) extends the near-surface electrical heated pavement system analysis to assess the energy required to heat a cold region airport’s airfield pavement. A benefit-cost analysis (BCA) expands the hydronic system analysis to assess the viability for implementing a solar-hydronic heated pavement system at an apron area

European Strategy for Particle Physics -- Accelerator R&D Roadmap

The 2020 update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics emphasised the importance of an intensified and well-coordinated programme of accelerator R&D, supporting the design and delivery of future particle accelerators in a timely, affordable and sustainable way. This report sets out a roadmap for European accelerator R&D for the next five to ten years, covering five topical areas identified in the Strategy update. The R&D objectives include: improvement of the performance and cost-performance of magnet and radio-frequency acceleration systems; investigations of the potential of laser / plasma acceleration and energy-recovery linac techniques; and development of new concepts for muon beams and muon colliders. The goal of the roadmap is to document the collective view of the field on the next steps for the R&D programme, and to provide the evidence base to support subsequent decisions on prioritisation, resourcing and implementation.Comment: 270 pages, 58 figures. Editor: N. Mounet. LDG chair: D. Newbold. Panel chairs: P. V\'edrine (HFM), S. Bousson (RF), R. Assmann (plasma), D. Schulte (muon), M. Klein (ERL). Panel editors: B. Baudouy (HFM), L. Bottura (HFM), S. Bousson (RF), G. Burt (RF), R. Assmann (plasma), E. Gschwendtner (plasma), R. Ischebeck (plasma), C. Rogers (muon), D. Schulte (muon), M. Klein (ERL