In situ, in vitro and in silico analysis of coating performance

Service life prediction (SLP) is a complex yet essential method for analysing coating performance. Accurate and precise assessment is crucial for a strong position on the market. Correct knowledge of the critical failure points, maintenance/replacement frequency and related costs are part of this approach. This paper describes the scale-dependent tools within a bio-engineering framework that are applied for coating research, ranging from modelling, X-ray tomography, lab testing, controlled fungal infestation up to continuous moisture set-ups and large-scale window frame weathering

A user centric approach to the development and testing of a home energy management system

The development and small scale field trial in Flanders of a home energy management system is presented. During the development, a user-centric approach was used to create interaction between developers and possible end-users in a living lab setting. This allowed actively addressing people’s needs and wants in the development process and testing the system in their homes. The preliminary results of the field trial indicate a high usage during the starting week, which gradually slows down over the weeks that follow. Usage of the different elements in the system varies over the weeks but a consistent “top 3” of elements remains. Dynamic pricing is used by a small but consistent part of the participants. They actively adapt their appliance usage to these prices

Innovations in dynamic test restraint systems

Recent launch system development programs have led to a new generation of large scale dynamic tests. The variety of test scenarios share one common requirement: restrain and capture massive high velocity flight hardware with no structural damage. The Space Systems Lab of McDonnell Douglas developed a remarkably simple and cost effective approach to such testing using ripstitch energy absorbers adapted from the sport of technical rockclimbing. The proven system reliability of the capture system concept has led to a wide variety of applications in test system design and in aerospace hardware design

From biomass to electricity through integrated gasification/sofcs system: Green fuel cell

The ongoing GREEN FUEL CELL project intends to develop an innovative sustainable technology with high "fuel to electricity" efficiency. The objective is to produce a gas suitable for SOFC application through reliable, upscalable and cost-effective staged gasification of biomass. A basic design will be prepared for a full-scale (1-50 MWth) innovative gasifier and gas treatment system for integrated biomass gasification SOFC systems. The paper presents the research activities, lab tests and pilot scale tests planned in the project. First, two new designed up scalable staged gasifiers are being developed, integrating tar cleaning technologies based on char beds. Secondly, the requirement of the gas quality for an SOFC fuel cell will be determined based on experiments with material from SOFC. According to these specifications, a complete train of gas treatment downstream the gasifier will be implemented. Finally a long term testing of two complete integrated gasification-fuel cell stacks plants will be performed on woody biomass, for at least 100 hours each. This should lead to development and proof-of-principle of the innovative gasifier-fuel cell system. (Résumé d'auteur

DESIGN OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL FOR COST EFFECTIVE LARGE SCALE PRODUCTION OF COMPONENTS FOR FLOATING OFFSHORE STRUCTURES

Today, the European Union (EU) is dependent on import for 50% of its energy supply. By 2030 this could easily become 70 %. This makes the EU economically vulnerable. Hence, the EU made an effort to promote renewable energy. The SEEWEC project, an example of this, has been launched at the end of 2005 within the Sixth Framework of the EU. SEEWEC stands for Sustainable Economically Efficient Wave Energy Converter. One of the tasks of Ghent University, as a partner in the project, is the design of composite material for cost effective large scale production of floating point absorbers. For this, the first important steps are taken. A small filament winding machine has been designed to produce eggs on lab scale. For experimental tests on the strength of the egg and pressure distribution of the water, a set up for lab scale slamming tests was designed and built. The machine is designed for the testing of a variety of structures. Validation of the analytical formulas for slamming is to be achieved through these experiments. First, an assessment of the machine occurs by testing a rigid cone of 45 degrees for comparison with the Peseux model. Next, a rigid and a deformable cylinder will be tested and compared

Concept Validation for Selective Heating and Press Hardening of Automotive Safety Components with Tailored Properties

© (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.A new strategy termed selective heating and press hardening, for hot stamping of boron steel parts with tailored properties is proposed in this paper. Feasibility studies were carried out through a specially designed experimental programme. The main aim was to validate the strategy and demonstrate its potential for structural optimisation. In the work, a lab-scale demonstrator part was designed, and relevant manufacturing and property-assessment processes were defined. A heating technique and selective-heating rigs were designed to enable certain microstructural distributions in blanks to be obtained. A hot stamping tool set was designed for forming and quenching the parts. Demonstrator parts of full martensite phase, full initial phase, and differentially graded microstructures have been formed with high dimensional quality. Hardness testing and three point bending tests were conducted to assess the microstructure distribution and load bearing performance of the as-formed parts, respectively. The feasibility of the concept has been validated by the testing results

The CSI Effect and Its Potential Impact on Juror Decisions

The “CSI Effect” was first described in the media as a phenomenon resulting from viewing forensic and crime based television shows. This effect influences jurors to have unrealistic expectations of forensic science during a criminal trial and affect jurors’ decisions in the conviction or acquittal process. Research has shown the “CSI Effect” has a possible pro-defense bias, in that jurors are less likely to convict without the presence of some sort of forensic evidence. Some studies show actors in the criminal justice system are changing their tactics, as if this effect has a significant influence, causing them to request unnecessary crime lab tests and expert testimonies. One of the solutions proposed to overcome this influence is creating multimedia jury instructions, such as using photos, animations, and videos, regarding any forensic testing process applicable to the case to correct any misinformation and facilitate learning. A second solution is to develop a scale, which will assist in identifying jurors who have been influenced by these types of television shows, to eliminate them from the jury selection process before the start of a trial