Continuous Project-Based Learning in Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Engineering Subjects for Different Degrees

[EN] Subjects related to fluid mechanics for hydraulic engineers ought to be delivered in interesting and active modes. New methods should be introduced to improve the learning students' abilities in the different courses of the Bachelor's and Master's degree. Related to active learning methods, a continuous project-based learning experience is described in this research. This manuscript shows the developed learning methodology, which was included on different levels at Universitat Politecnica de Valencia. The main research goal is to show the active learning methods used to evaluate both skills competences (e.g., "Design and Project") and specific competences of the students. The research shows a particular developed innovation teaching project, which was developed by lecturers and professors of the Hydraulic Engineering Department, since 2016. This project proposed coordination in different subjects that were taught in different courses of the Bachelor's and Master's degrees, in which 2200 students participated. This coordination improved the acquisition of the learning results, as well as the new teaching methods increased the student's satisfaction index.Pérez-Sánchez, M.; López Jiménez, PA. (2020). Continuous Project-Based Learning in Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Engineering Subjects for Different Degrees. Fluids. 5(2):1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids5020095S11552Chanson, H. (2001). Teaching Hydraulic Design in an Australian Undergraduate Civil Engineering Curriculum. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 127(12), 1002-1008. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-9429(2001)127:12(1002)Hotchkiss, R. H. (2001). Flow over a «Killer» Weir Design Project. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 127(12), 1022-1027. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-9429(2001)127:12(1022)Novak, P., & Valentine, E. M. (2001). Teaching of Hydraulic Design at University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 127(12), 1009-1012. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-9429(2001)127:12(1009)Kelley, C. A., Conant, J. S., & Smart, D. T. (1991). Master Teaching Revisited Pursuing Excellence from the Students’ Perspective. Journal of Marketing Education, 13(2), 1-10. doi:10.1177/027347539101300202Pierce, R., & Fox, J. (2012). Vodcasts and Active-Learning Exercises in a «Flipped Classroom» Model of a Renal Pharmacotherapy Module. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 76(10), 196. doi:10.5688/ajpe7610196Savage, R. N., Chen, K. C., & Vanasupa, L. (2009). Integrating project-based learning throughout the undergraduate engineering curriculum. IEEE Engineering Management Review, 37(1), 25-25. doi:10.1109/emr.2009.4804346Universitat Politècnica de València. Institutional Project of the Generic Outcomeshttps://www.upv.es/entidades/ICE/info/Proyecto_Institucional_CT.pdfHadim, H. A., & Esche, S. K. (s. f.). Enhancing the engineering curriculum through project-based learning. 32nd Annual Frontiers in Education. doi:10.1109/fie.2002.1158200Alptekin, S. E., DeTurris, D., Macy, D. J., & Ervin, J. E. (2005). Development of a flying eye: A project-based learning experience. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 24(3), 226-236. doi:10.1016/s0278-6125(06)80012-9Bell, S. (2010). Project-Based Learning for the 21st Century: Skills for the Future. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 83(2), 39-43. doi:10.1080/0009865090350541

Power management techniques in an FPGA-Based WSN node for high performance application

In this work, the power management techniques implemented in a high-performance node for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) based on a RAM-based FPGA are presented. This new node custom architecture is intended for high-end WSN applications that include complex sensor management like video cameras, high compute demanding tasks such as image encoding or robust encryption, and/or higher data bandwidth needs. In the case of these complex processing tasks, yet maintaining low power design requirements, it can be shown that the combination of different techniques such as extensive HW algorithm mapping, smart management of power islands to selectively switch on and off components, smart and low-energy partial reconfiguration, an adequate set of save energy modes and wake up options, all combined, may yield energy results that may compete and improve energy usage of typical low power microcontrollers used in many WSN node architectures. Actually, results show that higher complexity tasks are in favor of HW based platforms, while the flexibility achieved by dynamic and partial reconfiguration techniques could be comparable to SW based solutions

Implementing an agile start-up culture into a process oriented company

The purpose of the present study was to find out and implement more agile ways of working into a process oriented telecommunications company TeliaSonera Finland Oyj. TeliaSonera Finland is one of the largest telecommunication companies in Finland and the largest in the Nordics. In Finland it operates under the name of Sonera Oyj. Part of TeliaSonera’s strategy is to become a new generation telecommunications company through transforming the company towards more application and integrator type of service provider and finding new business opportunities close to the core business. During the study, a current state analysis was made from Sonera’s current development methodology and decision-making processes. Three different disciplines were selected to be studied that were lean start-up and lean service creation, scaled agile framework and bimodal enterprise. A lean service creation program was launched in order to validate these methodologies with a case study with one of the new business initiatives close to the core – eHealth. The results revealed many different angles for the company to further develop: customer centricity, agility in development governance and culture. The scope of the development projects were not usually based on engaging the customer into the design process and projects tended to grow very large with big scopes and long lead times in the current state analysis. The minimum viable product thinking was something that the company was not used to do. The entrepreneurship culture was after all discovered to be one of the largest challenge for the company. There is no “one size fits all” type of approach. Instead, the conceptual framework should be adjustable and different methodologies suit better in different type of development items based on size, complexity, business area and so on. The author recommends that the leaders in Sonera make sure that the lean service creation and agile methodologies are taken more widely into use throughout the organization, but also clarify the guidelines of different disciplines. The change from a tightly-governed company to an agile start-up-like company with entrepreneurship as its core value does not happen overnight, it requires a lot of change management and continuous learning – especially from the management

Web application for energy system

This bachelor thesis describes the development of a web application that allows users to configure and save simulations for an energy system. The application utilizes a pre-existing simulator pack to generate real-time results, which are displayed to the user in chart form. The development stack includes Sveltekit, FastAPI, and GraphQL, with the latter used to retrieve and display data. The application features a login system and user-specific configuration options, enabling users to tailor simulations to their needs. The system is built to be scalable and easy-to-implement new features such as a better system for storage and automated test. The team focused on long term for this project and made sure it would be easy for other people to work on it later. The resulting application provides an efficient and user-friendly means of simulating energy systems, with potential applications in both research and industry

Web application for energy system integration

This bachelor thesis describes the development of a web application that allows users to configure and save simulations for an energy system. The application utilizes a pre-existing simulator pack to generate real-time results, which are displayed to the user in chart form. The development stack includes Sveltekit, FastAPI, and GraphQL, with the latter used to retrieve and display data. The application features a login system and user-specific configuration options, enabling users to tailor simulations to their needs. The system is built to be scalable and easy-to-implement new features such as a better system for storage and automated test. The team focused on long term for this project and made sure it would be easy for other people to work on it later. The resulting application provides an efficient and user-friendly means of simulating energy systems, with potential applications in both research and industr

Web application for energy system integration

This bachelor thesis describes the development of a web application that allows users to configure and save simulations for an energy system. The application utilizes a pre-existing simulator pack to generate real-time results, which are displayed to the user in chart form. The development stack includes Sveltekit, FastAPI, and GraphQL, with the latter used to retrieve and display data. The application features a login system and user-specific configuration options, enabling users to tailor simulations to their needs. The system is built to be scalable and easy-to-implement new features such as a better system for storage and automated test. The team focused on long term for this project and made sure it would be easy for other people to work on it later. The resulting application provides an efficient and user-friendly means of simulating energy systems, with potential applications in both research and industry

Understanding, assessing, comparing, and managing risks related to the energy transition from fossil fuel to renewables – for Norway and India

There is growing worry about the future supply of fossil-fuel-based energy and its environmental consequences. There is call for the globe to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. (Teles et al., 2015). On the other hand, the speed and scale of this shift remain uncertain and arguable. (Gribkova & Milshina, 2022). The energy transition is inherently risky. (Poudineh et al., 2019). The main objectives of the thesis are to gain improved knowledge of the risks related to the energy transition from fossil fuel to renewables for Norway and India, and contribute to improve the assessment and management of these risks. The energy industry is responsible for nearly three-quarters of the emissions that have already increased world average temperatures by 1.1 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times, with evident effects on weather and climate extremes. The energy industry must be at the center of the climate change solution. (IEA, 2021b). The thesis performs risk analysis for both nations using Bayesian network, compares and demonstrates the variations in the study's outcomes, as well as the different risk management approaches that they may use. The Bayesian network events and consequences are interlinked, and the sequence of action may or may not be followed as demonstrated as it depends on the various factors and the probability of occurrences of scenarios involving these factors. Factors such as government policies encouraging renewable energy and energy efficiency, technology and innovation, people expectations, Covid-19 will all play a role in the sequence. The thesis further shows that socioeconomic factors influence the risks and the energy transition for both the countries. Risk comparison demonstrates that a same risk problem in two distinct situations (here, two separate nations) is not identical. The risk comparison underlines the importance of conducting a context assessment first in order to have a better understanding of risk. Risk management strategies are suggested in this thesis for the management of risks for Norway and India which contributes to improved risk management of the energy transition risks for Norway and India. Risk informed strategy is used in the thesis wherein risk treatment methods are suggested for the identified risk sources and initiating events. When one wants to choose between several solution alternatives for the energy transition problem then the author suggests that a multi-attribute analysis is a better approach for decision making because there are several factors influencing the decision-making process, including energy sources, energy demands, population, economy, geography, political goals and strategies, ethical factors, social factors, personal factors, infrastructure needs, citizen psychology, societal preference, speed of transition, and in general its magnitude. The author believes that the governments must try to strike a balance between the various attributes. These questions have no definitive solutions. The author of this thesis emphasizes that whether precautionary principle be given more or less weight is the choice of the decision maker. Companies should propose alternative uses of oil and gas utilities to successfully tackle the energy transition barrier and enhance the degree of risk acceptability and tolerance in the energy market. For productive operations, organizations should take effective precautions and adopt contemporary risk acceptability models such as ALARP. By performing risk analysis and comparing the risks these countries face in achieving the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals using various risk management strategies, this thesis contributes to a better understanding of the energy transition risks and improved risk assessment & risk management for Norway and India

Road functional classification using pattern recognition techniques

The existing international standards suggest a methodology to assign a specific functional class to a road, by the values of some features, both geometrical and use-related. Sometimes, these characteristics are in contrast with each other and direct the analyst towards conflicting classes for a road or, worse, one or more of these features vary heterogeneously along the road. In these conditions, the analyst assigns the class that, by his capability and experience, he retains the most appropriate, in a very subjective way. On the contrary, the definition of an automatic procedure assuring an objective identification of the most appropriate functional class for each road would be desirable. Such a solution would be useful, especially when the road belongs to the existing infrastructure network or when it was not realised by out of date standards. The proposed procedure regards the definition of a classification model based on Pattern Recognition techniques, considering 13 input variables that, depending on their assumed value, direct the analyst towards one of the four functional classes defined by the Italian standards. In this way, it is possible to classify a road even when its characteristics are heterogeneous and conflicting. Moreover, the authors analysed the model limitations, in terms of errors and dataset size, considering observation and variable numbers. This approach, representing a beneficial decision support tool for the decision-maker, is exploitable for both planned and existing roads and becomes particularly advantageous for road agencies aiming to optimally allocate their limited funds for specific interventions assuring the achievement of a fixed functional class

Project Management in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Beer production project

El objetivo de este documento es encontrar soluciones a los problemas de gestión de proyectos que surgen como consecuencia de la cuarta revolución industrial, que está cambiando la industria tal y como la conocemos y nos sitúa en un punto crítico de adaptación a una nueva realidad que traerá consigo grandes oportunidades y también grandes riesgos. Además, la gestión de los nuevos proyectos 4.0 supondrá un reto de comunicación entre expertos en tecnologías y lenguajes informáticos muy diferentes, por lo que este documento destaca los elementos a tener en cuenta en la revolución tecnológica y estudia cómo gestionar un proyecto en una Smart factory.The aim of this document is to find solutions to the project management problems that arise as a result of the fourth industrial revolution, which is changing industry as we know it and places us at a critical point of adaptation to a new reality that will bring great opportunities as well as great risks. In addition, the management of new 4.0 projects will pose a challenge for communication between experts in very different technologies and computer languages, which is why this document highlights the elements to be taken into account in the technological revolution and studies how to manage a project in a Smart factory.Hochschule Albstadt-SigmaringenGrado en Ingeniería en Organización Industria

Digital design techniques for dependable High-Performance Computing

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen