Virtual reality interface for the PATIO user involvement tool

Abstract. The objective of this thesis was to explore, implement, and evaluate means to improve user participation using virtual reality. Thus, two applications were implemented: a VR client for user feedback collection, and a web tool that works as a moderator creation editor. These tools offer an approach to collecting feedback about activities taking place in VR 3D spaces and combine different functionalities such as geolocated points of interest and 3D user interfaces. Through these applications, users are able to explore spaces and answer geolocated surveys in an interactive and immersive way. These two clients were developed side by side with other clients of the same user involvement tool and thus involved several iterations to achieve a good user experience. In addition, related work was studied to research about building VR experiences and interactive 3D user interfaces. The VR client was tested with real users (n = 14) where their experiences were gathered using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire and an Adjective cards selection method, while also being watched and interviewed. The study conducted for evaluation shows that the VR solution is important to users because they can be involved in research and product development even when it is not possible to be in a certain location or when an environment does not exist, or it no longer exists. However, better interaction methods in the virtual environment, as well as additional graphics performance optimization are needed for a better experience in the user involvement process

Calculus and Materials for Stirling Engines Bolter and Regenator

The performances of the Stirling engine are affected by the convection coefficient and the ldquoXrdquo factor and not only by the variation of the gas quantity from the cylinder with the medium pressure variation. The convection factor indicates that a sensibility study concerning the characteristic parameters is mandatory

Slump flow of autoclaved aerated concrete slurries

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is already well known in Central Europe for decades. In traditional cement and concrete research a huge increase of knowledge has improved the material behaviour and efficiency. The understanding of the mineral reactions and properties in AAC has also improved, but several relations are still unknown. In this research a closer look is taken on the influence of the water amount and the mixing procedure on the viscosity determined by the slump flow test. Three different cones were evaluated and two possible evaluation methods presented

Optimizing the operation of a reservoir with complex uses. Case study for hydrotechnical system Vârșolț

Water reservoirs play an important role in ensuring water resources, especially in the case of watercourses that have a strong torrent character with high flow variations and which requires flow regulation and water reserves. But few reservoirs have only one role. In the operation of reservoirs with complex uses, conflicts often arise, in particular, on the priorities of satisfying various uses and the distribution of water resources over time. These conflicts cannot always be solved by the level of the market economy, or by moment interests or local interests. Solutions are even more complicated when the reservoir is part of a complex hydrotechnical system. This paper work proposes some general solutions for the optimization of the operation of a hydrotechnical system (operating regulation, support system of the exploitation decision) and, as a case study, the optimization of the operation of the Hydrotechnical System Vârșolț