The Behaviour of Evolutionary Algorithms for the CFD-Driven Design Optimisation of Aerofoils

This thesis utilises aerodynamic shape optimisation software AerOpt and FLITE2D, to explore the behaviour of three Evolutionary Algorithms, Differential Evolution (DE), Modified Cuckoo Search (MCS), and Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO), to optimise a 2D nonsymmetric aerofoil, providing an evaluation of their aerodynamic optimising capabilities.The aerofoil used in test cases is the NACA21120, where a variation of control node approaches are utilised to alter the aerofoil’s geometry. In the first set of test cases, a control node is placed on the upper surface to allow the thickness to be altered, and in the second set of cases, six control nodes are arranged along the boundary of the aerofoil, to examine the overall shape change.A mesh convergence study helped to determine the best mesh settings for the given problem. Each algorithm is tested in a subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flow regime to ensure the test cases fulfil the CFD aspect of the research. All flow regimes were treated as viscous with the relevant Reynolds number applied. To provide an analysis on how tuning the input parameters affects the algorithm’s behaviour, the number of agents were inputted were varied from 10 to 50 to 99. The generations number was set to 99, and the fitness objective was to optimise for the lift-drag ratio (L/D), throughout all optimisations.The first set of results (one control node) found that fitness improvements were largest in the transonic cases, increasing the L/D by an average percentage of 213%. The aerofoil’s L/D at Mach 0.5 was improved by an average of 80%, and Mach 1.5 by 33%. Each algorithm showed a similar trend in which the control node was positioned at the final generation in the design space, this varied depending on the Mach number being optimised for, either resulting in an increase or decrease in the aerofoil thickness. Varying the number of agents inputted, had a more significant effect on MCS, whereas DE and PSO showed more consistent results regardless of the number of inputted agents. Generally, PSO displayed fastest convergence of all the agents, shortly followed by DE, followed by MCS.The second set of results (six control nodes) were optimised for identical input parameters but for simplicity, at a single flow regime, Mach 1.5. Differing from the first set of results showing similar control node placement within the design space, the second set of results showed the algorithm’s position some of the control nodes in different locations within the design space. Despite the similar fitness improvement values seen between DE and PSO, the final geometries were observed to be somewhat varied, where DE reduced the thickness of the trailing edge, but PSO increased it. MCS displayed similar geometry change to PSO but with more conservative control node movement

Electron microscopic measurement of the size of the optical focus in laser scanning microscopy

We describe a method for measuring the lateral focal spot size of a multiphoton laser scanning microscope (LSM) with unprecedented accuracy. A specimen consisting of an aluminum film deposited on a glass coverslip was brought into focus in a LSM and the laser intensity was then increased enough to perform nanoablation of the metal film. This process leaves a permanent trace of the raster path usually taken by the beam during the acquisition of an optical image. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was then used to determine the nanoablated line width to high accuracy, from which the lateral spot size and hence resolution of the LSM can be determined. To demonstrate our method, we performed analysis of a multiphoton LSM at various infrared wavelengths, and we report measurements of optical lateral spot size with an accuracy of 20 nm, limited only by the resolution of the SEM

Remembering Reflection in pre-Service Teachers\u27 Professional Experience

Abstract In an Australian education policy environment where professional standards are determining the parameters of effective teaching and learning, it is important that we revisit ways to ensure reflection and collegial engagement are embedded in pre-service teachers’ professional experience. This article reports on a university program initiative that used a non-clinical model of professional experience to centralise opportunities for pre-service teachers to engage in reflection and research of their practice in a collaborative and largely non-hierarchical learning and teaching environment. Ultimately the results of their experience indicated that pre-service teachers were able to theorise about their practice in ways that cognitively and affectively resonated with them and allowed them to gain insights into the complexities of the teaching and learning process and of themselves as teacher

Renal telemedicine through video-as-a-service delivered to patients on home dialysis: a qualitative study on the renal care team members’ experience

Background: The Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the UK has been providing renal care through video-as-a-service (VAAS) to patients since 2013, with support from the North West NHS Shared Infrastructure Service, a collaborative team that supports information and communication technology use in the UK National Health Service. Introduction: Renal telemedicine offered remotely to patients on home dialysis supports renal care through the provision of a live high-quality video link directly to unsupported patients undergoing haemodialysis at home. Home haemodialysis is known to provide benefits to patients, particularly in making them more independent. The use of a telemedicine video-link in Lancashire and South Cumbria, UK, further reduces patient dependence on the professional team. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to present the perspectives of the renal care team members using the renal telemedicine service to understand the perceived benefits and issues with the service. Method: Ten semi-structured interviews with members of the renal care team (two renal specialists, one matron, two renal nurses, one business manager, one renal technical services manager, two IT technicians and one hardware maintenance technician) were conducted. Thematic analysis was undertaken to analyse the qualitative data. Results: A range of incremental benefits to the renal team members were reported, including more efficient use of staff time, reduced travel, peace of mind and a strong sense of job satisfaction. Healthcare staff believed that remote renal care through video was useful, encouraged concordance and could nurture confidence in patients. Key technological issues and adjustments which would improve the renal telemedicine service were also identified. Conclusion: The impact of renal telemedicine was positive on the renal team members. The use of telemedicine has been demonstrated to make home dialysis delivery more efficient and safe. The learning from staff feedback could inform development of services elsewhere

Polarization-controlled evolution of light transverse modes and associated Pancharatnam geometric phase in orbital angular momentum

We present an easy, efficient and fast method to generate arbitrary linear combinations of light orbital angular momentum eigenstates $\ell=\pm 2$ starting from a linearly polarized TEM$_{00}$ laser beam. The method exploits the spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion capability of a liquid-crystal-based $q$-plate and a Dove prism inserted in a Sagnac polarizing interferometer. The nominal generation efficiency is 100\%, being limited only by reflection and scattering losses in the optical components. When closed paths are followed on the polarization Poincar\'{e} sphere of the input beam, the associated Pancharatnam geometric phase is transferred unchanged to the orbital angular momentum state of the output beam.Comment: 5 pages and 5 figure

A review of miniaturised Non-Destructive Testing technologies for in-situ inspections

Non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques have become attractive trends of product manufacturing, installation and post-maintenance in the aerospace, automotive and manufacturing industry, because of its benefits such as cost saving, easy to use and high efficiency etc. With the industrial products becoming large-scale, high integration and complication, developing the NDT miniaturisation technique for in-situ inspections is highly demanded and becoming an inevitable trend. However, in-situ inspection using NDT have been limited by a number of factors, such as the heavy weight, large size or complex structure etc. This paper aims to systematically identify and analyse the current state-of-the-art of NDT miniaturisation techniques in research and innovation, and discuss the challenge and prospect of miniaturisation of the commonly used NDT techniques

Digital activities in Cumbria research report

Digital health and social care practices, activities and projects in Cumbria, including those which had expired, were mapped from May 2014 to July 2015. The purpose of carrying out this work was to find out which technologies were currently in practice in Cumbria and to understand further opportunities for the integration of digital technologies into the health and social care scene in Cumbria. The purpose of this article is to provide an outline of mapped digital activities, where a few examples are described, and a commentary on the current state of digital health and social care in Cumbria

Remembering reflection in pre-service teachers' professional experience

In an Australian education policy environment where professional standards are determining the parameters of effective teaching and learning, it is important that we revisit ways to ensure reflection and collegial engagement are embedded in pre-service teachers’ professional experience. This article reports on a university program initiative that used a non-clinical model of professional experience to centralise opportunities for pre-service teachers to engage in reflection and research of their practice in a collaborative and largely non-hierarchical learning and teaching environment. Ultimately the results of their experience indicated that pre-service teachers were able to theorise about their practice in ways that cognitively and affectively resonated with them and allowed them to gain insights into the complexities of the teaching and learning process and of themselves as teacher

Defining pain-validation: The importance of validation in reducing the stresses of chronic pain

Purpose: To validate an individual's feelings or behaviour is to sanction their thoughts or actions as worthy of social acceptance and support. In contrast, rejection of the individual's communicated experience indicates a denial of social acceptance, representing a potential survival threat. Pain-invalidation, though ill-defined, appears to be a fundamental component of psychosocial stress for people with chronic pain. As such, the aim of this paper was to define pain-validation and outline its importance for those with chronic pain. Methods: The pain-validation construct was defined using themes inherent in the narratives of those with chronic pain, as identified in a previously published systematic search and thematic analysis, together with examination of additional literature on pain-validation in the clinical context. Results: We present a construct definition, proposing that pain-validation must necessarily include: (i) belief that the pain experience is true for the individual, (ii) acceptability of the individual's expressions of pain, and (iii) communication of belief and acceptability to the individual experiencing pain. Further, we outline the importance of pain-validation as a protective factor and means of reducing many of the psychosocial stresses of chronic pain; for example, by indicating social support for pain-coping, buffering negative emotions, and re-enforcing unity and shared identity. Implications: The role of pain-validation in the current era of pain management intervention is discussed. Adhering to interventions that involve cognitive and behavioural change is often difficult. Acknowledging and validating the acceptability of the patient's pain experience in the early stages of pain management may, therefore, be a key component of intervention that encourages compliance to the treatment plan and achieving therapeutic goals