A simulation model for wind energy storage systems. Volume 2: Operation manual

A comprehensive computer program (SIMWEST) developed for the modeling of wind energy/storage systems utilizing any combination of five types of storage (pumped hydro, battery, thermal, flywheel, and pneumatic) is described. Features of the program include: a precompiler which generates computer models (in FORTRAN) of complex wind source/storage/application systems, from user specifications using the respective library components; a program which provides the techno-economic system analysis with the respective I/O the integration of system dynamics, and the iteration for conveyance of variables; and capability to evaluate economic feasibility as well as general performance of wind energy systems. The SIMWEST operation manual is presented and the usage of the SIMWEST program and the design of the library components are described. A number of example simulations intended to familiarize the user with the program's operation is given along with a listing of each SIMWEST library subroutine

A simulation model for wind energy storage systems. Volume 1: Technical report

A comprehensive computer program for the modeling of wind energy and storage systems utilizing any combination of five types of storage (pumped hydro, battery, thermal, flywheel and pneumatic) was developed. The level of detail of Simulation Model for Wind Energy Storage (SIMWEST) is consistent with a role of evaluating the economic feasibility as well as the general performance of wind energy systems. The software package consists of two basic programs and a library of system, environmental, and load components. The first program is a precompiler which generates computer models (in FORTRAN) of complex wind source storage application systems, from user specifications using the respective library components. The second program provides the techno-economic system analysis with the respective I/O, the integration of systems dynamics, and the iteration for conveyance of variables. SIMWEST program, as described, runs on the UNIVAC 1100 series computers

The Lottia gigantea shell matrix proteome: re-analysis including MaxQuant iBAQ quantitation and phosphoproteome analysis

Background: Although the importance of proteins of the biomineral organic matrix and their posttranslational modifications for biomineralization is generally recognized, the number of published matrix proteomes is still small. This is mostly due to the lack of comprehensive sequence databases, usually derived from genomic sequencing projects. However, in-depth mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis, which critically depends on high-quality sequence databases, is a very fast tool to identify candidates for functional biomineral matrix proteins and their posttranslational modifications. Identification of such candidate proteins is facilitated by at least approximate quantitation of the identified proteins, because the most abundant ones may also be the most interesting candidates for further functional analysis. Results: Re-quantification of previously identified Lottia shell matrix proteins using the intensity-based absolute quantification (iBAQ) method as implemented in the MaxQuant identification and quantitation software showed that only 57 of the 382 accepted identifications constituted 98% of the total identified matrix proteome. This group of proteins did not contain obvious intracellular proteins, such as cytoskeletal components or ribosomal proteins, invariably identified as minor components of high throughput biomineral matrix proteomes. Fourteen of these major proteins were phosphorylated to a variable extent. All together we identified 52 phospho sites in 20 of the 382 accepted proteins with high confidence. Conclusions: We show that iBAQ quantitation may be a useful tool to narrow down the group of functional biomineral matrix protein candidates for further research in cell biology, genetics or materials research. Knowledge of posttranslational modifications in these major proteins could be a valuable addition to previously published proteomes. This is true especially for phosphorylation, because this modification was already shown to modify mineralization processes in some instances

Sourcing of low-tech omponents in high-tech environments

Problemställning: Low tech-komponenter anses enligt teoretiska rekommendationer ofta som icke kritiska. Dock har de egenskaper som en gång ansågs synnerligen low tech förmodligen förändrats och blivit mer komplexa i takt med att underliggande krav inom high tech-miljöer har ökat. Det är befogat att diskutera och kanske omdefiniera de eventuellt senare omprioriterade komponenterna, vilka i aggregerad form representerar en produkt på systemnivå. Hur borde processen för den eventuella omprioriteringen genomföras och vilka krav kommer att påverka företaget? Den ökade komplexiteten kring produktegenskaperna kan också innebära att leverantörer försöker bli unika, vilket implicit påverkar Sony Ericsson. Det vore därför synnerligen intressant att fastställa hur Sony Ericsson borde förhålla sig till leverantörsimplementerade strategier för low tech-komponenter samt hur sourcing som en funktion i ett high tech-bolag borde reagera till dessa förändrade förutsättningar och skiftade affärskontext. Syfte: Syftet med detta examensarbete är att ge förslag på hur sourcing av low-tech-komponenter kan förbättras för företag i dynamiska high-tech-miljöer. Metod: En case study-ansats har tillämpats för att möjliggöra undersökningen enligt det fastställda syftet. Metoden har anpassats för att kunna erhålla en undersökning på såväl komponent- som leverantörsnivå. Det valda case-företaget är Sony Ericsson då det verkar i en utpräglad high tech-kontext och strävar efter best practice inom sourcing. Både kvalitativa och kvantitativa undersökningsmetoder har använts för att säkerställa validitet och reliabilitet. Kvalitativa intervjuer hölls med flertalet anställda på Sony Ericsson inom olika divisioner för att skapa förståelse för komplexiteten i frågeställningen. Slutsatser: Portföljmodeller för inköp används i stor utsträckning och ses ofta som ett centralt verktyg för förbättrande av inköp eftersom effektivt differentierade inköps- och leverantörsstrategier kan implementeras. Dock är teoretiska komponentklassificeringar vanskliga då mycket har hänt sedan vedertagna modeller togs fram, i synnerhet inom high tech-miljöer. Till viss del är high tech-komponenter, såsom skruvar, på grund av sin produktutveckling och sina mer komplexa egenskaper felaktigt definierade. Vid förlitning på vedertagna teoretiska klassificeringar kan implementerade inköpsstrategier få förödande sourcing-konsekvenser. Vi hävdar att vissa sourcing-komponenter trots att de är teoretiskt klassificerade som icke kritiska de facto kan vara kritiska på en systemnivå och därför har stor vinstinverkan på företag. COMPASS-ramverket har framtagits som ett hjälpverktyg vid utvärdering och klassificering av komponenter men även vid bedömning av de tillhandahållande leverantörerna. I high tech-bolag är inköpsavdelningen ofta något mindre prioriterad relativt forsknings- och utvecklingsavdelningen. COMPASS-ramverket är designat för att skapa objectivitet eftersom ekonomiska och tekniska kompetenser är polariserade mellan de olika divisionerna. Som ett hjälpverktyg tillsammans med Kraljics portföljmodell tillåts företag säkerställa att sina begränsade resurser kan få en adekvat fördelning samt förbättra förutsättningarna för effektiv sourcing. Genom att applicera COMPASS-ramverket på Sony Ericsson har inte bara leverantörsberoendet minskat, utan validiteten och applicerbarheten av ramverket har även säkerställts

In-depth proteomic analysis of a mollusc shell: acid-soluble and acid-insoluble matrix of the limpet Lottia gigantea

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Invertebrate biominerals are characterized by their extraordinary functionality and physical properties, such as strength, stiffness and toughness that by far exceed those of the pure mineral component of such composites. This is attributed to the organic matrix, secreted by specialized cells, which pervades and envelops the mineral crystals. Despite the obvious importance of the protein fraction of the organic matrix, only few in-depth proteomic studies have been performed due to the lack of comprehensive protein sequence databases. The recent public release of the gastropod <it>Lottia gigantea</it> genome sequence and the associated protein sequence database provides for the first time the opportunity to do a state-of-the-art proteomic in-depth analysis of the organic matrix of a mollusc shell.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using three different sodium hypochlorite washing protocols before shell demineralization, a total of 569 proteins were identified in <it>Lottia gigantea</it> shell matrix. Of these, 311 were assembled in a consensus proteome comprising identifications contained in all proteomes irrespective of shell cleaning procedure. Some of these proteins were similar in amino acid sequence, amino acid composition, or domain structure to proteins identified previously in different bivalve or gastropod shells, such as BMSP, dermatopontin, nacrein, perlustrin, perlucin, or Pif. In addition there were dozens of previously uncharacterized proteins, many containing repeated short linear motifs or homorepeats. Such proteins may play a role in shell matrix construction or control of mineralization processes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The organic matrix of <it>Lottia gigantea</it> shells is a complex mixture of proteins comprising possible homologs of some previously characterized mollusc shell proteins, but also many novel proteins with a possible function in biomineralization as framework building blocks or as regulatory components. We hope that this data set, the most comprehensive available at present, will provide a platform for the further exploration of biomineralization processes in molluscs.</p

A Titan exploration study: Science, technology and mission planning options, volume 1

Mission concepts and technology advancements that can be used in the exploration of the outer planet satellites were examined. Titan, the seventh satellite of Saturn was selected as the target of interest. Science objectives for Titan exploration were identified, and recommended science payloads for four basic mission modes were developed (orbiter, atmospheric probe, surface penetrator and lander). Trial spacecraft and mission designs were produced for the various mission modes. Using these trial designs as a base, technology excursions were then made to find solutions to the problems resulting from these conventional approaches and to uncover new science, technology and mission planning options. Several mission modes were developed that take advantage of the unique conditions expected at Titan. They include a combined orbiter, atmosphere probe and lander vehicle, a combined probe and surface penetrator configuration and concepts for advanced remote sensing orbiters

A Titan exploration study: Science, technology, and mission planning options, volume 2

For abstract, see Vol.

Robot manipulation in human environments

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2007.Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-228).Human environments present special challenges for robot manipulation. They are often dynamic, difficult to predict, and beyond the control of a robot engineer. Fortunately, many characteristics of these settings can be used to a robot's advantage. Human environments are typically populated by people, and a robot can rely on the guidance and assistance of a human collaborator. Everyday objects exhibit common, task-relevant features that reduce the cognitive load required for the object's use. Many tasks can be achieved through the detection and control of these sparse perceptual features. And finally, a robot is more than a passive observer of the world. It can use its body to reduce its perceptual uncertainty about the world. In this thesis we present advances in robot manipulation that address the unique challenges of human environments. We describe the design of a humanoid robot named Domo, develop methods that allow Domo to assist a person in everyday tasks, and discuss general strategies for building robots that work alongside people in their homes and workplaces.by Aaron Ladd Edsinger.Ph.D

User evaluation of an interactive learning framework for single-arm and dual-arm robots

The final publication is available at link.springer.comSocial robots are expected to adapt to their users and, like their human counterparts, learn from the interaction. In our previous work, we proposed an interactive learning framework that enables a user to intervene and modify a segment of the robot arm trajectory. The framework uses gesture teleoperation and reinforcement learning to learn new motions. In the current work, we compared the user experience with the proposed framework implemented on the single-arm and dual-arm Barrett’s 7-DOF WAM robots equipped with a Microsoft Kinect camera for user tracking and gesture recognition. User performance and workload were measured in a series of trials with two groups of 6 participants using two robot settings in different order for counterbalancing. The experimental results showed that, for the same task, users required less time and produced shorter robot trajectories with the single-arm robot than with the dual-arm robot. The results also showed that the users who performed the task with the single-arm robot first experienced considerably less workload in performing the task with the dual-arm robot while achieving a higher task success rate in a shorter time.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft