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Simulation Tool (simulation + tool)
Selected AbstractsFuel Cell Vehicle Simulation , Part 1: Benchmarking Available Fuel Cell Vehicle Simulation ToolsFUEL CELLS, Issue 3 2003K.H. Hauer Abstract Fuel cell vehicle simulation is one method for systematic and fast investigation of the different vehicle options (fuel choice, hybridization, reformer technologies). However, a sufficient modeling program, capable of modeling the different design options, is not available today. Modern simulation programs should be capable of serving as tools for analysis as well as development. Shortfalls of the existing programs, initially developed for internal combustion engine hybrid vehicles, are: (i)Insufficient modeling of transient characteristics; (ii) Insufficient modeling of the fuel cells system; (iii) Insufficient modeling of advanced hybrid systems; (iv) Employment of a non-causal (backwards looking) structure; (v) Significant shortcomings in the area of controls. In the area of analysis, a modeling tool for fuel cell vehicles needs to address the transient dynamic interaction between the electric drive train and the fuel cell system. Especially for vehicles with slow responding on-board fuel processor, this interaction is very different from the interaction between a battery (as power source) and an electric drive train in an electric vehicle design. Non-transient modeling leads to inaccurate predictions of vehicle performance and fuel consumption. When applied in the area of development, the existing programs do not support the employment of newer techniques, such as rapid prototyping. This is because the program structure merges control algorithms and component models, or different control algorithms (from different components) are lumped together in one single control block and not assigned to individual components as they are in real vehicles. In both cases, the transfer of control algorithms from the model into existing hardware is not possible. This paper is the first part of a three part series and benchmarks the "state of the art" of existing programs. The second paper introduces a new simulation program, which tries to overcome existing barriers. Specifically it explicitly recognizes the dynamic interaction between fuel cell system, drive train and optional additional energy storage. [source] A novel dual-band square piece patch antenna for wireless applicationsMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 7 2010T. Shanmuganantham Abstract A novel dual-band square microstrip patch antenna for bandwidth improvement and antenna size reduction in a single design is proposed. It can operate at dual frequencies of 1.7 GHz and 5.5 GHz. The fundamental parameters of the antenna such as bandwidth, return loss, gain, radiation pattern, and polarization are obtained. This square piece patch antenna has less return loss of ,40 dB with bandwidth of 40 MHz and 200 MHz in two bands, respectively. The sensitivity of patch antenna towards its patch shape is also discussed. Simulation tool, based on the method of moments (ZELAND IE3D version 12.0) has been used to analyze and optimize the antenna. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1513,1516, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25270 [source] Simulation of Welding and Distortion in Ship Building,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 3 2010Thomas Rieger Simulation tools will continue to gain importance for both scientific investigations and industrial applications. This further applies to welding technology. The present work focuses on the simulation of distortions due to the welding of stiffeners on heavy plates in shipbuilding. An equivalent heat source (EHS) was computed by the software SimWeld to describe the energy input caused by welding. The EHS was combined with an FEM simulation of the global structure in the commercial program SYSWELD. Therefore an interface between the SimWeld platform and SYSWELD was implemented. The simulation results were compared with a welded demonstrator. The predicted displacements correlate closely with the experimental data. Using the combined approach the quality of the prediction was significantly improved against the typical method of heat source parameter identification, which is based on experimental results. The results allow for the optimization of welding sequences and for the minimization of buckling in shipbuilding. [source] An interactive simulation tool for image registration educationCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION, Issue 2 2010Khaled M. Gharaibeh Abstract A medical image registration simulation toolkit built using MATLAB graphical user interface (GUI) is presented. The developed Matlab GUI's provide an effective tool for exploring different image registration techniques including a new feature-based image registration technique proposed by the authors. The toolkit is useful for biomedical engineering students and can be used as a web-based learning tool. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 18: 225,237, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20179 [source] A Modeling Framework for Supply Chain Simulation: Opportunities for Improved Decision Making,DECISION SCIENCES, Issue 1 2005D. J. Van Der Zee ABSTRACT Owing to its inherent modeling flexibility, simulation is often regarded as the proper means for supporting decision making on supply chain design. The ultimate success of supply chain simulation, however, is determined by a combination of the analyst's skills, the chain members' involvement, and the modeling capabilities of the simulation tool. This combination should provide the basis for a realistic simulation model, which is both transparent and complete. The need for transparency is especially strong for supply chains as they involve (semi)autonomous parties each having their own objectives. Mutual trust and model effectiveness are strongly influenced by the degree of completeness of each party's insight into the key decision variables. Ideally, visual interactive simulation models present an important communicative means for realizing the required overview and insight. Unfortunately, most models strongly focus on physical transactions, leaving key decision variables implicit for some or all of the parties involved. This especially applies to control structures, that is, the managers or systems responsible for control, their activities and their mutual attuning of these activities. Control elements are, for example, dispersed over the model, are not visualized, or form part of the time-indexed scheduling of events. In this article, we propose an alternative approach that explicitly addresses the modeling of control structures. First, we will conduct a literature survey with the aim of listing simulation model qualities essential for supporting successful decision making on supply chain design. Next, we use this insight to define an object-oriented modeling framework that facilitates supply chain simulation in a more realistic manner. This framework is meant to contribute to improved decision making in terms of recognizing and understanding opportunities for improved supply chain design. Finally, the use of the framework is illustrated by a case example concerning a supply chain for chilled salads. [source] A simulation tool for designing nutrient monitoring programmes for eutrophication assessments,ENVIRONMETRICS, Issue 1 2010Janet Heffernan Abstract This paper describes a simulation tool to aid the design of nutrient monitoring programmes in coastal waters. The tool is developed by using time series of water quality data from a Smart Buoy, an in situ monitoring device. The tool models the seasonality and temporal dependence in the data and then filters out these features to leave a white noise series. New data sets are then simulated by sampling from the white noise series and re-introducing the modelled seasonality and temporal dependence. Simulating many independent realisations allows us to study the performance of different monitoring designs and assessment methods. We illustrate the approach using total oxidised nitrogen (TOxN) and chlorophyll data from Liverpool Bay, U.K. We consider assessments of whether the underlying mean concentrations of these water quality variables are sufficiently low; i.e. below specified assessment concentrations. We show that for TOxN, even when mean concentrations are at background, daily data from a Smart Buoy or multi-annual sampling from a research vessel would be needed to obtain adequate power. Copyright © 2009 Crown Copyright [source] Local control of photovoltaic distributed generation for voltage regulation in LV distribution networks and simulation toolsEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 6 2009Stefania Conti Abstract The increasing connection of distributed generation (DG) in distribution networks may affect the quality of power offered to customers. One of the most relevant issues is the possibility to have unacceptable voltage rise at the point of common coupling (PCC). This work focuses on the problem of voltage control in LV distribution networks in the presence of photovoltaic (PV) DG. The paper presents a local voltage control method based on PV generation curtailment as an alternative to ,on/off' operation, typically required by distribution operators to prevent overvoltage at the PCCs by means of overvoltage protections embedded in the PV unit. To show the effect of the proposed local voltage control, a simulation tool, developed in MATLAB®,Simulink® environment, is presented. Appropriate numerical models for network components and PV generators are provided in order to describe computer simulation implementation of the test system. The final results show that the control system is able to adjust the active power output of local generators to keep the voltage profile of the feeder, in which DG is installed, within the range allowed by Norm EN 50160. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Simulation Monte Carlo methods in extended stochastic volatility modelsINTELLIGENT SYSTEMS IN ACCOUNTING, FINANCE & MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2002Miroslav, imandl A new technique for nonlinear state and parameter estimation of discrete time stochastic volatility models is developed. Algorithms of Gibbs sampler and simulation filters are used to construct a simulation tool that reflects both inherent model variability and parameter uncertainty. The proposed chain converges to equilibrium enabling the estimation of unobserved volatilities and unknown model parameter distributions. The estimation algorithm is illustrated using numerical examples. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] An adaptive clinical Type 1 diabetes control protocol to optimize conventional self-monitoring blood glucose and multiple daily-injection therapyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, Issue 5 2009Xing-Wei Wong Abstract The objective of this study was to develop a safe, robust and effective protocol for the clinical control of Type 1 diabetes using conventional self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) measurements, and multiple daily injection (MDI) with insulin analogues. A virtual patient method is used to develop an in silico simulation tool for Type 1 diabetes using data from a Type 1 diabetes patient cohort (n=40) . The tool is used to test two prandial insulin protocols, an adaptive protocol (AC) and a conventional intensive insulin therapy (IIT) protocol (CC) against results from a representative control cohort as a function of SMBG frequency. With the prandial protocols, optimal and suboptimal basal insulin replacement using a clinically validated, forced-titration regimen is also evaluated. A Monte Carlo (MC) analysis using variability and error distributions derived from the clinical and physiological literature is used to test efficacy and robustness. MC analysis is performed for over 1 400 000 simulated patient hours. All results are compared with control data from which the virtual patients were derived. In conditions of suboptimal basal insulin replacement, the AC protocol significantly decreases HbA1c for SMBG frequencies ,6/day compared with controls and the CC protocol. With optimal basal insulin, mild and severe hypoglycaemia is reduced by 86,100% over controls for all SMBG frequencies. Control with the CC protocol and suboptimal basal insulin replacement saturates at an SMBG frequency of 6/day. The forced-titration regimen requires a minimum SMBG frequency of 6/day to prevent increased hypoglycaemia. Overaggressive basal dose titration with the CC protocol at lower SMBG frequencies is likely caused by uncorrected postprandial hyperglycaemia from the previous night. From the MC analysis, a defined peak in control is achieved at an SMBG frequency of 8/day. However, 90% of the cohort meets American Diabetes Association recommended HbA1c with just 2 measurements a day. A further 7.5% requires 4 measurements a day and only 2.5% (1 patient) required 6 measurements a day. In safety, the AC protocol is the most robust to applied MC error. Over all SMBG frequencies, the median for severe hypoglycaemia increases from 0 to 0.12% and for mild hypoglycaemia by 0,5.19% compared with the unrealistic no error simulation. While statistically significant, these figures are still very low and the distributions are well below those of the controls group. An adaptive control protocol for Type 1 diabetes is tested in silico under conditions of realistic variability and error. The adaptive (AC) protocol is effective and safe compared with conventional IIT (CC) and controls. As the fear of hypoglycaemia is a large psychological barrier to appropriate glycaemic control, adaptive model-based protocols may represent the next evolution of IIT to deliver increased glycaemic control with increased safety over conventional methods, while still utilizing the most commonly used forms of intervention (SMBG and MDI). The use of MC methods to evaluate them provides a relevant robustness test that is not considered in the no error analyses of most other studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Developing a new cost-efficient control strategy for an actual confectionery plant through the combined exploitation of experimental and numerical analysisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 6 2003Piero Lunghi Abstract Achieving energy absorption reductions while improving indoor air quality is a major task when designing new air conditioning systems. A cost-effective way to improve energy efficiency without compromising the thermal comfort consists of developing better control. In the present work, an extensive experimental campaign has been coupled with a theoretical analysis with an effective approach. A simulation tool has been implemented and, through its predictions, an efficient control strategy has been developed in a system that resulted in significant energy savings and environmental benefits. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evaluation of numerical simulation methods in reactive extrusionADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2005Linjie Zhu Abstract Reactive extrusion is a complex process, and numerical simulation is an important method in optimizing operational parameters. In the current work, two different simulation methods, one-dimensional (1D) model and three-dimensional (3D) model, were introduced to predict the polymerization of ,-caprolactone in fully filled screw elements. The predicted results of polymerization progression under different simulation conditions based on these two methods were compared. The simulation results show that the simplifications and assumptions in 1D model make it difficult to capture the complex mixing mechanism, heat generation, and heat loss in reactive extrusion. 1D model is feasible only under particular conditions, such as low screw rotating speed, small heat from reaction, and small screw diameter, whereas 3D model is a more powerful simulation tool for much wider processing conditions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 24: 183,193, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20041 [source] Role of the work function of transparent conductive oxide on the performance of amorphous/crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cells studied by computer simulationPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008L. Zhao Abstract The role of the work function of transparent conductive oxide (WTCO) on the performance of amorphous/crystalline silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells was investigated in detail with other various parameters by utilizing AFORS-HET software as a numerical computer simulation tool. The results for SHJ solar cells based on p-type and n-type substrates were demonstrated and analyzed comparatively with or without the insertion of the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer between the doped amorphous emitter and the crystalline base. It was indicated that there was an optimized threshold thickness of the emitter for the solar cells to obtain the best performance for any given WTCO and the doping concentration of the emitter. Thus, design criteria of TCO/emitter for the practical SHJ solar cells were provided. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Simulation of losses in thin-film silicon modules for different configurations and front contactsPROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 6 2008Kristijan Brecl Abstract A simulation tool for the quantification of electrical losses in thin-film modules using a one- and two-dimensional electrical PSpice model is presented. Two main sources of electrical losses are examined: monolithic contacts (MC) and front contacts made of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer with or without a metal finger grid. Our study was focussed on amorphous and micromorph silicon modules in substrate or superstrate configuration. Results show that front contact losses (TCO losses and finger losses) prevail. While, under assumption that their subcell performances are the same, performance of amorphous silicon (a-Si) modules do not depend on the configuration, the superstrate micromorph silicon module has a relatively slight (below 2%) advantage over the substrate counterpart due to lower electrical losses in the MC. Losses of the front contact made of a thick TCO layer or of thin TCO layer and metal finger grid on top were studied for both modules in substrate configuration and optimisation results are presented. Use of thin TCO layer and optimised finger grid and solar cell geometry is competitive and these modules can even outperform the optimised amorphous or micromorph silicon module with thick TCO front contact. In all optimised cases under standard test conditions, total relative losses can be minimised to around 10%. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The role of air turbulence in warm rain initiationATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE LETTERS, Issue 1 2009Lian-Ping Wang Abstract Quantitative parameterization of turbulent collision of cloud droplets represents a major unsolved problem in cloud physics. Here a hybrid direct simulation tool is used specifically to quantify the turbulent enhancement of the gravitational collision-coalescence. Simulation results show that air turbulence can enhance the collision kernel by an average factor of about 2, and the observed trends are supported by scaling arguments. An impact study using the most realistic collection kernel suggests that cloud turbulence can significantly reduce the time for warm rain initiation. Areas for further development of the hybrid simulation and the impact study are indicated. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Concept, Design and Manufacture of a Prototype Hydrogen Storage Tank Based on Sodium AlanateCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 8 2009C. Na Ranong Abstract In the framework of the EC project STORHY (Hydrogen Storage for Automotive Applications), the prototype of a solid storage tank for hydrogen based on sodium alanate was developed. A storage tank containing 8,kg sodium alanate was designed and manufactured with the objective of fast refueling. To obtain the optimum design of the storage tank a simulation tool was developed and validated by experiments with a laboratory-scale tubular reactor. Application of the simulation tool to different storage concepts and geometries yielded the final design. The chosen concept is modular, enabling simple scale-up. This is the basis for the future development of fuel cell vehicle storage tanks containing 5,kg of hydrogen. [source] A pedagogical Web service-based interactive learning environment for a digital filter design course: An evolutionary approachCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION, Issue 3 2010Wen-Hsiung Wu Abstract The course of digital filter design in electronic/electrical engineering involves complicated mathematical equations and dynamic waveform variations. It is a consensus among educators that using simulation tools assist in improving students' learning experiences. Previous studies on system simulation seemed to lack an appropriate approach to design such a course. Few emphasized the design of an interactive learning environment by using an evolutionary approach. This study integrated the design concept of an evolutionary approach and Web service-based technology into a simulation system entitled Pedagogical Web Service-Based Interactive Learning Environment (PEWSILE) was introduced. The PEWSILE system contained two interactive learning environments,a simple system and an advanced system. It offered a total of six pedagogical Web services. The simple interactive learning environment included text/color-based services, and text/color/diagram-based services. The advanced interactive learning environment included batch-based, interval change-based, comparison-based, and scroll bar-based services. The study also assessed the students' performance in six pedagogical Web services covering interaction and overall use, usefulness, and intention to use through a questionnaire survey and subsequent interviews. Three significant findings were reported. For example, in the advanced interactive learning environment, the designs of interval change-based and comparison-based services make it easier to observe differences in the outcome of parameter change, while batch-based services lacks the element of waveform comparison. In sum, the findings in this study provide helpful implications in designing engineering educational software. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 18: 423,433, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com; DOI 10.1002/cae.20163 [source] Scene Graph and Frame Update Algorithms for Smooth and Scalable 3D Visualization of Simulated Construction OperationsCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2002Vineet R. Kamat One of the prime reasons inhibiting the widespread use of discrete-event simulation in construction planning is the absence of appropriate visual communication tools. Visualizing modeled operations in 3D is arguably the best form of communicating the logic and the inner working of simulation models and can be of immense help in establishing the credibility of analyses. New software development technologies emerge at incredible rates that allow engineers and scientists to create novel, domain-specific applications. The authors capitalized on a computer graphics technology based on the concept of the scene graph to design and implement a general-purpose 3D visualization system that is simulation and CAD-software independent. This system, the Dynamic Construction Visualizer, enables realistic visualization of modeled construction operations and the resulting products and can be used in conjunction with a wide variety of simulation tools. This paper describes the scene graph architecture and the frame updating algorithms used in designing the Dynamic Construction Visualizer. [source] Modeling of Hot Ductility During Solidification of Steel Grades in Continuous Casting , Part I,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 3 2010Dieter Senk The present paper gives an overview of the simultaneous research work carried out by RWTH Aachen University and ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG. With a combination of sophisticated simulation tools and experimental techniques it is possible to predict the relations between temperature distribution in the mould, solidification velocity, chemical steel composition and, furthermore, the mechanical properties of the steel shell. Simulation results as well as experimentally observed microstructure parameters are used as input data for hot tearing criteria. A critical choice of existing hot tearing criteria based on different approaches, like critical strain and critical strain rate, are applied and developed. The new "damage model" is going to replace a basic approach to determine hot cracking susceptibility in a mechanical FEM strand model for continuous slab casting of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG. Critical strains for hot cracking in continuous casting were investigated by in situ tensile tests for four steel grades with carbon contents in the range of 0.036 and 0.76,wt%. Additionally to modeling, fractography of laboratory and industrial samples was carried out by SEM and EPMA and the results are discussed. [source] Local control of photovoltaic distributed generation for voltage regulation in LV distribution networks and simulation toolsEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 6 2009Stefania Conti Abstract The increasing connection of distributed generation (DG) in distribution networks may affect the quality of power offered to customers. One of the most relevant issues is the possibility to have unacceptable voltage rise at the point of common coupling (PCC). This work focuses on the problem of voltage control in LV distribution networks in the presence of photovoltaic (PV) DG. The paper presents a local voltage control method based on PV generation curtailment as an alternative to ,on/off' operation, typically required by distribution operators to prevent overvoltage at the PCCs by means of overvoltage protections embedded in the PV unit. To show the effect of the proposed local voltage control, a simulation tool, developed in MATLAB®,Simulink® environment, is presented. Appropriate numerical models for network components and PV generators are provided in order to describe computer simulation implementation of the test system. The final results show that the control system is able to adjust the active power output of local generators to keep the voltage profile of the feeder, in which DG is installed, within the range allowed by Norm EN 50160. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Numerical simulation of dense gas flows on unstructured grids with an implicit high resolution upwind Euler solverINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 7 2004P. Colonna Abstract The study of the dense gas flows which occur in many technological applications demands for fluid dynamic simulation tools incorporating complex thermodynamic models that are not usually available in commercial software. Moreover, the software mentioned can be used to study very interesting phenomena that usually go under the name of ,non-classical gasdynamics', which are theoretically predicted for high molecular weight fluids in the superheated region, close to saturation. This paper presents the numerical methods and models implemented in a computer code named zFlow which is capable of simulating inviscid dense gas flows in complex geometries. A detailed description of the space discretization method used to approximate the Euler equations on unstructured grids and for general equations of state, and a summary of the thermodynamic functions required by the mentioned formulation are also given. The performance of the code is demonstrated by presenting two applications, the calculation of the transonic flow around an airfoil computed with both the ideal gas and a complex equation of state and the simulation of the non-classical phenomena occurring in a supersonic flow between two staggered sinusoidal blades. Non-classical effects are simulated in a supersonic flow of a siloxane using a Peng,Robinson-type equation of state. Siloxanes are a class of substances used as working fluids in organic Rankine cycles turbines. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Analysis of the current methods used to size a wind/hydrogen/fuel cell-integrated system: A new perspectiveINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 12 2010H. G. Geovanni Abstract As an alternative to the production and storage of intermittent renewable energy sources, it has been suggested that one can combine several renewable energy technologies in one system, known as integrated or hybrid system, that integrate wind technology with hydrogen production unit and fuel cells. This work assesses the various methods used in sizing such systems. Most of the published papers relate the use of simulation tools such as HOMER, HYBRID2 and TRNSYS, to simulate the operation of different configurations for a given application in order to select the best economic option. But, with these methods one may not accurately determine certain characteristics of the energy resources available on a particular site, the profiles of estimated consumption and the demand for hydrogen, among other factors, which will be the optimal parameters of each subsystem. For example, velocity design, power required for the wind turbine, power required for the fuel cell and electrolyzer and the storage capacity needed for the system. Moreover, usually one makes excessive use of bi-parametric Weibull distribution function to approximate the histogram of the observed wind to the theoretical, which is not appropriate when there are bimodal frequency distributions of wind, as is the case in several places in the world. A new perspective is addressed in this paper, based on general system theory, modeling and simulation with a systematic approach and the use of exergoeconomic analysis. There are some general ideas on the advantages offered in this method, which is meant for the implementation of wind/hydrogen/fuel cell-integrated systems and in-situ clean hydrogen production. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Design and Analysis of Bioenergy NetworksJOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009A Complex Adaptive Systems Approach Summary This article presents a new methodology for designing industrial networks and analyzing them dynamically from the standpoint of sustainable development. The approach uses a combination of optimization and simulation tools. Assuming "top-down" overarching control of the network, we use global dynamic optimization to determine which evolutionary pathways are preferred in terms of economic, social, and environmental performance. Considering the autonomy of network entities and their actions, we apply agent-based simulation to analyze how the network actually evolves. These two perspectives are integrated into a powerful multiscale modeling framework for evaluating the consequences of new policy instruments or different business strategies aimed at stimulating sustainable development as well as identifying optimal leverage points for improved performance of the network in question. The approach is demonstrated for a regional network of interdependent organizations deploying a set of bioenergy technologies within a developing-economy context. [source] GIS-Based Predictive Models of Hillslope Runoff Generation Processes,JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 4 2009Mansour D. Leh Abstract:, Successful nonpoint source pollution control using best management practice placement is a complex process that requires in-depth knowledge of the locations of runoff source areas in a watershed. Currently, very few simulation tools are capable of identifying critical runoff source areas on hillslopes and those available are not directly applicable under all runoff conditions. In this paper, a comparison of two geographic information system (GIS)-based approaches: a topographic index model and a likelihood indicator model is presented, in predicting likely locations of saturation excess and infiltration excess runoff source areas in a hillslope of the Savoy Experimental Watershed located in northwest Arkansas. Based on intensive data collected from a two-year field study, the spatial distributions of hydrologic variables were processed using GIS software to develop the models. The likelihood indicator model was used to produce probability surfaces that indicated the likelihood of location of both saturation and infiltration excess runoff mechanisms on the hillslope. Overall accuracies of the likelihood indicator model predictions varied between 81 and 87% for the infiltration excess and saturation excess runoff locations respectively. On the basis of accuracy of prediction, the likelihood indicator models were found to be superior (accuracy 81-87%) to the predications made by the topographic index model (accuracy 69.5%). By combining statistics with GIS, runoff source areas on a hillslope can be identified by incorporating easily determined hydrologic measurements (such as bulk density, porosity, slope, depth to bed rock, depth to water table) and could serve as a watershed management tool for identifying critical runoff source areas in locations where the topographic index or other similar methods do not provide reliable results. [source] A finite element-based approach for whole-system simulation of packaging systems for their improved design and operationPACKAGING TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Issue 4 2009Ben James Hicks Abstract The introduction of legislation to minimize packaging waste requires consumer goods manufacturers to use lighter-weight materials and increase the use of recycled materials. This is demanding that machinery manufacturers provide highly flexible machines and tooling capable of handling these materials and new package designs. However, the ability of manufacturers to achieve this is all but prevented by a lack of fundamental understanding of machine,material interactions and an ability to generate such understanding. One way to overcome this is to use advanced simulation tools to represent the whole system including machine, process, materials and product. A finite element-based simulation has been created to represent the in-process behaviour of a packing system. The simulation focuses on the critical transition between flattened and erected states of a carton. In order to successfully simulate such a complex process, there are a number of major challenges concerning the representation of packaging materials and their properties, changing material behaviour during processing, machinery simulation and process modelling (simulating the interfacial interactions that take place during processing). The application of the whole-system simulation for the purposes of improved design and operation are discussed with respect to four activities: design and set-up of tooling, determination of optimal process settings, specification of material properties and the design of the pack. In all cases, a strong correlation was observed between the theoretical results and those obtained practically, thereby enabling quantitative understanding and quantitative rules to be generated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Fabrication and analysis of polymer field-effect transistorsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 6 2004S. Scheinert Abstract Parameters of organic field-effect transistors (OFET) achieved in recent years are promising enough for R & D activities towards a commercial low-cost polymer electronics. In spite of the fast progress, preparations dominated by trial and error are concentrated essentially on higher mobility polymers and shorter channel patterning, and the analysis of measured data is based on oversimplified models. Here ways to professionalize the research on polymer field-effect transistors are discussed exploiting experience accumulated in microelectronics. First of all, designing the devices before fabricating and subsequently analyzing them requires appropriate modelling. Almost independently from the nature of the transport process, the device physics is basically described by the drift-diffusion model, combined with non-degenerate carrier statistics. Therefore, with a modified interpretation of the so-called effective density of states, existing simulation tools can be applied, except for special cases which are discussed. Analytical estimates are helpful already in designing devices, and applied to experimental data they yield input parameters for the numerical simulations. Preparations of OFET's and capacitors with poly(3-ocylthiophene) (P3OT), poly(3-dodecylthiophene) P3HT, Arylamino-poly-(phenylene-vinylene) (PPV), poly(2-methoxy, 5 ethyl (2, hexyloxy) paraphenylenevinylene) MEH-PPV, and pentacene from a soluble precursor are described, with silicon dioxide (SiO2) or poly(4-vinylphenol) (P4VP) as gate insulator, and with rather different channel length. We demonstrate the advantage of combining all steps from design/fabrication to analysis of the experimental data with analytical estimates and numerical simulation. Of special importance is the connection between mobility, transistor channel length, cut-off frequency and operation voltage, which was the starting point for the development of a low-cost fabrication of high-performance submicrometer OFET's by an underetching technique. Finally results of simulation studies are presented concerning the formation of inversion layers, the influence of a trap distribution (as in the a-Si model) and of different types of source/drain contacts on top and bottom contact OFET's, and short-channel effects in submicrometer devices. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Der Beitrag von Profilblechdecken zur passiven KühlungBAUPHYSIK, Issue 2 2009Bernd Döring Dr.-Ing. Berechnungsverfahren; Energieeinsparung; Wärme Abstract Die Ausnutzung der thermischen Speichermasse eines Gebäudes zur Beeinflussung der Raumtemperaturen bzw. zur Reduzierung des Energieverbrauchs war in der Vergangenheit Gegenstand zahlreicher Forschungsvorhaben. Um den Einfluss der Speichermasse ermitteln zu können, werden häufig thermische Gebäudesimulationsprogramme eingesetzt, aber auch die aktuelle Fassung von DIN V 18599 berücksichtigt die Wirkung der Wärmekapazität der raumumfassenden Flächen. Sowohl bei Anwendung von DIN V 18599 als auch bei der Gebäudesimulation geht man dabei von einer eindimensionalen Schichtenfolge für Wände und Decken aus. Es gibt jedoch Bauteile, wie z. B. Profilblechdecken, bei denen diese Annahme nicht zutreffend ist. In diesem Bericht werden nun über die Auswertung dynamischer FEM-Berechnungen für inhomogene Deckenaufbauten Ersatzgrößen bestimmt, so dass die Definition einer thermisch äquivalenten Decke als eindimensionales Modell möglich ist. Für ausgewählte Beispiele wird die Wirksamkeit dieser Decken hinsichtlich ihrer Wärmeaufnahme und -abgabe untersucht. The potential of profiled steel sheet deck systems in reference to passive cooling strategies. The use of the thermal inertia of building components to improve the indoor temperature and to reduce the energy consumption was covered in various research projects in the past. Generally, thermal building simulation tools (TRNSYS, TAS, e.g.) are used for the assessment of the effect of thermal inertia, and also the current version of the standard DIN V 18599 takes the effect of the heat capacity of the affected surfaces. Both, DIN V 18599 and thermal building simulation tools, assume a one-dimensional characterization of walls and flooring systems, that means they are assembled based on plane layers. This approach is not valid for inhomogeneous components like profiled steel sheet deck systems. In this report thermal equivalent values for such elements are developed, based on the analysis of transient Finite Element Calculations (FEM), thus the one-dimensional are suitable using these equivalent properties. For a selection of available profiles the effect of such deck systems referring heat-intake and heat-disposal was investigated. [source] Dem Himmel entgegen , Klimadesign für den Federation Tower MoskauBAUPHYSIK, Issue 3 2008Claudius Reiser Dipl.-Ing. In der Entwicklung des Klimakonzeptes der Turmkappe Ost des Federation Towers in Moskau wurden modernste Simulationswerkzeuge eingesetzt. Die vollständig gläserne Turmkappe in 365 m Höhe soll Raum für einen der schönsten und exklusivsten Bereiche des Hotels geben. Diverse Restaurants, Bars und Lounges sowie ein Sky Dance Club sollen einmal zum Verweilen und zur nächtlichen Vergnügung einladen und dabei stets einen traumhaften Blick über die gesamte Stadt ermöglichen. Mit Hilfe der Simulation wurde für die Turmkappe ein Klimakonzept entwickelt und überprüft, das die thermische Behaglichkeit unter Berücksichtigung von Architektur, Klima und Nutzung gewährleistet. Dazu wurde die Architektur inklusive der Klimatechnik in einem 3D-Modell abgebildet und für den Sommer- und Winterfall berechnet. Der vorliegende Beitrag vollzieht den Planungsablauf von der Lastberechnung bis hin zur Erstellung und Bewertung des Klimakonzeptes in der Simulation. Skywards , climate design for the Moscow Federation Tower. Advanced simulation tools were used in developing the climate design for the roof covering the taller of the two blocks at Moscow's Federation Tower. The all-glass roof space at a height of 365 m is designed to accommodate the finest and most exclusive hotel areas. Several restaurants, bars and lounges and a Sky Dance Club will offer entertainment and fabulous views across the whole city. Simulations were used to develop and verify a design that ensures thermal comfort taking into account architectural, climate and utilisation requirements. The structure and the building services were simulated based on a 3D model, and simulations were carried out for summer and winter scenarios. This paper describes the design process including load calculations and the development and assessment of the climate design by means of simulation. [source] Application of modeling and simulation tools for the evaluation of biocatalytic processes: A future perspectiveBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 6 2009Gürkan Sin Abstract Modeling and simulation techniques have for some time been an important feature of biocatalysis research, often applied as a complement to experimental studies. In this short review, we report on the state-of-the-art process and kinetic modeling for biocatalysis with the aim of identifying future research needs. We have particularly focused on four aspects of modeling: (i) the model purpose, (ii) the process model boundary, (iii) the model structure, and (iv) the model identification procedure. First, one finds that most of the existing models describe biocatalyst behavior in terms of enzyme selectivity, mechanism, and reaction kinetics. More recently, work has focused on extending these models to obtain process flowsheet descriptions. Second, biocatalysis models remain at a relatively low level of complexity compared with the trends observed in other engineering disciplines. Hence, there is certainly room for additional development, i.e., detailed mixing and hydrodynamics, more process units (e.g., biorefinery). Third, biocatalysis models have been only partially subjected to formal statistical analysis. In particular, uncertainty analysis is needed to ascertain reliability of the predictions of the process model, which is necessary to make sound engineering decisions (e.g., the optimal process flowsheet, control strategy, etc). In summary, for modeling studies to be more mature and successful, one needs to introduce Good Modeling Practice and that asks for (i) a standardized and systematic guideline for model development, (ii) formal identifiability analysis, and (iii) uncertainty analysis. This will advance the utility of models in biocatalysis for more rigorous application within process design, optimization, and control strategy evaluation. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||