Efficient Thermal Modelling and Topology Optimization for Additive Manufacturing

With the advent of Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques, the design principle of `form follows function' no longer remains a utopian proposition. The unprecedented design freedom offered by AM is making it possible to conceptualize highly performant designs by efficiently leveraging geometrical complexity. The increase in design freedom...

Topology optimization of compliant mechanisms with multiple degrees of freedom

High-tech equipment critically relies on the precise and reliable fine alignment of components such as mirrors and lenses for calibration and adaptation of instrumentation. To meet the ever-increasing requirements on precision, engineers typically resort to monolithic compliant mechanisms. These mechanisms gain mobility by deformation of the...

Topology optimization for dynamic and controlled systems: With application to motion system design

High-precision motion systems are crucial for many applications, such as in semiconductor equipment, microscopy, robotics, and medical devices. Next to high operating speeds, high accuracy and precision are required, which makes the design of these systems a challenging task. Dynamics, feedback control, and their interaction all play an...

Topology optimization for additive manufacturing: a front propagation-based approach

This thesis a method is described to include manufacturing constraints of the additive manufacturing process into topology optimization. Topology optimization often results in complex structures, which can only be produced by additive manufacturing. Although additive manufacturing has much fewer design restrictions compared to conventional...

Towards a systematic design approach of D-regions in reinforced concrete: Optimization-based generation of Strut-and-Tie models

Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures are widely used in our society for more than a century. In order to design safe and economical RC structures, various methods have been proposed by engineers and researchers. Remarkably, it still is a challenging task for engineers to design D-regions of RC structures, regions with nonlinear strain...

Topology optimization for high-resolution designs: Application in solar cell metallization

Due to global population growth and industrial development, there is a rising demand for energy. It is desired that this demand is met in a cleaner and more sustainable way. Among the various renewable energy sources, solar power is experiencing remarkable growth throughout the world. To ensure that solar power can be a sustainable solution for...