Seismic control performance of a three-story frame prototype equipped with semi-active variable stiffness and damping structural joints

This paper presents numerical and experimental studies on semi-active seismic response control of structures equipped with variable stiffness and damping structural joints. Such adaptive joints, which are comprised of a shape memory polymer (SMP) core reinforced by an SMP-aramid composite skin, function as load-transfer components as well as...

Evaluation of Phase Change Materials for Personal Cooling Applications

Eleven phase change materials (PCMs) for cooling humans in heat-stressed conditions were evaluated for their cooling characteristics. Effects of packaging material and segmentation were also investigated. Sample packs with a different type PCM (water- and oil-based PCMs, cooling gels, inorganic salts) or different packaging (aluminum, TPU,...

Multi-scale experimental testing on variable stiffness and damping components for semi-active structural control

This paper presents experimental testing of a new semi-active vibration control device comprising a shape memory polymer (SMP) core that is reinforced by an SMP-aramid composite skin. This control device works as a load-transfer component that can be integrated into truss and frame structures in the form of a joint. At the material level,...

Performance and thermoregulation of Dutch Olympic and Paralympic athletes exercising in the heat: Rationale and design of the Thermo Tokyo study: The journal Temperature toolbox

The environmental conditions during the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games are expected to be challenging, which increases the risk for participating athletes to develop heat-related illnesses and experience performance loss. To allow safe and optimal exercise performance of Dutch elite athletes, the Thermo Tokyo study aimed to determine...

Residual stresses in injection molded products

During the molding process residual stresses are formed due to thermal contraction during cooling as well as the local pressure history during solidification. In this paper a simple analytical model is reviewed which relates residual stresses, product shrinkage as well as warpage to the temperature and pressure histories during molding. Precise...

Insects as a sustainable alternative to feed animals in the city

Insects can be alternative source of nutrients in various parts of the food-chain, as feed for livestock but also human consumption. However, the acceptation of insects as a source of nutrients is low. Insects are in no way a part of western culture except when they are a pest. Insects do play a vital role in upcoming developments such as urban...

Thermal simulation of a dinghy sailor

This paper describes the development of a model to simulate a dinghy sailors’ body temperature during a sailing match. This simulation has been developed as part of the master thesis by the author: “Thermal optimization of competitive sailing gear”. A literature study is done to define the human body heat balance and thermal comfort. Next a...

Experimental Study of Heat Dissipation in Indoor Sports Shoes

As indoor sports shoes are intensively used in a warm and sweaty environment for periods of up to three consecutive hours, the built-up heat inside is insufficiently released causing warm and perspiring feet. This results in an increased chance of blisters and skin irritations. Experimental research on the ventilation properties of the shoe was...

Does pedalling on a recumbent bicycle influence the cyclist’s steering behaviour?

The paper presents the answer to the question how pedalling on a specific recumbent bicycle, such as the VeloX3, influences a cyclist’s ability to steer the bicycle. The research aims to find the correlation between pedalling and the undesired steering movements it creates. To test this assumption a test setup was constructed. On this setup...

Design and thermal testing of smart composite structure for architecture applications

A composite structure consisting of a Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) matrix and three Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) strips was constructed. The SMA strips act as actuators which create forward and backward angle bends of 90 degrees of the composite structure. The function of the polymer matrix was to give the structure enough stiffness. During the...

The aerodynamics of sailing apparel

The paper presents the effect of changes in sailing apparel on aerodynamic drag, starting from the assumption that drag reduction of sailing apparel will increase the speed of an Olympic class sailing boat (in this case the Laser, a single-handed Olympic dinghy), mainly on upwind courses. Due to the fact that literature on this specific subject...

Residual stresses in injection molding

Improving comfort while hiking in a sailing boat

The paper presents the changes in perceived comfort while hiking in a sailing boat (in this case the Laser, a single-handed Olympic dinghy) due to a new design of hiking pads. The project used a ‘research by design method’. The aim was to improve sailing comfort which leads to lower fatigue and therefor improved performance. While hiking, a...

A User Friendly Biogas Socket for the BoP: A case study for TNO in Rwanda

This master thesis is carried out for independent research organisation TNO, who initiated the Biogas Socket project in 2008. The Biogas Socket project is part of TNO’s ‘Innovation for Development programme’, wherein high tech development and low-tech innovations contribute to stimulate economic growth and prosperity in BoP countries. This...

Human Power Empirically Explored

Harvesting energy from the users’ muscular power to convert this into electricity is a relatively unknown way to power consumer products. It nevertheless offers surprising opportunities for product designers; human-powered products function independently from regular power infrastructure, are convenient and can be environmentally and...