Support Structure Optimization: On the use of load estimations for time efficient optimization of monopile support structures of offshore wind turbines

Over the years, the installed capacity of offshore wind turbines is increasing rapidly. However, the Levelized Costs Of Energy (LCOE) is still higher than the LCOE of traditional energy production methods like nuclear power or energy from coals or gas. This research focuses on a further decrease of the LCOE, by minimizing the mass of a monopile...

Design of a 2DOF eye-scanning device

Strabismus, or “crossed eyes”, is a condition in which the eyes do not line up in the same direction when focusing on an object. The DAISY is a device that is designed to measure Strabismus on young children, this has to be done quickly in order to not lose the attention of the child. In order to calibrate the main measuring principle, the...

Ride comfort assessment using an extended electromagnetic active suspension model

Considering the trend in autonomous vehicles, the behaviour of the driver changes from active to passive. In the future, the driver will perform secondary tasks during driving. An example of such a task is reading. For this reason, there is an increase in requirements in respect to ride comfort. Improved suspension systems are of major interest,...

Piezo-Stepper actuator, Self-Sensing, Impedance Control

Piezo-Stepper actuators also called as piezowalk actuators find widespread application in precision mechatronic systems. This is primarily because of their high accuracy, long range of motion and compact volume. One such application is in the optical column manipulator of a lithography system. During operation, whenever a motion is desired...

GPU Computing for Topology Optimization

This report has been written to serve as an introduction to the basics of GPU computing for mechanical engineers working in the field of structural optimization. In this work, the ability of GPUs to reduce the computation time of topology optimization problems is investigated. The programming paradigm of data parallel computing is introduced....

Slender Spring Systems, for a close-to-body dynamic arm support for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The goal of this dissertation is to develop a wearable, passive, dynamic arm support that provides users with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with support to perform activities of daily living. The arm support needs to be inconspicuous and not stigmatizing, to encourage the users to participate in social activities. Ideally, the device fits...