Location optimized hybrid damping for one-dimensional flexible structures

Damping vibrations of flexible structures is a subject of importance in several industries, as the aerospace and high-tech industry. Especially when the ratio of damping over weight needs to be high. In literature optimization of this ratio is achieved in several manners, through optimization of individual damping methods, ie. active and passive...

Flexible Graphene-Based Passive and Active Spinal Cord Implants

The spinal cord, considered to be the most important path of the human body, when injured induces severe motor dysfunction. Therefore, patients affected by lesions on the spinal cord, are most of the time unable to walk, stand or perform motor activities that are trivial for healthy people. To provide a better quality of life for these patients,...

Exploiting active-bending for double curved structures: Research in self-supporting double-curved structures composed of elastically deformed planar elements

This thesis aims to exploit active bending as an approach to create complex curved geometries, which are structurally self-supporting systems. The simplicity of creating complex curved geometries from initially planar elements is the leading motivator for this research. The central research question is: ‘How can double curvature be exploited in...

Simulation Study on the Active Motion Compensation of an Offshore Gangway

During offshore installations in harsh sea conditions, the involved gangway system must satisfy rigorous requirements in terms of safety and accuracy. The forces resulting from the vessel motion have an extensive effect on the overall gangway structure and its lifetime. Moreover, vessel motion handicaps the operator during fine positioning of...