Abstract: One of the recurring problems in the construction industry is its recognised lack of productivity due to different factors, among which could be highlighted the fragmentation of the information flow between the different phases of the project life cycle and the difficulty in communication between the different stakeholders. To address this, the industry has reacted through the use of prefabrication and the implementation of new technologies such as Building Information Modelling. The aim is to improve both productivity, through mass customisation, and the flow of information between phases and stakeholders in the projects, through the use of software and platforms, which also give the possibility of automation with processes such as Generative Design. The dissertation investigates the use of these technologies in the area of prefabrication in construction, focusing on the current implementation of configurators and the associated automation that could be derived from their use for the development of projects. Taking a hybrid prefabrication system (wood and concrete) currently used by CASAIS company as a case study, the research seeks to develop a framework that exploits the modular characteristics of these systems, especially in the design phase. It is in this phase where it is possible to take advantage of the limited number of parameters of the prefabricated elements in automating the generation of design proposals and in obtaining information related to KPIs, which would, in turn, allow a more objective feasibility analysis during this first phase of the project. The indicated solution is, firstly, the proposal of a methodology to develop a configurator applied to the case study, which uses tools and/or platforms, that are currently present in the market related to BIM and the construction industry. Then the dissertation continues with the specific development of the section of the methodology corresponding to the generation of the computational model, and for this purpose visual programming is used, taking as initial information the relevant parameters and data to be obtained that are typical of the prefabrication system studied. The research seeks to make a contribution to the current progress in terms of productivity and information flow that has been developed in the construction industry with the implementation of prefabrication and BIM. With the use of configurators, associated with these new technologies, an incursion into automation methods is proposed, especially in the project gestation phases through Generative Design. Thus, by making use of the mass customisation possibilities offered by prefabrication systems and the integration of nonprofessional agents, (taking advantage of the ease of use of the configurators), a more integrated design process and a more objective decision-making process can be achieved, since it is based on more accurate data related to the feasibility of the projects.

Abstract: Risk analysis techniques help to identify threats, problems and anomalies in processes and systems that may affect the health and safety of employees, the environment, equipment reliability and normative compliance. In this thesis, a stochastic risk analysis with Monte Carlo simulation applied to FMECA (Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis) was performed for a specific model of wind turbine located in the Alpha Ventus offshore wind Park. Monte Carlo simulations provide the decisionmaker with a range of possible outcomes and the probabilities of occurrences of these results, that are derived mainly from the uncertainty associated to the subjectivity of judgement from a group of experts. As a supplementary method to the stochastic FMECA, Risk Assessments Matrix (RAM) was also used for bivariate distributions of Severity and Occurrence of the identified failure modes. The results obtained were compared to the results that would be normally obtained with a conventional FMECA and RAM and will serve in future steps to develop Risk-Based Inspection plans for this model of wind turbine in this offshore wind park.

Abstract: The co-combustion of coal and waste biomass is an advantageous option for combined waste biomass disposal and energy production. However, co-firing coal with waste biomass has to overcome various ash-related operational problems, for example, ash agglomeration and bed defluidisation in fluidised bed boilers. Using spent coffee grounds (SCG) for energy generation via co-combustion is much more sustainable and environmentally friendly than SCG disposal in landfills. The research done so far on the co-combustion of coal and SCG is quite scarce and almost non-existing. Further research is needed to understand how the properties of SCG affect the co-combustion of coal and SCG in existing coal-fired boilers. This study investigates the combustion of a bituminous coal blended with SCG in a pilot-scale (30kWth) bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) combustor focusing on CO and NOx emissions, combustion performance, and agglomeration tendency. The BFB combustion tests were conducted at 900 ?C and atmospheric pressure using silica sand as the bed material. For comparison purposes, combustion tests of the same coal in pure and blended with wheat straw pellets at the same blending ratio were also performed. Further, ash fusibility studies were performed to elucidate the interactions between the coal ash and SCG ash, and the effect of ash compositions on the fusibility temperatures. Samples of the used bed material collected from the combustor and cyclone ash were characterised by SEM-EDS and XRF. The BFB combustion test results revealed that SCG could reduce the efficiency loss of coal combustion under co-combustion conditions. Despite the higher K2O content in SCG compared to wheat straw, a reduced agglomeration tendency was observed with the BFB combustion of the coal-SCG blends. The results from the characterisation of the used bed material, cyclone ash, and ash fusibility studies confirmed this finding, which was attributed to the formation of high melting temperatures Mg- and Ca-bearing compounds.

Abstract: Physical therapy is the pillar of rehabilitation for disabilities caused by neurological disorders, however not every patient has access to it due to the lack of human resources. Robot-based rehabilitation can contribute to the solution of this challenge with benefits such as task-oriented exercise routines. In order to increase therapy frequency and intensity, we propose the use of robot skin as multi-sensory interface to maximize the wearability and support of a lightweight elbow flexion/extension exoskeleton. The robot skin exoskeleton detects the motion intention by measuring acceleration, proximity, and interaction forces. This allows the implementation of control modes which are inspired by physical therapy such as passive movement, active support, resistance training, and corrective therapy. To assess every therapy-inspired control mode, a study analyzing force readings and sEMG recordings of the biceps during exoskeleton use was conducted with four healthy subjects to test the exoskeleton functionality. Our results show that higher assistive levels under the supportive therapy control modes result in larger reductions of normalized sEMG (> 40% in passive exercises), whereas higher resistive levels result in an increase of normalized sEMG (> 30% in resistive exercises). Thus, enabling the exoskeleton to use multi-sensory interfaces to implement therapy routines based on user intention.

Abstract: La fabricación de las celdas fotovoltaicas inorgánicas son aquellas cuyo semiconductor es a base de material inorgánico (Si, AsGa, CuInS2, CIS, CdTe), son poco económicas, por ende, es necesario hallar una manera de producir celdas solares sin que la inversión económica sea costosa. Debido a esta dificultad tecnológica, se ha optado por usar semiconductores orgánicos en la fabricación de las celdas. Los paneles solares orgánicos no se contemplan como un sustituto a los de silicio como material semiconductor, sino un complemento para crear mejores fuentes de energía. En este caso, se plantea el uso de los nanotubos de carbono (CNT) como material semiconductor en la fabricación de celdas fotovoltaicas orgánicas.

Аннотация: В настоящее время энергетический сектор переживает трансформацию от энергетических систем, основанных на ископаемом топливе, к низкоуглеродным энергетическим системам с аспределённой выработкой энергии около точек потребления. Эта трансформация известна как «энергетический переход», и она важна не только для сокращения выбросов CO2 и ограничения последствий изменения климата, но также для обеспечения доступа к современной, непрерывной и устойчивой электроэнергии для всех по доступной цене. Теперь в энергетических системах есть активные потребители, которые не только берут электроэнергию из сети, но и могут генерировать свою собственную энергию с помощью установок возобновляемой энергии, и которые могут даже продавать энергию обратно в сеть или своим соседям. В настоящей работе показано влияние гибкого потребительского спроса на электроэнергию на проектирование распределённых энергетических систем. Resumen: El sector de energía eléctrica experimenta actualmente una transformación, de sistemas energéticos basados en combustibles fósiles a sistemas de energía de bajas emisiones de CO2 y con generación de energía distribuida cerca de los puntos de consumo. Esta transformación es conocida como la "transición energética", y es importante no solo para limitar de los efectos del cambio climático, sino también para lograr asegurar acceso universal a servicios de electricidad modernos y sostenibles para todos. En los sistemas de energía modernos existen consumidores activos que no solo toman energía de la red eléctrica, sino que también pueden regular su consumo, generar su propia energía mediante instalaciones de energías renovables, y que incluso puede enviar energía de vuelta a la red o a sus vecinos. Este artículo muestra el impacto de la flexibilidad de la demanda de energía eléctrica por parte de los consumidores activos en el diseño de sistemas de energía distribuida.

Abstract: Learning controllers that reproduce legged locomotion in nature have been a long-time goal in robotics and computer graphics. While yielding promising results, recent approaches are not yet flexible enough to be applicable to legged systems of different morphologies. This is partly because they often rely on precise motion capture references or elaborate learning environments that ensure the naturality of the emergent locomotion gaits but prevent generalization. This work proposes a generic approach for ensuring realism in locomotion by guiding the learning process with the spring-loaded inverted pendulum model as a reference. Leveraging on the exploration capacities of Reinforcement Learning (RL), we learn a control policy that fills in the information gap between the template model and full-body dynamics required to maintain stable and periodic locomotion. The proposed approach can be applied to robots of different sizes and morphologies and adapted to any RL technique and control architecture. We present experimental results showing that even in a model-free setup and with a simple reactive control architecture, the learned policies can generate realistic and energy-efficient locomotion gaits for a bipedal and a quadrupedal robot. And most importantly, this is achieved without using motion capture, strong constraints in the dynamics or kinematics of the robot, nor prescribing limb coordination. We provide supplemental videos.

Abstract: This research aims to create non-hurricane non-tornadic maps of extreme wind speeds for the mean recurrence intervals MRIs 700, 1700, and 3000 years, covering the Colombian territory. For infrastructure design, these maps are combined with existing hurricane wind speed studies, to be used as input loads due to wind. For each station with non-thunderstorm wind speeds time histories in the input data, following (Pintar, Simiu, Lombardo, & Levitan, 2015), extreme wind speeds corresponding to each MRI are calculated using a Peaks Over Threshold Poisson Process POT-PP extreme value model, then wind velocities with the same MRI are spatially interpolated to generate continuous maps for the whole study area. The annual exceedance probability for all velocity values in 700, 1700 and 3000 years MRIs output maps are respectively 1/700, 1/1700 and 1/3000. Regarding input data, not only time series of field measurements from IDEAM methodological stations are used, but also postprocessed information coming from the Integrated Surface Database ISD, and ERA5 forecast reanalysis data. This condition demanded a comparison of the different data sources, in order to verify the feasibility in the use of ISD and ERA5, this is downscaling support. The result of the comparison showed little similarity between the different sources, but taking into account that complete and adequate measured data from IDEAM was not available. Before to apply POT-PP, ISD and IDEAM data sources were standardized to meet the requirement of three seconds (3-s) wind gust speed, ten (10) meters anemometer height, and terrain open space condition. Due to the limitation in the classification of thunderstorm and non-thunderstorm data, it was not possible to take real advantage of POT-PP method, which was limited/restricted from non-homogeneous to homogeneous and from nonstationary to stationary, being equivalent to use the most common POT - generalized Pareto approach. Non-hurricane maps were created for data sources ISD and ERA5, using Kriging as spatial interpolation method. After the integration with previous hurricane studies, the results of ERA5 showed the most reliable final maps, despite limitations in the input data to guarantee downscaling support. ISD final map showed very high wind values, which are unlikely. These shortcomings may be corrected when complete IDEAM data-source and storm data classification are available. A complete R tool was implemented to solve the whole process, which is based in copyrighted code for declustering and thresholding generously given by Dr Adam L. Pintar adam.pin [email protected] - NIST, U.S Department of Commerce. Resumen: Esta investigación tiene como objetivo la creación de mapas de velocidades de viento extremo (no-huracán, no tornado) para los periodos de retorno 700, 1700 y 3000 años, cubriendo todo el territorio colombiano. Estos mapas se combinaron con estudios sobre velocidades de viento de huracanes para ser usados como cargas de viento para diseño de infraestructura. Para cada estación en los datos de entrada con historias de tiempo de velocidades de viento tipo ""no tormenta"", siguiendo (Pintar, Simiu, Lombardo, & Levitan, 2015), se calcularon velocidades extremas de viento correspondientes a cada periodo de retorno, usando un modelo de valores extremos de picos sobre el umbral - proceso de Poisson (POT-PP), para posteriormente interpolar velocidades de viento con el mismo periodo de retorno y generar mapas continuos para toda el área de estudio. La probabilidad de excedencia anual para todos los mapas resultantes con valores de velocidad de 700, 1700 y 3000 años, son 1/700, 1/1700 y 1/3000 respectivamente. En relación con los datos de entrada, no solamente se usaron las series de tiempo de los datos de campo del IDEAM, pero también datos de la base de datos ISD (Integrated Surface Database) y datos de reanálisis de ERA5, sin embargo, los resultados finales se basaron solamente en ERA5.

Abstract: Creativity is a critical human 21st-century skill that allows us to produce novel and valuable ideas. Creative ideas are original and make a unique contribution to any field, but also, they help to solve complex problems that humanity is continuously facing. Creativity is essential at the individual level to solve problems on the job and in daily life. At the societal level, creativity can lead to new scientific findings, new movements in art, and new inventions. Corporations and governments are frequently looking to support and encourage developing creativity as a driver for innovation to promote technological development and economic growth. Educational institutions play a crucial role in this development and in fostering creative thinking. This brief will discuss how creativity has been conceptualized and will share some strategies to foster creativity in a learning environment and the workplace. Also, it will discuss how technology impacts creativity development. La creatividad es una habilidad humana fundamental del siglo XXI que nos permite producir ideas novedosas y valiosas. Resumen: Las ideas creativas son originales y aportan una contribución única a cualquier campo, pero también ayudan a resolver problemas complejos a los que la humanidad se enfrenta continuamente. La creatividad es esencial a nivel individual para resolver problemas en el trabajo y en la vida cotidiana. A nivel social, la creatividad puede conducir a nuevos descubrimientos científicos, nuevos movimientos artísticos y nuevos inventos. Las empresas y los gobiernos buscan con frecuencia apoyar y fomentar el desarrollo de la creatividad como motor de la innovación para promover el desarrollo tecnológico y el crecimiento económico. Las instituciones educativas desempeñan un papel crucial en este desarrollo y en el fomento del pensamiento creativo. En este informe se analizará cómo se ha conceptualizado la creatividad y se compartirán algunas estrategias para fomentarla en un entorno de aprendizaje y en el lugar de trabajo. Asimismo, se analizará cómo la tecnología influye en el desarrollo de la creatividad.

Abstract: A bio-based future where biomaterials are part of everyday life is the vision and entry point of this thesis. Achieving this scenario requires changes in socio-technical systems by cutting non-renewable materials and redefining cultural and behavioural dynamics in the production-consumption value chain. With a focus on user experience, this research proposes the following. How can the user experience with materials be used as a driver in the biomaterial transition? Several theories related to materials, diffusion of innovations, and sustainability transitions address the challenges and potentials of the biomaterial transition separately. However, there is not an integrated approach. This research aims to tackle this gap articulating a literature review and three exploratory studies as research stages. The results broaden the perception of biomaterials as disruptive innovations. Thus, deepening in their role in shaping social practices redefine the material culture towards a sustainability transition. Resumen: Un futuro de base biológica donde los biomateriales sean parte de la vida cotidiana es la visión y el punto de entrada de esta tesis. Alcanzar este escenario requiere cambios en los sistemas sociotécnicos mediante la reducción de materiales no renovables y la redefinición de dinámicas culturales y de comportamiento en la cadena de valor de producción-consumo. Con un enfoque en la experiencia del usuario, esta investigación propone lo siguiente. ¿Cómo se puede utilizar la experiencia del usuario con los materiales como motor en la transición del biomaterial? Varias teorías relacionadas con los materiales, la difusión de innovaciones y las transiciones de sostenibilidad abordan los desafíos y los potenciales de la transición de los biomateriales por separado. Sin embargo, no existe un enfoque integrado. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo abordar este vacío articulando una revisión de literatura y tres estudios exploratorios como etapas de investigación. Los resultados amplían la percepción de los biomateriales como innovaciones disruptivas. Así, profundizando en su papel en dar forma a las prácticas sociales redefinir la cultura material hacia una transición sostenible.