Scenic Design of James and the Giant Peach

The purpose of this thesis is to provide research, supporting paperwork, production photographs and other materials that document the scenic design process for James and the Giant Peach at Adventure Theatre MTC. This thesis contains the following: concept statement, scenic research images collected to express location, and the emotional/ intellectual/ psychological landscapes for the production, preliminary sketches, photographs of the ¼” scale model, drafting plates and supporting paint elevations to communicate the design, prop list and accompanying research, archival production photographs to document the completed design, and finally periodical reviews of the show.

Troilus and Cressida - A Scenic Design

The purpose of this thesis is to provide research, supporting paperwork, production photographs, and other materials that document the scenic design process for the production of William Shakespeare’s Troilus & Cressida by the University of Maryland – College Park, School of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. This thesis contains the following: scenic research images collected to express period, location, and emotional/intellectual landscapes to the production team; preliminary sketches; photographs of the ¼” scale model; a full set of drafting plates and paint elevations used to communicate the design to the technical director and paint charge; a unit list naming each scenic element; a props list and research book to detail each hand prop, furniture piece and consumable to the prop master; and, lastly, archival production photographs to document the completed design.

SUR Hand: A Soft Underactuated Robotic Hand

Soft robots are robots made mostly or completely of soft, deformable, or compliant materials. As humanoid robotic technology takes on a wider range of applications, it has become apparent that they could replace humans in dangerous environments. Current attempts to create robotic hands for these environments are very difficult and costly to manufacture. Therefore, a robotic hand made with simplistic architecture and cheap fabrication techniques is needed. The goal of this thesis is to detail the design, fabrication, modeling, and testing of the SUR Hand. The SUR Hand is a soft, underactuated robotic hand designed to be cheaper and easier to manufacture than conventional hands. Yet, it maintains much of their dexterity and precision. This thesis will detail the design process for the soft pneumatic fingers, compliant palm, and flexible wrist. It will also discuss a semi-empirical model for finger design and the creation and validation of grasping models.

ProjectION: Investigation Operative Networks

Corporations and enterprises have embraced the notion of shared experiences and collective workplaces by incorporating coworking places. A great deal of the methodology carries from the studio culture that architecture schools foster as well as think tank culture. Maker spaces and incubator spaces are prime examples of places that engender creative thought and products. This thesis seeks to explore the impact that architecture has on collaborative spaces with a focus on augmenting to their generated learning and design activities. The investigation explores the collaborative design process as a series of interactions between groups of individuals. This involves the impact of technology and its implications on those interactions. The goal of this thesis is not to further the use of a tool or systematic procedure, but to use architecture as a framing device to form places for collaborative processes.

Modos projetuais de simulação: uso de ferramentas de simulação térmica no processo projetual de arquitetura

This thesis aims to describe and demonstrate the developed concept to facilitate the use of thermal simulation tools during the building design process. Despite the impact of architectural elements on the performance of buildings, some influential decisions are frequently based solely on qualitative information. Even though such design support is adequate for most decisions, the designer will eventually have doubts concerning the performance of some design decisions. These situations will require some kind of additional knowledge to be properly approached. The concept of designerly ways of simulating focuses on the formulation and solution of design dilemmas, which are doubts about the design that cannot be fully understood nor solved without using quantitative information. The concept intends to combine the power of analysis from computer simulation tools with the capacity of synthesis from architects. Three types of simulation tools are considered: solar analysis, thermal/energy simulation and CFD. Design dilemmas are formulated and framed according to the architect s reflection process about performance aspects. Throughout the thesis, the problem is investigated in three fields: professional, technical and theoretical fields. This approach on distinct parts of the problem aimed to i) characterize different professional categories with regards to their design practice and use of tools, ii) investigate preceding researchers on the use of simulation tools and iii) draw analogies between the proposed concept, and some concepts developed or described in previous works about design theory. The proposed concept was tested in eight design dilemmas extracted from three case studies in the Netherlands. The three investigated processes are houses designed by Dutch architectural firms. Relevant information and criteria from each case study were obtained through interviews and conversations with the involved architects. The practical application, despite its success in the research context, allowed the identification of some applicability limitations of the concept, concerning the architects need to have technical knowledge and the actual evolution stage of simulation tools

Robust infraestructure design in rapid transit rail systems

Incidents and rolling stock breakdowns are commonplace in rapid transit rail systems and may disrupt the system performance imposing deviations from planned operations. A network design model is proposed for reducing the effect of disruptions less likely to occur. Failure probabilities are considered functions of the amount of services and the rolling stock’s routing on the designed network so that they cannot be calculated a priori but result from the design process itself. A two recourse stochastic programming model is formulated where the failure probabilities are an implicit function of the number of services and routing of the transit lines.

Do modelo geométrico ao modelo físico: o tridimensional na educação do arquiteto e urbanista

In the teaching practice of architecture and urbanism in Brazil, educational legislation views modeling laboratories and workshops as an indispensable component of the infrastructure required for the good functioning of any architectural course of study. Although the development of information technology at the international level has created new possibilities for digital production of architectural models, research in this field being underway since the early 1990s, it is only from 2007 onwards that such technologies started to be incorporated into the teaching activity of architecture and urbanism in Brazil, through the pioneering experience at LAPAC/FEC/UNICAMP. It is therefore a recent experiment whose challenges can be highlighted through the following examples: (i) The implementation of digital prototyping laboratories in undergraduate courses of architecture and urbanism is still rare in Brazil; (ii) As a new developing field with few references and application to undergraduate programs, it is hard to define methodological procedures suitable for the pedagogical curricula already implemented or which have already been consolidated over the years; (iii) The new digital ways for producing tridimensional models are marked with specificities which make it difficult to fit them within the existing structures of model laboratories and workshops. Considering the above, the present thesis discusses the tridimensional model as a tool which may contribute to the development of students skills in perceiving, understanding and representing tridimensional space. Analysis is made of the relation between different forms of models and the teaching of architectural project, with emphasis on the design process. Starting from the conceptualization of the word model as it is used in architecture and urbanism, an attempt is made to identify types of tridimensional models used in the process of project conception, both through the traditional, manual way of model construction as well as through the digital ones. There is also an explanation on how new technologies for digital production of models through prototyping are being introduced in undergraduate academic programs of architecture and urbanism in Brazil, as well as a review of recent academic publications in this area. Based on the paradigm of reflective practice in teaching as designed by Schön (2000), the experiment applied in the research was undertaken in the integrated workshop courses of architectural project in the undergraduate program of architecture and urbanism at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Along the experiment, physical modeling, geometric modeling and digital prototyping are used in distinct moments of the design process with the purpose of observing the suitability of each model to the project s phases. The procedures used in the experiments are very close to the Action Research methodology in which the main purpose is the production of theoretical knowledge by improving the practice. The process was repeated during three consecutive semesters and reflection on the results which were achieved in each cycle helped enhancing the next one. As a result, a methodological procedure is proposed which consists of the definition of the Tridimensional Model as the integrating element for the contents studied in a specific academic period or semester. The teaching of Architectural Project as it is developed along the fifth academic period of the Architecture and Urbanism undergraduate program of UFRN is taken as a reference

Design de equipamento médico

Dissertação de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Design de Produto, apresentada na Universidade de Lisboa - Faculdade de Arquitectura.

Todo Brasileiro merece nível A : habitação multifamiliar para o programa minha casa minha vida energeticamente eficiente

This thesis describes the theoretical, methodological and programmatic proposal for a multifamily residential building located in the urban expansion area of Parnamirim/RN, inserted in the program Minha Casa Minha Vida and level of energy efficiency "A", as the RegulamentoTécnico de Qualidade (RTQ-R/INMETRO) for residential buildings. The development project initially consists of procedures as the study of theoretical, architectural programming and cases studies. With the delimitation of a field solution, situated between the reference and the context, proposals are studied to determine the solution and architectural detailing of the proposal. The architectural program was built based on the method of Problem Seeking (Peña and Parshall, 2001) and research has highlighted aspects of reducing the environmental impact and of the program Minha Casa Minha Vida , among others. The design process was characterized by the incorporation of aspects reviewed and programmed, seeking them compatible and have an economically viable building, socio-spatial quality and energy efficient. The results show that it is possible to obtain a building that meets the constraints of the program that provides housing and energy efficiency level A - and many other environmental qualities and constructive, particularly through architectural design

Avances en el proyecto “Determinación de la forma exacta de la tierra a través de MEMS en un Nano-Satélite”

El presente trabajo muestra el avance que se tiene en el proyecto denominado “Diseño y Construcción de un Nano-Satélite”, que se lleva a cabo en la ESIME U.P.-Ticoman del Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Este proyecto tiene como objetivo principal introducir a los alumnos en el que hacer espacial, se trata de un satélite con un peso de un kilogramo y es un cubo de 10 cm de lado y cuya carga útil tiene MEMS (sistema de micro-electromecánicos) que harán las veces de péndulo electrónico, lo anterior y los armónicos gravitacionales permitirán determinar la forma de la tierra. Se presenta el fundamento matemático, los componentes del satélite, el diseño preliminar de la estructura, la manufactura de la estructura, los resultados de un ensaye estructural destructivo y el análisis estático por elementos finitos.

Design Optimization of Modern Machine-drive Systems for Maximum Fault Tolerant and Optimal Operation

Modern electric machine drives, particularly three phase permanent magnet machine drive systems represent an indispensable part of high power density products. Such products include; hybrid electric vehicles, large propulsion systems, and automation products. Reliability and cost of these products are directly related to the reliability and cost of these systems. The compatibility of the electric machine and its drive system for optimal cost and operation has been a large challenge in industrial applications. The main objective of this dissertation is to find a design and control scheme for the best compromise between the reliability and optimality of the electric machine-drive system. The effort presented here is motivated by the need to find new techniques to connect the design and control of electric machines and drive systems. A highly accurate and computationally efficient modeling process was developed to monitor the magnetic, thermal, and electrical aspects of the electric machine in its operational environments. The modeling process was also utilized in the design process in form finite element based optimization process. It was also used in hardware in the loop finite element based optimization process. The modeling process was later employed in the design of a very accurate and highly efficient physics-based customized observers that are required for the fault diagnosis as well the sensorless rotor position estimation. Two test setups with different ratings and topologies were numerically and experimentally tested to verify the effectiveness of the proposed techniques. The modeling process was also employed in the real-time demagnetization control of the machine. Various real-time scenarios were successfully verified. It was shown that this process gives the potential to optimally redefine the assumptions in sizing the permanent magnets of the machine and DC bus voltage of the drive for the worst operating conditions. The mathematical development and stability criteria of the physics-based modeling of the machine, design optimization, and the physics-based fault diagnosis and the physics-based sensorless technique are described in detail. To investigate the performance of the developed design test-bed, software and hardware setups were constructed first. Several topologies of the permanent magnet machine were optimized inside the optimization test-bed. To investigate the performance of the developed sensorless control, a test-bed including a 0.25 (kW) surface mounted permanent magnet synchronous machine example was created. The verification of the proposed technique in a range from medium to very low speed, effectively show the intelligent design capability of the proposed system. Additionally, to investigate the performance of the developed fault diagnosis system, a test-bed including a 0.8 (kW) surface mounted permanent magnet synchronous machine example with trapezoidal back electromotive force was created. The results verify the use of the proposed technique under dynamic eccentricity, DC bus voltage variations, and harmonic loading condition make the system an ideal case for propulsion systems.

The Academic-enterprise experiences framework as a guide for design education

The establishment of support platforms for the development of a new culture in design education, in order to achieve both research exploitation and its results, as an approach to the industrial community, challenges higher education institutions to rethink their functioning, divided between investigation on their own initiative or on demand, and its usefulness / practical application. At the same time, through design education, how can they be the engine that aggregates all these frequently antagonistic interests? Polytechnic institutes are predisposed to collaboration and interdisciplinarity. In our course of Technology and Design of Furniture, the availability of a production unit, testing laboratories, and expertise in engineering, design and marketing, encourage the development of a holistic project. In order to develop such knowledge, we adapt three important ways of thinking in designing interactions influenced by the traditional approach, namely, 1) identifying and understanding a design problem, i.e. a market need, 2) defining the design process and knowing what can be used for design education, i.e. opportunities for design education, and 3) sustainability of this framework and design projects' alignment with education in the same field. We explain our approach by arguing from the academicenterprise experiences perspective. This concept is proposed as a way to achieve those three ways of thinking in design education. Then, a set of interaction attributes is defined to explain how engineering and product design education can enhance meaningful relations with manufacturers, stakeholders and society in general. A final discussion is presented with the implications and benefits of this approach. The results suggest that through academic-enterprise partnerships in design, several goals such as students' motivation, product design innovation and potential for knowledge transfer to industries can be achieved.

Energy harvesting for monitoring bridges over their operational life

The use of energy harvesting materials for large infrastructure is a promising and growing field. In this regard, the use of such harvesters for the purpose of structural health monitoring of bridges has been proposed in recent times as one of the feasible options since the deployment of them can remove the necessity of an external power source. This paper addresses the performance issue of such monitors over the life-cycle of a bridge as it deteriorates and the live load on the structure increases. In this regard, a Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) material is considered as the energy harvesting material and a comparison is carried out over the operational life of a reinforced concrete bridge. The evolution of annual average daily traffic (AADT) is taken into consideration, as is the degradation of the structure over time, due to the effects of corrosion. Evolution of such harvested energy is estimated over the life-cycle of the bridge and the sensitivity of harvested energy is investigated for varying rates of degradation and changes in AADT. The study allows for designing and understanding the potential of energy harvesters as a health monitor for bridges. This paper also illustrates how the natural growth of traffic on a bridge over time can accentuate the identification of damage, which is desirable for an ageing structure. The paper also assesses the impact and effects of deployment of harvesters in a bridge as a part of its design process, considering performance over the entire life-cycle versus a deployment at a certain age of the structure.

Repensar=Reutilizar. o abandono como oportunidade. Fábrica Robinson: o instante na construção de um tempo provisório

Esta investigação procura mostrar/problematizar programas que questionem a reutilização de lugares, através de uma proposta de projeto provisório de arquitetura, no panorama do Património Industrial, num processo de revitalização. O intuito é procurar modelos/ações que possam responder às transformações, partindo do problema do abandono, dos espaços pós-industriais. O objetivo principal consiste em criar um processo de aproximação à problemática da reutilização cujo processo de elaboração de projeto encontra nas suas formas de produção e operação um discurso que faz a síntese entre prática artística, posição curatorial e arquitetura, na elaboração de um programa para um lugar revitalizando-o. O objeto deste estudo faz parte de uma investigação de pesquisa por projeto e encontra lugar no conjunto arquitetónico da Fábrica Robinson, em Portalegre, cuja apropriação inicial de parte do Convento de S. Francisco dá hoje lugar ao Espaço Robinson. O reconhecimento deste conjunto, como lugar de encontro entre um passado recente e um futuro pendente, marcou a proposta projetual. Proposta de projeto temporário cujo conceito estabelece a viabilidade de apropriação como forma de atuação provisória, subjacente ao ato de reutilizar, criando novos programas de ocupação, promovendo novas ideias e definições de património e assim devolvendo o significado às estruturas industriais vazias. O que preservar e como conservar pode demarcar a importância de salvaguarda deste património e a previsão da sua transmissão para o futuro, fixada pela ideia de preservação. A Fábrica Robinson e a revitalização urbana deste espaço configura, hoje, uma nova oportunidade para estes conjuntos arquitetónicos, e a importância da sua salvaguarda, na valorização do Património Industrial. O trabalho pretende demonstrar a ordem de relação entre programa e lugar no debate interdisciplinar e a hipótese de concretização projetual que preencha um vazio temporalmente suspenso; ABSTRACT: Rethinking = Reuse: The abandonment as opportunity Robinson Factory: The instant in the construction of a provisory time This research aims to show architectural programs that question the reuse of places in the context of industrial heritage, through an architectural design, in a revitalization process. The aim is to look to models / actions that, starting with the abandonment problem, may answer to the post-industrial spaces transformations. The main goal is to create an approximation process to the problem of reuse, whose project design process finds in its production and operations forms a symbiosis between artistic practice, curatioral approach and architecture, in the development of a program to revitalize a place. The object of this study is part of a research project / research by design concerning the architectural complex Fábrica Robinson located in Portalegre, whose original appropriation of part of Convento de S. Francisco is today occupied by Espaço Robinson. The acknowledgment of this complex as a space placed in-between a recent past and a pending future marked the design proposed. A temporary design proposal whose concept establishes the validity of the temporary action, underlying to the act of reuse, creating new occupation programs, promoting new ideas and heritage definitions and thus given back meaning to the empry industrial structures. What to preserve and how to save may mark the importance of safeguarding this heritage and the prediction of its transmission to the future, set by the idea of preservation. The Fábrica Robinson and the urban regeneration of this area sets itself as a new opportunity to safeguard these architectural ensembles and enhance the value of the industrial heritage. This study intend to show the relationship between the program and a vacant place, through a temporary proposal, supported by the interdisciplinary debate and the hypothesis of design implementation that completes a void temporarily suspended.

“ The Creation of an Urban Landscape” in Adaptive reuse,the modern movement toward the future, 14th international conference proceedings, Do_co.mo.mo international, Lisboa ( indexed by SCOPUS)

The headquarters and park of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon represent the first modern Portuguese environment with an outstanding relation between exterior and interior as a spatial continuum . As such, the project refused the more common conceptual attitude of interior plus exterior. This unitary view revealed a clear understanding of the proposed site for the project and what could have been Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian (1869-1955) expectations, while concretizing Modern Movement ideals regarding landscape architecture and architecture. Through its design the park mediates the relation between the buildings’ super-structures, the urban context, and the human scale, while generating a unifying system established by the complicity between natural and synthetic materials. From the first moment of the project’s design process, this complicity resulted in a set of strategies that met programmatic