Thèses sur le sujet « Law – Automation »

The air transport industry is at present subject to dramatic traffic growth, which is expected to triple in the next 20 years. The industry must attempt to meet this unavoidable challenge by somehow accommodating the increase in passenger flow. This thesis proposes to examine how automation devices may assist in meeting this challenge by facilitating passenger clearance. They would do so by improving the lengthy, formalistic, and overly-bureaucratic, immigration and customs procedures. A myriad of different legal issues are engaged by these initiatives. Although many of them are mentioned throughout this thesis, the core legal analysis focuses on the challenge to privacy triggered by these endeavours, and the conflicting interests of individuals and industry players. Finally, a proposal to eliminate, or at least to reduce, this conflict is recommended.

Our intended topic is a general discussion of the basic elements of liability related to airline accidents to which fully automated cockpits have constituted an associated contributory factor. In addition we addressed the liability of air carriers arising from injuries or death caused to passengers traveling on international flights. For this purpose, we reviewed the Warsaw System and the different international instruments that constitute it. We also reviewed principles of common law applicable to aircraft manufacturers and the "Free Flight" as an example of the growing automation environment, which is a general benefit to commercial aviation but also a likely contributory cause for accidents in particular cases. In the last part we briefly discuss a personal view regarding the interplay between manufacturers and airlines under the 1999 Montreal Convention, which is an international treaty unifying the desegregated Warsaw System into one single instrument that is expected to enter into force in a few years.

Many functions that at one time could only be performed by humans can nowadays be carried out by machines. Automation impacts many areas of life including work, home, communication and mobility. In the driving context, in-vehicle automation is considered to provide solutions for environmental, economic, safety and societal challenges. However, automation changes the driving task and the human-machine interaction. Thus, the expected benefit of in-vehicle automation can be undermined by changes in drivers’ behaviour, i.e. behavioural adaptation. This PhD project focuses on motivational as well as higher cognitive processes underlying behavioural adaptation when interacting with in-vehicle automation. Motivational processes include the development of trust and acceptance, whereas higher cognitive processes comprise the learning process as well as the development of mental models and Situation Awareness (SA). As an example for in-vehicle automation, the advanced driver assistance system Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) was investigated. ACC automates speed and distance control by maintaining a constant set cruising speed and automatically adjusting vehicle’s velocity in order to provide a specified distance to the preceding vehicle. However, due to sensor limitations, not every situation can be handled by the system and therefore driver intervention is required. Trust, acceptance and an appropriate mental model of the system functionality are considered key variables for adequate use and appropriate SA. To systematically investigate changes in motivational and higher cognitive processes, a driving simulator as well as an on-road study were carried out. Both of the studies were conducted using a repeated-measures design, taking into account the process character, i.e. changes over time. The main focus was on the development of trust, acceptance and the mental model of novice users when interacting with ACC. By now, only few studies have attempted to assess changes in higher level cognitive processes, due to methodological difficulties posed by the dynamic task of driving. Therefore, this PhD project aimed at the elaboration and validation of innovative methods for assessing higher cognitive processes, with an emphasis on SA and mental models. In addition, a new approach for analyzing big and heterogeneous data in social science was developed, based on the use of relational databases. The driving simulator study investigated the effect of divergent initial mental models of ACC (i.e., varying according to correctness) on trust, acceptance and mental model evolvement. A longitudinal study design was applied, using a two-way (3×3) repeated measures mixed design with a matched sample of 51 subjects. Three experimental groups received (1) a correct ACC description, (2) an incomplete and idealised account omitting potential problems, and (3) an incorrect description including non-occurring problems. All subjects drove a 56-km track of highway with an identical ACC system, three times, and within a period of 6 weeks. Results showed that after using the system, participants’ mental model of ACC converged towards the profile of the correct group. Non-experienced problems tended to disappear from the mental model network when they were not activated by experience. Trust and acceptance grew steadily for the correct condition. The same trend was observed for the group with non-occurring problems, starting from a lower initial level. Omitted problems in the incomplete group led to a constant decrease in trust and acceptance without recovery. This indicates that automation failures do not negatively affect trust and acceptance if they are known beforehand. During each drive, participants continuously completed a visual secondary task, the Surrogate Reference Task (SURT). The frequency of task completion was used as objective online-measure for SA, based on the principle that situationally aware driver would reduce the engagement in the secondary task if they expect potentially critical situations. Results showed that correctly informed drivers were aware of potential system limitations and reduced their engagement in the secondary task when such situations arose. Participants with no information about limitations became only aware after first encounter and reduced secondary task engagement in corresponding situations during subsequent trials. However, trust and acceptance in the system declined over time due to the unexpected failures. Non occurring limitations tended to drop from the mental model and resulted in reduced SA already in the second trial. The on-road study investigated the learning process, as well as the development of trust, acceptance and the mental model for interacting with ACC in real conditions. Research questions aimed to model the learning process in mathematical/statistical terms, examine moments and conditions when these processes stabilize, and assess how experience changes the mental model of the system. A sample of fifteen drivers without ACC experience drove a test vehicle with ACC ten consecutive times on the same route within a 2-month period. In contrast to the driving simulator study, all participants were fully trained in ACC functionality by reading the owner’s manual in the beginning. Results showed that learning, as well as the development of acceptance and trust in ACC follows the power law of learning, in case of comprehensive prior information on system limitations. Thus, the major part of the learning process occurred during the first interaction with the system and support in explaining the systems abilities (e.g. by tutoring systems) should therefore primarily be given during this first stage. All processes stabilized at a relatively high level after the fifth session, which corresponds to 185 km or 3.5 hours of driving. No decline was observable with ongoing system experience. However, in line with the findings from the simulator study, limitations that are not experienced tended to disappear from the mental model if they were not activated by experience. With regard to the validation of the developed methods for assessing mental models and SA, results are encouraging. The studies show that the mental model questionnaire is able to provide insights into the construction of mental models and the development over time. Likewise, the implicit measurement approach to assess SA online in the driving simulator is sensitive to user’s awareness of potentially critical situations. In terms of content, the results of the studies prove the enduring relevance of the initial mental model for the learning process, SA, as well as the development of trust, acceptance and a realistic mental model about automation capabilities and limitations. Given the importance of the initial mental model it is recommended that studies on system trust and acceptance should include, and attempt to control, users’ initial mental model of system functionality. Although the results showed that also incorrect and incomplete initial mental models converged by experience towards a realistic appreciation of system functionality, the more cognitive effort needed to update the mental model, the lower trust and acceptance. Providing an idealised description, which omits potential problems, only leads to temporarily higher trust and acceptance in the beginning. The experience of unexpected limitations results in a steady decrease in trust and acceptance over time. A trial-and-error strategy for in-vehicle automation use, without accompanying information, is therefore considered insufficient for developing stable trust and acceptance. If the mental model matches experience, trust and acceptance grow steadily following the power law of learning – regardless of the experience of system limitations. Provided that such events are known in advance, they will not cause a decrease in trust and acceptance over time. Even over-information about potential problems lowers trust and acceptance only in the beginning, and not in the long run. Potential problems should therefore not be concealed in over-idealised system descriptions; the more information given, the better, in the long run. However, limitations that are not experienced tend to disappear from the mental model. Therefore, it is recommended that users be periodically reminded of system limitations to make sure that corresponding knowledge becomes re-activated. Intelligent tutoring systems incorporated in automated systems could provide a solution. In the driving context, periodic reminders about system limitations could be shown via the multifunction displays integrated in most modern cars. Tutoring systems could also be used to remind the driver of the presence of specific in-vehicle automation systems and reveal their benefits
Viele Aufgaben, die ehemals von Menschen ausgeführt wurden, werden heute von Maschinen übernommen. Dieser Prozess der Automatisierung betrifft viele Lebensbereiche von Arbeit, Wohnen, Kommunikation bis hin zur Mobilität. Im Bereich des Individualverkehrs wird die Automatisierung von Fahrzeugen als Möglichkeit gesehen, zukünftigen Herausforderungen wirtschaftlicher, gesellschaftlicher und umweltpolitischer Art zu begegnen. Allerdings verändert Automatisierung die Fahraufgabe und die Mensch-Technik Interaktion im Fahrzeug. Daher können beispielsweise erwartete Sicherheitsgewinne automatisch agierender Assistenzsysteme durch Veränderungen im Verhalten des Fahrers geschmälert werden, was als Verhaltensanpassung (behavioural adaptation) bezeichnet wird. Dieses Dissertationsprojekt untersucht motivationale und höhere kognitive Prozesse, die Verhaltensanpassungen im Umgang mit automatisierten Fahrerassistenzsystemen zugrunde liegen. Motivationale Prozesse beinhalten die Entwicklung von Akzeptanz und Vertrauen in das System, unter höheren kognitiven Prozessen werden Lernprozesse sowie die Entwicklung von mentalen Modellen des Systems und Situationsbewusstsein (Situation Awareness) verstanden. Im Fokus der Untersuchungen steht das Fahrerassistenzsystem Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) als ein Beispiel für Automatisierung im Fahrzeug. ACC regelt automatisch die Geschwindigkeit des Fahrzeugs, indem bei freier Fahrbahn eine eingestellte Wunschgeschwindigkeit und bei einem Vorausfahrer automatisch ein eingestellter Abstand eingehalten wird. Allerdings kann ACC aufgrund von Einschränkungen der Sensorik nicht jede Situation bewältigen, weshalb der Fahrer übernehmen muss. Für diesen Interaktionsprozess spielen Vertrauen, Akzeptanz und das mentale Modell der Systemfunktionalität eine Schlüsselrolle, um einen sicheren Umgang mit dem System und ein adäquates Situationsbewusstsein zu entwickeln. Zur systematischen Erforschung dieser motivationalen und kognitiven Prozesse wurden eine Fahrsimulatorstudie und ein Versuch im Realverkehr durchgeführt. Beide Studien wurden im Messwiederholungsdesign angelegt, um dem Prozesscharakter gerecht werden und Veränderungen über die Zeit erfassen zu können. Die Entwicklung von Vertrauen, Akzeptanz und mentalem Modell in der Interaktion mit ACC war zentraler Forschungsgegenstand beider Studien. Bislang gibt es wenige Studien, die kognitive Prozesse im Kontext der Fahrzeugführung untersucht haben, unter anderem auch wegen methodischer Schwierigkeiten in diesem dynamischen Umfeld. Daher war es ebenfalls Teil dieses Dissertationsprojekts, neue Methoden zur Erfassung höherer kognitiver Prozesse in dieser Domäne zu entwickeln, mit Fokus auf mentalen Modellen und Situationsbewusstsein. Darüber hinaus wurde auch ein neuer Ansatz für die Analyse großer und heterogener Datenmengen im sozialwissenschaftlichen Bereich entwickelt, basierend auf dem Einsatz relationaler Datenbanken. Ziel der der Fahrsimulatorstudie war die systematische Erforschung des Effekts von unterschiedlich korrekten initialen mentalen Modellen von ACC auf die weitere Entwicklung des mentalen Modells, Vertrauen und Akzeptanz des Systems. Eine Stichprobe von insgesamt 51 Probanden nahm an der Studie teil; der Versuch wurde als zweifaktorielles (3x3) gemischtes Messwiederholungsdesign konzipiert. Die 3 parallelisierten Versuchsgruppen zu je 17 Personen erhielten (1) eine korrekte Beschreibung des ACC, (2) eine idealisierte Beschreibung unter Auslassung auftretender Systemprobleme und (3) eine überkritische Beschreibung mit zusätzlichen Hinweisen auf Systemprobleme, die nie auftraten. Alle Teilnehmer befuhren insgesamt dreimal im Zeitraum von sechs Wochen dieselbe 56 km lange Autobahnstrecke im Fahrsimulator mit identischem ACC-System. Mit zunehmendem Einsatz des ACC zeigte sich im anfänglich divergierenden mentalen Modell zwischen den Gruppen eine Entwicklung hin zum mentalen Modell der korrekt informierten Gruppe. Nicht erfahrene Systemprobleme tendierten dazu, im mentalen Modell zu verblassen, wenn sie nicht durch Erfahrung reaktiviert wurden. Vertrauen und Akzeptanz stiegen stetig in der korrekt informierten Gruppe. Dieselbe Entwicklung zeigte sich auch in der überkritisch informierten Gruppe, wobei Vertrauen und Akzeptanz anfänglich niedriger waren als in der Bedingung mit korrekter Information. Verschwiegene Systemprobleme führten zu einer konstanten Abnahme von Akzeptanz und Vertrauen ohne Erholung in der Gruppe mit idealisierter Beschreibung. Diese Resultate lassen darauf schließen, dass Probleme automatisierter Systeme sich nicht zwingend negativ auf Vertrauen und Akzeptanz auswirken, sofern sie vorab bekannt sind. Bei jeder Fahrt führten die Versuchsteilnehmer zudem kontinuierlich eine visuell beanspruchende Zweitaufgabe aus, die Surrogate Reference Task (SURT). Die Frequenz der Zweitaufgabenbearbeitung diente als objektives Echtzeitmaß für das Situationsbewusstsein, basierend auf dem Ansatz, dass situationsbewusste Fahrer die Zuwendung zur Zweitaufgabe reduzieren wenn sie potentiell kritische Situationen erwarten. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die korrekt informierten Fahrer sich potentiell kritischer Situationen mit möglichen Systemproblemen bewusst waren und schon im Vorfeld der Entstehung die Zweitaufgabenbearbeitung reduzierten. Teilnehmer ohne Informationen zu auftretenden Systemproblemen wurden sich solcher Situationen erst nach dem ersten Auftreten bewusst und reduzierten in entsprechenden Szenarien der Folgefahrten die Zweitaufgabenbearbeitung. Allerdings sanken Vertrauen und Akzeptanz des Systems aufgrund der unerwarteten Probleme. Erwartete, aber nicht auftretende Systemprobleme tendierten dazu, im mentalen Modell des Systems zu verblassen und resultierten in vermindertem Situationsbewusstsein bereits in der zweiten Fahrt. Im Versuch unter Realbedingungen wurden der Lernprozesses sowie die Entwicklung des mentalen Modells, Vertrauen und Akzeptanz von ACC im Realverkehr erforscht. Ziele waren die statistisch/mathematische Modellierung des Lernprozesses, die Bestimmung von Zeitpunkten der Stabilisierung dieser Prozesse und wie sich reale Systemerfahrung auf das mentale Modell von ACC auswirkt. 15 Versuchsteilnehmer ohne ACC-Erfahrung fuhren ein Serienfahrzeug mit ACC insgesamt 10-mal auf der gleichen Strecke in einem Zeitraum von 2 Monaten. Im Unterschied zur Fahrsimulatorstudie waren alle Teilnehmer korrekt über die ACC-Funktionen und Funktionsgrenzen informiert durch Lesen der entsprechenden Abschnitte im Fahrzeughandbuch am Beginn der Studie. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass der Lernprozess sowie die Entwicklung von Akzeptanz und Vertrauen einer klassischen Lernkurve folgen – unter der Bedingung umfassender vorheriger Information zu Systemgrenzen. Der größte Lernfortschritt ist am Beginn der Interaktion mit dem System sichtbar und daher sollten Hilfen (z.B. durch intelligente Tutorsysteme) in erster Linie zu diesem Zeitpunkt gegeben werden. Eine Stabilisierung aller Prozesse zeigte sich nach der fünften Fahrt, was einer Fahrstrecke von rund 185 km oder 3,5 Stunden Fahrzeit entspricht. Es zeigten sich keine Einbrüche in Akzeptanz, Vertrauen bzw. dem Lernprozess durch die gemachten Erfahrungen im Straßenverkehr. Allerdings zeigte sich – analog zur Fahrsimulatorstudie – auch in der Realfahrstudie ein Verblassen von nicht erfahrenen Systemgrenzen im mentalen Modell, wenn diese nicht durch Erfahrungen aktiviert wurden. Im Hinblick auf die Validierung der neu entwickelten Methoden zur Erfassung von mentalen Modellen und Situationsbewusstsein sind die Resultate vielversprechend. Die Studien zeigen, dass mit dem entwickelten Fragebogenansatz zur Quantifizierung des mentalen Modells Einblicke in Aufbau und Entwicklung mentaler Modelle gegeben werden können. Der implizite Echtzeit-Messansatz für Situationsbewusstsein im Fahrsimulator zeigt sich ebenfalls sensitiv in der Erfassung des Bewusstseins von Fahrern für potentiell kritische Situationen. Inhaltlich zeigen die Studien die nachhaltige Relevanz des initialen mentalen Modells für den Lernprozess sowie die Entwicklung von Situationsbewusstsein, Akzeptanz, Vertrauen und die weitere Ausformung eines realistischen mentalen Modells der Möglichkeiten und Grenzen automatisierter Systeme. Aufgrund dieser Relevanz wird die Einbindung und Kontrolle des initialen mentalen Modells in Studien zu automatisierten Systemen unbedingt empfohlen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen zwar, dass sich auch unvollständige bzw. falsche mentale Modelle durch Erfahrungslernen hin zu einer realistischen Einschätzung der Systemmöglichkeiten und -grenzen verändern, allerdings um den Preis sinkenden Vertrauens und abnehmender Akzeptanz. Idealisierte Systembeschreibungen ohne Hinweise auf mögliche Systemprobleme bringen nur anfänglich etwas höheres Vertrauen und Akzeptanz. Das Erleben unerwarteter Probleme führt zu einem stetigen Abfall dieser motivationalen Faktoren über die Zeit. Ein alleiniges Versuchs-Irrtums-Lernen für den Umgang mit automatisierter Assistenz im Fahrzeug ohne zusätzliche Information wird daher als nicht ausreichend für die Entwicklung stabilen Vertrauens und stabiler Akzeptanz betrachtet. Wenn das initiale mentale Modell den Erfahrungen entspricht, entwickeln sich Akzeptanz und Vertrauen gemäß einer klassischen Lernkurve – trotz erlebter Systemgrenzen. Sind diese potentiellen Probleme vorher bekannt, führen sie nicht zwingend zu einer Reduktion von Vertrauen und Akzeptanz. Auch zusätzliche überkritische Information vermindert Vertrauen und Akzeptanz nur am Beginn, aber nicht langfristig. Daher sollen potentielle Probleme in automatisierten Systemen nicht in idealisierten Beschreibungen verschwiegen werden – je präzisere Information gegeben wird, desto besser im langfristigen Verlauf. Allerdings tendieren nicht erfahrene Systemgrenzen zum Verblassen im mentalen Modell. Daher wird empfohlen, Nutzer regelmäßig an diese Systemgrenzen zu erinnern um die entsprechenden Facetten des mentalen Modells zu reaktivieren. In automatisierten Systemen integrierte intelligente Tutorsysteme könnten dafür eine Lösung bieten. Im Fahrzeugbereich könnten solche periodischen Erinnerungen an Systemgrenzen in Multifunktionsdisplays angezeigt werden, die mittlerweile in vielen modernen Fahrzeugen integriert sind. Diese Tutorsysteme können darüber hinaus auch auf die Präsenz eingebauter automatisierter Systeme hinweisen und deren Vorteile aufzeigen

Esta pesquisa investiga como se dão as interações e as relações entre a tecnologia e o trabalho do(a) Advogado(a). O estudo tem o objetivo de analisar as condições atuais do trabalho na advocacia a partir das modificações trazidas pelo Processo Judicial Eletrônico – PJE. Busca-se apresentar o quantum o PJE tem condicionado a práxis cotidiana da atividade da advocacia. Temse como pressuposto teórico que o trabalho e a tecnologia não determinam o agir humano, sendo, pois, o ser humano livre para direcionador as facilidades trazidas pela tecnologia, as quais deveriam, em tese, proporcionar a melhoria nas condições materiais da vida das pessoas. Trata-se de pesquisa realizada a partir de questionários abertos que permitem, tanto uma análise qualitativa dos conteúdos de depoimentos escritos, quanto certa quantificação, via consolidação das respostas obtidas. São analisadas as transformações provocadas pela informatização do processo judicial em sua nova forma eletrônica – mudanças estas ocorridas a partir do advento da Lei 11.419/2006 – e a reestruturação do trabalho na advocacia brasileira nestes últimos anos. O problema que se pretende responder, em última análise, é o seguinte: Qual a potencialidade emancipatória da tecnologia para o trabalho do(a) advogado(a)? Ao final do estudo são apresentados os resultados obtidos na pesquisa quanto a: intensificação no trabalho do(a) advogado(a); modificações observadas na estrutura dos escritórios de advocacia; principais dificuldades dos(as) advogados(as) com o PJE; alterações na produtividade no trabalho dos(as) advogados(as); percepção dos(as) advogados(as) quanto aos impactos da implantação do PJE na saúde, e; algumas implicações de gênero, entre advogados e advogadas, para se para trabalhar com o Processo Judicial Eletrônico.
This research investigates how interactions occur and the relationship between Technology and the Work of the Lawyer. The study aims to analyze the current conditions of work of advocacy from the changes brought by Judicial Process Electronic - PJE. We seek to present the quantum the PJE has conditioned the daily praxis of advocacy activity. It has as theoretical assumption that the Work and Technology does not determine human action and therefore humans free to control the facilities brought by technology which should in theory provide the improvement in the material conditions of life people. This is research from open questionnaires that allow both a qualitative analysis of the content of the written reports, as some quantification via consolidation of replies. It analyzes the transformations caused by computerization of the judicial process in your new electronic form, these changes occurred since the enactment of Law 11.419/2006 and the restructuring of the work of Brazilian advocacy in recent years. The problem we intend to answer is the following: What is the emancipatory potential of technology to the work of the lawyer? At the end of the study presents the results obtained in the research regarding: intensification of labor lawyer, modifications in the structure of advocacy firms, lawyers 'main difficulties with the PJE, changes in work productivity of lawyers, lawyers' perception regarding impacts of the implementation of PJE in health and some gender implications between men and women lawyers to get to work with the Judicial Process Electronic.

This thesis is concerned with the mathematical aspects related to the optimal cutting of an object whose three-dimensional shape has been accurately and robustly reconstructed using appropriately developed computer-vision tools. First, a brief introduction to various one- and two-dimensional packing problems is presented. The Constrained Rectangle Packing problem which allows for defects to be modeled is then formulated and an efficient algorithm for solving it is presented. The two-stage stock-cutting problem according to which a set of rectangular pieces of prespecified dimensions are to be cut from a general shape object with general shape holes or defective regions is then investigated. It is shown how mathematical morphological operators can be vised in order to determine the optimal shifting for a given cutting pattern and proved that the problem of obtaining the optimal cutting pattern is NP-hard. However, the optimal solution to the unconstrained problem using mathematical programming is proposed. For the general problem good sub-optimal solutions are obtained using the technique of simulated annealing. Stereo-vision techniques are then employed for the accurate shape determination of the object to be cut. A three-dimensional reconstruction technique based on projective geometry is formally analysed and guidelines for its robust application are given. Finally, emphasis is placed on the correspondence problem, which becomes very difficult in the case of non-coplanar features and cameras set at 90 degrees from each other. It is shown how to cast the problem into an optimisation framework and a branch and bound algorithm is used in order to obtain the optimal solution. For increased robustness a Hough-Transform-like algorithm is also suggested. Both synthetic and real experimental results are presented throughout the thesis in order to illustrate the validity and usefulness of the proposed algorithms.

Control law design can be an iterative and time-consuming process. The design procedure can often include manual tuning, not uncommonly in the form of trial and error. Modern software tools may alleviate this process but are generally not developed for use within any specific industry. There is therefore an apparent need to develop field-specific tools to facilitate control law design.The main contribution of this thesis is the investigation of a systematic and simplified approach to semi-automatic generation of control law parameters for generic fighter aircraft. The investigated method aims to reduce human workload and time spent on complex decision making in the early stages of aircraft development. The method presented is based on gain scheduled LQI-control with piece-wise linear interpolation. A solution to the automated tuning problem of the associated weighting matrices Q and R is investigated. The method is based on an LQ-optimal eigenstructure assignment. However, the derived method suffers from problem regarding practical implementation, such as the seemingly narrow LQ-optimal root-loci of the linearized aircraft model.Furthermore, the inherent problem of hidden coupling is discussed in relation to gain scheduled controllers based on conventional series expansion linearization. An alternative linearization method is used in order to circumvent this problem. Moreover, the possible benefits and disadvantages of control allocation is addressed in the context of actuator redundancy. It is concluded that one may achieve a somewhat simpler handling of constraints at the expense of some model accuracy due to the inevitable exclusion of servo dynamics.

The Commission of European Communities has recently adopted a directive concerning the protection of privacy with regard to automatic processing of personal data. The author examines this directive and highlights its fundamental principles as well as the other international documents already in force. This directive may have serious implications for the international flow of data from which could be excluded countries which do not include in their national law the principles set out in the directive. Consequently the author examines the legislations of Canada and Quebec in force as well as the voluntary codes of conduct in order to determine whether they comply with the standards proposed by the directive.

Quality control is a necessity when it comes to automating a biological lab with the help of robotics. Two major quality control objectives are targeted by the research group PharmBio at Uppsala University: (1) barcode recognition and decoding, and (2) determining the position and orientation of microplates relative the gripper at the end of an industrial robot arm. In order to achieve these objectives, a hardware package with a camera and microcomputer has been designed and built, which can be attached next to the gripper. In addition to the hardware solution, a software stack has been developed and implemented which utilizes the camera and microcomputer to capture digital images. These images are enhanced and processed using machine vision software on the microcomputer, after which the final generated data is sent to an external system for further handling. The final system consisting of integrated hardware and software is capable of achieving both goals: barcode recognition and plate pose determination. However, due to changes in the group’s project plan during the current Master’s project, final implementation of the plate pose determination software remains as future work for a later version.
Kvalitetskontroll är en nödvändighet när det gäller automatiseringen av ett biologiskt lab med hjälp av robotik. Forskargruppen PharmBio vid Uppsala universitet har två huvudsakliga mål gällande kvalitetskontroll: (1) igenkänning och avläsning av streckkoder, och (2) fastställandet av position och riktning av en mikrotiterplatta relativt en gripklo på änden av en robotarm. För att uppnå dessa mål har en enhet innehållandes en kamera och enkortsdator designats och byggts, tänkt att fästas intill gripklon. Utöver denna enhet har ett mjukvarusystem som använder kameran och datorn för att ta bilder utvecklats och implementerats. Dessa bilder behandlas med hjälp av machine vision-mjukvara på enkortsdatorn innan framtagen data skickas vidare till ett externt datorsystem för ytterligare hantering. Det slutgiltiga systemet bestående av integrerad hård- och mjukvara är kapabel att uppnå båda projektmål: streckkodsavläsning och avgöra position/riktning hos en mikrotiterplatta. På grund av ändrad planering hos forskargruppen under arbetets gång kommer dock implementation av mjukvaran framtagen för positions- och riktningsigenkänning dröja till en senare version av projektet.

Lab exercises are a pedagogically essential component of engineering and technology education. Distance education remote labs are being developed which enable students to access lab facilities via the Internet. Collaboration, students working in teams, enhances learning activity through the development of communication skills, sharing observations and problem solving. Web meeting communication tools are currently used in remote labs. The problem identified for investigation was that no standards of practice or paradigms exist to guide remote lab designers in the selection of collaboration tools that best support learning achievement. The goal of this work was to add to the body of knowledge involving the selection and use of remote lab collaboration tools. Experimental research was conducted where the participants were randomly assigned to three communication treatments and learning achievement was measured via assessments at the completion of each of six remote lab based lessons. Quantitative instruments used for assessing learning achievement were implemented, along with a survey to correlate user preference with collaboration treatments. A total of 53 undergraduate technology students worked in two-person teams, where each team was assigned one of the treatments, namely (a) text messaging chat, (b) voice chat, or (c) webcam video with voice chat. Each had little experience with the subject matter involving automation, but possessed the necessary technical background. Analysis of the assessment score data included mean and standard deviation, confirmation of the homogeneity of variance, a one-way ANOVA test and post hoc comparisons. The quantitative and qualitative data indicated that text messaging chat negatively impacted learning achievement and that text messaging chat was not preferred. The data also suggested that the subjects were equally divided on preference to voice chat verses webcam video with voice chat. To the end of designing collaborative communication tools for remote labs involving automation equipment, the results of this work points to making voice chat the default method of communication; but the webcam video with voice chat option should be included. Standards are only beginning to be developed for the design of remote lab systems. Research, design and innovation involving collaboration and presence should be included.

The use of lightweight composite materials in aircraft structure has become increasingly widespread over the past thirty years as the need for reduced fuel consumption and improved performance grew stronger. This has also raised concerns in the event of damage as damage patterns in composite structures can be unpredictable and difficult to detect when located under the surface. The high cost of fibre-reinforced composite materials has made replacement a less attractive option. Therefore, the need for an efficient and cost-effective repair method for composite structures has become significant. Nowadays, most composite repair operations are undertaken manually by repair engineers and technicians. However, manual composite repair is time-consuming and requires extensive training. The challenge is to automate the process to reduce repair time and increase efficiency while maintaining strict aerospace quality requirements. The accuracy and repeatability offered by an automated process has the potential to meet such requirements. Previous research efforts have mainly focused on automated scarfing and automated inspection methods. Further research is required for the automation of composite repair patch manufacturing and application. This research project, supported by Boeing Research and Technology Australia, aims to complement global research efforts on automated composite repair. Two research aims were identified. Firstly, determine optimised repair patch shapes including joint parameters which are suitable for automated patch manufacturing. Secondly, investigate manufacturability and feasibility of composite repair patch manufacturing using the AFP method. Extensive finite element modelling was performed to determine optimised repair shapes suitable for AFP. Two optimised repair shapes were identified: the octagon and the square-ellipse. The octagonal shape reduced the creation of adhesive rich areas at the parent-patch interface with composite prepreg tows in fibre directions used in this study (i.e. 0, ±45, 90). Finite element analysis was then performed for the optimised repair shapes. Stress results showed that the optimised shapes provided strength and stiffness in highly loaded areas while significantly reducing overall repair size compared to the traditional circular patch. An experimental AFP apparatus was developed in-house and subsequently used for AFP composite repair patch manufacturing. Three-point bending tests were performed to characterise flexural strength for each repair shape. Experimental results validated the feasibility of using AFP for repair patch fabrication, and further strengthen the case for optimised AFP repair configurations which showed promising flexural strength results, particularly when compared to the traditional circular repair patch shape currently used in the industry. Several research opportunities have emerged from this research project which can be addressed in subsequent projects. They include the development of a mobile repair unit; the implementation of AFP repair patch fabrication for thermoset composite structures; the investigation of the elastic plastic behaviour of the adhesive in the optimised repair shapes under hot/wet environmental conditions; and opportunities for improvements to the in-house AFP equipment.

This master thesis contains modeling and nonlinear automatic control of an autonomous lawn mower. The vehicle shall be able to follow a magnetic field loop buried in the lawn on an arbitrary distance, including straddling. A unicycle model of the lawn mower has been derived based on previous work. The model holds for the assumption of non slip environment. Two diff erent control strategies have been implemented and evaluated in this thesis. One is based on feedback linearization  and with the feedback gain estimated using an LQ-controller. The other strategy is based on linearization at an equilibrium point  and also with the use of an LQ-controller. The only state that can be measured is the distance to the magnetic loop. In order to estimate the other states, an observer has been implemented using the linearized in an equilibrium point  model and a Kalman filter. The navigation of the autonomous lawn mower is performed using a magnetic loop buried in the lawn. The non-linearity of the magnetic field causes diffi culties when estimating the distance to the loop. One magnetic field strength corresponds to two distances to the magnetic loop. The nature of the magnetic field and the measurement noise causes the precision of the controller to be limited. The conclusion of this master thesis is that it is possible to navigate and follow the magnetic loop at a distance greater than 0.3 [m], but with overshoots during sharp turns. If the reference distance is smaller than that, the behavior of the robot will be oscillating when following the loop. The limitations of the controller performance is due to the lack of information which can be extracted from the measurements of the magnetic field.

This thesis describes a further development of an existing prototype named Automatic pin bone remover. The further development was requested from the Swedish consulting firm ATM AB. The request of automatic pin bone removers is high and has the potential to be a worldwide leading product. The goal with the thesis work is to further develop an existing prototype. In order to achieve the goal a pre-study of the prototype had to be made in order to define a customer demand specification. The thesis work is then continued by a function analysis which differs from a conservative one.  For each sub-function various sub solutions a made. The advantage of this method is that it results in various total solutions which after an evaluation one will be chosen for further development. To examine if the fully developed prototype achieved the given demands a test specification was made. The tests resulted in success, however later in the thesis it is recommended to perform tests on a real prototype to ensure that the given demands are fulfilled. These tests however are not a part of this thesis. The economic sub goal with the thesis was not properly fulfilled, however the remaining goals was fulfilled successfully.  The result of the thesis was an improved prototype, manufacturing documentation of the prototype and a suggestion of material change that could lead to reduced total costs.

The PLC is frequently used when implementing automated control, which is animportant part of many modern industries. This thesis has been carried out incollaboration with ÅF Consult in Sundsvall, who were in need of a PLC labstation for educational purposes. The overall aim of this thesis has been todesign and construct such a lab station and also to implement a solution forexternal monitoring and control possibilities. The methodology of this projecthas included a literary study, followed by the implementation of the actualsolutions and finally an evaluation of the project. The finished lab stationincludes a conveyor belt and a robotic arm controlled using two PLCs. Theconveyor belt is designed to be able to store, transport, differentiate and sortsmall cubes of various materials, and the robotic arm is designed as a pick-andplacedevice that can move the cubes between different positions on the labstation. The monitoring and control solution is set up using an OPC clientserverconnection on a PC and it provides a graphical user interface where thelab station can be monitored and controlled externally. The lab station offersdiverse functionality, but due to some inconsistency in the included equipmentit is not entirely reliable. The external monitoring and control solution alsoprovides good functionality, but the time frame of the project resulted in a lessextensive implementation than originally intended. The overall solutions are,however, considered to offer a functional and proper platform for educationalpurposes.

Le procédé de soudage laser est largement utilisé dans les travaux d'assemblage, en particulier, dans ledomaine de l'industrie automobile. L'acier dual phase DP600 est un acier à haute résistance qui permet deréduire le poids de l'automobile dans le cadre de l'allègement des structures. Notre travail s' estessentiellement basé sur l'évaluation des contraintes résiduelles générées dans l'acier DP600 lors du soudagepar laser. Deux approches ont été réalisées. L'approche expérimentale a été réalisée à l'aide de méthodes derayon X et par neutrons pour calculer les contraintes résiduelles. L'approche de simulation a été réalisée parcouplage de différentes formulations numériques.Numériquement, le formalisme de la mécanique continue a été utilisé par des simulations par éléments finis(FEM) pour analyser et évaluer les contraintes résiduelles. Sur la base de tests de traction expérimentaux, lemodèle constitutif élasto-thermo-plastique de l'acier DP600 a été identifié. L'écrouissage du matériau a étéétudié par la loi de Ludwik et de Voce. A partir de résultats experimentaux, un modèle a été proposé et lesrésultats analysés en utilisant une loi de mélange martensite (écrouissage Ludwik) et ferrite (adoucissementde Voce). De même, nous avons étudié la sensibilité à la température en utilisant plusieurs modèles :Johnson-Cook, Khan, Chen. A partir de cette étude, nous avons proposé un modèle de sensibilité à tatempérature. Enfin, un modèle de sensibilité à la déformation plastique, à la vitesse de déformation issu destravaux d'A.Gavrus et un modèle d'anisotropie planaire définit par la théorie de Hill ont été ajoutés.Une méthode d'automate cellulaire (CA) 2D a été programmée pour simuler l'évolution de la microstructurelors de la solification liée au processus de soudage laser. Dans ce modèle, les phénomènes de nucléationavec prise en compte de l'orientation de la croissance, de la concentration et de la vitesse de croissance àl'interface solide/liquide, l'anisotropie de la tension de surface, de la diffusion, ainsi que la fraction desphases en présence ont été pris en compte. De plus, les équations de conservation ont été étudiées en détail etanalysés. Les résultats ainsi que le champ de température issu du modèle FEM ont été importés dans lemodèle CA. En comparant la simulation et les résultats expérimentaux, de bonnes concordances ont ététrouvées.Par la suite, nous avons réalisés un couplage des deux modèles CA et FEM. Concernant le procédé laser, lesrésultats du modèle par éléments finis ont été analysés. La géométrie de l'échantillon, la source de chaleur,les conditions aux limites, le comportement thermo-mécanique de l'acier dual phase DP600 telles que laconductivité, la densité, la chaleur spécifique, l'expansion, l'élasticité et la plasticité sont introduites. Lesmodèles d'analyse du terme d'écrouissage, de la sensibilité à la vitesse de déformation, de la sensibilité à latempérature, de l'anisotropie plastique et de l'anisotropie élastique ont été simulés. Les fractions volumiquesconcernant ta nature des deux phases en présence ont été également étudiées.Les résultats numériques finaux tes contraintes résiduelles ont été étudiées. Les comparaisons avec desmesures experimentales ont montré à la fois quels phénomènes étudiés sont prépondérants et tes effets moinsinfluents sur l'évaluation des contraintes résiduelles. Les résultats tes plus probants ont montré des bonnesconvergences entre l'approche numérique et expérimentale. Ces résultats confortent la robustesse du modèlenumérique developpé
Laser welding process is widely used in assembly work of automobi le industry. DP600 dual phase steeis a high strength steel to reduce automobile weight. Residual stresses are produced during laser weldingDP600. Continuum mechanics is used for analyzing res idual stresses by finite element simulation.Based on experimental tensile tests, the DP600 steel constitutive model are identified. The hardening termaccording to Ludwik law, Voce law and a proposed synthesis model are studied. The temperature sensitivityof Johnson-Cook, Khan, Chen and a proposed temperature sensitivity model are investigated. The strain ratesensitivity model proposed by A. Gavrus and planar anisotropy defined by Hi ll theory are also used.Cellul ar Automaton (CA) 20 method are programed for the simulation of solidification microstructureevolution during laser welding process. The temperature field of CA are imported from finite element analysimodel. The analysis function of nucleation, solid fraction, interface concentration, surface tension an isotropy,diffusion, interface growth ve locity and conservation equations are presented in detail. By comparing thesimulation and experimental results, good accordances are found.Modelling by a finite element method of laser welding process are presented. Geometry of specimen, heatsource, boundary conditions, DP600 dual phase steel material properties such as conductivity, density, specifiheat, expansion, elasticity and plasticity are introduced. Models analyzing hardening term, strain ratesensitivity, temperature sensitivity, plastic an isotropy and elastic an isotropy are simulated.The numerical results of laser welding DP600 steel process are presented. The influence of hardening term,strain rate sensitivity, temperature sensitivity and anisotropy on residual stresses are analyzed. Comparisonwith experimental data show good numerical accuracy.Keywords: Laser Welding, DP600, Residual Stress, Cellular Automaton, Hardening, Temperature sensitivity,Strain Rate Sensitivity, Anisotropy, Mixture dual phase law

Automatic control of processes is a field that has evolved extensively over theyears to reduce downtime, improve quality and increase the productivity ofprocesses in manufacturing industries. ÅF Consult is a consult organization thatprovides industrial solutions worldwide. In order to test equipment andintroduce employees and students to control systems, a PLC based lab station isnecessary. The methodology used in the project is based on a literature study,followed by the solution approach and finally an evaluation. A DistributedControl System setup using a Siemens S7-300 and a Siemens S7-400 PLC hasbeen developed. The PLCs communicate using PROFIBUS DP. The station isdivided into two major parts: a conveyor belt with transportation functionalityand a robotic arm with pick-and-place functionality. The station is providedwith equipment similar to systems currently used in paper and pulp industries.Existing solutions for unloading of paper reels in the paper and pulp industriesare non-universal due to extra equipment like pre-installed rails in trailers. Anautomated solution for unloading using a robotic arm is therefore presented,designed to reduce paper reel handling and to have the possibility to unload toany trailer. The lab station is implemented according to ÅF Consults demandsof a portable, field related station. The low budget resulted in cheap equipmentthat lack accuracy, mainly resulting in issues relating to the ability to control therobotic arm properly. The unloading solution is emulated as a lab task on thestation, showing that a control setup similar to the lab station would be a goodapproach for a real implementation solution.

La inteligencia artificial (IA) también conocida como la inteligencia no natural, presenta un gran avance para la humanidad en diferentes sectores económicos, al reemplazar procesos y funciones por sistemas expertos o  robots industriales. No obstante, se cuestiona si la IA aporta valor y desarrollo en el entorno laboral para el ser humano, si crea más empleos o todo lo contrario. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo general presentar investigaciones relevantes sobre la inteligencia artificial y su impacto controversial en torno al empleo y desempleo en las industrias, como tema central de este documento. Así también se revisan los inicios históricos de la IA, el análisis de las diferentes perspectivas y su aplicación. En esta investigación se aborda la explicación de los sistemas inteligentes, las principales razones de uso en los diversos sectores económicos, los riesgos y ventajas de su aplicación en las organizaciones,  se precisan los sectores económicos más desarrollados en la aplicación de la tecnología  en las últimas décadas, así como  su evolución en los últimos años en el Perú y el mundo. La relevancia del tema a presentar es la IA y su aceptación en las industrias, al generar resultados positivos en las  utilidades, reducción de costos, eficiencias en los procesos y rentabilidad. Asimismo el uso de las diversas herramientas que proporciona como por ejemplo el uso de los Chatbots;  sin embargo, también hay consecuencias desfavorables de su implementación en las empresas, como el prescindir de mano de obra o puestos de trabajo, generándose así la controversia. Para el desarrollo de la investigación se utilizó una metodología correlacional, descriptiva y conceptual. Se concluirá que el impacto social de la IA va a ser enorme. Pero aún hay preguntas clave sin una respuesta clara, donde nos preguntamos si están las sociedades preparadas para lo que viene y qué medidas deberían tomar las empresas para que la inteligencia artificial mejore la forma de vida del ser humano del siglo XXI.
Artificial intelligence (AI), also known as unnatural intelligence, presents a great advance for humanity in different economic sectors, by replacing processes and functions with expert systems or industrial robots. However, it is questioned whether AI brings value and development in the work environment for the human being, if it creates more jobs or the opposite. The purpose of this paper is to present relevant research on artificial intelligence and its controversial impact on employment and unemployment in industries, as the central theme of this document. The historical beginnings of AI, the analysis of different perspectives and their application are also reviewed. This investigation addresses the explanation of intelligent systems, the main reasons for use in various economic sectors, the risks and advantages of their application in organizations, the most developed economic sectors in the application of technology in recent decades, as well as its evolution in recent years in Peru and the world. The relevance of the topic to be presented is AI and its acceptance in industries, generating positive results in profits, cost reduction, process efficiencies and profitability. Also the use of the various tools that it provides, such as the use of Chatbots; However, there are also unfavorable consequences of its implementation in companies, such as dispensing with labor or jobs, thus generating controversy. A correlational, descriptive and conceptual methodology was used for the development of the research. It will be concluded that the social impact of AI is going to be enormous. But there are still key questions without a clear answer, where we wonder if societies are prepared for what is coming and what measures companies should take to make artificial intelligence improve the way of life of the human being of the 21st century.
Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional

Durante las últimas décadas la química analítica ha experimentado una extraordinaria evolución con tal de satisfacer la actual demanda de información en tiempo real e in situ, partiendo de la instrumentación clásica (de gran versatilidad aunque voluminosa, cara e implicando largos tiempos de análisis) para alcanzar nuevos sistemas miniaturizados y económicos capaces de satisfacer los requerimientos actuales. Esta evolución ha dado lugar a la aparición de los conocidos sistemas de tipo Lab on a Chip (LOC) y los microsistemas de análisis total (μTAS), integrando, estos últimos, todas las etapas del procedimiento analítico en una misma plataforma microfluídica. Este alto nivel de integración y miniaturización ha sido posible gracias a la existencia de un conjunto de elementos microfluídicos que permiten realizar las operaciones fluídicas necesarias para una aplicación dada. En este contexto, la presente tesis pretende ampliar el alcance de las aplicaciones de los uTAS, así como contribuir al conjunto de elementos microfluídicos existente actualmente. La tesis recoge el desarrollo de tres sistemas microfluídicos que se han aplicado a la cuantificación de diversos analitos de interés en el vino y el desarrollo de una nueva válvula para plataformas microfluídicas centrífugas. Debido a sus excepcionales propiedades, se ha escogido el copolímero de olefina cíclica (COC) como sustrato para la construcción de los sistemas mencionados. Primeramente, se presenta el desarrollo de un sistema miniaturizado, económico e automatizado para la determinación espectrofotométrica de la acidez titulable en vinos. El sistema desarrollado permite la cuantificación de la acidez en muestras individuales, así como la monitorización de ésta durante los procesos de vinificación. El microsistema se ha optimizado para ambos casos, priorizando en el primero un alto rendimiento y un mínimo consumo de muestra y reactivos y, en el segundo, una elevada robustez y la completa automatización del sistema. El mismo microanalizador se ha empleado exitosamente para determinar el contenido de nitrógeno amínico primario (PAN) en vinos, haciendo mínimos cambios en el sistema y demostrando así su gran versatilidad. Los resultados obtenidos confirman un excelente funcionamiento del sistema para las tres aplicaciones estudiadas. Se presenta también el desarrollo de un sistema microfluídico centrífugo para el análisis enzimático y en paralelo de diversos analitos de interés en vinos. El ácido L-láctico, el analito seleccionado como prueba de concepto, se ha cuantificado mediante un método de adición estándar “on-chip”. Para ello se ha implementado una estructura de alicuotado doble que permite dividir una muestra de vino y un volumen dado de disolución patrón en distintos sub-volúmenes. Esta plataforma está todavía en etapa de desarrollo. No obstante, se han obtenido ya resultados muy prometedores. Finalmente, se describe el desarrollo de una nueva válvula para plataformas de microfluídica centrífuga, el funcionamiento de la cual está basado en la deformación de un disco de polidimetilsiloxano (PDMS) debido a la presión que ejercen dos pequeños imanes, uno a cada lado de la válvula, sobre éste. A bajas revoluciones, la presión deforma el disco bloqueando la conexión entre dos canales. A velocidades de rotación superiores, uno de los imanes se desplaza a consecuencia del incremento de la fuerza centrífuga, liberando la presión sobre el disco y permitiendo, así, el paso del líquido. A demás de ser fácil de construir e integrar, esta válvula es reversible, permitiendo así una gestión de fluidos altamente flexible y sofisticada. Los resultados presentados en esta tesis manifiestan las ventajas del uso de sistemas miniaturizados para aplicaciones analíticas, así como el potencial de usar COC como sustrato para sistemas de tipo LOC. A demás, los métodos de fabricación empleados son potencialmente extrapolables a la producción en masa, requerimiento esencial para la viabilidad comercial de este tipo de sistemas.
During the last few decades analytical chemistry has experienced an extraordinary evolution in order to meet the actual demand of on-time and in-situ information, moving from versatile yet bulky, time-consuming and expensive classical instrumentation towards novel economical miniaturised systems which are capable to fulfil the nowadays requirements. This evolution gave rise to the so-called Lab on a Chip (LOC) systems and micro total analysis systems (μTAS), these latter integrating all the steps of the analytical procedure in a single microfluidic platform. This high level of integration and miniaturisation has been possible due to the existence of a “toolbox” of microfluidic elements that allow to perform the basic fluidic operations required within a given application. In this context, the present thesis aims to broaden the scope of the μTAS applications as well as to contribute to the currently available microfluidic toolbox. This dissertation describes the development of three different microsystems which have been applied to the quantification of various analytes of interest in wine, along with the development of a novel valving system for centrifugal microfluidic platforms. Due to its outstanding properties, Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) has been selected as the substrate material for the construction of the abovementioned systems. Firstly, an economical, automated and miniaturised system for the spectrophotometric determination of titratable acidity in wines is presented. The developed system permits not only the quantification of titratable acidity in individual wine samples, but also its continuous monitoring during wine-making processes. The microsystem has been optimised for both situations, prioritising, in one case, high throughput and minimal reagent and sample consumptions and, in the second case, high robustness and a complete automation of the system. The same microanalyser has been successfully applied to the measurement of the Primary Amino Nitrogen (PAN) content in wine. Minimal modifications were required, thus demonstrating the high versatility of the developed microsystem. The obtained results confirm an excellent performance of the microsystem for the three applications studied. The development of a centrifugal microfluidic system for the parallel enzyme-based analysis of several wine parameters is also presented. L-lactic acid, the analyte selected as proof-of-concept, has been quantified by performing an on-chip standard addition. With that purpose, a double aliquoting structure that allows to split a wine sample into equal sub-volumes and an L-lactic acid standard solution into variable volumes, has been implemented. The platform is still in the development stage, although promising results have already been obtained. Finally, a novel magnetically actuated valving system for centrifugal microfluidic platforms is described. The working principle of the valve is based on the deformation of a flexible PDMS disc as a result of the magnetic attractive forces between two magnets, one at each side of the valve. At low rotational speeds, the pressure exerted onto the disc blocks the connection between two channels. At higher rotational speeds, one of the magnets is displaced as a result of the increase of the centrifugal force, thus releasing the pressure that kept the valve closed and allowing the fluid flow. Apart from being easily constructed and integrated, the major strength of this valve lies on its reversibility, which enables a highly sophisticated and flexible fluid management. The results presented in this dissertation manifest the advantages of using miniaturised systems for analytical applications as well as the high potential of using COC as the substrate material for LOC devices. Moreover, the fabrication methodologies employed could potentially be extrapolated to mass production, which is an essential requirement for the commercial viability of these systems.

The work presented in this thesis focused on the automation of multistep organic syntheses on a laboratory scale in batch. Automation has received much attention in the chemical sciences and many automated synthesis solutions are commercially available or in development, yet all those solutions are focused on narrow aspects of the wider problem of automating chemical synthesis. In particular, a gap in the currently employed technologies was identified where synthesis in batch on a gram scale was concerned. Furthermore, many available solutions are monolithic and cannot easily be adapted for new applications, partially due to shortcomings of the hardware design, and partially due to the bespoke software controlling them. To address this need for a new approach to automated synthesis, a novel strategy comprising hardware modules dedicated to individual unit operations (as opposed to other solutions built around specific chemical transformations) and a modular flexible control software was developed. To enable the hardware development, liquid handling hardware was built and optimised, and four major modules for the unit operations of mixing under heating or cooling, liquid/liquid separation, filtration, and evaporation as well as several auxiliary modules were developed and tested. The control software orchestrating the operation of the synthesis platform was modelled after a compiler in modern computer science, separating the synthetic operations from the physical hardware of the platform. This way, synthetic procedures can be transferred between different platforms, and new hardware modules can be added to the system at will. To enable the average synthetic chemist to use the system, a rudimentary scripting language for chemical operations was developed. To prove the capabilities of the platform, three Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) were synthesised in a fully automated fashion in yields and purities comparable to those obtained by hand. The automated reactions included a Grignard reaction and a chlorosulfonation, to name but a few. Additionally, the synthesis of one of the APIs was repeated on two physically different platforms simply by executing the same code on both systems.

A pursuer UAV tracking and loitering around a target is the problem analyzed in this thesis. The UAV is assumed to be a fixed-wing vehicle and constant airspeed together with bounded lateral accelerations are the main constraints of the problem. Three different guidance laws are designed for ensuring a continuos overfly on the target. Different proofs are presented to demonstrate the stability properties of the laws. All the algorithms are tested on a 6DoF Pioneer software simulator. Classic control design methods have been adopted to develop autopilots for implementig the simulation platform used for testing the guidance laws.

A pursuer UAV tracking and loitering around a target is the problem analyzed in this thesis. The UAV is assumed to be a fixed-wing vehicle and constant airspeed together with bounded lateral accelerations are the main constraints of the problem. Three different guidance laws are designed for ensuring a continuos overfly on the target. Different proofs are presented to demonstrate the stability properties of the laws. All the algorithms are tested on a 6DoF Pioneer software simulator. Classic control design methods have been adopted to develop autopilots for implementig the simulation platform used for testing the guidance laws.

The report is focused on the implementation of a data acquisition system that will be used for measuring different parameters which are needed in solar panel behavior analysis. To accomplish the DAQ system a DAQ board has been designed and implemented. This DAQ board acquires measured climatic parameters that affect the PV module behavior and voltage and current of a PV module. The DAQ board may take measurements of multiple analog and digital signals that come from various sensors including solar radiation, temperature, wind sensors and other measurement devices. The DAQ board may also output analog signals for controlling other devices. The DAQ board is the basic part of the DAQ system and several of them can be connected via a single communication bus (RS485). A unique slave ID can be assigned to each DAQ board on the communication bus, which allows the control of all boards via a GUI application installed on a master computer. Therefore, the DAQ system can be used for monitoring a PV module installation as well as logging the measured data in a data storage server. This report outlines the details of the DAQ system design which are helpful in utilizing or upgrading this system. These details also include programming of DAQ board and implementation of MODBUS communication protocol within the DAQ system.

Automatic vehicle locator (AVL) systems, utilizing military's global positioning system, may impact response time to law enforcement calls for service. In order to evaluate the impacts of AVL on response time to calls for service at the Altamonte Springs Police Department (ASPD), computer aided dispatch (CAD) data from years 1999 to 2003 were analyzed. The analysis of each of the data sets consisted of an initial sequence chart, an analysis of variance (ANOVA), a means plot and a linear regression. Interviews of ASPD personnel were conducted to understand user perceptions of AVL. Based on the ANOVA results, trends indicate that weekly response time was significantly lower during the AVL partial implementation period than during the pre or post AVL stages across all categories of data analyzed. Based on the regression results, trends indicate that the overall impact of AVL on response time for all categories analyzed is flat and show AVL as having no overall impact on response time across all calls for service analyzed. An exception to this is the findings related to Priority 3 calls for service; however this exception can be attributed to performance during the pre AVL implementation stage. These results do not suggest a capability for AVL to reduce response time to calls for service in a meaningful comprehensive way. Thus, the study's hypotheses are not supported.
Ph.D.
Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
Health and Public Affairs
Public Affairs: Ph.D.

Before a new flight control system is released for flight, a huge number of simulations are evaluated to find weaknesses of the system. This process is called flight clearance. Flight clearance is a very important but time consuming process. There is a need of better flight clearance methods and one of the most promising methods is the use of optimization. In this thesis the flight clearance of a simulation model of JAS 39 Gripen is examined. Two flight clearance algorithms using two different optimization methods are evaluated and compared to each other and to a traditional flight clearance method.

In this thesis the flight clearance process is separated into three cases: search for the worst flight condition, search for the worst manoeuvre and search for the worst flight condition including parameter uncertainties. For all cases the optimization algorithms find a more dangerous case than the traditional method. In the search for worst flight condition, both with and without uncertainties, the optimization algorithms are to prefer to the traditional method with respect to the clearance results and the number of objective function calls. The search for the worst manoeuvre is a much more complex problem. Even as the algorithms find more dangerous manoeuvres than the traditional method, it is not certain that they find the worst manoeuvres. If not other methods should be used the problem has to be rephrased. For example other optimization variables or a few linearizations of the optimization problem could reduce the complexity.

The overall impression is that the need of information and problem characteristics define which method that is most suitable to use. The information required must be weighed against the cost of objective function calls. Compared to the traditional method, the optimization methods used in this thesis give extended information about the problems examined and are better to locate the worst case.

This work deals with the numerical-optimisation methods employed for assessing the minimum-lap-time of race vehicles. A particular emphasis is given to the simulations based on the solution of an optimal-control problem. First, a detailed review is devoted to the optimal-control theory, including direct and indirect methods, together with explicit and implicit formulations. Three vehicle models are proposed for the implementation in steady-state and dynamic simulations. A steady-state double-track race-car model is presented first, implementing aerodynamic forces, Pacejka-based tyre model, fixed brake-ratio and steady-state lateral-load transfer. This model is then extended including the transient effects for the implementation in a dynamic minimum-time simulation. An essential but comprehensive steady-state motorcycle model is also presented, retaining the peculiar aspects of the motorcycle dynamics, such as the wheelie and stoppie conditions, while assuming the optimal braking-bias. Then, an optimisation program is developed for computing the race car g-g envelope. A different approach is shown for the steady-state motorcycle model, which is employed for computing the g-g diagrams analytically. Finally, the most widespread minimum-lap-time simulations are discussed and developed for the presented models, including a quasi-steady-state fixed-trajectory apex-finding approach and a quasi-steady-state fixed-trajectory optimal-control simulation. In addition, a novel approach that combines a steady-state vehicle model with the trajectory optimisation is presented and compared to the discussed simulations. This approach builds upon the formulation of an optimal-control problem and employs the g-g diagrams for limiting the vehicle performance. The results are employed for a sensitivity analysis, that underlines the effect of different parameters on the resulting race line. A dynamic race car model is also implemented in a free-trajectory optimal-control simulation. This program is employed for analysing the effect of different steering geometries on the vehicle performance in different test manoeuvres and during a track lap.

Cette thèse s'inscrit dans le cadre de l'utilisation de l'allocation de commande dans le domaine de l'électrotechnique et l'électronique de puissance. Elle comporte deux volets, le premier orienté sur la théorie de l'allocation de commande et le second en lien avec la conception de lois de commande pour les convertisseurs en parallèles. L'allocation de commande donne des solutions pour commander des systèmes redondants en entrée. Toutefois les définitions et caractérisations de cette classe de systèmes souffrent d'un manque d'uniformité. C'est pourquoi dans le premier volet, cette thèse présente de nouvelles définitions et caractérisations générales de systèmes linéaires redondants en entrée en prenant en compte les contraintes d'entrée et d'état. Le cadre d'application de la technique d'allocation dite "géométrique" est également étendu pour prendre en compte des contraintes d'entrée. À la lumière de ces contributions, nous montrons dans le second volet que le système de convertisseurs continus en parallèle alimentant une charge unique est redondant en entrée. Sur ce système, des techniques de commande basées sur l'allocation de commande sont utilisées en apportant des preuves de stabilité et de performance. Ces développements sont appuyés par des simulations et des expérimentations
This thesis is about the use of control allocation theory in the field of electrical engineering and power electronics. It is composed of two parts. The first one is related to control allocation theory and the second one focuses on the control of a particular application: the parallel interconnection of DC/DC converters. The control allocation theory gives tools to design control laws for input redundant systems. However, current definitions about those systems suffer from a lack of uniformity. That is why the first part provides new definitions and characterisations of input redundant systems in order to take input and state constraints into account. Furthermore, the control allocation method named "geometric approach" is enhanced to deal with input constraints while designing the control law. Thanks to those contributions, it is shown in the second part that the system composed of the parallel interconnection of DC/DC converters to a single load is an input redundant system. On this system, some methods of the control allocation theory are used to design a controller with stability and performance guarantees. Simulations and experimentations are given to highlight those development

The maturity level of Internet Protocol (IP) and the emergence of standard Ethernet interfaces of Hydrocarbon Process Automation Application (HPAA) present a real opportunity to combine independent industrial applications onto an integrated IP based network platform. Quality of Service (QoS) for IP over Ethernet has the strength to regulate traffic mix and support timely delivery. The combinations of these technologies lend themselves to provide a platform to support HPAA applications across Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) networks. HPAA systems are composed of sensors, actuators, and logic solvers networked together to form independent control system network platforms. They support hydrocarbon plants operating under critical conditions that — if not controlled — could become dangerous to people, assets and the environment. This demands high speed networking which is triggered by the need to capture data with higher frequency rate at a finer granularity. Nevertheless, existing HPAA network infrastructure is based on unique autonomous systems, which has resulted in multiple, parallel and separate networks with limited interconnectivity supporting different functions. This created increased complexity in integrating various applications and resulted higher costs in the technology life cycle total ownership. To date, the concept of consolidating HPAA into a converged IP network over standard Ethernet has not yet been explored. This research aims to explore and develop the HPAA Process Control Systems (PCS) in a Converged Internet Protocol (CIP) using experimental and simulated networks case studies. Results from experimental and simulation work showed encouraging outcomes and provided a good argument for supporting the co-existence of HPAA and non-HPAA applications taking into consideration timeliness and reliability requirements. This was achieved by invoking priority based scheduling with the highest priority being awarded to PCS among other supported services such as voice, multimedia streams and other applications. HPAA can benefit from utilizing CIP over Ethernet by reducing the number of interdependent HPAA PCS networks to a single uniform and standard network. In addition, this integrated infrastructure offers a platform for additional support services such as multimedia streaming, voice, and data. This network‐based model manifests itself to be integrated with remote control system platform capabilities at the end user's desktop independent of space and time resulting in the concept of plant virtualization.

Every day system administrators perform many tasks that share one common requirement: information about the system.This information has to be up-to-date and reliable.To collect this information on demand and manually is time consuming and labour intensive.In the Network and Systems Administration (NSA) lab environment at the University of Skövde, there are many computers which need to be administrated.Today this is done by using a shared spreadsheet, a costly method with drawbacks.This project will search for answers to the question ``How can an automated client inventory improve the work of administrators at the NSA lab?''.To answer this question, a prototype will be created and its performance compared with the manual collection of information.In order to create a realistic and useful prototype, a list of requirements for inventories has to be assembled.The prototype has additionally to take the peculiarities of the NSA lab environment into account.The information has to be gathered without any permanent installation of a client, as there are no internal hard drives available.This detail makes it impossible for already existing applications to be deployed.The NSA administrators will then compare the performance of the prototype with the manual collection of data. They will conduct a trial during which they will be observed and afterwards answer some questions about the process. The results of the analysis of this data yielded a number of hypotheses.Common concepts like the time saving by automation get supported by this projects findings, but also less obvious observations are made. With the help of an automated network inventory administrators can become proactive and fix potential issues before they become problems.The extraction of information from a network inventory requires less knowledge about system administration, as the information is presented in an user interface.The user does not need to gather data as this is done by the network inventory.Only the extraction of the right information from the user interface is required.Information useful to the continued development of the prototype was collected as well. Improvements to the user interface as well as more automation should be added to the prototype in order to further improve the efficiency compared to the manual collection of information.

Denna rapport beskriver utvecklingen av en ny styrutrustning för SP´s provning av elektriskaprodukter som sitter i explosionskänslig miljö. Enligt svensk lagstiftning måste produkternauppfylla ATEX-direktivet. SP har en gnistprovningsapparat för provning av elektriskaprodukter. Styrutrustningen till gnistprovningsapparaten har genom åren blivit omodern ochbesvärlig att använda. Den gamla utrustningen är konstruerad på tidigt 80-tal och saknar enkomplett dokumentation. Den bristfälliga dokumentation och komponenter som idag inte gåratt få tag på har gjort utrustningen osäker. Önskemålet är att konstruera en ny styrutrustningsom går att styra med mjukvara utvecklad i LabVIEW 6.1.Ny hårdvara har konstruerats med inventarienummer 504140. Utrustningen har blivit merkompakt och enklare för operatören att använda. En komplett dokumentation har tagits framför den nya styrutrustningen. Hårdvaran kontrolleras nu via ett USB gränssnitt till dator.Mjukvaran som används är utvecklad i LabVIEW 6.1 med namnet Spark Ignition Test v2.0.
Uppsatsnivå: C

Uno de los temas más destacados del área de visión artifical se deriva del análisis facial automático. En particular, la detección precisa de caras humanas y el análisis biométrico de las mismas son problemas que han generado especial interés debido a la gran cantidad de aplicaciones que actualmente hacen uso de estos mecnismos. En esta Tesis Doctoral se analizan por separado los problemas relacionados con detección precisa de caras basada en la localización de los ojos y el reconomcimiento facial a partir de la extracción de características locales de textura. Los algoritmos desarrollados abordan el problema de la extracción de la identidad a partir de una imagen de cara ( en vista frontal o semi-frontal), para escenarios parcialmente controlados. El objetivo es desarrollar algoritmos robustos y que puedan incorpararse fácilmente a aplicaciones reales, tales como seguridad avanzada en banca o la definición de estrategias comerciales aplicadas al sector de retail. Respecto a la extracción de texturas locales, se ha realizado un análisis exhaustivo de los descriptores más extendidos; se ha puesto especial énfasis en el estudio de los Histogramas de Grandientes Orientados (HOG features). En representaciones normalizadas de la cara, estos descriptores ofrecen información discriminativa de los elementos faciales (ojos, boca, etc.), siendo robustas a variaciones en la iluminación y pequeños desplazamientos. Se han elegido diferentes algoritmos de clasificación para realizar la detección y el reconocimiento de caras, todos basados en una estrategia de sistemas supervisados. En particular, para la localización de ojos se ha utilizado clasificadores boosting y Máquinas de Soporte Vectorial (SVM) sobre descriptores HOG. En el caso de reconocimiento de caras, se ha desarrollado un nuevo algoritmo, HOG-EBGM (HOG sobre Elastic Bunch Graph Matching). Dada la imagen de una cara, el esquema seguido por este algoritmo se puede resumir en pocos pasos: en una primera etapa se ext
Monzó Ferrer, D. (2012). Contributions on Automatic Recognition of Faces using Local Texture Features [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/16698
Palancia

Flight Control Systems are often designed in linearization points over a flight envelope and it must be proven to clearance authorities that the system works for different parameter variations and failures all over this envelope.

In this thesis µ-analysis is tried as a complement for linear analysis in the frequency plane. Using this method stability can be guaranteed for all static parameter combinations modelled and linear criteria such as phase and gain margins and most unstable eigenvalue can be included in the analysis. A way of including bounds on the parameter variations using parameter dependent Lyapunov functions is also tried.

To perform µ-analysis the system must be described as a Linear Fractional Transformation (LFT). This is a way of reformulating a parameter dependent system description as an interconnection of a nominal linear time invariant system and a structured parameter block.

A linear and a rational approximation of the system are used to make LFTs. These methods are compared. Four algorithms for calculation of the upper and lower bounds of µ are evaluated. The methods are tried on VEGAS, a SAAB research aircraft model.

µ-analysis works quite well for linear clearance. The rational approximation LFT gives best results and can be cleared for the criteria mentioned above. A combination of the algorithms is used for best results. When the Lyapunov based method is used the size of the problem grows quite fast and, due to numerical problems, stability can only be guaranteed for a reduced model.

La sociedad está siendo testigo de una revolución digital que ha generado cambios en diversos ámbitos. Uno de estos cambios es la construcción de o la transformación de edificios comunes a Smart Buildings, lo que puede conseguir que varios aspectos como la seguridad, el consumo energético, entre otros, se gestionen de forma más eficiente. El desarrollo de Smart Buildings es acompañado del desarrollo de las tecnologías IoT (Internet of Things), las cuales son una opción de soporte para convertir un edificio en inteligente. El IoT, entre sus beneficios, permite que los entornos tecnológicos y físicos se puedan integrar y ha sido ampliamente involucrado en diversas industrias e iniciativas. Asimismo, entre sus áreas de aplicación se encuentra el ser utilizado para que los Smart Buildings puedan recopilar datos que les indiquen qué accionar realizar automáticamente. Siendo así, entre aquellas áreas donde el IoT tendría impactos significativos están la construcción, operación y administración de edificios para facilitar servicios, brindar funcionalidades eficientes y avanzar hacia objetivos de sostenibilidad. Por otra parte, el uso de arquitecturas tecnológicas ha permitido que varias empresas hayan logrado aprovechar las tecnologías de la información de forma óptima en sus procesos de mitigación de riesgos, capacidad de cambios en sus sistemas organizacionales, entre otros. Siendo así, la motivación del proyecto yace en brindar una arquitectura tecnológica para las implementaciones de Smart Buildings con IoT que permita a las organizaciones contar con un diseño guía y que puedan cambiar sus componentes según la complejidad y exigencia de sus requerimientos.
Society is witnessing a digital revolution that has caused changes in several fields. One of these changes is the construction of or the transformation of traditional buildings into Smart Buildings, which can ensure that many aspects such as security, energy consumption, among others, are managed efficiently. The development of Smart Buildings is followed by the development of IoT (Internet of Things) technologies, which are a support option to turn a building into a smart one. The IoT, among its benefits, allows technological and physical environments to be integrated and has been widely involved in various industries and initiatives. Also, among its areas of application is being used so that Smart Buildings can collect data that tells them what to do automatically. Thus, among those areas where the IoT would have significant impacts are the construction, operation, and administration of buildings to facilitate services, provide efficient functionalities and advance towards sustainability objectives. On the other hand, the use of technological architectures has conceded various companies to achieve optimal use of information technologies in their risk mitigation processes, the ability to change their organizational systems, among others. Thus, the motivation of the project lies in providing a technological architecture for the implementation of Smart Buildings with IoT that allows organizations to have a guide design and that they can change their components according to the complexity and requirement of their requirements.
Trabajo de investigación

Las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación constituyen hoy en día una herramienta fundamental para el trabajo humano en el futuro, pues ha contribuido a reducir las distancias y ha alcanzado la información a muchas personas al mismo tiempo. Además, la automatización ha mejorado notablemente las perspectivas del trabajo industrial aminorando drásticamente el trabajo humano. Para ello, la inteligencia artificial ocupa un lugar trascendental, pues permite desarrollar la automatización a un nivel más alto, pues facilita la actividad humana a través de las comunicaciones y la ingeniería, entre otros. Para desarrollar la presente propuesta, se expone, en primer lugar, un contexto tecnológico en el cual se revisarán las diferentes variables encontradas como por ejemplo automatización, industria 4.0, inteligencia artificial y tecnologías de la información. En segundo lugar, a través de un contexto socio cultural, se revisan variables como adaptación, cultura, brechas políticas e inestabilidad laboral. En tercer lugar, se presentarán y contrastarán las principales posturas acerca de los efectos a largo plazo de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la automatización en el trabajo humano con la finalidad de presentar la controversia sobre los efectos a largo plazo de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y automatización en el trabajo humano. En conclusión, es necesario destacar el desarrollo de la inteligencia artificial y su impacto en las tecnologías de la información, el entorno asociado a las personas y su entendimiento de la idiosincrasia, así como la información y la automatización en el trabajo humano.
Information and communication technologies are today a fundamental tool for human work in the future, as it has contributed to reducing distances and has reached information to many people at the same time. In addition, automation has markedly improved the prospects for industrial work by drastically reducing human labor. For this, artificial intelligence occupies a transcendental place, since it allows to develop automation at a higher level, since it facilitates human activity through communications and engineering, among others. To develop this proposal, a technological context is exposed, first of all, in which the different variables found will be reviewed, such as automation, industry 4.0, artificial intelligence and information technologies. Second, through a socio-cultural context, we will review variables such as adaptation, culture, political gaps, and job instability. Third, the main positions on the long-term effects of new information technologies and automation on human work will be presented and contrasted with the aim of presenting the controversy on the long-term effects of new information technologies. information and automation in human work. In conclusion, it is necessary to highlight the development of artificial intelligence and its impact on information technologies, the environment associated with people and their understanding of idiosyncrasy, as well as information and automation in human work.
Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional

La recepción de las resoluciones obligatorias de las Organizaciones internacionales de cooperación en los ordenamientos jurídicos internos y, en particular, en el derecho español es una cuestión de creciente actualidad y poco estudiada hasta ahora. En este estudio, a través del examen de las normas y procedimientos aplicables a la recepción y de la práctica interna sobre la materia, se analizan, con un enfoque dogmático, las cuestiones jurídicas que suscita la ejecución in concreto de estas resoluciones en dichos ordenamientos jurídicos, en especial, en el español: Se contextualiza en el marco de las relaciones entre el Derecho internacional y los derechos internos; después se examina la recepción de tales resoluciones, distinguiendo entre recepción automática y transformación; se estudia de forma de independiente la publicación de dichas resoluciones; asimismo, se analizan los conceptos de resolución directamente aplicable y resolución no directamente aplicable y su aplicación en los derechos internos; y, finalmente, se estudia la primacía de las resoluciones citadas en los derechos internos, incluidos los criterios para resolver las relaciones entre normas internacionales e internas.
La recepció de les resolucions obligatòries de les Organitzacions internacionals de cooperació en els ordenaments jurídics interns i, en particular, en el dret espanyol és una qüestió de creixent actualitat i poc estudiada fins ara. En aquest estudi, mitjançant l'examen de les normes i procediments aplicables a la recepció i de la pràctica interna sobre aquesta matèria, s'analitzen, amb un enfocament dogmàtic, les qüestions jurídiques que suscita l'execució in concreto d'aquestes resolucions als esmentats ordenaments jurídics, en especial, al espanyol: Es contextualitza en el marc de les relacions entre el Dret internacional i els drets interns; desprès s'examina la recepció de les esmentades resolucions, distingint entre recepció automàtica i transformació; s'estudia de forma independent la publicació de les resolucions; així mateix, s'analitzen els conceptes de resolució directament aplicable i de resolució no directament aplicable i la seva aplicació als drets interns; i, finalment, la primacia de les resolucions esmentades en els drets interns, inclosos els criteris per resoldre les relacions entre normes internacionals i internes.
The incorporation of obligatory resolutions emanating from International Organizations for cooperation to domestic legal systems and, in particular, to the Spanish legal system constitutes an issue of growing interest that has received little academic attention. Through the analysis of norms and procedures applicable to the incorporation, and of the internal practice in this matter, this study analyzes the legal aspects emanating from the execution in concreto of these resolutions in domestic legal systems and, in particular, in the Spanish one. First, the study contextualizes this execution within the frame determined by relations between the International Law and domestic laws. Second, it examines the incorporation of these resolutions, distinguishing between automatic incorporation and transformation; the publication of resolutions is considered in an independent section. The study also analyzes the concepts of self-executing resolutions and non-self-executing resolutions and their application to domestic legal systems. Finally, it focuses on the primacy of the aforementioned resolutions within domestic legal systems, including the criteria to manage relations between domestic and international norms.

This thesis proposes a framework for identifying the root-cause of a voltage disturbance, as well as, its source location (upstream/downstream) from the monitoring place. The framework works with three-phase voltage and current waveforms collected in radial distribution networks without distributed generation. Real-world and synthetic waveforms are used to test it. The framework involves features that are conceived based on electrical principles, and assuming some hypothesis on the analyzed phenomena. Features considered are based on waveforms and timestamp information. Multivariate analysis of variance and rule induction algorithms are applied to assess the amount of meaningful information explained by each feature, according to the root-cause of the disturbance and its source location. The obtained classification rates show that the proposed framework could be used for automatic diagnosis of voltage disturbances collected in radial distribution networks. Furthermore, the diagnostic results can be subsequently used for supporting power network operation, maintenance and planning.
En esta tesis se propone una metodología para la identificación de la localización relativa (aguas arriba/abajo) y la causa de una perturbación eléctrica. La metodología utiliza las ondas trifásicas de tensión y de corriente registradas en redes de distribución radial sin presencia de generación distribuida. La metodología es validada utilizando perturbaciones eléctricas reales y simuladas. La metodología involucra atributos que han sido concebidos basándose en principios eléctricos e hipótesis de acuerdo a cada uno de los fenómenos eléctricos analizados. Se propusieron atributos tanto basados en la forma de onda como en la fecha de ocurrencia de la perturbación. La cantidad de información contenida y/o explicada por cada atributo es valorada mediante la aplicación del análisis multivariante de la varianza y algoritmos de extracción automática de reglas de decisión. Los resultados de clasificación muestran que la metodología propuesta puede ser utilizada para el diagnóstico automático de perturbaciones eléctricas registradas en redes de distribución radial. Los resultados de diagnóstico pueden ser utilizados para apoyar las tareas de operación, mantenimiento y planeamiento de las redes de distribución.

[EN] The present thesis work has been developed around the integration of techniques for the early detection and diagnosis of failures in industrial processes. It has been considered the sequence of the alarms of a fluidized catalytic Cracking Unit and its use in early detection and diagnosis of failures. The specific objectives are listed in the first part of the document and refer to process safety, operational reliability and management of alarms. The aim of this thesis and previous research work is to increase process security and operational reliability and to decrease the number of alarms that are presented to the operators of industrial plants, contributing to the appropriate detection and troubleshooting. First I make a review of the state of the art techniques for the detection and diagnosis of failures and their integration, as well as the search of algorithms to analyze sequences of alarms. Its application is subsequently displayed in a set of data associated with a real failure of a fluidized catalytic cracking plant, to find the sequence of alarms associated with the faults in question. Then I discuss the techniques proposed for integration and the issue of the development of an intelligent software tool for the detection and diagnosis of failures, which is already in operation at the refinery in Barrancabermeja (Colombia). A clear methodology is shown to be able to find sequences of alarms. At the end I reach some valuable conclusions and detailed contributions to the state of the art in the field of detection and diagnosis of failures. During the research work I studied the feasibility of using intervalar models for dealing with uncertainty. I made important findings in this study, and concluded that the use of models (such as the step response) simplified the complexity of the construction of the complete model of a fluidized catalytic cracking unit. It has been used statistical process control (SPC) as a tool to detect symptoms of operational failures. This research developed and proposed the extended fault dictionary as an alternative to the integration of different detection and fault diagnosis techniques. The extended dictionary of failures is a logical framework where symptoms which can detect each technique, along with the hypothesis of failure and the mode of operation of the process that are valid to detect the failure. This framework allows the construction of logical rules through which the process of logical inference can be applied to validate the hypotheses of failure.
[ES] El presente trabajo de tesis se ha desarrollado en torno a la integración de técnicas para la detección temprana y el diagnóstico de fallos en procesos industriales y a las secuencias de las alarmas de una unidad de Cracking Catalítico Fluidizado, y su uso en la detección temprana y el diagnóstico de fallos. En la primera parte del documento se detallan los objetivos específicos y se habla de los temas de Seguridad de Proceso, Confiabilidad Operacional y Gerenciamiento de Alarmas, que dieron origen a esta tesis doctoral. Se muestra como el objetivo de esta tesis y de trabajos de investigación previos es el de incrementar la seguridad de proceso, la confiabilidad operacional y disminuir el número de alarmas que se le presentan a los operadores de plantas industriales, contribuyendo a la apropiada detección y diagnóstico de fallos. Luego se hace una revisión del estado del arte en las técnicas para la detección y el diagnóstico de fallos, y la integración de las mismas, así como de algoritmos de búsqueda para analizar las secuencias de alarmas. Su aplicación se mostrará posteriormente en un conjunto de datos asociados a un fallo real de una planta de Cracking Catalítico Fluidizado, para hallar la secuencia de las alarmas asociada al fallo en cuestión. Posteriormente se habla sobre las técnicas propuestas para la integración y se toca el tema del desarrollo de una herramienta de software inteligente para la detección y el diagnóstico de fallos, que ya se encuentra en operación en la refinería de Barrancabermeja (Colombia). Se muestra una metodología clara para poder hallar las secuencias de alarmas. Al final se llegan a algunas conclusiones valiosas y se detallan los aportes al estado del arte en el tema de detección y diagnóstico de fallos. Durante el trabajo de investigación desarrollado se hizo un estudio de la viabilidad de utilizar modelos intervalares para abordar el tema de la incertidumbre. Se hicieron importantes hallazgos en dicho estudio, y se concluyó que es mejor el uso de modelos simplificados (como el de respuesta escalón) debido a la complejidad que trae implícita la construcción del modelo completo de una unidad de Cracking Catalítico Fluidizado. Se ha utilizado el Control Estadístico de Procesos (SPC) como herramienta para detectar los síntomas de los fallos operacionales sobre los que se ha centrado esta investigación. Esta investigación desarrolló y propuso el diccionario de fallos extendido como alternativa para la integración de diferentes técnicas de detección y diagnóstico de fallos. El diccionario extendido de fallos es un marco lógico donde se pueden plantear los síntomas que permite detectar cada técnica, junto con la hipótesis de fallo y el modo de operación del proceso, en el que son válidos los síntomas para detectar el fallo. Este marco permite la construcción de reglas lógicas a través de las cuales se puede aplicar el proceso de inferencia lógica para validar las hipótesis de fallo.
[CAT] El present treball de tesi s'ha desenvolupat al voltant de la integració de tècniques per a la detecció precoç i diagnòstic de fallades en els processos industrials. S'ha considerat la seqüència de les alarmes d'una unitat de craqueig catalític fluïditzat i el seu ús en la detecció precoç i diagnòstic d'avaries. Els objectius específics s'enumeren en la primera part del document i es refereixen al procés de seguretat, fiabilitat de funcionament i gestió d'alarmes. L'objectiu d'aquesta tesi i el treball previ de recerca és augmentar la seguretat del procés i la confiabilitat operativa i disminuir el nombre d'alarmes que es presenten als operadors de plantes industrials, contribuint a la detecció adequada d'avaries i depuració d'alarmes. Primer vaig fer una revisió del estat de l'art per a la detecció i diagnosi de fallades i la seva integració, així com la recerca d'algorismes per analitzar seqüències d'alarmes. La seva aplicació posteriorment es mostra en un conjunt de dades associades a una planta de craqueig catalític fluïditzat, trobar la seqüència d'alarmes associades amb les fallades en qüestió. Llavors vaig parlar de les tècniques proposades per a la integració i del desenvolupament d'una eina de software intel·ligent per a la detecció i el diagnòstic de fallades, que ja està en funcionament a la refineria a Barrancabermeja (Colòmbia). Una metodologia clara es demostra que és capaç de trobar seqüències d'alarmes. Al final vaig arribar a algunes conclusions valuoses i detalle contribucions a l'estat de l'art en el camp de detecció i diagnosi de fallades. Durant el treball de recerca vaig estudiar la viabilitat d'utilitzar models intervalars per tractar amb incertesa. He fet descobriments significatius en aquest estudi i vaig concloure que l'ús de models (com la resposta davant d'esglaó) simplifica la complexitat de la construcció del model complet d'una unitat de craqueig catalític fluïditzat. S'ha utilitzat el control estadístic de processos (SPC) com una eina per detectar símptomes de fallades operacionals. Aquesta investigació desenvolupa i proposa el diccionari estès de fallades com una alternativa a la integració de diferents tècniques de detecció i diagnòstic de fallades. El diccionari estès de fallades és un marc lògic on els símptomes que pot detectar cada tècnica, juntament amb la hipòtesi de fallada i el mode de funcionament del procés que són vàlids per detectar es avaries. Aquest marc permet la construcció de regles lògiques a través de les quals es pot aplicar el procés d'inferència lògica per validar les hipòtesis de fallada.
Agudelo Gómez, CF. (2016). INTEGRACION DE TECNICAS Y LAS SECUENCIAS DE ALARMAS PARA LA DETECCION Y EL DIAGNOSTICO DE FALLOS [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/63450
TESIS

Tax authorities are increasingly relying on mutual cooperation with their foreign peers to enforce more effectively their internal tax laws. After the banking scandals of 2008 and the subsequent global financial crisis, the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for TaxPurposes has proposed the exchange of information upon request as the fiscal transparency standard. However, some measures adopted by the European Union, previous initiatives from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and, above all, the introduction of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (Fatca) by the United States in 2010 have promoted the need to adopt the automatic exchange of information as the new fiscal transparency standard. Automatic exchange of information allows home countries to verify whether their taxpayers have correctly included foreign income, allowing tax authorities to have early warning of possible noncompliance cases. In February 2014, the OECD published its proposal for a new global model of automatic exchange of financial account information. The new global model contains the necessary legal instruments and due diligence and reporting procedures, mainly for financial institutions.
Las autoridades tributarias dependen cada vez más de la cooperación con sus contrapartes extranjeras para administrar más eficazmente sus leyes tributarias nacionales. Luego de los escándalos bancarios de 2008y la crisis financiera global posterior, el Foro Global sobre Transparencia e Intercambio de Información Tributaria ha impulsado el intercambio de información a requerimiento como el estándar internacional en materia de transparencia fiscal. Sin embargo, algunas medidas adoptadas por la UniónEuropea, iniciativas previas de la Organización para la Cooperación y Desarrollo Económicos (OCDE) y, sobre todo, la introducción en 2010 del«Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act» (Fatca) de los Estados Unidos han promovido la necesidad de adoptar el intercambio automático de informacióncomo nuevo estándar de transparencia fiscal internacional. El intercambio automático de información le permite a las jurisdicciones de la residencia verificar si sus contribuyentes han incluido correctamente las rentas obtenidas en el exterior, permitiéndole a las autoridades tributarias contar con alertas tempranas de posibles casos de incumplimiento. En febrero de 2014, la OCDE publicó su propuesta para un nuevo modelo global de intercambio automático de información aplicable a las cuentas mantenidas en entidades financieras. El nuevo modelo global contiene los instrumentos legales necesarios y los procedimientos de debida diligencia y reporte principalmente para las instituciones financieras.

L’intérêt croissant de l’industrie aéronautique pour les matériaux composites favorise le développement de procédés de mise en œuvre rapides et automatisés. Technologie approuvée pour la réalisation de stratifiés à matrice thermodurcissable, les cellules de placement de fibres de la société Coriolis Composites permettent la fabrication de pièces stratifiées aux formes et dimensions variées. Ne nécessitant pas de polymérisation longue et onéreuse en autoclave tout en répondant aux nouvelles règlementations environnementales et aux besoins thermomécaniques spécifiques, les composites thermoplastiques sont une issue aux nouveaux enjeux du monde du transport. Le procédé s’appuie sur la technologie des lasers à diodes générant les densités de puissance nécessaires à la fusion des matrices thermoplastiques. Les travaux présentés s’inscrivent à la croisée de ces trois technologies en fort devenir : procédé de placement de fibres, matrice thermoplastique et laser à diodes. Ils sont menés dans le cadre du projet IMPALA (Innovation Matériaux et Procédés avec plAcement de fibres LAser) labellisé FUI 11, et, ont pour objectif de modéliser le procédé par l’expérimentation et la simulation. Le matériau composite étudié dans le cadre de cette thèse est l’APC-2/AS4 de la société Cytec Engineering Materials, pré-imprégné constitué de fibres de carbone et d’une matrice thermoplastique PEEK. Trois modèles numériques sont développés : (i) une modélisation optique fondée sur un algorithme de lancer de rayons permettant de déterminer la distribution du rayonnement laser sur la matière, (ii) une modélisation thermique renvoyant les champs de température au sein du stratifié en cours de drapage et (iii) une modélisation rhéologique afin d’étudier la déformation de la matière et la qualité du soudage des différents plis. Le développement de ces modèles s’appuie sur une caractérisation du procédé notamment du faisceau laser permettant la chauffe synchrone des fibres acheminées et des plis précédemment déposés et du module de compactage constitué d’un rouleau souple épousant la surface de drapage. Des données matériaux telles que les indices de réfractions, l’émissivité ou la viscosité sont également déterminées par voie expérimentale ou homogénéisation. En parallèle, des campagnes de mesures par thermocouples et radiométrie sont réalisées pour mieux comprendre les phénomènes thermiques dans la zone de chauffe et au sein du stratifié. Les confrontations entre ces mesures et les prédictions numériques renvoyant de bonnes corrélations, le modèle optico- thermique peut alors être exploité afin d’établir l’influence de différents paramètres sur le procédé et de proposer de solutions d’asservissement entre la puissance du laser et la vitesse de drapage. Enfin, une étude par spectroscopie infrarouge permet d’étendre une cinétique de dégradation du matériau au cas transitoire adapté au procédé de placement de fibres
Aeronautic industry demonstrates a growing interest in composite materials and development of quick and automated manufacturing processes. Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process is a certified technology to achieve laminate structure with thermoset composites. Coriolis Composites Company develops robotic cells for fiber placement enabling the laying of continuous fibers in all directions and on complex geometrical surfaces. Thermoplastic (TP) matrix composites are currently a promising alternative for making structures for transport applications. They do not actually require long and expensive curing step in autoclave and would meet the sustainable requirements and expect thermo-mechanical behavior. AFP process bases on high power diode lasers required to melt the TP polymers. The presented work is located at the crossroads of three technologies with a bright future: AFP process, TP matrix composite and diode lasers. It have been carried out within the framework of the IMPALA project with the aim of modeling process by experiments and numerical simulations. APC-2/AS4 from Cytec Engineering Materials is the composite material of the study. It consists of a pre-impregnated composite with carbon fibers and TP PEEK matrix. Three models developed in this study are: (1) an optical model based on a raytracing algorithm to quantify the laser distribution on materials, (2) a thermal model to calculate the thermal field in laminate structure during layup, and (3) a rheological model in order to study the squeezing and bonding of plies. These models base on a characterization of the process, including the laser beam (that heats both fed tows and previous layed plies) and the compaction system (formed by a deformable roller that molds the lay-up surface). Material data like refractive index, emissivity or viscosity are determined by experiments or homogenization method. Experimental measurements are simultaneously realized with thermocouples and infrared cameras to understand thermal phenomena in heating zone and laminate. These measures correlate well with numeric predictions. The optical-thermal model is used to study the influence of process parameters and suggest loops between laser power and lay-up velocity. A FTIR spectroscopic study have finally improved in transient condition for thermal degradation

La institución de objeto de estudio tiene como principales responsabilidades la seguridad y defensa nacional, la protección de la infraestructura critica nacional y la gestión del riesgo de desastres, motivo por el cual, requiere una óptima gestión de los recursos asignados para asegurar un funcionamiento eficaz. Sin embargo, se ha identificado que desde una perspectiva táctico militar el problema radica en los procesos de mando y control, debido a la falta de conciencia situacional de las personas a cargo de las operaciones militares y las patrullas desplegadas en una zona de operación, lo cual deriva en una ineficiente e ineficaz toma de decisiones. La presente tesis propone el diseño de una solución informática web y móvil, que automatice el control y monitoreo de las patrullas desplegadas en situación de emergencia, en entornos urbanos, utilizando georreferenciación y base de datos en tiempo real, con el objetivo de brindar a las personas al mando de las operaciones militares y a las patrullas desplegadas, la construcción de una imagen veraz y precisa de lo que está ocurriendo en una determinada zona en tiempo real con la finalidad de efectivizar la toma de decisiones.
The institution under study has as its main responsibilities the national security and defense, the protection of the national critical infrastructure and the disaster risk management, which is why it requires an optimal management of the assigned resources to ensure effective operation. However, it has been identified that from a military tactical perspective the problem lies in the command and control processes, due to the lack of situational awareness of the people in charge of military operations and the patrols deployed in an area of ​​operation, which results in inefficient and ineffective decision making. This thesis proposes the design of a web and mobile computing solution that automates the control and monitoring of patrols deployed in emergency situations, in urban environments, using georeferencing and a real-time database, in order to provide the people in command of military operations and deployed patrols, building a true and accurate image of what is happening in a certain area in real time in order to make effective decisions.
Tesis

Bygg- och anläggningsbranschens implementering av BIM har resulterat i ett ökat behov att digitaliserat relationsunderlag. Äldre relationshandlingar, som mestadels utgörs av pappersritningar, saknar digitala motsvarigheter vilket gör att insamlingar av ny information, från pappersritningar, kan bli aktuell. Terrester laserskanning (TLS) är en teknik som tillämpas för insamling av data i punktmolnsform och är en allt mer förekommande insamlingsmetod vid införskaffning av relationsunderlag. Modellering från tredimensionella punktmolnsdata är ofta komplicerad och på så vis införstått med manuellt arbete för att producera ett godtyckligt resultat. Syftet med examensarbetet var att undersöka möjligheten att skapa en CAD-modell av en tunnels ytskikt från ett punktmoln med hjälp av programvaran FME. Studieområdet är ett mindre tunnelsegment och den insamlade datamängden utgörs av tidigare framarbetat punktmoln. Punktmolnet är obearbetat och innehåller brus i form av avvikande punkter samt installations- och konstruktionsobjekt. Tidigare producerat relationsunderlag, i form av CAD-modell, tilldelades också för att möjliggöra en jämförelse mot de modeller som skapats i arbetet. FME tillhandahåller ett flertal verktyg för bearbetning av punktmoln och arbetet har omfattats av tester där de olika verktygen utvärderats. Det huvudsakliga fokuset har legat på verktyget PointCloudSurfaceBuilder, vars funktion är att rekonstruera punktmoln till en mesh. En metod för filtrering av punktmolnet utformades och utreddes också under arbetet. Flertalet försök utfördes för att testa vad som fungerade bäst och ett antal modeller av varierande kvalitet kunde skapas. Metoden Poisson i verktyget PointCloudSurfaceBuilder visade bäst resultat då den skapar en “vattentät” modell som följer punktmolnets rumsliga förhållande bättre än det tilldelade relationsunderlaget. För metoden Poisson var Maximum Depth den parameter som hade störst inverkan på resultatets kvalitet. För varje höjning med 1 i parametern Maximum Depth så ökade upplösningen kvadratiskt i varje dimension för x, y och z. De totala värdena för tidsåtgång, filstorlek och antal trianglar ökade även potentiellt med upplösningen. Värden över 9 blir svåra, om inte omöjliga, att hantera i CAD-miljöer på grund av för detaljerade data i förhållande studieområdets storlek. Därav rekommenderas 7 och 8 som parametervärden vid modellering i miljöer likartade med tunnelsegmentet.
The building and construction industries implementation of BIM has resulted in an increased need to digitalise as-built basis. Older as-built documents, which is mostly made of paper plans, are missing their digital counterparts, which makes it that collection of new information, from the paper plans, can be vital. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is a technique that is applied for collection of data in the form of data point clouds and is a more frequent collection method for obtaining supplies of as-built. Modelling from three-dimensional point cloud data is usually a complicated matter and therefore connected with manual labour to produce an arbitrary result. The purpose with the bachelor thesis was to research the possibility to create a CAD-model of the layer of a tunnel from a point cloud with the use of a software called FME. The study area is a smaller tunnel segment and the collected data set is based from an earlier created point cloud. The point cloud is unprocessed and contains noise from deviant points and object of installations and construction. The earlier produced as-built, in form of a CAD-model, was applied as well to enable a comparison parallel to the newly created models in this thesis. FME contains several tools for handling point clouds and the work have included several tests where the different tools have been evaluated. The primary focus of the work has been to evaluate the possibilities of the tool PointCloudSurfaceBuilder, which function is to reconstruct point clouds to a mesh. A method was also created and examined to clean the point cloud from noise. Several tests were executed to see what kind of method works the best and models of different qualities were rendered. The construction method Poisson in the transformer PointCloudSurfaceBuilder produced the best results whereas it creates a “water tight” model that follows the point clouds spatial conditions in a better way than the as-built model. In the method of Poisson there is a parameter called Maximum Depth which showed the greatest impact for the quality of the result. For every increase of 1 in the parameter Maximum Depth was the resolution increased by a factor of two in every direction of x, y and z. The total values for amount of time, file size and number of triangles increased as well in a way parallel to the potential increase of the resolution. It is hard, if not impossible, to handle the models in CAD-environments above the value 9. That is because of too high detail in the data in relation to the size of the study area. Therefore, are the recommended values of the parameter 7 and 8 in case of modelling of similar environments in tunnel complexes.

The thesis has aimed to study the emergence of a new weapons technology, also known as ‘killer robots’ or lethal autonomous weapon system. It seeks to answer what factors drive the development and deployment of this weapon system without ‘meaningful human control’, a component that allows the decision to kill to be delegated to machines. The research question focuses on seeking the motivations to develop and deploy LAWS, as well as the consequences this would have on military conduct and conflict characteristics.The incentives they bring up and the way of adopting them has been studied by synthesizing antinomic democratic peace theory and adoption capacity theory respectively. The findings of this qualitative content analysis lead to two major conclusions. (1) That LAWS present severe risk avoidance and costs reduction potential for the user. These factors have a more prevalent pull on democracies than autocracies, since they stand to benefit from LAWS’ specific capabilities more in comparison. (2) That their adoption is aided by low financial intensity needed to adopt it, due to the high commercial profitability and applicability of AI technology, and the ease of a spillover to military sphere. Their adoption is hindered by high organizational capital needed to implement the drastic changes LAWS bring. All of this leads to the prediction that LAWS are likely to proliferate further, at a medium speed, and potentially upset the balance of power.

La sociedad está siendo testigo de una revolución digital que ha generado cambios en diversos ámbitos, entre los cuales se encuentra la construcción o transformación de edificios comunes a Smart Buildings (SB), lo que puede conseguir que varios aspectos como la seguridad, el consumo energético, entre otros, se gestionen con mayor eficiencia. El desarrollo de SBs es acompañado del desarrollo de las tecnologías IoT (Internet of Things), las cuales son una opción de soporte para convertir un edificio en inteligente. Sin embargo, la implementación de SBs está sujeta a varios riesgos que no se han cubierto en conjunto, destacando tres de ellos que son la incapacidad de escalar el SB para que se adapte a nuevos requisitos (escalabilidad), que los dispositivos IoT (sensores y actuadores) no sean compatibles entre ellos (incompatibilidad), y que la transmisión de datos en el sistema sea vulnerada por agentes maliciosos (seguridad en la transmisión de datos). Siendo así, el presente proyecto propone una arquitectura tecnológica para las implementaciones de SBs con IoT que brinde a las organizaciones un diseño guía que les permita cambiar sus componentes según la complejidad y exigencia de sus requerimientos, y que solucione en conjunto los tres riesgos previamente mencionados. Finalmente, el resultado del proyecto es una arquitectura tecnológica para las implementaciones de SBs validada en el cumplimiento de los requisitos planteados.
Society is witnessing a digital revolution that has generated changes in various areas, among which is the construction or transformation of common buildings to Smart Buildings (SB), which can achieve that various aspects such as security, energy consumption, among other things, are managed more efficiently. The development of SBs is accompanied by the development of IoT (Internet of Things) technologies, which can support the transformation of a regular building into an SB. However, the implementation of SBs is subject to several risks that have not been covered together, highlighting three of them which are the inability to scale the SB to adapt to new requirements (scalability), that IoT devices (sensors and actuators) are not compatible with each other (incompatibility), and that the data transmission inside the system is compromised by malicious agents (security in data transmission). Thus, this project proposes a technological architecture for the implementations of SBs with IoT that provides organizations with a guiding design that allows them to change their components according to the complexity and demand of their requirements, and that jointly solves the three previously mentioned risks. Finally, the result of the project is a technological architecture for the implementations of SBs validated in the fulfillment of the raised requirements.
Tesis

I dag är det vanligt att EU-medborgare företar en gränsöverskridning med sin familj inom EU. Samkönade par har möjlighet att ingå äktenskap i fem medlemsstater, men eftersom äktenskapet inte erkänns i övriga 22 medlemsstater riskerar det samkönade paret att mottagarstaten ser äktenskapet som ogiltigt i rättslig mening vid en gränsöverskridning inom EU. Samkönade par som redan är gifta kan dock erhålla visst skydd för de fall en medlemsstat föreskriver samkönat registrerat partnerskap. EU-rätten föreskriver inga minimikrav för hur registrerat partnerskap bör utformas i medlemsstaters nationella rättssystem. Det har i sin tur vilket lett till att rättskyddet för samkönat registrerat partnerskap ser olika ut bland medlemsstaterna. Samkönade civilstånd är därför rättsosäkert vid gränsöverskridningar sett ur ett helhetsperspektiv. Familjerätten är ett rättsområde där medlemsstaterna har suveränitet. Medlemsstaterna har därför själva rätten att besluta hur familjerätten utformas i det nationella rättssystemet, men det finns vissa restriktioner. Medlemsstaternas utövande av sin suveränitet måste ske i konformitet med etablerade EU-principer och annan relevant EU-rätt. Kommissionen har kommit med ett förslag om ett automatiskt erkännande av civilståndshandlingar och uppsatsens syfte är därför att utreda om ett automatiskt erkännande är kompatibelt med gällande EU-rätt. För att besvara syftet i uppsatsen utreds gällande EU-rätt med direkt eller indirekt inverkan på samkönade relationer. Vidare utreds förslaget om ett automatiskt erkännande av civilståndshandlingar i kommissionens grönbok om minskad byråkrati för medborgarna tillsammans med de yttranden som grönboken mottagit från olika organisationer. Genom att ställa ett automatiskt erkännande av civilståndshandlingar mot gällande EU-rätt leder slutsatsen fram till vilka hinder och möjligheter som föreligger vid genomförandet av förslaget. De hinder och möjligheter som föreligger talar för att ett automatiskt erkännande av civilståndshandlingar är genomförbart. EU-rätten ställer vissa krav på medlemsstaterna även om medlemsstaterna har suveränitet inom familjerätten. Följden blir att EU måste samarbeta med medlemsstaterna för att säkerställa rättssäkerheten av civilståndshandlingar när EU-medborgare vidtar gränsöverskridningar inom EU.
Today it’s common for EU-citizens to move across borders with their families within the EU. Same-sex couples have access to marriage in five Member States, but because their marriage is not recognized in the other 22 Member States the same-sex marriage might be void in a legal sense in another Member State. Same-sex couples who are already married may benefit from some protection in the event that a Member State provides same-sex registered partnership. EU law does not provide a minimum requirement when Member States develop legal protection for same-sex couples through registered partnership in their legal system. This in turn has led to the differences among the Member States when it comes to same-sex registered partnership. Therefore, a same-sex civil status doesn’t provide a legal certainty in cross-border situations when looked upon from a broader perspective. Family law is an area of law where Member States have sovereignty. Therefore, the Member States have the right to shape the family law themselves in their national legal system, although there are some restrictions. When Member States exercise their sovereignty they must still exercise it in conformity with established EU principals and other relevant EU law. The Commission has now proposed an automatic recognition of civil status records and the purpose for this thesis is therefore to analyze whether an automatic recognition of civil status record are compatible with existing EU law. In order to answer the purpose in the thesis, EU law with direct or indirect impact on same-sex relationships is analyzed. Furthermore, the proposal of an automatic recognition of civil status records in the Commissions Green Paper on less bureaucracy for citizens is analyzed together with the opinions the Green Paper received from different organizations. When looking at the compatibility of an automatic recognition of civil status records and existing EU law, the conclusion highlights the obstacles and opportunities that exist with the implementation of the proposal. The obstacles and opportunities that exist suggest that an automatic recognition of civil status records is achievable. EU law imposes certain requirements on Member States, although Member States have sovereignty over their national family law. The previous suggests that the EU must work together with the Member States in order to ensure the legal certainty of civil status records when EU-citizens cross the borders within the EU.

The aim of this diploma thesis is the design of an automatic lawn mower. The design solution is based on innovative concept respecting all technical, ergonomical, aesthetical and ecological demands. A research study, including a historical, technical and design analysis of lawn mower, is preceding the description of main creative part of design process starting from the concept development and ending up with the final solution. A conclusion of the thesis presents an analysis of final solution, its character, contribution to the human society and the particular role of industial design in automatic lawn mower concept.