Electrical Engineering

Two experiments were carried out to estimate the effect of sound feedback: (1) operating an assembly line simulator (Experiment-A with sound feedback of hidden events), and (2) queries in database search (Experiment-B with sound feedback of the search result quality). Experiment-A: Relevant information of hidden events (e.g., disturbances and machine break downs) was given only in a visual, and in visual and audible form. The results indicate, that additional sound feedback improves significantly the user performance and increases positively some mood aspects. Experiment-B: Individualised sound patterns (music, speech, noise) inform the user about the amount of correspondence between the requested data and the actual output on the screen (result feedback). The results of this empirical investigation indicate, that additional sound feedback does not improve the user performance, overall. But, if we differentiate between users, who prefer sound, and those, who do not, we can find significant improvements. We can conclude that sound feedback is necessary, but must be eligible.

An experiment was carried out to estimate the effect of sound feedback on the work of a plant operator. Eight students of computer science operated a process simulation program of an assembly line with computer numeric controlled (CNC) robots. Relevant information of disturbances and machine breakdowns was given only in a visual (test condition 1), and in visual and audible form (test condition 2). The results indicate, that the additional sound feedback improves significantly the operator performance and increases positively some mood aspects.

CubETH is a project to evaluate and demonstrate possibilities of low-cost GNSS receivers on a nano-satellite by following the Cubesat standard. The development of this new Swiss cubesat mission is underway at the Swiss Polytechnical Schools, launch is planned for 2016. Scientific goal are: precise orbit determination and estimate of satellite attitude based on a very short baseline together with a number of other experimental measurements. Programmatic goal is to implement this project in cooperation between federal (ETH/EPF domain) and cantonal (FH/HES domain) engineering schools and industrial partners. The educational objective is to involve engineering students from various schools across Switzerland to promote innovative teaching of engineering of complex systems. In this paper, we will discuss performance requirements for the CubETH spacecraft and its payload. We also show how lessons learned from the Swisscube satellite were used for the design and implementation of this proj...

Louis A. Masson , Stefano Rossi , Federico Belloni , Nickolay Mullin, Reto Wiesendanger, Markus Rothacher, Christine Hollenstein, Benjamin Männel, Daniel Willi, Michael Fisler, Patrick Fleischmann , Heinz Mathis , Martin Klaper, Marcel Joss, Erich Styger eSpace, EPFL, Station 13, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland, ELSE SA, Chemin de la Raye 13, 1024 Ecublens, Switzerland (2) Institute of Geodesy and Photogrammtry, ETH Zürich, Robert-Gnehm-Weg 15, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland Institute for Communication Systems, HSR University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland, Oberseestrasse 10, 8640 Rapperswil, Switzerland, (4) Competence Center for Electronics, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), Technikumstrasse 21, CH-6048 Horw (Lucerne), Switzerland (5) Swiss Space Center, , EPFL, Station 13, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland (6) Bauman Moscow State University, 2-ya Baumanskaya ul., 5, Moskva, Russia, 105005

Louis A. Masson , Stefano Rossi , Federico Belloni , Nickolay Mullin, Reto Wiesendanger, Markus Rothacher, Christine Hollenstein, Benjamin Männel, Daniel Willi, Michael Fisler, Patrick Fleischmann , Heinz Mathis , Martin Klaper, Marcel Joss, Erich Styger eSpace, EPFL, Station 13, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland, ELSE SA, Chemin de la Raye 13, 1024 Ecublens, Switzerland (2) Institute of Geodesy and Photogrammtry, ETH Zürich, Robert-Gnehm-Weg 15, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland Institute for Communication Systems, HSR University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland, Oberseestrasse 10, 8640 Rapperswil, Switzerland, (4) Competence Center for Electronics, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), Technikumstrasse 21, CH-6048 Horw (Lucerne), Switzerland (5) Swiss Space Center, , EPFL, Station 13, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland (6) Bauman Moscow State University, 2-ya Baumanskaya ul., 5, Moskva, Russia, 105005

Investigating biological and synthetic nanoscopic species in liquids, at the ultimate resolution of single entity, is important in diverse fields. Progress has been made, but significant barriers need to be overcome such as the need for intense fields, the lack of versatility in operating conditions and the limited functionality in solutions of high ionic strength for biological applications. Here, we demonstrate switchable electrokinetic nanovalving able to confine and guide single nano-objects, including macromolecules, with sizes down to around 10 nanometres, in a lab-on-chip environment. The nanovalves are based on spatiotemporal tailoring of the potential energy landscape of nano-objects using an electric field, modulated collaboratively by wall nanotopography and by embedded electrodes in a nanochannel system. We combine nanovalves to isolate single entities from an ensemble, and demonstrate their guiding, confining, releasing and sorting. We show on-demand motion control of s...

iii Abstract A sensor system based on a magnetic resonator structure with wireless magnetic actuation and wireless magnetic read out is presented in this thesis. The resonator structures are intended for mass sensing for the detection of e.g. bio-molecules and are designed as disposables. Cobalt-nickel and magnetic nanoparticle polymer composite materials are employed for the resonator structures. The cobalt nickel resonator structures are fabricated by photolithography and electroplating. The magnetic nanoparticle polymer composite structure is made of SU-8 with distributed superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (mean diameter > 8 nm) and structured by photolithography. Typical resonator structure sizes vary from 50− 400μm (L) x 50− 400μm (W) x 1− 3μm (th). CoNi structures have a thickness of up to 12μm (th). This work focuses on the fabrication of the CoNi structures and the wireless magnetic read out of magnetic resonators. An electromagnet applies a magnetic force to exci...

Glaucoma is a common, irreparable eye disease associated with high intraocular pressure. One treatment option is implantation of a stent to lower the intraocular pressure. A systematic approach to develop a microchannel stent meshwork that drains aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into the subconjunctival space is presented. The stent has a large number of outlets within its mesh structure that open into the subconjunctiva. The development approach includes a flow resistance model of the stent. Local adaption of the stent’s tubular dimensions allows for adjustment of the flow resistance. In this way, an evenly distributed outflow into the subconjunctiva is achieved. We anticipate that microblebs will form at the stent outlets. Their size is crucial for drainage and control of intraocular pressure. An analytical model for bleb drainage is developed based on the porous properties of the subconjunctival tissue. Both models—the stent flow resistance model and the bleb dr...

Electric vehicles have replaced many gasoline vehicles in urban environments. The magnitude of vibrations and emissions from electric vehicles are less than those from conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. However, electric vehicles still have mechanical vibrations, such as those created by the power system. During vehicle acceleration, driveline vibration is very prominent. This work focuses on vehicle vibration caused by the electric powertrain in electric vehicles under rapid acceleration/deceleration and gear shifting. Since the dynamic response of an electric motor is rapid, driving torsional vibration arising from acceleration/deceleration and gear shifting is typically transmitted from driveline to vehicle's body, adversely affecting a driver's comfort. This work presents a novel effective control logic that reduces vibrations from an electric driveline system. This system controls the electric motor to suppress driveline torsional vibration transmitted to the driver's seat, effectively reducing vertical vibrations and enhancing driver comfort. This work conducts simulations and hardware tests. In the development of the driveline and motor control logic, Adaptive Modeling Environment for Simulation analytical software is applied to create the driveline system model. To model structural vibrations, HyperMesh is used, and LS DYNA is applied to simulate free vibration and forced vibration. The analytical results for free vibration are compared with empirical data. The analytical results for driveline dynamics are applied as input for the finite element model to analyze forced vibration. Vibrations from the electric driveline move through the motor mount and frame to the driver's seat track. The simulation results demonstrate this control logic strategy applied to an electric bus motor controller effectively reduces fluctuation in driveline torque during acceleration by up to 84.19% and during gear shifting by up to 44.96%. The reduction in vibration of the driver's seat track during fixed-gear acceleration was maximal at 45.96%, and the reduction during gear shifting was 24.11%.