TY - THES A1 - Stapenhorst, Carolin T1 - The concept as an operant instrument within the interdisciplinarity of the architectural design process N2 - In the introduction to their book "What is philosophy?" Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari deplore the inflationary and trivialised use of the term concept: "Finally, the most shameful moment came when computer science, marketing, design and advertising, all the disciplines of communication, seized hold of the word concept itself and said: 'This is our concern, we are the creative ones, we are the ideas men! We are the friends of the concept, we put in our computers.' " This doctoral thesis shares the concern of Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari, but still, it is a thesis in architecture and thus collocated within the field of the representatives of the "ideas men". It engages in architectural design theory, and refers in particular to the investigation of methodological approaches within the design process. Therefore, the thesis will not contribute to the philosophical dimension of the term, but intends to overcome its imprecise use within the architectural discourse, in compliance with Eugène Viollet-le-Duc's admonition relative to vague definitions: "Dans les arts, et dans l'architecture en particulier, les définitions vagues ont causé bien des erreurs, ont laissé germer bien des préjugés, enraciner bien des idées fausses. On met un mot en avant, chacun y attache un sens différent." The term concept in architecture is very often used as pure marketing collateral, it serves to sell an idea, a product, a design. Its functional applicability is reduced to a special manner of illustration, produced as one of the various design presentation documents at the end of the design process. In contrast, the original contribution of this thesis aims to give a precise, instrumental dimension to the term concept: the concept is the expression of a specific logic, capable to guide the decisional sequences of the process and thus to improve the quality of the designed projects. The motivation to define a specific instrumentality of the concept is closely connected to the issue of interdisciplinarity in the architects’ profession. The interdisciplinary character of the architectural field is widely accepted and discussed as such, but the thesis intends to give a more precise definition of the various kinds of competences involved by classifying them into either the internal or the external group. The traditional notion of interdisciplinarity, predominantly seen as collaboration between architects and technical experts, and, most notably, the historical, sometimes contentious, relationship between architects and engineers is described. Referring to recent developments, the transformation of the architect’s role within the professional sphere, marked by an increasing importance of diverse influences and linked to a growing risk of marginalisation, is illustrated. The thesis describes different ways to adapt to this specific kind of interdisciplinarity, which generally requires the architect’s ability to connect and to integrate various contents, different points of view and diverse scales. On the other hand, the big potential which is implicit in the interdisciplinary field is exposed: architects can inform their core competence, the design, by extracting contents of different disciplinary competences, pertaining or not pertaining to their own professional field. They have the possibility to cross fields of external competences in a selective way and by doing so they can build up a corpus of knowledge capable to generate and communicate guidelines and systematic methodologies for their design. At the end, the analysis of these two aspects allows the definition of a more specific professional profile of the architect as specialist of interdisciplinarity. The thesis is concerned with the theories around the design process. The design process is seen as open to inspection and critical evaluation, with major focus on the decisional sequences which characterise it. It concentrates on the process’ descriptiveness and the degree of self-conscious approaches applied within it. The importance of regulative, strategic mechanisms is illustrated by testimonies taken from a series of design researches and leads to the functional definition of the figure of the concept as representation of a coherent set of ideas, as generator of a project-specific system of rules and as communicator of decisional strategies. The concept's function is furthermore defined as communicative interface which generates and transmits the system of rules authoritative for all the disciplinary competences involved in the design process, a communicative interface which constitutes a basis of shared convictions capable to increase the efficiency of collaboration. Furthermore, the concept's capacity to explore and elaborate the contents of external disciplines is identified as a possible methodological approach to innovative design thinking. The approach to a specific functional definition of the concept is continued by the description of a series of instruments that are simultaneously generating and communicating it. It is outlined to which degree the concept itself is already the result of an ideational process, collocated within the initial phase of the design proceedings, serving as a guideline to them, but still continuously evolving and adapting in its progression. In addition, it is illustrated how all the diverse instruments of the concept are operational media through which the knowledge transition between different disciplines can occur. The considerations about the concept as operational instrument of design are elaborated with regard to a number of examples of didactical applications that are particularly involved in the development and teaching of specific design methods. These examples illustrate the interrelations between design theory and design education. They are derived from very different schools of architecture and diverse mindsets, but all of them transmit models of conceptual design thinking. KW - methodologies KW - instruments KW - interdisciplinarity KW - architectural design process KW - design theory Y1 - 2012 PB - Politecnico di Torino CY - Turin ER - TY - THES A1 - Kurulgan Demirci, Eylem T1 - The effect of rhAPC on contractile tension : an in-vitro sepsis model of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells T1 - Der Effekt von rhAPC auf die zelluläre Kontraktionskraft : ein In-vitro-Sepsismodell für Kardiomyozyten und Endothelzellen Y1 - 2012 N1 - Aachen, Techn. Hochsch., Diss., 2012 ER - TY - THES A1 - Bragard, Michael T1 - The integrated emitter turn-off thyristor : an innovative MOS-gated high-power device. - (Aachener Beiträge des ISEA ; 62) N2 - This thesis introduces the Integrated Emitter Turn-Off (IETO) Thyristor as a new high-power device. Known state-of-the-art research activities like the Dual GCT, the ETO thyristor and the ICT were presented and critically reviewed. A comparison with commercialized solutions identifies the pros and cons of each type of device family. Based on this analysis, the IETO structure is proposed, covering most benefits of each device class. In particular the combination of a MOS-assisted turn-off with a thyristor-based device allows a voltage-controlled MOS switching and the low on-state voltage of the thyristors. The following synthesis of an IETO device stands on a three-dimensional field of optimization spanned by electric, mechanical and thermal aspects. From an electric point of view, the lowest possible parasitic inductance and resistance within the commutation path are optimization criteria. The mechanical construction has to withstand the required contact pressure of multiple kilo Newtons. Finally, thermal borders limit the maximum average current of the device. FEM simulations covering these three aspects are performed for several design proposals. An IETO prototype is constructed and measurements on various test benches attest thermal, mechanical and electric performance. A local decoupling of the external driver stage and the presspack housing is presented by a cable connection. This separation enables a thermal and mechanical independence, which is advantageous in terms of vibrations and thermal cycles including increased reliability. The electric pulse performance of the prototype device is a factor of 3.1 above today''s solutions. In single-pulse measurements, a current up to 1600 A was successfully turned off at 115°C with an active silicon area of 823 mm². One reason for this increased turn-off capability is the extremely low-inductive construction. Additional functionality of the IETO thyristor like over-current self-protection and defined short-circuit failure state are successfully verified. Y1 - 2012 SN - 978-3-8440-1152-4 N1 - Zugl.: Aachen, Techn. Hochsch., Diss., 2012 PB - Shaker CY - Aachen ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Knackstedt, Ralf A1 - Eggert, Mathias A1 - Fleischer, Stefan T1 - The Legal Perspective on Business to Government Reporting - A Conceptual Modeling Approach and Its Application in the Financial Sector T2 - 45th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences 2012 Y1 - 2012 SN - 978-0-7695-4525-7 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2012.576 SP - 2309 EP - 2318 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Wollert, Jörg T1 - The performance of UWB-communication in an industrial environment T2 - IEEE 1st International Symposium on Wireless Systems : (IDAACS-SWS) : Offenburg, 20-21 Sept. 2012 Y1 - 2012 SN - 978-1-4673-4678-8 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1109/IDAACS-SWS.2012.6377639 SP - 85 EP - 90 PB - IEEE CY - Piscataway, NJ ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Stadler, Andreas M. A1 - Garvey, G. J. A1 - Bocahut, A. A1 - Sacquin-Mora, S. A1 - Digel, Ilya A1 - Schneider, G. J. A1 - Natali, F. A1 - Artmann, Gerhard A1 - Zaccai, G. T1 - Thermal fluctuations of haemoglobin from different species : adaptation to temperature via conformational dynamics JF - Journal of the Royal Society Interface N2 - Thermodynamic stability, configurational motions and internal forces of haemoglobin (Hb) of three endotherms (platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus; domestic chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus and human, Homo sapiens) and an ectotherm (salt water crocodile, Crocodylus porosus) were investigated using circular dichroism, incoherent elastic neutron scattering and coarse-grained Brownian dynamics simulations. The experimental results from Hb solutions revealed a direct correlation between protein resilience, melting temperature and average body temperature of the different species on the 0.1 ns time scale. Molecular forces appeared to be adapted to permit conformational fluctuations with a root mean square displacement close to 1.2 Å at the corresponding average body temperature of the endotherms. Strong forces within crocodile Hb maintain the amplitudes of motion within a narrow limit over the entire temperature range in which the animal lives. In fully hydrated powder samples of human and chicken, Hb mean square displacements and effective force constants on the 1 ns time scale showed no differences over the whole temperature range from 10 to 300 K, in contrast to the solution case. A complementary result of the study, therefore, is that one hydration layer is not sufficient to activate all conformational fluctuations of Hb in the pico- to nanosecond time scale which might be relevant for biological function. Coarse-grained Brownian dynamics simulations permitted to explore residue-specific effects. They indicated that temperature sensing of human and chicken Hb occurs mainly at residues lining internal cavities in the β-subunits. Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2012.0364 SN - 1742-5689 VL - 9 IS - 76 SP - 2845 EP - 2855 PB - The Royal Society CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Scheik, Sven A1 - Schleser, Markus A1 - Reisgen, Uwe T1 - Thermisches Direktfügen von Metall und Kusntstoff: eine Alternative zur Klebtechnik JF - Adhäsion : Kleben & Dichten N2 - Im Rahmen des Exzellenzclusters „Integrative Produktionstechnik für Hochlohnländer“ der RWTHAachen University werden derzeit alternative Verfahren zur Herstellung von Metall/Kunststoff- Verbindungen untersucht. Eines davon ist das thermische Direktfügen, das eine stoffschlüssige Verbindung zwischen Kunststoff und Metall ermöglicht und ohne die Verwendung von Klebstoffen, Haftvermittlern oder mechanischen Verbindungshilfen auskommt. Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s35145-012-0005-x SN - 0001-8198 (E-Journal); 0001-8198 (Print) N1 - Printausg. in der Bibliothek der FH Aachen vorhanden: 63 Z 807-2012 VL - 56 IS - 11 SP - 36 EP - 40 PB - Springer Vieweg CY - Wiesbaden ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Orzada, S. A1 - Maderwald, S. A1 - Poser, B. A. A1 - Johst, S. A1 - Kannengiesser, S. A1 - Ladd, M. E. A1 - Bitz, Andreas T1 - Time-interleaved acquisition of modes: an analysis of SAR and image contrast implications JF - Magnetic Resonance in Medicine N2 - s the magnetic field strength and therefore the operational frequency in MRI are increased, the radiofrequency wavelength approaches the size of the human head/body, resulting in wave effects which cause signal decreases and dropouts. Especially, whole-body imaging at 7 T and higher is therefore challenging. Recently, an acquisition scheme called time-interleaved acquisition of modes has been proposed to tackle the inhomogeneity problems in high-field MRI. The basic premise is to excite two (or more) different Burn:x-wiley:07403194:media:MRM23081:tex2gif-stack-1 modes using static radiofrequency shimming in an interleaved acquisition, where the complementary radiofrequency patterns of the two modes can be exploited to improve overall signal homogeneity. In this work, the impact of time-interleaved acquisition of mode on image contrast as well as on time-averaged specific absorption rate is addressed in detail. Time-interleaved acquisition of mode is superior in Burn:x-wiley:07403194:media:MRM23081:tex2gif-stack-2 homogeneity compared with conventional radiofrequency shimming while being highly specific absorption rate efficient. Time-interleaved acquisition of modes can enable almost homogeneous high-field imaging throughout the entire field of view in PD, T2, and T2*-weighted imaging and, if a specified homogeneity criterion is met, in T1-weighted imaging as well. Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/mrm.23081 SN - 1522-2594 VL - 67 IS - 4 SP - 1033 EP - 1041 PB - Wiley-Liss CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fischer, Jan-Thomas A1 - Kowalski, Julia A1 - Pudasaini, Shiva P. T1 - Topographic curvature effects in applied avalanche modelling JF - Cold Regions Science and Technology N2 - This paper describes the implementation of topographic curvature effects within the RApid Mass MovementS (RAMMS) snow avalanche simulation toolbox. RAMMS is based on a model similar to shallow water equations with a Coulomb friction relation and the velocity dependent Voellmy drag. It is used for snow avalanche risk assessment in Switzerland. The snow avalanche simulation relies on back calculation of observed avalanches. The calibration of the friction parameters depends on characteristics of the avalanche track. The topographic curvature terms are not yet included in the above mentioned classical model. Here, we fundamentally improve this model by mathematically and physically including the topographic curvature effects. By decomposing the velocity dependent friction into a topography dependent term that accounts for a curvature enhancement in the Coulomb friction, and a topography independent contribution similar to the classical Voellmy drag, we construct a general curvature dependent frictional resistance, and thus propose new extended model equations. With three site-specific examples, we compare the apparent frictional resistance of the new approach, which includes topographic curvature effects, to the classical one. Our simulation results demonstrate substantial effects of the curvature on the flow dynamics e.g., the dynamic pressure distribution along the slope. The comparison of resistance coefficients between the two models demonstrates that the physically based extension presents an improvement to the classical approach. Furthermore a practical example highlights its influence on the pressure outline in the run out zone of the avalanche. Snow avalanche dynamics modeling natural terrain curvature centrifugal force friction coefficients. KW - Snow KW - Avalanche Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2012.01.005 SN - 1872-7441 VL - 74-75 SP - 21 EP - 30 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Bohrn, U. A1 - Stütz, E. A1 - Fleischer, M. A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef A1 - Wagner, P. ED - Abdelghani, Adnane ED - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Towards a paradigm change – mammalian cells as sensitive biosensor layers for the detection of unexpected toxic substances in air T2 - Nanoscale Science and Technology (NS&T´12) : Proceedings Book Humboldt Kolleg ; Tunisia, 17-19 March, 2012 Y1 - 2012 SP - 44 EP - 44 ER -