Engineering Commons^™

Housing In Kibera's Soweto East Informal Settlement, Kenya: A Socio-Technical Evaluation, Tiernan Brennan

Masters

In 2003, the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme (KENSUP) was launched in partnership with UN-Habitat and the Government of Kenya (GoK) to improve the livelihoods of people in Kenya by 2020 through the provision of improved shelter, infrastructure, land tenure and income generation. Kibera is an informal settlement in Kenya where varying housing typologies and traditional vernacular-style designs coexist with modern housing units. Soweto East was one of eighteen villages located in Kibera selected for KENSUP’s first major housing development initiative. Soweto East was selected from a screening of several housing projects that could be subjected to a socio-technical (STE). The …

Optimizing The Fabrication Process For Next Generation Nano-Textured Solar Cells With High Conversion Efficiency Using Industrially Viable Solar Cell Processes, Orlagh Murphy

Masters

The need for photovoltaic (PV) cells with high conversion efficiency and low surface reflectance has been on the rise. With this in mind, the fabrication process of PV cells has been investigated with interest in the surface etching phase in order to reduce surface reflectance using nanotexturing. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how to improve the etching phase by optimising the key parameters for an atmospheric dry etch (ADE) with different processes to determine which can aid in reducing surface reflectance.

To obtain a process which provides a low surface reflectance, parameters in the etching phase are …

Optimum Implementation Of Compound Compression Of A Computer Screen For Real-Time Transmission In Low Network Bandwidth Environments, Conor Paxton

Masters

Remote working is becoming increasingly more prevalent in recent times. A large part of remote working involves sharing computer screens between servers and clients. The image content that is presented when sharing computer screens consists of both natural camera captured image data as well as computer generated graphics and text. The attributes of natural camera captured image data differ greatly to the attributes of computer generated image data. An image containing a mixture of both natural camera captured image and computer generated image data is known as a compound image. The research presented in this thesis focuses on the challenge …

“Transport Batteryfication” Analysis Of Pre-Recycling Phases Of End-Of-Life Electric Vehicle Lithium-Ion Batteries From An Irish Perspective, Matt Mcguinness

Masters

Transport plays a key role in maintaining the economic prosperity of our society. However, transport has remained reliant on fossil fuels, a main contributor to climate change. New EU and Government policies aim to decarbonise the transport sector through batteryfication by shifting to electric vehicles. The lithium-ion battery will underpin this strategy.

Lithium-ion batteries have a limited lifespan for automotive applications, this will bring new and unprecedented challenges for end-of-life waste management. The recent growth of electric vehicles is expected to continue exponentially which raises important questions on how to process this new waste stream.

This study investigates the recycling …

Image Transmission Over Resource-Constrained Low-Power Radio Networks, Paschal O'Connor

Masters

The transmission of large amounts of data over resource-constrained radio frequency (RF) networks is impacted by regulatory constraints and can affect reliability due to channel congestion. These barriers limit the use case to specific applications. This research extends the use case scenario to include the transmission of digital images over such networks which to date has not been widely documented. To achieve this, the overall data volume needs to be reduced to manageable limits. Drawing on previous theoretical work this research explored, developed and implemented novel image compression techniques suitable for use in resource-constrained RF networks.

A compression technique was …

Automated Tracking Of Hand Hygiene Stages, Rashmi Bakshi

Masters

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) estimates that 2.5 millioncases of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) occur each year in the European Union. Handhygiene is regarded as one of the most important preventive measures for HAIs. If it is implemented properly, hand hygiene can reduce the risk of cross-transmission of an infection in the healthcare environment. Good hand hygiene is not only important for healthcare settings. Therecent ongoing coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of hand hygiene practices in our daily lives, with governments and health authorities around the world promoting goodhand hygiene practices. The WHO has published …

The Effects Of Intraspecific, Interspecific, And Intergeneric Grafting On The Growth And Development Of Fraxinus Excelsior Scions, John Mcnamara [Thesis]

Masters

Fraxinus excelsior (common ash) is a hardwood tree, native to Ireland which has demonstrated adaptability to growing in a wide range of sites. In 2013, there was a total of over 20,000 hectares recorded under ash in Ireland. From an economic, ecological and carbon aspect ash is also a very important tree species. Since the arrival of Chalara disease, which has the potential to prove fatal to c.97% of the ash population there is an urgent need to consider how to preserve the remaining resistant trees and propagate new resistant lines. Grafting is the suggested method which has the capacity …

Impact Of Combined Heat And Power Generation On An Industrial Site Distribution Network, Thomas Neally

Masters

Presence of Distributed Generation (DG) in Industrial Site Distribution Network (ISDN) can represent a significant impact on the operational characteristics of the network. Present planning and operation criteria use for ISDN are in general not suitable to cope with the presence of a significant DG capacity. The presence of DG provides considerable benefits from both engineering and economic viewpoints. However, it changes radial configurations of the distribution feeders. Consequently it may cause coordination failure to existing protection system which is originally set based on radial configuration. In addition, high penetration of DG into ISDN may increase feeder loss, and cause …

A Bridge Rehabilitation Strategy Based On The Analysis Of A Dataset Of Bridge Inspections In Co. Cork, Liam Dromey

Masters

Ageing highway structures present a challenge throughout the developed world. The introduction of bridge management systems (BMS) allows bridge owners to assess the condition of their bridge stock and formulate bridge rehabilitation strategies under the constraints of limited budgets and resources. This research presents a decision-support system for bridge owners in the selection of the best strategy for bridge rehabilitation on a highway network. The basis of the research is an available dataset of 1,367 bridge inspection records for County Cork that has been prepared to the Eirspan BMS inspection standard and which includes bridge structure condition ratings and rehabilitation …

Demonstration Of A Novel 3-D Wind Sensor For Improved Wind Shear Detection For Aviation Operations, Anthony O'Connor

Masters

Low level wind shear and turbulence present a serious safety risk to aircraft during the approach, landing and take-off phases. Low level wind shear has been identified as one of the primary factors for aircraft go-arounds and aborted landings. Aviation reports have concluded that pilots need to have improved information in relation to tailwinds, wind shear and wind variations on approach and during the landing phases. The ability for a pilot to land an aircraft safely without the need to go-around or abort a landing due to wind conditions is crucial. During any given year, wind shear occurs thousands of …

Design And Implementation Of A Micro-Inverter For Photovoltaic Applications, Chi-Thang Phan-Tan

Masters

The objective of this work is to design and build a novel topology of a micro-inverter to directly convert DC power from a photovoltaic module to AC power. In the proposed micro-inverter, a structure with two power stages, which are DC/DC and then DC/AC converters, is used. A novel MPPT algorithm is implemented and evaluated in the DC/DC converter to optimize the solar panel energy production. The new method operates with an efficiency of 97.9%, which is a 1% improvement on the standard method, and a response time of

In this research, the following approach is taken. A literature review …

Controlled Switching Of Reactive Loads And Commisioning Regimes, Eoin Cowhey

Masters

Switching is a vital task in any power system for ensuring its safe and reliable operation. Switching may be necessary for fault clearance, to ensure wider system stability and to prevent damage to plant. It is essential for isolation, to allow technicians to carry out maintenance tasks safely. Also, switching of reactive loads such as shunt capacitor banks and shunt reactors, is crucial for controlling system voltage.

Switching of some loads however, may produce voltage transients and heavy transient inrush currents which can impact on wider system power quality, impact customers and cause damage or deterioration of the insulation of …

Wavelength Drift In Cwdm Systems: Impact And Measurement, Thomas Freir

Masters

The research begins with an investigation of wavelength drift in Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) systems, especially in the context of temperature dependent wavelength drift. A simple model was proposed using a typical ‘application’ from ITU-T G.695. OptiSystem was chosen as the simulation platform due to its ease of use, the variety and flexibility of its inbuilt components and similar models simulated on the platform in the past. The research then investigates the measurement of wavelength drift focusing on how to determine an acceptable wavelength accuracy for a CWDM wavelength monitor. The chosen approach arose from observations of the results …

Development Of Traceable Capabilities In Non-Contact Thermal Metrology, Sam Boles

Masters

Accurate temperature measurement is crucial in industry to reduce waste and environmental impact. Industrial use of Radiation Thermometers (RTs) is becoming increasingly common due to their wide market availability, fast response time, large temperature ranges, and their ability to measure temperature without contact. With this growth in use, accurate RT measurements that are traceable to the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) are a growing requirement. Traceable calibrations are usually performed using horizontal Blackbody Cavity Radiation Sources (BCRSs). In the work presented, a unique vertical bath-based BCRS, constructed in-house at the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), was compared over …

Education For Sustainable Development- The Irish Construction Sector And The Need For A Sustainable Approach, Conor Mcmanus

Masters

This study explores the path to be taken towards achieving Sustainable Development. It examines the impact the construction industry has on the environment as a result of a knowledge and skills gap and considers how our present way of thinking facilitates this. It then goes on to show how a change in construction education can bring about change in the industry and facilitate the implementation of sustainable development. The study examines how the singular emphasis on technology, the introduction of the ‘expert’ into the domestic building process and the narrow focus on operational energy conservation raises questions about Ireland's present …

A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment For Utilising Laminated Veneer Bamboo As A Primary Structural Material In High-Rise Residential Buildings, Philip Kavanagh

Masters

In a time when construction is ranked as one of the world’s least sustainable industries consuming about half of the world’s non-renewable resources (Hinson, 2012), it is important to develop and advance the methods and means by which we select and use building materials and how we design, engineer and construct our architecture. This research aimed to evaluate a method for utilising laminated veneer bamboo (LVB) as a primary structural material in high-rise residential buildings and evaluate the environmental potential of LVB through a comparative life cycle analysis (LCA). The process of life cycle analysis was completed through the development …

Economically Rational Trading Between The All Island Single Electricity Market And Great Britain; Theory Vs Practice, Aoife Wilson

Masters

Economic trading across electricity interconnectors is considered to be a key factor in delivering the economic welfare benefits of an integrated European electricity market. This research examines this assumption as it applies to the interconnection between the electricity markets in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain. In doing so it reviews the assumption of economically rational trading behaviour by participants in the market. This assumption underpinned the cost benefit studies justifying construction of the East-West interconnector. Actual patterns of trading that have arisen post commissioning are compared with projected rational behaviour.

The research also considers the consequences of these behavioural …

Is Vehicle Characterization In Accordance With Standard Test Procedures A Necessary Prerequisite For Validating Computer Models Of A Test Vehicle?, Michael Hall

Masters

Vehicle characterization is the process by which a particular vehicle’s inherent dynamic behavior is classified by measuring its response to certain command inputs under standard test conditions. Such information is required when comparing its performance to that of other vehicles in response to the same test event and it is also used to authenticate computer models of the test vehicle. The aim of this research was to determine whether vehicle characterization is possible using data from non- standard tests and to judge whether such data can also be used for the purpose of validating a computer model of the test …

Testing And Analysis Of An Alternative Connection Method In Closed Panel Timber Frame Domestic Construction, Brendan Towey

Masters

Construction practices continue to evolve in tandem with the requirements for more energy efficient buildings, materials and construction methods. This steady and progressive move towards the development of the industry and its products comes, not in leaps and bounds, but in incremental advances across all areas of construction. The research detailed in this project is one such advancement. Timber frame construction has been in existence for centuries and its tried and tested methods have been utilised worldwide in both domestic and industrial building. In recent times, standard open panel timber frame construction has been enhanced by the development of closed …

Design And Development Of A Low Cost Platform To Facilitate Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Of The Elbow/Shoulder Region, Stephen Curran

Masters

For post-stroke rehabilitation of the upper limbs, increased amounts of therapy are directly related to improved rehabilitation outcomes. As such, a low cost therapy platform is proposed suitable for facilitating active therapy and administering activeassist therapy to the shoulder/elbow region of the upper limbs of individuals post-stroke in a local clinic or domestic setting. Enabling a person to undergo intensive rehabilitation therapy outside of a rehabilitation hospital setting permits the amount of therapy administered to be maximised. While studies have shown that technological approaches to post-stroke rehabilitation do not produce better outcomes than equal amounts of traditional therapy in a …

Antenna Designs For Wireless Medical Implants., Conor P. Conran

Masters

Active medical implants are devices that are surgically implanted inside the body. They have been developed to treat a wide range of ailments and many require some form of communications link with the outside world for maintenance and for remote medical diagnostics. Radio links promise a wide range of benefits over the traditional low frequency inductive coupling method.

Body tissue is a challenging environment, both for the device and for the radio signal that it transmits. Innovation in medical technology is creating a demand for high bandwidth links, and this in turn is driving the development of implantable antennas.

Many …

A New Simplified Federated Single Sign-On System, Chen Liang

Masters

The work presented in this MPhil thesis addresses this challenge by developing a new simplified FSSO system that allows end-users to access desktop systems, web-based services/applications and non-web based services/applications using one authentication process. This new system achieves this using two major components: an “Authentication Infrastructure Integration Program (AIIP)" and an “Integration of Desktop Authentication and Web-based Authentication (IDAWA)." The AIIP acquires Kerberos tickets (for end-users who have been authenticated by a Kerberos single sign-on system in one net- work domain) from Kerberos single sign-on systems in different network domains without establishing trust between these Kerberos single sign-on systems. The …

The Unprecedented Assimilation Of Mobile Telephony In Ireland: A Phenomenon Of The Celtic Tiger Era Or A Result Of Cultural Traits?, Andreas Scheibelhut

Masters

Following the universal acceptance of mobile telephony the once elitist gadget has become an indispensable democratic tool of everyday communications over the last three decades. Controversially, this thesis illustrates that its level of both adoption and usage did not develop in a similar homogenous pattern in selected OECD countries. In particular, the Irish performance is rather astonishing given the speed of adoption as well as the exceptional high revenue figures achieved by the wireless operators. Consequently, this work determines a selection of factors that drive and encourage both the adoption and usage of cellular telephony in Ireland. The Irish experience …

Probabilistic Analysis Of Indeterminate Highway Bridges Considering Material Nonlinearity, Liam Mccarthy

Masters

With ever-reducing maintenance budgets and ever-deteriorating bridge infrastructure, th assessment of existing bridges is vital. Reliability analysis techniques are becomin increasingly popular in the structural safety assessment of existing bridge structures Commonly, a component based approach is used in reliability analysis techniques Traditional reliability procedures often employ a conservative definition of failure, in that th component is deemed to have failed when the strength capacity has been exceeded at a singl cross section. As a result, the component's degree of redundancy and ductility is ignored giving an often conservative estimate of the load carrying capacity of the bridge component Therefore, …

Monitoring And Regression Based Modelling Of End Winding Vibration In Large Synchronous Generators., David Shally

Masters

This research project was set up to monitor, on an ongoing basis, the condition of the end windings and their support structures of a 288 MVA 2-pole synchronous generator with a known end winding vibration problem Excessive vibration at the end windings was caused by the natural frequencies of individual end bars (local) and of the entire end winding structure (global) being at or close to the magnetic forcing frequency of 100 Hz. Resonant vibration such as this has been a cause of major failures in machines of the same type in the past, resulting in significant down time ranging …

Meshscan: A Fast And Efficient Handoff Scheme For Ieee 802.11 Wireless Mesh Networks, Yin Chen

Masters

As a next generation network solution, Wireless Mesh Networks (WMN) provides fast Internet access to a large area, which is from university campus to city scale. In order to provide an uninterrupted Internet experience to a mobile client, a process called handoff is required to maintain the network connection from one Mesh Node (MN) to another MN. Ideally, handoff should be completely transparent to mobile users. A critical application like VoIP will require a handoff capability that transfers a call from one mesh node (MN) to another in less than 50 msec. However the current IEEE 802.11 standards do not …

Blind Single Channel Sound Source Separation, Mark Leddy

Masters

In recent years source separation has become an increasingly popular area of research in the signal processing community. The subject has found applications in a variety of fields such as medical imaging, sound and audio, econometrics and geophysics. This document will discuss the application of source separation techniques to the area of audio. Sound source separation is the process of observing a mixture signal made up of a number of sources, and from this mixture estimating the individual source signals. Audio source separation techniques may be crudely split into the following areas; techniques that utilise attributes of the sources, and …

Feasibility Of Using Passive Monitoring Techniques In Mesh Networks For The Support Of Routing, Chenzhe Zhang

Masters

In recent years, Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) have emerged as a promising solution to provide low cost access networks that extend Internet access and other networking services. Mesh routers form the backbone connectivity through cooperative routing in an often unstable wireless medium. Therefore, the techniques used to monitor and manage the performance of the wireless network are expected to play a significant role in providing the necessary performance metrics to help optimize the link performance in WMNs. This thesis initially presents an assessment of the correlation between passive monitoring and active probing techniques used for link performance measurement in single …

Development Of A Quality Of Service Framework For Multimedia Streaming Applications, Stuart Wallace

Masters

By the year 2012, it is expected that the majority of all Internet traffic will be video content. Coupled with this is the increasing availability of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) due to their ease of deployment, flexibility and reducing roll out costs. Unfortunately the contention based access mechanism utilised by IEEE 802.11 WLANs does not suit the non-uniform or bursty bandwidth profile of a video stream which can lead to a reduced quality of service (QoS) being experienced by the end-user. In 2005, the IEEE 802.11e protocol was ratified in an attempt to solve this emerging problem. It provides …

Wood Chip Heating For Commercial Buildings In Ireland: An Analysis Of Supply Methods And Financial Viability, Ciaran Berkeley

Masters

Ireland has three central issues regarding the supply and use of fuel and energy: import dependency; competitiveness; and greenhouse gases emissions. Ireland is ranked as one of the most import dependent states in the EU, with over 90% of its fuel sourced fiom abroad [IAEA, 20051. Combined with rapidly fluctuating oil and gas wsts and uncertainty with future supply, it is essential that Ireland find a more secure and sustainable alternative to fossil hels. Wood chip represents one such alternative energy source since it is locally produced and considered to be carbon-neutral. The main objective of this research is to …