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Le sfide dell'aria in piccola scala
No full textThis contribution deals with the innovation introduced by air in many products and productive processes. The air, defined as a combination of oxygen, nitrogen, and small quantities of other gases that surround our Planet and form its atmosphere, can also be considered as one of the main materials used in various sectors, from packaging to sport, from automotive to safety. An overview on the several applications in which the air plays an important role is outlined in order to point out the most important properties and characteristics of this "material". The air, in fact, has load-bearing capacity and properties of containment, protection and shock-resistance; moreover, the air can be controlled, compressed or contained. The contribution presents some specific case studies of products and processes as a model for designers to develop innovative products and process in which the air is leading. The air represents a "new-ancient material" available to designers for facing new small and big design challenges
A Methodology for Modeling the Cat-Heating Transient Phase in a Turbocharged Direct Injection Spark Ignition Engine
No full textThis paper presents the modeling of the transient phase of catalyst heating on a high-performance turbocharged spark ignition engine with the aim to accurately predict the exhaust thermal energy available at the catalyst inlet and to provide a "virtual test rig" to assess different design and calibration options.The entire transient phase, starting from the engine cranking until the catalyst warm-up is completed, was taken into account in the simulation, and the model was validated using a wide data-set of experimental tests.The first step of the modeling activity was the combustion analysis during the transient phase: the burn rate was evaluated on the basis of experimental in-cylinder pressure data, considering both cycle-to-cycle and cylinder-to-cylinder variations.Then, as far as the exhaust temperatures are concerned, a detailed model of the thermocouples was implemented to replicate the physical behavior of the sensors during the warm-up and to compare the simulated temperatures with the measured ones.Finally, a complete analysis of the energy balance during the transient was carried out: the thermal power available to the catalyst inlet was obtained from a complete analysis of power losses (i.e. friction and pumping losses, in-cylinder heat transfer, engine block and engine coolant heating, exhaust manifold heat transfer, etc.).In conclusion, the proposed methodology allows to reliably simulate in details the Cat-Heating transient, showing a valuable potential in driving the main design and calibration choices during the engine development process
Three-dimensional printed yttria-stabilized zirconia self-supported electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cell applications
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Influence of ground motion characteristics on the optimal single concave sliding bearing properties for base-isolated structures
No full textThis study examines the influence of ground motion characteristics on the optimal friction properties of single concave sliding bearings employed for the seismic isolation of structural systems. The evaluation of the optimal properties is carried out by considering a non-dimensional formulation which employs the peak ground acceleration (PGA) and the peak ground acceleration-to-velocity (PGA/PGV) ratio as ground motion parameters. A two-degree-of-freedom (2dof) model is employed to describe the isolated system and two different families of records representative respectively of near fault and far field seismic inputs are considered. Following the nondimensionalization of the equation of motion for the proposed ground motion parameters, it is shown that the non-dimensional responses obtained for the two types of seismic inputs are similar. This result confirms that PGA/PGV is a good indicator of the frequency content and of other characteristics of ground motion records, helping to reduce the scatter in the response. Regression expressions are also obtained for the optimal values of the friction coefficient that minimizes the superstructure displacements relative to the base as a function of the abovementioned ground motion parameter and of the dimensionless system parameters. These expressions can be used for the preliminary estimation of the optimal properties of isolation bearings with a single concave sliding surface or double concave sliding surfaces with equal friction coefficient
The construction sector crisis in italy: any strategy for small and medium-sized builders?
No full textThe deep crisis that has hit Italy since 2008 is perhaps the worst since the second World War to date. According to the last studies by the Italian National Association of Building Contractors, the construction sector in Italy saw an unprecedented decline: between 2008 and 2015, investments in new residential buildings have collapsed more than 60%, those in non-residential 35% and public works about 50%, altogether 70 billion less. Even in terms of builders, between 2008 and 2014, more than 100,000 small and medium-sized buildings firms are forced out of the construction sector. Neglecting the public investment issue, often blocked by administrative constraints, bureaucratic criticism and lack of funds for the implementation of works, we focused on the private construction sector, investigating what can be done to reverse the negative trend, both in terms of numbers (lower commissions) and of amounts (lower cash availability), trying to reduce somehow the building firms mortality. Italy has always been one of the European countries with the highest number of homeowners. It probably shows the belief that it is the only investment that can maintain its value over time and, also, the only one that can achieve a zero market risk. Almost downstream of the economic crisis can be said that these are not entirely truthful statements. What measures can be implemented (or have been implemented) by the government to resume the construction sector? What are the strategies that small and medium-sized firms could target to continue their business in a context where demand for some types of dwelling (single-family and/or semi-detached houses) seems to remain, but the availability of money is lower? The paper presents the specific national setting and illustrates the effect of preferential policies on the construction market and also identifies some interesting aspects of prefabrication (even partial) to reduce production costs, selling prices, site construction times and investment costs in the whole life cycle
Il disegno a colori. Tavole di Scienza delle Costruzioni della Scuola d'Applicazione di Torino a fine Ottocento
No full textNegli ultimi decenni dell'Ottocento, nell'ambito del disegno tecnico praticato nella Scuola d'Applicazione per gl'Ingegneri di Torino e finalizzato alla rappresentazione di consistenze esistenti, alla prefigurazione di manufatti in progetto e alla produzione di modelli di studio, il colore, applicato attraverso l'acquerellatura, caratterizza i lavori grafici degli allievi. Ai primi del secolo, Jean-Nicolas-Louis Durand dalla cattedra di Composizione dell'Êcole Polytechnique, una fra le istituzioni di riferimento per la scuola torinese, aveva preconizzato il disegno tecnico in proiezioni ortogonali correlate mediante rette di richiamo e, in aperta polemica antiaccademica, aveva espresso la propria contrarietà nei confronti dell'uso dell'acquerello, sostenendo che esso, ben lungi dall'aggiungere alcunché all'effetto o alla comprensione di questi disegni, non poteva che sporcarli e renderli equivoci (Durand 1809). Nella Scuola d'Applicazione di Torino, fondata nel 1859, il corso di Statica grafica e Scienza delle costruzioni, tenuto da Giovanni Curioni fino al 1887 e poi da Camillo Guidi per circa quarant'anni, era inizialmente affiancato dalla Scuola di Disegno, in cui si applicava quanto appreso nel corso orale. In particolare, gli allievi, secondo i programmi didattici, dopo aver eseguito alcuni disegni di Statica grafica, erano tenuti a redigere una serie di progetti di costruzioni in legno, ferro e muratura. Curioni, nell'Appendice all'arte di fabbricare, dopo aver sottolineato il valore didattico del disegno per il passaggio dalle teorie alle applicazioni pratiche, prescriveva l'uso delle proiezioni ortogonali, accuratamente quotate, illustrava la teoria delle ombre con sorgente luminosa all'infinito per la rappresentazione della tridimensionalità dei manufatti e indicava una serie di segni convenzionali, da utilizzarsi nel disegno al tratto, per distinguere i principali materiali da costruzione, in proiezione e in sezione (Curioni 1881). L'album di tavole di Scienza delle Costruzioni oggetto di analisi, datate fra 1888 e 1897, raccoglie una selezione di esercizi degli allievi concernenti solai, incavallature, centine, ponti, in cui il disegno al tratto, in proiezioni e sezioni correlate e quotate, si integra con la coloritura ad acquerello, con ombre a stesura piatta in velatura grigia e segni convenzionali, gli stessi indicati da Curioni, ma per lo più tracciati ad inchiostro colorato, ottenendo una sintesi grafica di grande valore espressivo. Non solo e non semplicemente espressione di una volontà di mimesi, il colore entra in queste tavole non come mero ornamento, ma come elemento di definizione indispensabile per la conoscenza profonda dei manufatti rappresentati e delle loro connessioni. Il contributo mette in relazione le indicazioni della manualistica coeva circa le convenzioni del disegno tecnico costruttivo e le rappresentazioni in ambito didattico, per le quali il colore si rivela indissolubile dal linguaggio del disegno
Nanoscale chemical imaging of custom patterns of organic monolayers by gap-mode tunneling tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
No full textIn the present work, nanostructured thiols monolayers have been imaged by tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). TERS is a novel technique that allows to obtain simultaneous chemical and morphological imaging of Raman active molecules with nanometric resolution. TERS imaging is achievable in different configurations in terms of illumination (top down, side or bottom up) and techniques and tips (Atomic Force Microscope or Scanning Tunneling Microscope probes). Nowadays no widespread reference samples have been established in order to test, evaluate and compare the performances of TERS setups and techniques. To this aim, nanopatterned samples of TERS active molecules play a fundamental role in building a reference material for the metrological characterization of the imaging capabilities of a STM- controlled TERS apparatus. In this respect, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiols on gold surfaces are ideal candidates, due the high TERS activity of thiol molecules, the good homogeneity and reproducibility of the monolayer and the high conductivity of the substrate. Here, nanopatterned thiol monolayers have been fabricated by an electron beam lithography (EBL) based approach, on highly conductive gold thin films deposited on Si/SiO2 substrates. TERS images (Fig. 1) of the resulting structures have been taken with a top-visual apparatus in STM feedback using electrochemically etched silver tips, with an excitation wavelength of 633 nm. Chemical maps of stripes of width less than 25 nm have been measured, featuring high enhancement factors and contrast, since no thiol signal has been detected in the areas previously covered by the masks, indicating the viability of the production process
Systemic Design for Sustainable Healthcare. Designing for the treatment of chronic diseases
No full textHealth systems are facing significant societal and organizational challenges that require enhancing their resilience and sustainability. Public expenditure on health care and long-term care is expected to increase: health systems are searching for new solutions to controlling spending, implementing the use of available technology and engaging patients in prevention and self-care. The transition toward more sustainable health systems is both delicate and complex, and it needs radical changes of perspective as regards the patients' role and the holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to health care. Over the past years, interest in what is called "Sustainable Healthcare" has grown globally: there is no common definition, but all the approaches to this emerging domain focus on making health care environmentally, economically and socially viable. Although design could successfully address some crucial environmental issues of health care (from waste reduction to resource optimization), design research made almost no contribution to this field. The present work aims at investigating the role of design towards Sustainable Healthcare, to propose, through case study experience, a systemic vision of the topic. Specifically, the research addressed the environmental issues of chronic haemodialysis, a life-saving treatment for people suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease. Medical treatments imply significant challenges because of their technical and operational complexity, that is further complicated by strict regulations and the presence of several users. Design should address environmental sustainability in such a complex system while maintaining the focus on user-centred care. Traditional design approaches cannot tackle the complexity of health care; therefore, a holistic approach is needed. Systemic Design integrates systems thinking and human-centred design methodologies to support designers working on complex design projects in multi-stakeholder and multi-environment systems. The doctoral research is deeply rooted in the framework of Systemic Design, aiming at defining how design strategies can improve the environmental sustainability of medical products, services, and systems, considering its close relationship with the social (people empowerment) and economic (feasibility) aspects. The first part of the research focused on the definition of all the items which make up the system, and the users that directly or indirectly interact with them. Four system items have been identified: products (packaging, disposables, devices), equipment (dialysis machine), treatment (haemodialysis as a whole) and local environment (policy and management strategies). In the second part different approaches, borrowed from sustainable design and human-centred design, have been combined to analyse each item. In order to establish a general frame, three different dialysis units and hospitals based in different European countries (Italy, Sweden, Denmark) were compared. This comprehensive analysis allowed to set specific guidelines for dialysis products, equipment, and treatment. The comparison of three international case studies highlighted how design should work on product and equipment to improve environmental sustainability on a global scale while addressing local systems and their specific needs to improve sustainability on a local level. The outcome of the research is a set of design strategies for the healthcare sector that take into account the technical, operational, social and environmental requirements of chronic treatments. This final result aims at providing a practical tool for designers and health stakeholders to address the design of new solutions for Sustainable Healthcare, considering the needs of direct and indirect users
A NEW COOLING TECHNIQUE FOR TARGETS OPERATING UNDER VERY INTENSE BEAMS
No full textThe NUMEN experiment aims to study Double Charge Exchange nuclear reactions at low energy as complementary information of the Neutrino-less Double Beta Decay half-life, for the evaluation of the Majorana effective neutrino mass. Special targets of Sn, Cd, Te, Ge and Se are needed, and their thickness must be in the range between 200 and 500nm, in order to satisfy the energy resolution requirements of the produced ions. The very low cross-section requires high intensity of the beams; thus, the energy loss becomes a constant heat source in the target region illuminated by the beam spot. To avoid the increase of the target temperature up to the melting point, some way must be found to dissipate the heat outside the target. The solution adopted in previous experiments at much lower intensity (thin films of isotopes supported by metal frames) is not suitable in this case. Solving the heat equation in steady state condition and cylindrical coordinates gives temperatures higher than the materials melting point, due to the low internal conductivity of the targets. Therefore, we designed a new cooling technique, which takes advantage of the electron stripper located beyond the target. We changed the stripper material (usually Mylar) in pyrolytic graphite of equivalent thickness (≈10µm), which becomes the substrate of the isotope deposition. Due to the presence of discontinuities in the material and heat source geometry, the temperature equation has been numerically solved. Thanks to the high internal conductivity of the graphite, the results are promising. Concerning the deposition, the goal is twofold: to obtain an isotope film with uniform density, and to create a good degree of adhesion to the graphite substrate. After the first trials with Sn, heating up the substrate during the deposition seems to provide reliable and satisfactory results