Engineering

The course presents basic optimization theory, and gives an overview of the most important methods and their practical use.

This course introduces the basic principles of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. Fluid mechanics influences a diverse range of engineering systems (aircraft, ships, road vehicle design, air conditioning, energy conversion, wind turbines, and hydroelectric schemes) and also impacts many biological and meteorological studies. Thermodynamics could be defined as the science of energy. This subject can be broadly interpreted to include all aspects of energy and energy transformations. Like fluid mechanics, this is an important subject in engineering, underpinning many key engineering systems including power generation, engines, gas turbines, refrigeration, and heating. Real world engineering examples are used to illustrate and develop an intuitive understanding of these topics.

This course covers topics required to understand systems involving fluids, both in motion and at rest, and their application in engineered systems. These include dams, pipes, open channels, pumps and both liquid and gaseous flow, with relevance to civil, mechanical, infrastructure and environmental engineering contexts. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of how fluids behave and how this can be applied to solve engineering challenges. Topics covered include - Fluid statics, manometry, derivation of the continuity equation, mechanical energy balance, friction losses in a straight pipe, Newton’s law of viscosity, treatment of pipe roughness, valves and fittings; simple pipe network problems; principles of open channel flow; compressible flow, propagation of pressure wave, isothermal and adiabatic flow equations in a pipe, choked flow. Pumps – pump characteristics, centrifugal pumps, derivation of theoretical head, head losses leading to the actual pump head curve, calculating system head, determining the operating point of a pumping system, throttling for flow control, cavitation and NPSH, affinity laws and pump scale-up, introduction to positive displacement pumps; Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, Multi-dimensional fluid flow-momentum flux, development of multi-dimensional equations of continuity and for momentum transfer, Navier-Stokes equations, application to tube flow, Couette flow, Stokes flow.

This course covers the basic theories of material science. Topics include atomic structure and interatomic bonding, structures of metals and ceramics, imperfections in solids, mechanical properties, deformation and strengthening mechanisms, failure, structures and properties of metals and alloys, applications and processing of metal and alloys, structures and properties of ceramics, and applications and processing of ceramics.

The course covers the topic of renewable resources, including wind, sun, tides, and biomass as well as their significance for energy supply. At the beginning, the focus lies on the control of a photovoltaic plant. The modeling comprises irradiation and maximum-power-point-tracking. Furthermore, the modeling of wind energy conversion systems is considered. Other topics include battery application, fuel cells, and tidal energy. 

This course develops an understanding of the principles of a variety of industrially-significant processes concerned with energy conversion and use, and of the design and operation of plant relying on those processes (including gas and steam turbines, boilers and heat exchangers, reciprocating engines, refrigeration and air-conditioning plant). It develops an ability to make thermodynamic analyses of the processes involved and to select and apply rational performance criteria and parameters. Students develop an awareness of the power and utility of thermodynamics in engineering design, both at the system and the component detail level, with recognition of the constraints imposed by materials, stressing, economics and the environment. 

This course provides practical experience in early stages of starting a technology-based start-up. The course is based on principles from lean-startup and business model canvas. Through practical experience, student-driven seminars, inspirational lectures and literature studies, understanding of business model components in the start-up process, as well as ability to analyze and validate an idea or invention is mainly achieved through customer-based development and experimentation with minimum viable products. This understanding is used to develop an efficient and scalable business model and review the business model from sustainable and ethical perspectives.

The course describes how non-linear systems can be treated through analysis, simulation, and controller design. Lectures cover non-linear phenomena; mathematical modeling of nonlinear systems; stationary points; linearization around stationary points and trajectories; phase plane analysis; stability analysis using the Lyapunov method; circle criterion; small-gain and passivity; computer tools for simulation and analysis; effects of saturation; backlash and dead-zones in control loops; describing functions for analysis of limit cycles; high-gain methods and relay feedback; optimal control; and nonlinear synthesis and design. Laboratory exercises include analysis using the describing function and control design with dead-zone compensation for an air throttle used in car motors; energy-based design of a swing-up algorithm for an inverted pendulum; and trajectory generation using optimal control for the pendulum-on-a-cart process.