Computational Design and Automotive Material Gestalt: Cross-disciplinary Design Research by the Mercedes-Benz Center of Advanced Design and the Institute for Computational Design (ICD), University of Stuttgart

Architecture and automotive design have developed as creative domains that are similar yet at the same time profoundly different - a condition from which a long lineage of mutual stimulation has originated. Through one of their collaborative projects, Bastian Baudy and Steffen Koehl , designer and Director, respectively, of the Mercedes-Benz Center of Advanced Design, Guest-Editor Achim Menges and Steffen Reichert , research associate at the Institute for Computational Design (ICD) at the University of Stuttgart, explain how material-oriented, evolutionary computation could bring a new perspective to automotive design.     

A note on: an optimal batch size for an imperfect production system with quality assurance and rework

In [Ojha, D., Sarker, B.R., and Biswas, P., 2007. An optimal batch size for an imperfect production system with quality assurance and network. International Journal of Production Research, 45 (14), 3191–3214] three models are introduced in the context of imperfect production systems. By analysing the proposed models we identify some problems. In particular we focus on six issues of the models developed in Ojha et al. and propose some modifications. All corrections are presented in detail and the numerical example of Ojha et al. is used to show the influence of the issues addressed in this paper.     

纯克尔非线性动力学在光学神经元中的应用研究

采用尖峰神经元对神经形态计算进行并行处理,可以克服数字计算机的一些局限性,从而提高计算速度、计算性能和能量效率,实现更高效、更智能和更自适应的计算。超快克尔效应在光子神经形态计算中具有重要的意义和应用。利用改进的归一化耦合模理论（coupled mode theory, CMT）模型,对钙钛矿材料的光学微谐振腔中由超快克尔效应引起的非线性动力学特征进行了计算和分析,观察到自脉动行为;模拟并实现了光学神经元的兴奋性行为、泄露积分动力学和不应期现象。钙钛矿材料具有超快的克尔响应时间,可以将神经元的不应期控制在皮秒量级,为实现快速的脉冲神经网络提供了新思路。     

The European Commission's light bulb decree: Another costly regulation?

Since September 2009, Regulation 244/2009 of the European Commission enforces the gradual phase-out of incandescent light bulbs. As of September 2012, only energy-efficient lighting sources will be allowed for sale. Among these are halogen light bulbs, light-emitting diodes (LED), or compact fluorescent light bulbs—often referred to as energy-saving light bulbs. The Commission's justification for the phase-out of conventional light bulbs maintains that a reduction in the electricity consumed will not only lead to lower energy cost for private households and industrial consumers, but at the same time lead to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. This article discusses possible reasons for the slow market diffusion of energy-saving light bulbs and shows that the investment in energy-efficient light bulbs does not necessarily lead to significant cost reductions. Drawing on some illustrative examples, we demonstrate that the use of cheaper incandescent bulbs instead of energy-saving light bulbs can be economically rational in cases of rather low usage times, in which the higher initial purchasing price might only pay off after very long time spans. Furthermore, due to the coexistence with the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), this regulation attains no additional emission reductions beyond those achieved by the ETS alone. We thus conclude that the general ban of incandescent light bulbs is inappropriate and should be abolished by the Commission.     

Method for simulating predictive control of building systems operation in the early stages of building design

A method for simulating predictive control of building systems operation in the early stages of building design is presented. The method uses building simulation based on weather forecasts to predict whether there is a future heating or cooling requirement. This information enables the thermal control systems of the building to respond proactively to keep the operational temperature within the thermal comfort range with the minimum use of energy. The method is implemented in an existing building simulation tool designed to inform decisions in the early stages of building design through parametric analysis. This enables building designers to predict the performance of the method and include it as a part of the solution space. The method furthermore facilitates the task of configuring appropriate building systems control schemes in the tool, and it eliminates time consuming manual reconfiguration when making parametric analysis. A test case featuring an office located in Copenhagen, Denmark, indicates that the method has a potential to save energy and improve thermal comfort compared to more conventional systems control. Further investigations of this potential and the general performance of the method are, however, needed before implementing it in a real building design.