Doctoral School

Reading date: 09/09/2024

• ETXANDI SANTOLAYA, MAITE: A new approach for End of Life Estimations in Electric Vehicle Batteries: Maximizing Battery Usage
  
  Author: ETXANDI SANTOLAYA, MAITE
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
  Department: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DECA)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 16/07/2024
  Reading date: pending
  Reading time: pending
  Reading place: pending
  Thesis director: CORCHERO GARCIA, CRISTINA | CANALS CASALS, LLUC
  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: BENVENISTE PÉREZ, GABRIELA
       SECRETARI: DÍAZ GONZÁLEZ, FRANCISCO
       VOCAL: REDONDO IGLESIAS, EDUARDO
  Thesis abstract: The adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) requires careful management of their resource-intensive batteries to make sure that the transition does not come at a high environmental cost. Technological advancements and cost reductions have led to increased battery capacities and substantial expected residual value in retired batteries, highlighting the importance of circular economy practices, such as sharing and repurposing.Effective decision-making in the battery lifecycle requires precise estimation of End of Life (EoL). Current methods use a universal criterion of 70-80% State of Health (SoH) for defining the EoL, but this overlooks the individualities of each driver and their EV battery capacity.The initial part of the thesis assesses the adequacy of the universal EoL criteria. It begins by analysing the driving performance of EVs to identify new criteria for determining the functional EoL based on specific driving needs. Subsequently, the functional EoL thresholds for various realistic use cases are obtained using driving profiles derived from a proposed synthetic driving cycle model. The findings indicate that underperformance is influenced by factors such as battery capacity, charging frequency, and driving times, highlighting the shortcomings of current EoL estimates.Recognizing the limitations of the fixed EoL criteria, the second part of the thesis introduces a novel approach for EoL estimation using the State of Function (SoF). This approach considers historical driving requirements to define individualize EoL thresholds and employs a data-driven algorithm to predict the SoH under real-world operating conditions (i.e. partial charges). Both aspects, EoL requirements and battery degradation, are included in the proposed definition of the SoF, measuring how far the battery is from underperforming.The thesis results advocate shifting from the 70-80% SoH EoL criterion to the SoF measure to improve EoL estimations. In addition, understanding the functional EoL allows exploration of alternatives like Vehicle to Grid (V2G) and second-life applications to maximize battery usage, reduce residual value when reaching the recycling stage, and minimize environmental impact.
  

Reading date: 10/09/2024

• HEREU MORALES, JOAN: A narrow contribution to quantification for a sustainable society: from interdisciplinary review and policy analysis to a new method for the assessment of climate neutrality
  
  Author: HEREU MORALES, JOAN
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Article-based thesis
  Deposit date: 11/07/2024
  Reading date: 10/09/2024
  Reading time: 18:00
  Reading place: Defensa pública a la Sala Àgora, Campus Nord, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya -C/Jordi Girona 1-3 (Plaça de Telecos), Barcelona.
  Thesis director: VALDERRAMA ANGEL, CESAR ALBERTO
  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: DILLMAN, KEVIN
       SECRETARI: DE PABLO RIBAS, JOAN
       VOCAL: MAYOR PILLADO, ÁLVARO
  Thesis abstract: Humanity faces in the XXI Century the challenge of transformation towards a sustainable society. The ecological crisis, in which climate change plays an important role, threatens to alter the natural cycles of the planet up to a point of no return, seriously compromising both natural ecosystems and human life on the planet. Such natural degradation finds its origins in the industrial revolution, and has been fed by human activities ever since then. Over the last decades, efforts to mitigate the crisis have taken a part on the public ruling of human society at a global scale, but these have so far failed to offer real perspectives of improvement.This doctoral thesis acknowledges this situation and navigates some of the different paths through which sustainability science can contribute to mitigate the crisis. The final goal of the thesis is contributing in the development of quantified parameters of sustainability that enhance effective decision making at a public level. Due to the heterogeneity, interdisciplinarity and broadness of the field of sustainability science, the final goal of the thesis requires a previous process of defining the contextual and conceptual frameworks through literature review on various topics as well as a focus on what, where and how to quantify prior to developing the quantification method. The former involves conceptual clarification on sustainability and a sustainable society, as well as a literature review and analysis on the state of art of current public plans for sustainability at an intergovernmental level, given the global impact of the crisis. Additionally, it involves an approach to economic discussions on growth and to the field of philosophical reflections concerning the historical role of human society. The latter is defined as follows: the what is set on the climate impact of production activities, the where is set on the agricultural sector and the how is set on enhancing holisticness and comprehension of results. The consecutive process to this one is the definition and application of the new sustainability quantification method.Results of the thesis include a conceptual model of a sustainable society, an analysis on the environmental sustainability of the transformational plans within the European Green Deal, the development of a new method for quantifying the climate impact of production systems and assessing their path towards climate neutrality, as well as the application of such method on the GHG emissions from production, transport and agricultural use of N-fertilizers in Spain during the period 1960-2100. Due to the findings on the literature review, as well as throughout the different studies of this doctorate, such results are discussed with the focus set on the influence of the global economic model and precisely of economic growth on the consecution of a sustainable society.Main conclusions of this work highlight that the ecological crisis has deeper roots on human society than currently addressed by its transformational plans. In order to achieve a sustainable society, including climate neutrality, it is necessary to transform the economic model and abandon the industrial-societal axioms including a review of endless economic growth, irrational techno-optimism and dissatisfying materialism. Post-growth economics are encouraged to be further explored as they might offer the key towards human wellbeing in balance with a finite planet.
  

• TERRONES FERNÁNDEZ, INÉS: Innovative Modular Pour Plating Microbiology Culture Media Technology
  
  Author: TERRONES FERNÁNDEZ, INÉS
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN MECHANICAL, FLUIDS AND AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
  Department: Department of Fluid Mechanics (MF)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 27/06/2024
  Reading date: 10/09/2024
  Reading time: 11:00
  Reading place: Defensa pública a la Sala de Juntes de l'Escola Superior d'Enginyeries Industrial, Aeroespacial i Audiovisual de Terrassa (ESEIAAT) de la Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.
  Thesis director: GAMEZ MONTERO, PEDRO JAVIER | CASTILLA LOPEZ, ROBERTO
  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: GRILLO DOLSET, MARIA JESUS
       SECRETARI: ESCALER PUIGORIOL, FRANCESC XAVIER
       VOCAL: VERNET PEÑA, ANTON
  Thesis abstract: The current methods used in microbiological quality analysis rely on the use of traditional and manual methods, such as the pour plate method. The need to perform more analyses of different matrices makes it necessary to improve these methods. Thus, this thesis focuses on the design of systems in which the manual work of laboratory technicians is reduced. In order to meet the main objective, this thesis has been separated into two subjects, i.e., microbiology and mechanical and fluid engineering. The union of these two fields is essential for the achievement of this need.The starting point for microbiology focused on the separation of culture media into their different phases. This separation would allow both easier maintenance of the media and a simpler dosage of the same. In addition, studies and the establishment of a protocol for sterilizing the culture medium in a microwave oven were also carried out.By means of Computational Fluid dynamics (CFD), studies were carried out to design a static homogenizer so that the culture medium would be completely mixed when pouring onto the plates. In addition, a device was designed with which the dosing of the culture medium, once separated into its components, was possible. The favorable results obtained in both microbiological and engineering studies demonstrate that a pour plate method automation system is possible. Hence, the development of this new line of research will continue, as this study is only the starting point for the development of such a system.
  

Reading date: 11/09/2024

• HURTADO ILLANES, MARISOL CAROL: Diseño de un Modelo Integrado para el Empoderamiento Individual y el Apoyo Social en la Gestión del Conocimiento de Enfermedades Crónicas
  
  Author: HURTADO ILLANES, MARISOL CAROL
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
  Department: Department of Management (OE)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 17/07/2024
  Reading date: pending
  Reading time: pending
  Reading place: pending
  Thesis director: VIEDMA MARTI, JOSE M. | COLL BERTRAN, JOSEP
  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: CANALS PARERA, AGUSTI
       SECRETARI: BARTOLOME COMAS, ROSA MARIA
       VOCAL: SERRADELL LÓPEZ, ENRIC
  Thesis abstract: This transdisciplinary research focuses on knowledge management and human capital development in the context of chronic diseases, investigating mechanisms of empowerment in virtual communities. Living with a chronic illness involves facing high uncertainty and stress, resulting in social limitations and challenges. However, health conditions do not alter the essence of the individual or their need to actively participate in society. Chronic diseases increase global morbidity and mortality, representing a significant economic burden for healthcare systems. In this context, individual and community empowerment is crucial to improving the well-being and quality of life of patients.The study develops an Integrated Model for Individual Empowerment and Social Support in the Knowledge Management of Chronic Diseases, aimed at improving quality of life and enhancing patient autonomy. Its objectives include analyzing the influence of individual empowerment on patient engagement, exploring the connection between individual empowerment and community development in virtual communities, and examining the impact of sustainable practices on long-term empowerment. Using a mixed methodology that combines Dubin's methodology for theoretical development, the TDR approach (Transdisciplinary Research), and qualitative methods, the model was validated in a virtual community of chronic patients.The model focuses on key aspects such as Individual Empowerment (IE), Active Participation (IEG), Community Development (CD), and Sustainable Practices (SP). Furthermore, it describes states ranging from initial levels of low empowerment to achieving complete autonomy and commitment, through the formulation of theoretical propositions and the identification of intermediate stages that connect these elements and describe their interrelationships.Self-efficacy was manifested in narratives and testimonies that revealed participants' confidence and control. Active participation was evidenced in contributions and community activities, demonstrating a commitment to self-care. Social support was detected in interactions, reflecting solidarity and collaboration. Collaboration was observed in teamwork and mutual aid. Community development became evident through practices aimed at collective well-being. Access to knowledge was manifested in participation and resource-seeking, while sustainable practices were identified in actions aimed at long-term positive change.The results revealed individual strengthening among members of the online support group, highlighting the sense of personal control and resilience fostered through emotional support and self-efficacy. Members of the virtual community showed adaptability in facing health challenges through innovative strategies and community support, resulting in significant improvements in lifestyle habits and well-being. These aspects underscore the crucial influence of online support in promoting self-care, resilience, and overall health.In conclusion, the research highlights that empowerment through virtual communities is fundamental for the effective management of chronic diseases, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach that encompasses social, psychological, and health self-management support. These findings enrich existing knowledge and influence health decisions and policies, underscoring the need to integrate sustainable practices into health policies for general well-being. The unified model of individual and community empowerment shows potential for application in other aspects of personal development, focusing on human capital and knowledge management.
  

Reading date: 12/09/2024

• PORTAL LIAÑO, JORGE: Un estudio sobre el arbotante como elemento constructivo en el primer Gótico francés: indeterminación y versatilidad
  
  Author: PORTAL LIAÑO, JORGE
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND URBANISM TECHNOLOGY
  Department: Department of Architectural Technology (TA)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 12/07/2024
  Reading date: 12/09/2024
  Reading time: 12:00
  Reading place: Defensa pública Presencial a la Sala de Graus ETSAB. Planta Baixa
  Thesis director: GONZALEZ MORENO-NAVARRO, JOSE LUIS | ROCA FABREGAT, PEDRO
  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: ONECHA PEREZ, ANA BELEN
       SECRETARI: JURINA, LORENZO
       VOCAL: THEODOSSOPOULOS, DIMITRIOS
  Thesis abstract: Gothic architecture first appeared in the Île-de-France region in the middle of the 12th century, fully developing throughout the 13th. The flying buttress has been defined as one of its characteristic architectural elements, and the contribution thereof is considered to have been essential to overcoming the great structural challenges posed by the new style. The theory behind the revival and intervention of Gothic buildings was developed starting in the 19th century. Ever since then, the diversity of approaches to the study of Gothic architecture has fostered different and often manifestly opposing views. As a singular element, the study of flying buttresses has been approached by a number of authors. However, to date, there has been no description of the overall stabilizing solution used in large Gothic cathedrals which also properly and completely defines how flying buttresses function as a part of such solution.Based on a critical analysis of the scientific/academic contributions made, this study determined the gaps that exist in knowledge of the function of flying buttresses and established a series of unknowns which, once elucidated through an all-new approach, made it possible to precisely and exhaustively describe such functioning. A specific study method was developed through the unifying theoretical framework of the Limit (or Plastic) Analysis with which models representative of a sufficiently extensive group of buildings were created. Specific calculation and graphing tools were used to do so, enabling easy handling and a qualitative interpretation of the findings.As a result of the application of this method to the case studies, prior statements were nuanced, completed and corrected with original contributions proving: matters relating to the function of flying buttresses, their contribution -and the nature thereof- to stabilizing buildings, as well as their geometry and positioning. The non-univocal behaviour of flying buttresses was verified in addition to their versatility in helping to stabilize major Early French Gothic temples.Despite the fact that the ultimate aim of this thesis was not to draw conclusions with regard to the material or chronological aspects of the flying buttresses studied, the findings achieved are no doubt highly useful to any subsequent research into knowledge of these architectural elements using other approaches and in other scientific fields.