- Date:
- 2008-2008
- Themes:
- Semantic Web, Knowledge Technologies, Interaction with Knowledge and semantics
- Funding:
- JISC
The aim of the IBWiki project is to develop an initial public version of the Semantic Wiki part of the e-Framework Upper Level. The project will also work with a sister project (IBMap based at Manchester) developing the HILDA layer to ensure and plan future integration.
The projects objectives are to:
- Create a robust Semantic Wiki framework capable of hosting the eFUL (based on Semantic MediaWiki and using appropriate extensions)
- Create a public version with appropriate help files and navigation aids
- Undertake usability testing with external stakeholders in the JISC community
- Create exemplar content to begin the population of the Wiki
- Learning Societies Lab
Primary investigator
Secondary investigator
Associated research group
- Date:
- -2012
- Funding:
- EU
The overall aim of the EC Information and Communication Technologies FP7 DEPLOY Project is to make major advances in engineering methods for dependable systems through the deployment of formal engineering methods. Formal engineering methods enable greater mastery of complexity than found in traditional software engineering processes. It is the central role played by mechanically-analysed formal models throughout the system development flow that enables mastery of complexity.
As well as leading to big improvements in system dependability, greater mastery of complexity also leads to greater productivity by reducing the expensive test-debug-rework cycle and by facilitating increased reuse of software.
The work of the project will be driven by the tasks of achieving and evaluating industrial take-up, initially by DEPLOY's industrial partners, of DEPLOY's methods and tools, together with the necessary further research on methods and tools.
Primary investigator
Secondary investigators
- mrp
- Colin Snook
- sth
- Abdolbaghi Rezazadeh
- Date:
- 2008-2009
- Theme:
- Virtual Communities and Social Systems
- Funding:
- Medical Research Council (MRC)
This programme will address the public health need to provide evidence for more rationally targeting antibiotics to those most likely to benefit and to develop better antibiotic and non-antibiotic strategies. Acute infections are the commonest conditions managed in primary care, and most people still receive an antibiotic despite limited evidence for their effectiveness. The overuse of antibiotics creates a major threat to the public health - antibiotic resistance. To move patient care forward we need to understand which patients are likely to suffer adversely when antibiotics are not given, assess the impact of infections and their treatment on quality of life, assess the effectiveness of alternative antibiotic prescribing strategies and non antibiotic approaches, and develop easily accessible information for patients. The role of ECS in this project is to develop the infrastructure to provide an interactive web based information system to the trial participants and collect statistics in manor that makes it easy for the researchers to collate and analyse the data.
Primary investigators
- Gary Wills
- Prof. Paul Little (Primary Medical Care)
- Prof. Lucy Yardley (Psychology)
Associated research groups
- Learning Societies Lab
- Electronic and Software Systems
- Date:
- 2007-2012
- Themes:
- Modelling and Simulation, Environmental modelling
- Funding:
- National Grid plc
The RoCiT project follows on from a number of previous projects (including FEAR - finite element analysis for cable ratings) and examines the methods used to derive current ratings for high voltage cables (132kV and above) installed in tunnels. Such installations are becoming increasingly desirable for the operators of power transmission networks, particularly for supplying power to densely populated urban areas. The project has developed improved circuit rating algorithms through removing limiting assumptions in the existing Electra 143 methodology, while making use of numerical modelling tools (including FEA/CFD analysis) and operational data from existing cable systems. This has led to a more flexible model which permits calculations where multiple different cable circuits, operating on different load cycles, exist within the same space. The results obtained assist cable engineers to provide the optimum current rating ratings for these expensive assets. Risk to the cable asset through overheating is minimised, but not at the expense of under utilising the cable circuit.
Primary investigators
- Paul Lewin
- jp2
- sgs
Secondary investigator
- jp2
Partner
- National Grid plc
Associated research groups
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering
- Electrical Power Engineering
- Date:
- 2006-2009
- Themes:
- Modelling and Simulation, Superconductivity
- Funding:
- EPSRC
The use of virtually resistance-free superconducting windings in electrical machines is very attractive, since it offers the prospect of greatly reduced losses. The application of High Temperature Superconductors (HTS) greatly increases the economic appeal of these devices, since the cooling systems are simpler, and therefore cheaper and more reliable, than those required for low-temperature superconductors. Constant advances in superconductor technology have made it possible to obtain high-temperature superconducting tapes with increasing critical currents in lengths suitable for building electrical machines. These current densities are now much higher than those that can be used in a conventional winding; we expect to obtain a current density in excess of 50 A/mm2, whereas it is difficult to cool a copper winding if the current density exceeds 10 A/mm2. The E-J characteristic of superconductors is highly non-linear; if the current density is significantly below the critical current density, the electric field is negligible. In addition, the critical current is reduced in the presence of high B fields. For the HTS material used, this field dependence is highly anisotropic; the component of B normal to the face of the tape has a much greater effect than the other components. The much higher current density may allow the output power of the machine to be increased or its size and mass to be reduced. Alternatively, it may be used to allow a machine to be built with no rotor core, thereby reducing the mass of the machine and, in particular, that of the rotor. For the current project, we intend to build and test a synchronous generator with a high-temperature superconducting coreless rotor. A number of different design concepts have been considered. For each, some limited optimisation of the electromagnetic performance has been done using a commercially available finite element (FE) package. In all the designs considered, magnetic flux diverters are used to reduce the values of B in the superconducting coils. The FE models were also used to confirm that the B field in the coils is consistent with the expected current. In addition, structural finite-element models were built in an attempt to prove that a satisfactory design could be produced. The structural design of a superconducting rotor is not straightforward. There are two principle conflicts that account for this difficulty. The structure that supports the cold rotor components must limit the heat load that it imposes on the cooling system, while being sufficiently stiff to keep the critical speeds of the rotor out of the working range. The structure must be strong enough to carry the loads imposed by centrifugal force, while being flexible enough to adsorb differential thermal contraction without generating excessive stress. This process will allow identifying the challenges of building that type of machines and suggesting possible solutions to problems that the future designers of similar devices might face. The project combines a number of the EPE group interest fields: finite element modelling, optimisation, superconductivity and electrical machines.
Primary investigators
- Jan Sykulski
- mr
Secondary investigators
- bl05r
- Kevin Goddard
Associated research groups
- Electrical Power Engineering
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering
- Date:
- 2006-2009
- Themes:
- Nanomaterials and Dielectrics, Solid dielectrics
The main aim of my research within the Electrical Power Engineering (EPE) group revolves around electrical investigations on Polymer nanocomposite materials. My host polymer is Polyethylene oxide (PEO), one of the most commonly tested soluble polymers ââ¬â yet it is to date rarely used for any applications. Being a soluble polymer with high levels of oxygen there are clear limitations to its use, however it is believed that perhaps addition of clays or additives could create a composite with more suitable properties. My research takes many different molecular weight PEOââ¬â¢s to create composites with non-functionalised Montmorillonite (MMT) clay and Silicon dioxide of varying ratios. Current molecular weights investigated vary between 100,000 gmol-1 up to 1,000,000 gmol-1 however future work will involve 300 / 3,200 / 20,000 / 4,000,000 gmol-1 molecular weights to provide a more complete analysis. Further composite research may also include Boehmite as another additive.
Investigation into these composite materials includes: solution rheology and analysis with the Ostwald-de Waele / De Kee / Carreau models; thermal differential scanning calorimetry analysis using the Avrami technique; AC ramp electrical breakdown strength; dielectric properties; fourier transform infra-red; thermal aging of PEO. Using these experimental methods it will be possible to characterise the properties of the virgin polymer and then the changes inherent with addition of the fillers. The results from this investigation should provide a greater understanding of how the filler affects the host matrix and the consequential properties. With this knowledge it is hoped that PEO composites could be used more widely as an improved material.
Research like this is essential in modern society with factors other than material cost, ease of production and safety being considered, such as environmental impact. With the increasing climate and environmental worries along with the constant demand for cheaper re-usable materials with improved qualities, research in materials has become one of the forefronts of modern science. The University of Southampton has a world class status with regard to research, and rightly so with the richly equipped Tony Davis High Voltage Laboratory housing many researchers of electrical and material testing. When deciding on an institution for postgraduate research into polymer nanocomposites, there was one clear frontrunner that I wanted to work forââ¬Â¦and now Iââ¬â¢m there.
Primary investigator
- asv
Secondary investigator
- mdr06r
Associated research group
- Electronics and Computer Science
- Date:
- 2007-2012
- Themes:
- High Voltage Engineering, Solid dielectrics, Space and surface charge
The present crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) that is used in industry is not perfect for high voltage cable insulation due to the formation of space charge in the bulk of XLPE. This phenomenon is caused by the byproducts yielded from the cross-linking process, originating from the cross-linking agent, Dicumyl Peroxide (DCP). These byproducts also have other effects on other properties such as electrical breakdown strength, dielectric loss (tanô), permittivity, conduction current and so forth. To fully understand the role of these byproducts, we intend to investigate how these byproducts affect the electrical performance of LDPE.
Primary investigators
- George Chen
- asv
Secondary investigator
- nh07r
Associated research groups
- Electrical Power Engineering
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering
- Date:
- 2007-2012
- Themes:
- High Voltage Engineering, Solid dielectrics, HTS power apparatus, Superconductivity
- Funding:
- EPSRC
Following on from the group's previous research in superconducting power applications, this project investigates the behaviour of dielectric insulation in the cryogenic temperature domain. In order to increase the overall power being transmitted via a superconductor, it is desirable to increase the voltage as well as the current going through the conductor. To contain the potential difference within the superconductor, new types of insulating materials are required with good mechanical and electrical properties at cryogenic temperatures. Experiments will be undertaken on both new and existing materials at cryogenic temperatures in order to assess their feasibility for use as dielectric insulators in superconducting power applications.
Primary investigator
Secondary investigator
- tak07r
Associated research groups
- Electrical Power Engineering
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering
- Date:
- 2004-2009
- Themes:
- Nanomaterials and Dielectrics, Solid dielectrics
- Funding:
- EPSRC
Montmorillonite clay is a promising filler for nanocomposite applications as it consists of sheets of atoms which can, under certain conditions, be easily dispersed. After suitable chemical modification, they can be mixed into molten polyethylene by simple extrusion. The resulting material will then have a massive internal surface area; its electrical properties may be very different to a comparable system containing only traditional micron-sized particles. The purpose of this work is twofold: Fundamental studies into the thermal, morphological and X-ray scattering behaviour are being performed with a view to gaining some understanding of the nature of the polyethylene-clay interfaces. To complement this, the electrical and mechanical breakdown strengths and molecular relaxation phenomena are being studied. It is hoped that that with a comprehensive understanding of the behaviour of these systems, it might be possible to tailor their physical properties to particular applications.
Primary investigators
- asv
- George Chen
Secondary investigator
- cdg04r
Associated research group
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering
- Date:
- 2008-2009
- Themes:
- ELearning, Platforms and Tools, Educational Enhancement, Semantic Web
- Funding:
- University of Southampton: Learning and Teaching Enhancement Fund
The main aim of the project is to create and pilot an interactive electronic visualisation tool to be used in the delivery of research-led nineteenth-century French literature and culture teaching at final year UG level (Fren3024 'Flaubertââ¬â¢s France') next academic year. The tool would also be used to support nineteenth-century texts on a new second year module, Fren2017 ('Takes on Texts'). What appears as a 'simple' visualisation will be developed using Web 2.0 technologies to allow students to explore the multiple perspectives, themes contexts and timelines within their core texts. Additional authoring tools will enable domain experts to create such visualisations encouraging continued use of these technologies.
Primary investigators
- Mark Weal
- Professor Mary Orr
Partner
- School of Modern Languages
Associated research groups
- Intelligence, Agents, Multimedia Group
- Learning Societies Lab