Publications

This dissertation explores the applicability of Model Predictive Control (MPC) for the purpose of set-point control and flood control of river systems. The first part of this work discusses the modelling aspects of river systems. The dynamics of a single reach can be described with the well known hydrodynamic equations of de Saint-Venant. Combining these hyperbolic Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) for every reach, together with the ...

As a result of increasing customer expectations, the continuing miniaturization of components, and the constant pursuit for cost-effective production methods, many mechatronic systems are facing ever more stringent specifications with respect to positioning accuracy, production speed, energy consumption, etc. This evolution has led to the introduction of optimization methods in machine, controller, and motion trajectory design to obtain superior ...

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is an Additive Manufacturing (AM) processwhich allows to produce complex metallic parts in a layer by layer fashion.The use of SLM is advantageous in industries as for instance aerospace or medical industries, since SLM allows a larger design freedom than possible with conventional material removal processes such as milling, cutting or drilling. For medical industries SLM is advantageous to produce custom designed ...

Bilingual language control in production tasks with language switches is supposed to be linked to domain-general cognitive control. In the present study, we investigated the role of language dominance, measured on a continuous scale, in the relationship between measures of language control elicited through language switching in a picture naming task and non-linguistic cognitive control induced by stimulus-response interference in a Simon task. ...

Cognitive control is an important mental ability that is examined using a multitude of cognitive control tasks and effects. The present paper presents the first steps in the elaboration of a functional approach, which aims to uncover the communalities and differences between different cognitive control tasks and their effects. Based on the idea that responses in cognitive control tasks qualify as operant behaviour, we propose to reinterpret ...

This paper summarizes part of the research work carried out in the Add Control project, which proposes an extension of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) models and modelling architectures used in traditional WWTP simulation tools, addressing, in addition to the classical mass transformations (transport, physico-chemical phenomena, biological reactions), all the instrumentation, actuation and automation & control components (sensors, ...

This paper both clarifies and broadens the notion of control and its relation to the self. By discussing instances of skilful absorption from different cultural backgrounds I argue that the notion of control is not as closely related to self-consciousness as is often suggested. Experiences of flow and wu-wei exemplify a non self-conscious though personal type of control. The intercultural occurrence of this type of behavioural control ...

Instrumentation, control, and automation (ICA) in wastewater treatment enables the improvement of treatment plant performance without structural modifications of the plant. Even for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) meeting all criteria with respect to effluent concentrations and sludge disposal, ICA can be of interest as it can help to reduce energy consumption and operating costs of the plant. Simulations are a useful and cost-effective tool ...

Recently, the World Anti-doping Agency accredited Doping Control Laboratory of Belgium (DoCoLab) was obliged to implement a method for the compound-specific isotopic analysis (CSIA) of urinary steroid metabolites. GC-C-IRMS determination of 13C values is used for the confirmation of the administration of endogenous anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) such as testosterone by athletes. This presentation will outline the development and validation ...

Transaction cost economics predicts that investments in management control will enable risky interfirm transactions. Risk is rarely eliminated, because firms trade off costs of management control and expected costs of control loss (together, the “cost of control”). The resultant solution typically comprises a mix of control investments with residual performance and residual relational risks. Transaction cost economics also predicts that the ...