Boekje PHD Druk

PhD defences at the
Faculty of Engineering Science 2015

1
PhD defences
at the Faculty of Engineering Science
It is our great pleasure to present the second edition of “PhD defences at the Faculty of Engineering
Science”, giving you an overview of the innovative work and results obtained by 173 PhD students
who successfully obtained their PhD degree from our Faculty of Engineering Science at KU Leuven
in 2015.
This edition again demonstrates the vast amount of research activities in all kinds of engineering
science disciplines, from algorithms to hardware, from fundamental long-term research all the way
up to practical implementations. We are sure that many of the results of this applied research will
soon or later find their way into our society. After all, to engineer is human.
We are moreover happy and grateful that much of this research work could be performed thanks
to the many supporting companies, research institutes or European and national research funding
agencies such as ERC, FWO and IWT.
We do sincerely hope that this document gives you a good first impression of the top research
activities in the departments associated with our Faculty of Engineering Science and that it will
inspire further research activities and collaborations.
Of course many thanks again to all the PhD researchers who contributed to this present collection.
The Faculty of Engineering Science congratulates them with the obtained results and wishes them
a successful professional career where they can pursue more technological innovations for the
benefit of our world and our society. That way they will continue to contribute to our vision that
engineering is for the betterment of our human society.
Sincerely yours
Michiel Steyaert Jan Degrève

Dean Chair Doctoral Committee
Faculty of Engineering Science Faculty of Engineering Science
3
Name PhD defence Page
1. Abdin Yasmine.............................................11/09/2015............................................................................... 119

2. Agrawal Prashant.........................................30/04/2015................................................................................. 55
3. Agten Pieter..................................................29/06/2015................................................................................. 94
4. Ananthanarayanan Durga.............................25/03/2015................................................................................. 33
5. Annemans Margo.........................................30/10/2015............................................................................... 144
6. Aravand Mohammadali................................25/02/2015................................................................................. 25
7. Baetens Ruben.............................................15/09/2015............................................................................... 125
8. Baka Maria...................................................07/05/2015................................................................................. 61
9. Bauwens Geert.............................................23/11/2015............................................................................... 152
10. Bi Qilong.......................................................08/12/2015............................................................................... 160
11. Bilgin Begül..................................................13/05/2015................................................................................. 63
12. Billen Pieter..................................................17/02/2015................................................................................. 21
13. Bogaerts Bart ..............................................24/06/2015................................................................................. 87
14. Buyens Wim.................................................24/08/2015............................................................................... 111
15. Callemeyn Piet.............................................01/07/2015............................................................................... 101
16. Carbone Maria Josefina...............................25/06/2015................................................................................. 89
17. Cheikh Hassan Ismael..................................26/06/2015................................................................................. 91
18. Chiang Po-Kuan...........................................01/04/2015................................................................................. 42
19. Chiumento Alessandro.................................09/10/2015............................................................................... 136
20. Claes Rutger.................................................23/06/2015................................................................................. 86
21. Claesen Marc...............................................14/12/2015............................................................................... 165
22. Clausi Donato...............................................23/02/2015................................................................................. 23
23. Cnops Kjell...................................................08/09/2015............................................................................... 117
24. Cruz Torres Mário Henrique.........................27/04/2015................................................................................. 48
25. Cuypers Gert................................................09/10/2015............................................................................... 135
26. Danthurebandara Maheshi...........................03/07/2015............................................................................... 107
27. De Clercq Hans............................................02/07/2015............................................................................... 106
28. De Coninck Roel..........................................04/06/2015................................................................................. 79
29. De Santana Leandro....................................14/09/2015............................................................................... 122
30. De Smet Vincent..........................................13/05/2015................................................................................. 65
31. Debonne Vincent..........................................20/08/2015............................................................................... 108
32. Debrouwere Frederik....................................23/09/2015............................................................................... 127
33. Deckers Jan.................................................26/02/2015................................................................................. 26
34. Decroix Koen................................................21/10/2015............................................................................... 138
35. Decrop Boudewijn........................................01/10/2015............................................................................... 132
36. Deurinck Mieke............................................30/09/2015............................................................................... 130
37. Di Lello Enrico..............................................18/02/2015................................................................................. 22
38. Dupont Benjamin.........................................27/01/2015................................................................................. 13
39. Ergun Hakan.................................................29/01/2015................................................................................. 14
40. Esmaeil Zaghi Armin....................................16/01/2015................................................................................... 6
41. Farrokhzad Hasan........................................07/05/2015................................................................................. 59
42. Fernández Leandro......................................30/04/2015................................................................................. 54
43. Fernando Palamandadige............................30/03/2015................................................................................. 37
44. François Brecht............................................13/01/2015................................................................................... 5
45. Gao Bo.........................................................17/12/2015............................................................................... 170
46. Geebelen Dries.............................................17/12/2015............................................................................... 169
47. Geebelen Kurt..............................................23/04/2015................................................................................. 45
48. Gencarelli Federica......................................05/05/2015................................................................................. 58
49. Georgieva Iveta............................................24/04/2015................................................................................. 47
50. Gijbels Andy.................................................26/10/2015............................................................................... 142
51. Gillis Joris.....................................................18/03/2015................................................................................. 32
52. Goit Jay Prakash..........................................18/03/2015................................................................................. 31
53. Gong Xing....................................................30/11/2015............................................................................... 158
54. González de Miguel Carlos..........................12/05/2015................................................................................. 62
55. Gorissen Benjamin.......................................06/11/2015............................................................................... 147
56. Guan Yuanyuan............................................30/11/2015............................................................................... 156
57. Guha Thakurta Priyanko...............................03/03/2015................................................................................. 29
58. Habibi Ranasadat.........................................24/08/2015............................................................................... 110

59. Herrera Costanza.........................................17/12/2015............................................................................... 172
60. Hilhorst Gijs .................................................09/12/2015............................................................................... 161
61. Houbart Claudine.........................................16/01/2015................................................................................... 7
62. Houtmeyers Sofie.........................................06/10/2015............................................................................... 133
63. Huang Wei....................................................16/12/2015............................................................................... 168
64. Jacqmaer Pieter...........................................21/10/2015............................................................................... 139
65. Jain Atul.......................................................04/05/2015................................................................................. 57
66. Jaluvka David...............................................02/02/2015................................................................................. 16
67. Jeuris Ben....................................................24/06/2015................................................................................. 88
68. Jiang Sijia.....................................................26/11/2015............................................................................... 154
69. Jofore Bruke Daniel......................................13/05/2015................................................................................. 64
70. Jonckheere Stijn...........................................17/06/2015................................................................................. 83
71. Kempen Karolien..........................................31/03/2015................................................................................. 39
72. Kerkhofs Johan............................................28/09/2015............................................................................... 128
73. Khakzad Sorna.............................................17/06/2015................................................................................. 82
74. Knopp Jan....................................................27/05/2015................................................................................. 73
75. Koolen Ninah................................................17/12/2015............................................................................... 171
76. Kükner Selahaddin (Halil).............................02/04/2015................................................................................. 43
77. Lauwers Joost..............................................01/10/2015............................................................................... 131
78. Leemput Niels..............................................13/11/2015............................................................................... 149
79. Li Yi...............................................................27/05/2015................................................................................. 76
80. Lin Jiuyang...................................................22/10/2015............................................................................... 140
81. Maerien Jef...................................................19/06/2015................................................................................. 84
82. Mall Raghvendra..........................................30/06/2015................................................................................. 96
83. Margossian Harag........................................09/12/2015............................................................................... 162
84. Marques dos Santos Fábio Luis..................02/12/2015............................................................................... 159
85. Martinovic Andelo........................................14/09/2015............................................................................... 120
86. Mathues Wouter...........................................20/08/2015............................................................................... 109
87. Matic Vladimir..............................................26/03/2015................................................................................. 34
88. Mattheys Tina...............................................15/12/2015............................................................................... 166
89. Mehrkanoon Siamak....................................02/07/2015............................................................................... 105
90. Mercuri Marco..............................................31/03/2015................................................................................. 40
91. Midheme Emmanuel....................................10/11/2015............................................................................... 148
92. Milosevic Milica............................................04/05/2015................................................................................. 56
93. Milutinovic Milica..........................................11/12/2015............................................................................... 164
94. Mirhoseini Seyyed Mohammad Hossein......16/01/2015................................................................................. 10
95. Mirzaei Sayeh...............................................14/09/2015............................................................................... 123
96. Moldovan Bogdan........................................27/03/2015................................................................................. 35
97. Motte Henk...................................................05/02/2015................................................................................. 18
98. Munaga Nagavenkata Satyakiran................29/06/2015................................................................................. 95
99. Nagel Till.......................................................06/01/2015................................................................................... 1
100. Natsakis Anastasios.....................................30/01/2015................................................................................. 15
101. Ons Bart.......................................................20/05/2015................................................................................. 67
102. Oramas Mogrovejo José..............................29/04/2015................................................................................. 52
103. Patrignani Marco..........................................27/05/2015................................................................................. 74
104. Pineda Ordonez Luis Eduardo.....................27/03/2015................................................................................. 36
105. Pitropakis Ioannis.........................................30/06/2015................................................................................. 97
106. Qin Ling........................................................26/06/2015................................................................................. 92
107. Ramos Araujo Beato Filipe...........................27/05/2015................................................................................. 72
108. Reynders Glenn............................................14/09/2015............................................................................... 121
109. Rezaei Hosseinabadi Sareh.........................12/06/2015................................................................................. 85
110. Romanov Valentin........................................22/09/2015............................................................................... 126
111. Santos Odriozola Jose Luis ........................20/11/2015............................................................................... 151
112. Serhiienko Pavlo...........................................10/02/2015................................................................................. 19
113. Shakhimardanov Azamat.............................27/11/2015............................................................................... 155
114. Shirazi Syed Ali Abbas.................................01/07/2015............................................................................... 100
115. Shterionov Dimitar........................................08/09/2015............................................................................... 116

116. Siguenza Guzman Lorena............................27/08/2015............................................................................... 113
117. Smoljkic Gabrijel..........................................19/11/2015............................................................................... 150
118. Sonnaert Maarten.........................................03/09/2015............................................................................... 114
119. Strackx Maarten...........................................01/06/2015................................................................................. 77
120. Suetens Thomas..........................................11/06/2015................................................................................. 81
121. Susilo Cynthia Ratih.....................................25/06/2015................................................................................. 90
122. Swolfs Yentl..................................................08/01/2015................................................................................... 3
123. Szurley Joseph.............................................30/06/2015................................................................................. 98
124. Tacq Jeroen..................................................03/11/2015............................................................................... 145
125. Tan Ye...........................................................28/04/2015................................................................................. 51
126. Tosi Niccolo..................................................30/03/2015................................................................................. 38
127. Trompoukis Christos....................................20/05/2015................................................................................. 68
128. Van Acker Steven.........................................06/01/2015................................................................................... 2
129. Van Beeumen Roel.......................................21/04/2015................................................................................. 44
130. Van Herrewege Anthony...............................16/01/2015................................................................................... 8
131. Van Loon Sylvie............................................02/03/2015................................................................................. 27
132. Vannieuwenhoven Nick................................24/02/2015................................................................................. 24
133. Van Nieuwenhuyse Anneleen.......................26/05/2015................................................................................. 69
134. Van Nimmen Katrien.....................................19/05/2015................................................................................. 66
135. Van Roy Juan...............................................07/05/2015................................................................................. 60
136. Van Steenwinkel Iris.....................................10/06/2015................................................................................. 80
137. Vancroonenburg Wim...................................09/01/2015................................................................................... 4
138. Vandael Stijn.................................................04/03/2015................................................................................. 30
139. Vanhollebeke Frederik..................................21/01/2015................................................................................. 11
140. Vanoost Dries...............................................11/12/2015............................................................................... 163
141. Vanthienen Dominick....................................23/01/2015................................................................................. 12
142. Varon Perez Jenny Carolina.........................30/04/2015................................................................................. 53
143. Verbruggen Bart...........................................26/08/2015............................................................................... 112
144. Vercammen Dominique................................26/06/2015................................................................................. 93
145. Verdult Roel..................................................21/04/2015..................................................................................../
146. Vervecken Lieven.........................................14/10/2015............................................................................... 137
147. Verveckken Jan............................................28/04/2015................................................................................. 50
148. Volkaerts Wouter..........................................15/12/2015............................................................................... 167
149. Vriami Despoina...........................................05/11/2015............................................................................... 146
150. Vukov Milan..................................................23/04/2015................................................................................. 46
151. Wang Bo.......................................................15/09/2015............................................................................... 124
152. Wang Xin......................................................27/04/2015................................................................................. 49
153. Wang Xue.....................................................02/06/2015................................................................................. 78
154. Wang Yueqi..................................................11/09/2015............................................................................... 118
155. Wang Yuyi....................................................01/07/2015............................................................................... 103
156. Wauman Barbara.........................................23/10/2015............................................................................... 141
157. Weckx Sam..................................................01/07/2015............................................................................... 102
158. Widjaja Devy.................................................01/04/2015................................................................................. 41
159. Wijnhoven Thomas.......................................30/11/2015............................................................................... 157
160. Willemen Tim................................................04/02/2015................................................................................. 17
161. Wu Minxian...................................................02/09/2015............................................................................... 115
162. Wuyts Kim....................................................16/01/2015................................................................................... 9
163. Wyffels Jeroen..............................................29/09/2015............................................................................... 129
164. Xhakoni Adi..................................................10/07/2015............................................................................... 104
165. Yan Sen........................................................27/05/2015................................................................................. 75
166. Ye Wenyuan..................................................26/10/2015............................................................................... 143
167. Yilmaz Emre.................................................26/05/2015................................................................................. 70
168. Zanon Mario.................................................26/11/2015............................................................................... 153
169. Zapata Riveros Juliana Victoria....................26/05/2015................................................................................. 71
170. Zhang Fei.....................................................30/06/2015................................................................................. 99
171. Zhang Leqi...................................................01/10/2015............................................................................... 134
172. Zhao Dixian..................................................03/03/2015................................................................................. 28
173. Zhao Guoying...............................................12/02/2015................................................................................. 20
Till Nagel
Department Computer Science
PhD defence 06 January 2015
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Erik Duval
Co-supervisors Prof. dr. ir.-arch. Andrew Vande Moere
Prof. dr. Frank Heidman (FH Potsdam)
E-mail phd@tillnagel.com
Unfolding Data: Software and Design Approaches to Support

Casual Exploration of Tempo-spatial Data on Interactive Tabletops
Introduction / Objective
While there is a growing interest among citizens to make sense of their social community and urban environment, most
existing geovisualization tools have been designed for experts. We introduce situation-specific visualization systems that
were particularly designed for public exhibitions to balance powerful data exploration methods with inviting accessibility
for laypeople. The research objective is to facilitate understanding geospatial patterns, relationships, and trends for wider
audience groups by designing comprehensible and easy-to-use interactive visualization systems for time-varying geo-
referenced data.
Research Methodology
Our research approach was guided by an explorative methodology. We designed and evaluated three case studies from
different domains. For each, we followed principles from a human-centered design, and used a mixed method approach
of quantitative and qualitiative studies. All case studies had in common that the knowledge inherent in the data was
relevant to non-experts for their everyday life. However, each data set was different in its specifics, and exemplified
different aspects of spatio-temporal data. These ranged from classic geo-spatial data such as information on buildings
and places, to geo-referenced social network data, to mobility data based both on authoritative data sources, as well as
sensors and smart phones.
Results & Conclusion

A significant contribution is the portfolio of case studies. We investigated concrete challenges in their domains, designed
successful visualization systems, and provided innovative solutions to our research question by bringing together
computer science with design. With our map library, we made a major contribution to the set of geovisualization
construction tools. Overall, we motivated and further enabled a new design space for casual data exploration.
Major publications
T. Nagel, F. Heidmann, M. Condotta, E. Duval (2010). Venice Unfolding: a tangible user interface for exploring faceted
data in a geographical context. In Proc. of NordiCHI '10. ACM, 743–746.
T. Nagel, E. Duval, A. Vande Moere (2012). Interactive Exploration of Geospatial Network Visualization. In Proc. of CHI
EA. ACM, 557–572.
T. Nagel, M. Maitan, E. Duval, A. Vande Moere, J. Klerkx, K. Kloeckl, C. Ratti (2014). Touching Transport - a Case Study
on Visualizing Metropolitan Public Transit on Interactive Tabletops. In Proc. of AVI '14. ACM, 281–288.
1
Steven Van Acker
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Frank Piessens
Co-supervisor Dr. ir. Lieven Desmet
IWT, iMinds, EU FP7 projects STREWS,
Funding
WebSand, and NESSoS
E-mail Steven.VanAcker@cs.kuleuven.be
Isolating and Restricting Client-Side JavaScript

In today’s web applications, no one disputes the important role of JavaScript as a client-side programming language.
JavaScript can turn the Web into a lively, dynamic and interactive end-user experience. Unfortunately, JavaScript can
also be used to steal sensitive information and abuse powerful functionality. Sloppy input validation can make a web
application vulnerable, allowing malicious JavaScript code to leak into a web application’s JavaScript execution
environment, where it leads to unintended code execution. An otherwise secure web application may intentionally include
JavaScript from a third-party script provider. This script provider may in turn serve untrusted or even malicious JavaScript,
leading to the intended execution of untrusted code. In both the intended and unintended case, untrusted JavaScript
ending up in the JavaScript execution environment of a trusted web application, gains access to sensitive resources and
powerful functionality. Web application security would be gved if this untrusted JavaScript could be isolated and its
access restricted.
In this work, we first investigate ways in which JavaScript code can leak into the browser, leading to unintended
JavaScript execution. We find that, due to bad input validation, malicious JavaScript code can be injected into a
JavaScript execution environment through both browser plugins and browser extensions.
Next, we review JavaScript sandboxing systems designed to isolate and restrict untrusted JavaScript code and divide
them into three categories, discussing their advantages and disadvantages: JavaScript subsets and rewriting systems,
JavaScript sandboxing through browser modifications and JavaScript sandboxing systems without browser modifications.
We further research the last two categories, developing and evaluating a prototype of each.
Results & Conclusions
The goal of this work was two-fold:
● First, study ways through which JavaScript code can leak into the JavaScript execution environment of a
browser, executing unintendedly, resulting in the work on FlashOver and Monkey-in-the-browser.
● Second, isolate and restrict untrusted JavaScript code into a JavaScript sandbox, no matter whether or not it
was intended to be executed, resulting in WebJail and JSand, two JavaScript sandboxing mechanisms.
Major publications
● Van Acker, S., Nikiforakis, N., Desmet, L., Piessens, F., Joosen, W. (2014). Monkey-in-the-browser: Malware
and vulnerabilities in augmented browsing script markets. ASIACCS. Kyoto, Japan, 2-4 June 2014.
● Agten, P., Van Acker, S., Brondsema, Y., Phung, P., Desmet, L., Piessens, F. (2012). JSand: Complete client-
side sandboxing of third-party JavaScript without browser modifications. Proceedings of the 28th Annual
Computer Security Applications Conference (ACSAC 2012). Orlando, Florida, USA, 3-7 December 2012 (pp. 1-
10).
● Van Acker, S., Nikiforakis, N., Desmet, L., Joosen, W., Piessens, F. (2012). FlashOver: Automated discovery of
cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in rich internet applications. ASIACCS. Seoul, 2-4 May 2012.
● Van Acker, S., De Ryck, P., Desmet, L., Piessens, F., Joosen, W. (2011). WebJail: Least-privilege integration of
third-party components in web mashups. Proceedings of the 27th Annual Computer Security Applications
Conference (ACSAC 2011). Orlando, Florida, USA, 5-9 December 2011 (pp. 307-316).
2
Yentl Swolfs
Department Materials Engineering (MTM)
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Ignaas Verpoest
Co-supervisor Dr. ir. Larissa Gorbatikh
Funding IWT & EU-FP7 HIVOCOMP

E-mail yentl.swolfs@mtm.kuleuven.be
Hybridisation of self-reinforced composites:

Modelling and verifying a novel hybrid concept
Self‐
Toughness reinforced
Introduction / Objective composites
Hybrid
self‐reinforced
The stiffness-toughness dilemma: composites
 Carbon fibre composites: high stiffness, low toughness.

 Self-reinforced polypropylene (PP reinforced with PP fibres): low
stiffness, high toughness
This thesis aims to solve this dilemma by hybridising carbon fibres with
self-reinforced PP. This should lead to the development of a new
Carbon fibre
material class that is both stiff and tough. composites
Research Methodology Stiffness

Experimental aim = design hybrid self-reinforced composites with
 Increased stiffness
 Limited reduction in toughness or impact resistance
Modelling aim = understanding delay in carbon fibre failure
 Quantitative predictions
 Approach for maximising this delay
250 Results & Conclusions

200
11%
Debonded region Experimental work:
 Low carbon fibre content:
0%
150 debonding  high ultimate failure strain
Stress 7% 3%  High carbon fibre content:
(MPa)
100 limited debonding  low ultimate failure strain
 High impact resistance was maintained
50
0
Modelling work:
0 5 10 15 20 25  Predicts carbon fibre breaks in a hybrid
Strain (%) composite
 Optimises hybrid composite design
 Layered structure is optimal for a 50/50 fibre ratio
Experimental validation
 In-depth validation for non-hybrid composites
 New thin ply methodology for hybrid composites
 Vital conclusions for advancing the state of the
Major publication art
Y. Swolfs et al. (2014). Fibre hybridisation in polymer composites: a review, Composites Part A: Applied Science and
Manufacturing, 67, 181-200.
3
Wim Vancroonenburg
Supervisors Prof. dr. Patrick De Causmaecker
Prof. dr. Frits Spieksma
Prof. dr. ir. Greet Vanden Berghe
Funding IWT strategic basic research grant
E-mail wim.vancroonenburg@kuleuven.be
Operational decision support models and algorithms for hospital

admission planning and scheduling
Over the past decades, globally rising expenditures on health care have forced governments to re-evaluate health care
funding. To reduce public spending on health care, budgetary pressure on hospitals has increased significantly. At the
same time, demand for hospital services has increased due to e.g. population ageing. Hospitals are expected to perform
more with less resources. Hospital managers are thus constantly looking into new ways to increase efficiency, while
maintaining a high level of care.
The present dissertation focuses on developing operational decision support models and algorithms for hospital
admission planning and scheduling. The aim is to increase efficient usage of key hospital resources by supporting human
planners at hospital admission offices with automated tools for their daily and weekly decision making.
The main patient flow for admitted patients is depicted in
Figure 1. Three processes concerned with admission
planning and scheduling of patients are indicated for
automated decision making:
A. determination of admission dates for elective
surgical patients,
B. assignment of admitted patients to hospital rooms,
C. scheduling surgical cases in operating rooms.
Using techniques such as Mixed Integer Programming
and Local Search, models and algorithms are developed
for supporting decision making in these processes. Figure 1: General patient admission flow. ED = Emergency Department,
ICU = Intensive Care Unit, PACU = Post Anaesthetic Care Unit
 A stochastic admission scheduling approach is  Two room planning strategies are developed and
developed that maximizes efficient usage of the compared. An anticipative approach is shown to be
operating theatre while the risk of bed shortages is superior to a reactive one, even in a dynamic,
minimized. uncertain setting.
 Different admission strategies, stochastic and non-  The complexity of patient-to-room assignment
stochastic, are compared. It is shown that stochastic planning under a gender separation policy is
approaches may increase efficient usage of the determined to be NP-Hard.
operating theatre, while reducing the risk for bed  An abstract resource model for operating theatre
shortages. However this is at the expense of scheduling is developed and a scalable heuristic
increased patient waiting time and less patient- algorithm is presented for solving it.
friendly admission policies.
Major publications
 Vancroonenburg, W., De Causmaecker, P., Vanden Berghe, G. (2013). A study of decision support models for online patient-to-room assignment
planning. Ann Oper Res. doi: 10.1007/s10479-013-1478-1. Available online
 Vancroonenburg, W., Della Croce, F., Goossens, D., Spieksma, F. (2014). The Red-Blue Transportation Problem. Eur J Oper Res, 237 (3), 814-823.
4
Brecht François
Department Electrical Engineering (ESAT)
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. ing. Patrick Reynaert
Funding European FP7-project, M4S - Huawei
E-mail brecht.francois@esat.kuleuven.be
Design Techniques for CMOS RF Power Amplifiers

Introduction
The power amplifier is a key component in all wireless communication systems. In most of today’s smartphones and other
mobile devices, the RF Power Amplifier (PA) is predominantly designed in a more exotic technology. To reduce the cost
and environmental footprint, it is desirable to completely integrate the RF PA and the entire transceiver into a single
system-on-chip (SoC). In addition, the new wireless and mobile communication standards introduce new challenges for
fully-integrated power amplifiers.
A major challenge is the efficient generation of a Watt-level output power
despite the low-breakdown voltage in nanometer scale technologies. As
the voltage drops with the technology scaling, not only the output power
and efficiency, but also the stringent requirements on linearity become
significantly harder. Certainly, due to the increased data rate, high linearity
over instantaneous wide bandwidth is needed in future mobile
communication standards.
Four different power amplifiers have been designed for different modern
communication standards such as LTE, LTE-advanced, WLAN …: two
linear RF PAs, one linear RF PA with integrated power detector and finally
a reconfigurable digital RF PA. Each RF PAs is designed to cope with
several major challenges for fully-integrated RF PA design.

Based on analyses and transistor level simulations, each technique to improve the RF PA is optimized and finally
validated by measurements. In addition, one of the proposed RF PA designs includes an RF power detector to improve
the overall performance and communication robustness. RF PA for LTE-advanced RF PA for LTE-advanced
RF PA for LTE On-chip power detector
Major publications
B. François and P. Reynaert, “A Fully Integrated Watt-Level Linear 900 MHz CMOS RF Power Amplifier for LTE-Applications”,
Microwave Theory and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 60, no. 6, pp. 1878–1885, June 2012.
B. François and P. Reynaert, “Highly Linear Fully-Integrated Wideband RF PA for LTE-advanced in 180 nm SOI”, Microwave Theory
and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on, is accepted for publication on 5 December 2014.
B. François and P. Reynaert, “3.3 A transformer-coupled true-RMS power detector in 40nm CMOS”, in Solid-State Circuits Conference
Digest of Technical Papers (ISSCC), 2014 IEEE International, pp. 62–63, Feb. 2014.
5
Armin Esmaeil Zaghi
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jef Vleugels
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jozef Poortmans
Funding Strategic Initiative Materials in Flanders

E-mail Armin.zaghi@mtm.kuleuven.be
Nanopowder based printed CIGS chalcogenide semiconductor absorber layers

for thin film solar cell applications
The objective of this PhD was the development of a suspension-based fabrication technique for CuIn(S,Se)2 (CIS) and
Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGS) chalcogenide semiconductor light absorber layers for solar cell applications via printing of a
nanopowder precursor suspension followed by annealing/selenization. To reach the main objectives of this research, a
systematic study was conducted to provide an in-depth understanding of the material science aspects of chalcogenide
semiconductor processing.
A new synthesis route was developed for high purity chalcogenide alloy nanopowder precursors for printing CIS and CIGS
absorber layers with adjustable composition based on a sequence of dry mechanical alloying and wet ball milling in a sulfur
doped-amine solution. The particle size distribution of the mechanically synthesized chalcogenide alloy nanopowders could
be optimized by controlling the ball milling process parameters, such as milling speed and milling time. Suspension inks were
prepared from mechanically synthesized chalcogenide alloy nanopowders, via solvent exchange and re-dispersing of
chalcogenide alloy nanopowders in environmentally friendly solvents suitable for coating. Nanopowder suspension inks were
coated on Mo-sputtered glass substrates via doctor blade coating followed by a drying process for the formation of 1-2 μm
thin crack-free and organic phase free nanopowder precursor coatings.
In order to transform the nanopowder precursor coatings into a 1-2 μm thin large crystalline CIS and CIGS semiconductor
layer, annealing and heat treatments in controlled selenium vapor (selenization) were performed. A prototype infrared heating
furnace for rapid thermal processing (RTP) in controlled selenium vapor (selenization) was designed and built. The effect of
the chalcogenide nanopowder precursor composition and selenization conditions on the grain growth and densification of CIS
and CIGS semiconductor phases was investigated. Chalcogenide alloy nanopowder precursors with sub-stoichiometric
selenium and sulfur contents (CuInSe0.5 CuInSe and CuIn0.7Ga0.3S0.5) were found to be suitable precursors for the formation
of large grain CIS and CIGS semiconductor phases during selenization.
CIS and CIGS semiconductor absorber layers were fabricated by inert
gas annealing and selenization of printed CuInSe0.5 and
CuIn0.7Ga0.3S0.5 nanopowder precursor coatings. The physical and
optoelectronic properties of the CIS and CIGS semiconductor absorber
layers were investigated by several characterization techniques. Thin
film solar cell devices with standard stack structure of
Glass/Mo/CIGS/CdS/ZnO/AZO based on the printed CIS and CIGS
semiconductor absorber layers showed efficiencies of 5.4 % and 6 %.
Further optimization of the nanopowder precursor composition and
selenization condition are needed to enhance the quality and solar cell
performance of the printed CIS and CIGS semiconductor absorber
layers.
Major publication
A. E. Zaghi, M. Buffière, G. Brammertz, M. Batuk, N. Lenaers, B. Kniknie, J. Hadermann, M. Meuris, J. Poortmans, and J.
Vleugels, “Mechanical synthesis of high purity Cu–In–Se alloy nanopowder as precursor for printed CISe thin film solar cells,”
Advanced Powder Technology, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 1254–1261, Mar. 2014.
6
Houbart Claudine
Department Architecture
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Luc Verpoest
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Ir Krista De Jonge
E-mail Claudine.houbart@gmail.com
Raymond M. Lemaire (1921-1997) and the Conservation of the Ancient City :

Historical and Critical Approach of his Belgian Projects in an International
Perspective
Objective
Mainly based upon the study of Raymond M. Lemaire’s personal archive, handed over
to the KU Leuven after he became Professor emeritus en 1991, this research aims at
identifying Lemaire’s role in the emergence of a conservative vision of urban renovation
at the turn of the 1960’s in Belgium and Europe. Being the first study carried out about
this major figure of the international conservation scene of the second half of the
twentieth century, it also lays the foundations of his early biography.
The archive used for the research comprises written, graphic and photographic material :
correspondance, reports, plans, pictures and drawings led to a plausible reconstruction of
Lemaire’s intentions and ideas. For the study of his projects in Brussels, that has been a crucial
step towards the understanding of his particular position towards the ancient city, a micro‐
historical approach has been necessary in order to extract Lemaire’s own contribution from
these of the many actors and networks involved in the capital’s planning during the same R.M. Lemaire and the Prince of Liège,
KU Leuven, Unversiteitsarchief,
period.
Results & Conclusions The research led to conclusions at different scales.
The study of Lemaire’s early biography, including his role as

“monuments man” during the second world war, his
participation in the post-war reconstruction and his relations
with Italian scholars and architects, allowed a clarification of
his role in the writing of the Venice Charter (1964) and a better
understanding of his personal vision of architectural
conservation.
Comparing Lemaire’s projects in the fields of urban renovation

and urbanism in Brussels with a careful study of the Great
beguinage of Leuven revealed how the latter had been
The Great Beguinage of Leuven, project, nd. KU considered by Lemaire as an ideal of the ancient city, owing to
Leuven, Unversiteitsarchief,
be not only conserved, but also reproduced. This fact
Major publications positions Lemaire’s work within the emerging postmodern
Cl. Houbart (2012), « Raymond M. Lemaire et les débuts movement.
de la rénovation urbaine à Bruxelles », Revue d’histoire
urbaine / Urban History Review (Oct. 2012) : 37-56. At a broder scale, linking Lemaire’s field experience with his
Cl. Houbart (2014), « Deconsecrating a Doctrinal contemporary contributions to international doctrinal
Monument : Raymond M. Lemaire and the Revisions of reflections threw a new light on the emergence and meaning
the Venice Charter, Change Over Time (fall 2014) : 218- of “integrated conservation”, a notion still inspiring
243.
contemporary heritage politics.
7
Anthony Van Herrewege
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Ingrid Verbauwhede
E-mail anthony.vanherrewege@esat.kuleuven.be
Lightweight PUF-based Key and Random Number Generation

Embedded electronics, such as cellphones, are enjoying an ever greater presence in our daily lives. To protect data
stored on and transmitted by these devices, cryptography is required. Two crucial building blocks of cryptography are a
key generation module and a random number generator (RNG). Unfortunately, insecure designs are often used, which
weakens the whole cryptographic design. Our goal is to develop secure, yet efficient, designs for these building blocks.
We turn our attention to physically unclonable functions (PUFs), a relatively novel cryptographic primitive that functions as
a fingerprint for electronic devices. The research goes into two directions, both with a strong focus on practicality. First of
all, we design a highly secure, black box PUF-based key generation module, named PUKY. We attempt to reduce area
by using a full-custom microprocessor for our design. The main drawback of the module is that it requires custom
hardware. Thus, for the second part of our research, we look into extracting PUF behavior from commercial off-the-shelf
(COTS) microcontrollers. Towards this end, the behavior of SRAM in four of the most popular families of microcontrollers
is first measured at different operating temperatures. Various quality metrics are then calculated, after which we can
assess the feasibility of using these microcontrollers for secure implementations of key generation and RNG blocks.

Microchip PIC16F1825 STMicro STM32F100R8
The design of the microprocessor inside the PUFKY The visual representations of SRAM power-up data of two
requires only 68 slices, less than 1% of the area of a popular microcontrollers highlight the non-randomness in
Virtex-6 FPGA. Our tiny design proves that PUF-based the PIC16F1825. It can not be used to implement PUF-
key generators are feasible for real-world applications. based designs, while the STM32F100R8 definitely can.
Major publication
R. Maes, A. Van Herrewege, and I. Verbauwhede, “PUFKY: A Fully Functional PUF-Based Cryptographic Key
Generator”, in International Workshop on Cryptographic Hardware and Embedded Systems (CHES), E. Prouff and P.
Schaumont, Eds., ser. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 7428, Leuven, Belgium: Springer, 2012, pp. 302–319.
8
Kim Wuyts
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Wouter Joosen
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Riccardo Scandariato
Funding iMinds
E-mail kim.wuyts@cs.kuleuven.be
Privacy Threats in Software Architectures

With privacy becoming a key concern in modern society, it is important that privacy measures are strongly incorporated
whenever digital data are involved. Unfortunately, privacy is often neglected when engineering software systems and
only introduced as an afterthought. In recent years, a different attitude towards privacy has emerged, which is known as
‘Privacy by Design.’
This thesis adheres to the Privacy by Design paradigm as it proposes and validates LINDDUN, a privacy threat modeling
methodology that helps software engineers with limited privacy expertise to introduce privacy early on in the software
development lifecycle.
 We presented LINDDUN, a privacy threat modeling methodology. LINDDUN is a systematic approach with a rich
privacy knowledge base that forces the analyst to think about possible privacy issues in a software system.
 We executed a multi-faceted empirical evaluation of LINDDUN comprising three studies. In the first two studies,
we used the empirical technique of descriptive studies, which were instrumental in order to understand a LINDDUN
and eventually formulate research hypotheses to be further investigated by means of comparative experiments. In the
third study, we investigated the reliability of LINDDUN (in terms of coverage of threat space). In particular, we set out
to answer five research questions, which are related to correctness, completeness, productivity, ease of use, and
reliability.

 Encouraging results of the descriptive studies.
 Correctness rate of 70%
 Positive feedback on the ease of use
 Promising results of reliability study
 Studies identified some shortcomings, which were
tackled by incorporating a number of changes, which
improve the overall performance of LINDDUN.
LINDDUN is a solid privacy threat modeling methodology

that aids analysts in the elicitation of privacy issues in The LINDDUN threat modeling methodology
software systems.
Major publications
 Kim Wuyts, Riccardo Scandariato, Wouter Joosen, Empirical evaluation of a privacy-focused threat modeling
methodology, The Journal of Systems and Software, volume 96, pages 122-138, 2014
 Mina Deng, Kim Wuyts, Riccardo Scandariato, Bart Preneel, Wouter Joosen, A privacy threat analysis framework:
supporting the elicitation and fulfillment of privacy requirements, Requirements Engineering, volume 16, issue 1, pages
3-32, 2011
9
Seyyed Mohammad Hosein Mirhoseini
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Koen Van Reusel
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Johan Driesen
Email taha0527@gmail.com
Mathematical and Experimental Approach to Magnetohydrodynamic

Problems: Meltpool Control and Thermoacoustic-MHD Generator
This work deals with investigating the electromagnetic interaction of the liquid metals. AC magnetic fields can induce
forces in the conducting material. This force appears specifically as deformation in the liquid metals. The surface
deformation of the liquid metal is important in the metallurgical applications. The main objective of this work was to study
the liquid metal deformation by means of magnetic pressure produced by a high current gapped inductor.
The problems has been solved by analytical and
experimental methods. The first analytical model of the
system is based on the Young-Laplace equation which
is the pressure equilibrium over the surface of the liquid
metal. The deformation is calculated by solving the
resulting differential equation. In the second analytical
approach, the deformation is obtained by calculating the
minimum of the total energy contribution function of the
system including the deformed liquid metal and the
induced field. Experimental setup has been
implemented to validate the analytical approaches. Figure 1: Magnetic field deformation in presence of the liquid
metal pool

• Magnetic field calculations show a specific singular
behavior of the magnetic field at the edge of the liquid Inductor
metal pool (Fig.1).
• The deformation calculated by the analytical
approaches is proportional to the magnetic pressure
level produced by the gapped inductor. The solution of
the Young-Laplace equation is able to calculate the
liquid metal deformation in 2D. The fixed volume
constraint causes a squeezing effect on the liquid
metal pool by increasing the magnetic pressure. Figure 2: Total Energy of the system Liquid metal pool
Results of the Minimum Energy method is shown in vs the Deformation index. Minimum of
Fig. 2. the energy at each current level
• Experimental results show a squeezing effect of the corresponds to the liquid deformation
magnetic pressure over the surface of the liquid metal at that value of the magnetic pressure.
pool. The deformation is maximum at the middle of Figure 3: Liquid metal pool deformation by means of magnetic
the inductor poles (Fig.3). pressure. The induced magnetic force by the fringing field of
the inductor squeezes the liquid metal pool.
Major publication
S. Mirhoseini, K. Van Reusel and J. Driesen, "Investigation of Meltpool Deformation by Magnetic Pressure: Analytical
and Experimental,“ Proceeding of the 7th International Modeling of Electromagnetic Processing (MEP), September 16-19
2014, Hanover, Germany.
10
Frederik Vanhollebeke
Department Mechanical Engineering
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Wim Desmet
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Dirk Vandepitte
Funding IWT – Baekeland IWT090730

E-mail frederik.vanhollebeke@zf.com
Dynamic analysis of a wind turbine gearbox

Towards prediction of mechanical tonalities
This research develops a methodology and modelling approach to lower the mechanical noise of the drive train of a
modern wind turbine with a strong focus on the wind turbine gearbox. Although this mechanical noise is not the main
noise source, it could, due to its tonal nature, result in non-conformity to local noise regulations. This becomes more
stringent when wind turbines are installed closer to urbanised areas. This research is motivated by inefficiencies in the
current trail and error approach to reduce or remove the audible tonalities from the wind turbine noise.
To obtain an in depth insight in the dynamic behaviour of a
wind turbine gearbox, a thorough multi-level modelling and
experimental validation strategy is followed. In each level, an
individual part, a sub-assembly, the gearbox or two gearboxes
on the end of line test rig are modelled, investigated and if
possible experimentally validated. This approach allows
identifying the components which contribute the most to the
dynamic behaviour.

Using this methodology and experimentally validated modelling
approach the dynamic behaviour of the wind turbine gearbox
can be assessed. Two design optimisations clearly illustrate
the potential of pro-actively using virtual simulation models to
optimise the noise and vibration behaviour of the wind turbine
gearbox during its design.
Major publication
F. Vanhollebeke, P. Peeters, J. Helsen, E. Di Lorenzo, S. Manzato, J. Peeters, D. Vandepitte, and W. Desmet. “Large
scale validation of a flexible multibody wind turbine gearbox model”. Accepted for: Journal of Computational and
Nonlinear Dynamics - Special Issue on Wind Turbine Modeling and Simulation (2014)
11
Dominick Vanthienen
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Joris De Schutter
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Herman Bruyninckx
Funding FWO project G040410

E-mail dominick.vanthienen@kuleuven.be
Composition Pattern for Constraint-based Programming

with application to force-sensorless robot tasks
Robots are becoming more autonomous and complex, integrating the knowledge of many areas of expertise. Moreover
they increasingly operate in an environment shared with humans. An example of this evolution are service robots, which
help humans in their daily activities and interact with them physically and cognitively.
The first objective is to develop a systematic approach to deal with the outlined integration challenge. Moreover this
approach should result in more flexible, robust, reusable, and adaptable software.
The second, complementary objective is to develop a controller that allows a robot to interact physically with humans or
its environment and which has sufficient performance for service robot tasks, such as pushing a button. Moreover, it
should not require a force sensor, nor a precise dynamic model of the robot, environment, or contact point.
Based on metamodeling and the 5C approach to
separation of concerns, the Composition Pattern is
defined, as shown to the right. It is (i) used to
structure and formalize constraint-based
programming in a domain-specific language (DSL),
and it is applied as an architectural pattern to
refactor the iTaSC constraint-based programming
software framework. Secondly, a novel force-
sensorless force-torque control scheme for
resolved-velocity robots with proportional gains is
developed. It features a reference adaptation factor,
which can be applied to impose a desired transient
behavior on the applied forces and torques.
 The DSL enabled a non-expert to reprogram the
constraint-based programming application shown to the
right in a fast manner, since it (i) provided a template of
the application, (ii) enabled model verification, and (iii)
enabled automatic code instantiation to the refactored
iTaSC framework.
Experiments validate the applicability of the control
scheme to service robot pushing and table wiping tasks. Force-sensorless human-robot comanipulation. A robot helps a
The controller is integrated into the comanipulation human carrying a plate in a restaurant, while avoiding
application shown to the right. obstacles, maintaining visual contact with the operator, and
Major publication avoiding unnatural poses. Photo by KU Leuven - Rob Stevens.
Vanthienen, D., Klotzbücher, M., Bruyninckx, H. (2014). The 5C-based architectural Composition Pattern: lessons learned
from re-developing the iTaSC framework for constraint-based robot programming. JOSER: Journal of Software
Engineering for Robotics, 5 (1), 17-35.
12
Benjamin Dupont
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Ronnie Belmans
E-mail benjamin.dupont@esat.kuleuven.be
Residential Demand Response Based on Dynamic Electricity Pricing:

Theory and Practice
The need for flexibility within power system operation is growing as more intermittent renewables with limited
controllability are integrated. While traditionally this need is met by supply side resources, the demand side also has
intrinsic flexibility available which could be tapped, often referred to as demand response (DR). Although policy makers
and industry recognize the value of DR, its use and understanding remains limited. This thesis enhances the
understanding of DR by addressing three knowledge gaps, ranging from designing dynamic pricing (DP) schemes to
incentivize DR, over quantifying the residential load modifications these cause, until determining the final benefits this
brings for households and power system operation & investment.
Part 1: Fundamentals of demand response (DR) and dynamic pricing (DP)
Chapter1. Chapter 2.
The thesis is divided in three main parts: DR: theory & practice DP: theory & practice
 Part 1 analyses the fundamentals of DR and DP based on a
theoretical framework covering the principles of tariff design.
Part 2: Residential DR based on DP
 Part 2 quantifies DR resulting from different tariff schemes based
Chapter 4. Chapter 5.
on theoretical simulation and practical evidence from the Linear pilot Chapter 3.
DR simulation DR quantification
Development of
project. Optimization methods and statistical analysis are used. DP schemes
and practical with price
evidence elasticities
 Part 3 describes DR benefits on the power system level, using real
options theory and unit commitment and economic dispatch models.
Part 3: Power system benefits of residential DR
Results & Conclusions Chapter 6. Chapter 7.

Impact on power system Impact on generation
 Momentum towards implementation of residential DR is building. operation investment decisions
 The enabler of this momentum is the rise of technology, as Thesis overview

advanced metering, ICT and automation have taken a leap.
 Monetary benefits under RTP resulting from DR are substantial. If
these benefits do not come at cost of comfort, DR participation
seems viable, especially for battery electric vehicle owners. Average
benefits are lower for DR with wet appliance, yet they largely vary.
 DR proves an efficient means to integrate renewable energy
resources.
 DR reduces generation operating costs significantly. Moreover, DR
reduces the generation investment need in quantity and time.
Example of a real time pricing scheme, distinguishing
 To reach these benefits, sufficient dynamics of tariff schemes is
between the different tariff components.
required. Moreover, automation of demand seems essential.
Major publications
 B. Dupont, K. Dietrich, C. De Jonghe, A. Ramos, and R. Belmans, "Impact of residential demand response on power system operation: A Belgian case
study," Applied Energy, vol. 122, pp. 1-10, June 2014.
 B. Dupont, C. De Jonghe, L. Olmos and R. Belmans, "Demand response with locational dynamic pricing to support the integration of renewables,"
Energy Policy, vol. 67, pp. 344-354, April 2014.
13
Hakan Ergun
E-mail hakan.ergun@esat.kuleuven.be
Grid Planning for the Future Grid

Optimizing Topology and Technology Considering Spatial and Temporal Effects
Increased use of renewable energy sources and the creation of an internal electricity market have resulted in higher and
more variable power flows in the transmission grid. Due to a sustained climate policy, the share of renewable energy
sources in electricity generation will increase making new transmission system investments inevitable.
This dissertation provides the building blocks of a planning methodology to optimize future investments in the
transmission grid by considering several technical, spatial and temporal aspects. It delivers a stepwise transmission
system investment plan containing the optimal time point, power rating, transmission route and transmission technology
for new investments.
The shown planning structure is used in order to deal with the
large number of optimization variables and non-linearity. In the
first step, a market analysis is performed, using limited grid
information and determining inter-connection power
requirement. In the second step, a network abstraction is
performed based on the market analysis and using a detailed
representation of the transmission grid. This way, the grid is
reduced to set of possible injections. In the last step, an
optimization is performed in order to determine the best
transmission topology, technology, routing and investment time
point to fulfill the required inter-connection capacity. Structure of the developed methodology
The developed methodology provides a stepwise investment plan indicating which transmission lines should be built where.
Both overhead and underground HVAC and HVDC transmission is considered as a possible technology option. The
methodology has been tested at Elia, the Belgian Transmission System Operator, delivering satisfactory results.
Stepwise investment plan to

establish additional 30 GW
of transmission capacity
between France and Spain.
Red: HVAC, White: HVDC,
Circles: overhead lines,
solid lines: underground
cables
Major publication
Ergun, H., Rawn, B., Belmans, R., Van Hertem, D. (2014). Technology and Topology Optimization for Multizonal
Transmission Systems. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 29 (5), 2469-2477
14
Tassos Natsakis
Supervisors Prof. dr. ir. Jos Vander Sloten
Prof. dr. Ilse Jonkers
Funding Baron Berghmans – dr. Dereymaeker research chair
E-mail tassos.natsakis@kuleuven.be
In vitro analysis of dynamic foot biomechanics using a gait simulator and

intra-articular pressure measurements
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease for the ankle joint of the foot, with an important economical
and societal burden. Its aetiology is poorly understood, however a link between aberrant loading conditions and the onset
of OA has been suggested. Furthremore, surgical treatment options for ankle OA (i.e. Total Ankle Arthroplasty (TAA))
exhibit high failure rates. We therefore quantified the intra-articular pressure distribution in the human ankle during in vitro
gait simulations, to investigate whether the onset of OA or the failure of TAA are related to joint loading conditions.
A custom built cadaveric gait simulator (figure 1) was used to perform gait with cadaveric specimens. A specimen specific
kinematics model was developed, to accommodate for the geometric differences among specimens. Furthermore, as the
goal of the research was to investigate TAA, a methodology to perform simulations for different conditions of the
specimens was developed and used. The intra-articular pressure in the ankle joint was measured during
the simulations with a Tekscan #5033 sensor. The differences before and
after implanting the TAA were quantified. Furthremore, the influence of
muscle force on the topology of the loading conditions was investigated.

A significant increase of 3.16 MPa in peak pressure in the
TAA joint, compared to the native ankle, was measured.
Such an increase in peak pressure could partially explain
the high failure rates reported for TAA. Furthermore, the
force delivered by several muscle groups was found to
affect significantly the pressure magnitude and distribution Figure 1: The gait simulator used for performing the
(figure 2). This information could assist in constructing measurements. A frame supports the carriage that
muscle training strategies for creating more favourable the cadaveric specimens are mounted on. Using
loading conditions in the ankle joint, reducing the risk of OA electric motors and pneumatic actuators, the motion
development or decelerating its progression. and muscle forces are simulated in real speed.
peak pressure
Normalised
Normalised muscle force

Figure 2: Effect of force from triceps surae muscle on peak
pressure in the native (red) and TAA (red) ankle, in three Figure 3: Intra-articular pressure distribution
positions (beginning, middle and end of stance phase). projected on the articular surface of the talus
Major publication
Natsakis, T., Burg, J., Dereymaeker, G., Jonkers, I., & Vander Sloten, J. (2015). Inertial control as novel technique for in
vitro gait simulations. Journal of Biomechanics, 48(2), 392–395.
15
David Jaluvka
PhD defence 02 February 2015
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Stefan Vandewalle
Co-supervisor Dr. ir. Gert Van den Eynde
Funding SCK•CEN
E-mail david.jaluvka@gmail.com
Development of a core management tool for the

MYRRHA irradiation research facility
This dissertation develops a core management tool capable of optimizing reactor-
core fuel loadings for MYRRHA, the future fast-spectrum research facility
currently under development at SCK•CEN, Belgium. Such a core management
tool is needed for designing highly efficient loading patterns that reflect various
performance objectives of the multipurpose machine. The optimization problem to
be solved is a highly-complex multi-modal non-convex nonlinear combinatorial
problem.
Research Methodology MYRRHA nuclear reactor.

 The MYRRHA loading pattern optimization problem (LPOP) is solved using two
population-based metaheuristic optimization methods: Genetic Algorithm (GA)
and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO).
 Special MYRRHA reactor-core neutronics and thermal-hydraulics models are
developed that are used by the optimization methods to evaluate candidate
loading patterns during the iterative optimization process. The employed models
are sufficiently accurate and fast enough for optimization purposes.
 The optimization methods and reactor physics models are applied to solve a
constrained MYRRHA LPOP that aims at maximizing the facility’s irradiation
performance expressed in terms of the fast-neutron fluence achieved in reactor
experimental channels (IPS). Three constraint types are included in the RELOAD-M high-level design.
problem: limited number of fuel assemblies (FAs) of different types, maximum
allowed fuel-cladding temperature, and end-of-cycle criticality condition.

 The RELOAD-M core management tool is developed that solves the MYRRHA
LPOP using GA and ACO.
 It is found that the GA with an elitist population-replacement strategy gives the
most consistent results and performs best when applied to the MYRRHA LPOP.
 The obtained results show that both GA and ACO provide feasible solutions that Best solution found.1/3 core
outperform intuitively designed loading patterns. The achieved improvement is symmetry assumed. Different
very limited, however. colors indicate different FA types.
Major publication
D. Jaluvka, G. Van den Eynde, S. Vandewalle (2013). Development of a core management tool for MYRRHA. Energy
Conversion and Management, 74, 562–568.
16
Tim Willemen
Departments Electrical Engineering (ESAT)

Prof. dr. ir. Jos Vander Sloten
Supervisors Prof. dr. ir. Bart Haex
Prof. dr. ir. Sabine Van Huffel
Funding IWT; iMinds
E-mail tim.willemen@kuleuven.be
Biomechanics based analysis of sleep

Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia and restless legs syndrome disrupt people’s healthy pattern of sleep.
Most clinical diagnoses revolve around complaints of excessive daytime sleepiness. People usually wait quite long
however before contacting professional help, and might only do so when complaints have gone from minor to serious.
Current methods for objective diagnosis of sleep disorders are too costly, impractical and intrusive, or lack sufficient
information and/or accuracy, to be used for long-term screening or follow-up after diagnosis. This PhD work hypothesizes
that automated cardiac, respiratory and movement-based analysis could be able to bridge this gap, especially when all
signals are monitored off-body in a mechanical way.
The first part of this work investigated the ability to use cardiac, respiratory and
movement activity for sleep monitoring in healthy subjects and subjects with
sleep apnea (Wake, REM, light sleep, deep sleep, apneic breathing). The
models were trained with and validated against gold standard
polysomnography annotations, derived by sleep experts.
The second part of this work investigated the ability to monitor cardiac,
respiratory and movement activity in an off-body mechanical way. A pressure-
based ballistocardiographic setup was implemented inside a bed, measuring
fluctuations in pressure difference between two air volumes underneath the
chest area of the subject (cfr. figure). An adaptation of the Pan-Tompkins
algorithm was proposed for accurate detection of cardiac inter beat intervals.

With respect to sleep stage classification, the large amount of variability in cardiac and respiratory functioning among
different subjects led to difficult-to-avoid misclassifications. For healthy subjects, agreement values around 80% still
confirmed the potential of the method. For subjects with sleep apnea, the presence of apneic events proved to have a
significant impact on the model's performance, with agreement values dropping to around 70%.
With respect to apneic breathing detection, accuracy varied with the proportion of hypopneic events present in the
dataset, stressing the possible need of pulse oxymetry for reliable detection of hypopneic events. Obtained results varied
between 90% and 75%.
With respect to the ballistocardiographic setup, respiratory and movement activity could be easily detected. In between
episodes of movement activity an average correspondence of 97% with respect to inter beat intervals detected by
electrocardiogram proved the potential of the method.
Major publication
T. Willemen, D. Van Deun, V. Verhaert, M. Vandekerckhove, V. Exadaktylos, J. Verbraecken, S. Van Huffel, B. Haex, J.
Vander Sloten (2013). An evaluation of cardio-respiratory and movement features with respect to sleep stage
classification. IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, 18 (2), 661-669.
17
Henk Motte
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Michiel Steyaert
Prof. dr. ir. Lieven De Strycker,
Co-supervisor
Ir. Olivier Chasles
Funding IWT
Fully Integrated, High Performance Building Blocks for Multimedia

Communication over POF
As the demands in terms of performance and cost on digital communication networks continue to increase, alternatives
for the current short to mid-range interconnects (1-150 m) become more interesting. Today’s wireless options suffer from
a crowded shared medium whereas wired (UTP, coax, PLC) solutions are often bulky and/or expensive. A cheaper,
smaller wired alternative for these electrical interconnects could be found in the use of optical communication over large
core ( 1 mm) Step Index Plastic Optical Fiber (SI-POF). Current available implementations of such links provide
insufficient communication range and/or speed while higher performance experimental implementations use too complex
and/or expensive techniques. Therefore, this PhD aims to improve the performance of available SI-POF links in an
economically viable way and with a limited impact on existing systems.
Using simulation models of this specific type of fiber, the performance limits for different modulation schemes and
filtering techniques are examined. Further, these simulations help to determine the preconditions and optimize the
critical design parameters to come to an improved system.
 Indicate best suited system architecture
 Optimize system design parameters
 Translate to transistor level implementation

The best trade-off between increased
performance and limited complexity and cost was
found in receiver side electronic equalization. A
two stage, adaptive analog equalizer was imple-
mented and demonstrated the reduction of the SI-
POF induced data rate limitation. This indicates
the performance can be improved using relatively
simple techniques. The limiting factor for further
system improvement is shifted from the fiber’s
limited bandwidth to the receiver’s random noise Simulated results of a 150Mbps signal after 150 m of SI-
generation. POF (left) and the same signal after equalization with an
optimized analog equalizer (right).
Major publication
 H. Motte, M. Steyaert, O. Chasles, J.-P. Goemaere, N. Stevens and L. De Strycker (2013). Linear equalization filter for
PMMA fiber channels, in Semiconductor Conference (CAS), 2013 International, vol. 2, pp. 207-210, 2013.
 H. Motte, M. Steyaert, O. Chasles, J.-P. Goemaere, N. Stevens and L. De Strycker (2013). Electronic Dispersion
Correction Circuit for Plastic Optical Fiber Channels, in Intelligent Signal Processing and Communications Systems
(ISPACS), 2013 International Symposium on, vol. 2 ,pp. 743-748
18
Pavlo Serhiienko
Supervisor Prof. dr. Guy Vandenbosch
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Yuriy Prokopenko
Funding National Technical University of Ukraine “KPI”

E-mail paulsergienko@gmail.com
Micromechanically tunable microwave resonators based on microstrip lines

This Ph.D. thesis is devoted to the investigation of the influence of geometrical and electro physical parameters of tunable
microstrip resonators on their resonant frequency, quality factor, and coupling coefficient between resonator and
microstrip line. The resonance frequency tuning was performed by introducing a tunable heterogeneity between the signal
electrode and he substrate.
An analysis method is proposed based on effective permittivity, characteristic impedance and loss of the microstrip line
with tunable air heterogeneity. The scattering matrix is derived from finite element models. A verification of the method is
performed through experiments. The influence of the physical and topological parameters of the microstrip line with air
heterogeneity on its equivalent parameters is analyzed.
Finite elements and finite integration technique
results are derived with CST Microwave Studio 2011.

Micromechanically tunable microstrip resonance
elements are developed and experimentally investigated.
Models of the microstrip resonance elements which Resonators based on microstrip lines with tunable air
simplify the calculation of the characteristics are created. heterogeneity provide smooth tuning in a wide
The influence of the geometrical and electrophysical frequency range without unloaded quality factor
parameters of tunable microstrip stub and ring resonators deterioration. This provides the opportunity to reduce
on resonance frequency, unloaded quality actor and the cost, weight and size of this type of devices while
coupling coefficient is analyzed. working in different frequency ranges.
Major publication
Serhiienko P. Novel Concept for Microstrip Stub Resonant Frequency Control/ P. Serhiienko, Yu. Prokopenko, G.
Vandenbosch // Electronics and Nanotechnology: ELNANO. — 2013. — P. 94 — 98.
19
Guoying Zhao
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Paul Sas
Co-supervisor Dr. ir. Neven Alujevic
Funding CSC & IWT

E-mail nudt.guoying@gmail.com
Active Structural Acoustic control of Rotating Machinery using Piezo-

Based Rotating Inertial Actuators
High-level noise not only affects hearing, it can also drive up blood pressure, disrupt sleep, and compromise the ability to
work and learn. Nowadays, legal regulations have more and more restricted the allowable levels regarding workers
exposure to noise. In order to meet these requirements, effective noise control measures need to be developed. The
presented research therefore focuses on suppressing the noise radiated from structural frames in rotating machinery
using an active structural acoustic source control strategy.
PBRIA Blocked force
40
The control of the noise radiation is implemented Amplitude dB re. 1N/V 20
using a pair of piezo-based rotating inertial 0
actuators (PBRIA). Experimental modal analysis −20
and blocked force measurements have been −40
performed to assess the dynamics of the −60

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
PBRIAs and the test bed. Two control strategies, 200

adaptive-passive control and feedforward 100
Phase (degrees)
control, have been investigated in this thesis.

0
Theoretical analysis has been firstly conducted
−100
to demonstrate the working principles. Then,
experimental validation has been carried out. −200
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
frequency (Hz)

Development of a framework for active Adaptive passive control Active control
structural acoustic control of rotating
machinery;
Development of a piezo-based rotating inertial
actuator prototype;
Theoretical analysis and experimental
implementation of adaptive passive control
strategy and feedforward control strategy;
In principle, the proposed approaches and
methods are applicable to suppress noise
radiation from rotating machinery.
Major publication
Zhao, G., Alujevic, N., Depraetere, B., Sas, P. (2014). Dynamic analysis and 2 optimization of a piezo-based tuned
vibration absorber. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, doi: 10.1177/1045389X14546652.
20
Pieter Billen
Department Chemical Engineering
Supervisor Prof. dr. Carlo Vandecasteele
Co-supervisor Dr. ing. Jo Van Caneghem
E-mail Pieter.billen@cit.kuleuven.be
Fluidized bed combustion of manure:

Technology improvement and sustainability assessment
Excessive fertilization of agricultural land in areas known for intensive livestock breeding, a need for alternative manure
treatment methods exists. Combustion of manure, a renewable fuel, in a fluidized bed allows to produce electricity, but is
subject to technological problems related to the ash composition. More specifically, low-melting compounds in the ash
cause agglomeration and deposition in the installation, potentially causing a loss of fluidization. This thesis shows that
combustion of manure is, compared to land spreading, a sustainable technology, which is improved by avoiding severe
ash problems. 600
400
The environmental impact was evaluated in a life cycle perspective, using a
zero-burden approach for the manure. For the energy recovery during
combustion, a consequential approach was used, meaning that in the best 200
kg CO2-eq. / Mg poultry manure
case emissions from coal combustion are avoided and in the worst case
emissions from natural gas combustion. Emission data were obtained from 0
an operating combustion plant in Moerdijk (NL), and from the literature for
land spreading. -200
The agglomeration/deposition of ash was investigated in a step-wise

approach: element analysis of the non-agglomerated and agglomerated ash -400 N2O emission
indicated the most important elements, and was used for thermodynamic Lime production
NH3 production
calculations to determine which salts are formed. Phase diagrams predict the Heat from nat. gas
Transport
-600
melt behavior. The thermodynamic findings were confirmed by lab Start-up fuel oil
Sand production
experiments and full-scale tests.

NH4NO3 production
Saved emissions
-800
comb. min comb. max LS min LS max
Fig. 1. Impact in the category climate change for

combustion (left) versus land spreading (LS, right)
The environmental impact of combusting manure is lower than that of land
spreading, because renewable, CO2 neutral electricity is produced, and due to
the high NH3, N2O and NOx emissions of manure spread on land, as illustrated
by the GHG accounting in Fig. 1.
Agglomeration/deposition was explained via 2 mechanisms, coating induced
and melt induced agglomeration. An holistic theory of all occurring reactions and
morphological consequences, as shown in Fig. 2 for coating induced
agglomeration, was developed and confirmed by experiments. Appropriate
countermeasures were successfully tested.
Fig. 2. Sequence of reactions leading to ash deposition based on the coating induced agglomeration mechanism
Major publication
Billen, P., Creemers, B., Costa, J., Van Caneghem, J., Vandecasteele, C. (2014). Coating and melt induced
agglomeration in a poultry litter fired fluidized bed combustor. Biomass & Bioenergy, 69, 71-79.
21
Enrico Di Lello
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Herman Bruyninckx
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Tinne De Laet
Funding N/A
E-mail enrico.dilello@mech.kuleuven.be
Bayesian Time-Series Models: Expert Knowledge-Driven Inference and

Learning for Engineering Applications
The main goal of this thesis is to investigate how Bayesian time-series models can be used in engineering/medical
applications to leverage the available domain-specific expert knowledge. We focused on four applications that require the
interpretation of multi-dimensional time-series: automatic segmentation of healthy human gait, classification of pathological
gait patterns in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), fault detection and recognition in industrial robotic tasks and gas sensing
in Open Sampling systems (OSS) using Metal OXide (MOX) sensors.
For all the previously mentioned applications, two Bayesian time-series models were used:
 the sticky-Hierarchical Dirichlet Process Hidden Markov model (s-HDP-HMM) was used for gait segmentation, gait
classification and fault detection;
 the Augmented Switching Linear Dynamical System model (aSLDS) was used for the gas sensing application.
In particular, the s-HDP-HMM was combined with a linear regression step
to allow the model to decompose joint angle time-series in polynomial
shape primitives. An ad-hoc transition model was developed for the aSLDS
to model the switching dynamical behaviour of MOX sensors.
For the gait segmentation problem, the HDP-HMM based
approach is able to segment ankle joint time-series in
clinically defined phases with an 11% error compared to a The aSLDS model allows to identify the current MOX
a human expert. In the pathological gait classification dynamical behaviour and to estimate the gas
problem, the HDP-HMM with polynomial shape primitives concentration concurrently (see figure below). The use
(see figure on the right) model outperforms the alternatives. of the aSLDS overcomes the slow dynamical response
The HDP-HMM model was also used to develop an on-line of MOX sensors, therefore extending their range of
fault detection method in a robotic assembly task using applicability.
force/torque measurement, validated on a real robot setup
(see figure below).
Major publication
E. Di Lello, M. Trincavelli,, H.Bruyninckx,T. De Laet (2014) “Augmented Switching Linear Dynamical System Model for Gas
Concentration Estimation with MOX Sensors in an Open Sampling System”, MDPI Sensor 2014 14 (7), 12533-12559.
22
Donato Clausi
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Dominiek Reynaerts
Co-supervisor Dr. ir. Jan Peirs
Funding FP6 European project “Q2M”

E-mail donato.clausi@hotmail.com
Microactuation using Wafer-level Integrated SMA Wires

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) offers the highest work density of all microactuators. Despite its advantages, SMA is not yet
a standard MEMS material, partially due to three main technical challenges:
I) a strong mechanical bond of the actuator material to the target structures is needed for reliable actuation.
II) Mechanical and electrical connections should be batch-manufactured, to achieve an overall cost reduction.
III) Deforming the SMA in martensitic state requires a bias mechanism, which is difficult to implement at the microscale.
This thesis focuses on wafer-level integration of SMA wires on arrays of Si structures for high-performance actuators.
Research Methodology Wafer-level integrated Fixed anchor
SU-8 or
Two integration methods have been developed in this work: SMA wires Nickel
 Adhesive bonding of SMA wires to silicon MEMS using SU-8 Electric
current path
 Nickel electroplating to form mechanical and electrical
connections of the SMA wires to the Si structures. Silicon
cantilevers
The developed actuators are used for high gas flow control.
Results & Conclusions Moving anchor
Array of silicon structures SMA wires
 The first silicon-biased SMA wire actuator.
 The first wafer-scale method to integrate SMA wires to Wafer-level integration of SMA wires and actuator concept.
silicon using adhesive bonding.
 Mechanical and electrical connection of SMA wires to silicon
Hot state
MEMS in the same processing step using electroplating.
Cold state
 Record stroke of 354 μm with no performance degradation
for over 150 thousand cycles.
 First front gate valve with integrated actuation.
 Robust flow control of more than 1600 sccm at a pressure
drop of 200 kPa and at a power consumption of 90 mW Fabricated actuator and deflections upon long term cycling.
demonstrated up to 10 Hz.
Valve concept, valve assembly and pneumatic measurements.

Major publication
 D.Clausi, H. Gradin, S. Braun, J. Peirs, G. Stemme, D. Reynaerts and W. van der Wijngaart, Design and wafer-level fabrication of
SMA wire microactuators on silicon. J. Microelectromech. Syst. 19, 2010, 982–991.
 D.Clausi, H. Gradin, S. Braun, J. Peirs, G. Stemme, D. Reynaerts and W. van der Wijngaart, Robust actuation of silicon MEMS
using SMA wires integrated at wafer-level by nickel electroplating. Sens. Actuat. A 189, 2013, 108–116.
 H. Gradin, D.Clausi, S. Braun, J. Peirs, G. Stemme, W. van der Wijngaart, and D. Reynaerts, A low-power high-flow shape memory
alloy wire gas microvalve. J. Micromech. Microeng. 22, 2012, 075002.
23
Nick Vannieuwenhoven
Supervisor Prof. dr. Raf Vandebril
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Karl Meerbergen
Funding Ph.D. fellow of the FWO
E-mail nick.vannieuwenhoven@cs.kuleuven.be
The tensor rank decomposition: Truncation and identifiability
Introduction / Objective The objective is to analyze certain unexpected pro-

A tensor is an array whose elements are addressed by at perties that hold for tensors but not for matrices, or
least three indices. The tensor rank decomposition is an vice versa. In particular, we consider truncation and
expression of a tensor as a linear combination of rank-1 identifiability. The former holds if selecting a subset
tensors. It can be considered as a generalization of the of rank-1 terms results in a best approximation to the
singular value decomposition of matrices. tensor, and the latter holds if a tensor has only one
tensor rank decomposition.
The dimension of the set of tensor rank decomposi-
tions of fixed rank is investigated using a random-
ized algorithm that produces probabilistic statements
about this dimension. As the dimension is as expec-
The tensor rank decomposition arises naturally in chem- ted, it implies that a low-rank tensor has at most a
istry, algebraic statistics, signal processing, and machine finite number of tensor rank decompositions. Thus,
learning. we undertake a more refined analysis. An algorithm
is proposed for proving that a general low-rank
Top row: The approxi-
mation in the left image tensor admits only one tensor rank decomposition.
is obtained by truncating We show that certain orthogonality conditions must
the right image from 50 hold on the rank-1 tensors appearing in a decom-
rank-1 terms to 40 terms, position if truncation is to be feasible. These condi-
using the singular value
tions are valid only on a set of strictly lower dimen-
decomposition.
sion than proved by the foregoing results.
Bottom row: On the left,
the approximation ob- Results & Conclusions
tained by truncating the
right image from 50 We showed that algebraic geometry may assist in
tensor rank-1 terms to 40 analyzing mathematical properties of the tensor rank
terms. Here, we interpre- decomposition. By adopting this viewpoint, we de-
ted the image as a three- monstrated that
dimensional array, each  a general low-rank tensor admits only one rank
slice containing either decomposition; and
the red, green, or blue  unfortunately, the tensor rank decomposition can
con-stituent color compo-
not be computed by means of “successive defla-
nents.
tions,” i.e., by successively computing best rank-1
approximations, in contrast to the matrix case.
Main publications
N. Vannieuwenhoven, J. Nicaise, R. Vandebril, K. Meerbergen, On generic nonexistence of the Schmidt—Eckart—Young
decomposition for complex tensors, SIAM Journal on Matrix Analysis and Applications 35(3), pp. 886—903, 2014.
L. Chiantini, G. Ottaviani, and N. Vannieuwenhoven, An algorithm for generic and low-rank specific identifiability of com-
plex tensors, SIAM Journal on Matrix Analysis and Applications 35(4), pp. 1265—1287, 2014.
24
Mohammadali Aravand
Supervisor Prof. Stepan V. Lomov
Co-supervisor Dr. Larissa Gorbatikh
Funding GOA 10/004
E-mail Mohammadali.aravand@mtm.kuleuven
Micro and nano structured hierarchical carbon fiber composites

A recent approach to control damage and fracture properties of the FRP composites is designing multicomponent
composites with a hierarchical structure (known as hierarchical or multi-scale composites). The focus of this work will be
on exploring controlled positioning, phase behavior, and morphological aspects of the matrix micro and nanophase
heterogeneities in relation to the mechanical properties and fracture behavior of the polymer matrices and the resulting
hierarchically structured fibre reinforced nanocomposites.
This study was composed of two main parts. In the first part, various aspects of the CNT and thermoplastic modified bulk
resin systems were investigated in a systematic fashion. In the second part, the bulk resin systems with improved (or
preserved) fracture toughness and mechanical properties were employed as the matrix material for the multi-component
CFRP composite laminates. To this end, a new processing methodology based on resin transfer molding (RTM) for
manufacturing of crystallizable thermoplastic modified laminates at high temperature was developed.

Polyoxymethylene (POM) can efficiently enhance the
mode I fracture toughness of the resulting epoxy/POM
blends mainly through particle crack bridging mechanism.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) strongly affect the final
morphology of phase separating POM/epoxy blends, and
hence the resulting fracture toughness properties. 70"
0"wt%"POM"
Fiber reinforcement can significantly interfere in the 60"

onset
5"wt%"POM"
reaction induced phase separation of the thermoplastic 50"
Load"(N)"
10"wt%"POM"
particles and therefore the final properties of the
40"
30"
hierarchically structured FRP composites.
20"
arrest
10"
0"
top$mold$ 0" 10" 20" 30" 40" 50"
Displacement"(mm)"
spacer$
bo. om$mold$
Major publication
M. Aravand, S.V. Lomov, and L. Gorbatikh, “Morphology and fracture behavior of POM modified epoxy matrices and their
CFRP composites”, Composites Science and Technology, 110, (2015) 8-16.
25
Jan Deckers
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jef Poortmans
Contact recombination in silicon solar cells

The cost of solar cells can be reduced on a per unit energy basis by making more efficient solar cells. Contact
recombination currents are one of the major power loss mechanisms in certain high efficiency silicon solar cells.
Therefore, reducing contact recombination currents can result in efficiency gains. However, the characterization of
contact recombination losses is convoluted. This provided the incentive for developing a new contact recombination
characterization method.
A dedicated characterization method for contact recombination measurements was developed. The characterization
method is based on photoconductance measurements on point contact lattices having various contact fractions.

Under limiting assumptions, contact saturation
current densities can be extracted from the
slope of inverse lifetime as a function of contact
fraction.
Photoluminescence image of a finished test structure.

Higher contact fractions correspond to lower effective
lifetimes which corresponds to a lower
photoluminescence signals.
Major publication
J. Deckers, M. Debucquoy, I. Gordon, R. Mertens, J. Poortmans (2014). Avoiding Parasitic Current Flow through Point
Contacts in Test Structures for QSSPC Contact Recombination Current Measurements, Journal of Photvoltaics 5 (1),
276-281
26
Sylvie Van Loon
PhD defence 02 March 2015
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jan Vermant
Prof. dr. ir. Jan Fransaer
Co-supervisor
Prof. dr. ir. Christian Clasen
Funding NanoDirect
E-mail sylvie.vanloon@hotmail.com
27
Dixian Zhao
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Ing. Patrick Reynaert
Catrene PANAMA project, ERC Advanced Grant

Funding
(DARWIN), Analog Devices Inc.
E-mail dixian.zhao@esat.kuleuven.be
CMOS Millimeter-Wave Power Amplifiers and Transmitters

The rapid growth of mobile data and the use of smart phones are making unprecedented challenges for wireless service
providers to overcome a global bandwidth shortage. Millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) technology is widely considered as one
of the key technologies that will continue to serve the consumer demand for increased wireless data capacity. This
doctoral work focuses on realizing compact CMOS mm-Wave transmitters (TXs) and power amplifiers (PAs) towards
more output power, higher efficiency and broader bandwidth for future high-speed wireless communications.
The advanced CMOS can now well operate in mm-Wave bands, permitting the
integration of a full transceiver in a low-cost, high-yield technology. However, the
design of a mm-Wave transceiver in advanced CMOS still poses many challenges
at device, circuit and architecture levels. To address these challenges at mm-
Wave, novel design techniques have been proposed in this thesis, such as optimal
transistor layout, enhanced amplifier stage and broadband power combiner. Neutralized amplifier with optimal
Design methodologies will be presented to deal with the long EM-simulation time mm-Wave transistor layout
and strict design rules. In addition, detailed design issues, such as common-mode
stability and magnetic mutual coupling, will also be covered in the thesis.
All the proposed design techniques have been applied to five prior-art designs that
are implemented and measured in the context of this doctoral work. These designs
include (a) the first reported 60-GHz dual-mode Class AB PA that achieves a Broadband compact 4-way parallel-
recorded PAE of 30%; (b) the first reported 60-GHz outphasing TX; (c) a multi- series power combiner
Gb/s E-band TX; (d) the first CMOS PA which achieves uniform performance
across complete E-band and (e) a 4-way E-band PA using NBCA topology.
(a)
Major publications (b) (c) (d) (e)
D. Zhao and P. Reynaert, "A 40-nm E-band Direct-Conversion Transmitter with 4.5-Gb/s 64-QAM and 14-Gb/s 16-QAM,"
IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, vol. 50, no. 11, Nov 2015 (invited from A-SSCC 2014).
D. Zhao and P. Reynaert, "A 0.9V 20.9dBm 22.3%-PAE E-band Power Amplifier with Broadband Parallel-Series Power
Combiner in 40nm CMOS," in ISSCC Dig. Tech. Papers, pp. 248-249, Feb 2014.
D. Zhao and P. Reynaert, "A 60-GHz Dual-Mode Class AB Power Amplifier in 40-nm CMOS," IEEE J. Solid-State
Circuits, vol. 48, no. 10, pp. 2323-2337, Oct 2013.
D. Zhao, S. Kulkarni and P. Reynaert, "A 60-GHz outphasing transmitter in 40-nm CMOS," IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits,
vol. 47, no. 12, pp. 3172-3183, Dec 2012 (invited from ISSCC 2012).
28
Priyanko Guha Thakurta
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Dirk Van Hertem
E-mail priyanko.guhathakurta@esat.kuleuven.be
Increasing Transmission System Operation Flexibility using Power Flow

Controlling Devices
Increased penetration of renewable energy into the existing transmission system in Europe is becoming a challenge for
the Transmission System Operators (TSOs) to schedule their power systems day-ahead, due to their intermittent nature.
Limitation in expansion of the transmission infrastructure forces them to use the existing grid more flexibly. Power flow
controlling devices (PFCs) help in a flexible operation of power system. This dissertation addressed methodologies to
incorporate such devices in day-ahead operational planning, taking into account the coordinated control of the devices.
The main objectives are:
1. To manage contingencies in the system with the help of PFCs, the operation of which comes at a zero cost to the
TSOs.
2. To integrate more renewable with the help of their coordinated control.
The methodologies incorporate deterministic approaches to consider PFCs in the day-ahead scheduling process. Linear
optimizations were formulated to address the objectives.

• Figure 1 shows the result of contingency management with PFCs for whole month of January 2013. The x-axis shows
the initial loading of the system (loading is defined as the ratio of initial to maximum flow through a critical transmission
line). The y-axis shows the reduction of loading of the system after applying the developed approach. It is seen that all the
initially overloaded cases are secured by the approach.
• Figure 2 shows the additional wind in-feed into the system with coordinated control of PFCs. The carnation pink area
shows the additional wind in-feed into the system above the forecasted values (represented by the cadet blue area).
Major publication
Guha Thakurta, P., Maeght, J., Belmans, R. and Van Hertem, D.(2014). Increasing Transmission Grid Flexibility by TSO
Coordination to Integrate More Wind Energy Sources while Maintaining System Security. IEEE Transactions on
Sustainable Energy, DOI 10.1109/TSTE.2014.2341640.
29
Vandael Stijn
Supervisor Prof. dr. Holvoet Tom
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Deconinck Geert
Funding IWT
E-mail stijn@udel.edu
Aggregate and dispatch control of grid-integrated electric vehicles

EVs (Electric vehicles) will play a key role in the electricity grid of the future. In recent years, the increase in the amount of
electric vehicles is gaining momentum, as global environmental concerns are getting stronger, and automotive OEMs
(Original Equipment Manufacturers) are preparing for mass-production. This vast increase of grid-connected vehicles
offers opportunities to use electric vehicles as a large-scale distributed storage system. In a liberalized electricity market,
aggregators are typically seen as the actors who will manage this storage system. The central problem addressed in this
dissertation is an aggregator’s large-scale control of the power transfer between electric vehicles and the grid.
This dissertation proposes three GIV control approaches, each
designed to provide large-scale control of EVs in different
business cases of an aggregator. legend
aggregator
 The first GIV control approach is a three-step market-based
approach to charge electric vehicles in response to a EV
dynamic electricity pricing scheme. EVSE

 The second GIV control approach is a reinforcement communication
learning approach to learn a cost- effective day-ahead connection
schedule. electrical
 The third GIV control approach is a bin-based scheduling electricity grid connection
approach to provide regulation services with electric
vehicles. This approach has been validated and compared
with other approaches in the EV fleet at the University of
Delaware.
Each GIV control approach is based on a common blueprint for
large-scale control, called “aggregate and dispatch”. In this
type of control, an aggregator calculates aggregated decisions
for the EV fleet, which are translated to individual EV decisions
by a dispatch mechanism
 Simulation results show that aggregate and dispatch
control is able to combine the advantages of
centralized and decentralized control approaches.
 In-field results show that aggregate and dispatch
control is applicable in a real-world scenario.
Major publications
 S. Vandael, B. Claessens, D. Ernst, T. Holvoet and G. Deconinck, “Reinforcement Learning of Heuristic EV Fleet
Charging in a Day-Ahead Electricity Market,” IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, early access, 2015.
 S. Vandael, B. Claessens, M. Hommelberg, T. Holvoet and G. Deconinck, “A scalable three-step approach for demand
side management of plug-in hybrid vehicles,” IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 720-728, May 2013.
30
Jay Prakash Goit
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Johan Meyers
KU Leuven, ERC (FP7-Ideas, grant no. 306471)
Funding and Flemish Science Foundation (FWO, grant no.
G.0376.12)
E-mail Jay.Goit@kuleuven.be
Optimal control of energy extraction in large-eddy simulation of wind farms

In large wind farms, the vertical interaction of the farm with the atmospheric boundary layer plays an important role, i.e.
the total energy extraction is dominated by the vertical turbulent transport of kinetic energy from higher regions in the
boundary layer towards the turbine level. The current study investigates the use of optimal control techniques in large-
eddy simulations of wind-farm-boundary layer interactions with the aim of increasing the total energy extraction in wind
farms.
 Large-eddy simulations are performed in an in-house SP- farm power
Wind code dissipation
 Force due to turbine: Actuator-disk model
 For optimization, individual turbines are considered as flow
actuators whose energy extraction can be dynamically
regulated in time so as to optimally influence the flow field
 Receding-horizon approach together with gradient- and
adjoint-based scheme are employed.
Velocity field
Gains and losses to the boundary layer for
unpenalized infinite farm case.

Infinite farm:
 For optimal control without penalization, gain in
energy extraction is 16%,… but flow decelerated and
dissipation increases
 For two cases with penalization of turbulent
dissipation, gain are 11 and 6%
Adjoint field Finite farm

Compute gradient  Gain in energy extraction 7% i.e., lower that infinite
Backward in time farm
 Possibly because front row turbines are already
operating close to optimal
Major publication
Goit, J. P., Meyers, J. (2015). Optimal control of energy extraction in wind-farm boundary layers. Journal of Fluid
Mechanics, 768, 5-50.
31
Joris Gillis
Supervisor Prof. dr. Moritz Diehl
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Eric Van den Bulck & Jan Swevers
Funding FWO Vlaanderen

E-mail joris.gillis42@gmail.com
Practical Methods for Approximate Robust Periodic

Optimal Control of Nonlinear Mechanical Systems
Optimal control is a powerful paradigm to design and control nonlinear dynamical systems that are subject to constraints.
This work considers periodic optimal control problems (OCP), for which the path constraints are robustified with respect to
Gaussian disturbances injected along the limit cycle. Starting from the Lyapunov framework that provides a first-order
approximation to such robust periodic OCP, the goal is to improve convergence and complexity such that large-scale
engineering-type problems can be tackled.
Various formulations for robust OCP were proposed and explored in simulation. The approach in this thesis is both:
 Pragmatic: use of off-the-shelf numerical code as much as possible, without restricting the scope of problem classes.
 Generic: make the results of the work available in a generic open-source optimization framework: CasADi.
Original formulation improved in two major ways:
Smarter discretization Better complexity: O(n6) → O(n3)
Demonstrated on a 17-state nonlinear quadcopter model with

invariants, with joint design of a linear time-varying controller.
Major publication
J. Gillis, G. Horn, M. Diehl (2014). Joint design of stochastically safe setpoints and controllers
for nonlinear constrained systems by means of optimization. Proceedings of the 19th IFAC World Congress.
32
Durga Ananthanarayanan
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Nele Moelans
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Patrick Wollants
Funding OT/07/040, CREA/02/012, SoPPoM program
E-mail durga.ananthanarayanan@mtm.kuleuven.be
Development of an elastoplastic phase-field model for multi-phase systems

The microstructure of a material largely determines its mechanical performance at the macroscale. Phase-field modelling
is a tool to simulate microstructure evolution in a material under a given set of conditions. The goal of this work is to
develop a phase-field model that can treat chemical diffusion and mechanical deformation as a step forward in enabling
predictive simulations of multi-phase alloy systems in the solid state. The model is then applied to the growth of brittle
intermetallic phases formed in Sn-Cu/Cu solder joint, which reduce its reliability.
Research Methodology Equal diffusion potential:

 Analysis of local interfacial equilibrium conditions in existing phase-field
models considering elastic effects
 Simulations for model systems with known analytical solutions of bulk Mechanical equilibrium:
chemical and mechanical properties
 Coupling with thermodynamic databases and elastic constants from ab
initio calculations for the application to Sn-Cu/Cu solder joint
Local interfacial equilibrium
 Existing phase-field models considering elastic effects found to give rise to unphysical excess energy at the interfaces
 New model developed considering local equilibrium at the interfaces without giving rise to excess energy
 Coupled with plastic deformation model and extended to multi-phase systems
 Applied to the growth of Cu3Sn and Cu6Sn5 phases in Sn-Cu/Cu solder joints subjected to internal and external strains
σ11 stress field of an elastically inhomogeneous Elastic strain profile along the dotted line from the Growth of Cu3Sn and Cu6Sn5 layers at the interface
system with an elliptical precipitate ellipse centre (Analytical solution in black) between Cu substrate and Sn-Cu solder
Major publication
A. Durga, P. Wollants, N. Moelans, A quantitative phase-field model for two-phase elastically inhomogeneous systems,
Computational Materials Science 99 (2015) 81–95.
33
Vladimir Matic
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Sabine Van Huffel
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Maarten De Vos
Funding KU Leuven, IWT NeoGuard
E-mail MaticVL@gmail.com
Neonatal EEG Signal Processing

Within this thesis the automated algorithms for the EEG-based assessment of the brain functioning of asphyxiated infants
have been developed. Their goal is to assess the severity of the hypoxic brain injuries in the asphyxiated infants.
This estimate will assist clinicians to promptly diagnose and to guide further treatment decisions.
An automated method for the background EEG classification has been developed. As the first step, it maps shorter,
segmented, EEG segments’ features into segments’ feature space, thereby creating a 3D distribution. Next, this
3D structure is represented as a data tensor that is used for further dimensionality reduction and robust classification.

The algorithms and their performances have been
verified by expert EEG readers, demonstrating its
potential. In addition, the efficient visualization developed
within our project NeoGuard will enable fast insight into
the algorithms’ output and, hopefully, very soon be
implemented in the NICUs. Three blocks represent the parameterization of the
cEEG data stream. A. First, EEG signal is adaptively
segmented. B. Segment’s features are calculated for
each segment and depending on the quantized
features’ index values (m1, m2, m3) they are mapped
into the discretized segments’ feature space. C. 3D
distribution is parameterized using the tensor
representation to effectively capture the structure of
the distribution.
Flow chart illustrating a classification procedure based

on the Tucker decomposition and machine learning
methods.
Major publication
Matic, V., Cherian, P. J., Koolen, N., Naulaers, G., Swarte, R. M., Govaert, P., ... & De Vos, M. (2014). Holistic approach
for automated background EEG assessment in asphyxiated full-term infants. Journal of neural engineering,11(6), 066007.
34
Bogdan Moldovan

Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Luc De Raedt
Funding IWT
E-mail bogdan.moldovan@cs.kuleuven.be
Relational Affordances and their Applications

Affordances are used in robotics to model action opportunities of a robot on objects in the environment. They were used
to model the relations between object properties, executed actions, and the effects of those actions for single objects. Our
objective is the use of statistical relational learning to build relational affordance models, where the (spatial) relations
between the different objects are taken into account, allowing us to model settings where objects interact during actions.
Learning a relational affordance model:
 Table-top scenario with multiple objects
 Babbling phase with one or two objects
 Learn a Bayesian Network (BN) from data
 From BN, build a ProbLog model
 Generalisation through the use of variables
 Add background knowledge as logical rules
 Model joint probability distribution P(O,E,E)

Additional relational affordances applications:
Experiment setting::
 Two-arm robot models
 Table-top scenario with six objects
 Multiple-action planning task
 Model learnt from 1 or 2 objects data
 Occluded object search:
 Random objects types and positions
 Action prediction: argmaxA P(A|O,E)
 Compare relational model vs. BN model
 Relational model can be reused for other settings
Major publication
B. Moldovan, P. Moreno, M. van Otterlo, J. Santos-Victor, L. De Raedt. Learning Relational Affordance Models for Robots
in Multi-Object Manipulation Tasks, in Proceedings of the 29th IEEE International Conference on Robotics and
Automation (ICRA), St. Paul, MN, USA, 2012
35
Luis Eduardo Pineda Ordoñez
Department Civil Engineering
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Patrick Willems
Funding Erasmus Mundus (EMECW 19)
E-mail pineda.luis40@gmail.com
Climate variability and rainfall response: Analysis and Predictability

in the Pacific-Andean basin of Ecuador and Northern Peru
North western South-America (NWSA) has been historically threatened by extreme or unexpected hydroclimatic
conditions that resulted in serious social and economical losses. Predictions of the rainy season are therefore crucial to
address the major climate variability impacts on sensitive sectors such as water management, agricultural planning,
disaster preparedness, among others. The objective of this dissertation was to develop an alternative and/or
complementary probabilistic modeling framework for seasonal precipitation prediction subrogated to climate information.
Assessment current capabilities
Research Methodology of GCM and NWP models
Analysis and modelling of precipitation and its relation with regional

climatology in NWSA. The research made use of statistical methods,
ground observations, remote sensing, numerical weather prediction
Explore
(NWP) and global climate models (GCM) data backed with a heuristic Fig 1. Scheme of rainfall
knowledge of local and regional processes. The key research axes research work flow data
are shown in Figure 1.
Process-based downscaling Identification of processes
of seasonal GCM forecasts controlling variability
Advances in the theoretical knowledge necessary for A modeling framework that makes intelligent use of
improving regional physically based prediction of seasonal climate model predictions to produce
precipitation. New insights are formulated on sources of precipitation estimates relevant for river basins in NWSA.
predictability for: The framework enables to:
 Seasonal rainfall amounts.  Extract the signal/noise pattern from the GCM forecast.
 Monthly maxima of daily intensity within a season.  Train a Hidden Markov model (HMM) in a statistical
 Daily intensities and occurrences within the rainy season partially dynamic approach (Figure 2, center).
(Dec-May) (Figure 2, left).  Simulate space-time rainfall characteristics for the
upcoming rainy season (Figure 2, right).
a) State 1 (1523 d)
1.69 -1.04
Pearson’s correlation
2�S
0�
10�S
4�S
1 m/s
100�W 90�W 80�W

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Fig 2. Weather-state identification (left), Probabilistic hindcast
simulation (center), Region-wide mean rainfall intensities (right)
Major publication 80�W
Pineda, L., and Willems P.: Multisite downscaling of seasonal prediction to daily rainfall characteristics over Pacific-
Andean River Basins in Ecuador and Peru using a non-homogenous hidden Markov model, J. Hydrometeor., submitted
(February, 2015).
36
Palamandadige Fernando
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Tinne Tuytelaars
Funding EC FP7 AXES, iMinds Beeldcanon
Image Representations for Improving Object Recognition

The performance of computer vision recognition methods heavily relies on the chosen image or video representations. In
this thesis we concentrate our efforts on (1) designing novel image representation pipelines utilizing state of the art data
mining algorithms and (2) developing novel data transformation strategies that result in effective image or video
representations.
In this thesis we focus on developing novel mid-level image representations using pattern mining. The first approach
called FLH is suitable for image classification while KRIMP-MQIR is particularly designed for effective instance retrieval.
Using data mining based mid-level features we obtain state-of-the-art results in several image classification and image
retrieval benchmarks. We also propose a novel subspace based domain adaptation method which transforms the original
representation such that the new transformed space is invariant to domain shifts which allows to apply object recognition
systems in the wild. A novel video representation called VideoDarwin that allows to capture both video dynamics as well
as appearance information of videos is also presented.

Data mining is useful in discovering mid-level
representations for image classifications. It allows to
recognize generic objects accurately and flower species
with an accuracy more than 90%.
Developed domain adaptation methods allows to improve
object recognition rates on several cross domain object
recognition tasks.
The VideoDarwin method allows to obtain good action
recognition results on various benchmarks.
Why we need good image representations?
Action recognition from videos

Major publication
Fernando B., Fromont E., Tuytelaars T. 2014. Mining mid-level features for image classification. International Journal of
Computer Vision. Kluwer Academic Publishers nr.108 , pp. 186-203 , ISSN 0920-5691
37
Niccolò Tosi
Funding CEA LIST
E-mail Niccolo.tosi@kuleuven.be
Active Sensing for Touch-based Object Localisation

Touch-based sensing is relevant for a number of applications where cameras operate in non-optimal conditions, e.g.
during underwater or tunnel-boring operations. Focusing on the industrial requirement of performing fast and reliable
scene calibration, this doctoral project copes with the curse of dimensionality related to pose estimation and action-
selection in high-dimensional space, localising objects up to industrial complexity.
A test with 30 human subjects performing a touch-based localisation
tasks has been carried out. The common behaviour pattern of
decoupling the task into a sequence of lower-complexity problems
was observed. Inspired by this results, The DOF Decoupling Task
Graph was introduced as the model that allows task programmers to
represent different strategies in the design of localisation tasks, as
sequences of active-sensing subtasks with the lowest possible
complexity. The act-reason algorithm was presented as an action-
selection scheme designed to explicitly trade off information gain with
execution and computation time.

 DOF Decoupling Task Graph introduced as modelling primitive to design active-sensing localisation tasks.
 Objects up to industrial complexity localised with force-based sensing.
 Time-efficiency improvement using act-reason setting the allocated time as a function of the current uncertainty
35% execution
time reduction
with act-reason
Major publications
• N. Tosi, O. David, H. Bruyninckx (2014). Action Selection for Touch-based Localisation Trading Off Information Gain
and Execution Time. In IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation.
• N. Tosi, O. David, H. Bruyninckx (2013). DOF-Decoupled Active Force Sensing (D-DAFS): A Human-inspired
Approach to Touch-Based Localisation Tasks. In International Conference on Advanced Robotics.
38
Karolien Kempen
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jean-Pierre Kruth
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jan Van Humbeeck
E-mail Karolien.Kempen@kuleuven.be
Expanding the materials palette for Selective Laser Melting of metals

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is an Additive Manufacturing technique in which a part is built up by consequently melting
metal powder particles together in a layer-by-layer fashion, with a high-power laser source. The number of available
materials for this production technique however, is still very limited.
The overall goal of the thesis is to expand the materials palette for Selective Laser Melting in an empirical way, with high-
demand materials fulfilling the prerequisites like full density and conventional mechanical properties. Along the way,
barriers need to be overcome that characterize the SLM process, but prohibit it from reaching a higher technology
readiness level, like thermal stresses, cracks and poor dimensional accuracy.
Four different materials, divided in two material groups were processed in this work. The first part describes the work on
two aluminum alloys, a cast aluminum alloy, A360.0, and a wrought aluminum alloy, 7075. The second part handles the
process capabilities of two types of tool steel: a low-carbon maraging steel 18Ni300, and a high-carbon M2 High Speed
Steel. The primary goal of this thesis is to produce nearly-fully dense parts in all four materials.
Along the way, barriers need to be overcome that characterize the SLM process, but prohibit it from reaching a higher
technology readiness level, like thermal stresses, cracks and poor dimensional accuracy.

Cracks are eliminated by the use of either baseplate pre-heating,
or addition of alloying powders (e.g. silicon), depending on the
origin of the crack formation. The influence of the composition,
size and morphology of base powder material is shown to be
influential for the final part quality.
After proper powder selection, the production of nearly-fully dense
parts can be achieved after optimization of scan parameters like
laser power, scan speed, scan spacing and layer thickness. Laser
remelting as an additional scan strategy can increase the part
density and improve the top surface roughness significantly.
Furthermore, a preliminary experiment of single track scans offers a great

amount of information and defines a process window, in which a stable melt
pool is formed.
Material characterization in terms of mechanical properties and microstructure show that the quality of as-built SLM parts
to conventionally produced and heat treated parts is comparable or even exceeds it.
Major publications
Kempen, K., Vrancken, B., Buls, S., Thijs, L., Van Humbeeck, J., Kruth J.-P. (2014). Selective Laser Melting of crack-free
high density M2 HSS parts by baseplate pre-heating. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 136(6), art.nr.
MANU-14-1285; doi: 10.1115/1.4028513.
Kempen, K., Thijs, L., Van Humbeeck, J., Kruth, J. (2014). Processing AlSi10Mg by Selective Laser Melting: Parameter
optimization and material characterization. Materials Science and Technology, art.nr. 10.1179/1743284714Y.
39
Marco Mercuri
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Dominique Schreurs
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Paul Leroux
E-mail Marco.Mercuri@esat.kuleuven.be
Development of contactless health monitoring sensors and integration in

wireless sensor networks
Fall incidents represent the most dangerous causes of accidents for elderly people. The rapid detection of a fall event can
reduce the mortality risk, increasing the chance to survive the incident and to return to independent living. The aim of this
Ph.D. research was to explore the base for future long-term health monitoring. More precisely, the objectives were the
design of a contactless sensing device enabling multi-parameter characterizations, which are fall detection and tagless
localization, and to integrate such sensors in a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) for full room coverage.
The detection of falls together with tagless in-door localization can be made contactless and therefore non-invasive by
adopting radar techniques. The radar is used to transmit an RF signal to a target and to receive the reflected echo, on the
basis of which the target's speed and absolute distance can be extracted. Moreover, the difference in speed signature
can be used to distinguish a fall event from a normal movement. The research methodology can be summarized as:
 to develop a radar-based sensor enabling fall detection and tagless localization;
 to investigate data processing algorithms, exploiting radar signals, to perform fall detection and tagless localization;
 to develop a WSN, integrating multiple sensors and a base station for real-time long-term health monitoring (Fig. 1).
Base Station
Long-term health monitoring:
 development of a radar-based sensor (Fig. 2);
Radar
 real-time fall detection with a max. delay of 0.3 s (Fig. 3); Sensor
 in-door tagless localization;
 WSN integrating multiple radar sensors and a base station.
Fig. 1: Proposed radar-based WSR.
falling
normal movement
falling
0 60 120
time (s)
Fig. 2: Developed radar sensor. Fig. 3: Real-time fall detection on a radar signal containing normal movements and
a fall invoked at about 42 s. The fall is detected in about 300 ms.
Major publication
M. Mercuri, P. J. Soh, G. Pandey, P. Karsmakers, G.A.E. Vandenbosch, P. Leroux, D. Schreurs, “Analysis of an indoor
biomedical radar-based system for health monitoring,” IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Techn., vol. 61, no. 5, pp. 2061-
2068, May 2013.
40
Devy Widjaja
PhD defence 01 April 2015
Funding IWT
E-mail devy.widjaja@esat.kuleuven.be
Cardiorespiratory dynamics: algorithms and application to mental stress

monitoring
The rate at which our heart beats, is a dynamical process enabling adaptive changes according to the demands of our
body. One of the main short-term modulators of the heart rate is respiration. This phenomenon is called respiratory sinus
arrhythmia (RSA) and comprises the rhythmic fluctuation of the heart rate at respiratory frequency. It has also widely
been used as an index of vagal outflow. However, research indicates that variations in respiratory rate and tidal volume,
change RSA, independently of vagal control. Inspired by the polemic nature of this debate on the interpretation of RSA,
this dissertation focuses on three topics: (1) the derivation of a respiratory signal from the electrocardiogram (ECG-
derived respiration) such that respiration does not need to be recorded separately; (2) the separation of the tachogram
(RRorig) in two components: one that is strictly related to respiration (RRresp), and another component that is unrelated to
respiration (RRres); and (3) the characterization of common dynamics in heart rate variations and respiration. The impact
of the latter two topics is evaluated on the application of mental stress monitoring.
 ECG-derived respiration (EDR): an algorithm based on kernel principal component analysis (kPCA) was developed to
derive a surrogate respiratory signal from single lead ECGs.
 Separation of respiratory influences from the tachogram: a thorough comparison study between several time domain
separation methods was conducted. Additionally, the separation in the time-frequency domain was evaluated.
 Characterization of dynamics in cardiorespiratory time series: information theory was used to assess directional
interaction in cardiorespiratory data and measures of information transfer, information storage, cross information and
internal information were proposed.

 ECG-derived respiration (EDR): the
method based on kPCA proved to
outperform state-of-the-art EDR methods
 Separation of respiratory influences from
the tachogram revealed that, in contrast to
what we hypothesized, especially the part
unrelated to respiration is very important
for mental stress monitoring
 Information dynamics: the results
demonstrate that, especially the internal
information is very informative for use in
cardiorespiratory time series during mental
stress monitoring. Fig. Respiratory signal (RESP), original tachogram (RRorig), the respiratory
component (RRresp) and a residual component (RRres) of the tachogram.
Major publication
D. Widjaja, A. Caicedo, E. Vlemincx, I. Van Diest, S. Van Huffel (2014). Separation of respiratory influences from the
tachogram: a methodological evaluation. PLoS ONE, 9 (7), e101713.
41
Po-Kuan Chiang
Supervisors Prof. dr. ir. Jean Berlamont
Prof. dr. ir. Patrick Willems
Funding Self-supporting
E-mail pokuan.chiang@gmail.com
Flood Control Combining Optimization Techniques with Hydrologic-Hydraulic

Modelling
Floods often cause huge economic and life losses, and flood hazards tend to increase. Water authorities - also in Belgium
- have to face increasing challenges and need to build a better control strategy to mitigate the flood damages. Therefore,
the overall objective of this research was to investigate real-time flood control of hydraulic structures. To achieve this
overall objective, three specific objectives were set. Objective 1 was to review the flood models and develop a fast and
precise model. Objective 2 was to develop a real-time control procedure, incl. an optimization model and objective
functions. Objective 3 was to carry out real-time flood control combining all models and testing for a specific case study.
A real-time flood control scheme integrates weather prediction, flood simulation and optimization models. This research
develops a conceptual river model that can be well identified and calibrated to the results simulated by a full
hydrodynamic model, applies an advanced control strategy by Model Predictive Control (MPC) and discusses its potential
performance for flood mitigation along the Demer river system as case study. The research methodology had three steps:
 Development of a procedure for conceptual river model buildup
 Development of an efficient MPC procedure optimized
by a Genetic Algorithm (GA)
 Application of the MPC + GA procedure to the case study

The advanced MPC + GA procedure applied to the extreme
flood event of Sept. 1998 solved the flood damages at water
level locations hzw2, hbgopw, hbg i.c.w. current operating rules, and:
Fig.1
 It keeps all 20 selected water levels beneath their flood levels
 It can search for better control policies to delay or avoid Fig. 1: Schematic overview of the conceptual model of the study area
Fig. 2: Comparison of the starting time (hour) of the flood within 48 hrs
flood occurrence and outperforms the current rule operation Fig. 3: Comparison of total cost
due to its better adaptability for flood emergencies Fig. 4: Current rule operation vs. MPC + GA for water level hzw2
Fig. 5: Current rule operation vs. MPC + GA for water level hbg
Fig.2 Fig.3 Fig.4 Fig.4
Major publications
1. Chiang, P.-K., Willems, P. (2015). Combine evolutionary optimization with model predictive control in real-time flood
control of a river system. Water Resources Management, [accepted].
2. Chiang, P.-K., Willems, P. (2013). Model conceptualization procedure for river (flood) hydraulic computations: Case
study of the Demer River, Belgium. Water Resources Management, 27(12), 4277-4289
42
Halil Kükner
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Rudy Lauwereins
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Liesbet Van der Perre
Funding imec vzw.
E-mail Halil.Kukner@student.kuleuven.be
Bias Temperature Instability in CMOS Digital Circuits

from Planar to FinFET Nodes
This thesis targets the reliability modeling of the Bias Temperature Instability (BTI) phenomenon in CMOS digital circuits,
while covering the scaling impacts from planar to advanced FinFET process technology nodes. Contributions of this
thesis are 1) to propagate the BTI modeling from device to processor data-path and local memory level, 2) by proposing
fast and still accurate simulation frameworks at various design levels, 3) to investigate the impacts of the BTI degradation
in CMOS circuits, and 4) to provide BTI-aware design guidelines at the device, gate and block level to the IC designers.
Research Methodology This thesis applies the state-of-the-art, world-wide recognized, physics-based models that
have been developed in KU Leuven & IMEC: Trap-based model and Capture/Emission Time Map-based model, due to
their superior modeling capabilities of the BTI degradation, especially in the decananometer devices.
 Simulation frameworks at various design levels have been constructed, e.g. transistor, gate, and netlist-level.
 Workload-dependent, instance-based, NBTI aging-aware library
characterization has been integrated within the typical STA flow.
 The impacts of the BTI degradation w.r.t. the logic gate type,
drive strength, stress waveform properties (frequency, periodicity),
architectural topology parameters on data-path blocks, the time
zero path replacement, etc. have been investigated.
 Voltage scaling at a slower pace than the dimensional b)
a)
scaling results in higher electrical field, triggering higher stress
levels, and higher BTI degradation.
a) In the deeply scaled nodes, a limited number of
 Deeply scaled FinFET devices degrade 2x faster than the defects (e.g. N = 12) makes the atomistic perspective
planar devices, due to increased electrical field. of the BTI degradation highly visible, where the lifetime
 BTI is workload-, and circuit architecture-dependent. expectancies of devices are widely distributed. b) A
Parallel architectures lowers the sensitivity of BTI to the complete CET map covers the entire space of defects,
workload variations. with short and long time constants.
Major publication
H. Kukner, S. Khan, P. Weckx, P. Raghavan, S. Hamdioui, B. Kaczer, F. Catthoor, L. Van der Perre, R. Lauwereins, and
G. Groeseneken. Comparison of reaction-diffusion and atomistic trap-based BTI models for logic gates. IEEE
Transactions on Device and Materials Reliability, 14(1):182–193, Mar 2014.
43
Roel Van Beeumen
Supervisors Prof. dr. ir. Wim Michiels
Prof. dr. ir. Karl Meerbergen
E-mail Roel.VanBeeumen@cs.kuleuven.be
Rational Krylov methods for nonlinear eigenvalue problems

Introduction
Eigenvalue problems arise in all fields of science and engineering. The mathematical properties and numerical solution
methods for standard, linear eigenvalue problems are well understood. However, recent advances in several application
areas resulted in a new type of eigenvalue problem, i.e., the nonlinear eigenvalue problem which exhibits nonlinearity in
the eigenvalue parameter.
We developed new rational Krylov methods for solving both small-scale and large-scale nonlinear eigenvalue problems:
 Polynomial and rational interpolation results in globally convergent methods inside the region of interest,
 Linearization of the corresponding polynomial and rational eigenvalue problems results in linear pencils,
 Exploitation of the special structure of the linearization pencils results in efficient and reliable software.

We proposed the Compact Rational Krylov (CORK) method as a generic class of numerical methods for solving nonlinear
eigenvalue problems. CORK is characterized by a uniform and simple representation of structured linearization pencils.
The structure of these linearization pencils is fully exploited and the subspace is represented in a compact form.
Consequently, we are able to solve problems of high dimension and high degree in an efficient and reliable way.
The family of CORK methods has a lot of flexibility for solving the
nonlinear eigenvalue problem. We discuss three particular types of
CORK methods. The first one is the Newton Rational Krylov method
which makes use of dynamic polynomial interpolation. The second one
is the Fully Rational Krylov method which uses rational interpolation and
has three viable variants: a static, dynamic, and hybrid variant. The third
one is the Infinite Arnoldi method which uses an operator setting to
solve the nonlinear eigenvalue problem. Finally, the proposed methods
are used to solve applications from mechanical engineering, quantum
physics, and civil engineering which were not solved earlier with the
same efficiency and reliability. Structure of linearization pencils and Krylov subspace
Major publications
R. Van Beeumen, K. Meerbergen, W. Michiels (2015). Compact rational Krylov methods for nonlinear eigenvalue
problems. SIAM Journal on Matrix Analysis and Applications.
S. Güttel, R. Van Beeumen, K. Meerbergen, W. Michiels (2014). NLEIGS: A class of fully rational Krylov methods for
nonlinear eigenvalue problems. SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, 36 (6), A2842–A2864.
R. Van Beeumen, K. Meerbergen, W. Michiels (2013). A rational Krylov method based on Hermite interpolation for
nonlinear eigenvalue problems. SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, 35 (1), A327–A350.
44
Geebelen Kurt
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Swevers Jan
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Diehl Moritz
E-mail kurt.geebelen@gmail.com
Design and Operation of Airborne Wind Energy Systems

Experimental Validation of Moving Horizon Estimation for Pose Estimation
This research investigates a new method to harvest wind energy, known as Airborne Wind Energy (AWE). In the method
explored in this thesis, an aeroplane flies a crosswind trajectory while it is tethered to a ground based winch consisting of
a drum connected to a motor/generator. The tether is wound up on the drum, and electricity is produced using the
‘pumping cycle’. In the first phase of the pumping cycle, the aeroplane delivers a high traction force on the tether while it
is being reeled out, causing the generator to produce electricity. Once the tether is fully unrolled, the aeroplane is
controlled such that the force on the tether is reduced and the tether is reeled in using only a fraction of the electricity
produced in the first phase. The first part of this research focuses on the development of experimental test set-ups for
airborne wind energy.
Unfortunately the benefits of airborne wind energy come at a cost. While a wind turbine only needs to be aimed towards
the wind to operate, an AWE system needs to be constantly controlled to fly a certain crosswind trajectory. Because of
this, AWE systems need an automatic control system, which in turn needs a reliable estimate of the system state. The
second part of this research investigates methods to fuse the different sensor measurements to form a reliable state
estimate.
Development of experimental set-ups

The purpose of the set-ups is to perform the ‘rotation start’, a start-up
method for AWE systems in which the tethered aeroplane is brought up to
speed by an arm rotating around a central vertical axis. The set-ups are
equipped with sensors and actuators to allow estimating and controlling the
position and orientation of the aeroplane such that it can track the desired
power generating trajectory. The figure to the right shows the outdoors set-
up which is developed in the course of the research and is capable to
launch aeroplanes with a wing span of 3 meter.
Pose estimation
Estimation of the aeroplane’s position and orientation is achieved by fusing
the different available sensor measurements. This is achieved by using a
technique known as Moving Horizon Estimation (MHE) which can reliably fuse the information from the nonlinear
system and measurement models and compared to traditional methods such as the extended and unscented Kalman
filter using both simulations and experimental data obtained on the indoors set-up. A method to fuse sensor
measurements that come at a different time scale is presented. MHE is shown to have both a better start-up behaviour
and average estimation performance than Kalman filtering techniques.
Major publication
Geebelen K., Vukov M., Wagner A., Ahmad H., Zanon M., Gros S., Vandepitte D., Swevers J., Diehl M. (2013). An
Experimental Test Setup for Advanced Estimation and Control of an Airborne Wind Energy System. In: Ahrens U., Diehl
M., Schmehl R. (Eds.), bookseries: Green Energy and Technology, Airborne Wind Energy, Chapt. 27. Heidelberg,
Germany: Springer, 459-471
45
Milan Vukov
Supervisor Prof. dr. Moritz Diehl
Co-supervisors Prof. dr. ir. Jan Swevers, Dr. Hans Joachim Ferreau
Funding FP7-EMBOCON, ERC HIGHWIND, Eurostars SMART
E-mail Milan.Vukov@esat.kuleuven.be
Embedded Model Predictive Control and Moving Horizon Estimation

for Mechatronics Applications
Introduction
The concepts of Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Moving Horizon Estimation (MHE) received widespread acceptance
in both industry and academia. This is due to the ability to explicitly define objectives and constraints in the framework of
dynamic optimization. Those key facts eventually lead to improved control performance. Progress in the area of
optimization algorithms and computational hardware in the last two decades have extended the applicability of numerical
optimization to mechatronics applications. Following the success convex quadratic programming (QP) solvers made in
linear MPC, the ideas have been extended for nonlinear MPC and MHE.
This thesis aims to further reduce the gap between academia and industry. With optimized software for nonlinear MPC
and MHE and extended problem formulations we can efficiently handle complex nonlinear systems, possibly working
under nonlinear constraints. We present recent extensions to the ACADO Code Generation Tool (CGT). Once specified,
the problem structure is exploited offline by the tool that generates the tailored code optimized for execution in real-time
environments. We demonstrate the strength of the newly developed features of the tool in numerical simulations and two
real-world applications.

Our numerical simulations show readiness to effectively treat problems on
both short and long horizons. For the systems with a few states and few
controls solution times in the microsecond range are observed. On another
side of the spectrum, a test case comprising 33 states and 3 controls and
a prediction horizon of 50 steps is possible to solve on modern hardware
in under 50 milliseconds. The first experimental study is the application of
nonlinear MPC and MHE to a laboratory scale overhead crane. Using the
original implementation of the ACADO CGT and only an MPC controller,
we achieved execution times close to 1 millisecond. With the recently
optimized code, we attained nearly the same execution times, now with
both nonlinear MHE and the MPC in the loop. The aim of the second real-
world application is to validate the computational performance of the auto-
generated MHE and MPC solvers on an experimental setup for rotational
start-up of an airborne wind energy system. The results confirm that
nonlinear MPC formulation with more than 1500 optimization variables is
solved in just less than 5 milliseconds.
Major publication
M. Vukov, S. Gros, G. Horn, G. Frison, K. Geebelen, J. B. Jørgensen, J. Swevers, and M. Diehl, “Real-time Nonlinear
MPC and MHE for a Large-scale Mechatronic Application,” 2015. (submitted to Control Engineering Practice).
46
Iveta Georgieva
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Lucie Vandewalle
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Luc Schueremans
Funding KU LEUVEN
E-mail iveta.georgiev@gmail.com
Behaviour and Design of Built-up Structural Elements

Composed of Thin-walled Cold-Formed Steel Profiles
Objective
This doctoral research addresses an increasing demand from the cold-formed steel (CFS) industry for more stable load-
bearing elements. The limited stability of standard CFS structural profiles is resolved in the thesis by using primary
elements composed of multiple profiles. Such elements are investigated due to their potential to achieve notably higher
load-bearing capacity and avoid overall and distortional buckling occurrences that may compromise a structure’s integrity.
The research contains a fundamental part on the theoretical behaviour of a number of built-up CFS cross-section shapes;
analytical and numerical analysis is performed and comparisons with existing design methods are documented.
 An extensive experimental part aims at validation or disproof of the presented theoretical models. The experiments
were executed in collaboration with Belgian CFS producers. Practical considerations had to be kept in mind - feasibility in
terms of production, transport, storage, (dis-)assembly, and overall cost (including labour).
 Numerical analysis was performed to simulate all experiments that were performed as part of the doctoral thesis – full-
scale tests and coupon tests to determine the material properties

The most important aspects in the behaviour of CFS built-up sections are
indentified:
 Different types of instabilities
 Slip in bolted connections
 Initial imperfections
An extension of the DSM towards arbitrary built-up sections was formulated
and validated with:
 Experimental results & Numerical (FEA) results
 Practical applicability and design considerations were also considered.
Novel built-up shapes with greatly improved buckling response were proposed
for implementation in industry (together with (inter)connecting elements);
The applicability, added value, and limitations of FEM-based analysis were
identified;
It was shown that through stability-aware design, resistances can be notably
increased and results scatter can be mitigated.
Major publications
I. Georgieva, L. Schueremans, L. Pyl (2012). Composed columns from cold-formed steel Z-profiles. Experiments and
code-based predictions of the overall resistance. Engineering Structures, 37 (4), 125-134.
I. Georgieva, L. Schueremans, L. Pyl, L. Vandewalle (2012). Experimental investigation of built-up double-Z members in
bending and compression. Thin- Walled Structures, 53 (4), 48-57.
I. Georgieva, L. Schueremans, L. Pyl, L. Vandewalle (2012) Numerical investigation of built-up double-Z members in
bending and compression, Thin-Walled Structures, 60 (11), 85-97.
47
Mário Henrique Cruz Torres
Supervisor Prof. dr. Tom Holvoet
Funding IWT, iMinds, KU Leuven
E-mail MarioHenrique.CruzTorres@cs.kuleuven.be
Decentralized Service Selection and Composition

Services computing facilitates the creation of large scale applications. Services are relatively small and manageable software units with
clearly defined interfaces. Applications then consist of orchestrated invocations of services, the so‐called composite services. The
services on which a composite service relies ‐ called component services ‐ have various quality of service (QoS) characteristics, such as
performance, reliability, availability, accuracy. Such quality parameters can be used by a composite service to select component
services when called for. Service selection and composition is particularly challenging when the system is large‐scale ‐ consisting of
thousands of nodes, components and composite services ‐ and dynamic ‐ where QoS varies. This thesis ambition is to create a highly
resilient system for dynamic service compositions.
First we defined a decentralized software architecture for dynamic service composition using delegate MAS, which is a coordination
mechanism originally targeted for large‐scale coordination and control applications. We implemented a prototype of our solutions
and deployed it on a computer cluster in order to perform experiments.
We performed experiments that were: The graph on the left

shows sample of a
‐ large and huge in scale (up to tens of thousands of nodes and
service network with
services).
1000 services.
‐ We assess the behavior of the system under failing conditions,
Below, we can see that
including drastic failure scenarios.
our approach, DMAS,
constantly creates
These experiments show that the approach is effective, efficient, service compositions
scales linearly, and can cope even with severe failures. with lower composition
Results & Conclusions time, than a reactive
Our delegate MAS approach was capable of creating better approach.
quality compositions, into terms of composition time, at a
higher communication cost tan a purely reactive approach.
We also show that our approach properly scales even with an
exponential growth in the size of the network where it is
executing.
Based on our results, we conclude that our approach can help in
the creation of large scale service systems, having thousands of
nodes.
Major publication
Cruz Torres, Mário Henrique; Holvoet, Tom. Self‐adaptive resilient service composition. Proceedings of the IEEE International
Conference on Cloud and Autonomic Computing (ICCAC 2014), London, UK, pp. 141‐150.
48
Xin Wang
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jan Swevers
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Joris De Schutter
Funding OPTEC, LeCoPro, DYSCO
E-mail xinwang521@gmail.com
Energy Optimal Model Predictive Control

Applications to point-to-point motions of linear time-invariant mechatronic systems
Introduction
Over the last three decades, significant development of advanced control technologies has enlarged the application
domain of mechatronic systems in industry. Due to the increasing customer expectations, many mechatronic systems are
facing challenging specifications with respect to energy consumption, production speed and positioning accuracy. This
has led to the current design challenges of advanced control technologies. Model Predictive Control (MPC) is one of the
most promising optimal control strategies because of its ability to take into account system constraints explicitly.
Energy-optimal MPC (EOMPC)

EOMPC aims at LTI mechatronic systems performing energy-optimal point-
to-point (PTP) motions within a required motion time. The EOMPC approach
is formulated as a two-layer optimization problem such that it is able to make
a smart trade-off between on-time arrival and minimal energy consumption of
the PTP motion. The developed EOMPC approach is validated on a
badminton robot experimentally. The results show that EOMPC guarantees:
Method Missed Energy

 Energy optimality. hits consumption
 On-time arrival. EOMPC 2 130 [kJ]
 System constraints. PEOS 7 137 [kJ]
TOMPC 2 238 [kJ]
PTOS 2 233 [kJ]
Offset-free EOMPC
Offset-free EOMPC improves the positioning accuracy of EOMPC. This is
realized by adopting a ’disturbance model’ strategy: the system state is
augmented with disturbance variables. Based on the ’disturbance model’,
the disturbances are estimated and their effects are cancelled. This
approach is experimentally validated on a linear motor test setup with
coulomb friction and cogging disturbances
Method RMS of Energy Motion time
error consumption
EOMPC 0.5 mm 24.33 guaranteed
Offset-free 4 um 27.88 guaranteed

EOMPC
Offset-free 4 um 40.88 Approximated (Q)

MPC
Major publication
X. Wang, J.Stoev, G.Pinte and J.Swevers, ”Classical and modern methods for time-constrained energy optimal motion –
Application to a badminton robot”, Mechatronics, Volume 23, Issue 6, September, 2013, pages 669-676
.
49
Jan Verveckken
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Johan Driesen
IWT (Agency for Innovation by
Funding
Science and Technology
E-mail jan.verveckken@gmail.com
Sliding Mode Control for Power Electronic Convertors in Transmission

and Distribution Grids - Applied to Three-Phase LCL-Filter Grid Coupling
and Series Convertor of UPFC
The desirable increase of switching frequencies in power electronics, promised by wide-bandgap semiconductors, shifts
the bottleneck in control towards computational processing power. Sliding mode controllers are known to have low
computation demands and high robustness, and their discrete control nature allows them to combine two control levels,
external control goal and internal switching state decision, in one controller.
We investigate if these controllers are able to reach state-of-the-art performance in power electronics applications.
Specifically, we investigate sliding mode control of three-phase LCL-filter
grid connections and of a series converter of Unified Power Flow
Controllers.
We adapt an analytic design method for analog filters to design an LCL
filter optimised for total life-cycle cost including projected incurred power
losses. We demonstrate it is cheaper then other design methods. We
Figure 1: Sliding mode control in αβ of LCL grid
demonstrate the first sliding mode controller for a three-phase LCL-filter
coupling. Grid side output currents.
grid connection, using a detailed three-phase model including the power-
electronic switches.
We derive a dynamic power flow model of a power line controlled by a
UPFC, and its instantaneous derivations. Thereby we isolate the key
instantaneous system dynamics to develop a Dynamic Inverse Model
Controller and a Direct Power Controller. With a detailed simulation of a
UPFC equipped with a multi-level inverter, including power-electronic
switches, we compare the designed controllers to continuous controllers
from literature, in balanced and unbalanced conditions. In a scaled
laboratory model with a multi-level inverter, we demonstrate the Direct Figure 2: UPFC Controller comparison:
Power Controller in balanced conditions. Simulation of controlled response to step in
Results & Conclusions active power reference, unbalanced conditions.
• The LCL-filter designed by our method is significantly
cheaper in the projected life cycle. • Direct Power Control outperforms all other
• The sliding mode controller for a three-phase LCL- controllers, and is demonstrated in a scaled
filter grid connection is demonstrated in simulations. laboratory model
• The developed controllers for series converter of a • Sliding mode control can achieve state-of-the-art
UPFC perform better than state-of-the-art in literature results in power-electronic applications,
in simulation in balanced and unbalanced conditions. demonstrated by several types of control problems
Major publication
Direct Power Control of Series Converter of Unified Power-Flow Controller With Three-Level Neutral Point Clamped
Converter, Verveckken, J. and Silva, F.A. and Barros, D. and Driesen, J., IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery vol:27
issue:3, 2012, June 25
.
50
Ye Tan
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jean-Pierre Kruth
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Wim Dewulf
Funding FWO
E-mail ye.tan@kuleuven.be
SCANNING AND POST-PROCESSING PARAMETER OPTIMIZATION FOR CT

DIMENSIONAL METROLOGY
Industrial CT, as an emerging technology for dimensional quality control, is increasingly favored by industry due to its
capabilities to provide geometric information of inner and hidden structures of complex or assembled parts. However,
industrial CT has not been widely accepted as an accurate measurement tool due to its high operator dependency and
lack of traceability on its measurement accuracy.
This PhD study investigates various influence factors and their correlations throughout the entire measurement loop of CT
dimensional metrology, including the workpiece’s properties, the scanning settings and the post-processing parameters.
Based on the results of this PhD research, optimization strategies in term of parameters for scanning and post-processing
have been proposed.
Experimental investigation is the primary research method within this PhD study. Various academic test setups are
developed to study different influence factors for CT dimensional metrology; furthermore, workpieces from the automotive
industry are also scanned to search for additional influence factors related to industrial applications. In addition to the
experimental approach, CT simulations are also performed so that one single influence factor can be well isolated and
investigated.
Figure 1. various academic experimental setups and workpieces from the industry

Based on the experimental and simulation results throughout
this PhD research, initial protocols are suggested for
“optimizing” the operator dependent scanning parameters and
for post-calibration strategy regarding CT dimensional
metrology applications.
Figure 2. Left: Decision

making flow chart for the
major CT machine
settings. Right: Case
dependent calibration
procedures for CT
dimensional metrology
applications
Major publication
Tan Y., Kiekens K., Welkenhuyzen F., Angel J., De Chiffre L., Kruth J.P., Dewulf W., “Simulation-aided investigation of
beam hardening induced errors in CT dimensional metrology”, Meas. Sci. Technol. 25 064014, doi:10.1088/0957-
0233/25/6/064014, 2014
51
José Oramas Mogrovejo
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Tinne Tuytelaars
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Luc De Raedt
Funding DBOF Research Fund KUL 3E100864

FP7 ERC grant 240530 COGNIMUND
Context-based Reasoning for Object Detection and Object Pose Estimation

In recent years, contextual information has been successfully used for improving object detection precision by removing
false hypotheses. Our objective is to investigate the potential of contextual information for improving object pose
estimation performance. In addition, we analyze methods to discover underlying higher-order relations between objects.
Finally, we analyze how to exploit object relations to improve object detection recall by retrieving object instances missed
after an initial detection step.
The first part of this thesis focuses on investigating the effect of contextual information to improve object pose estimation.
Our first approach exploits pairwise relations between objects within a collective classification setting to estimate the pose
of each object. Our second approach focuses on exploiting scene-driven contextual cues for the same task. In the second
part of the thesis, we focus on exploiting object relations for improving object detection. We propose a cautious approach
that uses the most certain/reliable object hypotheses as source of contextual information. In addition, we propose a Topic
Model formulation to discover underlying higher-order relationships between objects. Finally, we propose a method to use
relations-based methods to generate object proposals and improve object detection recall.
 Relations between objects can be used as a cue to improve
object pose estimation performance.
 Cautious inference increases the gains in performance
brought by contextual information for object detection.
 The scene can serve as a source of contextual information
for the task of object pose estimation.
 Assuming that objects are associated by underlying Contextual reasoning based on object relations
relationships increases the performance of relations-based
methods.
Top-view of the distribution of object-centered relations for cars

with the same pose (a) and opposite pose (b), respectively.
a) Detector and b) Detector + Proposals.
Key publications ( Undetected object instances in red )
Oramas M., J., De Raedt, L. Tuytelaars, T. (2013). Allocentric Pose Estimation. ICCV'13.
Oramas M., J., De Raedt, L. Tuytelaars, T. (2014). Towards Cautious Collective Inference for Object Verification. WACV'14.
Oramas M., J., Tuytelaars, T. (2014). Scene-driven cues for Viewpoint Classification of Elongated Object Classes. BMVC'14.
52
Carolina Varon
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Johan Suykens
E-mail carolina.varon@esat.kuleuven.be
Mining the ECG: Algorithms and Applications

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a very well-known diagnostic tool and it is among the most preferred tests in clinical
practice. Even though several studies in the literature have focused on its analysis, many challenges still need to be
tackled before fully relying on an ECG monitoring system. In this context, the main goals of this research are twofold. On
the one hand, it aims to develop algorithms for the extraction of informative features from the ECG that can be used for
the quantification of cardiac and respiratory activities. On the other hand, it evaluates the application and interpretation of
those informative features in sleep and epilepsy research.
Artifact
To achieve the main goals of this research, the whole track can be divided into detection
different blocks as indicated in Figure 1. The main challenges of this work are:
 A model selection approach for kernel principal component analysis
 A scoring system to differentiate contaminated from “clean” ECG segments Cardiac activity Respiratory activity
 Quantification of morphological changes of the ECG signal by means of
principal component analysis
 Evaluation of different ECG-derived respiration (EDR) algorithms on real and Cardiorespiratory
interactions
continuous datasets
 Quantification of cardiorespiratory interactions using only the ECG signal
 Quantification of cardiorespiratory interactions in epilepsy
Decision making
 Development of seizure detection algorithms based on single-lead ECG
 Development of an algorithm for sleep apnea detection from single-lead ECG Figure 1: Simplified diagram of a
monitoring system based on ECG
Step forward towards the monitoring  Children suffering from West syndrome and absence epilepsy have a
of epileptic seizures and sleep apnea reduced vagal tone during interictal activity.
in a home environment  In temporal lobe epilepsy patients only experience autonomic changes
during ictal activity.
 Epileptic children have a more fixed heart rate and a reduced
cardiorespiratory coupling which can compromise their defense
mechanisms against asphyxia and hypoxia.
 Partial epileptic seizures can be detected with a PPV larger than 80%.
 For generalized seizures, a PPV of 83% was reached, which until now
was not achieved by any other algorithm based solely on ECG analysis.
 Novel features allow to achieve accuracies of 85% for the detection of
sleep apnea
Major publication
Varon C., Caicedo A., Testelmans D., Buyse B., Van Huffel S. (2015). A novel algorithm for the automatic detection of
sleep apnea from single-lead ECG. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, in press.
53
Leandro Fernandez
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jaak Monbaliu
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Alessandro Toffoli
Funding FWO
E-mail Leandro.ha.fernandez@gmail.com
Statistics of Directional Wave Fields in Water of Finite Depth

Introduction / Objective: This research investigates the combined effect of higher order nonlinearity, directional spreading
and finite water depth on the statistical properties of surface gravity waves.
Research Methodology:
 Numerical simulations of the sea surface with random amplitudes and phases have been carried out using the higher order
spectral method (HOSM) developed by West et al. (1987) to solve the truncated Euler equations of motion. Three up to five
orders of the expansion were used. Several directional sea states were investigated, ranging from fairly long crested to
short crested wave fields at different relative water depths kh, being k the wavenumber of the main wave and h the water
depth.
 The phenomenon of modulational instability, known as one of the main mechanisms for the formation of rogue waves, was
assessed.
 The simulated data were compared with field measurements of short crested waves in water of finite depth at Lake George
(Australia) and with experimental data obtained in the wave basin of Marintek (Norway). Fig. 1.
Results & Conclusions:
1) Maximum elevation variation. (Fig 1):
 The modulational instability phenomenon is suppressed
for collinear wave fields in relative water depth kh<1.36
(collinear case in Fig. 1, d, e, f, g, h, i).
 They can still trigger wave modulation when a directional
wave field is considered, resulting in a wave elevation
growth (directional case in Fig. 1, d, e, f, g, h, i).
2) Wave crest height distributions (Fig. 2 and 3) :
 A deviation from linear and second order based statistics
is observed when a unidirectional wave field in deep
water is considered, Fig. 2, a.
 This deviation is suppressed when the directional spreading of the wave field is increased (Fig. 3, a, b and c) and
for kh < 1.36. (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, b and c).
Fig. 2. Fig. 3.
Major publication: L. Fernandez, M. Onorato, J. Monbaliu and A. Toffoli.

“Modulational instability and wave amplification in finite water depth”, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 14, 705-711, 2014
54
Prashant Agrawal
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Francky Catthoor
Funding Imec
E-mail prashant_agrawal@ieee.org
Application Partitioning and Architecture Instantiation along with Technology

Exploration for MPSoCs
Systems implementing embedded applications such as wireless communication, multimedia, etc., are expected to
continuously push boundaries in terms of energy efficiency, performance, cost and supported functionality. This has led to the
emergence of complex heterogeneous Multi-Processor System-on-Chip (MPSoC) based platforms. Design and
implementation of these MPSoC platforms are non-trivial, given the exponentially increasing design space that they present,
in terms of application, architecture and technology choices. Moreover, in deep-submicron technology nodes, it is now
inevitable to directly include the strong impact of the technology on architecture choices. Thus, not only a systematic
exploration approach but also a close coupling of different phases of system design, starting from high-level algorithm design
to low-level physical design, has become unavoidable. It will allow understanding and analysis of implications of design
choices across different design phases, in the face of increasing complexity of applications and architectures, and increasing
uncertainty in the underlying technology.
Application-Architecture Co-Exploration – This thesis has proposed a systematic methodology for application mapping and
architecture exploration. The proposed methodology enables an early exploration of the partitioning and assignment (P&A)
search space of the streaming multi-mode applications “together” with the available platform architecture choices.
Architecture-Technology Co-Exploration – This thesis explores the architecture and interconnect technology
implications of ne-grained 3D partitioning for complex MPSoC platforms instantiated for streaming multi-mode applications.
The thesis presents a design framework to carry out 2D versus 3D integration evaluations and comparisons.
Application-Architecture Co-Exploration – It has been shown that the proposed methodology achieves energy gains with
negligible area overheads by carrying out ne grained P&A exploration by considering the static and runtime dynamism
across and within the application modes. The methodology generates multiple heterogeneous partitions such that the tasks
assigned to a partition are well matched in complexity, parallelism, duty cycle and hardware requirements and do not have
conicting requirements. This ensures energy efficiency while minimizing the area overheads.
Architecture-Technology Co-Exploration – 2 layer 3D-SIC based on memory-on-logic 3D partitioning has been carried out
for MPSoC instantiated for wireless baseband processing. 2D, 3D-SIC Face-to-Back (F2B) and 3D-SIC Face-to-Face (F2F)
based integrations have been compared. It has been shown that Cu-Cu bonding based F2F stacking is more optimal than
TSVs/RDL/µbump based F2B stacking, both from interconnect and system-level architecture perspective. The impact of
variations in system level architecture parameters, such as on-chip communication structure, memory hierarchy, application
performance constraints, etc. have been shown across 2D and 3D-SIC integration technologies.
Major publications
 Milojevic, D., Agrawal, P., Raghavan, P., Van der Plaas, G., Catthoor, F., Van der Perre, L., Velenis, D., Varadarajan, R.,
Beyne, E. (2015). Ultra-Fine Pitch 3D-Stacked Integrated Circuits: Technology, Design Enablement and Application.
Handbook of 3D Integration – Volume 4: 3D Design, Test, and Thermal
 Agrawal, P., Milojevic, D., Raghavan, P., Catthoor, F., Van der Perre, L., Beyne, E., Varadarajan, R. (2014) System Level
Comparison of 3D Integration Technologies for Future Mobile MPSoC Platform. IEEE Embedded Systems Letters, 6(4),
pp. 85-88, Dec 2014.
 Agrawal, P., Raghavan, P., Hartmann, M., Sharma, N., Van der Perre, L., Catthoor, F. (2013). Early Exploration for
Platform Architecture Instantiation with Multi-mode Application Partitioning. Proceedings of Design Automation Conference
(DAC), pp.1-8, June 2013.
55
Milica Milošević
PhD defence 04 May 2015
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Bart Vanrumste
E-mail Milica.Milosevic@esat.kuleuven.be
Automated detection of epileptic seizures in pediatric patients using

accelerometry and surface electromyography
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases that manifests in repetitive epileptic seizures as a result of an
abnormal, synchronous activity of a large group of neurons. There is no cure for epilepsy and sometimes even medication
and other therapies, like surgery, do not control the number of seizures. In that case, long-term (home) monitoring and
automatic seizure detection would enable the tracking of the evolution of the disease and improve objective insight in any
responses to medical interventions or changes in medical treatment. Especially during the night, supervision is reduced;
hence a large number of seizures is missed. In addition, an alarm should be integrated into the automated seizure
detection algorithm for severe seizures in order to help the patient during and after the seizure. Frontal lobe and tonic-
clonic seizures are accompanied with violent movements which could lead to injuries; also there is the danger of
suffocation caused by vomiting or the breathing can be obstructed. Combined video/electroencephalography (EEG)
monitoring remains the gold standard for epilepsy monitoring, whereas solely EEG is traditionally used for automated
seizure detection in specialized hospitals. However, EEG electrodes have to be attached to the scalp by the trained
nurse, and long-term wearing EEG can become uncomfortable, which makes EEG-based home monitoring not feasible.
In this thesis, we investigate the application of less intrusive sensors, namely accelerometers (ACM) attached to the
wrists and ankles within wrist-bands, and surface electromyography (EMG) registering the muscle activity of the biceps at
both arms, for the detection of epileptic seizures. This thesis aims at developing automated seizure detection algorithms
using aforementioned modalities in pediatric patients.
Machine learning techniques, including feature selection and least-
squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) classification, were
employed for detection of tonic-clonic seizures from ACM and EMG
signals in leave-one-patient-out (LOPO) testing loop. In addition,
the outputs of ACM and sEMG-based classifiers were combined
using a late integration approach.
A multimodal approach resulted in a more robust detection of
short and non-stereotypical seizures, while the number of false
alarms increased significantly compared with the use of single
EMG modality. This thesis also showed that the choice of the
recording system should be made depending on the prevailing
pediatric patient-specific seizure characteristics and non-epileptic
behavior.
Major publication
Milošević, M., Van de Vel, A., Bonroy, B., Ceulemans, B., Lagae, L., Vanrumste, B., and Van Huffel, S. Detection of
epileptic convulsions from accelerometry signals through machine learning approach. In Proceedings of the IEEE
International Workshop on Machine Learning for Signal Processing MLSP (2014), IEEE, pp. 1–6.
56
Atul JAIN
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Stepan Lomov
Prof. dr. ir. Ignaas Verpoest
Co-supervisor
Prof. dr. ir. Wim Van Paepegem
Funding IWT Baekaland
E-mail atulatj@gmail.com
Hybrid Multi-Scale Modelling Of Damage And Fatigue In Short Fiber

Reinforced Composites
The main goal of this project is to develop, implement, and validate methodologies for the fatigue evaluation of short fiber
reinforced composites (RFRC) that are based not only on material tests but on a combination of manufacturing
simulation, micromechanical modeling and macroscopic fatigue behavior (Hybrid Multiscale Model).
A four step research strategy was used for the thesis:
Step 1: Choose the correct mean field homogenization scheme
Step 2: Micromechanics based damage model for SFRC
Step 3: Damage at the constituent level is linked to the macroscopic fatigue properties
Step 4: Process integration and validations
Each of the 4 steps are validated either by experimental tests and/or full FE calculations

 Mori-Tanaka formulation is found to be the most appropriate
mean field homogenization scheme (Fig 1)
 EqBI concept for treating fiber matrix debonding was developed

Fig 1: Mori-Tanaka formulation
and validated by full FE calculations (Fig 2)
predicts the stresses in individual
inclusions correctly while PGMT fails
 Master SN curve approach developed to predict the local SN
curves ~ only 1 SN curve is needed as input
 Framework for fatigue simulation is developed and validated for

component “Pinocchio” (Fig 3)
Fig 2: FE validation of the EqBI concept is

performed by using contact surfaces of
varying area
Fig 3: Stress contour and critical areas in Pinocchio
Major publication
Jain, A., Lomov, S.V., Abdin, Y., Verpoest, I., Van Paepegem, W., "Pseudo-grain discretization and full Mori-Tanaka
formulation for random heterogenous media: Predictive abilities for stresses in individual inclusion and
matrix" Composites Science and Technology. 87(0): p. 86-93.
57
Federica Gencarelli
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Marc Heyns
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Kristiaan Temst
email federica.gencarelli@student.kuleuven.be
Epitaxial growth of GeSn compounds for advanced CMOS and Photonics

applications
Introduction / Objectives
 Ge1-xSnx : emerging group IV semiconductor alloys with unique crystalline, optical and electrical properties.
 Several challenges to Ge 1-x Sn x growth: e.g. Sn equilibrium solid solubility in Ge below 1 at.%.
 Ph.D. work objectives: (i) develop a novel chemical vapor deposition (CVD) Ge1-xSnx growth approach, (ii)
investigate the kinetics and the chemical reactions involved in the Ge1-xSnx epitaxial growth mechanism
within the proposed CVD approach, (iii) investigate the Ge 1 - x Sn x materials properties.
 Low T (320 C) ATM pressure CVD process using a pioneering combination of Sn and Ge precursors: SnCl4 and Ge2H6.
 Kinetic study of the Ge1-xSnx growth process.
 Experimental & theoretical (density functional theory (DFT)) investigation of the precursors-surface interaction.
 Study of the Ge1-xSnx material properties via different characterization techniques.
Results and conclusions

Ge1-xSnx growth
 Novel CVD approach: > 11% substitutional [Sn].  Positive deviation from Vegard’s law: extraction of new
 Chemical reactions proposed explaining Ge1-xSnx growth. experimental bowing parameter.
 Determination of pPGe2H6crit to avoid phase separation.  Main strain relaxationmechanism: misfit dislocations at
the Ge1-xSnx /Ge interface.
Ge1-xSnx material properties

 Sn atoms preferentially incorporated as α-Sn defects.
 Sn-alloying-induced strain preferentially accommodated
via Ge-Sn bond bending.
 Thick strain-relaxed Ge 1-x Sn x layers’ growth

complicated by localized Sn precipitation and by
the development of island features with an
amorphous core (localized epitaxial breakdown).
Major publication
F. Gencarelli, B. Vincent, L. Souriau, O. Richard, W. Vandervorst, R. Loo, M. Caymax, M. Heyns, “Low-temperature Ge
and GeSn Chemical Vapor Deposition using Ge2H6”, Thin Solid Films, vol. 520, p. 3211, 2012.
58
Hasan Farrokhzad
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Bart Van der Bruggen
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Tom Van Gerven
Iran University of Science and
Funding
Technology
E-mail Hasan.farrokhzad@cit.kuleuven.be
Synthesis and modification of novel polymeric cation exchange membranes

Cation exchange membranes (CEMs) are widely used in ion separation technologies. The development of these
membranes is based on excellency in their electrochemical, thermal and mechanical properties. The main objectives of
this project was to synthesize novel hybrid and composite CEMs with a high performance salt removal for desalination
(comparable to commercial membranes) and selective cation removal for chlor-alkali (caustic soda) and water softening
applications.
The novel composite CEMs were synthesized by sulfonation of a hydrophobic polymer (PVDF) and using the solution
blending method (Fig. 1). The influence of the amount of sulfonated PVDF on CEMs properties and performance was
evaluated. Polyaniline (PANi) was used for surface modification of CEMs to make a monovalent cation selective
membrane. Meanwhile, a composite membrane of PANi/S-PVDF/PVDF was synthesized to enhance bivalent selectivity.
The main variable parameters of PANI which are influencing the CEMs performance were:
 PANi doping agents
 PANi molecular weight
 The amount of PANi in the composition.

 A novel composite CEM was synthesized with a high
salt removal, better than commercial CEM by using 70%
S-PVDF. Figure 1. Synthesis of S-PVDF polymer and S-
PVDF/PVDF CEM
 A novel hybrid CEM was synthesized by surface
modification of S-PVDF/PVDF CEM by PANi using a
specific doping agent that provided an excellent
monovalent selective CEM for chlor-alkali application.
A novel composite CEM for water softening was
synthesized by optimization of PANi molecular weight.
Major publication
H. Farrokhzad, T. Kikhavani, F. Monnaie, S. N. Ashrafizadeh, G. Koeckelberghs, T. Van Gerven, B. Van der Bruggen,
Novel composite cation exchange films based on sulfonated PVDF for electromembrane separations, Journal of
Membrane Science, 474 (2015)167–174. [impact factor: 4.908]
59
Juan Van Roy
Funding VITO (2y), EIT KIC InnoEnergy
E-mail vanroy.juan@gmail.com
Electric Vehicle Charging Integration in Buildings

Local Charging Coordination and DC Grids
Electric vehicle (EV) charging in buildings has a non-negligible impact on the in-building and low-voltage (LV) distribution
grid. It is widely accepted that the coordination of EV charging may reduce this grid impact, allowing more EVs to be
charged through the power system, without grid infrastructure investments. The literature mainly focuses on (large-scale)
optimization coordination for a certain objective, which requires a relative high EV penetration rate to be beneficial.
However, local clustering of EVs in buildings or LV distribution grids might already occur in the near-future, requiring local
charging solutions. Therefore, this dissertation focuses on the following local EV charging solutions:
 local EV charging strategies (rule-based control) in large buildings (apartment & office building), which require minimal
local or EV internal knowledge, and minimal or no communication in and outside the building.
 the use of DC grids to connect and charge the EVs in buildings.
The objective is to assess how these solutions can already limit the grid impact (mitigation of problems), in order to allow
a higher penetration rate of EVs and others, such as a heat pumps and PV systems, in the system.
In order to assess the grid impact of EV charging, two simulation tools have been
developed:
 A mobility behavior simulation tool, that creates realistic driving profiles for
individual vehicles in the fleet, based on available statistical data for mobility
behavior in Flanders.
 A Modelica library for electrical modeling, which can be used for the integration of
different multidisciplinary energy systems in buildings and districts. The following
models have been developed within the IDEAS framework: single/three-phase
IDEAS: Tool for integrated modeling
(unbalanced) AC grids and unipolar DC grids, and a battery and EV model.
All EV charging strategies succeed in reducing the grid impact, compared to uncoordinated charging: reduction of peak
powers (demand and/or injection), voltage deviations and/or voltage unbalance. Despite, every adaptation to the charging
profile (uncoordinated charging) may prolong or postpone the charging process, which may negatively impact the user
comfort. Nevertheless, the results show that these local EV charging strategies, which do not require any optimizations
and any communication outside the building, already allow to increase the EV penetration rate largely in buildings.
The hybrid AC-DC grid topology interconnects the PV system, the heat pump and the EVs through a common DC bus.
The main advantage of using DC grids is the balancing of the AC in-building grid. Both the voltage unbalance and the
minimum occurring voltages are positively impacted. Therefore, DC grids allow more EVs to be charged in the building
before the EN 50160 regulations regarding the voltage unbalance and deviations are violated.
Major publications
 J. Van Roy, N. Leemput, F. Geth, J. Büscher, R. Salenbien, and J. Driesen, “Electric vehicle charging in an office building microgrid with distributed
energy resources,” IEEE Trans. Sustain. Energy, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 1389–1396, Oct. 2014.
 J. Van Roy, N. Leemput, F. Geth, R. Salenbien, J. Büscher, and J. Driesen, “Apartment building electricity system impact of operational electric vehicle
charging strategies,” IEEE Trans. Sustain. Energy, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 264–272, Jan. 2014.
 J. Van Roy, B. Verbruggen, and J. Driesen, “Ideas for tomorrow: New tools for integrated building and district modeling,” IEEE Power Energy Mag.,
vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 75–81, Sep. 2013.
60
Maria Baka
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jan Van Impe
Co-supervisor Dr. ir. Estefanía Noriega Fernández
Funding FLOF bursaal KU Leuven
E-mail maria.baka@cit.kuleuven.be
Influence of food (micro)structure on growth dynamics of Listeria monocytogenes

Application to meat products
The effect of food (micro)structure on microbiological safety is not integrated yet in predictive models, which are decision
supporting tools for risk assessments, HACCP systems and process and product design. The objective of this study was
to investigate the effect of food matrix complexity on the growth dynamics of L. monocytogenes, with particular focus on
the influence of (i) background microflora, (ii) physicochemical characteristics and (iii) food (micro)structure of Frankfurter
sausages, in order to understand the most important factors necessary to be included in a model system for accurate
estimation of microbial growth dynamics.
 Characterisation of Frankfurter sausages for: (i) background
microflora, (ii) composition and physicochemical characteristics.
 Development of model systems of variable (micro)structures
as represented in Fig. 1, including previous research output .
 Comparison growth dynamics of L. monocytogenes from the
different model systems by fitting the data with the Baranyi and
Roberts model (1994) at 4, 8 and 12°C under vacuum. Figure 1. Different model systems of variable (micro)structures
In Figure 2, the following results can be observed:
 The fastest growth of L. monocytogenes occurs on canned meat , independently of temperature.
 Liquids and aqueous gels exhibit similar dynamics for L. monocytogenes growth.
 The slowest growth occurs in/on emulsions and gelled emulsions.
 Model systems of this study underestimated growth, possibly due to the different source of proteins than on canned meat.
(4°C) (8°C) (12°C)
Blue: liquids
Red: aqueous gels
Pink: emulsions
Green: gelled emulsions
Black: canned meat
Figure 2. L. monocytogenes growth dynamics in/on the five different model systems at three temperatures.
Major publication
M. Baka, E. Noriega, E. Tsakali, J. Van Impe (2015). Influence of composition and processing of Frankfurter sausages on
the growth dynamics of Listeria monocytogenes under vacuum. Food Research International, 70, 94-100.
61
Carlos Gonzalez de Miguel
Funding KIC-Active SubStations
E-mail Carlos.gonzalezdemiguel@esat.kuleuven.be
Directional Fault Passage Indicators for Isolated Neutral Distribution Grids

The increasing penetration of Distributed Generation (DG) in the distribution grid that is nowadays taking place
challenges the Network Operators to maintain the reliability indexes achieved in prior years. The contribution of the DG-
units to the short-circuit currents can cause the mal-operation of devices that are not designed to operate under bi-
directional current flows. However, in the isolated-neutral grounding system the bi-directional fault currents do not affect
the performance of fault detection devices in case of phase-to-ground faults, the most common fault type.
For this fault type, this earthing system is known as highly reliable because (i) the line-voltages remain unchanged during
the fault and (ii) the fault currents are low (difficult to detect), with a high probability of becoming self-extinguishing faults.
Because of this, the fault location is mostly based on a trial-and-error switching sequence, until the fault is isolated. This
procedure is very time-consuming if performed with manually-operated switches and sectionalizers.
Towards reducing the outage time, grid investment is required. One of the options is installing directional Fault Passage
Indicators (FPI). The technology has already proven to be a cost-effective solution to improve reliability in other grounding
systems. Because of the particular features of the isolated-neutral system, directionality is required in any case, with or
without DG. Implementing directionality in the conventional way requires installing voltage sensors and the devices are
still susceptible to non-detection of high fault impedance faults.
The objective is to propose new algorithms for FPI to achieve directionality with low use of resources, so that the FPIs are
reliable and cost-effective, with improved performance.
In order to achieve directionality, the phenomena that take place in isolated neutral grids during faulted conditions, as well
as during non-faulted conditions, have been analyzed. Based on the reported phenomena, new algorithms have been
developed following the structure of patent documents.

The main contributions of the thesis are three different methods to detect the direction in phase-to-ground faults in
isolated-neutral grids. The first two methods do not require the installation of voltage sensors, whereas the third method is
designed for small current fault detection, using zero-sequence voltage and current measurements.
Major publication
C. Gonzalez, E. Alvarez and M. Garcia, “Method and Apparatus for Detecting a Direction of a Ground Fault in a
Multiphase Network, PCT/EP2015/052719, 10.02.2015 .
62
Begül Bilgin
Prof. dr. ir. Vincent Rijmen
Supervisor
Prof. dr. Pieter Hartel
Co-supervisor Dr. Svetla Nikova
E-mail begul.bilgin@esat.kuleuven.be
Threshold Implementations
As Countermeasure Against Higher-Order Differential Power Analysis
Embedded devices are used pervasively in a wide range of applications some of which require cryptographic algorithms
to provide security. However, an attacker can use the physical behavior of the device, such as the instantaneous power
consumption during execution, to reveal sensitive information. Threshold implementation (TI) is a countermeasure
method used to remedy this problem. Our goal is to develop techniques such that this method can be applied to a wide
range of algorithms and can be used to counteract stronger attack scenarios.
We approached the problem from both theoretical and practical aspects. We focused on the typical building blocks of
cryptographic algorithms such as permutations. We
performed a mathematical investigation to determine 1st-order attack on unprotected AES implementation (2.6 kGE)
to which of these permutations threshold
implementations can be applied and what are the
implementation requirements. We also theorized the
application of this method with increasing attack
resources. We then moved to performing analysis on
FPGA implementations of cryptographic algorithms in
order to test the practicality of our theory.
1st-order attack on 1st-order AES TI (8.2 kGE)
We described how all the 3- and 4-bit permutations,
some of the cryptographically significant 5- and 6-bit No significant correlation,
permutations and 8-bit inversion should be hence the attack is not
implemented to achieve a given security level. We applicable
extended our results to cryptographic algorithms such
as AES, KECCAK and KATAN. Our analysis showed
that increased security requires more area (in terms of
2nd-order attack on 1st-order AES TI (8.2 kGE)
NAND-gate equivalence - GE) and randomness and in
some cases cause slower implementations. However,
this performance loss is minor considering the security
gained as shown in the figures. Left figures show the
attack results using 50k (top) and 10 million (middle
and bottom) traces. Right figures show what is the
maximum correlation coefficient over number of traces
used.
Major publications
Bilgin, B., Gierlichs, B., Nikova, S., Nikov, V., and Rijmen, V. Trade-offs for Threshold Implementations Illustrated on
AES. IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems, 2015, 13 pages, to appear.
Bilgin, B., Nikova, S., Nikov, V., Rijmen, V., Tokareva, N., and Vitkup, V. Threshold Implementations of Small S-boxes.
Cryptography and Communications, 7(1):3–33, 2015.
63
Bruke Daniel Jofore
Supervisor Prof. dr. Christian Clasen
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Paula Moldenaers
Funding FWO
E-mail Brukedaniel.jofore@student.kuleuvn.be
Rheology and morphology of confined fluids containing deformable

particles
The dynamics of complex fluids close to solid boundaries is of great interest in different processes from physiology to industry. The
details of complex fluid behavior depends on the nature of the underlying microstructure as well as on their inter-particle and particle
wall interactions. The aim of this work is to study the effect of confinement on the rheology and morphology of fluids containing
deformable particles. It involves experimental investigation of flow of model deformable particles under confinements that reach a length
scale of the fluid microstructure. This work will provide an insight into the effect of confinement and particle deformability on the
dynamics of complex fluid flows and, finally, utilize these experimental observations in the development of scaling arguments for micro-
scale flow phenomena.
The second generation of the flexure based microgap rheometer (N-FMR) is used to carry out micro-gap rheological experiments. This
instrument enables rheological exploration to gaps range of 1 to 400 µm. In this thesis in order to form complex fluids containing
deformable particles model microgel particles with controllable elasticity, size and morphology are used. Furthermore, suspensions of
red blood cells were used to study effect of confinement in
Physiological systems.

The rheology of complex fluids is strongly gap dependent
specially when the measuring gap is close to the characteristic
micro-structural length scale . The strong gap dependent slip
flows observed in smooth shearing geometries can be The microscopic mechanisms that dictate the flow of
described by elastohydrodynamic theory. Confinement induces deformable particles in confinement can be explained in
structural freezing and postpones flow to higher yield stresses. terms of coupled elastic and elastohydrodynamic viscous
forces.
Effect of slip: Effect of geometrical
confinement:
Build up of stress with
decreasing gap
Universal scaling
argument:
Major publication
Jofore, Bruke D., Philipp Erni, Paula Moldenaers, and Christian Clasen. "Rheology of microgels in single particle
confinement." Rheologica Acta (2015)..
64
Vincent De Smet
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Luc Van Gool
Funding IWT
iMinds
E-mail irvincentdesmet@gmail.com
Learned Regressors and Semantic Priors for Efficient Patch-Based

Super-Resolution
This doctoral thesis deals with the enhancement of digital images by increasing their resolution, a field commonly referred
to as super-resolution. Whether an image or a video is being used in common multimedia channels like television, printed
media and the internet or in scientific research domains such as computer vision, a high resolution image is almost
always preferable to a low-resolution image. Our goal in this thesis is to introduce novel single-image super-resolution
methods that improve over current methods in terms of execution speed and output quality.
 To improve the execution speed we formulate the sparse super-resolution problem as a Tikhonov regularization which
has a closed form solution. We can then use this to calculate projection matrices offline and store them so that at run-time
we can apply the stored projections very efficiently. We call this method ANR (Anchored Neighborhood Regression).
 We then propose using raw image patches to calculate the projection matrices rather than dictionary atoms. The
execution speed remains the same as ANR but the output quality improves significantly. We named this method A+
(Adjusted Anchored Regression).
 We improve the output quality further by using semantic information known about the scene from automatic detection or
manual segmentation and creating specialized training dictionaries.
 We also propose a generalized framework for super-resolution and image denoising that allows nonuniform image
patches to be used. We make this possible within realistic time scales by using integral images to calculate the ideal
patch size and shape.
 ANR improves execution speed 10x-100x while retaining
the output quality of other state-of-the-art methods.
 When keeping the same speed as ANR, the output
PSNR of A+ improves 0.2 - 0.7 dB over ANR.
 Adding semantic information improves some semantic
classes more than others, but almost always improves
overall results.
 Allowing nonuniform patches improves average PSNR
0.6 dB for denoising and 0.2 dB for super-resolution.
 We also show that super-resolution can be useful for
minimally invasive surgery and forensic image restoration.
Major publications
De Smet, V., Namboodiri, V. and Van Gool, L. "Nonuniform image patch exemplars for low level vision." Applications of
Computer Vision (WACV), 2013 IEEE Workshop on. IEEE, 2013.
Timofte, R., De Smet, V. and Van Gool, L. "Anchored neighborhood regression for fast example-based super-resolution."
Computer Vision (ICCV), 2013 IEEE International Conference on. IEEE, 2013.
65
Katrien Van Nimmen
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Guido De Roeck
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Peter Van den Broeck
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Geert Lombaert
Funding Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology
Numerical and experimental study of human-induced vibrations of footbridges

For footbridges, human-induced vibrations are a matter of growing
concern, often constituting the critical design requirement. Currently,
designers are forced to rely on - what are assumed to be `conservative' -
equivalent load models, upscaled from single-person force
measurements. The concerns of vibration comfort and safety are
strengthened by unexplored human-structure interaction (HSI)
phenomena. This work addresses the experimental identification and
analytical modelling of crowd-induced loading with a specific focus on the
Figure 1: The Eeklo footbridge subject to
vertical component and corresponding HSI phenomena.
human-induced vibrations.
An extensive experimental study is performed to identify the relevant
dynamic properties of the footbridge and the human body. In addition, a
methodology is developed for the ambulatory characterisation of the
walking behaviour (figure 2), providing an essential input for the
simulation and verification of the human-induced loads.
A comprehensive parametric study is performed to investigate the
mechanical interaction between the crowd and the supporting structure.
The numerical findings are validated by means of a comprehensive full-
Figure 2: Characterisation of human-induced
scale experimental observations.
loading by 3D inertial motion tracking.
A numerical model for pedestrian excitation including HSI is proposed
(figure 3). The impact of HSI on the structural response is evaluated for
various pedestrian densities and footbridge parameters.
It is found that HSI-effects are primarily determined by the natural
frequency of the footbridge and the crowd to structure mass ratio. The
most significant effect of HSI is in the effective damping ratio of the
coupled system which is much higher than the inherent structural
damping.
It is concluded that the mechanical interaction with the crowd is relevant
for the vertical low-frequency dynamic behaviour of footbridges.
Moreover, the associated reduction in structural response is sufficiently
large for consideration in design. Design procedures which disregard HSI
are believed to lead to over-conservative designs.
Major publication
Van Nimmen, K. and Lombaert, G. and Jonkers, I. and De Roeck, G.
and Van den Broeck, P., Characterisation of walking loads by 3D
inertial motion tracking, Journal of Sound and Vibration 333(2), 5212- Figure 3: The developed moving crowd model
5226, (2014).
66
Bart Ons
Supervisor Prof. Hugo Van hamme
Co-supervisor Dr. Jort Florent Gemmeke
Funding IWT-SBO 100049
E-mail Bart.ons@esat.kuleuven.be
The Self-taught Speech Interface

In speech-enabled command-and-control applications, the spoken commands are usually restricted to a predefined list of
phrases and grammars. These conventions work well as long as the system does not have to stray too far from the
training material and the conditions considered by the designer. Speech technology would benefit from training during
usage, thus learning the vocalizations and the expressions of the user. Designing a vocal user interface (VUI) model from
this developmental perspective is not a trivial problem. The VUI should learn to understand speech from learning
examples. A learning example consists of two sources of information: the command spoken by the user and the
demonstration of the commanded action. We aim at learning to understand a command from a few incrementally
demonstrated learning examples (one command at a time) without phonetic transcriptions or segmentation annotations.
We also aim at widen accessibility to users with non-standard speech such as dysarthric speech.
To this end, we introduce and adopt different procedures in our VUI-model that learns from a few learning examples. The
followed approach links the acoustic patterns (embedded in the spoken commands) to concepts (referring to device
actions) by using joint non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). The method represents the data by its recurrent acoustic
and semantic patterns and the incidence of these patterns in the data. Recurrent patterns are more easily spotted by
batch learning in which all data is available at once. More difficult is to learn these patterns incrementally from piecewise
presented data in epochs. Besides batch learning, we develop procedures for incremental and adaptive learning by
exploiting maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation and implementing forgetting factors.
The learning curves are an assessment of the quality of learning (accuracy, Y-axis) in function of the number of learning
examples (X-axis). We analyze the learning curves by numerous experiments in realistic learning scenarios
implemented on computer.
Figure 1. The full line is the final result on the Acorns corpus. Figure 2. Here, we used the Domotica-3 corpus containing
Improvements are obtained by speaker-dependent training, dysarthric speech. Incremental learning (Pink line) is a
soft clustering and empirical selection of the codebook sizes. feasible alternative to former batch learning procedures. It is
The dashed line is the first obtained result on the same data. also fully adaptive.
100
95 90 10 commands
90 27 commands
85 80
80
75
70
F-score
70
65
60
60 Incremental learning:
55 adaptive speaker-dependent GMM
50
50 adaptive speaker-dependent NMF
40
Batch learning:
speaker-dependent codebook
speaker-dependent NMF
30
50 100 200 400 800 >1750 0 50 100 150
number of utterances
Major publication
B. Ons, J. F. Gemmeke, H. Van hamme (2014). Fast vocabulary acquisition in an NMF-based self-learning vocal user
interface. Computer Speech & Language, 28(4), 997-1017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.csl.2014.03.004
67
Christos Trompoukis
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jozef Poortmans
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Robert Pierre Mertens
E-mail Christos.trompoukis@gmail.com
Photonic nanostructures for advanced light trapping in thin silicon solar

cells
In order to tackle the problem of incomplete light absorption of thin crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells, advanced light
trapping concepts based on photonic nanostructures have been proposed. However, the limited number of photonic
assisted c-Si solar cells is an indication of how challenging their fabrication is due to a trade-off between their optical and
electrical properties. The objective of this thesis is to fabricate and integrate 2D photonic nanostructures in thin c-Si slabs
so as to increase the light absorption of thin c-Si slabs without compromising the material’s electrical properties.
In this thesis we demonstrated the fabrication of 2D photonic
nanostructures by nanoimprint lithography and dry plasma etching
and their integration in thin c-Si solar cells. A significant absorption
enhancement resulted in an increase in the energy conversion
efficiency of the photonic-assisted thin solar cells (Figure 1) [1].
However, silicon etching by dry plasma etching caused a decrease
in the material quality while the resulting topographies posed
limitations on the conformality of subsequently deposited thin-films.
In order to avoid these issue, we developed 2D periodic inverted
nanopyramids fabricated by nanoimprint lithography and wet
chemical anisotropic etching as an alternative [2], resulting in:
i) low surface recombination velocity and Figure 1. 2D periodic nanostructures integrated in
ii) good contacting properties a 1 um thin c-Si solar cell, enhancing its
efficiency from 4.4% to 4.8% due to the better
Results & Conclusions light trapping.
2D photonic nanostructures were fabricated by developing and fine
tuning two lithography (nanoimprint and hole mask colloidal) and two
etching (dry plasma and wet chemical) techniques. We achieved the
fabrication of nanopatterns with topographies which range from periodic
to random nanostructures and from inverted nanopyramids to parabolic
hole profiles (Figure 2). The source of the material degradation seen
after dry plasma etching was identified in the presence of:
i) interface states and a high density of dangling bonds due to the
surface roughness
ii) the presence of sub-surface defects
resulting in high surface recombination velocities and low carrier
lifetimes. The inverted nanopyramids developed as an alternative offer
the potential to be successfully integrated in a high efficiency solar cell. Figure 2. An overview of the fabrication
possibilities of 2D photonic nanostructures
Major publication studied in this thesis.
[1] C. Trompoukis et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 101 (2012) 103901.
[2] C. Trompoukis et al., Progr. Photovolt. Res. Appl. 23 (6), 734-742 (2014), DOI: 10.1002/pip.2489.
[3] C. Trompoukis et al., Phys. Status Solidi (a) (2014), DOI: 10.1002/pssa.201431180
68
Van Nieuwenhuyse Anneleen
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Nauwelaers Bart
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. De Strycker Lieven
E-mail Vannieuwenhuyse.anneleen@gmail.com
Feasibility of Indoor Localization using Angle of Arrival with Low

Complexity Hardware
This research aimed at localizing transmitting objects in an indoor setup where the occurrence of signal reflections may
disturb the measurements. An object is localized using the Angle of Arrival (AoA) technology performed on multiple anchor
nodes. The three major tracks of this research are:
 The development of a linear phased antenna array, operating at 2.435 GHz, with a limited number of antennas and using
off-the-shelf components.
 Define the resolution of the system. How far must two sources must be apart to detect both of them? What are the
influences of the design parameters?
 What localization errors are common for this system for different setups and using different angle of arrival detection
algorithms. Theoretical simulations are verified with practical data.
 Design of a practical antenna array with four antennas, based on I/Q demodulation
to detect incident angles using the AoA algorithms Beamscan, MUSIC and ESPRIT
 The resulting main beam of the beampattern has a -3 dB beamwidth varying with
the direction. Closer sources are indistinguishable and represent the resolution.
 Theoretical beamwidths are used in simulations to predict the resolutions
 Verified with practical beamwidths
 Measured incident angle ≠ true incident angle which leads to localization errors
 Simulation tool to predict localization errors
 Verified in practical setups: Anechoic room and empty room with and without shielding
 Localization Errors
 Resolution
• Match between theoretical and practical results
• Better with
Beamscan ESPRIT MUSIC
extra antennas /
Anechoic Room 29 cm 35 cm 29 cm
extra anchors
• Linearly Empty Room
related to 1 angle 95 cm 91 cm 120 cm
room area 2 angles - 45 cm 51 cm
 Definition of
Empty room with shielding
reference value
1 angle 54 cm 48 cm 53 cm
Major publication 2 angles - 36 cm 34 cm

A. Van Nieuwenhuyse, L. De Strycker, N. Stevens, J.-P. Goemaere, and B. Nauwelaers. Analysis of the Realistic Resolution
with Angle of Arrival for Indoor Positioning. International Journal of Handheld Computing Research, 4(2):1–16, 2013.
69
Emre Ylmaz
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Hugo Van hamme
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Dirk Van Compernolle
E-mail emre.yilmaz@esat.kuleuven.be
Noise Robust Exemplar Matching for Speech Recognition and Enhancement

The main objective of this thesis is to investigate the feasibility of obtaining a noise robust exemplar matching (N-REM)
system by combining two data-driven acoustic modeling approaches, exemplar matching and exemplar-based sparse
representations. Such a system can be achieved by replacing the fixed-length exemplars of the exemplar-based sparse
representations with the exemplars of the traditional exemplar matching. In this way, we create an exemplar matching
technique that is intrinsically noise robust. This thesis investigates the recognition performance of the proposed
technique under various noise scenarios and describes a time warping scheme and several data selection techniques.
The N-REM framework models noisy speech mixtures as a weighted sum
of non-negative speech and noise exemplars. The speech exemplars are
organized in separate dictionaries based on the associated speech unit
and duration to have a more accurate model for each speech unit in the
feature space. The exemplar weights are obtained by solving a convex
optimization problem. After finding the exemplar weights, the
reconstruction error (RE) provided by each dictionary is calculated and the
recognition output is found by applying dynamic programming to find the
dictionaries yielding the minimum RE.
The performance of the proposed system is compared with the conventional GMM-HMM and exemplar-based sparse
representation recognizers. The first exemplar-based sparse representation technique, sparse classification (SC), infers
state likelihood estimates for an HMM system from the exemplar weights and performs a modified Viterbi decoding to
find the most likely state sequence. The second technique, feature enhancement (FE), reconstructs the speech
component using the speech exemplars and their weights and recognizes the enhanced features using a conventional
GMM-HMM recognizer trained either on original or enhanced training data. The N-REM technique has provided
impressive results at lower SNR levels on small vocabulary noisy recognition tasks compared to the other systems.
The extension of the N-REM technique on larger

vocabulary tasks remains as a future work.
Combining the proposed technique with other
statistical acoustic models is expected to benefit
from the noise robustness of exemplar-based
acoustic modeling and better discrimination of the
statistical models providing improved recognition
performance at all SNR levels.
Major publication
E. Ylmaz, J. F. Gemmeke, H. Van hamme (2014). Noise Robust Exemplar Matching Using Sparse Representations
of Speech. IEEE/ACM Transactions on Audio, Speech, and Language Processing, 22 (8), 1306-1319.
70
71
Filipe BEATO
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Bart Preneel
Funding Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT)
E-mail Filipe.Beato@kuleuven.be
Private Information Sharing in Online Communities

Online social networks (OSNs) have taken the world by storm, boasting users in the hundreds of millions. At the same
time, OSNs create treasure troves of sensitive information, collecting and processing large amounts of data about the
users and their activities, leading to several privacy concerns. Whilst service providers try to mitigate this by restricting
access, the information published online is persistent and quickly spread. Currently, there are a limited number of
mechanisms that allow individuals to enforce their own privacy controls over information uploaded to be shared among
OSNs. In this thesis, we propose privacy-enhancing solutions that provide users with more control over the shared
content on OSNs, while enforcing privacy by means of practical and efficient cryptographic primitives.
We modeled end-to-end encryption for OSNs using cryptographic building blocks to developed different private sharing
schemes, such as symmetric key cryptography, broadcast encryption, identity-based encryption, and secret sharing for
the key management. In addition, we modeled undetectable communication and designed subsequently a general covert
information scheme delivering provable undetectability. Finally, taking advantage on the users' friendship connections in
the OSN we develop a system for browsing OSNs anonymously, while taking advantage of the high-availability storage
and communication tools from modern OSNs. In this way we enforce privacy as content confidentiality for multiple
recipient and group scenarios, such that OSN providers are kept oblivious of the shared content and its intended
recipients, as illustrated in the following figure.
OSN
Publ i sh Ret r i eve
m m
A lice C Friends of A lice
(R A l i ce )
Summarizing, we proposed the following along. .with practical
. E n d- t o- E n d .evaluation
.. achieving a limited computation overhead.
• We proposed a Collaborative joint protocol based on secret sharing that achieves confidentiality and allows
collaborative joint access control definitions for OSNs.
• We designed privacy-enhancing schemes for privately sharing information among multiple recipients on OSNs based
on cryptographic primitives, that keep any user oblivious of the content and the identity of the intended recipients.
• We modeled undetectability in the context of OSNs and suggested a general covert sharing scheme achieving
undetectable communication.
• We also devised a system that allows users to browse OSNs while keeping their traces anonymous towards the
provider, by relying on friendship connections.
Major publication
Beato, F., Kohlweiss, M., and Wouters, K., Scramble! your social network data. In PETS 2011 (Jul. 2011), S. Fischer-Hübner and N.
Hopper, Eds., vol. 6794 of LNCS, Springer, pp. 211–225.
Beato, F., Conti, M., Preneel, B., and Vettore, D., Virtualfriendship: Hiding interactions on online social networks. In IEEE CNS 2014
(Oct. 2014), Y. Chen and R. Poovendran, Eds., IEEE, pp. 328–336.
72
Jan Knopp
Funding 3D Coform, FWO, ERC Cognimund
E-mail knopp1j@gmail.com
Large-scale Classification and Retrieval of 3D Shapes

We focus on these three points: i) automatic categorization
of the previously unseen objects; ii) retrieval of a 3D query
from a large database; iii) detecting, segmenting and
gleaning objects in 3D scenes.
(a) Training data (b) 3D ISM (c) Classification
Proposed method
We extend the popular 2D SURF feature detector/descriptor Illustration of 3D ISM model. (a) Features are highlighted by
the color points that represent different visual words. (b) or
to 3D and take advantage of representing objects by a set of each visual word, we store its relative position to the object
local features associated with the geometry and relative center. (c) In the test part, visual words cast votes where they
position to the center. Using this, we show state-of-the-art expect the center of the object.
results in classification and we also introduce new constraints
that help in retrieval. We used our previous findings and combined them for joint detection and segmentation.
Completion was achieved by investigating the power of deep learning (especially Restricted Boltzmann Machines) in 3D.
Segmentation and labeling on Ottawa dataset. Each color

corresponds to a class. Points detected as background are
not shown.
Shape search results on archaeological data. Given a

query shape, our algorithm is capable to retrieve relevant
shapes from the large dataset. Shape search was tested on
the real-life dataset from museums (shown above) as well as Shape completion. Object structure is automatically learnt to
on the synthetic benchmarks. complete extremely occluded object. The missing regions are
highlighted by cubes in column 1 and are completed in voxel
representation in columns 2 (meshed result is also plotted in
columns 3).
Major publication
J. Knopp, M. Prasad, G. Willems, R. Timofte, L. Van Gool. Hough Transform and 3D SURF for robust three dimensional
classification. In Proceedings of the IEEE European Conference on Computer Vision, 2010
73
Marco Patrignani
Supervisor Prof. dr. Dave Clarke

Prof. dr. ir. Frank Piessens
Funding FWO
E-mail marco.patrignani@cs.kuleuven.be
The Tome of Secure Compilation:

Fully Abstract Compilation to Protected Modules Architectures
A compiler is a complex software artefact that, among other things, translates programs written in a source-level language
into programs written in a target- level one. To be secure, a compiler must preserve source-level security policies in the
target-level programs it generates. This thesis presents a secure compiler from an object-oriented Java- like language to
untyped assembly code extended with protected module architectures (PMA) – an isolation mechanism of modern
processors. Moreover, it studies the behaviour of assembly code extended with PMA by means of fully abstract trace
semantics.
To reason about the compiler, its source and target language are formalised:
 The source language is called J+E
 The target language is called A+I
The compiler between J+E and A+I is a function [[ ]] that maps programs in
J+E to programs in A+I.
To prove that [[ ]] is secure, it is proven to be fully abstract [Abadi '99]:
To simplify this proof, contextual equivalence at the A+I level is replaced with The prototype implementation of the
trace equivalence, after A+I is extended with a fully abstract trace semantics: secure compiler show that the
overhead it introduces is negligible and
proportional to PMA (Fides) boundary
crossings.

As the compiler is proven to be fully abstract, it is proven to be resilient to malicious attackers injecting A+I code.
The fully abstract trace semantics for A+I serves as a basis for reasoning and proving properties about A+I code.
Major publications
 Patrignani, M., Agten, P., Strackx, R., Jacobs, B., Clarke, D., and Piessens, F. Secure compilation to protected
module architectures. ACM Transactions on Programming Languages and Systems (TOPLAS) 2015.
 Patrignani, M., and Clarke, D. Fully abstract trace semantics for protected module architectures. In Computer
Languages, Systems & Structures, 2015.
74
Sen Yan

Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Guy A. E. Vandenbosch
E-mail Sen.Yan@esat.kuleuven.be
METAMATERIAL DESIGN AND ITS APPLICATION FOR ANTENNAS

Metamaterials are materials engineered to have properties that have not yet been found in nature. They have received
increasing attention due to their unique electromagnetic properties, and are widely used in the design of microwave
devices and antennas with novel performances. However, due to the fast development of flexible portable devices,
antennas with multiple functions, based on variable structures, are still in urgent demand. This is the motivation of this
PhD project. We aim at designing several novel metamaterials, and use them to further improve the performance of
antennas. This will give more design freedom and a better performance for wireless communication systems.
• Metamaterial design:
• Working principles and circuit models for three types of
metamaterials with different functions
• Full-wave simulation, parameters study, and measurement
• Physical explanations behind the phenomena
• Potential applications in antennas and other devices
• Antenna design:
• Operational theory and design schedule
• Modeling, simulation, fabrication and measurement
• Dual band textile antennas with high front-to-back ratio
(FBR) and low specific absorption rate (SAR)
• Wearable antenna performances on human body
Fig. 1. Compact circular polarizer based on
• Zeroth-order mode radial patch antennas with arbitrary size, planar chiral metasurface [1].
flexible shape, and omnidirectional radiation pattern
• Low-profile patch antennas integrated with slot dipole based
on artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) plane

• Three types of metamaterial are proposed, i.e. the coated dielectric
sphere-based metamaterial with a wide negative refractive index
(NRI) band, the encapsulating meta-molecule with high quality
factor, and the planar metasurface with huge chirality.
• Several antennas based on metamaterials are designed, including
dual-band textile patch antennas based on the CRLH-TL, radial
patch antennas operating at zeroth-order mode and negative
modes, and low profile antennas loaded with an AMC plane. Fig. 2. Textile dual-band antenna based on
CRLH TL [2].
Major publication
1. S. Yan, and G.A.E. Vandenbosch. "Compact circular polarizer based on chiral twisted double split-ring resonator," Applied Physics
Letters, 102.10 (2013): 103503.
2. S. Yan, P.J. Soh and G.A.E. Vandenbosch. "A wearable dual-band composite right/left-handed (CRLH) waveguide textile antenna
for WLAN applications,“ Electronics Letters, 50. 6 (2014): 424-426. (colour feature article)
3. S. Yan, P.J. Soh, and G.A.E. Vandenbosch. "Low-profile dual-band textile antenna with artificial magnetic conductor plane," IEEE
Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 62. 12 (2014): 6487-6490.
75
Yi Li
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Guido Groeseneken
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Liesbet Lagae
Funding imec
E-mail Yi.Li@imec.be
Metallic nanopores for single-molecule DNA sensing

In the emerging field of nanopore-based biosensors, DNA and other biomolecules are detected at
the single molecule level by monitoring the resistive blockade that occurs upon threading single
molecules through a nanopore. These single molecule ionic transport blockades contain many
biophysical properties including sequence information, structural and mechanical features of a
single biomolecule. The development of the nanopore technology could hence enable to reveal
the DNA sequence, genomic mapping positions or as simple as the size/length discrimination of
biomolecules. There are, however, still major challenges, related to the molecular specificity and
the resolution of the read-out and related to the control of the biomolecule translocation process.
We proposed a novel device consisting of a solid-state
nanopore and an integrated metallic nanocavity, supporting
both ionic and optical readout. We experimentally
characterized the ionic performance of the nanocavities and
nanopore-in-cavity devices, respectively both in dark
conditions and upon laser illumination.
We interpreted the characterization results and develop a
numerical model to describe the ionic transport and heat
Figure 1. Plasmonic enhanced ionic noise of metallic nanopores.
transport in our metallic nanopore system. We finalize by
presenting the results of DNA transport through these
devices without and with laser illumination. We analyzed the
light-induced ionic noise and identified an optimal, low-noise
device geometry (Figure 1). In addition, for the particular
case of a dielectric nanopore embedded in a metallic
nanocavity, we have observed light induced switching of the
ionic current. We were able to explain this qualitatively by
invoking nanobubble generation effects (Figure 2).
Summarizing, the nanopore-in-cavity devices pave the way
to simultaneous ionic and optical readout of single
biomolecules that can contribute to the realization of high-
resolution optical spectroscopy of single molecules. Figure 2. Photoresistance switching of plasmonic nanopores.
Major publication
(1) Yi Li, Chang Chen, Sarp Kerman, Pieter Neutens, Liesbet Lagae, Guido Groeseneken, Tim Stakenborg, and Pol Van
Dorpe. Harnessing Plasmon Induced Ionic Noise in Metallic Nanopores. Nano Lett., 13(4):1724–1729, 2013.
(2) Yi Li, Francesca Nicoli, Chang Chen, Liesbet Lagae, Guido Groeseneken, Tim Stakenborg, Henny W Zandbergen,
Cees Dekker, Pol Van Dorpe, and Magnus P Jonsson. Photoresistance Switching of Plasmonic Nanopores. Nano Lett.,
15(1):776–782, 2015.
76
Maarten Strackx
PhD defence 01 June 2015
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Paul Leroux
Funding SCK•CEN AWM
E-mail maarten.strackx@esat.kuleuven.be
Pulsed UWB radar design for remote sensing

In current radiotherapy treatment, real time measurements to measure the absorbed radiation dose directly in the tumor
are seldom performed. The proposed UWB radar will give radiotherapists the ability to measure this absorbed dose,
which improves quality assurance. The measurement system relies on the radiation induced changes in the complex
permittivity of organic tissue. The hardware implementation in CMOS is considered for its low-cost properties.
Research Methodology receiver transmitter
This work investigates the targeted application using:
Proof-of-concept contactless permittivity measurements.
Custom UWB antenna design for remote sensing.
1D target modeling for hardware specifications estimation.
Hardware implementation in CMOS.
Application measurement setup using lab devices.
With the UWB radar setup, it is demonstrated that changes in
permittivity are detected using gel dosimeters. Changes in H2O by
adding C12H22O11 or NaCl were also detected without any contact. For
improved target response, an UWB Vivaldi antenna array with 11 dB
gain was developed.
A second main research activity focuses on the hardware
implementation level. For the transmitter, a flexible FPGA based UWB
pulse generator was developed, capable of generating pulses with just
670 ps of duration, corresponding to a -10 dB bandwidth of 2.8 GHz.
On the receiver side, two 40 nm CMOS chips were designed:
A 5.5 GHz ERBW, 5.8-b, T/H with bulk switching and a 50 Ω output
driver with only 10 fF of input capacitance.
A 1.6 GHz ERBW, 4-b, SAR ADC with a novel T/H replica FB (left) FPGA based UWB pulse generation, (right)
technique, reducing the INL and increasing the pulse fidelity factor. 40 nm CMOS SAR ADC with T/H replica feedback.
Major publication
M. Strackx, E. D’Agostino, P. Leroux and P. Reynaert, “Direct RF Subsampling Receivers for Breast Cancer Detection
with Impulse-Based UWB Signals”, in IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems-II: Express Briefs, vol. 62, no. 2,
pp. 144-148, Feb. 2015.
77
Xue Wang
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Bart Blanpain
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jan Degrève
Funding FWO G.0433.10N

E-mail xwang82@outlook.com
Numerical Simulation of Two-Dimensional Bubble Dynamics and Evaporation
Gas bubble-melt interaction plays an important role in non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgical processes. Due to the opacity
of the liquid metal and high temperature characteristics, bubbles can be better visualized in a quasi-two-dimensional
Hele-Shaw cell (Fig. 1). Meanwhile, a numerical simulation can overcome the experimental difficulties and provide a
partial understanding of the related multiphase phenomena. The main objective of the study is therefore to simulate the
two-dimensional bubble dynamics and evaporation quantitatively.
Water model was used due to similar kinematic viscosity.
The bubble dynamics was simulated by a 2D volume of fluid
method coupled with a continuum surface force model and a
wall friction model. By adjusting the viscous resistance
values, bubbles in different gap thicknesses h were simulated
and validated by experimental results (Fig. 2).
The interface mass transfer model was coupled to simulate
the evaporation induced bubble growth.
Fig. 1: Illustrution of a Hele-Shaw cell.

The model can predict similar bubble behavior (shape,
terminal velocity, shape oscillation and path instability).
The pressure and velocity distribution in the liquid are
quantified.
The effect of gap thickness h on the terminal velocity and
drag coefficient is evaluated.
The effects of evaporation parameter, shape oscillation,
bubble size and temperature on the interface evaporation are
discussed.
Fig. 2: Bubbles in experiment and simulation.
Major publication
X. Wang, B. Klaasen, J. Degrève, B. Blanpain, F. Verhaeghe (2014). Experimental and numerical study of buoyancy-
driven single bubble dynamics in a vertical Hele-Shaw cell. Physics of Fluids, 26:123303.
78
Roel De Coninck
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Lieve Helsen
Funding KU Leuven Energieinstituut
E-mail roeldeconinck@gmail.com
Grey-Box Based Optimal Control for Thermal Systems in Buildings

Unlocking Energy Efficiency and Flexibility
The implementation of model predictive control (MPC) in buildings could enable an improved thermal comfort, lower
operational costs and lower CO2 emissions. Moreover, such a controller can offer services to the energy market by using
the flexibility of the building energy system to shift its loads. Unfortunately, MPC has not yet been applied to many
buildings. The main reason is the large implementation effort, in particular for developing the control model.
The objective of this work is to develop and demonstrate a tool chain for automated deployment of MPC in buildings
based on data-driven, grey-box building models. The tool chain serves two purposes in order to facilitate the transition
to a low-carbon society:
1. energy efficient building operation and
2. optimal use of building flexibility
Result: flexibility
A methodology is proposed to
quantify the flexibility of a building.
The methodology returns both the
amount of electricity that can be
shifted and the associated costs for
the building operator. This
information is represented on a cost
curve. While most of the day, the
studied building can deliver flexibility
at a lower cost than the imbalance
price in the Belgian power system,
there are several hours where the
flexibility is more expensive.
Result: Energy efficiency

The implementation of MPC on a pilot project shows heating cost
savings of 30% to 40% compared to a conventional controller.
Major publication
R. De Coninck, F. Magnusson, J. Åkesson, and L. Helsen, “Toolbox for development and validation of grey-box building
models for forecasting and control”, Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 2015, Accepted on 28/04/2015
79
Iris Van Steenwinkel
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. arch Ann Heylighen
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Chantal Van Audenhove
Funding ERC & Research Fund KU Leuven
E-mail iris.vansteenwinkel@asro.kuleuven.be
Offering architects insights into living with dementia

Due to memory loss, most people with dementia are
increasingly disorientated in space, time, and identity.
The built environment is expected to hold potential for
offering support in orientation, but adequate design
knowledge is still lacking. This PhD research offers
architects insights into experiences of people with
dementia, and explores how architecture can support
them in orientating.
A novel approach was developed to inscribe this PhD
research in current emancipatory discourses on housing
and caring for people with dementia, and to bring the
findings closer to the discipline of architecture. The
research is built up around three case studies: two
private housing settings, and one residential care facility.
In each case study ethnographic techniques are
combined with an architectural analysis.
Mary’s house contains “little worlds”, like her
Results & Conclusions armchair in the living room: spaces that are
The case studies give voice to people with dementia and narrow enough to provide a sheltering
provide insights into their experiences in a format that environment and that offer personal places
allows architects to develop affinity with their perspective. where Mary has her belongings ready-to-hand.
Points of attention in designing architecture for people

with dementia:
• Design strategic places that allow people to be
occupied with a daily life activity in a comfortable,
This PhD research could
more or less active way; enhance dialogues between
• Include architectural qualities often found in
contemporary housing: light, roominess, openness
architects and their clients, and
to the exterior; broaden their view on possible
• Take into account the social dynamics of people
living together; roles of architecture in the daily
• Articulate proper boundaries and connections lives of people with dementia.
between different spatial entities and domains.
Major publication
Van Steenwinkel, I., Van Audenhove, C., & Heylighen, A. (2014). Mary’s Little Worlds: Changing Person-Space
Relationships When Living With Dementia. Qualitative Health Research, 24(8), 1023–1032.
80
Thomas Suetens
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Bart Blanpain
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Karel Van Acker
CR³: Center for resource
Funding
recovery and recycling
The Recovery of Zn and Fe from Electric Arc Furnace Dusts

The Feasibility of In-Process Separation
Introduction
When galvanized steel scrap is recycled, zinc containing Electric Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD) is produced. Since more than
50% of all produced zinc is used in galvanizing, EAFD play a key role in the life cycle of zinc. In this work we considered
and compared different dust treatment technologies.
After identifying In-Process Separation as the technology with the highest potential, the underlying thermodynamics and
kinetics were examined.
Three technologies were considered: the Waelz Kiln (reference
technology), Rotary Hearth Furnace (new emerging technology), and In-
Process Separation (new concept). In order to compare them objectively,
an exergy analysis was performed.
The second part of the PhD focused mainly around identifying potential
risks for the In-Process Separation technology and providing the science
to strengthen the concept.
The following methods were used:
 Electromicroscopic analysis of EAFD (Figure 1)
 Thermodynamic calculations (e.g. FactSage)
 Kinetic reaction experiments (Figure 2) Figure 1: EDS mapping of EAFD
 MATLAB feasibility model based on diffusion results. highlighting Zn (green) and Fe (orange)

This work led to 4 major results:
 In-Process Separation drastically
outperforms other technologies
 One reaction can hinder Zn
recovery: the gas-solid reaction of
Zn-vapor with iron oxide
 The high-temperature diffusion
kinetics were determined (Figure 3)
 A model was developed that can
predict the Zn recovery by applying
Figure 2: Reacted Fe2O3 pellet Figure 3: The diffusion coefficients of
In-process Separation
various elements in magnetite.
Major publication
T. Suetens, B. Klaasen, K. Van Acker, and B. Blanpain (2014). Comparison of electric arc furnace dust treatment
technologies using exergy efficiency. Journal of Cleaner Production, 65, 152-167.
81
Sorna Khakzad
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Koenraad Van Balen
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Luc Verpoest
Sorna.Khakzad@bwk.kuleuven.be or
E-mail
Sorna_serena@yahoo.com
Integrated Approach in Management of Coastal Cultural Heritage

Maritime and coastal cultural landscape is an important part of our
cultural resources in the coastal areas. Although, integrated coastal
zone management (ICZM) has theoretically addressed the importance
of cultural ecosystems, cultural resources have mostly been
overlooked in holistic management plans, resulted in loss of many
benefits out of cultural resources, which is due to the lack of proper
definition and evaluation of coastal cultural heritage. The present
research offers new methods for defining and evaluation of coastal
cultural heritage with the aim to include it into ICZM.
An interdisciplinary method of investigation is applied in order to
achieve the objectives of this research. Through learning from natural
resources management experiences, this research applies the theory
of Integrative Complexity, which bridges disciplines such as social, Integrative Evaluation
economic, natural sciences to investigate specific frontier situation as
it is emerged in the coastal areas between the sea and the land.
Following tools were developed through this research and were tested for
coastal area of Ostend, Belgium.
1. Genaral guidelines to include coastal cultural heritage in ICZM & MSP.
2. Integrative Evaluation Tool.
3. Defining coastal cultural heritage: Coastal cultural middle-ground.
Ostend Coastal
Cultural Middle Ground
Coastal cultural middle ground: links &

connection between heritage & people.
Major publication
Khakzad, S. and Van Balen, K. (2012), Complications and Effectiveness of In Situ Preservation Methods for Underwater
Cultural Heritage Sites. Journal of conservation and management of archaeological sites, Vol. 14, 69–78
.
82
Stijn Jonckheere
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Dirk Vandepitte
Funding IWT Vlaanderen
E-mail Stijn.Jonckheere@kuleuven.be
Wave based and hybrid methodologies for vibro-acoustic simulation with

complex damping treatments
Over the past years, the vibro-acoustic behaviour has become a key design feature of products. The evolution is
instigated by growing customer expectations and ever tightening regulations. Moreover, the trend towards lightweight
materials requires even more the use of multilayered damping treatments to keep the vibro-acoustic properties within
requirements. To avoid time consuming physical prototyping engineers need the tools to develop their products virtually.
This dissertation aims at the development user-friendly, highly efficient numerical techniques that allow the numerical
modelling and simulation of vibro-acoustic problems with complex, multilayered damping treatments. These should serve
a double purpose:
 User-friendly numerical techniques for quick predictions
Incorporation of Transfer Matrix (TM) models for damping treatments in vibro-acoustics Wave Based (WB) models
 Efficient and accurate models for detailed insight
Combining the Finite Element Method (FEM) for complex damping treatments with the vibro-acoustic WBM
Especially for the results, the use of one or more figures
is highly recommended to make your one-page poster to
itemize or summarize your results:
 Extension of the WBM for vibro-acoustic simulation
through inclusion of TMM schemes and improvement
of their use in a WB framework through exploitation of
their angle dependency (Figure 1).
 Extension of efficient and flexible hybrid FE-WB
schemes for vibro-acoustics with complex damping
treatments (Figure 2).
Figure 2 – Improved efficiency of Hybrid FE-WBM for
acoustic-poroelastic problems
Figure 1 – Improved accuracy of TM models in a WB framework through exploitation of angle dependency

Major publication
1. S. Jonckheere, E. Deckers, B. Van Genechten, D. Vandepitte, W. Desmet. A direct hybrid Finite Element – Wave
Based Method for the steady-state analysis of acoustic cavities with poro-elastic damping layers using the coupled
Helmholtz-Biot equations. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 263:144–157, 2013.
2. S. Jonckheere, D. Vandepitte, W. Desmet. A Wave Based approach for the dynamic bending analysis of Kirchhoff
plates under distributed deterministic and random excitation. Computers & Structures, 156:42–57, 2015.
83
Jef Maerien
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Wouter Joosen
Agency for Innovation by Science
Funding
and Technology
E-mail Jef.maerien@cs.kuleuven.be
A Secure Framework for Shared Networked Embedded Systems

Introduction
Networked embedded systems are slowly becoming more ubiquitous.
Everything from the lights in our buildings, the locks on the door, till the coffee
machines in the kitchen will be equipped with tiny embedded computers. Often
we want to share these devices with others. This clearly turns security is a major
issue. In these shared embedded environments we see two major questions:
1) How can the different stakeholders express their security requirements for
these networked embedded systems.
2) What is the minimal size of an embedded security framework that enables
this sharing in a secure fashion.
Smart office environment
To answer these questions, we identified the necessary set of
interactions our framework must support, based on a threat
model. Then for each of these interactions we:
• Developed a set of abstractions, identifying and modelling
the information necessary to capture the requirements of
all relevant stakeholders.
• Designed a protocol or system securing that interaction.
• Implemented a prototype and validated the approach.
Software architecture of the security framework

We validated this work further by integrating the different systems in one large
integrated framework for securing the entire lifecycle of networked embedded
systems. Next we used this framework to build a secure smart office
environment. In this smart office, embedded nodes continuously monitor
temperature, light, and motion, and provide access control to the cupboard
containing the valuable coffee pads for the local smart coffee machine.
This validation shows that even resource constrained devices can support the
necessary infrastructure to enable secure sharing of embedded services.
Additionally this work has shown the necessity of having good management and
Overview of the different stakeholder roles
security abstractions to significantly decrease the complexity and effort required
to manage these large deployments of shared networked embedded systems.
Major publication
Jef Maerien, Sam Michiels, Danny Hughes, Christophe Huygens, and Wouter Joosen. SecLooCI: A comprehensive security
middleware architecture for shared wireless sensor networks. In Ad Hoc Networks, Volume 25, Part A, February 2015, Pages 141-169
84
Sareh Rezaei Hosseinabadi
Co-supervisor Dr. Anita Buekenhoudt
Flemish Government agency for Innovation
Funding
by Science and Technology (IWT) (IWT 110019).
E-mail Sareh.Rezaeihosseinabadi@cit.kuleuven.be
Organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) : Unraveling the fundamentals of OSN

Collect a matrix of experimental results of new functionalized
ceramic membranes.
Explore the full application potential of the new functionalized
membranes in organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN).
 Better understand and to be able to predict the transport process
in OSN.
Two types of characterizations have been performed on both modified Figure 1. Grignard modification of ceramic membranes.
and unmodified membranes: physico – chemical characterisation
(contact angle measurements and micro-ATR/FTIR-spectroscopy) and
performance characterization (flux and retention measurements). 4-
day test with the mixture of PS in acetone was done to show the
stability of the modified membrane performance. Moreover, to
understand how to tune solvent-membrane-solute interactions in a
controlled way to enhance OSN performance, an extensive retention
study by choosing three PEG molecules, PEG-600, partially methyl
capped PEG and fully methyl capped PEG, and polystyrene as solutes,
all with almost the same size but different polarities, in a wide range of
solvents including water, ethanol, dimethylformamide, isopropanol,
acetone, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, methyl ethyl ketone,
toluene, ethyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexane and methyl
cyclohexane was done. To unravel the transport mechanism properly,
the pressure effect of flux and retentions was thoroughly investigated.
The Spiegler-Kedem theory, taking into account both diffusion and
convection transport mechanisms, was used as a basis for a
fundamental explanation of the results and explaining competing
contributions of diffusion and convection in solute transport.

Innovative/flexible grafting using Grignard reagents : FunMem®
amphiphilic (CA < 90°) : high fluxes for water + apolar solvents
 MWCO FunMem = MWCO native
Affinity-based separations possible :
 enhanced performance in organic solvent nanofiltration Spiegler‐Kedem theory :
 explanation by changed solvent – solute – membrane affinities
 separation of solutes with idem size, but different polarity  reflection coefficient: σ = 0.95,
 solute permeability: Ps = 1.5
Spiegler-Kedemd theory offers an elegant way of interpretation of all results
Major publication
S. Rezaei Hosseinabadi, K. Wyns, V. Meynen, R. Carleer, P. Adriaensens, A. Buekenhoudt, B. Van der Bruggen, "Organic solvent
nanofiltration with Grignard functionalized ceramic nanofiltration membranes ", Journal of Membrane Science,454 (2014) 496–504.
[impact factor: 4.908]
85
Rutger Claes
Supervisor Prof. dr. Tom Holvoet
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Wouter Joosen
Funding IWT, KULeuven & iMinds
E-mail rutger.claes@cs.kuleuven.be
Anticipatory Vehicle Routing

Delegate multi-agent systems based coordination could provide the basis for an Advanced Traffic Information System
that helps drivers make better decisions by taking into account the effects of the choices they and their fellow road users
make. The main research question handled in my thesis is “Can delegate multi-agent systems be used as the core
mechanism of an ATIS for large-scale coordination of traffic? And if so, what adaptations are necessary for delegate
multi-agent systems to work in traffic.”
To evaluate the use of delegate multi-agent systems in traffic we developed a proof of concept ATIS system called
AntTIS. The effects of AntTIS on traffic on an urban and national scale where evaluated using traffic simulations. The
percentage of drivers participating in the AntTIS system was variable throughout the simulations to analyze the effects of
partial participation.

5.5
The simulations show that the ATIS system manages to assist its 5.0
users in making route choices. While it is not an alternative to the

Travel Time (min)
experience drivers gain from daily commuting, it can help drivers

Route
Original
Alternative
make better decisions when faced with unknown situations.

4.5
Given sufficient participation, the predictions generated based on 4.0
the intention propagation are accurate enough to help drivers avoid

unnecessary congestions. 20 40 60 80
Simulation time (min)
 Delegate multi-agent systems can be used as the basis for an 180
ATIS
 Intention propagation can be used to predict future travel times
Predicted travel time
measurement
160
 Sufficient participation is required for meaningful predictions

0 min
1 min
2 min
5 min
10 min
140
0 20 40 60 80
Simulation time (sim)
Major publications
R. Claes and T. Holvoet. Traffic Coordination Using Aggregation-Based Traffic Predictions, Intelligent Systems, IEEE
29(4): 96-100, 2014
R. Claes, T. Holvoet, and D. Weyns. A decentralized approach for anticipatory vehicle routing using delegate multiagent
systems. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 12(2):364–373, 2011.
86
Bogaerts Bart
Supervisor Prof. dr. Marc Denecker
Prof. dr. Joost Vennekens
Co-supervisors
Prof. dr. Jan Van den Bussche
E-mail bart.bogaerts@cs.kuleuven.be
Groundedness in logics with a fixpoint semantics
In the field of knowledge representation and reasoning, many different logics are developed. Often, these logics exhibit
striking similarities, either because they emerged from related ideas, or because they use similar underlying fundamental
principles. We aim to formalise these common intuitions in a unifying framework.
In this text, we focus on the domains of logic programming,
autoepistemic logic, default logic and abstract dialectical
frameworks. In these domains, researchers have made use of a Intuitively, a set x is grounded for an operator if
similar intuition: that facts (or models) can be derived from the whenever we remove some objects from x, at least one
ground up. We provide a formal definition of groundedness in of these objects is re‐derived by the operator.
lattice theory and study how it relates to concepts defined in
approximation fixpoint theory, an abstract algebraical framework
that unifies semantics of the aforementioned logics.

The main contributions of this dissertation are as follows:
 We define grounded lattice points and grounded bilattice points
and discuss the relationship with other fixpoints studied in AFT.
 We find a new characterisation of the A-well-founded fixpoint as
the least precise A-grounded fixpoint.
 We discuss the meaning of groundedness in logic programming,
autoepistemic logic, default logic, AFs and ADFs; we show that in
these contexts groundedness often formalises existing intuitions.
 We define a class of autoepistemic theories with a clear intended
model and show that the well-founded semantics fails to identify
this model. We generalise this observation to the algebraical
setting, resulting in the class of locally monotone lattice operators.
 We define, algebraically, a refined version of the Kripke-Kleene
and the well-founded semantics and show that the latter semantics,
applied to AEL, succeeds to identify the intended model for the Ungrounded Grounded
aforementioned class of autoepistemic theories.
Major publication
B. Bogaerts, J. Vennekens and M. Denecker (2015). Grounded fixpoints and their applications in knowledge
representation. Artificial Intelligence, 224, 51–71.
87
Ben Jeuris
Supervisor Prof. dr. Raf Vandebril
Supervisor Prof. dr. Johannes Nicaise
Fonds Wetenschappelijk
Funding
Onderzoek - Vlaanderen
E-mail ben.jeuris@cs.kuleuven.be
Riemannian Optimization for Averaging Positive Definite Matrices

Introduction
Large data collections often need to be represented by an average value which upholds certain properties, such as
reducing the noise level of repeated measurements or representing the central location of the data in case of clustering.
Averaging operations are applicable to a wide variety of data types and structures. We focus on the set of positive definite
matrices as a whole and on subsets containing all matrices of a desired structure. The geometric mean of positive
numbers possesses various useful properties in the context of averaging operations, which stimulated the search for a
generalization of the mean towards positive definite matrices.
The smooth manifold structure of the set of positive definite matrices can be
exploited in the theory of Riemannian optimization. We apply this rich theory to the
setting of the Karcher mean, the main instance of the matrix geometric mean, and
investigate a large number of first- and second-order optimization techniques.
An adaptation of the Karcher mean which accounts for additional matrix structure is
introduced and fully analyzed. In this analysis, an appealing link between linear
algebra and differential geometry was found.
Finally, we consider an application-inspired geometry for positive definite Toeplitz
matrices and its associated averaging operation. Both the geometry and the
averaging operation are generalized towards the set of positive definite (Toeplitz-
Block) Block-Toeplitz matrices. Riemannian steepest descent method.

We briefly highlight a few of our main contributions:
 An extensive overview of the various instances of the matrix geometric mean has
been given, accompanied by a detailed analysis of the Karcher mean and its
computation.
 The Karcher mean and a newly introduced approximation thereof have been used
in an application in bioinformatics, providing an improvement over the state-of-the-
art protein fold classification methods.
 We have introduced the structured geometric mean, an adaptation of the Karcher
mean which can preserve additional matrix structure.
Representation of a Toeplitz-  A generalization of an application-inspired mean towards the set of positive
Block Block-Toeplitz matrix. definite Toeplitz-Block Block-Toeplitz matrices has been proposed. We have also
provided an efficient, greedy approximation to this generalization.
Major publication
D. A. Bini, B. Iannazzo, B. Jeuris, R. Vandebril (2014). Geometric means of structured matrices. BIT Numerical
Mathematics, 54 (1), 55-83.
88
Maria Josefina Carbone
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Peter Van Puyvelde
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Bart Goderis
Funding TOTAL
E-mail jo_ccarbone@hotmail.com
Poly(lactic acid): characterization and enhancement

In the last decades, scientists and industrial partners were pushed to search for substitutes of petroleum-based plastics
due to economic and social reasons related to environmental pollution and overexploitation of finite fossil resources.
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a synthetic thermoplastic aliphatic polyester, is one of the most commercially interesting
biopolymer. However, despite its many attractive qualities, there are still some key aspects which need to be improved in
order to be competitive with respect to conventional polymers. The aim of this work is to tune PLA material properties so
that its production becomes more profitable by decreasing production costs and enlarging the application spectrum.
This PhD thesis focused on two important PLA issues, its poor melt strength and slow crystallization behavior.
Material Property Issues Proposed Solution Measurement techniques & Analyses
• Bio‐based nucleating agents: • Calorimetry, shear rheology, rheo‐optics

‐ Polyamino acids (polyglycine) (inverted turbidity) and polarized light microscopy
Slow crystallization rates ‐ PLA‐based additive • Isothermal Lotz NucleationEfficiency
• Flow induced nucleation • Rheological classification vs mechanical work
Poor melt strength • Entrance Flow Method (EFM) + Cogswell’s Analysis
& • PLA‐based additive
No strain hardening behavior • Extensional Viscosity Fixture (EVF)

• The nucleating effect of polyglycine was confirmed. Low concentrations were sufficient to obtain a significant
improvement without compromising PLA bio-advantages and rheological properties.
•The critical experimental conditions under which the crystallization process is accelerated and significant changes in
morphology happen were determined using parameters from molecular rheology and a criterion based on the applied
mechanical work. There was a fair coincidence with the transitions experimentally measured.
•The self made PLA-based additives solved both issues at once. Six PLA-based additives with various characteristics
such as architecture and stereoregularity were screened. The additive with the combination of long chain branching and
the presence of HoSCo crystals formed during the extrusion step had an enhancing effect on both properties, the strain
hardening as well as on the crystallization behavior of PLA. The study was then expanded to evaluate the effect of the
monomer-inimer ratio and the additive content on the enhancement degree.
Major publication
Carbone M. J., Vanhalle, M., Goderis, B., Van Puyvelde, P., Journal of Polymer Engineering (2014) “Amino acids and
poly(amino acids) as nucleating agents for poly(lactic acid)”
89
Cynthia R SUSILO

Supervisor Bruno De Meulder
Co-supervisor Peter J.M. Nas, Sudaryono Sastrosasmito
Funding The Interfaculty Council for Development Cooperation (IRO)
E-mail cynthiasusilo@gmail.com
PUBLIC SPACE TRANSFORMATION IN A SECONDARY CITY

The role of collective space in the Boulevard Commercial Project of Manado – Indonesia
There has been a growing interest in the many large and mega commercial projects that have been introduced into
medium and small Indonesia’s cities. Among these newly established mega commercial projects is the Boulevard
Commercial Project (BCP) in Manado, Indonesia. Its construction has generated a sudden transformation of the
surrounding urban context and set a physical development precedent for other eastern Indonesia’s cities to follow. The
pride that local citizens have for the project, however, is mixed with local - and growing - concerns about its impact. This
research unravels the interplay between the project and local users through the interactions with the physical space,
uses, practices, activities, discourse and the user experience. It explores different perspectives on the (re)production of
space generated by the project and examines its influence on the city through the transformation of its public realms. In
other words, this dissertation addresses the rise of new collective spaces in contemporary urban Manado.
The aim of this dissertation is to fill the absence of empirical observation concerning the lived space of the BCP. This
undertaking involves linking the analysis of the built environment of the BCP and the city of Manado in space. This
requires one to think of the relationships between the built environment of the BCP with the economy, society, history and
cultural sensitivity of Manado. This research, therefore, uses qualitative research methods by combining literary research,
fieldwork observations and spatial mapping.

This overall research finds that a commercial megaproject and
the ordinary local people significantly influence each other while
at the same time being co-dependent on each other. The BCP
shows the success of the ordinary citizens in taking back an
urban space. It has become machinery that, while offering a new
and inviting scene, intensifies and assembles the local, its
representations, manifestations and demonstrations. Everyone
presents and projects oneself in this showcase of modernity.
Surprisingly they do not do so to become instantly modern. On
the contrary, they are reproducing their ordinary habits and daily
life practices. The BCP becomes the focal point of a super local
urban culture. It is a scene that makes the ordinary larger then
itself. Nevertheless, since ordinary people do not have a strong
‘formal’ decision-making position and they are only capable of
appropriating a commercial megaproject spontaneously in a
grassroots scale, leaving the physical development of the city to
the grassroots appropriations of the ordinary people alone is
insufficient to rebalance the massive domination of the near
future, upcoming megaprojects.
90
Ismail Cheikh Hassan
Supervisor Hilde Heynen
Co-supervisor Bruno de Meulder
E-mail Ismael.sheikh.hassan@gmail.com
On Urbanism and Activism in Palestinian Refugee Camps:

The Reconstruction of Nahr el Bared
The central question of this dissertation rotates around the dilemma of negotiating ‘professional-urbanist’ and ‘political-
activist’ roles within the context of Palestinian camps. It aims to illustrate both the potential and limitations of this kind of
practice while developing a theory of urbanist-activist practice within conditions of Palestinian camps
There are two main research lines in this research. The first is an action research based on a reflection on the
researcher’s experiences as a professional and activist in Palestinian camps with a particular focus on the case of the
reconstruction of Nahr el bared. The second is more theoretical and is concerned with situating Palestinian camps within
the discourses of urbanism. This includes charting the history of urban projects within the context of Palestinian camps –
particularly in relation to different forms of activism that evolved in these places.

Historical research on the idea of activist-professionals, typically concluded that these two notions are irreconcilable – and
that actors have to choose to be one or the other. This research illustrates the strategic importance and necessity of such
juxtapositions and coalitions in confronting ‘extra-ordinary’ realities that exist outside the political context of liberal-
democratic societies. However, although an urbanist-activist practice is possible, it can only be manifested within
temporal conditions and particular circumstances that need to be carefully negotiated. The possibilities and limitations on
such a practice within Palestinian camp realities is thus developed within the frame of 3 kinds of projects : Camp
Reconstruction, Camp Improvement and Return to Palestine.
Major publication
Sheikh Hassan, Ismael, and Sari Hanafi. “(In)Security and Reconstruction in Post-Conflict Nahr Al-Barid Refugee Camp.”
Journal of Palestine Studies 40, no. 1 (November 2010): 27–48. doi:10.1525/jps.2010.XL.1.027.
91
Ling Qin
Supervisor Prof. Dr. ir. Paul Van Houtte
Co-supervisor Prof. Dr. -ing. Marc Seefeldt
Funding IAP & M2I
E-mail Ling.qin@mtm.kuleuven.be
Multi-scale modeling of roping of Al alloys

Effect of meso-scale texture on surface roughening
Aluminum alloys have attracted enormous attention in automobile industry in order to save weight and reduce fuel
consumption. But the plates do not only have to be strong and light; they must also be good looking. A problem is then
the so-called "roping" phenomenon: an unpleasant and easily visible imperfection at the surface. It is fairly common due
to the metal forming process used to produce automotive body panels. It manifests itself as a series of ridges and valleys
in the rolling direction. It results from an inherent inhomogeneity of plastic deformation. It was first believed that it was due
to the most obvious inhomogeneity present in the material, namely the grains of which it consists, and which can be seen
by a special instrument ("EBSD"). However surface investigations have evidenced that the length scale of the grain
structure is smaller than that of the roping or ridging pattern.
In the present study, it is proposed that 'clusters' of grains exist which due
to their combined crystal orientations ("texture") as a whole 'collaborate' to
either cause a ridge or a valley. The EBSD measurements of the surface
have then been analyzed by a newly designed method ("moving window
method") in order to detect these clusters and predict the corresponding
ridges or valleys.
Results & Conclusions Fig. 1 Schematic illustration of the simulation
The simulation results of the “moving window" roping model matched well procedure of “moving window" roping model
with those of experimental measurements of surface profiles. (see Fig. 4)
Roping can be interpreted as a result of the existence of “sub-volumes"
with contrasting textures.
Both roping wavelength and amplitude can be predicted.
Fig. 4
Simulation
(MW) vs.
experiment
(wyko)
Fig. 2 Surface
EBSD maps
Fig. 3 Surface
topography
Major publication
Qin, L., Seefeldt, M., Van Houtte, P. (2015). Acta Materialia, 84, 215-228.
92
Dominique Vercammen
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Filip Logist
Funding IWT
E-mail dominique.vercammen@gmail.com
Optimization-based methodologies and algorithms for dynamic metabolic

flux analysis
Mathematical models for the growth, survival, inactivation and product formation of microbial organisms are becoming
increasingly important for the model-based design, optimization and control of bioreactors in (industrial) biotechnology,
and for assessment of food safety and quality in predictive microbiology. However, existing models mostly focus on
describing these systems from a macroscopic point of view. To further enhance the applicability of these models,
integration of mechanistic knowledge is a necessity. The objective of this research is the development of novel dynamic
estimation methodologies based on a metabolic reaction network, that are able to answer the question: “How do
microorganisms change their metabolic state when their environment changes over time?”
Based on the dynamic metabolic flux analysis model structure, two methodologies where developed during this PhD
research: an offline methodology, more suited to lab-scale, fundamental research environments, and an online
methodology that can be used in an industrial setting to generate real-time flux information, and to control bioreactors
using continuously updated predictions of cell and metabolite concentrations.
•The offline methodology is based on B-spline flux parameterizations, and uses an adaptive knot insertion strategy to
gradually increase the exoticity of the resulting flux profiles and the complexity of the resulting estimation problem.
•In the online methodology, two black-box predictive flux models are combined with the dynamic metabolic flux analysis
model structure. Using the moving horizon estimation technique, continuously updated flux estimates are generated.
Both methodologies are illustrated using multiple
simulated case studies, to clarify their operation and to
test their performance for realistic scenario’s. Both
methodologies show accurate estimation performance,
and significant improvements over previously published
methods regarding smoothness, applicability and
extendability. Furthermore, the offline algorithm was also
tested on a real-life case study, in which an E. coli
population is subjected to a sudden shift in temperature,
resulting in an induced lag phase. The algorithm
successfully estimates the fluxes during this induced lag
phase, and does so in a reasonable time frame, with an
indication of the confidence intervals on the estimates.
This is the first time fluxes are estimated in such a case. Estimated fluxes using the B-spline-based offline algorithm, as
opposed to the simulated fluxes, and with indication of confidence
intervals.
Major publication
D. Vercammen, F. Logist, J. Van Impe (2014). Dynamic estimation of specific fluxes in metabolic networks using non-
linear dynamic optimization. BMC Systems Biology, 8, p.132
93
94
Satyakiran Munaga
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Francky Catthoor
Funding IMEC
E-mail satyakiran.munaga@gmail.com
Proactive Hard Constraint Management in Cost-conscious Nonlinear

Dynamic Computing Systems
Modern cost-conscious dynamic systems incorporate knobs that allow run-time trade-offs between system metrics of
interest. In such adaptive systems regular knob tuning to minimize costs while satisfying hard system constraints is an
important aspect. Goal of this work is to propose a systematic framework to help design proactive run-time controllers for
nonlinear self-adaptive systems with uncertainties and hard constraints.
Nonlinear systems with uncertainties display time-linkage behavior, i.e., knob selection choices made to optimize the
present may adversely impact the cost and even the system viability in the future depending upon how the uncertainties
unfold. Hence such systems require optimizing the present and future together for the predicted likely dynamic situation
while ensuring that system will meet all current and future hard constraints such as deadlines even in the unlikely worst-
case situation. We also propose to bound uncertainties at run-time with the help of suitable models which utilize the
additional information available at the time of decision making. This dynamic bounding will limit the scope of worst-case
situation and increase the freedom for more cost-saving knob selections.
We applied the proposed methodology on a video Truly- Pseudo-
decoder case study where the controller decides proactive proactive Reactive
processor mode on a macroblock granularity to minimize
overall processor energy consumption including mode Bound uncertainty sources
switching overhead. Each macroblock has release time
Reliable future event look-ahead
constraints and deadlines to avoid buffer underflow and
overflow. Developed a C++ model to evaluate and Bound tightening DT bounds
compare proposed mode scheduler against the ones in
the literature. Bound-driven search space pruning
Results & Conclusions Proactive conditioning

Use CTMs
 State of the art mode scheduling methods achieve on Likely future prediction if available
average 2x lower energy gains than an Oracle CTM conditioning Worst-case
 Proposed proactive scheduler with a practical predictor optimal slack
Speculative slack
consistently outperforms all state-of-the-art schedulers management
management
with an average gain of 40% and has an average
deviation of only 11% from Oracle. This is quite Constraint-driven search space pruning
remarkable result given the maturity of the scheduling
research domain. Cost trade-off analysis
Conditional re-optimization
Major publication
S. Munaga, F. Catthoor (2011). Systematic Design Principles for Cost-Effective Hard Constraint Management in Dynamic
Nonlinear Systems. International Journal of Adaptive, Resilient, and Autonomic Systems, 2 (1), 18-45.
95
Raghvendra Mall
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Johan Suykens
Funding ERC
E-mail raghvendra.mall@esat.kuleuven.be
Sparsity in Large Scale Kernel Models

In this thesis we have explored the role of sparsity in large scale kernel models. The two primary goals have been to
observe the role of sparsity in order to obtain good generalization power for supervised and unsupervised predictive
models under the least squares support vector machines (LSSVM) primal-dual optimization framework and the
scalability of these models for large scale datasets.
We explored sparsity in case of LSSVMs using the fixed-size methods and convex
relaxation to L0-norm penalties. An important aspect of kernel based methods is
the selection of a subset on which the model is built. We propose a unique
representative subset selection technique for large scale graphs while retaining the
inherent community structure and explore its applicability for big data analysis. We
utilize this subset for kernel spectral clustering (KSC) in case of big data networks and
propose several scalable and computationally efficient techniques for its model selection.
We also propose a multilevel hierarchical kernel spectral clustering (MH-KSC)
technique which overcomes issues like resolution limit suffered by state-of-the-art
hierarchical community detection techniques and also perform sparse reductions on the
Challenges faced by
KSC model. We explored the role of reweighted L1-norm penalty for feature selection
LSSVM based methods
using LSSVMs in case of high-dimensional classification problems. Finally, we developed
a visualization (Netgram) toolkit to track and visualize the evolution of communities in
time evolving networks.
Results
Original hierarchical network (left) and estimated hierarchical Group Lasso based reduced set (left) comprising just
network (right) by MH-KSC for a network with 10, 000 nodes. 2 red points and its image segmentation result (right).
Major publications
1. Mall R., Suykens J.A.K., "Very Sparse LSSVM Reductions for Large Scale Data", IEEE Transactions on
Neural Networks and Learning Systems, vol. 26, no. 5, Mar. 2015, pp. 1086 - 1097.
2. Mall R., Langone R., Suykens J.A.K., "Multilevel Hierarchical Kernel Spectral Clustering for Real-Life
Large Scale Complex Networks", PLOS One, e99966, vol. 9, no. 6, Jun. 2014.
96
Ioannis Pitropakis
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Martine Wevers
Co-supervisor Dr. Helge Pfeiffer
European Commission’s Project
Funding
“AISHA II”
E-mail Ioannis.pitropakis@mtm.kuleuven.be
Dedicated Solutions for Structural Health Monitoring of Aircraft Components

The safe use of aircrafts can only be guaranteed when efficient means of damage
assessment are in place. In the last years there is an increasing interest in
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems for aircrafts. Structural health
monitoring is a technology where integrated sensors are used to enable continuous
monitoring of the structural integrity. The main target of this research was to find
systems that can be embedded on the aircraft and monitor its structural health.
Research Methodology (1)
The PhD research covers the field of SHM using non-destructive testing methods with advanced sensors focussing on
sensor implementation and data analysis. The sensors used in this research are electrical, chemical, electrochemical,
electromagnetic, optical as well as piezoelectric and are presented as follows:
 Flat coil sensors for SHM of aircraft components using eddy current technology (2)
 Embedded electrical crack gauges for continuous crack monitoring

(3)
 Detection of acoustic impact in composite materials using optical fibres
 SHM using Lamb waves and the application of pseudo defects for signal validations
 Detection of aqueous corrosive liquids in confined parts using percolation sensors
(4)
Results & Conclusions (5)
The experimental results showed successful ways to detect The sensors were embedded on aluminium 2024-T3
cracks, small structural discontinuities or delaminations. Defect plates, a Eurocopter EC135 Tail boom made from
detection was achieved from impedance measurements using honeycomb composite, an Airbus A320 Slat-track and
flat coil sensors, signal analysis from acoustic waves using on Carbon Fibre Reinforced Epoxy (CFRE) plates.
piezoelectric sensors and single-mode optical fibres in a
polarimetric setup, the interruption of electrical conductivity using
electrical crack gauges and the collapse of percolation
conductivity using percolation sensors.
(6)
Major publication
Crack detection in aluminium plates for aerospace applications by electromagnetic impedance spectroscopy using flat coil
sensors, I. Pitropakis, H. Pfeiffer, M. Wevers, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, Vol. 176, April 2012, p. 57-63.
References
(1) H.Assler, Design of Aircraft Structures under Special Consideration of NDT, Presented by J. Telgkamp, 9th ECNDT, Berlin, Germany, 25-29 September 2009; (2). Cranfield University online, Aircraft Fatigue and Damage Tolerance course
(35496 flight hours and 89680 flight cycles) ; (3). http://english4aviation.pbworks.com/w/page/24012191/Bad%20weather; (4). J. Kaletka, H. Kurscheid and U. Butter, FHS, the new research helicopter: Ready for service, Aerospace Science and
Technology, Vol. 9, 2005, p.456-467; (5). R. Longo, S. Vanlanduit and P. Guillaume, Laser vibrometer measures surface acoustic waves for nondestructive testing, International Society for Optical Engineering, Sensing and Measurement,
29 November 2006, SPIE Newsroom. DOI: 10.1117/2.1200611.0377; (6) H. Speckmann and H. Roesner, Structural Health Monitoring: A contribution to the intelligent Aircraft Structure, European Conference in Non-Destructive Testing, 25-29
Sep., Berlin, 2006.
97
Joseph C. Szurley
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Marc Moonen
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Alexander Bertrand
Funding Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
E-mail Joseph.szurley@esat.kuleuven.be
Distributed Signal Processing Algorithms for Acoustic Sensor Networks

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of wireless devices for individual use to the point of being ubiquitous.
Recent research has started to exploit the increased processing power of these wireless devices to perform tasks
pertaining to audio signal acquisition and processing forming wireless acoustic sensor networks (WASNs). The research
objectives of this thesis included such topics as: the improvement in noise reduction performance with shared multi-
channel signals, efficient allocation of communication bandwidth, prolonging the lifetime of WASNs, topology
construction, scalability and self-healing.
The foundation of this work was centered on the multi-channel Wiener filter, which looks to estimate a desired audio
signal that has been corrupted by noise. This was first studied where a listener was assumed to have two bilateral
hearing prostheses (forming a binaural hearing system) that communicated with a distributed microphone. This was
extended to multiple devices, or nodes, each with a set of microphones performing distributed audio signal estimation.
This type of audio signal estimation was performed in:
 Fully connected networks (each node had a direct connection Noise
Desired speech
with every other node).
 Heterogeneous networks composed of different devices.
 Ad-hoc topologies deployed in a random fashion.
Binaural hearing system

Hearing prosthesis Wireless device
Mobile Phone Distributed microphone
The audio signal estimation was performed in a distributed
fashion where each device broadcast a compressed version An envisaged wireless acoustic sensor network with a
of its microphone signals. It was shown that: desired speech source and background noise.
 By communicating with one another, the nodes were able
to increase their audio signal estimation performance.
 Independent of the unerlying topology, each device Increase in signal-to-noise ratio
converged to the same estimate as if all of the nodes output when including additional
broadcast all of their microphone signals to one another. microphone signals.
Major publication
Szurley J., Bertrand A., Moonen M., "Distributed Adaptive Node-Specific Signal Estimation in Heterogeneous and Mixed-
Topology Wireless Sensor Networks”, Accepted for publication in Signal Processing, 2015.
98
Fei Zhang
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jozef Vleugels
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Ignace Naert
KU Leuven OT/10/052
Funding
FWO G.0431.10
E-mail fei.zhang@mtm.kuleuven.be
Ageing-resistant zirconia ceramics for dental restorations

Zirconia ceramics are becoming highly attractive in prosthetic/restorative dentistry. However, they suffer from the
spontaneous tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation in the presence of water (hydrothermal ageing). This work
aims to design ageing-resistant zirconia ceramics while retaining their high strength, fracture toughness and aesthetics.
Unravelling the relationships between the
mechanisms and kinetics of hydrothermal ageing
with different critical parameters, such as grain
size, grain boundary chemistry, dopant type and
dopant content.

 Ageing kinetics
Fig.1. Phase and stress maps by micro-Raman spectroscopy
• Linear ageing kinetics.
• Tensile stress accumulation at the transformation
front is responsible for ageing propagating into the
material. (Fig.1)
 Ageing mechanism
• Annihilation of oxygen vacancies. (Fig.2 & Fig.3)
• The zirconia grain boundaries play a key role in the
hydrothermal ageing behavior of 3Y-TZP ceramics.
(Fig.2 & Fig.4)
Fig.2. Ageing kinetics by XRD Fig.3. Ionic conductivity
 Ageing-resistant zirconia ceramics

• Large trivalent dopant cations such as La3+ or Nd3+
with a strong segregation to the ZrO2 grain boundary
are preferred.
• 0.2 mol% La2O3 and 0.1-0.25 wt.% Al2O3 co-doped
3Y-TZP ceramics combined high translucency,
superior hydrothermal stability and excellent
mechanical properties.
Fig.4. STEM-EDS elemental maps of zirconia grain boundaries
Major publication Fig.5. Translucency

F. Zhang, K. Vanmeensel, M. Batuk, J. Hadermann, M. Inokoshi, B. Van Meerbeek, I. Naert, J. Vleugels (2015). Acta
Biomaterialia, 16, 215-222.
99
Syed Ali Abbas Shirazi
PhD defence 01 July 2015
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Liliane Pintelon
Funding KULeuven
E-mail ali.shirazi@kuleuven.be
Framework for Quality Tool Selection in Healthcare
Quality tools have been proven successful in manufacturing industry to improve process efficiency and now there is
increasing focus on the quality improvement tools application in healthcare. It is challenging to use quality tools in
healthcare which have origin in industry. There are hundreds of tools available in market but without proper guideline or
procedure to apply in healthcare. The selection of quality tools in healthcare is based on experience and hit-and trial-
method. This dissertation focuses on a decision based framework for quality tool selection in healthcare.
For this dissertation “Design Methodology” by Simon (1996) has been selected. The methodology consist of four steps:
design objective, design criteria, design development, and design iteration & evaluation.
Design Objective: To develop a working decision framework which will allow novice users to select useful quality tools
in healthcare
Design Criteria: The performance of framework is evaluated by design criteria using test results and experts’ opinions
Design Development: Developed piloting framework , tested and results used for iteration
Design Iteration & Evaluation: Prototype I is developed , tested and evaluated through design criteria by experts &
project owners

•Selection Framework
•Framework is working and evaluation is successful
•Methodology for setting up such framework.
•User skill assessment
•Comprehensive tool classification
•Generic and easy to customized for other sectors
Major publication
Shirazi Syed Ali Abbas, Pintelon Liliane (2012),” Lean thinking and Six Sigma ; proven techniques in industry. Can they
help healthcare?. International Journal of Care pathways vol:16 No.4, pp 160-167
100
Piet Callemeyn
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Steyaert Michiel
E-mail piet.callemeyn@esat.kuleuven.be
Fully-integrated CMOS DC-AC converters

Monolithic integration of electronic systems is one of the major techniques to reduce cost, size and power consumption in
consumer applications. This trend has been present in RF CMOS and is now also continuing in the field of Power CMOS.
A major driver here is cost reduction by reducing the bill of materials. The use of on-chip converters provides an elegant
and compact solution with a minimum of external components. This work will set out to take the next leap in Power
CMOS by exploring the different possibilities to realize fully-integrated DC-AC conversion.
This research explores the possibilities for monolithic DC-AC conversion. The presented architectures lend themselves
ideally to be integrated on-chip. This has been validated by several chip implementations. The major bottlenecks that
were discovered are the step towards high output voltages in a standard low voltage CMOS technology, the elimination of
external components and the generation of a very low frequency on-chip. Techniques were introduced in the presented
designs to stack several chips and achieve higher output voltage and power. By going towards higher switching
frequencies on-chip, the size of the passives can be reduced, allowing a designer to put all passives on-chip. Using
modulation techniques, the author was able to achieve a very low frequency (50 Hz) output on-chip.

The research has been validated in three chip
implementations. Several topologies were explored
where the buck converter serves as a basic building
block. A resonant topology is implemented, a series-
stacked topology is presented and a self-contained
photovoltaic DC-AC converter was designed and
measured.
A half-bridge DC-AC block, series-stacked using inter-die bonding
The major contributions of this work are:
 The realization of a first fully-integrated DC-AC
converter
 High output voltage in standard CMOS achieved
using a series-stacked topology
 The elimination of bulky external passives
 Bipolar output voltage achieved on-chip
 On-chip very low frequency output
 First scavenging integrated DC-AC converter
Major publication An on-chip photovoltaic class-D DC-AC converter
P. Callemeyn and M. Steyaert, High Voltage DC-AC conversion in Standard 1.2V CMOS Technology, May 2015, Analog
Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing, Springer.
101
Sam Weckx
Funding FWO - Vito
E-mail Sam.weckx@esat.kuleuven.be
Optimization of Network Support by Distributed Energy Resources

The increasing amount of solar power generation challenges the future grid operation. Furthermore, electric vehicles are
gaining popularity and the charging of these can lead to large and undesirable peaks in the electrical consumption. New
control algorithms are needed to successfully integrate these solar panels and electric vehicles in the network. With the
introduction of an automatic metering infrastructure and a two-way communication infrastructure, several new algorithms
can be implemented.
The research was structured as follows:
• What is the impact of solar power on the network? What are typical grid topologies?
• Can we develop a model of a distribution grid based on smart meter data, if no model is available yet?
• How can we use this model and the new communication infrastructure to develop new voltage control strategies?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of algorithms that rely on a communication infrastructure?
• How do we keep the algorithms optimal and scalable, as such that they can handle effectively the growing amount of
solar generation and electric vehicles?
The main contributions of the work:
• A detailed analysis and an improved modelling of three-phase,
four-wire, distribution grids
• Control rules for both single-phase and three-phase PV units
and loads have been designed specifically for three-phase,
four-wire, distribution grids
• Development of a scalable real-time pricing scheme to
The neutral displacement due to single-phase loads in
mitigate voltage problems in distribution grids
unbalanced distribution grids
• The extension of a scalable multi-agent demand response
system to provide voltage control and frequency control
Provider and
DSO send out
price A real-time pricing scheme to
resolve voltage problems and
to control the consumption
Provider and Customers
DSO update send back
price response
Transferring power from one phase to another to
improve grid conditions
Major publication
Weckx, S., González de Miguel, C., Driesen, J. (2014). Combined Central and Local Active and Reactive Power Control
of PV Inverters. IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, 2014, vol.5, no.3, pp.776-784, July 2014
102
Yuyi Wang
Supervisor Prof. Maurice Bruynooghe
Co-supervisor Dr. Jan Ramon
Funding European Research Council
E-mail yuyi.wang@kuleuven.be
From graph patterns to networked statistics

Data mining and machine learning techniques deal with discovering interesting knowledge from data and improving the
performance of methods to do so. However, most traditional techniques cannot be applied to networked data which is
usually represented by graphs or hypergraphs, e.g., social networks, traffic networks and biological networks. Our goal is
to build statistically sound and efficient methods to mine and learn from networked data. In order to design a practical
graph mining system, one needs an efficiently computable and reliable graph support which measures the frequency of a
given pattern in a large network. To do statistical learning from the networked data, a natural question is what is a good
way to combine this data to obtain a large effective sample size.
Many graph supports are based on the concept of overlap graphs. However, all existing overlap graph based support
measures are expensive to compute. We introduced the notion of overlap hypergraphs and studied the conditions under
which an overlap hypergraph based support measure has good properties.
To investigate the learnability of networked

data, we used hypergraphs to model this data,
and then made reasonable assumptions for
this model. We considered combining these
data points by weighting them and derived
concentration bounds to guarantee the quality.
An example of subgraph pattern P, large
Movie Person Theater network D, the occurrences of P in D and
(genre, actor (age, (location the corresponding overlap graph and
popularity, ...) gender, , ...) overlap hypergraph.
...)
1 movie1 person1 theater1

2 movie1 person2 theater2  We proposed an overlap hypergraph based graph
3 movie2 person2 theater1 support measure that is efficiently computable.
 This new graph support measure has several good
properties, e.g., anti-monotonicity, so it allows us pruning
the search space effectively and save time.
6 movie5 person4 theater3  We can efficiently minimize the variance when
A movie rating problem: a rating is given by a person who watched a movie in a performing U-statistics (e.g., mean-value estimation) on
theater. These ratings are not independent of each other, because a person can
watch and then rate several different movies and a movie can be watched and
networked data.
then rated by different persons. This data can be represented by a table, but a
more natural representation way is a hypergraph whose nodes are objects
 We derived Chernoff-Hoeffding type inequalities for
(persons, movies and theaters) and hyperedges are examples. networked random variables which achieve higher
effective sample size and help us design algorithms to
Major publications learn from networked data.
Y. Wang, J. Ramon, T. Fannes (2013). An efficiently computable subgraph pattern support measure: Counting
independent observations. Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery, 27 (3), 444-477.
J. Ramon, Y. Wang, Z. Guo (2015). Learning from networked examples. Journal of Machine Learning Research.
(Accepted)
103
Adi Xhakoni
Supervisor Prof. dr. Ir. Geoges Gielen
Funding IWT Hipercim, IWT 3SIS
E-mail adi.xhakoni@kuleuven.be
High-Frame-Rate and High-Dynamic-Range Imager Readout Circuits for CIS

and Stacked Technology
The research in the imaging field is typically focused on increasing the spatial resolution, the dynamic range and the
frame rate. Several existing methods allow to achieve these characteristics singularly. However, their simultaneous
combination in the same sensor becomes very challenging. To maintain the same frame rate at increasing spatial
resolution, higher band-width readout circuits are needed, increasing the thermal noise and reducing the dynamic range.
The goal of this research was the development of new architectures to increase the imager’s performance metrics.
Methodology
We explored various solutions, both in standard CMOS image
sensor technology (CIS) and in stacked technology.
In CIS technology we developed circuits which efficiently
reduce the thermal and 1/f noise of the pixel, circuits which
reduce the parasitic capacitance of the column bus and circuits
which improve the parallelism of the readout.
In stacked technology we developed highly parallel
architectures which allow a high frame rate, a high spatial
resolution and a high dynamic range.
In addition, we developed the first incremental Sigma-Delta Fig. 1. Test chip of imager with column-parallel
(ISD) ADC with photon-transfer-curve quantization step which incremental Sigma-Delta ADCs (left), and test chip with
finds a perfect fit with the stacked imager architectures. global shutter sub-pixels for stacked imagers (right).

Several test chips were designed to verify the validity of the
proposed imager readout architectures.
• The designed imager with column parallel ISD ADCs
achieved a low readout noise of 0.2mV and 12 bit low-light
resolution with 40 clocks cycles vs. the 110 clock cycles of
the state of the art.
• The designed 1D-decoding readout architecture achieved
1.4e- noise and 80dB DR at 730 frames per second, ideally
constant at any spatial resolution.
• The test chip with global shutter 64 x 64 sub-pixels
achieved 132dB. If applied to an 8K-format sensor, the
readout architecture can achieve 475 frames per second. Fig. 2. Test setup for electrical/optical measurements
(left), and test image captured by the designed chip
Major publication (right).
Xhakoni A., Le Thai H., Gielen G., "A Low-Noise High-Frame-Rate 1D- Decoding Readout Architecture for Stacked Image
Sensors," in IEEE Sensors Journal, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 1966-1973, 2014.
104
Siamak Mehrkanoon
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Johan Suykens
Funding ERC: European Research Council
E-mail Siamak.Mehrkanoon@esat.kuleuven.be
Incorporation of Prior Knowledge into Kernel based

In many practical applications, some forms of additional prior knowledge is often available. Incorporating
available prior knowledge into the data driven modeling task can potentially improve the performance of the
model. Therefore exploiting and incorporating the available prior information into the learning framework is the
scope of this thesis.
This thesis explores the possibilities of incorporating the available side-information in the learning process. One can start
with a suitable core model corresponding to the given task, and integrate the prior-knowledge of the task into the model
via adding a set of constraints or regularization term. The core models considered in this thesis are Least Squares
Support Vector Machines (LSSVM) and Kernel Spectral Clustering (KSC).
Results & Conclusions LSSVM Regularization

 Learning solution of a dynamical system using LSSVM
based model.
 Development of an integration-free approach for
Core Optimal
Side Info
parameter estimation of dynamical system. Model Model
 Introducing a novel semi-supervised learning algorithm,
MSS-KSC that can learn from both labeled and unlabeled
data points. KSC Constraints
Two-moons data set

Semi-supervised clustering Parameter estimation of ODEs
Major publications
S. Mehrkanoon, J.A.K. Suykens (2012). LSSVM approximate solution to linear time varying descriptor systems",
Automatica, 48(10), pp. 2502-2511.
S. Mehrkanoon, S. Mehrkanoon, J.A.K. Suykens (2014). Parameter estimation of delay differential equations: an
integration free LSSVM approach", Communication in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation, 19 (4), pp. 830-841.
S. Mehrkanoon, C. Alzate, R. Mal, R. Langone, J.A.K Suykens (2015),“Multi-class Semi-supervised learning based uopn
kernel spectral clustering", IEEE Transactions on neural networks and learning systems, 26(4), pp. 720-733.
105
Maheshi
Maheshi Danthurebandara
Danthurebandara
Department
Department Materials
Materials Engineering
Engineering
PhD
PhD defence
defence 03
03 July
July 2015
2015
Supervisor
Supervisor Prof.
Prof. dr.
dr. Karel
Karel Van
Van Acker
Acker (KU
(KU Leuven)
Leuven)
Co-supervisor
Co-supervisor Prof.
Prof. dr.
dr. Steven
Steven Van
Van Passel
Passel (UHasselt)
(UHasselt)
Funding
Funding IWT,
IWT, R&D
R&D project
project with
with Group
Group Machiels
Machiels
E-mail
E-mail mdanthurebandara@gmail.com
mdanthurebandara@gmail.com
Environmental
Environmental and
and Economic
Economic Performance
Performance of
of Enhanced
Enhanced Landfill
Landfill Mining
Mining
Introduction
Introduction // Objective
Objective
Enhanced
Enhanced Landfill
Landfill Mining
Mining (ELFM)
(ELFM) is is an
an innovative
innovative concept
concept which
which allows
allows the
the recovery
recovery of
of land,
land, reintroduction
reintroduction of of materials
materials
back
back to
to the
the material
material cycles
cycles andand recovery
recovery of of energy
energy from
from aa considerably
considerably large
large stock
stock of
of resources
resources held
held in
in landfills.
landfills. The
The
knowledge
knowledge about
about the
the critical
critical factors
factors for
for environmental
environmental and
and economic
economic performance
performance of of ELFM
ELFM is is necessary
necessary inin order
order toto propel
propel
ELFM
ELFM from
from the
the conceptual
conceptual to to the
the operational
operational stage.
stage. Hence
Hence the
the objective
objective of
of this
this work
work was
was to
to investigate
investigate the
the environmental
environmental
and
and economic
economic performance
performance of of the
the novel
novel ELFM
ELFM concept.
concept.
Research
Methodology
•• Develop
Develop the
the general
general process
process flowflow diagram
diagram
•• Develop
Develop aa model
model based
based onon life
life cycle
cycle assessment
assessment
(LCA)
(LCA) and
and life
life cycle
cycle costing
costing (LCC)
(LCC)
•• Assess
Assess the
the overall
overall impact
impact of of the
the entire
entire ELFM
ELFM
system,
system, individual
individual processes,
processes, and and also
also of
of the
the
trade-off
trade-off between
between the the environmental
environmental and and
economic
economic performances
performances
Figure
Figure 1:
1: Environmental
Environmental profile
profile of
of Figure
Figure 2:
2: Contribution
Contribution ofof ELFM
ELFM
ELFM
ELFM vsvs Do-nothing
Do-nothing scenario
scenario processes
processes to
to the
the total
total
Results
Results and
and Conclusions
Conclusions environmental
environmental impact
impact
•• ELFM
ELFM showsshows clearclear environmental
environmental benefits
benefits
against
against the
the landfill’s
landfill’s existing
existing situation
situation (Figure
(Figure 1).
1).
•• The thermal treatment process
The thermal treatment process (plasma (plasma
gasification)
gasification) isis the
the most
most contributing
contributing process
process
(Figure
(Figure 2)
2)
•• The
The environmental
environmental performance
performance of of the
the plasma
plasma
gasification
gasification process
process can can be be improved
improved by by
valorizing
valorizing the
the residues
residues (plasmastone)
(plasmastone) (Figure
(Figure 3).
3).
•• There
There is is aa clear
clear trade-off
trade-off between
between the the
environmental
environmental and and economic
performances of of
Figure
Figure 3: 3: Environmental
Environmental profile
profile of
of Figure
Figure 4: 4: Trade-off
Trade-off analysis
analysis of
of
plasma
plasma gasification
gasification scenarios
scenarios (Figure
(Figure 4)
4) different thermal treatment
different thermal treatment different
different thermal
thermal treatment
treatment
scenarios
scenarios scenarios
scenarios
Scenario
Scenario 11 Plasma
Plasma gasification
gasification with
with landfilling
landfilling of
of plasmastone
plasmastone
Scenario
Scenario 22 Incineration
Incineration with
with landfilling
landfilling of
of bottom
bottom ashash
Scenario
Scenario 33 Incineration
Incineration with
with aggregate
aggregate production
production outout of
of bottom
bottom ash
ash
Scenario
Scenario 44 Plasma
Plasma gasification
gasification with
with aggregate
aggregate production
production out
out of
of plasmastone
plasmastone
Scenario
Scenario 55 Plasma
Plasma gasification
gasification with
with inorganic
inorganic polymer
polymer cement
cement production
production out
out ofof plasmastone
plasmastone
Scenario
Scenario 66 Plasma
Plasma gasification
gasification with
with inorganic
inorganic polymer
polymer block
block production
of plasmastone
plasmastone
Scenario
Scenario 77 Plasma
Plasma gasification
gasification with
with blended
blended cement
cement production
of plasmastone
plasmastone
Scenario
Scenario 88 Plasma
Plasma gasification
gasification with
with blended
blended cement
cement block
block production
of plasmastone
plasmastone
Major
Major publication
publication
Danthurebandara,
Danthurebandara, M., M., Van
Van Passel,
Passel, S.,
S., Vanderreydt,
Vanderreydt, I.,
I., Van
Van Acker,
Acker, K..
K.. (2015).
(2015). Assessment
Assessment of
of environmental
environmental and
and
economic
economic feasibility
feasibility of
of Enhanced
Enhanced Landfill
Landfill Mining.
Mining. Waste
Waste Management.
Management. DOI:
DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2015.01.041
10.1016/j.wasman.2015.01.041
106
Maheshi Danthurebandara
Department Materials Engineering
Supervisor Prof. dr. Karel Van Acker (KU Leuven)
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Steven Van Passel (UHasselt)
Funding IWT, R&D project with Group Machiels
E-mail mdanthurebandara@gmail.com
Environmental and Economic Performance of Enhanced Landfill Mining

Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM) is an innovative concept which allows the recovery of land, reintroduction of materials
back to the material cycles and recovery of energy from a considerably large stock of resources held in landfills. The
knowledge about the critical factors for environmental and economic performance of ELFM is necessary in order to propel
ELFM from the conceptual to the operational stage. Hence the objective of this work was to investigate the environmental
and economic performance of the novel ELFM concept.
• Develop the general process flow diagram
• Develop a model based on life cycle assessment
(LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC)
• Assess the overall impact of the entire ELFM
system, individual processes, and also of the
trade-off between the environmental and
Figure 1: Environmental profile of Figure 2: Contribution of ELFM
ELFM vs Do-nothing scenario processes to the total
Results and Conclusions environmental impact
• ELFM shows clear environmental benefits
against the landfill’s existing situation (Figure 1).
• The thermal treatment process (plasma
gasification) is the most contributing process
(Figure 2)
• The environmental performance of the plasma
gasification process can be improved by
valorizing the residues (plasmastone) (Figure 3).
• There is a clear trade-off between the
environmental and economic performances of
Figure 3: Environmental profile of Figure 4: Trade-off analysis of
plasma gasification scenarios (Figure 4) different thermal treatment different thermal treatment
scenarios scenarios
Scenario 1 Plasma gasification with landfilling of plasmastone

Scenario 2 Incineration with landfilling of bottom ash
Scenario 3 Incineration with aggregate production out of bottom ash
Scenario 4 Plasma gasification with aggregate production out of plasmastone
Scenario 5 Plasma gasification with inorganic polymer cement production out of plasmastone
Scenario 6 Plasma gasification with inorganic polymer block production out of plasmastone
Scenario 7 Plasma gasification with blended cement production out of plasmastone
Scenario 8 Plasma gasification with blended cement block production out of plasmastone
Major publication
Danthurebandara, M., Van Passel, S., Vanderreydt, I., Van Acker, K.. (2015). Assessment of environmental and
economic feasibility of Enhanced Landfill Mining. Waste Management. DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2015.01.041
107
Vincent Debonne
PhD defence 20 August 2015
Supervisor Prof. dr. Thomas Coomans de Brachène
Funding FWO Vlaanderen
E-mail vincent.debonne@rwo.vlaanderen.be
Out of clay, laid in bond.

Building with brick in the county of Flanders, 1200-1400
Introduction
Although retaining the attention of architectural historians since the mid 19th century, the current view on medieval brick
architecture in Flanders is basically the same as in the years 1930. It is believed to be the indigenous architecture of the
polders of West-Flanders, where brick was little more than a cheap substitute for stone. However, this determinist view does
not suffice to explain the sudden emergence and spread of brick architecture in Flanders in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Research methodology
To answer why builders and patrons used brick, a renewed look on
the buildings themselves was necessary. These were researched
by use of building archaeology. To assemble a chronological
framework of medieval brick architecture in Flanders, scientific
dating techniques were applied, most notably dendrochronology
and, to a lesser extent, 14C-dating of anthropogenic CO2 in mortar.
Oak samples awaiting dendrochronological research.

Roof of Belsele church, felling date 1266-1271 AD.

Brick came into use in Flanders around 1225, not because
clay was available but because of all local materials brick
was most suited for Gothic architecture. As such, the use of
brick was not limited to the Flemish coastal plain; by 1300 it
was produced and used in the entire area between the
North Sea coast and river Scheldt.
Flanders was not the first region in Europe where brick was
used. However, it was the first region to see the use of
St. John’s church in Poperinge. Previously thought to have brick in Gothic design. In other words, Flanders was at the
been built around 1300, dendrochronology of the roof places crossroads of the Northern-European brick tradition and
construction in ca. 1350. French Gothic architecture.
Major publication
DEBONNE V. & HANECA K. 2012: Damme (Flandre occidentale). Analyse dendrochronologique du choeur-halle de l’église Notre-
Dame, Bulletin Monumental 170.1, 60-62.
DEBONNE V., BAILIFF I., BLAIN S., ECH-CHAKROUNI S., HUS J., VAN STRYDONCK M. & HANECA K. 2015: Wase baksteen
gedateerd. Natuurwetenschappelijk dateringsonderzoek in de Sint-Andreas- en Sint-Gislenuskerk in Belsele (Sint-Niklaas),
Relicta. Archeologie, Monumenten- en Landschapsonderzoek in Vlaanderen 12, 181-218.
108
Wouter Mathues
Supervisor Prof. dr. Christian Clasen logo

funding
Funding ERC Starting grant 203043 NANOFIB agency if
applicable
E-mail wouter.mathues@cit.kuleuven.be
Filament stabilisation in free-surface flows of complex fluids

Liquid jets, dripping faucets and stretched filaments between two solid surfaces are common examples of free-surface
flows where a low viscous liquid filament is destabilised by surface tension to create spherical fluid droplets. For
applications such as inkjet printing, fertiliser spraying or dispensing of pharmaceuticals, it is important to control the
droplet size and size distribution in order to prevent unwanted phenomena such as satellite droplets or misting. Adding
specific components such as polymers or particles to the fluid changes the breakup dynamics in these flows. The
resulting solution or dispersion is called a complex fluid and these fluids can have either a stabilising or destabilising
effect on the filament breakup process. This research aims for a better understanding and an improved characterisation
of drop formation for these liquids.
To study the dynamics of the pinching process, the performance of
the commercial Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER)
is enhanced in two ways.
 The resolution is improved by using a high-speed camera equipped
with a custom-made microscopic tube lens.
 The image processing routines can locate the filament edges with
sub-pixel precision.

Jets of dilute polymer solutions are studied as a model system with a
filament stabilising effect. The polymer molecules unravel due to the high
strain rates and induce strong elastic stresses that balance the surface
tension.
 Very fast polymer relaxation processes can be quantified in complex
liquids that are used in commercial spraying and printing applications.
 A new shorter time scale is discovered during the jetting experiments,
which implies that jets break up faster than static CaBER filaments of
the same liquid.
Filament destabilsation is investigated for suspensions of non-colloidal

particles. The amplification of particle density fluctuations generates a
heterogeneous filament with diluted zones that exhibit faster thinning rates.
Major publications
D. Vadillo, W. Mathues, C. Clasen (2012). Microsecond relaxation processes in shear and extensional flows of weakly
elastic polymer solutions. Rheologica Acta, 51 (8), 755-769.
W. Mathues, C. McIlroy, O.G. Harlen, C. Clasen (2015). Capillary breakup of suspension near pinch-off. Physics of
Fluids.
109
Rana Habibi
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Bruno De Meulder
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Viviana d’Auria
Funding Architecture Department
E-mail Rana.habibi@asro.kuleuven.be
Modern Mass Housing in Tehran- Episodes of Urbanism 1945-1979

Objective
The modern mass housing of Tehran (1945-1979) appeared as an agent of change in terms of social life, economy and
urban structure. The new neighborhoods were both a reflection of modern life and a response to a housing shortage and
embodied different aspect of modernism and internationalism. This research is mainly searching for indigenous
modernization process through mass housing practices.
This dissertation aims to demonstrate how the process of adaptation of modernity unfolded in the context of Tehran,
using five modern, middle class neighbourhood case studies: Chaharsad Dastgah (1946), Narmak (1952), Kuy-e Farah
(1961), Kuy-e Chaharom-e Aban (1969) and Ekbatan (1975). This research is part of the modern history of architecture.
Through case studies, the research aims to have a closer observation of the history of Tehran modernist neighborhoods.
The research documented the maps and photography of the projects and reinterpreted some projects through drawings.

This dissertation also looks at the influence of
international models and cultures and how the house and
urban neighborhood could be seen as a cultural
production. The mixing of ideas, lifestyle, and other
socio-economic conditions affected the form of
architecture models and urban structures. This process
of translation and integration of new models to existing
models is, most of the time, a creative and realistic
process that can result in culture changes. It seems, in
modern mass housing projects of Tehran, the
architecture of buildings inspired a lot from the other
cultures while the land design and landscape remained
local and indigenous. In Tehran, most of the current
developments are based on modern urban rules and
structures that were created in this half of the 20th
century. In this respect, understanding the features and
implications of these urban rules and neighborhood
structure is crucial for understanding of contemporary
condition of Tehran.
Major publication
Habibi, R. & De Meulder, B. (2015) Architects and Architecture without Architects- Iranian Housing Modernization and the
Birth of New Urbanization, Cities Journal, pp.29-41.
110
Wim Buyens
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Marc Moonen / Prof. dr. Jan Wouters
Co-supervisor Dr. Bas van Dijk
Funding IWT
E-mail Wim.Buyens@esat.kuleuven.be
Music pre-processing for cochlear implants

A Cochlear Implant (CI) is a medical device that enables profoundly hearing
impaired people to perceive sounds by electrically stimulating the auditory nerve
using an electrode array implanted in the cochlea. Most CI users perform quite well
in terms of speech understanding. On the other hand, music perception and
appreciation are generally very poor. The main goal of this PhD project was to
investigate and to improve the poor music enjoyment in CI users.
An initial experiment with multi-track recordings and a mixing console was carried out to examine the music
mixing preferences of CI users for the different instruments in polyphonic or complex music. Based on this
knowledge, a music pre-processing scheme for mono and stereo recordings was developed. Subsequently,
the music pre-processing scheme was evaluated in a take-home experiment with postlingually deafened CI
users and different genres of music.

1. Music mixing preference: in general, a preference for clear vocals and attenuated instruments was found with
preservation of bass and drums. Individual differences across subjects were observed.
2. A music pre-processing scheme was developed for mono and stereo recordings which is capable of balancing
vocals/bass/drums against the other instruments, based on the representation of harmonic and percussive
components in the spectrogram, and on the spatial information of the instruments in typical stereo recordings
3. Take-home evaluation of the scheme implemented on an iPhone with CI users and different genres of music
provided encouraging results for building a tool for music training or rehabilitation programs.
Major publication
Buyens, W., van Dijk, B., Wouters, J., and Moonen, M. (2015). A stereo music pre-processing scheme for cochlear
implant users. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering (in press).
111
Bart Verbruggen
Department Electrical Engineering
E-mail Verbruggen.bart@gmail.com
Grid impact of active electricity systems in residential buildings

To implement nearly zero energy buildings (NZEB), buildings can no longer be viewed as
uncontrollable loads. Increased control should mitigate a negative impact on the grid.
This research investigates ways to facilitate further evolution towards active buildings,
which implement local control, looking at the regulations and offering tools for simulation
and for evaluation of control algorithms.
In a first step, the electricity systems in active buildings are presented. Next, the applicable regulations are reviewed,
among which Synergrid C10/11 and regulations imposed by the distribution system operators (DSOs).
Object oriented models for a full electrical grid model (single-phase equivalent or three-phase), an in-home grid model
and a generic model for photovoltaic systems, based on the 5 parameter model, are developed.
Grid impact indicators, to evaluate the performance of control algorithms on the interaction of a building with the grid,
were developed and benchmarked using single-building simulations and control algorithms.
The developed models are used, in simulations of a three-phase distribution

grid with NZEBs, to evaluate the limit on the single-phase connection of
small distributed generation (DG) units.
Results & Conclusions DG systems, larger than 4 kVA, should move towards true
three-phase systems
Regulations are not yet ready, nor supporting an Large load can have a significant effect on the grid, they
evolution towards active buildings. Prudent steps have should use a three-phase connection.
been taken, but a further evolution is needed. When combining heat pumps and small DG, their
Models are developed to be used in a multi-disciplinary collaboration, mitigating negative effects on the distribution
environment. They are included in the OpenIDEAS grid, should be required.
library, a result from the collaboration with other
departments.
Grid impact indicators are

benchmarked and can be
used to evaluate the
performance of control
algorithms. They can best
be combined, for instance,
one for evaluation and one
for monitoring.
Major publication
B. Verbruggen and J. Driesen, “Grid Impact Indicators for Active Building Simulations,” IEEE Trans. Sustain. Energy, vol.
6, no. 1, pp. 43–50, Jan. 2015.
112
Lorena Siguenza-Guzman
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Dirk Cattrysse
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Henri Verhaaren
Funding VLIR-UOS, SENESCYT
E-mail lorena.siguenza@ucuenca.edu.ec
Optimal Resource allocation and Budgeting in Libraries

The aim of this study is to develop an integrated model that supports libraries in making optimal budgeting and resource
allocation decisions among their services and collection by means of a holistic analysis. Four major research questions
are posed: 1) What data need to be collected?, 2) How to calculate the cost of library services?, 3) What architecture is
adequate to store the data collected?, and 4) What tools and strategies can be used to visualize and analyze strategic
information to support libraries in decision-making?
1. A holistic structure and the required toolset to holistically assess libraries is proposed to collect and organize the data
from an economic point of view. A four-pronged theoretical framework is used in which the library system and
collection are analyzed from the perspective of users and internal stakeholders.
2. A data warehousing approach is proposed to integrate, process, and store the holistic-based collected data.
3. Several techniques to visualize and analyze the stored data that can help libraries in their decision-making, such as
reporting and using data mining tools and optimization models, are proposed and tested.

Budget allocation is a core problem faced by all academic libraries independent of their size and funding mechanism.
Although resource allocation is a complex process, it is ever more necessary especially in environments of constant
change and budget adjustments. By proposing this holistic approach, the research study contributes knowledge by
providing an integrated solution to assist library managers to make economical decisions based on an “as realistic as
possible” perspective of the library situation.
Major publication
Siguenza Guzman, L., Van den Abbeele, A., Vandewalle, J., Verhaaren, H., Cattrysse, D. (2015). A Holistic Approach to
Supporting Academic Libraries in Resource Allocation Processes. The Library Quarterly: Information, Community, Policy,
85(3), 295–318.
113
Maarten Sonnaert
PhD defence 02 September 2015
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jan Van Humbeeck
Dr. ir. Jan Schrooten
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Frank P. Luyten
Dr. ir. Inge Holsbeeks
Funding IWT
E-mail maarten.sonnaert@mtm.kuleuven.be
Towards an Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product: 3D bioreactor culture

of periosteal progenitor cells
The development of automated procedures for the production of stem cell based advanced therapy medicinal products
will be essential for their clinical implementation. In this context the main objective of this dissertation was to determine
the influence of a 3D perfusion bioreactor system on an osteogenic progenitor cell population to assess the potential use
of this system as a platform for automated cell expansion.
Methodological developments Influence of in vitro culture environment on cell characteristics
• Quantitative on-line monitoring of cell proliferation • Proliferation kinetics
• Quantitative analysis of neo-tissue formation • Neo-tissue formation
• Automated method for on-line cell recovery • Cell differentiation
Results & Conclusions • Post expansion functionality
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3
• Proliferation was shown to be significantly enhanced due to perfusion

bioreactor culture but no flow-rate dependent influence was observed in
Figure 4
the assessed operating window (Fig. 1)
• Alizarin Red staining of cells expanded in the 3D perfusion bioreactor in
normal growth medium (Fig. 2.B) and osteogenic medium (Fig. 2.C)
showed no significant mineralization in the growth medium confirming the
gene expression data that showed no major changes in the expression of
key markers (black)(Fig. 2.A)
• Contrast enhanced nanofocus computed tomography enabled neo-tissue
visualization through the constructs cultured in different conditions (Fig. 3)
• in vivo bone forming capacity of 3D expanded and recovered cells was
uncompromised in comparison to standard 2D expanded cells confirming
the potential use of this system as a platform for automated cell
expansion (Fig. 4)
Major publication
Sonnaert, M., Luyten, F.P., Schrooten, J., Papantoniou, I., (2015) Bioreactor-based online recovery of human progenitor cells with
uncompromised regenerative potential: a bone tissue engineering perspective. PLoS ONE DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0136875
114
Minxian Wu
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jan Fransaer
Prof. dr. Koen Binnemans
FWO‐Flanders (G0B9613N)
Funding
IWT‐Flanders (SBO‐project 80031 “MAPIL”)
E-mail minxian.wu@mtm.kuleuven.be
Electrodeposition of semiconductor materials from non-aqueous electrolytes

Electrodeposition is a cost-efficient and convenient method to prepare thin film materials on conductive substrates. The
film morphology, composition and deposition rate can be easily controlled by changing the deposition conditions such as
applied potential, current, temperature, agitation and bath composition. This PhD research investigated the
electrodeposition of semiconductor materials: electrodeposition of bismuth-tellurium and bismuth-antimony-tellurium
thermoelectric materials from ethylene glycol solutions; and electrodeposition of germanium from ionic liquids.
The electrochemical behavior during deposition were studied by means of cyclic voltammetry, linear scan voltammetry,
electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, rotating (ring-)disk electrode, etc. The deposited films were characterized by
scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy,
Auger electron spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, etc.
Thermoelectric materials
Equilibrium alloy deposition of Bi2Te3 was achieved in
chloride-free ethylene glycol solutions which means film
composition can be easily controlled by the bath
composition. before after
 Thermoelectric multilayers were deposited from a single Fig.2 Color change of the electrolyte (left) and counter electrode
bath (Fig. 1). Such multilayer structure can reduce the (right) before and after electrolysis.
thermal conductivity and improve the thermoelectric The film deposited from [BMP][DCA] do not contain any
performance. halide impurities.
Electropolymerization of [DCA]- anions occurred on the
anode during electrodeposition (Fig.2)
At 180 °C, the grey shiny Ge films could be
electrodeposited from [BMP]Cl containing GeCl4 (Fig.3).
High deposition rate of 6 μm/h could be obtained.
Fig.1 Cross-section of thermoelectric multilayer and a cake
Germanium
New germanium compound [GeCl4(BuIm)2] was
synthesized and used for germanium deposition in
[BMP][DCA]. Fig.3 Optical (left) and SEM (middle) images of the top view of
Ge film. The cross-section of a thick Ge film (right).
Major publication
M. Wu, G. Vanhoutte, N.R. Brooks, K. Binnemans, J. Fransaer (2015). Electrodeposition of germanium at elevated
temperatures and pressures. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 17, 12080-12089.
115
Dimitar Shterionov
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Gerda Janssens
E-mail dimitar.shterionov@cs.kuleuven.be
Design and Development of Probabilistic Inference Pipelines

Introduction
ProbLog is a probabilistic logic programming framework: a language and an inference system. In this thesis we study the
pipeline architecture of the system, called a ProbLog inference pipeline. We discuss existing implementations, present
new ones and introduce optimizations. Then we focus on the extension of the ProbLog language with constraints and
annotated disjunctions, together with the methods to support inference with these language constructs.
Goals of the Research Research Methodology

 Improve probabilistic inference: We researched methods to  Analysis:
optimize ProbLog performance. – Separate pipeline components
– Different pipeline implementations – Data structure of intermediate results
– Optimization of intermediate results  Design & implementation:
 Extend the ProbLog language: We investigated new methods – New pipelines
to support additional language constructs for ProbLog:
– Optimization methods
– Annotated disjunctions
 Evaluation
– First-Order Logic constraints

 Although the knowledge compilation component has
the highest complexity, a crucial impact on the overall
system performance have the type and the complexity of
the formula generated by the Boolean formula conversion
component. A new pipeline proposed in this work shows
very promising results on our benchmarks.
 Our Boolean formula compaction improves knowledge compilation to ROBDDs and to sd-DNNFs with c2d; a relaxed
version of our algorithm improves knowledge compilation to sd-DNNFs with DSHARP. We show that Boolean formulae
optimization should be performed with respect to the type of application and the tool that used for knowledge compilation.
 We developed ProbLog inference for the language cProbLog – the extension of ProbLog with constraints. We defined
constraints as a generalization of evidence; our implementation is based on this property.
 In this thesis we proposed a new encoding of Annotated Disjunctions (ADs) that uses a form of cProbLog constraints.
Our encoding allows to correctly solve the MARG, COND, but also the newly introduced MPE inference task for ProbLog
programs with ADs.
Major publications
 Theofrastos Mantadelis, Dimitar Shterionov, and Gerda Janssens, Compacting Boolean formulae for inference in
probabilistic logic programming, LPNMR 2015, 13 pages, 27-30 September, 2015, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
 Dimitar Shterionov, and Gerda Janssens, Implementation and performance of probabilistic inference pipelines, PADL
2015, pp. 90-104, 18-19 June 2015, Portland, Oregon, USA
116
Kjell Cnops
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Paul Heremans
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jan Genoe
Funding imec
E-mail Kjell.Cnops@imec.be
Phthalocyanine-based organic solar cells and photodetectors

Phthalocyanines (Pc) and subphthalocyanines (SubPc) are explored as active
materials in organic photodiodes. By exploiting the unique optoelectronic properties
of these organic semiconducting molecules, this work aims to enhance the
performance of organic photovoltaics (OPV) and organic photodetectors (OPD).
Organic thin films and devices were fabricated by vacuum thermal evaporation. Characterization of the material
properties and study of the device physics provides guidelines for deliberate modifications of the photodiode architecture.
1. Non-fullerene acceptors in OPV 2. Cascade architectures

Four SubPc-derivatives are employed to Multilayer cascade architectures are
systematically study the effect of heterojunction developed, in which an efficient interlayer
energetics on OPV performance. exciton energy transfer process enhances
Optimization of the device structure yields OPV cells the photocurrent generation.
with an efficiency of 6.9% and a VOC above 1 V, Cascade OPV cells with efficiencies of
without the use of fullerenes as acceptor. 8.4% are demonstrated.
3. Near-infrared OPD Major publications

Near-infrared (NIR) sensitive OPDs 1.K. Cnops, G. Zango, J. Genoe, P. Heremans, M.V.
are obtained by templating the Martinez-Diaz, T. Torres, D. Cheyns, Energy Level Tuning
of Non-fullerene Acceptors in Organic Solar Cells, J. Am.
crystal growth of the non-planar
Chem. Soc. 137, 8991–8997 (2015).
PbPc molecule.
2.K. Cnops, B.P. Rand, D. Cheyns, B. Verreet, M.A. Empl,
Successful application as NIR- P. Heremans, 8.4% efficient fullerene-free organic solar
OPD however requires a reduction cells exploiting long-range exciton energy transfer, Nat.
of the dark current density. Commun. 5, 3406 (2014).
117
Yueqi Wang
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Paul Van Houtte
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Dimitri Debruyne; Prof. dr. Pascal Lava
Funding IDO Project
E-mail yueqi.wang@mtm.kuleuven.be
Uncertainty quantification of digital image correlation and the impact on

material identification
Introduction
The digital image correlation (DIC) technique is a full-field non-
contact optical deformation measurement tool. However, as a
measurement method, the accuracy of DIC is still a problem.
Plenty of studies have been done concerning the performance of
DIC, but yet there is no solid solution. This thesis is intended to
provide a thorough study on assessing the uncertainty of DIC
measurements, and also the impact of the measurement error
on material identifications by finite element model updating
Typical 2D DIC setup.
(FEMU).
Following the route of DIC applications, errors of raw data (digital images), which are originated from experimental
imperfections, pass to the DIC measurements and finally to the material properties. The links between the errors are
studied analytically and/or experimentally.

Analytical solutions show the relationships between the error of
digital images and the error on DIC measurements.
Using virtual DIC tests associated with FEM is a generic approach
to assess measurement errors in practical applications.
DIC measurement error has obvious impact on the material
properties identified by FEMU. Using appropriate weighting matrices
to include the impact of measurement errors leads to a more
accurate identification.
Swift hardening laws identified from the

standard tensile test (benchmark) and
different FEMU approaches. The FEMU
curves are adjusted to the benchmark by
using weighting matrices.
FEMU_2D: no weighting; FEMU_2D_W /
FEMU_2D_NW : using different weighting
Strain fields from DIC and finite element simulation at the optimized matrices to include the DIC measurement
material properties identified by FEMU, and the residual field. error.
Major publication
Y. Wang, P. Lava, S. Coppieters, M. De Strycker, P. Van Houtte, D. Debruyne (2012). Investigation of the uncertainty of
DIC under heterogeneous strain states with numerical tests. Strain, 48 (6), 453-462.
118
119
Anđelo Martinović
European FP7 projects V-City, 3D-COFORM,
Funding
VarCity, and KU Leuven Research Fund
E-mail andelo.martinovic@esat.kuleuven.be
Inverse Procedural Modeling of Buildings

3D city modeling is a thriving area of research, as high quality models of real-world cities are in ever-rising demand, not
only among architects and urban planners, but also in virtual tourism and entertainment industry. Manual modeling of
individual buildings usually provides good results, but the process is very time consuming and expensive. Current
automatically-built models provide inadequate 3D visual perception and lack any semantic knowledge about the scene.
Yet, adding a good understanding of what it is that needs to be modeled is a strong cue, not only to improve the visual
and 3D quality of the model, but also to substantially widen its usage.
Conversely, procedural modeling provides an effective way to create detailed and realistic 3D building models that do
come with all the semantic labels. This elegant yet powerful framework represents models such as buildings through
instantiations of a series of parameterized rules, forming a grammar. The resulting procedural models are compact, rich in
terms of semantics, and allow for more aesthetic rendering than would be possible from pure 3D capturing.
We investigate how procedural models can be used in the context of urban reconstruction. Our ultimate goal is to
automatically create procedural models of structures as-built (inverse procedural modeling). The main challenge is to
determine the rules and parameters of the procedural grammars, which typically results in a large search space.
 In the first part of the thesis we develop a system for 3D building reconstruction based on a known grammar, and
select the appropriate style grammar based on the recognition of the architectural style of the observed building.
 In the second part of the thesis we simplify the prior knowledge necessary for building reconstruction to a set of
general and style-independent architectural principles.
 In the third part of the thesis, we address the problem of procedural grammar scarcity by proposing to learn the
grammars from data.
The proposed models have been evaluated on several datasets of urban scenes, advancing the state of the art in terms
of accuracy and speed. More importantly, it is the conclusion of this thesis that the problem of inverse procedural
modeling of buildings could be solved with grammar learning from labeled and noisy data, obviating the need for a
human in the loop, and opening up novel directions for future research.
Major publications
A. Martinović, M. Mathias, J. Weissenberg, and L. Van Gool. “A Three-Layered Approach to
Facade Parsing,” in European Conference on Computer Vision (ECCV), 2012.
A. Martinović and L. Van Gool. “Bayesian Grammar Learning for Inverse Procedural
Modeling,” in IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2013.
120
Glenn Reynders
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir.- Arch. Dirk Saelens
Funding VITO
E-mail glenn.reynders@bwk.kuleuven.be
Quantifying the impact of building design on the potential of structural

storage for active demand response in residential buildings
Introduction
Large-scale integration of renewable energy is often suggested as a key technology to counter climate change. In
combination with the fluctuating demand, a wide-spread integration of intermittent renewable energy sources introduces
new challenges in terms of grid stability. In that context, active demand response (ADR) using thermal energy storage
shows to be an effective technology to provide the flexibility
for optimizing the electricity market.
Temperature
This work explores the structural thermal mass embedded in ADR

residential buildings as an active storage capacity in such No ADR
ADR programs.
The main goal is to quantify the building’s potential for ADR
Time
and assess the impact of building design parameters on this
potential. Figure 1. Concept of activating thermal mass for ADR by temporary increase of
indoor temperature within comfort range
I. Quantifying potential for ADR II. Characterizing existing buildings III. Applying on Belgian building stock
4 performance indicators are defined As the main potential for ADR is The grey-box modelling framework and
for a generic quantification of flexibility: expected in existing buildings a grey- quantification method are combined to
- Available storage capacity [kWh] box modelling method is presented to quantify the ADR potential of the Belgian
- Storage efficiency [-] characterize the dominant thermal residential building stock.
- State of charge [-] properties from measurements from An integrated operational model of the
- Power shifting capability [s] existing buildings. Belgian electricity sector is used to
The main focus is on the relation quantify the CO2-emission savings and
An extensive parameter study between the model structure, the operational aspects related to ADR using
quantifies the impact of building design experiment design and the physical heat pumps and thermal energy storage
parameters on the ADR potential. interpretation of the model parameters. in a high renewable scenario.
Conclusions
Residential buildings show a strong potential for short-term
thermal storage. High capacities (12-60 kWh) are found for typical
Belgian dwellings. Nevertheless, ADR always results in higher
heat demands as efficiencies typically vary between 60-95 %.
The parameter study showed how the latter mainly depend on the
heat loss coefficient and available thermal mass, and are
dependent on the dynamic boundary conditions.
The developed, simulation-based, quantification framework is a
comprehensive tool to quantify the instantaneous flexibility and
supports optimization of the use of structural .
Figure 2. Available capacity (top) and efficiency (bottom) as a function of the duration
Major publication of the ADR-event for different typologies of the Belgian building stock.
Reynders G, Diriken J, Saelens D (2014). “Quality of grey-box models and identified parameters as function of
the accuracy of input and observation signals,” Energy & Buildings, vol 82, pp 263-274
121
Leandro Dantas de Santana
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Christophe Schram
Brazilian Coordination for Improvement
Funding
of Higher Education Personnel – CAPES
E-mail leandro.desantanadantas@kuleuven.be
Semi-analytical methodologies for airfoil noise prediction

The noise generated aerodynamically by airfoil-shaped parts is a major issue in applications of large societal interest,
such as office and home appliances, wind power generation, air and ground transportation vehicles, etc. At early design
stages, semi-analytical noise prediction methodologies are preferred over more CPU-intensive methods, and have
recently gained considerable accuracy through advanced physical modeling. This thesis work aims to push further
the accuracy and reliability of state-of-the-art semi-analytical techniques for the prediction of incoming-turbulence airfoil
noise.
To validate the proposed techniques, a novel
experimental rig was developed and used to collect
detailed databases for rod-airfoil and turbulence-airfoil
interaction cases. The new facility was characterized
from aerodynamic and acoustic viewpoints, and
physical aspects relevant to semi-analytical noise
prediction were quantified.
For the frequency range where the acoustic wavelength
is larger than the airfoil chord. i.e. when the airfoil is Schematic representation of the flow facility.
acoustically compact, this work proposes an extension to
the Amiet theory, proposing two extra applications of the
Schwarzschild theorem to improve the convergence and,
consequently, increase the noise prediction accuracy.
Results show that the computation of two extra iterations
impacts significantly the predicted noise spectrum in the
frequency range of interest, and are verified against the
experimental results developed in this thesis showing
improved agreement. To address geometrical effects,
this work develops a technique which applies the
Boundary Element Methodology (BEM) to solve the
linearized flow equations. This procedure is verified
against analytical results, given by the Amiet technique to
a flat-plate geometry, and applied to noise computations
of generic geometry airfoils. Results shows that the airfoil
shape impacts the acoustic prediction. Acoustic prediction by the proposed 3rd and 4th
iteration compared with experimental results.
Major publication
Leandro D. Santana, C. Schram, Wim Desmet (2015). Low-frequency extension of Amiet’s theory for compact airfoil
noise predictions. Journal of Sound and Vibration, Accepted for publication.
122
Sayeh Mirzaei
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Hugo Van hamme
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Yaser Norouzi
Funding OT & GOA
E-mail smirzaei@esat.kuleuven.be
Application of Bayesian matrix factorization methods in audio signal processing

This research work is dedicated to the application of Bayesian or Bayesian non-parametric matrix factorization methods in
decomposing an audio signal to its components. In the first phase of the work, the effectiveness of some proposed Bayesian
Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) frameworks are investigated when applied to the task of word recognition of speech
utterances. These Bayesian approaches are used for estimating the number of word patterns needed for modeling speech
utterances. The second and main phase of our research is dedicated to underdetermined blind source separation of stereo
audio mixtures. We have proposed some approaches based on Bayesian NMF, Bayesian Non-negative Tensor Factorization
(NTF), complex NMF or some extended version of these methods for addressing these tasks under different mixing scenarios
including instantaneous, anechoic and convolutive (reverberant) mixtures. The goals of this study can be summarized as an
investigation of how two signal processing problems can benefit from Bayesian approaches to matrix factorization. In word
finding we want to show that the model order selection property of Bayesian methods leads to an automatic inference of the
number of words and pronunciation variants. In source localization and segregation we want to show the benefits of the same
property in building a parsimonious model of real sources leading to superior source segregation performance.
 First, we introduced a Bayesian and later a Bayesian non-parametric NMF framework for word discovery and recognition and
showed advantages in automatically determining the number of words present in a collection of utterances.
 We developed a Bayesian NTF framework for separating underdetermined
stereo instantaneous mixtures and showed performance improvements over the
standard KL-NTF framework. We have introduced an angular spectrum based method
for source counting and channel estimation purposed in this case.
 We introduced a complex NMF framework for separating stereo anechoic mixtures. We have also proposed a 2-D spectrum
based method for estimating both the channel attenuation and delay parameters as well as the number of sources.
 For separating reverberant mixtures, we tried to improve the performance of some existing methods based on full-rank spatial
covariance matrix modeling through introducing proper prior distributions for the parameters, hence we solve a Bayesian
problem. We have also taken the temporal continuity constraint into account in our developed model.

The experiments are generally performed on mixtures of speech or
music sources of the dev2 dataset of SiSEC. The separation quality
is measured in terms of some well-known blind source separation
evaluation metrics including SDR, SIR, ISR and SAR. The average
performance metrics over all sources and mixtures is calculated and
depicted against different reverberation time values in the following
figure. The performance improvement achieved by the first two
Bayesian NMF based approaches over the other methods is
manifested observing these graphs.
Major publication
S.Mirzaei, H.Van hamme, Y.Norouzi, "Blind audio source counting and separation of anechoic mixtures using the multichannel complex
NMF framework." Signal Processing 115 (2015): 27-37.
123
Bo Wang
Departement Materials Engineering (MTM)
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Ingrid De Wolf
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Martine Wevers
Funding imec
E-mail Bo.Wang@imec.be
Looking inside MEMS packages: investigation of the hermeticity of MEMS

thin film packages
Several classes of MEMS are sensitive to the internal pressure inside their packages. From functionality and reliability point of view, knowing and
monitoring this pressure is very important. This thesis demonstrates a new method to measure the internal pressure of the package and, in
addition, its leakage rate. It is based on an innovative use of the Focused Ion Beam (FIB) together with a measurement of pressure sensitive
parameters.
Purpose Method
Experiments and results
Conclusions
Conclusion
We demonstrated a new FIB open/sealing methodology to measure the package leakage rate and internal pressure. It can be applied to various
MEMS packages: Instead of monitoring the capacitance, one can also optically monitor the package curvature or measure the quality factor of a
MEMS inside the package.
124
Baetens Ruben
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Arch. Dirk Saelens
Funding FWO
E-mail rubenbaetens@gmail.com
On Externalities of Heat Pump-based Low-Energy Dwellings

at the Low-Voltage distribution grid
Implementing heat pumps as an energy efficient method to provide heat and rooftop photovoltaic installations as a source
of renewable energy in dwellings has a possible impact on the distribution, transmission, billing and trading of electricity.
Evaluating this electrification of building energy services from a building perspective as such unwittingly externalizes
costs. Excluding these effects underestimates the overall societal cost of possible systems, resulting in a disproportionate
trade-off between different possible policy measures.
The presented work estimates the externalised effects of low-energy dwellings at the low-voltage distribution grid based
on comprehensive building and energy system simulations. The comprehensive framework at neighbourhood level was
effectuated through the development of two novel modelling environments in the open-source OpenIDEAS framework.
The IDEAS Library allows district energy simulations which integrate
all main electric and thermal aspects of the energy systems in and
between buildings. The StROBe Module provides stochastic
occupant behaviour as boundary conditions for all main variables,
i.e. the receptacle loads, the hot water tap flows and the space
heating set-points.

The heating system design, average insulation level,
system sizing and feeder strength are identified as
potential system variables which influence the overall
impact of the integration, and are thus kept variable. In a
rural context, the possible external costs for maintaining
electricity distribution at the low-voltage grid are found to
lie in the same order of size as the marginal present
worths of the considered dwelling designs, and cost-
effective design options are available which lower or
avoid the externalities.
Contrary, the impact of heat pump based dwellings on
the low-voltage grid has been found negligible in an Figure. Summed marginal (present worth of the)
urban context when we consider their implementation in revenue requirements and total cost of ownership
up to sixty percent of the dwellings. PWTCOr + dPWRRr expressed in relation to the
total cost of ownership PWTCOr per dwelling
excluding the increased costs for the distribution
system operator for the rural cases.
Major publication
Baetens, De Coninck, Van Roy, Verbruggen, Driesen, Helsen & Saelens (2012). Assessing electrical bottlenecks at
feeder level for residential net zero-energy buildings by integrated system simulation. Applied Energy 96, 74-83.
125
Valentin Romanov
Supervisor Prof. Stepan V. Lomov
Co-supervisors Dr. Larissa Gorbatikh, Prof. Ignaas Verpoest
Funding “IMS&CPS” FP7 European project
E-mail valentin.romanov@mtm.kuleuven.be
Modeling tools for micro-scale stress analysis of nano-engineered

fiber-reinforced composites
Possessing excellent stiffness and strength, carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs), however, have a limited
toughness. The first damage in CFRPs usually occurs in transverse plies where stiff carbon fibers are microscopic stress
concentrators in the matrix. The toughness of CFRPs can be enhanced by adding carbon nanotubes (CNTs) – nano-
reinforcements of a high aspect ratio and exceptional stiffness – into the polymer. CNTs are believed to redistribute matrix
stresses by lowering the matrix stress concentration scale from micro-level – around carbon fibers – to nano-level –
around CNT tips – thereby hindering damage onset. The aim of this work was to understand the effect of CNTs on the
stress distribution in CFRPs using a numerical approach.
A novel finite element (FE) model was developed that represents thousands of individual CNTs with a “true-to-life”
morphology in a composite with microscopic fibers in a single simulation. For this, a numerically efficient Embedded
Elements method, which superimposes FE meshes of CNTs and mesh of matrix, was used.
The developed model captured the
matrix stresses between individual
CNTs, thereby allowing the
microscopic matrix stresses within
the CNT-rich matrix regions to be
captured as well.

The discovered heterogeneity of the matrix stress fields in nano-engineered fiber reinforced composites with CNTs
(nFRCs) was found to be strongly affected by the length, position, orientation, waviness and concentration of the CNTs.
CNT agglomerates were shown to behave as
stiff microscopic particles and to exacerbate the
existent stress concentrations. CNTs introduced
at fiber surfaces by fiber grafting or
sizing/coating with CNTs were found to increase
stresses in resin-rich zones between the fibers.
CNTs grown on fibers were shown to effectively
suppress stress concentrations in the matrix
close to the fiber surface.
A novel concept of intelligent hierarchical nFRCs was proposed and modeled. Combining precise localization and
orientation of CNTs, a complete elimination of microscopic inter-fiber stress concentrations was achieved by aligned
CNT “bridges” constructed interdependently with the fiber positions in FRC.
Major publication
Romanov, V.S., S.V. Lomov, I. Verpoest, and L. Gorbatikh, “Modelling evidence of stress concentration mitigation at the
micro-scale in polymer composites by the addition of carbon nanotubes”. Carbon, 2015. 82: p. 184-194.
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2014.10.061
126
Frederik Debrouwere
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jan Swevers
Prof. dr. ir. Joris De Schutter,
Co-supervisor
Prof. dr. Moritz Diehl
Funding IAP-DYSCO, GOA
E-mail Frederik.debrouwere@kuleuven.be
Optimal Robot Path Following

In industry, almost every production line involves one or more robotic manipulators performing a variety of path following
tasks, where a geometric path needs to be followed. Increasing the (time-) optimality of each robot task is hence of great
significance. The optimal path following problem then finds an optimal trajectory along the path. The aim of this thesis is
to extend the existing path following approach such that it applies to a large array of realistic and industrially relevant
applications such as manipulation of objects, realistic robot models and collision avoidance.
This research proposed to extend the existing path following formulation. This formulation was developed to render basic
path following tasks for simple robot models into a convex optimization problem by projection onto the path and a non-
linear transformation of variables. The extensions proposed in this thesis are mainly non-convex, however by using a
convex-concave decomposition of the non-convex parts, a solution can be obtained efficiently with guaranteed
convergence of the algorithm. The aim of this thesis is hence to formulate the practical path following applications such
that they can efficiently be solved. Furthermore, research has gone into the development of a more numerically efficient
algorithm to solve these convex-concave problems.

This research presented 22 industrially relevant
extensions to the basic path following formulation. 20 of
them are convex or convex-concave, making them
efficient to solve using a robust algorithm, which is of
great significance to industry. 2 of the proposed
extensions are not convex, however can still be solved
efficiently by exploiting the properties of the original path
following formulation. Figure 1 shows the results of an
experiment where jerk constraints were introduced to
reduce vibrations in the motion (due to the excitation of
resonance frequencies in the robot structure). These
vibrations would result in the object tipping over (top part
of the video frame), while the reduction of these
vibrations results in the object not tipping over (lower
part).
Figure 1. Experimental results of jerk-constrained motion.

Major publication
F. Debrouwere, W. Van Loock, G. Pipeleers, Q. Tran Dinh, M. Diehl, J. De Schutter, J. Swevers, "Time-Optimal Path Following for
Robots with Convex-Concave Constraints using Sequential Convex Programming", IEEE Transactions on Robotics, 29 (6), 1485-
1495. 2013
127
Johan Kerkhofs
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Liesbet Geris
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Hans Van Oosterwyck
Funding FWO, ERC
E-mail johankerkhofs@gmail.com
Chondrogenic differentiation in the growth plate:

A computational modelling approach
Each year 5 to 10% of the 6 million fractures in the US suffer from mal- or non-union. The development of tissue
engineered (TE) bone products would give surgeons more and better options to treat these bone defects. The lack of a
rational methodology for the development of TE processes and the poor characterisation thereof often result in a poor
predictability and consistency of current TE concepts. As a result, the translation of these concepts towards a clinical
application is often low. This PhD focuses on modelling the intricate molecular machinery underlying the developmental
process of bone formation. The overarching goal is to increase the predictability and the consistency of the behaviour
of bone TE products by exploiting the robustness and modularity of in vivo bone formation.
In this PhD an additive framework, geared towards qualitatively modelling regulatory networks, is developed. Through an
analysis of the canalisation and stability to perturbation the network model allows for an in silico screening for the effect of
incorporated genes in various stages of cartilage differentiation.
Regulatory network and outcome of (partial) in silico screening

The developed models identify and elucidate vital signalling pathways and their interactions in bone development. In
addition, they highlight factors that have a crucial role in determining cell behaviour and can consequently instruct bone
and cartilage tissue engineering strategies. In addition, they suggest therapeutic targets in cartilage-associated diseases,
such as osteoarthritis.
Major publication
J. Kerkhofs, S. Roberts, F. P. Luyten, H. Van Oosterwyck, L. Geris. (2012) Relating the Chondrocyte Gene Network to
Growth Plate Morphology: from Genes to Phenotype. PLoS One, 7(4), e34729.
128
Wyffels Jeroen
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Nauwelaers Bart
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. De Strycker Lieven
Funding IWT
E-mail jeroen.wyffels@gmail.com
Indoor Localization Aspects of a Personalized Mobile Communication

System for Intelligent Healthcare Facilities
This research proposes a methodology for indoor
localization in any healthcare environment, based on
signal strength measurements. We focus on distributed
localization with room level accuracy (or region level
accuracy in corridors). Bluetooth Low Energy chips are
used as wireless extensions to the existing wired nurse
call networks, giving rise to cost effectiveness. Patients
and mobile staff are handed a mobile device which are
able to locate themselves adequately. Healthcare facilities
are characterized by long corridors and more or less
equally sized rooms at each side of the corridor. This
typical layout is exploited in the localization process, as
well as the limited amount of possible access points to the
nurse call network: near a bed, near a door to a patient
room, and inside corridors.
By letting all wireless extensions broadcast information regarding their position of installation, a mobile node can
quickly obtain information about its current position. The present research focusses on the development of an easy
to implement, decision tree based algorithm, which enables the mobile devices to locate themselves up to the
envisioned level of localization accuracy.
By means of an RSS simulation framework, the developed localization algorithm can be validated for different kinds
of topologies, construction materials and room sizes.
A method for ensuring the broadcasted data of the wireless extension contains valid information regarding their
position of installation, is developed within the scope of this research.

• Distributed indoor localization by means of a decision tree based on signal strength measurements is possible.
The strength of the approach taken is the fact that typically no RSS-to-distance conversions are used.
• The performance of the algorithm does not depend on the construction materials or dimensions of the building
• The algorithm is robust against NLOS conditions between mobile device and one or more wireless extensions
• The processing power imposed on the mobile devices is limited, which contributes to a low-cost solution
Major publication
Wyffels, J., De Brabanter, J., Crombez, P., Verhoeve, P., Nauwelaers, B., De Strycker, L. (2014). Distributed, Signal
Strength based Indoor Localization Algorithm for Use in Healthcare Environments. IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health
Informatics, Volume 18 Issue 6, pp 1887 – 1893.
129
Deurinck Mieke
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir.-arch. Roels Staf
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir.-arch. Saelens Dirk
E-mail miekedeurinck@hotmail.com
Energy savings in the residential building sector

An assessment based on stochastic modelling
Introduction
Energy savings in the residential building sector are typically predicted by means of simplified, normative calculation
tools, relying on standardized user behaviour. In reality however, actual energy savings prove to be only 20 to 60% of
those predicted, seriously questioning the use of these tools in reliable cost efficiency analyses and robust policy making.
Additionally, the tools are mostly conceived deterministically, giving no insight in the uncertainties inherent to predicting
energy savings. The main aim of this work is to provide a more reliable energy saving prediction method,
embedded in a probabilistic framework.
An evidence-based probabilistic behavioural model is developed, reflecting the large variety in dwelling use. Key
aspects of the final behavioural model are (i) the use of time-dependent occupancy profiles and (ii) the implementation of
space-dependent heating patterns. As the simple thermal building models of the normative tools are no longer suitable to
implement this behavioural model, a transient zonal building model is set up as well. By using the well-known Monte-
Carlo technique, energy saving predictions can be generated in terms of probability distributions.

When applied on an existing case study district, the
results show that
 the above methodology is able to predict energy use
estimates that are very comparable to measured data
(both in average values and statistical spread),
confirming its overall reliability.
 the methodology is capable of capturing typical
retrofitting effects like the temperature takeback –in
contrast to the currently used and simplified calculation
tools.
 the probabilistic setup proves to be worthwhile in
assessing energy savings at a large-scale building stock Figure 1 – Energy savings [kWh/year] following a roof
level (district, city, region, ...). Because the building insulation measure: the probabilistic behavioural model, in
combination with the stochastic assessment of the housing
parameters are conceived probabilistic as well, it allows
stock characteristics (full black line), is able to reflect the high
for an incorporation of the global uncertainty of statistical variability in energy savings, all depending on which user
building stock data within the final energy saving lives in which dwelling.
estimates.
Major publication
Deurinck, M., Saelens, D., and Roels S. (2012). Assessment of the physical part of the temperature takeback for
residential retrofits. Energy and Buildings, 52:112-121.
130
Joost Lauwers
PhD defence 01 October 2015
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Filip Logist, prof. dr. Kris Willems
Funding KU Leuven
E-mail joost.lauwers@cit.kuleuven.be
Advanced methods for the structural and practical identification of large-scale

non-linear biochemical systems. Application to anaerobic digestion models
Introduction / Objective Goal
Dynamic models for biochemical systems generally contain a large number of Model
parameters. When parameters in a model need to be estimated from data, two Structural
questions can be asked: Can the parameters be estimated, even when perfect identifiability
Experiment
measurement and experiment conditions are available. This is the question of Practical
structural identifiability. If so, can the parameters be estimated well enough, identifiability
Parameter estimation
considering limitations on the experiments and measurements? This is the question of
practical identifiability.
Design of Accurate
This work evaluates the structural and practical identifiability for large-scale bioprocess experiments estimate
models. In this work, the Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) is used as a case- No
Yes
study. Emphasis is given on the structural aspects causing (non-)identifiability.
Use model
Research methodology
Structural identifiability: two approaches are studied 1 2 3
C-identifiability approach: via a transformation the non-
linearity in the equation is eliminated.
• Partial results for the stoichiometric parameters.
• Non-linear observability: parameters are constant states
of which the observability is tested.
• Local results, but for all parameters. Visualization of the error between the model predictions and the measurements for
different parameter combinations. The black cross/line indicates where the error is
minimal: (1) Structural non-identifiability. all parameter combinations on the black
Practical identifiability: Monte Carlo parameter line are equivalent. (2) structural but not practical identifiability. (3) structural and
estimation procedure: practical identifiability and practically identifiable.
• Experiments are designed such that there is Results & Conclusions
sufficient variation in state values.
Structural identifiability:
• Measurements are simulated and the parameters
are estimated on this data • Both methods are applicable to large-scale bioprocess models
• The variation in the parameter estimates is a • Nearly all parameters of ADM1 are structurally locally identifiable
measure for practical identifiability. • Non-identifiability can be attributed to dead-ends in the system
• Solved in a orthogonal collocation framework: large- • Interconnectivity makes the model harder to analyze but yields better
scale optimization problem (+/- 38,000 variables). identifiability properties
Practical identifiability
Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) • Sufficient variation in state values is necessary
• Benchmark model • 1st order kinetic parameters and parameters associated with directly
• 29 differential and 10 algebraic states excited parameters identifiable
• 78 parameters
• Interconnectivity of the model reflected in the estimation results
Major publication
J. Lauwers, P. Nimmegeers, F. Logist, J., and J. F. Van Impe. (2015). Identifiability of large-scale non-linear dynamic network models. Application to the
ADM1-case study. (In preparation.).
131
Boudewijn Decrop
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Erik Toorman
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Tom De Mulder
Funding IWT Baekeland
E-mail bdc@imdc.be
Numerical and Experimental Modelling of Near-Field Overflow Dredging Plumes

Turbidity plumes are an important topic in the environmental aspects of dredging. Turbid sediment plumes can cause
adverse effects when they reach environmentally sensitive areas such as coral reefs, sea grass fields and wetlands. The
main source of turbidity while employing Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHD) is the release of excess water through
the overflow shaft. The objective of the research is to improve the prediction and mitigation of these plumes.
In this research, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are used as a tool
to determine the three-dimensional flows of water, sediment and air bubbles directly
after release from the overflow shaft. In order to develop and validate a reliable
numerical model, the following steps are followed.
 Laboratory experiments on scaled sediment plumes in crossflow
 CFD model of the laboratory-scale plumes
 CFD model of the full-scale sediment plumes, including ship propellers and air
bubbles
 Oceanographic measurements in open-sea dredging plumes, to provide validation
data

The CFD model simulations have been validated against results of Based on a batch of CFD model results, a
laboratory experiments and field observations. These field simplified near-field plume dispersion model
observations consisted of measurements of the sediment has been developed, based both on
concentration in the overflow plume behind a TSHD at work at sea. analytical solutions and on empirical models
(grey-box model). This model allows for the
nearly instantaneous assessment of most
standard cases, with a limited reduction in
accuracy.
Both the CFD model and the simplified

model allow for a more accurate prediction
of the plumes and a more adequate design
of mitigation measures.
Major publication
-Decrop, B., De Mulder, T., Toorman, E. and Sas, M. (2015). Large-Eddy Simulations of turbidity plumes in crossflow.
European Journal of Mechanics - B/Fluids (53), p68-84.
- Decrop, B. , De Mulder, T., Toorman, E. and Sas, M. (2015). New methods for ADV measurements of turbulent
sediment fluxes – Application to a fine sediment plume. Journal of Hydraulic Research 53 (3), p 317-331.
132
Houtmeyers Sofie
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Van Impe Jan
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Appels Lise and Prof. dr. Willems Kris
IWT Tetra project (IWT100196):
Funding
2011-2012
E-mail sofie.houtmeyers@me.com
The influence of pre-treated waste activated sludge on anaerobic

digestion efficiency and microbial community structure
Anaerobic digestion as a sewage sludge treatment step is widely known. Organic matter in the thickened waste activated
sludge (WAS) is transformed into an energy-rich biogas (55-70 % methane), which results in a reduction of the amount of
biosolids that needs to be disposed. Biogas production via anaerobic digestion is often limited by the slow hydrolysis rate.
The objective of this research was to investigate if pre-treating the WAS before introduction into the anaerobic digesters
can improve the digestion efficiency.
Research Methodology Gas meter
•Pre-treatment techniques: •Anaerobic digestion:

•Microwave •Lab-scale (1 L)
•Ultrasound •Small pilot-scale Digestate
•Electrokinetic (50 L) Water lock
disintegration 50 L working
•Electrolysis 16 L (un)treated WAS in digester volume
buffer
tank
Results & Conclusions Pump
•Only techniques applying low specific energy (< 4.54 kJ/kg sludge); the electrokinetic and electrolysis pre-treatment
seem economically viable.
•A model to predict the biogas production was built with PLS, based on a dataset (14 data points) of solely non-treated
sampling points (2 components and 7 variables):
Biogas production = 0.37–9.0.10-4(TS)–1.2.10-3(VS)+7.4.10-8(COD)–3.1.10-7(sCOD)–2.8.10-7(Carbs)–3.4.10-5(sCarbs)–0.010(pH)
• The results from 454 amplicon pyrosequencing (Bacteria &

Archaea) and qPCR (Archaea) allowed to gain some insights
into the the structure and dynamics of the microbial community
found in anaerobic digesters fed with (un)treated WAS.
• The hydrogenotrophic methanobacteriales (Archaea): most
abundant at the start of the digestion but thereafter overtaken
by the actoclastic methanosarcinales.
• The largest change in community structure (nMDS ordination)
was achieved in the first phase of the digestion test run
(before pre-treated WAS was fed to the digesters) => the
observations cannot be linked directly to disintegration or
solubilisation of the WAS caused by the applied pre-
treatments.
Major publications
Houtmeyers S., Degrève J., Willems K., Dewil R., Appels L. (2014). Comparing the influence of low power ultrasonic and microwave pre-treatments on the
solubilisation and semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge, Bioresource Technology, 171, 44-49.
Appels L., Houtmeyers S., Degrève J., Van Impe J., Dewil R. (2013). Influence of microwave pre-treatment on sludge solubilization and pilot scale semi-
continuous anaerobic digestion, Bioresource Technology, 128, 598-603.
Appels L., Houtmeyers S., Van Mechelen F., Degrève J., Van Impe J., Dewil R. (2012). Effects of ultrasonic pre-treatment on the sludge characteristics and
anaerobic digestion, Water Science and Technology, 66 11), 2284-2290.
133
Leqi Zhang
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Guido Groeseneken
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Dirk J. Wouters
Funding imec
E-mail Leqi.zhang@imec.be
Study of the selector element for resistive memory

Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) is a promising candidate for future non-volatile memory technology. However, implementing
resistive memory into high density cross-point (X-point) arrays needs additional non-linear selector device in serially connected with each
resistive memory in a one-selector one-resistor (1S1R) configuration, to suppress the potential leakage currents. This Ph.D. focuses on
the selector element, aims at addressing the following questions:
 What are the selector requirements for achieving an acceptable 1S1R memory array performance?
 How to make a selector device that fulfills these requirements?
Resistive memory (1R) X-point memory array (1R only) X-point memory array (1S1R) Generic selector (1S) behavior
Log(I)
[1]
High current enables

write/read operation
C D D A
A B B BC
Low current enables
large array size
Signal for the selected cell
Leakage current issue Leakages are suppressed D
by non-linear selector
Voltage
 Top-down approach: The performance requirements for implementing the selector device are derived from a circuit perspective (under
predefined array performance constraints), by employing a hybrid circuit simulation and an analytical analysis approach.
 Bottom-up approach: Demonstrate Metal/amorphous-Silicon(a-Si)/Metal (MSM) tunneling selector structure experimentally.
7
10
6 NL½ > 1500
Results & Conclusions Tunneling barrier
10
5
10
4
 The extracted selector parameter requirements Фb 10
J [A/cm ]
2
targeting for 1Mbit array at 10nm-scale (simulation)

3 400̊C
10
2
TiN tSi 10
Switching current 1μA 10uA 10
1
e- (1) Capture (2) Emission
Ultra-thin undoped a-Si TiN 0

10 600̊C
Program/Erase voltage ±1.5V ±1.5V #  Demonstrated MSM selector 10
-1 Trap in a-Si
-2
 CMOS-friendly process 10
Read voltage |0.1V| |0.1V| -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
 Voltage compatible with resistive memory 7 Voltage [V]
 Non-linearity enhancement (>1500) by
10
Max. current density (A/cm2) >106 >107 6
anneal (defect density reduction in a-Si) 10
10
5 NL½ > 6000
|Operating voltage (Vop)| $) >1.5V >2.4V *  Non-linearity improvement (>6000) by
10
4
J [A/cm ]
tunneling barrier engineering

2
3
Half bias non-linearity (NL½) >800 >2000 Non-linearity booster 10
2
10
#) Reference: HfOx-based resistive memory characteristics 1
e- 10
*) Simulated performance target for selector 0
$) Voltage at which the maximum current density is achieved 10
-1
a-Si 10
-2
10
SiNx -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Major publication a-Si Voltage [V]
L.Zhang, B.Govoreanu, et al.,“High-Drive Current (>1MA/cm2), Highly Nonlinearity(>103) TiN/Amorphous Silicon/TiN Scalable Bidirectional Selector with Excellent Reliability and Its
Variability Impact on the 1S1R Array Performance”, in. Proc. IEDM, pp.6.8.1-6.8.4, 2014.
Reference: [1] S.Hyun et al., “Next generation Nonvolatile Memory Its impact on computer system”, 2013.
134
Gert Cuypers
Department Eectrical engineering (ESAT)
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Marc Moonen
Funding IWT
E-mail gert.cuypers@esat.kuleuven.be
Equalization, windowing and zero restoration for OFDM and single-carrier

block transmission
The research revolves around efficient frequency-domain techniques to equalize digital transmissions (e.g. WiFi, xDSL) in
a challenging environment, leading to a higher bit rate. An important goal was the avoidance of interference towards other
users, and the handling of received interference to allow a co-existence of different systems.
Most results were obtained by computer simulation in Matlab.
• We developed a smart type of windowing function for both the transmitter
and the receiver, to make the signals more spectrally contained.
• We proposed a technique, “zero restoration” to restore data that is lost when 0
frequency components are missing due to destructive interference. This is a θ

1
π
common occurrence in a wireless environment. Y
Z x
−1
• We also proposed an interpolation technique, based on the discrete cosine X
transform, implemented uses Chebyshev polynomials. The duality between Chebyshev

Results & Conclusions polynomials and cosines leads to an
. efficient interpolation algorithm.
−90
−92 Wr,s 0
10
W3,opt
−94
W OFDM−CP (MMSE)
5,opt
OFDM−MMSE−FD−EXT
−96 W
opt ZFE−FD−EXT
−98 SC−CP (MMSE)
−1 MMSE−FD−FOLD
10
−100 MMSE−FD−EXT
OFDM−MMSE−ZR
−102 ZFE−ZR
MMSE−ZR
−104 ZFE−TD
MMSE−TD
−106 −2
10
−108
−110
BER
1800 1820 1840 1860 1880 1900 1920
A special class of windowing functions, derived from an −3

10
inverse raised cosine, leads to reduced out-of-band

radiation while preserving the desired signal’s integrity.
−4
10
Comparing the bit error rate of zero-restoration (in red, blue
is baseline) and other equalization schemes shows a nice
improvement for challenging environments; lower is better. −5
10
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Major publication SNR [dB]
Cuypers, G., Vanbleu, K., Ysebaert, G., Moonen, M., Vandaele, P. Combined per tone equalization and receiver
windowing in DSL receivers: WiPTEQ. Elsevier Signal Processing 85, 10 (2005), 1921–1942.
135
Alessandro Chiumento
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Sofie Pollin
Funding Imec
E-mail alessandro.chiumento@.kuleuven.be
Dynamic Resource Allocation and Self-Organizing Signalling Optimisation

in LTE-A Downlink
Cellular networks become more and more complex with each new generation. A modern network needs to serve a
massive amount of users in dynamic and challenging environments. In order to optimize the spreading of the resources
and deliver the best possible service, each user should be catered to adaptively, considering its requirements at all times.
This comes at a cost, both in terms of distributing the resources efficiently and in making sure that the overhead, caused
by this allocation control, is minimized. This thesis addresses these two challenges.
The results obtained in this work are the fruits of simulated heterogeneous LTE-A downlink environments. First the inter-
cell interference problem for co-tiered large and small base station has been analysed and a distributed, low-complexity,
interference management solution has been proposed. The solution makes use of inter base station communication when
possible and spectrum sensing when necessary. Afterwards, the control information overhead, usually necessary to
operate the network has been analysed and modelled.
Machine learning solutions have been proposed to stir the
network elements into good operating points while requiring
little control information both in time and frequency.
The interference management results for an
heterogeneous network are shown in Figure 2. The
proposed solution grants the interfered users 50% Figure 1: modelled ideal cell division (left) VS real cell division due to shadowing
throughput improvement at a very limited cost for the non
The channel quality of a mobile user can be predicted
interfered users for both large and small cells (Macro and
and Figure 3 presents results for this estimation using
Pico). The distributes small cells (Femto) use spectrum
Gaussian Process Regression and Figure 4
sensing to minimize losses.
summarises the results.
Real and predicted CQI values
Gain over resource allocation throughput
1.6 15
Macro Figure 2: Figure 3:
Pico
Throughput Predicted
Femto and
1.4 gain of the
Macro+Pico
proposed 10 simulated
channel
CQI values
1.2
solution over
the interfered quality for
scenario a user
5
1 without moving at
coordination Real 10 km/h
Predicted
0.8 0
0 20 40 60 80 100 0 100 200 300 400
Figure 4: Amounts of control information with
Percentiles time [ms]
time prediction with 2 different resource
allocation methods
Major publication
Chiumento, A.; Pollin, S.; Desset, C.; Van der Perre, L.; Lauwereins, R., "Impact of CSI Feedback Strategies on LTE
Downlink and Reinforcement Learning Solutions for Optimal Allocation", IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology,
2015.
136
Lieven Vervecken
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Johan Meyers
Co-supervisor Dr. ir. Johan Camps
Funding SCK•CEN
E-mail lieven.vervecken@kuleuven.be
Improved modeling and real-time simulation of near-range atmospheric

dispersion of radioactive gases
This thesis investigates how Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can be applied in the context of nuclear emergency
preparedness and response. The focus is on both improving the accuracy of CFD as a base model, and on the
formulation of fast reduced order models (ROMs) that retain the accuracy of CFD.
We first focus on improving RANS modeling of atmospheric dispersion. A simple approach is introduced to estimate,
based on experiments, the correct level of variability in wind direction that is required as additional boundary condition for
the simulations. In a second part of the work we make use of LES to study the variability of radiological dose rate at
ground level due to instantaneous turbulent mixing processes. For this, the LES model is coupled with dose rate models
for beta and gamma radiation. The third part of the work aims at constructing fast ROMs that retain full CFD accuracy.
We focus on deriving a ROM by projection of the CFD model onto a Krylov-subspace that is produced by the Arnoldi
algorithm. The ROMs are applied to the forward simulation and the source reconstruction problem.
This dissertation demonstrates the large potential of CFD in the 0.5
framework of nuclear emergency preparedness and response. z [km]

The main achievements are:
• A very effective model reduction methodology is developed for 0.0
1.5
the fast and accurate simulation of the pollutant dispersion and 1.0
-0.5
source reconstruction [1] x [km]

0.5 0.0
y [km]
• The variability of radiological dose rate from cloud shine due to 0.0
0.5
instantaneous turbulent mixing processes was examined [2]

• The accuracy of near-range dispersion simulations using
RANS was improved [3] Top figure: Application of ROM to dispersion at Doel
nuclear power station. The CFD simulation time is
reduced by a factor of 2500 to only 38.6 ms per
second of real time [1].
Left figure: In gray: instantaneous Argon-41

concentration; back plane, concentration in the
stream-wise cross section through the point of
Major publications release [2].
[1] L. Vervecken, J. Camps, J. Meyers (2015). Stable reduced-order models for pollutant dispersion in the built
environment. Building and Environment, 92, 360-367.
[2] L. Vervecken, J. Camps, J. Meyers (2015). Dynamic dose assessment by Large Eddy Simulation of the near-range
atmospheric dispersion. Journal of Radiological Protection, 35, 165–178
[3] L. Vervecken, J. Camps, J. Meyers (2013). Accounting for wind-direction fluctuations in Reynolds-averaged simulation
of near-range atmospheric dispersion. Atmospheric Environment, 72, 142–150.
137
Koen Decroix
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Bart De Decker
Supervisor Prof. dr. Vincent Naessens
Funding IWT
E-mail koen.decroix@cs.kuleuven.be
Model-Based Analysis of Privacy in Electronic Services

This thesis focuses on the analysis of privacy in composite services whereby individuals interact with a service front-end
calling on underlying sub-services that perform specific tasks. Individuals disclose personal data towards services. As
many services have ambiguous privacy policies, it remains unclear to individuals to what extent the acquired information
is distributed and processed, what other personal data is included and/or merged in user profiles. Moreover, much more
personal data is often revealed than strictly necessary. As is well known, many authentication technologies, such as
X.509 certificates, disclose personal data and make transactions linkable. Service providers must be limited in collecting
an individual’s personal data. In this context, data protection legislation, such as the EU General Data Protection
Regulation, aims for data handling practices that are transparent to individuals. One of the key data protection principles
is privacy by design, which imposes service providers to build privacy safeguards into each design stage, from the
earliest design stage onwards. Privacy by design engineering is complex as designers must not only consider functional
requirements, their design must satisfy privacy requirements as well. Computer-aided support tools assisting designers
with their decisions are necessary.
A logic-based privacy analysis framework (see Figure 1) is defined in this thesis. First, the key concepts necessary for
capturing privacy in composite services are identified. The concepts are part of a blueprint that is defined for modeling
composite services. Next, a framework containing the aforementioned concepts is defined that supports the automated
analysis of privacy in services. Finally, queries that are defined provide qualitative feedback meaningful for both end-
users and designers. The framework is realized using IDP, a knowledge-base system that automates the privacy
analysis.
System Independent Modeling Part
The IDP realization of the framework is applied to Vocabulary
Vocabulary Behavior + Inference Rules
multiple case studies from different application
domains. The framework is flexible as it supports: User Model System Model
Logic Component
• detecting conflicts between the designed

Conclusions
Trust Perception Organizations Services

services and privacy requirements.
Input Model
Credentials
• comparing users with different trust perceptions.
Service Policies
• comparing the impact of selected credential Identifier Model
technologies. Identities Access Storage
• comparing alternative services Pseudonyms Distribution Output
Figure 1: Logic-based framework

Major publication
Decroix, K. Lapon, J., De Decker, B. and Naessens, V. (2013). A Framework for Formal Reasoning about Privacy
Properties Based on Trust Releationships in Complex Electronic Services. In Bagchi, A. (Ed), Ray, I. (Ed). Information
Systems Security: Vol. 8303. ICISS 2013, Kolkota, pp. 106-120. Berlin Heidelberg Springer-Verlag.
138
Pieter Jacqmaer
E-mail Pieter.Jacqmaer@skynet.be
Hard- and Soft-Switching High-Frequency Power Electronics:

Modelling of Parasitics and Electromagnetic Fields
The doctoral work researches the feasibility of using increased switching frequencies and fast components in power
electronic converters. Not only the fast wide-bandgap semiconductor components are studied and characterized, but also
a lot of interest is devoted to optimizing resonant topologies. In the next parts of the thesis, the possible problems in
power converters operating with fast components are investigated: ringing, signal degradation, overvoltages and
overcurrents, crosstalk and the production of electromagnetic interference. A tool is developed based on the PEEC-
method to accurately predict these phenomena.
 A figure of merit is used to rank wide-bandgap power switching components according to their performance. It is based
on the gate-charge and the dynamic on-resistance. This latter is measured using a novel voltage-clamping circuit [1].
 The different resonant converter-topologies are discussed. The conditions for zero-voltage switching are mathema-
tically derived. An iteration analysis is performed to determine the optimal
parameters of the resonant tank in an LLC-converter.
 The full-wave PEEC technique is used to model PCB-interconnections and
Jefimenko’s equations are employed for the numerical field calculations.
 A measurement methodology is developed to determine a high-frequency
figure of merit. With it, fast GaN-components can be compared to each
other:
 A freeware software PEEC-tool, operating in the

time- and frequency-domain is developed.
 The near and far fields around a converter can be

predicted with software receiving input from the
PEEC-tool:
 A 50 W LLC-converter, switching at 2.5 MHz is developed, realizing zero
voltage switching and an efficiency of 84%
Major publication
R. Gelagaev, P. Jacqmaer and J. Driesen, " A Fast Voltage Clamp Circuit for the Accurate Measurement of the Dynamic On-
Resistance of Power Transistors," IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 62, issue 2, February 2015, pp. 1241-1250
139
Jiuyang Lin
Funding China Scholarship Council (CSC)
E-mail jiuyang.lin@cit.kuleuven.be
Membrane technologies for fractionation of dye/salt mixture and resource

reuse in textile industry
Textile wastewater is generated during the dye production and textile dyeing process and typically has a high salinity.
Conventional approaches (i.e., adsorption, coagulation, biological treatment and advanced oxidation processes) mainly
focus on dye removal or destruction, reducing the possibility for dye recovery and salt reuse from textile
wastewater. Therefore, state-of-the-art treatment technologies focusing on recovery of valuable resources from textile
wastewater are on the research agenda.
 Application of loose nanofiltration membrane for the
fractionation of dye/NaCl mixtures.
 Integration of loose nanofiltration (NF) and bipolar
membrane electrodialysis (BMED) process for the resource
recovery (i.e. dye, acid, base and pure water) from textile Fig. 1: Schematic of fractionation of dye/NaCl
wastewater. mixture by loose NF membrane
 Application of tight ultrafiltration (UF) membrane for the
separation of dye/Na2SO4 mixtures.

 Loose nanofiltration membrane can effectively fractionate
the dye/NaCl mixtures, and yield a >99.96% dye rejection and
~97.5% NaCl permeation (Fig. 1), indicating an alternative to
dense NF membrane for textile wastewater treatment.
Fig. 2: Schematic of resource recovery from textile
 Loose NF and BMED hybrid process can technically wastewater by loose NF and BMED process
recover the resources (i.e. dye extraction, acid/base and pure
water production) from the textile wastewater, closing the
material loop and realizing the zero liquid discharge in textile
wastewater tretamtent (Fig. 2).
 Employment of tight UF membrane can effectively
fractionate the dye/NaCl mixtures, yielding a >99.0 dye
retention efficiency and complete Na2SO4 permeation,
exhibiting a new opportunity for the separation of dye/salt
mixtures (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3: Schematic of fractionation of dye/Na2SO4
Major publication mixture by tight UF membrane
Jiuyang Lin, Wenyuan Ye, Huiming Zeng, Hong Yang, Jiangnan Shen, Siavash Darvishmanesh, Patricia Luis, Arcadio
Sotto, Bart Van der Bruggen. Fractionation of direct dyes and salts in aqueous solution using loose nanofiltration
membranes. Journal of Membrane Science 2015, 477, 183-193.
140
Wauman Barbara
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. arch. Saelens Dirk
Co-supervisor dr. ir. Breesch Hilde
E-mail barbara.wauman@bwk.kuleuven.be
Evaluation of the quasi-steady-state method for the assessment of energy

use in school buildings
In Flanders, a monthly, quasi-steady-state calculation tool is used for energy rating and certification of building designs.
Due to the implemented monthly averaged input data or inaccurate model simplifications, calculation results differ
significantly from dynamic simulation results, restricting the effectiveness of the energy building policy. Therefore, the
accuracy of the currently applied calculation method is analysed, focusing on school buildings in Flanders in particular.
 An uncertainty analysis through the Monte Carlo Latin Hypercube sampling technique reveals the impact of the input
data. A sensitivity analysis, using the elementary effect method of Morris, determines the predominant boundary
conditions for which more representative values are set based on survey data.
 The influence of typical school buildings’ characteristics on the energy demand are studied by dynamic simulations. The
correlation-based correction factors used in the monthly method are adapted accordingly using regression analysis
techniques.
 A series of integrated, dynamic building and HVAC system simulations
are performed to assess the reliability of the simplified, sequential
subsystem calculation approach used for energy use calculations.

The following modifications are
suggested, ordered based on their
priority:
 The implementation of a more diverse
room type profile, including
representative boundary conditions Fig: Sankey diagram of heating energy flows
 A revision of the tabulated subsystem
efficiencies based either on the
results of the dynamic simulations or
on the alternative calculation
approach of EN 15316
 New values for the utilisation and
intermittency factor, specifically
adapted to the typically Flemish
school use
(a) heating demand (b) final energy use for heating
Fig: impact of suggested changes on the calculation results
Major publication
B.Wauman, H.Breesch, D. Saelens (2013). Evaluation of the accuracy of the implementation of dynamic effects in the
quasi-steady-state calculation method for school buildings, Energy and Buildings, 65, 173-184
141
Andy Gijbels
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jos Vander Sloten
Funding IWT
E-mail gijbels.andy@gmail.com
Development and evaluation of robotic technology for safe and

successful retinal vein cannulation
Retinal Vein Occlusion is an eye disorder where clots formed inside retinal vessels cause severe loss of vision. The
disease affects an estimated 16,4 million people worldwide. Retinal vein cannulation is a promising treatment where the
surgeon would insert a needle via a small incision in the eye into the affected veins and subsequently inject an adequate
dose of a clot-dissolving drug (Fig. 1). Given the scale (30 µm - 400 µm in diameter) and the fragility of retinal veins on
one side and the surgeons limited positioning precision and force perception on the other side, this procedure is
considered too risky to perform manually. This work reports on the development and evaluation of dedicated robotic
technology to enable surgeons to perform retinal vein cannulation in a safe and successful manner.
Fig.1: Retinal vein cannulation. Fig. 2: Surgeon controlling Fig.3: A conventional needle (upper)
the robotic system. and the developed 80 µm-diameter
force-sensitive cannulation needle
(lower).
Starting from an early prototype, a fully dedicated robotic system for retinal surgery is developed in this research (Fig. 2).
The surgeon and the robot simultaneously hold the instrument. The surgeon retains full control over the instrument
motion. Viscous forces generated by the robot minimize the surgeon’s hand tremor such that the needle can be precisely
inserted into the targeted vessel. Further, the world’s thinnest stainless steel injection needle is developed, having a tip
diameter of only 80 µm (Fig. 3). Additionally, the needle is equipped with an optic force sensor which is shown to be
capable of automatically detecting 98% of all puncture events. Auditory feedback is used to inform the surgeon on such
event. Finally, the robot can lock the needle into position once inserted into the vessel. This enables a prolonged hands-
free injection of the drug.

A junior retinal surgeon was invited to perform retinal vein cannulation on retinal vessels of ennucleated porcine
eyes with the aid of the developed technology. The results are extremely encouraging as the technology enabled
the surgeon to perform twenty successful cannulations and injections out of twenty attempts.
Major publication
A. Gijbels, E.B. Vander Poorten, B. Gorissen, A. Devreker, P. Stalmans and D. Reynaerts (2014). Experimental
Validation of a Robotic Comanipulation and Telemanipulation System for Retinal Surgery. Proceedings of the
International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, 144-150.
142
Wenyuan Ye
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Patricia Luis Alconero
Funding China Scholarship Council (CSC)
E-mail wenyuan.ye@cit.kuleuven.be
Hybrid membrane technologies with CO2 mitigation and resource recovery

The prospect of climate change due to global warming has attracted international concerns, due to the increase in
atmospheric CO2 concentration. The CO2 capture by the absorbent, i.e. monoethanolamine (MEA) is feasible, but its high
volatility and high cost for regeneration may significantly hinder its application. NaOH can be an alternative to MEA due to
the faster reaction and low price. Therefore, state-of-the-art technologies for NaOH production from wastewater are on
research agenda, in view of both cost and energy requirements.
 Implementing of bipolar membrane electrodialysis
(BMED) in the treatment of glyphosate neutralization liquor
for NaOH production, in view of CO2 capture.
 Application of hollow fiber (HF) membrane for Na2CO3
crystallization in CO2 capture scenario. Fig. 1: Schematic of BMED for NaOH production
and glyphosate recovery from wastewater
 Employment of dense membranes (i.e., reserve osmosis
and forward osmosis membrane) for Na2CO3
crystallization in CO2 capture scenario.

 BMED process can effectively recovery the glyphosate
and produce the base from the glyphosate neutralization
liquor. The base with high concentration show a high
potential for CO2 capture (Fig. 1). Fig. 2: Schematic of HF membrane for Na2CO3
crystallizaiton with different impurities
 HF membrane shows an excellent performance for the
crystallization of pure Na2CO3, which can exclude the
impurities (i.e., Na2SO4, NaCl, NaNO3) (Fig. 2). However, it
exhibits a low water flux.
 Compared to HF membrane, dense membranes offer a
higher water flux, which can improve the crystallization
efficiency of Na2CO3 without the sacrifice of crystal purity
(Fig. 3).
Fig. 3: Schematic of dense membrane for Na2CO3

Major publication crystallizaiton for CO2 capture scenario
W. Ye, J. Wu, F. Ye, H. Zeng, A.T. Tran, J. Lin, P. Luis, B. Van der Bruggen. Potential of osmotic membrane
crystallization using dense membranes for Na2CO3 production in a CO2 capture scenario. Crystal Growth & Design, 15
(2015), 695-705.
143
Annemans Margo
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Ann Heylighen,
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Chantal Van Audenhove, Arch. Hilde Vermolen
Agency for Innovation by Science and
Funding
Technology
E-mail Margo.annemans@asro.kuleuven.be
The experience of lying: Informing the design of hospital architecture on

patients’ spatial experience in motion
Hospital buildings tend to be experienced by patients from a, for architects, atypical perspective, namely lying in a
hospital bed, statically and in motion. This altered perspective has a significant impact on patients’ spatial experience.
Gaining insight into this experience is for most architects not trivial, but crucial if they are to design truly patient-centred
hospitals.
This PhD research started from a twofold aim. The first aim was to gain insight into patients’ spatial experience. To this
end aspects relevant to architectural practice that have an impact on patients' spatial experience of a hospital
environment are investigated. The second aim was to inform hospital design on this experience to anticipate the needs
of patients and other users. Therefore it was investigated how insight into patients' spatial experience can be
translated in a format that is applicable in architectural practice.
Research Approach
A sensory-rich, experience-oriented, and flexible research approach
addressing motion, was developed. Combining different methods that
take into account the different sensory modalities involved in patients’
spatial experience allowed tailoring the approach to patients’ particular
situation. Four research settings covering three patient profiles were
studied: in-patients being transported along a familiar route to the
dialysis; patients arriving at the emergency department; and patients
at two day surgery centres with a distinct managerial and spatial
concept.
Combination of techniques showing how a patient
in a bed is transported through the hospital
The PhD contains specific contributions for architects, healthcare providers, and researchers. Apart from offering
architects guidance to conduct fieldwork themselves, it formulates explicit recommendations on how to design more
patient-centred hospitals. Healthcare providers are shown how to pay more explicit attention to the impact of the built
environment on managerial organisation and patients’ experience, both in care practice and during design briefing. For
researchers, the PhD documents a research approach specifically addressing motion, a topic that is underresearched
on a building scale. It also sheds a new light on the impact of space on patients’ experience, static and in motion,
which could add to existing research on patient experience, mostly from a nursing perspective. Finally it contributes to
design research by pointing at the added value of experiential information for architectural practice. By adequately
translating the insight gained into patients’ spatial experience to these three groups, this PhD contributes to realising
truly patient-centred hospital buildings.
Major publication
Annemans, M., Van Audenhove, C., Vermolen, H., Heylighen, A., 2012. Hospital Reality from a Lying Perspective:
Exploring a Sensory Research Approach. In: Langdon P., Clarkson P., Robinson P., Lazar J., Heylighen A. (Eds.),
Designing Inclusive Systems, Chapt. 1. Springer-Verlag, London, pp. 3-12. (Awarded CWUAAT2012 Best Paper Prize)
144
Jeroen Tacq
PhD defence 03 November 2015
Supervisor Prof. dr. Marc Seefeldt
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Bert Verlinden
Funding FWO
Residual and internal stress development resulting from plastic

deformation of multi-phase alloys – The case of pearlite
Many engineering materials consist of multiple phases, whose very presence results in superior material properties.
During deformation, residual stresses and strains will develop in the material, and will either positively or adversely impact
the properties of the material. It is therefore essential to understand how and why residual stresses develop in
engineering materials, if we want to predict and improve their properties. As a case study, pearlitic steel will be
investigated because of (1) its industrial relevance: sawing wire, cabling for bridges, train rails; (2) the daunting scientific
questions that remain unanswered; and (3) its mesmerizing microstructure, consisting of and intricate assembly of soft
ferrite (dark) and hard cementite (bright) lamellae. The ultimate goal of this fundamental research is to measure, but
above all explain the evolution of the residual strain with ongoing plastic deformation and, in the process, learn more
about the deformation behavior of this beautiful, but elusive material.
Neutron and synchrotron diffraction studies on both cold drawn and cold
rolled pearlite were performed at various international laboratories in order to
measure the residual lattice strain evolution. The microstructure of the
material was also investigated. These results were compared to an intuitive
model, in which the lamellar microstructure of pearlite is idealized as a perfect
stack of flat, alternating ferrite and cementite lamellae.
Deformation
Rolling direction
Cementite strain
hardening occurs

Three stages in the residual lattice strain (RS) evolution were found: (1) a quick increase of RS, (2) a saturation of RS
and (3) strong intergranular RS development. Following the approach outlined above, a full explanation for all three
stages is suggested. A number of particularly interesting conclusions could be drawn:
 Ferrite and cementite have to deform by a different amount, even within the (imperfect) lamellar microstructure.
 The cementite phase likely exhibits some type of strain hardening, linked to increasingly difficult dislocation nucleation.
 A dislocation rich layer develops at the ferrite-cementite interface.
145
Despoina Vriami
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Omer Van der Biest
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jozef Vleugels
IWT (SBO-PROMAG 60056)
Funding
KU Leuven GOA/2008/007
E-mail despoina.vriami@mtm.kuleuven.be
Application of a strong magnetic field for texturing of technical ceramics

Texture research aims to develop materials with favorable properties. Texturing of materials is very important since many
material properties are orientation specific. The main goal of this research work is to develop methods for texturing
polycrystalline ceramics with special properties (electrical, piezoelectric and mechanical).
The employed methods to achieve texturing were templated grain
growth (TGG) and magnetic alignment, by colloidal processing in a
strong magnetic field (Fig 1 & 2). The colloidal processes used were
electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and slip casting and the materials
investigated were BaTiO3, α-Al2O3, 3Y-TZP and 12Ce-TZP. Fig. 1: Schematic of the alignment
of the platelets by the doctor blade
 Templated Grain Growth (TGG)
Highly textured BaTiO3 achieved by the TGG process (Fig. 3). The
piezoelectric constant of the textured BaTiO3 increased by 47%
compared to the randomly oriented ceramic.
 Magnetic Alignment
 High texture achieved in α-Al2O3 by slip casting in a strong
magnetic field of 14 T and in BaTiO3 in 17.4 T strong magnetic field.
Fig. 2: Magnetic alignment during EPD
 Highly textured zirconia (3Y-TZP and 13Ce-TZP) aligned in 17.4 T. in a strong magnetic field
 Mechanical properties of 3Y-TZP are significantly enhanced by texturing

achieved by colloidal processing (EPD or slip casting) in 17.4 T (Fig.4).
a b
Fig. 3: {100} and {101} pole figures of sintered
BaTiO3 aligned with BaTiO3 platelets Fig. 4: Vickers indentations and radial crack pattern on the sintered zirconia slip
cast outside a magnetic field (a) and the surface parallel (b) to the 17.4 T field.
Major publication
D. Vriami, E. Beaugnon, J-P. Erauw, J. Vleugels, O. Van der Biest (2015). Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 35,
3959-3967
146
Benjamin Gorissen
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Michaël De Volder
Funding Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO)
E-mail benjamin.gorissen@kuleuven.be
Pneumatic and Hydraulic Microactuators: Research and Development

Modern industrial and medical applications require miniature actuators that are able to generate large strokes without the
risk of damaging their surroundings. Flexible fluidic actuators are especially interesting for applications in close proximity
to living organisms due inherent safety features caused by material compliance. This research focusses on flexible fluidic
actuators with a bending and twisting deformation under pressurization. Covered topics range from analysis and
optimization to production, augmentation and application.
The large bending deformation an inflatable asymmetric structure exhibits when pressurized, is analyzed using a new
model consisting of an axial deformation step and a longitudinal deformation step. Prototyped actuators, fabricated using
a newly developed single step micromolding process and a full lithography production process are used to validate the
suggested analytical model. These production processes lead to new application possibilities: a ciliary propulsion
mechanism and a flexible endoscope. Further, flexible fluidic twisting actuators are analyzed, following the same
methodology, resulting in a two degrees of freedom tilting mirror platform application.

The proposed bending deformation model shows good correspondence
with measurements on actuator prototypes as can be seen on the top
figure on the right . This model is used to design optimal actuators that
experience minimal internal stresses for a giving bending deformation.
By avoiding manual process steps, the new full lithography productions
process is used to further minimize bending actuator dimensions with a
lower limit in feature size of 4µm. The deformation of a prototyped bending
actuated made by using this process is shown on the left image of the 2nd
figure. The minimal attainable size, on the right image.
Optimal flexible fluidic twisting actuators, that are made out of a single
material, are produced that can achieve a twisting deformation of 70°. The
deformation of such an actuator is shown on the 3rd figure.
These optimal twisting actuators are incorporated in a tilting mirror
platform, capable of inducing twice a tilting deformation from -25° to + 25°.
Optimal bending actuators are incorporated in a ciliary propulsion system
that shows a max net fluid flow of 19mm/s. Finally, a bending actuator is
equipped with a small camera to form a flexible endoscope with a
diameter of 1,66mm and an increase in field of view of 45°, as is shown on
the last figure.
Major publication
B. Gorissen, M. De Volder, D. Reynaerts (2015). Pneumatically-actuated artificial cilia array for biomimetic fluid
propulsion. Lab on a Chip.
147
Emmanuel Midheme
Supervisor Prof. Frank Moulaert
Co-supervisor Prof. Maarten Loopmans
Interfacultaire Raad voor
Funding
Ontwikkelingssamenwerking (IRO)
E-mail emmanuel.midheme@asro.kuleuven.be
Modalities of space production within Kenya’s rapidly transforming cities

Cases from Voi and Kisumu
This research examines the social production of urban space within two rapidly transforming secondary cities of Kenya,
namely Voi and Kisumu. The objective is to assesses the institutional capacity and practices of both ‘official’ and ‘popular’
agents of space production, with respect to how their respective knowledges, demands, and practices are unrolled and
integrated in (re)producing various urban spatialities.
The study conceptualizes urban space as a ‘social construction’ that is contingent upon experiences, practices and power
geometries that shape the relations between various social groups and institutional logics in the city. The research
leverages on the Lefebvrian concepts of the production of space and the right to the city to provide a critical reading of
how marginalized groups employ various forms of social innovation and insurgent urbanism to appropriate and defend
crucial spaces of livelihoods, shelter and urban services. The empirical study employs a multiple case design using
ethnographic techniques of data collection and analysis.

The findings dismantle formal/informal duality discourses, and raise key questions of legitimacy and transcending
divides in the everyday practices of producing urban space within rapidly transforming cities. Nevertheless, the focus on
everyday agency does not obscure structural relations and material dimensions that continue to shape urban spatial
production. Socially innovative practices for example suffer cooptation by the state and other powerful agents and may
unwittingly reproduce the liberal discourse that celebrates the entrepreneurial and absolves the state from its core
responsibilities. Similarly, insurgent urbanism may not always be progressive, especially where powerful actors usurp
the process, reproducing the very structures of exclusion that insurgency aims to dismantle.
Major publications
Midheme, E. and Moulaert, F. (2013) 'Pushing back the frontiers of property: community land trusts and low-income housing in urban Kenya', Land Use
Policy, 35: 73–84.
Midheme, E. (2013) ‘Venturing off the beaten path: Social innovation and settlement upgrading in Voi, Kenya’ in F. Moulaert, D. MacCallum, A. Mehmood
and A. Hamdouch (eds). The International Handbook on Social Innovation. Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA, US: Edward Elgar.
Midheme, E. (2013) ‘(Re)designing urban land tenure to meet housing needs of the poor: implementing community land trusts in urban Kenya’, Planum: The
Journal of Urbanism 1(26): 1–12.
148
Niels Leemput
Funding IWT (2012-2015)
IET-KIC InnoEnergy (2013-2015)
E-mail Niels.leemput@gmail.com
Grid-Supportive Charging Infrastructure for Plug-In Electric Vehicles

The number of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) on the road is growing significantly, which allows to reduce the
consumption of greenhouse gas emitting fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel. The absence of tailpipe emissions
reduces the local concentrations of harmful pollutants, which is benefits human health. As their number increases, the
grid impact of PEV charging is observed more widely. Due to the clustering of PEV users, high local concentrations may
already occur in the near-term future, which will already impact certain distribution grids.
The objective of this dissertation is to analyze how to locally control the charging process of PEVs, to mitigate their
distribution grid impact, Local active and reactive power charging strategies, requiring no external inputs or merely a user
input (next departure time), are investigated,. The distribution grid impact and sizing requirements of fast charging
infrastructure are assessed, being an indispensable option for battery electric vehicles, complementary to slow charging,
An unbalanced load flow model is used for the distribution grid
impact assessment of the investigated charging strategies and
fast charging infrastructure. The main contributions are:
 Improved PEV load modeling, by taking into account
mobility behavior, fleet composition, battery capacity,
standardized charging power rating, and charging
opportunities.
 The identification of the need for local PEV charging
strategies, to mitigate the distribution grid impact, to
manage local clusters of PEVs that will occur prior to
widespread PEV penetration.
 The combined modeling of slow and fast charging behavior,
as they complement each other. Impact of local charging strategy on the aggregated PEV charging
behavior (top), and on the total MV feeder load (bottom).
The investigated PEV charging strategies allow to substantially mitigate the distribution grid impact of PEV charging, with
limited adaptations compared to their current implementation. The active power control strategies could be implemented
on all of the currently used onboard PEV chargers. The reactive power control strategies can be implemented on onboard
PEV chargers with a full-bridge active rectifier topologies, as used for several PEVs. The distribution grid impact of the
slow charging control strategies is more significant than the presence of fast charging infrastructure. Therefore, the
distribution grid impact of fast charging infrastructure can even be compensated for by implementing the proposed control
strategies for slow charging.
Major publications
 N. Leemput, F. Geth, J. Van Roy, J. Büscher, and J. Driesen, “Reactive power support in residential LV distribution grids through electric vehicle
charging,” Sust. Energy, Grids and Networks, vol. 3, pp. 24-35, Sept. 2015.
 N. Leemput, F. Geth, J. Van Roy, P. Olivella-Rosell, J. Driesen, and A. Sumper, “MV and LV residential grid impact of combined slow and fast charging
of electric vehicles,” Energies, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 1815-1822, Mar. 2015.
 N. Leemput, F. Geth, J. Van Roy, A. Delnooz, J. Büscher, and J. Driesen, “Impact of electric vehicle on-board single-phase charging strategies on a
Flemish residential grid,” IEEE Trans. Smart Grid, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 1815-1822, Jul. 2014.
149
Gabrijel Smoljkic
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jos Vander Sloten
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Dominiek Reynaerts
Funding FP7
E-mail gabrijel.smoljkic@kuleuven.be
Modelling and constraint-based control of continuum robots

A growing interest can be seen in the use of continuum robots in tasks where interaction with fragile structures in the
environment is required. The reason for this interest is that the compliant nature of these devices brings in an inherent
level of safety. Continuum robots and instruments would, at least initially, bend away upon contact or impact. Work in this
thesis treats the problems in the domain of modelling and control of continuum robots.
Modeling of a continuum robot relates to finding the shape of the robot when it is loaded with various forces. Following
these derivations a novel framework for derivation of robot differential kinematics has been developed. Having these key
ingredients the work proceeds towards control of continuum robots. Here a constraint-based control principle has been
found suitable due its ability to combine control of various tasks. The constraint based control is a control principle
commonly used to control rigid link robots. Here this framework is applied to control continuum robots in tasks which
require robot positioning and force control. Finally an integrated system for applications in robotic surgery has been
developed. The integrated system features a hybrid combination of rigid and continuum robots. This combination allows
for increased dexterity of the robotic system and compliant behavior.

The developed framework allows for calculation of the differential kinematics as a function of externally
applied loads. Through the application of the constraint-based control framework, the hybrid rigid-continuum
robot achieves smooth motions in presence of various constraints present in the robotic system.
The developed continuum robot (top figure) and the

integrated hybrid rigid-continuum robot (right figure)
Major publication
Smoljkic, G., Borghesan, G., Reynaerts, D., Vander Sloten, J., Vander Poorten, E. (2015). Constraint-Based Interaction
Control of Robots Featuring Large Compliance and Deformation. IEEE Transactions on Robotics, 31 (5), 1252-1260.
150
José Luis Santos
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Erik Duval
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Katrien Verbert
Funding weSPOT - IST (FP7/2007-2013)
E-mail joseluis.santos@cs.kuleuven.be
Exploring Learning Analytics and Learning Dashboards from a HCI Perspective
Learning Analytics is the field that tackles the challenge of making sense out the collected data in educational
environments. Learning analytics dashboards can support students and teachers to steer the learning process. In this
dissertation we tackle questions that discuss what kind of learning traces can be visualised for learners and teachers as
well as the affordances and problems of using manual and automatic trackers in learning settings. We also discuss what
are the key components of a simple architecture to collect, store and manage learning activity.
We designed, developed and deployed three learning dashboards. These were evaluated with 128 students. We
analysed two language learning MOOCs datasets. 56876 students enrolled these courses. The architecture supporting
the learning dashboards was also deploy in more than fifteen
case studies.
Design-based research is the methodology we follow to

explore the field. A methodology that relies on iterative cycles
of design, enactment, analysis, and redesign of the software.
The researcher does not have the control of the experiment.
Therefore, the interventions are contextually dependent. They
are not performed solely based on the research goals.
The goal is to document and connect outcomes with development process and the authentic setting.
The results point out:
•The usefulness of dashboard to compare students’ activity

with their peers.
•Manual and automatic trackers have benefits and drawbacks.
•This research also identifies three components to deploy a
simple and flexible architecture to collect data in open learning
environments.
We also point out the opportunity we have in Learning

Analytics enhancing the interaction on big and small displays
as well as integrating different sensors in the learning process.
Major publication
Santos, Jose Luis; Verbert, Katrien; Klerkx, Joris; Charleer, Sven; Duval, Erik; Ternier, Stefaan. 2015. “Tracking data in
Open Learning Environments”, Journal of Universal Computer Science, 21(7), 976-996.
151
Geert Bauwens
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir.-arch. Staf Roels
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Geert Lombaert and Prof. dr. ir. Henrik Madsen
E-mail geert.bauwens@bwk.kuleuven.be
In situ testing of a building’s overall heat loss coefficient

Embedding quasi-stationary and dynamic tests in a building physical and statistical framework
The building sector accounts for about 40 % of Europe’s total final energy use, with more of this attributable to space
heating. Several studies indicate a discrepancy between designed and actual performance of building envelopes. We thus
need reliable methods to verify the latter. In this work, we investigate the thermal performance characterisation of whole
building envelopes on the basis of specific heating experiments, with a focus on their overall heat loss coefficient, H.
We develop a building physical framework to describe a building’s
behaviour during specific heating experiments. From this framework,
we derive simplified thermal models, that are suitable to be fitted to data
collected from quasi-stationary and dynamic heating experiments. We
define four scenarios, that provide tailored strategies to estimate H.
The developed methodology is applied to three quasi-stationary and
three dynamic test cases. We suggest a flowchart, to guide practitioner
in reliably characterising the overall heat loss coefficient of buildings.
Results & Conclusions Building physical framework.

The direct link between simplified models and the building physical
framework allows to correctly interpret model parameters. We show
that black-box ARX models comprise physically relevant parameters.
The selection of a suitable scenario underpins reliability and physical
relevance of obtained estimates. Scenarios where H is estimated as
the stationary gain with regard to Ti yield very reliable and robust
results. A dynamic test analysed with ARX modelling proves not more
robust than a quasi-stationary test analysed with linear regression or
ARX. The combination of dynamic test and grey-box modeling yield
reliable results for short measurement durations.
Quasi-stationary test setup

Major publication in investigated house
Bauwens, G. and Roels, S. (2014). Deviation of estimates from their mean, in %
Co-heating test: A state-of-the-art.
In: Energy and Buildings 82, October 2014, pp. 163-172.
152
Mario Zanon
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Moritz Diehl
Prof. Alberto Bemporad,
Co-supervisor
Ass. Prof. Sébastien Gros
Funding SADCO, HIGHWIND
E-mail zmario@chalmers.se
Efficient Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Formulations for Economic

Objectives with Aerospace and Automotive Applications
This thesis is concerned with optimal control techniques for optimal trajectory planning and real-time control and
estimation. The framework of optimal control is a powerful tool which enjoys increasing popularity due to its applicability to
a wide class of problems and its ability to deliver solutions to very complicated problems which cannot be intuitively
solved.
Fast and reliable implementations hinge on suitable problem formulations, careful implementations and use of tailored
algorithms. In this thesis, we address the problem of applying optimal control in real time for fast nonlinear constrained
dynamic systems. On the one hand, we develop a modelling approach for multibody systems which yields optimisation-
friendly models of reduced complexity. On the other hand, we address the formulation of optimal control problems and
propose reliable and robust problem formulations as well as techniques for initialising the algorithms. Moreover, we
extend stability theory for economic MPC and propose a tuning strategy for tracking MPC so as to locally approximate the
feedback control law yielded by economic MPC. We apply our developments to autonomous driving and tethered airfoils
for energy harvesting.

We validated the theoretical developments by applying
them to nontrivial systems, e.g. tethered airfoils: tuned
tracking MPC (dashed blue) is a good approximation of
economic MPC (red), while standard tracking MPC Dual airfoils are more advantageous than single
(black) has a different behaviour. airfoils because they can reach the height having the
maximum available wind power.
Economic MPC can be stabilising also for periodic

systems: we illustrate the theory by applying it to the
control of an autonomous car.
Major publication
M. Zanon, S. Gros and M. Diehl. Indefinite Linear MPC and Approximated
Economic MPC for Nonlinear Systems. Journal of Process Control, 2014, (24)
1273-1281.
153
Sijia Jiang
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Marc Heyns
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Marc Seefeldt
Funding imec
E-mail sijia.jiang@outlook.com
Selective Area Growth of III/V Compounds on Si substrates Using Metal-

Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy
According to the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS), high mobility semiconductors (e.g. Ge,
InGaAs) will replace the conventional Si to serve as channel material at the sub-10nm technology node, in order to further
boost the performance of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices. In order to be compatible with the
well-established Si CMOS technology, the hetero-integration of these high mobility semiconductors onto large scale Si
wafers is utilized to realize this replacement. The selective area growth (SAG) of these semiconductors onto patterned
shallow trench isolation (STI) Si substrates is proved as one valuable solution to achieve the hetero-integration. Based on
the current technology of CMOS devices, the selective growth of high mobility III/V semiconductors using metal-organic
vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) into extremely scaled trenches (e.g. 10nm wide or narrower) is needed.
In order to address the challenges of selective epitaxial growth induced by the down-scaling trench width, this PhD thesis
is devoted to understand the size effects of the down-scaling trench width on the behavior of III/V SAG both theoretically
and experimentally.

• A down-scaling trench width results in a longer critical inter-
island distance (2L*) if the trench width becomes
comparable to or smaller than 2L* on blanket substrates.
• The lateral growth rate of well-faceted 3D islands decreases
since on the side facet, the nucleation of 2D islands
becomes the limiting kinetics and the supersaturation for 2D
nucleation decreases with the down-scaling trench width;
• The inter-facet (e.g. between facet (001) and facet (111))
surface migration is facet size dependent and becomes
enhanced in the down-scaling trenches, which can lead to a
self-limiting crystal shape instead of the equilibrium one
during the practical growth.
• The average growth rate inside submicron trenches
becomes trench width dependent, since the Knudsen
diffusion of precursor molecules through the trenches limits
the mass transport and the Gibbs-Thomson effect
decreases the supersaturation, i.e. the driving force for the
epitaxial growth.
Major publication
S. Jiang, C. Merckling, A. Moussa, N. Waldron, M. Caymax, W. Vandervorst, N. Collaert, K. Barla, R. Langer, A. Thean,
M. Seefeldt, and M. Heyns, “Nucleation Behavior of III/V Crystal Selectively Grown Inside Nano-Scale Trenches: The
Influence of Trench Width,” ECS J. Solid State Sci. Technol. 4, N83 (2015).
154
Azamat Shakhimardanov
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Ing. Gerhard Kraetzschmar
Funding FP7
E-mail azamat.shakhimardanov@kuleuven.be
Composable Robot Motion Stack: Implementing constrained hybrid dynamics

using semantic models of kinematic chains
Over the last 50 years, the controlled motion of robots has become a very mature domain of expertise. It can deal with all
sorts of topologies and types of joints and actuators, with kinematic as well as dynamic models of devices, and with one
or several tools or sensors attached to the mechanical structure. Nevertheless, the domain has not succeeded in
standardizing the modelling of robot devices, including such fundamental entities as “reference frames”, let alone the
semantics of their motion specification and control. This thesis aims to solve this long-standing problem, from three
different sides: semantic models for robot kinematics and dynamics, semantic models of motion specification and
control problems, and software that can support the latter while being configured by a systematic use of the
former.
The composable semantic models allow decoupling of physical
primitives from their coordinate-specific representations. This
feature is achieved by explicitly separating structural and
behavioral aspects of the models and follows the Model Driven
Engineering (MDE) methodology. The research also exemplifies
the relations between the components of Whole Body Control
Architecture (WBCA) and their software representations in the
form of the Domain Specific Languages (DSL) in the motion
programming stack.

 The main challenge in the process of the DSL development
is the determination of the domain specific semantic Fig 1: the orthogonal relationship between the task
constraints on the domain primitives and operations. programming stack of DSLs and their models in
 The functionality of the Popov-Vereshchagin solver is MDE
extended to cope with priority and weighting-based control
approaches. The advantage of using these extensions of
the solver over other similar approaches is that the
presented solver does not require explicit nullspace
projection of the constraint Jacobian to implement
prioritization.
Major publication
A. Shakhimardanov, H. Bruyninckx. Design and development of
a composable DSL for robot kinematics and dynamics
conforming to formal semantic models: lessons learned, Fig 2: A generic WBCA consists of constraints,
submitted to Journal of Software Engineering for Robotics constraint controllers in one of the constraint spaces
(JOSER), 2015 and a kinematic or a dynamic model solver.
155
Yuanyuan GUAN
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Nele Moelans
Funding Grants OT/07/040 and CREA/12/012
E-mail higuanyuanyuan@gmail.com
Development of a method to determine the solubility ranges of

intermetallic compounds in metal-metal connections

This research led to 3 major results:
 The growth-rate coefficient of an intermetallic phase increases linearly as a function of the square root of its solubility
range multiplied with its interdiffusion coefficient at a specific temperature
 The solubility ranges of the
IMCs ε-Cu3Sn and η-
Cu6Sn5 are not negligible
and they are temperature
independent
 Experimentally measured
growth rates of ε-Cu3Sn
and η-Cu6Sn5 IMCs in Cu-
Sn diffusion couple are
achieved by employing the
estimated solubility range
Major publication
Guan, Y. and Moelans, N., Influence of the solubility range of intermetallic compounds on their growth behavior in hetero-
junctions. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 635(2015): 289-299
156
Thomas Wijnhoven
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Geert Deconinck
Funding Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
E-mail thomas.wijnhoven@esat.kuleuven.be
Evaluation of Fault Current Contribution Strategies

by Converter Based Distributed Generation
In the future, there will be more and more Distributed Generation (DG) units in the grid and more of these DG units will be
Converter Based Distributed Generation (CBDG) units. The goal of this dissertation is to evaluate the impact of these
scenarios on the fault currents and voltages during balanced and unbalanced faults.
To evaluate these effects in scenarios with a high share of
CBDG, a simplified calculation framework is developed and
validated in this dissertation: the Iterative Linear Network
Equations Method (ILNEM)  (calculation procedure) 

• Fault behaviour of CBDG units is a control design
parameter and is important in scenarios with a high
share of CBDG
• CBDG units can contribute to the short-circuit power
• Comparison of different fault contribution strategies
during unbalanced faults in scenarios with a high
share of CBDG and little conventional generation:
only positive sequence voltage support positive and negative sequence voltage support
(and negative sequence current blocking) (with injection of negative sequence currents)
• reduction of fault currents • no / much less reduction of fault currents
o impact of fault on higher voltage levels o no significant change of impact
o protection systems at lower voltage levels require o no impact on protection system
redesign
o fault currents depend on the load o no dependency on the loads
• overvoltages (disconnections of CBDG units?) • no overvoltages
o limited by limited voltage support
• higher stress on remaining synchronous generators • no additional stress for remaining synchronous
generators
In summary, with the appropriate voltage support settings for CBDG units, the CBDG units adequately replace the
conventional generation from a fault behaviour point of view.
Major publication
T. Neumann, T. Wijnhoven, G. Deconinck, and I. Erlich, “Enhanced Dynamic Voltage Control of Type 4 Wind Turbines
during Unbalanced Grid Faults,” Accepted for publication in IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 2015.
157
Xing Gong
Supervisor Prof. Marc Seefeldt
Co-supervisor Prof. Bert Verlinden and Prof. Martine Wevers
Funding SCK•CEN
xing.gong@mtm.kuleuven.be;
E-mail
xgong@sckcen.be;
Liquid Metal Embrittlement of a 9Cr-1Mo Ferritic-martensitic Steel in Lead-

bismuth Eutectic Environment under Low Cycle Fatigue
Ferritic-martensitic T91 steel is a candidate material for constructing the proton beam window of the ADS/MYRRHA
nuclear reactor, which is being developed at SCK•CEN, Belgium for transmuting long-lived nuclear waste. The aim of this
PhD thesis is to investigate the effect of LBE coolant on the low cycle fatigue properties of T91 steel, which is part of the
MYRRHA materials assessment program, as well as to improve the understanding of liquid metal embrittlement (LME).
Low cycle fatigue properties of T91 steel were tested in LBE under different conditions
using LIMETS3 system (Fig. 1). A mechanical extensometer was designed to allow for
strain measurement at the gauge of a specimen immersed in LBE. Oxygen concentration
in LBE was measured using solid electrolyte potentiometric oxygen sensors.

 T91 is susceptible to LBE embrittlement, manifested by significant life reduction at high
strain amplitudes (Fig. 2).
 There is no significant fatigue life reduction under a combination of low strain amplitudes,
slow strain rate and high oxygen (Fig. 3).
 Temperature dependence of fatigue life in the presence of LBE shows a “trough” (Fig. 4). Fig. 1 LIMETS3 system
 Crack tip plasticity is greatly reduced by LME, evidenced by the absence of grain
refinement near the crack (Figs. 5 and 6).
Fig. 5
Tested in
Fig. 2 vacuum
Fig. 3
Fig. 6
Tested in
LBE
Fig. 4
Major publication
X. Gong, P. Marmy, B. Verlinden, M. Wevers, M. Seefeldt, Low cycle fatigue behavior of a modified 9Cr-1Mo ferritic-
martensitic steel in lead bismuth eutectic at 350°C - Effects of oxygen concentration in the liquid metal and strain rate,
Corrosion Science, 2015, 94:377-391.
158
Fábio Luis Marques dos Santos
PhD defence 02 December 2015
Supervisors Prof. dr. ir. Wim Desmet and Prof. dr. ir. Luiz Góes
Co-supervisor Dr. ir. Bart Peeters
Funding EC FP7 ITN Marie Curie
E-mail fabio.m.santos@siemens.com
STRAIN-BASED EXPERIMENTAL MODAL ANALYSIS: ADVANCES IN

THEORY ANDPRACTICE
Modal testing or experimental modal analysis (EMA) is a very well known and es tablished procedure in both academia
[and industry. It is a common means of estimating or identifying the modal parameters of a system - mainly the mode
shapes, natural frequencies, damping and modal scaling. The most common and established way of performing
experimental modal analysis is to use acceleration based transducers that lead to the calculation of the displacement
mode shapes. However, the use of strain measurements for use in experimental modal analysis has gained a lot of
popularity in the last couple of years. This thesis has as the main focus of research the use of strain sensors for
experimental modal analysis. In this sense, experimental methodologies and improvements on the current ways of
carrying out strain modal analysis are presented, paying particular attention to the relationship between strain and
displacement modes.
The study of the association between displacement and strain mode shapes led to:
 Novel procedure for strain modal scaling
 Reciprocity in strain modal analysis
 Application on beam and planar structures
Use of combined strain and acceleration modal analysis
Results & Conclusions Strain Reciprocity

the combination of these theoretical and practical contributions to strain-
based modal analysis lead to an advance in strain modal analysis theory, and a
better understanding of when and how to properly use strain measurements in
EMA, how to properly visualize and interpret the strain mode shapes and how the
boundary conditions of the system being analyzed influence the differences
between displacement and strain mode shapes.
Strain and displacement

Helicopter blade strain modeshape modeshapes of an F-16 aircraft
Major publication
Fábio Luis Marques dos Santos, Bart Peeters, Ludo Gielen, Wim Desmet, Luiz Carlos Sandoval Góes, The Use of Fiber
Bragg Grating Sensors for Strain Modal Analysis. Topics in Modal Analysis, Volume 10. Springer International Publishing,
2015 pp 93-101
159
160
Gijs Hilhorst
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Goele Pipeleers
Co-supervisors Prof. dr. ir. Jan Swevers, Prof. dr. ir. Wim Michiels
Funding MBSE4Mechatronics, DYSCO
E-mail Gijs.Hilhorst@kuleuven.be
Design of Fixed-Order Feedback Controllers for Mechatronic Systems

The continuously increasing industrial demands drive research communities to
push the limits in the design of accurate and high performance controllers for
dynamical systems, such as autonomous vehicles, production machines, etc.
Therefore, enhanced controller design procedures are indispensable in this
evolution. Typically, first a mathematical model (P) describing the behavior of a
dynamical system is derived. Then, a controller (K) using real-time measurements
is designed for this model according to the desired performance specifications. For
instance, a fast response should be guaranteed while limiting energy consumption.
In a last step, the controller is validated in closed loop with the dynamical system.
To meet the tightening performance and accuracy demands from industry, a versatile approach
is presented to design high performance fixed-order multi-objective controllers for the general
class of linear parameter-dependent systems, encompassing linear parameter-varying (LPV)
and uncertain linear dynamics. For each of these subclasses, the effectiveness and practical
viability of our approach is demonstrated by theoretical proofs of stability and performance,
numerical comparisons with existing approaches, and experimental validations. In addition, a
novel model order reduction technique is combined with our approach to design fixed-order
controllers for continuous-time linear time-delay systems. Finally, a parametric programming
approach is presented to design high performance feedback controllers for LTI systems, while
simultaneously optimizing structural parameters affecting the system dynamics.

The practical viability of our approach is
demonstrated on a lab-scale overhead
crane with varying cable length, by
designing a high performance multi-
objective fixed-order LPV controller. The
figures on the right compare the
simulated (dotted) and experimental
(solid) response of a fixed-order
controller (black) and high-order
controller (orange) to a reference step,
respectively, a swing angle disturbance.
Major publication
G. Hilhorst, G. Pipeleers, W. Michiels and J. Swevers (2015). Sufficient LMI conditions for reduced-order multi-objective
H-2 / H-infinity control of LTI systems. European Journal of Control, 23, 17-25.
161
Harag Margossian
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Geert Deconinck
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Juergen Sachau
National Research Fund,
Funding
Luxembourg
E-mail Harag.margossian@gmail.com
Distribution Network Line Protection in the Presence of Distributed

Generation
The evolution of the distribution network from a passive grid with unidirectional power flows to, in the presence of
distributed generation (DGs), an active grid with bidirectional power flows can complicate the design of distribution
network line protection. This dissertation looks at what can be done from the perspective of the DGs and from the
perspective of the protection devices, in order to avoid any problems with the reliability, selectivity and speed of the
protection system.
First, the possibility to control the fault current levels by imposing different requirements on the DGs was studied. Different
grid code parameters and their impacts on the fault current levels were analyzed. Having network specific fault ride
through requirements that specify how long and for what voltages the DGs need to remain connected and dynamic
voltage support curves that regulate their reactive current output during faults was proposed.
Second, enhancing the protection devices themselves so that they can deal with adjust/add
measurements
DG characteristics
& control curves
the varying fault current levels was considered. Here, adaptive protection that set of non linear
uses a modified state estimation to gather information about the grid was
equations relating
the measurements
to the states h(x)
proposed. DG and switch status estimation tools as well as a tool for short circuit measurements z:
Actual measurements
analysis that accurately considers inverter based DGs were developed in states x:
P,Q measurements
V measurements
MATLAB for the adaptive protection. find x that

Pseudo‐measurements
load estimates
minimizes J
V at every node
θ at every node – slack
PDG, QDG from last run of
zero injection buses

algorithm
V measurements
PDG, QDG from last run of
algorithm
The choice of optimal grid code parameters depends on the weights (1/R)

normalized
DG Status Estimation
characteristics of the distribution network as well as the location, size and residuals r
Flowchart adjust
type of the DG. Different distribution networks should thus be subject to weights of
DG outputs
different fault ride through and dynamic voltage support requirements to
ensure the reliable operation of their protection devices. However, The results from the adaptive protection
imposing additional requirements on inverters inevitably increases their studies showed how effective it is in
complexity and consequently their cost. minimizing the operation times of relays (in
some cases leading to a 50% drop in the
operation times) while maintaining the
coordination between them. The scheme is
particularly interesting for distribution
networks with high DG integration levels and
relatively weak connection points to the
supply grid where protection problems are
poised to arise.
Impact of the voltage threshold and the maximum reactive current on the fault current levels
Major publication
H. Margossian, G. Deconinck, and J. Sachau, “Distribution Network Protection Considering Grid Code Requirements for
Distributed Generation”, IET Generation, Transmission and Distribution, vol. 9, no. 12, pp. 1377-1381, 2015
162
Vanoost Dries
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. De Gersem Herbert
Prof. dr. ir. Pissoort Davy
Co-supervisor
Prof. dr. ir. Gielen Georges
Funding IWT
E-mail dries.vanoost@kuleuven.be
An axial solid state motor based on an anisotropic controllable ferromagnetic

composite
Small electromechanical devices have a comparably low efficiency due to the relatively high stator Joule losses. A novel
working principle for such devices avoids stator coils by combining permanent magnets with an anisotropic controllable
ferromagnetic composite. This composite converts electrostatic energy into magnetic energy using both the piezoelectric
effect and the Villari effect. The composite, inserted in the stator of a permanent magnet axial flux machine, acts as a
variable reluctance and guides the magnetic flux to exert a rotating field on the rotor.
 The research includes the design, construction and implementation of the
smart composite. Appropriate materials, geometries and fabrication
processes have been selected. The smart composite has been implemented
in an axial machine. A dedicated control strategy has been developed.
 The design is accompanied by extensive modelling of the smart composite
and the axial machine. A multi-physics solver combining electrostatic and
structural mechanical 2D Cartesian solvers with a 2D radially symmetric
magnetoquasistatic solver, coupled through a multi-scale energy based
material model has been developed.
Fig. 1: Operation cycle passed

through in clockwise direction.

The novel working principle is
demonstrated using the multi-physics
solver, confirming the initial
assumptions and confirming the novel
working principle as a feasible
Fig. 2: Multiphysical model. alternative for traditional small electrical
machines.
Major publication
Vanoost, D., Steentjes, S., De Gersem, H., Peuteman, J., Gielen, G., Pissoort, D., Hameyer, K. (2015). Embedding a
Magneto-Elastic Material Model in a Coupled Magneto-Mechanical Finite-Element Solver. IEEE Transactions on
Magnetics, PP (99), 1-4.
163
Milica Milutinovic
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Bart De Decker
Funding iMinds
E-mail milica.milutinovic@cs.kuleuven.be
Privacy-preserving identity management

Privacy in the general sense refers to individuals’ ability to protect information about themselves and selectively present it
to other entities. This concept is strongly affected by everyday practices that assume personal data disclosure. This
makes it difficult for an individual to control the outflow of her personal data and provides third parties with strong data
collection possibilities. This thesis aims to address this issue by providing solutions that protect the privacy of individuals.
To enhance the protection of users’ privacy, this thesis focuses on two aspects of managing personal information:
 Privacy-preserving design and development of information
systems
 Users’ ability to make informed decisions about information
disclosures.
More concretely, the work presented in this thesis encompasses
development of:
 Anonymous and unlinkable incentives scheme. It allows to limit
user’s data disclosure in services such as loyalty schemes or
reputation systems
 Privacy-preserving eHealth system. The design is developed
for settings where trust assumptions are limited (Figure 2) Figure 1: Prolog-based privacy-feedback framework.
 Privacy-preserving public transport ticketing system. It

prevents tracking travellers, while enabling necessary
controls by providers
 Logic-based framework for privacy evaluation and
feedback. It allows the users to track the dynamic
knowledge of providers about them and accordingly
evaluate their privacy level (Figure 1).

This thesis describes solutions that are commercially
applicable and improve the ballance between provider’s
data gathering needs and users’ need to protect and
manage their (partial) identities.
Figure 2: Privacy-preserving eHealth system architecture.
Major publication
Milica Milutinovic, Italo Dacosta, Andreas Put and Bart De Decker. uCentive: An efficient, anonymous and unlinkable
incentives scheme, 14th IEEE International Conference on Trust, Security and Privacy in Computing and
Communications (IEEE TrustCom-15), Helsinki, Finland, 20-22 August, 2015.
164
Marc Claesen
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Bart De Moor
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Frank De Smet
Funding IWT
E-mail marc.claesen@esat.kuleuven.be
Machine Learning on Belgian Health Expenditure Data

Data-Driven Screening for Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which may cause serious harm to
many of the body’s systems. Diabetes can be managed effectively when detected early, but this proves difficult as the
time between onset and clinical diagnosis may span several years and about one third of diabetes patients in Belgium are
undiagnosed. We built a population-wide screening tool for diabetes based on Belgian health expenditure data to speed
up the diagnosis of patients so treatment can be initiated before the disease has caused irrevocable damage.
We used health expenditure data collected by the National Alliance of Christian
Mutualities – the largest social health insurer in Belgium. Screening was formulated
as a binary classification task, in which diabetes patients represent the positive
class. Due to the nature of the problem and limitations of health expenditure data,
we were unable to identify a set of known negatives (patients without diabetes).
Some of the main challenges we tackled during this research project include:
 Building and evaluating models from positive and unlabeled data
 Evaluating binary classifiers using test sets without known negatives
 Automating the hyper-parameter optimization process via heuristic optimization

Our screening method has competitive performance to existing state-of-the-
art approaches, which is surprising given that health expenditure data omits
most info about the typical risk factors used by other screening methods
(BMI, lifestyle, genetic predisposition, …).
Our key medical and machine learning contributions include:

 Methods to build and evaluate models without known negatives
 Two open-source libraries, with over 1,000 downloads/month
 Mapped the survival of diabetes patients via pharmacotherapy
 Screening approach with suitable performance for case-finding (in Figures)
Major publication
Claesen, M., De Smet, F., Gillard, P., Mathieu, C., & De Moor, B. (2015). Building Classifiers to Predict the Start of
Glucose-Lowering Pharmacotherapy Using Belgian Health Expenditure Data. arXiv preprint arXiv:1504.07389
Submitted to Journal of Machine Learning Research – Special Issue on Learning from Electronic Health Data.
165
Tina Mattheys
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jef Vleugels
logo
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Omer Van der Biest funding
6th framework programme agency if
Funding (NMP3-CT-2006-026501) applicable
Meddelcoat-project
Development of Multifunctional Biocompatible Coatings

Although medical technology is already very successful, orthopaedic implant loosening (65%) and infections (7%) still
occur. The resulting revision surgeries do not only cause pain for the patients but they also form a financial and social
burden on our society. In this work, skeletal fixation and durability of the orthopaedic implant in the human body is
established by integrating a biological and bioactive fixation within a porous Ti-based coating system.
To enhance biological implant fixation, electrophoretic codeposition (EPD) of TiH2
stabilised emulsions and suspensions is used as a processing technique for the
engineering of porous Ti coatings on Ti6Al4V substrates.
For chemical modification, thin bioactive glass (BAG) coatings are applied by
means of EPD or dip coating.
Besides a full morphological and mechanical characterization of the obtained
substrate-coating systems, the biocompatibility of the coatings was examined
both in vitro and in vivo .
Results & Conclusions Figure 1: EPD of Pickering emulsions

 Co-deposition of TiH2-stabilised cyclohexane-
water/ethanol emulsions and a structural ethanol
based suspensions, introduce a spherical macro
porous Ti network.
 Applying thin BAG top coatings resulted in mainly

filling up of the open surface pores.
 In vitro biocompatibility evaluation showed improved

cell spreading and adhesion of human osteogenic
cells in comparison with state-of-the-art Ti coatings as Figure 2: An acetabular cup after applying a macroporous Ti
well as a lower inflammatory potential, mask by means of EPD (left) and a SEM surface view (right)
 After 4 weeks of implantation, formation of trabecular bone is observed in the regenerative bone cavity as well as at
the interface with the Ti6Al4V substrate, confirming the potential for mechanical interlocking of the macroporous mask.
Figure 3: Histological cross-section at the bone-implant interface of a macroporous Ti coating after 4 weeks of implantation.
Major publication
Mattheys, T., Braem, A., Neirinck, B., Van der Biest, O. and Vleugels, J. (2012) “Porous Ti coatings for implant fixation by
electrophoretic deposition of TiH2 particle stabilized emulsions.” Advanced Engineering Materials 14 (6): 371-376.
166
Wouter Volkaerts
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Michiel Steyaert
Funding EU (ERC) + bilateral (NXP)
E-mail wouter.volkaerts@kuleuven.be
Millimeter Wave Oscillators and Transceivers in Nanoscale CMOS

The demand for higher data rates in communication links increases continuously. Higher data rates can be achieved by
using more bandwidth. At millimeter wave frequencies (30-300GHz) large bandwidths are available and recently there is
a lot of interest in circuits operating at these high frequencies. Thanks to technology improvements CMOS transistors now
provide gain up to hundreds of GHz. In this research the feasibility of 120GHz circuits in recent CMOS technologies is
investigated.
During the research the whole IC design flow is executed, including circuit simulations,
EM simulations, layout and measurements. Two subjects are investigated in this work:
 A voltage controlled oscillator is an essential building block in modulated
communication systems. The frequency tuning range is one of the key
specifications that must be optimized. Another problem that is investigated is LO
pulling by a transmitter integrated on the same chip.
 A gigabit communication link is designed which consists of a 120GHz continuous-
phase frequency shift keying transmitter and receiver chip, a plastic fiber, and
couplers between the chips and the fiber. A plastic waveguide is a low-loss
channel at high frequencies and enables millimeter wave communication over
meters distance.
• (top) Die micrograph of
Results & Conclusions the 120GHz VCO.
The feasibility of 120GHz CMOS circuits and
• (middle) Die micrograph
communication links is proven by several test chips.
of the 120GHz QVCO.
The different implementations are:
 120GHz VCO in 65nm CMOS with 7.8% analog
• (bottom) Photograph of
tuning range.
the plastic waveguide
 120QVCO in 45nm CMOS with 13.5% tuning range
communication link.
and resistant against LO pulling by an on-chip
transmitter.
 120GHz plastic waveguide communication link in
40nm CMOS. Data rates up to 12.7Gbps were
reached for a 1 meter link and 2.5Gbps for a link of
7 meters. The best link energy efficiency is
1.8pJ/b/m for a 4 meter link and 7.4Gbps data rate.
Major publication
W. Volkaerts, N. Van Thienen and P. Reynaert, “An FSK plastic waveguide communication link in 40nm CMOS”, IEEE
International Solid- State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), pp. 178 – 180, San Francisco, USA, Feb. 2015
167
Wei Huang
PhD defence 16 December 2015, 17h00
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. C.M.J. Tampère
Co-supervisor Prof. ir. L.H. Immers
Funding China Scholarship Council, IWT-140433
E-mail huangweimyself@gmail.com
Optimization-based Iterative Learning for Anticipatory Traffic Signal Control

This thesis focuses on optimization of anticipatory traffic signal control in urban networks. While optimizing control
variables, anticipatory control explicitly takes into account travelers’ route choice response, which is usually approximated
by traffic assignment models. The general aim of this PhD research is to develop control methods that elevate the traffic
system to its best achievable performance, taking account of the uncertainty inherent in the model accuracy.
This thesis presents a repeated anticipatory traffic control policy through iterative learning. Given a predefined desired
traffic state, a rule-based Iterative Learning Control (ILC) is applied to traffic signal setting.
An optimization-based iterative learning approach is elaborated in the anticipatory control context, in which the desired
state is no longer predefined but endogenously optimized. The iterative optimizing control methods perform learning on
flow sensitivity to control changes, which is important to the solution optimality.
The key algorithmic implementation issue regarding the estimation of
flow sensitivity from noisy measurements is addressed.

 Identification and development of a rule-based iterative learning control to
track a desired traffic state.
 Development of optimization-based iterative learning methods to improve
control performance in the context of inaccurate network flow modeling.
 Development of an integrated framework to achieve better control for
reality as well as better model calibration. Symbolic illustration of model-reality mismatch
 Development of a dual control method that allows for general applications 978
1205
1190
real optimum
in noisy networks
1185
1200
1195
1190
1210
1195
1200
1215
1220
1225
1230
1185
976 two-step approach

partial model bias correction
974 full model bias correction
Flow on link 2 (veh/h)
972
Reality-tracking control
1205
1190
970
1185
1200
1195
1190
1210
1195
1200
1215
1220
1225
1230
1185
optimization via model 968

bias correction
966
1235
1190
1205
Signal setting that considers route choice response 964

1185
1200
1195
1190
1210
1195
1200
1215
1220
1225
1230
1185
962
Major publication
0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9
Signal green split
Huang, W., Viti, F., Tampère, C.M.J., 2015. Repeated anticipatory network traffic control using iterative optimization
accounting for model bias correction. Transportation Research Part C, 2015 (under second round review).
Huang, W., Viti, F., Tampère, C.M.J., 2015. An iterative learning approach for signal control in urban traffic networks with
inaccurate equilibrium models. Transportmetrica B, 2015 (under review).
Huang, W., Viti, F., Tampère, C.M.J., 2015. A dual control approach for anticipatory traffic control with estimation of
network flow sensitivity. Journal of Advanced Transportation, 2015 (under review).
Smith, M., Huang, W., Viti, F., 2013. Equilibrium in capacitated network models with queueing delays, queue-storage,
blocking back and control. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, Vol 80, pp. 860-879.
168
Dries Geebelen
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Joos Vandewalle
Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Johan A.K. Suykens
Funding Name agency + logo if applicable
E-mail Preferable, but not mandatory
Kernel-based Methods for Measuring Biodiversity and Predicting Quality

of Service
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life. It is important because it increases the stability of ecosystem functions. We
use kernels to develop indices that measure diversity and related properties. More specifically, the kernels are used to
model the similarity between species. In a second application, we predict QoS values – such as response time and
availability - of workflow compositions. A workflow composition is a composite service consisting of a number of individual
services that are executed in series, parallel or according to other composition patterns.
In our research, we combine different fields:
Linear algebra: eigenvalues, eigenvectors and
the Schur–Horn theorem are central in our
biodiversity framework.
Kernels: In both applications, all algorithms are
kernel methods..
Entropy: our proposed Shannon diversity is
mathematically related to the Von Neumann
entropy – the entropy used to measure quantum
information
Optimization: our QoS prediction algorithm and
certain proposed indices are the solution of an
optimization problem Performance of our QoS prediction algorithm on simulated data:
Ecology: before you can develop and use the goal is to predict the value below which the response time of
biodiversity indices, you need to understand the workflow composition will be in 99% of the cases. Our
what biodiversity is and in which contexts it is algorithm (blue line) outperforms an existing algorithm (green line)
used. because the existing algorithm doesn't take into account that the
response times of the individual services are negatively correlated.
The predicted values of the existing algorithm are much too high.
There is no general truth about how diversity and related properties should be measured. There are, however,
properties that these indices should satisfy such that they behave as an ecologist would expect them to behave. We
created a set of properties for each index and showed that our indices are the only ones that satisfy all of these
properties. With respect to predicting QoS, our algorithm outperforms existing algorithms on both real-world and
simulated data. It has a number of favorable properties. For example, it implicitly takes into account the dependencies
between different services. These dependencies can occur, for instance, when web services run on the same server.
169
170
Ninah Koolen
Prof. dr. Gunnar Naulaers, Prof. dr. ir. Maarten De Vos,
Co-supervisor
Prof. dr. Sampsa Vanhatalo
Funding IWT, FWO, iMinds
E-mail ninah.koolen@esat.kuleuven.be
Automated quantification of preterm brain

maturation using electroencephalography
Around 10 percent of all human births is premature, which means that annually
about 15 million babies are born before 37 completed weeks of gestation. In general, premature and immature babies
have a high risk for neurological abnormalities by maturation in extra-uterine life. Clinical experts visually assess evolving
electroencephalography (EEG) characteristics over both short and long periods to evaluate maturation of patients at risk.
The aim of this PhD research was to develop supporting software for the automatic analysis of preterm EEG patterns.
Quantification of the changing EEG pattern with maturation
A. Burst detection algorithm. B. Change of the line length C. Interhemispheric synchrony between
distribution in function of age. two EEG channels is quantified by the
More EEG activity is present Activation Synchrony Index (ASI).
at older age, resulting in a
shift of the distribution
towards longer line lengths.

EEG features show a significant correlation with
maturation (in function of the postmenstrual age).
The interburst intervals (IBI) lengths get shorter. This
development is also shown by the decrease of the data-
driven histogram index. The brain connectivity increases,
quantified by an increase of interhemispheric synchrony.
In conclusion, the EEG patterns can be assessed over longer time intervals and patients at risk can be identified by
automated means. The knowledge and expertise of medical experts is aggregated in the implemented algorithms, which
adapt automatically at an individual patient level. A feature set of EEG indexes is reported and promising for
implementation of preterm developmental growth charts.
Major publication
N. Koolen, K. Jansen, J. Vervisch, V. Matic, M. De Vos, G. Naulaers, S. Van Huffel (2014). Line length as a robust
method to detect high activity events: Automated burst detection in premature EEG recordings. Clinical Neurophysiology,
125 (10), 1985-1994.
N. Koolen*, A. Dereymaeker*, O. Räsänen, K. Jansen, J. Vervisch, V. Matic, M. De Vos, S. Van Huffel, G. Naulaers, S.
Vanhatalo (2014). Interhemispheric synchrony in the neonatal EEG revisited: activation synchrony index as a promising
classifier. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, art.nr. 1030. * joint first author
171
Costanza Herrera
Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Guy Vandenbosch
Monesia - Erasmus Mundus External
Funding
Cooperation Window
E-mail costanza.herrera@esat.kuleuven.be
Periodic structures and metamaterials for absorption purposes

We investigated the characteristics of and metamaterials and periodic structures and focused on a particular possible
application: absorption of electromagnetic waves. The unusual and sometimes extraordinary properties of artificial
complex materials have been of interest for the scientific community for more than 10 years and several possible
applications been proposed.
In our work, numerical and experimental research and results are presented. The aim is using these materials’ special
characteristics in order to improve conventional absorbing materials and devices, find more advantageous applications,
propose new structures and gain further knowledge about complex materials in general.
An initial introductory investigation on the characteristics of ACMs is made, literature studies are carried out, systematic
analyses and parametric sensitivity studies are performed, and in order to propose new structures, numerical analyses
including simulations with antenna and electromagnetic software-based solvers are performed. For some structures the
results of two different types of solvers are used. Subsequently, verifications of their final results are validated through
experimentation with built prototypes. In compliance with the available tools and resources, experiments are realized in
the microwave range, with closed and open (free-space) measurement systems.

Structures with wideband absorbing behaviour were
presented, a demanded property among absorbing materials
and challenging to be obtained with periodic structures.
Development of at least some of them with the adequate
materials could turn them into interesting commercial
applications when compared to existing conventional ones.
Also, very low-profile, thin (one sixth of the wavelength) and
small-scaled structures could be fabricated within the
required frequency range, yielding good filtering performance
and excellent agreement with simulation results.
Double copper-dielectric layer

L
w
W1
Major publication
C. Herrera, G.A.E. Vandenbosch, “Systematic study of double-layered ultra-thin stacked patch absorbers”, Proc. EMC
Europe 2013, Brugge, Belgium, Sep.2013.
172
FACULTEIT
INGENIEURSWETENSCHAPPEN
Kasteelpark Arenberg 1 bus 2200
3001 LEUVEN, België
tel. + 32 16 32 13 50
fax + 32 16 32 19 82
info@eng.kuleuven.be
www.eng.kuleuven.be

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PhD defences at the

Faculty of Engineering Science 2015

Michiel Steyaert Jan Degrève

1. Abdin Yasmine.............................................11/09/2015............................................................................... 119

58. Habibi Ranasadat.........................................24/08/2015............................................................................... 110

115. Shterionov Dimitar........................................08/09/2015............................................................................... 116

Unfolding Data: Software and Design Approaches to Support

Results & Conclusion

Isolating and Restricting Client-Side JavaScript

Co-supervisor Dr. ir. Larissa Gorbatikh

Funding IWT & EU-FP7 HIVOCOMP

Hybridisation of self-reinforced composites:

 Carbon fibre composites: high stiffness, low toughness.

Research Methodology Stiffness

250 Results & Conclusions

Operational decision support models and algorithms for hospital

PhD defence 13 January 2014

Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. ing. Patrick Reynaert

Funding European FP7-project, M4S - Huawei

Design Techniques for CMOS RF Power Amplifiers

Results & Conclusions

Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Jozef Poortmans

Funding Strategic Initiative Materials in Flanders

Nanopowder based printed CIGS chalcogenide semiconductor absorber layers

PhD defence 16 January 2015

Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Luc Verpoest

Co-supervisor Prof. dr. Ir Krista De Jonge

Raymond M. Lemaire (1921-1997) and the Conservation of the Ancient City :

The study of Lemaire’s early biography, including his role as

Comparing Lemaire’s projects in the fields of urban renovation

Department Electrical Engineering (ESAT)

PhD defence 16 January 2015

Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Ingrid Verbauwhede

Lightweight PUF-based Key and Random Number Generation

Results & Conclusions

Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Riccardo Scandariato

Privacy Threats in Software Architectures

Results & Conclusions

LINDDUN is a solid privacy threat modeling methodology

PhD defence 16 January 2015

Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Koen Van Reusel

Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Johan Driesen

Mathematical and Experimental Approach to Magnetohydrodynamic

Results & Conclusions

Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Dirk Vandepitte

Funding IWT – Baekeland IWT090730

Dynamic analysis of a wind turbine gearbox

Results & Conclusions

Co-supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Herman Bruyninckx

Funding FWO project G040410

Composition Pattern for Constraint-based Programming

Department Electrical Engineering (ESAT)

PhD defence 27 January 2015

Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Ronnie Belmans

Residential Demand Response Based on Dynamic Electricity Pricing:

Results & Conclusions Chapter 6. Chapter 7.

 The enabler of this momentum is the rise of technology, as Thesis overview

Department Electrical Engineering (ESAT)

PhD defence 29 January 2015

Supervisor Prof. dr. ir. Ronnie Belmans

Grid Planning for the Future Grid

Stepwise investment plan to

In vitro analysis of dynamic foot biomechanics using a gait simulator and