The return of the abject: a psychoanalytic analysis of a selection of William Shakespeare’s plays in the light of Julia Kristeva’s theories of the mind

The present research deals with the application of Julia Kristeva s psychoanalytic theories of the mind to a selection of William Shakespeare s plays. Kristeva s key psychoanalytic terms the symbolic, the semiotic and the abject are first elaborated in detail and are then applied to different situations and characters in the plays. The plays discussed in this thesis are A Midsummer Night s Dream, As You Like It and The Taming of the Shrew for the comedy section, Richard II, 1 & 2 Henry IV and Coriolanus for the English and Roman History section, and Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and King Lear for the Tragedy section. The reason for choosing the above plays is that I believe there is a gap of knowledge in this regard and no thorough research on this scale has been conducted up to this time. The intention is to discuss and explicate the moments in which the dramatic heroes undergo some unconscious-driven experiences that can be best explained by Kristeva s post-Freudian psychoanalytic approach. In short, what I am going to show in the present study is the psychoanalytic assumption that Shakespearean characters, forced by internal or external elements, leave the symbolic and take refuge in the semiotic. In such moments, the characters inevitably face the abject which is an archaic memory comprising the elements of enchantment and horror. The abject can be best described as the archaic memories of a distant past when the self had no border and was associated with the semiotic, a subject s harmonious beginning. In its early childhood, to become a subject, an individual breaks its semiotic ties and, by so doing, enters the realm of the symbolic which is associated with grammar and law. The symbolic awards a subject a distinct identity and helps it stay on the route to signification. Kristeva s understanding of the process of individuation is explained by her subject in process , a journey in which a subject always oscillates between the symbolic and the semiotic. The key point in Kristeva s psychoanalytic thought is that the semiotic does not fade away and hovers around a subject s border of identity and remains a constant threat for its symbolic identity. To remain immune from the annihilating forces of the semiotic, a subject has to remain vigilant and protect its borders of identity. My main goal in this thesis is to show that, in some particular situations in the plays, Shakespearean characters fail to remain vigilant and, inevitably, their subjects are exposed to the abject. In other words, in moments of ambition, anger, love or fear, they surrender or take refuge in the semiotic and face the abject. Although Shakespearean plays have previously been approached by Sigmund Freud s (and some other major practitioners ) theories, the application of Kristeva s psychoanalytic theories of the mind gives the opportunity to approach the plays from a new perspective that would otherwise have remained unknown. Thus, the originality of this research lies in its extensive application of Kristeva s theories to the selected Shakespearean plays, theories that, although they derive from those of Freud, have the potential to shed light on those psychoanalytic aspects of the plays that Freud either neglected or left unfinished

High load performance and combustion analysis of a four-valve direct injection gasoline engine running in the two-stroke cycle

With the introduction of CO2 emissions legislation or fuel economy standards in Europe and many countries, significant effort is being made to improve spark ignition gasoline engines because of their dominant market share in passenger cars and potential for better fuel economy. Amongst several approaches, the engine downsizing technology has been adopted by the automotive companies as one of the most effective methods to reduce fuel consumption of gasoline engines. However, aggressive engine downsizing is constrained by excessive thermal and mechanical loads as well as knocking combustion and low speed pre-ignition (also known as super-knock). In order to overcome such difficulties, a gasoline direct injection single cylinder engine was modified to run under the two-stroke cycle by operating the intake and exhaust valves around bottom dead centre (BDC) at every crankshaft revolution. The combustion products were scavenged by means of a reversed tumble flow of compressed air during the positive valve overlap period at BDC. The engine output was determined by the charging and trapping efficiencies, which were directly influenced by the intake and exhaust valve timings and boost pressures. In this research a valve timing optimisation study was performed using a fully flexible valve train unit, where the intake and exhaust valve timings were advanced and retarded independently at several speeds and loads. A supercharger was used to vary the load by increasing the intake pressure. The effects of valve timing and boost pressure in this two-stroke poppet valve engine were investigated by a detailed analysis of the gas exchange process and combustion heat release. Gaseous and smoke emissions were measured and analysed. The results confirmed that the two-stroke cycle operation enabled the indicated mean effective pressure to reach 1.2MPa (equivalent to 2.4MPa in a four-stroke cycle) with an in-cylinder pressure below 7MPa at an engine speed as low as 800rpm. The engine operation was limited by scavenging inefficiencies and short time available for proper air-fuel mixing at high speeds using the current fuel injector. The large amounts of hot residual gas trapped induced controlled auto-ignition combustion at high speeds, and thus the abrupt heat release limited higher loads.The Brazilian council for scientific and technological development (CNPq – Brasil

Towards fossil-free fuels in sustainable powertrain; alcohol-fueled low-temperature combustion (LTC)

AbstractLow-temperature combustion (LTC) engines are able toreduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions, simultaneously. LTC engines suffer from higher amounts of unburned hydrocarbon (uHC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, particularly in low-load operating conditions of the engine. The existence of oxygen molecules in the alcohol fuels not only results in more combustion completeness but also leads to lower CO and uHC emissions.Abstract Low-temperature combustion (LTC) engines are able toreduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions, simultaneously. LTC engines suffer from higher amounts of unburned hydrocarbon (uHC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, particularly in low-load operating conditions of the engine. The existence of oxygen molecules in the alcohol fuels not only results in more combustion completeness but also leads to lower CO and uHC emissions

Physics-based dynamic simulation opportunities with digital twins

AbstractThis paper aims to provide a viewpoint on the exploitation of physics-based dynamic simulation in product development and discrete manufacturing products. The dynamics models can be represented with computationally light models when the product and its dynamics are well known and thereby analyzing the performance e.g., with AI methods rapidly and accurately. The recent developments with methodologies, sensor development, measuring techniques and increased computing capacity are making the simulation world closer to reality and the ability for real-time operation simulations paralleled to the real system. This enables the exploitation of the digital twin paradigm at full capacity together with high-maturity digital twin models.Abstract This paper aims to provide a viewpoint on the exploitation of physics-based dynamic simulation in product development and discrete manufacturing products. The dynamics models can be represented with computationally light models when the product and its dynamics are well known and thereby analyzing the performance e.g., with AI methods rapidly and accurately. The recent developments with methodologies, sensor development, measuring techniques and increased computing capacity are making the simulation world closer to reality and the ability for real-time operation simulations paralleled to the real system. This enables the exploitation of the digital twin paradigm at full capacity together with high-maturity digital twin models

Advanced thermal management strategies for electric vehicles: enhancing efficiency, reliability, and performance

Abstract Thermal management plays a crucial role in enhancing electric vehicles' performance, reliability, and lifespan (EVs) by effectively dissipating heat from key components, including electric traction motors, power electronic components (PECs), and batteries. This paper explores various thermal management strategies tailored for these systems, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and technological advancements. In electric traction motors, heat dissipation is primarily addressed through active and passive cooling techniques such as forced convection, heatpipes, and phase change materials (PCMs), with recent advancements like direct slot cooling (DSC) improving efficiency. Similarly, PECs and electronic chips face thermal challenges due to electrical resistance, requiring innovative solid-state, air, liquid, and two-phase cooling methods to prevent performance degradation and component failure. Battery thermal management systems (BTMS) are equally critical, as temperature variations directly impact efficiency, safety, and cycle life. Active, passive, and hybrid BTMS technologies—including liquid cooling, thermoelectric systems, PCMs, and heat pipes—are evaluated based on their effectiveness in maintaining optimal operating temperatures. This paper comprehensively analyzes emerging cooling solutions, addressing key tradeoffs between efficiency, cost, and design complexity. By integrating advanced thermal management techniques, the EV industry can achieve improved energy efficiency, enhanced safety, and prolonged component durability, paving the way for more reliable and sustainable electric mobility.Abstract Thermal management plays a crucial role in enhancing electric vehicles' performance, reliability, and lifespan (EVs) by effectively dissipating heat from key components, including electric traction motors, power electronic components (PECs), and batteries. This paper explores various thermal management strategies tailored for these systems, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and technological advancements. In electric traction motors, heat dissipation is primarily addressed through active and passive cooling techniques such as forced convection, heatpipes, and phase change materials (PCMs), with recent advancements like direct slot cooling (DSC) improving efficiency. Similarly, PECs and electronic chips face thermal challenges due to electrical resistance, requiring innovative solid-state, air, liquid, and two-phase cooling methods to prevent performance degradation and component failure. Battery thermal management systems (BTMS) are equally critical, as temperature variations directly impact efficiency, safety, and cycle life. Active, passive, and hybrid BTMS technologies—including liquid cooling, thermoelectric systems, PCMs, and heat pipes—are evaluated based on their effectiveness in maintaining optimal operating temperatures. This paper comprehensively analyzes emerging cooling solutions, addressing key tradeoffs between efficiency, cost, and design complexity. By integrating advanced thermal management techniques, the EV industry can achieve improved energy efficiency, enhanced safety, and prolonged component durability, paving the way for more reliable and sustainable electric mobility

Numerical Methods for the Flow Fields; A Comparative Review

Abstract This paper provides a comparative overview of four numerical methods widely employed in computational fluid dynamics and related fields: Finite Volume (FV), Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM), Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), and Spectral Methods. FV discretizes the domain into control volumes, emphasizing conservation laws and flux integrals across cell faces. It's renowned for its robustness, particularly in complex geometries. LBM is a mesoscopic approach simulating fluid dynamics through particle interactions on a lattice grid. Its intrinsic parallelism and ability to handle complex boundary conditions make it suitable for multiphase flows and porous media simulations. SPH represents fluids as a set of particles, where properties are smoothed over neighboring particles using a kernel function. SPH excels in free surface flows, astrophysical simulations, and fluid-structure interaction due to its Lagrangian nature and adaptive resolution. Spectral Methods discretize functions using orthogonal basis functions, such as Fourier or Chebyshev polynomials, enabling high-order accuracy and spectral convergence. They are preferred for problems with smooth solutions and periodic boundary conditions, like turbulence simulations and wave propagation.Abstract This paper provides a comparative overview of four numerical methods widely employed in computational fluid dynamics and related fields: Finite Volume (FV), Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM), Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), and Spectral Methods. FV discretizes the domain into control volumes, emphasizing conservation laws and flux integrals across cell faces. It's renowned for its robustness, particularly in complex geometries. LBM is a mesoscopic approach simulating fluid dynamics through particle interactions on a lattice grid. Its intrinsic parallelism and ability to handle complex boundary conditions make it suitable for multiphase flows and porous media simulations. SPH represents fluids as a set of particles, where properties are smoothed over neighboring particles using a kernel function. SPH excels in free surface flows, astrophysical simulations, and fluid-structure interaction due to its Lagrangian nature and adaptive resolution. Spectral Methods discretize functions using orthogonal basis functions, such as Fourier or Chebyshev polynomials, enabling high-order accuracy and spectral convergence. They are preferred for problems with smooth solutions and periodic boundary conditions, like turbulence simulations and wave propagation

Configurable design approach for heavy-duty vehicle powertrain design

Abstract The design and fine-tuning of propulsion systems are facing significant challenges, considering the importance of maximizing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. As internal combustion engines (ICEs) no longer exclusively control powertrains for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), the advent of emerging technologies in electrified powertrains and energy systems has presented a wide range of choices. None of the available concepts can satisfy all the requirements in different use case scenarios without compromising performance and energy efficiency. However, the number of available concepts for the powertrain increases the design flexibility while simultaneously elevating the challenge of design complexity. System-level simulation has provided great opportunities to predict system functionality at the very early stages of design. Considering a hybrid powertrain that includes different subsystems, simulation blocks representing each subsystem should be developed to predict the system behavior precisely. In this study, a configurable design approach is developed addressing the design complexity of an integrated e-axle in a truck use case. Different simulation methods for different subsystems of the powertrain are investigated, and a generic simulation structure is proposed for configurable simulations. Simulations of the subsystems are developed by cooperating with suppliers using different simulation tools. To implement a clear interface between the simulations, based on the generic structure of a hybrid powertrain with an e-axle, simulations for the different systems in the form of functional mockup units (FMUs) have been proposed. The simulations are separately compared against available measured data from a test truck with a conventional powertrain and suppliers’ data to be validated. After validation, different configurations of the system, component sizing, and different control strategies are investigated for driving cycles acquired from fleet owners to design the suitable system for the final use case scenario.Abstract The design and fine-tuning of propulsion systems are facing significant challenges, considering the importance of maximizing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. As internal combustion engines (ICEs) no longer exclusively control powertrains for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), the advent of emerging technologies in electrified powertrains and energy systems has presented a wide range of choices. None of the available concepts can satisfy all the requirements in different use case scenarios without compromising performance and energy efficiency. However, the number of available concepts for the powertrain increases the design flexibility while simultaneously elevating the challenge of design complexity. System-level simulation has provided great opportunities to predict system functionality at the very early stages of design. Considering a hybrid powertrain that includes different subsystems, simulation blocks representing each subsystem should be developed to predict the system behavior precisely. In this study, a configurable design approach is developed addressing the design complexity of an integrated e-axle in a truck use case. Different simulation methods for different subsystems of the powertrain are investigated, and a generic simulation structure is proposed for configurable simulations. Simulations of the subsystems are developed by cooperating with suppliers using different simulation tools. To implement a clear interface between the simulations, based on the generic structure of a hybrid powertrain with an e-axle, simulations for the different systems in the form of functional mockup units (FMUs) have been proposed. The simulations are separately compared against available measured data from a test truck with a conventional powertrain and suppliers’ data to be validated. After validation, different configurations of the system, component sizing, and different control strategies are investigated for driving cycles acquired from fleet owners to design the suitable system for the final use case scenario

A comparative study on different modelling approaches in li-ion battery cooling system

Abstract The extensive use of simulation software has expedited the conceptual level design in various engineering fields. The automotive engineering industry has been at the forefront of developing tools to enhance the simulation-driven design of future vehicles and powertrains. To reduce carbon emissions, vehicle manufacturers have increasingly shifted towards the design and production of fully electric cars, where the battery plays a key role. The role of simulation software and virtual validation methods is of ever greater importance in electrified powertrains due to the lack of a large amount of historical data to support the design, as well as the shortened time to market for EVs. In this work, ways for fast cooling system simulation model building on two different accuracy levels are studied where one example cooling system is modeled. Thermal simulation is performed both on the module and on the battery pack level. Different variants of battery module cooling arrangements are studied via a simplified three-dimensional model. One EV battery is simulated on two different accuracy levels which both have their own strengths and weaknesses. The model with higher fidelity represents the battery module as discretized cells which allows temperature monitoring of each cell separately, hence allowing for the investigation of temperature variability inside the battery module. The simpler model, monobloc battery, represents all battery cells inside the battery as one block generating thermal energy. The simulation software CruiseM from AVL is used in the study, as it provides a simple equivalent circuit model (ECM) for the battery, and simultaneously allows simulating the temperatures in different areas of the module for prismatic battery modules. Accordingly, the effect of the internal temperature variation on the electrical properties of the battery pack can be investigated in a real-time capable model. Finally, the simple electro-thermal monobloc battery model can be coupled to a full electric powertrain model in a heavy-duty truck application, along with the cooling system. Further the effects of the power demand on thermal condition of the electrical components can be investigated to design the cooling system.Abstract The extensive use of simulation software has expedited the conceptual level design in various engineering fields. The automotive engineering industry has been at the forefront of developing tools to enhance the simulation-driven design of future vehicles and powertrains. To reduce carbon emissions, vehicle manufacturers have increasingly shifted towards the design and production of fully electric cars, where the battery plays a key role. The role of simulation software and virtual validation methods is of ever greater importance in electrified powertrains due to the lack of a large amount of historical data to support the design, as well as the shortened time to market for EVs. In this work, ways for fast cooling system simulation model building on two different accuracy levels are studied where one example cooling system is modeled. Thermal simulation is performed both on the module and on the battery pack level. Different variants of battery module cooling arrangements are studied via a simplified three-dimensional model. One EV battery is simulated on two different accuracy levels which both have their own strengths and weaknesses. The model with higher fidelity represents the battery module as discretized cells which allows temperature monitoring of each cell separately, hence allowing for the investigation of temperature variability inside the battery module. The simpler model, monobloc battery, represents all battery cells inside the battery as one block generating thermal energy. The simulation software CruiseM from AVL is used in the study, as it provides a simple equivalent circuit model (ECM) for the battery, and simultaneously allows simulating the temperatures in different areas of the module for prismatic battery modules. Accordingly, the effect of the internal temperature variation on the electrical properties of the battery pack can be investigated in a real-time capable model. Finally, the simple electro-thermal monobloc battery model can be coupled to a full electric powertrain model in a heavy-duty truck application, along with the cooling system. Further the effects of the power demand on thermal condition of the electrical components can be investigated to design the cooling system

Hydrogen and ammonia fuelled internal combustion engines, a pathway to carbon-neutral fuels future

AbstractIssues such as climate change and ever-increasing global warming have obliged governments and world authorities to comply with stringent regulations on the control of greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions in internal combustion engines (ICEs). Carbon dioxide (CO2), the most produced GHG, has been the major concern of climate change in recent years. To reduce carbon emissions, fuels with lower carbon content, such as alcohol fuels, or fuels with no carbon content, like hydrogen and ammonia, should be taken into consideration to be replaced by fossil fuels in internal combustion engines.Abstract Issues such as climate change and ever-increasing global warming have obliged governments and world authorities to comply with stringent regulations on the control of greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions in internal combustion engines (ICEs). Carbon dioxide (CO2), the most produced GHG, has been the major concern of climate change in recent years. To reduce carbon emissions, fuels with lower carbon content, such as alcohol fuels, or fuels with no carbon content, like hydrogen and ammonia, should be taken into consideration to be replaced by fossil fuels in internal combustion engines

Electric vehicles’ powertrain systems architectures design complexity

AbstractStrict emission regulations and energy scarcity have ushered in a new era of automotive technology. Utilizing electric power as a second source of energy or an alternative to fossil fuel energy has been the center of attention for decades. Implementing electric energy in vehicles’ powertrain systems requires new system architecture and rigorous methods for decision-making in a multi-disciplinary design procedure. Accordingly, the challenge is to define the design requirements and the economic feasibility of the final product.Abstract Strict emission regulations and energy scarcity have ushered in a new era of automotive technology. Utilizing electric power as a second source of energy or an alternative to fossil fuel energy has been the center of attention for decades. Implementing electric energy in vehicles’ powertrain systems requires new system architecture and rigorous methods for decision-making in a multi-disciplinary design procedure. Accordingly, the challenge is to define the design requirements and the economic feasibility of the final product