#Building energy performance simulation

[civilengineering-crimson]

Accuracy of Code Compliant Design-Stage Building Energy Performance Simulation Models_Crimson Publishers

Abstract

Energy reduction standards have been adopted in legislation by many US states, such as ASHRAE 90.1. Aspects of 90.1 have also been adopted within many country’s national mandated building regulations. The development of Building Energy Performance Simulation (BEPS) models is one of the principal methods used to show compliance with these mandated building codes. In order to achieve the higher levels of certification of LEEDTM, a design stage model is virtually a requirement. Researchers and practitioners are indicating a growing concern with the perceived inaccuracies of BEPS models when compared to an occupied building’s energy usage. While the standard’s authors state that compliance models should not be used to compare to the actual building’s energy use, the developers funding the creation of such models, may not be aligned with this view.

This study has been undertaken in order to assess the accuracy of BEPS models developed to show code compliance and where these models fit on the spectrum of design stage models. A methodology has been developed to examine these model’s accuracy at different points through the building design process, from early stage conceptual design to finished construction, but pre-occupation. Four different building types have been examined to determine the relative complexity and accuracy of five typical pre-occupation model stages. The study assesses the accuracy of each of the five model types when compared to the actual energy usage figures for each building and discusses the industry expectations of a particular model type.

Read more about this article: https://crimsonpublishers.com/acet/fulltext/ACET.000581.php

For more articles in our journal:https://crimsonpublishers.com/acet/

[all-with-angel]

Stress test // Superhero!Sukuna

➤ Superhero!Sukuna x Gearmaker!Reader

➤ Deadlines are nipping at your heels and you haven't found yourself a willing test subject for your projects. As your last Hail Mary, you waltz into the training area and borrow the first person you see; Not knowing who exactly you had just made your test subject. Not like it matters to you.

➤ gn!reader, Sukuna being sukuna, cocky Sukuna humbled by reader, both are 20+, light injury, sfw, NOT PROOFREAD and I couldve probably done a better job but wtv we die like gojo

You haven’t slept in thirty hours.

You haven’t eaten anything other than energy bars and instant coffee in fourteen, and the last time you took a break was when a rogue drone had exploded and knocked you out for 16 minutes. Those were a good 16 minutes.

You’d love to take a rest, sleep until the world exploded even, but deadlines were looming over your head like a death knell, red marker on your calendar telling you ‘You’re screwed.’

You had ideas- God, you had way too many ideas. Building them was one thing, but that was the easiest part really. You could do that in your sleep, and frankly, probably had once or twice. No, the problem was testing them.

You needed raw data. Field stress levels, user performance under duress, energy thresholds when pushed to their uppermost limit. Simulated tests could only go so far. The board wanted grit. They wanted the real deal. The kind that said, “Yes, this will absolutely survive a villain launching a bus at your face.” or “Yes, this will hold up against the strength of Infinity.” (Like that's even possible)

And you couldn’t give that. How could you? You didn’t have teams of testers like the more known gadget makers, no, you had yourself and A.I. test dummies that started flirting with you if they weren’t reset every other week.

You were a genius. But what good is a genius without results?

You put on your best unwrinkled lab coat, shoved your tablet under one arm, slapped a fresh stim patch onto your neck, and marched your overworked ass down to the training floors of the facility. Academy, as the higher ups would say, but it was anything but that really.

You didn’t learn much here other than that most of your coworkers were stupid.

Today’s plan? 

Find the strongest idiot. Throw gadgets at them. Hope for the best.

Yeah. 

Yeah, that sounded good. You really were a genius. Or sleep deprived. You couldn’t tell.

The facility, of course, was always active. Training rooms were booked 24/7 by heroes, cadets, and the occasional egomaniac. As you stepped into the third hall, the sound of explosions- actual explosions- echoed down the corridor, followed by some deeply maniacal laughter.

Sounds like the strongest idiot to me.

You took a step into the viewing area, peering into the highly reinforced glass and observed. There was smoke everywhere, but it quickly dispersed to reveal your maybe test subject.

He looked pretty familiar. HawkTuna-something?

He stood there in a scorched tank top, hands on his hips, surrounded by sparking debris. Pink hair and red eyes, face tattoos. He looked more like a gangster than a hero.

You jogged your memory, as fucked as it was- and remembered some news broadcasting about a Hero that had more than half of his fights end with a building or two collapsing. You snapped your fingers when you remembered, “The King”. That was his hero name.

You recalled it from an interview, where he refused to be called anything other than that. Right, so he was a cocky fucker. You could work with that. 

A few minutes later, you found yourself at a vending machine right outside the training hall, buying yourself your nth energy drink today. Just as you grabbed the can from the machine, the mechanical doors of the training room opened. Out came walking the King, steps heavy but not rushed.

You straightened your lab coat, holding your tablet to your chest and energy drink in the other as you walked up to him. “Uh, excuse me?” You smiled politely. Holy hell, he was bigger up close.

“What?” He clicked his tongue, red eyes narrowing at you. “You better make this quick. I have things to do.”

“Would it be alright if I borrowed you for a little while? You see I need test subje-”

“Not interested.” He huffed, shoving past you.

Okay, rude. You stumbled to the side, head whipping in his already departing direction. You mentally debated whether pursuing an already bitchy test subject was worth it, before realizing that both your job and education was on the line. You let out a huff of frustration before running after his retreating figure.

“Hey! Wait! Um- Tuna guy? Suzuki, was it?”

He stopped abruptly, leading you to bump into his back face first. He didn’t even budge. Instead, he turned around, a scowl that would leave any sane person shaking in their boots. 

Unfortunately, you were not sane. At least not right now.

“Sukuna. It’s Sukuna.” He hissed at you.

“Oh right, yeah, Sukuna. Anyway-” You took a few steps back, clearing your throat before continuing. “I need to put my projects under stress tests so I need-”

“Don’t they have simulations for that?” He was tapping his foot, crossing his arms as he looked down on you. 

Okay, this guy seriously had to stop interrupting you. “Well uh, those can only go so far. And the board wants actual real life testing,” You answered. “Could you come up to the lab with me and test some of them? It’ll be quick. I promise. I just need to get my reports done before my deadline.”

“Why should I care?”

“Sorry?”

“I said why should I care?” Sukuna repeated. “You’re some nobody asking me for a favor when I’m supposed to be getting dinner. Who do you think you are talking to the future number 1, huh?” He leaned forward, looming over you with a scowl.

“The future number 1 hero?” You mused, staring right back at him. “I highly doubt that.” It hurt your neck to crane your neck this high, but you kept your voice from wavering.

“Tsk. Do you not even know who I am? What I’m capable of, brat?” He clicked his tongue, voice lowering into a growl as he glared, crimson eyes inches away from yours. “I can destroy this facility and everyone in it in seconds.” 

“So?” You blinked.

You could see his eye twitch. “Do you have a death wish you-” His voice raised, almost yelling before you cut him off.

“Dude. Seriously, I can’t care less about what you can do.” You waved him off, “I only care if you can help me. Got it?” 

Sukuna, The King- The so-called prodigy with more potential as a villain than a hero, stood there, dumbstruck at your audacity. You could see the gears turn in his head, the veins starting to pop on his neck.

You sigh in faux defeat, slumping your shoulders. “Unless you’re too much of a pussy to test some measly little gadgets.” You shake your head, turning away from him. “It’s a shame really, the so-called future number 1, scared by some nobody's little inventions.”

“Do I look stupid to you?” He rolled his eyes. “I’m not falling for your taunting.”

“Alright.” You shrug. “But you do sound,” You look him up and down, pointedly ignoring the imprint of his muscles the size of your waist. “-pretty weak to me.”

Sukuna stood there, glowering at you, a support course nerd he’d never even heard of. To be honest, he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t a little bit curious at what you’ve got in store in that lab of yours if you’d really go this far to recruit him. His manager probably would be annoyed that he was late to their dinner meeting again, but what was that idiot gonna do anyway? Yell at him?

He clicks his tongue. “Fine.” 

“Fine?” You raise a brow, a small smirk tugging on your lips.

“Yeah, fine.” He snarled.

“Perfect!” You clapped your hands once, previous ‘disappointed’ demeanor melting away quickly. “Come, come. Follow me.”

You click the handcuffs into place. “Comfortable?”

“No.” Sukuna answered, flexing his hands under the cold steel of the cuffs.

“Good. They’re not supposed to be,” Nodding, you take a few steps back. “Now break out of them.” You look down to your tablet, tapping a few buttons to monitor the stress levels of the cuffs and see how quickly they might break. You two have been at this for a while now, most of the gadgets being destroyed or barely grazing the cocky hero- Who simply grew more arrogant with every failed test. “These are a pair of reinforced handcuffs, they should hold up quite well-”

The handcuffs explode into pieces, scraps of metal littering the floor and edges of the testing area. “Against some robber, maybe.” Sukuna drawled. “Is this it? Are you seriously gonna waste my time with barely put-together chunks of metal?”

You rolled your eyes, crossing the pair of handcuffs off the list and marking it for extra blast reinforcement and maybe power dampening qualities.

“Nope. Next.” You grabbed a gadget from your side table, raising it and aiming at Sukuna. The hero stares at you, the weapon and then back at you. Seemingly unimpressed. “A gun? Really?”

“It's a non-lethal firearm, just as impactful as rubber bullets but not as harmful.” You keep your aim steady, ready to fire.

“I’ve melted bullets in mid-air. Do you really think that would work?” 

“They’re high velocity, so we’ll find out.” You pull the trigger twice, but nothing hits Sukuna. Instead, two very small and unrecognizable puddles of the bullets are a few feet away from him.

“Well, well, well. Looks like your high velocity rounds aren’t much compared to me.” He scoffed.

This time, you felt your eye twitch. He really was starting to get on your nerves. “Yeah, guess so.” You lowered the gun to your side. “Could you get the next gadget? It’s behind you.”

“Tsk. Asking me to do your job now, huh?” Sukuna rolled his eyes, large frame turning around and inspecting the table behind him. Just enough time for him to lower his guard. You raised the gun again, firing at his back- This time, it hits.

“Fuck!” The hero exclaimed, lips pulled into a scowl as he whipped his entire body towards you. “The hell was that?!”

You hummed in satisfaction, finally setting down the gun and tapping your tablet to record the results. Success. “My finger must’ve slipped, sorry.”

“Like hell it did!”

“Did it hurt?” You smirked.

Sukuna felt a bruise forming on his back, the point of impact throbbing lightly on his back. “No. Of course not.”

“Noted.”

Sukuna growled at you, ready to lunge and rip you a new one before he remembered that if he did maul another of his coworkers, that he’d get suspended. Again. So instead, he huffed and crossed his arms. “Are we done yet? Or do you have more chaos to unleash?”

“Yep, just one more.” You tossed a grenade-shaped contraption up and down your hand. “Though, this one has healing properties. Should help with the pain.”

Sukuna eyed you suspiciously, checking if this was another trick. He didn’t find anything other than quiet amusement in your eyes and anticipation. You were clearly enjoying it with him as your test subject. When you noticed his distrustful glare, you reassured him with a smile. “Don’t worry, if something goes wrong, the agency has your medical bills covered.”

He rolled his eyes, like that made it any better. “So you're saying something can go wrong?”

You shrugged. “Anything could go wrong, really.” You traced your thumb on the metal of your little toy, finger hovering right on the detonation button- It should go off after 5 seconds after pressing it. “But trust me.”

“I don’t trust you.” Sukuna said, voice flat.

“Shame.” You pressed the button, tossing it at his feet and stepping backwards. He didn’t move though, even if he did raise a brow at your sudden withdrawal- It didn’t last long before the healing grenade exploded.

Green slime-like substance coated him and a good portion of the area, luckily nowhere near you. The substance from the grenade seemed to pulse and glow green, especially the chunks that were on and around Sukuna. You quickly noted that down.

Sukuna cringed at the sludge coating his body, he didn’t feel any better than he did 3 seconds ago, maybe even a little worse with how icky the green goo felt. “The hell?” He raised his hand, the slime connecting in strands to the rest of his torso. “Some healing grenade this is.”

You stayed quiet.

He clicked his tongue, glaring at you before looking to the door. “I’m done with this bullshit. Now I gotta take a shower before going anywhe-” Sukuna tried to take a step forward, only to be halted by the slime. He kept trying to pull at his limbs, each action taking more effort than the last as it became apparent that this was no ordinary healing grenade.

It hadn’t even passed any screenings yet. And this was still a work in progress, not an actual thing you had to test at the moment. It was one of your flukes, you knew that. Sukuna, did not. “Oh, right. About this one,” You picked up your tablet, voice painfully nonchalant as you act unaware of the struggle that Sukuna was going through. “I don’t exactly have a dissolvent for the healing cream, and it gets quite sticky.”

“Then what are you waiting for??”  Sukuna screeched, head snapping in your direction as any fire or explosion he tried to use was cancelled by the healing agent. Did you mention that it also doubles as a power-cancelling agent? No? Oops. “Get to work on it then!!”

You shrugged, turning your back to him and towards the exit “Alright.”

“Hey, HEY! Where the hell do you think you’re going?!” 

You turned around, motioning towards the testing area in shambles. “You don’t expect me to work in this mess, do you?” Voice level, like you were pointing out solid facts- trying your damn hardest to not let the smugness bleed into your tone.

“So, what? You're just gonna leave me here??” Sukuna sounded a mix of stunned, confused and angry.

“Thats the plan, yeah.” You start walking away, the door hissing as it automatically opened. “Don’t worry! It’ll probably melt off in an hour if I’m not done by then!” You give him a wave, smirking at him over your shoulder. 

“Probably?? You motherfu-”

He was spewing curses at you now, belittling you and trying his hardest to defend his last remaining drops of dignity. You simply smiled back, polite. “See you, Number one.”

Yeah, you weren’t going to work on that dissolvent.

(open!) tags: @idontwannatalkrn1

[nasa]

This photo contains both flight (flat in the foreground) and qualification assembly (upright in the background) versions of the Solar Array Sun Shield for NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. These panels will both shade the mission’s instruments and power the observatory.

Double Vision: Why Do Spacecraft Have Twin Parts?

Seeing double? You’re looking at our Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope’s Solar Array Sun Shield laying flat in pieces in the foreground, and its test version connected and standing upright in the back. The Sun shield will do exactly what it sounds like –– shade the observatory –– and also collect sunlight for energy to power Roman.

These solar panels are twins, just like several of Roman’s other major components. Only one set will actually fly in space as part of the Roman spacecraft…so why do we need two?

Sometimes engineers do major tests to simulate launch and space conditions on a spare. That way, they don’t risk damaging the one that will go on the observatory. It also saves time because the team can do all the testing on the spare while building up the flight version. In the Sun shield’s case, that means fitting the flight version with solar cells and eventually getting the panels integrated onto the spacecraft.

Our Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's primary structure (also called the spacecraft bus) moves into the big clean room at our Goddard Space Flight Center (top). While engineers integrate other components onto the spacecraft bus in the clean room, the engineering test unit (also called the structural verification unit) undergoes testing in the centrifuge at Goddard. The centrifuge spins space hardware to ensure it will hold up against the forces of launch.

Engineers at our Goddard Space Flight Center recently tested the Solar Array Sun Shield qualification assembly in a thermal vacuum chamber, which simulates the hot and cold temperatures and low-pressure environment that the panels will experience in space. And since the panels will be stowed for launch, the team practiced deploying them in space-like conditions. They passed all the tests with flying colors!

The qualification panels will soon pass the testing baton to the flight version. After the flight Solar Array Sun Shield is installed on the Roman spacecraft, the whole spacecraft will go through lots of testing to ensure it will hold up during launch and perform as expected in space.

For more information about the Roman Space Telescope, visit: www.nasa.gov/roman. You can also virtually tour an interactive version of the telescope here.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[zvaigzdelasas]

Instead of burning fossil fuels to reach the temperatures needed to smelt steel and cook cement, scientists in Switzerland want to use heat from the sun. The proof-of-concept study uses synthetic quartz to trap solar energy at temperatures over 1,000°C (1,832°F), demonstrating the method’s potential role in providing clean energy for carbon-intensive industries. A paper on the research was published on May 15 in the journal Device.[...]

Glass, steel, cement, and ceramics are at the very heart of modern civilization, essential for building everything from car engines to skyscrapers. However, manufacturing these materials demands temperatures over 1,000°C and relies heavily on burning fossil fuels for heat. These industries account for about 25% of global energy consumption. Researchers have explored a clean-energy alternative using solar receivers, which concentrate and build heat with thousands of sun-tracking mirrors. However, this technology has difficulties transferring solar energy efficiently above 1,000°C.

To boost the efficiency of solar receivers, Casati turned to semitransparent materials such as quartz, which can trap sunlight—a phenomenon called the thermal-trap effect. The team crafted a thermal-trapping device by attaching a synthetic quartz rod to an opaque silicon disk as an energy absorber. When they exposed the device to an energy flux equivalent to the light coming from 136 suns, the absorber plate reached 1,050°C (1,922°F), whereas the other end of the quartz rod remained at 600°C (1,112°F).

“Previous research has only managed to demonstrate the thermal-trap effect up to 170°C (338°F),” says Casati. “Our research showed that solar thermal trapping works not just at low temperatures, but well above 1,000°C. This is crucial to show its potential for real-world industrial applications.”

Using a heat transfer model, the team also simulated the quartz’s thermal-trapping efficiency under different conditions. The model showed that thermal trapping achieves the target temperature at lower concentrations with the same performance, or at higher thermal efficiency for equal concentration. For example, a state-of-the-art (unshielded) receiver has an efficiency of 40% at 1,200°C, with a concentration of 500 suns. The receiver shielded with 300 mm of quartz achieves 70% efficiency at the same temperature and concentration. The unshielded receiver requires at least 1,000 suns of concentration for comparable performance.

17 May 24

[hyakujuuou]

One thing that I think TikTok achieved better than any other social media app (of my time), and the thing that set it apart from other social media (again, of my time) was that first being the cringe app and then being *the* social media app during the pandemic created a culture of imperfection that actually allowed it to develop its own unique cosplay subculture and be the origin site for somewhere between “a lot of” and “the majority of” the memes of the past 5 years. If I were to narrow down one reason why TikTok is this popular as a social media, it would be the culture of imperfection, and I’m legitimately doubtful that this will carry over to a US-owned TikTok.

(long post)

On the other social platforms that I’ve experienced (Google+, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, a brief stint with Twitter), there has always seemed to be an expectation that I’m putting my best face forward, and that I’m sort of polishing my words and content, and publishing something that is as perfect as I can manage at that moment.

For cosplay specifically, it is my perception that TikTok successfully developed its own kind of subculture within cosplay as it is done in online spaces, and that it exemplifies the sort of imperfection culture that makes TikTok appealing in a way that Instagram doesn’t. On TikTok, there’s much more of an expectation of imperfection and improvement that allows much more experimentation, less immediate competition, and gives a cosplay stage to people who wouldn’t be able to access conventions for travel or money or ability reasons. On TikTok, I’m not worried about my cosplay being perfect or even being finished— it was common to present works in progress and even to not know what a ‘finished’ version of the cosplay would look like, or if one ever even wanted to finish the build. TikTok was less of a performance in the way that cosplay IRL seems to me and less of a simulation of that performance in a way that IRL cosplay carries onto other social platforms. I think the best ways to describe the energy of TikTok from the reflections posted at shutdown are as a time capsule, a photo album, and a middle school yearbook. Being an app where posting cringe was the expectation for a long time certainly didn’t give TikTok a non-judgemental atmosphere, but there was a sense of community in being cringe but being free.

I think this also reflects in the creation of memes, and also brings in the anonymity aspect of TikTok. On TikTok, people can not only remain anonymous, but aren’t encouraged to use their real names (in the way Facebook and, to a lesser extent, Instagram does) and there’s not as much pressure to connect your profile and content to other media (as with Google+ and YouTube). It wasn’t as connected to other places on the internet (as far as I know I couldn’t directly share an article from a major news source to TikTok the way I could do so via email, Twitter, Facebook). Content posted on TikTok is divorced from reflections of one’s person, in contrast to Instagram, which is much more a place to post snapshots of one’s successes. I think that this, along with the expectation of posting low-effort cringe, gave the app its appeal and unique user culture.

And I don’t know if this is going to be able to exist on a US-owned TikTok, specifically, Donald Trump’s TikTok. In addition to Trump’s ownership driving away a lot of the original “cringe” creators (cosplayers, weebs, furries, visibly queer people, alt people, etc), pro-Trump propaganda forces everybody else willing to post political content to do so in a serious manner, exactly the ‘showing your best face’ that cause other media to be less desirable (or desirable in different ways) than TikTok. When Trump uses his new propaganda toy to amplify his politics, it will push cringe culture either into a small minority of users or off the app entirely. I don’t believe that the same meme culture will be able to continue on Trump’s TikTok, both with the overbearing presence of his social agenda that he’ll be able to push and with cringe culture dying on the app.

And I have no idea what it’s going to do after that. Once it turns into a right-wing echo chamber, it’s going to shut itself off from all other audiences. On an app that pushes Trump-wing propaganda, visibly being anything else will be dangerous to impossible. Once Trump’s right-wing doesn’t have anyone else to mock or criticise, the app will cannibalise itself.

:/

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

New analysis confirms severe damage from industrial complex planned near Paranal Observatory

An in-depth technical analysis by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) has evaluated the impact of the INNA megaproject on the facilities at the Paranal Observatory, Chile—and the results are alarming. The analysis reveals that INNA would increase light pollution above the Very Large Telescope (VLT) by at least 35% and by more than 50% above the south site of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO-South).

INNA would also increase air turbulence in the area, further degrading conditions for astronomical observations, while vibrations from the project could seriously impair the functioning of some of the astronomical facilities, like the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), at the Paranal Observatory.

In January, ESO publicly raised the alarm about the threat posed to the world's darkest and clearest skies, those of ESO's Paranal Observatory, from the industrial megaproject INNA. The project—by AES Andes, a subsidiary of the US power company AES Corporation—includes multiple energy and processing facilities, spread over an area of more than 3000 hectares, the size of a small city. Its planned location is just a few kilometers from the Paranal telescopes.

A preliminary analysis done at the time revealed that, due to its size and proximity to Paranal, the INNA project posed significant risks to astronomical observations. Now, a detailed technical analysis has confirmed that INNA's impact would be devastating and irreversible.

Blinding light pollution

According to the new, detailed analysis, the industrial complex would increase light pollution above the VLT, which is about 11 km from the planned INNA location, by at least 35% above the current artificial-light baseline levels. Another of the Paranal facilities, ESO's ELT, would see the light pollution above it increase by a minimum of 5%. This increase already represents a level of interference incompatible with the conditions required for world-class astronomical observations. The impact on the skies above the CTAO-South, located just 5 km from INNA, would be the most significant, with light pollution going up by at least 55%.

"With a brighter sky, we severely limit our ability to directly detect Earth-like exoplanets, observe faint galaxies, and even monitor asteroids that could cause damage to our planet," says Itziar de Gregorio-Monsalvo, ESO's Representative in Chile.

"We build the largest and most powerful telescopes in the best place on Earth for astronomy, to enable astronomers worldwide to see what no one has ever seen before. Light pollution from projects like INNA doesn't just hinder research, it steals our shared view of the universe."

For its technical analysis, a team of experts led by ESO Director of Operations Andreas Kaufer joined forces with Martin Aubé, a world-leading expert on sky brightness at astronomical sites, to run simulations using the most advanced light-pollution models. As input, the simulations used publicly available information provided by AES Andes when submitting the project for environmental assessment, which states the complex will be illuminated by over 1000 light sources.

"The light-pollution figures we are reporting assume that the project will install the most modern available luminaries in a way that minimizes light pollution. However, we are concerned that the inventory of light sources planned by AES is not complete and fit for purpose. In that case, our already alarming results would underestimate the potential impact of the INNA project on the Paranal sky brightness," Kaufer explains.

He adds that the calculations assume clear-sky conditions. "We would get even worse light pollution if we considered cloudy skies," he says. "While Paranal is cloud-free most of the year, many astronomical observations can still be performed when there are thin cirrus clouds—and in this case the light-pollution effect is amplified since nearby artificial lights strongly reflect off the clouds."

Turbulence ahead

The technical analysis looked into other impacts from the project, such as the increase in atmospheric turbulence, the effects of vibrations on the delicate telescope equipment, and dust contamination of the sensitive telescope optics during construction. All of these would further deepen the impact of INNA on Paranal's capabilities for astronomical observation.

In addition to the dark and clear skies, Paranal Observatory is the world's top site for astronomy thanks to its exceptionally steady and stable atmosphere—it has what astronomers call excellent seeing conditions or very low "twinkling" of astronomical objects caused by turbulence in Earth's atmosphere. With INNA, the best seeing conditions could deteriorate by up to 40%, in particular due to the air turbulence caused by the project's wind turbines.

Another worry is the impact of the vibrations caused by INNA on the VLT Interferometer (VLTI) and the ELT, which are both extremely sensitive to micro-seismic noise. The technical analysis reveals that INNA's wind turbines could produce an increase in these micro-vibrations in the ground that is large enough to impair the operations of these two world-leading astronomical facilities. Dust during construction is also problematic as it settles on the telescope mirrors and obstructs their view.

"Taken together, these disturbances seriously threaten the current and long-term viability of Paranal as a world-leader in astronomy, causing the loss of key discoveries about the universe and compromising Chile's strategic advantage in this area," says de Gregorio-Monsalvo. "The only way to save Paranal's pristine skies and protect astronomy for future generations is to relocate the INNA complex."

Furthermore, INNA's infrastructure is likely to encourage the development of an industrial hub in the area, which could turn Paranal into an unusable site for top-level astronomical observations.

"ESO and its Member States are fully supportive of energy decarbonization. For us Chile should not have to make a choice between hosting the most powerful astronomical observatories and developing green-energy projects. Both are declared strategic priorities by the country and are fully compatible—if the different facilities are located at sufficient distances from one another," says ESO Director General Xavier Barcons.

"We are extremely grateful for the support we've received from the Chilean and worldwide research communities, and from our ESO Member States. We also thank the Chilean authorities for looking into this matter. We are more committed than ever to working together to protect the irreplaceable Paranal skies," concludes Barcons.

TOP IMAGE: This eye-catching Picture of the Week was captured from ESO's Paranal Observatory. Home to ESO's Very Large Telescope, the observatory sits proudly atop the 2635-meter-high Cerro Paranal in Northern Chile's Atacama Desert. The four Unit Telescopes of the VLT, seen just right of center in this panorama, are posing in front of the huge expanse of the Milky Way galaxy, which appears almost like a rainbow made of stars, arching over the site. In the image, the four smaller Auxiliary Telescopes are also visible. Astronomers use different configurations of these telescopes that can be moved around on the tracks situated on the telescope platform. Can you spot the four Auxiliary Telescopes in this image? Credit: ESO/P. Horálek

LOWER IMAGE: Florentin Millour captured this breathtaking wide-field image of comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) on January 21 from ESO's Paranal Observatory in Chile. The Very Large Telescope sits atop Cerro Paranal to the left, while the comet sets in the western horizon right after sunset. Credit: F. Millour/ESO

[justsomerandomfanfic]

Hi, my name is Robinson and if you can, could you do me a platonic DC matchup?

Looks: 5'2, strawberry blonde, green eyes.

Gender/pronouns: FTM, he/him.

Interests: I love acting, and I'm performing at the west end next year. I love making chaotic stories on the Sims. I love all and any mythologies, whether it's Norse or Japanese. I just love it. I love books so much, I had to get shelves because my bookshelf is full. I also need to get more shelves for the shelves I got for my bookshelf. I LOVE felines. I used to only go to the zoo as a kid for the felines.

Random things: I'm British born and raised. Top of my English class, and I got autism.

Hi! It's nice to meet you, Robinson!

I would love to do a platonic DC matchup for you!

:)

Sorry, if it's a bit jumbled, I had a lot of ideas!

So, I hope you like your matchups!

Enjoy!

Platonic Matchup; DC

~~~

Platonic;

~~~

DC;

Wally West -

When you join the Justice League, you’re nervous.

You’ve been around some of the best in the world, but this is a whole new level of intensity.

Enter Wally West, the excitable, energetic speedster, who’s always popping in and out of rooms like he’s got somewhere to be (he does).

Wally notices you right away, and while you’re getting acclimated to the team, he can’t help but want to befriend you.

He loves that you're from Europe.

In the beginning, he will ask all about it.

One day, you’re practicing some simulations with the team.

Wally is literally running in circles around you as you concentrate, teasing you, trying to get you to break concentration with his jokes and humor.

You eventually say something witty, that makes him stop.

He’s hooked instantly.

Despite his playful antics, you appreciate that he respects your boundaries when you’re in the zone, and you find his energy infectious.

It’s impossible not to be drawn to him.

The friendship starts as a fun back-and-forth of pranks and jokes, but there’s a deep bond that builds beneath the surface.

Wally’s incredibly attentive to your interests - especially when it comes to mythologies.

He knows you’re into them, so sometimes he’ll run to the library in the Tower to find obscure books on Norse and Japanese myths, trying to find new stories to impress you.

He’d probably drag you to one of the simulation rooms, and as he speeds around; he’s especially fond of creating wild superhero versions of the gods and tricksters you like (Thor as a speedster? Yes, please).

The two of you share a love for storytelling, and you both spend a lot of time creating chaotic scenarios in The Sims.

Wally probably challenges you to build the most outlandish superhero families, and you’ll joke that his Sims are definitely going to be the next reality TV show.

Your talks often go late into the night, and you find yourself laughing harder with Wally than you have in ages.

He has this ability to make even the most stressful of days seem lighter.

There’s a subtle shift in your friendship when Wally starts picking up on the way you react to his little gestures.

His jokes don’t just make you laugh; they brighten up your day.

His jokes aren’t just jokes anymore - they’re a way to get closer to you.

There’s this soft, protective instinct that creeps up when he sees you feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

One day, while you’re reading a book on mythology, Wally casually speeds in, sitting down next to you without warning.

He asks about the book, and before you can even respond, he’s already throwing out some crazy new theory of his.

"Oh, is this one about Greek Mythology? Hades?"

You can’t help but laugh.

He quietly watches you as you share your thoughts on a particular myth, enjoying the way you get passionate about it.

You’ve been through a lot as a team, and one day, as you’re both having a casual hangout in the Tower, he does something completely uncharacteristic.

He notices that you’ve been slightly down lately, and when you mention that you’ve been feeling a bit homesick for the UK, he stops whatever he’s doing.

Without thinking, he zooms to the kitchen, makes you a cup of tea the way you’ve mentioned you like it, and brings it back to you.

And if you are overstimulated, he'd make sure you are alright.

He'd find you a weighted blanket, your favorite snacks, and your favorite movie or show.

If you want quiet time, he'll take you to a nice quiet, and dim, room for you to chill in until you feel better.

There’s a moment of silence between you two as Wally sits across from you, a small smile on his face. “I guess I’m just used to making people smile. But… With you, I really want to make sure you’re okay.”

You both just sit there for a while, feeling the unspoken understanding between you.

Yep, now you are both best friends.

Wally continues to be your rock.

He’s constantly cracking jokes, but you also know he’s someone you can talk to about your deepest fears or dreams.

When you’re working late on a project or simply reading a book, Wally is always there to pop in with some energy and excitement, reminding you not to take life too seriously.

On missions, he’s always the first to check on you, even if it means running at the speed of light just to make sure you’re okay.

His concern is evident, but it never feels overbearing.

He always makes sure you know he’s there if you need him - whether that means a quick chat or a distraction with one of his crazy stories.

Sometimes, the two of you will take walks in the middle of the night on the Tower’s balcony.

He’d tell you random facts about speedsters, or about how fast he could run around the Earth if he really wanted to.

And even though he’s always joking, you can tell that in these quiet moments, he’s letting his guard down and just enjoying your company.

He would speed you over to the UK if you asked.

You both find joy in small, everyday moments together.

For example, when you both have a free afternoon, you’ll spend time baking some cookies in the Tower’s kitchen (even though you both know it’ll be a disaster).

Wally’s hyperactive energy can’t help but spill over into the kitchen, and flour ends up everywhere.

By the time you’re done, you’re both covered in the mess, laughing until your stomachs hurt.

He’d often ask you about how your day went and sit with you while you read, genuinely listening to your thoughts.

Sometimes, he’ll even suggest the two of you get into a game of video games.

Wally is the type to give you little notes when you’re feeling down, just simple, random notes that say things like “You’re doing amazing, don’t forget it!” or “If you need a friend to nerd out about Greek mythology, I’m your guy.”

Wally always makes sure you feel heard, whether that’s listening to you rant about a tough day or helping you organize your bookshelves.

(If he’s being honest, he loves the idea of helping you with the bookshelves because he knows it’ll give him an excuse to look at your collection of mythology books).

If you ever need space to think or work, he’s the first to give you that time and check in later to make sure you’re doing okay.

He knows how important your hobbies are to you, and he respects your boundaries.

You help ground Wally when his mind races too fast.

When he gets overwhelmed by all the chaos around him, you’ll pull him aside, talk about something that calms his nerves (maybe even share a bit of mythology trivia), and help him focus on the present.

You’re the kind of person who supports him during the rougher missions, keeping him in check when his overenthusiasm leads him into risky situations.

Your steadiness and thoughtfulness remind him that there’s more to life than just running at the speed of light.

[blitzbahrain]

Smart Switchgear in 2025: What Electrical Engineers Need to Know

In the fast-evolving world of electrical infrastructure, smart switchgear is no longer a futuristic concept — it’s the new standard. As we move through 2025, the integration of intelligent systems into traditional switchgear is redefining how engineers design, monitor, and maintain power distribution networks.

This shift is particularly crucial for electrical engineers, who are at the heart of innovation in sectors like manufacturing, utilities, data centers, commercial construction, and renewable energy.

In this article, we’ll break down what smart switchgear means in 2025, the technologies behind it, its benefits, and what every electrical engineer should keep in mind.

What is Smart Switchgear?

Smart switchgear refers to traditional switchgear (devices used for controlling, protecting, and isolating electrical equipment) enhanced with digital technologies, sensors, and communication modules that allow:

Real-time monitoring

Predictive maintenance

Remote operation and control

Data-driven diagnostics and performance analytics

This transformation is powered by IoT (Internet of Things), AI, cloud computing, and edge devices, which work together to improve reliability, safety, and efficiency in electrical networks.

Key Innovations in Smart Switchgear (2025 Edition)

1. IoT Integration

Smart switchgear is equipped with intelligent sensors that collect data on temperature, current, voltage, humidity, and insulation. These sensors communicate wirelessly with central systems to provide real-time status and alerts.

2. AI-Based Predictive Maintenance

Instead of traditional scheduled inspections, AI algorithms can now predict component failure based on usage trends and environmental data. This helps avoid downtime and reduces maintenance costs.

3. Cloud Connectivity

Cloud platforms allow engineers to remotely access switchgear data from any location. With user-friendly dashboards, they can visualize key metrics, monitor health conditions, and set thresholds for automated alerts.

4. Cybersecurity Enhancements

As devices get connected to networks, cybersecurity becomes crucial. In 2025, smart switchgear is embedded with secure communication protocols, access control layers, and encrypted data streams to prevent unauthorized access.

5. Digital Twin Technology

Some manufacturers now offer a digital twin of the switchgear — a virtual replica that updates in real-time. Engineers can simulate fault conditions, test load responses, and plan future expansions without touching the physical system.

Benefits for Electrical Engineers

1. Operational Efficiency

Smart switchgear reduces manual inspections and allows remote diagnostics, leading to faster response times and reduced human error.

2. Enhanced Safety

Early detection of overload, arc flash risks, or abnormal temperatures enhances on-site safety, especially in high-voltage environments.

3. Data-Driven Decisions

Real-time analytics help engineers understand load patterns and optimize distribution for efficiency and cost savings.

4. Seamless Scalability

Modular smart systems allow for quick expansion of power infrastructure, particularly useful in growing industrial or smart city projects.

Applications Across Industries

Manufacturing Plants — Monitor energy use per production line

Data Centers — Ensure uninterrupted uptime and cooling load balance

Commercial Buildings — Integrate with BMS (Building Management Systems)

Renewable Energy Projects — Balance grid load from solar or wind sources

Oil & Gas Facilities — Improve safety and compliance through monitoring

What Engineers Need to Know Moving Forward

1. Stay Updated with IEC & IEEE Standards

Smart switchgear must comply with global standards. Engineers need to be familiar with updates related to IEC 62271, IEC 61850, and IEEE C37 series.

2. Learn Communication Protocols

Proficiency in Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850, and OPC UA is essential to integrating and troubleshooting intelligent systems.

3. Understand Lifecycle Costing

Smart switchgear might have a higher upfront cost but offers significant savings in maintenance, energy efficiency, and downtime over its lifespan.

4. Collaborate with IT Teams

The line between electrical and IT is blurring. Engineers should work closely with cybersecurity and cloud teams for seamless, secure integration.

Conclusion

Smart switchgear is reshaping the way electrical systems are built and managed in 2025. For electrical engineers, embracing this innovation isn’t just an option — it’s a career necessity.

At Blitz Bahrain, we specialize in providing cutting-edge switchgear solutions built for the smart, digital future. Whether you’re an engineer designing the next big project or a facility manager looking to upgrade existing systems, we’re here to power your progress.

[nitte-university-blog]

Essential Skills Every Electronics Engineer Should Master

Electronics engineering is an exciting and constantly evolving field. With new technologies emerging every day, the need for skilled professionals has never been greater. If you're pursuing a B Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering or exploring options at B Tech colleges for Electrical and Electronics, it's crucial to know which skills can set you apart in this competitive domain.

Let’s dive into the essential skills every aspiring electronics engineer should master.

Strong Foundation in Circuit Design

Circuit design is at the heart of electronics engineering. Understanding how to create, analyze, and optimize circuits is a must-have skill. Whether you’re designing a simple resistor network or a complex integrated circuit, mastering tools like SPICE and PCB design software can make your designs efficient and innovative.

Programming Proficiency

Electronics and programming often go hand in hand. Languages like Python, C, and MATLAB are widely used to simulate electronic systems, automate processes, and even build firmware for devices. Engineers proficient in programming can troubleshoot problems effectively and add versatility to their skill set.

Knowledge of Embedded Systems

Embedded systems are everywhere—from your smartphone to your washing machine. As an electronics engineer, understanding microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators is crucial for creating devices that work seamlessly in our daily lives. Hands-on experience with platforms like Arduino and Raspberry Pi can be a great way to start.

Problem-Solving and Analytical Thinking

Electronics engineers often face unique challenges, such as debugging faulty circuits or improving system performance. Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills help them identify issues quickly and find effective solutions. To cultivate these skills, tackle real-world projects during your coursework or internships.

Familiarity with Power Systems

As the world moves toward renewable energy and smart grids, knowledge of power systems is becoming increasingly important. Engineers in this field should understand how electrical power is generated, transmitted, and distributed and how to design energy-efficient systems.

Effective Communication Skills

Electronics engineering often involves working in teams with other engineers, designers, or clients. Communicating your ideas clearly—whether through reports, presentations, or technical drawings—is just as important as your technical skills. Strong communication ensures that your brilliant ideas come to life effectively.

Adaptability to New Technologies

Technology evolves rapidly, and staying updated is essential for electronics engineers. Whether you’re learning about IoT (Internet of Things), AI integration, or 5G communication, an adaptable mindset will ensure you remain relevant and capable of tackling emerging challenges.

Hands-On Experience

While theoretical knowledge is important, nothing beats practical experience. Participating in labs, internships, or personal projects gives you the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned and develop confidence in your skills. Employers often value hands-on experience as much as your academic achievements.

Preparing for Success in Electronics Engineering

Pursuing a B Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering is the first step toward mastering these skills. The best B Tech colleges for Electrical and Electronics not only provide a strong academic foundation but also opportunities for practical learning and industry exposure. By focusing on the skills mentioned above, you can position yourself as a competent and innovative engineer ready to tackle real-world challenges.

[aaryan-mwa-blogs]

Immersive Audio Experiences: How 3D Audio Is Changing Event Design

Introduction: Events Are No Longer Just Visual

Think back to the last big event you attended — maybe a concert, a corporate presentation, or even a museum exhibit. Chances are, the audio played a bigger role than you realized. Today, sound isn’t just about amplifying voices or music. It’s becoming a multi-dimensional experience, thanks to a technology called 3D audio.

In a world where event organizers are constantly competing to capture attention, immersive audio experiences are quickly becoming a game-changer. It’s not just about hearing sound — it’s about feeling like you’re inside the sound itself.

What Is 3D Audio?

At its core, 3D audio simulates how we naturally hear sound in the real world. Normally, our ears detect sound from all directions — front, back, above, below, and everywhere in between. Traditional sound systems — like stereo or surround sound — mostly project audio from just a few fixed directions (usually left and right, or front and rear).

3D audio takes it further, creating an audio bubble where sound moves around you just like it would in real life. Imagine sitting at a nature-themed event where you hear birds fluttering overhead, leaves rustling to your side, and water trickling behind you — all from carefully placed speakers. It feels natural and fully immersive.

Why Immersive Audio Matters in Event Design

In modern event design, atmosphere matters as much as content. Whether it’s a tech conference, music festival, or product launch, creating a memorable experience is the goal. Audio isn’t just about making sure people can hear — it’s about making them feel connected to the space.

3D audio helps events stand out by:

Enhancing storytelling — At an art installation or exhibit, immersive sound can pull visitors into the story, guiding them through different areas using directional audio cues.

Creating emotional impact — At concerts, sound that moves through the crowd feels way more exciting than static front-of-stage audio.

Controlling focus — In corporate presentations or educational events, speakers can direct attention to specific parts of a stage or screen by shifting audio emphasis.

Key Technologies Driving 3D Audio

1. Spatial Audio Processing

This software analyzes how sound should behave in a space, adjusting for listener position, speaker placement, and acoustics. It makes sure sounds come from the right place at the right time, even if listeners move around.

2. Object-Based Audio

Instead of mixing audio into fixed channels (like left or right speakers), object-based audio treats each sound as a separate “object” that can move independently through space. This is what allows a sound to smoothly move from one side of a room to the other.

3. Ambisonics and Binaural Audio

Ambisonics records audio in a full sphere (360 degrees) around a listener.

Binaural audio creates immersive experiences through headphones, by mimicking how human ears naturally hear sound from different directions.

How 3D Audio Is Used in Different Events

Concerts and Music Festivals

Live music feels richer when sound isn’t just blasting from the stage, but surrounding the audience. With 3D audio, instruments and vocals can move through the crowd, matching the energy and mood of the performance.

Corporate Events

At product launches or conferences, spatial audio can direct focus to key speakers or product displays, guiding the audience’s attention without the need for visual cues.

Museums and Art Installations

Art and sound installations are some of the biggest adopters of 3D audio. Imagine walking through a virtual forest, with realistic environmental sounds guiding you through different sections of an exhibit.

Theme Parks and Attractions

Attractions use spatial soundscapes to enhance rides, walkthrough experiences, and even waiting areas, helping build anticipation and immersion.

Designing Events with 3D Audio in Mind

If you’re planning an event, choosing the right audio gear matters more than ever. Not all speakers and systems can handle 3D audio, so working with professional audio shops can make sure you get equipment designed for spatial sound, along with advice on optimal placement and software.

As technology keeps evolving, the line between sound and space is disappearing. 3D audio is no longer just for VR headsets or fancy theaters — it’s becoming a core part of event design. Whether you’re organizing a concert, a corporate event, or an interactive installation, immersive audio helps create unforgettable moments that leave audiences talking long after they’ve left.

[silver-eater]

I've been getting more into dyson sphere program and the lore regarding the enemies is pretty neat.

Essentially, before the icarus program was set up, which sends mecha to distant star clusters to build factories that in turn will build dyson spheres to send energy to power humanity's simulated paradise, Homeland. Humans had sent out self replicating probes to perform this task, possessing the ability to evolve and adapt, the machine hive would passively grow to collect matter and energy to power Homeland. But eventually the hives evolutionary algorithms led it do deviate from its intended purpose, by the time the icarus program had started, the now named Dark Fog had entirely stopped following orders, and is now a self replicating menace to many industrial efforts.

Though, the Dark Fog drops useful resources, and is functionally endless if you don't destroy the hives, so some mecha see them as less of a threat and more as unconventional cattle. Choosing to build perimeters around the bases, goad them into attacking, and as the Dark Fog's evolutionary algorithms are stimulated by the presence of external threats, it grows stronger and drops more useful resources.

[ablconsultants]

Top Civil and Structural Engineering Consulting Trends in Singapore

Singapore is known worldwide for its cutting-edge urban landscape, where sustainable development, technology integration, and efficient land use are crucial to the nation's growth. With limited land space and a dense population, civil and structural engineers in Singapore face unique challenges that push them to adopt the latest design, technology, and sustainability trends. As Singapore strives to remain a Smart Nation, civil and structural engineering consultants embrace these trends to drive infrastructure resilience, efficiency, and sustainability.

Below are some of the top civil and structural engineering consulting trends currently transforming the industry in Singapore.

Green and Sustainable Building Practices

As Singapore aims to meet its Green Plan 2030 goals, sustainable building practices have become a cornerstone of civil and structural engineering. Engineering consultants are adopting eco-friendly materials, efficient designs, and green technologies to minimize environmental impact and reduce energy consumption.

Green Mark Certification: Civil and structural engineering firms work closely with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to meet Green Mark standards and promote sustainable building practices. Like those in Marina Bay and the Central Business District, green buildings are designed with energy-efficient systems, natural ventilation, and innovative cooling solutions.

Carbon-Neutral Infrastructure: Many consulting firms are incorporating carbon-neutral designs, using renewable energy sources and materials with low embodied carbon. Projects are planned with lifecycle carbon analysis to understand and reduce emissions at each stage of a building's life.

Smart and Digital Infrastructure

Singapore's Smart Nation initiative pushes the envelope to integrate technology with infrastructure. Civil and structural engineers now embed smart sensors, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, and data analytics to optimize building operations, monitor structural health, and ensure safety.

Building Information Modeling (BIM): BIM has become a core tool, allowing engineers to create digital models that enhance project planning, improve coordination, and reduce construction errors. Engineers can simulate various scenarios, identify potential issues, and ensure projects remain on budget and schedule.

Digital Twin Technology: Digital twins – virtual replicas of physical structures – are increasingly used to monitor real-time performance and simulate different operational conditions. This helps facility managers conduct predictive maintenance and optimize the efficiency and lifespan of infrastructure.

Prefabrication and Modular Construction (PPVC)

Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) and other modular construction techniques are gaining traction in Singapore rapidly. PPVC involves creating modular units off-site, which are then transported to the construction site for assembly, reducing construction time and labor needs.

Reduced On-Site Labor and Waste: Prefabrication significantly reduces on-site and construction waste, addressing Singapore's limited labor pool and sustainability goals. This method also minimizes disruptions in dense urban areas by reducing on-site construction activities.

Quality Control and Faster Project Delivery: Engineering consultants can better monitor quality and adhere to high safety standards by manufacturing components in a controlled factory environment. The streamlined process allows projects to be completed faster without compromising on quality.

Resilient and Climate-Adaptive Design

With Singapore's vulnerability to rising sea levels and extreme weather, resilient and climate-adaptive design has become critical. Civil and structural engineering consultants focus on creating infrastructure to withstand future climate challenges.

Flood-Resistant Infrastructure: Engineers are developing elevated foundations, stormwater management systems, and permeable pavements to prevent flooding in low-lying areas. Coastal areas like Marina Barrage have advanced drainage systems to protect against rising sea levels.

Heat-Resistant and Weather-Proof Materials: Using durable, weather-resistant materials that reduce heat absorption is now a priority. Engineers are incorporating innovative materials that adapt to Singapore's tropical climate, such as cool pavements and high-albedo coatings, which reflect rather than absorb heat.

High-Density and Multi-Use Developments

Singapore's land scarcity drives the trend towards high-density, multi-functional developments that maximize space efficiency. Engineering consultants design buildings that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces within the same structure, creating "vertical cities."

Efficient Land Use: High-density buildings make the most of limited land resources, meeting demand for housing, office space, and amenities. These developments reduce travel distances and support walkable, connected communities.

Community-Centric Design: Many developments incorporate public green spaces, communal areas, and easy access to amenities, aligning with Singapore's "City in a Garden" vision and fostering social interaction within urban environments.

Enhanced Safety Standards and Regulatory Compliance

Singapore's strict regulatory environment requires engineering consultants to comply with rigorous safety standards to ensure structural stability, safety, and environmental responsibility.

Advanced Safety Modeling: Safety simulations, using technologies like finite element analysis (FEA), allow engineers to test how buildings will react to stress, wind, and seismic forces. By predicting structural vulnerabilities, engineers can enhance safety and compliance.

Sustainable Compliance and Audits: Engineering firms perform regular sustainability audits to ensure projects meet environmental regulations. Consultants work closely with government bodies to ensure all structures adhere to the latest environmental and safety standards, which is critical for maintaining Singapore's reputation as a global leader in urban planning.

Use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning transform how civil and structural engineering consultants analyze data, predict structural performance, and manage projects.

Predictive Analytics for Maintenance: Machine learning algorithms analyze data from sensors embedded in buildings and infrastructure, identifying wear-and-tear trends to predict when maintenance is required. This predictive approach helps avoid costly repairs and reduces downtime.

Optimized Structural Design: AI is helping engineers design structures with optimal material usage, reducing costs and environmental impact. AI tools can process data from similar projects to propose the most efficient and durable designs for new projects.

Underground and Vertical Expansion

As Singapore's population grows, civil and structural engineers look underground and upward to expand the city-state's usable space. This trend is essential in meeting the demand for infrastructure without encroaching on limited green spaces.

Underground Infrastructure: Singapore is expanding its subterranean network from underground expressways to data centers. Civil engineers are exploring how to optimize underground spaces safely and efficiently, reducing surface congestion.

Skyscraper Engineering: With advancements in structural materials and design techniques, engineering consultants are pushing the boundaries of vertical architecture. Skyscrapers are designed to withstand strong winds, optimize natural light, and incorporate energy-efficient features to minimize environmental impact.

Emphasis on Lifecycle Assessment and Circular Economy

Singapore's construction industry embraces lifecycle assessment and circular economy principles to minimize waste and promote resource efficiency throughout a building's lifespan.

Recycling and Reuse of Materials: Engineering firms are repurposing materials from demolished buildings, reducing demand for new raw materials. By prioritizing recyclable materials in building designs, consultants contribute to Singapore's Zero Waste Master Plan.

Lifecycle-Based Design: By considering the entire lifecycle of structures, from design and construction to decommissioning, engineering consultants can maximize long-term value and sustainability.

Conclusion

Singapore's civil and structural engineering landscape is rapidly evolving as consultants adopt innovative solutions to meet the unique challenges of a growing, land-scarce city. From sustainable building practices to integrating AI and digital technologies, these trends are reshaping Singapore's infrastructure, ensuring it remains resilient, sustainable, and adaptable to future demands. As these trends continue to evolve, Singapore's civil and structural engineers are set to remain at the forefront of global urban innovation, building a future-ready city that balances growth with sustainability.

[selfhelpforstudents]

hey, I'm a senior at high school and I'm working towards engineering. I've got about 5 months till my main exam and I have a lot left to cover and revise. Can you please help me out with any advice or tips please. Thank you!!

How to Crush Your Last 5 Months Before Engineering Exams:

Hey there! First off, major props to you for aiming high and working towards engineering. With 5 months left until your big exam, it’s totally normal to feel a bit overwhelmed. But don’t worry—I’ve got some tips to help you make the most of the time you have left and go into that exam room feeling confident and prepared.

1. Break Down Your Syllabus

The first step is to get a clear picture of what you need to cover. Break down your syllabus into manageable chunks. This helps you avoid feeling swamped by everything you need to learn. For example, if you’ve got 10 topics to cover in 5 months, aim to thoroughly revise two topics per month. By dividing and conquering, you can focus on one thing at a time without getting overwhelmed.

2. Create a Realistic Study Plan

Once you’ve broken down your syllabus, it’s time to make a study plan that works for you. Be realistic—don’t cram 10 hours of study into a day if you know you can’t sustain that. Start by allocating specific topics to each week, and mix in some revision with your fresh learning. This way, you’re reinforcing what you already know while building on it.

3. Prioritize the Tough Stuff

It’s tempting to start with the subjects or topics you enjoy, but you’ll thank yourself later if you tackle the challenging ones first. Identify your weak spots and give them extra time and attention. It’s okay to struggle with certain concepts—that’s why you’re studying them! Use this time to work through difficulties and turn your weaknesses into strengths.

4. Active Learning Beats Passive Reading

Ditch the habit of just reading through textbooks or notes. Engage in active learning—take notes in your own words, solve problems, and teach concepts back to yourself or someone else. The more you interact with the material, the better you’ll understand and retain it. Practice problems are especially crucial for engineering, so get comfortable with working through them regularly.

5. Simulate Exam Conditions

As the exam date approaches, start doing timed practice exams under conditions that mimic the real thing. This will help you build up your stamina, manage time effectively, and get used to the pressure of the exam environment. Review your answers critically to understand where you went wrong and what you can improve.

6. Stay Consistent, But Flexible

Consistency is key when it comes to studying, but life happens. If you miss a study session, don’t beat yourself up—just get back on track as soon as you can. It’s okay to adjust your plan as you go, just make sure you’re steadily progressing. The goal is to keep moving forward, even if it’s not always at the pace you originally planned.

7. Don’t Neglect Your Health

It’s easy to forget about self-care when you’re knee-deep in exam prep, but your body and mind need to be in top shape to perform well. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals, and squeezing in some exercise. These habits will help keep your energy levels up and your mind sharp, so you’re ready to tackle those tough problems.

8. Stay Connected with Teachers and Peers

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your teachers if you’re stuck on something—they’re there to help! Forming a study group with your peers can also be incredibly helpful. You can exchange notes, quiz each other, and discuss difficult concepts. Sometimes, just talking through a problem with someone else can make things click.

9. Keep Stress in Check

It’s normal to feel stressed during this time, but don’t let it take over. Practice stress-management techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or even just taking short breaks to clear your head. Remember, you’re preparing for a big challenge, and it’s okay to feel the pressure—just don’t let it overwhelm you.

10. Believe in Yourself

Finally, trust in your abilities. You’ve made it this far, and with the right strategy, you can crush this exam. Stay positive, focus on what you can control, and remind yourself why you’re working so hard. Engineering is no small feat, but you’ve got the determination to make it happen.

With these tips, you’re on your way to making the most of the next 5 months. Stay focused, keep pushing, and remember—every bit of effort you put in now will pay off on exam day. You’ve got this!

[leaderlynx-official]

> Where did Omen go? character update and world building stuff :3

First: who is that? Omen is the name I've given a Genesect specimen recovered from one of the last ██ bastions of Team Plasma (███ ███.) Genetic testing and examinations were performed at ███, ███, and ███ - Notably this a proved female, while optimized Genesects are genderless. Other differences are: a more robust body, square-ish head, curved thorax, non-adjustable canon, and she is gray in coloration.

She has spent time alongside me, in simulated habitat, and a wild reserve now. There's been a whole team of smarter people who have been monitoring her to determine the best fit for her permanent home. Interestingly, she does not seem to have fighting or battling instincts, only attacking if under a trainer's command, which makes sense with Genesect being mechanized. But anyway, I mention that because it is really unsafe for her to roam on her own, she does much better accompanied by other Pokemon it seems.

One of her strongest fascinations is in the color pink, which she doesn't just prefer in berries, she actually has a tendency to seek out pink-colored Pokemon like Audino and Munna. When in her lab habitat, she was introduced to Luvdisks, Slowpokes, and even an assistant's Blissey. Some of the other Pokemon felt uncomfortable being stared down (especially the Luvdisks,) but the friendlier ones prompted her to play and frolic. She doesn't match their energy most of the time but will occasionally try to, and has learned to copy them in simple games like rolling, chasing, and swimming.

Currently, her best option seems to be in ███. Her habitat there is a moorland with a variety of peaceful Pokemon she's been learning a lot from. Sometimes she even meets battlers and temperamental Pokemon so eventually she can learn how to communicate or protect herself. It's kind of upsetting to see a liberated Genesect be sent to a lab, so I thought writing out everything would make it more digestible. I'm really hoping she can go out into the wild again eventually. :(

[erhangwang]

DP2 - Wandering Earth

Week 20:

During the break, I tried to build a detailed model for the proposal and communicated it in plan, section and axo. It tried to show the design details of flooring and facade systems including pods for nurturing plants, integration of underground heating through thick tiles, different scales of facades for solar shading and reusing clean energy and introducing tornado as form of natural ventilation into the interior space. I tried to communicate how the facade structure is connected to the main building structure, and the use of diagrid to support the roofs to achieve the common curved language of them. The interior perspective render shows the relationships and emotion of the central testing chamber.

I should keep communicating the idea in higher resolution and choose some focal points to develop and demonstrate a higher integration of the project, especially the structural aspects. Producing animation to communicate the structural calculations and simulations can be very useful.

I also need to start making the interactive performative facade model now which will be very time-consuming. At the moment, the proposal is to use an Arduino circuit controlling a pulley system then changes the degree of curling of a springy steel sheet.

[f1]

Audi announce new simulator driver as they take next step in F1 power unit development

Audi have signed Swiss racing pro Neel Jani as their new simulator driver as they take the next step in developing a power unit for their Formula 1 project. Jani, 39, is a former test and reserve driver for Red Bull Racing and, as a member of the Porsche factory team, he won the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2016 as well as the famous 24-hour race at Le Mans. German brand Audi announced last summer that they would enter F1 from 2026, when new regulations come in, and would be building their own power unit. They soon struck a deal to take over the Sauber works team – currently Alfa Romeo – for their entry. BARRETTO: How Sauber are preparing for Audi’s arrival – and keeping the pressure on in the midfield battle Plenty of preparation has gone into the project, with the likes of Andreas Seidl leaving McLaren in December to join as the new Sauber CEO while former McLaren technical director James Key will join the team in September. Jani, who has also driven in GP2 and Formula E, will now have his own important role to play for Audi as he supports the development of the power unit with his vast experience. An update of the dynamic driving simulator for the work on the F1 hybrid powertrain is also being run at Audi’s Neuberg site in parallel. Audi have signed Neel Jani as a simulator driver to aid in the development of their F1 power unit “I am delighted to accompany Audi on their way into Formula 1,” said Jani. “It is both an honor and a great responsibility to be involved in a project of this magnitude at an early stage. “I am sure that with my experience from Formula 1 and [sportscar] projects I can forge good links between theory and practice.” Oliver Hoffman, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development of Audi AG, added: “Just like in production development, simulation plays a major role in our Formula 1 project. “Our simulator is an important tool for the power unit development. It requires a development driver who, in addition to a grasp of technology, brings versatile experience to the project, especially in terms of energy management in racing conditions.” Audi have also stated that, since the end of 2022, testing of a one-cylinder engine has been delivering “valuable results” for the development of the power unit. The manufacturer added that the continuing concept phase is laying the groundwork of the power unit for 2026, when the new regulations will provide for increasing electrification. This feature is currently not available because you need to provide consent to functional cookies. Please update your cookie preferences Explainer: F1 sustainable fuels The electric motor will deliver nearly the same output as the internal combustion engine and the 1.6-litre turbo engines will be powered by sustainable synthetic fuel. “At the moment, we are mainly focused on fundamental concept questions with high relevance to performance,” said Adam Baker, CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH. READ MORE: 'It's the next revolution' – Tech chief Pat Symonds explains why Formula 1 is leading the push for sustainable fuels “However, in evaluating various technical solutions we rely not only on digital methods. Know-how, experience and practically relevant development are indispensable elements of drawing the right conclusions from the simulation. "With that combination, we can assess various operating strategies at an early stage and pave the way for efficient energy management of the power unit.” Audi have also said the first hybrid power unit, consisting of the internal combustion engine, electric motor, battery and control electronics, is planned to be run on their dyno before the year is out. That will then provide the basis for the future vehicle concept going forward. via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com