Akademik Çıktılar
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Doctoral Thesis Altmann linkage networks and light-shelf application with a single linkage(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-07) Atarer, Fulya; Korkmaz, KorayToday's understanding of architecture has revealed the need for structures that allow geometric form changes due to spatial and functional requirements. For this purpose, deployable structures have taken their place in architecture. These structures provide flexibility and multiple uses. While scissor mechanisms and bar mechanisms have been observed in architectural applications in deployable structures, over-constrained linkages have been used especially in recent studies of deployable structures. Over-constrained linkages make deployable structures more stable to loading. In this dissertation, the possibilities of systematically designing the single degree of freedom (DoF) networks using a kind of spatial overconstrained linkage called Altmann linkage as a basic module. The literature is investigated deeply that the conducted studies on network assemblies have been on different over-constrained linkages as a basic module, such as Sarrus, Bennett, and Bricard. There are few studies related to the Altmann linkage. None of these studies are in-depth studies to design a network based on the Altmann linkage. Also, an architectural application of the Altmann linkage has not been studied yet. This dissertation represents three main subjects: understanding the geometric properties of an Altmann linkage, designing one degree of freedom networks of Altmann linkage, and designing and analyzing an Altmann light shelf. Firstly, the geometry of the unit linkage is parameterized and its position kinematics is solved. Then, ten different single DoF Altmann networks are designed. By choosing one of the ten different networks designed, the network with folded and vault configurations is developed through assembly mode change. Afterward, light shelves are designed in Solidworks. Then, square and rectangular designs are compared in terms of their angles with the building and the west. Finally, daylight performance analyzes are made in the Relux software.Master Thesis Analysing Pakistani architecture in the context of critical regionalism(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-06) Bahadur, Aujala Naveed; Yılmaz, EbruPakistani architectural practise is adopting global trends and universal ideals without regard to its traditional roots, meanwhile critical regionalism has emerged as a significant global strategy for delivering a blend of legitimacy and contemporary architecture, particularly in developing nations. In addition, it promotes the production of architecture directly related to their surroundings and communities while being a component of the contemporary world. Therefore, using critical regionalism as a tool, this study will examine Pakistani architecture to understand the linkage between its tradition and modern technology. Within the scope of this thesis, theoretical studies on Critical Regionalism are first explored, concluded by eight aspects that, according to this research, go beyond what Kenneth Frampton and others had established. Then, an examination of the persisting problems in Pakistani architectural practises is performed. The following chapter examines critical regionalism in Pakistani architecture using the same eight factors. The examination includes the ideologies, works, and interviews with Pakistan's three most prominent architects: Nayyar Ali Dada, Kamil Khan Mumtaz, and Naeem Pasha. The research concludes by determining, via observations and deductions, the viability of critical regionalism as a tool. Due to a lack of publications on Pakistani architects and architecture, this study attempts to develop a framework for future studies on awareness and inspiration from selected architects' work.Master Thesis Bioinformatic approaches to investigate HIV capsid-nanobody interaction(01. Izmir Institute of Technology, 2023-07) Atik, Şeref Berk; Taşkent Sezgin, HümeyraInfection with HIV is still a global pandemic. Since the discovery of this highly mutagenic virus, nearly 40 million people have passed away as a result of HIV-related health problems. Currently, 38.4 million people are HIV-positive. Following infection, the viral genome gets integrated into the host cell genome. The infected person carries the virus for the rest of their life and can spread it to others through bodily fluids. Because there is no treatment for HIV, the World Health Organization recommends that infected people be diagnosed early through comprehensive screening to restrict the virus's spread. As a result, there is still a need to create practical, sensitive diagnostic tools, particularly for use in the field of HIV infection testing. In this study, the interaction between HIV-1 capsid protein, the first antigen found in the blood during the acute phase of HIV infection, and a nanobody (Nb, a single domain antibody) known to bind to capsid is investigated at the molecular level through computational methods. Because the structure of HIV-1 CA binding-Nb is unknown, all-atom models of the Nb structure were constructed using comparative methods, deep-learning-based methods, and hybrid methods (SwissModel, trRosetta, Robetta, AlphaFold2), and promising models were chosen. In the second stage, molecular docking was used to produce HIV-1 capsid- nanobody complex structures, which were then tested for stability and native-likeness using standard molecular dynamics simulations. Understanding the molecular details of the HIV-1 capsid-nanobody complex, we believe, will provide essential data for using this antigen-antibody pair inan immunosensor system for HIV-1 infection diagnosis.Master Thesis Catalytic pyrolysis of virgin and waste polyolefins(01. Izmir Institute of Technology, 2023-06) Çalık, Fatma Defne; Yıldız, Günay; Şeker, ErolThe fact that increasing plastic production and the mismanaged waste released to the environment put the ecosystem at risk. One of the most promising recycling methods developed within this framework has been pyrolysis. In this thesis, a model feedstock mi (No: 119N302). Thermal (batch and continuous) and catalytic pyrolysis (in-situ and ex-situ) techniques were applied to the polyolefins. Silica-alumina-based solid acid catalysts were produced with the simple sol-gel method to compete with commercial ZSM-5 (30) and ZSM-5 (50). Catalyst-to-plastic ratios between 1/100 and 1/1000 were used for in-situ, and 200 h-1 and 500 h-1 WHSVs were used for ex-situ mode. 57 wt.% pyrolysis oil was produced from the thermal pyrolysis of the virgin PO mixture in the batch system. In the ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis experiments by 500 h-1 WHSV and by ZSM-5, silica-alumina, and ZSM-5 supported silica-alumina, 36 wt.%, 56.6% wt.% and 45.2 wt.% liquid, and by 200 h-1 WHSV, 29.9 wt.%, 54.1 wt.%, and 57.9 wt.% pyrolysis oils were collected, respectively. The most successful test in terms of product composition was ES2 with 82.9% gasoline (8.8% BTEX), and 16.7% diesel-range hydrocarbons. The motivation was investigating whether it was suitable to produce liquid hydrocarbons, in the range of C5-C20, as a feedstock in the petrochemical industry. As a result, it has been proven that energy recovery was possible and sustainable by plastics recycling instead of using fossil fuels.Master Thesis Cell separation in microfluidic devices(01. Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-07) Öksüz, Cemre; Tekin, Hüseyin CumhurCell separation is used to separate homogeneous and individual cell classes from a heterogeneous cell population. The efficiency and purity of these separated cells are of great importance in personalized medicine, regenerative medicine, disease monitoring and drug testing as well as in the therapeutic and diagnostic research. In this thesis, different microfluidic approaches were presented for cell separation. With this regard, a closed channel vacuum-integrated microfluidic chip was developed using an air permeability of a Polydimethylsiloxane and density-based separation of microparticles was performed. Besides, a centrifugal microfluidic system, Spinochip, was developed with one reservoir as inlet and outlet for the first time and different fluid manipulations were shown in the system. The system was applied to clinical tests of hematocrit measurements and white blood cell estimation using real patient samples. The developed system offered correlated results with clinical results. In addition to closed channel microfluidics, negative-magnetophoresis microfluidic chip was demonstrated for the size-based separation of microparticles and cells. In this regard, capturing rate of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and human monocyte cells (U937) was investigated. The results showed that the approaches presented here could promote to the microfluidic studies for size-based cell separation.Master Thesis Characteristic properties and recyclability of aluminium beverage cans and coffee capsules(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-06) Önen, Rabia; Genç, Aziz; Gökelma, MertolRecycling is an effective way to reduce environmental pollution. Recycled aluminium uses 95% less energy than primary production. Therefore, there is a high demand for more efficient recovery technologies. Aluminium is used in transportation, consumer products, and electronics. Short life cycles, thin walls, and surface coatings make aluminium recycling difficult. This study focuses on UBCs and coffee capsules' properties and recyclability (CCs). A lab-scale electrical resistance heating chamber furnace was used for the de-coating and remelting experiments. The coatings were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). As a result of the study, it was found that thermal pre-treatment temperature is more critical for alloys that have high Mg content due to their oxidation tendency. Suitable thermal pre-treatment temperature was observed between 520 to 550 °C for the samples. On the other hand, when the volatile organic content of the scraps was analyzed, it was observed that clean UBCs and CCs contain 2.2% and 9% volatile organic content, respectively, but it can be increased with increasing drink rest inside of it. A result of these experiments shows that the metal yield can differ up to 3.5% due to the drink residues (sugar). Also, it was observed that high-density pressing of the samples prior to the de-coating process increases the amount of the entrapped carbonaceous materials and decreases the de-coating efficiency. Finally, it was observed that samples with low wall thicknesses should be remelted under a salt flux to prevent oxidation and allow coalescence.Master Thesis Characteristics of Byzantine period building bricks used in St.Jean Basilica (Ayasuluk Hill) and Anaia Church (Kadıkalesi)(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-07) Çam, Elif; Uğurlu Sağın, ElifFired bricks, one of the oldest man-made building materials, are historical documents that reflect the production technologies of their periods and the raw material characteristics of the geography they were located. Characterization of bricks is essential for revealing production techniques of their times and contributing to conservation works on monuments built with this material to pass through next generations. The fired bricks were frequently used as one of the important building materials in Byzantine Architecture. In this study, the fired bricks collected from the different construction periods of St. Jean Basilica, Ayasuluk Hill and Anaia Church, Kadıkalesi, which belong to the Byzantine Period, were investigated to determine material properties, periodical differences, and production technologies. The properties of Byzantine bricks were determined by standard test methods, compression tests, SEM-EDS, XRD, FTIR, and TGA analyses. According to the results, brick samples taken from both areas were highly porous and low-dense materials. Ca-poor clay source was used in producing St. Jean Basilica bricks, while Anaia Church bricks were produced with Ca-rich clay sources. This situation was decisive in the colour of bricks, and St. Jean Basilica bricks were in reddish colours, while Anaia Church bricks were in brown/beige colours. Also, raw material was extracted from a single source in the production of all St. Jean Basilica bricks, while two different sources were utilized for Anaia Church bricks throughout the three construction periods. Besides, the bricks of both churches were found to be fired at low temperatures (700–900°C) due to the technology of Byzantine kilns. Despite low firing temperatures, the majority of the bricks did not possess pozzolanic properties since they did not contain a sufficient amount of clay minerals. The highest mechanical strength was determined in the bricks with higher firing temperature and bricks with the higher calcium content. The properties of fired bricks were differentiated based on production technologies; contrary, a distinctive difference was not observed depending on their periods.Master Thesis Cloning, expression and characterization of sericin like octamer-repeat protein(01. Izmir Institute of Technology, 2021-12) Şahin, Alper; Sürmeli Eraltuğ, Nur Başak; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologySilk proteins are natural polymers which are synthesized by insects like silkworms and spiders. There are two proteins in the silk obtained from the cocoon of B. mori, these are silk fibroin and silk sericin. While the silk fibroin is the main part of the cocoon with a high commercial importance, sericin is the "glue" protein that holds fibroins together. Sericin has wide variety of applications from cosmetics to biomaterial research. Because of its high fibrillar structure, it can be used in wound healing or drug delivery studies. It can be obtained from the degumming process of cocoons which includes chemical treatment like alkali treatment and boiling, or biological treatment like enzymatic digestion. However, sericin obtained by these processes are not consistent in structure, and the sequence of the protein obtained depends on the extraction methodology and conditions. However, proteins obtained by recombinant production can be standardized, and repeat-chain length can be adjusted as desired. In this thesis study, a sericin like protein which includes eight repeats of the 38 amino acid sequence of the natural sericin was cloned and expressed in E. coli. The resulting protein, Ser-8mer, was analyzed in terms of fibril structure and secondary structure. It was found out that the protein has beta sheet conformation in contrast to commercial sericin with random coils. And as a result of this conformation, it forms insoluble self-assembled fibril structures which shows a promising contribution to the biomaterial research.Master Thesis Co-production of chitin nanofibers, proteins, and lipids in marine diatoms belonging to the Thalassiosira genus(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-06) Sezgin, Tuğçe; Özkan, AltanChitin is a biopolymer used in various industries, including biomedical, pharmaceutical, medical, and food. Today, the vast majority of chitin is obtained from waste shellfish. Shellfish chitin has an inherent impurity problem because chitin in these organisms is embedded in other organics and inorganics. Thus, new sources have been investigated. Diatoms, particularly Thalassiosira and Cyclotella species, have the potential to be the providers for applications requiring high quality through their unique ability to biosynthesize and extrude chitin nanofibers. The primary aim of this study is to study this potential. This investigation entailed the cultivation of three Thalassiosira strains according to a standard cultivation protocol under photobioreactor conditions. The secondary aim was to assess the possibility of commercially valuable co-product generation. For this, biomass protein, lipid, and fatty acids contents were analyzed. Chitin productivity varied significantly between the strains. The peak productivities and final concentrations ranged from 4 to 25 mg/L-day and from 60 to 250 mg/L, respectively. Average fiber diameters ranged from 68.5 to 95.0 nm. Silicon limited growth increased the chitin biosynthesis in T.weissflogii 1336 and T.pseudonana 2135. Biomass lipid contents of over 45% were obtained with T.pseudonana 2135 under silicon depletion. The fatty acid profiles indicated the suitability for application as live aquaculture feed for T.weissflogii 1336, and biodiesel feedstock material for T.pseudonana 2135. The highest biomass protein contents were about 30%, which were obtained under silicon availability. This study, for the first time, assessed the chitin productivity of Thalassiosira strains and demonstrated unique multiproduct generation scenarios.Master Thesis A computational chemistry study on the interactions between hydrogenated borophene and amino acids(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-07) Bozkurt, Yağmur; Elmacı Irmak, NuranIn this work, the adsorption behavior of hydrogenated borophene to amino acids was examined to provide its geometric and electronic structures information and to check whether hydrogenated borophenes’ potential can be used in new biosensor devices for amino acids or not. In the aspect of this thesis adsorption of 4 amino acids from different types of amino acid classes (acidic, basic, nonpolar, and polar) on hydrogenated borophene surfaces has been studied by computational chemistry methods. Electronic and geometric structures of B36H6 and its complexes with glycine, tyrosine, aspartic acid, and histidine were obtained by DFT calculations at B3LYP-D2 / 6-311G** level of theory. In the energetically most favorable configurations of complexes, amino acids approaching from the bottom of the B36H6 surface with a horizontal orientation (exception for histidine complexes) of amino acid was observed. The most reactive parts of the B36 structure (edges) have been stabilized with hydrogenation, the whole boron cluster became more stable and adsorption ability has fallen. It was found that hydrogenated borophene has indistinguishable electronic responses for each the amino acids studied in this thesis since the complexes exhibited nearly the same band gap. Thus, hydrogenated borophene shows no sensor ability to GLY, TYR, ASP, and HIS.Doctoral Thesis Conservation proposals for Göbekli Tepe enclosures(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-07) Çelik, Keziban; İpekoğlu, BaşakThe conservation of archaeological sites is of great importance as they provide physical remains of past civilizations. Göbekli Tepe, which is one of the most important archaeological site in human history was included in the World Heritage List in 2018. Remains in Göbekli Tepe archaeological site are enclosures surrounded by circular or rectangular wall rows, and containing monolithic T-shaped pillars in the center and peripheral walls in two layers. The aim of this study is to examine the construction technique and relations between structural elements and to define conservation problems in order to develop conservation proposals. The method of the study is the evaluation of the data collected during the field survey together with the information given in the literature. In order to determine the similarities and differences between the layers, components and alignment characteristics of enclosures were defined, the relations between these components were examined. It was found that there is relationship between the diameter of enclosure and height of central pillar, and this ratio was same in two enclosures and close in another enclosure. The state of conservation and preservation conditions of the structural elements of the enclosures were examined and risk classes were determined. The problems observed in the structural elements were determined as crack, deformation, fracture, material loss, disintegration. It had been suggested to stabilize the walls to prevent further damage, to design and develop the support system for the pillars, and to carry out regular monitoring to detect possible damage or problems for components.Master Thesis Coupled wake and blockage modelling for a wind farm(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-10) Çam, Janset Betül; Bingöl, FerhatOne of the significant reasons for the power loss in wind farms is the wake effect. Therefore, the wake effect is crucial for designing a wind farm. However, only wake modeling is not sufficient to explain power losses. Wake is the turbulent, complex, and relatively weak flow behind the wind turbine. The wake effect is not required for the front row turbines in wind farms, and the wake model cannot be applied. It is assumed that the wind farm directly encounters the free stream wind speed. However, the blockage effect, also known as the induction zone effect, is observed at the front of the wind turbines. Due to this effect, the wind farm encounters a lower wind speed than the free-stream wind speed. This situation reduces the accuracy of the Annual Energy Production (AEP) calculation in wind farms. The motivation of this study is to obtain an improved coupled wake and blockage model that converges to the accurate SCADA data of a wind farm more than the wakeonly or blockage-only models. This study applies seven wake and six blockage models to the wind farm. The similarities and differences between the coupled models and the wind farm SCADA data and their reasons are discussed.Master Thesis Crude pectinolytic enzymes production in fed-batch shake flask cultivation(01. Izmir Institute of Technology, 2023-05) Esen, Büşra Nur; Uzuner, Sibel; Taşkent Sezgin, HümeyraThe use of waste in the production of enzymes, which is one of the products with high added value, is one of the right strategies to reduce the production cost of the product and sustainability movement. In this study, the production of polygalacturonase (PGase) and pectin lyase (PLase) enzymes from Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 in fed batch submerged fermentation, the conditions and composition of the fermentation medium and the effects of pretreatment methods (thermal, thermo-chemical, microwave assisted dilute acid (MW- DA)) on the conversion of fermentable sugar from black carrot pulp were investigated. The MW-DA was chosen the best with higher fermentable sugar content (FSC). The three different powers (300, 600, 850 W) and 3 different treatment time (30, 60, 90 s) were examined by Taguchi design. The highest FSC was found at 300 Watt for 30 seconds. MW-DA followed by ES produced the most fermentable sugar (0.493 g/g, 87.3% conversion). The amount of fermentable sugar was enhanced from 15.8% to 87.3% when MW-DA treatment is combined with enzymatic saccharification (ES). Yeast extract, whey and pea protein were examined as nitrogen sources. According to the enzyme activity results obtained, the fermentation medium was modified with pea protein. Certain concentrations (2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15%) were fed to the fermentation medium. The highest PGase activity was determined at the 15% feed concentration and 72th hours (164.34±2.26 U/L) whereas the highest PLase activity was obtained at 72th hours (188.22±1.72 U/L) at 5% feed concentration.Master Thesis Crystal plasticity inspired modelling of fibre reinforced composites(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-07) Dizman, Emir Aybars; Özdemir, İzzetThere is an increasing demand in carbon fibre reinforced (CFR) composites primarily due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. Although their single-ply behaviour is rather brittle (as compared to metals), by reducing the ply thickness and stacking differently oriented plies, brittleness is suppressed, and a ductile behaviour similar to metals is achieved. In this thesis, a recently proposed material model inspired by crystal plasticity is reconsidered and implemented in an implicit finite element solution framework. To this end, a user-defined element is developed in a geometrically non-linear continuum setting and implemented in commercial finite element software Abaqus through UEL (Userdefined ELement) subroutine. The model is validated by analytical solutions derived for simple shear cases and two experiments for different loading cases from the literature. The model is capable of predicting stress-strain response well in cases where matrix plasticity is dominant. Moreover, a parametric study on the cross-ply shear specimen is conducted to investigate the influence of different material parameters. In the last part, the model is extended by a continuum scale damage in the matrix and degradation in elastic material properties. The predictive capabilities of the damage extended model are assessed by re-analyzing the cross-ply shear test.Doctoral Thesis Design and analysis of deployable reciprocal frames(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-07) Özen, Gülçin; Korkmaz, KorayA reciprocal frame (RF) is a type of structure used since early times. It consists of mutually supporting bars that can span large distances greater than the length of the bar. Although there are deficiencies in previous studies, there are movable RFs, but we cannot talk about the existence of a 3-dimensional deployable RF network. This study aims to contribute to the missing knowledge for movable RF fans and develop a deployable RF network. The study has conducted a comprehensive literature review to gain knowledge and identify the deficiencies of RFs. There are many studies about RFs, but it has been observed that very limited research has been done on movable RFs, and some geometric properties have not been made yet. Firstly, missing geometric knowledge has been found, which are the positions and orientations of the joints by using Denavit-Hartenberg parameters. Also, the effect of engagement length on the fan height and base edge is analyzed. A reconfigurable demountable RF fan is created with the obtained geometric knowledge. Then, mobility calculations are made, and kinematic diagrams are drawn for zero, single, and multi degrees of freedom (DoF) triangular, quadrilateral, and pentagonal fans. Their motions are investigated, and 3-dimensional (3d) simulations are generated. A two DoF quadrilateral fan with prismatic and revolute joints is produced. Then the possibilities of assembling the two DoF fans are searched to create a deployable RF network. While the network has a single DoF in the direction of vault curvature, it has multi DoF in the thickness direction. The network takes the form of a roll in its most closed state, and it takes the form of a vault in its most open state. The section of the curvature of the deployable network is the same as the Da Vinci bridge. However, while simple joints were used in the Da Vinci Bridge, revolute and prismatic joints are used in the proposed deployable RF network.Master Thesis Design and synthesis of a BODIPY based probe for cadmium ions(01. Izmir Institute of Technology, 2021-12) Cebeci, Miray; Emrullahoğlu, Mustafa; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyGiven the severely toxic effects of heavy metals on living systems and the environment in general, identifying and quantifying heavy metal ions in synthetic samples and in vivo are highly significant activities. One such heavy metal, cadmium, allows only a low level of tolerable exposure and can thus have fatal consequences or cause critical health problems such as ostial disorders, nephrotic syndromes, various types of cancer even in extremely low concentrations. Although several standard techniques for detecting cadmium have been used, including atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, all of them require complex instruments that are also expensive, time-consuming to use, and hardly portable. For that reason, sensitive, selective, less labour-intensive methods of detecting cadmium ions are greatly needed. In response, fluorogenic or chromogenic methods afford high analyte sensitivity and selectivity, easy sample preparation, and easy monitoring, all with affordable instrumentation. Against that background, this thesis reports the design, synthesis, and development of a fluorescent molecular sensor that can detect Cd2+ ions within spectroscopic behavior and living cells. In the design, based on the mechanism of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), borondipyrromethene (BODIPY) dye was used as a signal reporter due to its unique properties, and di-(2-picolyl)amine (DPA) was chosen to represent the recognition unit. Altogether, the sensor offers rapid response, high selectivity, and high sensitivity in detecting Cd ions is reversible with the aid of CN- and can be used to efficiently image Cd2+ species in vitro.Master Thesis Design and synthesis of a BODIPY based probe for mercury ions(01. Izmir Institute of Technology, 2021-12) Tütüncü, Büşra Buse; Emrullahoğlu, Mustafa; 01. Izmir Institute of TechnologyThe detection of heavy metal ions in living systems and aqueous environments has attracted significant attention in recent years, especially the detection of mercury, one of the most toxic heavy metals on Earth. To reduce mercury's lethal effects on the human body, animals, and marine life trace amounts of mercury species can be detected by using classical spectroscopic techniques for example atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. However, because those techniques are time-consuming and expensive, fluorescence analysis, which offers high selectivity and sensitivity, has emerged as a suitable alternative for detecting mercury species. In the work presented here, a new BODIPY -based fluorescent probe functionalised with a phenylhydrazine unit was designed and synthesised for the selective and sensitive detection of mercury species. The probe's detection limit was determined to be 29 nM, and the probe could detect mercury species in living cells without any changes in cell morphology.Master Thesis Design of a physical human-robot interface for lifting operations(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-07) Nalbant, Uğur; Dede, Mehmet İsmet CanIn this thesis, the design of a physical human-robot interface for lifting operations which controls the vertical movement of the payload is studied. The new design uses a low stiffness type of admittance control method that is aimed at reducing the surface impact force of the payload and providing better control for the operator while having the option of high stiffness admittance control. To reduce impact forces by using low stiffness admittance control, a sliding handle mechanism is introduced into the system. This type of design includes springs and bearings to create a low stiffness admittance-type user interface. Mathematical models are developed to calculate spring forces and mechanical strength. According to design requirements and mathematical calculations, the prototype is designed and manufactured. In the tests, it is seen that the spring forces are low, and the sliding motion of the handle is not consistent over different displacements. According to the test results, revisions are done, and the final design of the system is developed. In the final tests, it is seen that the new design of the physical human-robot interface performance is improved and the problem of the sliding motion of the handle is solved. Also, the surface impact forces are reduced with low stiffness admittance control. Another improvement of the new design is the ability to control the payload with high stiffness admittance control if the user chooses it. With this option, users can control the payload by touching the payload. Having both types of control methods, the user can choose which type of control method to use to handle payload in the factory.Master Thesis Design of stacker crane for mini-load automated storage and retrieval systems(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-07) Bekleviç, Mustafa; Mihçin, ŞenayThe objection of the thesis is to design and analyze a 3 degree of freedom stacker crane mechanism for Mini Load Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems. Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) is an automated system in which the product of a company to be stored is placed in or retrieved from specified location on a rack system by means of computer aided mechanism which is nothing but a stacker crane. This study first introduces an inclusive literature review on AS/RSs. Several types of AS/RSs are examined and the differences between them are introduced. Additionally, several types of stacker cranes in the literature are also presented. Moreover, the linear motion systems used in similar mechanism are explained briefly in the chapter. In the design chapter of the thesis, theory of the stacker crane mechanism is introduced. A conceptual design is created and, elements and sub-sections of the desired mechanism are presented with the conceptual design of the mechanism. After the conceptual design, critical design calculations are performed approximately before the detailed design of the mechanism. Afterwards, the detailed design of the mechanism is created and calculations are verified due to detailed design. The detailed design of the mechanism is analyzed using Finite Element Analysis methods in the analysis chapter of the thesis. Analysis of critical components and critical sub-sections of the stacker crane mechanism are analyzed using Computer Aided Engineering program. Revises are made according to the results of the FEA and design is validated at the end. At the prototyping chapter of the thesis, the manufacturing studies of the mechanism are presented. Manufacturing stages are introduced and experiments of the sub-section of the mechanism are done.Doctoral Thesis Determination of vitamin D by sensor technologies based on molecular imprinted polymers(Izmir Institute of Technology, 2022-07) Ölçer, Yekta Arya; Demir, Mustafa; Eroğlu, Ahmet Emin; Demir, Mustafa MuammerVitamin D is an essential nutrient in the body; it plays important roles in human health. Both its lack and excess can have health risks. As a consequence, there is a great demand for development of simple and precise detection methods for vitamin D derivatives in different samples. Molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs) are artificial receptors that can recognize target molecules in solution. In this study, two different polymerization techniques were used to obtain MIP/NIP sorbents/films for the detection of vitamin D3. Firstly, molecular imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) method was proposed prior to HPLC-DAD analysis. Optimized parameters were as follows; sorbent amount of 5.0 mg for 5.0 mL of 1.0 mg/L vitamin D3 in 90:10 (v/v) ratio of H2O:MeOH solution, 5 hours sorption time and MeOH:HOAc ratio of 90:10 (v/v) as desorption solution. The accuracy of the method was verified with spike recovery test for PBS:MeOH in a ratio of 90:10 (v/v) and overall recovery was found as 85.1 (±4.3, n=3). In latter case, a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) method was proposed for determination of vitamin D3. Electrochemical polymerization of poly(4-vinylpyridine) MIP/NIP films were achieved on gold working electrode by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Mass-transfer ability of the polymer films were analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrochemical QCM (eQCM) was used to develop thin polymer films on quartz crystals and vitamin D3 determination was achieved by QCM. In a preliminary test, as small a concentration as 0.0100 mg/L vitamin D was detected with the QCM method.