Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NET-Tools (Novel Education and Training Tools based on digital applications related to Hydrogen and Fuel CellTechnology)

Teaser

NET-Tools aimed first period of the project to set the basis for the realisation of the internet platform which shall accomplish to get used as a gateway to very different digital FCH related content and themes, in case of NET-Tools the e-laboratory and e-learning. By...

Summary

NET-Tools aimed first period of the project to set the basis for the realisation of the internet platform which shall accomplish to get used as a gateway to very different digital FCH related content and themes, in case of NET-Tools the e-laboratory and e-learning. By “gateway” to digital content is meant, that two different websites [1] [2] supports the interconnections to the e-laboratory and e-learning, last based on open edX as platform as service (PAAS) which minimise costs for operating.
In parallel to the development of both websites the e-laboratory was set up, structured, opportunities to the needs and demands of programming reviewed and explored and most of e-tools already programmed. Programming of e-tools was tested and outcome (correctness of programming) already verified partially. The e-laboratory became structured in separated sections which contain different e-tools. One part of the e-laboratory is dedicated to e-science whilst the other is dedicated to e-engineering [3].
The e-laboratory split into two sections due to the content and specific use of e-tools. Left hand, the content included in the e-engineering part is mirrored while right hand the content to the e-science part is reflected
The e-tools became titled, drafted, equations explained and separated in parts (for programming) and structured, at least programmed and verified. Additionally e-tools are accompanied by specific explanation and guidelines to the users on “how to use e-tools” and “usability and limitations” which is important information to appraise the individual benefits. The overall structure and interconnections as well as interrelations reflected by figure [4].
The initial approach, to run the internet platform server based became discarded, due to unforeseeable technical problems according the interrelations and especially because of costs and maintenance. The decision to compile the e-structure as reflected by figure [4] affected and influenced to the project planning and schedule of tasks and deliverables significant.
Apart from the technical development of the NET-Tools e-infrastructure, the programing of websites and single e-tools to the e-laboratory, the main objectives to the networking, dissemination and exploitation were started. Most important event of the project was the “expert workshop”. The expert work shop focused on the exchange of needs and demands arising from industry and academia. In this concern, an advisory board was arranged consisting of members arising from industry, academia and also partners from other research projects facing similar content than NET-Tools.

Work performed

The main objective of the project is to develop a unique European platform to support higher education in fuel cell and hydrogen technologies and businesses leveraging existing knowledge and enabling the development of future novel educational training to tackle the arising demands of future education and training generated by the growth of fuel cell and hydrogen markets worldwide.

The e-infrastructure to be developed in the course of the project is implemented and finished as far to the structure and architecture and usability. Two websites (project and business website) supports the interconnection to the specific workspaces to the e-laboratory and e-learning and provides additional information (e.g. reports on other FCH related projects and databases). An open source LMS (Learning Management System) became arranged as PAAS. This solution offers best in class functionalities for e-learning and e-education, constituting a reference worldwide. To be robust as possible to future evolution and upgrades, the workspace as well as websites were programmed and developed under non-server based realisation (PAAS and SAS). This guarantees an easy technical maintenance and compatibility to other software’s and digital instrumentations.
Thus it can be also guaranteed that NET-Tools e-infrastructure will make the addition of valuable content easy, either by establishing connections and repositories with existing digital based knowledge (e.g. WIKIs, MOOCs, Project websites, etc.) or by supporting the development of various educational materials, from interactive lessons to more statics presentations.

The primary target of NET-Tools has, like any such platform, professional focus. NET-Tools developed and delivered user interfaces offering specific content, navigation possibilities and certification process. Demands and needs concerning professionals arising from industry and academia discussed during expert work shop. The outcome of export work shop was taken to consolidate the architecture and structure of e-infrastructure and communicated by e-newsletters each time (webinar and expert workshop as well as announcements)

NET-Tools developed a unique digital e-Laboratory including new methods based on figurative language and representations to explain detailed physical and mathematical principles and FCH technique in its complex structure. The e-Laboratory is separated into two sections, an e-engineering toolbox and an e-science part. The e-engineering toolbox contains e-tools for technology and safety design of FCH systems and infrastructure to underpin “learning by solving” education principle, and provide hydrogen industry by the state-of-the-art free access European-made tool for engineering design. The e-science toolbox is dedicated to modelling and simulations of physical and mathematical phenomena underlying FCH technologies, including CFD tool HyFOAM for technological safety. A special database at project website supports the e-Science toolbox by providing experimental data for verification and validation.

Based on a survey of existing digital FCH resources, NET-Tools achieved an overview about existing resources (internal and external) and build interconnections to other projects which focus on similar content, especially the development of course curricula and e-learning content. The status more generally is that NET-Tools developed guidelines to facilitate the reuse of online/digital education individual course components (e.g. units, lessons and media elements such as graphics and animations) in different contexts.

Final results

The impact of the projects strives at go even beyond this important aspect: the training and education by providing the tool of a virtual laboratory, in which users of the platform can perform and analyses their own experiments, will add a new dimension to digital education.
NET-Tools platform thus is the identifier for a server based platform which shall work as an educational e-infrastructure which means, as a technical basis for sub-platforms hosting the developed educational capacities and e-tools, usable as an open source. The different but interconnected activities, e-laboratory and e-education, are dedicated to comprise the most necessary capacities to the educational activities in fuel cells and hydrogen technology which basis on extended digital teaching-, digital practicing- and digital information tools and service. To run NET-Tools as a free educational e-infrastructure, NET-Tools base and build upon “open source components and software”. Benefits for the European energy industry and academia will be multiple.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.h2fc-net.eu.