Artesis Hogeschool Antwerpen

Reglement en aanbeveling procedure doctoreren

In het kader van de aangepaste wetgeving en de gemeenschappelijke onderzoeksomgeving van de hogescholen van de associatie en de Universiteit Antwerpen is doctoreren in de studiegebieden Architectuur, Audiovisuele en beeldende kunst, Muziek en podiumkunsten, en Productontwikkeling mogelijk geworden. Voor deze doctoraten gelden de reglementen van de Universiteit Antwerpen. Deze werden in functie van de nieuwe mogelijkheden aangepast.

Doctoral research in Product Development

The diploma of “doctor” still is the highest degree one can get at a university. This title is obtained after an intensive period of independent study and scientific research activities. Within this period the PhD student should acquire, independently, clear insights in the core of a fundamental or concrete issue in the research domain, aiming to provide an original, innovative contribution to the general knowledge. The PhD student is able to report about the process. The end result is written down in a doctoral thesis. The academic degree of “doctor” is gained after the public defence of the PhD thesis. 
PhD in Product Development
Organisation
Since 2004, Product Development (academic master programme) at the University College of Antwerp, is a member of the Antwerp Association. The doctoral programme in Product Development is organised by both the University College of Antwerp (UCA) and the University of Antwerp (UA), aiming respectively to sustain product development skills and to guard the academic profile of the PhD student. 
The Doctoral Committee
In general, each PhD student is guided through the doctoral process by two promoters (at least one person allied to the Antwerp Association). These persons, together with (at least) two professors who are active in involved research domains, form the doctoral committee of the student. Each student reports annually to the doctoral committee, the committee then evaluates the student’s work, provides relevant advices, and determines whether the student is allowed to proceed with the research activities. 
 
All doctoral research in Product Development is situated in the early stages of Product Development. In this field, human, economic as well as technological aspects of product development are studied.  
 

Description of the current research topics in product development

Current research focuses on the early stages of product development; two research domains can be distinguished. The first research domain aims to contribute to the increase of knowledge of new product development: the methodology of innovation management and project management in integral product development: eco-design, modelling, user-centred design, front loading, life cycle assessment (LCA), comparisons of the environmental impact of specific products. Secondly, research focuses on the set-up of innovation routes and the valorisation of research by means of new product development: Interaction Design, Smart products and systems. Product development is composed of 3 research fields/groups: product development supported by applied sciences, product development supported by human sciences and product development supported by economic sciences  - ‘Product development supported by applied sciences’ is situated in the virtual design of micro-controlled electronics. These products are applied in research into the behaviour of people in a wireless network environment; research into the interaction of information between people and products. Furthermore, LCA studies are performed, applying eco-indicator values. Eco-design projects are guided (ecological and sustainable design) and supported with an extended expertise in material selection, mainly plastics and plastic composites.
 
- ‘Product development supported by human sciences’ concerns the research into the human-product relation, more specific the degree in which products fulfil the possibilities of the target group, such as usability, product semantics, affordance, form studies and product communication.  
 
- ‘Product development supported by economical sciences’ contains the initiation of entrepreneurship out of product development, the management of product development and innovation processes and consumer-oriented approach of the market. 
 

Available expertise and services

1. Virtual design of micro-controlled electronics. Living in a wireless network environment. A complete wireless network environment is set up using the ZIGBEE and IPv6 protocol. Information including personal preferences is continuously sent between people and products inside this environment. Different research programs will use this environment in order to develop new products and services.
2. Concept Modelling: To control the entity of hardware and software in order to construct physical and virtual simulation models in the early concept phase of the design process. Software: free-form CAD- software, parametrical CAD-software.
Hardware: touch probe 3D-scanner, rapid prototyping with 3D-Printer and CNC milling machine
3. LCA studies are performed, applying eco-indicator values. Eco-design projects are guided (ecological and sustainable design) and supported with an extended expertise in material selection, mainly plastics and plastic composites.
4. Usability testing: using structured (video) observations to determine up to which degree a product fulfils the needs of the target group of consumers. Attention is paid to functional, interaction, expressive and environmental requirements, which are dictated by the consumers of the product. Analysis tool: The Observer XT. 
5. Eye-tracker remote system; eye-tracker head mounted with cursor overlay on analogue video image; eye-tracker combined with flocking birds for digitized calibrated x-y-z coordinate output
6. Modelling and prototyping: a well-equipped lab which allows the construction of prototypes in wood, metal and plastics. Amongst others equipped with tools for woodworking (to saw, to mill, to drill), for processing polystyrene foam, thermoforming (vacuum) of plastics, metalworking and welding, finishing en polishing (spray cabin)