title: Designing and developing stable body flight in drones

authors: Haisley, Sean

subjects: Aerodynamics

abstract: Drones are an ever-expanding field finding use and application in more and more area, such as construction, logging and transport. As a drone flies, it tilts its body in the direction of flight, however in some cases this tilting of the body is an undesired side effect of the drone’s movement and results in drones not being applied efficiently in such a field. Therefore, the question arises, “Can a drone be developed to allow for stable-bodied flight in order to provide a non-tilting platform for carrying payloads in the future?” The goal of this thesis is to find a solution to that question. By looking at drones that currently provide similar solutions, this thesis provides possible concept solutions and determines the best design for implementing this stable-bodied flight and then covers the components that would be required and the manufacturing process of such a drone. The analysis of the design show that drone designs with gimbal, whether it be the body or the propellers that are contained by the gimbals, allow for infinite degrees of freedom, which is useful in maintaining stable flight. Testing and design development, show that a drone where the propellers are gimbal rotated allows for the highest level of control, whereas turning the drone body into a gimbal, creates a simpler and aerodynamic design. Both designs are developed further, leading to the conclusion that the gimbal rotor drone is a more complex design, requiring machine learning to determine the optimal angles of attack and thrust for each of the propellers, in order to maintain stable flight. Due to this and the aerodynamic advantage of the gimbal body design, this drone is selected as a final design.

text: Designing and developing stable body flight in drones Drones are an ever-expanding field finding use and application in more and more area, such as construction, logging and transport. As a drone flies, it tilts its body in the direction of flight, however in some cases this tilting of the body is an undesired side effect of the drone’s movement and results in drones not being applied efficiently in such a field. Therefore, the question arises, “Can a drone be developed to allow for stable-bodied flight in order to provide a non-tilting platform for carrying payloads in the future?” The goal of this thesis is to find a solution to that question. By looking at drones that currently provide similar solutions, this thesis provides possible concept solutions and determines the best design for implementing this stable-bodied flight and then covers the components that would be required and the manufacturing process of such a drone. The analysis of the design show that drone designs with gimbal, whether it be the body or the propellers that are contained by the gimbals, allow for infinite degrees of freedom, which is useful in maintaining stable flight. Testing and design development, show that a drone where the propellers are gimbal rotated allows for the highest level of control, whereas turning the drone body into a gimbal, creates a simpler and aerodynamic design. Both designs are developed further, leading to the conclusion that the gimbal rotor drone is a more complex design, requiring machine learning to determine the optimal angles of attack and thrust for each of the propellers, in order to maintain stable flight. Due to this and the aerodynamic advantage of the gimbal body design, this drone is selected as a final design.

year: 2021

title: Essays on Fintech development

authors: Tang, Mengxuan

abstract: Fintech is a contraction of the term "financial technology", which has become increasingly popular in the financial sector in recent years. Even the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019 has not changed the fact that the Fintech industry is growing. The rapid development of Fintech has significantly impacted the traditional financial landscape, redefining the delivery of financial services, broadening their coverage, and significantly improving efficiency and convenience, injecting new vitality into the global financial industry.

The aim of this thesis is to explore the impact of Fintech on the incumbent financial system and the real economy in the Chinese context. First, to gauge the development of the Fintech area in China, this paper uses various Fintech development indicators. Notably, this thesis builds the Fintech development index by combining the multidimensional information that involves advanced technologies and Fintech-related fields. The study also uses the Peking University Digital Financial Inclusion Index of China (PKU-DFIIC) and hand-collected and constructed datasets of Fintech patents. Second, this thesis comprehensively analyses the implications of Fintech developments on corporate operational strategies in several key areas including risk-taking, liquidity creation, diversification, fraud, tax avoidance, financing, and investment policies. By exploring how Fintech shapes corporate development strategies and influences value growth in these areas, the thesis reveals the role of Fintech in optimizing resource allocation, improving corporate efficiency, and reducing operational risk. Moreover, the study analyses the potential risks and challenges that the Fintech development may pose.

The main contribution of this thesis is to provide new empirical evidence for the impact of Fintech on the development of traditional financial institutions and the real economy and to fill the gaps in existing research. Through an in-depth exploration of the economic consequences of the Fintech field, this paper not only reveals the role of Fintech in promoting the transformation of the real economy but also provides new perspectives on the benign development of the Fintech industry. Meanwhile, the findings provide valuable insights into the transformation of China's existing economic system, especially in terms of how to optimize the financial service system, improve the efficiency of resource allocation, and achieve sustainable growth in the context of the digital economy, which has important political implications.

text: Essays on Fintech development Fintech is a contraction of the term "financial technology", which has become increasingly popular in the financial sector in recent years. Even the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019 has not changed the fact that the Fintech industry is growing. The rapid development of Fintech has significantly impacted the traditional financial landscape, redefining the delivery of financial services, broadening their coverage, and significantly improving efficiency and convenience, injecting new vitality into the global financial industry.

The aim of this thesis is to explore the impact of Fintech on the incumbent financial system and the real economy in the Chinese context. First, to gauge the development of the Fintech area in China, this paper uses various Fintech development indicators. Notably, this thesis builds the Fintech development index by combining the multidimensional information that involves advanced technologies and Fintech-related fields. The study also uses the Peking University Digital Financial Inclusion Index of China (PKU-DFIIC) and hand-collected and constructed datasets of Fintech patents. Second, this thesis comprehensively analyses the implications of Fintech developments on corporate operational strategies in several key areas including risk-taking, liquidity creation, diversification, fraud, tax avoidance, financing, and investment policies. By exploring how Fintech shapes corporate development strategies and influences value growth in these areas, the thesis reveals the role of Fintech in optimizing resource allocation, improving corporate efficiency, and reducing operational risk. Moreover, the study analyses the potential risks and challenges that the Fintech development may pose.

The main contribution of this thesis is to provide new empirical evidence for the impact of Fintech on the development of traditional financial institutions and the real economy and to fill the gaps in existing research. Through an in-depth exploration of the economic consequences of the Fintech field, this paper not only reveals the role of Fintech in promoting the transformation of the real economy but also provides new perspectives on the benign development of the Fintech industry. Meanwhile, the findings provide valuable insights into the transformation of China's existing economic system, especially in terms of how to optimize the financial service system, improve the efficiency of resource allocation, and achieve sustainable growth in the context of the digital economy, which has important political implications.

year: 2025-08-01

title: Neoliberalism and racism in Aotearoa

authors: Rew, Nathan

abstract: Webinar Toru will engage with issues of racism, neoliberalism and what Graham Hingangaroa Smith has called ‘New Formations of Colonisation’. This webinar will provide an overview of neoliberalism and racism and how they intersect and impact upon Māori, Pacific Nations and ethnic minority groups in Aotearoa.

text: Neoliberalism and racism in Aotearoa Webinar Toru will engage with issues of racism, neoliberalism and what Graham Hingangaroa Smith has called ‘New Formations of Colonisation’. This webinar will provide an overview of neoliberalism and racism and how they intersect and impact upon Māori, Pacific Nations and ethnic minority groups in Aotearoa.

year: 2025