Gabriella Stefánia Szabó, Florina-Ambrozia Coteț, Sára Ferenci
et al.
The expansion of green hydrogen requires technologies that are both manufacturable at a GW-to-TW power scale and adaptable for decentralized, renewable-driven energy systems. Recent advances in proton exchange membrane, alkaline, and solid oxide electrolysis reveal persistent bottlenecks in catalysts, membranes, porous transport layers, bipolar plates, sealing, and high-temperature ceramics. Emerging fabrication strategies, including roll-to-roll coating, spatial atomic layer deposition, digital-twin-based quality assurance, automated stack assembly, and circular material recovery, enable high-yield, low-variance production compatible with multi-GW power plants. At the same time, these developments support decentralized hydrogen systems that demand compact, dynamically operated, and material-efficient electrolyzers integrated with local renewable generation. The analysis underscores the need to jointly optimize material durability, manufacturing precision, and system-level controllability to ensure reliable and cost-effective hydrogen supply. This paper outlines a convergent approach that connects critical-material reduction, high-throughput manufacturing, a digitalized balance of plant, and circularity with distributed energy architectures and large-scale industrial deployment.
Cesar Alfonso Cortes-Tejada, Honorio Ortíz-Hernández, Marco Antonio García-Bernal
et al.
Metal/composite interfacial interactions are critical to the mechanical performance of Fiber Metal Laminates (FMLs). In this study, the feasibility of successively combining Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) and Vacuum Bagging (VB) was investigated, a strategy that has not been reported in the literature for the fabrication of FMLs with 2/1 stacking configuration, using low-cost 3003-H14 aluminum alloy. The substrate was surface modified through mechanical abrasion and chemical etching in an ultrasonic bath with a 0.1 M NaOH solution, varying the exposure time (20, 40, and 60 min). These surfaces were characterized by optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), conducting both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the two- and three-dimensional surface features associated with pore morphology. Additionally, their effects on interlaminar strength and Mode I failure modes of the adhesive joint at the metal/composite interface were evaluated. Micrographs of the surface variants revealed a systematic evolution of the metallic microstructure. The T-peel tests demonstrated that the microstructural features influenced the interlaminar behavior. The 40 min treatment exhibited the highest initial peak force (26.4 N) and the highest average peel force (12.4 N), with a predominantly cohesive mixed-mode failure, representing the most favorable configuration for maximizing adhesion at the metal/composite interface.
Bandar Alzahrani, Mohamed M. Z. Ahmed, Mohamed I. A. Habba
et al.
This study investigates the impact of different filler wires (ER5356, ER4043, and ER4047) on the microstructural and mechanical properties of EN AW-6082 Al alloy joints produced by tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. Butt-welded samples with a single V-groove joint configuration were prepared using optimized welding parameters. The welded samples were subjected to visual inspection, microstructural analysis, hardness testing, tensile testing, and impact toughness evaluation. The results showed that all the welds were free of visible defects. Microstructural examination revealed that the ER5356 filler produced the finest grain structure of 18.03 ± 3 μm, while ER4047 resulted in the coarsest grains of 36.07 ± 5 μm. Correspondingly, the joints made with ER5356 exhibited the highest tensile stress of 278 ± 6 MPa, yield stress of 219 ± 5.4 MPa, hardness values of 72.7 ± 5 HV, and welding efficiency of 86.07%, whereas those made with ER4047 produced the lowest values. The hardness in the weld region was lower than that in the parent metal and heat-affected zone for all samples. However, ER4047 welds demonstrated superior impact toughness and strain-hardening capacity. The findings underscore the importance of filler metal selection in tailoring mechanical properties for high-performance applications.
Waverly Eichhorst, Daniel Blaustein-Rejto, Saloni Shah
et al.
IntroductionUnderstanding how actors and institutions can support the adoption of novel technologies may help identify opportunities for stakeholders to accelerate transitions towards more sustainable production and consumption practices. Little is currently known about how emerging food technologies may be effectively supported in pre-market stages of development, especially in middle- and low-income countries with industrializing economies.MethodsIn this paper, we apply the theoretical framework of technological innovation systems to assess how actors, networks, and institutions are influencing the pre-market development of cultured protein (CP) technologies in Thailand. We used a mixed-methods approach that consisted of 1) a qualitative document review and 2) semi-structured interviews with 17 expert informants.ResultsWe found that various actors have demonstrated preliminary engagement in the development of an innovation system for CP technologies in Thailand. However, technological diffusion will additionally require addressing a need for regulatory approval, manufacturing capacity, scientific and technical expertise, and consumer acceptance.DiscussionStronger evidence of the potential domestic benefits that CP production could bring to Thailand is a prerequisite for stakeholder engagement and mission alignment across sectors. In the near term, transnational coordination may be necessary to help overcome limitations in domestically available expertise. Our findings demonstrate the importance of a convergence in priorities for technological development and reveal a need for further research into how transnational linkages of innovation systems may help address national weaknesses by complementing resources and capabilities at the national level.
Nutrition. Foods and food supply, Food processing and manufacture
Isam Qasem, La’aly A. Al-Samrraie, Khalideh Al Bkoor Alrawashdeh
Background: Compared to the conventional method of machining granite, abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) offers several benefits, including flexible cutting mechanisms and machine efficiency, among other possible advantages. The high-speed particles carried by water remove the materials, preventing heat damage and maintaining the granite’s structure. Methods: Three types of granite with different compressive strengths are investigated in terms of the effects of pump pressure (P), traverse speed (T), and abrasive mass flow (A) on the cutting depth. Results: The results of the study demonstrated that the coarse-grained granite negatively affected the penetration depth, while the fine-grained granite produced a higher cutting depth. The value of an optimal depth of penetration was also generated; for example, the optimum depth obtained for Black Galaxy Granite, M1 (32.27 mm), was achieved at P = 300 MPa, T = 100 mm/min, and A = 180.59 g/min. Conclusions: In terms of processing parameters, the maximum penetration depth can be achieved in granite with a higher compressive strength.
Near-field perception is essential for the safe operation of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in manufacturing environments. Conventional ranging sensors such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and ultrasonic devices provide broad situational awareness but often fail to detect small objects near the robot base. To address this limitation, this paper presents a three-tier near-field perception framework. The first approach employs light-discontinuity detection, which projects a laser stripe across the near-field zone and identifies interruptions in the stripe to perform fast, binary cutoff sensing for obstacle presence. The second approach utilizes light-displacement measurement to estimate object height by analyzing the geometric displacement of a projected stripe in the camera image, which provides quantitative obstacle height information with minimal computational overhead. The third approach employs a computer vision-based object detection model on embedded AI hardware to classify objects, enabling semantic perception and context-aware safety decisions. All methods are implemented on a Raspberry Pi 5 system, achieving real-time performance at 25 or 50 frames per second. Experimental evaluation and comparative analysis demonstrate that the proposed hierarchy balances precision, computation, and cost, thereby providing a scalable perception solution for enabling safe operations of AMRs in manufacturing environments.
We give a survey of computation of the conformal capacity of planar condensers, generalized capacity, and logarithmic capacity with emphasis on our recent work 2020-2025. We also discuss some applications of our method based on the boundary integral equation with the generalized Neumann kernel to the computation of several other conformal invariants: harmonic measure, modulus of a quadrilateral, reduced modulus, hyperbolic capacity, and elliptic capacity. Here the solution of mixed Dirichlet-Neumann boundary value problem for the Laplace equation has a key role. At the end of the paper we give a topicwise structured list to our extensive bibliography on constructive complex analysis and potential theory.
The distribution relationship of quantum battery capacity is investigated. First, it is proved that for two-qubit X-states, the sum of the subsystem battery capacities does not exceed the total system's battery capacity, and the conditions are provided under which they are equal. Then define the difference between the total system's and subsystems'battery capacities as the residual battery capacity (RBC) and show that this can be divided into coherent and incoherent components. Furthermore, it is observed that this capacity monogamy relation for quantum batteries extends to general n-qubit X states and any n-qubit X state's battery capacity distribution can be optimized to achieve capacity gain through an appropriate global unitary evolution. Specifically, for general three-qubit X states, stronger distributive relations are derived for battery capacity. Quantum batteries are believed to hold significant potential for outperforming classical counterparts in the future. These findings contribute to the development and enhancement of quantum battery theory.
Introduction. Solutions to car weight-bearing capacity problems currently tend to benefit from the properties of aluminium alloys. Aluminium alloy wagon units are about three times lighter than steel ones, which helps to carry more freight with the same number of cars while maintaining the specified axle load. The Ural Wagon Factory was the first to use aluminium as a structural material for the manufacture of axle box mount in the 1950s.Materials and methods. This paper reviews the research on the production of wagon wheel pair axle boxes from aluminium alloys in Russia and abroad. It examines the manufacturing techniques of the aluminium axle box and the results of bench and operational tests.Results. The analysis of production technologies of aluminium alloy axle boxes and the results of operational tests of the pilot batch of axle boxes revealed the advantages and disadvantages of this design and led to the conclusions about its feasibility.Discussion and conclusion. The authors propose to resume the use of aluminium alloys in wagon axle boxes considering modern operating conditions. Confirmation of its technical and economic efficiency requires a set of bench and operational tests with the use of modern diagnostic tools.
Abstract Large section bored piles are widely used in the various kinds of buildings. In the present article the manufacturing technique and principles for determining the bearing capacity of large section bored piles with a “hard core” were considered. Technological parameters of large section bored piles with a “hard core” are given in manufacturing in urban area hear existing buildings, and structures and also in the construction of offshore structures. The data on determination of bearing capacity of single bored piles with a “hard core” are discussed. It was established that these piles bear much larger horizontal and vertical loads, and are the most cost effective than precast and bored piles.
The aluminum cold spray feedstock powder was single- and dual-reinforced with no greater than 2 vol% boron nitride nanoplatelets (BNNP) and/or nanometric boron carbide (nB<sub>4</sub>C). These powders were cold sprayed onto Al-6061 substrates and then heat-treated in an argon environment. In addition, micro- and nano-indentation hardness and wear testing were performed on the heat-treated samples. Further microscopy and optical profilometry were used to characterize the microstructure and wear track volumes. Minimal changes to the splat structure were observed after heat treatment. However, when compared to the pure Al coating, microhardness improved with reinforcement after treatment at 500 °C, while nanohardness improved only in the dual-reinforced coatings, again after treatment at 500 °C. The elastic modulus generally decreased for the reinforced coatings after treatment; however, indentation test results were mixed. The wear testing done on samples heat treated at 500 °C for one hour showed increases in the specific wear rate for single-reinforced coatings but decreases in the dual-reinforced coatings. These results indicate that both dual-reinforcement and heat treatment are required for improvements in the mechanical and tribological properties of Al nanocomposites.
Renato Tadeu Pereira, Fernanda Cristina Silva Ferreira, Mari Aurora Favero Reis
O aumento dos resíduos dos equipamentos eletroeletrônicos (REEE) é resultado do avanço tecnológico e consumo elevado. É necessário incentivar a redução, reciclagem e reuso dos resíduos, para atingir os objetivos do desenvolvimento sustentável (ODS). O objetivo desse estudo é analisar a relação entre os ODS e o emprego da produção mais limpa na gestão dos REEE. Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, com base na análise de conteúdo. Os resultados revelam que a gestão dos REEE é uma boa alternativa para o alcance dos ODS, pois demonstra preocupação com as questões financeiras, sociais e ambientais. A redução na fonte está relacionada com as modificações no produto e no processo produtivo. A reciclagem interna é representada pelo reuso e manutenção dos equipamentos de informática. A reciclagem externa está ligada à logística reversa, que é mais explorada em países desenvolvidos, devido aos altos custos de implantação.
Production management. Operations management, Production capacity. Manufacturing capacity
Abstract In this report, we present the development of a copper nanofiber network-based microheater, designed for applications in electron microscopes, gas sensing, and cell culture platforms. The seed layer, essential for electroless deposition, was fabricated through the electrospinning of a palladium-contained polyvinylpyrrolidone solution followed by a heat treatment. This process minimized the contact resistance between nanofibers. We successfully fabricated a microheater with evenly distributed temperature by controlling the electrospinning time, heat treatment conditions, and electroless deposition time. We assessed the electrical and thermal characteristics of the microheater by examining the nanofiber density, sheet resistance, and transmittance. The microheater’s performance was evaluated by applying current, and we verified its capacity to heat up to a maximum of 350 °C. We further observed the microheater’s temperature distribution at varying current levels through an infrared camera. The entire manufacturing procedure takes place under normal pressure, eliminating the need for masking or etching processes. This renders the method easily adaptable to the mass production of microdevices. The method is expected to be applicable to various materials and sizes and is cost-effective compared to commercially produced microheaters developed through microelectromechanical system processes, which demand complex facilities and high cost.
Umberto Hryniewicz, Michael Hutchings, Vinicius G. B. Ramos
We consider dynamically convex star-shaped domains in a symplectic vector space of dimension $4$. For such a domain, a ``Hopf orbit'' is a closed characteristic in the boundary which is unknotted and has self-linking number $-1$. We show that the minimum action among Hopf orbits exists and defines a symplectic capacity for dynamically convex star-shaped domains. We further show that this capacity agrees with the first ECH capacity for such domains. Combined with a result of Edtmair, this implies that for dynamically convex star-shaped domains in four dimensions, the first ECH capacity agrees with the cylinder capacity. This also provides a method to show that the first ECH capacity of a dynamically convex star-shaped domain satisfies the axioms of a normalized symplectic capacity without any need for Seiberg-Witten theory.
StreamBed is a capacity planning system for stream processing. It predicts, ahead of any production deployment, the resources that a query will require to process an incoming data rate sustainably, and the appropriate configuration of these resources. StreamBed builds a capacity planning model by piloting a series of runs of the target query in a small-scale, controlled testbed. We implement StreamBed for the popular Flink DSP engine. Our evaluation with large-scale queries of the Nexmark benchmark demonstrates that StreamBed can effectively and accurately predict capacity requirements for jobs spanning more than 1,000 cores using a testbed of only 48 cores.
The transmission of classical information over a classical channel gave rise to the classical capacity theorem with the optimal rate in terms of the classical mutual information. Despite classical information being a subset of quantum information, the rate of the quantum capacity problem is expressed in terms of the coherent information, which does not mathematically generalize the classical mutual information. Additionally, there are multiple capacity theorems with distinct formulas when dealing with transmitting information over a noisy quantum channel. This leads to the question of what constitutes a mathematically accurate quantum generalization of classical mutual information and whether there exists a quantum task that directly extends the classical capacity problem. In this paper, we address these inquiries by introducing a quantity called the generalized information, which serves as a mathematical extension encompassing both classical mutual information and coherent information. We define a transmission task, which includes as specific instances both classical information and quantum information capacity problems, and show that the transmission capacity of this task is characterized by the generalized information.
In the context of market economy, an urgent task of the alcohol industry is reducing the cost of commercial products by creating and introducing innovative energy-efficient and resource-saving technologies. In this aspect, a task of current importance is developing a technology that involves using new high-yielding races of distiller’s yeast to ferment highly concentrated wort obtained from grain raw materials. The wort used for fermentation was from different types of grain raw materials: maize, rye, wheat. The studies have shown that an increase in the concentration of dry matter of maize wort (up to 30%) makes it possible to obtain wash with the alcohol concentration 15.65% vol., an increase in the dry mater concentration of wheat wort (up to 27%) – 14.10% vol., in that of rye wort (up to 24%) – 13.00% vol. ethanol. With the standard yield of alcohol from 1 tonne of standard starch, the maximum alcohol content in the maize wash was 14.91% vol., while in the wheat wash, it was 14.1% vol., and in the rye wash, 13.0% vol. It has been studied how the temperature of fermentation of high-concentration wort affects the chemical and technological parameters of fermented maize wash. It has been established that the stage-by-stage fermentation of maize grain wort (at 35 and 30°С) creates conditions for additional saccharification of dextrins in the wort and for its effective end-fermentation. Therefore, this technique is especially effective in the fermentation of high-concentration wort. The introduction of the technology developed will allow efficiently processing agricultural raw materials into alcohol and reducing production waste (post-alcohol stillage). To validate the results of the theoretical and laboratory studies, the technology of highly concentrated alcohol wash from grain raw materials has been tested in the conditions of alcohol production at the company TOV FAZOR in Kozhanka, Fastiv District, Kyiv Region (capacity 6000 dal of alcohol-containing liquids a day). For the manufacturing tests, technological guidelines were developed and approved according to the due procedure.
Outsourcing to third party to manage non-core activities helps the firm to focus on core activities. Manufacturing firms are outsourcing product development, manufacturing, logistics, customer care etc. to enhance production capacity and flexibility, and to reduce operational costs, which in turn can improve profitability and competitive advantage of the enterprise. Sustainability in operations and supply chain is gaining momentum due to increased global environmental concern, pressures from consumers and communities, and enforced regulations. Volatile and uncertain business environment necessitates the adoption of agility and flexibility to effectively manage manufacturing and supply chain. Globalisation has made the market very competitive and hence manufacturing firms are adopting manufacturing outsourcing to third parties. Selecting a sustainable and agile manufacturing outsourcing partner (MPS) is crucial as it will improve sustainability, efficiency, and effectiveness of the supply chain and competitive advantage to the firm. Detailed literature review on sustainable and agile manufacturing outsourcing partner selection has been carried out from EBSCO data base and Goggle scholar. Selection criteria used are classified into agile, operational, economic, environmental and social. The techniques use are mostly multi criteria decision making methods (MCDM) while few have adopted programming techniques. Discussion, implication and the scope of future work is also provided.
Industrial engineering. Management engineering, Management information systems