Search results

1 – 10 of 382
Article
Publication date: 25 April 2024

Xu Yang, Xin Yue, Zhenhua Cai and Shengshi Zhong

This paper aims to present a set of processes for obtaining the global spraying trajectory of a cold spraying robot on a complex surface.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a set of processes for obtaining the global spraying trajectory of a cold spraying robot on a complex surface.

Design/methodology/approach

The complex workpiece surfaces in the project are first divided by triangular meshing. Then, the geodesic curve method is applied for local path planning. Finally, the subsurface trajectory combination optimization problem is modeled as a GTSP problem and solved by the ant colony algorithm, where the evaluation scores and the uniform design method are used to determine the optimal parameter combination of the algorithm. A global optimized spraying trajectory is thus obtained.

Findings

The simulation results show that the proposed processes can achieve the shortest global spraying trajectory. Moreover, the cold spraying experiment on the IRB4600 six-joint robot verifies that the spraying trajectory obtained by the processes can ensure a uniform coating thickness.

Originality/value

The proposed processes address the issue of different parameter combinations, leading to different results when using the ant colony algorithm. The two methods for obtaining the optimal parameter combinations can solve this problem quickly and effectively, and guarantee that the processes obtain the optimal global spraying trajectory.

Details

Robotic Intelligence and Automation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2754-6969

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 22 April 2024

Sami Barmada, Nunzia Fontana, Leonardo Sandrolini and Mattia Simonazzi

The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding on how metasurfaces behave, in terms of currents in each unit cell. A better knowledge of their behavior could lead to…

42

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding on how metasurfaces behave, in terms of currents in each unit cell. A better knowledge of their behavior could lead to an ad-hoc design for specific applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used is both theoretical and numerical; it is based on circuit theory and on an optimization procedure.

Findings

The results show that when the knowledge of the current in each unit cell of a metasurface is needed, the most common approximations currently used are often not accurate. Furthermore, a procedure for the termination of a metasurface, with application-driven goals, is given.

Originality/value

This paper investigates the distribution of the currents in a 2D metamaterial realized with magnetically coupled resonant coils. Different models for the analysis of these structures are illustrated, and the effects of the approximations they introduce on the current values are shown and discussed. Furthermore, proper terminations of the resonators on the boundaries have been investigated by implementing a numerical optimization procedure with the purpose of achieving a uniform distribution of the resonator currents. The results show that the behavior of a metasurface (in terms of currents in each single resonator) depends on different properties; as a consequence, their design is not a trivial task and is dependent on the specific applications they are designed for. A design strategy, with lumped impedance termination, is here proposed.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 April 2024

Stefano Costa, Eugenio Costamagna and Paolo Di Barba

A novel method for modelling permanent magnets is investigated based on numerical approximations with rational functions. This study aims to introduce the AAA algorithm and other…

Abstract

Purpose

A novel method for modelling permanent magnets is investigated based on numerical approximations with rational functions. This study aims to introduce the AAA algorithm and other recently developed, cutting-edge mathematical tools, which provide outstandingly fast and accurate numerical computation of potentials and vector fields.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the AAA algorithm is briefly introduced along with its main variants and other advanced mathematical tools involved in the modelling. Then, the analysis of a circular Halbach array with a one-pole pair is carried out by means of the AAA-least squares method, focusing on vector potential and flux density in the bore and validating results by means of classic finite element software. Finally, the investigation is completed by a finite difference analysis.

Findings

AAA methods for field analysis prove to be strikingly fast and accurate. Results are in excellent agreement with those provided by the finite element model, and the very good agreement with those from finite differences suggests future improvements. They are also easy programming; the MATLAB code is less than 200 lines. This indicates they can provide an effective tool for rapid analysis.

Research limitations/implications

AAA methods in magnetostatics are novel, but their extension to analogous physical problems seems straightforward. Being a meshless method, it is unlikely that local non-linearities can be considered. An aspect of particular interest, left for future research, is the capability of handling inhomogeneous domains, i.e. solving general interface problems.

Originality/value

The authors use cutting-edge mathematical tools for the modelling of complex physical objects in magnetostatics.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 April 2024

Shahla M. Wunderlich and Charles H. Feldman

The purpose of this short communication is to shed light on the accuracy of quantification methods of household food waste (HFW).

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this short communication is to shed light on the accuracy of quantification methods of household food waste (HFW).

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty-seven recently published studies in HFW were surveyed for this commentary. Exemplary methods and findings of these studies were compared.

Findings

It is challenging to draw conclusions on the amount of the HFW per person/town/country due to the inconsistent and heterogeneous methodologies used. We recommend using direct measurements or triangulation of methods to help ensure valid findings. Governments should incentivize consumers to deliver their food waste to designated locations where weights could accurately be assessed. Monetary or tax incentives could help stimulate an accurate accounting of waste and encourage reductions. Food waste measurements should be consistently reported as kg/person/week.

Social implications

Food and water security must be provided for all. It is estimated that one-third of edible food for humans is currently lost or wasted globally. According to the World Food Program (WFP), this is about 1.3 billion tons of food per year and at the same time this wasted food could be sufficient to feed two billion people.

Originality/value

The aim of this paper is to fill a gap in the literature about the magnitude and significance of HFW and its impact on the environment and social welfare. Currently, there are no generally accepted uniform methods of food waste quantification at the household level. This original communication brings the importance and challenges of the quantification of HFW to light.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 April 2024

Lies Bouten and Sophie Hoozée

This study examines how assurors make sense of sustainability assurance (SA) work and how interactions with assurance team members and clients shape assurors’ sensemaking and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines how assurors make sense of sustainability assurance (SA) work and how interactions with assurance team members and clients shape assurors’ sensemaking and their actual SA work.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain detailed accounts of how SA work occurs on the ground, this study explores three SA engagements by interviewing the main actors involved, both at the client firms and at their Big Four assurance providers.

Findings

Individual assurors’ (i.e. partners and other team members) sensemaking of SA work results in the crafting of their logics of action (LoAs), that is, their meanings about the objectives of SA work and how to conduct it. Without organizational socialization, team members may not arrive at shared meanings and deviate from the team-wide assurance approach. To fulfill their objectives for SA work, assurors may engage in socialization with clients or assume a temporary role. Yet, the role negotiations taking place in the shadows of the scope negotiations determine their default role during the engagement.

Practical implications

Two options are available to help SA statement users gauge the relevance of SA work: either displaying the SA work performed or making it more uniform.

Originality/value

This study theoretically grounds how assurors make sense of SA work and documents how (the lack of) professional socialization, organizational socialization and socialization of frequent interaction partners at the client shape actual SA work. Thereby, it unravels the SA work concealed behind SA statements.

Details

Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-3574

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 April 2024

Yuhong Li, Hang Gao and Xiaokun Yu

This study aims to increase the novelty of clothing design and fabric texture. The element library that can be used for design is systematically summarized. The element database…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to increase the novelty of clothing design and fabric texture. The element library that can be used for design is systematically summarized. The element database can also be continuously filled according to the existing logic to realize the diversity of design. Improve the theory of fashion design, expand the designer's design ideas and improve design efficiency. Clear design steps and logic can help students and machines learn the design process and promote the development of intelligent design. And verify the feasibility of the simulation software to assist pleated clothing design.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, according to the logical framework of origami theory, different innovative designs and combined designs are made for the basic units of hyperbolic paraboloid, and the element library that can be used for design is systematically summarized. This database can also be continuously filled according to the existing logic to realize the diversity of design. Secondly, it summarizes three methods of pleated element filling clothing – uniform filling method, the irregular filling method and geometric addition method – that improve the theory of fashion design, expand the designer's design ideas and improve design efficiency. Clear design steps and logic can help students and machines learn the design process and promote the development of intelligent design. Finally, the virtual software is used to simulate the effect of pleated clothing, and the three-dimensional simulation software 3dclo is used to make an empirical study on the application of hyperbolic paraboloid origami in clothing pleated design to verify the feasibility of the simulation software to assist pleated clothing design.

Findings

The theoretical results of hyperbolic paraboloid origami are collected and arranged to establish the element library of hyperbolic paraboloid origami. The results expand the designer's design ideas and auxiliary design technology and improve the design efficiency using a sample of hyperbolic paraboloid fabric to verify its practicability and three-dimensional clothing simulation software for exploring the design. The design rules of hyperbolic paraboloid clothing and the realization method of fabric are summarized, including the expansion and combing of elements, the application of size and shape and the method of combination.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the hyperbolic paraboloid origami’s length shrinkage, the loose computation of clothing requires targeted computation. This paper solely applies a paper model for estimating the shrinkage, and then we tend to subsequently explore the way to precisely compute the porosity, to determine the existing differences in the two-dimensional shrinkage of hyperbolic paraboloid creases of varying materials and to know if the clothing after large-scale production is capable of reaching the anticipated value.

Practical implications

The exploration of this experiment brings a new 3D experiment process to the design process.

Social implications

This experiment brings new possibilities for the development of virtual fitting and virtual display in the industry.

Originality/value

This study combines hyperbolic paraboloid origami and clothing and combs and expands the unit with logical thinking to expand the designer's design ideas.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 January 2024

Bengisen Pekmen Geridonmez and Hakan Oztop

The purpose of this study is to investigate the interaction between magnetotactic bacteria and Fe3O4–water nanofluid (NF) in a wavy enclosure in the presence of 2D natural…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the interaction between magnetotactic bacteria and Fe3O4–water nanofluid (NF) in a wavy enclosure in the presence of 2D natural convection flow.

Design/methodology/approach

Uniform magnetic field (MF), Brownian and thermophoresis effects are also contemplated. The dimensionless, time-dependent equations are governed by stream function, vorticity, energy, nanoparticle concentration and number of bacteria. Radial basis function-based finite difference method for the space derivatives and the second-order backward differentiation formula for the time derivatives are performed. Numerical outputs in view of isolines as well as average Nusselt number, average Sherwood number and flux density of microorganisms are presented.

Findings

Convective mass transfer rises if any of Lewis number, Peclet number, Rayleigh number, bioconvection Rayleigh number and Brownian motion parameter increases, and the flux density of microorganisms is an increasing function of Rayleigh number, bioconvection Rayleigh number, Peclet number, Brownian and thermophoresis parameters. The rise in buoyancy ratio parameter between 0.1 and 1 and the rise in Hartmann number between 0 and 50 reduce all outputs average Nusselt, average Sherwood numbers and flux density of microorganisms.

Research limitations/implications

This study implies the importance of the presence of magnetotactic bacteria and magnetite nanoparticles inside a host fluid in view of heat transfer and fluid flow. The limitation is to check the efficiency on numerical aspect. Experimental observations would be more effective.

Practical implications

In practical point of view, in a heat transfer and fluid flow system involving magnetite nanoparticles, the inclusion of magnetotactic bacteria and MF effect provide control over fluid flow and heat transfer.

Social implications

This is a scientific study. However, this idea may be extended to sustainable energy or biofuel studies, too. This means that a better world may create better social environment between people.

Originality/value

The presence of magnetotactic bacteria inside a Fe3O4–water NF under the effect of a MF is a good controller on fluid flow and heat transfer. Since the magnetotactic bacteria is fed by nanoparticles Fe3O4 which has strong magnetic property, varying nanoparticle concentration and Brownian and thermophoresis effects are first considered.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 34 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 January 2024

Yunfei Zou

This study aims to enhance the understanding of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) applications in partially confined concrete, with a specific focus on improving economic value and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to enhance the understanding of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) applications in partially confined concrete, with a specific focus on improving economic value and load-bearing capacity. The research addresses the need for a more comprehensive analysis of non-uniform vertical strain responses and precise stress–strain models for FRP partially confined concrete.

Design/methodology/approach

DIC and strain gauges were employed to gather data during axial compression tests on FRP partially confined concrete specimens. Finite element analysis using ABAQUS was utilized to model partial confinement concrete with various constraint area ratios, ranging from 0 to 1. Experimental findings and simulation results were compared to refine and validate the stress–strain model.

Findings

The experimental results revealed that specimens exhibited strain responses characterized by either hardening or softening in both vertical and horizontal directions. The finite element analysis accurately reflected the relationship between surface constraint forces and axial strains in the x, y and z axes under different constraint area ratios. A proposed stress–strain model demonstrated high predictive accuracy for FRP partially confined concrete columns.

Practical implications

The stress–strain curves of partially confined concrete, based on Teng's foundation model for fully confined stress–strain behavior, exhibit a high level of predictive accuracy. These findings enhance the understanding of the mechanical behavior of partially confined concrete specimens, which is crucial for designing and assessing FRP confined concrete structures.

Originality/value

This research introduces innovative insights into the superior convenience and efficiency of partial wrapping strategies in the rehabilitation of beam-column joints, surpassing traditional full confinement methods. The study contributes methodological innovation by refining stress–strain models specifically for partially confined concrete, addressing the limitations of existing models. The combination of experimental and simulated assessments using DIC and FEM technologies provides robust empirical evidence, advancing the understanding and optimization of FRP-concrete structure performance. This work holds significance for the broader field of concrete structure reinforcement.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 April 2024

Garima Nema and Karunamurthy K.

This study aims to provide an alternative adoption to overcome the energy crisis and environmental effluence by comparative theoretical and trial testing analysis of an innovative…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to provide an alternative adoption to overcome the energy crisis and environmental effluence by comparative theoretical and trial testing analysis of an innovative combined condenser unit over traditional individual condenser unit water heating systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The presented innovative new unit of the combined condenser heat pipe works efficiently through its improved idea and unique design, providing uniform heating to improve the heat transfer and, finally, the temperature of water increases without enhancing the cost. In this design, all these five evaporator units were connected with a single combined condenser unit in such a manner that after the condensation of heat transfer fluid vapour, it goes equally into the evaporator pipe.

Findings

The maximum temperature of hot water obtained from the combined condenser heating system was 60.6, 55.5 and 50.3°C at a water flow rate of 0.001, 0.002 and 0.003 kg/s, respectively. The first and second law thermodynamic efficiency of the combined condenser heating system were 55.4%, 60.5% and 89.0% and 2.6%, 3.7% and 4.1% at 0.001, 0.002 and 0.003 kg/s of water flow rates, respectively. The combined condenser heat pipe solar evacuated tube heating system promoting progressive performance is considered efficient and environment-friendly compared to the traditional condenser unit water heating system.

Originality/value

Innovative combined condenser heat pipe evacuated tube collector assembly was designed and developed for the study. A comparative theoretical and experimental energy-exergy performance analysis was performed of innovated collective condenser and traditional individual condenser heat pipe water heating system at various mass flow rate.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 31 May 2022

Julio Urenda and Olga Kosheleva

While the main purpose of reporting – e.g. reporting for taxes – is to gauge the economic state of a company, the fact that reporting is done at pre-determined dates distorts the…

422

Abstract

Purpose

While the main purpose of reporting – e.g. reporting for taxes – is to gauge the economic state of a company, the fact that reporting is done at pre-determined dates distorts the reporting results. For example, to create a larger impression of their productivity, companies fire temporary workers before the reporting date and re-hire then right away. The purpose of this study is to decide how to avoid such distortion.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to come up with a solution which is applicable for all possible reasonable optimality criteria. Thus, a general formalism for describing and analyzing all such criteria is used.

Findings

This study shows that most distortion problems will disappear if the fixed pre-determined reporting dates are replaced with individualized random reporting dates. This study also shows that for all reasonable optimality criteria, the optimal way to assign reporting dates is to do it uniformly.

Research limitations/implications

This study shows that for all reasonable optimality criteria, the optimal way to assign reporting dates is to do it uniformly.

Practical implications

It is found that the individualized random tax reporting dates would be beneficial for economy.

Social implications

It is found that the individualized random tax reporting dates would be beneficial for society as a whole.

Originality/value

This study proposes a new idea of replacing the fixed pre-determining reporting dates with randomized ones. On the informal level, this idea may have been proposed earlier, but what is completely new is our analysis of which randomization of reporting dates is the best for economy: it turns out that under all reasonable optimality criteria, uniform randomization works the best.

Details

Asian Journal of Economics and Banking, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2615-9821

Keywords

1 – 10 of 382