Engineering knowledge formalization and proposition for informatics development towards a CAD-integrated DfX system for product design

Target design methodologies (DfX) were developed to cope with specific engineering design issues such as cost-effectiveness, manufacturability, assemblability, maintainability, among others. However, DfX methodologies are undergoing the lack of real integration with 3D CAD systems. Their principles are currently applied downstream of the 3D modelling by following the well-known rules available from the literature and engineers’ know-how (tacit internal knowledge).This paper provides a method to formalize complex DfX engineering knowledge into explicit knowledge that can be reused for Advanced Engineering Informatics to aid designers and engineers in developing mechanical products. This research work wants to define a general method (ontology) able to couple DfX design guidelines (engineering knowledge) with geometrical product features of a product 3D model (engineering parametric data). A common layer for all DfX methods (horizontal) and dedicated layers for each DfX method (vertical) allow creating the suitable ontology for the systematic collection of the DfX rules considering each target. Moreover, the proposed framework is the first step for developing (future work) a software tool to assist engineers and designers during product development (3D CAD modelling).A design for assembly (DfA) case study shows how to collect assembly rules in the given framework. It demonstrates the applicability of the CAD-integrated DfX system in the mechanical design of a jig-crane. Several benefits are recognized: (i) systematic collection of DfA rules for informatics development, (ii) identification of assembly issues in the product development process, and (iii) reduction of effort and time during the design review.     

Novel preparation approach with a 2-step process for spherical particles with high drug loading and controlled size distribution using melt granulation: MALCORE®

A novel approach for preparing drug-containing particles (DCPs) with controlled size distribution and high drug loading was developed using melt granulation. This approach comprises two steps. First, melting component adsorbed particles (MAs) were prepared by mixing and heating the melting components with a porous carrier using a high shear granulator. Second, DCPs were prepared by layering the drug on MAs using a fluidized bed rotor granulator. The time taken for both steps was within 30 min. Adding the polymer in the second step remarkably increased the viscosity of the mixture of melting components and the polymer. Therefore, DCPs could be successfully loaded with a high amount of drug (70% w/w). The particle size distribution of the DCPs was narrow, and it depended on that of the MAs. The flowability of the DCPs was excellent, and the sphericity was close to 1. A unique particle formulation mechanism was suggested based on the observation of DCPs using scanning electron microscopy. The manufacturing time and DCP characteristics were not affected by the manufacturing scale. In conclusion, we have successfully developed a highly efficient novel approach for preparing optimal DCPs through melt granulation, named “Melt Adsorption and Layering with Porosity Core” (MALCORE®).     

Mercury(II)-complex with 5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol: kinetic studies of hydrogen storage

Mixed ligand mercury(II) complexes of 2-meracpto-5-methyl-1,3,4-thiazdiazole (HmtzS) and phosphines or diamines having the general formulae [Hg(mtsZ)₂(diphos)] {diphos = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp), 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppe), 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf)}, [Hg(mtsZ)₂(PPh₃)₂] and [Hg(mtsZ)₂(diamine)] {diamine = bipyridyl (Bipy) or 1,10-phenthroline (Phen), were successfully synthesized by simple mixing method. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) spectroscopic methods. The mtzS^? ligand was coordinated through the sulfur atom of thiol group, whereas the diphosphine or diamine ligands bonded as bidentate chelating ligand to afford tetrahedral environment around the Hg(II) ions. Moreover, the complex [Hg(mtsZ)₂] was used in order to study its ability to store hydrogen. The results of hydrogen isotherm at different temperatures prove that [Hg(mtsZ)₂] was able to store 0.8 wt% at a pressure of 80 bar 77 K. Furthermore, the kinetic study of hydrogen storage was studied and the kinetic study was carried out using the Langmuir. Moreover, the adsorption kinetic results revealed that hydrogen storage in [Hg(mtsZ)₂] follow the pseudo-second-order model with coefficient regression equal to 0.99.     

Pd2(dba)3-catalyzed amination of C5-bromo-imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4] thiadiazole with substituted anilines at conventional heating in Schlenk tube

ABSTRACT

An efficient Pd₂(dba)₃-catalyzed amination of C5-bromo-imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole using conventional heating is reported. The C5-bromoimidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole was synthesized using a multistep approach which started by cyclization of thiosemicarbazide with a carboxylic acid to give 2-amino[1,3,4]thiadiazoles which were further treated with 2-haloketones to give imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles. Then, the bromination of imidazothiadiazole was done using N-bromosuccinimide to give the C5-bromo-imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole. Afterward, various C-N bond-forming approaches were attempted such as S_NAr, Cu(I), Cu(II), Pd(OAc)_2, Pd₂(dba)₃ catalyst with different ligand, additive, base, solvent and temperature conditions. Out of various approaches used, only Buchwald Hartwig amination, performed with conventional heating, gave N-arylamine-5-imidazothiadiazoles. Then, 10 different anilines with different electron-withdrawing and donating groups at different positions were employed to examine the scope and limitations of the method. Salient features of this method include conventional heating in a Schlenk tube as the reaction condition, the absence of the use of toxic isocyanides, the wide nature of substituent tolerance with anilines, and moderately good product yields.     

Three-dimensional layered porous graphene aerogel hydrogen getters

Organic getters are often introduced into sealed systems to remove the excessive reactive hydrogen gas. In this work, the formable graphene aerogel hydrogen getters are prepared by integrating the alkyne-containing molecules (e.g., DEB) into the palladium-loaded three-dimensional layered porous graphene aerogel (Pd-GA). The performance of Pd-GA/DEB composite materials in reducing reactive hydrogen gas is examined at pressures of 0.1–1 bar at a temperature of 25 °C, and the hydrogen consumption is measured as a function of time. Results suggest that the hydrogen uptake capability of Pd-GA/DEB getters increases with the loading of Pd particles on the GA and the content of Pd⁰. The highest hydrogen absorption capacity is up to 215.5 cm³/g, and the hydrogenation rate of DEB molecules is 89.3%. This study promotes the fundamental understanding of solid-phase catalytic hydrogenation and the applications of 3D layered porous graphene aerogel in hydrogen absorption.     

Design of data feature-driven 1D/2D convolutional neural networks classifier for recycling black plastic wastes through laser spectroscopy

In this study, two types of convolutional neural network (CNN) classifiers are designed to handle the problem of classifying black plastic wastes. In particular, the black plastic wastes have the property of absorbing laser light coming from spectrometer. Therefore, the classification of black plastic wastes remains still a challenging problem compared to classifying other colored plastic wastes using existing spectroscopy (i.e., NIR). When it comes the classification problem of black plastic wastes, effective classification techniques by the laser spectroscopy of Fourier Transform-Infrared Radiation (FT-IR) with Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) and Raman to analyze the classification problem of black plastic wastes are introduced. Due to the strong ability of extracting spatial features and remarkable performance in image classification, 1D and 2D CNN through data features are designed as classifiers. The technique of chemical peak points selection is considered to reduce data redundancy. Furthermore, through the selection of data features based on the extracted 1D data with peak points is introduced. Experimental results demonstrate that 2DCNN classifier designed with the help of 2D data feature selection as well as 1DCNN classifier shows the best performance compared with other reported methods for classifying black plastic wastes.     

Coastal trapped waves in the southern Caspian Sea

Previous studies reported coastal trapped waves (CTWs) in the Caspian Sea (CS). This study deals with the generation mechanisms, the temporal and spatial variability of CTWs in this area, and their transformations during propagation from the origin to the destination using recent measurements and high-resolution numerical simulations. CTWs are observed at all stations with periods of 2–6 days after northerly storms. The Absheron Peninsula, old Sefidrud delta, and Nur coasts were identified as the CTWs prone regions. The generation of CTWs in these locations was confirmed using numerical experiments. The propagation away from the generating location of CTWs was analyzed using a representative real wind storm. In the west part of the CS, the generation mechanism of CTWs is mainly similar to the barotropic Kelvin waves; in contrast, it is similar to the continental shelf waves in the southern shelves. The results can be used to study the contribution of generated CTWs to the transport of sediment and biological materials in all large lakes.     

Effect of working position and cold environment on muscle activation level and fatigue in the upper limb during manual work tasks

Several occupational groups are exposed to periods of low ambient temperatures while performing manual work tasks outdoors. Work tasks typically include heavy lifting, tool handling, and overhead work. This study evaluated the effect of working position and cold environment on muscle activation level (%RMS_max) and fatigue in the upper limb during manual work tasks. Fourteen male participants (25 ± 3 years, 80.9 ± 6.4 kg, 182 ± 5 cm) completed a 2-h test protocol consisting of five test periods alternating with four work periods, wearing identical sets of clothing, under cold (−15 °C) and control (5 °C) conditions. The work periods consisted of manual work at the hip level, manual overhead work, and a lifting exercise. The test periods consisted of isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and seated rest. Skin temperatures decreased during cold exposure, especially in the extremities. %RMS_max in the forearm was higher in the cold condition both during overhead work and work at the hip level than that for the same work in the control condition, especially at the end of the test when the difference was approximately 25% (equating to 2–3 %RMS_max). For the middle deltoid muscle, the %RMS_max was approximately three times (or 10 %RMS_max) higher during overhead work than work at the hip level, but there was no additional cost of working in the cold. Signs of deltoid muscle fatigue (decrease in electromyography median power frequency and an increase in %RMS_max) were observed during the overhead work periods in both temperature conditions. No decrease in MVC, as a sign of overall muscle fatigue, was observed in either condition.Relevance to industryThis study demonstrated that when wearing suitable cold-weather protective clothing, the adverse effect of work posture is much higher than that of cold on muscle demand and physical strain.     

Facet engineered TiO2 hollow sphere for the visible-light-mediated degradation of antibiotics via ligand-to-metal charge transfer

Efficient removal of tetracycline (TC) under visible-light irradiation over TiO₂-based photocatalysts remains a challenge based on the fact that the reported photocatalytic systems still suffer from weak visible-light absorption and/or inefficient charge separation. Herein, we constructed {101} and {001} facets co-exposed TiO₂ hollow sphere (001-HT) via a gentle NaF treatment, in which the hollow mesoporous feature can trap incident light for a long time to improve photons efficiently. Meanwhile, the as-formed facet heterojunction significantly facilitates the charge separation. As a result, the 001-HT exhibits a high removal rate (~90.1%) of TC under visible-light irradiation, beyond the values of many reported TiO₂-based photocatalysts. Most importantly, we further expound the ligand-to-metal charge transfer mechanism towards TiO₂-assisted degradation of TC under visible-light irradiation, which effectively clarifies the confusion about the origin of pure TiO₂ visible-light activity towards TC degradation because both TiO₂ and TC do not exhibit any visible-light catalytic activity. Therefore, this work provides a new insight in revealing the mechanism of visible-light-mediated TC degradation over pure TiO₂ photocatalyst.