Performance prediction of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell using the ANFIS model

In this study, the performance (current–voltage curve) prediction of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is performed for different operational conditions using an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). First, ANFIS is trained with a set of input and output data. The trained model is then tested with an independent set of experimental data. The trained and tested model is then used to predict the performance curve of the PEMFC under various operational conditions. The model shows very good agreement with the experimental data and this indicates that ANFIS is capable of predicting fuel cell performance (in terms of cell voltage) with a high accuracy in an easy, rapid and cost effective way for the case presented. Finally, the capabilities and the limitations of the model for the application in fuel cells have been discussed.     

Modeling educational usage of Facebook

The purpose of this study is to design a structural model explaining how users could utilize Facebook for educational purposes. In order to shed light on the educational usage of Facebook, in constructing the model, the relationship between users' Facebook adoption processes and their educational use of Facebook were included indirectly while the relationship between users' purposes in using Facebook and the educational usage of Facebook was included directly. In this study, data is collected from Facebook users with an online survey developed by the researchers. The study group consists of 606 Facebook users whose answers were examined by using a structural equation model. The analyses of the 11 observed and 3 latent variables provided by the model showed that 50% of educational usage of Facebook could be explained by user purposes along with the adoption processes of Facebook. It was also found that Facebook adoption processes could explain 86% of all user purposes. Finally, while Facebook adoption processes explained 45% of its educational usage, it could explain 50% of variance in educational usage of Facebook when the user purposes were added into the analyses.     

Investigation of shipyard wastewater treatment using electrocoagulation process with Al electrodes

In this study, shipyard oily wastewater treatment was investigated by electrocoagulation (EC) using aluminum electrodes in a batch reactor by evaluating different operation conditions. The maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 88.83% was obtained at current density of 3 mA/cm². The removal efficiency was gradually improved with increasing current density and decreased with increasing COD concentration. However, initial pH value was not determinant factor for this process. Total energy and electrode cost were calculated as $0.88 per m³ treated wastewater. The result of this research shows that EC process seems to be an efficient method for the oily wastewater treatment.     

Leveraging technological knowledge transfer by using fuzzy linear programming technique for multiattribute group decision making with fuzzy decision variables

Despite the importance of knowledge transfer for firms involved in foreign direct investment activities, this area has not received appropriate attention from the perspectives of both the knowledge transferor (i.e., MNC parent) and the knowledge recipient. To fill in the gap in the current literature we propose a model to understand the links between criteria complicating the transfer of knowledge and preferences that the company has to focus. This model is based on both the existing literature as well as views of company representatives and provides a useful methodology for identifying decision making problems on the transfer of knowledge. In this paper, we investigate the fuzzy linear programming technique (FLP) to analyze these links and for multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) problems with preference information on criteria. To reflect the decision maker’s subjective preference information and to determine the weight vector of attributes, the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) developed by Hwang and Yoon (1995) and the linear programming technique for multidimensional analysis of preference (LINMAP) developed by Sirinivasan and Shocker (Psychometrica 38:337–369, 1973) are used.     

Successful adoption of macroergonomics in manufacturing: Using a multicriteria decision‐making methodology– analytic hierarchy process

The research presented in this paper aims to support the macroergonomics adoption improvement process by developing a broader understanding of relationships between key macroergonomics factors and management styles. The methodology involves knowledge acquisition, identifying, and categorizing a holistic set of key criteria about the macroergonomics adoption process. The Analytic Hierarchy Process is suggested as a multi‐attribute decision‐making methodology to effectively enhance adoption of macroergonomics and to improve management decision performance in measuring and comparing the overall performance of different management styles based on macroergonomical criteria. The study found that in terms of company culture, participation, human capability, and attitudes, the best management style in improving macroergonomics adoption is Management by Values. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 14: 353–377, 2004.     

An interdisciplinary heuristic evaluation method for universal building design

This study highlights how heuristic evaluation as a usability evaluation method can feed into current building design practice to conform to universal design principles. It provides a definition of universal usability that is applicable to an architectural design context. It takes the seven universal design principles as a set of heuristics and applies an iterative sequence of heuristic evaluation in a shopping mall, aiming to achieve a cost-effective evaluation process. The evaluation was composed of three consecutive sessions. First, five evaluators from different professions were interviewed regarding the construction drawings in terms of universal design principles. Then, each evaluator was asked to perform the predefined task scenarios. In subsequent interviews, the evaluators were asked to re-analyze the construction drawings. The results showed that heuristic evaluation could successfully integrate universal usability into current building design practice in two ways: (i) it promoted an iterative evaluation process combined with multi-sessions rather than relying on one evaluator and on one evaluation session to find the maximum number of usability problems, and (ii) it highlighted the necessity of an interdisciplinary ad hoc committee regarding the heuristic abilities of each profession. A multi-session and interdisciplinary heuristic evaluation method can save both the project budget and the required time, while ensuring a reduced error rate for the universal usage of the built environments.     

Photovoltaic solar cell properties of CdxZn1−xO films prepared by sol–gel method

Cd_xZn_1−xO films have been deposited by sol–gel spin-coating method onto glass substrates. The Cd/Zn ratio in solution was changed from 0 to 1. Zinc acetate dehydrates, cadmium acetate dehydrates, 2-methoxyethanol and monoethanolamine were used as a starting material (zinc and cadmium), solvent and stabilizer, respectively. The crystal structure and orientation of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. XRD patterns show that the films are polycrystalline nature. As x varies from 0 to 1, it was observed that the crystal structure changed from wurtzite (ZnO) to cubic (CdO) structure. The optical properties of these films have been investigated by means of the optical transmittance and reflectance spectra. A significant change in optical absorption edge, optical band gap and optical constant with variation in composition was observed.     

Antimicrobial effect of PEG–PLA on food-spoilage microorganisms

Food Science and Biotechnology - Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyethylene glycol–polylactic acid (PEG–PLA) have an organic structure and no negative effect on human health. The...     

Effect of heat treatment on physical properties of CdO films deposited by sol–gel method

CdO film has been deposited by sol–gel spin coating method on the glass substrate and then the film has been annealed at 400, 500, 600 °C for 1 h. Effect of annealing temperature on the structural and optical properties of the film has been investigated. The crystal structure and orientation of the as-grown and annealed CdO films have been investigated by X-ray diffraction method. Annealed CdO films are polycrystalline with (111) preferential orientation. The information on strain and grain size is obtained from the full width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) of the diffraction peaks. Texture coefficient and lattice constant have been calculated. The surface morphology of the films has been analyzed. The optical band gap value decreased with increasing the annealing temperatures.