Flexible and reconfigurable manufacturing systems paradigms

Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS) is a new manufacturing systems paradigm that aims at achieving cost-effective and rapid system changes, as needed and when needed, by incorporating principles of modularity, integrability, flexibility, scalability, convertibility, and diagnosability. RMS promises customized flexibility on demand in a short time, while Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMSs) provides generalized flexibility designed for the anticipated variations and built-in a priori. The characteristics of the two paradigms are outlined and compared. The concept of manufacturing system life cycle is presented. The main types of flexibility in manufacturing systems are discussed and contrasted with the various reconfiguration aspects including hard (physical) and soft (logical) reconfiguration. The types of changeability and transformability of manufacturing systems, their components as well as factories, are presented along with their enablers and compared with flexibility and reconfigurability. The importance of having harmonized human-machine manufacturing systems is highlighted and the role of people in the various manufacturing paradigms and how this varies in pursuit of productivity are illustrated. Finally, the industrial and research challenges presented by these manufacturing paradigms are discussed.     

Binary semiconductor oxide nanoparticles on graphene oxide (CdO/CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/RGO) for the treatment of hazardous organic water pollutants

CdO/CeO₂/RGO was prepared by a hydrothermal process. The physical properties of CdO/CeO₂/RGO have been investigated by FTIR, XRD, DRS, TEM, SEM and EDX. CdO/CeO₂/RGO was used for sonocatalytic degradation of Ibuprofen (IBP), Rodamin B (RhB) and Methyl orange (MO) under ultrasonic irradiation. The catalytic properties of CdO/CeO₂/RGO were evaluated with the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) into 4-aminophenol (4-AP) by NaBH₄. The highest degradation efficiency of IBP in presence of K₂S₂O₈ (91%), RhB (97%) and MO (85%) was observed within 80, 150 and 150 min after the beginning of the reaction, respectively. The reduction efficiency of 4-NP was 79% within reaction time of 70min. Compared to the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and CdO/CeO₂ nanoparticles, CdO/CeO₂/RGO exhibits excellent sonocatalysis on degradation of IBP, azo dyes and catalysis activity on reduction of 4-NP.     

Effect of Opuntia pulp as a clean label ingredient on techno-functional properties of meat-free burger

There is a universal increase from an animal-based diet towards healthy plant-based foods. Opuntia fruit pulp (OFP) as a pigment/hydrocolloid complex provides excellent functional properties. The aim of this study was the reformulation of the meat-free burgers by using OFP (0.5, 1.5 and 2.5%) as a stabilised natural pigment and analysing techno-functional characteristics of uncooked and cooked meat-free burgers. The OFP was a rich source of polyphenols (35.3 ± 2.07 mgGAE/g) and carbohydrates (68.22 ± 0.5%). All uncooked treated burgers exhibited higher water-holding capacity and redness as well as lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values. Results confirmed a higher cooking loss in the control sample (22.2 ± 0.63%) compared with the OFP-treated burger at 1.5 and 2.5% content. Incorporation of OFP as a great source of natural pigments and phenolic components had considerably influenced cooking yield, moisture retention, juiciness and oxidative stability of meat-free burgers. The lowest total colour difference value with resemble meat burger was observed in the treated burgers at the highest content of OFP. According to sensory evaluation, the overall acceptability of cooked burgers with 1.5% OFP was more satisfactory than other samples. Using this clean label ingredient provides a sustainable burger, which is beneficial to the public health, environment and animal welfare.     

Development of solution-gated graphene transistor model for biosensors

The distinctive properties of graphene, characterized by its high carrier mobility and biocompatibility, have stimulated extreme scientific interest as a promising nanomaterial for future nanoelectronic applications. In particular, graphene-based transistors have been developed rapidly and are considered as an option for DNA sensing applications. Recent findings in the field of DNA biosensors have led to a renewed interest in the identification of genetic risk factors associated with complex human diseases for diagnosis of cancers or hereditary diseases. In this paper, an analytical model of graphene-based solution gated field effect transistors (SGFET) is proposed to constitute an important step towards development of DNA biosensors with high sensitivity and selectivity. Inspired by this fact, a novel strategy for a DNA sensor model with capability of single-nucleotide polymorphism detection is proposed and extensively explained. First of all, graphene-based DNA sensor model is optimized using particle swarm optimization algorithm. Based on the sensing mechanism of DNA sensors, detective parameters (I_ds and V_gmin) are suggested to facilitate the decision making process. Finally, the behaviour of graphene-based SGFET is predicted in the presence of single-nucleotide polymorphism with an accuracy of more than 98% which guarantees the reliability of the optimized model for any application of the graphene-based DNA sensor. It is expected to achieve the rapid, quick and economical detection of DNA hybridization which could speed up the realization of the next generation of the homecare sensor system.     

Preparation of Curcumin Nanodispersions Using Subcritical Water – Screening of Different Emulsifiers

Nanodispersions can help to increase solubility and stability of bioactive components and food additives. Curcumin nanodispersions were prepared by a novel subcritical water method using eleven emulsifiers, namely, polyethylene glycol, Tween 20, Tween 80, casein, sodium caseinate, lecithin, guar gam, Arabic gum, inulin, β-cyclodextrin, and maltodextrin. Influences of the emulsifiers on the rheological, physicochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of the nanodispersion were evaluated. Results revealed that the nanodispersion prepared with Tween 20 showed the smallest particle size and lowest polydispersity index values as well as the highest antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Nanodispersions prepared with lecithin exhibited the highest zeta potential and lowest conductivity values.     

Dyadic Adjustment in Chronic Illness: Does Relationship Talk Matter?

Relationship talk involves talking about the nature and state of one's relationship. To determine the effectiveness of talking about the relationship when one spouse has a chronic illness, the study involved completion of a confidential questionnaire by 182 married couples. Ninety of these were couples in which both partners were healthy, and 92 were couples in which one spouse had a chronic illness. Results of multilevel modeling analyses showed that the association between relationship talk and dyadic adjustment was stronger for women than for men and for couples with an ill spouse than for couples where both spouses were healthy. These findings highlight the importance of taking a relationship perspective and suggest that relationship talk is a potentially useful tool couples can use in their repertoire of relationship-enhancing behaviors during chronic illness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Optimum granularity level of modular product design architecture

In modular architectures, Design Structure Matrix (DSM) is used to cluster product components into modules with minimum interfaces externally and maximum internal integration between components. However, DSM is a flat connectivity map that does not capture the layered nature of the product structure. Hierarchical clustering (cladistics) is proposed to automatically build product hierarchical architecture from DSM. The resulting clustering tree represents product architecture while its depth represents its granularity. The optimum granularity level and number of modules are determined, indicating the potential product and process platforms. A case study of automobile body-in-white of 38 components is used to demonstrate the capabilities and superior results quality of the presented technique.     

Experimental and numerical analysis of indirect and direct tensile strength using fracture mechanics concepts

Brazilian tests were conducted on an isotropic limestone with different length-to-diameter ratios and various bearing strip widths. The direct tensile strength of the rock specimens was also obtained using direct tension test apparatus and a servo-control testing machine. The Brazilian test was modeled using the computer program (Abaqus 6.7-1) and both smeared rotating crack and cohesive crack models were selected for the analysis of crack propagation. Comparison of the experimental and numerical analyses showed that the results from the smeared rotating crack model were closer to the experimental results than those from the cohesive crack model. Appropriate testing conditions for the Brazilian test are proposed, in order to achieve the results closest to the direct tension test.