Proceedings, 2020, INTER-ENG 2020

The purpose of this study is to search for possibilities to capitalize on industrial waste, which occupies huge storage spaces. This paper presents an experimental study on the possibility and efficiency of this industrial waste in the composition of clay mixtures suitable for making unburned clay bricks. Living in harmony with nature is part of sustainable development. For this purpose, six compositions based on clay and industrial waste were made. The studied industrial wastes were: ash from the Mintia thermal power plant, Romania, limestone sludge, gypsum sludge, and damped waste from the processing of imported ore. Full article

The purpose of this paper is to establish the specifications of an analysis and evaluation model in the form of a reference framework for the design, development, implementation, periodic evaluation, and continuous improvement of quality management systems based on the application of national and international standards for sustainable development in healthcare facilities. It integrates the existing legal requirements, standards, and quality assessment indicators from actual frameworks. Its structure is based upon the Plan-Do-Check-Act quality cycle, on the three pillars of sustainable development—social, economic, and environmental—incorporated in the seven basic topics of social responsibility mentioned in ISO26000. Full article

The development of quality control and risk management systems is a priority for any industry and especially for the corporate insurance industry. Defective product and work incidents represent 14% of the total number of insurance claims, serving as the main loss of liability for businesses. According to a Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty press release, the cyber risks and impact of new technologies will have an increasing influence on the landscape of corporate losses in the coming years. Our results from this study conclude that the emerging business risks for the next 3–4 years are as follows: cyber incidents, 48%; new technologies, 30%; and changes in legislations/regulations, 28% (i.e., the present pandemic cause by COVID-19, the Brexit, trade wars, and tariffs etc.). Full article

Customer satisfaction as an indicator involves the entirety of employees of the company with direct connection with customers. It motivates employees to reach the highest standards and to constantly increase labor productivity. This paper proposes a new and innovative tool based on: analysis of the evolution of customer satisfaction, determination of mechanisms for evaluating customer satisfaction by applying our own new and innovative method (Spc—System of Evaluating Employee Performance Depending on Customer Satisfaction) in correlation with economic indicators (profit, productivity, cost), elaboration and proposal of solutions for growth and economic development at company level by increasing customer satisfaction based on the results of this research. Full article

Concrete is the most used material in the construction industry, being prone to cracking. Following the action of aggressive external agents, through cracks, access routes to the embedded reinforcement are created. By enclosing in concrete various materials that can induce the self-healing property, by taking actions when the cracks appear, the access of the external aggressive agents to the reinforcement can be stopped, therefore creating more durable materials. The aim of the research is to design a micro concrete with self-healing properties, based on Engineered Cementitious Composites principles from the literature and using local raw materials. Full article

Industry 4.0 implies sustainable production by providing green products created through environmentally responsible processes. This paper aims to analyze the two main business processes responsible for energy innovation in a telecommunications company: “develop property strategy and long-term vision” and “evaluate environmental impact of products, services, and operations”. The processes will be introduced using an initial set of key-performance indicators (KPIs) and American Productivity & Quality Center (APQC) Process Classification Framework activities. Through value stream analysis, the non-value-added activities will be eliminated. Ultimately, to provide an overview for the stakeholders, a new set of KPIs will be proposed and the processes will be modeled using Event-Driven Process Chain (EPC) and Suppliers-Inputs-Process-Outputs-Customers (SIPOC) methods. Full article

The aim of this paper is to present the way of reconstruction of historical monuments of Romanesque architecture by reusing and highlighting the original component materials, related to the subassemblies of the construction, respectively the recycling of those components that have lost their historical value. The Romanesque buildings are part of Romanian national cultural heritage and have been through controversial historical periods, and therefore have undergone important modifications or structural losses. The reconstruction or rehabilitation of the Romanesque historical buildings is a way of sustainable development by adapting the buildings to the new conditions of use. Full article

The aim of this paper is to present preliminary results regarding Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) and their behavior when experimentally assessing their fracture energy, by measuring the flexural tensile strength (limit of proportionality, residual). As a characteristic of a ductile material, fracture energy is an important parameter when assessing ECC post-cracking residual stresses. With 2% fibers addition in the mixtures, the crack width can be controlled and the material’s ability to bear a tensile strain-hardening capacity has been assessed. Ninety days flexural tensile strength tests were performed in order to obtain preliminary results on ECC prismatic specimens. Full article

This paper describes the technical-economic analysis of a hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) connected to the grid, consisting of photovoltaic (PV) source and municipal solid waste (MSW), taking into account economic and technical criteria. Photovoltaic energy and the new technology used for MSW processing have a lower cost and lower environmental impact. The sensitivity analysis shows that improving the rate of return on investment in HRES can be a measure to encourage the use of renewable energies for electricity production, both in terms of costs and environmental impact. Full article

The present paper describes the structural analysis performed on a preloaded bolted joint. The first joint modeled was comprised of a conventional cylindrical flange that was sliced to simplify the analysis for two bolts in lieu of four. This involved an L-shaped flat segment flange. Parametric studies were performed using elastic, large-deformation, non-linear finite element analysis to determine the influence of several factors on the bolted-joint response. The factors considered included bolt preload, contact surfaces, edge boundary conditions, and joint segment length in this first approach. The second model applied the previous preloaded torque on a complex flange to study the flange lift off. Joint response is reported in terms of displacements, gap opening, and surface strains. Most of the factors studied were determined to have minimal effect on the bolted joint response. Full article

Current research and development policies in the field of building materials, in the context of sustainable development, have the main objectives of increasing the safety and performance of the built environment at the same time as reducing pollution and its negative impact. Today, the idea that the sustainable city of the future should meet human needs and maintain a higher quality of life is worldwide unanimously accepted. The aim of this paper is to present results regarding the production of alkali-activated fly ash-based geopolymer concrete, a new, alternative material, produced using local available raw materials from Romania. Full article

Electrolytic tough pitch copper is commonly used in electric and electronic applications while fine copper wires are widely used in electronic conductors. A multi-pass wiredrawing process was designed for the manufacturing of fine pure copper wire, from 0.50 mm to 0.10 mm in diameter. The analytical model and the finite element analysis (FEA) were performed to validate the pass schedule design. The initial wire was mechanically characterized, and the pass schedule design was stablished by the analytical method according to the specific criteria. The sequence of wiredrawing passes was modeled in the finite element method (FEM) software in order to analyze and validate the designed pass schedule. The combination of these methods allowed designing and validating the wiredrawing pass schedule to implement it in a real process with guaranteed results. This work contributes in showing a combined methodology for the design and virtual validation of the pass schedule in the case of multistage wiredrawing of ETP copper fine wires. Full article

Smart Manufacturing is a goal to be achieved, and the most advanced manufacturing approaches are being used to pursue this objective. Within this context, industry development aims to attain an intelligent manufacturing using, for example, virtual models that simulate production lines. This paper presents the architecture of a Digital Twin for emulating the rolls replacement process within a wire rod rolling mill. The model is developed in Python, using a backtracking algorithm to select the suitable set of rolls as a first basic approach for the validation of the system. It may be used in the future to improve the production system automating the decision for the replacement of rolls as alternative to the current human-decision process. Full article

The purpose of our paper is to assess the reuse potential of the steel mill scale for sustainable industrial applications. We have presented the experimental procedures for chemical and mineralogical characterizations. According to the results of the elementary chemical analysis, the steel mill scale contains the following predominant chemical elements: iron, aluminum, silicon, and magnesium. Due to its high iron content, the steel mill scale can be reused as a source of raw material in the sustainable steelmaking industry. The mineralogical phases identified in the steel mill scale are: wüstite (FeO), hematite (Fe₂O₃), magnetite (Fe₃O₄), silica (quartz) (SiO₂), magnesioferitte (MgFe₂O₄), and aluminum oxide (corundum) (Al₂O₃). Silica, alumina, and hematite are the main compounds of the cement and contribute to the formation of the: dicalcium silicate (2CaO·SiO₂), tricalcium silicate (3CaO·SiO₂), tricalcium aluminate (3CaO·Al₂O₃), and tetra—calcium aluminoferrite (4CaO·Al₂O₃·Fe₂O₃). The results of the paper are promising and encourage the future research for establishing the optimal percentage for the reuse of the steel mill scale in the composition of concrete. Full article

The subject of buildings energy efficiency has gained increased interest in modern society. Recently, researchers aiming to reduce the energy demand of buildings have studied the implementation of phase change materials (PCMs) in various building elements. At the same time, researchers studied the implementation of unconventional technologies such as heat pipes (HP) in the buildings’ heating system. This paper combines both of these technologies in order to take advantage of the thermal storage properties of PCMs and overcome their reduced conductivity with heat pipes. Through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, this paper studies and highlights that with the implementation of a PCM, a reduction of the daily energy demand is achieved through the increase in the discharge phase time. Full article

The role of wind energy is so promising as a source of future energy all over the world. However, whether the unpredictable nature of wind speed fluctuations and the stability of the power systems be affected by a high penetration of wind power remains an unanswered question. Therefore, an accurate analysis study of the effectiveness and robustness performance of the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) is one of the challenges in wind turbine applications. The present works tackle the issue of grid connection of DFIG modeling and the dynamic operation to evaluate the capabilities and their impact on the pitch angle, current and voltage stability. The model is simulated using MATLAB/Simulink software, and the curves’ results are indicated based on the system that was connected to eight wind turbines in the wind farm. The results show the dynamic features of the DFIG response to the necessary output variables. On the other hand, its show us a view of the waveforms obtained, which means that an adequate study for choosing the type of control suitable for the DFIG is necessary. Full article

The present article shows the most significant steps to be taken in the process of the development of an automated system for fuel tank level monitoring and machinery location checking to optimize accessibility and mobile tracking. Fuel or energy consumption is converted with money spending and machinery in operation during different tasks. The maintenance and service costs add up to the final price of the product making it less attractive if the customer must pay more for each acquired unit of produce. Thus, optimization is required in the production system to lower the costs of energy and operation of working machinery. The main objective of the present paper is the research, development, and testing the process of an automated system designed with the purpose of controlling fuel tank level and machinery location management to improve accessibility and to optimize mobile tracking. The secondary objective consists of the installation of a volumetric sensor in the fuel tank. Full article

This paper represents the medialization of alternative fuels co-combustion, in a cement rotary kiln, established on the commercial computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software ANSYS FLUENT. The focus is placed on the key issues in the flow field, mainly on how they are affected by turbulence models and co-processing conditions. Real data, from a Moroccan cement plant, are used for model input. The simulation results have shown a potential effect of the physics model on turbulent and gas-solid flow prediction. The CFD results can be taken as a guideline for improved co-processing burner design and reduce the effect of using alternative fuels. Full article

The technical-economic analysis represents a decisional factor in the implementation of a new thermal energy supply system and is a key part of the feasibility study. In the present paper, the economic performance indicators, used as evaluation instruments within the analysis, highlight the economic efficiency of each proposed scenario and offer an establishment of hierarchy for them. Based on this analysis, the optimal scenario can be recommended, such that the benefits are maximized. The sensibility analysis, performed for the optimal scenario at the end of the paper, shows an estimation of the effects throughout the lifespan of the new system. This is beneficial to pre-empt negative effects or to stimulate the factors that can increase the efficiency of the system throughout the entire lifespan. Full article

The proper power distribution systems operation is conditioned by its response to the consumers’ energy demand. This is achieved by using predictable power sources supplemented by ancillary services. With the penetration of different alternative power sources especially the renewable ones, the grid increasingly becomes an active distribution network. In this context, the stability provided by ancillary services becomes increasingly important. However, providers of ancillary services are interested to benefit from the shift towards renewable energy. This leads to a complex scenario regarding the management of such service providers, specifically virtual power plants. In this regard, the aim of the paper was to investigate the strategies for improving the performance of virtual power plants by increasing the number of distributed renewable energy resources. Full article

For a specific vessel, the safety of the isolated power system is analyzed. Concerning the safety, the choice of propulsion system and the classification regulations have a major role for the power system design. The rules of SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea), the flag state, and the harbor authorities are pointing to the basic level of safety, while the classification societies are pointing to the basic navigational regulations. A case study of the main switchboard and emergency switchboard safety, while taking into account different short circuits for the specific operational configuration of the electrical network, makes a comparative study possible. Full article

Possible configurations for propulsion and electric power generation on vessels are an important field for the researcher in the naval area. The most important is electric power generation. Nowadays, diesel engines are the main prime movers, although all sorts of other electric power generating types are coming more and more. Apart from that, there are some specific high voltage/power applications that use steam or gas turbines. As well as this, wind power, either on a traditional sailing vessel or in a wind electric power generator, and also solar power, is gaining interest. The modern configuration is developing until the goal of zero carbon emissions is reached, using the electric power system configuration, introducing fuel cells as prime movers, and using batteries as energy storage devices, to increase the system’s safety. Full article

The aim of this paper is to review and compare the response to the electromagnetic radiation of different structural or non-structural composites on absorption, reflections and re-reflection grades. The area of interest has been reduced to the carbon allotropy and conducting non-magnetic/magnetic fillers (inclusions, metallic powders, granular ferrites) in dielectric hosts characterized by existing mixing rules. The results could be grouped in distinctive ranges, SE ≤ 10 dB corresponding to a poor shielding, 10–30 dB describing an acceptable effectiveness and SE ≥ 30 dB exceeding the acceptable range for industrial and commercial applications of 20 dB. Full article

In competitive environments, such as batch manufacturing, Lean and Six Sigma offer the proper tools as a paramount advantage to the companies who choose to adopt their principles. With the main purpose of decreasing the failure rate of continuous improvement projects due to high abandon levels across the globe, a Lean Six Sigma algorithm has been generated, tested and validated in the pharmaceutical industry. The present paper will reveal the core implementation steps regarding the suggested algorithm, the critical tools used and results obtained through implementing the proposed roadmap. Full article

The present study highlights the design and testing of a robotic arm and its vulnerabilities. The purpose of this paper is to develop, manufacture, test, and improve the robotic arm as a separate system. Additionally, its actuators in operation and the evaluation of challenges in Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis (or vulnerability assessment) are considered. The specific objective consists in designing the robot’s actuators to generate effective work and torque in operational conditions of the external environment in which are found objects that have a resistance force. Another secondary specific objective is to realize an automatic loop with a corresponding architecture based on a previously stressed actuator configuration. Full article

Increasing of intermittent production from renewable energy sources significantly affects the distribution of electricity prices. In this paper, we analyze the impact of renewable energy sources on the formation of electricity prices on the Day-Ahead Market (DAM). The case of the 4M Market Coupling Project is analyzed: Czech-Slovak-Hungarian-Romanian market areas. As a result of the coupling of electricity markets and the increasing share of renewable energy sources, different situations have been identified in which prices are very volatile. Full article

Lower limb rehabilitation is an often-encountered need. This paper presents the design process of an exerciser that combines robot-assisted physiotherapy with functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the lower limb muscles. The exerciser features two degrees of freedom, one focuses on the rehabilitation of the muscles responsible for dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, the other one on the muscles responsible for the inversion and eversion of the foot. These motions might be accompanied by FES, if the physiotherapist so recommends. The presented exerciser constitutes a mechatronic device that seamlessly integrates mechanical design, electronics and control engineering. Full article

The paper presents in the first part a diagnosis of the frequency per year of the pull and torque test followed by an analysis of the average time given to each attempt, a comparison of the average time spent on the torqueing and pulling test and the average times to perform the other tests. In the second part there is a forecast of the times spent performing the test following the optimization. The optimization is performed in the first phase at project level in the Inventor Professional 2018 program. The testing method is not foreign to companies that produce cable cord, and is it described in at least two standards. The latest developments in the electronics field show an optimization on two separate devices for each stress, pull and torque. The goal of this paper is to present an optimization of the device for pull stress testing, in order to proceed with both of the stresses on one device. The optimization aims to reduce the time spent by the quality tester in the metrological laboratory on this test. Following the optimization, in the forecast it was found that the quality of work was improved by reducing working hours and removing human assistance as much as possible in order to eliminate the errors caused by it. Full article

All industries produce wastes or byproducts, and if those are not properly managed, they will cause adverse effects on the environment. As the need for steel increases globally, waste from steel processing will also increase. Hazardous waste from steel processing is produced in the form of a coarse, dense aggregate, called steel slag. The aim of this paper is to present the possibility of using steel slag/blast furnace slag in the production of geopolymer concrete and to present the relevant results regarding the influence of this industrial byproduct on the mechanical properties of Geopolymer materials. Full article

The online automatic estimation of the quality of products manufactured in any machining process without any manual intervention represents an important step toward a more efficient, smarter manufacturing industry. Machine learning and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), in particular, were used in this study for the monitoring and prediction of the machining quality conditions in a high-speed milling of stainless steel (AISI 303) using a 3 mm tungsten carbide. The quality was predicted using the Acoustic Emission (AE) signals captured during the cutting operations. The spectrograms created from the AE signals were provided to the CNN for a 3-class quality level. A promising average f1-score of 94% was achieved. Full article

The stochastic behavior of wind speed is a particular characteristic of wind energy production, which affects the degradation mechanism of the turbine, resulting in stochastic charging on the wind turbine. A model stochastic is used in this study to evaluate the efficiency of wind turbine power of whatever degree given fluctuating wind turbulence data. This model is based on the Langevin equations, which characterize, by two coefficients, drift and diffusion functions. These coefficients describe the behavior of the transformation process from the input wind speed to the output data that need to be determined. For this present work, the computation of drift and diffusion functions has been carried out by using the stochastic model to assess the output variables in terms of the torque and power curves as a function of time, and it is compared by the classical method. The results show that the model stochastic can define the efficiency of wind turbine generation more precisely. Full article

The performance of a wind turbine depends on the characteristics of the airflow as well as the conditions of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). To evaluate accurately the amount of wind energy, it is required to have the exact height distribution of wind speed for the considered implementation site of a wind turbine. In this paper, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation predictions provided by the standard k-ε turbulence model under neutral conditions were examined. The objective is to investigate the influence of hill slopes in the microscale wind farm on the airflow velocity to optimize the location of wind turbines. The results were validated by RUSHIL wind tunnel data and were compared with flat terrain. Full article

In the current context, the control of the industrial processes continues to be very important, due to the rapid modification of the economic conditions, the development of production and the tightening of environmental and safety conditions. This paper presents the technological scheme for obtaining the saturated steam from superheated steam and proposes Proportional–Integral-Derivative (PID) controller options based on an internal model, Integral of Time Multiplied by Absolute Error (ITAE) criterion and Ziegler–Nichols criterion. The simulation tests are performed using the Matlab software. Full article

Thermoelectric generators can operate at small temperature differences providing enough electricity for low-power electronics, sensors in distribution networks, and biomedical devices. The article presents the obtaining of a thermoelectric generator and its electrical characteristics using usual substances. Experimental research was carried out using a mixture consisting of several substances (copper sulfate, calcium hydroxide, silicon dioxide, and sodium silicate) in different proportions. The mixture was inserted between two plates, one graphite (hot plate) and the other aluminum (cold plate), thus obtaining a thermoelectric generator. Electrical voltage, output current, and electrical power were measured at different temperatures. Full article

In this paper, a new wideband reconfigurable antenna with beams switching for wireless systems applications is presented and studied. The radiation pattern of the proposed antenna can be changed using the PIN diodes. The designed antenna has a bandwidth of 26.75% from 5.31 to 6.95 GHz and can steer the beam in the azimuth plane. The simulated realized gain of the antenna obtained is 5.9 dB at 5.8 GHz. The proposed antenna can operate for various wireless systems, such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and C-band satellite. The simulated results are also presented and investigated. Full article

This work presents research on the influence of the variation in humidity of the medium on the Ground-penetrating radar GPR response. During this research, we used a GPR SIR 3000 system coupled with a 400 MHz frequency antenna, and GprMax and Reflexw software, which are based on the numerical method known as finite difference in time domain (FDTD). The results obtained (experimental and by simulation) have shown that the reflection force and the penetration depth of GPR waves are strongly related to the physical properties of the objects and the medium inspected. The increase in the conductivity of the inspected medium causes areduction inthe depth of the GPR waves, which causes the non-detection of objects. Full article

This scientific article highlights the development of an all-terrain intelligent robotic vehicle (ATIRV) platform, its overall structure, virtual modeling and simulation programs (such as Unity 5), electronic controls, and corresponding modules. This paper also shows the physical structure developed for the all-terrain intelligent vehicle and some of its components, which allow other modern robotic vehicles to operate autonomously and automatically in uncharted and dangerous environments. The practical part of the project has been developed by using state-of-the-art features like tele-metrics, tele-operation, drive assist modules, and autonomous navigation using the physical model of the all-terrain intelligent vehicle as structural model in the research experiment and for validating the initial hypothesis (of automatic ATIRV). Other scientific contributions consist in the determination of operational (kinematic and dynamic) parameters. Their comparison with reference values guides the paper’s discussions and conclusions. Full article

In structural engineering, strain and displacement are critical parameters, and measuring these parameters outside of the laboratory is a challenge for concrete researchers. Recent advances have enabled digital image correlation (DIC) to calculate the concrete surface displacements of chosen targets in a series of images recorded during an experiment. This paper presents a comparison between traditional and optical measurements to evaluate the efficiency of the DIC technique in recording the deformations of reinforced concrete beams. Tests were perfomed on two small-scale reinforced self-compacting concrete beams with small circular openings in 3-point bending. Full article

In this pioneering study, Retama monosperma fibers were used in the preparation of a plaster composite dedicated to the field of civil engineering in order to find a substitute for fiberglass as a reinforcement material. Retama monosperma (Rtam) is one of the plant species abundantly available in Mediterranean regions. The localization of fibers at the organic level, the extraction procedure, physical and mechanical properties were studied to compare them with other vegetable fibers currently used in the manufacture of biocomposites. The results obtained show the possibility of improving the mechanical properties of plaster by using the fibers of Retama monosperma. The purpose of this paper is to promote the fibers of Retama monosperma as a building material in civil engineering in order to boost researchers’ interests in this Mediterranean plant. Full article

The thermal dynamic behavior of buildings represents an important aspect of the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of the indoor environment. For this, phase change material (PCM) wallboards integrated into building envelopes play an important role in stabilizing the temperature of the human comfort condition. This article provides an assessment of the thermal behavior of a “bi-zone” building cell, which was built based on high-energy performance (HEP) standards and heated by a solar water heater system through a hydronic circuit. The current study is based on studying the dynamic thermal behavior, with and without implantation of PCMs on envelope structure, using a simplified modeling approach. The evolution of the average air temperature was first evaluated as a major indicator of thermal comfort. Then, an evaluation of the thermal behavior’s dynamic profile was carried out in this study, which allowed for the determination of the PCM rate anticipation in the thermal comfort of the building cell. Full article

The presence of TiO₂ nanoparticles in a cementitious matrix induces self-cleaning capacity in the presence of UV radiation by combining two mechanisms: surface hydrophilicity and degradation of the stain agent molecules. Experimental results indicate an increase in surface water absorption and, indirectly, in the degree of hydrophilicity, with the increase in the concentration of TiO₂ nanoparticles in the matrix. Degradation of organic molecules, rhodamine B, is dependent on the duration of action and intensity of UV rays and the concentration of nanoparticles in the cementitious matrix. An addition of 3–6% TiO₂ is effective and sufficient for a good self-cleaning capacity of cementitious surfaces. Full article

This work presents a method for extracting parameters from photovoltaic (PV) solar cells, based on the three critical points of the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic, i.e., the short-circuit current, the open circuit voltage and the maximum power point (MPP). The method is developed in the Python programming language using differential evolution (DE) and a three-point curve fitting approach. It shows a good precision with root mean square error (RMSE), for different solar cells, lower than to those cited in the literature. In addition, the method is tested based on the measurements of a solar cell in the Faculty of Science and Technology of Tangier (FSTT) laboratory, thus giving a good agreement between the measured data and those calculated (i.e., RMSE = 7.26 × 10⁻⁴) with fewer iterations for convergence. Full article

A control program was designed with Unity 5 virtual reality application in the automotive and robotics field. Thus, a virtual model of a robotic car was tested in a virtual reality program. After optimization, the smart controller was implemented on a specific model of the automated Chevrolet Camaro. The main objective of the present paper is to design a control program model to be tested in virtual reality and in a real-size car. Results concerning the virtual modeling of an automated car and its artificial intelligence controls have been presented and discussed, outlining the forces, torques, and context awareness capabilities of the car. Full article

For transition of a supercritical flow into a subcritical flow in an open channel, a hydraulic jump phenomenon is used. Different shaped channels are used as useful tools in the extra energy dissipation of the hydraulic jump. Accurate prediction of relative energy dissipation is important in designing hydraulic structures. The aim of this paper is to assess the capability of a Kernel extreme Learning Machine (KELM) meta-model approach in predicting the energy dissipation in different shaped channels (i.e., rectangular and trapezoidal channels). Different experimental data series were used to develop the models. The obtained results approved the capability of the KELM model in predicting the energy dissipation. Results showed that the rectangular channel led to better outcomes. Based on the results obtained for the rectangular and trapezoidal channels, the combination of Fr₁, (y₂-y₁)/y₁, and W/Z parameters performed more successfully. Also, comparison between KELM and the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) approach showed that KELM is more successful in the predicting process. Full article

An important stage in robust control design is to define the desired performances of the closed loop control system using the models of the frequency sensitivity functions S. If the frequency sensitivity functions remain within the limits imposed by these models, the control performances are met. In terms of the sensitivity functions, the specifications include: shape of S over selected frequency ranges, peak magnitude of S, bandwidth frequency, and tracking error at selected frequencies. In this context, this paper presents a study of the effects of the specifications of the weighting functions on the performances of robust control systems. Full article

Even if Lean and Six Sigma tools are available for large audiences, many of the continuous improvement projects fail due to the lack of a pathway that ensures appropriate results in a timely manner. We would like to address this universal issue by generating, testing and validating an algorithm that improves manufacturing processes in a controlled manner. With a selection of the most valuable set of tools and concepts implemented in a specific order, a guideline for successful project implementation is proposed. Decreasing the overall number of continuous improvement project failures is the main scope of our algorithm and suggested methodology. Full article

Classification in discrete object space is a widely used machine learning technique. In this case, we can construct a rule set using attribute level implication rules. In this paper, we apply the technique of formal concept analysis to generate the rule base of the classification. This approach is suitable for cases where the number of possible attribute subsets is limited. For testing of this approach, we investigated the problem of the part of speech prediction in natural language texts. The proposed model provides a better accuracy and execution cost than the baseline back-propagation neural network method. Full article

In this paper is presented an algorithm for the power management of a smart home with electric vehicle and photovoltaic panels. The case study is performed considering the power demand of the household appliances, the charging/discharging of the electric vehicle, and the power supplied by the photovoltaic panels. The photovoltaic panels have a small installed power and benefit from the support scheme from the government for these types of generation sources, so it is a prosumer. The simulation is performed for a day. Additionally, the cost of power supplied to the consumer is also analyzed. Full article

An important problem in our world is that humanity’s energy consumption is constantly rising. Therefore, nowadays there is an increasing emphasis on the problem of reusability and efficient energy management. The present paper studies the energy sustainability of systems by developing a unique test model. Using this test model, the theoretical problems of closed systems are investigated. With a theoretical experiment, the temporal motion of rigid systems is monitored and the behavior of flexible systems is analyzed. Finally, the study of the energy interaction of the general system and its environment shows the basic condition for the system’s overall sustainability. Full article

The problem of identifying Distributed Denial of Service (DDos) attacks is fundamentally a classification problem in machine learning. In relevance to Cloud Computing, the task of identification of DDoS attacks is a significantly challenging problem because of computational complexity that has to be addressed. Fundamentally, a Denial of Service (DoS) attack is an intentional attack attempted by attackers from single source which has an implicit intention of making an application unavailable to the target stakeholder. For this to be achieved, attackers usually stagger the network bandwidth, halting system resources, thus causing denial of access for legitimate users. Contrary to DoS attacks, in DDoS attacks, the attacker makes use of multiple sources to initiate an attack. DDoS attacks are most common at network, transportation, presentation and application layers of a seven-layer OSI model. In this paper, the research objective is to study the problem of DDoS attack detection in a Cloud environment by considering the most popular CICIDS 2017 benchmark dataset and applying multiple regression analysis for building a machine learning model to predict DDoS and Bot attacks through considering a Friday afternoon traffic logfile. Full article

In this paper, a 3.1–11 GHz ultra-wideband low noise amplifier with low noise figure, high power gain S₂₁, low reverse gain S₁₂, and high linearity using the OMMIC ED02AH process, which employs a 0.18 μm Pseudomorphic High Electron Mobility Transistor is presented. This Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) was designed with the Advanced Design System simulator in distributed matrix architecture. For the low noise amplifier, four stages were used obtaining a good input/output matching. An average power gain S₂₁ of 11.6 dB with a gain ripple of ±0.6 dB and excellent noise figure of 3.55 to 4.25 dB is obtained in required band with a power dissipation of 48 mW under a supply voltage of 2 V. The input compression point 1 dB and third-order input intercept point are −1.5 and 23 dBm respectively. The core layout size is 1.8 × 1.2 mm². Full article

The development of 5G (fifth generation) mobile communication systems was initiated to meet the expected need for higher data rates. In this article, a new 28/38 GHz dual-band “inverted-F” array antenna for 5G applications is proposed. This antenna can be integrated in OLEDs (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) panels which can be used both for lighting or display. This 5G antenna, composed of 32 elements, has the advantage of a dual-band and compact structure. Each element of the array antenna has the shape of an “inverted-F” antenna. This array antenna can cover the 28 GHz band (27.94–28.83 GHz) and the 38 GHz band (37.97–38.96 GHz) with mutual coupling between the elements less than −35 dB. The characteristics of the end fire radiation beams were obtained by employing an array of 32 “inverted-F” antenna elements on the upper and lower portions of the PCB (Printed Circuit Board). The suggested design has a gain of approximately 16.52 dB at 28.38 GHz and 15.35 dB at 38.49 GHz, which is suitable for 5G mobile communications. Full article

This paper presents the design of a compact size band patch antenna for 5G wireless communications. This wideband antenna was designed on a glass substrate (12 × 11 × 2 mm³) and is optically transparent and compact. It consists of a radiation patch and a ground plane using AgHT-8 material. The antenna design comprises rectangular shaped branches optimized to attain the wideband characteristics. The calculated impedance bandwidth is 7.7% covering the frequency range of 25 to 27 GHz. A prototype of the antenna and various parameters such as return loss plot, gain plot, radiation pattern plot, and voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) are presented and discussed. The simulated results of this antenna show that it is well suited for future 5G applications because of its transparency, flexibility, light weight, and wide achievable frequency bandwidth near the millimeter wave frequency band. Full article

Starting from the idea of improving Coordinate Measuring Machines’ (CMM) measurement strategy for inner thread locations, we developed a new method which increases the accuracy of measurements and takes us closer to the pitch diameter. This article will analyze this new method by testing different touching probes configurations for different thread sizes. The objective is to identify the best probe configuration to be used in the measurements of different inner thread sizes. Full article

This paper reflects the technology-induced novelty of translation, which is perceived as a bridge between languages and cultures. We debate the extent to which the translation process maintains its specificity in the light of the new technology-enhanced working methods ensured by a large variety of Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) and Machine Translation (MT) tools that aim to enhance the process, which includes the translation itself, the translator, the translation project manager, the linguist, the terminologist, the reviewer, and the client. This paper also hints at the topic from the perspective of the translation teacher, who needs to provide students with transversal competencies that are suitable for the digital area, supported by the ability to tackle Cloud-based translation tools, in view of Industry 4.0 requirements. Full article

This paper presents a device that, in final connection with presses, allows toothed gear (with a crown similar to a toothed wheel with right teeth) to be achieved by hot deformation starting from a cylindrical steel bar. For this, finite element simulations were performed in Forge software. The proposed device has 23 rollers, so for the simulation process, a slice representing a part (the 23rd) of a circle which simplifies the essential functionality of this device was taken into consideration. Full article

This paper presents a practical methodology for Work-Based Learning (WBL) as a research result of the iNduce 4.0 European project consortium. Atraining platform has been developed forthe purpose of providing enterprises with affordable and flexible training which could be best adapted and customized to their specific needs. On the training platform, there are fourtraining modules on the subject of Industry 4.0. The courses structure is the result of a largescale survey within two target groups: manufacturing enterprises and vocational education and training stakeholders. Training begins with learning needs analysis designed to support the individual. The structure of the guide to quality WBL reveals the steps for an efficient WBL programme established by vocational education providers, which serves as a tool and requires them to commit to the quality standards and code of conduct dictated at the national level as well as to the ones stated in the European quality charter on internships and apprenticeships. Full article

Sustainability assessment implies a complex evaluation due to its multidisciplinary aspects. The new eQvet-us framework for sustainability evaluation was developed based on the principle that training contributes to the development of human capital, enhances social cohesion and should also pursue financial sustainability and environmental responsibility. This paper presents the testing and implementation results of the framework for sustainable development in a higher education institution. It highlights good practices and results that can be used by other similar institutions, which carry out continuous training programs. Full article

The former energy-wasting lifestyles of developed societies can no longer be sustained. In our age, efficiency is the key to continued sustainability. Increasing efficiency requires the use of infocommunication systems and their regulation. Regulatory modeling is based on the cybernetic loops model. The systems are not closed, so they are constantly suffering from environmental disturbances. External interference can also come from a human resource that covertly exploits the technological and psychic elements of the system to achieve its own goals. Social engineering is also such an intervention. The aims of the present study are to draw a parallel between cybernetic loops and social engineering, then to define social engineering on the cybernetic base. Full article

Intensive usage of public transportation represents a good solution to reduce traffic congestion. Dynamic allocation of vehicles enhances the service level and offers a more comfortable trip to travelers. Bluetooth (BT) has been used in some specific cases as a means of data collection regarding vehicle flow. However, it has been less employed for the anonymous detection of traveler flow, origin–destination, the density of travelers in public transport, etc. This paper analyzes the efficiency of different versions of BT for this type of application. Experiments were carried on for subway lines and stations, as well as in open space. Information regarding mobility dynamics represents an important factor to be considered in traffic management to improve the efficiency of existing systems. Conclusions and recommendations for future research are also provided. Full article

Recently, there have been done numerous investigations related to lean manufacturing techniques. However, very little has been reported about the implementation and selection of lean manufacturing in the Kosovo manufacturing industry. This article presents the application of lean tools through Kosovo manufacturing industries and the selection of the most useful lean techniques for developing a model for an innovative smart Kosovo enterprise which is our initiative in the process of preparing Kosovo enterprises for the new age of industry—Industry 4.0. After several visits through Kosovo enterprises, the literature review has noticed that there is no investigation in the selection and implementation of lean techniques and tools in Kosovo enterprises. The purpose was to understand how Kosovo manufacturing enterprises use lean techniques and which are the most useful techniques. Analyses have been done based on interviews and questionnaires. Seven basic lean techniques are selected based on the response from the questionnaire and representing basic lean tools for developing a model of a production system regarding Industry 4.0. Full article

This paper aims to identify how the ISO 7730 Standard is perceived by manufacturing companies in Romanian industry. This paper aims to integrate the details of the ISO 7730 Standard into the research related to the level of comfort in manufacturing companies with high heat emissions. Furthermore, we hope to identify how the indices provided in the ISO 7730 Standard can influence the productivity and quality indicators in production. Full article

The paper proposes a model for a prospective approach to the study of the English language for engineering students. This model is influenced and shaped by the consideration of the necessity of educating engineering students for the realities of Industry 4.0. Given the dramatically changing paradigm of language teaching and language teaching aims, a critical selection on the part of the teacher is indispensable when it comes to choosing the most adequate teaching resources. The paper includes theoretical and practical suggestions to approach the ESP (English for Specific Purposes) seminar, which can lead to the improvement and fine-tuning of students’ skills and attitudes in view of Industry 4.0 realities. Full article

The work remarks the peculiarities, which appeared in the reconstruction of a broken grooved shaft. The originality of the subject consists of the realization of a slotting tool, in material changing, which increased the reliability of the piece, and the total time of measuring the allocation to the work. The dimensional aspects specified include the adjustment, the tool making for profiling the groove, the choice of the material, and the required time to design and build the new spare part. Full article

The paper presents some aspects related to a new light aircraft that has as fields of use sports and leisure aviation. It also has a maximum capacity of two seats and a certain aerodynamic shape and which has on the wings mounted curved flaps for the flight board without hinges, as well as for gliding the plane in critical flight conditions or when it is necessary to save fuel. The paper presents and optimal design method of this new light aircraft. Full article

The actual pandemic context highlighted once again the huge importance of agriculture in the society and create a path to a speeded-up digitalization. As soon as the virus crisis will end, countries will start reprioritizing their values and do investments accordingly; agriculture will regain focus. In order to get an overview image on the challenges and farmers needs in agriculture in the context of digitalization, a questionnaire-based research was made, collecting data from Romanian experienced farmers and business experts in agriculture. Full article

From a strategic point of view digitalizing the economy in the near future means that it’s necessary, from now on, to change the focus on digital skills because at the moment almost all jobs require some level of digital knowledge from employees. Although digitalization brings a lot of advantages, the vocational education and training cannot be entirely digitalized as qualified vocational development has to maintain its traditional approach in order remain efficient and most importantly attractive. This paper describes the results of a focus group conducted in Mureș County, Romania on the topic of digitalization with the aim to offer an overview image on vocational education and training challenges in the current context. Full article

The concept of sustainable production and consumption is not only a complex one, but it is also one of great topicality and importance. It aims at the use of goods and services that meets basic needs and contributes to improving people’s living standards, correlated with reducing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as waste and polluting emissions during the lifecycle of products, in a way that is appropriate to the present generation’s needs but does not harm the needs of future generations. The current challenges of humanity have justified and determined a change in the way that goods are produced and consumed. Thus, it is necessary not only to create added value but also to reduce the use of natural resources related with reducing costs and minimizing the impact on the environment. In other words, we will have to do more and better with fewer resources. In the current national and European context, the integration of sustainable development objectives at the center of economic activities involves changing production and consumption standards. Starting from this reality, we will address in this paper the role that the promotion of sustainable production and consumption models has. We will also emphasize the role of European policy in promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization as well as encouraging innovation. Full article

Economic activities are increasingly carried out in modern conditions, a situation which is often linked to a negative impact on the environment. They have now reached such a level that they can be considered a real factor in climate formation and modeling. Such a trend has generated a lot of initiatives and strategies aimed at a green economy development. Thus, special public policy measures for the green economy and green growth have been developed and also implemented in the last few years. The analysis of the main challenges in the field of economic and environmental development, as well as the public policies for a green economy, is a real concern. More and more, the global trends for sustainable development are represented by green economy and green growth. The purpose of the present article is to present and analyze the issue of green economy and green growth, which is a new operating strategy both globally and European level. Green growth represents a practical tool for achieving the objective of sustainable development, as a timeless objective. This means fostering economic growth and development, while ensuring that the natural assets continue to provide environmental resources and services. We will try also to systematize the main challenges in the field of economic and environmental development, taking into account their specific characteristics, and to provide relevant suggestions for public policies related to reducing the impact of economic activities on the environment. Additionally, particular attention is focused here on establishing the kind of relationship that occurs between the green economy, green growth and sustainable development. In this regard, we will analyze the purpose of the simultaneous functioning of these three green ideas. We consider that the co-existence of the three green ideas (green economy, green growth and sustainable development) is reasonable due to the complementary and simultaneous nature of these concepts. Full article

Many companies struggle to find the right balance between reducing costs and growing their business. It seems like an impossible equation for some, while for others it is a great challenge. The main purpose of a business is to make a profit, that is, to get money as a result of the investment and the work done. One of the means of reducing costs while increasing productivity is to make improvements based on new ideas. Companies tend to overlook one very important aspect of their daily activities when thinking about cost savings: use the old processes and avoid exploring and investing in one new and more practical solution. Based on this, we offer a tested and implemented solution to increase profits, which can be achieved by reducing the costs of the technological process in the field of electrostatic powder painting employed to give a brief introduction to your work. Full article

Image processing and the analysis of images in order to extract relevant data is an ever-growing topic of research. Although there are numerous methods readily available, the task of image preprocessing and feature extraction requires developing specific algorithms for specific problems by combining different functions and tweaking their parameters. This paper proposes a framework that allows the flexible construction of image processing algorithms. Its user interface and architecture are designed to ease and speed up the process of algorithm creation and testing as well as serve as an application for the use of these algorithms by end users. The framework was built in Matlab and makes use of its integrated Image Processing toolbox. Full article

This paper aims to present ways to increase the efficiency of the production activity implemented at the level of an important company of the Romanian car market producing car wiring, cables for photovoltaic panels, and industrial sensors. The company relies on state-of-the-art production processes to make its products and also develops innovative production concepts and products. In this regard, the company aims to continuously improve processes by ensuring quality standards at every stage of project management and the production process, as well as the correction and efficient elimination of errors or defects in the shortest possible time. The paper highlights at the company level a system that collects production data and allows the calculation of overall equipment efficiency, which becomes an important performance indicator of the company’s production. Furthermore, the application of continuous improvement methods presented in the paper led to the improvement of some production indicators and, finally, to an increase in the company’s production efficiency. Full article

This paper aims to present ways to streamline production by implementing methods of analysis and continuous improvement of an important company in the Romanian car market, based on technology which produces various components, especially car wiring used by many manufacturers of important cars. The production and processes within the company are designed from a lean and ergonomic point of view, taking into account the latest trends specific to the field. Supported by the company’s management, the continuous improvement activity, along with the basic methods, enjoys the involvement of all employees, trained in this process by various means. Employee involvement is not just about decision-making on the part of the staff, but starts with simple operators, who are encouraged and motivated to express their ideas for improvement and get involved in their implementation. Full article

This document addresses the issue of awareness and involvement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by students from all over Europe. The purpose of the document is to investigate the involvement and the knowledge of students in Social Responsibility and to obtain results that can confirm or invalidate the proposed hypotheses, presenting a real situation regarding their involvement. Social responsibility has a major impact on communities, and awareness of this concept is needed for involvement in CSR actions. The aim of the research is to study the knowledge and development of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Europe. Full article

This article represents necessary research, adopting an interdisciplinary approach and a combination of methodologies, in order to better describe the evolution of the physical and mechanical characteristics of mortars. This was done employing modern methods and modern equipment, such as the Bohme equipment for wear tests. Compression and bending test equipment were also used, as well as methods for testing adhesion to the support layer. The purpose of this research is represented by the need to optimize mortar recipes, based on cement and organic and/or synthetic polymers. We focused on how they can be optimized in order to obtain recipes that best meet the needs of today’s construction. Full article

The robotic arms of the human arm type, so-called collaborative robots, have been improved, optimized, and diversified greatly in recent years. However, most of them are still equipped with mechanical grippers with plier-like jaws. Equipping these robotic arms with anthropomorphic grippers is currently hampered by variants of these grippers on the market that are far too complex and at inaccessible prices to be used on a large scale. As an alternative to the familiar anthropomorphic grippers, I presented an anthropomorphic gripper with five fingers, made under my coordination, constructive, and functional, including briefly the coupling solution with a robotic arm. Full article

The influence of polymers upon building materials has been present since ancient times, but it was neglected for a long period. The present research discusses the effect of natural organic polymers (casein, rice, egg) in the formula of classical plastering according to the experimental research aiming at finding out the water absorption coefficient and the softening coefficient. The main objective of this work lies in identifying the most performance-related natural polymer which can determine the most efficient impermeability that can lead to the best values for the plaster mortar formula. Full article

The article presents an experimental study on concrete blocks prepared by using waste types such as fly ash as a cement substitution, waste of plastic bottles and wood waste as replacements for sand and polyester fibers waste as a dispersed reinforcement. The mechanical characteristics of concrete with fly ash and polyester fibers were determined. The influence of the type and dosage of waste on the mechanical strength is discussed. The concretes with fly ash and different dosages of waste were used for manufacturing hollow blocks that were tested in compression, and the behavior under load was analyzed. Failure in compression of hollow blocks was gradual and ductile. Full article