Eng

The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of the surface deformations of an open inflatable wing section on aerodynamic performance and boundary layer separation phenomena. The inflation/deflation processes are allowed by an air intake placed on the bottom side of the model. Due to its low rigidity, non-contact measurements are required. Therefore, an infrared thermography technique was applied in order to detect local surface deformations and local separation phenomena. Additionally, the inflation and deflation of the whole wing were studied through an innovative approach, introduced by the authors, based on a piezoelectric sensor. It is important to note that open and closed wing sections exhibit very different aerodynamic behavior. For these reasons, both cases were investigated in the following research. The impact of deformation on the wing’s aerodynamic performance was assessed by means of wind tunnel tests. The inflatable wing presented lower lift and higher drag than the corresponding rigid wing due to the fabric’s deformations. Furthermore, the lift and moment coefficient curves were strongly related to the wing’s inflation. In particular, there was a change in the slope of the lift curve and a drop in the moment coefficient when the wing inflated. Lastly, the results provided evidence that a thermographic approach can be used to qualitatively detect local deformations of an inflatable wing and that a piezoelectric sensor can be used feasibly in detecting the inflation and deflation phases of a wing. Full article

The United Kingdom seeks to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, mostly via the shift to an electrical system exclusively powered by zero-carbon sources. Microgrids (MGs) can be seen as an effective system for integrating renewables into the energy portfolio. Nonetheless, MGs face the acknowledged obstacle of backup power generation due to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, necessitating the establishment of backup power generation capacity. This paper contrasts selfish power generation, where the MG pursues complete energy autonomy, with an alternative influenced by lean principles (Heijunka production), which seeks to stabilise power transactions within the national electricity supply chain, reduce emissions, and tackle the backup generation challenge. This study proposes a pre-contractual order update (COU) strategy for the operation of hybrid collaborative MG where a forward order update to the utility grid is placed, in contrast to selfish MG, which uses a spot order update strategy. The COU strategy was defined, and two simulation models (for selfish and collaborative MG) were developed, each incorporating four backup generation scenarios to illustrate the method’s efficacy by assessing the system’s critical performance metrics. It has been found that the collaborative MG model reduced the carbon emissions by 62% and the volatility of unplanned orders to the grid by 61% compared to the selfish model in the first scenario (grid-dependent MG). Furthermore, the MG achieved zero volatility and a 33% reduction in carbon content in the collaborative MG when using the H₂ burner as backup generation compared to the first scenario. Indicating that sustainability encompasses not only the use of renewable resources but also the stability of their outputs through the implementation of collaborative MGs. Full article

The aviation sector faces a significant challenge in balancing the rising demand for air travel with the need to reduce its environmental impact. Because air travel accounts for approximately 2.5% of global carbon emissions, there is a need to find sustainable solutions to reduce its environmental impact. Improving aerodynamic performance is a crucial area for reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Nowadays, more focus is given to commercial aviation, which contributes to global aviation emissions. The A380 is the largest passenger aircraft in the world at the moment. It was observed in real life that the wake turbulence from the A380 led to a sudden loss of the Challenger aircraft’s control and a rapid descent of more than 10,000 feet. This Challenger incident is a wake-up call to address the A380’s wake turbulence. Hence, this research focuses on designing and analysing blended winglets for the Airbus A380 to reduce wake turbulence. With the use of modern computational fluid dynamics tools, the current A380 winglets’ performance was evaluated to identify the level of lift, drag and wake vortex patterns. To address these challenges, the performance of newly designed blended winglets with different cant angles, i.e., 0, 15, 45 and 80, was analysed computationally using the K-ω SST turbulent model in the software ANSYS Fluent 2024 R1. It resulted in a decrease in the wake vortex size accompanied by a 1.724% decrease in drag. This research project evidenced that addressing the wake turbulence issue on a large aircraft could improve aerodynamic performance and thus contribute towards sustainable aviation. Full article

Scaling in geothermal production wells poses a critical challenge to sustainable energy production, particularly in vapor-dominated systems where scaling mechanisms are less understood. This study investigates scale treatment planning using the broaching method in Well X at Indonesia’s Kamojang geothermal field. Through well integrity testing, geochemical analysis, and XRD characterization, silica (quartz) scale formations were identified in the production casing. Performance monitoring revealed gradual decreases in steam production and wellhead pressure over a three-year period. The selection of the broaching method was validated through analysis of scale characteristics, well geometry, and economic feasibility, offering a significantly more cost-effective solution compared to conventional methods with a substantially shorter payback period. Broaching has effectively operated on multiple geothermal wells, restoring significant production capacity at approximately half the expense of conventional well workover methods. Our results challenge accepted assumptions on scaling in vapor-dominated systems and provide a methodical framework for scale treatment planning. This study demonstrates how strategic scale management can efficiently preserve well productivity while lowering operating costs, thus enabling sustainable geothermal resource development for operators worldwide. Full article

This review paper investigates the comprehensive impact of various nanomaterials on the mechanical properties and durability of pavement-quality concrete (PQC) with a specific focus on compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, permeability, abrasion resistance, fatigue performance, and crack relief performance. Despite significant advancements in the use of nanomaterials in concrete, existing research lacks a comprehensive evaluation of their comparative effectiveness, optimal dosages, and long-term durability in PQC. While conventional PQC faces challenges such as low fatigue resistance, high permeability, and susceptibility to abrasion, studies on nanomaterials have largely focused on individual properties rather than a holistic assessment of their impact. Nano SiO₂ and graphene oxide (GO) emerged as the most effective, with optimal dosages of 2% and 0.03%, respectively, leading to substantial improvements in compressive strength (up to 48.88%), flexural strength (up to 60.7%), and split tensile strength (up to 78.6%) through improved particle packing, reduced permeability, and refined microstructure. Nano TiO₂, particularly at a 1% dosage, significantly enhanced multiple properties, including a 36.30% increase in compressive strength, over 100% improvement in abrasion resistance, and a 475% increase in fatigue performance. However, a critical research gap exists in understanding the combined effects of multiple nanomaterials, their interaction mechanisms within cementitious systems, and their real-world performance under prolonged environmental and loading conditions. Most studies have been limited to laboratory-scale investigations, with minimal large-scale validation for pavement applications. The findings indicate that nanomaterials like nano TiO₂, nano CaCO₃, nano Al₂O₃, nano clay, and carbon nanomaterials play crucial roles in improving characteristics like permeability, abrasion resistance, and fatigue performance, with notable gains observed in many cases. This review systematically analyzes the influence of these nanomaterials on PQC, identifies key research gaps, and emphasizes the need for large-scale field validation to enhance their practical applicability. Full article

Soil controls water distribution, which is crucial for accurate hydrological modeling. MOHID-Land is a physically based, spatially distributed model that uses van Genuchten–Mualem (VGM) functions to calculate water content in porous media. The hydraulic soil parameters of VGM are dependent on soil type and are typically estimated from experimental data; however, they are often obtained using pedotransfer functions, which carry significant uncertainty. As a result, calibration is frequently required to account for both the natural spatial variability of soil and uncertainties estimation. This study focuses on a representative Atlantic Forest watershed. It assesses the sensitivity of channel flow to VGM parameters using a mathematical approach based on residuals derivative, aimed at enhancing soil calibration efficiency for MOHID-Land. The model’s performance significantly improved following calibration, considering only five parameters. The NSE improved from 0.16 on the base simulation to 0.53 after calibration. A sensitivity analysis indicated the curve adjustment parameter ($n$) as the most sensitive parameter, followed by saturated water content (${\theta }_s$) considering the 10% variation. Additionally, a combined change in ${\theta }_s$, $n$, residual water content (${\theta }_r$), curve adjustment parameter ($\alpha$), and saturated conductivity ($K_{sat}$) values by 10% significantly improves the model’s performance, by reducing channel flow peaks and increasing baseflow. Full article

Online monitoring of partial discharge (PD) is a complex task traditionally requiring specialized expertise. However, recent advancements in signal processing and machine learning have facilitated the development of automated tools to identify and categorize PD patterns, aiding those without extensive experience. This paper aims to identify PD types and estimate the density distribution of frequency characteristics for three PD types, internal PD, surface PD, and corona PD, using verified PD data. The proposed method employs a findpeaks algorithm based on Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to extract frequency key features, denoted as f₁ and f₂, from the frequency spectrum. These features are used to estimate model parameters for each PD type, enabling the representation of their frequency density distributions in a 2D map (f₁, f₂) via Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs). The optimal number of Gaussian components, determined as five using the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), ensures accurate modeling. For PD identification, log-likelihood and softmax functions are applied, achieving an evaluation accuracy of 96.68%. The model also demonstrates robust performance in identifying unknown PD data, with accuracy ranging from 78.10% to 95.11%. This approach enhances the distinction between PD types based on their frequency characteristics, providing a reliable tool for PD signal analysis and identification. Full article

Optimizing agricultural tire traction is essential for improving field efficiency and minimizing soil degradation. This study examines the influence of lug spacing and vertical load on traction performance using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in ANSYS and the semi-empirical Wong and Preston-Thomas tire model. Simulations were conducted on clay soil under vertical loads of 35 kN, 45 kN, and 55 kN, with varying lug spacings. The results indicate that a 130 mm lug spacing provides the best balance between traction, thrust, and motion resistance. Higher vertical loads intensify soil compaction, leading to reduced thrust generation at 55 kN despite decreased motion resistance. These findings emphasize the importance of optimizing lug configurations to enhance traction while mitigating soil compaction. The study contributes to improving tire designs for agricultural machinery, promoting efficiency and sustainability in soil management. Full article

Perovksite solar cells have emerged as a promising photovoltaic technology due to their high increasing power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, challenges related to thermal instability and material toxicity, especially in lead-based perovskites, bring the need to investigate alternative materials and structural designs. This study investigated the current–voltage and power–voltage characteristics of lead-free PSCs based on tin- and germanium using a two-diode equivalent circuit model. The novelty of this work was based on the intensive evaluation of three different electron transport layers (ETLs)—titanium dioxide (TiO₂), zinc oxide (ZnO), and tungsten trioxide (WO₃)—under different ambient temperature conditions (5 °C, 25 °C, and 55 °C) to study their impacts on device performance and the thermal stability. SCAPS-1D simulations were used to model the electrical and optical behaviors of the proposed perovskite structures, and the results were validated by using the two-diode model. The main performance parameters that were considered were open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, maximum power point, and fill factor. The results showed that TiO₂ was better than ZnO and WO₃ as an ETL, achieving a PCE of 24.83% for Sn-based perovskites, and ZnO was the better choice for Ge-based perovskites at 25 °C, with an efficiency reaching ~15.39%. The three ETL materials showed high thermal stability when analyzing them at high ambient temperatures reaching 55 °C. Full article

The advent of small modular reactors (SMRs) represents a transformative leap in nuclear technology. With their smaller size, modular construction, and safety features, SMRs address challenges faced by traditional reactors. However, these technological advancements pose significant regulatory challenges that must be addressed to ensure their safe and effective integration into the energy grid. This paper presents robust regulatory strategies essential for the deployment of SMRs. We also perform economic and sensitivity analysis on a notional SMR project to assess its feasibility, profitability, and long-term viability, pinpointing areas for cost optimization and determining the project’s resilience to market trends and technological changes. Key findings highlight market demand as the most influential factor, with public acceptance, regulatory clarity, economic viability, and government support playing critical roles. The sensitivity analysis shows that SMRs could account for 3% to 9% of the energy market by 2050, with a base case of 4.5%, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts among policymakers, industry stakeholders, and regulatory bodies. Technological maturity suggests current designs are viable, with future R&D focusing on market appeal and safety. By synthesizing these insights, the paper aims to guide regulatory authorities in facilitating informed decision-making, policy formulation, and the adoption of SMRs. Full article

Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites are widely utilized across industries, particularly in structural components exposed to hygrothermal environments characterized by elevated temperature and moisture. Such conditions can significantly degrade the mechanical properties and structural integrity of GFRP composites. Therefore, it is essential to utilize effective methods for assessing their hygrothermal aging. Traditional approaches to hygrothermal aging evaluation are hindered by several limitations, including time intensity, high costs, labor demands, and constraints on specimen size due to laboratory space. This study addresses these challenges by introducing a facile and efficient alternative that evaluates GFRP degradation under hygrothermal conditions through surface wettability analysis. Herein, a glass fiber-reinforced benzoxazine (BZ) composite was fabricated using the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) method and was aged in a controlled humidity and temperature chamber for up to 5 weeks. When analyzing the wettability characteristics of the composite, notable changes in the contact angle (CA) and contact angle hysteresis (CAH) were 21.77% and 90.90%, respectively. Impact droplet dynamics further demonstrated reduced wetting length and faster droplet equilibrium times with the prolonged aging duration, indicating a progressive decline in surface characteristics. These changes correlated with reductions in flexural strength, highlighting the surface’s heightened sensitivity to environmental degradation compared with internal structural integrity. This study emphasizes the critical role of surface characterization in predicting the overall integrity of GFRP composites. Full article

Water body detection from satellite imagery is still challenging due to spectral confusion and the limitation of traditional water indices. This paper proposes a new approach by incorporating Particle Swarm Optimization with a Spectral Multi-Band Water Index for the enhanced detection of water bodies using Sentinel-2 imagery. The proposed approach optimizes the coefficients of seven Sentinel-2 bands (Blue, Green, NIR, NIR-Narrow, Water Vapor, SWIR1, and SWIR2) using an intelligent PSO with adaptive inertia weight and early stopping mechanisms. This work strategy proposes a new fitness function that applies dynamic thresholding and target-based optimization, allowing it to calibrate precisely to the local characteristics of the water body. The performance of the PSO-SMBWI was evaluated against traditional water indices, including the NDWI, MNDWI, and AWEI. The results indicate that the PSO-SMBWI has the highest accuracy, which exactly coincides with the ground truth of water coverage (12.12%), while the NDWI, MNDWI, and AWEI have deviations of +1.24%, +0.53%, and +12.15%, respectively. The proposed method automatically handles multi-resolution band integration in 10 m, 20 m, and 60 m and eliminates manual threshold tuning. Furthermore, our consensus-based validation approach ensures robust performance verification. Its effectiveness is due to its adaptive optimization framework and comprehensive spectral analysis. Hence, it is most suitable for any geographical context on the ground for highly accurate water body mapping. This research contributes a lot to the area of remote sensing by introducing an automated, highly accurate, and very computationally efficient approach to water body detection. Full article

The Cone Morse (CM) implant-abutment junction is designed to improve screw mechanics and minimize bacterial leakage through a process known as “cold fusion”. This research evaluated a clinically stable self-locking CM implant that was retrieved after 30 years of functional loading, focusing on the bone–implant interface. Histological evaluation was conducted to assess the extent of bone-to-implant contact (BIC), identify any tissue reactions, and determine the overall condition of the interface. The analysis revealed a high percentage of BIC in the endosseous portion (56.9%) and at the first contact point (77.4%). Notably, the bone in direct contact with the implant showed healthy integration, indicating no signs of adverse reactions or degradation despite the long duration of functionality. Additionally, osteocyte lacunae were found to be more numerous and larger in the coronal region compared to the apical region. These findings confirmed that the CM implant design sustains a high degree of BIC in humans, even after extended functional loading. The absence of epithelial migration, inflammatory infiltrate, and fibrous tissue at the interface suggests that this type of implant can offer long-term stability and integration. Full article

Accurate segmentation of the sky region is crucial for various applications, including object detection, tracking, and recognition, as well as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications. However, sky region segmentation poses significant challenges due to complex backgrounds, varying lighting conditions, and the absence of clear edges and textures. In this paper, we present a new hybrid fast segmentation technique for the sky region that learns from object components to achieve rapid and effective segmentation while preserving precise details of the sky region. We employ Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to guide the active contour and extract regions of interest. Our algorithm is implemented by leveraging three types of CNNs, namely DeepLabV3+, Fully Convolutional Network (FCN), and SegNet. Additionally, we utilize a local image fitting level-set function to characterize the region-based active contour model. Finally, the Lattice Boltzmann approach is employed to achieve rapid convergence of the level-set function. This forms a deep Lattice Boltzmann Level-Set (deep LBLS) segmentation approach that exploits deep CNN, the level-set method (LS), and the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) for sky region separation. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated on the CamVid dataset, which contains images with a wide range of object variations due to factors such as illumination changes, shadow presence, occlusion, scale differences, and cluttered backgrounds. Experiments conducted on this dataset yield promising results in terms of computation time and the robustness of segmentation when compared to state-of-the-art methods. Our deep LBLS approach demonstrates better performance, with an improvement in mean recall value reaching up to 14.45%. Full article

In today’s competitive industrial landscape, effective performance measurement is crucial for achieving operational success. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are widely used to track progress, but their implementation often lacks a comprehensive framework that considers both financial outcomes and managerial insights. A quali-quantitative analysis model is introduced to optimize the implementation of KPIs in industrial settings, demonstrated through a case study of a Cambodian charcoal factory. By integrating Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA) and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), the model combines both quantitative financial analysis and qualitative managerial evaluations to assess and rank a selected set of KPIs. This dual approach ensures a more comprehensive understanding of KPI impacts, enabling informed decision-making. The results highlight the critical need for balancing measurable financial benefits with qualitative insights, particularly in industries within developing nations that are forced to compromise in constrained environments, and where both economic outcomes and strategic considerations are essential for sustainable growth. Furthermore, the proposed model has universal applicability across different industrial contexts, providing a flexible and adaptable framework for KPI selection beyond the specific case study analyzed. Full article

This study investigates the thermal performance of heat pipes using nanofluids based on silver (Ag), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at varying concentrations. Heat pipes, recognized for their efficiency in passive thermal management, face limitations with traditional fluids. Nanofluids, engineered by dispersing nanoparticles in base fluids, were explored as alternatives due to their superior thermal conductivity and convective properties. Nanofluids were prepared using ultrasonication, and their thermal conductivity, viscosity, and stability were evaluated. Experimental tests were conducted under controlled conditions to assess the impact of nanoparticle type, concentration, inclination angle, and fluid filling ratio on performance metrics, including thermal resistance (TR) and heat transfer coefficients (HTCs). The results demonstrated that Ag-based nanofluids outperformed others, achieving a 150% increase in thermal conductivity and an 83% reduction in TR compared to deionized water. HTCs increased by 300% for Ag nanofluids at a 0.5% concentration. Inclination angles and filling ratios also significantly affected performance, with optimal conditions identified at a 70% filling ratio and a 30° inclination angle. The findings highlight the potential of nanofluids in optimizing heat transfer systems and provide a framework for selecting suitable parameters in industrial applications. Full article

This study is an experiment that looks at what happens when 18 supported reinforced concrete beams with waste glass inside them are put on fire. All the supported beams were tested under a three-point load. We classified the beams into three groups based on the glass-to-sand replacement ratio. Two sand replacement ratios (10% and 20%) were considered and compared with the control beams (without replacement). Two periods of burning were studied to investigate the mechanical properties of ferrocement and the behavior of simply supported beams. We considered a temperature of 550 °C and gradually increased the burning to reach this degree. Mode failure, mechanical properties, and load–deflection were present in this study. According to this study and its results, it seems that approximately all mode failures were compound flexural and shear failures. The flexural and compressive strength of replacing sand with glass concrete leads to an improvement in the flexural behavior of the reinforced concrete beam incorporating waste glass (brittle failure) that happened when burning the beam element without sand replacement glasses. The replacement ratio (10%) is the best value of the replacement ratio of the glasses; the compressive strength increased by about 10% to 29% by the replacement ratio. When replacing 10% of the sand with glasses, the ratio increases from 1% to 16%, but the compressive strength decreases from 20% to 51% when the burning time increases from one hour to an hour and a half. When 10% of the sand is replaced by glasses by weight, the first crack load capacity goes up by about 8% for one hour of burning and by 16% for one hour and a half of burning compared to beams that are not burning. The ultimate load capacity also goes up by about 17.5% for one hour of burning and by 23.5% for one hour and a half of burning compared to beams that are not burning. Otherwise, sand replacement was 10% by glasses; by weight, the ultimate load strength increased about 6% when the burning was one hour and 12% when the burning was one hour and a half compared with the beams without burning for the same phase. Full article

Given the significant increase in electricity consumption, especially in the industrial and commercial categories, exploring new energy sources and developing innovative technologies are essential. The fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) and digital transformation are not just buzzwords; they offer real opportunities for energy sustainability, using technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT). In this context, this study focuses on improving energy efficiency in smart spaces within the context of Industry 4.0 by utilizing the SmartParcels framework. This framework creates a detailed and cost-effective plan for equipping specific areas of smart communities, commonly referred to as parcels. By adapting this framework, we propose an integrated model for planning and implementing IoT applications that optimizes service utilization while adhering to operational and deployment cost constraints. The model considers multiple layers, including sensing, communication, computation, and application, and adopts an optimization approach to meet the needs related to IoT deployment. In simulated industrial environments, it demonstrated scalability and economic viability, achieving high service utility and ensuring broad geographic coverage with minimal redundancy. Furthermore, the use of heuristics for device reuse and geophysical mapping selection promotes cost-effectiveness and energy sustainability, highlighting the framework’s potential for large-scale applications in diverse industrial contexts. Full article

The expansion of cloud-based storage has intensified concerns about integrity, security, and fair compensation for third-party auditors. Existing authentication methods often compromise privacy with high computational costs, punctuating the need for an efficient and transparent verification system. This study proposes a privacy-preserving authentication framework that combines blockchain-driven smart contracts with an optimized ranked-based Merkle hash tree (RBMHT). Experimental results demonstrated that our approach lowers computational costs by 24.02% and reduces communication overhead by 86.22% compared to existing solutions. By minimizing redundant operations and limiting auditor–cloud interactions, the systems improve reliability and scalability. This makes it well-suited for applications where privacy and trust are critical. Beyond performance gains, the scheme constitutes self-executing smart contracts, preventing dishonest collusions. By bridging security, dependability, and fairness, our findings set a new standard for reliable cloud attestation for a more secure and transparent auditing system. Full article