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Creativity and Innovative Technologies in Product Design and Development

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (9 June 2023) | Viewed by 19972

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Interests: biomedical engineering; artificial intelligence; deep learning; computational hemodynamics; image processing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Macau, Room 4023, E11, FST Building, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
Interests: data stream mining; big data; advanced analytics; bio-inspired optimization algorithms and applications; business intelligence; e-commerce; biomedical applications; wireless sensor networks
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
College of Big Data and Internet, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China
Interests: formal methods; machine learning; biomedical engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to present the state-of-the-art, current challenges, and future trends in innovative technologies selected to solve problems and challenges in product design and development phases. Original contributions describing recent findings in theory, methodologies, and applications in the field of creativity and innovation techniques for product design and development are welcome. The target audience is researchers and engineers who need to apply state-of-the-art and reliable creativity and innovative technologies in product design and development industries. The target authors are authors who work closely with industry, use creativity and innovative methods, and have performed work of a sufficiently high quality to be published in the established journal Sustainability.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • inventorying techniques;
  • associative techniques;
  • confrontational techniques;
  • provocative techniques;
  • intuitive techniques;
  • analytic–systematic techniques;
  • creative problem solving;
  • dimensional analysis;
  • SWOT analysis; and
  • engineering and visualization.

Dr. Kelvin Wong
Dr. Simon Fong
Dr. Yu Lu
Prof. Dr. Dhanjoo N. Ghista
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • product design and development
  • creativity and Innovation
  • technologies.

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 707 KiB  
Article
Sports Tourism Sustainability in Times after COVID-19: Analysis of the Behavior of Participatory Event Consumers
by Juan Du and Guifeng Zheng
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9796; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129796 - 19 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1752
Abstract
People mostly engage in sports to participate in tourism activities, and it is therefore worthy of deep consideration why people are so enthusiastic and what their internal motivation is, especially in the context of the normalization of COVID-19 prevention. Consequently, this study aimed [...] Read more.
People mostly engage in sports to participate in tourism activities, and it is therefore worthy of deep consideration why people are so enthusiastic and what their internal motivation is, especially in the context of the normalization of COVID-19 prevention. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-expressiveness and subjective well-being from the perspective of consumers in participatory sports events. Methods: We developed a self-expressive model for consumers in participatory sports events based on the eudaimonistic identity theory, taking samples of non-local individuals who participated in the Fuzhou International Marathon in 2021. Results: (1) Self-expressive model assumes that a consumer’s participation in sports activities is symbolic of their identity and status. (2) Consumers self-expressiveness relies on perceived difficulty of the activity, effort perception, importance perception, and potential for self-realization. (3) Self-expressiveness moderates the relationship between hedonic enjoyment and subjective well-being. As self-expressiveness is highly related to hedonic enjoyment, it plays an important role in personal happiness. Conclusions: (1) Sporting event managers should attach great importance to the formulation and implementation of self-expressive activities to enhance the events, encourage consumers to participate in competitions of medium difficulty, and absorb competitive alternatives or activities of different difficulty levels. (2) They should highlight the realization of the “ideal self” and pay attention to the skill-level training of consumers. (3) They should plan diversified target plans (entertainment, experience, or learning skills) to respond to consumers with different target orientations. Full article
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17 pages, 3648 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Coupling Coordination and Influencing Factors of Sports Facilities Construction and Social Economy Development in China
by Lin-Hong Zheng, Nor Eeza Zainal Abidin, Mohammad Nazri Mohd Nor, Yue-Yun Xu and Xiao-Wei Feng
Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2832; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032832 - 3 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2672
Abstract
Sports facilities are a crucial physical safeguard and means of sustaining sporting activities. The steady and healthy development of sports facilities can promote the sustainable development of the social economy. In order to explore the coordination status and influencing factors between sports facilities [...] Read more.
Sports facilities are a crucial physical safeguard and means of sustaining sporting activities. The steady and healthy development of sports facilities can promote the sustainable development of the social economy. In order to explore the coordination status and influencing factors between sports facilities construction and the social economy, this paper built a coupling coordination evaluation index system and dynamic factor index system for the sports facilities construction and social economy development by using the entropy method, coupling coordination model and random effect model. This paper assessed the comprehensive level, coupling coordination relationship, and influencing factors of the sports facilities and social economy development of nine cities in the Fujian Province across China from 2016 to 2020. The results show the overall level of sports facilities construction in Fujian is better than the social economy development, and the two systems are interacting with each other. The level of coupling and coordination gradually changes from good coordination to quality sustainable coordination. The coupling coordinated relationship between the two systems is developing in a positive way. In addition, industrial development, the level of urban development, and environmental development as influencing factors have a clear positive effect on the degree of coupling coordination. This study provides several recommendations for cities to achieve sustainable coordinated development. This paper also may provide a direction and path for future research. Full article
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37 pages, 39303 KiB  
Article
Application of TRIZ Innovative System Method in Rapid Assembly of Folding Chairs
by Kai-Chao Yao, Kuo-Yi Li, Jing-Ran Xu, Wei-Sho Ho and Yu-Hao Shen
Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15482; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215482 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3355
Abstract
This design activity is an innovative method of rapid assembly system for folding chairs. The research methods used in this study included literature analysis, TRIZ the method, human factors engineering (HFE), universal design, and IPA. First, the design of the folding chair and [...] Read more.
This design activity is an innovative method of rapid assembly system for folding chairs. The research methods used in this study included literature analysis, TRIZ the method, human factors engineering (HFE), universal design, and IPA. First, the design of the folding chair and the layout of the literature related to the chair are analyzed. The contradiction matrix was used in the TRIZ method to find the principle of invention and analyze it, to provide a reference for the innovative design of folding chairs, and then use the relevant literature on materials to help design and select materials quickly. Next, the chair is assembled and unfolded and universal design is applied to design it into an acceptable product, causing it to be more popular. The human–machine interaction with HFE makes the design of rapid assembly and the design of folding chairs faster and safer. Finally, the IPA method is used to understand the subjective feelings of customers on the products of this research and the satisfaction and importance are used as the basis for evaluation; a two-dimensional matrix graph is drawn. After drawing a simulation using drawing software, it is compared with the traditional folding chair and the research results are as follows: (1) Quick unfolding function: use the pull ring upwards and it naturally unfolds downwards by gravity. (2) Quick folding and storage function: use the foot pedal, single-foot operation, and the folding chair can be quickly stored. (3) Rapid transportation and unfolding function: The chair back can be connected with other chair backs and has the functions of quick unfolding and quick storage, so as to realize the quick placement of the folding chair. This design activity realizes the preliminary design concept and design simulation of the product design through a systematic and innovative method. Through this design activity, we can understand the problems existing in product improvement before product development, so as to conduct market research and production cost assessment in the actual mass production later, and further reduce the cost of product design improvement. Full article
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25 pages, 35133 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Restoration of Ancient Architectural Patterns in Fujian Using Improved Algorithms Based on Criminisi
by Xiaoshun Xie, Wanni Xu, Xiaobo Lian and You-Lei Fu
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13800; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113800 - 24 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1855
Abstract
Based on current manual restoration methods, a better algorithm for restoring images based on sample blocks is proposed, along with a sustainable restoration technique for digital virtualization, with the aim of preserving and restoring the priceless art of ancient architectural motifs. The paper [...] Read more.
Based on current manual restoration methods, a better algorithm for restoring images based on sample blocks is proposed, along with a sustainable restoration technique for digital virtualization, with the aim of preserving and restoring the priceless art of ancient architectural motifs. The paper uses curve fitting to pre-process the restored photos by re-constructing their damaged borders and filling in the structural information that is absent with the aid of an enhancement of the Criminisi method. The repaired photos have improved edges that were previously blurry, fractured, and over-extended. In order to increase the dependability of the priority calculation when restoring photos and make it possible to acquire a more precise restoration order, we rewrote the priority calculation formula for restoration blocks in the Criminisi algorithm. The purpose was to enhance the aesthetics of the photographs and provide a viable and sustainable restoration technique for the restoration of ancient architectural motifs in Fujian. The Criminisi algorithm with deep learning is used in the thesis to fully restore the content, color, and texture of the architectural photographs, bringing the murals as close to their original state as is practical. In order to improve the blurry, broken, and over-extended edges of the restored images, the broken edges of the images are first repaired through image pre-processing. Then, adjustment factors are added to the priority calculation to increase the weight of the data items, resulting in a more accurate priority order while preventing the priority values from degrading quickly in the later stages of restoration. The PSNR values of the restored images were calculated and compared to those of the Criminisi method, demonstrating that the revised algorithm produces better restoration results and can effectively improve restoration efficiency while lowering restoration costs and ensuring pattern restoration sustainability. By retaining as much of the structural information of the original image as possible in the design of the network model and allocating larger weights to the structural part, this process also uses style migration in deep learning to restore the texture and color of the mural. As a result, the final image is as similar to the original image as possible in terms of content and as similar as possible to the style image in terms of color and texture. A better solution is proposed based on the Criminisi algorithm. By comparing the experimental results of the three sets of building images, the PSNR values of the priority improvement algorithm (30.26, 38.06, 39.56) were significantly better than those of the Criminisi algorithm (27.59, 37.06, 37.59), using the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) values as a reference standard. In order to determine the appropriate restoration sequence and enhance the quality of picture repair, the broken edges of the pattern are strengthened. The algorithm’s matching criteria can be applied in subsequent work to improve sample-matching accuracy and produce better sustainable restoration results for ancient architectural patterns in Fujian. It no longer requires specialized professional knowledge to reproduce the color of faded architectural photos; instead, a style migration approach is employed to recover the color and texture of architectural images. This study proposes the use of a texture synthesis method and a layered processing method through which the PSNR values of the resulting restored images calculated are superior and significantly higher than those of the sample-based method and the variational framework of synthetic images with regular texture components. We achieved the creation of an updated Criminisi algorithm-based solution that improves the quality of image restoration by fortifying the pattern’s frayed edges and determining the optimum repair order. These two techniques can be combined to improve the sustainability of restoration of faded architectural photographs for issues such as pattern breakage, color loss and fading. To achieve better restoration results for the historic architectural patterns in Fujian, the accuracy of sample matching can be increased, starting with the algorithm’s matching criterion. Full article
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32 pages, 38858 KiB  
Article
Preservation and Renewal: A Study on Visual Evaluation of Urban Historical and Cultural Street Landscape in Quanzhou
by Yang Zhao, Junhan Liu and Yali Zheng
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8775; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148775 - 18 Jul 2022
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3929
Abstract
This paper summarizes the basic characteristics of the cultural landscape in historical blocks by combing the relevant research results from visual evaluation of the landscape in historical blocks. Nine streets and alleys in the five historical blocks of Quanzhou, Fujian, were selected as [...] Read more.
This paper summarizes the basic characteristics of the cultural landscape in historical blocks by combing the relevant research results from visual evaluation of the landscape in historical blocks. Nine streets and alleys in the five historical blocks of Quanzhou, Fujian, were selected as the research objects, and the current situations of cultural landscapes in their spaces were collected and drawn into a table. The Semantic Differential (SD) method and Factor Analysis (FA) method were used to investigate and visually evaluate nine streets and alleys in five historical and cultural blocks in Quanzhou City. The questionnaire was formed in accordance with the requirements of the SD method, and evaluation was performed according to the questionnaire data. The FA method was used to further analyze the data, deduce the landscape evaluation curve and comprehensive evaluation table of historical and cultural blocks and construct the landscape visual evaluation system for blocks. At the same time, combined with the weight of each factor, the comprehensive evaluation score of each block was calculated. Finally, according to the score, the nine historical and cultural streets are sorted, the reasons are analyzed, and the references are discussed to provide scientific reference for the development and evaluation of other historical blocks. Full article
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16 pages, 4402 KiB  
Article
Time–Cost Schedules and Project–Threats Indication
by Frantisek Kuda, Petr Dlask, Marek Teichmann and Vaclav Beran
Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 2828; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052828 - 28 Feb 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1787
Abstract
One of the most common disciplines in a business or economic project is timing and resource review. Despite the frequency of use, the level of sophistication is not high enough to maintain its level of importance. Exceeding deadlines and non-compliance with contractual costs [...] Read more.
One of the most common disciplines in a business or economic project is timing and resource review. Despite the frequency of use, the level of sophistication is not high enough to maintain its level of importance. Exceeding deadlines and non-compliance with contractual costs is more than common. Moreover, there are projects where uncertainties are a naturally accompanying phenomenon. Research projects, implementation of solutions in a time-limited situation, or in an environment of limited knowledge creates risk. Any project proposal faces future realization risks when its planning management does not know with certainty where the current risks and uncertainties may come from. Decision-making, risk management dynamics, and simulations have developed in recent decades into an erudite and useful discipline. The aim is to indicate how much of the time–cost schedule proposal is stable, controllable, and economically feasible. The approach is based on the idea that modern resource scheduling requires nonlinear dynamic calculating models and simulations. The methodology presented is based on the dynamics of underlying physical and economic processes that form a spatial pattern of a time series. The article’s objective is devoted to the early indication of a dynamic project schedule’s instability and predisposition to bifurcation and chaos. In other words, the aim is to show not only what will happen but how diverse and damaging the project may become in the future. Full article
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14 pages, 2271 KiB  
Article
A Creative Analysis of Factors Affecting the Landscape Construction of Urban Temple Garden Plants Based on Tourists’ Perceptions
by Yang Zhao, Junhan Liu and Yuqing Chen
Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020991 - 17 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2981
Abstract
This study was based on the perspectives of tourists, with data obtained through a questionnaire survey of users of the Kaiyuan Temple Scenic Area in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China. Through statistical evaluation and principal component analysis, the data collected from 351 questionnaires [...] Read more.
This study was based on the perspectives of tourists, with data obtained through a questionnaire survey of users of the Kaiyuan Temple Scenic Area in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China. Through statistical evaluation and principal component analysis, the data collected from 351 questionnaires were analyzed, and five common factors affecting tourists’ perceptions were obtained: spatial structure, functional structure, utility plants, heritage characteristics and sensory characteristics. Through data analysis and research, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) most tourists have high expectations in terms of the overall layout of the temple garden plant landscape; (2) they like eye-catching and interesting plants and comfortable spaces for recreation and leisure; (3) they pay attention to the health-giving properties of plants; (4) tourists like it when the temple garden plant landscape includes a diverse range of plant forms while maintaining distinctive regional characteristics; and (5) tourists find bright flowers and aromatic plants relaxing and mood-enhancing, functioning to promote interaction between the temple landscape and tourists. The findings of the study can therefore be used as theoretical guidance for the design of urban temple garden plant landscape construction that meets the needs of tourists. Full article
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