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Article
Engineering
Control and Systems Engineering

Gal Shwartz,

Gideon Oron

Abstract: Pruning waste (PW) and agricultural timber residue are barely treated, creating environmental pollution issues. A lack of regulations and environmental control criteria leads to poor ecosystems. Here we propose transforming PW from a nuisance into a valuable energy and environmental resource. Reuse and recycling options include turning the waste into a food source, or using it to generate energy, compost, soil fertilizer amendment and other products. A linear programming model with Boolean variables and a management model were defined and run for the reuse of PW. The management model defined the diverse options of PW reuse for resource recovery. These options depend to a considerable extent on the country’s production capacity and the preferred applied alternatives. The area of Israel was split into separate regions, which were classified according to preferred alternatives for PW treatment and reuse. These alternatives included factors such as annual amounts of trash generated, transportation expense, energy demand, and requirements based on annual and daily needs. An optimization model was defined and solved, subject to a series of constraints. The results showed that a net profit of approximately 3.5 million USD/year for a total community of close to 10x106 residents could be derived from the amounts of waste and improved environmental control, in addition to the additional energy source. This work raises the urgent need to regulate the recycling policies for PW in various environmental regions worldwide.
Article
Engineering
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Margi Shah,

Dhiren Patel,

Sarang Pande,

Mustafa Haider Abidi,

Fahad Alasim,

Kuldeep A Mahajan

Abstract: Impellers are critical components in industrial applications, requiring smooth surfaces and precise di-mensions. Traditional investment casting methods are often time-consuming and costly. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), an additive manufacturing (AM) technology, offers a faster, more cost-effective alter-native. FDM produces 3D-printed sacrificial patterns directly from a CAD file, making it ideal for low-volume and complex patterns. Unlike wax patterns, which can shrink or distort, 3D-printed patterns offer precise tolerances and allow for thin-walled geometries. FDM also eliminates the need for tooling, reducing capital investment. However, achieving the desired surface finish and accuracy remains a challenge. In this study, a semi-open impeller for a centrifugal pump was printed using FDM with Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) material. The Taguchi Design of Experiment (DoE) method was used to evaluate the impact of printing parameters layer thickness, extrusion temperature, and infill density on dimensional accuracy and surface roughness. Dimensional accuracy was assessed for features like inner and outer diameters, blade thickness, and height. Surface quality was evaluated across geometries like thin sections, curvatures, and surfaces (parallel to the XY/XZ, and YZ planes). Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to provide a comprehensive overview of the results, aiding further decision-making in the research.
Article
Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Stefanie Büttner,

Inka Freundorfer,

Martin März

Abstract: This study provides a comprehensive characterization of various isolated single and half-bridge gate drivers over the entire temperature range from room temperature down to -194 °C. Unlike previous studies, which primarily focused on electrical output parameters such as rise/fall times and propagation delays, this paper also explores critical functionalities like undervoltage lockout (UVLO) and common-mode transient immunity (CMTI). In general, most drivers demonstrate a trend toward reduced rise/fall times and propagation delays as temperatures decreased. The UVLO threshold of most gate drivers tested was found to be quite stable down to low temperatures, but with exceptions. The first comprehensive characterization of the power-up and -down behavior of gate drivers identified critical operating states for practical use. In addition, CMTI testing revealed premature functional failures of some drivers at low temperatures.
Article
Engineering
Civil Engineering

Ahmed Omran,

Nancy Soliman

Abstract:

Considerable efforts are exerted worldwide to use local and waste materials to avoid stockpiling and conserving the environment. The current research investigates the possibility of using the ash produced from the water-hyacinth plant, which causes enormous environmental problems, as a partial cement replacement. The study revealed that under certain burning and grinding conditions, the water-hyacinth ash (WHA) has amorphous and pozzolanic characteristics. The research presents the fresh and mechanical performances of the WHA in paste, mortar, and concrete mixtures. The experimental evaluation included two WHA burning conditions (in the open air for 60 min and closed oven at 600oC for 30 min), different cement replacement ratios (5%, 10%, 15%) by WHA, and the use of three coarse aggregate types. The results illustrate that the WHA is a pozzolanic material that contributes to strength gain over time. The concrete containing WHA showed better performance than the control made with only Portland cement and comparable behavior to mixtures containing 10% silica fume. Based on the current study, the 10% WHA replacement ratio to cement can be considered optimum. The two WHA types obtained from the two different burning methods yielded a slight difference in performance, and the choice should be optimized based on environmental conservation.

Article
Engineering
Bioengineering

Naokata Kutsuzawa,

Tomomi Goto,

Hiroko Nakamura,

Miwa Maeda,

Masaki Kinehara,

Junko Sakagami,

Hiroshi Kimura

Abstract: Background: In recent years, microphysiological systems (MPS) using microfluidic technology as a new in vitro experimental system have shown promise as an alternative to animal experiments in the development of drugs, especially in the field of drug discovery, and reports have been published that MPS experiments have replaced animal experiments. We have commercialized the Fluid3D-X®, a double-layer microfluidic chip made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), under the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) MPS development research project and have applied it to various organ models. When Caco-2 cells were cultured using Fluid3D-X® and a peristaltic pump, villi-like structures were formed in the microchannels, but the degree of formation differed between the upstream and downstream sides. To examine consideration points regarding the effects of the nutrient and oxygen supply by the chip material and medium flow on cells in the widely used double-layer microfluidic chip, and demonstrate the usefulness of a new imaging evaluation method using artificial intelligence technology for the morphological evaluation of cells. Methods: The following studies were conducted. 1. Perfusion direction: The medium was perfused at a normal flow rate (20 µL/min) using Fluid3D-X® and a peristaltic pump in opposite directions within the top and bottom channels and in the same direction initially, then reversed in both layers. 2. Perfusion speed: Incubated at normal and doubled (40 µL/min) flow rates using Fluid3D-X® and a peristaltic pump. 3. Materials: Incubated at the normal flow rate with Fluid3D-X® and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chip, which has the same microchannel design as Fluid3D-X® but is made of PDMS. Results: Cell morphology in the channels was quantified and evaluated using Nikon NIS.ai in addition to microscopic observation. Villi-like structures were predominant upstream of the top channel, independent of perfusion on the bottom channel, and those structures downstream increased with doubled speed. Additionally, compared to the Fluid3D-X, the chip made of PDMS showed almost uniform villi-like sterilization in the channel. Conclusion: As the amount of oxygen and nutrients required by different cell types differs, it is necessary to study the optimization of culture conditions according to the characteristics of the cells handled.
Article
Engineering
Metallurgy and Metallurgical Engineering

Ata Radnia,

Mostafa Ketabchi,

Anqiang He,

Guijiang Diao,

Dongyang Li

Abstract: 316L steel is widely used in various industries and is also one of the metallic materials for biomedical applications because of its excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. This article reports a comprehensive study on the effects of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and subsequent recovery treatment on the microstructure, mechanical, tribiological, and corrosion properties of 316L. The process includes initial annealing at 1050℃ for 2 hours to get homogenous microstructure, ECAP at room temperature with 120° inner angle, and subsequent recovery treatment at 340℃ for 1 hour. Microstructure was investigated with an optical microscope and transmission electron microscope. The mechanical properties were evaluated with hardness and compression tests. Corrosion behavior was analyzed with polarization dynamic tests. The wear test was performed using a scratching tester, and the volume loss was measured with a profilometer. Results of the study show that the ECAP-recovery sample exhibits improved properties than the annealed sample and ECAP sample. The corrosion tests show that the ECAP sample has a corrosion resistance higher than that of the annealed but lower than that of the ECAP-recovery sample. ECAP-recovery sample shows the highest wear resistance and corrosive wear resistance among the three samples
Article
Engineering
Control and Systems Engineering

Avisek Naug,

Marcos Quinones-Grueiro,

Gautam Biswas

Abstract: The challenge in minimizing energy consumption for building HVAC systems stems from the dynamic and non-stationary nature of building behaviors and the complexity of balancing multiple energy optimization objectives. Traditional physics-based models are cost-ineffective and struggle to adapt to evolving building conditions, while data-driven control methods are limited by sample inefficiency and maintenance demands. This paper proposes a novel systematic relearning framework for HVAC supervisory control to enhance energy optimization adaptability and reduce operational costs. We develop a Reinforcement Learning-based controller with self-monitoring and adaptation capabilities to dynamically respond to changes in building operations and environmental conditions. By adopting a hyperparameter optimization procedure that decomposes the intractable hyperparameter space search, we implement a relearning approach to accommodate non-stationary changes during operation. The proposed framework’s feasibility is demonstrated on a building testbed through comprehensive benchmarking against state-of-the-art building control methods.
Article
Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Debasmita Mukherjee,

Homayoun Najjaran

Abstract: Cohesive human-robot collaboration can be achieved through seamless communication between human and robot partners. We posit that the design aspects of human-robot communication (HRCom) can take inspiration from human communication to create more intuitive systems. This however, this must be achieved at no additional effort to the human operator and must be personalized for greater safety and team fluency. A key component of HRCom systems is perception models developed using machine learning. Being data-driven, these models suffer from the dearth of comprehensive, labelled datasets while models trained on standard, publicly available datasets do not generalize well to application specific scenarios. Involvement in these interactions lead to more uncertainties and complexities. Taking into account these challenges, a novel framework is presented that leverages existing domain adaptation (DA) techniques off-the-shelf. Statistically-Informed Multimodal (Domain Adaptation by Transfer) Learning (SIMLea) takes inspiration from human communication to use human feedback to auto-label for iterative DA. The framework presented can handle incommensurable multimodal inputs, is mode and model agnostic and allows statistically-informed extension of datasets. SIMLea allows neural network based models to adapt and personalize to the interacting humans, thus leading to more intuitive and naturalistic HRCom systems.
Article
Engineering
Marine Engineering

Dorota Nykiel,

Arkadiusz Zmuda,

Tomasz Abramowski

Abstract: This study presents a methodological framework for incorporating LCA principles into the preliminary design phase of an offshore vessel, based on the case of the wind farm installation vessel (WTIVs). The proposed approach diverges from traditional ship design methodologies by treating environmental impact as a key criterion and integrates the LCA into the early design stages of offshore vessels which is a novelty toward the sustainability-driven ship design. On the basis of steps usually conducted in preliminary ship design a parametric analysis was conducted to estimate the life-cycle emissions associated with shipbuilding, operation, maintenance, and dismantling phases, with special attention given to the operational profiles of WTIVs. Using statistical regression models, ship characteristics such as displacement, lightship weight, and main dimensions were correlated with LCA-relevant factors, enabling the quantification of emissions at an early design stage. Power demand estimation for different operational scenarios—free running transit, dynamic positioning, and stationary installation—highlighted the significant contribution of offshore-specific vessel activities to life-cycle emissions. The results demonstrate that the structure operational phases remain the dominant contributor to overall emissions, particularly through CO₂ and NOx production. However, emissions from shipbuilding, maintenance, and dismantling also play a critical role, reinforcing the need for early design interventions The findings emphasize the importance of integrating LCA considerations into the design spiral to achieve optimized trade-offs between environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, and economic feasibility. This study provides a foundation for future research into multi-objective optimization models that incorporate LCA into offshore vessel design.
Article
Engineering
Aerospace Engineering

Lan Xu,

Zhongqiang Luo

Abstract: The rapid development of drone technology has resulted in its ever-expanding applications in the military, commercial, and civilian domains. Nevertheless, the concomitant safety and privacy issues have become increasingly conspicuous, giving rise to an urgent demand for effective monitoring and management of drone activities. Consequently, anti-drone detection and recognition technology has gradually emerged as a research focus. Deep learning provides innovative solutions for drone detection by virtue of its advantages in complex data feature extraction and intelligent signal analysis. In this paper, a UAV audio signal detection method based on GRU neural network and attention mechanism is proposed to solve the limitations of traditional convolutional neural network (CNN) in dealing with background noise and interference signals. In this study, one-dimensional waveform data is converted into a two-dimensional feature space through spectrogram feature extraction of audio signals, so as to capture the global temporal characteristics and dynamic features of UAV audio signals. In the model design, a lightweight two-layer GRU neural network is adopted, which combines the update gate and reset gate mechanisms to effectively capture the short-term and long-term dependencies in the audio signal, avoid the gradient vanishing problem, and improve the computational efficiency and generalization capability. In addition, to further enhance the ability of the model to focus on long time series and complex background signals, an attention mechanism is introduced so that the model can dynamically focus on the information of key time steps, thus improving the robustness of complex signal processing. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, we conducted experiments on publicly available UAV audio datasets, and the results show that the method proposed in this paper exhibits high detection accuracy and robustness in dealing with the task of UAV audio detection in complex environments, which provides reliable technical support for the development of UAV detection technology.
Review
Engineering
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Sylwia Werbinska-Wojciechowska,

Rafal Rogowski

Abstract: Recently, there has been a growing interest in issues related to mining equipment maintenance, with particular importance on pumping systems' continuous operation. However, despite wide applications of pump systems maintenance in a wide range of industries, such as water and wastewater, aviation, petrochemical, building (HVAC system), and nuclear power plants, the literature on maintenance of pump systems operating in the mining industry still needs development. This study aims to review the existing literature to present an up-to-date analysis in this field and to investigate the potential and challenges of maintenance performance of mining pumps. The proposed methodology includes a systematic literature review with the use of the Primo multi-search tool, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The selection criteria focused on English studies published between 2005 and 2024, resulting in 88 highly relevant papers. These papers were categorized into six groups: (a) condition/health status monitoring, (b) dewatering system operation and maintenance, (c) health diagnosis and prognosis, (d) intelligent mining (modern technologies), (e) maintenance management, and (f) operational efficiency and reliability optimization. A notable strength of this study is its use of diverse scientific databases facilitated by the multi-search tool. Additionally, a bibliometric analysis was performed, showcasing the evolution of research on pump maintenance in the mining sector over the past decade and identifying key areas such as predictive diagnostics, dewatering system optimization, and intelligent maintenance management. This study highlights the varied levels of research and practical implementation across industries, emphasizing the mining sector's unique challenges and opportunities. Significant research gaps were identified, including the need for tailored diagnostic tools, real-time monitoring systems, and cost-effective maintenance strategies specific to harsh mining environments. Future research directions are proposed, focusing on advancing predictive maintenance technologies, integrating intelligent systems, and enhancing operational efficiency and reliability. The study concludes with a detailed discussion of the findings and their implications, offering a roadmap for innovations in pump maintenance within the mining industry.
Article
Engineering
Architecture, Building and Construction

Kátia Soares,

Isabel Torres,

Ana Luísa Velosa

Abstract: The commitment to technical and scientific innovation for appropriate interventions in buildings with wattle and daub walls requires a comprehensive and authentic approach to pre-existing structures. This involves an in-depth study of traditional heritage, aiming for durable, sustainable, and economically viable repair solutions. Most studies on wattle and daub constructions have focused on Northern Portugal, given the prevalence of this building technique in the region. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the presence and specific characteristics of these structures in the Central and Southern regions of mainland Portugal, as well as in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira. This research broadens the geographical scope, encompassing the analysis of 30 buildings, providing complementary data to existing literature and contributing to a broader understanding of the structural and functional behaviour of wattle and daub walls. The information obtained about traditional materials and construction methods is essential to guide interventions that respect the historical and cultural character of the buildings, while also promoting sustainability and economic feasibility. The results confirmed the presence of wattle and daub constructions in the various areas investigated, highlighting significant diversity in the materials used, both in the timber structures and in the infill and rendering mortars. This variability was observed not only between regions with similar characteristics but also in buildings within the same locality, reflecting local adaptations and the richness of traditional craftsmanship. These findings provide a solid foundation for future interventions and encourage the appreciation of the cultural heritage associated with this construction technique.
Article
Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Azeddine BOUZBIBA,

YASSINE TALEB,

AHMED ABBOU

Abstract: With the increasing integration of renewable energy sources into the distribution network and the growing complexity of modern power grids, electricity quality has become a major concern. This paper analyzes the performance of a 2 MWp photovoltaic power plant connected to a 22 kV distribution grid, focusing on Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and voltage unbalances, including homopolar and inverse components. Measurements taken during critical periods, particularly at sunrise and sunset, highlight the need to review energy quality parameters over time intervals shorter than ten minutes to better detect and understand significant deviations, especially in grids with high renewable energy integration. This study highlights the shortcomings of existing standards and proposes revisions to better ad-dress the challenges posed by renewable energy integration. The recommendations aim to improve electricity quality assessment and ensure optimal compatibility with contemporary and future technologies.
Article
Engineering
Bioengineering

Yuanli Zhang,

Chongzhi Yin,

Fei Chen,

Guizhi Zhang,

Po Hao,

Yongli Pu,

Haidong Teng,

Hong Huang,

Zhan Liu

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the impact of dental implant restoration on the biomechanics of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in patients with posterior tooth loss. Ten healthy volunteers (Control group) and twenty patients with posterior tooth loss (pre-operative in Pre group, post-operative in Post group) were recruited. Three-dimensional maxillofacial models of the maxilla, mandible, dentition and articular discs were reconstructed. The von Mises stress, contact stress, and tensile stress of the TMJ were analyzed. Before implant restoration, the stresses of the TMJ in the Pre group were considerably higher than those in the Control group, especially on the missing-tooth side. After restoration, the stresses in the Post group decreased significantly, and the stress distribution became essentially symmetrical. Additionally, before restoration, the patients with posterior tooth loss and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) had the highest stresses of the TMJ, followed by those without TMD, and the Control group had the lowest. After restoration, the stress magnitudes in the patients with or without TMD returned to the normal range. In conclusion, dental implant restoration can significantly improve the asymmetric stress distribution of the TMJs, substantially reduce excessive stress caused by tooth loss, and alleviate or eliminate the symptoms related to TMD.
Article
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

Jingyi Ding,

Hanshu Chen,

Xiaoting Liu,

Youssef F. Rashed,

Zhuojia Fu

Abstract: As offshore wind turbines develop into deepwater operations, accurately quantifying the impact of stochastic excitation in complex sea environments on offshore wind turbines and conducting structural fatigue reliability analysis has become challenging. In this paper, based on long-term wind-wave reanalysis data from a site in the South China Sea, a novel direct probability integral method (DPIM) is developed for the stochastic response and fatigue reliability analysis of the key components for the floating offshore wind turbine structures under combined wind-wave excitation. A 5MW floating offshore wind turbine is considered as the research object, and a fully coupled dynamic response analysis of the wind turbine system is conducted to calculate the short-term fatigue damage value of tower base and blade root. The DPIM is applied to calculate the fatigue reliability of the wind turbine structure. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are validated by comparing the obtained results with those of Monte Carlo simulations. Furthermore, the results indicate that the fatigue life of floating offshore wind turbine structures under combined wind-wave excitation meets the design requirements. Notably, the fatigue reliability of the wind turbine under aligned wind-wave conditions is lower compared to misaligned wind-wave conditions.
Article
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

Eryong Wu,

Ye Han,

Bei Yu,

Wei Zhou

Abstract: Ultrasonic TOFD imaging, as an important non-destructive testing method, has a wide range of applications in pipeline girths weld inspection and testing. Due to the limited bandwidth of ultrasonic transducers, near-surface defects in the weld are masked and cannot be recognized, resulting in poor longitudinal resolution. Affected by the inherent diffraction effect of scattered acoustic waves, defects image has noticeable trailing, resulting in poor transverse resolution of TOFD imaging, and making quantitative defect detection difficult. In this paper, based on the assumption of sparseness of ultrasonic defects distribution, by constructing a convolutional model of the ultrasonic TOFD signal, Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) sparse deconvolution algorithm is utilized to enhance the longitudinal resolution. Based on synthetic aperture acoustic imaging model, in wavenumber domain, back propagation inference is implemented through phase transfer technology to eliminate the influence of diffraction effects and enhance transverse resolution. On this basis, the time domain sparse deconvolution and frequency domain synthetic aperture focusing methods mentioned above are combined to enhance the resolution of ultrasound TOFD imaging. The simulation and experimental results indicate that this technology can outline the trend of defects with fine stripes and reduce the image resolution about 35%.
Article
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

Algazy Zhauyt,

Kuanysh Alipbayev,

Serikbay Kosbolov,

Alisher Aden,

Aray Orazaliyeva,

Samal Abdreshova

Abstract:

This research addresses the problem of initial synthesis of kinematic chains with spherical kinematic pairs, which are essential in the design of spatial mechanisms used in robotics, aerospace, and mechanical systems. The goal is to establish the existence of solutions for defining the geometric and motion constraints of these kinematic chains, ensuring that the synthesized mechanism achieves the desired motion with precision. By formulating the synthesis problem in terms of nonlinear algebraic equations derived from the spatial positions and orientations of the links, we analyze the conditions under which a valid solution exists. We explore both analytical and numerical methods to solve these equations, highlighting the significance of parameter selection in determining feasible solutions. The study further investigates the impact of initial conditions and design parameters on the stability and flexibility of the synthesized kinematic chain. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for guiding the practical design of spatial mechanisms with spherical joints, ensuring accuracy and reliability in complex motion tasks. This work presents a comprehensive framework for the 3D visualization of geometric transformations and coordinate relationships using Python 3.13.0. Leveraging the capabilities of libraries such as NumPy and Matplotlib, we develop a series of modular code examples that illustrate how to plot and analyze multidimensional data pertinent to kinematic chain synthesis and robotic mechanisms. Specifically, our approach demonstrates the visualization of fixed points, such as XA, YA, ZA, xB, yB, zB, and xC, yC, zC, alongside their spatial differences with respect to reference points and transformation matrices. We detail methods for plotting transformation components, including rotation matrix elements (e, m, n) and derived products from these matrices, as well as the representation of angular parameters (θi, ψi, i) in a three-dimensional context. The proposed techniques not only facilitate the debugging and analysis of complex kinematic behaviors but also provide a flexible tool for researchers in robotics, computer graphics, and mechanical design. By offering a clear and interactive visualization strategy, this framework enhances the understanding of spatial relationships and transformation dynamics inherent in multi-body systems.

Review
Engineering
Aerospace Engineering

David Hyland

Abstract:

This work is a supplement to the the author’s “The Rise of the Brown-Twiss Effect” featured in the Photonics special issue: “Optical Imaging and Measurements: 2nd Edition". The main contribution for the author’s algorithm was the survey of the stochastic search algorithm required to determine the true noise free-image via the Brown-Twiss effect with enormously small integration times. A key element in the algorithm was the introduction of initial conditions where the values of the intensity pixels are assumed to be mutually statistically independent and uniformly distributed over the range where is a (very small) positive constant. This algorithm performed quite well, but the small initial conditions are unnecessary, as well as other complications that should be simplified. Here we streamline the algorithm in the form of a discrete-time dynamic system and explore the alternate features and benefites of compartmental nonnegative dynamic systems.

Article
Engineering
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Roberto Moya-Jiménez,

Andrea Goyes-Balladares,

Mario Rivera-Valenzuela,

Teresa Magal-Royo

Abstract: In the field of rehabilitation exoskeletons, meeting the requirements of all stakeholders involved in the development of innovative medical technologies is essential. This study presents the validation of a proposed device for the rehabilitation of muscle atrophy caused by rheumatoid arthritis, emphasizing the importance of prototype validation in industrial design. Ensuring compliance with functional, ergonomic, and usability criteria is crucial before implementation, as it enhances effectiveness and user experience. The co-design process, involving patients and therapists, plays a key role in optimizing adaptability, ensuring that the device meets real user needs. Through an iterative design approach, feedback from end users contributes to refining the system, improving usability, and increasing acceptance in clinical practice. The findings reveal patients' perceptions regarding the impact on their condition and ease of use, while therapists provide insights into its potential integration into traditional rehabilitation protocols. These results highlight the significance of user-centered validation, reinforcing the role of rehabilitation technologies in complementing conventional therapeutic approaches and advancing patient-centered innovation in industrial and biomedical design.
Article
Engineering
Chemical Engineering

Selma Kuloglija,

Amal El Gohary Ahmed,

Christian Jordan,

Matthias Golda,

Wolfgang Impsmiller,

Noah Steinacher,

Franz Winter,

Daniela Meitner,

Angelika Luckeneder,

Michael Harasek

Abstract: The increasing demand for high-performance activated carbon necessitates applying sustainable and cost-effective production methods. This study explores the use of biochar, derived from renewable biomass. The primary feedstock for biochar consisted of woody residues from composting, along with pre-dried sunflower seed shells that had a moisture content of around 10% as a precursor for the production of activated carbon. The process started with carbonization followed by potassium hydroxide (KOH) activation, key parameters such as the impregnation ratio, temperature, and activation time were optimized to enhance the physicochemical properties of the activated carbon. Under optimized conditions, namely a KOH-to-biochar impregnation ratio of 3:1, an activation temperature of 800 °C, and an activation duration of 5 hours, the yield of activated carbon is 58% and a specific surface area of 498 m²/g. A significant enhancement in surface area, with a maximum value of 709 m²/g achieved after increasing the time to 24 hours of activation. differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis was applied to evaluate the CO₂ adsorption performance of both biochar and activated biochar at 30°C, demonstrating a 30% improvement in adsorption efficiency following activation. This study underscores the potential of biochar as a renewable and sustainable precursor for the production of high-performance activated carbon. The findings contribute to the advancement of environmentally friendly production technologies and highlight the potential applicability of biochar-derived activated carbon in gas adsorption and environmental remediation.

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