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Development of multi aluminium foam-filled crash box systems to improve crashworthiness performance of road Service vehicle
Get PDFHoneycomb crash absorbers are known as mechanical energy-absorbing systems in both automotive and aerospace industries. However, the gap of knowledge in the transverse impacts of multi-foam-filled or stiffener-reinforced honeycombs is still unfilled. This paper investigates the energy absorption process in large crash boxes applied onto a road maintenance vehicle, exploring four aluminium honeycomb absorbers with design factors like added aluminium foam, corrugated sheet thicknesses, and stiffener reinforcements. The optimised foam-filled honeycomb structures are analysed for four crash scenarios in two different directions; frontal impact (T-direction) and lateral impact (L-direction) subjected to 50 km/h crash speed. The objective of this research is to identify the most efficient design that achieves a maximum acceleration of up to 20g while absorbing a specific energy of 145 kJ. The FE models were developed in ABAQUS to explore various scenarios related to damage zones, impact energy capabilities, and multi-foam-filled crash boxes. Finally, the lightest design of honeycomb absorbers which can maximise energy absorption while maintaining acceleration below the specified threshold of 20g will be recommended.Grant No. TP1288 is supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) through the Engineering X Transforming Systems through Partnership programme.European Journal of Mechanics - A/Solid
Dataset "AR SUS & QUIS Hololens"
No full textAR system usability and user experience in flight operationsEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC
The impacts of shock events on airport management and operations: a systematic literature review
Get PDFUnpredictable shock events have disruptive and long-lasting impacts on the aviation industry. However, the scale and type of impact of different shock events on airport operations and planning have been unevenly surveyed. A better understanding can help airports to improve their risk mitigation and develop more resilient operations and management. Through a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed research, we summarise shock events into four categories based on the cause of the shock: economic recessions, infectious disease pandemics, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters. The major impacts are identified as a reduction in air travel demand, interruptions in operations, modified operating procedures, and changes in facilities and infrastructure. We further bring these together into a conceptual typology of event-impact interactions. This longitudinal overview may assist airport managers in better understanding the impacts of shock events and taking further steps in developing more resilient airport infrastructure and associated business models.Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspective
Taught postgraduate air transport management degrees in the UK: A systematic review and analysis
Get PDFThis paper examines the provision, structure and curriculum content of taught postgraduate (Masters’ level) Air Transport Management degree programmes in the UK. In the academic year 2022–23, 14 UK Universities offered 19 different programmes. These programmes differed in terms of their duration, the fees that were charged, the delivery models, the content and the assessment regimes. In addition to examining the content and structure of the programmes, the paper conducts a SWOT analysis of the suite of degree programmes. While the inherent advantages of having a diversity of programmes for individuals, academic institutions and the air transport sector are recognised, it is suggested that prospective students and employers are cognisant of the differences between programmes to make informed decisions about their suitability and ability to meet personal career objectives and workplace planning requirements.Journal of Air Transport Managemen
Digital twin architecture for a sustainable control system in aircraft engines
Get PDFOver the past decades, climate change has remained one of the major global challenges in the world. In the aviation and aerospace industry, the environmental sustainable development strategies towards carbon-neutral mainly focus on efficiency and demand measures, sustainable fuels, renewable energies, and removal and carbon offsetting. The carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions footprint of an aircraft is primarily determined by energy and fuel efficiency. The advanced engine control systems of an aircraft can optimise the engine performance to achieve energy efficiency, fuel optimal consumption, and emission reduction. This paper proposed a digital twin architecture of a sustainable aircraft control system that allows the system to collect, analyse, and optimise sustainability-related data and to provide insight to operators, engineers, maintainers, and designers. The required information, knowledge and insight databases across flight environment, engine specification, and gas emissions are identified. The research argued that the proposed architecture could enhance engine energy efficiency, fuel consumption, and CO2e footprint reduction and enable (near) real-time data monitoring, proactive anomaly detection, forecasting, and intelligent decision-making within an automated sustainability control system. This research suggests ontology-based digital twin as an effective approach to further develop a cognitive twin that facilitates automated decision-making within the aircraft control system.Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Techniques in Aviatio
Sustainable production of bioplastics from various lipid-rich oil wastes using selected pseudomonas strains
Get PDFSoares, Ana - Associate SupervisorBioplastics, also known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), are produced by
bacteria through aerobic processes using a variety of carbon sources, showing
significant potential as a polymer. Despite efforts to produce cost-effective
processes, the production of PHA remains expensive, posing challenges in its
utilization as a cost-effective material for products. This study aims to
demonstrate the potential of these microorganisms as a sustainable solution for
producing bioplastics from renewable sources. The suitability of two selected
Pseudomonas oleovorans (DSMZ1045 and ATCC29347) was investigated to
accumulate bioplastic polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from lipid-rich wastes:
Glycerol, fats, oils, and greases (FOGs), soybean oil (SO), and palm oil (PO)
were used as carbon sources. Under the conditions of 180 rpm and temperature
of 30℃ for 48 hours, using 2% (v/w) of each oil. The accumulated PHA was
extracted using sodium hydroxide and enzyme-hydrogen peroxide-based
methods. The polymers were qualitatively analysed using Fourier transforms
infrared (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR and SEM
analyses revealed that the produced bioplastic polymers are MCL-PHAs types.
However, the findings showed that these lipid-rich wastes are efficient carbon
feedstocks used in producing MCL-PHAs by the selected Pseudomonas strains.
The yield accumulated by P. oleovorans DSMZ1045 from these waste resources
was 43wt%, 39%wt, 34%wt, and 32%wt of dry cell weight, while P. oleovorans
ATCC29347 was 38%, 37%, 34%, and 33% of cell dry weight, respectively,
suggesting the potential for an effective solution for producing bioplastics. The
results indicated substantial improvements in PHA accumulation for both strains
when pretreatment methods (lipase, microwave, and ultrasound-assisted) were
employed. % PHA yield between pretreatment and non-pretreatment conditions
with DSMZ1045 and ATCC29347 showing enhancement of 46.88%, 41.18%,
41.03%, and 23.26% of cell dry weight and 40.63%, 38.46%, 26.47%, and
18.60% of cell dry weight, respectively.
Glycerol and FOG gave a higher PHA accumulation than the other carbon
sources. More polymer yields were achieved using both oil samples from P.
oleovorans DSMZ1045 compared to Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC29347.
This research underscores the viability of P. oleovorans DSMZ1045 in producing
bioplastics from waste oils, especially those derived from fats, oils, and grease
(FOG)PhD in Energy and Powe
Enhancing automotive safety through advanced object behaviour tracking for intelligent traffic and transport system
Get PDFIn the ever-evolving landscape of vehicle motion analysis, the imperative for enhanced road safety has underscored the importance of tracking object behavior, with a particular focus on vehicles. This paper proposes an innovative approach specifically designed for tracking vehicle behavior, emphasizing collision risk analysis. Central to this approach is the development of a powerful model for meticulous vehicle detection and classification, using real-world video feeds. By leveraging the YOLO algorithm, our method achieves real-time object detection, which is crucial for effective traffic monitoring. We extend our work beyond simple detection to include trajectory tracking, wherein we analyze the complexities of vehicle movement to identify patterns of traffic behavior and potential congestion hotspots. To refine our system further, we have integrated the DeepSORT algorithm, which applies the Kalman Filter and Hungarian algorithm to achieve enhanced multi-object tracking. This allows for seamless tracking through occlusions and at intersections. Our system is adept at identifying potential collision risks by employing advanced risk analysis techniques that assess severity and predict possible incidents. This paves the way for robust preventative measures and underscores our commitment to improving road safety, reducing accidents, saving lives, and enhancing traffic flow. As urban environments grow, such technological advancements are poised to make a significant impact on traffic management and safety standards. We have validated our system's performance using comprehensive datasets, showcasing marked improvements in detection accuracy, precision, and tracking capabilities under various conditions. The development and successful validation of our system not only confirm the viability of our approach but also lay the foundation for future developments in object-tracking technology for autonomous systems.2024 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Automotive (MetroAutomotive
Observer based decentralized load frequency control with false data injection attack for specified network quality and delay
Get PDFLoad frequency control (LFC) aims to stabilize grid frequency fluctuations by countering load disturbances with generation-side controllers. In smart grids, demand response (DR) and electric vehicles (EV) offer alternatives to traditional frequency control, reducing reliance on costly generation-side controllers. These decentralized controls, interconnected through a shared communication medium, form a cyber-physical system, vulnerable to challenges like packet drops and false data injection (FDI) attacks. Additionally, consumer participation in DR introduces significant time delays. This paper derives stability conditions for LFC using a state feedback controller, estimating unobservable states with an observer while accounting for bounded disturbances and noise. This cyber-physical system, involving an observer, controller, and network, is modelled as an observer-based networked control system (NCS) using an asynchronous dynamical system (ADS) approach. The resulting switched system model is used to establish linear matrix inequality (LMI) criteria that ensure stability and determine observer and controller gains under specified packet drop rates, disturbances, and noise. The methodology is tested on various configurations, demonstrating that decentralized EV with LFC and DR improves system response, minimizes frequency fluctuations, and optimizes networked control bandwidth under given conditions.Chaos, Solitons and Fractal
Preserving freshness: innovations for fresh-eating fruit distribution and damage prevention – A review
Get PDFThe preservation of fresh-eating fruit within the supply chain is of paramount for maintaining freshness and minimizing resource waste. This article elucidates a comprehensive and integrated approach to fruit loss prevention and preservation techniques which collectively can substantially prolong the shelf life of fresh-eating fruits across various supply chain contexts. Here we show that the proposed solution emphasizes the development of real-time damage monitoring systems, innovative sensors for fruit freshness detection, and predictive methods for quality degradation and estimating shelf life. Additionally, we advocate for fundamental research to support the creation of smart, lightweight, sustainable, shockproof packaging systems. These packaging systems aim to utilize recyclable and biodegradable materials, contributing to environmental sustainability. In conclusion, this study establishes a scientific foundation for innovative solutions in the preservation and damage avoidance of fresh-eating fruits within the supply chain. By considering diverse factors and proposing a holistic approach, we anticipate substantial advancements in preserving the freshness of fruits.Food Packaging and Shelf Lif
Compression after impact behavior of asymmetrically tapered laminates: experimental and numerical studies
Get PDFThis paper presents experimental and numerical studies on the compression after impact (CAI) behavior of composite tapered laminates. It introduces newly designed impact platforms and compression fixtures specifically tailored for the specimens. Drop-weight impacts are applied to the center of the specimens, and the resulting damage is briefly described. Compression tests are then conducted on both non-impacted and impacted specimens, with strain gauges used to monitor the strain distribution. Internal damage is detected using CT scanning and ultrasonic C-scan techniques. The numerical simulations are performed using ABAQUS/Explicit finite element analysis (FEA), incorporating an intra-laminar progressive damage model and an inter-laminar cohesive model, while additionally modeling resin pockets as elastomers. The simulation and experimental results indicate that before compression failure, impact damage in the thin section minimally affects the out-of-plane displacement, which is predominantly influenced by structural asymmetry. Stress concentration is observed at the junction between the thin and tapered sections in the compression test, while in the CAI test, stress concentration appears in the impact zone. The impact induces a notable shift in failure location and damage modes, resulting in decreased compressive strength, although the impact on stiffness remains minimal.This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20231319) and State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and astronautics) (MCAS-E-0124G03).Thin-Walled Structure