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Cybersecurity 4.0: safeguarding trust and production in the digital food industry era
Get PDFThe food industry is vital manufacturing sector globally, with an ever-increasing reliance on digitalisation and technology-driven processes. However, this advancement introduces inherent cyberattack risks, encompassing data breaches and system disruptions, which can severely impact production and disrupt the entire food chain. Consequently, cyber threats can evoke fear and mistrust among consumers, potentially tarnishing a company's brand. This paper presents a comprehensive research methodology, including an extensive literature review and a detailed survey, aimed at assessing the current state of cybersecurity within the food industry. The problem at hand is the industry's apparent lack of robust cybersecurity measures to protect against the growing threat landscape, which this research aims to address. Our findings reveal a clear gap in cybersecurity preparedness within the food industry, with potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyber adversaries. In response, we propose a specialised security framework designed to mitigate these risks. The framework is built upon a thorough analysis of the industry's existing cybersecurity posture and the identification of both current and emerging cyber threats. The contribution of this research relies in the development of a security framework that strengthens the industry's cyber defenses, thereby enhancing its competitive advantage. The framework emphasizes the importance of continuous employee education and training as a cornerstone for improving the security environment. Enhancing the security environment through ongoing employee education and training is crucial for fostering consumer trust and enabling seamless growth within the industry. By adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity, the food industry can ensure the sustainability and reliability of its operations in the face of evolving cyber threats.Discover Foo
‘Greening’ an oil exporting country: a hydrogen, wind and gas turbine case study
Get PDFIn the quest for achieving decarbonisation, it is essential for different sectors of the economy to collaborate and invest significantly. This study presents an innovative approach that merges technological insights with philosophical considerations at a national scale, with the intention of shaping the national policy and practice. The aim of this research is to assist in formulating decarbonisation strategies for intricate economies. Libya, a major oil exporter that can diversify its energy revenue sources, is used as the case study. However, the principles can be applied to develop decarbonisation strategies across the globe. The decarbonisation framework evaluated in this study encompasses wind-based renewable electricity, hydrogen, and gas turbine combined cycles. A comprehensive set of both official and unofficial national data was assembled, integrated, and analysed to conduct this study. The developed analytical model considers a variety of factors, including consumption in different sectors, geographical data, weather patterns, wind potential, and consumption trends, amongst others. When gaps and inconsistencies were encountered, reasonable assumptions and projections were used to bridge them. This model is seen as a valuable foundation for developing replacement scenarios that can realistically guide production and user engagement towards decarbonisation. The aim of this model is to maintain the advantages of the current energy consumption level, assuming a 2% growth rate, and to assess changes in energy consumption in a fully green economy. While some level of speculation is present in the results, important qualitative and quantitative insights emerge, with the key takeaway being the use of hydrogen and the anticipated considerable increase in electricity demand. Two scenarios were evaluated: achieving energy self-sufficiency and replacing current oil exports with hydrogen exports on an energy content basis. This study offers, for the first time, a quantitative perspective on the wind-based infrastructure needs resulting from the evaluation of the two scenarios. In the first scenario, energy requirements were based on replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources. In contrast, the second scenario included maintaining energy exports at levels like the past, substituting oil with hydrogen. The findings clearly demonstrate that this transition will demand great changes and substantial investments. The primary requirements identified are 20,529 or 34,199 km2 of land for wind turbine installations (for self-sufficiency and exports), and 44 single-shaft 600 MW combined-cycle hydrogen-fired gas turbines. This foundational analysis represents the commencement of the research, investment, and political agenda regarding the journey to achieving decarbonisation for a country.Energie
Hopes and fears for a sustainable energy future: enter the hydrogen acceptance matrix
Get PDFHydrogen-fuelled technologies for home heating and cooking may provide a low-carbon solution for decarbonising parts of the global housing stock. For the transition to transpire, the attitudes and perceptions of consumers must be factored into policy making efforts. However, empirical studies are yet to explore potential levels of consumer heterogeneity regarding domestic hydrogen acceptance. In response, this study explores a wide spectrum of consumer responses towards the prospect of hydrogen homes. The proposed spectrum is conceptualised in terms of the ‘domestic hydrogen acceptance matrix’, which is examined through a nationally representative online survey conducted in the United Kingdom. The results draw attention to the importance of interest and engagement in environmental issues, knowledge and awareness of renewable energy technologies, and early adoption potential, as key drivers of domestic hydrogen acceptance. Critically, strategic measures should be taken to convert hydrogen scepticism and pessimism into hope and optimism by recognising the multi-dimensional nature of consumer acceptance. To this end, resources should be dedicated towards increasing the observability and trialability of hydrogen homes in proximity to industrial clusters and hubs, where the stakes for consumer acceptance are highest. Progress towards realising a net-zero society can be supported by early stakeholder engagement with the domestic hydrogen acceptance matrix.International Journal of Hydrogen Energ
Defining national net zero goals is critical for food and land use policy
Get PDFThe identification of agriculture and land use configurations that achieve net zero (NZ) greenhouse gas emissions is critical to inform appropriate land use and food policy, yet national NZ targets lack consistent definitions. Here, 3000 randomised scenarios projecting future agricultural production and compatible land use combinations in Ireland were screened using ten NZ definitions. When aggregating carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions using various methods, 1–85% of scenarios met NZ criteria. Despite considerable variation, common actions emerged across definitions, including high rates of afforestation, organic soil re-wetting, and cattle destocking. Ambitious technical abatement of agricultural emissions moderated, but could not substitute, these actions. With abatement, 95th percentile milk output varied from 11–91% of 2021 output, but was associated with reductions of up to 98% in suckler-beef production, and a 47–387% increase in forest cover. Achieving NZ will thus require transformation of Ireland’s land sector. Lagging land use change effects require urgent action, but sustaining a just transition will require visioning of future NZ land use combinations supporting a sustainable and resilient food system, alongside an expanding circular bioeconomy. We provide new insight into the sensitivity of such visioning to NZ definitions, pointing to an urgent need for international consensus on the accounting of methane emissions in NZ targets.Communications Earth & Environmen
Artificial Intelligence applications for responsive healthcare supply chains: a decision-making framework
Get PDFPost-COVID-19, the healthcare sector is extensively digitalizing operations by applying emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is evident from previous research that the adoption of AI in the healthcare supply chain results in unmatched benefits. Therefore, the present study identifies the enablers for adopting AI in healthcare supply chains and validates them using the Fuzzy-Delphi technique. Furthermore, enablers are prioritized, and the dyadic connections between them are investigated using the fuzzy-DEMATEL approach. In the last phase, the Graph Theory Matrix Approach was applied to assess the readiness of a case organization to adopt AI across various healthcare functions. The sensitivity analysis confirms the reliability of the results. Competitive and mimetic pressures, together with government policies and support, were the most influencing enablers. Furthermore, Scalability and Traceability of information flow across the healthcare supply chain are found to be the most influenced factor by other enablers
Geopolitical risk and the national logistics performance
No full textUsing a panel of 43 countries over the period 2007–2022, we provide evidence of the negative effects of geopolitical risk on national logistics performance. Digging deeper into the main dimensions of the national logistics performance, we find that elevated geopolitical risk deteriorates the efficiency of customs and border management clearance, the quality of trade and transport infrastructure, international shipment pricing, the competence and quality of logistics services, tracking and tracing services, and the timeliness of delivery services.Applied Economics Letter
High force compression mode to shear mode piezoelectric energy harvesting
Get PDFThis paper evaluates a novel design of a bridge shear-force structure used to transfer large compressive loads into shear loads on the surface of a piezo disc. The wave/crinkle design can increase the overall number of bridges in a concentric orientation to the circumference with the aim of producing multiple shear force pinch points, changing the shear mode extension path along the piezo discs' axial plane, allowing for tunability, and increasing electrical energy output of a Piezoelectric Energy Harvester (PEH).This work was supported by Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) funded ICASE project EP/V519509/1.2023 IEEE 22nd International Conference on Micro and Nanotechnology for Power Generation and Energy Conversion Applications (PowerMEMS
An eclectic review on dicarboxylic acid production through yeast cell factories and its industrial prominence
Get PDFDicarboxylic acid (DCA) is a multifaceted chemical intermediate, recoursed to produce many industrially important products such as adhesives, plasticizers, lubricants, polymers, etc. To bypass the shortcomings of the chemical methods of synthesis of DCA and to reduce fossil fuel footprints, bio-based synthesis is gaining attention. In pursuit of an eco-friendly sustainable alternative method of DCA production, microbial cell factories, and renewable organic resources are gaining popularity. Among the plethora of microbial communities, yeast is being favored industrially compared to bacterial fermentation due to its hyperosmotic and low pH tolerance and flexibility for gene manipulations. By application of rapidly evolving genetic manipulation techniques, the bio-based DCA production could be made more precise and economical. To bridge the gap between supply and demand of DCA, many strategies are employed to improve the fermentation. This review briefly outlines the advancements in DCA production using yeast cell factories with the exemplification of strain improvement strategies.Current Microbiolog
Bread waste valorization: a review of sustainability aspects and challenges
Get PDFBread waste (BW) poses a significant environmental and economic challenge in the United Kingdom (UK), where an estimated 20 million slices of bread are wasted daily. BW contains polysaccharides with great potential for its valorization into building block chemicals. While BW valorization holds tremendous promise, it is an emerging field with low technology readiness levels (TRLs), necessitating careful consideration of sustainability and commercial-scale utilization. This review offers a comprehensive assessment of the sustainability aspects of BW valorization, encompassing economic, environmental, and social factors. The primary objective of this review article is to enhance our understanding of the potential benefits and challenges associated with this approach. Incorporating circular bioeconomy principles into BW valorization is crucial for addressing global issues stemming from food waste and environmental degradation. The review investigates the role of BW-based biorefineries in promoting the circular bioeconomy concept. This study concludes by discussing the challenges and opportunities of BW valorization and waste reduction, along with proposing potential strategies to tackle these challenges.Frontiers in Sustainable Food System
Fluorine and nitrogen doping of zinc oxide to enhance dielectric storage of PVDF based particulate composites
Get PDFPolyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) based polymer nanocomposites with ceramics as nanofiller have been investigated as a solution for energy storage devices due to their unique and attractive combination of processability and electrical properties. This work assesses two dopants (fluorine and nitrogen) for zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles PVDF matrix composites as a means of improving dielectric properties targeting capacitive storage. Fluorine doping achieves improved performance compared to pure ZnO nanocomposites increasing the decomposition temperature by 15 °C to 463 °C with 15 wt% F-doped ZnO and reducing the weight loss by 4.2 %. The highest dielectric constant that can be achieved with the addition of fluorine is about 70 at room temperature, which is more than 3 times greater than that of pure ZnO nanocomposite. Nitrogen doping also enhances the permittivity of the nanocomposites at ambient temperature but limit enhancement at high temperature due to the lower activation energy.Materials Science & Engineering: