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Intelligent Collaborative Robots Augmented with Vision Perception for Flexible Manufacturing System
No full textTo accurately detect and localize objects within a robot’s environment in real time, while also enabling to generate instantaneous and effective path planning for part handling, is a critical advancement in the realm of collaborative robots, particularly within the context of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). Though existing literature provides several methods for 3D object detection, few have considered the unique demands and dynamics of a collaborative robotic environment within FMS. This paper attempts to integrate a vision perception system into a collaborative robotic system in order to address the aforementioned challenge. In particular, using the advanced capabilities of Franka Emika Panda robots and the detailed environmental data captured by a 3D camera, a system for real-time object pose detection and computation is developed. This achievement enables swift and accurate decision-making, reduces the need for reliance on preprogrammed tasks, and ultimately enhances the adaptability of the robots within the FMS. The proposed software algorithm not only detects and localizes the position and orientation of a part but also executes path planning to accurately pick up and place the detected part. Preliminary testing, which includes tasks involving part pickup and placement, suggests that the integration of vision perception systems can substantially augment the functionality, efficiency, and adaptability of the collaborative robots within an FMS environment. This paper contributes to the evolving conversation around manufacturing automation and lays the foundation for future research and innovation in this arena
Enhancing severely compromised premolar strength: role of cusp reduction design in CAD/CAM composite restorations
No full textEnhancing Mechanical and Gamma Shielding Properties of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber Filled With Recycled Nano-Tungsten Oxide
No full textThis study investigates the incorporation of recycled nano-tungsten oxide (WO3) into ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber to enhance its mechanical properties and gamma shielding capabilities. Utilizing a conventional two-roll mill, EPDM composites filled with varying WO3 concentrations (0–20 parts per hundred rubber, phr) were prepared and analyzed. The mechanical test results revealed significant improvements in tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness, with optimal performance observed at 15 phr WO3. Gamma attenuation properties were assessed through theoretical and experimental methods, demonstrating enhanced shielding performance proportional to WO3 content, particularly at low to medium energy levels. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed a uniform dispersion of WO3 at 15 phr, while rheometric analysis highlighted improvements in curing behavior and crosslinking density at this concentration. These findings underscore the potential of recycled nano-WO3 as a sustainable filler, providing a lead-free alternative for applications requiring enhanced mechanical and radiation shielding properties. Future work will explore the long-term durability and application-specific performance of these composites
Optimization and DFT study for boosted electooxidation of formic acid at NiOx modified Pt using urea derivatives as blending fuels
No full textThis paper addresses the enhancement of formic acid electrooxidation (FAO) at Pt and Pt-NiOx nanoparticles based-catalysts assisted with urea derivatives as blending fuels. Blending formic acid with various ratios of urea derivatives showed noticeable enhancements of FAO as demonstrated by a favorable negative shift of its onset potential (Eonset) and increase of its peak current density concurrently with suppression of the amount of CO poisoning reaction intermediate. Among all the used derivatives, phenyl urea (PU) showed superior enhancing effect towards the direct FAO with a minimal CO formation together with a favorable negative shift of Eonset by 150 mV. The superb enhancing effect of PU over U and/or other urea derivatives (investigated herein) is attributed mainly to the withdrawing inductive effect of the phenyl group attached to urea. That is the formation of 8 membered ring via hydrogen bonding between PU and formate anion is thought to enrich the electrode/electrolyte interface by FA in such a favorable orientation facilitating the C-H scissoring resulting in the direct oxidation of FA (to CO2) with almost no possibility for CO formation. DFT calculations are used to support this assumption in line with experimental results
Artificial Intelligence and Seeing the Invisible in Arts - From the wane of axiality and Symmetry To the Wax of Invisibility and Emptiness
No full textFunction has been always an important driver in architectural design. It is the request to generate form directly from purpose and utility. In 1896, Louis Sullivan projected that ‘form follows function’ and that the beauty of a building derives directly from its function and not from references of the built heritage. The assumption was that beauty would naturally derive from design once functional requirements are met. Thus, fitness for purpose equals beauty. In 1908, Adolf Loos even went so far as to ask for the total abandonment of decoration. In 1947, Mies van der Rohe made his paradigm shift, function is the main language for design in Europe, creating a new built environment. However, with the advent of machine learning systems, and as seen in our deep learning approach, form indeed can literally follow function. In this paper, we presented a new design approach where we can interpret the unseen in visualizing the future. This can decompose the final design to its essentials to finally generate a conceptual new futuristic design. Using multiple types of tools, we showed how to merge art, sculpture and architecture in a principled manner to yield new compositions and how to generate interesting design variations thus reaching novel conceptual designs. Architecture is a complex spatial organization field, and one must consider it in its totality. There are not only functional considerations but also aesthetical and structural ones. Artificial intelligence is an exciting field of investigation that not only has the potential to fill the gap of computational resources for the conceptual design phases of architectural projects but also the capacity to address the wider needs of the profession for futuristic designs. It answers the ideas of the volume of space, and how space be visualized and built. Finally, architecture does not only deal with functional perfection but also need to respond to immaterial and contextual conditions and inevitably responding to aesthetic questions, structural efficiency and deal with contextual, ideological, socio-cultural, and economic constraints and opportunities. This paper is a review paper, exploring the possibilities for new design approaches
Enhancing oil recovery with novel nano-particle-infused surfactant biopolymer composite: A comprehensive investigation
No full textThe oil industry worldwide is searching for a new way to increase oil recovery. Chemical flooding has been used worldwide to improve oil recovery. In this research, the study of Enhanced Oil Recovery was carried out by using an Egyptian oil of API 42◦; the experiments were done by using Xanthan biopolymer (XG) gum with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) as a composite for the EOR process and studying the impact of different composite concentrations on oil recovery. Design Expert software was used to determine the optimum concentrations of the composite. 500 ppm concentration of graphene cobalt samarium ferrite nanoparticles (NP) was determined to be the optimum concentration based on initial optimization experiments conducted using the Design Expert software. The software evaluated the effects of various nanoparticle concentrations on critical parameters such as interfacial tension (IFT), wettability alteration, and residual resistance factor (RRF). 500 ppm was identified as optimal due to its improvement in wettability alteration and economic feasibility. Rheological experiments further validated this concentration, demonstrating that the optimum concentration determined by the Design Expert significantly improved the mobility ratio, ensuring better sweep efficiency during the enhanced (EOR) process. This research aims to investigate the optimum concentration of the composite to be used with the optimum concentration of graphene cobalt samarium ferrite nanoparticles (NP). The experiments were performed on an unconsolidated sandpack model with 150,000 ppm formation water salinity. The results showed that the optimum concentrations of the surfactant polymer composite are (525 ppm) of (XG) and (3755 ppm) of (SDBS) to be used with a 500 ppm concentration of (NP). This composite increased oil recovery from 81.6 % to 83.3 % by decreasing the interfacial tension and residual resistance factor and altering the rock wettability from weak water wet to strong water wet. This work explores the innovative approaches adopted in the oil industry to enhance oil recovery, mainly through chemical flooding techniques. The research focuses on the application of Xanthan biopolymer (XG) combined with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) and graphene cobalt samarium ferrite nanoparticles (NP) in the Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) process. The study aims to determine the optimal concentrations of these components to maximize oil recovery from Egyptian oil with an API of 42◦. This research highlights the potential of using a composite of Xanthan biopolymer, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, and graphene cobalt samarium ferrite nanoparticles to enhance oil recovery. The identified optimal concentrations improve recovery rates and offer economic feasibility, making this approach a viable option for the oil industry. Future studies may explore the scalability of these findings and their application in various oil fields worldwide
Methane Partial Oxidation With Ni-Mg-Al Hydrotalcites: Impact Of Magnesium On Catalyst Performance
No full textThe partial oxidation of methane (POM) is a promising route for hydrogen-rich syngas production with lower energy requirements compared to steam reforming. Herein, Ni-incorporated Mg-Al hydrotalcite- derived mixed oxide catalysts (5Ni-HT-x, x = 60, 65, 70, 75 wt.% Mg) were synthesized via co-precipitation and evaluated for CH₄ conversion and H₂ yield. Characterization techniques, including X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), BET, H₂-TPR, TEM, FTIR, TGA, and Raman spectroscopy, were employed to investigate catalyst structure, active site stability, and carbon deposition. As a constituent of hydrotalcite-derived mixed oxides (HT), Ni2+ is strongly bound within the hydrotalcite- derived mixed oxides structure, stabilizing the active Ni sites during the POM reaction. Upon increasing the proportion of Mg from 60% to 65% in hydrotalcite-derived mixed oxides, the surface area of the catalyst (5Ni-HT-65) reaches a maximum without changing the concentration of active sites, as well as H2 yield progresses to 45% (against 37% H2 yield over 5Ni-HT-60). Upon further raise of Mg proportion to 70%, hydrotalcite-derived mixed oxides attain the highest concentration of active sites, which catalyzes POM reaction most effectively, yields 46.2% H2 with a 2.3 H2/CO ratio during 400 mins TOS and yields 48% H2 with a 2.18 H2/CO ratio during 15 h TOS. However, excessive Mg (75 wt.%) leads to surface area loss, weakened Ni-support interaction, and increased crystalline carbon deposition, reducing catalytic effi- ciency. The study highlights the critical role of Mg in tuning Ni reducibility and carbon resistance, offering insights for optimizing hydrotalcite-derived mixed oxides-derived catalysts for POM application
Digitally Fabricated Interocclusal Wafer Versus Wafer-Less Distal Segment Repositioning for Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy (BSSO) in Skeletal Mandibular Deformities (Randomized Controlled Trial)
No full textObjective: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of condylar positioning between 2 computer-guided orthognathic surgical protocols: a waferless screw hole plate locating (WSL CPD) technique versus an occlusal splint with distal extending arms (OWDA-CPD) approach. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four patients requiring mandibular orthognathic surgery (class II or III deformities) were randomly allocated into 2 groups (n=12 each). Group I underwent a waferless protocol utilizing 3D-printed osteotomy and screw hole locating guides, while group II received an occlusal splint with distal extensions for condylar positioning. Preoperative and postoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were used to assess condylar displacement in linear (anteroposterior, mediolateral, vertical) and angular (rotational) dimensions. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in linear or angular condylar deviations. Median linear deviations in the WSL-CPD group were 0.45 mm (mediolateral), 0.3 mm (anteroposterior), and 0.35 mm (verti cal), while the OWDA-CPD group showed 0.35 mm, and 0.2 mm, respectively (all P values\u3e0.05). Angular deviations were also comparable, with median rotational changes below 1 degree in both groups. Conclusion: Both waferless and occlusal splint-based condylar positioning techniques demonstrated similar accuracy in maintaining condylar position postoperatively. The findings suggest that either method can be effectively utilized in orthognathic surgery, with no significant superiority of one approach over the other. Further standardization in measurement protocols is recommended to enhance future comparative studies
Design and qualification of the optical fiber system for the CMS RPC Link System
No full textA new off-chamber electronics system, called the Link System, for the CMS RPC chambers will be installed during LHC Long Shutdown 3. The new Link System will improve the time resolution to 1.56 ns compared to the current value of 25 ns. The Link System requires a new infrastructure of low attenuation loss, fiber optic cables to achieve a high-speed data transmission rate of 10 Gbps. The Link System includes one redundant channel for data transmission on the Master Link Boards and two redundant channels for data transmission and reception on the Control Boards. The optical fiber system has been optimized to determine the number of cables, the number and location of patch panels, and the power budget required to support different connectors, transmission distances, and fiber types
Gender-Based Violence in a Warming World: Advancing Mitigation and Adaptation through Gender-Responsive Climate Policies
No full textClimate change, accelerating across multiple dimensions, creates disproportionate environmental costs which primarily affect women, children, gender diverse people and other marginalized groups. Research evidence shows that climate stressors create more vulnerability for women and girls because they lead to increased gender-based violence (GBV) through population movements, resource shortages, and institutional breakdowns. This policy paper examines the intersectionality between GBV and climate change to help governments, donors, and civil society organizations establish gender justice and GBV prevention as essential components of climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. The evidence from Mozambique, India, and Uganda shows essential policy and financial gaps. Policy recommendations include: • The Enhanced Gender Action Plan (GAP) requires policy enhancement through explicit GBV pillars with binding reporting standards and independent oversight mechanisms. • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) must include gender audits with GBV vulnerability assessments as a mandatory requirement. • Multilateral climate funds should establish specific GBV funding streams which provide women led organizations with direct-access funding mechanisms. • The development of climate-GBV data systems should include sex and location breakdowns to track trends and enhance policy developmen