18397 research outputs found
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Towards Accurate and Efficient Sorting of Retired Lithium-ion Batteries: A Data Driven Based Electrode Aging Assessment Approach
No full textRetired batteries (RBs) for second-life applications offer promising economic and environmental benefits. However, accurate and efficient sorting of RBs with discrepant characteristics persists as a pressing challenge. In this study, we propose an electrode aging assessment approach to address this concern. First, we introduce three novel electrode aging parameters (EAPs) by investigating the aging-induced relative position shifts of electrode and battery OCV curves. Compared with conventional sorting indices, these EAPs are capable of intuitively interpreting the impact of primary aging mechanisms on battery electrodes, i.e., loss of lithium inventory and loss of active material. Second, we present a data-driven scheme for rapid EAP estimation. This scheme only relies on a number of 15 open circuit voltage (OCV) feature points with fixed magnitudes and varying differential charge amounts to capture essential OCV characteristics at different levels of aging, thereby eliminating the need for substantial and successive OCV data collection and alleviating associated computational cost. In addition, we employ an adaptive affinity propagation algorithm to sort RBs that unlocks the necessity of pre-determining the clustering number. Validation results prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach in contrast to capacity based benchmark methods.</p
Design and robust control of micro-actuators for positioning systems
No full textThe design and control of micro-actuators are crucial for applications in robotics, aerospace, and healthcare. This research focuses on positioning systems using piezoelectric and Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) actuators. It begins with a detailed review of these actuators, covering their principles, fabrication, and performance. A piezoelectric-driven system is designed for precise, fast movement, followed by a dual-stage system for greater accuracy and displacement. Advanced control methods, including reinforcement learning and sliding mode control, are applied to improve accuracy and robustness. These systems show significant potential for enhancing precision in challenging environments like underwater settings, surgical tools and high-precision manufacturing.</p
Transformation of the innovation process in the food industry by introducing lean/agile new product development processes
No full textThis research redefines New Product Development (NPD) for SMEs in the Australian food service industry (FSI) by integrating a lean/agile hybrid approach to the stage-gate (SG) process. The study emphasizes innovation, efficiency and adaptability in response to evolving customer demands and market complexities. By integrating lean waste-reduction principles and agile flexibility, the enhanced five-stage SG model improves NPD outcomes. A case study highlights real-world application, showcasing improvements in development time, customer engagement and success rates. Organizational restructuring and advanced data management further support innovation, offering a scalable framework for SMEs to boost competitiveness and responsiveness in the FSI.</p
Built environment and parental perception of safety for active school travel
No full textThe number of children actively commuting to school has been decreasing in many countries partly due to parental perception of traffic safety. Micro-scaled streetscape interventions were found to positively influence parental percental perception of safety, but study evidence was limited. This thesis explores the perception and the reasons based on micro-scale streetscape interventions from parents of children enrolled in public primary schools across Melbourne, using videos and survey questions. The study shows that interventions influence perceptions significantly and these findings can be used to design and develop streets that are perceived safe by the parents.</p
Synergetic electrothermal storage integrated trigeneration nanogrid
No full textNature teaches us safe, simple and sustainable ways of life. Ancient people used mud and mortar to build homes to cope with heat waves and cold spells. A long journey from fire to wire took millenniums in discovering wood, wind, coal, oil, gas and inventing electricity. We know today, sun and earth are the ultimate sources of energy in our world. We are on learning curve to harvest natural energy resources and convert them into desired forms in an efficient manner. Our addiction to hydrocarbon honey has taken us to a point where end of oil is visible from back mirror and looming global warming is ahead in sight. Traditional refrigeration methods are being discouraged and a number of synthetic refrigerants are already banned or on time barred permission to be phased out soon eventually. It is time to stop cooling the homes by heating the planet and promote solar fueled combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) nanogrids for sustainable settlements in sunny countries. Conventional CCHP designs in industries make us of natural gas fired generators to meet demands. Proposed clean multienergy CCHP design makes use of solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies to generate and store energy to ride through the duck curve mismatch in electro-thermal nanogrids. Thermal storage for thermal demands and electrical storage for electrical demands lowers the energy conversions, improving efficiency and ability to provide sufficient energy during low/no generations times. The sun shorn places may choose geothermal driven CCHP nanogrids. This research covers 5 of the 17 UNDP sustainability development goals.</p
Elements of Successful Evidence Centres: Foundations for a Disability Employment Centre of Excellence
No full textIn May 2024, the Australian federal government announced a budget commitment of $23.3 million over four years to establish a Disability Employment Centre of Excellence from 2024-25.Prior to this, and in response to public consultation regarding the purpose and organisational model of a proposed Disability Employment Centre of Excellence in Australia, a private philanthropic foundation commissioned a team of researchers from CSI Swinburne to answer the question:What are the key elements of successful evidence centre models (both national and international) or other practice-focused centres?From the research, five core and overlapping elements of centre design are evident. It provides the evidence base that can inform future decision-making about the model best suited to the proposed aspirations of the Disability Employment Centre of Excellence in the Australian context.A summary report accompanies this final report.</p
AI in small businesses: Current and potential applications and issues for adoption
No full textArtificial intelligence (AI) represents a new area in digital technologies and is already changing the operations of businesses. Small businesses generally make up 99% of businesses and employ around half of the workforce in western countries, so it is important to examine the impact of AI on them. Despite this, AI adoption in small businesses remains under-researched. This chapter provides a high-level exploration of the adoption, and challenges associated with the use of AI by small businesses through a scoping review of the literature across relevant social sectors. The chapter highlights the effect of the COVID pandemic and considers whether this will lead to broader AI adoption. Barriers such as resource limitations, cybersecurity, and knowledge gaps are discussed. The chapter concludes with strategies to support AI adoption, emphasizing tailored tools and improved training to overcome these barriers, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and innovation in small businesses.</p
MINA XIII showreel trailer
No full textMINA is the longest running film festival in the Southern Hemisphere dedicated to mobile and smartphone filmmaking with a focus on moving-image arts, documentary, community engaged film productions, experimental films and emerging screen production forms and formats, such as mobile AI, MoJo, drone videos, mobile AR and mobile cinematic VR. The 13th edition was presented at ACMI on the 8th November 2024.</p
The Covid-19 Black Swan: The Influence of Audit Quality, ESG and ESG Assurance on Stock Resilience
No full textThis thesis examines the impact of Audit Quality, ESG scores, ESG Assurance, and financial performance on stock resilience during the Covid-19 crisis. Study 1 reveals that only the Social Pillar Score significantly influences resilience, contrary to conventional Governance emphasis. Study 2 confirms Big 4 audit firms boost stock resilience, enhancing investor confidence. Study 3 shows ESG Assurance, especially by Big 4, improves resilience, reflecting market preference for credible assurances. Study 4 finds no significant link between ETR and resilience, but underscores the value of ESG Assurance in crisis contexts, highlighting its importance for stakeholder trust and stability.</p
Hearing voices while listening: The behavioural and neural correlates of external speech processing deficits associated with auditory verbal hallucinations
No full textAuditory verbal hallucination (i.e., voice-hearing) describes the perception of voices in the absence of external auditory input. Although deviant neurocognitive functions related to external speech processing are purported to underlie voice-hearing, a precise understanding of this relationship and associated clinical implications has yet been achieved. Examining such behavioural and neural impairments in individuals with schizophrenia, thesis findings suggest that those with a voice-hearing history show exacerbated challenges while listening to complex speech, alongside deviant cortical function within key attentional and language processing regions. Novel evidence of the neurophysiological relationship between voice-hearing and external speech processing is provided, alongside pathways for improved clinical management of these challenges.</p