Hydrodynamic modeling of unstretched length variations in nonlinear catenary mooring systems for floating PV installations in small Indonesian Islands

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems offer a promising renewable energy solution, particularly for coastal waters. This preliminary numerical study proposes a single-array pentamaran configuration designed to maximize panel installation and enhance stability by reducing rolling motion. The study investigates the effect of mooring length on the motion behavior of FPV systems and actual line tension using the Boundary Element Method (BEM) in both frequency and time domains under irregular wave conditions. The results demonstrate that the mooring system significantly reduces all horizontal motion displacements, with reductions exceeding 90%. Even with a reduction of up to 51% in the unstretched mooring length, from the original design (304.53 m) to the shortest alternative (154.53 m), the motion response shows minimal change. This is supported by RMSE values of only 0.01 m/m for surge, 0.02 m/m for sway, and 0.09 deg/m for yaw. In the time-domain response, the shortened mooring line demonstrates improved motion performance. This improvement comes with the consequence of stronger nonlinearity in restoring forces and stiffness, resulting in higher peak tensions of up to 15.79 kN. Despite this increase, all configurations remain within the allowable tension limit of 30.69 kN, indicating that the FPV’s system satisfies safety criteria.This research was funded by Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) for providing financial support for the study project through the “ITS Center Collaboration Research Scheme” with grant number 1322/PKS/ITS/2024.Modellin

Leveraging animal feed supply chain capabilities through big data analytics: a qualitative study

Purpose Although big data analytics (BDA) has gained widespread interest in supply chain management (SCM) literature in recent years, our understanding of how it contributes to improved animal feed supply chains (SCs) is still underexplored. This study provides a greater understanding of the role of BDA in improving animal feed SC capabilities. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was used in this study. Data were collected through 32 semistructured interviews from several actors involved in the production and supply of animal feed concentrates. Findings This study provides rich in-description evidence of how BDA enhances performance in the animal feed supply chain through improved logistics capabilities, quality control and information visibility. Our findings also suggest that organizational culture contributes to leveraging BDA capabilities in the feed-processing SCs. Practical implications The research provides an in-depth qualitative investigation of implementing big data in the feed processing SCs. The study provides practical implications for SC managers in the agri-food sector. Originality/value The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge by providing field evidence of the relevance of BDA to animal feed SCs. Moreover, this study adds to the existing literature by providing an understanding of the role of the internal culture of the organization in leveraging BDA capabilities in the SC.International Journal of Quality & Reliability Managemen

Impact of high-aspect-ratio wing aircraft concepts on conventional tricycle landing gear integration

To comply with the Paris Agreement targets set in 2015, significant reductions in aircraft emissions are required. This demands a fundamental shift in aircraft design. Therefore, it is essential to study how future aircraft designs will affect the integration and design of landing systems. This research project examines the landing gear issues that arise from adopting specific future aircraft configurations. The study focuses on two primary configurations: the high-aspect-ratio wing and the ultra-high-aspect-ratio wing, with selected aircraft concepts from Cranfield University as baselines. It investigates the design and integration of conventional landing systems into these new aircraft concepts, highlighting the limitations posed by the modified airframes. The selected concepts include either telescopic or trailing arm arrangements, with attachment points on the wings or fuselage. A methodology for preliminary sizing of landing systems is presented, emphasizing automation and determining key performance indicators to assess the suitability of each solution for different aircraft architectures. The challenges of these novel airframes highlight opportunities to move away from conventional solutions and explore unconventional methods of interfacing between the aircraft and the ground.SAE International Journal of Aerospac

Total pressure distortion reconstruction methods from velocimetry data within an aero-engine intake at crosswind

The integration of Very High Bypass Ratio (VHBR) turbofan engines with short intakes may present challenges due to increased total pressure distortion, particularly under crosswind conditions. Current industrial practices rely on a limited number of intrusive pressure sensors arranged on rakes at the Aerodynamic Interface Plane (AIP), to characterise this total pressure distortion. However, non-intrusive measurement techniques provide a more effective way to capture the complex, unsteady flow fields within the intake, offering higher spatial resolution compared to conventional methods. In this study, velocity data obtained from Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (S-PIV) during wind tunnel tests of a short intake configuration were employed to reconstruct the instantaneous total pressure fields at the AIP within the intake. Two reconstruction methods were used: Direct Spatial Integration (DSI) of the momentum equation and the Poisson Pressure Equation (PPE). These methods were first applied to numerical data from RANS simulations. The results of the reconstruction of the total pressure field based on the S-PIV data were compared against rake measurements. The methods enabled a more comprehensive assessment of total pressure distortion, offering improvements over conventional sensor-based ap-proaches in identifying and characterising total pressure non-uniformities within an intake.This work was conducted under the NIFTI project which received funding from the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking (JU) under Grant Agreement No 86491116th European Turbomachinery Conference (ETC16

From raw data to monotonic and trendable features reflecting degradation trends in turbofan engines

The performance of prognostic models relies heavily on the form and trend of the extracted features. However, the raw data collected from physical systems are inherently noisy, large in volume, and exhibit significant variability, which makes them unsuitable for direct use in prognostics. These characteristics poorly reflect the degradation behavior of physical systems and contribute to the uncertainty of prognostic outcome. Hence, transforming this data into relevant features and carefully selecting them is crucial for meeting the specific needs of prognostic models. This paper aims to address data processing challenges by focusing on extraction and selection of high-quality monotonic features which clearly reflect the degradation and can reduce prognostics uncertainty. The proposed framework comprises three main stages: Data pre-processing, feature extraction, and feature selection. It includes a fitness analysis to evaluate the monotonicity and trendability of features supplemented by visual inspections to identify relevant features. Applied to the Commercial Modular Aero-Propulsion System Simulation (CMAPSS) dataset from the NASA Ames Prognostics Data Repository, the framework reduces noise, improves feature monotonicity and trendability, and facilitates the selection of useful features - essential aspects for effective prognostic methods.This research was supported by the Centre for Digital Engineering and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, United Kingdom, 10.13039/5011000008592024 IEEE 3rd Industrial Electronics Society Annual On-Line Conference (ONCON

High foot traffic power harvesting technologies and challenges: a review and possible sustainable solutions for Al-Haram Mosque

The growing global demand for sustainable energy solutions has led to increased interest in kinetic energy harvesting as a viable alternative to traditional power sources. High-foot-traffic environments, such as public spaces and religious sites, generate significant mechanical energy that often remains untapped. This study explores energy-harvesting technologies applicable to public areas with heavy foot traffic, focusing on Al-Haram Mosque in Saudi Arabia—one of the most densely populated religious sites in the world. The research investigates the potential of piezoelectric, triboelectric, and hybrid systems to convert pedestrian foot traffic into electrical energy, addressing challenges such as efficiency, durability, scalability, and integration with existing infrastructure. Piezoelectric materials, including PVDF and BaTiO3, effectively convert mechanical stress from footsteps into electricity, while triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) utilize contact electrification for lightweight, flexible energy capture. In addition, this study examines material innovations such as 3D-printed biomimetic structures, MXene-based composites (MXene is a two-dimensional material made from transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides), and hybrid nanogenerators to improve the longevity and scalability of energy-harvesting systems in high-density footfall environments. Proposed applications for Al-Haram Mosque include energy-harvesting mats embedded with piezoelectric and triboelectric elements to power IoT devices, LED lighting, and environmental sensors. While challenges remain in material degradation, scalability, and cost, emerging hybrid systems and advanced composites present a promising pathway toward sustainable, self-powered infrastructure in large-scale, high-foot-traffic settings. These findings offer a transformative approach to energy sustainability, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for renewable energy adoption.Applied Science

An analysis of factors that influence the spatial pattern of faecal matter flow in unsewered cities

The management of sanitation systems in unsewered cities in low and middle income countries is a critical issue, yet it is unclear where the risk hotspots are and where interventions should be focused. This study utilised a prototype model, developed by the authors, to map the spatial pattern of faecal flow in Rajshahi city, a secondary city in northwest Bangladesh with a population around a million. This city serves as a representative example of 60 such secondary cities in Bangladesh and hundreds more in the economically developing region in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The model relies on assumptions that carry significant uncertainties; hence, the study employed a sensitivity analysis with multiple plausible scenarios to characterise these uncertainties, aiming to identify ways to improve the model further. Five major influencing factors on the spatial pattern of faecal flow were identified: the emptying of septic tanks, the use of soak pits, and sludge removal from drains, variations in faecal matter production by building types, and the presence or absence of toilets. These factors were shown to collectively have a significant impact (almost 50 % changed) on the model outcome, depending upon the assumptions made. The study offers insights that will guide future data collection efforts by emphasising the need to understand these specific influencing factors and their spatial pattern. Consequently, this research has broader implications for urban sanitation management as well as associated public health research like wastewater surveillance, risk assessment, and disease dynamics in similar urban settings, offering insights into areas of uncertainty that need to be addressed in future modelling efforts.This work was supported by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) through a Ph.D. studentship received by the first author (M.S.S.) as part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water and Waste Infrastructure and Services Engineered for Resilience (Water-WISER). EPSRC Grant No.: EP/S022066/1.Science of The Total Environmen

Robustness and resilience of different solid-liquid separation technologies for tertiary phosphorus removal to low levels by coagulation

In this study, three tertiary solid separation technologies were assessed on their robustness and resilience against an effluent phosphorus target of <0.3 mg P/L at steady state and dynamic conditions. The ballasted flocculation system was found to be very robust at delivering the low P target. Alternatively, cloth filtration provided a more sustainable option for less strict consents of sub 0.5 mg P/L. The effluent from the membrane system was more variable but it was shown to meet the low consents even with increased phosphorus and solids content in the feed. A molar ratio of 1.37 Fe: P was shown to be sufficient to meet the P target at short contact times as with the ballasted flocculation process. It was highlighted that optimisation of up-stream flocculation can be a considerable factor for consistent performance. Overall, the study determined key attributes of the different technologies tested providing valuable insights for technology selection at full scale.Funding for this study was gratefully received by Severn Trent Water.Science of The Total Environmen

Nanomaterials as a new frontier platform: metal-doped and hybrid carbon dots as enzyme mimics for environmental applications

Environmental pollution has become an inexorable problem for the planet Earth. The precise detection and degradation of heavy metals, pesticides, industrial-, pharmaceutical- and personal care- products is needed. Nanotechnology holds great promise in addressing global issues. Over the past decades, nanozymic nanomaterials have exceptionally overcome the intrinsic limitations of natural enzymes. Carbon dots (CDs) exhibit unique structures, surface properties, high catalytic activities, and low toxicity. Different techniques, such as doping or surface passivation, can enhance these exceptional properties. Doping modifies CDs’ electronic, magnetic, optical, and catalytic properties considerably. Metal doping, a more significant strategy, involves the introduction of metallic impurities, which offer insight into enhancing the physicochemical properties of CDs. Metal-doped CDs exhibit higher optical absorbance and catalytic performance than pristine CDs. The literature shows that researchers have utilized various synthetic approaches to fabricate CDs-Metal nanozymes. Researchers have reported the metal-doped and hybrid CDs’ peroxidase, catalase, laccase, and superoxide dismutase-like activities. These metal-doped nanozymes put forward substantial environmental remediations and applications such as sensing, photocatalytic degradation, adsorption, and removal of environmental contaminants. This review thoroughly discussed the metal-based functionalization of CDs, the enzyme-like properties, and the ecological applications of metal-doped and hybrid enzymes. The review also presents the current novelties, remaining challenges, and future directions with key examples.Frontiers in Material

Human factors integration in complex systems: awareness, challenges and strategies

Human Factors Integration (HFI) is crucial for the development of complex systems, ensuring both effectiveness and safety. This research presents a case study on HFI awareness and implementation in a missile and guided weapons development company, focusing on the application of HFI principles, the challenges faced, and potential areas for improvement. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve respondents across various roles in the company, and thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data. Key themes were identified concerning HFI awareness, organisational dynamics and practical challenges. The findings revealed significant gaps in formal HFI training, limited integration of HFI into project specifications and inconsistent end-user involvement. Organisational and cultural resistance hindered HFI due to cost and timeline constraints. The study suggests that early integration of HFI into the Systems Engineering process, alongside enhanced training programmes and a cultural shift towards prioritising HF, are essential for overcoming these challenges.Ergonomic