A fuzzy multi-criteria group decision support system for nonwoven based cosmetic product development evaluation

Product prototype evaluation is an important phase in new product development (NPD). Such evaluation often requires multiple criteria that are within a hierarchy and a group of evaluators. The evaluation process and these evaluation criteria often involve uncertain and fuzzy data in the weights of these criteria and the judgments of these evaluators. To evaluate nonwoven cosmetic product prototypes, this study first develops a NPD evaluation model, which has evaluation criteria within three levels, based on the features of nonwoven products. It then proposes a fuzzy (multi-level) multi-criteria group decision-making (FMCGDM) method for supporting the evaluation task. A fuzzy multi-criteria group decision support system (FMCGDSS) is developed to implement the proposed method and applied in nonwoven cosmetic product development evaluation. © 2008 IEEE

A systematic approach for integrated product, materials, and design-process design

Designers are challenged to manage customer, technology, and socio-economic uncertainty causing dynamic, unquenchable demands on limited resources. In this context, increased concept flexibility, referring to a designer s ability to generate concepts, is crucial. Concept flexibility can be significantly increased through the integrated design of product and material concepts. Hence, the challenge is to leverage knowledge of material structure-property relations that significantly affect system concepts for function-based, systematic design of product and materials concepts in an integrated fashion. However, having selected an integrated product and material system concept, managing complexity in embodiment design-processes is important. Facing a complex network of decisions and evolving analysis models a designer needs the flexibility to systematically generate and evaluate embodiment design-process alternatives. In order to address these challenges and respond to the primary research question of how to increase a designer s concept and design-process flexibility to enhance product creation in the conceptual and early embodiment design phases, the primary hypothesis in this dissertation is embodied as a systematic approach for integrated product, materials and design-process design. The systematic approach consists of two components i) a function-based, systematic approach to the integrated design of product and material concepts from a systems perspective, and ii) a systematic strategy to design-process generation and selection based on a decision-centric perspective and a value-of-information-based Process Performance Indicator. The systematic approach is validated using the validation-square approach that consists of theoretical and empirical validation. Empirical validation of the framework is carried out using various examples including: i) design of a reactive material containment system, and ii) design of an optoelectronic communication system.Ph.D.Committee Chair: Allen, Janet K.; Committee Member: Aidun, Cyrus K.; Committee Member: Klein, Benjamin; Committee Member: McDowell, David L.; Committee Member: Mistree, Farrokh; Committee Member: Yoder, Douglas P

Preference mining techniques for customer behavior analysis

The thesis has studied a number of critical problems in data mining for customer behavior analysis and has proposed novel techniques for better modeling of the customers’ decision making process, more efficient analysis of their travel behavior, and more effective identification of their emerging preference

EVALUATION OF EFFECTS OF NEW ANTIFOULING SYSTEMS, ALTERNATIVE TO ORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS, ON BENTHIC MARINE INVERTEBRATES AT ECOSYSTEM, ORGANISMAL AND CELLULAR LEVEL

Marine biofouling on anthropic submerged substrata is associated with major ecological and socioeconomic impacts worldwide. The most widely used antifouling systems are chemical ones represented by paints with a biocide, to which booster substances can be added. The latter are highly toxic chemical substances from agriculture (herbicides, fungicides, acaricides, wood preservatives) and pharmaceutical industry (bactericides, fungicides), these cause various ecological problems due to disruptive effects provoked on non-target organisms and depletion of coastal biocoenoses. From 2001, the paints including organotin compounds (TBT and TPT), which had the best performance and were used worldwide for decades, were banned by International Maritime Organization (IMO) after the discovery of their severe impact on the oyster farms. As a consequence of the restrictions on the use of organotin-based paints, finding new antifouling systems has become a primary necessity. Therefore, the research was devoted to new eco-friendly formulations. Regarding Physical antifouling systems have been recently introduced in relation to the development of a more environmentally friendly approach rather than the chemical systems. My scholarship has been entirely financed by RESIMIX s.r.l of Brendola, Vicenza (Italy). The university-enterprise collaboration aimed to develop a new eco-friendly paint. More in general, the research program of my PhD thesis focused on the implementation of new antifouling systems with low effects on benthic marine invertebrates. My PhD activity it was been divided in 2 tasks, i.e., chemical antifouling systems and physical antifouling systems. To determine and compare the effects of these new antifouling systems on both target species (ascidians and mussels) and non-target species (clams) the tasks have been developed at three study levels, i.e., ecosystem, individuals, and cells. As regards of chemical antifouling systems I have been investigated the significant differences in the ecological succession of hard-substratum community, by means of a series of biodiversity indexes, during at least one-year exposure to various RESIMIX paints and trade copper-based paints. In addition, a comparative monitoring with trade antifouling paints has been considered together with the effects on settlement and metamorphosis of ascidian larvae and finally, the observation of the mechanisms of action in in vitro immunotoxicity assays on dominant bioindicators in benthic biocoenoses like tunicates, clams and mussels. From these preliminary but significant results about chemical antifouling systems, crucial questions have arisen regarding the continuous indiscriminate introduction of such biocides into the environment. As regards physical antifouling systems I have been considered geotextiles (for protection from coastal erosion), and ultrasound (to prevent biofilm and disturb the larval settlement) reaching interesting results in both the field and the lab, which revealed the till now hidden downside of these systems.Marine biofouling on anthropic submerged substrata is associated with major ecological and socioeconomic impacts worldwide. The most widely used antifouling systems are chemical ones represented by paints with a biocide, to which booster substances can be added. The latter are highly toxic chemical substances from agriculture (herbicides, fungicides, acaricides, wood preservatives) and pharmaceutical industry (bactericides, fungicides), these cause various ecological problems due to disruptive effects provoked on non-target organisms and depletion of coastal biocoenoses. From 2001, the paints including organotin compounds (TBT and TPT), which had the best performance and were used worldwide for decades, were banned by International Maritime Organization (IMO) after the discovery of their severe impact on the oyster farms. As a consequence of the restrictions on the use of organotin-based paints, finding new antifouling systems has become a primary necessity. Therefore, the research was devoted to new eco-friendly formulations. Regarding Physical antifouling systems have been recently introduced in relation to the development of a more environmentally friendly approach rather than the chemical systems. My scholarship has been entirely financed by RESIMIX s.r.l of Brendola, Vicenza (Italy). The university-enterprise collaboration aimed to develop a new eco-friendly paint. More in general, the research program of my PhD thesis focused on the implementation of new antifouling systems with low effects on benthic marine invertebrates. My PhD activity it was been divided in 2 tasks, i.e., chemical antifouling systems and physical antifouling systems. To determine and compare the effects of these new antifouling systems on both target species (ascidians and mussels) and non-target species (clams) the tasks have been developed at three study levels, i.e., ecosystem, individuals, and cells. As regards of chemical antifouling systems I have been investigated the significant differences in the ecological succession of hard-substratum community, by means of a series of biodiversity indexes, during at least one-year exposure to various RESIMIX paints and trade copper-based paints. In addition, a comparative monitoring with trade antifouling paints has been considered together with the effects on settlement and metamorphosis of ascidian larvae and finally, the observation of the mechanisms of action in in vitro immunotoxicity assays on dominant bioindicators in benthic biocoenoses like tunicates, clams and mussels. From these preliminary but significant results about chemical antifouling systems, crucial questions have arisen regarding the continuous indiscriminate introduction of such biocides into the environment. As regards physical antifouling systems I have been considered geotextiles (for protection from coastal erosion), and ultrasound (to prevent biofilm and disturb the larval settlement) reaching interesting results in both the field and the lab, which revealed the till now hidden downside of these systems

Circular Economy and Sustainable Development: A Systematic Literature Review

Circular Economy put forth as an alternative to traditional linear model of extract-use-dispose along with the concept of Sustainable Development encompassing economic, environmental, and social aspects have garnered tremendous impetus among academics, practitioners and policymakers alike. The UN Sustainable Development Goals embraced by the member nations in 2015 based on the preceding Millenium Development Goals have been placed as the targets to be achieved as a part of holistic human development. In this backdrop, this paper examines the intersection of sustainability and circular economy with a focus on the three aspects of sustainable development, first the economic aspect by examining the relationship between GDP and circular economy, second the social economic aspect within the interaction of Circular Economy with Sustainable development and third the environmental-economical aspect by examining circularity and sustainability in waste management and waste valorisation. This paper achieves its objective through a systematic literature review of 1748 journal articles collected from Web of Science and SCOPUS database following PRISMA standards, network analysis of keywords, and manual review of texts. Four Research Questions are formulated: RQ1: What are the major emergent topics in Circular Economy and Sustainable Development and how are they related? RQ2: What is the relationship among CE and GDP in the CE and Sustainability? RQ3: What are the relationships between CE and Sustainability? RQ4: What are different use cases of valorisation of waste as CE tool, and can valorisation be sustainable? RQ1 is answered by presenting hotspot of research on Circular Economy and Sustainable Development through keywords occurrence network analysis using VosViewer. This study identifies three clusters and seven thematic areas of research, along with 25 most used keywords. RQ2 is attended through review of the relationship between economic growth (Gross Domestic Product) and Circular Economy and proposes based on the review that CE is still at its infancy. The paper also discusses the appropriateness of using GDP as a measure of sustainable development. This paper addresses RQ3 by examining the relationship between Circular Economy and Sustainable Development through review of literatures. The indicators used to measure CE and SD are also discussed and summarised. This review finds that achieving SDGs require greater effort, and that the present status of achievement is a bleak picture. Further, the role of waste management and potentiality of waste valorisation to aid in circular economy and sustainable development is analysed to answer RQ4. Though there are ample potential, however the recycle rate is very minimal to quench the required level of circularity. While CE and SD are related, CE cannot be a universal panacea to global challenges like emissions reduction, energy consumption, climate change, gender equality, poverty, well-being, environmental protection etc. even though the impact of CE to achieve SD can be substantial. The paper recommends avenues for future research and presents the conclusion of the study

Systemic circular economy solutions for fiber reinforced composites

This open access book provides an overview of the work undertaken within the FiberEUse project, which developed solutions enhancing the profitability of composite recycling and reuse in value-added products, with a cross-sectorial approach. Glass and carbon fiber reinforced polymers, or composites, are increasingly used as structural materials in many manufacturing sectors like transport, constructions and energy due to their better lightweight and corrosion resistance compared to metals. However, composite recycling is still a challenge since no significant added value in the recycling and reprocessing of composites is demonstrated. FiberEUse developed innovative solutions and business models towards sustainable Circular Economy solutions for post-use composite-made products. Three strategies are presented, namely mechanical recycling of short fibers, thermal recycling of long fibers and modular car parts design for sustainable disassembly and remanufacturing. The validation of the FiberEUse approach within eight industrial demonstrators shows the potentials towards new Circular Economy value-chains for composite materials

Systemic Circular Economy Solutions for Fiber Reinforced Composites

This open access book provides an overview of the work undertaken within the FiberEUse project, which developed solutions enhancing the profitability of composite recycling and reuse in value-added products, with a cross-sectorial approach. Glass and carbon fiber reinforced polymers, or composites, are increasingly used as structural materials in many manufacturing sectors like transport, constructions and energy due to their better lightweight and corrosion resistance compared to metals. However, composite recycling is still a challenge since no significant added value in the recycling and reprocessing of composites is demonstrated. FiberEUse developed innovative solutions and business models towards sustainable Circular Economy solutions for post-use composite-made products. Three strategies are presented, namely mechanical recycling of short fibers, thermal recycling of long fibers and modular car parts design for sustainable disassembly and remanufacturing. The validation of the FiberEUse approach within eight industrial demonstrators shows the potentials towards new Circular Economy value-chains for composite materials

Manufacturing of coir fibre-reinforced polymer composites by hot compression technique

This present chapter describes the manufacturing technique and properties of coir fibre-reinforced polypropylene composites manufactured using a hot press machine. The effects of basic chromium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate treatment on the physical and mechanical properties were also evaluated. Chemical treatment and fibre loading generally improved the mechanical properties. Five-hour basic chromium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate-treated coir-polypropylene had the best set of properties among all manufactured composites. Chemical treatment also improved water absorption characteristics. This proves that chemical treatment reduced the hydrophilicity of the coir fibre. Overall the hot compression technique was proved to be successful in manufacturing good quality coir reinforced polypropylene composites