NASA space station automation: AI-based technology review

Research and Development projects in automation for the Space Station are discussed. Artificial Intelligence (AI) based automation technologies are planned to enhance crew safety through reduced need for EVA, increase crew productivity through the reduction of routine operations, increase space station autonomy, and augment space station capability through the use of teleoperation and robotics. AI technology will also be developed for the servicing of satellites at the Space Station, system monitoring and diagnosis, space manufacturing, and the assembly of large space structures

Design, fabricate, and performance study of an exhaust heat-driven adsorption air-conditioning system for automobile

Adsorption colling systems powered by waste heat or solar heat can help to reduce the use of ozone depletion substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HC FCs). In recent years, this system has witnessed an increasing interest in many fields due to the fact that this system is quiet, long lasting, cheap to maintain an environmental friendly. In this research work, a novel prototype of automobile adsorption air-conditioning system powered by exhaust heat has been successfully built and tested in laboratory. The working pair used is local produce palm-derived activated carbon and methanol, where activated carbons act as an adsorptive substance and methanol as refrigerant. This system consists of two adsorbers, a blower, evaporator with a blower, expansion valve, a condenser with a fan, valves, and engine and some pipe connectors. Two identical adsorbers were constructed and operated intermittently to provide continuously cooling effect. The conclusion drawn from the current work is that the adsorption technology, as prescribed in this work, is feasible and promising for automobile air-conditioning purpose; however, there is a need to further enhance the efficiency and the associated control system for effective on-the-road application

Automation and robotics for the National Space Program

The emphasis on automation and robotics in the augmentation of the human centered systems as it concerns the space station is discussed. How automation and robotics can amplify the capabilities of humans is detailed. A detailed developmental program for the space station is outlined

Energy efficiency for diesel passenger trains

Rail Technical Strategy intends to achieve 4C's targets, which are reducing carbon emission, increasing rail capacity, decreasing rail cost, and improving customer satisfaction. Reducing fuel usage and cost in rail travel depend on the development of more efficient operation and management. This thesis presents investigation of different energy saving strategies for diesel passenger trains. Stabling and power control are the main part in the research. In order to obtain and analysis the methods, the thesis explores, through a series of case studies, a number of suggestions for different operating companies. The first case study relates to reducing stabling time or engine idling time and minimise fuel usage by selectively shutting down the running engines. The second case study mainly focuses on energy calculation and analysis about Class 221, combined with discussing eco-driving. The final part of thesis roughly introduces the traffic management system for assisting energy saving and introduce the new traffic control loop combined with advanced automatic system. Overall, the thesis provides evidence that technology packages (shutting down engines and eco-driving, TMS) could reduce energy consumption, decrease green gas emission, and reduce rail cost

Ambient Air Quality in the Czech Republic

Ambient air quality in the present-day Czech Republic (CR), one of the two succession countries of Czechoslovakia post-1993, was perceived as a major problem with severe human health and environmental consequences, particularly between the 1970s and 1990s. Since that time, the ambient air quality in the CR has improved substantially, due to newly introduced stringent legislation and technical countermeasures. Nevertheless, there are still activities which represent significant emission sources, such as local heating and increased vehicle travel through communities. After a substantial decrease in emissions in both the CR and its neighbouring countries, the levels of some ambient air pollutants from the 2000s are still not satisfactory. In this respect, aerosol, ground-level ozone, and benzo[a]pyrene remain major problems, as they do elsewhere in Europe. The book provides a valuable update both on time trends and spatial changes in ambient air quality, and highlights the recent activities in both monitoring and modelling of principle ambient air pollutants in the CR

Federal Register

Daily publication of the U.S. Office of the Federal Register contains rules and regulations, proposed legislation and rule changes, and other notices, including "Presidential proclamations and Executive Orders, Federal agency documents having general applicability and legal effect, documents required to be published by act of Congress, and other Federal agency documents of public interest" (p. ii). Table of Contents starts on page iii

Infrastructure Design, Signalling and Security in Railway

Railway transportation has become one of the main technological advances of our society. Since the first railway used to carry coal from a mine in Shropshire (England, 1600), a lot of efforts have been made to improve this transportation concept. One of its milestones was the invention and development of the steam locomotive, but commercial rail travels became practical two hundred years later. From these first attempts, railway infrastructures, signalling and security have evolved and become more complex than those performed in its earlier stages. This book will provide readers a comprehensive technical guide, covering these topics and presenting a brief overview of selected railway systems in the world. The objective of the book is to serve as a valuable reference for students, educators, scientists, faculty members, researchers, and engineers