Multi-objective engineering shape optimization using differential evolution interfaced to the Nimrod/O tool

This paper presents an enhancement of the Nimrod/O optimization tool by interfacing DEMO, an external multiobjective optimization algorithm. DEMO is a variant of differential evolution – an algorithm that has attained much popularity in the research community, and this work represents the first time that true multiobjective optimizations have been performed with Nimrod/O. A modification to the DEMO code enables multiple objectives to be evaluated concurrently. With Nimrod/O’s support for parallelism, this can reduce the wall-clock time significantly for compute intensive objective function evaluations. We describe the usage and implementation of the interface and present two optimizations. The first is a two objective mathematical function in which the Pareto front is successfully found after only 30 generations. The second test case is the three-objective shape optimization of a rib-reinforced wall bracket using the Finite Element software, Code_Aster. The interfacing of the already successful packages of Nimrod/O and DEMO yields a solution that we believe can benefit a wide community, both industrial and academic

Development of the initial certification and technology roadmap for the FUTPRINT50 framework

The main goal of the research project FUTPRINT50 is the acceleration of the introduction of a hybrid-electric regional aircraft. One essential part of this project is to develop a roadmap which couples the technological development with its associated research infrastructure and regulatory aspects. This aims at maximizing the likelihood of a successful hybrid-electric 50-seat regional aircraft with a projected entry-into-service by 2035/2040. This article presents the roadmap framework and methodology worked out by FUTPRINT50. Additionally, it shows the findings of the consortium about key enabling technologies and testing infrastructures necessary to achieve the final integrated demonstrators that provide evidence for lowering the risk of adoption and for bridging mapped regulatory gaps in regard to hybrid-electric propulsion. Furthermore, links to other complementary roadmaps are highlighted. Detail is given on the status of work and follow-up actions towards its completion.European Union funding: 87555

IPCP: Immersive Parallel Coordinates Plots for Engineering Design Processes

Computational engineering design methods and tools are common practice in modern industry. Such approaches are integral in enabling designers to efficiently explore larger and more complex design spaces. However, at the same time, computational engineering design methods tend to dramatically increase the number of candidate solutions that decision-makers must interpret in order to make appropriate choices within a set of solutions. Since all candidate solutions can be represented in digital form together with their assessment criteria, evaluated according to some sort of simulation model, a natural way to explore and understand the complexities of the design problem is to visualize their multidimensional nature. The task now involves the discovery of patterns and trends within the multidimensional design space. In this work, we aim to enhance the design decision-making process by embedding visual analytics into an immersive virtual reality environment. To this end, we present a system called IPCP: immersive parallel coordinates plots. IPCP combines the well-established parallel coordinates visualization technique for high-dimensional data with immersive virtual reality. We propose this approach in order to exploit and discover efficient means to use new technology within a conventional decision-making process. The aim is to provide benefits by enhancing visualizations of 3D geometry and other physical quantities with scientific information. We present the design of this system, which allows the representation and exploration of multidimensional scientific datasets. A qualitative evaluation with two surrogate expert users, knowledgeable in multidimensional data analysis, demonstrate that the system can be used successfully to detect both known and previously unknown patterns in a real-world test dataset, producing an early indicative validation of its suitability for decision support in engineering design processes.Cambridge European and Trinity Hall; Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC-1788814

Supporting designers: Moving from method menagerie to method ecosystem

Supporting designers is one of the main motivations for design research. However, there is an ongoing debate about the ability of design research to transfer its results, which are often provided in form of design methods, into practice. This article takes the position that the transfer of design methods alone is not an appropriate indicator for assessing the impact of design research by discussing alternative pathways for impacting design practice. Impact is created by different means – first of all through the students that are trained based on the research results including design methods and tools and by the systematic way of thinking they acquired that comes along with being involved with research in this area. Despite having a considerable impact on practice, this article takes the position that the transfer of methods can be improved by moving from cultivating method menageries to facilitating the evolution of method ecosystems. It explains what is understood by a method ecosystem and discusses implications for developing future design methods and for improving existing methods. This paper takes the position that efforts on improving and maturing existing design methods should be raised to satisfy the needs of designers and to truly support them

Marginalised social groups in contemporary weee management within social enterprises investments: A study in Greece

This paper deals with the creation of appropriate conditions aimed at developing social services for reuse and recycling, of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), by the inclusion of handicapped and Roma people in the workforce. Application areas for the project are the Hellenic (Greek) regions of Thessaly and North Aegean, where these groups suffer from professional and social exclusion. The efforts to reduce unemployment in the two aforementioned groups, together with the efforts to implement related Greek and European legislation for sustainable WEEE management, are examined here. Furthermore, networking and cooperation at local, regional and central levels between small enterprises, entrepreneurships and local authorities are examined, so that these social enterprises and their corresponding investments May support I he development of the Greek alternative WEEE recycling system. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Supporting designers: Moving from method menagerie to method ecosystem

Abstract Supporting designers is one of the main motivations for design research. However, there is an ongoing debate about the ability of design research to transfer its results, which are often provided in form of design methods, into practice. This article takes the position that the transfer of design methods alone is not an appropriate indicator for assessing the impact of design research by discussing alternative pathways for impacting design practice. Impact is created by different means – first of all through the students that are trained based on the research results including design methods and tools and by the systematic way of thinking they acquired that comes along with being involved with research in this area. Despite having a considerable impact on practice, this article takes the position that the transfer of methods can be improved by moving from cultivating method menageries to facilitating the evolution of method ecosystems. It explains what is understood by a method ecosystem and discusses implications for developing future design methods and for improving existing methods. This paper takes the position that efforts on improving and maturing existing design methods should be raised to satisfy the needs of designers and to truly support them.</jats:p