Floating Active Baffles, System and Method of Slosh Damping Comprising the Same

This disclosure provides a system for damping slosh of a liquid within a tank, a baffle for use in the system, and a method of damping slosh using the system. The system includes a plurality of baffles. Each baffle has a body configured to substantially float upon the liquid. Each baffle also has an activation material received along at least a portion of the body. The activation material is magnetically reactive provided in a quantity sufficient to enable the body to be manipulated in the presence of a magnetic field (M). The system further includes an actuator configured to pro­vide the magnetic field (M)

Ozone LIDAR as an Analytical Tool in Effective Air Pollution Management: The Geneva 96 Campaign

The LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) technique has developed into one of the practical high performance techniques for conducting air quality and meteorological measurements. DIfferential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) is used for measuring trace gases, including pollutants like ozone at low concentrations. Multiple wavelengths backscatter and depolarization measurements give information about particles in the atmosphere, and single wavelength lidar can be used for meteorological measurements like wind velocity and temperature. Range resolved in situ data obtained by lidar can play a significant role in our understanding of the air quality in the planetary boundary layer, particularly when applied in conjunction with air quality models. This is because DIAL can be used to measure concentrations in three dimensions in real time with a spatial resolution that corresponds well to that used in the model calculations. Thus one obtains an advantage when comparing with point measurements at or near ground level which are often perturbed by local emissions. A summary of the lidar principle is presented here, followed by different examples of vertical ozone profiles and time series obtained with a new optical layout of the EPFL-LPAS DIAL system using dual telescope detection. These data were obtained during the summer 96 field campaign in the Geneva area. Results are then compared with the mesoscale Eulerian model calculations performed in our laboratory. The overall results provide new insight into air pollution dynamics in the Geneva area and calculations are under way, using the model adjusted by the measurements, to optimize air pollution abatement strategies under certain atmospheric conditions in this part of Switzerland

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Efficient Inter Terminal Container Transport using Amphibious Vehicles - A Simulation Approach

In the 21st century, maritime landscape is confronted with issues such as congestion and delays due to the ever increasing maritime trade volumes.This thesis explores the possibility of utilizing the concept of amphibious vehicles as a potential solution to address the issue of congestion and enabling the autonomous container terminal operations. For this research, an agent based model is developed to study the impact of amphibious vehicles on space optimization and reduction of material handling equipment within a given port region. The study analyses the performance of the proposed concept over several key performance indicators such as time taken by a handling equipment from origin to destination, container throughput, handling equipment fleet size and container demand fulfilment rate. The developed simulation model is then applied to the chosen case study of the port of Rotterdam. Additionally, the study also performs a sensitivity analysis to simulate how container demand variations affects the efficiency of logistic chains with these amphibious vehicles. This thesis highlights the effect of these amphibious vehicles on tackling problems faced by container terminals due to increased global trade. Through an extensive analysis of existing literature and developed model, this thesis provides valuable insights into the future of container terminal operations.Mechanical Engineering | Multi-Machine Engineerin

Classification of soil and prediction of fertilizer for specific crop cultivation using machine learning technique

Since India is an agricultural country, its economy is centered on agricultural yield growth and agroindustry products. In agriculture, yield prediction is a major challenge. All farmers want to know what kind of yields they can expect. In the past, yield forecasts were made taking into account the farmer's experience in specific fields and crops. Yield forecasting is a big problem and needs to be resolved based on the available data. Machine learning technology is suitable for this. To evaluate and forecast future crop yield, agriculture employs a range of machine learning approaches. A variety of machine learning techniques are used and evaluated in agriculture to estimate next year's yields. This paper proposes and implements a system for predicting yields from historical data. This is performed by examining agricultural data and utilising machine learning techniques such as support vector machines and random forests to determine the appropriate fertiliser for each crop. Analyze the many associated factors such as location and pH level, which are used to determine the alkalinity of the soil.&nbsp

Design, Development and Testing of a Suborbital NanoLab Research Experiment in Microgravity

Research and Education Missions (REM) provide scope and capability for students to conduct their own science experiments in suborbital and orbital space. Recent advances in miniaturization have facilitated these science experiments to be carried out in small containers referred to as NanoLabs. These small payloads are becoming increasingly popular for its low cost design, fabrication and testing, which is evident with the increasing demand of CubeSats. This paper will document the research and engineering development of a NanoLab which will carry an experiment to study the effects of microgravity on cellular processes of T cells. Computational methods such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) were used to design and test the compliance of the payload housing structure with loads and vibrations that the payload will undergo during suborbital flight. 3D printing technology is utilized to rapidly prototype the design of our payload. Mass optimization techniques are employed and a total mass reduction of 38% from the original baseline is obtained. A parametric study and validation of the suborbital payload using state-of-the-art materials, such as, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) is performed. The parametric study revealed that ABS material is the optimum candidate for the payload structure. Sloshing tests of the liquids contained in the payload are carried out using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and the forces experienced by the T cells due to vibrations are computed. The combined objective of this research is to ensure the safetyand survivability of the biological payload and to meet the technical requirements of the launch provider by using computational and engineering methods

Ozone LIDAR as an analytical tool in effective air pollution management. The Geneva 96 campaign

The LIDAR principle for air quality and meteorol. measurements is presented, followed by different examples of vertical O3 profiles and time series obtained with a new optical layout of the EPFL-LPAS DIAL system using dual telescope detection. These data were obtained during the summer 96 field campaign in the Geneva area. Results are compared with the meso-scale Eulerian model calcns. The results provide new insight into air pollution dynamics in the Geneva area and calcns. are under way, using the model adjusted by the measurements, to optimize air pollution abatement strategies under certain atm. conditions in this part of Switzerland