Search results for: precision irrigation technologies
4452 Wireless Backhauling for 5G Small Cell Networks
Authors: Abdullah A. Al Orainy
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Small cell backhaul solutions need to be cost-effective, scalable, and easy to install. This paper presents an overview of small cell backhaul technologies. Wireless solutions including TV white space, satellite, sub-6 GHz radio wave, microwave and mmWave with their backhaul characteristics are discussed. Recent research on issues like beamforming, backhaul architecture, precoding and large antenna arrays, and energy efficiency for dense small cell backhaul with mmWave communications is reviewed. Recent trials of 5G technologies are summarized.Keywords: backhaul, small cells, wireless, 5G
Procedia PDF Downloads 5154451 Facts of Near Field Communication
Authors: Amin Hamrahi
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Near Field Communication (NFC) is one of the latest wireless communication technologies. NFC enables electronic devices to communicate in short range using the radio waves. NFC offers safe yet simple communication between electronic devices. This technology provides the fastest way to communicate two device with in a fraction of second. With NFC technology, communication occurs when an NFC-compatible device is brought within a few centimeters of another NFC device. NFC is an open-platform technology that is being standardized in the NFC Forum. NFC is based on and extends on RFID. It operates on 13.56 MHz frequency.Keywords: near field communication, NFC technology, wireless communication technologies, NFC-compatible device, NFC, communication
Procedia PDF Downloads 4674450 MEAL Project–Modifying Eating Attitudes and Actions through Learning
Authors: E. Oliver, A. Cebolla, A. Dominguez, A. Gonzalez-Segura, E. de la Cruz, S. Albertini, L. Ferrini, K. Kronika, T. Nilsen, R. Baños
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The main objective of MEAL is to develop a pedagogical tool aimed to help teachers and nutritionists (students and professionals) to acquire, train, promote and deliver to children basic nutritional education and healthy eating behaviours competencies. MEAL is focused on eating behaviours and not only in nutritional literacy, and will use new technologies like Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and serious games (SG) platforms to consolidate the nutritional competences and habits.Keywords: nutritional education, pedagogical ICT platform, serious games, training course
Procedia PDF Downloads 5274449 Taguchi-Based Optimization of Surface Roughness and Dimensional Accuracy in Wire EDM Process with S7 Heat Treated Steel
Authors: Joseph C. Chen, Joshua Cox
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This research focuses on the use of the Taguchi method to reduce the surface roughness and improve dimensional accuracy of parts machined by Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) with S7 heat treated steel material. Due to its high impact toughness, the material is a candidate for a wide variety of tooling applications which require high precision in dimension and desired surface roughness. This paper demonstrates that Taguchi Parameter Design methodology is able to optimize both dimensioning and surface roughness successfully by investigating seven wire-EDM controllable parameters: pulse on time (ON), pulse off time (OFF), servo voltage (SV), voltage (V), servo feed (SF), wire tension (WT), and wire speed (WS). The temperature of the water in the Wire EDM process is investigated as the noise factor in this research. Experimental design and analysis based on L18 Taguchi orthogonal arrays are conducted. This paper demonstrates that the Taguchi-based system enables the wire EDM process to produce (1) high precision parts with an average of 0.6601 inches dimension, while the desired dimension is 0.6600 inches; and (2) surface roughness of 1.7322 microns which is significantly improved from 2.8160 microns.Keywords: Taguchi Parameter Design, surface roughness, Wire EDM, dimensional accuracy
Procedia PDF Downloads 3734448 Greywater Reuse for Sunflower Irrigation Previously Radiated with Helium-Neon Laser: Evaluation of Growth, Flowering, and Chemical Constituents
Authors: Sami Ali Metwally, Bedour Helmy Abou-Leila, Hussien Ibrahim Abdel-Shafy
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This study was carried out at the pilot plant area in the National Research Centre during the two successive seasons, 2020 and 2022. The aim is to investigate the response of vegetative growth and chemical constituents of sunflowers plants irrigated by two types of wastewater, namely: black wastewater W1 (Bathroom) and grey wastewater W1, under irradiation conditions of helium-neon (He-Ne) laser. The examined data indicated that irrigation of W1 significantly increased the growth and flowering parameters (plant height, leaves number, leaves area, leaves fresh and dry weight, flower diameter, flower stem length, flower stem thickness, number of days to flower, and total chlorophyll). Treated sunflower plants with 0 to 10 min. recorded an increase in the fresh weight and dry weight of leaves. However, the superiority of increasing vase life and delaying flowers were recorded by prolonging exposure time by up to 10 min. Regarding the effect of interaction treatments, the data indicated that the highest values on almost growth parameters were obtained from plants treated with W1+0 laser followed by W2+10 min. laser, compared with all interaction treatments. As for flowering parameters, the interactions between W2+2 min. time exposure, W1+0 time, w1+10 min., and w1+2 min. exposures recorded the highest values on flower diameter, flower stem length, flower stem thickness, vase life, and delaying flowering.Keywords: greywater, sunflower plant, water reuse, vegetative growth, laser radiation
Procedia PDF Downloads 844447 Enhancing Institutional Roles and Managerial Instruments for Irrigation Modernization in Sudan: The Case of Gezira Scheme
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed Abdelmawla
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Calling to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) engaged with agriculture, i.e. poverty alleviation targets, human resources involved in agricultural sectors with special emphasis on irrigation must receive wealth of practical experience and training. Increased food production, including staple food, is needed to overcome the present and future threats to food security. This should happen within a framework of sustainable management of natural resources, elimination of unsustainable methods of production and poverty reduction (i.e. axes of modernization). A didactic tool to confirm the task of wise and maximum utility is the best management and accurate measurement, as major requisites for modernization process. The key component to modernization as a warranted goal is adhering great attention to management and measurement issues via capacity building. As such, this paper stressed the issues of discharge management and measurement by Field Outlet Pipes (FOP) for selected ones within the Gezira Scheme, where randomly nine FOPs were selected as representative locations. These FOPs extended along the Gezira Main Canal at Kilo 57 areas in the South up to Kilo 194 in the North. The following steps were followed during the field data collection and measurements: For each selected FOP, a 90 v- notch thin plate weir was placed in such away that the water was directed to pass only through the notch. An optical survey level was used to measure the water head of the notch and FOP. Both calculated discharge rates as measured by the v – notch, denoted as [Qc], and the adopted discharges given by (MOIWR), denoted as [Qa], are tackled for the average of three replicated readings undertaken at each location. The study revealed that the FOP overestimates and sometimes underestimates the discharges. This is attributed to the fact that the original design specifications were not fulfilled or met at present conditions where water is allowed to flow day and night with high head fluctuation, knowing that the FOP is non modular structure, i.e. the flow depends on both levels upstream and downstream and confirmed by the results of this study. It is convenient and formative to quantify the discharge in FOP with weirs or Parshall flumes. Cropping calendar should be clearly determined and agreed upon before the beginning of the season in accordance and consistency with the Sudan Gezira Board (SGB) and Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources. As such, the water indenting should be based on actual Crop Water Requirements (CWRs), not on rules of thumb (420 m3/feddan, irrespective of crop or time of season).Keywords: management, measurement, MDGs, modernization
Procedia PDF Downloads 2524446 Investigation on 3D Printing of Calcium silicate Bioceramic Slurry for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Amin Jabbari
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The state of the art in major 3D printing technologies, such as powder-based and slurry based, has led researchers to investigate the ability to fabricate bone scaffolds for bone tissue engineering using biomaterials. In addition, 3D printing technology can simulate mechanical and biological surface properties and print with high precision complex internal and external structures that match their functional properties. Polymer matrix composites reinforced with particulate bioceramics, hydrogels reinforced with particulate bioceramics, polymers coated with bioceramics, and non-porous bioceramics are among the materials that can be investigated for bone scaffold printing. Furthermore, it was shown that the introduction of high-density micropores into the sparingly dissolvable CSiMg10 and dissolvable CSiMg4 shell layer inevitably leads to a nearly 30% reduction in compressive strength, but such micropores can easily influence the ion release behavior of the scaffolds. Also, biocompatibility tests such as cytotoxicity, hemocompatibility and genotoxicity were tested on printed parts. The printed part was tested in vitro, and after 24-26 h for cytotoxicity, and 4h for hemocompatibility test, the CSiMg4@CSiMg10-p scaffolds were found to have significantly higher osteogenic capability than the other scaffolds of implantation. Overall, these experimental studies demonstrate that 3D printed, additively-manufactured bioceramic calcium (Ca)-silicate scaffolds with appropriate pore dimensions are promising to guide new bone ingrowth.Keywords: AM, 3D printed implants, bioceramic, tissue engineering
Procedia PDF Downloads 664445 Precision Grinding of Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) Alloy Using Nanolubrication
Authors: Ahmed A. D. Sarhan, Hong Wan Ping, M. Sayuti
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In this current era of competitive machinery productions, the industries are designed to place more emphasis on the product quality and reduction of cost whilst abiding by the pollution-preventing policy. In attempting to delve into the concerns, the industries are aware that the effectiveness of existing lubrication systems must be improved to achieve power-efficient and pollution-preventing machining processes. As such, this research is targeted to study on a plausible solution to the issue in grinding titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) by using nanolubrication, as an alternative to flood grinding. The aim of this research is to evaluate the optimum condition of grinding force and surface roughness using MQL lubricating system to deliver nano-oil at different level of weight concentration of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) mixed normal mineral oil. Taguchi Design of Experiment (DoE) method is carried out using a standard Taguchi orthogonal array of L16(43) to find the optimized combination of weight concentration mixture of SiO2, nozzle orientation and pressure of MQL. Surface roughness and grinding force are also analyzed using signal-to-noise(S/N) ratio to determine the best level of each factor that are tested. Consequently, the best combination of parameters is tested for a period of time and the results are compared with conventional grinding method of dry and flood condition. The results show a positive performance of MQL nanolubrication.Keywords: grinding, MQL, precision grinding, Taguchi optimization, titanium alloy
Procedia PDF Downloads 2774444 Using Computer Vision to Detect and Localize Fractures in Wrist X-ray Images
Authors: John Paul Q. Tomas, Mark Wilson L. de los Reyes, Kirsten Joyce P. Vasquez
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The most frequent type of fracture is a wrist fracture, which often makes it difficult for medical professionals to find and locate. In this study, fractures in wrist x-ray pictures were located and identified using deep learning and computer vision. The researchers used image filtering, masking, morphological operations, and data augmentation for the image preprocessing and trained the RetinaNet and Faster R-CNN models with ResNet50 backbones and Adam optimizers separately for each image filtering technique and projection. The RetinaNet model with Anisotropic Diffusion Smoothing filter trained with 50 epochs has obtained the greatest accuracy of 99.14%, precision of 100%, sensitivity/recall of 98.41%, specificity of 100%, and an IoU score of 56.44% for the Posteroanterior projection utilizing augmented data. For the Lateral projection using augmented data, the RetinaNet model with an Anisotropic Diffusion filter trained with 50 epochs has produced the highest accuracy of 98.40%, precision of 98.36%, sensitivity/recall of 98.36%, specificity of 98.43%, and an IoU score of 58.69%. When comparing the test results of the different individual projections, models, and image filtering techniques, the Anisotropic Diffusion filter trained with 50 epochs has produced the best classification and regression scores for both projections.Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Wrist Fracture, Deep Learning
Procedia PDF Downloads 744443 Green Technologies Developed by JSC “NIUIF”
Authors: Andrey Norov
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In the recent years, Samoilov Research Institute for Mineral Fertilizers JSC “NIUIF”, the oldest (established in September 1919) industry-oriented institute in Russia, has developed a range of sustainable, environment-friendly, zero-waste technologies that ensure minimal consumption of materials and energy resources and fully consistent with the principles of Green Chemistry that include: - Ecofriendly energy and resource saving technology of sulfuric acid from sulfur according to DC-DA scheme (double conversion - double absorption); - Improved zero-waste technology of wet phosphoric acid (WPA) by dihydrate-hemihydrate process applicable to various types of phosphate raw materials; - Flexible, efficient, zero-waste, universal technology of NP / NPS / NPK / NPKS fertilizers with maximum heat recovery from chemical processes; - Novel, zero-waste, no-analogue technology of granular PK / PKS / NPKS fertilizers with controlled dissolution rate and nutrient supply into the soil, which allows to process a number of wastes and by-products; - Innovative resource-saving joint processing of wastes from the production of phosphogypsum and fluorosilicic acid (FSA) into ammonium sulfate with simultaneous neutralization of fluoride compounds with no lime used. - New fertilizer technology of increased environmental and agrochemical efficiency (currently under development). All listed green technologies are patented with Russian and Eurasian patents. The development of ecofriendly, safe, green technologies is ongoing in JSC “NIUIF”.Keywords: NPKS fertilizers, FSA, sulfuric acid, WPA
Procedia PDF Downloads 944442 Determinants Affecting to Adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies in the Northern Bangladesh
Authors: Md. Rezaul Karim, Andreas Thiel
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Bangladesh is known as one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world. Innovative technologies are always the key responses to the management of climate impacts. The objectives of this study are to determine the farmer’s perception of climate variability, to compare farmers’ perceptions with metrological data, and to explore the determinants that affect the likelihood of adoption of the selected Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) technologies. Data regarding climate change perception, determinants and adoption were collected based on the household survey from stratified and randomly selected 365 farmers of the Biral sub-district under Dinajpur district in drought-prone northern Bangladesh. The likelihood of adoption of CSA technologies was analyzed following a multivariate probit model. The findings show that about 82.5% of the farmers perceived increasing temperature, and 75.1 % of farmers perceived decreasing dry season rainfall over the years, which is similarly relevant to metrological data. About 76.4.7% and 80.85% of farmers were aware of the drought tolerance crops and vermicompost, respectively; more than half of the farmers adopted these practices. Around 70.7% of farmers were aware of perching for insect control, but 46.3% of farmers adopted this practice. Although two-thirds of farmers were aware of crop diversification and pheromone trap, adoption was lower compared to the other three CSAs. Results also indicate that the likelihood of adoption of the selected CSAs is significantly influenced by different factors such as socio-economic characteristics, institutional factors and perceived technological or innovation attributes. The likelihood of adopting drought tolerance crops is affected by 11, while crop diversification and perching method by 7, pheromone trap by 9 and vermicompost by 8 determining factors. Lack of information and unavailability of input appear to be major obstacles to the non-adoption of CSA technologies. This study suggests that policy implications are necessary to promote extension services and overcome the obstacles to the non-adoption of individual CSA technologies. It further recommends that the research study should be conducted in a diverse context, nationally or globally.Keywords: determinants, adoption, climate smart agriculture, northern Bangladesh
Procedia PDF Downloads 684441 Manufacturing of Twist-Free Surfaces by Magnetism Aided Machining Technologies
Authors: Zs. Kovács, Zs. J. Viharos, J. Kodácsy
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As a well-known conventional finishing process, the grinding is commonly used to manufacture seal mating surfaces and bearing surfaces, but is also creates twisted surfaces. The machined surfaces by turning or grinding usually have twist structure on the surfaces, which can convey lubricants such as conveyor screw. To avoid this phenomenon, have to use special techniques or machines, for example start-stop turning, tangential turning, ultrasonic protection or special toll geometries. All of these solutions have high cost and difficult usability. In this paper, we describe a system and summarize the results of the experimental research carried out mainly in the field of Magnetic Abrasive Polishing (MAP) and Magnetic Roller Burnishing (MRB). These technologies are simple and also green while able to produce twist-free surfaces. During the tests, C45 normalized steel was used as workpiece material which was machined by simple and Wiper geometrical turning inserts in a CNC turning lathe. After the turning, the MAP and MRB technologies can be used directly to reduce the twist of surfaces. The evaluation was completed by advanced measuring and IT equipment.Keywords: magnetism, finishing, polishing, roller burnishing, twist-free
Procedia PDF Downloads 5764440 Substation Automation, Digitization, Cyber Risk and Chain Risk Management Reliability
Authors: Serzhan Ashirov, Dana Nour, Rafat Rob, Khaled Alotaibi
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There has been a fast growth in the introduction and use of communications, information, monitoring, and sensing technologies. The new technologies are making their way to the Industrial Control Systems as embedded in products, software applications, IT services, or commissioned to enable integration and automation of increasingly global supply chains. As a result, the lines that separated the physical, digital, and cyber world have diminished due to the vast implementation of the new, disruptive digital technologies. The variety and increased use of these technologies introduce many cybersecurity risks affecting cyber-resilience of the supply chain, both in terms of the product or service delivered to a customer and members of the supply chain operation. US department of energy considers supply chain in the IR4 space to be the weakest link in cybersecurity. The IR4 identified the digitization of the field devices, followed by digitalization that eventually moved through the digital transformation space with little care for the new introduced cybersecurity risks. This paper will examine the best methodologies for securing the electrical substations from cybersecurity attacks due to supply chain risks, and due to digitization effort. SCADA systems are the most vulnerable part of the power system infrastructure due to digitization and due to the weakness and vulnerabilities in the supply chain security. The paper will discuss in details how create a secure supply chain methodology, secure substations, and mitigate the risks due to digitizationKeywords: cybersecurity, supply chain methodology, secure substation, digitization
Procedia PDF Downloads 644439 Sustainable Building Design for Energy Efficiency and Healthier Electromagnetic Environment
Authors: Riadh Habash, Kristina Djukic, Gandhi Habash
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Sustainable design is one of the emerging milestones in building construction. This concept is defined as buildings that on a yearly average consume as much energy as they generate using renewable energy sources. Realization of sustainable buildings requires a wide range of technologies, systems and solutions with varying degrees of complexity and sophistication, depending upon the location and surrounding environmental conditions. This paper will address not only the role of the above technologies and solutions but will provide solutions to reduce the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the building as much as possible so that the occupiers can recover from electro-hyper-sensitivity, if any. The objective is to maximize energy efficiency, optimize occupant comfort, reduce dependency on the grid and provide safer and healthier EMF environment especially for hypersensitive people. Creative architectural and engineering solutions that capitalize on the design of energy efficient technologies; combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) microgrid (MG); and EMF mitigation will be presented.Keywords: sustainable buildings, energy efficiency, thermal simulation, electromagnetic environment
Procedia PDF Downloads 3024438 Enhancing Information Technologies with AI: Unlocking Efficiency, Scalability, and Innovation
Authors: Abdal-Hafeez Alhussein
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a transformative force in the field of information technologies, reshaping how data is processed, analyzed, and utilized across various domains. This paper explores the multifaceted applications of AI within information technology, focusing on three key areas: automation, scalability, and data-driven decision-making. We delve into how AI-powered automation is optimizing operational efficiency in IT infrastructures, from automated network management to self-healing systems that reduce downtime and enhance performance. Scalability, another critical aspect, is addressed through AI’s role in cloud computing and distributed systems, enabling the seamless handling of increasing data loads and user demands. Additionally, the paper highlights the use of AI in cybersecurity, where real-time threat detection and adaptive response mechanisms significantly improve resilience against sophisticated cyberattacks. In the realm of data analytics, AI models—especially machine learning and natural language processing—are driving innovation by enabling more precise predictions, automated insights extraction, and enhanced user experiences. The paper concludes with a discussion on the ethical implications of AI in information technologies, underscoring the importance of transparency, fairness, and responsible AI use. It also offers insights into future trends, emphasizing the potential of AI to further revolutionize the IT landscape by integrating with emerging technologies like quantum computing and IoT.Keywords: artificial intelligence, information technology, automation, scalability
Procedia PDF Downloads 184437 High Precision 65nm CMOS Rectifier for Energy Harvesting using Threshold Voltage Minimization in Telemedicine Embedded System
Authors: Hafez Fouad
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Telemedicine applications have very low voltage which required High Precision Rectifier Design with high Sensitivity to operate at minimum input Voltage. In this work, we targeted 0.2V input voltage using 65 nm CMOS rectifier for Energy Harvesting Telemedicine application. The proposed rectifier which designed at 2.4GHz using two-stage structure found to perform in a better case where minimum operation voltage is lower than previous published paper and the rectifier can work at a wide range of low input voltage amplitude. The Performance Summary of Full-wave fully gate cross-coupled rectifiers (FWFR) CMOS Rectifier at F = 2.4 GHz: The minimum and maximum output voltages generated using an input voltage amplitude of 2 V are 490.9 mV and 1.997 V, maximum VCE = 99.85 % and maximum PCE = 46.86 %. The Performance Summary of Differential drive CMOS rectifier with external bootstrapping circuit rectifier at F = 2.4 GHz: The minimum and maximum output voltages generated using an input voltage amplitude of 2V are 265.5 mV (0.265V) and 1.467 V respectively, maximum VCE = 93.9 % and maximum PCE= 15.8 %.Keywords: energy harvesting, embedded system, IoT telemedicine system, threshold voltage minimization, differential drive cmos rectifier, full-wave fully gate cross-coupled rectifiers CMOS rectifier
Procedia PDF Downloads 1634436 Indirect Environmental Benefits from Cloud Computing Information and Communications Technology Integration in Rural Agricultural Communities
Authors: Jeana Cadby, Kae Miyazawa
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With rapidly expanding worldwide adoption of mobile technologies, Information and Communication Technology (ITC) is a major energy user and a contributor to global carbon emissions, due to infrastructure and operational energy consumption. The agricultural sector is also significantly responsible for contributing to global carbon emissions. However, ICT cloud computing using mobile technology can directly reduce environmental impacts in the agricultural sector through applications and mobile connectivity, such as precision fertilizer and pesticide applications, or access to weather data, for example. While direct impacts are easily calculated, indirect environmental impacts from ICT cloud computing usage have not been thoroughly investigated. For example, while women may be more poorly equipped for adaptation to environmentally sustainable agricultural practices due to resource constraints, this research concludes that indirect environmental benefits can be achieved by improving rural access to mobile technology for women. Women in advanced roles and secure land tenure are more likely to invest in long-term agricultural conservation strategies, which protect against environmental degradation. This study examines how ICT using mobile technology advances the role of women in rural agricultural systems and indirectly reduces environmental impacts from agricultural production, through literature examination from secondary sources. Increasing access for women to ICT mobile technology provides indirect environmental and social benefits in the rural agricultural sector.Keywords: cloud computing, environmental benefits, mobile technology, women
Procedia PDF Downloads 1714435 Techno-Economic Analysis Framework for Wave Energy Conversion Schemes under South African Conditions: Modeling and Simulations
Authors: Siyanda S. Biyela, Willie A. Cronje
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This paper presents a desktop study of comparing two different wave energy to electricity technologies (WECs) using a techno-economic approach. This techno-economic approach forms basis of a framework for rapid comparison of current and future technologies. The approach also seeks to assist in investment and strategic decision making expediting future deployment of wave energy harvesting in South Africa.Keywords: cost of energy (COE) tool, sea state, wave energy converter (WEC), WEC-Sim
Procedia PDF Downloads 2894434 Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Hard Material Machining
Authors: Rajaram Kr. Gupta, Bhupendra Kumar, T. V. K. Gupta, D. S. Ramteke
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Machining of hard materials is a recent technology for direct production of work-pieces. The primary challenge in machining these materials is selection of cutting tool inserts which facilitates an extended tool life and high-precision machining of the component. These materials are widely for making precision parts for the aerospace industry. Nickel-based alloys are typically used in extreme environment applications where a combination of strength, corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance material characteristics are required. The present paper reports the theoretical and experimental investigations carried out to understand the influence of machining parameters on the response parameters. Considering the basic machining parameters (speed, feed and depth of cut) a study has been conducted to observe their influence on material removal rate, surface roughness, cutting forces and corresponding tool wear. Experiments are designed and conducted with the help of Central Composite Rotatable Design technique. The results reveals that for a given range of process parameters, material removal rate is favorable for higher depths of cut and low feed rate for cutting forces. Low feed rates and high values of rotational speeds are suitable for better finish and higher tool life.Keywords: speed, feed, depth of cut, roughness, cutting force, flank wear
Procedia PDF Downloads 2854433 Innovative Housing Construction Technologies in Slum Upgrading
Authors: Edmund M. Muthigani
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Innovation in the construction industry has been characterized by new products and processes especially in slum upgrading. The need for low cost housing has motivated stakeholders to think outside the box in coming up with solutions. This paper explored innovative construction technologies that have been used in slum upgrading. The main objectives of the paper was to examine innovations in the construction housing sector and to show how incremental derived demand for decent housing has led to adoption of innovative technologies and materials. Systematic literature review was used to review studies on innovative construction technologies in slum upgrading. The review revealed slow process of innovations in the construction industry due to risk aversion by firms and the hesitance to adopt by firms and individuals. Low profit margins in low cost housing and lack of sufficient political support remain the major hurdles to innovative techniques adoption that can actualize right to decent housing. Conventional construction materials have remained unaffordable to many people and this has negated them decent housing. This has necessitated exploration of innovative materials to realize low cost housing. Stabilized soil blocks and sisal-cement roofing blocks are some of the innovative construction materials that have been utilized in slum upgrading. These innovative materials have not only lowered the cost of production of building elements but also eased costs of transport as the raw materials to produce them are readily available in or within the slum sites. Despite their shortcomings in durability and compressive strength, they have proved worthwhile in slum upgrading. Production of innovative construction materials and use of innovative techniques in slum upgrading also provided employment to the locals.Keywords: construction, housing, innovation, slum, technology
Procedia PDF Downloads 2084432 Estimating Evapotranspiration Irrigated Maize in Brazil Using a Hybrid Modelling Approach and Satellite Image Inputs
Authors: Ivo Zution Goncalves, Christopher M. U. Neale, Hiran Medeiros, Everardo Mantovani, Natalia Souza
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Multispectral and thermal infrared imagery from satellite sensors coupled with climate and soil datasets were used to estimate evapotranspiration and biomass in center pivots planted to maize in Brazil during the 2016 season. The hybrid remote sensing based model named Spatial EvapoTranspiration Modelling Interface (SETMI) was applied using multispectral and thermal infrared imagery from the Landsat Thematic Mapper instrument. Field data collected by the IRRIGER center pivot management company included daily weather information such as maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation, relative humidity for estimating reference evapotranspiration. In addition, soil water content data were obtained every 0.20 m in the soil profile down to 0.60 m depth throughout the season. Early season soil samples were used to obtain water-holding capacity, wilting point, saturated hydraulic conductivity, initial volumetric soil water content, layer thickness, and saturated volumetric water content. Crop canopy development parameters and irrigation application depths were also inputs of the model. The modeling approach is based on the reflectance-based crop coefficient approach contained within the SETMI hybrid ET model using relationships developed in Nebraska. The model was applied to several fields located in Minas Gerais State in Brazil with approximate latitude: -16.630434 and longitude: -47.192876. The model provides estimates of real crop evapotranspiration (ET), crop irrigation requirements and all soil water balance outputs, including biomass estimation using multi-temporal satellite image inputs. An interpolation scheme based on the growing degree-day concept was used to model the periods between satellite inputs, filling the gaps between image dates and obtaining daily data. Actual and accumulated ET, accumulated cold temperature and water stress and crop water requirements estimated by the model were compared with data measured at the experimental fields. Results indicate that the SETMI modeling approach using data assimilation, showed reliable daily ET and crop water requirements for maize, interpolated between remote sensing observations, confirming the applicability of the SETMI model using new relationships developed in Nebraska for estimating mainly ET and water requirements in Brazil under tropical conditions.Keywords: basal crop coefficient, irrigation, remote sensing, SETMI
Procedia PDF Downloads 1424431 Human Factors Issues and Measures in Advanced NPPs
Authors: Jun Su Ha
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Various advanced technologies will be adopted in Advanced Control Rooms (ACRs) of advanced Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs), which is thought to increase operators’ performance. However, potential human factors issues coupled with digital technologies might be troublesome. Human factors issues in ACRs are identified and strategies (or countermeasures) for evaluating and analyzing each of issues are addressed in this study.Keywords: advanced control room, human factor issues, human performance, human error, nuclear power plant
Procedia PDF Downloads 4714430 Using Machine Learning to Extract Patient Data from Non-standardized Sports Medicine Physician Notes
Authors: Thomas Q. Pan, Anika Basu, Chamith S. Rajapakse
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Machine learning requires data that is categorized into features that models train on. This topic is important to the field of sports medicine due to the many tools it provides to physicians such as diagnosis support and risk assessment. Physician note that healthcare professionals take are usually unclean and not suitable for model training. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate an advanced approach for extracting key features from sports medicine data without the need for extensive model training or data labeling. An LLM (Large Language Model) was given a narrative (Physician’s Notes) and prompted to extract four features (details about the patient). The narrative was found in a datasheet that contained six columns: Case Number, Validation Age, Validation Gender, Validation Diagnosis, Validation Body Part, and Narrative. The validation columns represent the accurate responses that the LLM attempts to output. With the given narrative, the LLM would output its response and extract the age, gender, diagnosis, and injured body part with each category taking up one line. The output would then be cleaned, matched, and added to new columns containing the extracted responses. Five ways of checking the accuracy were used: unclear count, substring comparison, LLM comparison, LLM re-check, and hand-evaluation. The unclear count essentially represented the extractions the LLM missed. This can be also understood as the recall score ([total - false negatives] over total). The rest of these correspond to the precision score ([total - false positives] over total). Substring comparison evaluated the validation (X) and extracted (Y) columns’ likeness by checking if X’s results were a substring of Y's findings and vice versa. LLM comparison directly asked an LLM if the X and Y’s results were similar. LLM Re-check prompted the LLM to see if the extracted results can be found in the narrative. Lastly, A selection of 1,000 random narratives was also selected and hand-evaluated to give an estimate of how well the LLM-based feature extraction model performed. With a selection of 10,000 narratives, the LLM-based approach had a recall score of roughly 98%. However, the precision scores of the substring comparison and LLM comparison models were around 72% and 76% respectively. The reason for these low figures is due to the minute differences between answers. For example, the ‘chest’ is a part of the ‘upper trunk’ however, these models cannot detect that. On the other hand, the LLM re-check and subset of hand-tested narratives showed a precision score of 96% and 95%. If this subset is used to extrapolate the possible outcome of the whole 10,000 narratives, the LLM-based approach would be strong in both precision and recall. These results indicated that an LLM-based feature extraction model could be a useful way for medical data in sports to be collected and analyzed by machine learning models. Wide use of this method could potentially increase the availability of data thus improving machine learning algorithms and supporting doctors with more enhanced tools. Procedia PDF Downloads 94429 Smart Grids in Morocco: An Outline of the Recent Developments, Key Drivers, and Recommendations for Better Implementation
Authors: Mohamed Laamim, Abdelilah Rochd, Aboubakr Benazzouz, Abderrahim El Fadili
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Smart grids have recently sparked a lot of interest in the energy sector as they allow for the modernization and digitization of the existing power infrastructure. Smart grids have several advantages in terms of reducing the environmental impact of generating power from fossil fuels due to their capacity to integrate large amounts of distributed energy resources. On the other hand, smart grid technologies necessitate many field investigations and requirements. This paper focuses on the major difficulties that governments face around the world and compares them to the situation in Morocco. Also presented in this study are the current works and projects being developed to improve the penetration of smart grid technologies into the electrical system. Furthermore, the findings of this study will be useful to promote the smart grid revolution in Morocco, as well as to construct a strong foundation and develop future needs for better penetration of technologies that aid in the integration of smart grid features.Keywords: smart grids, microgrids, virtual power plants, digital twin, distributed energy resources, vehicle-to-grid, advanced metering infrastructure.
Procedia PDF Downloads 1444428 Hydraulic Performance of Three Types of Imported Drip Emitters Used in Gezira Clay Soils, Sudan
Authors: Hisham Mousa Mohammed Ahmed, Ahmed Wali Mohamed Salad, Yousif Hamed Dldom Gomaa
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A drip or Trickle irrigation system is designed to apply a precise amount of water near the plant with a certain degree of uniformity. This study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, in March 2018. The study aimed to design and evaluate the hydraulic performance of three drip emitter types using: average discharge (Qavg), discharge variation (Qvar %), coefficient of uniformity (CU %), coefficient of manufacturer variation (CV %), distribution uniformity (DU %), statistical uniformity (Us %), clogging (%) wetted diameter (cm) and wetted depth (cm). The emitter types used are regular gauges (RG), high compensating pressure (HCP) and low compensating pressure (LCP). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Results showed that there were significant differences (P≤0.05) in all tested parameters except clogging, wetted diameter and wetted depth. Discharge variation (Qvar %) values were 12.71, 15.57 and 19.17 for RG, LCP, and HCP, respectively. The variation is quite good and within the acceptable range. Results of coefficient of manufacture variation (CV %) were 10.9, 27.8 and 52.7 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively. It is considered within the unacceptable range except for RG type, which is excellent. Statistical uniformity (Us %) values were 89.1, 72.2 and 45.7 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively. It is considered good, acceptable and unacceptable, respectively. Results of the coefficient of uniformity (CU %) were 91.3, 77.7 and 56.7 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively. It is considered excellent, fair and unacceptable, respectively. Distribution uniformity (DU %) was 90.2, 67.9 and 36.5 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively. It is considered excellent, poor and poor, respectively. The study recommended regular gauges (RG) type emitters under the heavy clay soil conditions of the Gezira State, Sudan.Keywords: drip irrigation, uniformity, clogging, coefficient, performance
Procedia PDF Downloads 1004427 Optimizing the Insertion of Renewables in the Colombian Power Sector
Authors: Felipe Henao, Yeny Rodriguez, Juan P. Viteri, Isaac Dyner
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Colombia is rich in natural resources and greatly focuses on the exploitation of water for hydroelectricity purposes. Alternative cleaner energy sources, such as solar and wind power, have been largely neglected despite: a) its abundance, b) the complementarities between hydro, solar and wind power, and c) the cost competitiveness of renewable technologies. The current limited mix of energy sources creates considerable weaknesses for the system, particularly when facing extreme dry weather conditions, such as El Niño event. In the past, El Niño have exposed the truly consequences of a system heavily dependent on hydropower, i.e. loss of power supply, high energy production costs, and loss of overall competitiveness for the country. Nonetheless, it is expected that the participation of hydroelectricity will increase in the near future. In this context, this paper proposes a stochastic lineal programming model to optimize the insertion of renewable energy systems (RES) into the Colombian electricity sector. The model considers cost-based generation competition between traditional energy technologies and alternative RES. This work evaluates the financial, environmental, and technical implications of different combinations of technologies. Various scenarios regarding the future evolution of costs of the technologies are considered to conduct sensitivity analysis of the solutions – to assess the extent of the participation of the RES in the Colombian power sector. Optimization results indicate that, even in the worst case scenario, where costs remain constant, the Colombian power sector should diversify its portfolio of technologies and invest strongly in solar and wind power technologies. The diversification through RES will contribute to make the system less vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, reduce the overall system costs, cut CO2 emissions, and decrease the chances of having national blackout events in the future. In contrast, the business as usual scenario indicates that the system will turn more costly and less reliable.Keywords: energy policy and planning, stochastic programming, sustainable development, water management
Procedia PDF Downloads 2974426 An Activity Based Trajectory Search Approach
Authors: Mohamed Mahmoud Hasan, Hoda M. O. Mokhtar
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With the gigantic increment in portable applications use and the spread of positioning and location-aware technologies that we are seeing today, new procedures and methodologies for location-based strategies are required. Location recommendation is one of the highly demanded location-aware applications uniquely with the wide accessibility of social network applications that are location-aware including Facebook check-ins, Foursquare, and others. In this paper, we aim to present a new methodology for location recommendation. The proposed approach coordinates customary spatial traits alongside other essential components including shortest distance, and user interests. We also present another idea namely, "activity trajectory" that represents trajectory that fulfills the set of activities that the user is intrigued to do. The approach dispatched acquaints the related distance value to select trajectory(ies) with minimum cost value (distance) and spatial-area to prune unneeded directions. The proposed calculation utilizes the idea of movement direction to prescribe most comparable N-trajectory(ies) that matches the client's required action design with least voyaging separation. To upgrade the execution of the proposed approach, parallel handling is applied through the employment of a MapReduce based approach. Experiments taking into account genuine information sets were built up and tested for assessing the proposed approach. The exhibited tests indicate how the proposed approach beets different strategies giving better precision and run time.Keywords: location based recommendation, map-reduce, recommendation system, trajectory search
Procedia PDF Downloads 2234425 Renewable Energy Trends Analysis: A Patents Study
Authors: Sepulveda Juan
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This article explains the elements and considerations taken into account when implementing and applying patent evaluation and scientometric study in the identifications of technology trends, and the tools that led to the implementation of a software application for patent revision. Univariate analysis helped recognize the technological leaders in the field of energy, and steered the way for a multivariate analysis of this sample, which allowed for a graphical description of the techniques of mature technologies, as well as the detection of emerging technologies. This article ends with a validation of the methodology as applied to the case of fuel cells.Keywords: patents, scientometric, renewable energy, technology maps
Procedia PDF Downloads 3094424 A Review of Sustainable Energy-Saving Solutions in Active and Passive Solar Systems of Zero Energy Buildings Based on the Internet of Things
Authors: Hanieh Sadat Jannesari, Hoori Jannesar, Alireza Hajian HosseinAbadi
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In general, buildings are responsible for a considerable share of consumed energy and carbon emissions worldwide and play a significant role in formulating sustainable development strategies. Therefore, a lot of effort is put into the design and construction of zero-energy buildings (ZEBs) to help eliminate the problems associated with the reduction of energy resources and environmental degradation. Two strategies are significant in designing ZEBs: minimizing the need for energy utilization in buildings (particularly for cooling and heating) through highly energy-efficient designs and using renewable energies and other technologies to meet the remaining energy needs. This paper reviews the works related to these two strategies concerning sustainable energy-saving solutions using renewable energy technologies and the Internet of Things in ZEBs. Drawing on the theories and recently implemented projects of energy engineers in ZEBs, we have reported the required technologies within the framework of this paper’s objectives. Overall, solutions based on renewable and sustainable technologies such as photovoltaic (PV) modules, thermal collectors, Phase Change Material (PCM) techniques, etc., are used in active and passive systems designed for various applications in such buildings as cooling, heating, lighting, cooking, etc. The results obtained from examining these projects show that it is possible to minimize the amount of energy required to be produced for and consumed by these buildings.Keywords: active and passive renewable energy systems, internet of things, storage, zero energy buildings
Procedia PDF Downloads 344423 Focusing of Technology Monitoring Activities Using Indicators
Authors: Günther Schuh, Christina König, Toni Drescher
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One of the key factors for the competitiveness and market success of technology-driven companies is the timely provision of information about emerging technologies, changes in existing technologies, as well as relevant related changes in the market's structures and participants. Therefore, many companies conduct technology intelligence (TI) activities to ensure an early identification of appropriate technologies and other (weak) signals. One base activity of TI is technology monitoring, which is defined as the systematic tracking of developments within a specified topic of interest as well as related trends over a long period of time. Due to the very large number of dynamically changing parameters within the technological and the market environment of a company as well as their possible interdependencies, it is necessary to focus technology monitoring on specific indicators or other criteria, which are able to point out technological developments and market changes. In addition to the execution of a literature review on existing approaches, which mainly propose patent-based indicators, it is examined in this paper whether indicator systems from other branches such as risk management or economic research could be transferred to technology monitoring in order to enable an efficient and focused technology monitoring for companies.Keywords: technology forecasting, technology indicator, technology intelligence, technology management, technology monitoring
Procedia PDF Downloads 472