Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Articles

The diffusion of industrial robots in Europe: regional or country effect?

Abstract The paper investigates whether the penetration of advanced manufacturing technologies can be better explained at the regional or national level. If regional effects prevail, policy actions would focus on local investments, while if country effects make regional covariates redundant, they should be redirected to more structural reform of the national systems of innovation. In this respect, the contribution is 2-fold. First, data on acquisitions of industrial robots in the five largest European economies are rescaled at regional levels to draw a clear picture of winners and losers in the robotics race after the 2008 financial crisis. Second, we explain differential of growth rates in robot adoption with (1) traditional measures of industrial variety, (2) an unsupervised machine learning approach classifying a region’s industry profile (3) usual determinants of innovation and, thereafter test the robustness of the results when country effects are added. As the main result, we highlight a process of regional convergence in which country-fixed effects hold greater explanatory power, although related variety and the number of skilled people are statistically significant regional explanatory factors. We do not discover a specific industry mix associated with the rise of adoption, but we highlight the one associated with its decline.

Combined effects of carbon content and heat treatment on the high-temperature tensile performance of modified IN738 alloy processed by laser powder bed fusion

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an advanced manufacturing technology used in processing nickel-based superalloys, notably for aero-engine components. One such material, the LPBF-fabricated IN738 superalloy, is prone to significant cracking issues. This study found that a change in carbon content (the optimal content of which was also determined) effectively mitigated the cracking. This study has systematically investigated the impact of different heat treatments on microstructural alterations and high-temperature tensile properties. The addition of 0.55 wt.% of graphite proved effective in entirely inhibiting cracking in LPBF-fabricated IN738 specimens. Pre-alloyed IN738-M powder with the optimal carbon content was then produced and processed via LPBF to assess its formability. The as-built specimen revealed the presence of continuous carbides along the subgrain boundaries. Heat treatment promoted the transformation of substructured grains into recrystallised grains, accompanied by the precipitations of carbides and the γ' phase; their morphologies were strongly determined by the solution treatment temperature. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements were employed to elucidate the differing microstructural states following distinct heat-treatment regimens. Under a 900°C testing condition, stress-relieved (SR) specimens were found to exhibit superior performance, demonstrating an ultimate tensile stress (UTS) value of 843.6 MPa, a yield strength (YS) of 807.3 MPa and an elongation of 8.54%. Notably, SR specimens also exhibited the highest UTS and YS values at 1000°C, measuring 380.0 MPa and 346.5 MPa, respectively. This study’s findings will furnish valuable insights for researchers who aim to enhance the high-temperature tensile performance of LPBF-fabricated nickel-based superalloys.

Preface

The 2nd International Symposium on Frontiers of Mechanical and Material Engineering (MME2024) is a globally recognized event to be organized by the Hubei Digital Textile Equipment Key Laboratory, China, in collaboration with the Wuhan Textile University, China, Zhongnan University, East-Siberian State University of Technology and Management, Russia, Rongzhi Sciences and Technology Center, China, was held from 21-22 September 2024 in Hangzhou, China. Since its inception in 2014, MME has successfully encompassed a wide spectrum of cuttingedge research domains, developed into a premier international event held in China and which gathered the best scientists and world class experts to share leading edge and multidisciplinary research in various fields related to mechanical engineering, materials science and modern technologies. MME serves as a prestigious international platform, this conference will continue to facilitate the dissemination of cutting-edge advancements across a spectrum of disciplines, converge students, experts, researchers, scholars, and industry professionals from different nations to share and deliberate on their latest work. This volume comprises select proceedings of 18 papers from 56 contributions submitted to MME2024. All the papers underwent a meticulous peer-review process, with each paper being evaluated by at least one expert in the relevant field. It introduces latest advancements in the subjects of mechanical engineering, materials science and advanced manufacturing technology, et al. It will be beneficial for readers from both academia and industry to understand and tackle the challenges in an efficient manner and to adopt appropriate solutions in the mentioned fields above. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to invited keynote speakers: Dr. Valeriy Buryachenko, Micromechanics & Composites LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Prof. David BASSIR, French University of Technology UTBM, France; Prof. Raul Duarte Salgueiral Gomes Campilho, Department of Mechanical Engineering, ISEP - School of Engineering, Portugal, and Dr. Ghulam Yasin, Oxford Brookes University, UK, for their brilliant speeches. Thanks to all the international reviewers and program committee members for their valuable contributions and dedication. List of Conference Chair, Conference Co-Chair, Honorary Chair, Editors and Technical Program Committees are available in this Pdf.

Three-dimensional honeycomb structured BaTiO3-based piezoelectric ceramics via texturing and vat photopolymerization

Textured piezoelectric ceramics have attracted significant attention due to their ability to achieve ultra-high piezoelectric properties comparable to single crystals at a lower cost. Traditional processing techniques, such as tape casting, can efficiently produce textured piezoelectric ceramics with simple structures but are inadequate for fabricating three-dimensional structures with high complexity, thereby limiting their applications in specific fields. Vat photopolymerization (VPP), an advanced additive manufacturing technology, can rapidly and accurately create intricate three-dimensional structures. Crucially, VPP can provide the necessary shear force to align the templates, resulting in the highly-textured piezoelectric ceramics. In this study, BaTiO3-based piezoelectric ceramics with a high degree of texture (97.2 %) were produced using VPP technology. These ceramics exhibited a large piezoelectric coefficient (d33 = 511 pC/N), which was 66 % higher than that of non-textured ceramics. Furthermore, textured ceramics with a honeycomb structure were fabricated, demonstrating their potential in sensing applications. This work confirms the feasibility of using VPP technology to prepare high-performance, complex-structured textured ceramics, thereby promoting the development and application of textured piezoelectric ceramics.

Soft-templating of biomass derivatives into edge-N doped 3D-interconnected hierarchical porous carbon for multi-scenario supercapacitive energy storage

Rational design of the pore structure for carbon materials is of great significance for solving the low specific capacitance and poor rate capability of supercapacitors. A novel soft-templating strategy is proposed by using biomass-derived sodium lignosulphonate as a carbon precursor and sublimable hexamethylenetetramine as a soft template. The hexamethylenetetramine nanoparticles are formed in the confined spaces of the precursor, and then these templates sublime to leave mesopores after the lignosulfonate transformed from linear structure to bulk structure by thermostabilization treatment. A high nitrogen content of 40 wt% in hexamethylenetetramine is also beneficial for the subsequent in-situ N-doping. The as-obtained nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon microspheres possess a high specific surface area of 1416 m2 g−1 with an N-doping content of 4.32 % (86.26 % edge-N). In a two-electrode system, the soft-templating carbon exhibits a decent specific capacitance of 234 F g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, an excellent rate capability of 62.4 % at 50 A g−1, and a high energy density of 8.1 Wh kg−1 at 15.0 kW kg−1 in 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte. Moreover, advanced additive manufacturing technology of direct ink writing was applied to construct a quasi-solid-state in-plane interdigital microsupercapacitor by using the soft-templating carbon, and it presents a superior areal/volumetric capacitance, rate performance, mechanical stability, and flexibility with PVA/H2SO4 gel electrolyte. This work broadens the pore structure engineering methodology by novel soft-templating biocarbon for multi-functional and multi-scenario energy storage systems.

Significant annual variations of firework-impacted aerosols in Northeast China: Implications for rethinking the firework bans

Fireworks are banned in many Chinese cities but never eliminated, reflecting strong public demand on this traditional activity for festival celebrations. On the other hand, the assessment of firework contributions to air pollution remains vague, raising concerns on the necessity of the mandatory bans. Here we investigated the characteristics of firework episodes in a megacity in Northeast China, based on field campaigns conducted in four successive winters during 2018–2022. Although prohibited, the firework influences remained evident during the Chinese New Year periods, as suggested by the enhancements of water-soluble potassium (K+). In addition, significant annual variations were identified for the firework episodes, with the following features observed. First, the firework-induced enrichment ratios of K+ and chloride exhibited increasing trends across years, climbing from 4.4 to 8.6 and from 1.7 to 2.9, respectively. Second, the enrichment ratio of sulfate dropped from 2.8 to 1.6, indicating that the firework contributions to sulfate decreased but remained considerable. Third, fireworks turned into an unimportant source for organic carbon and nitrate in the most recent winter of 2021–2022, with enrichment ratios of ∼1 for both species. Fourth, the firework-driven increases in fine particle concentration were as high as ∼100% for the two winters during 2019–2021, whereas the increase dropped sharply to ∼30% for 2021–2022. These variations were in line with the promotion of environmentally friendly fireworks. Our results indicated that the air pollution caused by fireworks could be reduced substantially by advanced manufacturing technologies and thus it is time to rethink the firework bans.

Micromechanical and Tribological Characterization of Fabricated Ti–6Al–4V Alloy Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Abstract In the dynamic era of advanced manufacturing technology, laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) have gained popularity in different domains due to its capability to build parts from bulk to miniature size with higher efficiency and precision. Ti–6Al–4V, a bio-inert metal alloy, possesses a unique blend of profound mechanical and biocompatibility attributes, making it highly suitable for implant applications. This study reports the fabrication of Ti–6Al–4V alloy for implant application via the L-PBF process. The objective is to enhance the micromechanical and tribological properties of the fabricated Ti–6Al–4V component by identifying the optimal processing conditions. The fabricated component exhibited a maximum hardness of 395.26 HV and a minimum frictional coefficient of 0.3193 at 195 W laser power, 900 mm/s scanning speed, and 70 μm hatching distance. The wear-rate and absorbed wear volume were measured as 1.265 × 10−5 mm3 N−1 min−1 and 0.3162 mm3, respectively, under sliding conditions. At optimal processing state, the printed surface displayed an alpha-phase morphology with homogeneous microstructural features due to uniform melting of powder particles that improved bond strength and minimized defects. This study offers an experimental insight into operational attributes, paving the way for accelerated production of Ti–6Al–4V alloy components using the L-PBF method and tailoring tribological properties to meet specific functional requirements.

Extreme electromagnetic rotation, chemical reaction, Hall and ion slip effects on weakly ionized fluid in a Riga channel

The utilization of external magnetic or electric fields, particularly through a Riga setup, markedly enhances flow dynamics by mitigating frictional forces and turbulent fluctuations, thereby facilitating superior flow management. Such improvements are especially beneficial in optimizing the operational efficiency of machinery and turbines. Our research focuses on the behaviour of a weakly ionized fluid within a porous, infinitely extended Riga channel (or electromagnetic channel) set in a rotational frame work affected by Hall and ion-slip electric fields. This model integrates the cumulative repulsions of an abruptly apply pressure gradients, electro-magnetic force, electromagnetic radiation, as well as chemical reactions. The physical configuration of the model features a stationary RHS wall as well as the LHS wall subjected to transversal vibration, establishing a complex flow environment. This circumstance is analytically modeled utilizing time dependent PDE, with the Laplace transform method applied to achieve a closed-format resolution for the course controlling equations. Through detailed graphical and tabular data, the investigations explored the impacts of assorted pivotal parameters on the model's flow traits and quantities. Our results indicate that an upswing in the modified Hartmann number significantly enhances fluids flow in the conduit, with the most important resultant flow showing marked improvement as Hall and ion-slip parameters amplify, and secondly the resultant flow diminishing chemical reaction parameter. Additionally, species concentration lowers with higher Schmidt numbers and chemical reaction rates, while an expanded modified Hartmann number correlate with enhanced shear stress near the conduit wall. Moreover, an elevation in the radiating parameter reduces the rate of temperature transport at the vibrating wall, whereas this at the stationary wall improves. This study has profound implications across several fields, notably in fusion energy research, spacecraft propulsion systems, satellite operations, aerospace engineering, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Adoption of Advanced Manufacturing Technology by SMEs in Kenya: Effect on Performance and Policy Implications

This study examined the adoption of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya and its effect on their performance. The study utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collected through Interviews and structured questionnaire respectively. The target population constituted SME owners and Managers across various manufacturing sectors in Kenya. The study employed a stepwise regression model to analyze the results. Findings indicate a positive correlation between AMT adoption and operational performance, including increased production efficiency, product quality, and market competitiveness. The study also shows a significantly positive relationship between use of AMT by SMEs in Kenya and their ability to develop and sustain competitive advantage in their operations by employing both planning and design technologies. Specifically, the study found a significant and positive relationship between design technologies and performance of SMEs in Kenya (p<0.001), and between planning technologies and performance of SMEs in Kenya (p<0.001). Further, the study found that manufacturing technologies do not have a signigificant positive effect on performance of SMEs in Kenya when considered together with planning technologies and design technologies (p=0.698).The paper recommends that SMEs should adopt design technologies and planning technologies that are aligned to their manufacturing process. The study also recommends that appropriate policies that encourage adoption of AMT should be developed to enhance performance of SMEs given their pivotal role in national economic development.

Advancements in Ocular Therapy: A Review of Emerging Drug Delivery Approaches and Pharmaceutical Technologies

Eye disorders affect a substantial portion of the global population, yet the availability of efficacious ophthalmic drug products remains limited. This can be partly ascribed to a number of factors: (1) inadequate understanding of physiological barriers, treatment strategies, drug and polymer properties, and delivery systems; (2) challenges in effectively delivering drugs to the anterior and posterior segments of the eye due to anatomical and physiological constraints; and (3) manufacturing and regulatory hurdles in ocular drug product development. The present review discusses innovative ocular delivery and treatments, encompassing implants, liposomes, nanoparticles, nanomicelles, microparticles, iontophoresis, in situ gels, contact lenses, microneedles, hydrogels, bispecific antibodies, and gene delivery strategies. Furthermore, this review also introduces advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing and hot-melt extrusion (HME), aimed at improving bioavailability, reducing therapeutic dosages and side effects, facilitating the design of personalized ophthalmic dosage forms, as well as enhancing patient compliance. This comprehensive review lastly offers insights into digital healthcare, market trends, and industry and regulatory perspectives pertaining to ocular product development.

Preface

It is our honor to present the Proceedings of the 2024 3rd International Conference on Mechanical, Aerospace Technology and Materials Application (MATMA 2024). MATMA 2024 is an event that brings together the world’s leading experts and scholars in the field of mechanical and aerospace technology, and is also an excellent platform for sharing the latest research results and discussing the application of cutting-edge technologies in related domains. The conference aims to discuss the latest progress and challenges in mechanical engineering, aerospace technology and materials applications, and to promote the innovation of related theories and technological breakthroughs. By building this international exchange platform, we expect to promote extensive cooperation among academics, strengthen the integration of industry, academia and research between universities and enterprises, jointly address the key issues of industry development, and promote the sustained and healthy development of relevant fields. MATMA 2024 brought together top scholars and researchers from all over the world, who shared their latest research results and practical experiences in mechanical engineering, aerospace technology and materials applications during this conference. It is worth mentioning that the conference specially invited Duc Truong Pham (Professor from University of Birmingham, UK and Member of the Royal Academy of Engineering), Eckart Meiburg (Professor from University of California Santa Barbara, US), Alam Md. Mahbub (Professor from Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), China), Yufei Gao (Professor from Shandong University, China), Caixu Yue (Professor from Harbin University of Science and Technology, China), Taimoor Asim (Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK), etc., to give the keynote speeches. In-depth exchanges and discussions around aerodynamics and aeroelasticity, aerospace design, testing and performance, numerical control technology, noise vibration and harshness, combustion and emission control, advanced manufacturing technology, as well as deformation and fracture of materials, materials processing, high-performance materials, etc. were carried out during the conference. Through these communications, we have jointly explored the current and future development direction of mechanical engineering, aerospace technology and materials applications, stimulated innovative thinking, and promoted academic exchanges and cooperation. This Proceedings of MATMA 2024 contains excellent academic papers submitted from all around the world, which not only cover the basic theories, structure design and analysis, and operation and evaluation systems of aerospace, but also discuss in depth the applications and innovations of mechanical technologies and high-performance materials. Each paper has been strictly reviewed and screened to ensure its academic value and practical application value. We would like to express our sincere thanks to all the participants for their enthusiastic participation and active contributions, to the organizers and committee members for their careful organization and thoughtful arrangements, and to all the experts and scholars who took the time out of their busy schedules to attend the conference and bring us wonderful speeches and profound insights. We believe that with the joint efforts of all of you, MATMA 2024 will become an important milestone in promoting the development of mechanical and aerospace technology and materials applications. The Committee of MATMA 2024 List of Committee Member is available in this pdf.

A stethoscope-guided interpretable deep learning framework for powder flow diagnosis in cold spray additive manufacturing

Cold spray (CS) particle deposition, also known as cold spray additive manufacturing, has garnered great attention as an advanced additive manufacturing (AM) and surface deposition technology, facilitating rapid and scalable production of functional parts and surfaces in a solid-state manner. In CS, consistent and precise feeding of functional feedstock powders is crucial for achieving effective particle deposition. However, vibratory-based powder feeders often face challenges associated with powder delivery and powder segregation. This underscores the critical need for a precise diagnostic framework to effectively control powder flow during cold spraying. To this end, the present study proposes a powder flow monitoring framework for the CS process using a stethoscope sound-guided interpretable deep learning (IDL) model. Internal sound data from the vibrated powder feeder is collected through a stethoscope sensor to train a two-stage model. In the first stage, a convolutional autoencoder (CAE) is trained to build an unsupervised learning-based anomaly detector, which identifies classification thresholds based on the receiver operation characteristic curve. In the second stage, a convolutional neural network (CNN) model is trained as the powder flow diagnostic tool by considering process anomalies, namely (i) no powder flow; (ii) feeder clogging; and (iii) no gas flow. The results reveal that the stethoscope sound-guided model achieves a classification accuracy of 95% on the test set, significantly outperforming benchmark utilizing typical external-sound recording microphones in diagnosing CS powder flow. Furthermore, the model is visualized and interpreted by employing t-distribution stochastic neighbor embedding and integrated gradients techniques to enhance reliability of CS powder flow diagnosis. This research highlights the effectiveness of the stethoscope sound-guided IDL model for in situ powder flow monitoring and process diagnosis in the domain of cold spray additive manufacturing, contributing to effective particle deposition.

Direct ink writing 3D printed graphene oxide nanocomposite aerogel for intelligent fire-warning and exceptional fire-shielding

Fabricating intelligent fire-warning sensors with controllable 3D structures and shapes by advanced manufacturing technology is a formidable challenge but remains the critical factor in broadening fire prevention and protection. Herein, the novel fire-warning aerogel with a high-fidelity 3D porous structure and diversiform geometrical features based on graphene oxide (GO), cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was fabricated via direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing combined with freeze-drying technology. Benefiting from the hydrogen bonding multi-interactions between the molecules as well as the ideal rheological properties, the ink containing 20 wt% of CNF (GA-CNF-20) had a dynamic yield stress of 620 Pa. As a result, the corresponding aerogel had a significantly improved elasticity modulus of 153 kPa and a compressive stress of 400 kPa at a deformation of 39.7 %. Meanwhile, GA-CNF-20 displayed an ultrafast fire-warning trigger time (1.32 s) and a long-term response time (170 s) because of the thermal reduction property of GO together with the in-situ phosphorus doping reaction of APP under fire. Besides, the GA-CNF-20 also exhibited a strong heat-insulating capability, high char-forming property, self-extinguishing performance as well as structure integrity in the burning test. The relevant improvement mechanisms were attributed to the non-flammable gas diluting effect, intumescent char layer barrier effect and fire blowing-out effect in both gas and condensed phases. Such self-supporting printed aerogel can potentially be used as a fire-warning sensor for designated systems with specific precision structure in multi-domains of electrical and traffic engineering.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ ПОСИЛЕННЯ ПОЗИЦІЙ ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКИХ КОМПАНІЙ НА РИНКУ DEEP TECH В УМОВАХ МОДЕРНІЗАЦІЇ ІННОВАЦІЙНОГО ЛАНДШАФТУ ЄС

The purpose of the article is to highlight the prospects for strengthening the positions of European companies in the deep tech market in the context of the modernization of the EU innovation landscape by using the potential of regulatory policy and competition policy. The article is based on a research hypothesis, which stems from the fact that at the present stage there is a rethinking of the role of innovations as a source of socio-economic development of global economic entities. It has been established that even at the supranational level, powers in the field of implementing EU innovation policy are distributed between several departments and directorates; such distribution of powers has determined the specificity and diversity of budget mechanisms for financing innovations, which leads to subadditivity of innovation management. The role of innovation for European society is to transform research results into new, higher-quality goods and services in order to maintain and improve their competitiveness in the global market, as well as to improve the well-being of the population. The EU innovation policy is aimed at creating conditions recognized to facilitate the introduction of innovative ideas to the market, and is also a link between the policy of research and development in the field of technology and innovation and the industrial policy of states. Within the framework of the concept of open innovation, the following forms of international innovation cooperation can be distinguished: obtaining knowledge from the external environment (licensing, obtaining firms-sources of knowledge); knowledge transfer (for example, from a management company to foreign subsidiaries); partnership (equal cooperation between two companies, one of which is a non-resident of the other country); venture investments (infusion of foreign capital into innovative projects, start-ups). International innovation cooperation today is expressed mainly in the commercial activities of states: purchase and sale (export and import) of technologies in materialized form; provision of technological know-how (transfer of experience) on a contractual basis, as well as technical support within the framework of cooperation; sale of patents and licenses; personnel training (advanced training, retraining); creation of joint ventures. Coordination is the development by two states or a group of states of a common policy in the field of innovation and technology development. The methods for implementing this form of international innovation cooperation may be the implementation of various interstate programs in the field of joint scientific and technical activities. DeepTech ("deep" technologies) are fundamentally new technological solutions of innovative companies, including start-ups, developed with the aim of finding answers to global challenges and requiring long-term scientific research and significant investment. The areas of deep-tech most often include: new materials, advanced manufacturing technologies, biotechnology, blockchain, robotics, photonics, microelectronics and quantum computing, life sciences, chemistry, space, green energy and agriculture. "Deep" technologies will be in demand beyond the EU and will generally increase the inflow of investment into the innovation sector of Europe. An even more significant budget (EUR 372 billion for 2021-2027) has been allocated through the InvestEU program. It plans to support successful projects of SMEs entering IPO and implement venture fund programs focused on the late stages of the innovation cycle (scale-up venture capital) and formed from the funds of pension funds and insurance companies. Another program, "European Scale-up Action for Risk Capital" (ESCALAR), with a budget of EUR 1.2 billion until 2027, also includes tools to support innovative businesses. The general logic of the modernization of the EU innovation development program assumes a certain "smoothing" of the pan-European innovation landscape by supporting existing and launching new interregional initiatives. This will help to balance the innovative development of regions and EU countries, including those with low indicators in this area. One of the features of venture capital is its high-risk nature, i.e. the possibility of not receiving the expected profit, or losses as a result of the inefficiency of the financed project. This risk must be justified by the high profitability of commercial activity. But venture capital does not simply strive for risky entrepreneurial projects, it kind of frees the innovative entrepreneur from risk, shifting it to itself through venture funds, where this risk is shared between its numerous partners in proportion to the contribution of each. For this reason, venture capital controls the activities of the innovative entrepreneur, creating all the conditions for him to enter the market.

Opportunities and barriers for the integration of Industry 4.0 into small and medium-sized enterprises in Tunisia: analysis with MICMAC and DEMATEL

This study presents a comprehensive framework for understanding the key opportunities and barriers in implementing Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in Tunisian medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), using MICMAC (Matrice d’Impacts Croisés, Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement) and DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) methodologies, supported by a literature review and expert consultations. Both methods identify crucial opportunities such as digital collaboration and real-time information, along with barriers like under-utilization of academic knowledge and insufficient leadership commitment. While MICMAC emphasizes risk management, not fully recognized by DEMATEL, both converge on similar barriers with nuanced prioritization. Comparing these findings with existing literature highlights commonalities and differences in opportunities and barriers. The study underscores the importance of integrating sustainability and cost reduction into I4.0 frameworks and suggests incorporating technological readiness, leadership support, and innovative business models. For practical implementation, decision-makers should invest in advanced manufacturing technologies, foster collaboration with technology providers, and initiate pilot projects. Enhancing operational agility and efficiency through integrated digital platforms and adaptable systems is essential. Addressing barriers involves securing management support, improving technical expertise, managing resistance to change, and boosting research and development efforts.

Integration of Scientific and Technological Policies for the Development of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies: Analysis and Perspectives

Integration of Scientific and Technological Policies for the Development of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies: Analysis and Perspectives

A Novel End-to-End Deep Learning Framework for Chip Packaging Defect Detection.

As semiconductor chip manufacturing technology advances, chip structures are becoming more complex, leading to an increased likelihood of void defects in the solder layer during packaging. However, identifying void defects in packaged chips remains a significant challenge due to the complex chip background, varying defect sizes and shapes, and blurred boundaries between voids and their surroundings. To address these challenges, we present a deep-learning-based framework for void defect segmentation in chip packaging. The framework consists of two main components: a solder region extraction method and a void defect segmentation network. The solder region extraction method includes a lightweight segmentation network and a rotation correction algorithm that eliminates background noise and accurately captures the solder region of the chip. The void defect segmentation network is designed for efficient and accurate defect segmentation. To cope with the variability of void defect shapes and sizes, we propose a Mamba model-based encoder that uses a visual state space module for multi-scale information extraction. In addition, we propose an interactive dual-stream decoder that uses a feature correlation cross gate module to fuse the streams' features to improve their correlation and produce more accurate void defect segmentation maps. The effectiveness of the framework is evaluated through quantitative and qualitative experiments on our custom X-ray chip dataset. Furthermore, the proposed void defect segmentation framework for chip packaging has been applied to a real factory inspection line, achieving an accuracy of 93.3% in chip qualification.

3D printing of lignin-based supramolecular topological shape-morphing architectures with high strength, toughness, resolution, and fatigue resistance

The design and fabrication of customized and sustainable elastomers with supramolecular frameworks remain a central focus of scientific research. 3D printing represents an advanced manufacturing technology that has garnered significant attention. Lignin, a naturally abundant polymer, fits well with 3D printing due to its unique aromatic-rich structures that can provide rigidity and structural support. However, challenges persist in developing UV-curable lignin-based inks and fabricating high-strength lignin-based composite hydrogels with tailored shapes and structures through vat photopolymerization (VPP) printing techniques, largely due to lignin’s inherent heterogeneity, fragility, and poor fluidity. Here, we successfully developed a unique lignin-based photosensitive macromonomer resin tailored for VPP 3D printing. Using an ethanol/water fractionation process, heterogeneous lignosulfonate (LS), a by-product of the pulp and paper industry, was treated to isolate highly reactive lignin fractions rich in phenolic hydroxyl and sulfonic groups. These fractions were then chemically modified to synthesize a lignin-based macromonomer known as urethane acrylated lignosulfonate (UALS). The resulting lignin-based macromonomer (15–35 wt%) exhibits excellent compatibility with photosensitive resin formulations, enabling effective VPP 3D printing. The 3D-printed lignin-based supramolecular composite hydrogels exhibit high strength (tensile strength of ∼2.12 MPa, an elongation at break of ∼220.13 %), high resolution, fatigue resistance (up to 10000 cycles), and moisture-induced responsive behavior. The development of 3D-printed lignin-based supramolecular elastomers with defined shapes and patterned structures significantly advances the discovery of robust and environmentally sustainable soft materials with potential applications in soft robotics and tissue engineering.

Mechanical and absorption properties of carbon-basalt and glass fiber reinforced composites: A comprehensive study with implications for advanced manufacturing technology

In this research, a combination of hybrid and non-hybrid composite materials were tested for their mechanical properties and water absorption rates. The study focused on composites produced through hand-layup techniques, examining their void percentage, morphology, and elemental composition. Specifically, three different stacking sequences of hybrid composites were compared with three non-hybrid composites of equal thickness. Combining carbon and glass allows the composites to balance flexural (367 MPa, 23 GPa) and tensile (440 MPa, 5.7 GPa) strength and modulus, all while remaining cost-effective and easily accessible. The glass fiber-based composites exhibited exceptional impact (27 J/cm2) strength due to their interfacial solid bonding. Additionally, the study found that basalt and carbon-basalt composites had varying degrees of water absorption when exposed to seawater and river water. SEM and EDS Mapping analyses were conducted to understand better fibrous and granular composites' mechanical properties and water absorption behaviors. These analyses provided valuable insights and a comprehensive knowledge of composite properties. Ultimately, the study recommends using hybrid composite materials for specific applications based on desired flexural tensile strength, impact strength, or water absorption characteristics.

Guest editorial: Preface of special issue advanced manufacturing technologies in aerospace engineering

Guest editorial: Preface of special issue advanced manufacturing technologies in aerospace engineering