Innovative Concept Research Articles

Design of rose thorn biomimetic micro-protrusion for metals and CFRTP easily disassembled joining

This study focuses on the joining techniques for metals and carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) to address the pursuit of lightweight vehicles and high recycling efficiency. The innovative concept of ‘easy-disassembly joining’ is introduced for the first time, aiming for robust joint strength and efficient disassembly/recycling of end-of-life vehicles. Inspired by rose thorn morphology and natural performances, bionic micro-protrusions are explored as intermediate structures to facilitate the easy disassembly joining between metals and CFRTP. The primary focus of the study revolves around the design strategy of micro-protrusions inspired by rose thorns. The objective is to identify the most effective micro-protrusion shapes by understanding the interplay of its geometrical parameters, including base shape, apex position, profile curvature, and stress distribution under diverse loads. Utilizing static stress numerical simulations, the study conclusively identifies an elliptical base shape with the apex positioned slightly above the right edge of the structure. The outer profile adopts a circular arc, and the inner profile follows a conical curve. This configuration effectively mitigates stress concentration at the bottom, which interfaces with the metal substrate and the smaller areas around the apex. This research introduces an innovative concept for metal-CFRTP joining and applies bionic principles in engineering solutions. By promoting lightweight and sustainable structures through enhanced disassembly efficiency, it contributes to groundbreaking advancements in the field.

Dynamics of the atom-polyatomic molecule conversion with quantum decoherence

Based on the mean-field approximation and the two-mode Bose–Hubbard model, we investigate the dynamical properties of atom-polyatomic molecule conversion systems under dissipation and dephasing. For such a many-body system problem, we partition phase space based on the states of fixed points, study the movement of fixed points and the transition to attractors in an open system. Additionally, for all the atoms that constitute a molecule, depending on whether the species of these atoms are identical or not, we introduce the innovative concepts of unbiased and biased systems. We discover that in biased conversion systems under particle losses, the evolution trajectories are distributed on a three-dimensional Bloch sphere with an internal structure. There exists a significant difference from the two-dimensional Hilbert space of an unbiased system. Finally, we discuss the sweeping rate of the time-varying magnetic field applied externally to the conversion system, and analyze a feasible scheme for the quantum coherent synthesis of triatomic molecules.

Peace with Adjectives: Conceptual Fragmentation or Conceptual Innovation?

Peace with Adjectives: Conceptual Fragmentation or Conceptual Innovation?

Linguistic change in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: a corpus linguistic comparison of language contact phenomena in Romance languages

Abstract The radical social, political, and economic changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are clearly reflected in language use through the appearance of numerous neologisms, most of which can be considered borrowings from English. In this article, we take a contrastive linguistic approach and focus on the emergence of new lexemes in the press language of four Romance languages (European Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian and European French) with a special focus on language contact. Since no press corpora were available with specific data on the COVID-19 pandemic, we created our own corpora for the entire year 2020 using Python in order to compare how lexical innovation is dealt with in the four languages. Our results show that conceptual innovation, especially when it occurs abruptly, can lead to equivalent, often phonotactically adapted neologisms in the case of neighbouring languages. However, the integration of foreign words and the formation of neologisms also show language-specific peculiarities which are not only related to structural characteristics of the respective languages, but also to sociolinguistic and sociocultural factors. Our study elaborates on the relationship between these factors and shows the potential of contrastive and computational approaches for the study of lexical repercussions of language contact.

Membangun Fondasi Complementary Agenda Untuk Transformasi Digital Bisnis

Digital innovation is fundamentally changing the business landscape, driving advances in products, processes and business models. It involves complex interactions between technological and social aspects, creating ambiguity between process and product. It is important to understand how digital innovation impacts business process management. This study uses a literature approach to explore the concepts of digital innovation and business process management. The research was conducted by analyzing related literature from various academic and professional sources, including scientific journals, books and industry publications. Digital innovation not only creates technological progress, but also changes social processes and organizational structures. This phenomenon can be seen in platforms such as Uber or DevOps, which show a close connection between product and process. Digital innovation also enables continuous evolution and improvement of products and processes over time. Business process management is becoming increasingly important in facing the challenges and opportunities brought by digital innovation. Agile and adaptive process management strategies are needed to cope with rapid changes in the digital business environment. From the literature analysis, it appears that integration between digital innovation and business process management is very important. To optimize the benefits of digital innovation, organizations need to adopt an agile and adaptive approach in their process management. This involves continuous adaptation to technological and social changes as well as increased collaboration between various functions within the organization. Suggestions for future research are to conduct more in-depth empirical studies to understand the concrete impact of digital innovation on business process management, as well as to develop a practical framework for applying process management principles in the context of digital innovation.

Artificial Intelligence for Thermal Energy Storage Enhancement: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract Thermal energy storage (TES) plays a pivotal role in a wide array of energy systems, offering a highly effective means to harness renewable energy sources, trim energy consumption and costs, reduce environmental impact, and bolster the adaptability and dependability of power grids. Concurrently, artificial intelligence (AI) has risen in prominence for optimizing and fine-tuning TES systems. Various AI techniques, such as particle swarm optimization, artificial neural networks, support vector machines, and adaptive neurofuzzy inference systems, have been extensively explored in the realm of energy storage. This study provides a comprehensive overview of how AI, across diverse applications, categorizes, and optimizes energy systems. The study critically evaluates the effectiveness of these AI technologies, highlighting their impressive accuracy in achieving a range of objectives. Through a thorough analysis, the paper also offers valuable recommendations and outlines future research directions, aiming to inspire innovative concepts and advancements in leveraging AI for TESS. By bridging the gap between TES and AI techniques, this study contributes significantly to the progress of energy systems, enhancing their efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. The insights gleaned from this research will be invaluable for researchers, engineers, and policymakers, aiding them in making well-informed decisions regarding the design, operation, and management of energy systems integrated with TES.

Integrated segmented IQ-modulator for orthogonal sampling and multi-level high-bandwidth signal generation.

Photonic-assisted signal processing of high-bandwidth signals emerges as a solution for challenges encountered in electronic-based processing. Here we present a concept for a compact, photonic-assisted digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and optical IQ-modulator in one single integrated device based on two innovative concepts: a segmented Mach-Zehnder modulator and orthogonal sampling. For electrically driving the modulator, only a single radio frequency oscillator and no pulse source or electrical DAC are required. The presented and simulated proof-of-concept device with six segments can generate a multi-level and high-bandwidth signal from low-bandwidth electronic drivers; e.g., we show the generation of a 120 Gbps data rate, 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM, 30 Gbaud) signal solely based on low-bandwidth (5 GHz) non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signals. Integrated on a silicon photonic platform, the device provides fixable speed and bandwidth operations, positioning it as a viable solution for diverse communication systems.

Concept development of exercise-to-power: The Green&Healthy power concept

Energy harvesting systems can capture and convert small amounts of energy from various natural sources, contributing to offsetting the growing global energy challenges without incurring the depletion of additional energy resources. Human kinetic energy can be obtained from physical exercise - in indoor cycling, the athlete's metabolic energy converts into heat, enthalpy (to the environment), and work. This study reports on the concept development of the Green&Healthy Power system, an energy harvesting system that collects energy from physical activities. A case study based on an indoor bike generator as a conceptual innovation is presented. The user can select the intensity of effort in which the exercise occurs to produce electricity. Using situations based on literature results, the gains are evaluated by measuring aerobic endurance. The user is informed about the health benefits of the exercise (traditional indices), the energy produced, and the greenhouse gas emissions avoided. This study also reviews some aspects of precedent practices, highlighting the concept's challenging characteristics and setting out the initial formulation of the Green&Healthy Power system. This contribution defines research, development, and demonstration priorities for new ideas and technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce the final consumption of primary energy. As results of the study case, initial figures indicate that 1000 people performing 20 min of activities on the energy harvesting system three times a week can avoid annual emissions of 180 kg CO2 and produce 800 kWh/year of electricity, resulting in savings of R$ 800/year. Brazil has a population of 200 million inhabitants and if 1 % of the population carried out this activity, electricity generation could reach up to 1.6 TWh/month (= 19.2 TWh/year), representing 3.4 % of electricity flows within the Brazilian electricity matrix.

An Innovative Plate Concept for Rotational Guided Growth: A Porcine Pilot Study.

Background Rotational deformities in children are currently treated with an osteotomy, acute de-rotation, and surgical fixation. Meanwhile, guided growth is now the gold standard in pediatric coronal deformity correction. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a novel implant intended for rotational guided growth (RotOs Plate) in a large porcine animal model. Methodology A submuscular plate was inserted on the medial and lateral aspect of the distal femoral physis of the left femur in 6 pigs. Each plate was anchored with a screw in the metaphysis and epiphysis respectively. The plates were expected to rotate the femur externally. The right femur acted as a control in a paired design. The animals were housed for 12 weeks after surgery. MRI scanning of both femora was performed before euthanasia after 12 weeks. Rotation was determined as the difference in the femoral version on MRI between the operated and non-operated femur after 12 weeks. Results External rotation in all operated femurs was observed. The mean difference in the femoral version on MRI between operated and non-operated femurs was 12.5° (range 9°-16°). No significant changes in axial growth were detected. Conclusions This study shows encouraging results regarding rotational guided growth, which may replace current invasive surgical treatment options for malrotation in children. However, further studies addressing potential secondary deformities are paramount and should be carried out.

Softeners doped with asphaltene dispersants acting in synergy with resins: Molecular mechanisms underlying asphalt rejuvenation

In confronting the global climate change, reusing waste asphalt materials stands out as a key strategy for the transportation sector to preserve natural resources and reduce the carbon footprint. Recycling additives or rejuvenators are usually required in this practice, especially for boosting the recycling rate. Given the imperative need for a general compositional design principle of rejuvenators, we previously proposed an innovative formulation concept by combining softeners with asphaltene dispersants, and reported that the use of dispersants largely reduced the total quantity of rejuvenators needed and thus would minimize the environmental impacts. The present study is aimed for probing the molecular mechanisms underlying this observation, with additional interest focused on the synergistic effect of the dispersants with resins and also on the impacts due to their self-association. Selection of representative materials consisted of three types of dispersants including an ionic liquid, a phenolic amphiphile, and an ester plasticizer, in combination with an aromatic oil as the softener. Long-time molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was employed to inspect the aggregation of asphaltenes. Quantum chemical (QC) computation was performed to provide insights into the source of different dispersing behaviors. The results indicated that the three dispersants all acted in concert with resins in dispersing asphaltenes. The dispersion characteristics of asphaltenes could be viewed as a net result of the two competing mechanisms of the dispersing capability and self-association of the dispersant used. The ionic liquid exhibited much higher propensity to self-association at increasing concentrations than the phenolic dispersant, and yet the optimum performance was achieved for both when they were added at low dosages. The ester plasticizer showed minimal self-association and yielded improved dispersion with increasing concentrations. In all cases, the dispersing functionality mainly originated from the presence or formation of significant electron-withdrawing sites, collectively due to the highly electronegative cation and anion, hydrogen bonding, and polar groups. Comparison of the dispersing power was also conducted from different perspectives. The findings are expected to provide molecular insights for formulating versatile and more environmentally benign asphalt rejuvenators.

Bridging the gap between servitization and social innovation.

This paper explores the social implications of servitization and unveils the connections between servitization and social innovation. To substantiate these claims, the research elucidates three core concepts of social innovation, namely processes, instruments, and outcomes. The processual view of social innovation examines how societal changes unfold; the instrumental view focuses on tools and mechanisms driving these changes; and last the outcomes view analyses the resultant benefits. The paper reviews systematically the literature on the social impacts of servitization and, based on the mentioned views uses the literature findings to inductively develop three propositions and demonstrate that servitization can represent a form of social innovation, thus capable of profoundly reshaping industrial societies and contributing to progress and people's well-being. In sum, the paper shows the social implications and benefits related to servitization of manufacturing firms and suggests the research priorities in this domain for servitization scholars.

Innovative Hybrid UAV Design, Development, and Manufacture for Forest Preservation and Acoustic Surveillance

The research described in this paper focuses on the development of an innovative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tailored for a specific mission: detecting the acoustic signature emitted by chainsaws, identifying deforestation, and reporting its location for legality assessment. Various calculations were conducted to determine the optimal solution, resulting in the choice of a fixed-wing UAV. A comparative analysis between tri-rotor and quadcopter systems was performed, leading to the selection of the tri-rotor configuration. The primary objective of this study is to design an innovative hybrid UAV concept with key features including a fixed-wing design and integrated VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) capability in the experimental model. The aircraft has been constructed using advanced materials such as fiber-reinforced polymer composites, manufactured using both conventional and advanced techniques like continuous fiber additive manufacturing and the use of a polymer matrix. Additionally, the aerodynamic configuration is optimized to achieve a cruise speed of approximately 50 km/h and a flight autonomy exceeding 3 h. The UAV has been equipped with payloads for mounting sensors to collect meteorological data, and crucially, the VTOL system has been optimized to vectorize thrust for improved performance during the transition from hover to cruise flight. This paper details the entire manufacturing and assembly process of the drone, covering both the structural framework and associated electrical installations. A dedicated sound detection system is incorporated into the drone to identify chainsaw noise, with the aim of preventing deforestation.

Simulation-Based Investigation of On-Demand Vehicle Deployment for Night Bus Routes Using the Monte Carlo Method

Public transportation systems, including trams and buses, play a crucial role in urban traffic. However, these traditional modes of transport have some well-known drawbacks, such as long distances between stops, lengthy waiting times, and a lack of privacy. In response to these challenges, an innovative mobility concept called “FLAIT-train” offers potential solutions. The FLAIT-train operates on regular roads and aims to provide DOOR-2-DOOR transport, addressing the issues associated with fixed stops and offering increased accessibility and convenience. In its initial phase, the FLAIT-train operates on exclusive lanes, but it is designed to integrate with other traffic eventually. The vehicle technology of FLAIT-trains closely resembles that of battery electric autonomous vehicles. To assess whether FLAIT-trains can be used as a suitable alternative to conventional public transportation systems, this paper employs traffic simulations that consider key performance indicators, including the average waiting time per passenger, maximum waiting time of a single passenger, average in-vehicle time per passenger, and average occupancy rate of the vehicles. Using SUMO software (“Simulation of Urban Mobility”, version 1.12.0), a night bus service scenario is meticulously designed and generated. Within this scenario, both FLAIT-trains and conventional buses are simulated under identical conditions and based on statistical data.

An Innovative Concept of Membrane-Free Redox Flow Batteries with Near-Zero Contact Distance Between Electrodes.

Given that the ion-exchange membrane takes up more than 30% of redox flow battery (RFB) cost, considerable cost reduction is anticipated with the membrane-free design. However, eliminating the membrane/separator would expose the membrane-free RFBs to a higher risk of short-circuits, and the dendrite growth may aggravate this issue. The current strategy based on expanding distances between electrodes is proposed to address short-circuit issues. Nevertheless, this approach would decrease the energy efficiency (EE) and could not restrain dendrite growth fundamentally. Herein, an inexpensive and electron-insulating boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs)-Nylon hybrid interlayer (BN/Nylon) is developed for general membrane-free RFBs to achieve "near-zero distance" contact between electrodes. And the Lewis acid sites (B atoms) in BNNS can interact with the Lewis base anions in electrolytes, enabling a reduced Pb2+concentration gradient. Additionally, the ultrahigh thermal conductivity and mechanical strength of BNNSs promote the uniform plating/stripping process of Pb and PbO2. Compared with conventional soluble lead RFBs, introducing BN/Nylon interlayers boosts EE by ≈38.2% at 25mAcm-2, and extends the cycle life to 100 cycles. This innovative strategy premieres the application of the BN/Nylon interlayer concept, offering a novel perspective for the development of general membrane-free RFBs.

Open innovation and new product development: major themes and research trajectories

Purpose This paper aims to review the extant literature on open innovation and new product development (NPD) using bibliometric analysis to gauge the evolving journey of this concept in the domain of Business and Management. Design/methodology/approach The researcher used the Scopus database to search the relevant documents for bibliometric analysis. The data range was from 2006 till June 2023. Citation analysis, co-citation analysis and co-occurrence of authors' keywords were used for bibliometric analysis. Findings The paper charts the intellectual structure of literature related to open innovation and NPD. The five major themes emerge as prominent themes in the literature, i.e. Open Innovation: Conceptualization, Dynamic Capabilities and Competitive Advantages; Open Innovation: Contingencies and Possibilities; Co-creation and New Product Development (NPD); Open Innovation for Businesses: A Shifting Paradigm; and Implementing of Open Innovation in Industries: Cases. Besides this, the study also reveals the most influential authors, journals and countries in their contribution to open innovation and new product development. Future research directions are also presented. Practical implications The present study contributes on academic and managerial fronts. The study provides important insights contributing to the open innovation and NPD literature. From the organizational point of view, the study provides a detailed understanding of the concept of open innovation and NPD that can aid managers in acquiring a comprehensive knowledge of the concept before using it as a strategic intervention. Originality/value The present study identifies the gradual progression of this research area over time. It delineates key themes emerging from past literature, providing avenues for future research.

Practical Approach for Smart and Circular Cities: Chatbots Used in Waste Recycling

Sustainable development, smart waste management, and circular economy principles are paramount to the significant worldwide trend of smart city-related research and projects. The basic hypothesis of our research is that artificial intelligence (AI)-based IT applications have an increasingly important role in the field of smart cities in terms of issues related to waste management. In our present article, we set out to analyze the characteristics of chatbot applications dedicated to waste recycling in the case of smart cities and propose some innovative ideas to improve the efficiency of such applications. Based on the consultation and analysis of a whole series of chatbot-type applications used to facilitate the recycling activity, we systematically analyze and evaluate five illustrative examples of chatbots employed in the context of material recycling. We provide performance comparisons in a table based on specific relevant criteria. Furthermore, the detailed analysis of these chatbots has led to the idea of improving the performance of this type of application. In this sense, we propose a series of innovative concepts that can be successfully implemented in future chatbots dedicated to the field of the circular economy. Here, we detail the innovative ideas that can promote the circular economy and capitalize on the potential of chatbots in the waste recycling activity. We also identify some possible limitations of these new ideas that we propose to be implemented. As for future research directions, our goal is to develop a chatbot dedicated to improving waste recycling practices within the framework of a smart city. Such innovation holds promise in improving sustainability efforts and fostering environmental stewardship within urban environments.

Mundane innovation in the periphery: the foundational economy in a less developed region

ABSTRACT This article explores the role that foundational economy (FE) actors can play in innovation in peripheral regions. We argue that research which casts peripheral regions as backwaters of innovation may inadvertently underplay the potential for innovation in such places. Drawing on the peripheral innovation literature, and emerging research on the FE, we develop the concept of mundane innovation and explore its potential for peripheral regions. We address this question through a short case-study of Carmarthenshire (Wales) and find that it may offer potential for such regions to become leaders rather than the laggards they appear in the conventional innovation literature.

Continuously extruded wrapped tow reinforced truss beams

Recent advancements in composite truss structures have achieved high structural efficiency by combining truss geometries and composite materials within scalable manufacturing processes. Filament winding-based approaches, such as the Wrapped Tow Reinforced (WrapToR) truss process, allow for simpler machine design compared to braiding or pultrusion but face limitations as production rates and truss beam lengths increase. We herein introduce WrapToR Trusstrusion, a manufacturing concept using coaxial winding heads to wrap multiple pre-wetted tows around continuously fed chord members, forming a complete wound truss structure in one pass. This eliminates the need for reciprocating motion and fixed mandrel lengths of conventional winding machines. We present the WrapToR Trusstrusion concept, the first prototype machine setup, and the numerical analysis and mechanical characterisation of produced specimens, aiming to assess the quality of the produced trusses. This innovative machine concept progresses towards high-throughput, continuous production of mechanically superior WrapToR truss beams while trading off process and geometry versatility for standardisation and production rate.

Research on the Application of Chinese Traditional Carved Symbols in Cultural and Creative Product Design

This paper delves into the utilization of Chinese rich traditional carved symbols in the realm of Cultural and creative product design. Initially, it traces the historical journey and evolution of these symbols, highlighting their classification and distinct characteristics. This exploration reveals the profound cultural significance and the inherent advantages they offer in enhancing the aesthetic and symbolic value of cultural and creative products. the paper delves into the methodologies and strategies for effectively incorporating these traditional symbols. It outlines key application principles that serve as guidelines for designers, alongside innovative design concepts that blend tradition with modernity. Case studies are presented to illustrate the practical implementation and impact of these symbols in various product designs. the paper summarizes the key findings, emphasizing the importance of preserving and promoting Chinese cultural heritage through such design interventions. It also acknowledges the limitations of the current research and provides directions for future explorations in this fascinating field.

Citizen scientists—practices, observations, and experience

Citizen science has been studied intensively in recent years. Nonetheless, the voice of citizen scientists is often lost despite their altruistic and indispensable role. To remedy this deficiency, a survey on the overall experiences of citizen scientists was undertaken. Dimensions investigated include activities, open science concepts, and data practices. However, the study prioritizes knowledge and practices of data and data management. When a broad understanding of data is lacking, the ability to make informed decisions about consent and data sharing, for example, is compromised. Furthermore, the potential and impact of individual endeavors and collaborative projects are reduced. Findings indicate that understanding of data management principles is limited. Furthermore, an unawareness of common data and open science concepts was observed. It is concluded that appropriate training and a raised awareness of Responsible Research and Innovation concepts would benefit individual citizen scientists, their projects, and society.