Performance Improvement Technology Research Articles

Construction 4.0 implementation for performance improvement: an innovation management perspective

Purpose The emergence of Construction 4.0 technologies provides an impetus for radical change and rejuvenates the interest of stakeholders in addressing long-standing performance issues in the construction sector. However, construction firms struggle to implement Construction 4.0 technologies for performance measurement and improvement. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to develop a conceptual model of innovation management for implementing Construction 4.0 that guides and facilitates the strategic transformation of construction firms. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual model of innovation management is presented, and the findings are synthesised based on a literature review, 20 semi-structured interviews, two focus group discussions, three workshops, expert consultation and observations on three digitally-enabled projects. Data were inductively analysed using thematic analysis. Findings The analysis of empirical data revealed: (i) Four scenarios that could lead the industry to different futures, based on the extent of research and development, and the extent of integration/collaboration; (ii) Construction 4.0 capability stages for a sustained implementation route; (iii) Possible business model configurations derived from servitisation strategies; and (iv) Skills management challenges for organisations. Research limitations/implications First, the empirical data was only collected in the UK with its unique industry context, which may limit the applicability of the results. Second, most of the research data comes from the private sector, without the views of public sector organisations. Third, the model needs to be further validated with specific data-driven use cases to address productivity and sustainability issues. Practical implications Successful Construction 4.0 transformation requires a concerted effort of stakeholders, including those in the supply chain, technology companies, innovation networks and government. Although a stakeholder’s action would depend on others’ actions, each stakeholder should undertake action that can influence the factors within their control (such as the extent of collaboration and investment) and the outcomes. Originality/value The conceptual model brings together and establishes the relationships between the scenarios, Construction 4.0 capability stages, business models and skills management. It provides the first step that guides the fuzzy front-end of Construction 4.0 implementation, underpins the transformation to the desired future and builds long-term innovation capabilities.

Performance improvement technology of sludge roadbed based on vibration slow release

Performance improvement technology of sludge roadbed based on vibration slow release

Precise positioning and prediction system for autonomous driving based on generative artificial intelligence

Self-driving systems collect vast amounts of data through a variety of sensors, including cameras, lidar, millimeter-wave radar, and more. This data needs to be processed in real time to identify obstacles such as roads, vehicles, pedestrians and make decisions accordingly. Therefore, this paper discusses the importance of accurate positioning and prediction system in automatic driving technology, and analyzes the performance of various positioning technologies in automatic driving applications.In addition, the paper explores the application potential of AI technology in autonomous driving and the prospect of combining advanced positioning and prediction systems with generative AI. Overall, this study highlights the importance of algorithm performance improvement and artificial intelligence technology in the development of autonomous driving technology, and provides new ideas and directions for the innovation and development of intelligent transportation systems in the future.

Gate-oxide interface performance improvement technology of 4H-SiC MOSFET

MOSFET器件是现代微电子学的关键核心器件之一，其应用范围从高度集成的CMOS芯片到高功率器件。目前，SiC MOSFET存在沟道迁移率较低、阈值电压漂移、栅氧介质在高温下的长期可靠性不足、体二极管正向导通状态下产生双极型漂移等问题。值得注意的是，其中众多问题都与栅氧界面缺陷有关。由于SiC/SiO2界面缺陷的存在，SiC MOSFET器件的沟道迁移率被严重限制，栅氧化层的可靠性和阈值电压的稳定性也受到较大影响，导致其栅氧界面性能较差。为了改善这些问题，本文从退火、高k介质层的使用、栅氧化物掺杂、沟槽型MOSFET沟槽深宽优化四个方面，综述了提升4H-SiC MOSFET栅氧界面性能的制备工艺。文章从多个角度介绍了多种可行的方案，以期进一步综合提升4H-SiC MOSFET栅氧界面性能，使其更好地应用于电力电子系统。

Review of Combustion Performance Improvement and Nitrogen-Containing Pollutant Control in the Pure Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine

Review Review of Combustion Performance Improvement and Nitrogen-Containing Pollutant Control in the Pure Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Chun Lu 1, Wei Chen 1,2, Qingsong Zuo 1, Guohui Zhu 1, Yi Zhang 3, and Zhengbai Liu 4,* 1 School of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China 2 Foshan Green Intelligent Manufacturing Research Institute of Xiangtan University, Foshan 528311, China 3 School of Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China 4 School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China * Correspondence: liuzb3@sustc.edu.cn Received: 24 September 2022 Accepted: 21 November 2022 Published: 25 December 2022 Abstract: Hydrogen energy is regarded as the best form to achieve the dual-carbon strategic goal of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality”. It is well-known that hydrogen energy has the characteristics of zero carbon, green, high energy, and renewable. Recently, the pure hydrogen internal combustion engine (PH-ICE) has become one of the essential directions of hydrogen energy application due to its outstanding advantages, such as no carbon emission, high efficiency, high reliability, and low pollution. So far, the PH-ICE has aroused great attention from both domestic and foreign auto companies and research institutions. This paper first introduces the latest development status of PH-ICE. Secondly, from the in-engine and out-engine technologies aspects of the PH-ICE, a comprehensive summary of its combustion performance improvement and nitrogen oxide control technology is given. Finally, the future challenges and development trends of the hydrogen ICE are discussed.

Study on thermal performance improvement technology of latent heat thermal energy storage for building heating

Thermal energy storage technology incorporating phase change materials (PCM) is a feasible option to take advantage of off-peak electricity tariff for achieving the function of “peak load shaving” and energy efficiency economically in electric heating systems. However, the low thermal conductivity of phase change materials in these systems limits its application. In this work, a design of non-uniformly distributed fin configuration was proposed, considering the optimization of the non-uniform arrangement and coil structure to enhance heat transfer. A two-dimensional CFD model has been developed and validated with test data. The coil inner diameter, tube pitch, row spacing and fin height were optimized based on the simulated temperature variations and visualizations of the PCM during charging and discharging processes. Results demonstrated that the mass of fully melted PCM is increased by 24.5%, and the outlet water temperature is about 3℃ higher for the optimal non-uniform finned coil structure. Additionally, the influence of the device overall dimensions on the PCM utilization rate is also demonstrated in this study. After optimization, the heat energy discharged-charged ratio can be increased by 39.6% to achieve a better thermal energy discharging efficiency. The results may provide valuable references for appropriate latent thermal energy storage design solutions in practice.

State-of-the-Art Modification of Plastic Aggregates Using Gamma Irradiation and Its Optimization for Application to Cementitious Composites

In the past few decades, there have been numerous attempts to add plastic aggregates composed of polymeric materials to cementitious composites, either as an alternative to using natural aggregates or as fillers and fibers. However, the addition of plastic aggregates often results in cementitious composites with lower mechanical performance. In this paper, we attempt to address this issue by applying gamma irradiation technology to restore the mechanical performance. We aimed to determine the optimal gamma irradiation and mixing combinations by comparing the experimental results with information summarizing the recent literature related to the use of gamma-irradiated plastic aggregates within cementitious composites. To this end, the effects of changes in the physical and chemical properties of plastics due to irradiation with gamma irradiation on the strength of cementitious composites were evaluated using irradiation doses of 25, 50, 75, and 100 kGy and various plastic materials as key parameters. In the compressive strength test, it was found that adding gamma-irradiated plastic increased the compressive strength of the cementitious composites compared to the nonirradiated plastic. This suggests that the irradiation of plastic aggregates with gamma rays is an effective method to recover some of the strength lost when plastic aggregates are added to cementitious composites. In addition, modifications in the microstructure and chemical properties of the gamma-irradiated plastic were analyzed through SEM and FT-IR analysis, which allowed the determination of the strength enhancement mechanism. The results of this study show the possibility of the state-of-the-art performance improvement method for using plastic aggregate as a substitute for natural aggregate, going further from the plastic performance improvement technology for limited materials and radiation dose presented in previous studies.

Embracing advanced manufacturing technologies for performance improvement: an empirical study

PurposeThis study has analyzed strategic issues in implementing advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in manufacturing organizations in India and their relative importance.Design/methodology/approachA survey of manufacturing organizations was conducted, and the data were analyzed using statistical tools (one-sample t-tests, correlation and regression analyses).FindingsImprovement in product quality and flexibility of operations are the motivation for AMTs implementation. Top management support and sound financial conditions are essential for implementing AMTs. Successful implementation of AMTs helps in reducing the lead time and improving overall business performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study will help organizations in the implementation of AMTs for improving productivity and business performance. The study is limited to manufacturing organizations in India.Practical implicationsOrganizations should allocate sufficient funds for AMT applications. Organizational culture should be made conducive to the adoption of new technologies. Employees should be provided adequate training for its successful implementation.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this paper is that it provides a detailed analysis of strategic issues for implementing AMTs in manufacturing organizations.

Development Trend and Application of Peening Technology to Improve Welding Joint Life

Welding processes in various industries such as shipbuilding, railroads, aircraft, and construction are inevitably accompanied by HAZ(Heat Affected Zone) deformation and metal structure changes around the toe of the welding bead. It is widely known that it is very weak in terms of structural strength because the tensile residual stress is introduced by welding, and the surface is also rough, causing the main cause of stress concentration to occur. It also becomes the damage initiation cite to the welded structure. Post-welding heat treatment, grinder, and TIG dressing methods were used to release residual stress and to eliminate defects in the welding part. Recently, various peening technologies using pulsed heat sources of laser, elastic vibration energy of ultrasonic waves, compressed air or cavitation have been developed and are being actively utilized as performance improvement and standardized safety technologies in the field. The local peening process on the surface of the welded part and the welded heat-affected part is not only easily portable by various technical methods, but is also being applied to robots or hybrid-3D printing technology. Therefore, in this technical paper, the technical analysis of the various advanced peening technologies that are currently being utilized and the device development trend are evaluated. The portable ultrasonic peening equipment was developed and the recently applied technologies that are newly grafted to improve mechanical properties are introduced. Key words: Welding joint life, Micro shot peening, Laser shock peening, Ultrasonic peening, Ultrasonic impact treatment, Cavitation shotless peening

Integrated Performance Optimization of Higher Education Buildings Using Low-Energy Renovation Process and User Engagement

Building performance improvement through low-energy renovation traditionally involves building performance diagnostics of the existing building, technology evaluation, selection and implementation. Effective building performance diagnostics, post-retrofit assessment and user engagement are essential to deliver performance as well as achieving socio-economic and environmental benefits at every stage of the renovation project life cycle. User’s views are often ignored when renovating a building, causing sub-optimal energy performance, user comfort and wellbeing. This paper seeks to critically evaluate the low-energy renovation process and the role of user and stakeholder engagement in the strategic implementation of low-energy retrofit technologies for performance improvement of higher education buildings. The research focuses on renovation methodology, innovative materials/systems and end-user engagement throughout the renovation project phases (pre-renovation, the renovation process and post renovation). A mixed research method was adopted, which includes building performance modelling, monitoring and user evaluation questionnaires pre and post-renovation. The research is part of European Union (EU)-funded project, targeting 50% reduction in energy consumption using innovative materials and technologies in existing public buildings. The surveys allow comparative analysis of comfort levels and user satisfaction as an indicator of the efficacy of renovation measures. A new renovation process and user engagement framework was developed. The findings suggest that there is a direct relationship between retrofit intervention, improving energy performance of low-carbon buildings and the comfort of occupants. The technologies and strategies also appear to have different impacts on user satisfaction.

Advances in sophorolipid-producing strain performance improvement and fermentation optimization technology.

Sophorolipids (SLs), currently one of the most promising biosurfactants, are secondary metabolites produced by many non-pathogenic yeasts, among which Candida bombicola ATCC 22214 is the main sophorolipid-producing strain. SLs have gained much attention since they exhibit anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and other beneficial biological activities. In addition, as biosurfactants, SLs have a low toxicity level and are easily degradable without polluting the environment. However, the production cost of SLs remains high, which hinders the industrialization process of SL production. This paper describes SL structure and the metabolic pathway of SL synthesis firstly. Furthermore, we analyze factors that contribute to the higher production cost of SLs and summarize current research status on the advancement of SL production based on two aspects: (1) the improvement of strain performance and (2) the optimization of fermentation process. Further prospects of lowering the cost of SL production are also discussed in order to achieve larger-scale SL production with a high yield at a low cost. KEY POINTS: • Review of advances in strain performance improvement and fermentation optimization. • High-throughput screening and metabolic engineering for high-performance strains. • Low-cost substrates and semi-continuous strategies for efficient SL production.

Functional performance improvement data and patent sets for 30 technology domains with measurements of patent centrality and estimations of the improvement rate.

This article accompanies the study presented in Triulzi et al. (2020) [1]. It briefly describes and makes available the data on functional performance for 30 technology domains, their patent sets, the measurement of patent centrality and the method to estimate the yearly technology performance improvement rate (TIR) that underly that study. Some of this data (performance time series and the lists of patents for 28 domains) has been collected by other authors for previous studies but were previously unavailable to the public. Measurements of patent centrality and other patent-based indicators for the 30 domains, and for 5.259.906 utility patents granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office between 1976 and 2015 are novel data contributed by Triulzi et al. (2020) [1]. Here we organize, describe and make available the collection of data in its entirety. This allows anyone interested to replicate the study or use the method to estimate the improvement rate of a given technology for which patents can be identified. For a detailed description of the data and methods see Triulzi et al. (2020) [1].

Estimating technology performance improvement rates by mining patent data

The future direction of technology development depends on the relative yearly rate of functional performance improvement of different technologies. We use patent data to identify accurate and reliable predictors of this rate for 30 technologies. We illustrate how patent-based predictors should be normalized to correct for possible confounding factors introduced by changing patenting dynamics. We test the accuracy and reliability of various predictors by means of a Monte Carlo cross-validation exercise. We find that a measure of the centrality of domains’ patented inventions in the overall US patent citation network is an accurate and highly reliable predictor of improvement rates.

Performance Improvement Technology for Building a Sustainable OER Initiative in an Academic Library

In keeping with its land grant mission, a university campus library partnered with several OER advocacy efforts on both national and state levels to promote the creation and use of OER at the university. While the program had some initial success in inspiring faculty to create and use OER in their courses, the effort proved difficult to sustain. This paper presents the application of the Performance Improvement/HPT model to an Open Educational Resources (OER) initiative in a university library. This paper focuses specifically on three phases of the process: organizational analysis, environmental analysis, and gap analysis We share results of that application and discuss how the HPT model might effectively be applied to other similar programs.

Appropriate technology to improve the condensation resistance of existing window

The dilapidated windows in old buildings lead to not only energy loss but also condensation, which can cause damages to finish materials and structures, which can adversely affect the residential environment of residents. In the research, in order to prevent the occurrence of condensation, the airtightness performance improvement technology of window(Windbreak) and the thermal insulation performance improvement technology of window(Attached glazing) were selected. Then, these two technologies were applied to real old apartment houses for performance verification. TDR (Temperature Differential Ratio) was calculated by measuring the surface temperature of the window before and after the application of the two technologies, and the quantitative evaluation was performed by comparing the measured values. As a result, the condensation prevention performance was enhanced by about 17.69% result for the installation of the attached glazing and the windbreak. Especially, it was more effective in the lower part of the glazing where condensations mainly occurs.

The Development Teaching Materials of Learning Technology based on Character Building

This study aimed to produce teaching materials about learning technology whose contents are integrated about the strengthening of characters packed using“We Can Do It”or "KITA BISA" formula. The word "KITA" represents lecturers and students, while "BISA" is an acronym of the characters Bernalar (Intelligent), Integritas (Integrity), Santun (Polite), and Adil (Fair). The developed teaching material was intended for students, lecturers, and observers of education, especially in the field of learning technology. The data were collected through literature study on several references that were in accordance with the research problem. This research resulted: 1) model of students’ character reinforcement evaluation, and 2)systematic teaching learning technology materials consist of 9 chapters: (1) the development, the area and the foundation of the philosophy learning technology, (2) the theoretical foundation of learning technology and elements of educational technology, (3) creation and management, (4) use and utilization, (5) process and learning resources, (6) ) facilitating learning, (7) performance improvement, (8) professional ethics and educational technology, and (9) online learning.

Estimating Technology Performance Improvement Rates by Mining Patent Data

The future direction of technology development depends on the relative yearly rate of functional performance improvement of different technologies. We use patent data to identify accurate and reliable predictors of this rate for 30 technologies. We illustrate how patent-based predictors should be normalized to correct for possible confounding factors introduced by changing patenting dynamics. We test the accuracy and reliability of various predictors by means of a Monte Carlo cross-validation exercise. We find that a measure of the centrality of domains' patented inventions in the overall US patent citation network is an accurate and highly reliable predictor of improvement rates.

Design Optimization and Structural Performance Evaluation of Plate Girder Bridge Constructed Using a Turn-Over Process.

A recent trend in bridge construction has been the optimization of the cost-to-performance ratio. The most effective way to optimize the cost-to-performance ratio is to maximize the efficiency of the superstructure. Currently, many bridge engineers and designers favor two- or three- girder plate superstructures, due to their cost advantages. However, research on the performance enhancements of the I-type girder in two- or three- girder plate bridges is lacking. One of the most important performance improvement technologies for the I-type girder is the “preflex” method. In the preflex method, the specimen is inverted during the construction process to apply prestressed cambering to the specimen by using self-weight. However, a problem with the preflex construction method is difficulty with inverting the girder/plate system during the concrete curing process. Therefore, a new inverting system called Turn-Over (TO) wheel was proposed. Using TO wheels, wider variations to the I-type girder design can be achieved. Using this TO construction method, various cross sectional designs of girder plate systems can be considered due to its easiness in inverting the girder/plate system. In this study, the location of concrete confinement sections between the steel I-beams and concrete plates was varied in an I-girder cross-sectional design. Design parameters included effective height, flange thickness, flange width, confining concrete section width, etc. From this study, the optimum cross-sectional design of the I-girder/concrete plate system was achieved. Then, a single 20 m TO girder/plate system and two 20 m TO girder bridges were constructed and tested to evaluate their performance. From the test, failure behavior, load carrying capacity, crack pattern, etc., are obtained. The results are discussed in detail in this paper.

Advanced Materials and Technologies for Structural Performance Improvement

1Polytechnic Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy 2Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, Netherlands 3Department of Civil Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 40, 3001 Leuven, Belgium 4Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, Via S. Marta 3, 50139 Florence, Italy 5Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, 441 Snell Engineering Center, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA 6ELSA Laboratory, Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen, Joint Research Center of the European Commission, Via E. Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra, Italy 7Department of Civil, Geo and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Munchen, Arcisstrasse 21, 80333 Munchen, Germany

Verification of Faulty Mechanism for Fan-Out Wafer Level Package Using Numerical Analysis

The manufactures of the ultra-thin and smaller semiconductor chip are required over the portable electric devices. The investigation of Fan-out wafer level package (FOWLP) is used widely, among the performance improvement and miniaturization technologies. In this paper, we obtained lots of crack near the passivation (PSV) and redistributed layer (RDL) region of FOWLP during the reliability evaluation of thermal cycling test (TCT). The generated stress and deformational behavior was observed through 2D finite-element analysis. The concentrated stress and deformational behavior are observed around the Solder ball edge and RDL & PSV edges. The crack was observed experimentally as well. The verification of the mechanism for crack generation and the validity of the finite-element analysis were verified by the structural analysis.