Design Practice Research Articles

NURBS-based path planning for aerosol jet printing of conformal electronics

Conformal printing offers a promising capability to integrate complex electronic functionality with intricate objects consisting of curved surfaces. However, motion planning to support these printing configurations presents a challenge, in part due to conventional reliance on tessellated surface representations that limit the accuracy and scalability of the printing process. In this paper, we introduce a direct approach to conformal aerosol jet printing on topographically complex surfaces, represented using non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS). Using the NURBS surface definition directly offers a scalable and continuous approach for toolpath generation, which is well-aligned with standard computer-aided design practices. We select a patch that directly corresponds to the area of interest on the NURBS surface and extract the associated surface points. These surface points are then appropriately connected to generate the machine code (G-code) for a 3-axis printing system. We demonstrate this capability by printing a strain gauge on a curved model of a wind turbine blade. Our approach offers a promising avenue for manufacturing printed electronics with diverse applications that require conformal printing. This approach is particularly valuable for incorporating printed circuits on intricate underlying structures, including structural health monitoring for aerospace and civil infrastructure applications.

The Cultural Construction of the Domestic Space in France: Women’s Lived Experience and the Materialization of Customs

This article explores the intersecting processes of construction of the home, social, and individual identities through domestic practices inside French housing. It examines the design and occupation of French homes as crucial moments for the consolidation of subjectivities, beliefs, and ideologies manifested through daily actions that are influenced by normative cultural systems. In specific, it looks at codified domestic behaviours and their aesthetic dimension, focusing on how the French “art of living” has influenced taste, design, appropriation, and decoration of domestic interiors. Architectural treatises along with etiquette manuals are analysed as they both represent—through the written word and architectural drawings—cultural and gender stereotypes as well as societal norms and expectations that inform housing design and domestic practices. These documents directly assist in the cultural construction of the domestic space, uncovering mechanisms of reproduction and representation that inform the use and design of residential architecture. By focusing on women’s lived experiences, this research looks at the consolidation of feminine domestic cultures and how they fostered small-scale physical transformations of dwellings’ interiors through daily negotiations that define self-identity and interpersonal power relations. These dynamics are referred to as “cultural domesticity.” The latter frames this study along with feminist literature, situating women’s contribution to the aesthetic and spatial development of French apartments. What emerges from this study is that the French state historically exercised a regulatory power that impacted daily life and housing design.

Efficient Sizing and Layout Optimization of Truss Benchmark Structures Using ISRES Algorithm

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the application of the Improved Stochastic Ranking Evolution Strategy (ISRES) algorithm for the sizing and layout optimization of truss benchmark structures. Truss structures play a crucial role in engineering and architecture, and optimizing their designs can lead to more efficient and cost-effective solutions. The ISRES algorithm, known for its effectiveness in multi-objective optimization, is adapted for the single-objective optimization of truss designs with multiple design constraints. This study encompasses a wide range of truss benchmark structures, including 10-bar, 15-bar, 18-bar, 25-bar, and 72-bar configurations, each subjected to distinct loading conditions and stress constraints. The objective is to minimize the truss weight while ensuring stress and displacement limits are met. Through extensive experimentation, the ISRES algorithm demonstrates its ability to efficiently explore the solution space and converge to optimal solutions for each truss benchmark structure. The algorithm effectively handles the complexity of the problems, which involve numerous design variables, stress constraints, and nodal displacement limits. A comparative analysis is conducted to assess the performance of the ISRES algorithm against other state-of-the-art optimization methods reported in the literature. The comparison evaluates the quality of the solutions and the computational efficiency of each method. Furthermore, the optimized truss designs are subjected to finite element analysis to validate their structural integrity and stability. The verification process confirms that the designs adhere to the imposed constraints, ensuring the safety and reliability of the final truss configurations. The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of the ISRES algorithm in providing practical and reliable solutions for the sizing and layout optimization of truss benchmark structures. The algorithm’s competitive performance and robustness make it a valuable tool for structural engineers and designers, offering a versatile and powerful approach for complex engineering optimization tasks. Overall, the findings contribute to the advancement of optimization techniques in structural engineering, promoting the development of more efficient and cost-effective truss designs for a wide range of engineering and architectural applications. The study’s insights empower practitioners to make informed decisions in selecting appropriate optimization strategies for complex truss-design scenarios, fostering advancements in structural engineering and sustainable design practices.

The Role of Environmentally Responsible Interior Design in Healthcare for Enhanced Patient Well-being

While the healthcare industry is struggling with environmental impacts, it is also trying to bring together holistic design practices to create sustainable, patient-centered and ecologically responsible, energy-efficient healthcare areas. With the increase in studies focusing on the positive effects of the ecological design approach on the well-being and recovery processes of patients, the integration of green elements into healthcare structures becomes even more important. Integration of environmentally responsible design (ERD) principles into hospital interior design; It contributes significantly to reducing carbon emissions, resource consumption and environmental waste. At the same time; by optimizing energy-efficient systems, adopting sustainable materials, and creating patient-centered healing spaces by utilizing natural light and natural ventilation, it can be both contributed to the treatment process and reduce carbon footprints. This study proposes a new approach that integrates ERD elements with healthcare interior design. Recognizing that the built environment and human health are interconnected, the research examines innovative design strategies to promote healing through environmentally responsible interior design (ERID). The focus of this approach is on combining ERD strategies such as healing design, patient-centered design, evidence-based design and the use of sustainable materials, daylight, natural ventilation, energy-efficient design, sustainable design, biophilic design. As a result of this integration, by drawing attention to the role that patient-centered green interior designs play in improving the health and well-being of patients and the efforts to minimize the negative effects of hospitals on the environment. Also, it is aimed to encourage the health and construction sectors in this sense and proposed a path towards a green future.

Advancing understanding of learning experience design: refining and clarifying definitions using an eDelphi study approach

AbstractWe report findings from an eDelphi study that aimed to explore 16 expert panelists’ perspectives regarding the key attributes of learning experience design (LXD) as it relates to the following: design, disciplines, methods, and theory. Findings suggest consensus was reached regarding LXD’s focus on learner-centrism and incorporating human-centered design practices to design learning environments. LXD practitioners adapt methods and theories from fields such as human–computer interaction and user experience. Implications suggest a need to develop specific methods and theories within our own field.

The Landscape of Tranquility in Sweden: Lessons for Urban Design from Crowdsourced Data and Deep Learning

Tranquility is typically associated with low noise levels and remote natural areas. Various methods for preserving potentially tranquil places have been proposed, although these typically involve setting aside places with low noise levels located in remote areas. To gain the benefits of tranquility in accessible urban areas, we need to identify the characteristics of tranquil spaces. This study focuses on the landscape-based, visual aspects of the phenomena. We investigated the role of visual context using a nationwide dataset of crowdsourced photographs from Sweden. Text mining identified personal perception and accompanying photographs identified the physical features. The photographs were characterized by time period and landscape conditions using computer vision technology. We found that waterbodies consistently enhanced tranquil views, while grass, flowers, and other dense vegetation were generally not well connected. Trees were positively correlated during daylight hours but had a negative impact at night. Dynamic objects such as people and vehicles were negatively associated, potentially due to aural considerations. Their effect was less significant during hours when noise would generally be less of a factor. This study provides insights for future research and design practices aimed at promoting tranquil experiences in urban environments and demonstrates the potential for crowdsourced data to help understand the qualities of built environments as perceived by the public.

Multidisciplinary Design Methodology for Micro-Gas-Turbines—Part I: Reduced Order Component Design and Modeling

Abstract Ultramicrogas turbines (UMGTs) for electric power generation up to 1 kW are a viable replacement technology for lithium batteries in drones due to their high energy density. Previous research has shown that small-scale effects disqualify conceptual design practices applied to larger gas turbines owing to highly coupled, nonlinear component interactions. To fill this gap, we propose an interdisciplinary conceptual design and analysis framework based on reduced order models. To this end, the current work is divided into two parts covering component design and system integration, analysis, and optimization. In Part I, automated conceptual design of all engine subcomponents is elaborated facilitating interdependent reduced order models for compressor, turbine, combustor and high-speed generator while also considering additive manufacturing constraints. In a second step, the reduced order performance models are compared to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Reynolds-averaged-Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations of various turbomachinery geometries as well as experimental data of combustor and high-speed generator prototypes, showing good agreement and thus validating the component modules. In conclusion, the first part of this work elaborates an automated and efficient method to conceptual design of all components required for a functional UMGT. Since the strategy is applicable independent of component arrangement and engine layout, the proposed methods offer a universal framework for small gas turbine generators.

Towards a definition of ‘empathic understanding’ in industrial design practice

Empathy is often not well defined, particularly in design. While the practice of designers developing a deep understanding of the people who use their products is recommended, the details of how to do this are limited. This problem of vagueness about empathy in design makes it difficult for product designers to take suitable actions to produce best results for the users. Through a strategic examination of a body of literature, across seven databases relevant to design, the systematic literature review adds to a discussion on empathy within the designing process. Study limitations included the complex nature of empathy itself, and multiple uses of the terms design and product. Findings indicate a contradiction of internal and external factors affecting empathy in design, and are considerably more complex than just an ‘accepted’ part of the design process. Shifting towards user-centred design in industrial design means that a considerably more nuanced understanding of empathy is needed, for implementation in design practice. By better understanding the concept of empathy as a duality, all stakeholders can manage expectations around empathy ‘behaviour’, and empathy as part of the design process. Empathy needs to be recognised as a complex phenomenological relationship between process (external) and person (internal) within industrial design. Practical, theoretical and societal implications of this concept are discussed.Transdisciplinary contribution: Empathy in product design practice represents several fields, related to human behaviour and interactions. This review’s contribution is to confirm areas for further research and the importance of developing theory to address the complexity of design practice.

Research on an innovative design and evaluation method of Chinese tea sets based on GT-AHP-FCE.

In order to explore new consumer demands for Chinese tea set products, propose an innovative tea set product design and evaluation method to improve the user experience and satisfaction of the produced tea sets, thereby promoting the development of the tea set market and the promotion of tea culture. Firstly, grounded theory (GT) was used to analyze interview data to extract consumer demand indicators and construct a design evaluation hierarchical model. Secondly, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to calculate the weights of the indicators, determine their priority of importance, and obtain several indicators that have a greater impact on the tea set design to guide innovative design practice. Lastly, the tea set design schemes were evaluated using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to select the optimal design scheme and also to act as a guideline for further design optimization. This study explores the innovative design and evaluation method for tea set products based on GT-AHP-FCE and validates the feasibility of this approach through a practical example of tea set design inspired by "The Classic of Mountains and Seas.". It provides innovative theoretical and practical guidance for designers of subsequent tea set products and also provides a new path for the inheritance and innovation of traditional culture.

The interrelationships between kitchen design and food practices for apartment dwellers in Melbourne, Australia: an exploratory study

ABSTRACT Apartment-living is on the increase, despite this, little is known about how it influences food practices. We explored the interrelations between apartment kitchen design and food practices using Photo elicited interviews and an inductive thematic analysis, with a diverse sample of twelve apartment-dwellers across four suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. Participants took 160 photographs representing their food practices to guide interviews. Three themes emerged from the interview analysis: ‘Choices’ which included participants’ cooking preferences, as well as their choice of apartment in which to prepare these meals; ‘Challenges’ which referred to the kitchen design barriers to home cooking including issues relating to storage, food preparation, washing up, ventilation, lighting and recycling and; ‘Changes’ which described the physical adaptations to kitchens and behavioural adaptations to food practices as a result of poor kitchen design. Based on these findings, using a socioecological framework, we describe the proximal and distal interrelationships between kitchen design and food practices; and discuss how these could be further researched to inform future apartment design policy.

Designing from experience: on the adoption of chatbot conversational design practices by practitioners

Designing from experience: on the adoption of chatbot conversational design practices by practitioners

Thermal comfort study of urban waterfront spaces in cold regions: Waterfront skyline control based on thermal comfort objectives

In waterfronts, thermal comfort is affected by climate and urban morphology. Existing studies on waterfront thermal comfort have mainly focused on warm and hot regions, focusing on the cooling effects of water and vegetation during the summer. The research methods are mostly questionnaire surveys and simulations, whereas the urban form and climate characteristics of cold regions are rarely considered, and the results of these studies are seldom applied to design practices. This study focused on the thermal comfort of waterfronts in cold regions. Computational Fluid Dynamics, Mean Radiant Temperature, and the Universal Thermal Climatic Index were used to examine the effects of tree–water features (winter river ice and tree defoliation) on thermal comfort in cold regions, and correlation analyses were combined to screen for relevant urban morphology factors for waterfront thermal comfort. Regression analyses were conducted to understand the influence of six factors, namely, building orientation, floor area ratio, open space ratio, building height to distance between river and building ratio, standard deviation of the first building row, and vegetation concentration, on waterfront thermal comfort. After training and comparing the four thermal comfort prediction models, a genetic algorithm combined with an artificial neural network was applied to optimize the design of the urban morphology of the six waterfront blocks. The optimization improved the waterfront thermal comfort performance by 22%, 7%, 77%, 106%, 3%, and 3%, respectively.

Numerical Simulation of Double-Row Retaining System with Different Piers

With the rapid expansion of foundation pit excavation areas due to the burgeoning underground transportation networks in large cities, spatial combined double-row retaining structures have become indispensable for ensuring stability and minimizing deformation. Integrating piers into these structures enhances stiffness; however, the research on this topic is limited. This study investigates the Chisha Metro project, which utilizes a double-row support structure with added support piers to improve overall stiffness. Numerical simulations are employed to model the foundation pit and analyze the stress distribution and deformation of double-row retaining systems with T-shaped, cross-shaped, or square-shaped piers. The results demonstrate that the retaining system, after the introduction of piers, exhibits reduced maximum horizontal displacement and surface settlement of soil, and indicates spatial characteristics and the transformation from a planar problem to a spatial problem. Furthermore, in specific geological conditions, the T-shaped support pier proves to be more effective in connecting the front and rear support structures compared to the cross-shaped and square-shaped support piers, which mainly reinforce the soil without connecting the support structures. This research provides valuable insights for improving design and construction practices in foundation pit engineering.

New Possibilities for Spatial Research: Re-Animating the Built Environment Through Speculative Maps and Models

This article presents creative methodologies for studying the emotionally charged environment of school buildings, with particular attention to situated movements and modes of engagement after the Covid pandemic. Drawing on digital-sensory methods and futuring practices, developed in collaboration with staff and students in a UK secondary school, we present a series of speculative architectural models and living maps. Our approach is informed by Bruno Latour’s concept of the Terrestrial as a metamorphic zone that includes the built environment, with connections to contemporary architecture and design practices. We use techniques in speculative cartography and cosmography, creating maps and models that show how students negotiate the affective atmosphere and social-material ecology associated with school buildings.

Innovative Approaches to Wear Reduction in Horizontal Powder Screw Conveyors: A Design of Experiments-Guided Numerical Study

Numerical simulations play a vital role in the modern engineering industry, especially when faced with interconnected challenges such as particle interactions and the structural integrity of conveyor systems. This article focuses on the handling of materials and emphasizes the importance of using parametric numerical analysis to improve efficiency, reduce wear, and enhance the structural integrity of horizontal screw conveyors. Through the utilization of the Design of Experiments, we systematically investigated critical parameters such as screw pitch, clearance, wear, rotational velocity, and additional structural factors. This examination was carried out within a well-defined parametric framework, utilizing a combination of software tools provided by the Ansys suite and Minitab. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the Design of Experiments analysis in achieving improved performance and provide valuable insights for engineers and researchers involved in the design of conveyor systems. Furthermore, this comprehensive approach clarifies how conveyor systems respond to changes in parameters and highlights the complex interaction between transported particles and the conveyor system. We present a detailed analysis that clarifies the complex relationships and dependencies among different parameters, providing engineers and researchers with valuable insights. By understanding the interactions of these factors, the methodology provides not only results but also a strategic framework for advancing conveyor system design and engineering practices.

Environmental Impact Assessment of Chiplet-Based VLSI

In this paper, we explore the revolutionary shift in VLSI design brought about by chiplet-based architectures, which are superior to the older, single-piece designs in many ways. This type of architecture not only boosts performance and allows for greater system expansion but also plays a significant role in promoting environmental sustainability. Chiplet-based designs lead to more resource-efficient, less wasteful, and more energy-efficient semiconductor technologies, steering the industry towards a more environmentally friendly path. The adoption of eco-chips enhances these environmental benefits, leading to a notable decrease in the carbon emissions associated with electronic devices and systems. This shift is pivotal in achieving the twin goals of advancing technology and upholding environmental stewardship in VLSI. We introduce HI as a strategy for achieving sustainable computing, creating chiplet-based systems that have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional System on Chips (SoCs). We also present ECO-CHIP, a tool we developed for estimating the carbon footprint of these systems, accounting for both their construction and operational phases, including the carbon costs of advanced packaging. In Section VI, we illustrate how ECO-CHIP can be used for breaking down systems into smaller parts and for exploring different design options, and we have integrated it with other tools for estimating the costs of chiplet-based designs. ECO-CHIP is freely available as open-source software and can be found in an anonymous repository [21]. We contend that ECO-CHIP will facilitate the creation of more environmentally friendly design practices for the next generation of complex systems.

Evaluating the effectiveness of functional decomposition in early-stage design: development and application of problem space exploration metrics

AbstractThis paper aims to explore metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of functional decomposition methods regarding problem space exploration at the early design stage. Functional decomposition involves breaking down the main purpose of a complex problem or system into a set of more manageable sub-functions, leading to a clearer understanding of the problem space and its various aspects. While various metrics have been used to evaluate functional decomposition outcomes, little literature has focused on assessing its effectiveness in problem space exploration. To address the gap, this research introduces three metrics for problem space evaluation defined by functional models: quantity of unique functions (M1), breadth and depth of the hierarchical structure (M2), and relative semantic coverage ratio of the problem space (M3). An example study is conducted to illustrate the evaluation process, comparing functional analysis with and without explicit human-centric considerations using a power screwdriver as a case product. The analysis in the example study reveals that the breadth of the hierarchical structure (part of M2) is marginally larger in the condition with explicit human-centric considerations (Condition A) compared to the condition without such considerations (Condition B). However, no significant differences are observed in terms of other metrics. The qualitative analysis based on semantic comparisons suggests that Condition A facilitates participants in generating a diverse set of functions supporting user safety requirements more effectively than Condition B. Overall, the example study demonstrates the evaluation process for each metric and discusses their nuances and limitations. By proposing these metrics, this research contributes to benchmarking and evaluating the effectiveness of different methods in promoting functional analysis in engineering design. The metrics provide valuable insights into problem space exploration, offering designers a better understanding of the efficacy of their functional decomposition methods in early design stages. This, in turn, fosters more informed decision-making and contributes to the advancement of functional analysis methodologies in engineering design practices.

A Study of Vernacular Architecture of Tamil Nadu

This research study examines the rich legacy of vernacular architecture in Tamil Nadu, India, with an emphasis on its historical relevance, architectural features, and sustainable practices. Tamil Nadu's vernacular architecture has a wide spectrum of forms, from major Dravidian temples to simple the village houses. These structures provide not just functional needs, but also represent the communities' cultural identity and religious values. Furthermore, vernacular architecture in Tamil Nadu is highly sensitive to the local environment, with buildings planned to maximize natural ventilation, lighting, and thermal comfort. Traditional building materials like lime, timber, and terracotta are supplied locally, reducing environmental effects, and encouraging sustainability. Focusing on historical documents and academic research this study investigates the cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental influences that have impacted Tamil Nadu's vernacular architecture throughout the centuries. It also examines the current relevance of traditional architectural techniques in the context of growing urbanization and industrialization, highlighting the importance of maintaining and incorporating indigenous knowledge into sustainable development initiatives. Through case studies and comparative research, the article emphasizes the adaptability of Tamil Nadu's vernacular architecture, as well as its potential contributions to modern architectural discourse and sustainable design practices. Keywords- Vernacular, architecture, climate responsiveness, sustainability, Tamil Nadu, South India, courtyard, Chettinad.

Investigation on toxicity of ammonia releasing from storage tank onboard through CFD simulations

ABSTRACT This study investigates potential risks associated with ammonia releases from a case ship to be constructed in a Korean Shipyard and operated in Korean coastal areas. The focus is on understanding how ammonia disperses from the onboard storage tank’s Vent Master and the associated toxic zones. Numerical simulations using CFD tools were employed to model ammonia gas dispersion scenarios. The study revealed that if the safety valve opens, the high internal pressure of the ammonia tank could release a significant amount of ammonia through the vent mast. Thus, determining the position and height of the vent mast is crucial for safety design. Simulations showed that even if ammonia is released at sea through the vent mast, it poses minimal risk to nearby residential areas. The vent mast, positioned at least 4 m above the ship’s deck, ensured rapid gas dispersion, reducing the chance of human exposure. The findings aim to enhance the safety design and operation of ships, providing valuable reference material for policymakers, regulators, engine manufacturers, and ammonia suppliers, ultimately contributing to the establishment of safe ship design and construction practices in the future.

Musical instrument classifier for early childhood percussion instruments.

While the musical instrument classification task is well-studied, there remains a gap in identifying non-pitched percussion instruments which have greater overlaps in frequency bands and variation in sound quality and play style than pitched instruments. In this paper, we present a musical instrument classifier for detecting tambourines, maracas and castanets, instruments that are often used in early childhood music education. We generated a dataset with diverse instruments (e.g., brand, materials, construction) played in different locations with varying background noise and play styles. We conducted sensitivity analyses to optimize feature selection, windowing time, and model selection. We deployed and evaluated our best model in a mixed reality music application with 12 families in a home setting. Our dataset was comprised of over 369,000 samples recorded in-lab and 35,361 samples recorded with families in a home setting. We observed the Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM) model to perform best using an approximate 93 ms window with only 12 mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) and signal entropy. Our best LGBM model was observed to perform with over 84% accuracy across all three instrument families in-lab and over 73% accuracy when deployed to the home. To our knowledge, the dataset compiled of 369,000 samples of non-pitched instruments is first of its kind. This work also suggests that a low feature space is sufficient for the recognition of non-pitched instruments. Lastly, real-world deployment and testing of the algorithms created with participants of diverse physical and cognitive abilities was also an important contribution towards more inclusive design practices. This paper lays the technological groundwork for a mixed reality music application that can detect children's use of non-pitched, percussion instruments to support early childhood music education and play.