Industry Standards Research Articles

Progress in Icephobic Coatings for Wind Turbine Protection: Merging Chemical Innovation with Practical Implementation

Ice accumulation on wind turbine blades poses a significant challenge to turbine performance and safety, and these issues have led to extensive research on developing effective anti-icing methods. Polymer-based icephobic coatings have emerged as promising solutions, given their passive nature and low energy requirements. However, developing effective icephobic coatings is a complex task. In addition to anti-icing properties, factors such as mechanical strength, durability, and resistance to UV, weathering, and rain erosion must be carefully considered to ensure these coatings withstand the harsh conditions faced by wind turbines. The main challenge in coating engineering is mastering the chemistry behind these coatings, as it determines their performance. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the suitability of current icephobic coatings for wind turbine applications, emphasizing their alignment with present industrial standards and the underlying coating chemistry. Unlike previous works, which primarily focus on the mechanical aspects of icephobicity, this review highlights the critical yet underexplored role of chemical composition and explores recent advancements in polymer-based icephobic coatings. Additionally, earlier studies largely neglect the specific standards required for industrial applications on wind turbines. By demonstrating that no existing coating fully meets all necessary criteria, this work underscores both the urgency of developing icephobic coatings with improved durability and the pressing need to establish robust, application-specific standards for wind turbines. The review also combines insights from cutting-edge research on icephobic coatings that are coupled with active de-icing methods, known as the hybrid approach. By organizing and summarizing these innovations, the review aims to accelerate the development of reliable and efficient wind energy systems to pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future.

The Schoolyard I’d Like: an ideas competition for Australian school children ages 12 to 17

ABSTRACT Restorative outdoor environments are places that allow a person to rest and rebuild their capacity to function. Schoolyard design provides an ideal opportunity to create spaces that provide respite for students during the school day. However, the outdoor environmental preferences of adolescents have not been fully explored. This Australian-based study uses qualitative methods to analyse the schoolyard designs of thirty-eight students ages 12 to 17 through the lens of restorative environment theories. The aim is to identify and define indicators of schoolyard design quality and impact as defined by students themselves. Findings reveal that students desire schoolyards which are an antidote to daily academic and social stresses. Of particular focus are spaces designed for peer engagement and self-renewal. Student measures of schoolyard quality are framed through attributes of beauty, agency and social connection. Schoolyard design is often driven by industry standards of minimising risk, cost and without input from students. Our analysis suggests that these outdoor spaces should be more responsive to end-user aesthetic preferences, social values, and environmental concerns that promote student restoration. Such information would benefit designers, managers and users of schoolyard spaces to ensure co-designed spaces meet student restorative needs.

Environmentally Friendly and Simple Recycling of Titanium Alloy Scrap via Deoxygenation with Hybrid Hydrogen Plasma Arc.

The potential of hydrogen plasma arc technology for the efficient deoxygenation and recycling of titanium alloy scrap is explored. The results of thermodynamic analysis reveal that hydrogen plasma is suitable for oxygen removal. The intermediate stages of the deoxygenation process are sequentially analyzed, showing that the hydrogen plasma arc primarily facilitated the reduction and dissolution of oxides as well as eliminated interstitial oxygen. The experimental results demonstrate that the deoxygenation dynamics are governed by the interaction between the hydrogen partial pressure and the surface area of the hydrogen plasma arc irradiation range. Furthermore, the results of the detailed characterization of the recycled titanium alloys indicate that hydrogen plasma arc technology not only reduces the oxygen content to levels compliant with industrial standards for Ti-6Al-4V but also substantially enhances the tensile strength and ductility of Ti-6Al-4V compared with those of conventional cast titanium alloys. The results of microstructural analysis show that hydrogen tends to concentrate in the β phase, whereas oxygen is predominantly found in the α phase. These findings highlight the effectiveness of hydrogen plasma arc technology, which offers environmental benefits and improves the performance of the resulting material, indicating its promise as a solution for titanium recycling.

Enabling icIEF Peak Identification of AAV Capsid Proteins by Fractionation on MauriceFlex and Subsequent Analysis by LC-MS.

A significant limitation of imaged capillary electric focusing (icIEF) is the inability to identify and characterize specific species in the electropherogram. This has led to the development of complementary ion-exchange chromatography (IEX)-based methods that are amenable to either fraction collection and subsequent characterization or online IEX coupled to mass spectrometry. To overcome this limitation while maintaining the use of icIEF, novel approaches, including an icIEF separation and fractionation technology (MauriceFlex, ProteinSimple), have been developed. This approach enables the fractionation of various icIEF peaks, which can then be characterized by mass spectrometry to confirm the identity of the separated charged species. Herein, the MauriceFlex technology was applied to adeno-associated viral (AAV) gene therapy products, which contain a DNA transgene packaged into a protein capsid and have shown tremendous therapeutic potential in recent years. Utilizing the MauriceFlex system, we developed an approach for the separation of charged species from AAV capsid viral proteins (VP) by icIEF and subsequent characterization by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS). When applying the same sample preparation, charge profiles of AAV capsid proteins on the MauriceFlex instrument were demonstrated to be consistent with those from the original Maurice platform, the industrial gold standard. Optimization of the VP icIEF fractionation method required the development of a method for low concentration samples, optimization of mobilization conditions, enhancement of fraction recovery, and maintenance of protein stability post fractionation. Herein, we were able to successfully collect charge-separated VP fraction samples and subsequently analyze them by MS analysis. In addition, a workflow for AAV capsid protein characterization based on icIEF separation and fractionation coupled with downstream LC-MS has been established for the confirmation of VP identity and additional characterization of capsid protein heterogeneity.

DU PONT SYSTEM ANALYSIS IN MEASURING COMPANY FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE (CASE STUDY OF BANK CENTRAL ASIA AND BANK RAKYAT INDONESIA PERIOD 2021-2023)

The two largest banks in Indonesia are Bank Central Asia (BCA) and Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI). The financial performance of both is a key indicator to assess the health and operational effectiveness of a bank. This study uses the DuPont Analysis approach to examine the financial performance of BCA and BRI. Secondary data from the annual financial statements of both banks for 2021–2023 are used in this investigation. In 2021–2023, BCA's average net profit margin (NPM) was 61%, according to the study's findings, while BRI's NPM was 38%, increasing to 63% in 2023. When compared to the industry standard of 0.05-0.1, the TATO of both banks is in a reasonable range, with BRI showing a more productive performance. Meanwhile, the average return on equity (ROE) is 3%, higher than BRI's 2.5%. According to DuPont's analysis, BCA appears to be superior to BRI in terms of operational efficiency and profitability, as evidenced by its better NPM and ROE. For investors and bank management, among other stakeholders, these findings offer important insights into the dynamics of banks’ financial performance and the potential impact of various initiatives on their bottom lines.

Investigating and Evaluating Novel Fly Ash-Based Proppant Compressive Strength Under Various Environmental Conditions.

As hydraulic fracturing becomes increasingly prevalent in the oil and gas industry, there is a growing need to develop more cost-effective and sustainable technologies, particularly concerning the materials used. Proppants play a vital role in hydraulic fracturing by ensuring that fractures remain conductive and can withstand the pressure exerted by the surrounding strata. One key parameter for evaluating proppants is their compressive strength, especially under harsh environmental conditions. High-strength proppants, such as those made from ceramics or bauxite, are typically expensive due to the materials and complex manufacturing processes involved. In contrast, fly ash, a byproduct of coal-fired power plants, offers a more affordable and environmentally sustainable alternative for proppant production. This study focuses on the development and evaluation of a fly ash-based proppant, exposed to harsh conditions including high temperature and pressure, as well as acidic, alkaline, saline, and crude oil environments. The fly ash was activated using an alkaline solution, which served as a chemical binder for the proppant. After exposure to these conditions, the compressive strength of the fly ash-based proppants was compared to control samples. The results showed that the proppants' compressive strength was largely unaffected by the harsh environments, particularly for the B20W25 mix design. However, while the fly ash-based proppants performed well under stress, their compressive strength was still lower than that of conventional proppants used in the industry. The B20W25 sample demonstrated a compressive strength of 1181.19 psi (8.1 MPa), which, although resilient, remains below industry standards.

Progress in quality assessment of Italian saffron

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the most expensive spice in the World, and Italy is among the major European producers. The study aims to improve value and recognition of high quality saffron by proposing a subdivision within the first quality category, according to ISO 3632 standards. The analysis of 125 saffron samples, collected from different Italian regions in 2021–2022 harvesting seasons, revealed that 95% of the samples met the first quality criteria, following ISO guidelines. Consequently, for the first quality samples, a differentiation into “premium”, “superior” and “high-quality” subcategories was proposed. Along with traditional methods, FT-NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics was employed for a comprehensive quality assessment. Discriminant and class-modelling approaches were developed to predict saffron quality subcategory. Best results were obtained by linear discriminant analysis models with accuracy in calibration (92.7%), cross-validation (86.4%) and prediction (87.0%). However, SIMCA modelling resulted more appropriate for class-modelling, confirming that none of the “premium” samples were misclassified as “high-quality” and vice-versa. The results support the inclusion of subcategories within ISO 3632 standards, thus refining the classification of saffron quality. Furthermore, the study emphasises the effectiveness of FT-NIR spectroscopy as a valuable tool for saffron quality assessment, with potential implications for industry standards and practices.

The influence of anxiety-related emotional disorders and self-esteem on obesity among Chinese children

Background Anxiety and obesity can have negative impacts on the health of children. Understanding the relationship between obesity and mental disorders in children and adolescents will help develop effective prevention and intervention strategies. This research investigates the impact of anxiety-related emotional disorders and self-esteem on obesity among Chinese children aged 6-12 in Anhui Province. Methods Utilizing a non-experimental, cross-sectional study design, data were from 136 participants collected through standardized instrument measures from Chinese children: the “Chinese screening for overweight and obesity among school-age children and adolescents” in the “Health Industry Standards of the People’s Republic of China” as the standard for identifying obesity, the Screen for Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) for assessing anxiety disorder, and the Children’s Self-Esteem Scale (CSES) for evaluating self-esteem. Statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analyses was performed using SPSS version 26 to determine the predictive relationships between the variables. Results The analysis revealed that anxiety-related emotional disorders and self-esteem contribute significantly to the prediction of obesity among Chinese children, accounting for a 13.7% variance. The study highlights the critical roles of anxiety-related emotional disorders and self-esteem in determining children’s obesity. It suggests that underscores the necessity for comprehensive interventions that address both physical and mental health aspects to combat childhood obesity effectively. The study concludes that addressing anxiety and self-esteem is essential for developing effective strategies to reduce obesity rates among Chinese children, meeting the research objectives, and contributing to the development of holistic health programs for children’s well-being.

Stress Analysis and Safety Factors of Hand-rail Hoppers Based on the FEA Method

Ensuring handrails structural integrity and safety in industrial hopper systems is crucial for worker protection and operational efficiency. This study investigates handrail systems design, stress analysis, and safety factors using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) via SolidWorks. Observations of existing systems revealed deficiencies such as improper welding techniques and unstable mounting, which were addressed through an improved modular handrail design that incorporated standardized dimensions, full-welded joints, and clamped baseplates. The methodology included a comprehensive simulation of the static loads, stress distributions, and deformation patterns validated through physical load testing. Results demonstrated significant improvements, with a reduction in the maximum stress by 25% and deformation by 40%, yielding a safety factor of 1.85. The findings confirm compliance with the industrial safety standards and highlight the robustness of the proposed design. This research contributes to advancing workplace safety through a replicable framework that combines simulation and empirical validation, offering broader applicability to safety-critical industrial components.

Evaluating alignment of UK commercial baby food products with the WHO nutrient and promotion profile model

PurposeThe first 1000 days of life are critical for long-term health outcomes, and there is increasing concern about the suitability of commercial food products for infants, toddlers, and children. This study evaluates the compliance of UK commercial baby food products with WHO Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model (NPPM) guidelines.MethodsBetween February and April 2023, data on 469 baby food products marketed for infants and children under 36 months were collected from the online platforms of four major UK supermarkets. Nutritional composition and labelling information were assessed using the NPPM criteria. Quantitative analyses were performed using IBM SPSS, presenting data as means with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsWhile 75% of products met the minimum energy content criteria, compliance with total sugar content and protein requirements was 59% and 94%, respectively. Overall, only 45% of products adhered to NPPM nutritional standards. Promotional assessments revealed that no products met the requirements for appropriate nutrient, health, or marketing claims. Furthermore, only 5% of products included adequate statements in support of breastfeeding.ConclusionThis study highlights the need for stricter nutritional and promotional standards in the UK baby food industry to foster healthier early dietary habits. Regulatory measures are essential to align commercial baby food products with WHO recommendations, reducing inappropriate claims and improving nutritional quality.

Semi‐supervised pipe video temporal defect interval localization

AbstractIn sewer pipe closed‐circuit television inspection, accurate temporal defect localization is essential for effective pipe assessment. Industry standards typically do not require time interval annotations, which are more informative but lead to additional costs for fully supervised methods. Additionally, differences in scene types and camera motion patterns between pipe inspections and temporal action localization (TAL) hinder the effective transfer of point‐supervised TAL methods. Therefore, this study presents a semi‐supervised multi‐prototype‐based method incorporating visual odometry for enhanced attention guidance (PipeSPO). The semi‐supervised multi‐prototype‐based method effectively leverages both unlabeled data and time‐point annotations, which enhances performance and reduces annotation costs. Meanwhile, visual odometry features exploit the camera's unique motion patterns in pipe videos, offering additional insights to inform the model. Experiments on real‐world datasets demonstrate that PipeSPO achieves 41.89% AP across intersection over union thresholds of 0.1–0.7, improving by 8.14% over current state‐of‐the‐art methods.

Statistical models for porous asphalt mixtures containing pulverized surface dressed pavement material/low-density polyethylene waste

Porous asphalt (PA) mixtures typically contain a high proportion of coarse aggregates with minimal fine aggregates, along with a binder that creates ample space for water drainage. Since road construction consumes large quantities of aggregates, recycling and reusing materials have become common practices. This study focuses on developing PA by partially replacing traditional aggregates with pulverized surface-dressed pavement material (PSM) and modifying bitumen with low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The mixtures were produced using 60/70 penetration grade bitumen modified with 2%, 4%, and 6% LDPE waste and 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% PSM. Adding LDPE waste to the bitumen altered key properties, such as the softening point, penetration, flashpoint, and ductility, resulting in a stiffer binder. Replacing aggregates with PSM reduced both stability and flow, leading to a lower Marshall quotient. Flow values for all trial mixes did not meet AAPA (2004) standards, while stability values slightly decreased as LDPE content increased from 2% to 6%. Despite this, all samples met the AAPA (2004) stability standard. The sample containing 2% LDPE and no PSM exhibited the highest Marshall quotient. Linear regression models were developed from experimental data to highlight the relationships between the measured responses and the variables. These polynomial equations demonstrated a strong correlation, indicated by high coefficients of determination. The study introduces an innovative approach by incorporating PSM and LDPE, largely unexplored in PA production, especially in Nigeria. The major societal benefits include reducing environmental pollution through plastic waste reuse, conserving natural aggregates, and promoting cost-effective construction practices. By advancing the use of recycled materials, this research supports sustainable infrastructure development while maintaining compliance with industry standards.

Preparation of biodegradable, antibacterial core-spun yarns with braided structures using QAS/PLA micro/nanocomposites

Medical antibacterial textiles play a vital role in tackling the issue of bacterial infection. Traditional surgical sutures face significant challenges due to wound infection caused by bacteria and breakage and scars caused by poor suture strength. Therefore, a new antibacterial and high-strength suture preparation strategy with wide clinical applicability was highly desired. In this study, a biodegradable quaternary ammonium salt (QAS)/polylactic acid (PLA) core-spun yarn with excellent antibacterial and mechanical properties was prepared by conjugated electrospinning technology combined with the braiding process. The antibacterial test results revealed the best overall performance of the PLA micro/nanofiber core-spun yarn with 0.3 wt% QAS antibacterial agent. The antibacterial rate against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was 94.49% and 94.00%, respectively, which could effectively solve the problem of wound infection caused by bacteria. In addition, we used the diamond-braided structure to address the poor strength and fragility of the traditional suture strength. The braiding angle of 30° and 45° could effectively enhance the mechanical properties of the yarn, and the breaking strength was also in line with the industry standard. The study proposed that the degradable QAS/PLA micro/nanofiber core-spun yarn, due to its excellent antibacterial and mechanical properties, could find application in medical protection. This provided a new avenue for research into new antibacterial surgical sutures.

Comparative Study on the Physicochemical and Volatile Compounds of Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen Honey From Guizhou, China, and Honey From Different Floral Sources

This study compared the physicochemical properties and characteristic volatile compounds of honey samples from Guizhou, China (such as Dalbergia odorifera T, Rhus chinensis Mill, blueberry, and loquat honey), and Manuka honey. The moisture content, 5‐HMF, antioxidant capacity, sugars, amino acids, minerals, and volatile compounds were measured. The results indicated that all honey samples met the standards of the Chinese honey industry. Using GC × GC‐TOF MS technology, 927 volatile substances were detected in Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen honey, 930 in Manuka honey, 764 in Rhus chinensis Mill honey, 768 in blueberry honey, and 617 in loquat honey. The study described the volatile compounds and sensory characteristics of each honey. The main volatile compounds identified in all samples were hydrocarbons, aldehydes, esters, ketones, and alcohols, with predominant sensory flavors of sweet, green, and floral notes.

Synergistic effects of air pollution control policies: Evidence from China

To control severe air pollution, multiple policies have been adopted in China. However, the combined effect of these policies on reducing air pollution remains uncertain. By systematically evaluating the complementary and substitution effects of policy combinations across different regions, this study aims to identify the optimal combinations of multiple air pollution control policies and to explore the mechanisms of policy synergy, maximizing improvements in air quality. Using a panel data from 334 Chinese cities collected between 2015 and 2019, we assess the effectiveness of fifteen air quality policies across eight categories. Our findings indicate that combining diverse policy measures yields more significant improvements in air quality due to the complementary effects among policies. Conversely, combinations of similar policy types exhibit weaker effects because of substitution effects. A comprehensive policy package, integrating stringent industrial emissions standards, residential energy transition strategies, market-based trading mechanisms, and multi-level supervision, may represent the most effective approach for air quality enhancement.

Impact of Heat Exchanger Fouling in Bioethanol Plants

Bioethanol plays a major role in improving the sustainability of a carbon-intensive sector such as transportation. With a pressing need in the industry to reduce carbon intensity of the ethanol production itself, it is of paramount importance ensuring that thermal systems are as efficient as possible. One of the biggest challenges that leads to significant operational issues, extra energy and water consumption, unplanned plant shutdowns and unnecessary CO2 emissions is fouling, the progressive deposition of low thermal conductivity material on thermal surfaces. This unwanted deposition reduces the thermal efficiency of key equipment, including heat exchangers and evaporators and increases pressure drops. In this paper, a mathematical model for the most energy-intensive section of a typical 50 MGY dry-grind ethanol plant is developed to assess the economic and environmental impact of fouling. The model includes double effect evaporators integrated with the beer column and two reboilers and allows quantifying the Key Performance Indicators under different combinations of fouling rates, operating conditions and cleaning effectiveness. Results show that even if regular cleaning cycles are performed, following current industry standards, the impact of fouling is still significant, with emissions of 15,435 ton CO2/year (81.67g CO2/l), additional energy of 70,809 MWh/year (0.38 kWh/l), additional water use of 106,738 m3/year (0.56l/l), and additional costs of 3.53 MM$ per year (0.02 $/l). Moreover, by optimising the selection of cleaning agents, costs can be reduced up to 65-70% while water consumption, energy use and emission release can be curbed by 70 to 80%. Other strategies to mitigate fouling (e.g. increasing steam pressure) were also identified and discussed.

Mobile home delivery parcel lockers

The demand for last-mile parcel delivery services is expected to increase. Great efforts are therefore being made to develop new ideas for more efficient last-mile delivery. One of the more recent concepts are Mobile Parcel Lockers (MPL), which can be easily repositioned to meet the actual daily demand for deliveries. In this work, we introduce the Mobile Home Delivery Parcel Locker (MHDPL) problem. Therein, a single vehicle can provide both, MPL service and Attended Home Deliveries (AHD), the current industry standard. Hence, the MHDPL problem integrates two characteristics: the simultaneous delivery of many customers as with MPLs, and the delivery of particularly remote customers in a short time as with AHDs. We present a mathematical formulation and propose an Iterated Local Search (ILS) as a solution approach. Since our ILS works on a time-space network, we introduce new problem and network-specific operators. The performance of the ILS is evaluated and the efficiency of the new service is analyzed in terms of various instance and customer characteristics, comparing it to dedicated MPL and AHD services. Our computational analysis reveals that the combination of services has economic potential and satisfies customer preferences more effectively. According to our study, an average MHDPL vehicle can serve 21% more customers than a comparable AHD vehicle.

Teachers' Competence and the Performance of Grade 9 Technology and Livelihood Education Students in Achieving Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs)

This research study was conducted to determine TLE teachers' level of competence and the performance of Grade 9 in achieving MELCs in Cookery in District V of the Schools Division of Quezon City. Significant relationships between these two variables were also tested. The descriptive-correlational study involved randomly selected 283 Grade 9 students during the School Year 2022-2023. Simple Random Sampling Probability Method was also used in the study. The data was gathered through a questionnaire and analyzed using Weighted mean and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The researcher concluded that TLE teachers demonstrate strong competence in helping the students learn, know, and understand what their teacher teaches, becoming better teachers every day, and engaging the community. Likely, students demonstrate a significant improvement in knowledge, skills, and attitude in MELCs in Cookery. In addition, there is a significant relationship between TLE teachers' competence and students' MELCs in Cookery regarding knowledge, skills, and attitude. It was recommended that teachers attend professional development training to enhance their competence and increase students' performance. They may also establish stronger engagement with the community to improve the MELCs in Cookery by collaborating with parents and guardians who can help when students are applying what they have learned from the school to their respective homes. Moreover, students may attend TESDA-initiated, school-initiated, and self-initiated training on Cookery that would enhance their skills, particularly in labeling food according to industry standards, preparing and presenting salads and dressings attractively, and packing food items in compliance with occupational health and safety procedures.

Mitigating solder voids in quad flat no-lead components: A vacuum reflow approach

As global demand for high-efficiency automotive electronics grows, enhanced heat dissipation and reliability are essential to meet the energy demands of high-computation applications. Void formation in solder joints poses significant challenges, reducing thermal conductivity and joint strength. In response, this study optimizes the vacuum reflow process parameters and stencil aperture design to mitigate voids in Quad Flat No-Lead (QFN) packages, which are widely adopted for their heat dissipation capabilities.Using the Taguchi method, we determined the optimal stencil aperture shapes and reflow conditions for two thermal pad sizes in QFNs. For the large thermal pad (5.24 mm × 4.5 mm), the optimal parameters included a fence-type aperture covering 85 % of the pad area, vacuum pressure of 50 mbar, 10-s vacuum duration, and a fully open vacuum valve. For the small thermal pad (1.6 mm × 4.2 mm), optimal parameters were a fully covered aperture at 85 % of the pad area, 50 mbar vacuum pressure, 5-s vacuum duration, and fully open valve. Results demonstrated that these optimized conditions effectively reduced void ratios to 0.7 % for the large pad and 0.5 % for the small pad, meeting industry standards for automotive applications.

A Comprehensive Technical Investigation on Industry Standards for Inverters in Solar PV Power Generation

A Comprehensive Technical Investigation on Industry Standards for Inverters in Solar PV Power Generation