Technology Readiness Level Research Articles

Application of tiered human health and environmental risk assessment to develop safe and sustainable by design perovskite-based devices

Metal halide perovskite materials have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential energy and lighting applications. They are potentially vital materials for the current energy transition which aims to minimize the dependence on fossil fuels and limited land resources by the increased use of cost-effective and efficient renewable energy sources. The European Green Deal policy, which sets out its ambitions in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, can help its transition to a Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) development. In this context, we applied the SSbD approach to selected perovskite-based devices which are still in their development state, by assessing potential human health and environmental risks along their life cycle. We applied the SSbD approach in a tiered manner so that it aligns with successive Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) to help the innovators ensuring safety and sustainability aspects throughout the various stages of their product development. Thus, the SSbD assessment began right from the start of the development (TRL 1–2), when there can be (huge) gaps and uncertainty in the product knowledge, up to the later stages of higher TRL when the product knowledge is more abundant and certain. In our assessment, we mainly focused on the human health risk of the perovskite-based devices and considered the implications of environmental emissions of hazardous substances on the human health. We further bring attention to the alternatives which could help mitigate concerns over their safety and sustainability for a responsible technology development and deployment. Results of this study are important to understand the detailed sustainability assessment in which we look at multiple sustainability aspects and its potential future impacts due to technology scale-up in the future.

Towards a defossilized building sector with field tests in the lab: Review, development, and evaluation

The transformation process in the building sector towards future city concepts requires changes in our society that aim for significant emission reduction until 2045. Currently, buildings in Germany are constructed and operated in such a way that no changes need to be made to them for decades. Therefore, any upcoming changes that do not achieve the climate goals must be avoided immediately. However, making the optimal decision for a change is complex due to (a) multi-domain (e.g., design and control), (b) multi-scale (e.g., single-family building and urban energy system), (c) multi-stakeholder (e.g., users and practice), and (d) long-term implications (up to decades). Conventional testing facilities and methods do not account for the integration of (a)-(d). Therefore, their technology readiness level is limited by 6. This paper introduces an approach that aims at (1) a multi-domain and multi-scale approach by applying process systems engineering to the building sector and that aims at (2) stakeholder integration already in the research process by applying the living lab approach. We combine the two methods, yielding a field test in the lab infrastructure pushing the technology readiness level to 7–8. In all, it consists of five test benches (Refrigerant Cycle Lab, FlexFass, RT-Lab, Raumklimalabor, and InFis). This work focuses on the Refrigerant Cycle Lab. Its concept is based on two further Hardware-in-the-Loop test benches which are extended by a safety system that ensures automated operation dedicated to heat pumps with flammable refrigerants. In two case studies, we show that field tests in the lab allow multi-domain and multi-scale testing. Both aspects support accelerating the transformation process towards a defossilized building sector. In the next step, the combination of test benches at different locations is promising to reduce the need to set up identical experiments at different locations. In the long term, the laboratory is designed to include external stakeholders to avoid time-consuming iterations and can, therefore, save resources, time, and money for our complex transformation process.

A circular economy framework for the assessment of bio-based value chains

Circular economy, the new trend to think, do, use, and produce, poses new challenges in redesigning the industrial Value Chains (VCs). Achieving sustainability is stimulating innovation in existing markets and imposing differentiations in value chains with pioneering processes and products. An essential requirement in the pursuit of solutions is the existence of an evaluation framework that fosters circularity right from the initial phases of process and product development. This article focuses on establishing the connection between circularity strategies and the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) in various domains, specifically in innovative material production, such as bio-plastic bottle closures, multifunctional rubber panels, and wood composite bearings, within alternative value chains. This methodological approach was verified in the framework of the European Union funded GREEN-LOOP project to demonstrate the feasibility of producing bio-based materials. A comprehensive analysis of the value chain mapping was carried out, accompanied by the evaluation of circular economy practices at each stage. The assessment established a roadmap to enhance the value chain from both technological and environmental perspectives, as illustrated in the Circular Value Chain Canvas. The results have shown that the implementation of the circularity concepts already in the design phase can effectively support the Circular Economy transition.

Ten principles for responsible quantum innovation

This paper proposes a set of guiding principles for responsible quantum innovation. The principles are organized into three functional categories: safeguarding, engaging, and advancing (SEA), and are linked to central values in responsible research and innovation (RRI). Utilizing a global equity normative framework and literature-based methodology, we connect the quantum-SEA categories to promise and perils specific to quantum technology (QT). The paper operationalizes the responsible QT framework by proposing ten actionable principles to help address the risks, challenges, and opportunities associated with the entire suite of second-generation QTs, which includes the quantum computing, sensing, simulation, and networking domains. Each quantum domain has different technology readiness levels, risks, and affordances, with sensing and simulation arguably being closest to market entrance. Our proposal aims to catalyze a much-needed interdisciplinary effort within the quantum community to establish a foundation of quantum-specific and quantum-tailored principles for responsible quantum innovation. The overarching objective of this interdisciplinary effort is to steer the development and use of QT in a direction not only consistent with a values-based society but also a direction that contributes to addressing some of society’s most pressing needs and goals.

Impacts of regional socioeconomic statuses and global events on solid waste research reflected in six waste-focused journals

The research pertaining to solid waste is undergoing extensive advancement, thereby necessitating a consolidation and analysis of its research trajectories. The existing biblio-studies on solid waste research (SWR) lack thorough analyses of the factors influencing its trends. This article presents an innovative categorization framework that categorizes publications from six SWR journals utilizing Source Latent Dirichlet Allocation. First analyse changes in publication numbers across main categories, subcategories, journals, and regions, providing a macro-level study of SWR. Temporal analysis of keywords supplements a micro-level study of SWR, which highlights that emerging technologies with low Technology Readiness Level receive significant attention, while studies on widespread technologies are diminishing. Additionally, this study demonstrates the substantial influence of socioeconomic factors and previous SWR publications on current and future SWR trends. Finally, the article confirms the impact of global events on SWR trends by examining the structural breakpoints of SWR and their correlation with global events.

Evaluation Method for Technology Readiness Assessment in High-purity Metal Target

Technology readiness level is an assessment tool for technology risk control, widely used in large-scale complex engineering such as military and aerospace industries. High purity metal targets are one of the key materials required for production in fields such as semiconductors, flat panel displays, and solar cells. The technology and process are very complex, which determines the level of technological maturity and will have a significant impact on downstream applications. This article combines the needs of downstream users and establishes a technology maturity evaluation model for high-purity metal targets with "parameters-indicators-data" as the core. It develops a technology maturity evaluation method suitable for high-purity metal targets and uses high-purity cobalt targets as an example for evaluation and application practice. It diagnoses the problems existing in the industrialization process, proposes improvement suggestions, and helps target production enterprises continuously improve and enhance.

Technology Readiness Level of Robotic Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review

Technology Readiness Level of Robotic Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) in the Era of Co-Creation

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) in the Era of Co-Creation

Phosphate-Based Dechlorination of Electrorefiner Salt Waste using a Phosphoric Acid Precursor.

Electrochemical processing of spent nuclear fuel in molten chloride salts results in radioactive salt waste. Chlorine removal from the salt has been identified as an effective and efficient first step in the management of high-level waste. In this work, a simple salt was dechlorinated with a phosphoric acid phosphate precursor, resulting in a glassy dechlorinated product. The dechlorination efficacy was evaluated in air and argon environments. This work serves as an initial step to advance the Technological Readiness Level of H3PO4-based dechlorination step toward implementation of iron phosphate waste forms to immobilize electrochemical fuel reprocessing salt waste streams.

Single-Step Low-Temperature Synthesis of Carbon Dots for Advanced Multiparametric Bioimaging Probe Applications.

Carbon dots (CDs) have recently emerged in biomedical and agricultural domains, mainly for their probe applications in developing efficient sensors. However, the existing high-temperature approaches limit the industrial level scaling up to further translate them into different products by mass-scale fabrication of CDs. To address this, we have attempted to lower the synthesis temperature to 140 °C and synthesized different CDs using different organic acids and their combinations in a one-step approach (quantum yield 3.6% to 16.5%; average size 3 to 5 nm). Further, sensing applications of CDs have been explored in three different biological models, mainly Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos, bacterial strains, and the Lactuca sativa (lettuce) plant. The 72 h exposure of D. rerio embryos to 0.5 and 1 mg/mL concentrations of CDs exhibited significant uptake without mortality, a 100% hatching rate, and nonsignificant alterations in heart rate. Bacterial bioimaging experiments revealed CD compatibility with Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Serratia marcescens) strains without bactericidal effects. Furthermore, CDs demonstrated effective conduction and fluorescence within the vascular system of lettuce plants, indicating their potential as in vivo probes for plant tissues. The single-step low-temperature CD synthesis approach with efficient structural and optical properties enables the process as industrially viable to up-scale the technology readiness level. The bioimaging of CDs in different biological models indicates the possibility of developing a CD probe for diverse biosensing roles in diseases, metabolism, microbial contamination sensing, and more.

Domestic wastewater sludge valorization: Multi-criteria evaluation of anaerobic digestion vs. hydrothermal liquefaction

The emerging hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process is evaluated against the classical anaerobic digestion (AD) processes for stabilizing wastewater sludges and recovering their energy- and nutrient-contents. Although HTL affords faster stabilization, better process stability, and liquid fuel and sterile fertilizer recovery, it suffers from higher energy demand and lower technology readiness level. For a rational comparison of these pathways, a multi-criteria evaluation is conducted considering 21 technical, environmental, economic, and social criteria. Criteria values for the HTL-pathway were derived from laboratory tests while those for the AD-pathway were compiled from literature. Of the 16 process alternatives evaluated, the AD-pathway including nitrogen-recovery by air-stripping and phosphorus recovery by the MEPHREC® process ranked first followed by the HTL-pathway. This multi-criteria study suggests that the HTL-pathway could be engineered as a superior alternative for sludge stabilization and resource recovery if phosphorus recovery and its technology readiness level could be improved.

In response to global climate change goals, exploring the development strategy for decarbonizing the shipping industry in Taiwan

Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), and other gases are all greenhouse gases. However, the most significant contributor to climate change is CO2. Maritime decarbonization is a complex challenge with multiple pathways at different technological and operational readiness levels. As a concept, green shipping corridors are similar to special economic zones at sea. They provide a platform for stakeholders in the value chain to collaborate and implement new technologies and business models on a large scale. The most significant advantage of such an initiative is to help diverse and fragmented industries align and diversify their collective risks. The article employed a comparative literature analysis and interviewed relevant stakeholders to derive its conclusions. Based on this analysis, it advocates for taking action and implementing these measures by engaging stakeholders. Critical decisions concerning the green components of shipping corridors revolve around viable fuel pathways, policies and regulations, customer demands, and cross-value chain collaboration.

Professional Readiness of a Teacher for Innovative Activities: a Qualitative Aspect

The article actualizes the importance of professional readiness of a teacher for innovative activities. At the same time, attention is payed to the importance and role of innovation in the organization of a modern school, to its purposeful process of creating, using and distributing innovations in order to ensure highly effective training and education of young students. In this context, attention is drawn to the teacher's readiness for innovative professional activity as an integrative quality of his/her personality, as a regulator and condition for successful professional activity aimed at creating, implementing and distributing educational innovations, which has a positive effect on improving the quality of Education. The article emphasizes that the success of educational transformations reflected on the pages of a number of regulatory legal acts depends on a number of innovations introduced into the educational process. It is also emphasized that the introduction of innovative processes determines the need for appropriate changes in the professional activities of the teaching staff of the relevant educational institution. A lot of attention is paid to the components of the teacher’s innovative competence. It is noted that innovative activity is the internal force that shapes the teacher's position (professional and personal qualities), is a prerequisite for effective work, the maximum realization of opportunities and the disclosure of creative potential. In addition to everything else, the author of the article pays attention to the need to establish appropriate criteria aimed at the teacher's readiness for innovative innovations, emphasizes the importance of the appropriate level of technological readiness for innovative activities. The article emphasizes that the professional readiness of a teacher for innovative activities is a natural result of his special training, self-determination, education and self-education, and upbringing. It is noted that one of the important components of professional readiness of a teacher for innovative activities is innovative competence (a system of motives, skills, knowledge, skills, personal qualities of a teacher, which ensures the effectiveness of using new pedagogical technologies in working with young students). The article also stresses that one of the important levers to strengthen the innovative activity of a teacher is his motivational interests and value orientations, the main components that contribute to the implementation of innovative measures in the educational process of the school are named.

КОМПЛЕКСНАЯ ОЦЕНКА ПРОИЗВОДСТВЕННОЙ ГОТОВНОСТИ ПРОЕКТА ПОЛНОГО ЦИКЛА РАЗРАБОТКИ ФАРМАЦЕВТИЧЕСКОГО ПРОДУКТА

Currently, there is still a large gap between developed technology and production capabilities that translate this technology into commercial success. In this case, there is an inability to "bridge the gap", i.e. incomprehension of how to advance product development from a laboratory sample to serial production of this product. Definition of the research and development life cycle on the basis of stages, differentiated according to the technology readiness levels and manufacturing readiness levels, taking into account the experience of applying various techniques in world practice, and also on the basis of determining the level of technology readiness, was first outlined in the Guidelines for the preparation of initial data for the development and correction of forecast of scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation No. 1335 dated 11/13/2015. A prerequisite for implementation of state-funded research and development programs was the need to evaluate the TRL and MRL at the time of launch and on completion of research project. Currently, in the Russian Federation, the use of TRL-assessments is provided for by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation No. 107 dated 02/06/2023 "On Approval of the procedure for determining the readiness levels of emerging or developed technologies, as well as scientific and scientific-technical results corresponding to each technology readiness level". TRL assessment, which is characterized by the readiness of the drug product production from the design of molecule to the commercial batch production, is currently not used in the field of drug circulation.

MARKETING DIGITALIZATION READINESS OF MSMES ASSISTED BY THE BANDUNG CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

This research aims to determine marketing digitalization readiness in Bandung City Chamber of Commerce and Industry MSMEs. This study used a descriptive quantitative method and questionnaires to 82 MSME respondents. The data was processed using SPSS 25 and formulas to calculate the Technology Readiness Index (TRI). The TRI value calculation shows that the MSMEs' readiness is at the high technology readiness level. This conclusion was obtained from the total score of TRI 4.10. From the results, the innovative variable has the lowest value. To increase the value of the innovative variable, researchers advise respondents to have the courage to make innovations and changes, no matter how small, such as trying to use an e-commerce platform to expand market reach so that they can increase sales significantly.

Micro-Satellite Systems Design, Integration, and Flight.

Within the past decade, the aerospace engineering industry has evolved beyond the constraints of using single, large, custom satellites. Due to the increased reliability and robustness of commercial, off-the-shelf printed circuit board components, missions have instead transitioned towards deploying swarms of smaller satellites. Such an approach significantly decreases the mission cost by reducing custom engineering and deployment expenses. Nanosatellites can be quickly developed with a more modular design at lower risk. The Alpha mission at the Cornell University Space Systems Studio is fabricated in this manner. However, for the purpose of development, the initial proof of concept included a two-satellite system. The manuscript will discuss system engineering approaches used to model and mature the design of the pilot satellite. The two systems that will be primarily focused on are the attitude control system of the carrier nanosatellite and the radio frequency communications on the excreted femto-satellites. Milestones achieved include ChipSat to ChipSat communication, ChipSat to ground station communication, packet creation, error correction, appending a preamble, and filtering the signal. Other achievements include controller traceability/verification and validation, software rigidity tests, hardware endurance testing, Kane damper, and inertial measurement unit tuning. These developments matured the technological readiness level (TRL) of systems in preparation for satellite deployment.

Digital Twins within the Circular Economy: Literature Review and Concept Presentation

Digital twins offer a promising approach to sustainable value creation by providing specific life cycle data and enabling the monitoring and implementation of circular economy strategies throughout the product’s life cycle. By analyzing product, component, and material data, as well as process data, it is possible to create transparency throughout a product’s life cycle, build a data-driven product ecosystem, and establish new business and value creation models, from SMEs to large enterprises. This paper identifies application scenarios, their technological readiness level, and the challenges of digital twins for the circular economy in the manufacturing industry based on a systematic literature review. Gaps such as ensuring a continuous flow of information and taking into account the different levels of digitalization of companies are identified. As a main result, a holistic concept for the scoping of a digital twin for the circular economy is presented. One specific use case for end-of-life decision-making is elaborated upon. It is shown that the circular economy can be supported by digital twin data, especially for the optimal decision on end-of-life vehicles.

Upper Limb Prostheses by the Level of Amputation: A Systematic Review

This review article aims to provide an updated and comprehensive overview of the latest trends in adult upper limb prostheses, specifically targeting various amputation levels such as transradial, transmetacarpal, transcarpal, and transhumeral. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including IEEE Xplore, MDPI, Scopus, Frontiers, and Espacenet, covering from 2018 to 2023. After applying exclusion criteria, 49 scientific articles (33 patents and 16 commercial prostheses) were meticulously selected for review. The article offers an in-depth analysis of several critical aspects of upper limb prostheses. It discusses the evolution and current state of input control mechanisms, the number of degrees of freedom, and the variety of grips available in prostheses, all tailored according to the level of amputation. Additionally, the review delves into the selection of materials used in developing these prostheses and examines the progression of technology readiness levels. A significant focus is also placed on the evolution of prosthesis weight over the years for different amputation levels. Moreover, the review identifies and explores critical technological challenges and prospects in upper limb prostheses. Finally, the article culminates with a conclusion that encapsulates the key findings and insights on the advancements and ongoing developments in this field.

Assessing various CO2 utilization technologies: a brief comparative review

AbstractCarbon dioxide (CO2) utilization technologies have emerged as a promising approach to address the direct and indirect consequences of climate change and the need for sustainable resource management. Those innovative technologies aim to capture and utilize CO2 by converting it into valuable products or directly using it as a chemical feedstock in various industries, thus, avoiding their release into the atmosphere. In this study, different CO2 utilization pathways including CO2 to chemicals and fuels, CO2 to building materials, CO2 to enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and CO2 to bio‐products are discussed in terms of their status – economic, environmental and technology readiness level performances. Moreover, various CO2 utilization pathways are comparatively analyzed considering their advantages and drawbacks, CO2 uptake potentials, and overall climate benefits. According to the comparison results, photocatalytic and electrochemical reduction of CO2 along with the bio‐fixation of CO2 are gaining more attention in the recent research and investigations, from the energy intensity and environmental point of view, whereas EOR remains dominant in terms of the scalability, maturity and economic benefits. However, limitations of EOR related to the capacity, life cycle and different geolocations, as well as the complexities of other mature approaches make room for emerging technologies to be more energy‐effective and environmentally friendly. Overall, most of the promising CO2 utilization techniques are either technologically immature or limited in scale to deploy globally. One of the main barriers to reusing CO2 is associated with the high cost of CO2‐based production and the low value of the CO2 market. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

A comparative review study on the electrified road structures: Performances, sustainability, and prospects

The electrified road (eRoad) technology, which allows for delivering electrical power to electric vehicles (EVs) in motion, has been under active development as a novel charging solution, with a great potential to eliminate EV’s range anxiety and to reduce the battery dependency. Three promising eRoad technologies, including pantograph, conductive rail, and the inductive power transfer (IPT), have gained momentum. In this review, the following studies are performed: (1) a comparative analysis of the three eRoad technologies is made by focusing on the working principles, performances as well as technology readiness levels (TRLs). (2) From the perspective of road infrastructure, the potential structural compatibility issues are extensively discussed; the recommendations and emerging research needs, which could improve the eRoads’ service lifetime, are further presented. (3) Life cycle sustainability potential for the three eRoad solutions are comparably analyzed, emphasizing as well the importance of integrating eRoad infrastructure into the full life cycle assessment on the use of EVs for clean transport. (4) In the context of the drastic development of smart road systems, potential synergistic development of eRoad with other novel technologies is envisioned.