Industrial Technology Research Articles

Advances in digital twin technology in industry: A review of applications, challenges, and standardization

Advances in digital twin technology in industry: A review of applications, challenges, and standardization

Factors That Facilitated the Development of Blockchain Technology in the AEC Industry: Study Based on System Dynamics

Factors That Facilitated the Development of Blockchain Technology in the AEC Industry: Study Based on System Dynamics

Industrial Robot Use and Corporate Real Earnings Management: Evidence from China

Industrial robots (IRs) are becoming an increasingly important production technology in the global manufacturing industry. Using Chinese A-share listed manufacturing companies as a research sample, this study identifies that using IRs significantly restricts corporate real earnings management (REM). Specifically, IRs reduce information asymmetry, improve product market performance, and enhance the incentive effect of executive compensation, thereby weakening executives’ self-benefit motives and increasing the cost of implementing REM. These findings underscore the role of IRs in corporate governance, allowing for a better understanding of robots’ microeconomic consequences and guiding future corporate governance practices.

Guest Editorial Enabling Technologies and Systems for Industry 5.0: From Foundation Models to Foundation Intelligence

Guest Editorial Enabling Technologies and Systems for Industry 5.0: From Foundation Models to Foundation Intelligence

Use of Blockchain Technology in the Fashion Industry: Analysis of How Blockchain Technology Can Be Used to Improve Transparency, Traceability, and Sustainability in the Fashion Supply Chain

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the use of blockchain technology in the fashion industry and to analyze its potential to improve transparency, traceability, and sustainability in the supply chain. Methodology: The study was based on a self-administered questionnaire, which was completed by 200 participants involved in the fashion industry. Descriptive statistics and correlation techniques were used to analyze the data and to test the main hypotheses of the study. Originality/Value: This study adds to the growing body of research on the use of blockchain technology in the supply chain and provides valuable insights into the potential benefits and challenges of implementing blockchain technology in the fashion industry. The study also highlights the role that blockchain can play in improving transparency, traceability, and sustainability in the supply chain. Findings: The results of the study suggest that the use of blockchain technology can lead to a significant increase in transparency in the fashion industry, as well as a significant improvement in traceability and sustainability. The results provide evidence of the potential of blockchain technology to improve the overall accountability and performance of the fashion industry, and highlight the need for further research and investment in this area.

On the printability of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with long glass and short carbon fibres

Purpose This research is about the possibilities of using high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based composites consisting of long glass and short carbon fibres because HDPE is one of the more preferred thermoplastics day by day due to its sustainability, cost-effectiveness and availability in the relevant markets. HDPE has become an increasingly preferred material in the marine industry in recent years due to its high resistance to marine environmental conditions (high resistance to UV, surface-fouling marine organisms and corrosive effects of salty and low-pH water). In the highly competitive boat building industry, additive manufacturing offers new opportunities such as rapid prototyping and design freedom. This study aims to investigate the possibilities of using a material suitable for the marine environment and an additive manufacturing (AM) method offering new possibilities, especially for small craft with complex forms. Design/methodology/approach A total of six new HDPE-based composites consisting of long glass and short carbon fibres at 10, 15 and 20% by weight have been proposed for the first time in this study for the use in boat building industry, proposing the application of these new composite materials with AM method, which the industry is not yet fully adopted, is also an innovative aspect of the study. The performances of the materials in AM’s material extrusion (MEX) method were evaluated using the results obtained from mechanical (tensile, compression, shear and impact) and thermal (melt flow index [MFI], thermogravimetric analysis [TGA] and thermomechanical analysis [TMA]) tests. In addition, the structure of the composites was examined with scanning electron microscopy and micro computed tomography visually, and the rheological properties of the composites were also determined by the related tests. As an industrial case study, a ship propeller was manufactured from the composites produced with CF15, which was thought to give the best performance in marine use, and this propeller was tested under water flow. Findings It is evaluated that the composites proposed in this study can be used in marine industry in line with the analyses and test results. The performance of the propeller produced as a case application also confirms this view. The printability of HDPE-based composites, reinforced by both glass and carbon fibre, is much better than that of pure HDPE, and the composites are suitable for use AM’s MEX method in boat building industry. As the fibre contents in the proposed composites increase, the strength values increase and the impact resistance and hardness decrease. The CF15 composite, which meets each of those mechanical and physical values at an average level, is a recommended option for marine applications. Originality/value This study has two basic originalities: (1) On the basis of HDPE, which is widely used in the marine industry, to produce composites that will overcome the deficiencies of this material in practice and to present them to relevant industry by improving their properties; (2) at the same time, to discuss for the first time the use of new HDPE-based materials in AM, whose printability has also been improved through composite, to help dissemination of AM technologies in marine industry in general and in the boat building industry in particular.

A Systematic Review of the Digital Twin Technology in Buildings, Landscape and Urban Environment from 2018 to 2024

Digital Twin (DT) technologies have demonstrated a positive impact across various stages of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Nevertheless, the industry has been slow to undergo digital transformation. The paper utilizes the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach to study a total of 842 papers on the application of DT in buildings, landscapes, and urban environments (BLU) from 2018 to 2024. Based on the research results, suggestions have been made for future research and practical directions. Meanwhile, it provides assistance to BLU’s designers, constructors, managers, and policymakers in establishing their understanding of the digital transformation of the AEC industry. The existing relevant research can be mainly divided into three categories: case study, framework study, and technology study. Compared with the buildings and urban environment industries, the number and depth of research in the landscape industry are relatively low. Through in-depth analysis of BLU projects, three research trends in the future are determined: (1) research and application of DT framework in the design and planning stage; (2) development of design tools and basic theory based on DT model; (3) application and exploration of DT technology in the landscape industry.

Applications of Carbon Capture Technologies in Steel and Cement Industries

As problems such as the increase in extreme weather, rising sea levels, and social inequality continue to sharpen with the intensifying climate change, changes are demanded. The cement and iron and steel industries are among the major spheres responsible for the rising global temperature. Carbon reduction methods cannot fully solve the problem and help these industries reach carbon-neutral emissions. Therefore, carbon capture (CC) technology is urgently needed. This article introduces the application of pre-combustion carbon capture (PreCCC), post-combustion carbon capture (PostCCC), and oxyfuel combustion carbon capture in the cement industry and the iron and steel industry. Research has shown that oxyfuel combustion is one of the most assuring pathways to reach carbon neutrality in cement plants since problems of temperature management can be solved by recycling part of the fuel gases, and its cost is relatively lower than the other methods. However, PostCCC is a better solution in the iron and steel industries. Although technological innovations in physical absorption and chemical absorption are still needed, PostCCC can mitigate a large portion of steel plants carbon footprint. Carbon capture intensity can be increased with further technological development in combining PostCCC and oxygen-rich combustion. The combination of different pathways may be a novel hypothesis, but it has a great possibility of alleviating the carbon emission of the industrial sector.

Advances in recombinant protein production in microorganisms and functional peptide tags.

Recombinant protein production in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is a fundamental technology for both research and industry. Achieving efficient protein synthesis is key to accelerating the discovery, characterization, and practical application of proteins. This review focuses on recent advances in recombinant protein production and strategy for more efficient protein production especially using Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Additionally, this review summarizes the development of various functional peptide tags that can be employed for protein production, modification, and purification, including translation enhancing peptide tags developed by our research group.

Research on the Legal Risks of Digital Currency in the Big Data Environment

With the widespread application and growth of blockchain technology, cloud computing, and big data analytics in the financial industry, digital currencies have emerged. However, relevant regulations specifically targeting digital currencies have not been officially promulgated yet. In the process of promoting digital currencies, legal risks such as unclear boundaries of compensation liability, unclear ownership, potential privacy breaches, and financial regulatory challenges still need to be overcome. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize the prevention and management of legal risks associated with digital currencies in the big data environment, ensuring the smooth circulation and use of digital legal currencies across regions and promoting the internationalization and legalization of China’s digital legal currencies.

Low-Temperature NH3-SCR Technology for Industrial Application of Waste Incineration: An Overview of Research Progress

Selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides with NH3 (NH3-SCR) was investigated deeper and deeper with poisoning factors such as H2O, SO2, heavy metals, etc. In order to remove the reheating process before the SCR reactor, the application trend of NH3-SCR technology in the non-power industry is concentrated on the condition of low temperature even ultra-low temperature. The present study summarizes the research process of SO2 and H2O resistance of NH3-SCR catalysts under low temperatures related to the working conditions of municipal solid waste incineration plants. In detail, the effects of a high content of H2O and low concentration of SO2 are reviewed. Other factors such as heavy metals, alkali, or alkaline earth metals in the reaction system, synergistic removal of NOx, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) are addressed. Finally, the catalytic performance of assembled monolithic catalysts and pilot-scale experiments are also analyzed for the possibility of industrial application. Hopefully, in view of the questions outlined in this study, valuable insights could be taken into consideration for the development of NH3-SCR in waste incineration.

A Safe Fiber-Optic-Sensor-Assisted Industrial Microwave-Heating System

Industrial microwave-heating systems are pivotal in various sectors, including food processing and materials manufacturing, where precise temperature control and safety are critical. Conventional systems often struggle with uneven heat distribution and high fire risks due to the intrinsic properties of microwave heating. In this work, a fiber-optic-sensor-assisted monitoring system is presented to tackle the pressing challenges associated with uneven heating and fire hazards in industrial microwave systems. The core innovation lies in the development of a sophisticated fiber-optic 2D temperature distribution sensor and a dedicated fire detector, both designed to significantly mitigate risks and optimize the heating process. Experimental results set the stage for future innovations that could transform the landscape of industrial heating technologies toward better process quality.

The Infringement of Deepfake Technology on Personal Privacy and Legal Protection: A Discussion Based on Article 1032 of the Civil Code

The rapid development of deepfake technology has infringed upon personal privacy in the form of the disclosure and misuse of personal information, infringement upon the peace of people's life, and damage to personal image and reputation. The disclosure and misuse of personal information should be analysed from the perspectives of personal use and commercial use of information data; infringement upon the peace of people's life should be examined from the perspectives of fraud and harassment, and malicious pursuit using deepfake technology; and damage to personal image and reputation should be discussed from the two levels of initial damage to personal image and reputation and aggravated damage to personal reputation after dissemination through the media. Article 1032 of the Civil Code clearly defines the scope of privacy protection as the peace of people's private life, private space, private activities and private information, as well as the infringement of privacy rights through means such as spying, intrusion, disclosure and publication, which reflects the legislative inertia to strengthen the protection of privacy and personal information. Article 1032 of the Civil Code, the Personal Information Protection Law, the Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet-based Information Services, and other laws and regulations together form the current personal privacy protection system. However, existing laws do not provide specific explanations for key terms such as 'leakage', 'intrusion' and 'damage', which leads to uncertainty in the application of the law and makes it difficult to effectively protect personal privacy in actual operations. At the same time, there is a lack of clear definitions of the scenarios and specific standards of behaviour that the technology may involve, which has exacerbated public concerns about personal privacy security. Strengthening legal protection against deepfake technology requires refining legal concepts and drawing on knowledge from comparative law: 'leakage' can be considered the illegal acquisition and dissemination of unauthorised data and information, 'intrusion' can be defined as behaviour that disrupts the normal order of others and causes mental distress, and 'damage' can be understood as behaviour that causes negative evaluation or loss to the image, reputation or property of others. The legislative department should take the lead and cooperate with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in formulating specific standards for evaluating behaviour. The deterrent effect of the law should be strengthened by refining relevant legal provisions in the Civil Code and the Personal Information Protection Law and increasing the penalties for violations of the law. This will better balance technological development and personal privacy protection and improve China's personal privacy protection system.

Applications of nickel-containing structured microfibrous catalysts for the process of propane hydrogenolysis

This work evaluates the possibility of using nickel-containing structured glass fiber catalysts (Ni/GFC) for the process of hydrogenolysis of gas condensate (GC) into transportable components of natural gas, which will increase the efficiency of GC processing and contribute to the development of more cost-effective technologies in the oil-gas industry. Ni/GFC samples with Ni content of 5, 10 and 15% wt. were synthesized by surface thermal synthesis (STS). An industrial granular catalyst with a mass Ni content of 16% was used to compare the catalytic activity of the obtained catalysts. The highest activity and selectivity of methane formation is observed on the 10% Ni/ GFC catalyst, by these parameters it is superior not only to other GFCs, but also the traditional granular catalyst.

Rural Depopulation in the Context of 4.0 Technologies: Opportunities for Sustainability and Innovation Policies

This paper provides a systematic review of the scientific landscape of the interdisciplinary field of rural depopulation studies, considering the potential contribution of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies or Industry 4.0 to enhance our contemporary understanding and policy approach to facing the complex challenge of rural transitions. Two levels of intersec search are examined: (a) an aggregated conceptual level of rural population studies and (b) a more policy-based level. Blockchain, the Internet of Things, additive manufacturing, and other 4.0 technologies highlight a scientific panorama in which social and sustainable concerns are integrated with the disruptive potential of these technologies.

A Study on Guesthouse Interior Space Planning Method Based on BIM Topological Relationships

Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology has revolutionized the architectural and construction industries by providing detailed digital representations of buildings, enhancing design efficiency and project management. Despite its widespread application, the utilization of BIM in optimizing interior space planning, particularly in boutique accommodations like guesthouses, remains underexplored. This research addresses the gap by introducing a novel method for interior environment space planning of guesthouses based on the topological relationships derived from BIM data. This study developed a new algorithm that utilizes detailed topology information from BIM in order to make space planning decisions more efficiently, thereby improving space utilization efficiency and guest experience. Through a comprehensive analysis of BIM topological relationships and the application of advanced optimization techniques, our method aims to optimize the use of space while considering the unique constraints and requirements of guesthouse environments. The proposed algorithm demonstrates significant improvements in spatial efficiency and design quality when tested against traditional planning methods on real-world BIM datasets. This research not only contributes a novel approach to the field of architectural design and planning but also offers practical implications for the enhancement of interior spaces in guesthouses, potentially influencing future applications of BIM technology in the hospitality industry.

A Review of Perovskite-based Lithium-Ion Battery Materials

Lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion batteries or LIBs) have garnered significant interest as a promising technology in the energy industry and electronic devices for the past few decades owing to their superior energy and power density profiles, small size, long cycle life, low self-discharge rate, no memory effect, long-lasting power properties, and environmental friendly. The ongoing advancement of electrode and electrolyte materials has contributed significantly to enhancing and spreading the application of lithium-ion battery technology. Among the non-precious metal-based materials, perovskites have emerged as attention over the last decade, holding a prominent position in materials and energy. Due to their unique physical and chemical properties, these materials have garnered particular interest for their potential application in electrochemical energy devices. Perovskite oxides have piqued the interest of researchers as potential catalysts in Li-O₂ batteries due to their remarkable electrochemical stability, high electronic and ionic conductivity, and the ability to modify their properties through doping and element substitution. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of recent developments in the application of perovskites as lithium-ion battery materials, including the exploration of novel compositions and structures, optimization of fabrication methods, and a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that can unveil the potential of perovskite materials.

Influence of Aqueous Phase Salt and Oil Phase Surfactants and Viscosity on the Dynamic Interfacial Tension and Coalescence Timescales.

Liquid-liquid separation is a critically important process in the treatment of emulsions that can occur in our environment, such as oily stormwater, shipboard bilgewater, or off-shore oil spill treatment. Effective filtration systems, including coalescing filters, are essential for mitigating these environmental pollutants. Achieving this requires a comprehensive understanding of liquid-liquid interface dynamics influenced by additives and surfactants. Furthermore, understanding the impact of surfactants on emulsion stability in saline environments is vital for optimizing filtration processes and ensuring the protection of marine and freshwater ecosystems. In this work, these effects are highlighted using measurements performed across a range of droplet size, surfactant concentration, viscosity ratios, and saline presence. Dynamic IFT measurements are conducted using the pendant drop method for water in light mineral oil, with and without salt in the water phase. The effect of salt addition is also highlighted by using microfluidic coalescence experiments, in which it was found that the addition of salt increases the dimensionless drainage time below the critical micelle concentration. The second focus of this work is to study the effect of bulk phase viscosity on the stability. Dynamic IFT measurements are performed at both millimeter and micrometer scales using pendant drop experiments and microfluidic tensiometry, respectively, involving light and heavy mineral oils with varying SPAN80 surfactant concentrations. The surfactant diffusivity and interfacial adsorption and desorption rates are then extracted by fitting a surfactant diffusion and equation of state equations to the dynamic IFT measurements. The results of the IFT decay, surfactant diffusivity, and adsorption rates are compared at two different viscosity ratios. This study also compares the times required for IFT relaxation with the film drainage times in water-in-oil systems. The comparison aids in comprehending the impact of competing timescales during film drainage. The findings presented in this paper offer valuable insights into the design and optimization of liquid-liquid filtration systems, especially when operating under challenging environmental conditions, such as in saline environments. The principles explored here can be applied to improving industrial water treatment and in the design of advanced filtration technologies for chemical and petrochemical industries, particularly those involving flow, contributing to more sustainable and efficient practices in handling emulsified waste streams.

Carbon Carriers Driving the Net-Zero Future: The Role of Torrefied Biomass Pellets in Power-To-X

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report urgently calls for sweeping action to mitigate the unprecedented impacts of climate change. The path to a carbon-neutral future is intricate, necessitating a multi-faceted approach that integrates decarbonization, defossilization, and energy/resource efficiency. Power-to-X (PtX) stands as a technological linchpin, converting renewable electricity into a range of sustainable products, from fuels to chemicals. However, its full potential is intrinsically tied to the availability of sustainable carbon sources. This paper evaluates the various avenues for carbon sourcing for PtX: direct air capture (DAC), biogenic carbon, and Long-cycle Industrial Carbon. DAC, although promising for the long term, has limitations in scalability and land requirements. Industrial long-cycle carbon capture technology is improving but requires a thorough Life Cycle Assessment for evaluating its sustainability. This study examines the environmental impacts, scalability, and logistical considerations of each carbon source. Biogenic carbon offers a near-term solution, and its various forms could simplify transportation logistics. An analysis of gasification processes, syngas cleaning, and hydrogen integration was conducted to assess the technical viability of these carbon sources in PtX applications. The results show that torrefied biomass pellets, after a thorough technical assessment, present a globally feasible and sustainable carbon carrier, setting the stage for industry standardization and easier global transportation. Syngas produced through the gasification of the pellets complemented by green hydrogen can be utilized in Fischer–Tropsch, methanol synthesis, and methanation, allowing PtX to synthesize practically any type of organic compounds in a hybrid Biomass–PtX (HBPtX) process. This study provides key insights for industries and policymakers by demonstrating the technical feasibility and sustainability of torrefied biomass as a carbon carrier, thereby supporting the development of comprehensive climate mitigation strategies.

Sustainable Innovations: Process Intensification in Industrial and Environmental Technologies

Sustainable Innovations: Process Intensification in Industrial and Environmental Technologies