Eng | Special Issue : Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research

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Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue: Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research

by Antonio Gil Bravo

Eng 2026, 7(4), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7040178 - 14 Apr 2026

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Abstract

As with previous Special Issues in the Feature Papers in Engineering series, this new Special Issue, Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research, compiles works related to engineering science and technology, including both experimental and theoretical research [...] Full article

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Research

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34 pages, 3470 KB

Open AccessArticle

Parametric Investigation of Climate-Responsive Roof Design Strategies for Buildings in India

by Sudha Gopalakrishnan, Radhakrishnan Shanthi Priya, Yoo Kee Law, Chng Saun Fong and Ramalingam Senthil

Eng 2026, 7(3), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7030119 - 2 Mar 2026

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Abstract

Rapid urbanization has significantly increased energy demand in buildings, which now represent nearly 30% of global energy use. In India, buildings are built across highly varied climatic conditions, from hot-dry and warm-humid to cold, high-altitude areas, making climate-responsive envelope design essential to enhance [...] Read more.

Rapid urbanization has significantly increased energy demand in buildings, which now represent nearly 30% of global energy use. In India, buildings are built across highly varied climatic conditions, from hot-dry and warm-humid to cold, high-altitude areas, making climate-responsive envelope design essential to enhance thermal performance. Among envelope components, roofs are the most exposed to solar and outdoor thermal loads, playing a key role in managing indoor heat transfer. This study offers a parametric analysis of climate-responsive roof design strategies for India’s five main climatic zones, using transient simulations and statistical evaluation. The effectiveness of insulation placement, insulation material and thickness, and external surface absorptivity was systematically assessed based on roof heat gain and heat loss. Results indicate that over-slab insulation can lower roof heat gain by approximately 15–35% compared to under-slab insulation in warm-humid, hot-dry, composite, and temperate zones. In comparison, under-slab insulation decreases heat loss by about 10% in colder areas. Among insulation materials, 50 mm polyurethane foam (U = 0.433 W/m²·K) consistently outperformed extruded polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, achieving 82–83% reductions in maximum heat gain in cooling-dominated climates and 89% reductions in heat loss in cold regions relative to uninsulated roofs. When combined with a white reflective surface finish (α = 0.26), the total heat transfer reduction increased further to 89–92%. Surface treatments alone cut heat gain by 37–51% in non-cold climates, highlighting their potential as cost-effective retrofit options. Statistical analysis confirmed that dry-bulb temperature is the primary climatic factor influencing roof heat transfer (R² = 0.86–0.98, p < 0.0001), while solar radiation had a weaker effect, especially in optimized roof systems. The findings emphasize the importance of climate-specific roof design and demonstrate that insulation U-value has a greater impact on thermal performance than surface absorptivity, although both are significant. This research offers practical, climate-adjusted guidance for architects, engineers, and policymakers to enhance the thermal performance of roofs in Indian buildings. It supports the development of more resilient, energy-efficient building envelopes. Full article

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25 pages, 4060 KB

Open AccessArticle

AI-Powered Hybrid Controller to Improve Passenger Comfort Considering Changes in the Sprung Mass of the Vehicle

by Oscar Alejandro Rosas-Olivas, Juan Carlos Tudon-Martinez, Jorge de Jesus Lozoya-Santos, Armando Elizondo-Noriega, Tecilli Tapia-Tlatelpa, Juan Fernando Pinal-Moctezuma, Carlos Hernandez-Santos, Yasser A. Davizón and Luis Carlos Felix-Herran

Eng 2026, 7(2), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7020081 - 11 Feb 2026

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Abstract

Smart suspensions have significantly improved passenger comfort and vehicle stability compared to their passive counterparts. This manuscript explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into hybrid suspension control systems to enhance vehicle stability and ride comfort under conditions where suspended mass changes. A [...] Read more.

Smart suspensions have significantly improved passenger comfort and vehicle stability compared to their passive counterparts. This manuscript explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into hybrid suspension control systems to enhance vehicle stability and ride comfort under conditions where suspended mass changes. A one-quarter-vehicle model is employed to simulate and evaluate the performance of a hybrid control strategy, which combines skyhook and groundhook methods using a dynamic weighting factor (

α

). This investigation considers an everyday situation where the sprung mass of a vehicle changes considerably when passengers enter or exit the automobile, impacting the suspension performance. Reinforcement learning techniques are utilized to optimize

α

, achieving an acceptable balance between passenger comfort and vehicle stability. Simulation results show significant improvements in the dynamic response of the sprung mass compared to traditional passive systems, while keeping vehicle stability. Although improvements in road holding are incremental, simulation effort validates the AI-based hybrid system’s potential for refinement and practical application. Validation in MATLAB-Simulink demonstrates the system’s adaptability to varying road conditions and load distributions. The findings highlight the transformative role of AI in suspension control, paving the way for real-time implementation, advanced algorithms, and integration into full-vehicle models. This study contributes to the ongoing development of intelligent suspension systems toward vehicle performance advancement by improving passenger comfort and road holding. Full article

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31 pages, 2180 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating BIM and Machine Learning for Energy and Carbon Performance Prediction in Office Building Design

by Liliane Magnavaca de Paula, Amr Oloufa and Omer Tatari

Eng 2026, 7(2), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7020073 - 5 Feb 2026

Viewed by 810

Abstract

Accurate early-stage assessment of building energy and carbon performance is essential for informed sustainable design yet remains challenging due to limited design detail and simulation effort. This study presents a Building Information Modeling–Machine Learning (BIM-ML) framework for predicting office building energy and carbon [...] Read more.

Accurate early-stage assessment of building energy and carbon performance is essential for informed sustainable design yet remains challenging due to limited design detail and simulation effort. This study presents a Building Information Modeling–Machine Learning (BIM-ML) framework for predicting office building energy and carbon performance at early design stages using simulation-based datasets. A reduced-factorial Design of Experiments (DOE) generated 210 parametric office building models for Orlando, Florida (ASHRAE Climate Zone 2A), complemented by additional climate scenarios. Systematic variations in geometry, envelope, building systems, and operational schedules produced a dataset with 14 independent variables and five performance indicators: Energy Use Intensity, Operational Energy, Operational Carbon, Embodied Carbon, and Total Carbon. Four regression methods—Linear Regression, Model Tree (M5P), Sequential Minimal Optimization Regression, and Random Forest—were trained and evaluated using 10-fold cross-validation. Random Forest showed the strongest overall predictive performance. Feature-importance analysis identified HVAC system type, Window-to-Wall Ratio, and operational schedule as the most influential parameters, while geometric factors had lower impact. Cross-climate analysis and validation with measured data from two university office buildings indicate that the framework is adaptable and generalizable, supporting reliable early-stage evaluation of energy and carbon performance. Full article

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15 pages, 913 KB

Open AccessArticle

Conductive Yarn Properties and Predicting Machine Sewability

by Kristin Thoney-Barletta, Keysi Barrios, Rishika Vontela, Yu Chen, Rong Yin, Kavita Mathur and Minyoung Suh

Eng 2026, 7(2), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7020070 - 3 Feb 2026

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Abstract

The objective of this research is to enable the engineered manufacturing of sewn and embroidered e-textiles. It is achieved by conducting sewability assessments of commercially available conductive yarns and providing optimal sewing parameters to ensure electrical performance and mechanical suitability. Our approach includes [...] Read more.

The objective of this research is to enable the engineered manufacturing of sewn and embroidered e-textiles. It is achieved by conducting sewability assessments of commercially available conductive yarns and providing optimal sewing parameters to ensure electrical performance and mechanical suitability. Our approach includes yarn sampling, measurements, sewing experiments, statistical modeling, and performance tests of sewn sensors. We have scrutinized a range of conductive yarns with different formation mechanisms and electrical conductivities. Highly conductive, flexible, and fine count yarns are of particular interest in this proposed research. The physical properties of selected conductive yarns have been characterized and sewing experiments have been followed to evaluate the machine sewability of these conductive yarns under diverse sewing conditions. Using multiple logistic regressions and machine learning, these empirical observations are generalized and sewability models are established. Full article

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23 pages, 4685 KB

Open AccessArticle

Animal Skin Attenuation in the Millimeter Wave Spectrum

by Yarden Shay, Alex Shteinman, Moshe Einat, Asher Yahalom, Helena Tuchinsky and Stella Liberman-Aronov

Eng 2026, 7(2), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7020067 - 1 Feb 2026

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Abstract

We quantify the transmission and absorption of 75–110 GHz radiation through ex vivo porcine skin. Millimeter waves are currently used in a range of technologies, including communication systems, fog-penetrating radar, and the detection of hidden weapons or drugs. They have also been proposed [...] Read more.

We quantify the transmission and absorption of 75–110 GHz radiation through ex vivo porcine skin. Millimeter waves are currently used in a range of technologies, including communication systems, fog-penetrating radar, and the detection of hidden weapons or drugs. They have also been proposed for use in non-lethal weaponry and, more recently, in targeted cancer therapies. Since pigs are often used as biological models for humans, determining how deeply millimeter waves penetrate a pig’s skin and influence the underlying tissues is essential for understanding their potential effects on humans. This experimental study aims to quantify that penetration and associated energy loss. The results show significant absorption in the skin and fat layer. Attenuation of over three orders of magnitude can be expected in penetration through a layer with a thickness of about 12 mm (−30 dB). The reflectance from the skin is similar at all frequencies. The values range from −10 to −20 dB, which probably depends on the texture of the skin. Therefore, most skin transfer loss is caused by absorption. Full article

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23 pages, 6344 KB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Lagged Effect of Rainfall on Urban Rail Transit Passenger Flow: A Case Study of Guangzhou

by Binbin Li, Sirui Li, Zhefan Ye, Shasha Liu, Qingru Zou and Xinhao Wang

Eng 2026, 7(1), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7010047 - 15 Jan 2026

Viewed by 606

Abstract

With the increasing frequency of precipitation events under global warming, understanding rainfall-induced disruptions to urban mobility has become increasingly important. While prior studies primarily focus on road traffic, the lagged and threshold effects of rainfall on urban rail transit (URT) passenger flow remain [...] Read more.

With the increasing frequency of precipitation events under global warming, understanding rainfall-induced disruptions to urban mobility has become increasingly important. While prior studies primarily focus on road traffic, the lagged and threshold effects of rainfall on urban rail transit (URT) passenger flow remain insufficiently explored. This study analyzes 109 days of automatic fare collection data from Tianhe District, Guangzhou, in combination with hourly meteorological records and station-level built environment attributes. A rainfall threshold-aware gradient boosting framework is proposed to capture nonlinear response regimes, and an explainable learning approach is used to quantify the relative importance of rainfall, temporal factors, and built environment characteristics. The proposed framework outperforms the baseline model, with the root mean squared error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) reduced by over 5.38% and 5.93%, respectively. Results further indicate that lagged rainfall intensity exerts the strongest influence on passenger flow variation, with impact magnitudes varying systematically across station types. These findings enhance understanding of the nonlinear, time-dependent effects of rainfall on URT demand and provide practical guidance for passenger flow management and operational planning under rainfall conditions. Full article

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26 pages, 11216 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Study on the Performance of a Conventional Two-Blade and a Three-Blade Toroidal Propeller for UAVs

by Daniel Mariuta, Claudiu Ignat and Grigore Cican

Eng 2026, 7(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7010042 - 13 Jan 2026

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Abstract

This paper presents an integrated study on the design, simulation, manufacturing, and experimental testing of a three-blade tritoroidal propeller compared to a conventional two-blade configuration for small UAVs. The aerodynamic analysis was performed in ANSYS Fluent 2022 R1 using the k–ω SST turbulence [...] Read more.

This paper presents an integrated study on the design, simulation, manufacturing, and experimental testing of a three-blade tritoroidal propeller compared to a conventional two-blade configuration for small UAVs. The aerodynamic analysis was performed in ANSYS Fluent 2022 R1 using the k–ω SST turbulence model at 6000 rpm, while structural integrity was assessed through FEM simulations in ANSYS Mechanical 2022 R1. Both propellers were fabricated via SLA additive manufacturing using Rigid 4000 resin and evaluated on an RCbenchmark 1585 test stand. The CFD results revealed smoother flow attachment and reduced tip vortex intensity for the tritoroidal geometry, while FEM analyses confirmed lower deformation and a more uniform stress distribution. Experimental tests showed that the tritoroidal propeller produces thrust comparable to the conventional one (within 1%) but at a 58% higher torque, resulting in slightly lower efficiency. However, vibration amplitude decreased by up to 70%, and the SPL was reduced by 0.1–6.2 dB at low and moderate speeds. These results validate the tritoroidal concept as a structurally robust and acoustically efficient alternative, with strong potential for optimization in low-noise UAV propulsion systems. Full article

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29 pages, 2977 KB

Open AccessArticle

Metagenomic Profiling Reveals the Role of Soil Chemistry–Climate Interactions in Shaping the Bacterial Communities and Functional Repertories of Algerian Drylands

by Meriem Guellout, Zineb Guellout, Hani Belhadj, Aya Guellout, Antonio Gil Bravo and Atef Jaouani

Eng 2026, 7(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7010040 - 12 Jan 2026

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Abstract

Arid and semi-arid soils represent extreme habitats where microbial life is constrained by high temperature, low water availability, salinity, and nutrient limitation, yet these ecosystems harbor unique bacterial communities that sustain key ecological processes. To explore the diversity and functional potential of prokaryotic [...] Read more.

Arid and semi-arid soils represent extreme habitats where microbial life is constrained by high temperature, low water availability, salinity, and nutrient limitation, yet these ecosystems harbor unique bacterial communities that sustain key ecological processes. To explore the diversity and functional potential of prokaryotic assemblages in Algerian drylands, we compared soils from three contrasting sites: The Oasis of Djanet (RM1), the hyper-arid Tassili of Djanet desert (RM2), and the semi-arid El Ouricia forest in Sétif (RM3). Physicochemical analyses revealed strong environmental gradients: RM2 exhibited the highest pH (8.66), electrical conductivity (11.7 dS/m), and sand fraction (56%), whereas RM3 displayed the greatest moisture (10.9%), organic matter (7.6%), and calcium carbonate (20.7%) content, with RM1 generally showing intermediate levels. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing generated >60,000 effective reads per sample with sufficient coverage (>0.99). Alpha diversity indices indicated the highest bacterial richness and diversity in RM2 (Chao1 = 3144, Shannon = 10.0), while RM3 showed lower evenness and the dominance of a few taxa. Across sites, 66 phyla and 551 genera were detected, dominated by Actinobacteriota (38–45%) and Chloroflexi (13–44%), with Proteobacteria declining from RM1 (17.5%) to RM3 (3.3%). Venn analysis revealed limited overlap, with only 58 operational taxonomic units shared among all sites, suggesting highly habitat-specific communities. Predictive functional profiling (PICRUSt2, Tax4Fun, FAPROTAX) indicated metabolism as the dominant functional category (≈50% of KEGG Level-1), with carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism forming the metabolic backbone. Notably, transport functions (ABC transporters), lipid metabolism, and amino acid degradation pathways were enriched in RM2–RM3, consistent with adaptation to osmotic stress, nutrient limitation, and energy conservation under aridity. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Algerian arid and semi-arid soils host diverse, site-specific bacterial communities whose functional repertoires are strongly shaped by soil chemistry and climate, highlighting their ecological and biotechnological potential. Full article

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23 pages, 8448 KB

Open AccessArticle

Simulation of the Influence of Braking System Damage on Vehicle Driving Safety

by Sławomir Kowalski

Eng 2026, 7(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7010016 - 1 Jan 2026

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Abstract

This article presents an analysis of the effects of braking system damage on the course of the vehicle collision and driving safety. Research was conducted using simulation methods in the V-SIM 7.0 environment, analysing the collision between a car and a truck at [...] Read more.

This article presents an analysis of the effects of braking system damage on the course of the vehicle collision and driving safety. Research was conducted using simulation methods in the V-SIM 7.0 environment, analysing the collision between a car and a truck at three speeds—50, 60, and 70 km/h—under the assumption of a braking system malfunction in the car. The obtained results showed that as the speed of the truck increased, the total kinetic energy of the system nearly doubled, resulting in deformation of the vehicle’s body front of up to 0.6 m. The maximum force acting on the car decreased with increasing speed, which was due to the change in the point of impact. The recorded acceleration values of the car indicate a moderate level of overloads, which should not cause serious injuries to the passengers but do suggest significant stress on the vehicle’s load-bearing structure. The research may serve as a foundation for further work on braking system diagnostics, the development of friction materials, and the modelling of energy absorption processes in collisions involving vehicles of varying mass and geometry. Full article

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39 pages, 2762 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Comprehensive Mathematical Model for the Estimation of Solar Radiation and Comparative Analysis in Greenhouses with Two Distinct Geometries and Covering Materials: Case Study in Psachna, Evia, Greece

by Dimitra I. Pomoni, Maria K. Koukou and Michail Gr. Vrachopoulos

Eng 2026, 7(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7010006 - 24 Dec 2025

Viewed by 719

Abstract

This study calculates the intensity of radiation received by two types of greenhouses: Even Span and Modified Arched geometry. The Even Span greenhouse is covered with glass, while the Modified Arched greenhouse is covered with polyethylene plastic sheets. Both greenhouses are located in [...] Read more.

This study calculates the intensity of radiation received by two types of greenhouses: Even Span and Modified Arched geometry. The Even Span greenhouse is covered with glass, while the Modified Arched greenhouse is covered with polyethylene plastic sheets. Both greenhouses are located in the same geographical area. The analysis incorporates various forms of radiation, including incident, reflected, transmitted, and absorbed radiation, calculated based on solar angles. Notably, this study does not include temperature data. The greenhouse covering material is considered transparent, and parameters such as the refractive index and the attenuation coefficient of the materials are integrated into the calculations. The integration of these specific indices allows for the calculation of radiation across different materials. Additionally, this study assesses radiation for all sides of the greenhouse, rather than focusing solely on the roof. The research analyses data from a total of 396 days, with measurements taken every ten minutes from a meteorological station situated near the greenhouses. MATLAB (R2021b) software is utilised for computational purposes to solve the relevant equations, while IBM SPSS Statistics 28.0.0.0 software is employed for statistical analysis of the results. The statistical analysis regards data collected from sunrise to sunset, varying by month. It is important to note that radiation values recorded with a negative sign are retained in this analysis, as they are considered useful for capturing the temporal and spatial dynamics of radiation within the model. The analysed greenhouses are geographically situated in the Psachna area of Messapia, Evia Prefecture, Greece. Full article

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23 pages, 4168 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Potential of Thermal Energy Obtained from Exhaust Gases in the Production of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)

by Zlata Dolaček-Alduk, Zdravko Cimbola, Sanja Dimter and Tatjana Rukavina

Eng 2026, 7(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7010005 - 22 Dec 2025

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Abstract

The increasingly stringent environmental requirements, as well as the tendency to achieve significant savings of energy products in HMA production processes, prompted researchers to investigate the possibility of reducing the moisture of the stone aggregate which is used in production of hot asphalt [...] Read more.

The increasingly stringent environmental requirements, as well as the tendency to achieve significant savings of energy products in HMA production processes, prompted researchers to investigate the possibility of reducing the moisture of the stone aggregate which is used in production of hot asphalt mixtures. The goal of this paper is to determine the effect of various drying parameters on the aggregate moisture loss. The parameters which were analyzed and observed in various combinations were selected on the basis of the production process of an asphalt plant, and they are as follows: the air flow speed (3.86 m/s, 4.53 m/s and 5.94 m/s), the drying temperature (basic temperatures 33.1 °C, 50.4 °C and 71.7 °C) and the time of exposure of the aggregate to drying (30, 45 and 60 s). In order to research the effect of reduction in moisture of the stone material, a laboratory model of a belt dryer (chamber with a cover) was conceived and made with a drying device that can control the air flow speed from 3.86 m/s to 6.32 m/s and the temperature, ranging from 33 °C to 110 °C. Tests were carried out in order to determine the moisture loss of different aggregate fractions, namely 0/2, 2/4, 4/8, 8/11, from the total (natural) moisture of fractions that are used as aggregate in the production of hot mix asphalt (HMA). In all, there were 162 samples of aggregate prepared and tested. Results showed that for different aggregate fractions, the ranges of the value of the moisture loss are considerably different and that they depend on the parameters of drying and the natural moisture of the aggregate. It was noticed that there was less moisture loss in fractions at a lower air flow speed (3.86 m/s) than there was at higher speeds, while the highest aggregate moisture loss was noticed at an air flow speed of 5.94 m/s. For all duration times of drying, regardless of the drying temperature or speed, it is noticed that, with the prolongation of the drying time, the aggregate moisture loss becomes more intense. The drying temperature directly affects the reduction in the aggregate moisture; the higher the air flow temperature is, the more significant the moisture loss is during drying of the aggregate. The results of the linear regression and the coefficient of determination R² indicate a very firm connection between the loss of the aggregate moisture and the duration of the drying time. From the obtained equations, it is possible to calculate the reduction in the aggregate moisture for different lengths of drying duration and different drying temperatures. Full article

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47 pages, 2290 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Henry Gas Solubility Optimization for Solving Data and Engineering Design Problems

by Jamal Zraqou, Ayman Alnsour, Riyad Alrousan, Hussam N. Fakhouri and Niveen Halalsheh

Eng 2025, 6(12), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6120374 - 18 Dec 2025

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Abstract

Many engineering design problems are formulated as constrained optimization tasks that are nonlinear and nonconvex, and often treated as black boxes. In such cases, metaheuristic algorithms are attractive because they can search complex design spaces without requiring gradient information. In this work, we [...] Read more.

Many engineering design problems are formulated as constrained optimization tasks that are nonlinear and nonconvex, and often treated as black boxes. In such cases, metaheuristic algorithms are attractive because they can search complex design spaces without requiring gradient information. In this work, we propose an Enhanced Henry Gas Solubility Optimization (eHGSO) algorithm, which is an improved version of the physics-inspired HGSO method. The enhanced variant introduces six main contributions: (i) a more diverse, population-wide initialization strategy to cover the design space more thoroughly; (ii) adaptive temperature/pressure control parameters that automatically shift the search from global exploration to local refinement; (iii) an elitist archive with differential perturbation that accelerates exploitation around high-quality candidate designs; (iv) a simple combination of the global HGSO search moves with a lightweight gradient-free local search to refine promising solutions; (v) a constraint-handling mechanism that explicitly prioritizes feasible solutions while still allowing exploration near the constraint boundaries; and (vi) a complexity and ablation analysis that quantifies the impact of each mechanism and confirms that they introduce only modest computational overhead. We evaluate eHGSO on four classical constrained engineering design problems: the stepped cantilever beam, the tension/compression spring, the welded beam, and the three-bar truss. Its performance is compared with seventeen recent metaheuristic optimizers over multiple independent runs. eHGSO achieves the best average objective value on the cantilever, spring, and welded-beam problems and shares the best average result on the three-bar truss. Compared to the second-best method, the mean objective is improved by about

0.84 %

for the cantilever beam and

0.35 %

for the welded beam, while the spring and truss results are essentially equivalent at four significant figures. Convergence and robustness analyses show that eHGSO reaches high-quality solutions quickly and consistently. Overall, the proposed eHGSO algorithm appears to be a competitive and practical tool for constrained engineering design problems. Full article

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50 pages, 6918 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Methodology for Optimizing Repair Interval Timing for Mining Equipment Units

by Adil Kadyrov, Aliya Kukesheva, Miras Daribzhan and Aibek Aidraliyev

Eng 2025, 6(12), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6120362 - 11 Dec 2025

Viewed by 602

Abstract

This study presents a methodology for optimizing repair intervals of mining equipment by integrating economic efficiency and reliability criteria. A review of existing maintenance strategies revealed their limitations, and a mathematical model was developed that incorporates both projected financial expenditures and the probability [...] Read more.

This study presents a methodology for optimizing repair intervals of mining equipment by integrating economic efficiency and reliability criteria. A review of existing maintenance strategies revealed their limitations, and a mathematical model was developed that incorporates both projected financial expenditures and the probability of equipment failures, enabling more accurate prediction of the optimal repair timing. This study introduces a novel integration of the Weibull reliability distribution with a cost-convolution optimization model, explicitly capturing the trade-off between economic efficiency and failure risk. Unlike traditional fixed-schedule approaches, the proposed model provides analytically optimized repair intervals derived from observed degradation trends. Statistical analysis demonstrates that unplanned repairs are, on average, 56% more costly than scheduled ones, highlighting the need to revise current preventive maintenance practices. The cost comparison is based on 34 restoration records collected from publicly available supplier price lists and field maintenance logs, converted into a unified currency. Based on operational data and reliability parameter estimation, the optimal repair interval was determined to be 5129 machine hours, which minimizes both the probability of failure and total maintenance-related financial losses, while reducing unplanned downtime. Unlike traditional fixed-schedule approaches, the proposed model allows adaptive adjustment of maintenance intervals according to the actual degradation characteristics of the equipment. The practical significance of the research lies in its ability to help mining enterprises reduce expenditures on corrective repairs, extend the service life of machinery, and improve overall operational efficiency. The findings contribute to advancing maintenance optimization in the mining industry, supporting more sustainable and cost-effective equipment management. Full article

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16 pages, 1532 KB

Open AccessArticle

Engineering Auditory Cues for Gait Modulation: Effects of Continuous and Discrete Sound Features

by Toh Yen Pang, Frank Feltham and Chi-Tsun Cheng

Eng 2025, 6(12), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6120349 - 3 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1099

Abstract

Auditory cueing has become an increasingly practical tool in gait rehabilitation; however, the specific sound features that modulate gait performance remain unclear. This study investigated how tempo and auditory continuity, two fundamental acoustic features, influence spatiotemporal gait parameters in healthy adults. Thirty-five participants [...] Read more.

Auditory cueing has become an increasingly practical tool in gait rehabilitation; however, the specific sound features that modulate gait performance remain unclear. This study investigated how tempo and auditory continuity, two fundamental acoustic features, influence spatiotemporal gait parameters in healthy adults. Thirty-five participants walked under six auditory conditions combining discrete, continuous, and hybrid feedback at slow (60 BPM) and fast (120 BPM) tempi, with gait metrics captured via a pressure-sensor walkway and subjective responses gathered through questionnaires. Compared with the silent baseline, auditory cueing significantly affected cadence [F(1.88, 63.75) = 8.95, p < 0.001, η_p² = 0.21]; velocity [F(1.69, 57.49) = 10.15, p < 0.001, η_p² = 0.23]; and stride length [F(1.74, 59.26) = 6.87, p = 0.003, η_p² = 0.17]. Slower tempi reduced gait parameters, while the combined continuous and discrete conditions produced the greatest modulation. Participants reported that they had attempted to synchronize their steps with the auditory cues, which may have led to small adjustments in their natural walking speed and stride patterns, especially during the slower tempo. This suggests that rhythmic structure and sound continuity affect both perceptual and motor processes. Overall, sound continuity exerted a stronger influence on gait than tempo alone. These findings advance understanding of sensorimotor synchronization and highlight the potential of designing tailored auditory feedback systems to enhance movement awareness and inform clinical gait-rehabilitation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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22 pages, 4098 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Acoustic Field Model and Operational Response of Noise from High Dam Flood Discharge

by Han Hu, Duan Chen and Siyu Chen

Eng 2025, 6(12), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6120348 - 2 Dec 2025

Viewed by 513

Abstract

The noise produced by high dam flood discharge is prolonged and propagates over a great distance, significantly impacting the lives of nearby residents. However, accurately predicting and mitigating this noise remains challenging due to the complex nature of its sources and the lack [...] Read more.

The noise produced by high dam flood discharge is prolonged and propagates over a great distance, significantly impacting the lives of nearby residents. However, accurately predicting and mitigating this noise remains challenging due to the complex nature of its sources and the lack of comprehensive models that are capable of deconstructing the overall sound field. This study systematically investigates the propagation characteristics and generation mechanisms of environmental noise from flood discharges at the Xiangjiaba Hydropower Station. A novel three-dimensional framework for classifying acoustic sources (point, line, and surface) is proposed. By integrating prototype observations with Strouhal-scaled hydraulic model tests, a multi-source sound field model was developed that employs a regression algorithm to quantify the power of individual sound sources based on holistic field measurements. The model achieves prediction accuracy within 1.5 dB when validated against prototype data. The results indicate that the rolling water surface in the stilling basin (surface source) is the dominant contributor to noise. A key quantitative finding is that, under identical discharge conditions, the noise intensity generated by surface spillways is three times greater than that produced by bottom spillways. Overall, this model serves as a critical tool for understanding acoustic characteristics and formulating noise-informed operational strategies. Full article

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18 pages, 8884 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of the Position and Size of the Guiding Holes on Planetary Gear Tooth Root Stress in Simple Planetary Gears

by Zoltán Forgó, Ferenc Tolvaly-Roșca and Adolfo Senatore

Eng 2025, 6(12), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6120342 - 1 Dec 2025

Viewed by 684

Abstract

Planetary gears consisting of simple external gear wheels and an internal ring gear are widely used in industry in various fields. This type of drive is most commonly found in robots, and it is also frequently used in the automotive industry, such as [...] Read more.

Planetary gears consisting of simple external gear wheels and an internal ring gear are widely used in industry in various fields. This type of drive is most commonly found in robots, and it is also frequently used in the automotive industry, such as in wheel hub drives, in addition to general engineering. This study investigates the design of simple planetary gears manufactured with involute gearing. In simple internal gear planetary gears, the orbiting motion of the planetary gear is transferred to the output shaft by a radial balancing clutch and converted into rotary motion through the planetary gear’s guiding holes and the output element’s pins. The guiding holes reduce the planetary gear teeth strength, and the rim thickness “h” has a fundamental influence on the resulting tooth root stress. The main objective of this research is to design external gears with relief for simple planetary gears with a rim thickness “h” that does not decrease the load-carrying capacity. The dimensioning of involute gearing is well known, but the tooth root weakening effect of the clearance holes in such planetary gears is not known. Therefore, this paper focuses on analyzing how the size and position of the guiding holes influence tooth root stress, using finite element method (FEM) calculations performed in SolidWorks 2023. This study aimed to determine the rim thickness “h” required for the design of such a gear in order not to weaken the load-carrying capacity of the gear teeth. As a result of the research, the design of the guiding holes and the wheel relief holes can be performed with an accurate knowledge of their influence on tooth stress. The research results also make it possible to design this type of planetary gear using simple analytical calculation algorithms. Our goal was to define a simple design limit that could be used specifically in the preliminary design phase. This allows designers to determine the positions and dimensions of the guiding holes in the preliminary design phase without affecting the tooth stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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16 pages, 2327 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Rail Temperature on Braking Efficiency in Railway Vehicles

by Diego Rivera-Reyes, Tania Elizabeth Sandoval-Valencia and Juan Carlos Jáuregui-Correa

Eng 2025, 6(11), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6110321 - 11 Nov 2025

Viewed by 2726

Abstract

Railway braking efficiency hinges on the thermomechanical conditions at the wheel-rail interface. Frictional heating during operation causes significant temperature fluctuations, directly impacting braking performance in rail vehicles. Evaluating these effects is important for developing infrastructure and components adapted to environmental conditions. Several studies [...] Read more.

Railway braking efficiency hinges on the thermomechanical conditions at the wheel-rail interface. Frictional heating during operation causes significant temperature fluctuations, directly impacting braking performance in rail vehicles. Evaluating these effects is important for developing infrastructure and components adapted to environmental conditions. Several studies have explored the influence of temperature on components such as the brake disc or the wheel; little attention has been paid to the thermal conditions of the rail itself. This paper examines the effect of rail temperature on the braking behavior and energy consumption of a railway vehicle. Using a 1:20 railway track, rail segments were subjected to four temperatures (28.5 °C, 40.0 °C, 49.9 °C, 71.0 °C) by heating with Nichrome wire, and tests were performed at three speeds (0.75, 1.00, and 1.30 m/s). The results show that higher rail temperatures improve wheel-rail adhesion up to an optimum point (40.0 °C), beyond which performance deteriorates. In contrast, tests at 71.0 °C showed reduced braking efficiency, despite lower electrical current peaks, indicating a non-linear thermal response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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26 pages, 565 KB

Open AccessArticle

Selection of Safety Measures in Aircraft Operations: A Hybrid Grey Delphi–AHP-ADAM MCDM Model

by Snežana Tadić, Milica Milovanović, Mladen Krstić and Olja Čokorilo

Eng 2025, 6(11), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6110295 - 1 Nov 2025

Viewed by 1090

Abstract

Safety is a central concern in aviation, where aircraft operations involve complex processes and interactions exposed to multiple hazards. Addressing these hazards requires systematic risk management and the selection of effective safety measures. This study introduces a novel hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework [...] Read more.

Safety is a central concern in aviation, where aircraft operations involve complex processes and interactions exposed to multiple hazards. Addressing these hazards requires systematic risk management and the selection of effective safety measures. This study introduces a novel hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework that integrates the grey Delphi method, the grey Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the grey Axial-Distance-Based Aggregated Measurement (ADAM) method. The framework provides a rigorous engineering-based approach for evaluating and ranking safety measures under uncertainty and diverse stakeholder perspectives. Application of the model to aircraft operations demonstrates its ability to identify the most effective measures, including the development of critical infrastructure protection plans, rerouting of flight paths from high-risk areas, and strengthening of regulatory oversight. The proposed methodology advances decision-support tools in aviation safety engineering, offering structured guidance for optimizing resource allocation and improving system resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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21 pages, 3481 KB

Open AccessArticle

A New and Smart Gas Meter with Blockchain Validation for Distributed Management of Energy Tokens

by Luciano Chiominto, Giulio D’Emilia, Paolo Esposito, Giuseppe Ferri, Emanuela Natale, Dario Polverini, Paolo Spinozzi, Vincenzo Stornelli and Luca Chiavaroli

Eng 2025, 6(11), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6110290 - 28 Oct 2025

Viewed by 2846

Abstract

The design philosophy of a new smart gas meter is presented, based on an ultrasonic sensor employing LoRa and/or NB-IoT protocols and blockchain technologies to overcome the data integrity and security issues with a completely modular design. The architecture is organized into two [...] Read more.

The design philosophy of a new smart gas meter is presented, based on an ultrasonic sensor employing LoRa and/or NB-IoT protocols and blockchain technologies to overcome the data integrity and security issues with a completely modular design. The architecture is organized into two separate blocks, the former for measurement and the latter for communication, and it presents original characteristics with respect to the state of the art. The accuracy of measured data is studied, paying attention to the fluid dynamic effects of the geometrical layout on the flow rate ultrasonic sensor and the environmental temperature and pressure for variable gas flow rate values. As for data security issues, the proposed solution is critically analyzed with reference to the data string organization and the procedure by which the data are stored and prepared for transmission into the blockchain. Finally, a local network of counters is designed and simulated in order to check the compliance of the provided hardware and software solutions with the predicted computational load. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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12 pages, 4558 KB

Open AccessArticle

Localized Reluctivity Stabilization of Hysteresis Model for Transient Finite Element Simulation of Ferromagnetic Materials

by Xiaotong Fu, Shuai Yan, Yaxing Zhou, Zhifu Chen, Xiaoyu Xu and Zhuoxiang Ren

Eng 2025, 6(11), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6110289 - 28 Oct 2025

Viewed by 589

Abstract

The hysteresis model can be used to accurately predict the magnetic hysteresis characteristics of ferromagnetic materials. Incorporating the hysteresis model into finite element calculations enables precise prediction of field distributions, voltage or current variations in circuits, and losses, which is essential for electromagnetic [...] Read more.

The hysteresis model can be used to accurately predict the magnetic hysteresis characteristics of ferromagnetic materials. Incorporating the hysteresis model into finite element calculations enables precise prediction of field distributions, voltage or current variations in circuits, and losses, which is essential for electromagnetic transient analysis involving remanent magnetization. When incorporating the hysteresis model into finite element analysis, prohibitively small time-steps are required to resolve hysteresis loops, leading to excessive simulation times compared to simplified BH curve approaches. Furthermore, numerical instabilities arise near zero-crossing points of magnetic flux density, where erroneous negative differential reluctivity values may lead to the divergence of the nonlinear solving process. A finer time resolution needs to be utilized to ensure the convergence of the nonlinear solver. This leads to more time-steps and longer computational time. This work proposes a localized stabilization strategy for regulating the differential reluctivity in instability-prone regions of the hysteresis loop, which can stabilize the nonlinear iteration while avoiding the local refinement of time resolution and thus reduce the overall computation time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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35 pages, 2975 KB

Open AccessArticle

Rain-Cloud Condensation Optimizer: Novel Nature-Inspired Metaheuristic for Solving Engineering Design Problems

by Sandi Fakhouri, Amjad Hudaib, Azzam Sleit and Hussam N. Fakhouri

Eng 2025, 6(10), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6100281 - 21 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1089

Abstract

This paper presents Rain-Cloud Condensation Optimizer (RCCO), a nature-inspired metaheuristic that maps cloud microphysics to population-based search. Candidate solutions (“droplets”) evolve under a dual-attractor dynamic toward both a global leader and a rank-weighted cloud core, with time-decaying coefficients that progressively shift emphasis from [...] Read more.

This paper presents Rain-Cloud Condensation Optimizer (RCCO), a nature-inspired metaheuristic that maps cloud microphysics to population-based search. Candidate solutions (“droplets”) evolve under a dual-attractor dynamic toward both a global leader and a rank-weighted cloud core, with time-decaying coefficients that progressively shift emphasis from exploration to exploitation. Diversity is preserved via domain-aware coalescence and opposition-based mirroring sampled within the coordinate-wise band defined by two parents. Rare heavy-tailed “turbulence gusts” (Cauchy perturbations) enable long jumps, while a wrap-and-reflect scheme enforces feasibility near the bounds. A sine-map initializer improves early coverage with negligible overhead. RCCO exposes a small hyperparameter set, and its per-iteration time and memory scale linearly with population size and problem dimension. RCOO has been compared with 21 state-of-the-art optimizers, over the CEC 2022 benchmark suite, where it achieves competitive to superior accuracy and stability, and achieves the top results over eight functions, including in high-dimensional regimes. We further demonstrate constrained, real-world effectiveness on five structural engineering problems—cantilever stepped beam, pressure vessel, planetary gear train, ten-bar planar truss, and three-bar truss. These results suggest that a hydrology-inspired search framework, coupled with simple state-dependent schedules, yields a robust, low-tuning optimizer for black-box, nonconvex problems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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29 pages, 1297 KB

Open AccessArticle

EPT Switching vs. Instruction Repair vs. Instruction Emulation: A Performance Comparison of Hyper-Breakpoint Variants

by Lukas Beierlieb, Alexander Schmitz, Anas Karazon, Artur Leinweber and Christian Dietrich

Eng 2025, 6(10), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6100278 - 16 Oct 2025

Viewed by 1923

Abstract

Virtual Machine Introspection (VMI) is a powerful technology used to detect and analyze malicious software inside Virtual Machines (VMs) from the outside. Asynchronous access to the VM’s memory can be insufficient for efficient monitoring of what is happening inside of a VM. Active [...] Read more.

Virtual Machine Introspection (VMI) is a powerful technology used to detect and analyze malicious software inside Virtual Machines (VMs) from the outside. Asynchronous access to the VM’s memory can be insufficient for efficient monitoring of what is happening inside of a VM. Active VMI introduces breakpoints to intercept VM execution at relevant points. Especially for frequently visited breakpoints, and even more so for production systems, it is crucial to keep performance overhead as low as possible. In this paper, we present an empirical study that compares the performance of four VMI breakpoint-implementation variants—EPT switching (SLAT view switching) with and without fast single-stepping acceleration, instruction repair, and instruction emulation—from two VMI applications (DRAKVUF, SmartVMI) with the XEN hypervisor on 20 Intel Core i processors ranging from the fourth to the thirteenth generation. Instruction emulation was the fastest method across all 20 tested platforms. Modern processors such as the Intel Core i7 12700H and Intel Core i9 13900HX achieved median breakpoint-processing times as low as 15 µs for the emulation mechanism. The slowest method was instruction repair, followed by EPT switching and EPT switching with FSS. The order was the same for all measurements, indicating that this is a strong and generalizable result. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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17 pages, 11456 KB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Sprinkler Irrigation Uniformity via Multispectral Data from RPAs

by Lucas Santos Santana, Lucas Gabryel Maciel dos Santos, Josiane Maria da Silva, Luiz Alves Caldeira, Marcos David dos Santos Lopes, Hermes Soares da Rocha, Paulo Sérgio Cardoso Batista and Gabriel Araujo e Silva Ferraz

Eng 2025, 6(10), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6100268 - 6 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1098

Abstract

Efficient irrigation management is crucial for optimizing crop development while minimizing resource use. This study aimed to assess the spatial variability of water distribution under conventional sprinkler irrigation, alongside soil moisture and infiltration dynamics, using multispectral sensors onboard Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs). The [...] Read more.

Efficient irrigation management is crucial for optimizing crop development while minimizing resource use. This study aimed to assess the spatial variability of water distribution under conventional sprinkler irrigation, alongside soil moisture and infiltration dynamics, using multispectral sensors onboard Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs). The experiment was conducted over a 466.2 m² area equipped with 65 georeferenced collectors spaced at 3 m intervals. Soil data were collected through volumetric rings (0–5 cm), auger sampling (30–40 cm), and 65 measurements of penetration resistance down to 60 cm. Four RPA flights were performed at 20 min intervals post-irrigation to generate NDVI and NDWI indices. NDWI values decreased from 0.03 to −0.02, indicating surface moisture reduction due to infiltration and evaporation, corroborated by gravimetric moisture decline from 0.194 g/g to 0.191 g/g. Penetration resistance exceeded 2400 kPa at 30 cm depth, while bulk density ranged from 1.30 to 1.50 g/cm³. Geostatistical methods, including Inverse Distance Weighting and Ordinary Kriging, revealed non-uniform water distribution and subsurface compaction zones. The integration of spectral indices within situ measurements proved effective in characterizing irrigation system performance, offering a robust approach for calibration and precision water management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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18 pages, 7027 KB

Open AccessArticle

The apex MRMSS: A Multi-Role Mission Support System and Service Module Simulator for Payloads of Sounding Rockets and Other Space Applications

by Nico Maas, Sebastian Feles and Jean-Pierre de Vera

Eng 2025, 6(9), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6090247 - 19 Sep 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1036

Abstract

To support the development, testing, and operations of the apex experiments flown on-board the MAPHEUS-8 and -10 missions, a series of service module simulators and mission support tools have been developed and improved over the years. With each generation, a more generalized approach [...] Read more.

To support the development, testing, and operations of the apex experiments flown on-board the MAPHEUS-8 and -10 missions, a series of service module simulators and mission support tools have been developed and improved over the years. With each generation, a more generalized approach has been taken, which allowed simulating not only sounding rocket service module payload interfaces but also the Astrobotic Peregrine Moon Lander and the Swedish Space Corporation Suborbital Express experiment interfaces. This study is part three of a three-part series describing the apex Mk.2/Mk.3 experiments, open-source ground segment, and service module simulator. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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21 pages, 40956 KB

Open AccessArticle

The apex MCC: Blueprint of an Open-Source, Secure, CCSDS-Compatible Ground Segment for Sounding Rockets, CubeSats, and Small Lander Missions

by Nico Maas, Sebastian Feles and Jean-Pierre de Vera

Eng 2025, 6(9), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6090246 - 17 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1545

Abstract

The operation of microgravity research missions, such as sounding rockets, CubeSats, and small landers, typically relies on proprietary mission control infrastructures, which limit reproducibility, portability, and interdisciplinary use. In this work, we present an open-source blueprint for a distributed ground-segment architecture designed to [...] Read more.

The operation of microgravity research missions, such as sounding rockets, CubeSats, and small landers, typically relies on proprietary mission control infrastructures, which limit reproducibility, portability, and interdisciplinary use. In this work, we present an open-source blueprint for a distributed ground-segment architecture designed to support telemetry, telecommand, and mission operations across institutional and geographic boundaries. The system integrates containerized services, broker bridging for publish–subscribe communication, CCSDS-compliant telemetry and telecommand handling, and secure virtual private networks with two-factor authentication. A modular mission control system based on Yamcs was extended with custom plug-ins for CRC verification, packet reassembly, and command sequencing. The platform was validated during the MAPHEUS-10 sounding rocket mission, where it enabled uninterrupted remote commanding between Sweden and Germany and achieved end-to-end command–response latencies of ~550 ms under flight conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first open-source ground-segment framework deployed in a space mission. By combining elements from computer science, aerospace engineering, and systems engineering, this work demonstrates how interdisciplinary integration enables resilient, reproducible, and portable mission operations. The blueprint offers a practical foundation for future interdisciplinary research missions, extending beyond sounding rockets to CubeSats, ISS experiments, and planetary landers. This study is part two of a three-part series describing the apex Mk.2/Mk.3 experiments, open-source ground segment, and service module simulator. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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17 pages, 25008 KB

Open AccessArticle

apex Mk.2/Mk.3: Secure Live Transmission of the First Flight of Trichoplax adhaerens in Space Based on Components Off-the-Shelf

by Nico Maas, Jean-Pierre de Vera, Moritz Jonathan Schmidt, Pia Reimann, Jason G. Randall, Sebastian Feles, Ruth Hemmersbach, Bernd Schierwater and Jens Hauslage

Eng 2025, 6(9), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6090241 - 12 Sep 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1671

Abstract

After the successful flight of the first Advanced Processors, Encryption, and Security Experiment (apex) Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) On-Board Computer (OBC) during the Propulsion Technologies and Components of Launcher Stages (ATEK)/Material Physics Experiments Under Microgravity (MAPHEUS)-8 sounding rocket campaign, a second generation of COTS [...] Read more.

After the successful flight of the first Advanced Processors, Encryption, and Security Experiment (apex) Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) On-Board Computer (OBC) during the Propulsion Technologies and Components of Launcher Stages (ATEK)/Material Physics Experiments Under Microgravity (MAPHEUS)-8 sounding rocket campaign, a second generation of COTS OBCs were built, leveraging the knowledge gained. This new concept and improvements are provided. The Mk.2 Science Camera Platform (SCP) has an instrumented high-definition science camera to research the behavior of small organisms such as Trichoplax adhaerens under challenging gravity conditions, while the Mk.3 Student Experiment Sensorboard (SES) represents an Arduino-like board that directly interfaces with the MAPHEUS Service Module and allows for rapid development of new sensor solutions on sounding rocket systems. Both experiments were flown successfully on MAPHEUS-10, including a biological system as a proof of concept, and paved the way for an even more capable third generation of apex OBCs. This study is part one of a three-part series describing the apex Mk.2/Mk.3 experiments, open-source ground segment, and service module simulator. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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24 pages, 862 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Urban Bus Networks Through Mathematical Modeling: Environmental and Operational Gains in Medium-Sized Cities

by María Torres-Falcón, Omar Rodríguez-Abreo, M. Romero-Sánchez, Luis Angel Iturralde Carrera and Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz

Eng 2025, 6(9), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6090238 - 10 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1198

Abstract

This study aimed to optimize the urban public transportation system in Queretaro, Mexico, while meeting passenger demand by using Linear Programming (LP) and Goal Programming (GP) models to reduce redundant routes, minimize fuel consumption and

{CO}_{2}

emissions, and balance costs with service [...] Read more.

This study aimed to optimize the urban public transportation system in Queretaro, Mexico, while meeting passenger demand by using Linear Programming (LP) and Goal Programming (GP) models to reduce redundant routes, minimize fuel consumption and

{CO}_{2}

emissions, and balance costs with service coverage. Operational data from 316 drivers were collected on diesel consumption, working hours, and vehicle availability while incorporating twelve technical, labor, and regulatory constraints. The LP model reduced the number of routes from 148 to 124, achieving daily savings of 13,789 L of diesel, a reduction of 36,816 kg in

{CO}_{2}

emissions, and an economic benefit of USD 17,071.90, equivalent to 13,253 tons of

{CO}_{2}

avoided annually; these results demonstrate LP’s ability to deliver quantifiable improvements in efficiency and sustainability. The GP model integrated multiple and often conflicting objectives, such as maintaining a maximum fuel cost of USD 9312/day for 1944 buses distributed across five zones while ensuring a minimum coverage of 145 routes and 450,000 daily passengers, showing that it is possible to meet service targets with marginal cost overruns (USD 4118.66) when balancing both coverage and budget. The novelty of this paper lies in combining mathematical optimization models with real operational data and simultaneously reporting both economic and environmental impacts. This allows us to offer a replicable and highly interpretable tool with low computational cost for use in medium-sized cities seeking to align mobility planning with sustainability policies and operational efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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19 pages, 1150 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Framework for Evaluating Non-Destructive Testing Techniques in Oil and Gas Facility Maintenance Operations

by Kehinde Afolabi, Olubayo Babatunde, Desmond Ighravwe, Busola Akintayo and Oludolapo Akanni Olanrewaju

Eng 2025, 6(9), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6090214 - 1 Sep 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1147

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework for evaluating and selecting optimal non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques for oil and gas facility maintenance operations. This research used a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) integrated with multiple MCDM methods to assess eight NDT [...] Read more.

This study presents a comprehensive multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework for evaluating and selecting optimal non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques for oil and gas facility maintenance operations. This research used a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) integrated with multiple MCDM methods to assess eight NDT techniques including radiographic testing, ultrasonic testing, and thermographic testing. The evaluation framework incorporated seven technical criteria and seven economic criteria. The FAHP results revealed spatial resolution (0.175) as the most critical technical criterion, followed by depth penetration (0.155) and defect characterization (0.143). For economic criteria, downtime costs (0.210) and operational costs (0.190) emerged as the most significant factors. This study used TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), PROMETHEE (Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment of Evaluations), and VIKOR (VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) methods to rank NDT techniques, with results consolidated using the CRITIC (CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) method. The final techno-economic analysis identified radiographic testing as the most suitable NDT method with a score of 0.665, followed by acoustic emission testing at 0.537. Visual testing ranked lowest with a score of 0.214. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of combining fuzzy logic with multiple MCDM approaches for NDT method selection in offshore welding operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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22 pages, 1255 KB

Open AccessArticle

Natural Ventilation Strategies to Prevent Airborne Disease Transmission in Public Buildings

by Jesús M. Ballesteros-Álvarez, Álvaro Romero-Barriuso, Ángel Rodríguez-Sáiz and Blasa María Villena-Escribano

Eng 2025, 6(8), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6080197 - 8 Aug 2025

Viewed by 1887

Abstract

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of natural ventilation as a health and safety strategy in municipal buildings, focusing on its capacity to ensure indoor air quality and limit airborne disease transmission. Natural ventilation can be incorporated into building design as the primary mechanism [...] Read more.

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of natural ventilation as a health and safety strategy in municipal buildings, focusing on its capacity to ensure indoor air quality and limit airborne disease transmission. Natural ventilation can be incorporated into building design as the primary mechanism for achieving the required indoor air quality, equipping buildings with operable windows based on their intended occupancy. Using 11 public buildings in Mostoles, Spain, as case studies, the research applies a quantitative methodology based on carbon dioxide concentration to estimate ventilation rates and theoretical occupancy thresholds. The findings reveal that cross ventilation is the only natural method capable of meeting air renewal rates recommended by health authorities, particularly the IDA2 air quality standard and three to five air changes per hour suggested to reduce disease spread. However, 53% of the assessed spaces lacked cross ventilation capacity, underscoring the need to integrate natural and mechanical systems. The study proposes a replicable model to assess and adapt indoor occupancy based on real ventilation capacity, offering a practical tool for decision-making in public health, energy efficiency, and architectural design. Ultimately, the research supports the strategic use of natural ventilation as a low-cost, scalable intervention to enhance environmental quality in public facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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19 pages, 1835 KB

Open AccessArticle

Methods for Enhancing Energy and Resource Efficiency in Sunflower Oil Production: A Case Study from Bulgaria

by Penka Zlateva, Angel Terziev, Nikolay Kolev, Martin Ivanov, Mariana Murzova and Momchil Vasilev

Eng 2025, 6(8), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6080195 - 6 Aug 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2349

Abstract

The rising demand for energy resources and industrial goods presents significant challenges to sustainable development. Sunflower oil, commonly utilized in the food sector, biofuels, and various industrial applications, is notably affected by this demand. In Bulgaria, it serves as a primary source of [...] Read more.

The rising demand for energy resources and industrial goods presents significant challenges to sustainable development. Sunflower oil, commonly utilized in the food sector, biofuels, and various industrial applications, is notably affected by this demand. In Bulgaria, it serves as a primary source of vegetable fats, ranking second to butter in daily consumption. The aim of this study is to evaluate and propose methods to improve energy and resource efficiency in sunflower oil production in Bulgaria. The analysis is based on data from an energy audit conducted in 2023 at an industrial sunflower oil production facility. Reconstruction and modernization initiatives, which included the installation of high-performance, energy-efficient equipment, led to a 34% increase in energy efficiency. The findings highlight the importance of adjusting the technological parameters such as temperature, pressure, grinding level, and pressing time to reduce energy use and operational costs. Additionally, resource efficiency is improved through more effective raw material utilization and waste reduction. These strategies not only enhance the economic and environmental performance of sunflower oil production but also support sustainable development and competitiveness within the industry. The improvement reduces hexane use by approximately 2%, resulting in energy savings of 12–15 kWh/t of processed seeds and a reduction in CO₂ emissions by 3–4 kg/t, thereby improving the environmental profile of sunflower oil production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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17 pages, 5314 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Settlement Ratio and Settled Area: Novel Indicators for Analyzing Land Use in Relation to Road Network Functions and Performance

by Giulia Del Serrone, Giuseppe Cantisani and Paolo Peluso

Eng 2025, 6(8), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6080188 - 5 Aug 2025

Viewed by 901

Abstract

Land use significantly influences mobility dynamics, affecting both travel behavior and mode choice. Traditional indicators such as the Floor Area Ratio, Land-Use Mix Index, and Built-up Area Ratio are widely used to describe settlement patterns; yet, they often fail to capture their functional [...] Read more.

Land use significantly influences mobility dynamics, affecting both travel behavior and mode choice. Traditional indicators such as the Floor Area Ratio, Land-Use Mix Index, and Built-up Area Ratio are widely used to describe settlement patterns; yet, they often fail to capture their functional impacts on road networks. This study introduces two complementary indicators—Settlement Ratio (SR) and Settled Area (SA)—developed through a spatial analysis framework integrating GIS data and MATLAB processing. SR offers a continuous typological profile of built-up functions along the road axis, while SA measures the percentage of anthropized land within fixed analysis windows. Applied to two Italian state roads, SS14 and SS309, in the Veneto Region, the dual-indicator approach reveals how the intensity (SR) and extent (SA) of settlement vary across different territorial contexts. In suburban segments, SR values exceeding 15–20, together with SA levels between 10% and 15%, highlight the significant spatial impact of isolated development clusters—often not evident from macro-scale observations. These findings demonstrate that the SR–SA framework provides a robust tool for analyzing land use in relation to road function. Although the study focuses on spatial structure and indicator design, future developments will explore correlations with traffic flow, speed, and crash data to support road safety analyses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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25 pages, 9050 KB

Open AccessArticle

Field Blast Tests and Finite Element Analysis of A36 Steel Sheets Subjected to High Explosives

by Anselmo S. Augusto, Girum Urgessa, José A. F. F. Rocco, Fausto B. Mendonça and Koshun Iha

Eng 2025, 6(8), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6080187 - 5 Aug 2025

Viewed by 2074

Abstract

Blast mitigation of structures is an important research topic due to increasing intentional and accidental human-induced threats and hazards. This research area is essential to building capabilities in sustaining structural protection, site planning, protective design efficiency, occupant safety, and response and recovery plans. [...] Read more.

Blast mitigation of structures is an important research topic due to increasing intentional and accidental human-induced threats and hazards. This research area is essential to building capabilities in sustaining structural protection, site planning, protective design efficiency, occupant safety, and response and recovery plans. This paper investigates experimental tests and finite element analysis (FEM) of thin A36 steel sheets subjected to blast. Six field blast tests were performed at standoff distances of 300 mm and 500 mm. The explosive charges comprised 334 g of bare Composition B, and the steel sheets were 2 mm thick. The experimental results, derived from the analysis of high-speed camera recordings of the blast events, were compared with FEM simulations conducted using Abaqus^®/Explicit version 6.10. Three constitutive material models were considered in these simulations. First, the FEM simulation results were compared with experimental results. It was shown that the FEM analysis provided reliable results and was proven to be robust and cost-effective. Second, an extensive set of 460 additional numerical simulations was carried out as a parametric study involving varying standoff distances and steel sheet thicknesses. The results and methodologies presented in this paper offer valuable and original insights for engineers and researchers aiming to predict damage to steel structures during real detonation events and to design blast-resistant structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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14 pages, 355 KB

Open AccessArticle

Driver Behavior-Driven Evacuation Strategy with Dynamic Risk Propagation Modeling for Road Disruption Incidents

by Yanbin Hu, Wenhui Zhou and Hongzhi Miao

Eng 2025, 6(8), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6080173 - 31 Jul 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1128 | Correction

Abstract

When emergency incidents, such as bridge damage, abruptly occur on highways and lead to traffic disruptions, the multidimensionality and complexity of driver behaviors present significant challenges to the design of effective emergency response mechanisms. This study introduces a multi-level collaborative emergency mechanism grounded [...] Read more.

When emergency incidents, such as bridge damage, abruptly occur on highways and lead to traffic disruptions, the multidimensionality and complexity of driver behaviors present significant challenges to the design of effective emergency response mechanisms. This study introduces a multi-level collaborative emergency mechanism grounded in driver behavior characteristics, aiming to enhance both traffic safety and emergency response efficiency through hierarchical collaboration and dynamic optimization strategies. By capitalizing on human drivers’ perception and decision-making attributes, a driver behavior classification model is developed to quantitatively assess the risk response capabilities of distinct behavioral patterns (conservative, risk-taking, and conformist) under emergency scenarios. A multi-tiered collaborative framework, comprising an early warning layer, a guidance layer, and an interception layer, is devised to implement tailored emergency strategies. Additionally, a rear-end collision risk propagation model is constructed by integrating the risk field model with probabilistic risk assessment, enabling dynamic adjustments to interception range thresholds for precise and real-time emergency management. The efficacy of this mechanism is substantiated through empirical case studies, which underscore its capacity to substantially reduce the occurrence of secondary accidents and furnish scientific evidence and technical underpinnings for emergency management pertaining to highway bridge damage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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32 pages, 2740 KB

Open AccessArticle

Vision-Based Navigation and Perception for Autonomous Robots: Sensors, SLAM, Control Strategies, and Cross-Domain Applications—A Review

by Eder A. Rodríguez-Martínez, Wendy Flores-Fuentes, Farouk Achakir, Oleg Sergiyenko and Fabian N. Murrieta-Rico

Eng 2025, 6(7), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6070153 - 7 Jul 2025

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 16569

Abstract

Camera-centric perception has matured into a cornerstone of modern autonomy, from self-driving cars and factory cobots to underwater and planetary exploration. This review synthesizes more than a decade of progress in vision-based robotic navigation through an engineering lens, charting the full pipeline from [...] Read more.

Camera-centric perception has matured into a cornerstone of modern autonomy, from self-driving cars and factory cobots to underwater and planetary exploration. This review synthesizes more than a decade of progress in vision-based robotic navigation through an engineering lens, charting the full pipeline from sensing to deployment. We first examine the expanding sensor palette—monocular and multi-camera rigs, stereo and RGB-D devices, LiDAR–camera hybrids, event cameras, and infrared systems—highlighting the complementary operating envelopes and the rise of learning-based depth inference. The advances in visual localization and mapping are then analyzed, contrasting sparse and dense SLAM approaches, as well as monocular, stereo, and visual–inertial formulations. Additional topics include loop closure, semantic mapping, and LiDAR–visual–inertial fusion, which enables drift-free operation in dynamic environments. Building on these foundations, we review the navigation and control strategies, spanning classical planning, reinforcement and imitation learning, hybrid topological–metric memories, and emerging visual language guidance. Application case studies—autonomous driving, industrial manipulation, autonomous underwater vehicles, planetary rovers, aerial drones, and humanoids—demonstrate how tailored sensor suites and algorithms meet domain-specific constraints. Finally, the future research trajectories are distilled: generative AI for synthetic training data and scene completion; high-density 3D perception with solid-state LiDAR and neural implicit representations; event-based vision for ultra-fast control; and human-centric autonomy in next-generation robots. By providing a unified taxonomy, a comparative analysis, and engineering guidelines, this review aims to inform researchers and practitioners designing robust, scalable, vision-driven robotic systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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23 pages, 3548 KB

Open AccessArticle

PSO-Based Robust Control of SISO Systems with Application to a Hydraulic Inverted Pendulum

by Michael G. Skarpetis, Nikolaos D. Kouvakas, Fotis N. Koumboulis and Marios Tsoukalas

Eng 2025, 6(7), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6070146 - 1 Jul 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1163

Abstract

This work will present an algorithmic approach for robust control focusing on hydraulic–mechanical systems. The approach is applied to a hydraulic actuator driving a cart with an inverted pendulum. The algorithmic approach aims to satisfy two robust control requirements for single input single [...] Read more.

This work will present an algorithmic approach for robust control focusing on hydraulic–mechanical systems. The approach is applied to a hydraulic actuator driving a cart with an inverted pendulum. The algorithmic approach aims to satisfy two robust control requirements for single input single output (SISO) linear systems with nonlinear uncertain structure. The first control requirement is robust stabilization, and the second is robust asymptotic command following for arbitrary reference signals. The approach is analyzed in two stages. In the first stage, the stability regions of the controller parameters are identified. In the second stage, a Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm (PSO) is applied to find suboptimal solutions for the controller parameters in these regions, with respect to a suitable performance cost function. The application of the approach to a hydraulic actuator, driving a cart with an inverted pendulum, satisfies the goal of achieving precise control of the pendulum angle, despite the system’s inherent physical uncertainties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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27 pages, 2024 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Enhancement and Development of the Resilience Assessment System for Underground Engineering Disaster Risk

by Weiqiang Zheng, Zhiqiang Wang, Bo Wu, Shixiang Xu, Jiacheng Pan and Yuxuan Zhu

Eng 2025, 6(7), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6070140 - 26 Jun 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1227

Abstract

The rapid development of underground engineering contributes significantly to achieving China’s “dual carbon” strategic goals. However, during the construction and operation phases, this engineering project faces diverse risks and challenges related to disasters. Consequently, enhancing the evaluation capability for underground engineering resilience is [...] Read more.

The rapid development of underground engineering contributes significantly to achieving China’s “dual carbon” strategic goals. However, during the construction and operation phases, this engineering project faces diverse risks and challenges related to disasters. Consequently, enhancing the evaluation capability for underground engineering resilience is imperative. Based on the characteristics of resilience evaluation and enhancement in underground engineering, this study defines the concept and objectives of resilience evaluation for underground space engineering and analyzes corresponding enhancement methods. By considering aspects such as the magnitude of collapse disaster risk in underground engineering, its vulnerability, resistance capacity, adaptability to disasters, recovery ability, and economic feasibility, a comprehensive index system for evaluating the resilience of collapse disaster risks in underground engineering has been established. This research suggests that disaster risk management should shift from passive to active prevention. Through resilience evaluation case applications, it is possible to improve the design objectives of underground engineering towards “structural recoverability”, “ease of damage repair”, and “controllable consequences after a disaster”. The integration of intelligent static assessment models based on artificial intelligence algorithms can effectively enhance the accuracy of resilience evaluations. Furthermore, dynamic assessments using multiple data fusion techniques combined with numerical simulations represent promising directions for improving the overall resilience of underground engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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19 pages, 3192 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Solar Energy Performance in Green Buildings Using PVsyst: Focus on Panel Orientation and Efficiency

by Seyed Azim Hosseini, Seyed Alireza Mansoori Al-yasin, Mohammad Gheibi and Reza Moezzi

Eng 2025, 6(7), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6070137 - 24 Jun 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3484

Abstract

This study explores the optimization of solar energy harvesting in Truro City in the UK using PVSyst simulations integrated with real-time meteorological data. Focusing on panel orientation, tilt angle, shading, and albedo, the research aimed to enhance both energy efficiency and economic viability [...] Read more.

This study explores the optimization of solar energy harvesting in Truro City in the UK using PVSyst simulations integrated with real-time meteorological data. Focusing on panel orientation, tilt angle, shading, and albedo, the research aimed to enhance both energy efficiency and economic viability of photovoltaic (PV) systems in green buildings. A 100 kWp rooftop solar installation served as the case study. Energy outputs derived from spreadsheet-based models and PVSyst simulations were compared to validate results. Optimal tilt angles were identified between 35° and 39°, and the azimuth angle of 0° yielded the highest energy gain without requiring solar tracking. Fixed configurations with a 5 m pitch showed only a 10% shading loss, requiring 1680 m² of space and generating an average of 646.83 kWh/m² monthly. Compared to recent works, our integration of real-time climate data improved simulation accuracy by 6–9%, refining operational planning and decision-making processes. This included better timing of high-load activities and enhanced prediction for grid feedback. The study demonstrates that data-driven optimization significantly improves performance reliability and system design, offering practical insights for solar infrastructure in similar temperate climates. These results provide a benchmark for urban energy planners seeking to balance performance and spatial constraints in PV deployment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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29 pages, 12056 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Standard Test Apparatus and Method for Validating the Accuracy of Mobile Phone Apps in Measuring Concrete Crack Widths

by Chyuan-Hwan Jeng, Min Chao and Jian-Hung Chen

Eng 2025, 6(6), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6060122 - 2 Jun 2025

Viewed by 3013

Abstract

This paper presents a standardized apparatus and method for testing the accuracy of mobile phone apps designed to measure concrete crack widths. The apparatus comprises a standardized crack-width calibration plate (CWCP) and a simulated wall (SW), along with a pose adjusting and fixing [...] Read more.

This paper presents a standardized apparatus and method for testing the accuracy of mobile phone apps designed to measure concrete crack widths. The apparatus comprises a standardized crack-width calibration plate (CWCP) and a simulated wall (SW), along with a pose adjusting and fixing device (PAFD) and a spatial distance measuring assemblage (SDMA). The test method employs an innovative two-stage procedure associated with the SDMA to calculate the distances (K_i) from the phone’s four corners to the SW. The phone’s position is adjusted using the PAFD until the four monitored K_i values match the target K_i. An app installed on the phone then measures crack widths on the CWCP. A standard experimental procedure was established to assess the accuracy of a preliminary Android app in measuring concrete crack widths, with results presented and discussed. This apparatus and method, grounded in their underlying physical meaning, can realistically simulate actual engineering conditions precisely and cost-effectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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29 pages, 1367 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Approach to Optimizing Selection and Placement of Water Pipeline Condition Monitoring Technologies

by Diego Calderon and Mohammad Najafi

Eng 2025, 6(5), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6050097 - 13 May 2025

Viewed by 2177

Abstract

The gradual deterioration of underground water infrastructure requires constant condition monitoring to prevent catastrophic failures, reduce leaks, and avoid costly unexpected repairs. However, given the large scale and tight budgets of water utilities, it is essential to implement strategies for optimal selection and [...] Read more.

The gradual deterioration of underground water infrastructure requires constant condition monitoring to prevent catastrophic failures, reduce leaks, and avoid costly unexpected repairs. However, given the large scale and tight budgets of water utilities, it is essential to implement strategies for optimal selection and deployment of monitoring technologies. This article introduces a unified framework and methods for optimally selecting condition monitoring technologies while locating their deployment at the most vulnerable pipe segments. The approach is underpinned by an R-E-R-A-V (Redundant, Established, Reliable, Accurate, and Viable) principle and asset management concepts. The proposed method is supported by a thorough review of assessment and monitoring technologies, as well as common sensor placement approaches. The approach selects optimal technology using a combination of technology readiness levels and SFAHP (Spherical Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process). Optimal placement is achieved with a k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN) model tuned with minimal topological and physical pipeline system features. Feature engineering is performed with OPTICS (Ordering Points to Identify the Clustering Structure) by evaluating the pipe segment vulnerability to failure-prone areas. Both the optimal technology selection and placement methods are integrated through a proposed algorithm. The optimal placement of monitoring technology is demonstrated through a modified benchmark network (Net3). The results reveal an accurate model with robust performance and a harmonic mean of precision and recall of approximately 65%. The model effectively identifies pipe segments requiring monitoring to prevent failures over a period of 11 years. The benefits and areas of future exploratory research are explained to encourage improvements and additional applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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26 pages, 4688 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Best to Use Forest Wood for Energy: Perspectives from Energy Efficiency and Environmental Considerations

by John J. Fitzpatrick, Jack Carroll, Strahinja Macura and Neil Murphy

Eng 2025, 6(5), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6050095 - 8 May 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2358

Abstract

This paper examines how best to use forest wood for energy application, considering that it is a limited natural resource. Eight systems are considered, including wood stoves, steam systems (boiler, power plant, and combined heat and power (CHP)), and gasification combined systems (gas [...] Read more.

This paper examines how best to use forest wood for energy application, considering that it is a limited natural resource. Eight systems are considered, including wood stoves, steam systems (boiler, power plant, and combined heat and power (CHP)), and gasification combined systems (gas turbine and combined cycle power plant, CHP, and Fischer–Tropsch). The methodology uses energy analysis and modelling and environmental/sustainability considerations to compare the energy systems. In terms of energy conversion efficiency, steam boilers and high-efficiency wood stoves for heating applications provide the highest efficiencies (~80 to 90%) and should be considered. Steam CHP systems provide lower overall energy conversion efficiencies (~75 to 80%) but do provide some electrical energy, and thus should be considered. The use of wood for the production of electricity on its own should not be considered due to low efficiencies (~20 to 30%). Particulate emissions hinder the application of high-efficiency stoves, especially in urban areas, whereas for industrial-scale steam boilers and CHP systems, particle separators can negate this problem. Gasification/Fischer–Tropsch systems have a lower energy efficiency (~30 to 50%); however, a sustainability argument could be made for liquid fuels that have few sustainable alternatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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18 pages, 7105 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integration of Digital Twin, IoT and LoRa in SCARA Robots for Decentralized Automation with Wireless Sensor Networks

by William Aparecido Celestino Lopes, Adilson Cunha Rusteiko, Cleiton Rodrigues Mendes, Nicolas Vinicius Cruz Honório and Marcelo Tsuguio Okano

Eng 2025, 6(5), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6050090 - 26 Apr 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2287

Abstract

The integration of Digital Twin (DT), Internet of Things (IoT), and Long Range Wireless (LoRa) technology in industrial automation increases efficiency, flexibility, and real-time monitoring. This study proposes a decentralized automation architecture for SCARA robots, leveraging wireless sensor networks to improve scalability, reduce [...] Read more.

The integration of Digital Twin (DT), Internet of Things (IoT), and Long Range Wireless (LoRa) technology in industrial automation increases efficiency, flexibility, and real-time monitoring. This study proposes a decentralized automation architecture for SCARA robots, leveraging wireless sensor networks to improve scalability, reduce the number of infrastructure components, and optimizing data-driven decision-making. Experimental validation demonstrated a 74.9% reduction in cycle time, decreasing from 55.42 s to 13.91 s across all test scenarios. The system achieved a 98.6% packet delivery success rate, ensuring reliable communication, while latency remained between 1 and 2 s, maintaining synchronization between the real robot and its digital twin. The main contributions include the following: (i) a decentralized control framework for SCARA robots, (ii) an evaluation of LoRa-based wireless communication, and (iii) experimental validation of feasibility. The results confirm the effectiveness of the system in stable real-time data transmission and precise robotic movements, offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional structures. Despite the advantages, challenges such as data security, interoperability, and real-time synchronization require further research. This study provides insights into the practical implementation of DT, IoT, and LoRa in industrial robotics, paving the way for advancements in smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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24 pages, 580 KB

Open AccessArticle

Vulnerability and Risk Management to Ensure the Occupational Safety of Underground Mines

by Fîță Nicolae Daniel, Păsculescu Dragoș, Obretenova Mila Ilieva, Popescu Florin Gabriel, Lazăr Teodora, Cruceru Emanuel Alin, Lazăr Dan Cristian, Slușariuc Gabriela, Safta Gheorghe Eugen and Șchiopu Adrian Mihai

Eng 2025, 6(5), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6050088 - 25 Apr 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2084

Abstract

Ensuring occupational safety in underground mines is a fundamental priority due to the major risks associated with this unfriendly work environment. This involves employing a set of technical, organizational, and educational measures to reduce the hazards for workers and minimize the risks of [...] Read more.

Ensuring occupational safety in underground mines is a fundamental priority due to the major risks associated with this unfriendly work environment. This involves employing a set of technical, organizational, and educational measures to reduce the hazards for workers and minimize the risks of accidents and occupational diseases due to electrical and mechanical causes. Old and precarious coal extraction methods, in conjunction with obsolete infrastructure and electrical and mechanical installations, lead to high accident risk, endangering the lives of underground workers when at work. Precarious working conditions and working materials alongside the carelessness of decision makers make underground mine-based work a major cause of accidents and professional illnesses. In this paper, the authors identify, estimate, prioritize, and evaluate the vulnerabilities within underground mines and discuss the actions and resources necessary to mitigate, stop, and/or eliminate these vulnerabilities, as well as a mitigation strategy for stopping and/or eliminating them to achieve increased occupational safety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

17 pages, 6257 KB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling the Impact of LED Light on Growing Carrot Taproots: A Novel Hydroponic Cultivation System

by Masaru Sakamoto, Ayuhiko Funaki, Fumiya Sakagami, Taichi Kaida and Takahiro Suzuki

Eng 2025, 6(5), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6050087 - 25 Apr 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1968

Abstract

Root crops typically develop and enlarge their storage organs in the soil, where they are naturally shielded from light exposure. This characteristic influences their physiological development and presents challenges for hydroponic cultivation, as taproot enlargement is often inhibited when submerged in water. To [...] Read more.

Root crops typically develop and enlarge their storage organs in the soil, where they are naturally shielded from light exposure. This characteristic influences their physiological development and presents challenges for hydroponic cultivation, as taproot enlargement is often inhibited when submerged in water. To overcome this limitation, this study introduced a novel hydroponic system that prevents direct submersion in the nutrient solution. By isolating the taproots from both soil and nutrient solution, this system allows precise control of the root-zone light environment using LED irradiation. Carrot taproots were cultivated under blue, green, and red LED light from 42 days after sowing to assess their specific responses to different wavelengths. The results revealed distinct pigment accumulation patterns influenced by light quality. Blue light induced anthocyanin accumulation in the epidermis and outer cortex within 2 days of exposure and also stimulated chlorophyll synthesis in these outer tissues. In contrast, green and red light treatments promoted chlorophyll accumulation primarily in the stele, with red light having the most pronounced effect. These findings suggest that carrot taproots exhibit specific physiological responses to light exposure, demonstrating their ability to adjust pigment biosynthesis depending on the wavelength. By integrating controlled lighting environments into hydroponic systems, this study provides new insights into root development mechanisms and presents a novel strategy for optimizing root crop cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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24 pages, 1950 KB

Open AccessArticle

Fuzzy-Based Decision Support for Strategic Management: Evaluating Electric Vehicle Attractiveness in the Digital Era

by Sónia Gouveia, Daniel H. de la Iglesia, José Luís Abrantes, Alfonso J. López Rivero and Eduardo Gouveia

Eng 2025, 6(5), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6050086 - 25 Apr 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1447

Abstract

In an era marked by sustainability challenges and digital transformation, organizations face heightened uncertainty in strategic decision-making. This paper applies a conceptual tool, a fuzzy-based decision model, in the appraisal of the attractiveness of electric vehicle acquisition and navigates the multifaceted complexities of [...] Read more.

In an era marked by sustainability challenges and digital transformation, organizations face heightened uncertainty in strategic decision-making. This paper applies a conceptual tool, a fuzzy-based decision model, in the appraisal of the attractiveness of electric vehicle acquisition and navigates the multifaceted complexities of integrating economic, environmental, and infrastructural factors. A concise overview of fuzzy principles highlights their relevance to strategic management in uncertain contexts. The study uses a practical example to demonstrate how fuzzy set-based decision models assess EV attractiveness by synthesizing costs, environmental impact, vehicle depreciation, and energy independence variables. The findings reveal the fuzzy set-based decision model’s potential to enhance decision clarity and efficiency, offering managers a simple but robust framework for navigating complex trade-offs. Implications for sustainable strategic management and suggestions for future research on advanced decision support systems are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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42 pages, 55621 KB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Development of a Multifunctional Stepladder: Usability, Sustainability, and Cost-Effectiveness

by Elwin Nesan Selvanesan, Poh Kiat Ng, Kia Wai Liew, Kah Wei Gan, Peng Lean Chong, Jian Ai Yeow and Yu Jin Ng

Eng 2025, 6(4), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6040079 - 17 Apr 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2092

Abstract

This study presents the design, development, and evaluation of a multifunctional stepladder that integrates four functionalities: a stepladder, Pilates chair, wheelchair, and walking aid. Unlike existing research that focuses on single-function assistive devices, this study uniquely integrates a stepladder, wheelchair, walking aid, and [...] Read more.

This study presents the design, development, and evaluation of a multifunctional stepladder that integrates four functionalities: a stepladder, Pilates chair, wheelchair, and walking aid. Unlike existing research that focuses on single-function assistive devices, this study uniquely integrates a stepladder, wheelchair, walking aid, and Pilates chair into one multifunctional device, offering a compact, space-saving solution that addresses multiple daily needs in a single design. Building upon previous research, which conceptualized a multifunctional stepladder by synthesizing ideas, features, and functions from patent literature, existing products, and scientific articles, this study focuses on the design and testing phases to refine and validate the concept. Using sustainable materials like mild steel and aluminium, the design was optimized through structural simulations, ensuring durability under loads of up to 100 kg. Usability tests revealed that the invention significantly reduced task completion times, saved five times the space compared to single-function products, and provided enhanced versatility. Cost analysis highlighted its affordability, with a retail price of MYR 1392—approximately 35% lower than the combined cost of its single-function counterparts. Participant feedback noted strengths such as eco-friendliness, practicality, and ergonomic design, alongside areas for improvement, including portability, armrests, and storage. Future work includes enhanced portability for stair navigation, outdoor usability tests, and integration of smart technologies. This multifunctional stepladder significantly contributes to caregivers by reducing the physical burden of managing multiple assistive devices, enhancing efficiency in daily caregiving tasks, and providing a safer, more convenient tool that supports both mobility and exercise for elderly users. This multifunctional stepladder also offers a sustainable, cost-effective, and user-centric solution, addressing usability gaps while supporting global sustainability and accessibility initiatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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29 pages, 8412 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sensitivity Analysis of Soil Hydraulic Parameters for Improved Flow Predictions in an Atlantic Forest Watershed Using the MOHID-Land Platform

by Dhiego da Silva Sales, Jader Lugon Junior, David de Andrade Costa, Renata Silva Barreto Sales, Ramiro Joaquim Neves and Antonio José da Silva Neto

Eng 2025, 6(4), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6040065 - 27 Mar 2025

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2544

Abstract

Soil controls water distribution, which is crucial for accurate hydrological modeling. MOHID-Land is a physically based, spatially distributed model that uses van Genuchten–Mualem (VGM) functions to calculate water content in porous media. The hydraulic soil parameters of VGM are dependent on soil type [...] Read more.

Soil controls water distribution, which is crucial for accurate hydrological modeling. MOHID-Land is a physically based, spatially distributed model that uses van Genuchten–Mualem (VGM) functions to calculate water content in porous media. The hydraulic soil parameters of VGM are dependent on soil type and are typically estimated from experimental data; however, they are often obtained using pedotransfer functions, which carry significant uncertainty. As a result, calibration is frequently required to account for both the natural spatial variability of soil and uncertainties estimation. This study focuses on a representative Atlantic Forest watershed. It assesses the sensitivity of channel flow to VGM parameters using a mathematical approach based on residuals derivative, aimed at enhancing soil calibration efficiency for MOHID-Land. The model’s performance significantly improved following calibration, considering only five parameters. The NSE improved from 0.16 on the base simulation to 0.53 after calibration. A sensitivity analysis indicated the curve adjustment parameter (

n

) as the most sensitive parameter, followed by saturated water content (

θ_{s}

) considering the 10% variation. Additionally, a combined change in

θ_{s}

,

n

, residual water content (

θ_{r}

), curve adjustment parameter (

α

), and saturated conductivity (

K_{s a t}

) values by 10% significantly improves the model’s performance, by reducing channel flow peaks and increasing baseflow. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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36 pages, 3674 KB

Open AccessArticle

Regulation of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Innovative Strategies and Economic Insights

by Rachael E. Josephs, Thomas Yap, Moones Alamooti, Toluwase Omojiba, Achouak Benarbia, Olusegun Tomomewo and Habib Ouadi

Eng 2025, 6(4), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6040061 - 22 Mar 2025

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 14701

Abstract

The advent of small modular reactors (SMRs) represents a transformative leap in nuclear technology. With their smaller size, modular construction, and safety features, SMRs address challenges faced by traditional reactors. However, these technological advancements pose significant regulatory challenges that must be addressed to [...] Read more.

The advent of small modular reactors (SMRs) represents a transformative leap in nuclear technology. With their smaller size, modular construction, and safety features, SMRs address challenges faced by traditional reactors. However, these technological advancements pose significant regulatory challenges that must be addressed to ensure their safe and effective integration into the energy grid. This paper presents robust regulatory strategies essential for the deployment of SMRs. We also perform economic and sensitivity analysis on a notional SMR project to assess its feasibility, profitability, and long-term viability, pinpointing areas for cost optimization and determining the project’s resilience to market trends and technological changes. Key findings highlight market demand as the most influential factor, with public acceptance, regulatory clarity, economic viability, and government support playing critical roles. The sensitivity analysis shows that SMRs could account for 3% to 9% of the energy market by 2050, with a base case of 4.5%, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts among policymakers, industry stakeholders, and regulatory bodies. Technological maturity suggests current designs are viable, with future R&D focusing on market appeal and safety. By synthesizing these insights, the paper aims to guide regulatory authorities in facilitating informed decision-making, policy formulation, and the adoption of SMRs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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26 pages, 4618 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Enhanced Cloud Network Integrity and Fair Compensation Scheme Through Data Structures and Blockchain Enforcement

by Renato Racelis Maaliw III

Eng 2025, 6(3), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6030052 - 12 Mar 2025

Viewed by 1817

Abstract

The expansion of cloud-based storage has intensified concerns about integrity, security, and fair compensation for third-party auditors. Existing authentication methods often compromise privacy with high computational costs, punctuating the need for an efficient and transparent verification system. This study proposes a privacy-preserving authentication [...] Read more.

The expansion of cloud-based storage has intensified concerns about integrity, security, and fair compensation for third-party auditors. Existing authentication methods often compromise privacy with high computational costs, punctuating the need for an efficient and transparent verification system. This study proposes a privacy-preserving authentication framework that combines blockchain-driven smart contracts with an optimized ranked-based Merkle hash tree (RBMHT). Experimental results demonstrated that our approach lowers computational costs by 24.02% and reduces communication overhead by 86.22% compared to existing solutions. By minimizing redundant operations and limiting auditor–cloud interactions, the systems improve reliability and scalability. This makes it well-suited for applications where privacy and trust are critical. Beyond performance gains, the scheme constitutes self-executing smart contracts, preventing dishonest collusions. By bridging security, dependability, and fairness, our findings set a new standard for reliable cloud attestation for a more secure and transparent auditing system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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25 pages, 5650 KB

Open AccessArticle

Efficiency and Sustainability in Solar Photovoltaic Systems: A Review of Key Factors and Innovative Technologies

by Luis Angel Iturralde Carrera, Margarita G. Garcia-Barajas, Carlos D. Constantino-Robles, José M. Álvarez-Alvarado, Yoisdel Castillo-Alvarez and Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz

Eng 2025, 6(3), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6030050 - 6 Mar 2025

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 13881

Abstract

PSS (Photovoltaic Solar Systems) are a key technology in energy transition, and their efficiency depends on multiple interrelated factors. This study uses a systematic review based on the PRISMA methodology to identify four main categories affecting performance: technological, environmental, design and installation, and [...] Read more.

PSS (Photovoltaic Solar Systems) are a key technology in energy transition, and their efficiency depends on multiple interrelated factors. This study uses a systematic review based on the PRISMA methodology to identify four main categories affecting performance: technological, environmental, design and installation, and operational factors. Notably, technological advances in materials such as perovskites and emerging technologies like tandem and bifacial cells significantly enhance conversion efficiency, fostering optimism in the field. Environmental factors, including solar radiation, temperature, and contaminants, also substantially impact system performance. Design and installation play a crucial role, particularly in panel orientation, solar tracking systems, and the optimization of electrical configurations. Maintenance, material degradation, and advanced monitoring systems are essential for sustaining efficiency over time. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the field by reviewing 113 articles and analyzing three key areas—materials, application of sizing technologies, and optimization—from 2018 to 2025. The paper also explores emerging trends, such as the development of energy storage systems and the integration of smart grids, which hold promise for enhancing photovoltaic module (PM) performance. The findings highlight the importance of integrating technological innovation, design strategies, and effective operational management to maximize the potential of PM systems, providing a solid foundation for future research and applications across residential, industrial, and large-scale contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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9 pages, 2670 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Performance Monitoring of a Double-Slope Passive Solar-Powered Desalination System Using Arduino Programming

by Ganesh Radhakrishnan and Kadhavoor R. Karthikeyan

Eng 2025, 6(2), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6020039 - 18 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1150

Abstract

Solar energy is one of the promising renewable energies; it is clean, green, and accepted worldwide for targeting sustainable development through applications such as power generation, desalination, food preservation, etc. Solar-powered desalination has received more attention in recent times to meet the demand [...] Read more.

Solar energy is one of the promising renewable energies; it is clean, green, and accepted worldwide for targeting sustainable development through applications such as power generation, desalination, food preservation, etc. Solar-powered desalination has received more attention in recent times to meet the demand of pure water in the rural places of many countries where solar energy is abundant. In the present work, a double-slope passive solar desalination system was fabricated with readily available materials that can be installed and used in rural places, either for domestic purposes or in small-scale industries. The capacity of the desalination system fabricated to be filled with saline water is ~15 L. The performance of the desalination system is continuously monitored by recording the temperatures at various locations around the system, such as the outer surface of the glass, the inner surface of the glass, inside the basin, and outside the basin, through DHT11 sensors controlled by Arduino programming fed in the Arduino UNO board. The influence of solar radiation intensity and temperatures at various locations on the solar still on the thermal performance and production of desalination unit is analyzed by the data recorded by the Arduino program. A cumulative yield of fresh water of around 0.7–0.9 L is recorded every day, and the lowest yield of around 0.55 L was obtained on the third day of experimentation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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Review

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32 pages, 1983 KB

Open AccessReview

Trends in Control Strategies of Parallel Robot Manipulators for Robot-Assisted Rehabilitation

by Ha T. T. Ngo, Charles C. Nguyen, Tu T. C. Duong and Tri T. Nguyen

Eng 2026, 7(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7010044 - 13 Jan 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1012

Abstract

Robot-assisted rehabilitation has demonstrated significant efficacy in improving motor function among patients with physical and neurological impairments. The development of effective rehabilitation robots requires careful integration of mechanical design and control systems to ensure safe, compliant, and intention-oriented human–robot interaction while delivering appropriate [...] Read more.

Robot-assisted rehabilitation has demonstrated significant efficacy in improving motor function among patients with physical and neurological impairments. The development of effective rehabilitation robots requires careful integration of mechanical design and control systems to ensure safe, compliant, and intention-oriented human–robot interaction while delivering appropriate therapeutic assistance and feedback. Parallel robot manipulators have increasingly gained attention in rehabilitation applications due to their superior precision, structural stiffness, and high load capacity compared to their serial counterparts. This paper presents a scoping review of control strategies specifically implemented in parallel rehabilitation robots between 2015 and 2025. The control strategies include position control, force control, compliance control, adaptive control, intelligent control, and hybrid control. Our analysis showed a progressive shift from traditional position-based control toward more sophisticated adaptive and intelligent strategies that better accommodate patient-specific needs and therapeutic requirements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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22 pages, 1441 KB

Open AccessReview

Use of Plant Growth Regulators for Sustainable Management of Vegetation in Highway

by Caio Lucas Alhadas de Paula Velloso, Job Teixeira de Oliveira, Fábio Henrique Rojo Baio, Fernando França da Cunha and Jaime Teixeira de Oliveira

Eng 2025, 6(12), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6120350 - 4 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 957

Abstract

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are natural or synthetic substances that control and manipulate plant physiological processes, controlling branching and vegetative growth. Maintaining roadside vegetation through frequent mowing is costly, dangerous, and unsustainable. This narrative literature review proposes a revolution in this management by [...] Read more.

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are natural or synthetic substances that control and manipulate plant physiological processes, controlling branching and vegetative growth. Maintaining roadside vegetation through frequent mowing is costly, dangerous, and unsustainable. This narrative literature review proposes a revolution in this management by conducting a systematic literature review on the strategic application of PGRs on roadsides. Practices such as the application of plant growth regulators, the use of native cover crops, and bioengineering techniques with stabilizing species were analyzed. Previous studies have shown that the use of regulators such as mepiquat chloride and paclobutrazol reduces plant height and aboveground biomass, favoring growth control and compacting the plant architecture. The environmental and operational impacts related to vegetation control on roadside strips were also considered. Integrated with LiDAR technology for precise monitoring, this model establishes a new paradigm: smart, safe, and sustainable. Therefore, it is hoped that this compendium will fill a gap in national guidelines by offering an evidence-based protocol guideline for the use of PGR as an alternative to traditional management methods, thus reducing the number of mowing and weeding operations in highway right-of-way areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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31 pages, 1285 KB

Open AccessReview

Optical Flow-Based Algorithms for Real-Time Awareness of Hazardous Events

by Stiliyan Kalitzin, Simeon Karpuzov and George Petkov

Eng 2025, 6(11), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6110326 - 12 Nov 2025

Viewed by 1325

Abstract

Safety and security are major priorities in modern society. Especially for vulnerable groups of individuals, such as the elderly and patients with disabilities, providing a safe environment and adequate alerting for debilitating events and situations can be critical. Wearable devices can be effective [...] Read more.

Safety and security are major priorities in modern society. Especially for vulnerable groups of individuals, such as the elderly and patients with disabilities, providing a safe environment and adequate alerting for debilitating events and situations can be critical. Wearable devices can be effective but require frequent maintenance and can be obstructive or stigmatizing. Video monitoring by trained operators solves those issues but requires human resources, time and attention and may present certain privacy issues. We propose optical flow-based automated approaches for a multitude of situation awareness and event alerting challenges. The core of our method is an algorithm providing the reconstruction of global movement parameters from video sequences. This way, the computationally most intensive task is performed once and the output is dispatched to a variety of modules dedicated to detecting adverse events such as convulsive seizures, falls, apnea and signs of possible post-seizure arrests. The software modules can operate separately or in parallel as required. Our results show that the optical flow-based detectors provide robust performance and are suitable for real-time alerting systems. In addition, the optical flow reconstruction is applicable to real-time tracking and stabilizing video sequences. The proposed system is already functional and undergoes field trials for cases of epileptic patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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25 pages, 433 KB

Open AccessReview

Operational Cycle Detection for Mobile Mining Equipment: An Integrative Scoping Review with Narrative Synthesis

by Augustin Marks de Chabris, Markus Timusk and Meng Cheng Lau

Eng 2025, 6(10), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6100279 - 16 Oct 2025

Viewed by 1697

Abstract

Background: Operational cycle detection underpins a range of important tasks, such as predictive maintenance, energy consumption prediction, and energy management for mobile equipment in mining. Yet, no review has investigated the landscape of methods that segment mobile mining vehicle telemetry into discrete [...] Read more.

Background: Operational cycle detection underpins a range of important tasks, such as predictive maintenance, energy consumption prediction, and energy management for mobile equipment in mining. Yet, no review has investigated the landscape of methods that segment mobile mining vehicle telemetry into discrete operating modes—a task termed operational cycle detection. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, Scoping Review extension (PRISMA-ScR) framework, we searched The Lens database on 27 June 2025, for records published between 2000 and 2025 that apply cycle detection to mobile mining vehicles. After de-duplication and two-stage screening, 20 empirical studies met all criteria (19 diesel, 1 electric-drive). Due to the sparse research involving battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in mining, three articles performing cycle detection on heavy-duty vehicles in a similar operational context to mining are synthesized. Results: Early diesel work used single-sensor thresholds, often achieving >90% site-specific accuracy, while recent studies increasingly employ neural networks using multivariate datasets. While the cycle detection research on mining BEVs, even supplemented with additional heavy-duty BEV studies, is sparse, similar approaches are favored. Conclusions: Persisting gaps in the literature include the absence of public mining datasets, inconsistent evaluation metrics, and limited real-time validation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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20 pages, 2243 KB

Open AccessReview

Prospects of Improving the Vibroacoustic Method for Locating Buried Non-Metallic Pipelines

by Vladimir Pshenin, Alexander Sleptsov and Leonid Dukhnevich

Eng 2025, 6(6), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6060121 - 2 Jun 2025

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2317

Abstract

Acoustic methods are a promising direction when determining the position of buried non-metallic pipelines. Under difficult soil conditions, one of the most effective methods is the vibroacoustic method, which has a maximum range of application when acoustic waves propagate through the transported medium. [...] Read more.

Acoustic methods are a promising direction when determining the position of buried non-metallic pipelines. Under difficult soil conditions, one of the most effective methods is the vibroacoustic method, which has a maximum range of application when acoustic waves propagate through the transported medium. However, due to limited energy input into the pipeline, signal detection at significant distances from the source becomes challenging. This article considers the mechanism of acoustic oscillations attenuation in pipes and suggests possible directions for optimization of the investigated technology. The evaluation of mathematical modeling methods for the investigated process is conducted, and the key signal attenuation relationships are presented. The analysis allowed us to establish that the vibroacoustic method has the potential of increasing the efficiency by approximately 10–20%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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18 pages, 3794 KB

Open AccessReview

Vertiports: The Infrastructure Backbone of Advanced Air Mobility—A Review

by Paola Di Mascio, Giulia Del Serrone and Laura Moretti

Eng 2025, 6(5), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6050093 - 30 Apr 2025

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 9300

Abstract

Technological innovation toward electrification and digitalization is revolutionizing aviation, paving the way for new aeronautical paradigms and novel modes to transport goods and people in urban and regional environments. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) leverages vertical and digital mobility, driven by safe, quiet, sustainable, [...] Read more.

Technological innovation toward electrification and digitalization is revolutionizing aviation, paving the way for new aeronautical paradigms and novel modes to transport goods and people in urban and regional environments. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) leverages vertical and digital mobility, driven by safe, quiet, sustainable, and cost-effective electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. A key enabler of this transformation is the development of vertiports—dedicated infrastructure designed for VTOL operations. Vertiports are pivotal in integrating AAM into multimodal transport networks, ensuring seamless connectivity with existing urban and regional transportation systems. Their design, placement, and operational framework are central to the success of AAM, influencing urban accessibility, safety, and public acceptance. These facilities should accommodate passenger and cargo operations, incorporating charging stations, takeoff and landing areas, and optimized traffic management systems. Public and private sectors are investing in vertiports, shaping the regulatory and technological landscape for widespread adoption. As cities prepare for the future of aerial mobility, vertiports will be the cornerstone of sustainable, efficient, and scalable air transportation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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Other

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26 pages, 2310 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

A Systematic Review of Intelligent Navigation in Smart Warehouses Using Prisma: Integrating AI, SLAM, and Sensor Fusion for Mobile Robots

by Domagoj Zimmer, Mladen Jurišić, Ivan Plaščak, Željko Barač, Hrvoje Glavaš, Dorijan Radočaj and Robert Benković

Eng 2025, 6(12), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6120339 - 1 Dec 2025

Viewed by 2312

Abstract

This systematic review focuses on intelligent navigation as a core enabler of autonomy in smart warehouses, where mobile robots must dynamically perceive, reason, and act in complex, human-shared environments. By synthesizing advancements in AI-driven decision-making, SLAM, and multi-sensor fusion, the study highlights how [...] Read more.

This systematic review focuses on intelligent navigation as a core enabler of autonomy in smart warehouses, where mobile robots must dynamically perceive, reason, and act in complex, human-shared environments. By synthesizing advancements in AI-driven decision-making, SLAM, and multi-sensor fusion, the study highlights how intelligent navigation architectures reduce operational uncertainty and enhance task efficiency in logistics automation. Smart warehouses, powered by mobile robots and AGVs and integrated with AI and algorithms, are enabling more efficient storage with less human labour. This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines to systematically identify, screen, and synthesize evidence from 106 peer-reviewed scientific articles (including pri-mary studies, technical papers, and reviews) published between 2020–2025, sourced from Web of Science. Thematic synthesis was conducted across 8 domains: AI, SLAM, sensor fusion, safety, network, path planning, implementation, and design. The transition to smart warehouses requires modern technologies to automate tasks and optimize resources. This article examines how intelligent systems can be integrated with mathematical models to improve navigation accuracy, reduce costs and prioritize human safety. Real-time data management with precise information for AMRs and AGVs is crucial for low-risk operation. This article studies AI, the IoT, LiDAR, machine learning (ML), SLAM and other new technologies for the successful implementation of mobile robots in smart warehouses. Modern technologies such as reinforcement learning optimize the routes and tasks of mobile robots. Data and sensor fusion methods integrate information from various sources to provide a more precise understanding of the indoor environment and inventory. Semantic mapping enables mobile robots to navigate and interact with complex warehouse environments with high accuracy in real time. The article also analyses how virtual reality (VR) can improve the spatial orientation of mobile robots by developing sophisticated navigation solutions that reduce time and financial costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)

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