Search Results (4)

Automated container terminals can achieve precise matching of equipment and space, thus forming the foundation for the terminals’ efficient operation. However, the increase in container volume requires the construction of more ACTs. Existing studies lack dynamic assessment of the deep coupling between the P-shaped layout and the terminal’s system performance verification under peak operating conditions. To solve these problems, this paper aims to evaluate the system performance of the process layout in the application of ACTs through simulation methods. We have identified the differences in indicators among various schemes, thereby providing decision support for the construction of the port. In this paper, a simulation method for the configuration based on a P-shaped process layout is proposed at ACTs. The port system is constructed as a discrete event simulation model consisting of five core modules. Then two P-shaped process layout schemes and one mixed process layout scheme are proposed and the terminal models are established, respectively. Finally, by conducting numerous simulation experiments under different layout schemes, the influence of traffic organization on the efficiency of the terminal system was analyzed. The results demonstrate that on the premise of the maturity of the mixed-traffic technology at the terminal, when the proportion of cross-berth operations is low, the system efficiency of the mixed layout scheme is the highest. This article takes a new type of P-shaped process layout as the research object, reveals the correlation between its traffic organization characteristics and system performance through a customized simulation method. It provides a new theoretical perspective and quantitative tool for the optimization of automated terminal layouts. Full article

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for rapid, efficient testing methods at large-scale events to control virus spread. This study leverages queueing theory to explore how different floor plan configurations affect the efficiency of Rapid Antigen Diagnostic Test (RADT) centers at mass gatherings, aiming to enhance throughput and minimize wait times. Methods: Employing the MAP/PH/c model (Markovian Arrival Process/phase-type service distribution with c servers), this study compared the operational efficiency of RADT centers using U-shaped and straight-line floor plans. The research involved 500 healthy participants, who underwent the RADT process, including queue number issuance, registration, sample collection, sample mixing, and results dissemination. Agile management techniques were implemented to optimize operations. Results: The findings demonstrated that the U-shaped layout was more efficient than the straight-line configuration, reducing the average time from sample collection to results acquisition—1.6 minutes in the U-shaped layout versus 1.8 minutes in the straight-line layout. The efficiency of the U-shaped layout was particularly notable at the results stage, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in reducing congestion and improving resource allocation. Conclusions: The study confirms the feasibility of implementing RADT procedures at mass gatherings and identifies the U-shaped floor plan as the optimal configuration. This layout significantly enhances testing efficiency and effectiveness, suggesting its suitability for future large-scale testing scenarios. The research contributes to optimizing mass testing strategies, vital for public health emergency management during pandemics. Full article

The front-end electronics (FEE) of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) is needed very low power consumption and higher readout bandwidth to match the low power requirement of its Short Strip application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) (SSA) and to handle a large number of pileup events in the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (LHC). A low-noise, wide bandwidth, and ultra-low power FEE for the pixel-strip sensor of the CMS has been designed and simulated in a 0.35 µm Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) process. The design comprises a Charge Sensitive Amplifier (CSA) and a fast Capacitor-Resistor-Resistor-Capacitor (CR-RC) pulse shaper (PS). A compact structure of the CSA circuit has been analyzed and designed for high throughput purposes. Analytical calculations were performed to achieve at least 998 MHz gain bandwidth, and then overcome pileup issue in the High-Luminosity LHC. The spice simulations prove that the circuit can achieve 88 dB dc-gain while exhibiting up to 1 GHz gain-bandwidth product (GBP). The stability of the design was guaranteed with an 82-degree phase margin while 214 ns optimal shaping time was extracted for low-power purposes. The robustness of the design against radiations was performed and the amplitude resolution of the proposed front-end was controlled at 1.87% FWHM (full width half maximum). The circuit has been designed to handle up to 280 fC input charge pulses with 2 pF maximum sensor capacitance. In good agreement with the analytical calculations, simulations outcomes were validated by post-layout simulations results, which provided a baseline gain of 546.56 mV/MeV and 920.66 mV/MeV, respectively, for the CSA and the shaping module while the ENC (Equivalent Noise Charge) of the device was controlled at 37.6 e⁻ at 0 pF with a noise slope of 16.32 e⁻/pF. Moreover, the proposed circuit dissipates very low power which is only 8.72 µW from a 3.3 V supply and the compact layout occupied just 0.0205 mm² die area. Full article

The industrial exploitation of perovskite solar cell technology is still hampered by the lack of repeatable and high-throughput fabrication processes for large-area modules. The joint efforts of the scientific community allowed to demonstrate high-performing small area solar cells; however, retaining such results over large area modules is not trivial. Indeed, the development of deposition methods over large substrates is required together with additional laser processes for the realization of the monolithically integrated cells and their interconnections. In this work, we develop an efficient perovskite solar module based on 2D material engineered structure by optimizing the laser ablation steps (namely P1, P2, P3) required for shaping the module layout in series connected sub-cells. We investigate the impact of the P2 and P3 laser processes, carried out by employing a UV pulsed laser (pulse width = 10 ns; λ = 355 nm), over the final module performance. In particular, a P2 process for removing 2D material-based cell stack from interconnection area among adjacent cells is optimized. Moreover, the impact of the P3 process used to isolate adjacent sub-cells after gold realization over the module performance once laminated in panel configuration is elucidated. The developed fabrication process ensures high-performance repeatability over a large module number by demonstrating the use of laser processing in industrial production. Full article