Search Results (144)

This work proposes a general conceptual framework for integrating TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) structured reasoning into large language model (LLM)-based workflows for chemical and materials science. We argue that persistent AI challenges in this domain—data scarcity, weak scaffold transferability, unphysical predictions, and limited interpretability—are most naturally framed as TRIZ-style contradictions and that embedding contradiction-resolution logic into LLM reasoning can elevate AI from pattern-matching to inventive, researcher-like problem solving. Unlike prior AI–TRIZ integrations such as AutoTRIZ and TRIZ-GPT, which address general engineering tasks, the present framework extends TRIZ tools to physicochemical phenomena and targets local, privacy-preserving deployment. To illustrate the concept and identify directions for further development, we implement and evaluate a simplified three-stage proof-of-concept pipeline on nine local LLMs across eleven chemical problems. Results show that the TRIZ-guided pipeline substantially reduces token consumption—both overall and especially in the solution-generation stage—without an obvious loss in solution quality under the adopted evaluation criteria, suggesting considerable room for further improvement as the framework matures. Full article

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are expected to contribute to sustainable manufacturing, yet they often lack the resources and capabilities needed to adopt advanced automation in a structured and scalable manner. While lean robotics have been widely studied, there is still limited empirical evidence on how their integration can be systematically designed to improve sustainability-oriented performance in SME contexts. This paper examines how a scalable lean robotics system can be conceived and implemented to enhance productivity and resource efficiency in an SME packaging process. We develop a lean robotics design approach that jointly considers lean principles, collaborative industrial robotics, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) monitoring. The approach is applied in a real-world case study of a “Fold Station” robotic cell, where stone paper sheets are destacked, glued, and formed into cylindrical plant protectors. Key performance indicators related to cycle time, material utilization, process stability, and manual workload are measured before and after implementation. The results show a three- to four-fold reduction in preparation time per unit, more efficient use of stone paper and adhesive, and a decrease in repetitive manual handling, thereby contributing to both economic and environmental sustainability. TRIZ (Teoriya Resheniya Izobretatelskikh Zadach, Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) is used to structure the resolution of design contradictions that arise when embedding lean principles into the robotic system and to support its scalable adaptation to different production scenarios. This study advances the understanding of lean robotics for sustainable SME production and derives practical guidelines for designing scalable, resource-efficient robotic cells. Full article

This study aims to explore and propose a design-oriented methodology for solar–thermal methanol reforming (ST-MSR) hydrogen production equipment suitable for marine applications. To address key challenges such as the intermittency of solar energy, spatial and environmental constraints on board ships, operational safety, and user experience, a multidisciplinary integrated-design decision-making framework is established. First, the Kano model is employed to systematically analyze the latent needs of target users regarding ST-MSR equipment, while the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to determine the weighting of evaluation criteria. Second, the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) is applied to generate innovative conceptual design solutions. Finally, the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) is adopted to conduct a multi-dimensional comprehensive evaluation and optimization-based selection of the conceptual alternatives. The optimal design scheme is thus identified in terms of energy performance, product characteristics, user experience, economic feasibility, and environmental adaptability. The results indicate that the microchannel and phase-change thermal-storage integrated solar–thermal-tracking chemical reactor achieves the highest comprehensive evaluation score among the proposed schemes, demonstrating superior performance in terms of safety, energy efficiency, and adaptability to marine environments. This research provides a systematic industrial design methodology and practical reference for the design and product development of clean energy equipment for ships, contributing to the green and sustainable transformation of the maritime industry. Full article

In response to the pressing issues of unclear adhesion mechanisms during the soil-removal process in peanut harvesting, poor soil fragmentation quality, and difficulties in separating the pods from the soil. Based on TRIZ theory, this study has innovatively designed a separation device that relies on external forces, such as kneading and squeezing. A mechanical model of soil fragmentation and separation was developed. The key factors affecting the device’s operational performance were identified. Through theoretical analysis and discrete element simulation, this study elucidates the working principle by which the device crushes and separates soil particles using kneading and squeezing forces. Through analysis of one-factor and orthogonal experiments, the optimal operating parameter combination for the device was determined to be: a drum installation clearance of 104.7 mm, a rotational speed difference of 75.2 rpm, and a pattern roughness of Grade III (reticulated). The system’s performance metrics are a soil removal rate of 96.59% and a pod damage rate of 2.48%. Field tests have confirmed that the deviation from simulation results is minimal. The device’s performance meets the requirements of actual production. Full article

Thermosensitive nanogels are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, making precise thermal control critical for uniform particle formation and consistent product quality. This study introduces a TRIZ-guided reactor design that integrates material-level self-feedback heating with structurally homogenized heat transfer, shifting temperature regulation from conventional multi-point feedback to intrinsic physical adaptation. Experimental evaluation demonstrated that the optimized system reduced the maximum temperature difference from 6.5 °C to 3.2 °C and decreased the standard deviation from 3.9 °C to 1.8 °C, resulting in improved reaction stability. Correspondingly, monomer conversion increased from 90% to 95%, and the particle size distribution narrowed, with PDI decreasing from 0.32 to 0.18. The energy consumption per unit mass of reactant also decreased from 3.6 kJ·g⁻¹ to 2.5 kJ·g⁻¹. These results indicate that the TRIZ-based self-feedback approach effectively enhances temperature uniformity, reaction control, and energy efficiency, providing a transferable strategy for temperature-sensitive polymerization and nanomaterial synthesis. Full article

Large Language Models (LLMs) generate fluent text but often struggle with reliable multi-step reasoning, factual grounding, and stable use of long context, especially when inputs are incomplete, inconsistent, or imprecise. To address these challenges, we propose a Creative AI framework that integrates DIKWP-TRIZ with a semantic-mathematical constraint layer. DIKWP-TRIZ extends TRIZ by embedding a DIKWP (Data–Information–Knowledge–Wisdom–Purpose) network, enabling purposeful, value-aware transformations and explicit repair operations under 3-No conditions. The semantic layer introduces three context-indexed constraints over concept–expression mappings (Existence, Contextual Uniqueness, and Transitivity), making ambiguities and contradictions explicit and checkable during inference and generation. We enumerate the DIKWP × DIKWP transformation type space (25 ordered pairs over {D,I,K,W,P}) and provide candidate TRIZ inventive principles for each type as design-time guidance. A global Purpose controller steers transformation selection and enforces goal alignment and ethical constraints. We present a reference architecture and qualitative case analyses against a standard LLM, illustrating how the framework structures intermediate steps, surfaces assumptions, and supports traceable explanations. Quantitative benchmarking remains for future work. Full article

This study aims to examine the methodological applicability of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) in the conservation and revitalization of traditional military settlements. Using Zhenjing Village in Jingbian County as a case, the research constructs a systematic framework for contradiction identification and strategy generation. Methods: Through preliminary surveys, data integration, and system modeling, the study identifies major conflicts among authenticity preservation, ecological carrying capacity, and community vitality in Zhenjing Village. Technical contradiction matrices, separation principles, and the Algorithm of Inventive Problem Solving (ARIZ) are employed for structured analysis. Further, system dynamics modeling is used to simulate the effectiveness of strategies and to evaluate the dynamic impacts of various conservation interventions on authenticity maintenance, ecological stress, and community vitality. The research identifies three categories of core technical contradictions and translates the 39 engineering parameters into an indicator system adapted to the cultural heritage conservation context. ARIZ is used to derive the Ideal Final Result (IFR) for Zhenjing Village, which includes self-maintaining authenticity, self-regulating ecology, and self-activating community development, forming a systematic strategy. System dynamics simulations indicate that, compared with “inertial development,” TRIZ-oriented strategies reduce the decline in heritage authenticity by approximately 40%, keep ecological pressure indices below threshold levels, and significantly enhance the sustainability of community vitality. TRIZ enables a shift in the conservation of traditional military settlements from experience-driven approaches toward systematic problem solving. It strengthens conflict-identification capacity and improves the logical rigor of strategy generation, providing a structured and scalable innovative method for heritage conservation in arid and ecologically fragile regions in northern China and similar contexts worldwide. Full article

This study aims to gather a sustainable understanding of additive manufacturing and other Manufacturing 4.0 approaches like horizontal and vertical integration and cloud computing techniques with a focus on industrial applications. The DfAM will apply 4.0 tools to gather product feasibility and execution, with CAE—FEM analysis and CAM. This publication focuses on the redesign of a vehicle suspension arm. The main objective is to apply innovative design techniques that optimize component performance while minimizing cost and time. The IDeS method and TRIZ methodology were used, resulting in a composite element, aiming to make the FDM-sourced process a viable option, with a weight reduction of more than 80%, with less material consumption and, hence, less vehicle energy consumption. The part obtained is holistically sustainable as it was obtained by reducing the overall labor used and material/scrap generated, and the IDES data sharing minimized rework and optimized the overall production time. Full article

While BioTRIZ is widely employed in biomimetic design to facilitate creative ideation and standardize workflows, accurately formulating domain conflicts and assessing design schemes during critical stages—such as initial concept development and scheme evaluation—remains a significant challenge. To address these issues, this study proposes an advanced BioTRIZ method. Firstly, the theory of technological evolution is integrated into the domain conflict identification stage, resulting in the development of a prompt framework based on patent analysis to guide large language models (LLMs) in verifying the laws of technological evolution (LTE). Building on these insights, domain conflicts encountered throughout the design process are formulated, and inventive principles with heuristic value, alongside standardized biological knowledge, are derived to generate conceptual solutions. Subsequently, a main parameter of value (MPV) model is constructed through mining user review data, and the evaluation of conceptual designs is systematically performed via the integration of orthogonal design and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to identify the optimal combination of component solutions. The optimization case study of a floor scrubber, along with the corresponding experimental results, demonstrates the efficacy and advancement of the proposed method. This study aims to reduce the operational difficulty associated with implementing BioTRIZ in product development processes, while simultaneously enhancing its accuracy. Full article

The objective of this study is to construct a “Double-Circulation Double-Diamond” model integrating AHP, QFD, and TRIZ. This will enable the resolution of contradictions between user requirements and technical solutions in the design of highway maintenance unmanned vehicles. The construction of an efficient, safe, and iterative systematic design framework will be achieved by following these steps. The model incorporates both internal and external feedback loops into the conventional Double-Diamond framework, thereby establishing a dynamic closed-loop process of “requirement identification—technical transformation—contradiction resolution—feedback optimization.” AHP is employed to conduct a hierarchical analysis of user requirements; QFD is utilized to map these requirements to technical characteristics; and TRIZ is integrated to facilitate innovative problem-solving and solution generation. The proposed model has been demonstrated to be an effective means of achieving requirement hierarchy decomposition, technical translation, and resolution of key contradictions. MATLAB R2025b (version 25.2.0) simulations were employed to verify the role of the external feedback loop in scheme iteration and optimization. This confirmed the A* algorithm as the optimal path planning approach, which achieves a balance between efficiency and safety. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation yielded a score of 3.142, indicating performance between “well achieved” and “fully achieved”. In comparison with conventional linear development methodologies, the “Double-Circulation Double-Diamond” model has been shown to markedly enhance the systematicness and dynamic adaptability of complex equipment design through the utilization of cross-phase feedback and methodological coupling. This approach provides a transferable design framework applicable to highway maintenance, unmanned vehicles, and other complex engineering systems. Full article

Challenges related to energy security require support for investments in renewable energy sources. One of the most dynamically developing technologies in this area is photovoltaics. The literature provides numerous publications indicating PV development directions; however, strategic development planning remains fragmented between purely technological solutions and market-economic analyses. Systematic integration of both perspectives with customer needs is lacking. This study fills this gap: applying the Trends of Engineering System Evolution (TESE) methodology enables identification of PV system development trends with particular attention to PV user needs and consideration of market-economic and technological conditions. The TESE framework was used to identify the Main Parameter of Value (MPV), which indicates which technology features are important to consumers. Two key MPVs were identified: “profitability” and “independence.” These reflect the fundamental decision criteria of customers in residential and commercial segments. The analysis revealed that profitability is between stages 2 and 3 of the technology S-curve, while independence is at stage 2. As areas worth developing in terms of the indicated MPVs, the authors proposed: increasing panel efficiency, building integrated platforms containing PV, batteries, and an efficient management system (PV + ESS + EMS), and creating PV microgrids with energy storage. The integration of photovoltaic systems with energy storage solutions proved to be the most important strategic direction, simultaneously addressing both MPVs and enabling advanced energy management capabilities. The study provides manufacturers and technology developers with evidence-based recommendations concerning resource allocation in photovoltaic innovation. It combines the technology development approach and market demand through systematically verified evolutionary patterns. This methodology offers a repeatable framework for strategic technology planning in renewable energy sectors. Full article

Wave soldering is a technological process that allows for the simultaneous soldering of multiple locations on the same circuit board. Its major defects, such as tin bridging and insufficient tin filling, continue to challenge manufacturers, resulting in increased rework, labor, and operational costs. Therefore, reducing errors in wave soldering is crucial to ensure the best quality for customers and achieve cost savings for the company. This study aims to enhance wave soldering performance by using an integrated approach that combines Teoriya Resheniya Izobreatatelskikh Zadatch (TRIZ) and Design of Experiment (DOE) for empirical improvement in an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) factory, a subsidiary of a global OEM company. The results are sound: we eliminated tin till bridge defects by 88%, achieved a 33% reduction in manpower, and increased production volumes by 6%. This proposed framework can be utilized in other electronics manufacturing factories and related industries. Full article

This study proposes a methodological approach to the redesign of a 1980s vehicle, the Lancia Beta HPE, integrating the TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) and the Industrial Design Structure (IDeS) frameworks within the design process. The redesign process focused on both the external morphology of the vehicle and its propulsion system, aligning the outcome with contemporary trends in market evolution, societal shifts, and environmental considerations. The objective of the project was to reinterpret stylistic elements that were typical of 1980s automotive design through a contemporary lens, while incorporating characteristics of the current aesthetic of electric vehicles (EVs). A pivotal element of the research involved a comparative stylistic analysis of past and present vehicle design languages. This facilitated the identification of design guidelines for adapting formal and stylistic details to the electric mobility paradigm, with emphasis on contemporary aesthetics and energy efficiency. The transition from internal combustion to electric propulsion necessitated a comprehensive re-evaluation of the vehicle’s key exterior features, encompassing the front end, body shape, and lighting systems, in order to reflect a novel ecological identity and convey technological advancement. In order to inform stylistic choices, an in-depth exploration of electric propulsion principles was conducted, leveraging AI-based tools such as GPT to support TRIZ-guided problem-solving. Full article

In the context of deep AI–design integration, traditional methods struggle to translate multi-source requirements into sustainable engineering solutions while balancing innovation with practicality. This study proposes AQTA, an intelligent design framework that integrates Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), and AI-Generated Content (AIGC) to enable sustainable product development. AQTA employs a four-stage closed-loop process: requirement analysis, contradiction resolution, solution generation, and validation. QFD and AHP quantify user and sustainability requirements to identify key contradictions, TRIZ resolves technical conflicts and stimulates innovative solutions, while AIGC generates eco-efficient visual concepts through prompt engineering. Multi-criteria decision-making supports evaluation and optimization based on environmental and economic indicators. Empirical studies demonstrate that AQTA significantly enhances innovation quality, design efficiency, and sustainability performance. The framework provides a replicable, hybrid ‘theory-driven + AI-generated’ methodology, which is validated through the case study of urban fire trucks, contributing to sustainable manufacturing practices in the intelligent era. Full article

Vertical greening (VG) delivers measurable urban ecosystem benefits, yet maintenance is constrained by at-height safety risks, heterogeneous facade geometries, and low labor efficiency. Although unmanned aerial vehicles show promise, most studies optimize isolated modules rather than providing a user-oriented, system-level pathway. This paper proposes a closed-loop, multi-method framework integrating the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory-Analytic Network Process, the Functional Analysis System Technique, and the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving. DEMATEL-ANP models causal interdependencies among requirements and derives prioritized weights,; FAST decomposes functions and localizes conflicts, and TRIZ converts those conflicts into principle-guided structural concepts—establishing a traceable requirements → functions → conflicts → structure pipeline. We illustrate the approach at the prototype level with Rhino–KeyShot visualizations under near-facade constraints, showing how prioritized requirements propagate into candidate UAV architectures. The framework structures the identification and resolution of tightly coupled technical conflicts, supports adaptability in facade-proximal scenarios, and provides a transparent mapping from user needs to structure-level concepts. Claims are restricted to methodological feasibility; comprehensive quantitative field validation remains for future work. The framework offers a reproducible methodological reference for the systematic design and decision-making of intelligent UAV maintenance systems for VG. Full article