Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (176)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = bridge operation and maintenance

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
22 pages, 2187 KB  
Review
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins for Bioclimatic Building Design: Innovations in Sustainability and Efficiency
by Ekaterina Filippova, Sattar Hedayat, Tina Ziarati and Matteo Manganelli
Energies 2025, 18(19), 5230; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18195230 - 1 Oct 2025
Abstract
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into bioclimatic building design is reshaping the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry by addressing critical challenges in sustainability and efficiency. By aligning structures with local climates, bioclimatic design addresses global challenges such as energy consumption, urbanization, [...] Read more.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into bioclimatic building design is reshaping the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry by addressing critical challenges in sustainability and efficiency. By aligning structures with local climates, bioclimatic design addresses global challenges such as energy consumption, urbanization, and climate change. Complementing these principles, AI technologies—including machine learning, digital twins, and generative algorithms—are revolutionizing the sector by optimizing processes across the entire building lifecycle, from design and construction to operation and maintenance. Amid the diverse array of AI-driven innovations, this research highlights digital twin (DT) technologies as a key to AI-driven transformation, enabling real-time monitoring, simulation, and optimization for sustainable design. Applications like façade optimization, energy flow analysis, and predictive maintenance showcase their role in adaptive architecture, while frameworks like Construction 4.0 and 5.0 promote human-centric, data-driven sustainability. By bridging AI with bioclimatic design, the findings contribute to a vision of a built environment that seamlessly aligns environmental sustainability with technological advancement and societal well-being, setting new standards for adaptive and resilient architecture. Despite the immense potential, AI and DTs face challenges like high computational demands, regulatory barriers, interoperability and skill gaps. Overcoming these challenges will be crucial for maximizing the impact on sustainable building, requiring ongoing research to ensure scalability, ethics, and accessibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems in Buildings)
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 5554 KB  
Article
Innovative Forecasting: “A Transformer Architecture for Enhanced Bridge Condition Prediction”
by Manuel Fernando Flores Cuenca, Yavuz Yardim and Cengis Hasan
Infrastructures 2025, 10(10), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10100260 - 29 Sep 2025
Abstract
The preservation of bridge infrastructure has become increasingly critical as aging assets face accelerated deterioration due to climate change, environmental loading, and operational stressors. This issue is particularly pronounced in regions with limited maintenance budgets, where delayed interventions compound structural vulnerabilities. Although traditional [...] Read more.
The preservation of bridge infrastructure has become increasingly critical as aging assets face accelerated deterioration due to climate change, environmental loading, and operational stressors. This issue is particularly pronounced in regions with limited maintenance budgets, where delayed interventions compound structural vulnerabilities. Although traditional bridge inspections generate detailed condition ratings, these are often viewed as isolated snapshots rather than part of a continuous structural health timeline, limiting their predictive value. To overcome this, recent studies have employed various Artificial Intelligence (AI) models. However, these models are often restricted by fixed input sizes and specific report formats, making them less adaptable to the variability of real-world data. Thus, this study introduces a Transformer architecture inspired by Natural Language Processing (NLP), treating condition ratings, and other features as tokens within temporally ordered inspection “sentences” spanning 1993–2024. Due to the self-attention mechanism, the model effectively captures long-range dependencies in patterns, enhancing forecasting accuracy. Empirical results demonstrate 96.88% accuracy for short-term prediction and 86.97% across seven years, surpassing the performance of comparable time-series models such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Units (GRUs). Ultimately, this approach enables a data-driven paradigm for structural health monitoring, enabling bridges to “speak” through inspection data and empowering engineers to “listen” with enhanced precision. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 5313 KB  
Article
An Interpretable Hybrid Fault Prediction Framework Using XGBoost and a Probabilistic Graphical Model for Predictive Maintenance: A Case Study in Textile Manufacturing
by Fernando Velasco-Loera, Mildreth Alcaraz-Mejia and Jose L. Chavez-Hurtado
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 10164; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151810164 - 18 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 358
Abstract
This paper proposes a hybrid predictive maintenance framework that combines the discriminative power of XGBoost with the interpretability of a Bayesian Network automatically learned from sensor data. Targeted at textile manufacturing equipment operating under Industry 4.0 conditions, the system addresses the trade-off between [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a hybrid predictive maintenance framework that combines the discriminative power of XGBoost with the interpretability of a Bayesian Network automatically learned from sensor data. Targeted at textile manufacturing equipment operating under Industry 4.0 conditions, the system addresses the trade-off between early fault detection and decision transparency. Sensor data, including vibration, temperature, and electric current, were collected from a multi-needle quilting machine using a custom IoT-based platform. A degradation-aware labeling scheme was implemented using historical maintenance logs to assign semantic labels to sensor readings. A Bayesian Network structure was learned from this data via a Hill Climbing algorithm optimized with the Bayesian Information Criterion, capturing interpretable causal dependencies. In parallel, an XGBoost model was trained to improve classification accuracy for incipient faults. Experimental results demonstrate that XGBoost achieved an F1-score of 0.967 on the high-degradation class, outperforming the Bayesian model in raw accuracy. However, the Bayesian Network provided transparent probabilistic reasoning and root cause explanation capabilities—essential for operator trust and human-in-the-loop diagnostics. The integration of both models yields a robust and interpretable solution for predictive maintenance, enabling early alerts, visual diagnostics, and scalable deployment. The proposed architecture is validated in a real production line and demonstrates the practical value of hybrid AI systems in bridging performance and interpretability for predictive maintenance in Industry 4.0 environments. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 1080 KB  
Systematic Review
Digital Twin and Computer Vision Combination for Manufacturing and Operations: A Systematic Literature Review
by Haji Ahmed Faqeer and Siavash H. Khajavi
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 10157; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151810157 - 17 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 374
Abstract
This paper examines the transformative role of the Digital Twin-Computer Vision combination (DT-CV combo) in industrial operations, focusing on its applications, challenges, and future directions. It aims to synthesize the existing literature and explore the practical use cases in operations management (OM). A [...] Read more.
This paper examines the transformative role of the Digital Twin-Computer Vision combination (DT-CV combo) in industrial operations, focusing on its applications, challenges, and future directions. It aims to synthesize the existing literature and explore the practical use cases in operations management (OM). A comprehensive systematic literature review is conducted using PRISMA guidelines to analyze the DT-CV combo across the classification of industrial OM. However, given the breadth and importance of manufacturing and the OM field, the study excludes the literature on the DT-CV combo applied to other domains such as healthcare, smart buildings and cities, and transportation. We found that the DT-CV combo in OM is a relatively young but growing field of research. To date, only 29 articles have examined DT-CV combo solutions from various OM perspectives. Case studies are rare, with most studies relying on experimentation and laboratory testing to investigate DT-CV applications in the OM context. According to the cases and methods reviewed in the literature, the DT-CV combo has applications in different OM areas such as design, prototyping, simulation, real-time production monitoring, defect detection, process optimization, hazard detection and mitigation, safety training, emergency response simulation, optimal resource allocation, condition monitoring, inventory management, and scheduling maintenance. We also identified several benefits of DT-CV combo solutions in OM, including reducing human error, ensuring compliance with quality standards, lowering maintenance costs, mitigating production downtime, eliminating operational bottlenecks, and decreasing workplace accidents, while simultaneously improving the effectiveness of training. In this paper, we classify current applications of the DT-CV combo in OM, highlight gaps in the existing literature, and propose research questions to guide future studies in this domain. By considering the rapid phase of AI technology development and combining it with the current state of the art applications of the DT-CV combo in OM, we suggest novel concepts and future directions. The digital twin-vision language model (DT-VLM) combo as a future direction, emphasizing its potential to bridge physical–digital interfaces in industrial workflows, is one of the future development directions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Twins in the Industry 4.0)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3138 KB  
Article
High-Precision Visual Monitoring Method for Bridge Displacement Based on Computer Vision and Its Engineering Application
by Congbo Sun, Wei He and Chao Zou
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 10023; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151810023 - 13 Sep 2025
Viewed by 269
Abstract
Non-contact measurement technology based on computer vision has been recognized as a critical approach in bridge lightweight monitoring due to its low cost and strong environmental adaptability. To address the sub-millimeter accuracy and real-time requirements of bridge displacement monitoring, this study proposes a [...] Read more.
Non-contact measurement technology based on computer vision has been recognized as a critical approach in bridge lightweight monitoring due to its low cost and strong environmental adaptability. To address the sub-millimeter accuracy and real-time requirements of bridge displacement monitoring, this study proposes a visual monitoring method that integrates a connected-domain segmentation matching algorithm with an automatic binarization threshold adjustment mechanism. This combination significantly improves adaptability and robustness under complex lighting conditions. Moreover, the method introduces the SRCNN (Super-Resolution Convolutional Neural Network) as a lightweight super-resolution module, the method achieves a better balance between computational efficiency and measurement precision. The proposed method was validated through model testing and successfully applied to real-bridge displacement monitoring and structural damping ratio identification. These findings demonstrate the practical potential of the method as a reliable reference for static and dynamic performance evaluation and condition assessment of bridges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Civil Engineering)
Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 3647 KB  
Article
AI Bias in Power Systems Domain—Exemplary Cases and Approaches
by Chijioke Eze, Abraham Ezema, Lara Roth, Zhiyu Pan, Ferdinanda Ponci and Antonello Monti
Energies 2025, 18(18), 4819; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18184819 - 10 Sep 2025
Viewed by 479
Abstract
This paper examines artificial intelligence (AI) bias in power systems applications through systematic analysis of three critical use cases: load forecasting, predictive maintenance, and ontology matching for system interoperability. While AI solutions show great potential for addressing complex power system challenges, they face [...] Read more.
This paper examines artificial intelligence (AI) bias in power systems applications through systematic analysis of three critical use cases: load forecasting, predictive maintenance, and ontology matching for system interoperability. While AI solutions show great potential for addressing complex power system challenges, they face adoption barriers due to biases that compromise fairness, reliability, and operational performance. Our investigation demonstrates how different bias types—including data representation, algorithmic, and sampling biases—manifest in power systems contexts, directly affecting grid efficiency, resource allocation, and socioeconomic equity across the electrical power and energy domain. For each use case, we provide quantitative evidence of bias impact and propose targeted mitigation strategies that emphasize data diversity, ensemble methods, explainable AI techniques, and fairness-aware algorithms. By establishing a comprehensive taxonomy of bias types relevant to power systems and developing practical mitigation frameworks, this work bridges the critical gap between abstract bias concepts and real-world power system applications. The resulting framework provides a structured approach for developing equitable, robust AI systems that align with power systems’ operational requirements while accelerating the responsible adoption of AI in safety-critical infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Power and Energy Systems: 2nd Edition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 3929 KB  
Article
Large Language Model-Based Autonomous Agent for Prognostics and Health Management
by Minhyeok Cha, Sang-il Yoon, Seongrae Kim, Daeyoung Kang, Keonwoo Nam, Teakyong Lee and Joon-Young Kim
Machines 2025, 13(9), 831; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13090831 - 9 Sep 2025
Viewed by 610
Abstract
Prognostics and Health Management (PHM), including fault diagnosis and Remaining Useful Life (RUL) prediction, is critical for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of industrial equipment. However, traditional AI-based methods require extensive expert intervention in data preprocessing, model selection, and hyperparameter tuning, making them [...] Read more.
Prognostics and Health Management (PHM), including fault diagnosis and Remaining Useful Life (RUL) prediction, is critical for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of industrial equipment. However, traditional AI-based methods require extensive expert intervention in data preprocessing, model selection, and hyperparameter tuning, making them less scalable and accessible in real-world applications. To address these limitations, this study proposes an autonomous agent powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) to automate predictive modeling for fault diagnosis and RUL prediction. The proposed agent processes natural language queries, extracts key parameters, and autonomously configures AI models while integrating an iterative optimization mechanism for dynamic hyperparameter tuning. Under identical settings, we compared GPT-3.5 Turbo, GPT-4, GPT-4o, GPT-4o-mini, Gemini-2.0-Flash, and LLaMA-3.2 on accuracy, latency, and cost, using GPT-4 as the baseline. The most accurate model is GPT-4o with an accuracy of 0.96, a gain of six percentage points over GPT-4. It also reduces end-to-end time to 1.900 s and cost to $0.00455 per 1 k tokens, which correspond to reductions of 32% and 59%. For speed and cost efficiency, Gemini-2.0-Flash reaches 0.964 s and $0.00021 per 1 k tokens with accuracy 0.94, an improvement of four percentage points over GPT-4. The agent operates through interconnected modules, seamlessly transitioning from query analysis to AI model deployment while optimizing model selection and performance. Experimental results confirmed that the developed agent achieved stable performance under ideal configurations, attaining accuracy 0.97 on FordA for binary fault classification, accuracy 0.95 on CWRU for multi-fault classification, and an asymmetric score of 380.74 on C-MAPSS FD001 for RUL prediction, while significantly reducing manual intervention. By bridging the gap between domain expertise and AI-driven predictive maintenance, this study advances industrial automation, improving efficiency, scalability, and accessibility. The proposed approach paves the way for the broader adoption of autonomous AI systems in industrial maintenance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Automation and Control Systems)
Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 3162 KB  
Article
Quantifying the Impact of Soiling and Thermal Stress on Rooftop PV Performance: Seasonal Analysis from an Industrial Urban Region in Türkiye
by Okan Uykan, Güray Çelik and Aşkın Birgül
Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 8038; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17178038 - 6 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1144
Abstract
This study presents a novel framework to assess the combined impact of soiling and thermal effects on rooftop PV systems through multi-seasonal, multi-site field campaigns in an industrial-urban environment. This work addresses key research gaps by providing a high-resolution, site-specific analysis that captures [...] Read more.
This study presents a novel framework to assess the combined impact of soiling and thermal effects on rooftop PV systems through multi-seasonal, multi-site field campaigns in an industrial-urban environment. This work addresses key research gaps by providing a high-resolution, site-specific analysis that captures the synergistic effect of particulate accumulation and thermal stress on PV performance in an industrial-urban environment—a setting distinct from the well-studied arid climates. The study further bridges a gap by employing controlled pre- and post-cleaning performance tests across multiple sites to isolate and quantify soiling losses, offering insights crucial for developing targeted maintenance strategies in pollution-prone urban areas. Unlike previous work, it integrates gravimetric soiling measurements with high-resolution electrical (I–V), thermal, and environmental monitoring, complemented by PVSYST simulation benchmarking. Field data were collected from five rooftop plants in Bursa, Türkiye, during summer and winter, capturing seasonal variations in particulate deposition, module temperature, and PV output, alongside irradiance, wind speed, and airborne particulates. Soiling nearly doubled in winter (0.098 g/m2) compared to summer (0.051 g/m2), but lower winter temperatures (mean 19.8 °C) partially offset performance losses seen under hot summer conditions (mean 42.1 °C). Isc correlated negatively with both soiling (r = −0.68) and temperature (r = −0.72), with regression analysis showing soiling as the dominant factor (R2 = 0.71). Energy yield analysis revealed that high summer irradiance did not always increase output due to thermal losses, while winter often yielded comparable or higher energy. Soiling-induced losses ranged 5–17%, with SPP-2 worst affected in winter, and seasonal PR declines averaged 10.8%. The results highlight the need for integrated strategies combining cleaning, thermal management, and environmental monitoring to maintain PV efficiency in particulate-prone regions, offering practical guidance for operators and supporting renewable energy goals in challenging environments. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 4050 KB  
Article
Maritime Operational Intelligence: AR-IoT Synergies for Energy Efficiency and Emissions Control
by Christos Spandonidis, Zafiris Tzioridis, Areti Petsa and Nikolaos Charanas
Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 7982; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177982 - 4 Sep 2025
Viewed by 877
Abstract
In response to mounting regulatory and environmental pressures, the maritime sector must urgently improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, conventional operational interfaces often fail to deliver real-time, actionable insights needed for informed decision-making onboard. This work presents an innovative Augmented [...] Read more.
In response to mounting regulatory and environmental pressures, the maritime sector must urgently improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, conventional operational interfaces often fail to deliver real-time, actionable insights needed for informed decision-making onboard. This work presents an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) interface integrated with an established shipboard data collection system to enhance real-time monitoring and operational decision-making on commercial vessels. The baseline data acquisition infrastructure is currently installed on over 800 vessels across various ship types, providing a robust foundation for this development. To validate the AR interface’s feasibility and performance, a field trial was conducted on a representative dry bulk carrier. Through hands-free AR smart glasses, crew members access real-time overlays of key performance indicators, such as fuel consumption, engine status, emissions levels, and energy load balancing, directly within their field of view. Field evaluations and scenario-based workshops demonstrate significant gains in energy efficiency (up to 28% faster decision-making), predictive maintenance accuracy, and emissions awareness. The system addresses human–machine interaction challenges in high-pressure maritime settings, bridging the gap between complex sensor data and crew responsiveness. By contextualizing IoT data within the physical environment, the AR-IoT platform transforms traditional workflows into proactive, data-driven practices. This study contributes to the emerging paradigm of digitally enabled sustainable operations and offers practical insights for scaling AR-IoT solutions across global fleets. Findings suggest that such convergence of AR and IoT not only enhances vessel performance but also accelerates compliance with decarbonization targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2567 KB  
Article
Dynamic Vision-Based Non-Contact Rotating Machine Fault Diagnosis with EViT
by Zhenning Jin, Cuiying Sun and Xiang Li
Sensors 2025, 25(17), 5472; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25175472 - 3 Sep 2025
Viewed by 672
Abstract
Event-based cameras, as a revolutionary class of dynamic vision sensors, offer transformative advantages for capturing transient mechanical phenomena through their asynchronous, per-pixel brightness change detection mechanism. These neuromorphic sensors excel in challenging industrial environments with their microsecond-level temporal resolution, ultra-low power requirements, and [...] Read more.
Event-based cameras, as a revolutionary class of dynamic vision sensors, offer transformative advantages for capturing transient mechanical phenomena through their asynchronous, per-pixel brightness change detection mechanism. These neuromorphic sensors excel in challenging industrial environments with their microsecond-level temporal resolution, ultra-low power requirements, and exceptional dynamic range that significantly outperform conventional imaging systems. In this way, the event-based camera provides a promising tool for machine vibration sensing and fault diagnosis. However, the dynamic vision data from the event-based cameras have a complex structure, which cannot be directly processed by the mainstream methods. This paper proposes a dynamic vision-based non-contact machine fault diagnosis method. The Eagle Vision Transformer (EViT) architecture is proposed, which incorporates biologically plausible computational mechanisms through its innovative Bi-Fovea Self-Attention and Bi-Fovea Feedforward Network designs. The proposed method introduces an original computational framework that effectively processes asynchronous event streams while preserving their inherent temporal precision and dynamic response characteristics. The proposed methodology demonstrates exceptional fault diagnosis performance across diverse operational scenarios through its unique combination of multi-scale spatiotemporal feature analysis, adaptive learning capabilities, and transparent decision pathways. The effectiveness of the proposed method is extensively validated by the practical condition monitoring data of rotating machines. By successfully bridging cutting-edge bio-inspired vision processing with practical industrial monitoring requirements, this work creates a new paradigm for dynamic vision-based non-contact machinery fault diagnosis that addresses critical limitations of conventional approaches. The proposed method provides new insights for predictive maintenance applications in smart manufacturing environments. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

36 pages, 7369 KB  
Article
Ontology-Driven Digital Twin Framework for Aviation Maintenance and Operations
by Igor Kabashkin
Mathematics 2025, 13(17), 2817; https://doi.org/10.3390/math13172817 - 2 Sep 2025
Viewed by 708
Abstract
This paper presents a novel ontology-driven digital twin framework specifically designed for aviation maintenance and operations that addresses these challenges through semantic reasoning and explainable decision support. The proposed framework integrates seven interconnected ontologies—structural, functional, behavioral, monitoring, maintenance, lifecycle, and environmental. It collectively [...] Read more.
This paper presents a novel ontology-driven digital twin framework specifically designed for aviation maintenance and operations that addresses these challenges through semantic reasoning and explainable decision support. The proposed framework integrates seven interconnected ontologies—structural, functional, behavioral, monitoring, maintenance, lifecycle, and environmental. It collectively provides a comprehensive semantic representation of aircraft systems and their operational context. Each ontology is mathematically formalized using description logics and graph theory, creating a unified knowledge graph that enables transparent, traceable reasoning from sensor observations to maintenance decisions. The digital twin is formally defined as a 6-tuple that incorporates semantic transformation engines, cross-ontology mappings, and dynamic reasoning mechanisms. Unlike traditional data-driven approaches that operate as black boxes, the ontology-driven framework provides explainable inference capabilities essential for regulatory compliance and safety certification in aviation. The semantic foundation enables causal reasoning, rule-based validation, and context-aware maintenance recommendations while supporting standardization and interoperability across manufacturers, airlines, and regulatory bodies. The research contributes a mathematically grounded, semantically transparent framework that bridges the gap between domain knowledge and operational data in aviation maintenance. This work establishes the foundation for next-generation cognitive maintenance systems that can support intelligent, adaptive, and trustworthy operations in modern aviation ecosystems. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 796 KB  
Review
Review on Durability Deterioration and Mitigation of Concrete Structures
by Jiwei Ma, Qiuwei Yang, Xi Peng and Kangshuo Xia
Coatings 2025, 15(9), 982; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15090982 - 22 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1365
Abstract
Concrete bridges, as a vital component of modern transportation infrastructure, have their structural durability directly tied to safety and service life. In recent years, with the aging of bridge structures and increasingly complex environmental conditions, various durability-related deteriorations have become more prominent, significantly [...] Read more.
Concrete bridges, as a vital component of modern transportation infrastructure, have their structural durability directly tied to safety and service life. In recent years, with the aging of bridge structures and increasingly complex environmental conditions, various durability-related deteriorations have become more prominent, significantly affecting structural performance and maintenance costs. This paper presents a systematic analysis of concrete carbonation as a key chemical process and its impact on durability-related pathologies. Particular attention is given to the formation mechanisms and influencing factors of critical deterioration modes such as cracking, reinforcement corrosion, and freeze–thaw damage. A multi-level prevention and mitigation strategy is proposed, encompassing optimized structural material design, strict construction quality control, and effective maintenance and repair techniques. The study concludes that the durability issues of concrete bridge structures exhibit a strong multi-factor coupling effect and proposes a core durability assurance framework. Finally, the paper briefly outlines emerging trends in intelligent monitoring and digital operation and maintenance, offering insights for future durability management of bridges. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1017 KB  
Article
Energy Efficiency and Waste Reduction Through Maintenance Optimization: A Case Study in the Pharmaceutical Industry
by Nuno Soares Domingues and João Patrício
Waste 2025, 3(3), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/waste3030028 - 21 Aug 2025
Viewed by 601
Abstract
The global rise in population, increased life expectancy, and heightened international mobility have escalated disease prevalence and pharmaceutical demand. This growth intensifies energy consumption and chemical waste production within the pharmaceutical industry, challenging environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. Chromatography, a vital analytical technique [...] Read more.
The global rise in population, increased life expectancy, and heightened international mobility have escalated disease prevalence and pharmaceutical demand. This growth intensifies energy consumption and chemical waste production within the pharmaceutical industry, challenging environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. Chromatography, a vital analytical technique for ensuring product quality and regulatory compliance, can also contribute to material waste and energy inefficiencies if not properly maintained and optimized. This study applies Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to chromatographic equipment maintenance within Hovione’s Engineering and Maintenance Department, aiming to identify and mitigate failure risks. By integrating environmental metrics derived from Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) into the FMEA framework, a hybrid risk evaluation tool was developed that prioritizes both equipment reliability and sustainability performance. The findings demonstrate how this integrated approach reduces unplanned downtime, lowers solvent waste, and improves energy efficiency. Additionally, the study proposes a conceptual dashboard to support proactive, sustainability-driven asset management in pharmaceutical laboratories. By bridging reliability engineering and environmental sustainability, this research offers a strategic model for optimizing resource use, minimizing chemical waste, and enhancing long-term operational resilience in regulated pharmaceutical environments. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 19679 KB  
Article
Bridge Damage Identification Using Time-Varying Filtering-Based Empirical Mode Decomposition and Pre-Trained Convolutional Neural Networks
by Shenghuan Zeng, Jian Cui, Ding Luo and Naiwei Lu
Sensors 2025, 25(15), 4869; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25154869 - 7 Aug 2025
Viewed by 396
Abstract
Structural damage identification provides a theoretical foundation for the operational safety and preventive maintenance of in-service bridges. However, practical bridge health monitoring faces challenges in poor signal quality, difficulties in feature extraction, and insufficient damage classification accuracy. This study presents a bridge damage [...] Read more.
Structural damage identification provides a theoretical foundation for the operational safety and preventive maintenance of in-service bridges. However, practical bridge health monitoring faces challenges in poor signal quality, difficulties in feature extraction, and insufficient damage classification accuracy. This study presents a bridge damage identification framework integrating time-varying filtering-based empirical mode decomposition (TVFEMD) with pre-trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The proposed method enhances the key frequency-domain features of signals and suppresses the interference of non-stationary noise on model training through adaptive denoising and time–frequency reconstruction. TVFEMD was demonstrated in numerical simulation experiments to have a better performance than the traditional EMD in terms of frequency separation and modal purity. Furthermore, the performances of three pre-trained CNN models were compared in damage classification tasks. The results indicate that ResNet-50 has the best optimal performance compared with the other networks, particularly exhibiting better adaptability and recognition accuracy when processing TVFEMD-denoised signals. In addition, the principal component analysis visualization results demonstrate that TVFEMD significantly improves the clustering and separability of feature data, providing clearer class boundaries and reducing feature overlap. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fault Diagnosis & Sensors)
Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 2918 KB  
Article
Machine Learning-Powered KPI Framework for Real-Time, Sustainable Ship Performance Management
by Christos Spandonidis, Vasileios Iliopoulos and Iason Athanasopoulos
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081440 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 794
Abstract
The maritime sector faces escalating demands to minimize emissions and optimize operational efficiency under tightening environmental regulations. Although technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Twins (DT) offer substantial potential, their deployment in real-time ship performance analytics [...] Read more.
The maritime sector faces escalating demands to minimize emissions and optimize operational efficiency under tightening environmental regulations. Although technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Twins (DT) offer substantial potential, their deployment in real-time ship performance analytics is at an emerging state. This paper proposes a machine learning-driven framework for real-time ship performance management. The framework starts with data collected from onboard sensors and culminates in a decision support system that is easily interpretable, even by non-experts. It also provides a method to forecast vessel performance by extrapolating Key Performance Indicator (KPI) values. Furthermore, it offers a flexible methodology for defining KPIs for every crucial component or aspect of vessel performance, illustrated through a use case focusing on fuel oil consumption. Leveraging Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), hybrid multivariate data fusion, and high-frequency sensor streams, the system facilitates continuous diagnostics, early fault detection, and data-driven decision-making. Unlike conventional static performance models, the framework employs dynamic KPIs that evolve with the vessel’s operational state, enabling advanced trend analysis, predictive maintenance scheduling, and compliance assurance. Experimental comparison against classical KPI models highlights superior predictive fidelity, robustness, and temporal consistency. Furthermore, the paper delineates AI and ML applications across core maritime operations and introduces a scalable, modular system architecture applicable to both commercial and naval platforms. This approach bridges advanced simulation ecosystems with in situ operational data, laying a robust foundation for digital transformation and sustainability in maritime domains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop