Search Results (535)

Mixed-flow assembly lines are widely employed in industrial manufacturing to handle diverse production tasks. For mixed flow assembly lines that involve mold changes and greater processing difficulties, there are currently two approaches: batch production and production according to order sequence. The first approach struggles to meet the processing constraints of workpieces with higher production difficulty, while the second approach requires the development of suitable scheduling schemes to balance mold changes and continuous processing. Therefore, under the second approach, developing an excellent scheduling scheme is a challenging problem. This study addresses the mixed-flow assembly shop scheduling problem, considering continuous processing and mold-changing constraints, by developing a multi-objective optimization model to minimize additional production time and customer waiting time. As this NP-hard problem poses significant challenges in solution space exploration, the conventional NSGA-II algorithm suffers from limited local search capability. To address this, we propose an enhanced NSGA-II algorithm (RLVNS-NSGA-II) integrating deep reinforcement learning. Our approach combines multiple neighborhood search operators with deep reinforcement learning, which dynamically utilizes population diversity and objective function data to guide and strengthen local search. Simulation experiments confirm that the proposed algorithm surpasses existing methods in local search performance. Compared to VNS-NSGA-II and SVNS-NSGA-II, the RLVNS-NSGA-II algorithm achieved hypervolume improvements ranging from 19.72% to 42.88% and 12.63% to 31.19%, respectively. Full article

The biopharmaceutical industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation from traditional batch manufacturing to continuous manufacturing (CM) for recombinant drugs and biosimilars, driven by regulatory support through the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) Q13 guidance and compelling economic advantages. This comprehensive review examines the technical, economic, and regulatory aspects of implementing continuous manufacturing specifically for recombinant protein production and biosimilar development, synthesizing validated data from peer-reviewed research, regulatory sources, and global implementation case studies. The analysis demonstrates that continuous manufacturing offers substantial benefits, including a reduced equipment footprint of up to 70%, a 3- to 5-fold increase in volumetric productivity, enhanced product quality consistency, and facility cost reductions of 30–50% compared to traditional batch processes. Leading biomanufacturers across North America, Europe, and the Asia–Pacific region are successfully integrating perfusion upstream processes with connected downstream bioprocesses, enabling the fully end-to-end continuous manufacture of biopharmaceuticals with demonstrated commercial viability. The regulatory framework has been comprehensively established through ICH Q13 guidance and region-specific implementations across the FDA, EMA, PMDA, and emerging market authorities. This review provides a critical analysis of advanced technologies, including single-use perfusion bioreactors, continuous chromatography systems, real-time process analytical technology, and Industry 4.0 integration strategies. The economic modeling presents favorable return-on-investment profiles, accompanied by a detailed analysis of global market dynamics, regional implementation patterns, and supply chain integration opportunities. Full article

Cultured meat is emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional animal agriculture, with scaffolds playing a central role in supporting cellular attachment, growth, and tissue maturation. This review focuses on the development of gel-based hybrid biomaterials that meet the dual requirements of biocompatibility and food safety. We explore recent advances in the use of naturally derived gel-forming polymers such as gelatin, chitosan, cellulose, alginate, and plant-based proteins as the structural backbone for edible scaffolds. Particular attention is given to the integration of food-grade functional additives into hydrogel-based scaffolds. These include nanocellulose, dietary fibers, modified starches, polyphenols, and enzymatic crosslinkers such as transglutaminase, which enhance mechanical stability, rheological properties, and cell-guidance capabilities. Rather than focusing on fabrication methods or individual case studies, this review emphasizes the material-centric design strategies for building scalable, printable, and digestible gel scaffolds suitable for cultured meat production. By systemically evaluating the role of each component in structural reinforcement and biological interaction, this work provides a comprehensive frame work for designing next-generation edible scaffold systems. Nonetheless, the field continues to face challenges, including structural optimization, regulatory validation, and scale-up, which are critical for future implementation. Ultimately, hybrid gel-based scaffolds are positioned as a foundational technology for advancing the functionality, manufacturability, and consumer readiness of cultured meat products, distinguishing this work from previous reviews. Unlike previous reviews that have focused primarily on fabrication techniques or tissue engineering applications, this review provides a uniquely food-centric perspective by systematically evaluating the compositional design of hybrid hydrogel-based scaffolds with edibility, scalability, and consumer acceptance in mind. Through a comparative analysis of food-safe additives and naturally derived biopolymers, this review establishes a framework that bridges biomaterials science and food engineering to advance the practical realization of cultured meat products. Full article

Consumer interest in vegetarian, ethical, and clean-label foods is reviving the use of plant-derived milk coagulants. Cardosins from Cynara cardunculus (“thistle”) are aspartic proteases with strong clotting activity, yet their technological impact in cheese remains under-explored. This study compared a commercial thistle extract (PC) with traditional bovine rennet rich in chymosin (AC) during manufacture and 60-day ripening of Caciotta cheese. Classical compositional assays (ripening index, texture profile, color, solubility) were integrated with scanning electron microscopy, three-dimensional surface reconstruction, and descriptive sensory analysis. AC cheeses displayed slower but sustained proteolysis, yielding a higher and more linear ripening index, softer body, greater solubility, and brighter, more yellow appearance. Imaging revealed a continuous protein matrix with uniformly distributed, larger pores, consistent with a dairy-like sensory profile dominated by milky and umami notes. Conversely, PC cheeses underwent rapid early proteolysis that plateaued, producing firmer, chewier curds with lower solubility and darker color. Micrographs showed a fragmented matrix with smaller, heterogeneous pores; sensory evaluation highlighted vegetal, bitter, and astringent attributes. The data demonstrate that thistle coagulant can successfully replace animal rennet but generates cheeses with distinct structural and sensory fingerprints. The optimization of process parameters is therefore required when targeting specific product styles. Full article

Background/Objectives: In many parts of the world, pharmacists hold the primary responsibility for providing safe and effective pharmacotherapy. A key aspect is the availability of appropriate medicines for each individual patient. When industrially manufactured medicines are unsuitable or unavailable, pharmacists can prepare tailor-made medicines. While this principle applies globally, practices vary between countries. In the Netherlands, the preparation of medicines in pharmacies is well-established and integrated into routine healthcare. This narrative review explores the role and significance of extemporaneous compounding, pharmacy preparations and related product care in the Netherlands. Methods: Pharmacists involved in pharmacy preparations across various professional sectors, including community and hospital pharmacies, central compounding facilities, academia, and the professional pharmacists’ organisation, provided detailed and expert insights based on the literature and policy documents while also sharing their critical perspectives. Results: We present arguments supporting the need for pharmacy preparations and examine their position and role in community and hospital pharmacies in the Netherlands. Additional topics are discussed, including the regulatory and legal framework, outsourcing, quality assurance, standardisation, education, and international context. Specific pharmacy preparation topics, often with a research component and a strong focus on product care, are highlighted, including paediatric dosage forms, swallowing difficulties and feeding tubes, hospital-at-home care, reconstitution of oncolytic drugs and biologicals, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), radiopharmaceuticals and optical tracers, clinical trial medication, robotisation in reconstitution, and patient-centric solid oral dosage forms. Conclusions: The widespread acceptance of pharmacy preparations in the Netherlands is the result of a unique combination of strict adherence to tailored regulations that ensure quality and safety, and patient-oriented flexibility in design, formulation, and production. This approach is further reinforced by the standardisation of a broad range of formulations and procedures across primary, secondary and tertiary care, as well as by continuous research-driven innovation to develop new medicines, formulations, and production methods. Full article

Internal crack defects in high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels during continuous casting pose significant challenges to downstream processing and product reliability. However, due to the inherent class imbalance in industrial defect datasets, conventional machine learning models often suffer from poor sensitivity to minority class instances. This study proposes a predictive framework that integrates conditional tabular generative adversarial network (CTGAN) for synthetic minority sample generation and CatBoost for classification. A dataset of 733 process records was collected from a continuous caster, and 25 informative features were selected using mutual information. CTGAN was employed to augment the minority class (crack) samples, achieving a balanced training set. Feature distribution analysis and principal component visualization indicated that the synthetic data effectively preserved the statistical structure of the original minority class. Compared with the other machine learning methods, including KNN, SVM, and MLP, CatBoost achieved the highest metrics, with an accuracy of 0.9239, precision of 0.9041, recall of 0.9018, and F1-score of 0.9022. Results show that CTGAN-based augmentation improves classification performance across all models. These findings highlight the effectiveness of GAN-based augmentation for imbalanced industrial data and validate the CTGAN–CatBoost model as a robust solution for online defect prediction in steel manufacturing. Full article

The main thrust of the study is the need to cut down the time taken for mold changes in plastic injection molding which is fundamental to the productivity and efficiency of the process. The research encompasses Lean Manufacturing, DMAIC, and SMED which are improved using fuzzy logic and AI for rapid changeover optimization on the NEGRI BOSSI 650 machine. A decrease in downtime by 65% and an improvement in the Process Cycle Efficiency by 46.8% followed the identification of bottlenecks, externalizing tasks, and streamlining workflows. AI-driven analysis could make on-the-fly adjustments, which would ensure that resources are better allocated, and thus sustainable performance is maintained. The findings highlight how integrating Lean methods with advanced technologies enhances operational agility and competitiveness, offering a scalable model for continuous improvement in industrial settings. Full article

Nanotechnology is revolutionizing medicine by enabling highly precise diagnostics, targeted therapies, and personalized healthcare solutions. This review explores the multifaceted applications of nanotechnology across medical fields such as oncology and infectious disease control. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs), such as liposomes, polymeric carriers, and carbon-based nanomaterials, enhance drug solubility, protect therapeutic agents from degradation, and enable site-specific delivery, thereby reducing toxicity to healthy tissues. In diagnostics, nanosensors and contrast agents provide ultra-sensitive detection of biomarkers, supporting early diagnosis and real-time monitoring. Nanotechnology also contributes to regenerative medicine, antimicrobial therapies, wearable devices, and theranostics, which integrate treatment and diagnosis into unified systems. Advanced innovations such as nanobots and smart nanosystems further extend these capabilities, enabling responsive drug delivery and minimally invasive interventions. Despite its immense potential, nanomedicine faces challenges, including biocompatibility, environmental safety, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory oversight. Addressing these issues is essential for clinical translation and public acceptance. In summary, nanotechnology offers transformative tools that are reshaping medical diagnostics, therapeutics, and disease prevention. Through continued research and interdisciplinary collaboration, it holds the potential to significantly enhance treatment outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and usher in a new era of precise and personalized medicine. Full article

This review examines advancements in smart home security through the integration of home automation technologies. Various security systems, including surveillance cameras, smart locks, and motion sensors, are analyzed, highlighting their effectiveness in enhancing home security. These systems enable users to monitor and control their homes in real-time, providing an additional layer of security. The document also examines how these security systems can enhance the quality of life for users by providing greater convenience and control over their domestic environment. The ability to receive instant alerts and access video recordings from anywhere allows users to respond quickly to unexpected situations, thereby increasing their sense of security and well-being. Additionally, the challenges and future trends in this field are addressed, emphasizing the importance of designing solutions that are intuitive and easy to use. As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial for developers and manufacturers to focus on creating products that seamlessly integrate into users’ daily lives, facilitating their adoption and use. This comprehensive state-of-the-art review, based on the Scopus database, provides a detailed overview of the current status and future potential of smart home security systems. It highlights how ongoing innovation in this field can lead to the development of more advanced and efficient solutions that not only protect homes but also enhance the overall user experience. Full article

This study proposes a continuous preparation strategy for poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds with oriented hierarchical microporous structures for bone repair. A PLLA-oriented multi-stage microporous bone repair scaffold (hereafter referred to as the oriented multi-stage microporous scaffold) was designed using a novel extrusion foaming technology that integrates fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing with supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) microcellular foaming technology. The influence of the 3D-printed structure on the microcellular morphology of the oriented multi-stage microporous scaffold was investigated and optimized. The combination of FDM and SC-CO₂ foaming technology enables a continuous extrusion foaming process for preparing oriented multi-stage microporous scaffolds. The mechanical strength of the scaffold reached 15.27 MPa, meeting the requirements for bone repair in a low-load environment. Notably, the formation of open pores on the surface of the oriented multi-stage microporous scaffold positively affected cell proliferation, differentiation, and activity, as well as the expression of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory factors. In vitro cell experiments (such as CCK-8) showed that the cell proliferation rate in the oriented multi-stage microporous scaffold reached 100–300% after many days of cultivation. This work provides a strategy for the design and manufacture of PLLA scaffolds with hierarchical microcellular structures and biocompatibility for bone repair. Full article

This paper presents a declarative framework for resilient machining line planning, integrating line balancing and disruption handling within a unified, interactive decision-support environment. Building upon earlier constraint-based models, the proposed approach incorporates sustainability-oriented improvements through Pareto-based multi-criteria optimization. The model supports trade-off analysis across cost, energy consumption, tool wear, and schedule continuity, enabling predictive planning and adaptive dispatching under operational uncertainty. By combining proactive balancing with reactive disruption handling in a single declarative formulation, the framework addresses a key gap in the current production engineering methodologies. A case study employing real data and real-world-inspired disruption scenarios demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach. Compared to traditional sequential strategies, the framework yields superior performance in terms of solution diversity, responsiveness, and sustainability alignment, confirming its value for next-generation, resilient manufacturing systems. Full article

The construction sector significantly contributes to global environmental degradation through intensive resource extraction, high energy consumption, and substantial waste generation. Addressing this unsustainable trajectory requires integrated approaches that simultaneously improve operational efficiency and material circularity. Lean Construction (LC) and Circular Economy (CE) offer complementary frameworks for enhancing process performance and reducing environmental impacts. However, their combined implementation remains underdeveloped and fragmented. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) of 18 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2025, selected using PRISMA 2020 guidelines and sourced from Scopus and Web of Science databases. A mixed-method approach combines bibliometric mapping and qualitative content analysis to investigate how LC and CE are jointly operationalized in construction contexts. The findings reveal that LC improves cost, time, and workflow reliability, while CE enables reuse, modularity, and lifecycle extension. Integration is further supported by digital tools—such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), and digital twins—which enhance traceability and flow optimization. Nonetheless, persistent barriers—including supply chain fragmentation, lack of standards, and regulatory gaps—continue to constrain widespread adoption. This review identifies six strategic enablers for LC-CE integration: crossdisciplinary competencies, collaborative governance, interoperable digital systems, standardized indicators, incentive-based regulation, and pilot demonstrator projects. By consolidating fragmented evidence, the study provides a structured research agenda and practical insights to guide the transition toward more circular, efficient, and sustainable construction practices. Full article

Mandelic acid (MA), as an important chiral aromatic hydroxy acid, is widely used in medicine, the chemical industry, and agriculture. With the continuous growth of market demand, traditional chemical synthesis methods are increasingly inadequate to meet the requirements of green and sustainable development due to issues such as complex processes, poor stereoselectivity, numerous byproducts, and serious environmental pollution. MA synthesis strategies based on biocatalytic technology have become a research hotspot due to their high efficiency, environmental friendliness, and excellent stereoselectivity. Significant progress has been made in enzyme engineering modifications, metabolic pathway design, and process optimization. Importantly, biomechanical research provides a transformative perspective for this field. By analyzing the mechanical response characteristics of microbial cells in bioreactors, biomechanics facilitates the regulation of relevant environmental factors during the fermentation process, thereby improving synthesis efficiency. Molecular dynamics simulations are also employed to uncover stability differences in enzyme–substrate complexes, providing a structural mechanics basis for the rational design of highly catalytically active enzyme variants. These biomechanic-driven approaches lay the foundation for the future development of intelligent, responsive biosynthesis systems. The deep integration of biomechanics and synthetic biology is reshaping the process paradigm of green MA manufacturing. This review will provide a comprehensive summary of the applications of MA and recent advances in its biosynthesis, with a particular focus on the pivotal role of biomechanical characteristics. Full article

Thermal sensors are widely used in medical, industrial and other fields, where the requirements for high sensitivity and portability continues to increase. Here we propose a suspended bridge structure fabricated using MEMS, which effectively shrinks the size and reduces heat loss. This study reviews current sensor-related theories of heat conduction, convective heat transfer and thermal radiation. Heat loss models for suspended and non-suspended bridge structures are established, and finite element analysis is conducted to evaluate their thermal performance. The thermal performance of the suspended bridge structure is further validated through infrared temperature measurements on the manufactured sensor device. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that the proposed suspension bridge structure reduces heat loss by 88.64% compared with traditional designs. Benefiting from this improved heat retention, which was also confirmed by infrared thermography, the thermal sensor fabricated based on the suspension bridge structure achieves an ultra-high sensitivity of 0.38 V/W and a fast response time of less than 200 ms, indicating a high accuracy in thermal characterization. The correlation coefficient obtained for the sensor output voltage and input power of the sensor is approximately 1.0. Based on this design, multiple microfluidic channels with suspended bridge structures can be integrated to realize multi-component detection, which is important for the development of multifunctional biomedical detection. Full article

Modern manufacturing strives for peak efficiency while facing pressing demands for environmental sustainability. Balancing these often-conflicting objectives represents a fundamental trade-off in modern manufacturing, as traditional methods typically address them in isolation, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Process mining offers operational insights but often lacks dynamic environmental indicators, while standard Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) provides environmental evaluation but uses static data unsuitable for real-time optimization. Frameworks integrating real-time data for dynamic multi-objective optimization are scarce. This study proposes a comprehensive, data-driven, cloud-based framework that overcomes these limitations. It uniquely combines three key components: (1) real-time Process Mining for actual workflows and operational KPIs; (2) dynamic LCA using live sensor data for instance-level environmental impacts (energy, emissions, waste) and (3) Multi-Objective Optimization (NSGA-II) to identify Pareto-optimal solutions balancing efficiency and sustainability. TOPSIS assists decision-making by ranking these solutions. Validated using extensive real-world data from a tube manufacturing facility processing over 390,000 events, the framework demonstrated significant, quantifiable improvements. The optimization yielded a Pareto front of solutions that surpassed baseline performance (87% efficiency; 2007.5 kg CO₂/day). The optimal balanced solution identified by TOPSIS simultaneously increased operational efficiency by 5.1% and reduced carbon emissions by 12.4%. Further analysis quantified the efficiency-sustainability trade-offs and confirmed the framework’s adaptability to varying strategic priorities through sensitivity analysis. This research offers a validated framework for industrial applications that enables manufacturers to improve both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability in a unified manner, moving beyond the limitations of disconnected tools. The validated integrated framework provides a powerful, data-driven tool, recommended as a valuable approach for industrial applications seeking continuous improvement in both economic and environmental performance dimensions. Full article