Search Results (4)

The fuzzy transportation problem (FTP) represents a significant extension of the classical transportation problem (TP) by introducing uncertainly and imprecision into the parameters involved. Various algorithms have been proposed to solve the FTP, including fuzzy linear programming, metaheuristic algorithms and fuzzy mathematical programming techniques combined with artificial neural networks. This paper presents the application of trigonometric acceleration coefficients-PSO (TrigAC-PSO) to solve the FTP. TrigAC-PSO is a variation of the classical particle swarm optimization algorithm, which has already been applied to solve the TP showing remarkable success. This fact constitutes the main reason that drives the utilization of TrigAC-PSO in current contribution to further investigate its performance in solving the FTP. TrigAC-PSO’s adaptability to handle fuzzy data by solving the FTP via instances with classic fuzzy numbers and generalized fuzzy numbers is explored through a comprehensive comparison between TrigAC-PSO and established methods applied to solve the FTP. The comparative analysis, with recent state-of-the-art algorithms, demonstrates the efficiency and robustness of the proposed method in solving the FTP across various scenarios. Through experimental results and performance metrics, the superiority of the proposed method is presented by achieving optimal solutions. The innovation of current research contributes to advancing the field of fuzzy optimization while providing variable insights into the application of TrigAC-PSO in real-world scenarios. Full article

Miniature sensors are key components for applications in the Internet of Things (IoT), wireless sensor networks, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and smart manufacturing. As a miniature and self-powered magnetic sensor, the Wiegand sensor possesses advantageous traits including changing-rate-independent output, low cost, and remarkable repeatability and reliability. A typical Wiegand sensor requires hard magnetic pole pieces that provide external fields for triggering voltage outputs that are called Wiegand pulses. However, the wire-shaped sensing element of Wiegand sensors is the critical issue that limits the design, selection, and adoption of the external triggering magnets. Currently, the widely used pole piece materials are rare-earth magnets. However, adopting rare-earth magnets brings strong stray fields, causing an electromagnetic interference (EMI) problem. In this study, patterned CoNiP hard magnets were electrodeposited on flexible substrates through microfabrication. Origami magnetization was utilized to control the resultant stray fields and thus the pole piece of CoNiP magnets can successfully trigger the output of the Wiegand pulse. In comparison, the output voltage of the triggered pulse acquired through the patterned CoNiP magnets is comparable to that acquired by using the rare-earth magnets. Furthermore, both the volume (and hence the weight) of the Wiegand sensor and the EMI issue can be significantly reduced and mitigated, respectively, by the CoNiP magnets. Full article

Global growth of the food industry and the demand for new products with natural characteristics, safe conditions and traceability have driven researches for the development of technologies such as intelligent packaging, capable to fulfil those needs. Polydiacetylene (PDA) is a synthetic material that has been highlighted in research field as a sensor substance, which can be used to produce intelligent packaging capable to detect chemical or biochemical changes in foods and in their environment due to PDA’s color transition from blue to red. This work focused on the development and optimization of an intelligent packaging constituted of a polymeric matrix of cellulose acetate-based incorporated with PDA as the substance sensor. Cellulose acetate films (3% wt.) were developed by a casting method, and the amounts of triethyl citrate plasticizer (TEC) (0–25% wt. of cellulose-acetate) and PDA (0–60 mg) were analyzed to optimize the conditions for the best color transitioning at this study range. The compound amounts incorporated into polymeric matrices were established according to Central Composite Designs (CCD). Three more design variables were analyzed, such as the polymerization time of PDA under UV light exposition (0–60 min), pH values (4–11) and temperature exposure on the film (0–100 °C), important factors on the behavior of PDA’s color changing. In this study, film thickness and film color coordinates were measured in order to study the homogeneity and the color transitioning of PDA films under different pH and temperature conditions, with the purpose of maximizing the color changes through the optimization of PDA and TEC concentrations into the cellulose acetate matrix and the polymerization degree trigged by UV light irradiation. The optimal film conditions were obtained by adding 50.48 g of PDA and 10% of TEC, polymerization time of 18 min under UV light, at 100 °C ± 2 °C of temperature exposure. The changes in pH alone did not statistically influence the color coordinates measured at the analyzed ratio; however, variations in pH associated with other factors had a significant effect on visual color changes, and observations were described. PDA films were optimized to maximize color change in order to obtain a cheap and simple technology to produce intelligent packaging capable to monitor food products along the distribution chain in real time, improving the food quality control and consumer safety. Full article

The objectives of this study were to investigate water saving strategies in the paddy field and to evaluate the performance of some of the newly released rice varieties. Field experiments were conducted at Fanaye in the Senegal River Valley during two rice growing seasons in 2015. Three irrigation regimes ((i) continuous flooding, (ii) trigging irrigation at soil matric potential (SMP) of 30 kPa, (iii) trigging irrigation at SMP of 60 kPa) were tested in an irrigated lowland rice field. Irrigation regimes (ii) and (iii) are alternate wetting and drying (AWD) cycles. Four inbred rice varieties (NERICA S-21, NERICA S-44, Sahel 210 and Sahel 222) and one hybrid rice (Hybrid AR032H) were evaluated under five nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha⁻¹). The results showed that rice yield varied from 0.9 to 12 t ha⁻¹. The maximum yield of 12 t ha⁻¹ was achieved by NERICA S-21 under AWD 30 kPa at 150 kg N ha⁻¹. The AWD irrigation management at 30 kPa resulted in increasing rice yield, rice water use and nitrogen use efficiency and reducing the irrigation applications by 27.3% in comparison with continuous flooding. AWD30 kPa could be adopted as a water saving technology for water productivity under paddy production in the Senegal River Middle Valley. Additional research should be conducted in the upper Valley, where soils are sandier and water is less available, for the sustainability and the adoption of the irrigation water saving practices across the entire Senegal River Valley. Full article