Facility layout planning (FLP) is one of the most discussed industrial topics that affects the performance of a manufacturing system. Conventional approaches have extensively focused on quantitative analyses with a primary focus on cost minimization. The recent technological development in computer-based simulation has provided powerful tools to better visualize and test different layouts in an ...

Metal Additive Manufacturing (MAM) has seen significant growth in recent years, with sub-processes like Metal Material Extrusion (MEX) reaching industrial readiness. MEX, known for its cost-effectiveness and ease of integration, targets a distinct market segment compared to established high-end MAM processes. However, despite technological improvements, its overall integration into the industry as ...

Ice accretion on can be considered as a major threat for the operation of UAVs in the ice prone region, leading to loss of control and catastrophic failures. Active ice mitigation techniques are not suitable for UAV’s due to availability of limited power. Superhydrophobic coatings can be considered as a promising passive ice mitigation technique for UAVs featuring exceptional capability to repel ...

Metaheuristics can benefit from analyzing patterns and regularities in data to perform more effective searches in the solution space. In line with the emerging trend in the optimization literature, this study introduces the Reinforcement-learning-based Alpha-List Iterated Greedy (RAIG) algorithm to contribute to the advances in machine learning-based optimization, notably for solving combinatorial ...

The problem of insecurity is a global phenomenon that has several forms like terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, etc. Insecurity has taken hold in the Sub-Saharan Region of West Africa, especially in Nigeria, for over two decades. Nigeria’s security crisis is more pronounced in the Northern Region, with a new wave in the North-Central Region of Nigeria. It is herculean to assess insecurity in the ...

Volatility in the supply chain of critical products, notably the vaccine shortage during the pandemic, influences livelihoods and may lead to significant delays and long waiting times. Considering the capital- and time-intensive nature of capacity expansion plans, strategic oper ational production decisions are required best to address the supply-demand mismatches given the limited production ...

Constrained improvement refers to regulating rivalry between companies in a particular industry by defining a framework or an evaluation mechanism. Such a mechanism results in a more equitable and healthy competitive environment. The primary motivation is that the best-performing players in a particular industry improve their performance such that the rest of the contenders remain competitive. ...

Two samples from a specimen of a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) branch was prepared. One opposite wood (OW) sample and one compression wood (CW) sample. Several tests using nuclear magnetic resonance were performed on these specimens to study the motion of moisture through the branch wood. The T2-experiment shows that the fibre saturation point is at 20% moisture content (MC) for OW and 25% ...

The research on the Parallel Machine Scheduling Problem (PMSP) has undergone significant development. The most recent comprehensive review of published studies dates back to early 2001. This article presents an algorithmic review of PMSPs, using Main Path Analysis (MPA) to identify seminal knowledge diffusion and development trajectories. This research also sheds light on the less tangible aspects ...