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Additive Manufacturing has proven to be a valuable complement to conventional means of manufacturing. As it is a data-driven process, its flexible customization of part shapes and manufacturing parameters plays a crucial role for this development. This study investigates the novel possibilities enabled by laser-based powder bed fusion for the development of functionality driven design. As an example, open porosities are manufactured, structures known to be advantageous to flow and heat transfer applications. Samples are investigated by laboratory tests and 3D imaging to gain knowledge about application-related properties. The results contribute to correlating manufacturing parameters to resulting properties and thus to design future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The short-term rental market remains highly competitive, requiring that hosts should identify effective strategies to position their products for desirable performance. This study investigates the optimal balance beyond dyadic choice between differentiating from or conforming to competitors, in the dimensions of properties' functional and aesthetic design. We hypothesize U-shaped distinctiveness-performance relationships considering high legitimacy pressure and low strategy effectiveness in the short-term rental context. Moreover, the moderating effects of factors including online review volume and listing age are examined. Analyzing a sample of 99,757 Airbnb listings in Texas, the findings reveal different patterns of product positioning between functionality and aesthetics. The moderate degree of distinctiveness in functionalities leads to the worst performance while in aesthetics generating the best outcome. This study contributes to the hospitality literature by introducing and testing optimal distinctiveness within the short-term rental market. The findings also provide positioning guidance for short-term rental listings under different conditions. • We offer a simultaneous investigation of differentiation and conformity. • The distinctiveness-performance relationship is U-shaped for functional design. • Distinctiveness-performance has an inverted U-shaped for aesthetic design. • Findings are partially contrary to traditional industries such as lodging. • Legitimacy and experience explain the divergence from traditional industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional design of a decision support system for a state-of-the-art vehicle sharing system (VSS) inevitably includes the selection or definition of methodologies for planning and managing the observed VSS. In this paper, our focus is on an innovative VSS that utilizes light electric vehicles. Our goal is to specify the functions of a comprehensive decision making solution for such a VSS through a qualitative and systematic literature and system analysis. To achieve this goal, we rely on the holistic VSS management framework developed in our previous research. As a result of our study, we identify possible solution methodologies or algorithms for implementing functions of the designed decision making solution, and propose the necessary adjustments for their application in the case of light electric vehicles, or note any research gap. With these findings, we provide justified guidance to practitioners in creating these solutions, with the aim of reducing development time. • We concentrate on an innovative light electric vehicle sharing system (LEVSS). • The holistic VSS management framework drives the design of a comprehensive and state-of-the-art decision support system for LEVSSs. • Based on our study, we propose solution methodologies for the main planning and management challenges. • The justified guidance to practitioners in creating these solutions aims to minimize development time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight design can contribute to savings of consumed material in products and enhancing their energy efficiency during the use phase but also to a higher resource consumption at the beginning- and the end-of-life, challenging the implementation of a circular economy. Hence, this publication methodologically addresses the synergies and conflicts of lightweight design and design for circularity. The concept of the 'functional life cycle energy analysis' is presented, which foresees the division of a product architecture into functions with allocated energy consumptions as cross-stage indicator for the expected resource consumption along the entire product life cycle. Holistic optimization potentials within three life cycle stages can thus be derived as recommendations for action for future product generations. This allows engineers to rethink functional principles and supports decision making in the early design phases of implementing lightweight design and design for circularity. The methodology is illustrated by means of a robotics use case. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoelectric materials, which can convert thermal behaviors into electrical properties, are widely used in thermoelectric power generation, friendly refrigeration, and wearable electronic devices. Compared to synthetic polymer materials, cellulose is one of the most sought-after natural polysaccharide polymers, mainly found in plants and some biological colonies. Cellulose can be designed as a flexible, ion/electron conductive ionogel material with robust mechanical properties through molecular-scale physical treatment, chemical-group substitution, topological network regulation, etc. Cellulosic functional materials, such as ionogels, show promising thermoelectric applications due to their structural/functional designability, rapid thermoelectric conversion, and good sustainability. In this review, we briefly introduced the structural characteristics, functionalization methods, and advanced thermoelectric applications of cellulose. Then, we discussed the design concept, current status, and application prospects (such as smart watches, electronic skins, health detectors, etc.) of cellulose ionogels for developing thermoelectric cells, sensors, and refrigerating units. Finally, we highlighted some key technologies and strategies to broaden the application prospects of cellulose-based gels for thermoelectricity and intelligent electronics. [Display omitted] ● Structure-design, composition regulation and functionalization of cellulosic thermoelectric ionogels are discussed in detail. ● The latest utilization of cellulose and its ionogels for thermoelectric devices are reviewed. ● The prospect and method for designing sustainable thermoelectric ionogels are thoroughly dissected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive Manufacturing (AM) liberates a lot for the hands of designers to define complex geometry and avoid many traditional manufacturing constraints. A set of advanced topological optimization and lattice structure generation tools are emerging to support the design for AM, especially in lightweight design. However, these tools are still in development and not so stable with quite limited operational maturity, which forms a barrier for practitioners to explore the design freedom brought by AM since intensive AM knowledge and expertized computation and numerical simulation skills are required. To solve this problem with an aim to enable an ordinary mechanical designer with basic AM knowledge and numerical modeling skills to design for AM at an operational level, this paper introduces a practical redesign method to decrease the height of the threshold of design for AM and realize functional design solutions. This method combines both subtractive and generative methods to define material distribution in the design space with consideration of AM manufacturability analysis and functional requirements. It can be implemented via a set of existing ordinary CAD tools, which implies its potential for a wide application. A design case on a redesign of a hydraulic manifold component is presented for method demonstration. The result shows that this method is feasible and practical for functional AM design with less AM knowledge on complex geometric or computational operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional design means the process of formulating a unique design problem by mapping a set of customer needs to a set of functional requirements. In the context of product development, functional design is one of the most challenging but rewarding design activities. On the one hand, designers must extract useful information from a large amount of diversified, unstructured, and even inconsistent customer voices. On the other hand, designers must formulate a set of functional requirements that are inherently intangible, solution-neutral, and arguably subjective. Functional design exerts great impacts on the formation of innovative design thinking. It is especially difficult for novice designers who are naturally inclined to rapidly dive into the solution space with little exploration of the problem space. This paper presents a systematic functional design framework to guide novice designers, through a step-by-step process, to sequentially investigate the customer domain, explore the functional domain, and manage design couplings between customer needs and functional requirements. A collection of existing design methods is incorporated, in an adaptive manner, into the framework to facilitate the execution of each step. To date, the proposed framework has been iteratively taught, practiced, and refined based on two engineering design courses since 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is a requirement for new detectors that must be capable of effectively detecting land mines of low or non-metal content in the operational area employed within South Africa, for the replacement of the current Midas mine detector. The current system capabilities are no longer feasible to detect the latest mines since warfare has changed and with relatively no logistical support (spares, manuals, qualified personnel and workshop). The research focused more on the improvement in the systems' capabilities of the detector in order to effectively detect the various types of mines found in the target area which were buried at the maximum operational depth, in all soil conditions with no loss of sensitivity and accuracy. The detector is also expected to accurately locate the position of a mine buried under the ground. The functional design and specification led to the acquisition of a low power and highly portable mine detector capable of delivering 24 hours continuous throughput before recharge. The performances of these upgrades were compared with the performance of the original Midas detector as well as the Guartel MD8 detector currently used by The South African Army Engineer Council (SAEC). The findings show significant improvement in the use of the new detectors. This suggests that the Midas handheld detector can be upgraded to meet the operational requirements regarding the detection of mines with a minimum metal content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fully address the nowadays challenges of constantly changing customer needs while having an increased competition from globalization and market saturation issues, the conceptual analysis of AM is of vital importance apart from the numerous technological advances in a more capable process and material development. In doing so, the initial determination of which vast design possibilities can most efficiently be fabricated in correlation with the right choice of material and process needs to be methodologically tackled, particularly for the user-oriented but also product-oriented fulfillment of targeted requirements already at an early, functional stage of product development. Thus, this contribution presents an extended approach that derives material and manufacturing-specific properties from potentially suggested principle solutions, and finally assigns these extensive design proposals of one function carrier to feasible material and manufacturing combinations as assessed solution variants. However, since a product system is mostly composed of several functions, additionally a systemic extension also takes into account the issue of integral construction methods, i.e. the smart combination of several functions to one component by means of balancing their cross-component material and manufacturing-specific properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wide set of assembly blocks such as attachments, connectors, joints, and supports rely on the principle of passively coupling two objects using structural compliance. However, only a limited variety of configurations are prevalent in daily use ( e.g. snap fits) due to the challenge of extending the appropriate mechanical behavior to arbitrary object pairs. In this work, we present a method for computationally designing the mechanical coupling behavior between a rigid object and a compliant enclosure based on high-level specifications such as the ease of engagement and disengagement. At the heart of our approach is the use of deformation profiles as the means to describe and optimize physical coupling characteristics. In particular, we introduce a method that maps the shape parameters of the compliant object onto sequentially observed coupling descriptors such as the grip, insertion and removal forces that develop as the rigid object is engaged. Using this formulation, we present a method for optimizing the rest shape of the compliant object to produce the desired coupling behavior. We demonstrate our approach through a variety of designs and validate it with 3D printed physical prototypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To effectively promote the capacity of fire brigade to handle the building fire and improve the effect of building fire simulation training, a set of design procedure of simulation training module of building fire simulation training facility is proposed in this paper based on the theoretical calculation and according to the field investigation. Such procedure is capable to provide the training environment with the high degree of simulation and complete functions for the fireman and effectively promote the training effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a new model for the preliminary design of compound power-split CVTs. Unlike the existing models, the presented method allows the engineers to prioritize functionality and efficiency of the transmission, while delaying the choice of the involved gear sets’ layout as long as possible. The design approach follows a specific priority order, and each step deals with one particular issue, without mutual interference. A smart design-chart eases the assessment and the comparison of the only eligible alternatives, and eventually leads to a final feasible constructive scheme, which can be an excellent concept for further optimization and implementation. Moreover, the model is general and straightforward: it does not resort to arbitrary or practice dictated choices, it does not require convoluted and laborious numerical procedures, such as large systems of equations, inequalities or iterative computations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel 3D printing flexible PEEK chest wall implant was designed. • Flexible implant provides excellent stiffness and strength under the chest compression. • The mechanical properties of complete flexible implant under the dynamic impact and fatigue testing were investigated. • The flexible implant can effectively restore the respiratory function in vivo. Rigid reconstruction of chest wall defect seriously affects the postoperative respiratory owing to neglecting the functional role of natural costal cartilage. In the study, a 3D printing PEEK flexible implant was developed to restore the deformation capability during breathing motion. Bionic spring structures in different region of implant were designed by taking into consideration of the anatomical morphology and materials properties of costal cartilage. The biomechanical properties of the rigid and flexible implants under the chest compression were compared through the finite element analysis. Two kinds of chest wall implant samples were fabricated with fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology to evaluate experimentally the mechanical behaviors. Finally, the restoration ability of respiratory function from the flexible implant was investigated in vivo. The flexible implant exhibited the similar stiffness to the natural thorax and satisfied the strength demand in the chest compression. The maximal impact force of flexible implant reached to 536 N. The fatigue failure of complete flexible implant was revealed from the initiation and propagation of interlaminar crack to the fracture in a zigzag manner. Animal experiments validated that the parameters characterizing respiratory could be recovered to the preoperative and normal state. In the study, the flexible implant provided these advantages for perfect replication of thoracic shape, reliable safety, and great deformation capability to response respiratory movement, which given a superior treatment for chest wall reconstruction. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different tissues in Phormium tenax leaves present different morphologies and mechanical properties according to the different roles or functions that they play during the plant life. This is an example of what is known as functional design, a concept which is used in different scientific fields. Four different ultrasonic techniques comprising air-coupling and gel coupling, longitudinal and shear waves, normal and oblique incidence and low (0.2 MHz) and high frequencies (2.25 MHz) have been employed to study these leaves. By changing these experimental conditions it is possible to propagate longitudinal and shear waves in the different tissues present in these leaves (spongy mesophyll, chlorenchyma and sclerenchyma fibres) and in different directions so it is possible to determine their ultrasonic properties (velocity and attenuation) and hence their main elastic mudulii. Additional analysis of microscopic images of the tissues permit to study the correlation between this elastic and ultrasonic tissues properties and main microscopic features like cell size and cell wall thickness, which are determined by the different function of these tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The ISO GPS standards define how to specify, and how to verify each specification. Other international standards define how to ensure the capability of a characteristic. But if capability studies are adapted to “CTQ”(critical to quality) or “key characteristics”, they cannot be applied to all. This paper presents the component approval strategy employed at Schneider Electric in order to verify all characteristics, with the appropriate effort, as well as mastering the design process and the robustness of the product. The functional characteristics have been ranked into four levels by their criticality. The criticality integers the severity of a failure, the contribution of the characteristic in the functional conditions, and the risk of non conformity due to the process. This process illustrates one use of the standard NF E 04-009 (“HCPP”) [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper describes the results of a two-dimensional (2-D) numerical modelling investigation of the functionality of rubble mound breakwaters with special attention focused on wave overtopping processes. The model, COBRAS-UC, is a new version of the COBRAS (Cornell Breaking Waves and Structures) based on the Volume Averaged Reynolds Average Navier–Stokes (VARANS) equations and uses a Volume of Fluid Technique (VOF) method to capture the free surface. The nature of the model equations and solving technique provides a means to simulate wave reflection, run-up, wave breaking on the slope, transmission through rubble mounds, overtopping and agitation at the protected side due to the combined effect of wave transmission and overtopping. Also, two-dimensional experimental studies are carried out to investigate the performance of the model. The computations of the free surface and pressure time series and spectra under regular and irregular waves, are compared with the experimental data reaching a very good agreement. The model is also used to reproduce instantaneous and average wave overtopping discharge. Comparisons with existing semi-empirical formulae and experimental data show a very good performance. The present model is expected to become in the near future an excellent tool for practical applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The functionalized non-conjugated organic network modified silica microspheres are proposed as the stationary phase of liquid chromatography, which can effectively avoid some defects of organic framework materials in liquid chromatography. Due to the co-existing of pyridine ring, carbonyl group, amide group and triazine ring in the non-conjugated flexible organic network on the silica surface, the developed mixed-mode stationary phase exhibits multiple interactions between the stationary phase and the analytes during the separation process. A variety of nucleoside bases, organic acids, antibiotics, pesticides, alkylbenzenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and sulfonamides achieved ideal resolution and flexible selectivity in separation. Compared with the commercial chromatographic columns under their optimized chromatographic conditions, it shows better performance for the separation of complex analytes. The influence of chromatographic conditions on retention behavior indicates that the column's multiple retention mechanisms make it suitable for mixed-mode liquid chromatography. The stationary phase prepared by the new design strategy also has excellent chromatographic reproducibility, repeatability and stability with the intraday RSD of 0.09%–0.12% (n = 10) and the interday RSD of 0.37%–1.64% (n = 5) for the retention time. The separation results of actual samples also prove its potential in the analysis of complex samples. In short, we designed and prepared the non-conjugated flexible network modified silica stationary phase material for liquid chromatography that is different from organic framework materials. Its excellent separation ability shows that we have successfully reported a new kind of liquid chromatography packing with functional design and facile preparation method. [Display omitted] • An effective functional design strategy for LC stationary phase was proposed. • Baseline separation for multiple complex samples was got on Py-TAC-DMA@SiO 2 column. • The new column showed flexible selectivity for many different properties analytes. • The retention mechanism was discussed in detail and proved to be used in mixed-mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]