Assessment of Power Consumption and Key Influencing Resistive Forces in Automotive Systems
Studies on Blending of Refrigerants for Commercial Refrigeration and Cooling
Energy Absorbing Systems in Mine Hoist Conveyances: A Review of Design Considerations and Biomechanical Implications for Improved Safety
Autonomous Material Handling Systems for Enhanced Safety and Efficiency in Platinum Mining: A Review of Mimosa Mine and Global Trends
Advances in Robotic Manipulator Designs for Under Water Forensic Applications
Design of Oil-Ammonia Separator for Refrigeration Systems
A Review on Mechanical and Tribological Characteristics of Hybrid Composites
Progressive Development of Various Production and Refining Process of Biodiesel
Design and Experimental Investigation of a Natural Draft Improved Biomass Cookstove
Optimization of Wire-ED Turning Process Parameters by Taguchi-Grey Relational Analysis
Evaluation Of Mechanical Behavior Of Al-Alloy/SiC Metal Matrix Composites With Respect To Their Constituents Using Taguchi Techniques
Multistage Extractive Desulfurization of Liquid Fuel by Ionic Liquids
Isomorphism Identification of Compound Kinematic Chain and Their Mechanism
Development of Electroplating Setup for Plating Abs Plastics
A Comprehensive Review of Biodiesel Application in IDI Engines with Property Improving Additives
In recent times, electric vehicle adoption has become more prominent as engineering diverts towards sustainability. A considerable share of the globe's energy consumption is reviewed to be from the transportation industry, which directly translate, to a significant quantity of emissions into the atmosphere from burning the fossil fuels. Therefore, global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions have the loudest voice over automobile design considerations for sustainability. This have also led to the deployment of more stringent environmental regulations to most automotive manufacturers. Automobile industry is researching and creating innovative technologies to cut down on fuel usage and increase vehicle efficiency whilst reducing the carbon emissions simultaneously. The main objective of the current research is to identify and analyze the aerodynamic drag resistance with the change in the vehicle dynamics. Reduction of the drag coefficient will significantly reduce power consumption and increase vehicle efficiency. Electric vehicles currently being designed need to achieve greater efficiency, superior stability and safety even at higher vehicle speeds with considerably long driving range. This study focusses on the analysis of energy consumption of a car model focussing more on the significance of aerodynamic drag.
The study focuses on evaluating various refrigerants used in the Indian market, analysing their thermodynamic and transport properties. This study includes synthetic refrigerants like R134a, R152a, R143a, R125, R227ea, and R1234yf, as well as the natural refrigerant R744 (CO2). Both pure and blended form of gaseous and vapour states are selected for its low Global Warming Potential (GWP) and zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) respectively. The primary objective is to assess refrigerant performance based on key parameters such as Volumetric Cooling Capacity (VCC) and Coefficient of Performance (COP), analyse their environmental impact, and provide insights to guide the selection and optimization of refrigerant solutions in refrigeration in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. To achieve these objectives, the research employs various computational tools, including NIST CYCLE-D and NIST REFPROP to calculate performance indicators and analyse the thermodynamic and transport properties of different refrigerants. Practical experiments complement the computational analysis to validate findings in practical uses scenarios. Specific heat capacity at constant volume (Cv) comparisons for various pure refrigerants and blends offer insights into their thermodynamic behaviour, which is crucial for efficient system design. Additionally, the study evaluates thermal conductivity (K) values for liquid and vapor phases across different blend compositions to understand their thermal transport properties and impact on system heat efficiency (COP).
Mine hoist systems are essential for vertical transportation in underground mining but pose safety risks, particularly from slack rope events and rope severance. The large deceleration rates experienced could, by themselves, be sufficient to cause serious injury or even fatalities to the occupants. Addressing these risks is critical. This paper reviews the design and application of energy-absorbing systems within mine hoist conveyances to enhance safety and mitigate the impact of such events. It examines the working principles of various energy-absorbing mechanisms, including spring suspension systems interlinked with wedge braking systems, and explores their effectiveness in attenuating kinetic energy during free-fall situations. Also considered are the biomechanical tolerance limits of the human body and how these limitations influence the design and deployment of these systems. This paper synthesizes current research and incident analyses to identify best practices and future directions for improving mine hoist safety through energy-absorbing technologies.
This study examines the potential of autonomous material handling systems to improve safety and efficiency within underground platinum mining operations, with a specific focus on Mimosa Mine in Zimbabwe. The context is critical as, despite mechanized mining methods such as room-and-pillar systems with load-haul-dump machines (LHDs) and investments in a US$75 million tailings storage facility, manual material handling tasks like scraper winch operations persist as significant safety bottlenecks. These operations contribute to incidents involving entanglement, equipment collisions, and rock-falls, leading to fatalities. Existing safety management systems prove insufficient. Globally, integrating autonomous technologies such as robotic loaders and sensor-based geofencing has led to a substantial reduction in mining accidents. For example, each report a 40–50% decrease in accident rates following the adoption of these technologies. This review explores their applicability to Mimosa Mine's operations. By analyzing safety challenges, global trends in autonomous mining, relevant case studies, and the specific constraints of the Zimbabwean mining sector, a comparative analysis of research contributions is provided. Finally, key gaps in research are identified, and potential directions for future studies are highlighted, including the integration of AI, data analytics, and scalability in autonomous mining systems.
The field of underwater forensic investigations has witnessed significant advancements in robotic manipulator technologies, driven by the growing need for precise and efficient recovery of submerged human remains and evidence. This comprehensive review examines the latest innovations in robotic manipulator designs specifically tailored for underwater forensic applications, with a focus on mechanical configurations, actuation systems, material resilience, and control mechanisms. The paper begins by analyzing the critical role of degrees of freedom (DoF) in manipulator dexterity, comparing 4DoF and 6DoF systems, and addressing the challenges posed by buoyancy and water resistance. It further explores gripper mechanisms, emphasizing the advantages of soft robotics and hybrid designs in minimizing damage to fragile remains. The review provides a detailed comparison of actuation technologies, including hydraulic, electric, and emerging systems like shape memory alloys (SMAs) and magnetic actuators, highlighting their respective strengths and limitations in underwater environments. Material selection is discussed with a focus on titanium alloys for their high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, as well as polymer coatings to mitigate biofouling and enhance buoyancy. Control systems are evaluated for their ability to integrate haptic feedback and autonomous grasping algorithms, ensuring precise and adaptive manipulation of delicate evidence. Challenges such as limited battery life in deep-sea operations, water resistance, and corrosion are critically examined, alongside proposed solutions like hybrid actuation systems and swarm robotics for large-area searches. The paper also outlines future trends, including AI-assisted grasping, hybrid locomotion systems, and advancements in material science to improve durability and performance. By synthesizing these developments, this review aims to guide researchers and forensic teams in selecting optimal manipulator designs, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and safety of underwater forensic operations. Strategic investments in these technologies are recommended to address current limitations and unlock new capabilities in this critical field.
