This study explores the heat and mass transfer dynamics during intermittent microwave drying of Eucalyptus globulus wood, offering an energy-efficient alternative to conventional methods. Intermittent drying cycles are employed to mitigate issues of overheating and non-uniform moisture distribution. A numerical model developed in COMSOL Multiphysics simulates drying behavior at power levels ranging from 300 to 800 W. Experimental results validate the model, showing that microwave power at 800 W can achieve wood core temperatures of approximately 150 degrees C, reducing drying time to 2700 s. In contrast, power levels of 500 W and 300 W reach temperatures of 130 degrees C and 100 degrees C, requiring drying times of 5400 s and 9000 s, respectively. These findings demonstrate that increased microwave power accelerates drying, enhancing energy efficiency while reducing moisture gradients and internal gas pressures. This work provides a quantitative foundation for optimizing intermittent microwave drying parameters, contributing to sustainable practices in wood processing.
The aviation industry and regulatory authorities encounter significant challenges in deploying highly automated aircraft. A primary concern is the impracticality of flight testing mission- relevant tasks across a wide range of operating conditions to ensure the safety of automation systems. This challenge is particularly pronounced for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft where assuring acceptable flying qualities is complicated by intricate flight control systems with over-actuated designs, complex aerodynamic effects such as interlacing propulsor wakes, and the operational demands of urban and adverse atmospheric conditions. To address these challenges, this paper outlines a framework for flying qualities testing put forth by the Automated Flying Qualities (AFQ) Committee15 which aims to establish best practices for flight testing and certifying VTOL aircraft. Key recommendations include: (i) the development of a unified and aircraft-agnostic framework for analyzing highly automated aircraft, grounded in linear systems theory, statistical and simulation-based evaluations, and targeted flight testing; (ii) the formulation of a unified definition of control loops applicable to highly automated flight control systems; and (iii) the introduction of a rating scheme for automated flying qualities, which builds upon the Cooper-Harper Rating system to evaluate an aircraft's performance, pilot workload, and machine compensation capabilities. This paper serves as a description of the challenges facing the testers, both in industry and regulatory authorities, on ensuring these aircraft are safe to operate. The proposed framework is designed to uncover latent flight control pathologies that could lead to catastrophic outcomes in scenarios where a qualified pilot is not actively engaged in the control loop. While these recommendations are particularly tailored for complex VTOL aircraft, they hold relevance for the broader category of highly automated aircraft.
PBF-LB/M offers efficient production of complex and functional metal components. Research shows that the mechanical performance of components can be enhanced by incorporating biomimetic shapes, such as banana pseudo stem-inspired biomimetic beams. This work addresses three mechanical topology optimization problems, using AlSi10Mg. Leveraging these models, novel component designs featuring biomimetic beams and novel node designs were developed based on the input topology optimization. The new biomimetic component designs were compared to their topology optimization counterparts that were used as references. Numerical analyses of mass and structural integrity were performed to evaluate improvements. Lightweight biomimetic component designs for additively manufactured components were developed using the developed methods. Weight savings of 12.5-30.3 % were achieved compared to the input topology optimization results. However, further research on the design methodologies is needed to ensure that the mechanical stress criterion is also met within the nodes of the generated biomimetic designs.
Ensuring the security of sensitive medical data, including patient records and medical images, is paramount in the healthcare sector due to the risks of unauthorized access and data breaches. As healthcare information is increasingly transmitted through unsecured channels, maintaining its confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity is essential. This review examines AI-driven security techniques such as encryption, anomaly detection, and privacy-preserving algorithms, which play a crucial role in protecting medical data. By enhancing regulatory compliance and fostering trust in digital healthcare systems, these methods contribute significantly to data security. Additionally, this paper explores recent advancements in AI-based medical image protection and highlights key challenges and future research directions in the field of medical data security.
