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Accurate prediction of the Remaining-Useful-Life (RUL) of a battery, sufficiently long in advance from the End-of-Life (EOL), is essential for the safety and maintenance of its many applications. The problem is that such a long-term prediction of RUL suffers from the growing uncertainty in predicting the State-of-Health (SOH) of a battery as the terms or cycles of prediction increases. Conventional approaches are yet to address an effective solution to this problem. This paper presents an approach to the accurate long-term prediction of battery RUL based on the sliding window combined with sparse sampling. The proposed approach attains the accuracy by defining the window of a limited number of cycles at which SOHs are predicted single-shot and sliding the window further into the future to consecutively predict SOHs for the subsequent window of cycles. Furthermore, sparse sampling is to be incorporated into the selection of an optimal size of prediction window in such a way as to maximize the accuracy involved in a long-term prediction. A Stacked-LSTM network is adopted to carry out the prediction of a window of SOH cycles. Experiments are conducted based on the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) dataset. The result verifies that the proposed approach tops the conventional approaches in terms of the accuracy of long-term RUL prediction.

State of charge (SOC) estimation of the battery is crucial for electric vehicle application. The accuracy of the commonly adopted estimation algorithms depends on the accuracy of the model used to describe the characteristics of the battery. Since the parameters of the battery model are functions of the SOC, temperature, and aging, all of the parameters are subject to change and need to be identified in real-time, this is referred to as online identification. We propose in this paper a new algorithm based on sunflower optimization algorithm (SFO) to extract the parameters of the model, and estimate the terminal voltage in real-time. The precision of the model parameter identification was confirmed using experimental data collected from the center for advanced life cycle engineering (CALCE) battery group conducted on the A123 battery cell under three dynamic profiles. Comparison between SFO and AFRRLS (Adaptive forgetting factor recursive least squares) is established in order to prove the effectiveness of the suggested algorithm. SFO showed better parameter identification that AFFRLS. To the best of our knowledge this is the first attempt to use SFO to estimate battery parameters in real-time, we believe there is a room of improvement to achieve better results.

The fierce market competition result in the increasingly shorter product life cycles. It is a commonly known as a trend of green life cycle engineering design to consider the lightest harm to the environment in the early design stage. In this study, the author attempted to establish an integrated assessment method for modular design and disassembly plan. In this study, the lamp and printer are used as examples to verify the method proposed in this study.

Lithium-ion battery remaining useful life (RUL) estimation has become a critical issue of intelligent battery management system (BMS). Various models and algorithms have been developed to achieve the RUL prognostics for lithium-ion batteries, to obtain high estimation performance. Generally, a single model usually requires long train time and complex train progress to reach satisfactory precision, while complex data-driven approaches sometimes result in overfitting results. Therefore, many fused and integrated methods have been proposed to overcome the disadvantages of the single method. However, few fusion approaches deal with the uncertainty management or uncertainty integration at present. In order to solve the lack of uncertainty management of existing fusion RUL estimation methods, a fusion model based on Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) of uncertainty integration for lithium-ion battery RUL estimation is presented in this paper. Firstly, sub-models applying Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) are created. Then, the posterior probability of these sub-models are calculated and integrated to implement the probability fusion of BMA process for RUL prediction. Experimental results with the battery data sets from Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) show that compared with a single model, the BMA fusion model achieves higher accuracy and stability. In addition, uncertainty management is taken into consideration, which can be referred as a new research direction for lithium-ion battery RUL estimation.

Sustainable manufacturing aims to increase efficiency and offset negative impacts throughout the life cycle of products. A myriad of standards pertaining to various aspects of a product's life cycle exist; however, it is often difficult for non-experts to navigate and comprehend these standards. The objective of this paper is to describe a classification system for capturing the requirements, concepts and terminology from those standards at the intersection of life cycle and manufacturing process domains. The classification is implemented as an ontology using the Web Ontology Language (OWL). We then use an ontology visualization tool we have developed, to help users navigate and understand the information in these standards more easily. Such an ontology can support life cycle assessment activities or sustainability decision-making in the life cycle stages, such as replacing energy consuming processes and equipment with sustainable practices. In addition, the ontology can support the development of new life cycle and manufacturing standards. The ontology provides a holistic picture of the requirements to enrich comprehension of and compliance to the growing number of sustainable manufacturing standards.

Compressed air systems account for much of the total energy use by European industries. Air compressors alone account for over 10% of UK industrial energy use (>15,000 GWh). Many of these systems are not optimized to save energy and money, and to have more reliable compressed air power. We present here an integrated optimization solution for the design of such systems. The input to the design procedure is an audit of the air usage pattern and the user defined requirements of the compressed air system. A multi objective optimiser proposes a design solution. It generates candidate system configurations with alternative equipment, minimises, on-the-fly, the energy use of these using a SIMULINK simulator, computes predicted lifecycle cost, and selects the configuration which meets the specifications and gives the lowest 10 year life-cycle cost.

Engineering, economical, environmental, and social performance of a product need to be considered comprehensively to reach a globally acceptable product solution. These aspects are determined and realized during several product life cycle stages. Life cycle stages are interrelated and mutually constrained. Each stage has its own concerns while they need to coordinate to reach global product solutions. This paper proposes using distributed constraint satisfaction methods to model and solve product life cycle problems.

With the development of automotive industry, the number of automobiles in use increases gradually. How to recycle discarded automobile products becomes a problem that will block the sustainable development of automobile industry and will impact environment. Life Cycle Engineering Design is a effective method to solve this problem. Recycling stage of automotive products is a core phase of their life cycle. In this paper, LCED theory is used to study the recycling assessment method systemically, and an automotive recycling assessment system is set up. Based on above theoretical system, the recycling module of the software of ‘LCAT of automotive product’ is developed. And two examples — main reducer of four-axles and automobile rear axle are given to testify the system.

Designing products aiming at minimizing their impact on the environment is becoming increasingly important. From the product recycling and life cycle engineering design(LCED) viewpoint, we should evaluate not only the economic cost but also environmental impact during disassembly process. This paper presents concepts of the disassembly activity logic network(D-L-N) modeling for product recycling assessment. According to the connection relationships and hierarchical structure among the product, D-L-N can be abstracted for disassembly, recycling analysis, etc.. D-L-N is employed for the calculation of recycling profit and the determination of product optimal recycling strategy in this paper. Recycling method based on product hierarchical structure, concept of recycling profits and the searching algorithm of recycling scheme are also discussed. A case study of a complex product recycling demonstrates that D-L-N can facilitate economic and environmental impact analysis of a product life cycle, is also the basis of product design and disassembly path planning.

The functionality of next-generation DoD platforms, such as the Small Unmanned Ground Vehicles (SUGV) and Small Unmanned Arial Vehicles (SUAV), is strongly electronics-rich, Figure 1. Thus, the reliability of these systems will be strongly dependent on the reliability of the electronics. These electronic systems and the critical components in them experience extremely harsh environments such as vibration and thermal fatigue. Therefore, it is imperative to identify the failure mechanisms of these components through experimental and simulated failure assessment. One of the key challenges in re-creating life-cycle vibration conditions during design and qualification testing in the lab is the re-creation of simultaneous multi-axial excitation that the product experiences in the field. Instead, the common practice is to use sequential single-axis excitation in different axes or uncontrolled multi-axial vibration on repetitive shock shakers. Consequently, the dominant failure modes in the field are sometimes very difficult to duplicate in a laboratory test. The US Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity (AMSAA) is currently collaborating with the Center of Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) at the University of Maryland, to develop test methods that better capture unforeseen design defects in the qualification stage, by better replication of the life-cycle vibration conditions. This effort has led to utilizing a novel six degrees of freedom (DOF) electrodynamic shaker to ruggedize designs for fatigue damage due to random vibration. This paper discusses the merits of vibration testing methods with a six-DoF shaker and the cost saving associated with such an approach. The six DoF shaker may detect critical failures earlier in the development cycle than has been traditionally possible with existing shaker technologies; and therefore produce more cost effective and reliable systems for our warfighters.

Urban Rail Transportation Vehicle's life cycle, at 20∼30 years with repetition of maintenance and modification as a cyclic-type product is long in comparison with other products. In order to make the city rail systems friendlier to the environment, China has just begun the building of Life Cycle engineering of city track traffic Vehicle. Some new energy saving track traffic Vehicle has been developed. And a concept of cyclic-type life cycle loop of city track traffic Vehicle has been proposed by the Beijing Mass Transit Railway Operation Corp. Ltd. and its rolling stock plant. According to the principle of this concept, maintenance, operation, recycling, and re-use of track traffic Vehicle has been integrated. The target that makes track traffic friendlier to the environment has been partly realized.

Analyzing assembly and disassembly is a key factor for not only the research of life cycle engineering design (LCED) of the automotive products, but also the important fundament of good manufacturing, maintaining, recycling ,retirement treating and lifecycle assessing for these products. As for the modern automotive product, its designing, manufacturing, maintenance, recycling deposal, Lifecycle Assessment, etc., have the close relationships with each other. The CAD models are their common basis. So a novel generalized CAD models for disassembly of automotive products is put forward in this paper. Based on this model, a systematic research on the scheme of disassembly sequence and disassembly path , the modeling and algorithm of a globally interference inspection are demonstrated. Moreover, this paper also takes a main reducer of a heavy-duty off-road vehicle as an example to validate the above theory. It will provide a theoretical foundation for geometrical interference inspection and the assembly and disassembly of mechanical products using generalized CAD models.

Construction projects are one-off endeavors with many unique features such as long period, complicated processes, abominable environment, financial intensity and dynamic organization structures and such organizational and technological complexity generates enormous risks. And environmental and economical dimensions throughout the life cycle of the construction project, so the construction project decision is a difficult and important problem. In this paper, a life cycle engineering (LCE) model is proposed to support construction project decision. The LCE model proposed compares a set of candidate construction projects and, obtained a single indicator for each construction project and for each dimension of evaluation (technical, economic, and environmental), allowing the direct incorporation of the technical, economical and environmental performances into a multi-attribute decision making (MADM) problem. Then, we use the LMS neural network method to solve the MADM problem and get the best construction project from the candidate construction projects.

We have proposed a Web-based infrastructure for integrating element technologies of life cycle engineering (LCE) including simulation, optimization, and decision-making tools with a product life cycle model. A structural function modeling method named IDEFO is employed for defining the model. We also developed a format to describe the model by using XML that is known suitable for Web-based applications. Moreover, employing distributed object-oriented technologies, we have implemented an information infrastructure that can be deployed on the Web. Finally, a case study regarding a chemical product is provided to illustrate the usage of the system

The appropriate and efficient technology transfer mechanism will vary, depending on individual company circumstances and needs. It is important for research organizations to have multiple mechanisms in place to meet the diverse needs of research sponsors. The Computer Aided Life Cycle Engineering Electronic Packaging Research Center (CALCE EPRC) at the University of Maryland has considerable experience in efficient technology transfer mechanisms. A comparative view of different mechanisms is discussed. The use of software as a primary technology transfer mechanism is addressed. The supplemental activities of CALCE EPRC are reported. >

The author summarizes research results of a research effort in decision support system (DSS) technology for ULCE (Unified Life Cycle Engineering). Among the topics addressed were ULCE architectural issues, design measurement and methods research, ULCE-related design technique survey papers, and investigations into group support system technology. The technical papers produced influenced concurrent engineering efforts. The end result of this summary effort is to encapsulate the four-year research effort into a set of generalized findings and recommendations. Since the ULCE research program was a precursor to the current initiative in concurrent engineering (CE), or integrated product development (IPD), this set of findings and recommendations are discussed particularly with respect to an effort called the Requirements Analysis Process In Design (RAPID) program. >

Products and services cause different environmental problems during the different stages of their life cycle. The Life Cycle Assessment tool aims to identify possibilities to improve the environmental behavior of the systems under consideration. Therefore it is necessary to systematically collect and interpret material and energy flows for all relevant processes. The whole life cycle of a system has to be considered to prevent the neglecting or shift of possible important environmental aspects. In order to support designers, engineers and decision makers to make better informed decisions, it is necessary to perform LCA studies and economic assessments at a very early stage in product design. It is very well known, that the cost and environmental performance responsibility for a product lies mainly in the hand of the designers. Therefore management tools and procedures have to be found or developed to include LCA in this early stage. By means of an integration approach LCA can help to enlarge today's valuation and decision making decisively. The earlier a well informed and considered decision can take place, the more freedom the designers have. This is getting more and more important with the decrease of product innovation times. A basic element of the potential of this approach, so called life cycle engineering (LCE), is shown to be exemplary for an electronic specific component, a PWB. Starting from forming a parametric calculation model it will be shown how parameter variation will influence the results and how decisions are presented.

This paper illustrates the use of the internet in life cycle engineering. Two demonstration tools that have been constructed to assist life cycle engineering within a large organisation are presented. The tools have been designed to run in a local, intranet or internet environment and serve to demonstrate how HTML based documents are a versatile method for presenting information or providing applications that must be generally available.

Supporting the industry in the design process, the approach described in this paper provides a real design for environment (DfE), including cost aspects. The basis for this form of DfE are the experiences and the data gained in numberless life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle engineering (LCE) studies as well as know how in applying generic modeling, simulations and scenario analysis. The method of life cycle costing (LCC) helps to implement economic aspects, which are often the main important aspects in industrial decision making. The goal is to bring environmental and economic considerations in harmony in respect to a sustainable development. LCE/LCA data and experiences shall be used for DfE to objectify the results, by using these scientific proven methods. It is applied and further developed on examples within the 'active disassembly using smart materials' (ADSM) project. The goals of this project are the demonstration of the feasibility of providing a nondestructive, cost effective, self-disassembly system for industry with the smart material device. Within the consumer electronics sector, existing state of the art products without smart materials are analyzed using LCA and LCC. A subsequent analysis with redesigned products consisting of embedded 'shape memory alloy' (SMA) and 'shape memory polymers' (SMP) devices is conducted. As a final stage the analysis is completed with assessed results and will be included in the activity of redesign for further product development.

Presents a life cycle engineering approach to the development of flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs). FMS machine selection and decisions along its life are considered. The latter include, for example, how many times a particular FMS component should be upgraded. Life cycle decision-making is based on cost, benefit, and environmental impact of an FMS. The proposed approach provides a new way to develop cost-effective, high-quality, and environmentally conscious FMS.

Electronic products consist of various materials, need a lot of sophisticated manufacturing processes and are manufactured from many different suppliers. These conditions make environmental assessments even more complicated. The approach of a model based life cycle assessment (LCA)/life cycle engineering (LCE) means managing complex process models from the basis of a background database. Despite of the demanding conditions of electronics industry this offers the opportunity to provide transparent and summarized results with an acceptable time effort. It is realized by forming flexible modules with parameter variation that show already modeled parts and subassemblies which can be chosen from the database. These modules that call be combined like a tool kit will be exemplary demonstrated by the LCA of a copier machine. The parameter variation offers the possibility to adapt the modules to the specific product properties and subassembly modifications as far as they are given. Also the interactions within the different life cycle phases can be quickly modeled and analyzed. Even with no detailed material information of single parts and subassemblies the model based approach allows a LCA of the entire product by using those pre-calculated LCA profiles. The case study presents the relation between given information and gained LCA results by using the generic modules based LCA method.