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Hydrogels are porous biomaterials widely used in tissue engineering (TE), but they require a mechanism to enhance their mechanical properties. Electrospun nanofibrous yarn (EN yarn) can be a suitable candidate for reinforcing hydrogels. In this study, aiming to improve mechanical performance, hydrogel-based scaffolds reinforced by EN yarns (yarn reinforced hydrogel) were fabricated. The morphological characterization, swelling measurement, and tensile tests were performed to evaluate the physical, mechanical, and biological function of the designed yarn reinforced hydrogel. The measured mechanical properties were used as inputs in the mathematical model of the modified rule of mixtures to predict the mechanical behavior of different yarn reinforced hydrogels, which could be used as scaffolds for different tissues. Cell-scaffold interactions were also evaluated by in vitro assays. This study indicated that adding EN yarns to the neat hydrogel decreased the porosity and swelling, while the tensile strength and Young's modulus were improved. In vitro assays showed that cells had better adhesion and spread on the surface of the yarn reinforced hydrogel than those on the surface of the neat hydrogel. Regarding the improvement in mechanical and cellular properties, the yarn reinforced hydrogel has the potential to be used as a novel scaffold in TE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tolerance analysis of an assembly is an important issue for mechanical design. Among various tolerance analysis methods, statistical analysis is the most commonly employed method. However, the conventional statistical tolerance method is often based on the normal distribution. It fails to predict the resultant tolerance of an assembly of parts with non-normal distributions. In this paper, a novel method based on statistical moments is proposed. Tolerance distributions of parts are first transferred into statistical moments that are then used for computing tolerance stack-up. The computed moments, particularly the variance, the skewness and the kurtosis, are then mapped back to probability distributions in order to calculate the resultant tolerance of the assembly. The proposed method can be used to analyse the resultant tolerance specification for non-normal distributions with different skewness and kurtosis. Simulated results showed that tail coefficients of different distributions with the same kurtosis are close to each other for normalised probabilities between −3 and 3. That is, the tail coefficients of a statistical distribution can be predicted by the coefficients of skewness and kurtosis. Two examples are illustrated in the paper to demonstrate the proposed method. The predicted resultant tolerances of the two examples are only 0.5% and 1.5% differences compared with that by the Monte Carlo simulation for 1,000,000 samples. The proposed method is much faster in computation with higher accuracy than conventional statistical tolerance methods. The merit of the proposed method is that the computation is fast and comparatively accurate for both symmetrical and unsymmetrical distributions, particularly when the required probability is between ±2σ and ±3σ. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Function modelling is proposed in textbooks to support solution finding early in a development process. Although it has great potential to support the comprehensiveness and systematisation of conceptual design, it has been taken up in design practice only to a limited extent. Based on a literature review, potential barriers hampering its widespread application are discussed. A central problem revolves around the abstract nature of function modelling, which makes it difficult to apprehend the concrete benefits from its implementation. The article contributes to related research by showcasing success stories in the implementation of function modelling in six companies. The implemented models include morphological charts, use case modelling and two approaches developed in-house. The paper presents an interview study with managers and design leaders investigating the motivations and reasons leading up to the decision to newly implement function modelling in the companies. Furthermore, the paper explores the interviewees’ reflections on experiences gained while (gradually) implementing function models, the specific advantages attained, and also the challenges faced in doing so. The findings show that shared function modelling has great potential to support interdisciplinary collaboration and comprehension and to lead to a significant increase in the efficiency of the design process. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Formula Student is a multi-university design competition that seeks to develop student creativity and engineering skills through the design, manufacture, and financing of a race car. However, the benefits are difficult to realise in practice. Cardiff University has been involved with the activity since 2004 and in 2009 the opportunity was taken to reflect upon experience and to look to improve the delivery through the use of modern design pedagogy. Justifications for the contextual and metacognitive features of the approach are provided. Stakeholder expectations are explored. The approach described extends student learning and experience by: providing opportunity to direct their own learning; creating a community of practice; incorporating synergistic assessment; and providing for evaluation in a purposeful demonstration of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors have developed a method/computer tool to assist (student) engineering designers in generating concept designs. The method is based on the chaining of physical laws and complementary basic schemata (BS). The tool generates chains which serve as an aid in the development of concept designs. In this paper, the authors compare concept designs generated by a control group (which used functional structure and morphological matrix) with those from an experimental group that used computer-generated chains. The experimental group was found to have generated a greater number of different solutions than the control group; the generation of different solutions indicates a high level of variety and a better chance to find potentially innovative solutions. The established difference in the number of different solutions is statistically significant and the results indicate that the BS facilitate greater variety of concept designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research, undertaken using participative observation methods within the Leonardo Da Vinci project ‘Open-Dynamic-Design’, provides evidence that EU industrial practice continues to value the flexibility of physical models across a range of disciplines. This research is placed within the philosophical educational framework established by Schon and examples of implementation within the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering disciplines at the University of Glasgow are discussed. It is argued that physical models support the concurrent optimisation of design and manufacturing processes and that they represent a continuing generic tool to support engineering design education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes an empirical look into industrial design in process and metal industries. The data are based on a case study of an industrial design pilot project at a company that is a market leader in mineral processing systems. In the paper, the overall structure of the project is outlined and aspects of design work are addressed through detailed analysis of interactions between the participants. In addition, the role of visualizations and the nature of design problems are examined. The conclusions of the paper include implications for the organization of industrial design projects. In addition, general notes are made about the nature of industrial design within the company—and technology intensive areas in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of Argonne National Laboratory, the Advanced Photon Source (APS) was proud to host the virtual version of the 11th International Conference on MEDSI from July 26-29, 2021. MEDSI2020 virtually brought together mechanical engineers, researchers, and industrial partners from around the world who are engaged in the design and fabrication of synchrotron radiation instrumentation (Figure 1). [Extracted from the article]

Modern mechatronic product design should be based on extensive digital mockup. This is particularly important for the early stages within the design process. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of integrated tools for modelling and simulation in these stages. This paper describes, based on a reference architecture of mechatronic products, some tools for modelling technical components as well as for information processing components. It is pointed out that possibly the bondgraph approach combined with the statechart concept may serve as a suite of tools for the early stage design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Canadian Light Source played host to the first joint meeting of two of the synchrotron community's biggest conferences with the combined gathering of the Fifth International Workshop on Mechanical Engineering Design of Synchrotron Radiation Equipment and Instrumentation (MEDSI) and the 15th Pan-American Synchrotron Radiation Instrumentation conference (SRI) from June 10 to 13 in Saskatoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]