Cleaner Engineering and Technology最新文献_第5页

Carbon neutral island energy system transition - A model-based analysis of sector coupling between the electricity, industry and heat sectors 碳中性岛屿能源系统转型——基于模型的电力、工业和供热部门耦合分析

IF 6.5 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Cleaner Engineering and Technology

Pub Date : 2025-11-10 DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.101115

Akram Sandvall , Sofia Klugman , Olga Lysenko , Karl Vilén , Nathalie Fransson

Although having access to renewable sources of energy, islands often face challenges of security of energy supply, climate change impacts and drawbacks of fossil fuel dependency. Utilization of renewable resources, increasing energy efficiency, and securing an affordable energy supply are key elements of the sustainable energy transition of islands. In this study, a dynamic energy system optimization model is developed using the TIMES modeling framework and is applied from the perspective of an island's energy system. Carbon neutral energy system scenarios are designed and integrated into the model to assess system impacts of various industrial development options in connection with investment in large-scale offshore wind power for the case of a Swedish island. The results show a transition in the power and heat sectors for all the scenarios. Ground-source heat pumps (HPs) and district heat (DH) replace electric boilers and ambient-air HPs. The abundancy of renewable electricity generation, either due to non-existence of an energy intensive industry on the island or investments in large-scale wind power plants, leads to lower marginal cost of electricity generation. Consequently, the use of renewable (seawater) and low-temperature excess heat (EH) sources in large-scale HPs and direct use of high-temperature EH in DH systems increase. In turn, the EH sources replace biomass combustion in heat-only boilers. The intermittent renewable power generation is balanced by electricity import from the mainland (if allowed), biodiesel gas turbines, DH production in new biogas combined heat and power plants and large-scale HPs, and an existing heat storage.

岛屿虽然可以获得可再生能源，但往往面临能源供应安全、气候变化影响和依赖化石燃料的缺点等挑战。利用可再生资源、提高能源效率和确保负担得起的能源供应是岛屿可持续能源转型的关键要素。本文以海岛能源系统为研究对象，利用TIMES建模框架建立了海岛能源系统动态优化模型。碳中和能源系统情景被设计并整合到模型中，以瑞典岛屿为例，评估与大规模海上风电投资相关的各种工业发展方案对系统的影响。结果表明，在所有情景下，电力和热力部门都发生了转变。地源热泵（HPs）和区域供热（DH）取代了电锅炉和环境空气热泵。由于岛上不存在能源密集型工业或投资大型风力发电厂，可再生能源发电的丰富性导致发电的边际成本较低。因此，在大型hp中使用可再生（海水）和低温余热（EH）源以及在DH系统中直接使用高温余热（EH）增加了。反过来，EH源取代了纯热锅炉中的生物质燃烧。间歇性的可再生能源发电由内地进口电力（如获允许）、生物柴油燃气轮机、新沼气热电联产电厂和大型热电联产电厂生产的生质酸，以及现有的蓄热装置来平衡。

{"title":"Carbon neutral island energy system transition - A model-based analysis of sector coupling between the electricity, industry and heat sectors","authors":"Akram Sandvall , Sofia Klugman , Olga Lysenko , Karl Vilén , Nathalie Fransson","doi":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101115","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101115","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although having access to renewable sources of energy, islands often face challenges of security of energy supply, climate change impacts and drawbacks of fossil fuel dependency. Utilization of renewable resources, increasing energy efficiency, and securing an affordable energy supply are key elements of the sustainable energy transition of islands. In this study, a dynamic energy system optimization model is developed using the TIMES modeling framework and is applied from the perspective of an island's energy system. Carbon neutral energy system scenarios are designed and integrated into the model to assess system impacts of various industrial development options in connection with investment in large-scale offshore wind power for the case of a Swedish island. The results show a transition in the power and heat sectors for all the scenarios. Ground-source heat pumps (HPs) and district heat (DH) replace electric boilers and ambient-air HPs. The abundancy of renewable electricity generation, either due to non-existence of an energy intensive industry on the island or investments in large-scale wind power plants, leads to lower marginal cost of electricity generation. Consequently, the use of renewable (seawater) and low-temperature excess heat (EH) sources in large-scale HPs and direct use of high-temperature EH in DH systems increase. In turn, the EH sources replace biomass combustion in heat-only boilers. The intermittent renewable power generation is balanced by electricity import from the mainland (if allowed), biodiesel gas turbines, DH production in new biogas combined heat and power plants and large-scale HPs, and an existing heat storage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34618,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Engineering and Technology","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101115"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145519624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

eBCTC: Energy-efficient hybrid blockchain architecture for smart and secured K-ETS eBCTC：用于智能和安全K-ETS的节能混合区块链架构

IF 6.5 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Cleaner Engineering and Technology

Pub Date : 2025-11-07 DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.101084

Ihunanya Udodiri Ajakwe , Victor Ikenna Kanu , Simeon Okechukwu Ajakwe , Dong-Seong Kim

The Korean Emission Trading Scheme (K-ETS) is vital for reducing carbon emissions in South Korea. However, issues in transparency, security, and computational overhead limit its effectiveness. This work proposes an energy-efficient blockchain-based framework (eBCTC) to enhance the system with a decentralized blockchain architecture, Purechain. The framework leverages an improved consensus mechanism, the Proof of Authority and Association (PoA²). This is to address key challenges in the current K-ETS, such as centralization, lack of transparency, and high energy consumption. The PoA² significantly reduces gas usage, with experimental results showing a 22 % reduction in gas consumption compared to traditional Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Authority (PoA) mechanisms. Also, PoA² recorded a ×6 and ×2 reduction in gas price compared to PoW and PoA. The system also achieves faster transaction finality and lower computational costs, with transaction costs reduced by up to 83 % across the key K-ETS activities, including emissions reporting, credit allocation, and trading. Also, the system achieved moderate throughput, high latency, doubling scalability, high reliability, and a high success rate compared with DPoS and PBFT based on transaction stress validation tests. With an improved smart contract, intelligent automation of key functions, the system achieved a high energy gain for improved incentives. The proposed framework not only enhances the scalability and transparency of K-ETS but also aligns with South Korea's carbon neutrality goals by minimizing the environmental impact of blockchain operations. This study provides a solid foundation for sustainable carbon trading systems and an accountable carbon economy, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change in achieving the 2050 net-zero carbon emissions goal.

韩国碳排放交易体系（K-ETS）对于减少韩国的碳排放至关重要。然而，透明度、安全性和计算开销方面的问题限制了其有效性。这项工作提出了一个节能的基于区块链的框架（ebtc），通过分散的区块链架构Purechain来增强系统。该框架利用了改进的共识机制，即权威和关联证明（PoA2）。这是为了解决当前K-ETS面临的主要挑战，如集中化、缺乏透明度和高能耗。实验结果表明，与传统的工作量证明（PoW）和权威证明（PoA）机制相比，PoA2显著降低了天然气消耗，减少了22%的天然气消耗。与PoW和PoA相比，PoA2的天然气价格分别降低了×6和×2。该系统还实现了更快的交易完成速度和更低的计算成本，在关键的K-ETS活动中，包括排放报告、信用分配和交易，交易成本降低了高达83%。此外，与基于事务压力验证测试的DPoS和PBFT相比，该系统实现了中等吞吐量、高延迟、双倍可扩展性、高可靠性和高成功率。通过改进的智能合约，关键功能的智能自动化，系统实现了高能量增益，改善了激励。拟议的框架不仅提高了K-ETS的可扩展性和透明度，而且通过最大限度地减少bbb运营对环境的影响，与韩国的碳中和目标保持一致。本研究为可持续碳交易体系和负责任的碳经济奠定了坚实基础，有助于全球应对气候变化的努力，实现2050年净零碳排放目标。

{"title":"eBCTC: Energy-efficient hybrid blockchain architecture for smart and secured K-ETS","authors":"Ihunanya Udodiri Ajakwe , Victor Ikenna Kanu , Simeon Okechukwu Ajakwe , Dong-Seong Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101084","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101084","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Korean Emission Trading Scheme (K-ETS) is vital for reducing carbon emissions in South Korea. However, issues in transparency, security, and computational overhead limit its effectiveness. This work proposes an energy-efficient blockchain-based framework (eBCTC) to enhance the system with a decentralized blockchain architecture, Purechain. The framework leverages an improved consensus mechanism, the Proof of Authority and Association (PoA<sup>2</sup>). This is to address key challenges in the current K-ETS, such as centralization, lack of transparency, and high energy consumption. The PoA<sup>2</sup> significantly reduces gas usage, with experimental results showing a 22 % reduction in gas consumption compared to traditional Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Authority (PoA) mechanisms. Also, PoA<sup>2</sup> recorded a ×6 and ×2 reduction in gas price compared to PoW and PoA. The system also achieves faster transaction finality and lower computational costs, with transaction costs reduced by up to 83 % across the key K-ETS activities, including emissions reporting, credit allocation, and trading. Also, the system achieved moderate throughput, high latency, doubling scalability, high reliability, and a high success rate compared with DPoS and PBFT based on transaction stress validation tests. With an improved smart contract, intelligent automation of key functions, the system achieved a high energy gain for improved incentives. The proposed framework not only enhances the scalability and transparency of K-ETS but also aligns with South Korea's carbon neutrality goals by minimizing the environmental impact of blockchain operations. This study provides a solid foundation for sustainable carbon trading systems and an accountable carbon economy, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change in achieving the 2050 net-zero carbon emissions goal.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34618,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Engineering and Technology","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101084"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145519641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Mechanochemical and molecular analysis of organic binders in charcoal briquetting for enhanced cold mechanical strength 提高冷机械强度的木炭压块中有机粘结剂的机械化学和分子分析

IF 6.5 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Cleaner Engineering and Technology

Pub Date : 2025-11-04 DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.101113

Viktor Yankovych , Nataliya Korol

Charcoal briquettes often fracture during handling because their fine particles require a binder that is both strong and low in ash. This study presents the first integrated analysis that couples full-scale briquetting trials with molecular docking simulations to guide binder selection. Industrial hardwood-charcoal fines were blended with five organic binders—native starch, citric-acid-modified starch, lignosulfonate, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), and flour—at 2.5–25 wt %. Each formulation was compacted using either a 5 MN hydraulic press or an industrial roller press and evaluated by proximate analysis, drop-impact testing (Impact Resistance Index, IRI), and axial compression.

Mechanical testing showed that modified starch outperformed all other binders, achieving compressive strengths up to 7 MPa and IRI values exceeding 3600 at 15–20 wt % loading under hydraulic pressing. Lignosulfonate, despite its high calculated adsorption energy (−6.1 kcal/mol), yielded weaker briquettes due to moisture uptake and higher ash, whereas PVA displayed the weakest surface affinity (−1.8 kcal/mol) and lowest mechanical strength. Across all formulations, hydraulic pressing improved strength two-to four-fold compared with roller pressing. Docking simulations on an oxidised-graphite model surface revealed that polysaccharides form extensive hydrogen-bond networks with oxygenated carbon edges, explaining their superior adhesion. These findings confirm that binder molecular structure and densification pressure jointly govern briquette integrity. When normalised for cost, modified starch remains the most efficient and sustainable option. The combined mechanochemical–molecular framework thus provides a transferable, molecularly informed roadmap for selecting sustainable binders and optimising compaction in commercial charcoal-briquette manufacturing.

木炭型煤在处理过程中经常破裂，因为它们的细颗粒需要一种既坚固又低灰分的粘合剂。本研究首次将全尺寸压块试验与分子对接模拟结合起来进行综合分析，以指导粘结剂的选择。工业硬木炭粉与五种有机粘合剂混合-天然淀粉，柠檬酸改性淀粉，木质素磺酸盐，聚醋酸乙烯酯（PVA）和面粉-在2.5-25 wt %。每种配方都使用5mn液压机或工业辊压机进行压实，并通过近似分析、跌落冲击测试（抗冲击指数，IRI）和轴向压缩进行评估。力学测试表明，变性淀粉优于所有其他粘合剂，在15 - 20% wt %的液压压力下，其抗压强度高达7 MPa， IRI值超过3600。尽管木质素磺酸具有较高的计算吸附能（−6.1 kcal/mol），但由于吸湿性和灰分较高，其成型效果较差，而PVA的表面亲和性最差（−1.8 kcal/mol），机械强度最低。在所有配方中，与辊压相比，液压压的强度提高了两到四倍。对氧化石墨模型表面的对接模拟显示，多糖与含氧碳边缘形成广泛的氢键网络，这解释了它们优越的附着力。这些发现证实了粘结剂分子结构和致密化压力共同决定型煤的完整性。当成本正常化时，变性淀粉仍然是最有效和可持续的选择。因此，结合机械化学-分子框架为选择可持续粘合剂和优化商业木炭成型制造中的压实提供了可转移的，分子知情的路线图。

{"title":"Mechanochemical and molecular analysis of organic binders in charcoal briquetting for enhanced cold mechanical strength","authors":"Viktor Yankovych , Nataliya Korol","doi":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101113","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101113","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Charcoal briquettes often fracture during handling because their fine particles require a binder that is both strong and low in ash. This study presents the first integrated analysis that couples full-scale briquetting trials with molecular docking simulations to guide binder selection. Industrial hardwood-charcoal fines were blended with five organic binders—native starch, citric-acid-modified starch, lignosulfonate, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), and flour—at 2.5–25 wt %. Each formulation was compacted using either a 5 MN hydraulic press or an industrial roller press and evaluated by proximate analysis, drop-impact testing (Impact Resistance Index, IRI), and axial compression.</div><div>Mechanical testing showed that modified starch outperformed all other binders, achieving compressive strengths up to 7 MPa and IRI values exceeding 3600 at 15–20 wt % loading under hydraulic pressing. Lignosulfonate, despite its high calculated adsorption energy (−6.1 kcal/mol), yielded weaker briquettes due to moisture uptake and higher ash, whereas PVA displayed the weakest surface affinity (−1.8 kcal/mol) and lowest mechanical strength. Across all formulations, hydraulic pressing improved strength two-to four-fold compared with roller pressing. Docking simulations on an oxidised-graphite model surface revealed that polysaccharides form extensive hydrogen-bond networks with oxygenated carbon edges, explaining their superior adhesion. These findings confirm that binder molecular structure and densification pressure jointly govern briquette integrity. When normalised for cost, modified starch remains the most efficient and sustainable option. The combined mechanochemical–molecular framework thus provides a transferable, molecularly informed roadmap for selecting sustainable binders and optimising compaction in commercial charcoal-briquette manufacturing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34618,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Engineering and Technology","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101113"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Utilizing agricultural wastes for fired bricks: A machine learning approach to compressive strength and water absorption predictions 利用农业废弃物烧结砖：抗压强度和吸水率预测的机器学习方法

IF 6.5 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Cleaner Engineering and Technology

Pub Date : 2025-11-03 DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.101109

Zahraa Jwaida

The use of agricultural wastes in brick production is increasing due to their potential for sustainable construction and efficient waste utilization. Predicting the physical and mechanical properties of such bricks remains challenging because of complex interactions among process variables and waste materials. This study addresses this by developing predictive models using four machine learning (ML) algorithms, namely random forest regressor (RFR), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), artificial neural network (ANN), and ridge regression (RR), based on a dataset of 110 data points including bricks with agricultural wastes such as rice husk ash (RHA) and wheat husk (WH), along with the physical and processing parameters. The results indicate that all models show strong potential for predicting brick properties with optimized hyperparameters. RFR achieved the highest predictive performance (R² = 0.879 for compressive strength, 0.901 for water absorption), followed by XGBoost and ANN, which showed moderate predictive ability but signs of overfitting; RR performed the least effectively. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), Partial Dependence Plots (PDP), and Individual Conditional Expectation (ICE) plots revealed that manufacturing parameters were the most influential features. Sensitivity analysis showed that soil content (RMSE↑ 7.90), firing temperature (RMSE↑ 5.40), and brick size (RMSE↑ 4.95) had the highest impact, whereas waste additives exhibited low sensitivity (RMSE↑ < 2.0), supporting their sustainable inclusion. This study introduces a holistic workflow integrating predictive modeling, interpretable ML tools, and sensitivity analysis, as a template for materials science, highlighting its potential to optimize waste-based fired bricks and provide a transferable methodology for sustainable construction applications.

由于具有可持续建筑和有效利用废物的潜力，农业废物在砖生产中的利用正在增加。由于工艺变量和废料之间复杂的相互作用，预测这种砖的物理和机械性能仍然具有挑战性。本研究通过使用随机森林回归（RFR）、极端梯度增强（XGBoost）、人工神经网络（ANN）和山脊回归（RR）四种机器学习（ML）算法开发预测模型来解决这一问题，该模型基于110个数据点的数据集，包括含有稻壳灰（RHA）和小麦壳（WH）等农业废弃物的砖，以及物理和加工参数。结果表明，所有模型都显示出利用优化后的超参数预测砖性能的强大潜力。RFR的预测效果最好（抗压强度R2 = 0.879，吸水率R2 = 0.901），其次是XGBoost和ANN，预测能力中等，但有过拟合的迹象；RR的效果最差。SHapley加性解释图（SHAP）、部分依赖图（PDP）和个体条件期望图（ICE）显示，制造参数是影响最大的特征。敏感性分析表明，土壤含量（RMSE↑7.90）、烧制温度（RMSE↑5.40）和砖尺寸（RMSE↑4.95）的影响最大，而废物添加剂的敏感性较低（RMSE↑< 2.0），支持其可持续包裹性。本研究介绍了一个集成了预测建模、可解释的机器学习工具和敏感性分析的整体工作流程，作为材料科学的模板，突出了其优化基于废物的烧制砖的潜力，并为可持续建筑应用提供了可转移的方法。

{"title":"Utilizing agricultural wastes for fired bricks: A machine learning approach to compressive strength and water absorption predictions","authors":"Zahraa Jwaida","doi":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101109","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101109","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of agricultural wastes in brick production is increasing due to their potential for sustainable construction and efficient waste utilization. Predicting the physical and mechanical properties of such bricks remains challenging because of complex interactions among process variables and waste materials. This study addresses this by developing predictive models using four machine learning (ML) algorithms, namely random forest regressor (RFR), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), artificial neural network (ANN), and ridge regression (RR), based on a dataset of 110 data points including bricks with agricultural wastes such as rice husk ash (RHA) and wheat husk (WH), along with the physical and processing parameters. The results indicate that all models show strong potential for predicting brick properties with optimized hyperparameters. RFR achieved the highest predictive performance (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.879 for compressive strength, 0.901 for water absorption), followed by XGBoost and ANN, which showed moderate predictive ability but signs of overfitting; RR performed the least effectively. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), Partial Dependence Plots (PDP), and Individual Conditional Expectation (ICE) plots revealed that manufacturing parameters were the most influential features. Sensitivity analysis showed that soil content (RMSE↑ 7.90), firing temperature (RMSE↑ 5.40), and brick size (RMSE↑ 4.95) had the highest impact, whereas waste additives exhibited low sensitivity (RMSE↑ < 2.0), supporting their sustainable inclusion. This study introduces a holistic workflow integrating predictive modeling, interpretable ML tools, and sensitivity analysis, as a template for materials science, highlighting its potential to optimize waste-based fired bricks and provide a transferable methodology for sustainable construction applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34618,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Engineering and Technology","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101109"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Optimization of drop-on-demand 3D printing of natural latex ink for the fabrication of customized medical splints 优化天然乳胶墨水按需3D打印，用于定制医疗夹板的制造

IF 6.5 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Cleaner Engineering and Technology

Pub Date : 2025-11-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.101112

Chakrit Suvanjumrat , Kanchanabhorn Chansoda , Machimontorn Promtong , Panithi Wiroonpochit , Thongsak Kaewprakob , Watcharapong Chookaew

A novel drop-on-demand (DoD) 3D printing system was developed to fabricate complex-shaped products using natural latex ink. The printing parameters were systematically optimized based on the roundness and deposition behavior of rubber droplets, with 75 % alcohol identified as the most effective medium among various acid coagulants. The latex, formulated with a viscosity of 800 cP, was tailored to ensure printability and structural integrity. Optimal conditions—including a 0.85 mm nozzle diameter, a deposition rate of 45 mm³/s, an alcohol bath height of 3 mm, and a nozzle tip height of 10 mm from the medium surface—enabled the successful fabrication of a custom-designed palm splint featuring intricate geometry within 70 min. Dimensional comparison between the digital model and the printed splint in the X-Z and Y-Z planes revealed a deviation of only 9.89 %, which is acceptable for personalized medical devices. The printed splint exhibited a porous structure that enhances breathability and conformed precisely to the user's hand. Mechanical testing showed that the deposited rubber achieved a tensile strength exceeding 4.5 MPa and an elongation at break greater than 950 %, with droplet roundness values approaching unity. This DoD 3D printing approach significantly reduces material preparation time and production costs, offering a promising pathway for the rapid, cost-effective manufacturing of customized rubber-based products.

开发了一种新型的按需滴注（DoD） 3D打印系统，使用天然乳胶墨水制造复杂形状的产品。根据橡胶液滴的圆度和沉积特性，系统地优化了打印参数，并确定75%的酒精是各种酸性混凝剂中最有效的介质。该乳胶的粘度为800 cP，可确保印刷性和结构完整性。最佳条件包括喷嘴直径为0.85 mm，沉积速率为45 mm3/s，酒精浴高度为3 mm，喷嘴尖端距离介质表面高度为10 mm，从而在70分钟内成功制造出具有复杂几何形状的定制设计的手掌夹板。数字模型与印刷夹板在X-Z和Y-Z平面上的尺寸比较显示偏差仅为9.89%，这对于个性化医疗器械是可以接受的。打印的夹板呈现出多孔结构，提高了透气性，并精确地符合用户的手。力学性能测试表明，所制备的橡胶抗拉强度超过4.5 MPa，断裂伸长率大于950%，液滴圆度接近统一。这种国防部3D打印方法显著减少了材料制备时间和生产成本，为快速、经济高效地制造定制橡胶基产品提供了一条有前途的途径。

{"title":"Optimization of drop-on-demand 3D printing of natural latex ink for the fabrication of customized medical splints","authors":"Chakrit Suvanjumrat , Kanchanabhorn Chansoda , Machimontorn Promtong , Panithi Wiroonpochit , Thongsak Kaewprakob , Watcharapong Chookaew","doi":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101112","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101112","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A novel drop-on-demand (DoD) 3D printing system was developed to fabricate complex-shaped products using natural latex ink. The printing parameters were systematically optimized based on the roundness and deposition behavior of rubber droplets, with 75 % alcohol identified as the most effective medium among various acid coagulants. The latex, formulated with a viscosity of 800 cP, was tailored to ensure printability and structural integrity. Optimal conditions—including a 0.85 mm nozzle diameter, a deposition rate of 45 mm<sup>3</sup>/s, an alcohol bath height of 3 mm, and a nozzle tip height of 10 mm from the medium surface—enabled the successful fabrication of a custom-designed palm splint featuring intricate geometry within 70 min. Dimensional comparison between the digital model and the printed splint in the X-Z and Y-Z planes revealed a deviation of only 9.89 %, which is acceptable for personalized medical devices. The printed splint exhibited a porous structure that enhances breathability and conformed precisely to the user's hand. Mechanical testing showed that the deposited rubber achieved a tensile strength exceeding 4.5 MPa and an elongation at break greater than 950 %, with droplet roundness values approaching unity. This DoD 3D printing approach significantly reduces material preparation time and production costs, offering a promising pathway for the rapid, cost-effective manufacturing of customized rubber-based products.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34618,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Engineering and Technology","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101112"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Blockchain-based traceability and certifications of hydrogen refueling station components 基于区块链的加氢站组件可追溯性和认证

IF 6.5 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Cleaner Engineering and Technology

Pub Date : 2025-10-31 DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.101104

Hajar H. Alshehhi , Ammar Hummieda , Ahmad Musamih , Assia Chadly , Khaled Salah , Ahmad Mayyas

As hydrogen gains prominence in energy systems, its adoption as an energy source for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) necessitates the establishment of hydrogen refueling stations (HRS). These stations contain critical compo-nents, including nozzles, storage tanks, heat exchangers, and compressors, which must be certified by regulatory agen-cies to ensure safety and public trust. Current certification processes are fragmented and manually intensive, creating inefficiencies and limiting transparency across the infrastructure lifecycle. In this paper, we propose a blockchain-based solution that creates a secure and auditable network for certifying key HRS components. The system integrates an EVM-compatible blockchain, decentralized storage, and a modular suite of smart contracts (SCs) that formalize registration, bidding, accreditation, certification, and governance. Each contract encodes a distinct actor-driven work-flow, enabling traceable and role-specific operations. A Decentralized Application (DApp) interface supports real-time and role-based interaction across the ecosystem. We present and evaluate the SCs and their underlying algorithms us-ing gas usage analysis, load testing, and security auditing. Load testing across the certification lifecycle shows stable transaction throughput and predictable cost profiles under increasing actor activity. A static security analysis con-firms resilience against common vulnerabilities. Our cost analysis indicates that while the framework is technically deployable on public blockchains, the execution costs of certain functions make it more cost-effective for private blockchains or Layer 2 networks. We also compare our framework with existing systems to highlight its novelty and technical advantages. Our SCs, DApp interface, and load testing scripts are publicly available on GitHub.

随着氢在能源系统中的地位日益突出，氢作为燃料电池电动汽车（fcev）的能源需要建立氢燃料补给站（HRS）。这些站包含关键部件，包括喷嘴、储罐、热交换器和压缩机，这些部件必须经过监管机构的认证，以确保安全和公众信任。当前的认证流程是分散的，并且需要大量的手工操作，这导致了低效率，并限制了整个基础设施生命周期的透明度。在本文中，我们提出了一种基于区块链的解决方案，该解决方案为认证关键HRS组件创建了一个安全且可审计的网络。该系统集成了一个与evm兼容的区块链、去中心化存储和一套模块化的智能合约（SCs），这些智能合约将注册、投标、认证、认证和治理正规化。每个契约编码一个不同的参与者驱动的工作流，支持可跟踪的和特定于角色的操作。分布式应用程序（DApp）接口支持跨生态系统的实时和基于角色的交互。我们介绍和评估sc及其底层算法-使用气体使用分析，负载测试和安全审计。跨认证生命周期的负载测试显示了在参与者活动增加的情况下稳定的事务吞吐量和可预测的成本概况。静态安全性分析确认了针对常见漏洞的弹性。我们的成本分析表明，虽然该框架在技术上可部署在公共区块链上，但某些功能的执行成本使其对私有区块链或第二层网络更具成本效益。我们还将我们的框架与现有系统进行比较，以突出其新颖性和技术优势。我们的sc、DApp界面和负载测试脚本都可以在GitHub上公开获得。

{"title":"Blockchain-based traceability and certifications of hydrogen refueling station components","authors":"Hajar H. Alshehhi , Ammar Hummieda , Ahmad Musamih , Assia Chadly , Khaled Salah , Ahmad Mayyas","doi":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101104","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101104","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As hydrogen gains prominence in energy systems, its adoption as an energy source for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) necessitates the establishment of hydrogen refueling stations (HRS). These stations contain critical compo-nents, including nozzles, storage tanks, heat exchangers, and compressors, which must be certified by regulatory agen-cies to ensure safety and public trust. Current certification processes are fragmented and manually intensive, creating inefficiencies and limiting transparency across the infrastructure lifecycle. In this paper, we propose a blockchain-based solution that creates a secure and auditable network for certifying key HRS components. The system integrates an EVM-compatible blockchain, decentralized storage, and a modular suite of smart contracts (SCs) that formalize registration, bidding, accreditation, certification, and governance. Each contract encodes a distinct actor-driven work-flow, enabling traceable and role-specific operations. A Decentralized Application (DApp) interface supports real-time and role-based interaction across the ecosystem. We present and evaluate the SCs and their underlying algorithms us-ing gas usage analysis, load testing, and security auditing. Load testing across the certification lifecycle shows stable transaction throughput and predictable cost profiles under increasing actor activity. A static security analysis con-firms resilience against common vulnerabilities. Our cost analysis indicates that while the framework is technically deployable on public blockchains, the execution costs of certain functions make it more cost-effective for private blockchains or Layer 2 networks. We also compare our framework with existing systems to highlight its novelty and technical advantages. Our SCs, DApp interface, and load testing scripts are publicly available on GitHub.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34618,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Engineering and Technology","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101104"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Production of levulinic acid from oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber using novel tin oxide catalysts 新型氧化锡催化剂催化油棕空果束纤维生产乙酰丙酸

IF 6.5 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Cleaner Engineering and Technology

Pub Date : 2025-10-31 DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.101111

Ubolluk Rattanasak , Yusuf Chisti , Sarawut Jitpinit , Kamchai Nuithitikul

Levulinic acid (LA; 4-oxopentanoic acid, C₅H₈O₃) is a useful platform chemical for making diverse other commercial products. This work developed a novel catalytic system for efficient production of LA from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), a widely available lignocellulosic waste. First, the EFB was pretreated with tetrahydrofuran to obtain a cellulose-rich solid substrate that was subsequently converted to LA in a stirred batch reactor using solid acid catalysts. The catalysts were sulfated tin oxide (SO₄²⁻/SnO₂) and a newly developed iron-doped variant, sulfated iron–tin oxide (SO₄²⁻/Fe–SnO₂). Iron doping significantly increased both the specific surface area (from 145.9 to 168.7 m² g⁻¹) and the number of acid sites. The effects of reaction temperature (180–220 °C), reaction time (1–6 h), and the catalyst loading (0–4 % w w⁻¹) on the yield of LA and the other useful byproducts are reported. The sulfated iron-tin oxide catalyst was more active than the sulfated tin oxide under certain reaction conditions. Notably, it achieved a maximum LA yield of 31.2 % w w⁻¹ based on the pretreated EFB, or 39.9 % w w⁻¹ based on available cellulose, surpassing many metal oxide catalysts reported in the literature. The optimum reaction conditions were 200 °C, 1 h, and a SO₄²⁻/Fe-SnO₂ catalyst loading of 2 % w w⁻¹. The promising heterogeneous catalytic approach used here for upgrading lignocellulosic waste to higher value chemicals offers environmental and economic benefits.

乙酰丙酸（LA； 4-氧戊酸，C5H8O3）是制造各种其他商业产品的有用平台化学品。本研究开发了一种新的催化系统，用于从广泛利用的木质纤维素废弃物油棕榈空果束（EFB）中高效生产LA。首先，用四氢呋喃预处理EFB，得到富含纤维素的固体底物，随后在搅拌间歇式反应器中使用固体酸催化剂将其转化为LA。催化剂为硫酸氧化锡（SO42−/SnO2）和一种新开发的铁掺杂型硫酸氧化铁（SO42−/ Fe-SnO2）。铁的掺杂显著增加了比表面积（从145.9增加到168.7 m2 g−1）和酸位的数量。报道了反应温度（180 ~ 220℃）、反应时间（1 ~ 6 h）和催化剂用量（0 ~ 4% w w−1）对LA和其他有用副产物产率的影响。在一定的反应条件下，硫化铁锡氧化物催化剂的活性高于硫化锡氧化物催化剂。值得注意的是，在预处理EFB的基础上，LA的最大产率为31.2%，在现有纤维素的基础上，LA的最大产率为39.9%，超过了文献中报道的许多金属氧化物催化剂。最佳反应温度为200℃，反应时间为1 h， SO42−/Fe-SnO2催化剂负载为2% w w−1。这里使用的有前途的多相催化方法将木质纤维素废物转化为高价值的化学品，具有环境和经济效益。

{"title":"Production of levulinic acid from oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber using novel tin oxide catalysts","authors":"Ubolluk Rattanasak , Yusuf Chisti , Sarawut Jitpinit , Kamchai Nuithitikul","doi":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101111","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101111","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Levulinic acid (LA; 4-oxopentanoic acid, C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>8</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) is a useful platform chemical for making diverse other commercial products. This work developed a novel catalytic system for efficient production of LA from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), a widely available lignocellulosic waste. First, the EFB was pretreated with tetrahydrofuran to obtain a cellulose-rich solid substrate that was subsequently converted to LA in a stirred batch reactor using solid acid catalysts. The catalysts were sulfated tin oxide (SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup>/SnO<sub>2</sub>) and a newly developed iron-doped variant, sulfated iron–tin oxide (SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup>/Fe–SnO<sub>2</sub>). Iron doping significantly increased both the specific surface area (from 145.9 to 168.7 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup>) and the number of acid sites. The effects of reaction temperature (180–220 °C), reaction time (1–6 h), and the catalyst loading (0–4 % w w<sup>−1</sup>) on the yield of LA and the other useful byproducts are reported. The sulfated iron-tin oxide catalyst was more active than the sulfated tin oxide under certain reaction conditions. Notably, it achieved a maximum LA yield of 31.2 % w w<sup>−1</sup> based on the pretreated EFB, or 39.9 % w w<sup>−1</sup> based on available cellulose, surpassing many metal oxide catalysts reported in the literature. The optimum reaction conditions were 200 °C, 1 h, and a SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup>/Fe-SnO<sub>2</sub> catalyst loading of 2 % w w<sup>−1</sup>. The promising heterogeneous catalytic approach used here for upgrading lignocellulosic waste to higher value chemicals offers environmental and economic benefits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34618,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Engineering and Technology","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101111"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

High-throughput and waste-reducing synthesis of dispersant-free Cu nanoparticles via CuO reduction 通过CuO还原制备无分散剂Cu纳米颗粒的高通量和减废

IF 6.5 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Cleaner Engineering and Technology

Pub Date : 2025-10-30 DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.101108

Gosuke Takano, Yamato Hayashi, Yuto Ishida, Hirotsugu Takizawa

The size of nanoparticles synthesized by the liquid phase reduction method depends on the concentration of metal ions. Thus, it is difficult to synthesize fine nanoparticles with high concentration. However, by using solid raw materials and by controlling both solubility and nucleation, the synthesis of nanoparticles at high concentrations can be realized. The instantaneous high degree of nucleation would not necessitate the addition of dispersants. Cu nanoparticles were synthesized by reduction with N₂H₄·H₂O using CuO as a raw material whose dissolution was promoted with the addition of CH₃COOH. Varying concentrations of CH₃COOH, N₂H₄·H₂O, and CuO were used to investigate their effects. The synthesized material was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cu nanoparticles (raw material concentration of 4 M) were synthesized by a 10 min reduction. This concentration is 20 times higher than that of conventional chemical reduction methods. At a raw material concentration of 4 M, Cu nanoparticles were synthesized with a high yield (99.69 %). The average particle size of the synthesized sample was 121.9 nm, half the size of nanoparticles synthesized at 1 M concentration. Furthermore, this process suppresses the generation of harmful waste liquids and does not require further cleaning. The rate-determining step of the reaction in the solid-liquid reaction field was the dissolution process of the raw material particle surface, and due to the instantaneous high nucleation rate, it is a Waste-Reducing synthesis method that does not require a dispersant.

液相还原法合成的纳米颗粒的大小取决于金属离子的浓度。因此，制备高浓度的纳米颗粒是困难的。然而，通过使用固体原料并控制溶解度和成核，可以实现高浓度纳米颗粒的合成。瞬间高度成核不需要添加分散剂。以CuO为原料，通过N2H4·H2O还原法制备了Cu纳米颗粒，CH3COOH的加入促进了CuO的溶解。用不同浓度的CH3COOH、N2H4·H2O和CuO考察它们的影响。采用x射线衍射（XRD）和扫描电镜（SEM）对合成材料进行了表征。还原10 min，合成了铜纳米颗粒（原料浓度为4 M）。这一浓度是传统化学还原方法的20倍。在原料浓度为4 M的条件下，以99.69%的收率合成了铜纳米颗粒。合成样品的平均粒径为121.9 nm，是1 M浓度下合成的纳米颗粒粒径的一半。此外，这一过程抑制了有害废液的产生，不需要进一步的清洁。固液反应场中反应的速率决定步骤是原料颗粒表面的溶解过程，由于瞬时成核速率高，是一种不需要分散剂的减废合成方法。

{"title":"High-throughput and waste-reducing synthesis of dispersant-free Cu nanoparticles via CuO reduction","authors":"Gosuke Takano, Yamato Hayashi, Yuto Ishida, Hirotsugu Takizawa","doi":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101108","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101108","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The size of nanoparticles synthesized by the liquid phase reduction method depends on the concentration of metal ions. Thus, it is difficult to synthesize fine nanoparticles with high concentration. However, by using solid raw materials and by controlling both solubility and nucleation, the synthesis of nanoparticles at high concentrations can be realized. The instantaneous high degree of nucleation would not necessitate the addition of dispersants. Cu nanoparticles were synthesized by reduction with N<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>·H<sub>2</sub>O using CuO as a raw material whose dissolution was promoted with the addition of CH<sub>3</sub>COOH. Varying concentrations of CH<sub>3</sub>COOH, N<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>·H<sub>2</sub>O, and CuO were used to investigate their effects. The synthesized material was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cu nanoparticles (raw material concentration of 4 M) were synthesized by a 10 min reduction. This concentration is 20 times higher than that of conventional chemical reduction methods. At a raw material concentration of 4 M, Cu nanoparticles were synthesized with a high yield (99.69 %). The average particle size of the synthesized sample was 121.9 nm, half the size of nanoparticles synthesized at 1 M concentration. Furthermore, this process suppresses the generation of harmful waste liquids and does not require further cleaning. The rate-determining step of the reaction in the solid-liquid reaction field was the dissolution process of the raw material particle surface, and due to the instantaneous high nucleation rate, it is a Waste-Reducing synthesis method that does not require a dispersant.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34618,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Engineering and Technology","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101108"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145417117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

A multi-layered patent analytics framework for technology roadmapping in the circular economy 循环经济中技术路线图的多层次专利分析框架

IF 6.5 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Cleaner Engineering and Technology

Pub Date : 2025-10-30 DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.101107

Mehrdad Maghsoudi , Navid Mohammadi , Seyed Mohammed Ali mousavi Roudsari

The urgency to transition from linear to circular economic models has spurred growing interest in technologies that enable sustainability. However, prior studies leveraging patent data to track circular economy (CE) innovation have remained fragmented, limited by sectoral silos, regional focus, or reliance on secondary sources. This study addresses these gaps by presenting a comprehensive, cross-sectoral technology roadmap grounded in large-scale patent analytics. The research employs a seven-phase methodology including data mining from 39,145 CE patents, semantic embedding via transformer models, BERTopic-based clustering, logistic lifecycle modeling, and expert panel validation to identify 42 distinct technology clusters. These clusters are positioned across defined innovation lifecycle stages (emergent, growth, mature, saturated) and linked to associated products and market applications. Key findings reveal substantial heterogeneity in CE innovation maturity: while clusters like printer cartridge remanufacturing and valve refurbishment are commercially saturated, others such as power-to-hydrogen and wind-turbine blade circularity remain in early development. The resulting multi-layered roadmap connects technologies to product systems and market sectors across short-, mid-, and long-term horizons. Implications span strategic investment targeting, R&D prioritization, and evidence-based policy design, enabling stakeholders to navigate the complex technological ecosystem of the circular economy more effectively. By offering a scalable, empirically grounded framework that explicitly bridges technology, product, and market layers, this research advances methodological standards for innovation mapping and supports decision-making aligned with circularity and sustainability transitions.

从线性经济模式向循环经济模式过渡的紧迫性激发了人们对可持续性技术的兴趣。然而，先前利用专利数据跟踪循环经济创新的研究仍然是碎片化的，受到部门筒仓、区域重点或对二手来源的依赖的限制。本研究通过在大规模专利分析的基础上提出一个全面的、跨部门的技术路线图来解决这些差距。该研究采用了七个阶段的方法，包括从39,145项CE专利中进行数据挖掘，通过变压器模型进行语义嵌入，基于bertopic的聚类，逻辑生命周期建模和专家小组验证，以确定42个不同的技术集群。这些集群的定位跨越已定义的创新生命周期阶段（新兴、成长、成熟、饱和），并与相关产品和市场应用相关联。主要研究结果揭示了电子产品创新成熟度的巨大异质性：虽然打印机墨盒再制造和阀门翻新等集群在商业上已经饱和，但其他集群（如电力制氢和风力涡轮机叶片循环）仍处于早期发展阶段。由此产生的多层路线图将技术与产品系统和市场部门连接起来，跨越短期、中期和长期的视野。其影响包括战略投资目标、研发优先级和基于证据的政策设计，使利益相关者能够更有效地在循环经济的复杂技术生态系统中导航。通过提供一个可扩展的、以经验为基础的框架，明确地将技术、产品和市场层连接起来，本研究推进了创新映射的方法标准，并支持与循环和可持续性过渡相一致的决策。

{"title":"A multi-layered patent analytics framework for technology roadmapping in the circular economy","authors":"Mehrdad Maghsoudi , Navid Mohammadi , Seyed Mohammed Ali mousavi Roudsari","doi":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101107","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101107","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The urgency to transition from linear to circular economic models has spurred growing interest in technologies that enable sustainability. However, prior studies leveraging patent data to track circular economy (CE) innovation have remained fragmented, limited by sectoral silos, regional focus, or reliance on secondary sources. This study addresses these gaps by presenting a comprehensive, cross-sectoral technology roadmap grounded in large-scale patent analytics. The research employs a seven-phase methodology including data mining from 39,145 CE patents, semantic embedding via transformer models, BERTopic-based clustering, logistic lifecycle modeling, and expert panel validation to identify 42 distinct technology clusters. These clusters are positioned across defined innovation lifecycle stages (emergent, growth, mature, saturated) and linked to associated products and market applications. Key findings reveal substantial heterogeneity in CE innovation maturity: while clusters like printer cartridge remanufacturing and valve refurbishment are commercially saturated, others such as power-to-hydrogen and wind-turbine blade circularity remain in early development. The resulting multi-layered roadmap connects technologies to product systems and market sectors across short-, mid-, and long-term horizons. Implications span strategic investment targeting, R&D prioritization, and evidence-based policy design, enabling stakeholders to navigate the complex technological ecosystem of the circular economy more effectively. By offering a scalable, empirically grounded framework that explicitly bridges technology, product, and market layers, this research advances methodological standards for innovation mapping and supports decision-making aligned with circularity and sustainability transitions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34618,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Engineering and Technology","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101107"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145576310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Evaluating the dual impact of AI and RPA on sustainability and brand equity: A case study of digital transformation in Taiwan's service sector 评估AI与RPA对永续性与品牌资产的双重影响：以台湾服务业数位化转型为例

IF 6.5 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Cleaner Engineering and Technology

Pub Date : 2025-10-26 DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.101106

Yu-Ming Fei , Ji-Chyuan Liou , Pao Jui Sun

This study investigates the dual impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) on sustainability performance and brand equity in Taiwan's service sector. Grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) and the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework, the research adopts a mixed-methods case study design involving three award-winning small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) that participated in a national AI transformation program. By integrating digital tools such as AI-generated content platforms, RPA-enabled marketing automation, and intelligent energy management systems, these enterprises aimed to reduce material consumption, enhance customer engagement, and strengthen brand identity. Empirical evidence drawn from enterprise resource planning (ERP) records, carbon audits based on the GHG Protocol, and a structured survey of 121 employees demonstrates notable outcomes: reduced electricity usage and printing costs, increased digital marketing efficacy, and improved perceptions of organizational innovation and sustainability. Statistical analyses reveal significant between-firm differences in perceived benefits, while employee attitudes toward AI and RPA were consistently positive across dimensions. These findings highlight how AI and RPA can serve as catalysts for cleaner operational practices and strategic brand development, aligning with the journal's focus on engineering solutions for sustainable consumption and technological advancement.

本研究探讨人工智慧（AI）与机器人流程自动化（RPA）对台湾服务业可持续发展绩效与品牌资产的双重影响。本研究以资源基础观（RBV）和技术-组织-环境（TOE）框架为基础，采用混合方法的案例研究设计，涉及三家参与国家人工智能转型计划的获奖中小企业（SMEs）。通过集成数字工具，如人工智能生成的内容平台，支持rpa的营销自动化和智能能源管理系统，这些企业旨在减少材料消耗，增强客户参与度，并加强品牌识别。从企业资源规划（ERP）记录、基于温室气体议定书的碳审计以及对121名员工的结构化调查中得出的经验证据表明，结果显著：减少了用电量和印刷成本，提高了数字营销效率，提高了对组织创新和可持续性的看法。统计分析显示，企业之间在感知利益方面存在显著差异，而员工对人工智能和RPA的态度在各个维度上始终是积极的。这些发现突出了人工智能和RPA如何成为更清洁的运营实践和战略品牌发展的催化剂，与该杂志对可持续消费和技术进步的工程解决方案的关注相一致。

{"title":"Evaluating the dual impact of AI and RPA on sustainability and brand equity: A case study of digital transformation in Taiwan's service sector","authors":"Yu-Ming Fei , Ji-Chyuan Liou , Pao Jui Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101106","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clet.2025.101106","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the dual impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) on sustainability performance and brand equity in Taiwan's service sector. Grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) and the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework, the research adopts a mixed-methods case study design involving three award-winning small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) that participated in a national AI transformation program. By integrating digital tools such as AI-generated content platforms, RPA-enabled marketing automation, and intelligent energy management systems, these enterprises aimed to reduce material consumption, enhance customer engagement, and strengthen brand identity. Empirical evidence drawn from enterprise resource planning (ERP) records, carbon audits based on the GHG Protocol, and a structured survey of 121 employees demonstrates notable outcomes: reduced electricity usage and printing costs, increased digital marketing efficacy, and improved perceptions of organizational innovation and sustainability. Statistical analyses reveal significant between-firm differences in perceived benefits, while employee attitudes toward AI and RPA were consistently positive across dimensions. These findings highlight how AI and RPA can serve as catalysts for cleaner operational practices and strategic brand development, aligning with the journal's focus on engineering solutions for sustainable consumption and technological advancement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34618,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Engineering and Technology","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 101106"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0