International Journal of Materials and Product Technology (10 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Synthesis and characterisation of sol-gel derived zinc oxide nanowires: unveiling structural and optical attributes  
  by Prakash Yadav, Balwant Singh Arya, Anurag Srivastava 
  Abstract: We present an in-depth study on the synthesis of nanowires using sol-gel methods and their characterisation with advanced analytical tools, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-VIS spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ZnO nanowires were fabricated with exceptional crystallinity and consistent morphology through precise optimisation of synthesis parameters. XRD analysis confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure of the samples. UV-VIS Spectroscopy revealed a prominent absorption peak at 320 nm and an estimated energy band gap of 3.50 eV. SEM imaging demonstrated the nanowire morphology with diameters ranging from 100 to 180 nm and lengths extending to several micrometres.
  Keywords: ZnO nanowires; nanomaterials; sol-gel method; optical properties.
  
  

Special Issue on: Advanced Materials Design and Product Manufacturing Technologies for Sustainable Applications

• Analysis of common mould material organisation and mould life prediction algorithm based on machine vision  
  by Maoqing Xie, Leigang Wang 
  Abstract: The study addresses poor plasticity and toughness in steel plate forming by proposing a microstructure analysis and mould life prediction algorithm using machine vision. A distance sensor determines the forging edge, while a displacement sensor and industrial camera enhance measurement accuracy. The system utilises OpenCV to improve image processing speed and precision. A wear simulation for U-shaped hot forming moulds is developed using numerical methods to predict the effect of process parameters on wear depth and distribution. Results show that wear is most significant in the arc area, especially at the upper fillet, and the wear location shifts with increased forming cycles. The optimal superclosure value of 0.6 yields a 1.16% error between simulation and experimental results. The study concludes with an optimised wear model for predicting mould life, based on pin disk wear tests and finite element analysis.
  Keywords: hot forming moulds; wear rate; image processing; mould lifespan; numerical simulation.
  
  
• Optimisation model and algorithm analysis of blockchain technology in new energy materials industry supply chain under performance management  
  by Mingfang Li, Zihua Li, Tingyu Liu, Hazrita Ab Rahim, Tadiwa Elisha Nyamasvisva 
  Abstract: This article collected the scale and growth rate of Chinas NE material market from 2016 to 2022. SC cost optimisation and delivery time were used as the criteria for evaluating the optimisation model. The optimisation algorithm was applied to a company mainly composed of nanomaterials. From the cost optimisation and delivery time, it was found that the 20 factories under the company have improved their costs in all aspects after optimising the SC model. After optimisation, the delivery time of the route was maintained at 24 days. This article analysed the SC optimisation model and algorithm for the NE material industry under blockchain technology. The research results can help promote the sustainable development of the NE material industry and improve the overall efficiency of the industry.
  Keywords: new energy materials; supply chain; optimisation model; blockchain technology; nanophase materials; information collaborative management.
  
  
• Colour expression and symbol passing of computer simulation of composite materials in visual communication design  
  by Pianpian Liang, Wonjun Chung 
  Abstract: Aiming at the problems of high cost, inaccurate colour prediction and complex symbol expression in traditional visual communication design, this paper simulates composite materials by computer, builds a multi dimensional simulation environment, and combines high-resolution spectral analysis and other technologies to accurately control material colour and symbol transmission. High-resolution spectral analysis and microscopic imaging techniques can accurately capture the optical properties and microstructure of the composite materials, thus improving the accuracy of the simulation. Experimental verification showed that the computer simulation reduced the colour prediction error by 61.3%, optimised the design scheme, and ensured that the composite material presented consistent and true colours and visual effects across different devices and applications, improving the clarity and visual impact of the visual communication design, while meeting the accessibility and long-term stability requirements.
  Keywords: visual communication design; computer simulation of composite materials; colour expression; symbol passing; spectral analysis.
  
  
• Investigation on visualisation of architectural design and civil engineering structural design based on artificial intelligence  
  by Xuan Liang, Hezhe Pan 
  Abstract: This article integrates 3D visualisation and AI technologies, specifically the YOLO object detection model, into architectural and structural design to enhance project quality and efficiency. Using the BIM visualisation platform, it presents a data-driven, standardised, and shared design information model. The platform extracts 3D structural features from spatial data, offering functions like data sharing, information exchange, and linkage processing. Tests show that the predicted construction cycle matches the actual value, with a cycle ratio < 0.9 and shear weight ratio > 1.60%, meeting specifications. YOLO demonstrates the highest accuracy and lowest error margin among tested algorithms. It aids in predicting on-site construction progress, optimising structural solutions, and enhancing intelligent visualisation effects for architectural and structural design.
  Keywords: architectural design; structural design; model visualisation; building information modelling; BIM; YOLO target detection; smart building.
  
  

Special Issue on: Application and Evaluation of Advanced Engineering Materials

• Nondestructive testing method of vehicle body weld defects based on yolov5 algorithm  
  by Pingping Xiao 
  Abstract: In order to effectively improve the accuracy of non-destructive testing of vehicle body weld defects, a non-destructive testing method of vehicle body weld defects based on yolov5 algorithm is proposed. The image information was collected to extract the weld area, and the spatial enhancement method and median filtering method were combined to denoise the extracted weld image. After the weld defect target is detected by the combination of yolov5 algorithm and support vector machine, the improved support vector machine completes the classification and recognition of the defect category, and realises the non-destructive detection of vehicle body weld defects. The results show that the uniformity of the proposed method is maintained above 0.96, and the peak signal-to-noise ratio of the image is above 40 dB, The Pratt quality factor is always stable above 0.93, and the maximum error rate is less than 1%, which shows that the proposed method has strong detection performance.
  Keywords: vehicle body; weld defects; joint denoising; yolov5 algorithm; non-destructive testing; NDT.
  
  
• Ultrasonic testing of internal defects in welding seam of steel pipe pile in port terminal bent structure  
  by Yongkang Gong, Xinye Hu, Junhua Wu 
  Abstract: In order to overcome the problems of low defect location detection rate, low defect type detection accuracy, and long detection time in traditional defect detection methods, an ultrasonic testing method of internal defects in welding seam of steel pipe pile in port terminal bent structure is proposed. Using an ultrasonic flaw detector to collect ultrasonic signals from steel pipe pile welds, the CEEMD algorithm is used to denoise the ultrasonic signals and extract signal features. The extracted features are input into a support vector machine, which introduces Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions in optimisation theory and Lagrange multipliers to find the hyperplane with the maximum spacing. This hyperplane is used to achieve ultrasonic detection of internal defects in the weld. Experimental results show that the maximum defect location detection rate of the proposed method is 98.76%, the maximum defect type detection accuracy is 98.69%, the detection time varies between 0.21 s and 0.39 s.
  Keywords: port terminal; bent structure; steel pipe pile; internal defects in welding seam; ultrasonic testing; ultrasonic flaw detector; CEEMD algorithm.
  
  
• Rapid planning of industrial robot grasping path in unstructured environment  
  by Jinsong Zheng, Haihong Gu, Qinggang Jiang, Baizhong Zhang 
  Abstract: In order to overcome the problems of low smoothness, long time, and low success rate of traditional industrial robot grasping path planning methods, a rapid planning method of industrial robot grasping path in unstructured environment is proposed. Collect unstructured scene data through LiDAR and perform voxel filtering on the collected point cloud data. Based on the processed point cloud data and RBPF-SLAM algorithm, an environmental map is constructed, and the industrial robot grasping path is rapid planned in the environmental map through the deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm The experimental results show that the maximum smoothness of the grasping path of the industrial robot proposed by the method is 0.98, the minimum path planning time is 0.57s, the grasping success rate is between 96.2% and 97.9%, and the grasping path planning effect is good.
  Keywords: unstructured environment; industrial robot; grasping path; rapid planning; LiDAR; voxel filtering; RBPF-SLAM algorithm; deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm.
  
  
• Experimental study on seismic behaviour of reinforced concrete shear walls in high-rise buildings  
  by Zhigang Qiu 
  Abstract: The objective of this investigation is to assess the earthquake resilience of reinforced concrete shear walls in tall structures through varying techniques of horizontal joint integration and concrete pouring. The experiment involved the creation of five distinct specimen models (SJ-1 through SJ-5), which were subjected to Northridge seismic wave simulations on a shaking table. The findings revealed that the SJ-1 model demonstrated superior seismic resistance attributed to its robust cracking threshold and compression strength. Conversely, the seismic efficacy of models SJ-2 to SJ-5 was markedly influenced by the joint assembly method, leading to suboptimal results. Notably, the SJ-3, SJ-4, and SJ-5 models experienced a substantial reduction in load-bearing capability due to joint malfunction during the advanced stages of testing. Furthermore, the rate of stiffness deterioration in these models escalated once displacements surpassed 10mm, signifying inadequate ductility and energy absorption characteristics
  Keywords: high rise building engineering; reinforced concrete; shear wall; seismic performance.
  
  
• Torque ripple suppression of crop harvester based on unscented Kalman filter under vibration reduction and noise reduction  
  by Shuai Qiao, Fang Zeng 
  Abstract: In order to reduce the fluctuation of the motor stator current waveform and the torque fluctuation coefficient of the motor, this paper proposes a torque ripple suppression method of crop harvesters based on unscented Kalman filter (UKF). Firstly, this article analyses the working principle of the motor in depth by constructing mathematical models of voltage, torque, and motion equations. Secondly, the key step is to use the unscented Kalman filter technique to process the signals of the nonlinear dynamic model. Unscented Kalman filter approximates the probability distribution of nonlinear functions by selecting a set of Sigma points, effectively estimating the system state without introducing linearisation errors. The experimental results show that this method not only makes the stator winding current present a standard sine waveform with a fluctuation range controlled within [-15 A, 15 A], but also reduces the maximum torque fluctuation coefficient to 0.0141.
  Keywords: crop harvester; torque pulsation suppression; unscented Kalman filter; UKF; motor feedback signal; extended state observer.