Climate change and rapid urbanisation constitute wicked problems to which the design community must respond. This paper focuses on hybrid smart Nature Based Solutions (NBS) which combine digital, engineered and natural components. Based on case studies and interviews, this paper presents a model to enable manufacturing organisations to navigate the complexities of designing and commercialising such complex systems, focusing on the inter-organisational partnerships required and mitigation techniques to address complexities throughout the project lifecycle. This work challenges existing concepts of hybrid, complex systems to account for NBS and their unique complexities. We argue that smart Nature Based System is a more apt way to conceptualise these solutions which incorporate digital twin, A.I and weather data to deliver urban resilience and sustainability.

Problem framing is a foundational aspect of the engineering design process, shaping how designers perceive challenges and potential solutions. Qualitiative methods, such as protocol analysis, have provided valuable insights about problem framing but are labor-intensive and time consuming. This study explores the use of a NLP technique BERTopic, to analyze framing in design conversations. BERTopic retains contextual nuances, offering a tool for uncovering the diversity and uniqueness of concepts explored by design teams while also making the analysis process more efficient. The results provide one representation of eight design group’s processes, highlighting the different and changing topic representations that emerge throughout a design session. The findings highlight the potential of NLP tools for enhancing our understanding of framing in design cognition and team dynamics.

This study explores the use of agile methods to support Additive Manufacturing (AM) in transitioning from R&D to production. Using a consumer goods company division as a case study, the research examines how agile methods facilitate flexibility, collaboration, and innovation despite challenges such as the materiality of products methods inconsistencies. Findings reveal how tailored agile practices designed for Additive Manufacturing enhance technology readiness and identify areas for improvement, including stakeholder engagement and role alignment. Recommendations are proposed to refine an Agile Design Process Model for Additive Manufacturing and improve technology maturation.

The marine industry is increasingly adopting platform and modular design strategies while facing growing sustainability regulations and emission constraints. This paper proposes an approach that integrates scope 3 upstream CO2 emissions (i.e., procurement) into a Decision Support Environment (DSE) for design space exploration of alternative modular ship design concepts. The DSE, deployed in the conceptual design stage, enables simultaneous testing of various cruise ship configurations regarding CO2 emissions using a bottom-up approach with parametric CO2 models. It leverages data-driven models from existing databases or AI-generated data exemplified in a case study on the hotel system of a cruise ship illustrates how parametric design variables influence CO2 emissions, demonstrating a preliminary result of a prescriptive study in collaboration with a major international ship manufacturer

Gradually transforming abstract, conceptual ideas into physical assemblies is seen as one of the key competences of design engineers. Despite the general recognition of the Embodiment Design task as essential phase of every development process, a general methodical support seems either not available or, at least, not influential. Instead, Embodiment Design is often considered an expert task. In this context, our paper offers a discussion of embodiment design from a design methodology perspective. Drawing from a review of relevant literature, we explain why embodiment might be better understood as the representation of the physical artifact rather than a design phase, provide properties and characteristics of good embodiment solution, and give initial guidance for the transition from the creative exploration of concepts to the actual search for satisfactory, or even optimal, embodiments.

Robust Design (RD) is crucial in product development to ensure that products maintain reliable performance under varying conditions. Design knowledge is fundamental to RD. However, current methods lack a systematic approach to support design engineers in building design knowledge for RD. This paper addresses this gap by introducing a hypothesis-based method for systematically building design knowledge for RD. RD hypotheses are specifically developed for this purpose and are tested through a five-step method. The application of this method is demonstrated in a case study involving a hand-operated coining machine. The results show that the proposed method supports building specific design knowledge through two RD hypotheses. By employing this method, design engineers are systematically supported in making design decisions, leading to more robust product concepts.

Bahiagrass, guineagrass, and vaseygrass are dominant weeds in bermudagrass pastures. Chemical control of these weeds is difficult, as some herbicides damage bermudagrass. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of glyphosate and glyphosate mixes with imazapic and nicosulfuron + metsulfuron on bahiagrass control and to evaluate the effect of glyphosate and/or imazapic and nicosulfuron + metsulfuron on guineagrass and vaseygrass control under greenhouse conditions. Bahiagrass field trials were conducted in Citra and Ona, FL, in 2016 and 2018, respectively, while greenhouse experiments were conducted in Ona in 2017 and 2018. Glyphosate tank mixes reduced bahiagrass biomass in Ona, whereas at Citra, biomass reduction did not differ between treatments, although visual estimates of control were lowest with glyphosate at 0.28 kg ae ha−1. Results from the greenhouse experiment show that 0.38 and 0.50 kg ae ha−1 of glyphosate were needed to achieve 80% (ED80) control at 30 d after treatment (DAT), whereas 0.60 and 0.47 kg ae ha−1 were required to reduce 80% biomass of guineagrass and vaseygrass at 60 DAT, respectively. Vaseygrass needed lower imazapic rates (0.05 and 0.19 kg ae ha−1) for ED80 control (visual estimates) and biomass reduction, respectively, whereas guineagrass required higher doses (0.31 and 0.28 kg ae ha−1 for visual estimates of control and biomass reduction, respectively). Glyphosate at 0.56 kg ae ha−1, glyphosate + imazapic, or nicosulfuron + metsulfuron reduced guineagrass biomass, whereas imazapic only, glyphosate tank mixes, and nicosulfuron + metsulfuron resulted in the highest vaseygrass biomass reduction. Glyphosate and glyphosate tank mixes were consistent in controlling all grasses, yet imazapic was effective at higher rates for guineagrass.

This paper introduces a method for developing a knowledge graph aimed to enhance collaboration and information management in virtual product development. The proposed methodology integrates data from diverse sources, including CAD models and geometry, requirements and user-related data to construct a knowledge graph that enhances the retrieval and organization of information. Use-cases, such as information retrieval, tracking changes, and user-issue management, are explored to illustrate the potential of the knowledge graph. The paper details the steps of building the knowledge graph, from defining the ontology to implementing the graph using a structured data format. The structured method presented demonstrates significant potential to enhance collaboration and support the virtual development process, potentially leading to reduced development times and costs.

This study examines the effects of linguistic elements in Vocaloid BGM on creativity, fluency and originality, aiming to design sound environments that enhance creative performance. Experiments were conducted under three BGM conditions: voiced-meaningful (VF), voiced-meaningless (VL), and non-voiced (NV). VF utilized the original Vocaloid song with lyrics, NV excluded lyrics entirely, while VL replaced lyrics with the syllable “la.” Results revealed that VF BGM could disrupt concentration and reduce creativity, while VL and NV conditions enhanced relaxation and improved originality. These effects became more pronounced as tasks progressed. A positive correlation was identified between mind-wandering tendencies and creativity, particularly with VF BGM. The findings highlight the importance of tailoring sound environments to cognitive modes and personal characteristics.

Prospective consent in neonatal research poses significant challenges, particularly during urgent, time-sensitive clinical windows of study enrollment. This is especially true at referral centers for large geographic regions. A partial waiver of consent offers a potential translational science approach to enhance access to research participation in critically ill neonates. We compared enrollment rates in a study evaluating pulse oximetry accuracy across neonates with varying skin pigmentation before and after implementing a partial waiver of consent. Overall enrollment increased significantly without creating a racial disparity in enrollment, thereby improving generalizability and efficiency in neonatal clinical research.

The rapid increase in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) presents significant environmental challenges, requiring the development of efficient and effective disassembly and recycling strategies. Although extensive theoretical research has explored product redesign to facilitate automated disassembly, practical validations of such approaches remain limited. This study examines the technical feasibility of applying design-for-disassembly principles to enable automated dismantling processes using general-purpose robotic systems. Using a consumer electronic remote control as a case study, this paper demonstrates how targeted product redesign can improve compatibility with robotic systems during disassembly. The findings provide valuable insights into sustainable product design and end-of-life management, with implications for supporting a circular economy.

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) offer high lightweight potential, particularly for dynamic machine components due to their strength-to-weight ratio and low thermal expansion. However, integrating CFRP into stressed interfaces, such as tool spindles, poses challenges like anisotropic properties and tribological complexity. This study presents a multi-level approach to investigate and transfer tribological parameters in CFRP systems. Using the hierarchical product component test pyramid, it bridges product, structure and meterial levels, e.g. through simplified block-on-plate, as well as block-on-tube tests. Through abstracted and application-oriented test setups, key influencing factors can be identified and analyzed. The hierarchical test pyramid allows for stepwise knowledge transfer between abstraction levels, reducing testing effort without sacrificing relevant information.

There is a need for design of synthetic organs due to the high demand of organ replacements for patients and low availability of alternatives. Recent advancements in additive manufacturing are enabling the creation of biomimetic organs with biocompatible materials suitable for use in the body. Here, we consider a design, build, test approach for creating synthetic blood vessel tubules by comparing fused deposition modelling and stereolithography printing processes. Tubules were printed with vessel diameters from 10 mm to 20 mm and wall thicknesses of 1 mm to 2.5 mm. Mechanical testing results demonstrated high elongation of tubules prior to breaking. Results highlight the possibility for designers to create flexible biomimetic structures to aid biomedical applications, which opens the doors for new types of patient treatments in organ repair and transplantation.

Digitalisation has given rise to concerns about the future effectiveness of older adult grassroots organisations in enabling group-based participation in later life. Despite this, these organisations and their potential role in securing a just digital transition has featured in neither research debates nor policy and innovation agendas. It is essential that this absence is addressed to ensure future citizenship rights across civic, social and political spheres within digitalising ageing societies. The aim of this article is to explore the impact of digital transformations on the capacity of older adult grassroots organisations to support group-based multifaceted engagement in later life. Focusing on an Irish national voluntary membership-based organisation, and its network of local groups, this analysis draws on data from a multi-level mixed-methods study design. Data collection involved: European expert interviews (n = 4); social media analysis (X); organisational-level interviews (n = 11); an older adult member survey (n = 464); follow-up lifecourse interviews (n = 40); and a Translational Forum involving participants from all research strands to validate findings and agree key messages (n = 13). The analysis demonstrates the transitional nature of digital communication for these groups, and the need to and difficulties in addressing the diverse preferences and digital literacies of grassroots membership. The analysis also shows that the most significant challenges are systemic and structural in nature. An assets-based, capability-orientated approach that is supported by state-level leadership and resourcing is required to equip ageing societies for an equitable digital transition.

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) Italian ryegrass is one of the most troublesome weeds of rice in Mississippi. The most effective and economical management strategy to control GR Italian ryegrass is with preemergence (PRE) followed by postemergence (POST) herbicide programs. Two separate field studies were conducted in 2021–22 and 2022–23 in Stoneville, Mississippi, to evaluate GR Italian ryegrass control with fall-applied residual herbicide mixtures (Herbicide Mixture Study) and sequential PRE followed by POST herbicide programs with multiple applications of residual herbicides (Sequential Herbicide Application Study). In the Herbicide Mixture Study, dimethenamid-P, pyroxasulfone, and S-metolachlor alone provided ≥ 94% control of GR Italian ryegrass 21 d after treatment (DAT). The addition of flumioxazin to dimethenamid-P, pyroxasulfone, and S-metolachlor did not improve control 130 DAT. In the Sequential Herbicide Application Study, treatments with fall-applied dimethenamid-P performed better than those with acetochlor, except when fall-applied acetochlor was followed by a sequential application of clethodim plus S-metolachlor. Fall-applied residual herbicides are a necessary component of programs for control of GR Italian ryegrass in Mississippi.