Research on food security and resilience has focused primarily on improving production of traditi... more Research on food security and resilience has focused primarily on improving production of traditional crops and livestock (agriculture, crop science, genetics etc.). However significant losses occur after this initial production phase during storage, transportation, processing and preparation. Whilst increased competition and margin pressures within this sector are constant drivers for efficiency improvements and waste reduction, they can also have unintended consequences on the resilience of food manufacturers and their supply chains. This paper examines how current trends and initiatives could impact the resilience of the UK food manufacturing sector and their wider impacts on UK food security.
This thesis reports on the research undertaken to investigate the reduction of the environmental ... more This thesis reports on the research undertaken to investigate the reduction of the environmental impacts of plastic packaging through the effective selection and application of biopolymers during the pack design process. The principle objective of this research is to develop an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of biopolymers as a packaging material and to develop a framework which enables biopolymers to be considered at each stage of the pack design process to enable their effective and appropriate selection and use.
International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, Mar 1, 2012
In 2011, the human population surpassed 7 billion (http://www.prb.org/Publications/Datasheets/201... more In 2011, the human population surpassed 7 billion (http://www.prb.org/Publications/Datasheets/2011/worldpopulation-data-sheet/population-bulletin.aspx) raising fresh debate as to the ability of the earth to support our ever increasing numbers and levels of consumerism. However, the majority of this growth in population is occurring in the poorest countries, with the highest mortality rates and lowest levels of consumption. In fact, the greatest pressure on resources will come from increased consumerism in the developed and developing countries. Birth rates generally decline as populations become wealthier and healthier. Hans Rosling argues that by eliminating poverty, we can stabilise world population size (http://www.gapminder.org/videos/ population-growth-explained-with-ikea-boxes/), but we will require new sustainable technologies to enable and maintain these improvements. Therefore, the main challenge for manufacturing is to meet the growing needs of these new consumers, whilst minimising the impact on the earth’s resources through sustainable technologies. It was originally intended to publish a special issue that would focus entirely on bio-based polymers and oils. However, the scope has been expanded to include a wider range of approaches for improving sustainable polymer use to include methods and technologies in remanufacturing and recycling. The use of renewable materials in manufacturing will become increasingly necessary to replace the use of current finite resources, such as fossil fuels, as they are increasingly depleted. However, renewable materials are only sustainable if their use does not exceed the limits of the system’s ability to regenerate them. Thus, we begin this issue with an examination of the fundamental question, global carrying capacity, for renewable polymer production. The paper by Colwill et al. examines how the global capacity for biopolymer production by 2050 might be constrained by feedstock availability when other competing demands on agricultural land use are accounted for. This is followed by a paper that remains at a system level, considering the green supply chain for plastic films. Golghate and Pawar suggest the five steps that are required to develop a framework for the co-existence of ecosystems and plastic industry for a better environment. The third paper, by Doll and Sharma, investigates the physical properties of bio-based lubricant oils and shows how the kinematic viscosity and pour point of one such oil (soya) can be controlled through its blending in specific ratios with a synthetic ester. The fourth paper, by Chevali and Ulven, examines the effect of extrusion screw speed on biocomposite thermomechanical properties and suggests that optimising the residence time as a means towards achieving a balance of properties. This is followed with a review, by Medina-Gonzalez et al., of the use of supercritical CO2 in several cellulose applications to improve subsequent processing or to create alternative material structures with unique characteristics. Renewable materials, however, are only part of the solution. Managing our material resources throughout their lifecycle, in the most efficient and sustainable manner, will be vital in ensuring that we have sufficient materials to meet our future manufacturing needs. One such approach to utilising waste polymers is considered in the next paper, by Henry et al., which investigates the effects of combining rubber crumbs with recycled aggregates and fly ash on the mechanical properties and environmental impact of concrete. We continue the theme of finding alternative applications for recycled waste with our final paper of this issue, by Wang et al., which reports on a carbon footprint analysis of sign substrate material made from recycled e-waste in comparison to aluminium.
New products introduced by consumer goods companies operating in many market sectors are often no... more New products introduced by consumer goods companies operating in many market sectors are often not as successful as expected even though they are functionally reliable and produced to a consistent standard. They do not seem to connect with the feelings of customers who are rejecting anything that does not truly satisfy them in the way that they want to live. The Japanese realised earlier than most that their product development methods just did not reveal the deep insights into customers’ feelings that enabled emotional needs to be satisfied. They have developed methods and tools to overcome this, supporting the creation of products targeted to meet those needs, that they call Kansei Engineering. This report is about a mission to Japan to study that. Experience of the use of Kansei Engineering was sought from the food and drink (Asahi Breweries Ltd.), packaging (Toppan Printing Co. Ltd.), building products (Matsushita Electric Works Ltd.), cosmetics (Shiseido Company Ltd., Milbon Co., Ltd.), electronic products (Seiko Epson Corporation) and automotive (Mazda Motor Corporation) sectors, and from three Universities (Hiroshima International, Shinshu and Tsukuba).
The current study represents an experimental and steady-state computational analysis of the mass ... more The current study represents an experimental and steady-state computational analysis of the mass flow through a single metering orifice with uniform and non-uniform chamfers. Chamfered holes have been used extensively in gas turbine air-systems for the ease of production and their (relatively high) discharge coefficient is insensitive to typical chamfer depth tolerances. This work extends the understanding of chamfer tolerances by investigating non-uniform chamfers due to angular misalignment of the chamfer tool relative to the hole. The range of the deviation angles between the axis of the tool and the axis of the metering orifice was 0–12°. The tests were performed in the pressure ratio range of 1.1...1.48, representing the range between idle and take-off operation points. A 3D CFD analysis of the tests using the Shear-Stress Transport (SST) k–ω model to simulate the mean flow field inside the metering orifice has also been completed. The results showed that at large pressure ratios, representative of the take-off operation point, the metering orifice with non-uniform chamfers showed reduction in mass flow delivery as high as 4%. A threshold in metering holes performance was detected for the tool inclination of 9.5°. At low pressure ratios, for conditions typically representative of idle operation point, a small deviation angle causes mass flow increase across the orifice.
Research on food security and resilience has focused primarily on improving production of traditi... more Research on food security and resilience has focused primarily on improving production of traditional crops and livestock (agriculture, crop science, genetics etc.). However significant losses occur after this initial production phase during storage, transportation, processing and preparation. Whilst increased competition and margin pressures within this sector are constant drivers for efficiency improvements and waste reduction, they can also have unintended consequences on the resilience of food manufacturers and their supply chains. This paper examines how current trends and initiatives could impact the resilience of the UK food manufacturing sector and their wider impacts on UK food security.
This thesis reports on the research undertaken to investigate the reduction of the environmental ... more This thesis reports on the research undertaken to investigate the reduction of the environmental impacts of plastic packaging through the effective selection and application of biopolymers during the pack design process. The principle objective of this research is to develop an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of biopolymers as a packaging material and to develop a framework which enables biopolymers to be considered at each stage of the pack design process to enable their effective and appropriate selection and use.
International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, Mar 1, 2012
In 2011, the human population surpassed 7 billion (http://www.prb.org/Publications/Datasheets/201... more In 2011, the human population surpassed 7 billion (http://www.prb.org/Publications/Datasheets/2011/worldpopulation-data-sheet/population-bulletin.aspx) raising fresh debate as to the ability of the earth to support our ever increasing numbers and levels of consumerism. However, the majority of this growth in population is occurring in the poorest countries, with the highest mortality rates and lowest levels of consumption. In fact, the greatest pressure on resources will come from increased consumerism in the developed and developing countries. Birth rates generally decline as populations become wealthier and healthier. Hans Rosling argues that by eliminating poverty, we can stabilise world population size (http://www.gapminder.org/videos/ population-growth-explained-with-ikea-boxes/), but we will require new sustainable technologies to enable and maintain these improvements. Therefore, the main challenge for manufacturing is to meet the growing needs of these new consumers, whilst minimising the impact on the earth’s resources through sustainable technologies. It was originally intended to publish a special issue that would focus entirely on bio-based polymers and oils. However, the scope has been expanded to include a wider range of approaches for improving sustainable polymer use to include methods and technologies in remanufacturing and recycling. The use of renewable materials in manufacturing will become increasingly necessary to replace the use of current finite resources, such as fossil fuels, as they are increasingly depleted. However, renewable materials are only sustainable if their use does not exceed the limits of the system’s ability to regenerate them. Thus, we begin this issue with an examination of the fundamental question, global carrying capacity, for renewable polymer production. The paper by Colwill et al. examines how the global capacity for biopolymer production by 2050 might be constrained by feedstock availability when other competing demands on agricultural land use are accounted for. This is followed by a paper that remains at a system level, considering the green supply chain for plastic films. Golghate and Pawar suggest the five steps that are required to develop a framework for the co-existence of ecosystems and plastic industry for a better environment. The third paper, by Doll and Sharma, investigates the physical properties of bio-based lubricant oils and shows how the kinematic viscosity and pour point of one such oil (soya) can be controlled through its blending in specific ratios with a synthetic ester. The fourth paper, by Chevali and Ulven, examines the effect of extrusion screw speed on biocomposite thermomechanical properties and suggests that optimising the residence time as a means towards achieving a balance of properties. This is followed with a review, by Medina-Gonzalez et al., of the use of supercritical CO2 in several cellulose applications to improve subsequent processing or to create alternative material structures with unique characteristics. Renewable materials, however, are only part of the solution. Managing our material resources throughout their lifecycle, in the most efficient and sustainable manner, will be vital in ensuring that we have sufficient materials to meet our future manufacturing needs. One such approach to utilising waste polymers is considered in the next paper, by Henry et al., which investigates the effects of combining rubber crumbs with recycled aggregates and fly ash on the mechanical properties and environmental impact of concrete. We continue the theme of finding alternative applications for recycled waste with our final paper of this issue, by Wang et al., which reports on a carbon footprint analysis of sign substrate material made from recycled e-waste in comparison to aluminium.
New products introduced by consumer goods companies operating in many market sectors are often no... more New products introduced by consumer goods companies operating in many market sectors are often not as successful as expected even though they are functionally reliable and produced to a consistent standard. They do not seem to connect with the feelings of customers who are rejecting anything that does not truly satisfy them in the way that they want to live. The Japanese realised earlier than most that their product development methods just did not reveal the deep insights into customers’ feelings that enabled emotional needs to be satisfied. They have developed methods and tools to overcome this, supporting the creation of products targeted to meet those needs, that they call Kansei Engineering. This report is about a mission to Japan to study that. Experience of the use of Kansei Engineering was sought from the food and drink (Asahi Breweries Ltd.), packaging (Toppan Printing Co. Ltd.), building products (Matsushita Electric Works Ltd.), cosmetics (Shiseido Company Ltd., Milbon Co., Ltd.), electronic products (Seiko Epson Corporation) and automotive (Mazda Motor Corporation) sectors, and from three Universities (Hiroshima International, Shinshu and Tsukuba).
The current study represents an experimental and steady-state computational analysis of the mass ... more The current study represents an experimental and steady-state computational analysis of the mass flow through a single metering orifice with uniform and non-uniform chamfers. Chamfered holes have been used extensively in gas turbine air-systems for the ease of production and their (relatively high) discharge coefficient is insensitive to typical chamfer depth tolerances. This work extends the understanding of chamfer tolerances by investigating non-uniform chamfers due to angular misalignment of the chamfer tool relative to the hole. The range of the deviation angles between the axis of the tool and the axis of the metering orifice was 0–12°. The tests were performed in the pressure ratio range of 1.1...1.48, representing the range between idle and take-off operation points. A 3D CFD analysis of the tests using the Shear-Stress Transport (SST) k–ω model to simulate the mean flow field inside the metering orifice has also been completed. The results showed that at large pressure ratios, representative of the take-off operation point, the metering orifice with non-uniform chamfers showed reduction in mass flow delivery as high as 4%. A threshold in metering holes performance was detected for the tool inclination of 9.5°. At low pressure ratios, for conditions typically representative of idle operation point, a small deviation angle causes mass flow increase across the orifice.
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