Recently, with the emergence of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), smart systems, machine learning (ML) within artificial intelligence (AI), predictive maintenance (PdM) approaches have been extensively applied in industries for handling the health status of industrial equipment. Due to digital transformation towards I4.0, information techniques, computerized control, and communication networks, it is possible to collect massive amounts of operational and processes conditions data generated form several pieces of equipment and harvest data for making an automated fault detection and diagnosis with the aim to minimize downtime and increase utilization rate of the components and increase their remaining useful lives. PdM is inevitable for sustainable smart manufacturing in I4.0. Machine learning (ML) techniques have emerged as a promising tool in PdM applications for smart manufacturing in I4.0, thus it has increased attraction of authors during recent years. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the recent advancements of ML techniques widely applied to PdM for smart manufacturing in I4.0 by classifying the research according to the ML algorithms, ML category, machinery, and equipment used, device used in data acquisition, classification of data, size and type, and highlight the key contributions of the researchers, and thus offers guidelines and foundation for further research.

Natural fiber composites (NFCs) also termed as biocomposites offer an alternative to the existing synthetic fiber composites, due to their advantages such as abundance in nature, relatively low cost, lightweight, high strength-to-weight ratio, and most importantly their environmental aspects such as biodegradability, renewability, recyclability, and sustainability. Researchers are investigating in depth the properties of NFC to identify their reliability and accessibility for being involved in aircrafts, automotive, marine, sports’ equipment, and other engineering fields. Modeling and simulation (M&S) of NFCs is a valuable method that contributes in enhancing the design and performance of natural fibers composite. Recently many researchers have applied finite element analysis to analyze NFCs’ characteristics. This article aims to present a comprehensive review on recent developments in M&S of NFCs through classifying the research according to the analysis type, NFC type, model type, simulation platform and parameters, and research outcomes, shedding the light on the main applicable theories and methods in this area, aiming to let more experts know the current research status and also provide some guidance for relevant researches.

Natural fiber composites (NFCs) are an evolving area in polymer sciences. Fibers extracted from natural sources hold a wide set of advantages such as negligible cost, significant mechanical characteristics, low density, high strength-to-weight ratio, environmental friendliness, recyclability, etc. Luffa cylindrica, also termed luffa gourd or luffa sponge, is a natural fiber that has a solid potential to replace synthetic fibers in composite materials in diverse applications like vibration isolation, sound absorption, packaging, etc. Recently, many researches have involved luffa fibers as a reinforcement in the development of NFC, aiming to investigate their performance in selected matrices as well as the behavior of the end NFC. This paper presents a review on recent developments in luffa natural fiber composites. Physical, morphological, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and acoustic properties of luffa NFCs are investigated, categorized, and compared, taking into consideration selected matrices as well as the size, volume fraction, and treatments of fibers. Although luffa natural fiber composites have revealed promising properties, the addition of these natural fibers increases water absorption. Moreover, chemical treatments with different agents such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and benzoyl can remarkably enhance the surface area of luffa fibers, remove undesirable impurities, and reduce water uptake, thereby improving their overall characteristics. Hybridization of luffa NFC with other natural or synthetic fibers, e.g., glass, carbon, ceramic, flax, jute, etc., can enhance the properties of the end composite material. However, luffa fibers have exhibited a profuse compatibility with epoxy matrix.

Summary Lithium‐ion batteries are among the most commonly used batteries to produce power for electric vehicles, which leads to the higher needs for battery thermal management system (BTMS). There are many key concerning points for the users of these batteries, which include reliability, safety, life cycle, and the operating temperature of the batteries. It is known through review that water is the best coolant for batteries, in which the maximum temperature was 43.3°C while the temperature of the coolant was 30°C during the discharge rate of battery pack at 4 C. An effective cooling system is necessary in prolonging the battery life, which controls the temperature difference between the batteries and the peak temperature of the battery. This review paper aims to summarize the recent published papers on battery liquid‐cooling systems, which include: battery pack design, liquid‐cooling system classification, and coolant performance. Furthermore, this study discusses other factors related to the recent studies, such as the properties and applications of different liquid coolants (oil and water) under the classification of liquid‐cooling system and the difference between passive and active, indirect and direct, and external and internal cooling systems are discussed. Moreover, this paper investigates the effect of temperature on the performance of battery in three aspects: low, high, and differential temperatures. Moreover, the study provides a systematic review of liquid‐based systems for direct and indirect contact modes.

Functionally graded porous (FGP) nanocomposites are the most promising materials among the manufacturing and materials sector due to their adjustable physical, mechanical, and operational properties for distinctive engineering applications for maximized efficiency. Therefore, investigating the underlying physical and materialistic phenomena of such materials is vital. This research was conducted to analyze the preparation, fabrication, applications, and elastic properties of functionally graded materials (FGMs). The research investigated for both porous and nonporous synthesis, preparation, and manufacturing methods for ceramics, metallic, and polymeric nanocomposites in the first section, which is followed by deep research of the development of elastic properties of the above-mentioned materials. Main nano-reinforcing agents used in FGMs to improve elastic properties were found to be graphene platelets, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanofibers. In addition, research studied the impact of nano-reinforcing agent on the elastic properties of the FGMs. Shape, size, composition, and distribution of nano-reinforcing agents were analyzed and classified. Furthermore, the research concentrated on modeling of FGP nanocomposites. Extensive mathematical, numerical, and computational modeling were analyzed and classified for different engineering analysis types including buckling, thermal, vibrational, thermoelasticity, static, and dynamic bending. Finally, manufacturing and design methods regarding different materials were summarized. The most common results found in this study are that the addition of reinforcement units to any type of porous and nonporous nanocomposites significantly increases materialistic and material properties. To extend, compressive and tensile stresses, buckling, vibrational, elastic, acoustical, energy absorption, and stress distribution endurance are considerably enhanced when reinforcing is applied to porous and nonporous nanocomposite assemblies. Ultimately, the review concluded that the parameters such as shape, size, composition, and distribution of the reinforcing units are vital in terms of determining the final mechanical and materialistic properties of nanocomposites.

The Friction stir welding (FSW) is recently presented so to join different materials without the melting process as a solid-state joining technique. A widely application for the FSW process is recently developed in automotive industries. To create the welded components by using the FSW, the plunged probe and shoulder as welding tools are used. The Finite Element Method (FEM) can be used so to simulate and analyze material flow during the FSW process. As a result, thermal and mechanical stresses on the workpiece and welding tool can be analyzed and decreased. Effects of the welding process parameters such as tool rotational speed, welding speed, tool tilt angle, depth of the welding tool, and tool shoulder diameter can be analyzed and optimized so to increase the efficiency of the production process. Material characteristics of welded parts such as hardness or grain size can be analyzed so to increase the quality of part production. Residual stress, strain, deformation, and estimations of the temperatures in the welding area can be predicted using the simulation of FSW in the FEM software. Heat generation, thermal, and thermomechanical analyses can also be implemented on the welded parts to analyze the distribution of temperature and strain in the heat-affected zone (HAZ). Moreover, welding operations of dissimilar metals can be analyzed using numerical simulation to increase the capabilities of the welding methodology in different industrial applications. In this article, a review of the FSW process is presented. As a result, the research filed can be moved forward by reviewing and analyzing recent achievements in the published papers. This article is part of a Special Issue on Lightweighting Materials for Automotive Applications.

No abstract

No abstract