Cloud Hosting

video:Assembly of a closed box by the convective flows. A) Initial position of the rectangular base that catalyzes chemical reaction and generates flows, and four rectangular side panels. Binding beads are shown in orange. B) The first sheet approaches, binds to the base, and is dragged by the flow upward. C) The second sheet approaches, binds to the base, and is dragged upward. D) The third sheet binds to the base, and is dragged upward. E) The four side panels are assembled into an open box. F) The four blue flaps are joined to form a closed lid at the top of the box. view more

Credit: Oleg Shklyaev

PITTSBURGH (July 31, 2023) Automating the construction of three-dimensional structures that are 10s of millimeters in size would revolutionize manufacturing of devices for optical, electrical and biomedical applications. An economical process for constructing such 3D microstructures would be to program the constituent parts to spontaneously come together and build the structures themselves. Driving micron to mesoscale components (roughly between 0.1 to 100 millimeters) to line up and dynamically assemble into the desired structures, however, remains an elusive goal.

Chemical engineering researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering have built upon their previous research to overcome the challenge of designing such properly self-aligning structures by using fluid mechanics, chemo-mechanical processes and a little stickiness.

Their research, Engineering confined fluids to autonomously assemble hierarchical 3D structures, was published in PNAS Nexus (https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad232). Lead author is Oleg E. Shklyaev, post-doctoral associate with Anna Balazs, Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering and the John A. Swanson Chair of Engineering, with former post-doc Abhrajit Laskar.

One of the fundamental challenges in building anything with micron sized building blocks is to get the blocks to robustly organize on their own, with little intervention from external tools, which could interfere with the dynamic self-assembly, Balazs explained. Whats wonderfully brilliant about the system that Oleg designed is that the naturally occurring interplay between the fluid and chemistry performs the work to spontaneously construct a robust system.

Via computer modeling, Shklyaev designed two-dimensional polymeric sheets with one heavier sheet forming the foundation or base, and the other lighter sheets as the construction panels. Sticky bonds are added to specific points on the sheets to act as hinges similar to DNA molecule bonds (A,C, G, T) which are designed to precisely fit together.

The panels are then dropped into a solution and sink to the bottom in random areas of the tank. The addition of a reactant to the solution instigates a catalytic reaction, which generates fluid flows that have velocities both vertical and horizontal to the confining walls. The horizontal flow first moves the sheets together along the chamber floor, and the sticky bonds connect the appropriate panel to the base. Next, the vertical flow lifts the sides of the structure into the upright position,where again the panels are connected via sticky bonds to complete the structure.

This conversion of chemical energy (released from the catalytic reaction) into mechanical action (fluid flow) is an inherent property of the system. Namely, as the catalytic reaction converts reactants into products, it intrinsically produces density or concentration gradients in the solution. The gradients, in turn, generate a force that acts on the fluid and triggers the flow. The flow acts like helping hands to assemble the structure, Shklyaev explained. Through chemistry, you can engineer the spatially and temporally varying patterns that emerge in the flow, and thereby tailor the work done by these hands, which also initiate the cascade of events that leads to building a regular tetrahedron, cube, or similar structure. In principle, the sticky bonds on the panels can involve strands of DNA; the complementarity of DNA strands enables the bonds to be highly selective and recognize the regions to which it should stick.

By engineering the fluid flows, Shklyaev could drive the self-organization of a cube and the closing of the cubes lid, so that the entire structure resembled a takeout box. The chemically generated fluid flow acting on the panels (through mechanisms knows as solutal buoyancy and diffusioosmosis) eventually reaches a dynamic steady state as it completes the assembly of the object, which could later be removed out of the fluid and maintain its integrity.

To further illustrate the potential of the fluidic machinery, the tops of each panel were decorated with long whiskers. As the panels fold upward and the whiskers extend into the fluid flow, the resulting forces drive the whiskers to rotate, much like moving propellers. Sticky bonds could be added to the whiskers to attract bacteria or other materials that need to be removed from the system.

The use of chemical reactions to tailor the flow to act as a mechanical tool has not been broadly applied in man-made systems, but is particularly valuable since the fluid flow performs the necessary work and replaces complicated machinery, Balazs said. "The process is scalable; multiple structures with different shapes can be formed at one time.

By providing these guidelines to experimentalists, we can automate manufacturing processes since the structure formation is driven by the dynamic self-assembly of the components. The resulting structures can be used for medical applications since the processes typically involve water, which provides a biologically friendly environment.

###

Computational simulation/modeling

Not applicable

ngineering confined fluids to autonomously assemble hierarchical 3D structures

24-Jul-2023

The authors declare no competing interest.

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

Read more from the original source:

Stick-to-itiveness: Pitt engineers show self-organization of sticky ... - EurekAlert

In April 2023, the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) published the 1st edition of The Blue Book, Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) Contract which is the first standardised EPCM contract. The Form of Contract contains a model form of agreement, general conditions, supplemented with detailed guidance notes and optional clauses dealing with payment jurisdiction, payment mechanism or other project specifics.

Prior to its release, EPCM contracts were typically bespoke contracts because of the lack of an appropriate standard form contract.

The Blue Book has been warmly welcomed in the industry by employers, contractors and advisers and FIDIC are expected to follow suit and release its own EPCM contract the end of 2023.

What is EPCM and how is it different to Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC)?

Under an EPC Contract, for example the FIDIC Silver Book 2017, the contractor delivers a complete facility to the developer from commencement through to final completion/hand-over. In contrast, the EPCM contractor does not carry our any construction work but takes on a role of design and project management and co-ordination, more akin to a professional services contract.

The key differences between the two forms of procurement are summarised below.

The publication of The Blue Book fills a gap in the availability of standard forms for EPCM contracting. Primarily directed at process engineering and other performance related projects, The Blue Book contains a number of helpful guidance notes and schedules to aid the user. In addition, The Blue Book's optional conditions and payment conditions (reimbursable, fixed price or target cost) for use in addition to the general conditions means that the clauses can be aligned to the project objectives and locality. For example, Part A would be selected for projects in the UK and includes payment provisions to take account of the Construction Act; Part B contains provisions dealing with target cost pricing, and Part C allows parties to include project specific mechanisms, such as the use of dispute review boards and expert determination.

While similar in same, the EPC and EPCM contracting models are vastly different and care should be taken when considering the form of contract to be used on a project having regard to contracting and financing structure, project requirements, roles and sophistication of parties, time and costs etc.

Go here to see the original:

First of its kind: 'The Blue Book' Engineering, Procurement and ... - Lexology

Nestled in a picturesque green campus, HITAM inspires a love for learning while promoting sustainable practices. Their IGBC certified green building reflects the colleges commitment to environmental consciousness and sustainable development.

At HITAM, the institution believes in the power of hands-on learning. Their innovative approach ensures that students actively engage in their education, developing the practical skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the ever-evolving technological landscape. The college is led by a team of highly qualified and experienced faculty members, striving to create a stimulating environment that enables creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

HITAM boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including well-equipped labs, libraries, and workshops, providing students with the tools they need to excel. In collaboration with industry leaders, HITAM has established an AR/VR Lab. Through the Cognizant/ICT Academy Centre of Excellence, they have trained and certified over 120 girls in AWS, empowering them with sought-after skills in the industry.

Research and innovation are at the core of HITAMs educational philosophy. The college houses research centers in Robotics, IoT, AI/ML, and a Multidisciplinary Emerging Technologies Application Centre (META Centre), encouraging students and faculty to pursue groundbreaking research projects and publish papers in leading academic journals. Their commitment to excellence has resulted in patents won by students, along with research internships at renowned institutions like Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

But it doesnt stop there. HITAM offers its students a vibrant campus life, nurturing holistic development and unleashing their true potential. A range of extracurricular activities and clubs, including the Google Developer Student Club, HITAM Toastmasters Club, Literary Club, Hackathon Club, etc., provide opportunities for students to pursue their passions and sharpen their skills like public speaking, communication, coding, etc. On the other hand, the HITAM Innovation and Incubation Center (HIIC) has been instrumental in creating successful startups, garnering accolades and grants from the Government of India.

As a testament to HITAMs commitment to quality education, it is accredited with NAAC A+ and NBA for its programs in Computer Science, Electronics and Communication, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering. In addition to these, HITAM also offers courses in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and Data Science.

The colleges achievements speak for themselves. HITAM is the first college in Telangana to become a member of the prestigious Grand Challenges Scholar Program (GCSP), with 16 students certified by the National Academy of Education, USA. Their structured career design program equips students with the necessary skills and guidance to realize their dreams, whether it be placements, entrepreneurship, higher education, or careers in defense services and the government sector.

HITAM has a diverse leadership team, consisting of alumni from esteemed institutions like IITs and ISB, along with senior officers from the armed forces, brings invaluable expertise and guidance to shape the students futures. HITAM also places a strong emphasis on student leadership and self-governance. The Student Self Governance (SSG) body acts as a bridge between the student community and the college leadership, empowering students to contribute to the decision-making process.

Moreover, HITAM entered into collaborations and partnerships with leading international universities and research institutions, like the University of Alabama in Huntsville, USA; RWTH Aachen University, Germany; Milwaukee School of Engineering, USA; Woosong University, South Korea; Penn HUB, Pennsylvania, USA; and EPICS from Purdue University. These partnerships open doors for student and faculty immersions, joint research projects, international conferences and workshops, ensuring a global perspective is built in education and research.

It is no wonder that companies like Goldman Sachs recognize the talent at HITAM, by conducting campus drives and selecting their students for prestigious internships with handsome stipends. The colleges track record of success speaks for itself, with HITAM being consistently ranked among the top engineering colleges in India by reputed publications.

HITAM believes in the all-round development of students and is one of the very few colleges which offer NCC. The NCC cadets of HITAM are winning accolades by participating in various camps. Students at HITAM also take an active part in NSS and contribute to society through volunteering activities. HITAM instills a sense of responsibility towards society amongst its students, and the culture to give has led to many NGOs being started by the students. Notable amongst these are NGOs like Sahaya and For a Cause, that are successfully running since many years.

It is essential for any higher educational institution to create a thriving environment that encourages excellence and enables innovation, resulting in holistic development. HITAM - with its various initiatives that result in an all round development - is the obvious first choice for any parent or student who aspires for holistic development through engineering.

For more information, visit http://www.hitam.org

Vamsi Koka BE, MS (UK), MBA (ISB)

Dean of Strategy and Operations

Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management (HITAM)

Email: vamsi@hitam.org

This article is part of sponsored content programme.

See the original post:

How is HITAM different as an autonomous engineering college? - The Hindu

To train for the future of manufacturing, companies cant rely on the teaching methods of the past. Applications of virtual reality (VR) and the metaverse are opening new frontiers for immersive learning experiences, and industries such as manufacturing are reaping the rewards.

Since travel is expensive and time-consuming, and classrooms can be limited in scope, virtual reality (VR) offers a promising alternative to facilitate rich, personal interactions using digital tools.

The goal is not to replicate real life, but to extend it, explains Gemba CEO, Nathan Robinson. Gemba delivers executive training across industry applications using a VR-based platform. With their masterclasses, the company aims to take advantage of the metaverse, as opposed to simply digitizing what would be done in an in-person classroom.

One of the companys most popular classes is Leading the Factory of the Future, co-led by Dr. Frank Piller. In the masterclass, Piller leads C-suite executives across industries through establishing and running manufacturing facilities in the era of Industry 4.0.

Piller is a leading expert in innovation management and the Chair of the Institute for Technology & Innovation Management at RWTH Aachen University. To date, he has taught the future factories masterclass more than 20 times, both in-person and in the metaverse. Now, we will never go back to traditional teaching, said Piller, describing the courses transition to VR.

Prior to being transferred over to the Gemba platform, Pillers class was delivered in-person, and saw participation from C-suite executives across the globe. When asked about the transition process, Piller explained that in many ways teaching in the metaverse is easier than over Zoom. For Piller, instruction is more natural and allows for more engaging personal interactions than a Zoom call. Where some participants and instructors might consider all virtual teaching options equal, Piller explained that was far from the case. The type of interactions and discussions he witnesses in the metaverse are simply not possible in a standard video call.

Piller also finds that many participants have little to no experience with the metaverse, so at least for Gemba, they rely on user-friendly Oculus hardware and a 30-minute orientation session to help executives get the most out of the masterclass. With this small upfront investment, Piller sees a high degree of engagement with participants who can focus on the content as opposed to the technology.

When transitioning the in-person class to the VR platform, the goal was to ask, what is meaningful in VR? So, instead of the class being about VR or the metaverse, it focuses on using the unique platform to deliver a one-of-a-kind teaching environment.

Piller says the goal is not to simply move their in-person class to a virtual platform, but to truly teach in a way that is not possible in traditional courses. With the Gemba platform, these types of classes can combine digital tools with live interactions to better instruct on leading large-scale companies of the future.

One interesting aspect of the Gemba platform is their approach to avatars in the metaverse. For the first phase of their masterclasses, the focus was on the course design and delivery, with significantly less emphasis put on the avatar design. As the VR system is wireless, the course relies on graphics limited by a smartphone, as opposed to a wired, computer system. So, avatars needed to be simple enough for wireless delivery to allow for more focus to be put on the VR setting. In their second phase, they adopted the Meta avatars for the platform, and soon they will be rolling out a third phase that allows additional customization options for participants. Piller explained his preference for simple avatar design, as it helps to eliminate bias and encourage participants to focus on the content and discussions. However, he also envisions that generative AI will continue to improve avatar technology over the coming years.

One of the most significant benefits of the metaverse over conventional virtual courses is the truly immersive learning environment. Unlike with a Zoom-based course, participants cannot access or be distracted by a second monitor or their smartphone. Participants are left with no choice but to provide their undivided attention to the course material, discussion, and tasks. Plus, activities can be more physical, like jumping into a box to select an answer or opinion to a question, as opposed to simply checking a survey box that pops up on a Zoom call. Or participants can walk along a line to illustrate the degree to which they agree or disagree with a statement. All of these interactions can be paired with 3D video and instruction that lends to an immersive training experience.

In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic irreversibly altered our day-to-day lives. Robinson noted that the pandemic accelerated the adoption of certain technologies that previously received a great deal of pushback. Prior to the pandemic, many companies were insistent that employees were not capable of working from home. However, once it became a necessity for safety, a massive shift was rapidly adopted to transform the everyday working experience.

One excellent example of this is the adoption of the metaverse. Gembas platform existed before the pandemic, and many investors were skeptical in the early days that C-suite executives and large corporations would ever adopt such a training system. For Robinson, he believes the shift in 2020 saved at least five years in terms of the pushback to VR. But the Gemba masterclasses, including Pillers course, were already looking beyond 2020, to deliver a method of instruction which was simply not possible in an in-person setting. The goal was to provide a training system that would always be preferable to traditional, in-person courses.

Transformation is not about technology; its about people, explained Robinson. VR represents the opportunity to experience awe-inspiring learning experiences that still center human narratives. With VR, you can travel anywhere in the world, bring in a any global leader in a given field, and enforce an immersive environment.

Now, global clients such as Coca-Cola, Johnson and Johnson, and Caterpillar are using the Gemba platform and masterclasses to deliver safety training, leadership programs, and advanced manufacturing instruction for employees at all levels. One benefit is the ability to rapidly deliver new training programs at scale, with no travel required. For Pillers course, the metaverse makes it possible for participants to receive guest instruction from multiple leaders in next-generation manufacturing, including Porsche, Bosch, and Siemens. Porsche, for example, leads a session on data-driven decision-making in Industry 4.0.

One final benefit of teaching in the metaverse is the reduced environmental impact. Where traditional courses would see participants fly from all over the world to attend a three-day event, now people can join virtually from their own home. Robinson noted that on average, Gemba courses saved one ton of carbon dioxide per person, per masterclass, over the course of one year. So, not only can training be rapidly deployed, but it can assist with meeting sustainability metrics.

Although it seems the COVID-19 pandemic may have sparked a shift to virtual training offerings, Gemba seems to be standing out from the crowd by simply using the metaverse as a tool to deliver their training at scale. With recent successes, it will be interesting to see where the next phase of the platform takes the company and how the metaverse will continue to shape training at all levels of manufacturing.

Follow this link:

Teaching Industry 4.0 in the Metaverse - ENGINEERING.com

By Cassidy Morrison Senior Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com Updated: 01:19 01 Aug 2023

A central California city is reeling after a nondescript warehouse turned out to be an illegal lab with deadly pathogens, including coronavirus, HIV, and malaria.

If it were not for an errant hose sticking out of the back of the warehouse last spring, city officials would not have known that a shady biotech company with links to China had set up shop there, filling it with industrial freezers, hundreds of vials of viruses, and about 1,000 dead and dying lab mice.

Government investigators also found Covid diagnostic and pregnancy tests at the underground testing facility that they believed were being developed there, in addition to at least 20 stored infectious agents, including coronavirus, HIV, hepatitis, and herpes.

The lab was run under a company called Prestige Biotech unlicensed for business in California, whose president Xiuquin Yao said was a successor to the now-defunct company Universal Meditech Inc.However, officials dispatched to addresses linked to the companies turned up at empty office buildings or addresses in China that could not be verified.

The months-long investigation resulted in early July in the proper disposal of all dangerous chemicals and substances, labeled and unlabeled, and while officials there note that a probe into the origins of the lab is ongoing, they claim people in the surrounding area are safe.

While officials say the immediate danger has been resolved and power has been cut to the building, there will be lingering concerns about possible contamination in the area from improper waste disposal and leakage of dangerous bacteria and viruses that could pose health dangers to Reedley residents.

The black-market type lab operating in the sleepy town of Reedley, California, was brought to official attention in early March when a code enforcement officer, driving down the street noticed a garden hose sticking out of a building where it should not have been.

This lucky catch thrust into motion a combined state, local, and federal probe, one that Reedley City Manager Nicole Zieba had never seen before.

Ms Zieba said: This is an unusual situation. I've been in government for 25 years. I've never seen anything like this.

A warrant issued soon after the official happened across the code violation allowed those in the government to search the nondescript building, where they were shocked at what they found.

In one room were about 1,000 inhumanely stored white lab mice, roughly 200 of which were already dead. According to Assistant Director of the Fresno County Department of Public Health Joe Prado, the lab was conducting tests on the mice that would help develop Covid test kits found on site.

Mr Prado said: They were utilizing laboratory mice to see whether or not the Covid test kits were actually testing for Covid. So that was the purpose for the laboratory mice on-site.

Mr Prado did not add whether any of those Covid tests had been given or sold to the public.

They also found a wide array of vials containing biomaterials including blood and tissue, as well as many other unlabeled chemicals, some of which were found to contain the coronavirus, as well as bacterial and virus pathogens including HIV, chlamydia, E. Coli, streptococcus pneumonia, hepatitis B and C, herpes 1 and 5, rubella and malaria.

Mr Prado added: Here at the public health department we operate our own lab so were very well versed in the legal requirements and how to maintain and control an infectious agent. And there was just a complete absence of those controls in place at the warehouse.

More than 40 facilities certified as biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) or BSL-4 have either been built or have gone into construction since 2020, predominantly across Asia.

In addition to finding nearly a thousand lab mice either dead or in distress, court documents revealed that investigators also found refrigerators and freezers with blood and containers labeled as serum or plasma.

The officials were tasked with determining the provenance of the mysterious lab, which was found to be run by Prestige BioTech registered in Las Vegas.

City officials identified Xiuquin Yao as the companys president, who said Prestige BioTech shifted operations to the Reedley warehouse that was previously run by a now-defunct company called Universal Meditech Inc. Prestige was identified as UMIs successor, according to court documents.

But when officials were tasked with searching locations tied to either company, they turned up at abandoned offices or found linked addresses back in China that they could not verify.

City officials maintain that those operating under the name Prestige BioTech have not been forthcoming with information, though the investigation is ongoing and may turn up more answers down the line.

Ms Zieba said: There are no more biologicals. There are no more mice, but they still will see us abating 30 freezers and fridges, medical equipment, and all sorts of furniture in there. Theyll still see some activity nothing hazardous at this point.

Some of our federal partners still have active investigations going I can only speak to the building side of it.

View post:

Unassuming warehouse in California turns out to be illegal Chinese-run virus laboratory that was genetically e - Daily Mail