In this paper, different integer and fractional-order models are studied from electrical point of view, these models are used to fit the measured impedance data for different types of fruits and vegetables. Experimental work is done on eight different models for six types of fruits to verify the best fitting model. Electric impedance is measured in the range of frequencies (200 mHz–200 Khz) using a non-destructive method, where the tissues are not damaged by electrode insertion. Moreover, two integer order models have been extended to the fractional order domain where data analysis and fitting

The need for portable and low-cost bio-impedance analyzers that can be deployed in field studies has significantly increased. Due to size and power constraints, reducing the hardware in these devices is crucial and most importantly is removing the need for direct phase measurement. In this paper a new magnitude-only technique based on modified Kramers–Kronig transforms is proposed and tested. Comparison with impedance measurements of fresh and aging tomato samples using a precise industry standard impedance analyzer is carried out and explained. Error and noise analysis of the proposed

This work explores a novel simple technique to investigate the shelf life of fruit using Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). EIS is a non-destructive analysis that focuses on studying the electrical impedance variations during ripening of fruit. The purpose of this study is the use of a biodegradable natural plastic packaging for extending fruit and vegetable shelf life. Polyethylene Terephthalate is currently used for food packaging such vegetables, fruit and meat. It is a tough and flexible plastic material with high impact strength, but it has the disadvantages of synthetic plastics

Much research has focused on the development of optimal strategies for rehabilitation and replacement of water and sewer infrastructures. Condition assessment is an integral component in any asset management program for assessing the asset physical condition. Determining the condition of buried infrastructure tends to be cumbersome, costly and error-prone. As such, decision makers must balance the value of obtained information through condition assessments with the cost of obtaining this information. Such decisions must balance between conflicting needs and need to consider the sought level of

Nano particles contribute as a partial substitute in the production of eco-friendly building materials. This research presents a quantitative assessment of the sustainability effect of partially replacing cement in the green concrete mix with two types of nano-waste particles. The assessment is achieved using two weighing criteria developed by a Sustainable Decision Support System (SDSS) model. This assesses the alternatives using scoring systems based on both the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) technique and Multi-Criteria decision analysis method. Ten sustainable aspects comprising four

Thermal insulators have a crucial role in reducing the operational building energy. They are commonly fabricated from petrochemical materials that mostly cause negative environmental impacts. This study aims to develop banana leaves-polystyrene composites (BL-PS) as a sustainable and low-cost thermal insulator. The BL powder was mixed with PS in different weight ratios (90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 60:40). Thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, SEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and DSC were carried out on BL and BL-PS composites that were prepared with 10 wt.% of PS powder (BL-PS1) and 30 wt.% of PS

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposites have been extensively employed in many fundamental optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications due to their outstanding optical, electronic and chemical properties. In the present work, we introduce a simple layer-by-layer approach to design a magnetic TiO2 nanocomposite that could be easily recycled using an external magnetic field without affecting its quantum efficiency. The crystallinity, size, surface area, stability, morphology, purity and other optical, thermal and magnetic properties of the composite have been investigated. Surface topology

Manufacturing systems evolution is afunction in multiple external and internal factors. With today's global awareness of environmental risks as well as the pressing needs to compete through efficiency, manufacturing systems are evolving into a new paradigm. This paper presents a system model for the new green manufacturing paradigm. The model captures various planning activities to migrate from a less green into a greener and more eco-efficient manufacturing. The various planning stages are accompanied by the required control metrics as well as various green tools in an open mixed architecture

“There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom: An Invitation to Enter a New Field of Physics” said Richard Feynman in 1959, this lecture opened the way to the new field of science which we know today as nanotechnology. Materials’ manipulation at a very small size, ranges from 1 to 100 nm (nanoworld or the nano-edge) is well-known as nanotechnology. Since then, a lot of investigations and research were devoted by many researchers around the globe to keep an eye on the different properties and behavior of nanomaterials. Materials with at least one nanoscale dimension are called nanomaterials that have

This paper reports on the variations in the parameters of the single dispersion Cole bio-impedance model of Daucus Carota Sativus (carrots) under heating and freezing conditions. Experiments are conducted on six samples with recorded live bio-impedance spectra versus temperature. The Cole model parameters are extracted from the measured data using the Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA) optimization technique and their variations are correlated with well-known bio-chemical and bio-mechanical variations. This represents a non-invasive method for characterizing and measuring the degree of change