Investigating a Dual-Channel Network in a Sustainable Closed-Loop Supply Chain Considering Energy Sources and Consumption Tax.

This paper proposes a dual-channel network of a sustainable Closed-Loop Supply Chain (CLSC) for rice considering energy sources and consumption tax. A Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model is formulated for optimizing the total cost, the amount of pollutants, and the number of job opportunities created in the proposed supply chain network under the uncertainty of cost, supply, and demand. In addition, to deal with uncertainty, fuzzy logic is used. Moreover, four multi-objective metaheuristic algorithms are employed to solve the model, which include a novel multi-objective version of the recently proposed metaheuristic algorithm known as Multi-Objective Reptile Search Optimizer (MORSO), Multi-Objective Simulated Annealing (MOSA), Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO), and Multi-Objective Grey Wolf (MOGWO). All the algorithms are evaluated using LP-metric in small sizes and their results and performance are compared based on criteria such as Max Spread (MS), Spread of Non-Dominance Solution (SNS), the number of Pareto solutions (NPS), Mean Ideal Distance (MID), and CPU time. In addition, to achieve better results, the parameters of all algorithms are tuned by the Taguchi method. The programmed model is implemented using a real case study in Iran to confirm its accuracy and efficiency. To further evaluate the current model, some key parameters are subject to sensitivity analysis. Empirical results indicate that MORSO performed very well and by constructing solar panel sites and producing energy out of rice waste up to 19% of electricity can be saved.

Modelling and Measurement of Magnetically Soft Nanowire Arrays for Sensor Applications.

Soft magnetic wires and microwires are currently used for the cores of magnetic sensors. Due to their low demagnetization, they contribute to the high sensitivity and the high spatial resolution of fluxgates, Giant Magnetoimpedance (GMI), and inductive sensors. The arrays of nanowires can be prepared by electrodeposition into predefined pores of a nanoporous polycarbonate membrane. While high coercivity arrays with square loops are convenient for information storage and for bistable sensors such as proximity switches, low coercivity cores are needed for linear sensors. We show that coercivity can be controlled by the geometry of the array: increasing the diameter of nanowires (20 µm in length) from 30 nm to 200 nm reduced the coercivity by a factor of 10, while the corresponding decrease in the apparent permeability was only 5-fold. Finite element simulation of nanowire arrays is important for sensor development, but it is computationally demanding. While an array of 2000 wires can be still modelled in 3D, this is impossible for real arrays containing millions of wires. We have developed an equivalent 2D model, which allows us to solve these large arrays with acceptable accuracy. Using this tool, we have shown that as a core of magnetic sensors, nanowires are efficiently employed only together with microcoils with diameter comparable to the nanowire length.

Inductive Position and Speed Sensors.

Magnetic position and speed sensors are rugged and durable. While DC magnetic sensors use permanent magnets as a field source and usually have only mm or cm range, inductive sensors use electromagnetic induction and they may work up to a distance of 20 m. Eddy current inductive sensors equipped with magnetoresistive sensors instead of inductive coils can operate at low frequencies, allowing detection through a conductive wall. In this paper, we make an overview of existing systems and we present new results in eddy current velocity and position measurements. We also present several types of inductive position sensors developed in our laboratories for industrial applications in pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders, underground drilling, large mining machines, and for detecting ferromagnetic objects on conveyors. While the most precise inductive position sensors have a resolution of 10 nm and linearity of 0.2%, precision requirements on the industrial sensors which we develop are less demanding, but they should have large working distance and large resistance to environmental conditions and interference.