Innovative technologies for powder metallurgy-based disk superalloys: Progress and proposal

Powder metallurgy（PM） superalloys are an important class of high temperature structural materials, key to the rotating components of aero engines. In the purview of the present challenges associated with PM superalloys, two novel approaches namely, powder preparation and the innovative spray-forming technique（for making turbine disk） are proposed and studied.Subsequently, advanced technologies like electrode-induction-melting gas atomization（EIGA）, and spark-plasma discharge spheroidization（SPDS） are introduced, for ceramic-free superalloy powders. Presently, new processing routes are sought after for preparing finer and cleaner raw powders for disk superalloys. The progress of research in spray-formed PM superalloys is first summarized in detail. The spray-formed superalloy disks specifically exhibit excellent mechanical properties. This paper reviews the recent progress in innovative technologies for PM superalloys, with an emphasis on new ideas and approaches, central to the innovation driving techniques like powder processing and spray forming.

Green manufacturing for achieving carbon neutrality goal requires innovative technologies:A bibliometric analysis from 1991 to 2022

Recent years have seen a significant increase in interest in green manufacturing as a key driver of global carbon-neutral efforts and sustainable development.To find the research hotspots of green manufacturing and reveal future research trends,this study reviewed and analyzed research articles from the Web of Science database on green manufacturing from1991 to 2022 using a bibliometric method.The findings indicate a significant rise in the number of articles related to green manufacturing since the 2010s.Moreover,there has been an increase in the involvement of scholars from developing countries such as China and India in this field.Based on the literature review and bibliometric cluster analysis on green manufacturing,we believed that future research may continue following the lines of intelligent technology integration,adoption of frontier engineering techniques,and industry development in line with carbon reduction targets.A framework for future green manufacturing development is proposed,with a focus on Chinese policies.The framework could provide policy implications for developing countries looking to pursue opportunities for development in green manufacturing.

Emergency Housing Solutions after Earthquakes:Innovative Technologies and Resilience Strategies

The international research project,developed through the collaboration between the University of Chieti and Pescara“G.d'Annunzio”and theÉcole Nationale d'Architecture of Marrakech,aims to explore new strategies for emergency housing,with a focus on technological innovation and the resilience of temporary shelters.The main goal of the research is to define a more efficient housing module for post-earthquake scenarios,based on the analysis of the most advanced international solutions for first-response shelters.This study has made it possible to identify both the strengths and weaknesses of existing proposals,leading to the development of a housing model capable of improving living conditions during emergency phases.The objective is to propose an innovative housing module that not only addresses immediate post-disaster needs but is also adaptable to the specific socio-cultural characteristics of the affected populations.As a result of this work,the“DIVA-Variable Dimension Emergency Shelter”project was developed.This housing model stands out for its ability to adapt to the needs of different emergency phases,offering a versatile and customizable solution that effectively addresses post-earthquake challenges while ensuring respect for cultural specificities and improving quality of life.

Highlight yield forming and innovative technologies in tropical crops

This special issue on tropical crops focuses on how these crops adapt to their tropical environment and accumulate carbohydrates in unique ways as well as recent technological innovations in genetics and breeding.The tropics have an abundance of natural resources such as light,heat,water and great diversity of higher plants.It is estimated that about 100000 plant species originated in tropical and subtropical zones around the globe.Also,many

Innovation and Firm Co-ownership Network in China’s Electric Vehicle Industry

Firms are embedded in complex networks,where diverse ideas combine and generate new ideas.Shareholders of firms are of-ten seen as critical external resources that have significant influence on firm innovation.The current literature tends to focus on the rela-tionship between firms and their shareholders,while paying less attention to the connections between firms with the same shareholders.This article identifies two types of network spillover effects,intra-city network effect and inter-city network effect,by visualizing the co-ownership networks in China’s electric vehicle(EV)industry.We find that firms with the same shareholders,which are defined as co-owned EV firms,are more innovative than non-co-owned ones.Furthermore,there are two dominant types of firm co-ownership ties formed by corporate and financial institution shareholders.While corporate shareholders help exploiting local tacit knowledge,financial institutions are more active in bridging inter-city connections.The conclusion is confirmed at both firm and city levels.This paper theor-izes the firm co-ownership network as a new form of institutional proximity and tested the result empirically.For policy consideration,we have emphasized the importance of building formal or informal inter-firm network,and the government should further enhance the knowledge flow channel by institutional construction.

Coordination Mechanism and Empirical Research on Marine Science Technology Innovation and Marine Eco-civilization:A Case Study of Coastal Areas of China

Marine science technology innovation provides power and guarantees for marine eco-civilization construction,which provides direction and material support for marine science technology innovation.Therefore,the coordinated development of the two is of great significance to the marine economy sustainable development in China’s coastal areas.On the basis of clarifying the connotations of marine science technology innovation and marine eco-civilization in China’s coastal areas from 2006 to 2019,the mechanism for their coordinated development was analysed.A comprehensive indicator system based on the connotation of the two was constructed,and the coordinated development relationship was empirically tested using the coupled coordination model and the panel vector autoregressive(PVAR)model.The results show that:1)the level of China’s coastal marine science technology innovation continues to improve,gradually forming the core of the development of marine science technology innovation in the north,east and south of Shandong,Shanghai and Guangdong;the level of marine eco-civilization development fluctuating upward trend,showing obvious spatial differentiation characteristics.2)The degree of coordination of marine science technology innovation and marine eco-civilization is growing over time.There is no causal relationship between marine science technology innovation and marine eco-civilization in the northern marine economic circle,but there is a two-way causal relationship between the two in the eastern and southern marine economic circles.3)Marine eco-civilization shows a significant positive and continuous impact on marine science technology innovation,and marine science technology innovation shows a long-term,continuous,fluctuating,and lagging impact on marine eco-civilization.The overall role of marine eco-civilization on marine science technology innovation is dominant,and there are significant differences in the impact effects of the two major marine economic circles.

The effects of population aging on industrial structure upgrading:Empirical analysis of provincial and threshold characteristics in China

Global population aging trends are intensifying,presenting multifaceted economic and social challenges for countries worldwide.As the world’s largest developing country,China has entered a phase of extreme demographic aging,posing significant questions about its impact on the ongoing upgrading of industrial structures.How does this demographic shift influence the upgrading of industrial structures,and does technological innovation mitigate or exacerbate this impact?The empirical results indicate that population aging impedes upgrading the industrial structure,while technological innovation positively affects the relationship between the two.Moreover,using technological innovation as a threshold variable,the impact of population aging on industrial structure upgrading evolves in a“gradient”manner from“impediment”to“insignificant”to“promotion”as the technological innovation levels increase.These findings offer practical guidance for tailoring industrial policies to different stages of technological advancement.

Do smart city policies improve energy efficiency?Evidence from China

To address air pollution and offer a convenient and comfortable living environment,the Chinese government launched a smart city pilot(SCP)project in 2012,accompanied by a comprehensive set of environmental and energy-related laws and regulations.Although academic interest in smart cities has surged,there remains a notable gap in empirical research exploring the economic,environmental,and energy effects of such initiatives.Taking 232 prefecture-level cities from 2003 to 2017 as research subjects,this study measures energy effi‐ciency by using energy consumption per unit of GDP and adopts a difference-in-differences(DID)analysis to investigate the impact of SCPs on energy efficiency.The empirical results indicate that SCPs improved energy efficiency by promoting urban technological innovation capabilities and green total factor productivity,and this effect was more pronounced in cities that were more dependent on traditional fossil fuel energy sources and had more developed fiscal and financial levels.Studying the impact of smart city construction on energy utilization efficiency in developing countries,such as China,is not only significantly enlightening for China’s green and low-carbon transition but also provides reference opinions for constructing smart cities and the path to enhancing energy efficiency in other developing countries.The findings provide valuable insights into the global development of smart cities,urban sustainability,and high-quality economic growth.

How R&D investment promotes green technology innovation in the context of digitalization?-An empirical analysis based on provincial panel data

Green technology innovation is an important driving force and source to promote my country’s high-quality development,and it is the core path to achieve sustainable development.This paper uses my country’s provincial panel data from 2016 to 2019 to study the impact mechanism of R&D investment on green technology innovation,and introduces the level of digitization,using the panel threshold model to discuss its role in the impact mechanism of R&D investment on green technology innovation.The study found that when the level of digitalization in a region is low,increasing R&D investment does not necessarily improve the ability of green technology innovation;when the level of digitalization is relatively high,R&D investment has a positive role in promoting green technology innovation.Therefore,it is necessary to improve policies to encourage enterprises to increase investment in research and development;at the same time,it is necessary to promote the coordinated development of digital foundation,digital investment,digital literacy,digital economy and digital application,and promote the deep integration of digitalization and green technology innovation.

Reduction effect of carbon emission and optimisation path of green finance

Under the background of"dual-carbon",green finance is an important way to promote carbon emission reduction and realize the development of a low-carbon economy.Using provincial panel data from 2000 to 2020,this paper constructs a basic regression model to study the"carbon reduction"effect,mechanism of action,and heterogeneity of green finance.The study finds that:the development of green finance significantly inhibits carbon emissions and has an obvious"carbon reduction"effect;green technology innovation has a mediating effect on the carbon emission reduction effect of green finance;in regions with a high level of economic development or a high degree of marketization,the"carbon reduction"effect of green finance is significant.

Surgeon Perspectives on Anastomotic Leaks and FluidAI’s StreamTM Platform: Integrating Qualitative Insights for Technological Innovation

Purpose: This article investigates the critical importance of integrating surgeons’ direct input into the development of innovative technologies that address gaps in surgical care, including those aimed at reducing anastomotic leaks (AL), a major complication in gastrointestinal surgery. While traditional quantitative research methods are prevalent, they often overlook the invaluable insights of the surgeons who manage these complications firsthand. Subjects and Methods: This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 40 surgeons from various specialties, including general, bariatric, colorectal, trauma, hepato-biliary, and thoracic surgery. The interviews were designed to probe the needs of surgeons, challenges currently faced, and gaps in clinical practice, research, and technology for detection and/or management of AL. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which revealed significant gaps in current technologies for early detection and prevention of leaks. Results: Surgeons expressed strong interest in FluidAI’s Stream™ Platform, a non-invasive medical device designed to monitor postoperative drainage fluid in real-time, providing continuous data on AL risk. The ability of this platform to offer early prediction through pH and electrical conductivity analysis was particularly appealing to participants, who emphasized the importance of timely interventions in improving patient outcomes. The study’s findings highlight not only the clinical challenges but also the emotional toll that AL takes on surgeons, underlining the need for innovations that are both data-driven and humanistic. Conclusion: By centering surgeons’ perspectives, this research advocates for a human-centered approach to technological advancement, ensuring that new tools are both clinically effective and aligned with the real-world needs of surgical practitioners.

The Logic of Digital Finance in the Age of Digital Economy

This paper explores the development logic,trends,and challenges of digital finance in the era of the digital economy.As a crucial component of the digital economy,digital finance has completely transformed the traditional financial services model through factors such as technological innovation,data intelligence,and personalized user experiences,paving the way for new business models and market opportunities.However,the rapid development of digital finance also faces challenges such as competition,security,and regulation.This paper emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between innovation and security in the development of digital finance and discusses the potential of digital finance in promoting financial inclusion and sustainable development.Through comprehensive analysis,this paper aims to provide valuable insights for academic researchers and industry practitioners,promoting the healthy development of digital finance.

An Integrated Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Circular Economy (CE) Model for the Management of Construction and Deconstruction Waste Based on Construction Methods

As the climate change signs become more noticeable, the concern to prioritize sustainability within the AEC industry intensifies. This particularly pertained to issues related to the demand of resources, the excessive consumption of raw materials, and the associated generated waste. Presently, the construction industry is ranked among the industries that are accountable for the global generation of solid waste and energy consumption, leading to detrimental environmental effects. Nonetheless, over the years, construction methods, technological innovations, and building practices have made considerable progress, influenced by a growing emphasis on sustainability, especially in energy conservation and in adopting the Industrialized Production layer of Construction 4.0 (i.e., modular prefabrication, 3D concrete printing, and BIM). The concept of Circular Economy (CE) has been identified as a potential solution to achieve sustainability in building construction through the design, construction, and end-of-life deconstruction processes that enhance the management of waste based on the framework that is related to reducing, reusing, and recycling. Moreover, information and data related to geolocation complement advanced digital technologies by providing a collaborative platform that supports the application of CE as a practical approach to sustainability. Thus, this study will provide a straightforward methodology for developing a model that integrates BIM and sustainable design with Circular Economy’s concept to enhance the sustainability of construction projects to minimize their waste based on various construction methods (i.e., conventional, modular, and 3D concrete printing). The proposed model interrelates tools and data for the evaluation and planning strategies for the construction and deconstruction waste (CDW) management at the design stage, including estimating the quantities of the wasted materials, quantifying the production rates of selected equipment for the waste handling (loading and hauling) at the various stages of a project as well their associated cost. The proposed model will help users to calculate the quantity of construction and deconstruction waste (CDW) during the design of buildings based on their different construction methods at the early stage by using the concept of Design for Deconstruction (DfD);sustainable construction methods;and deconstruction process for waste management, which will lead to the suitable construction method.

Research on the Digital Economy,Technological Innovation,and Transformation and Upgrading of the Manufacturing Industry in Shandong Province

Based on panel data from 16 cities in Shandong Province from 2013 to 2022,and grounded in theoretical analysis,this paper constructs a benchmark regression model,a mediating effect model,and a heterogeneity test for empirical analysis.The results show that:(1)the digital economy has a significant positive effect on promoting the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry in Shandong Province;(2)the digital economy can drive the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry through technological innovation;and(3)the impact of the digital economy on the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry in Shandong Province is evidently heterogeneous.

Research on the Impact of Digital Finance on Energy Efficiency in China

Digital finance and green technology innovation(GTI)serve as powerful engines for promoting energy efficiency(EE)and economic development.This paper explores the mechanism by which digital finance impacts EE based on panel data from 30 provinces in China spanning from 2011 to 2019.The results demonstrate that digital finance can significantly enhance EE,with a particularly pronounced effect in the eastern region.Through mechanistic analysis,it is evident that GTI serves as the transmission pathway through which digital finance influences EE,accounting for 45.3%of the effect.The policy implication of this study suggests that China should expedite the digitization of financial markets to further harness the development of digital finance,particularly in pursuit of its technological innovation and green,lowcarbon environmental protection effects.

Exploring the Evolutionary Path of Digital Financial Inclusion in Guangdong Province,China

This study explores the development trajectory of digital financial inclusion in 21 cities in Guangdong Province through fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis(fsQCA).The findings emphasize that the success of digital financial inclusion goes beyond individual dimensions,forming a systematic initiative marked by multifaceted interaction among different disciplines.In the trajectory of high-level digital inclusive finance development,the study identifies economic prosperity and technological innovation as crucial elements,highlighting their centrality,and elucidates the synergistic collaboration between market mechanisms and government guidance.Furthermore,the study emphasizes the government’s pivotal role in supporting market mechanisms and guiding policies,highlighting the need to achieve a nuanced equilibrium in the digital financial inclusion strategy.In contrast,non-high-level development paths of digital inclusive finance show a spectrum of diversities,emphasizing the critical roles played by economic fundamentals,government regulation,market mechanisms,and other contextual factors in different trajectories.Regarding policy implications,the study emphasizes the comprehensive and systemic nature inherent in the development of digital inclusive finance.It proposes four policy recommendations,including integrating development strategies,emphasizing scientific and technological innovation and economic development,achieving a delicate balance between market mechanisms and government guidance,and providing precise policy support.These insights provide valuable lessons for shaping digital inclusive financial policies in Guangdong Province and beyond,offering profound insights for strategically constructing robust digital financial ecosystems.

The Planned Conservation of the Urban Fortifications of Tuscany: Satellite Interferometry as an Innovative Monitoring Technology for Asset Management

The “Monitoring City Walls” research project by the University of Pisa approaches planned conservation as a process that pursues an in-depth understanding of historic city walls and their surroundings to define a system of effective risk prevention. This multidisciplinary research adopts monitoring strategies and technologies at the large scale and in relationship to natural and urban conditions. The underlying logic frames the conservation of these historic fortifications within the more general mitigation of risks generated by context. The research aims to develop an innovative approach to monitoring ancient defensive structures in historical towns. The integrated use of advanced technologies allows for the control and, most importantly, advance identification of possible risks. These new technologies, in particular satellite interferometry, make it possible to improve and increase the operational capacity of monitoring processes by facilitating the acquisition and investigation of data relative to the system defined by ancient city walls and their surroundings. These technologies also represent a cost-effective tool for managing the important transition from the observation and study of individual monuments to the monitoring of large monumental complexes or even entire historical centers.

Readiness of a Developing Nation in Implementing Automation and Robotics Technologies in Construction： A Case Study of Malaysia

The Malaysian government＇s vision to be a developed nation by 2020 has pushed forward the use of innovative technologies in most sectors and industries, including the construction industry. Through the ETP （Economic Transformation Programme）, major projects launched are expected to provide a great catalyst for the economy, and may become the platform for increasing the use of automation and highly enhanced plants and machineries in the construction industry. Innovations in most countries are mostly driven by the need to find revolutionary solutions to problems, such as a shortage of skilled labor, decreasing quality of product and processes, inferior working conditions, declining productivity and increasing costs of labor and materials. Automation and robotics technologies encompass a wide range of innovative technologies using technologically advanced machineries to improve the speed and efficiency of a given process. This paper discusses the readiness of a developing country in embracing construction automation and robotics, by exploring industry perception, suggested practices and barriers to its implementation using a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews directed at Malaysian construction finns of contractors, specialist sub-contractors, developers and consultants. The findings show that the Malaysian construction industry is ready, to a certain extent, for implementing the technologies in limited areas such as prefabrication and assembly and in the design, planning and costing phases.

Numerical Simulation of Innovative Operation of Blast Furnace Based on Multi-Fluid Model

A multi-fluid blast furnace model was simply introduced and was used to simulate several innovative ironmaking operations. The simulation results show that injecting hydrogen bearing materials, especially injecting natural gas and plastics, the hydrogen reduction is enhanced, and the furnace performance is improved simultaneously. Total heat input shows obvious decrease due to the decrease of heat consumption in direct reduction, solution loss and silicon transfer reactions. If carbon composite agglomerates are charged into the furnace, the temperature of thermal reserve zone will obviously decrease, and the reduction of iron-bearing burden materials will be retarded. However, the efficiency of blast furnace is improved just due to the decrease in heat requirements for solution loss, sinter reduction, and silicon transfer reactions, and less heat loss through top gas and furnace wall. Finally, the model is used to investigate the performance of blast furnace under the condition of top gas recycling together with plastics injection, cold oxygen blasting and carbon composite agglomerate charging. The lower furnace temperature, extremely accelerated reduction rate, drastically decreased CO2 emission and remarkably enhanced heat efficiency were obtained by using the innovative operations, and the blast furnace operation with superhigh efficiency can be realized.

Future Digital Design and Manufacturing Technologies for Manufacturing Innovation:Embracing Industry 4.0 and Beyond

Industry 4.0 as referred to a fourth industrial revolution has endorsed in several national manufacturing development plans such as in Germany, the UK, and China. A set of important pervasive and secondary technologies for future manufacturing activities have been identified such as additive manufacturing, sensor technology, big data analytics, Internet of things, robotics, cloud computing, and nanotechnology.