The role of industry 4.0 technologies in overcoming pandemic challenges for the manufacturing sector

Industry 4.0 aims to revolutionize the manufacturing sector to achieve sustainable and efficient production. The novel coronavirus pandemic has brought many challenges in different industries globally. Shortage in supply of raw material, changes in product demand, and factories closures due to general lockdown are all examples of such challenges. The adaption of Industry 4.0 technologies can address these challenges and prevent their recurrence in case of another pandemic outbreak in future. A prominent advantage of Industry 4.0 technologies is their capability of building resilient and flexible systems that are responsive to exceptional circumstances such as unpredictable market demand, supply chain interruptions, and manpower shortage which can be crucial at times of pandemics. This work focuses on discussing how different Industry 4.0 technologies such as Cyber Physical Systems, Additive Manufacturing, and Internet of Things can help the manufacturing sector overcome pandemics challenges. The role of Industry 4.0 technologies in raw material provenance identification and counterfeit prevention, collaboration and business continuity, agility and decentralization of manufacturing, crisis simulation, elimination of single point of failure risk, and other factors is discussed. Moreover, a self-assessment readiness model has been developed to help manufacturing firms determine their readiness level for implementing different Industry 4.0 technologies.

Cyber-Physical Systems as an Enabler of Circular Economy to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals: A Comprehensive Review

Industrialization has brought wealth, prosperity, and abundance to many nations. However, it has had many drawbacks on people’s health and the environment. Several paradigms have been proposed and implemented in an effort to suppress and reverse the adverse impacts of human activities and industrialization. A popular approach that serves as a solution to many of the negative implications of industry today is the circular economy (CE). With today’s top-notch technologies, the transition from the conventional linear economy to CE has been made easier. For example, the implementation of cyber-physical systems (CPSs), an Industry 4.0 (I4.0) tool, within a CE can substantially increase efficiency and reduce waste. This work presents a thorough review on the applications of cyber-physical systems within each of the CE stages, the contribution of different CPS technologies to the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and the current state of the CE assessment tools. The contribution of different CPS tools to each CE stage is demonstrated through several practical examples. In addition, this work reveals how the different CPS technologies applications contribute to the attainment of different SDGs set by the United Nations. It is also deduced from the review of the current state of the CE assessment tools that there is a need for a standardized comprehensive CE measuring or rating system to allow businesses on the micro, meso, and macro levels of the economy improve their circulatory.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), green alternatives to petroleum-based plastics: a review

In spite of the fact that petroleum-based plastics are convenient in terms of fulfilling the performance requirements of many applications, they contribute significantly to a number of ecological and environmental problems. Recently, the public awareness of the negative effects of petroleum-based plastics on the environment has increased. The present utilization of natural resources cannot be sustained forever. Furthermore, oil is often subjected to price fluctuations and will eventually be depleted. The increase in the level of carbon dioxide due to the combustion of fossil fuel is causing global warming. Concerns about preservation of natural resources and climate change are considered worldwide motivations for academic and industrial researchers to reduce the consumption and dependence on fossil fuel. Therefore, bio-based polymers are moving towards becoming the favorable option to be utilized in polymer manufacturing, food packaging, and medical applications. This paper represents an overview of the feasibility of both Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as alternative materials that can replace petroleum-based polymers in a wide range of industrial applications. Physical, thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of both polymers as well as their permeability and migration properties have been reviewed. Moreover, PLA's recyclability, sustainability, and environmental assessment have been also discussed. Finally, applications in which both polymers can replace petroleum-based plastics have been explored and provided.