Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Generating Robust Schedules Subject To Resource And Duration Uncertainties, Na Fu, Hoong Chuin Lau, Fei Xiao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We consider the Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem with minimal and maximal time lags under resource and duration uncertainties. To manage resource uncertainties, we build upon the work of Lambrechts et al 2007 and develop a method to analyze the effect of resource breakdowns on activity durations. We then extend the robust local search framework of Lau et al 2007 with additional considerations on the impact of unexpected resource breakdowns to the project makespan, so that partial order schedules (POS) can absorb both resource and duration uncertainties. Experiments show that our proposed model is capable of addressing the uncertainty of resources, …

A Heuristic Method For Job-Shop Scheduling With An Infinite Wait Buffer: From One-Machine To Multi-Machine Problems, Z. J. Zhao, J. Kim, M. Luo, Hoong Chuin Lau, S. S. Ge

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Through empirical comparison of classical job shop problems (JSP) with multi-machine consideration, we find that the objective to minimize the sum of weighted tardiness has a better wait property compared with the objective to minimize the makespan. Further, we test the proposed Iterative Minimization Micro-model (IMM) heuristic method with the mixed integer programming (MIP) solution by CPLEX. For multi-machine problems, the IMM heuristic method is faster and achieves a better solution. Finally, for a large problem instance with 409 jobs and 30 types of machines, IMM-heuristic method is compared with ProModel and we find that the heuristic method is slightly …

Optimal Energy-Delay Routing Protocol With Trust Levels For Wireless Ad Hoc Networks, Eyad Taqieddin, Ann K. Miller, Jagannathan Sarangapani

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents the Trust Level Routing (TLR) pro- tocol, an extension of the optimized energy-delay rout- ing (OEDR) protocol, focusing on the integrity, reliability and survivability of the wireless network. TLR is similar to OEDR in that they both are link state routing proto- cols that run in a proactive mode and adopt the concept of multi-point relay (MPR) nodes. However, TLR aims at incorporating trust levels into routing by frequently changing the MPR nodes as well as authenticating the source node and contents of control packets. TLR calcu- lates the link costs based on a composite metric (delay …

Combat Identification Using Multiple Tuav Swarm, Younin Kang

Theses and Dissertations

In modern warfare, Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (TUAVs) are rapidly taking on a leading role in traditional and non-traditional ISR, to include Automatic Target Recognition (ATR). However, additional advancements in processors and sensors on TUAVs are still needed before they can be widely employed as a primary source for positive identification in the Combat Identification (CID) process. Cost is a driving factor for operating an ATR system using multiple TUAVs. The cost of high quality sensors appropriate for a single TUAV can be significantly higher than less sophisticated sensors suitable for deployment on a group, or swarm, of coordinated TUAVs. …

Technology Forecasting For Wireless Communication, Timothy R. Anderson, Tugrul Unsal Daim, Jisun Kim

Engineering and Technology Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Wireless communications technologies have undergone rapid changes over the last 30 years from analog approaches to digital-based systems. These technologies have improved on many fronts including bandwidth, range, and power requirements. Development of new telecommunications technologies is critical. It requires many years of efforts. In order to be competitive, it is critical to establish a roadmap of future technologies. This paper presents a framework to characterize, assess and forecast the wireless communication technologies. A DEA-based methodology was used for predicting the state-of-the-art in future wireless communications technologies.

Service Supply Chain Management : A Hierarchical Decision Modeling Approach, Roger Angel Solano-Cayama

Dissertations

A Service Supply Chain (SSC) may be described as a network of service provider facilities (in-house or outsourced), each of which is able to process one or more service tasks on an as needed basis. Two key characteristics of a SSC are (i) the business service is decomposable into several sequential tasks that can be processed by different service providers, and (ii) the primary capacity resource is skilled labor. SSCs are increasingly being developed by companies that experience a high variability of demand for their services (e.g., loan processing, analytical consulting services, emergency repair crews, claims processing, etc.). Typically, the …

Approach To Model On The Fourth Generation Port Competitiveness : An Application For Pda, Yiwen Cao

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Research On Container Operations At Container Freight Station And Rfid Implementation, Kasarla Naga Chandra Mohan

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Research On Logistic Management In Deltai Medical Company, Yan Hu

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Research On Information Integration Of Zhoushan Port And Its External Environment, Peiyao Lu

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Interoperability Measurement, Thomas C. Ford

Theses and Dissertations

This research presents an inaugural general method of measuring the collaborative and confrontational interoperability of a heterogeneous set of systems in the context of an operational process. The method is holistic, fundamental, flexible, and mathematical in nature and accommodates all types of systems and interoperations. The method relates the interoperability measurement to measures of operational effectiveness for confrontational operational processes. Extant leveling methods of describing interoperability are shown to be a special case of the more general method given in this research and the general interoperability measurement method is demonstrated through the presentation of coalition interoperability, suppression of enemy air …

Modeling Systems For Optimal Resource Allocation, Scheduling, And Decision Making, Esengul Tayfur

All Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the resource requirements and scheduling problem for logistic systems. We investigate solutions to this problem in two different logistic systems: logistic system of the health care facilities during emergency evacuations and delivery and distribution system of production industries. All hospitals must have an evacuation plan to ensure the safety of patients and prevent the loss of life. However, hospital operators have not been able to quantify how resource availability, the cost of acquiring those resources, and evacuation completion time are related. This research addresses this problem and contributes two methodologies to solve this problem. In the …

Revenue And Order Management Under Demand Uncertainty, Kiran Chahar

All Dissertations

We consider a firm that delivers its products across several customers or markets, each with unique revenue and uncertain demand size for a single selling season. Given that the firm experiences a long procurement lead time, the firm must decide, far in advance of the selling season not only the markets to be pursued but also the procurement quantity. In this dissertation, we present several operational scenarios in which the firm must decide which customer demands to satisfy, at what level to satisfy each customer demand, and how much to produce (or order) in total.
Traditionally, a newsvendor approach to …

Performance Based Decisions Under Uncertainty And Risk, Sundeep Samson

All Dissertations

Decision making has became increasingly complex as risky decisions are made in uncertain environments. To minimize risk, the problem of quantifying risk becomes very significant. In our review of the literature, we found a number of different risk measures. A closer study reveals that most of these risk measures define both risk and uncertainty in many different ways.
In this dissertation, we model uncertainty and risk based on the Knightian definition of uncertainty and risk. We propose this alternative modeling paradigm and introduce our decision making methodology by solving an illustrative problem presented by a group of decision makers from …

Etsu Gearup: The Design And Development Of An Alternative Energy Greenhouse., Garth Ross Ghearing

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

East Tennessee State has partnered with David Crockett High School through the Federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. This year's project is an alternative energy greenhouse, which incorporates solar panels and a wind turbine. The focus is on familiarizing students with control systems including programmable logic controllers and power management. There is also an emphasis on the importance of green engineering.

The high school's students have been involved in the design and development of every aspect of the system. The development of the system is ongoing and will be further integrated into classes in the fall semester. …

Metamodeling Techniques To Aid In The Aggregation Process Of Large Hierarchical Simulation Models, June F. D. Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates how aggregation is currently conducted for simulation of large systems. The purpose is to examine how to achieve suitable aggregation in the simulation of large systems. More specifically, investigating how to accurately aggregate hierarchical lower-level (higher resolution) models into the next higher-level in order to reduce the complexity of the overall simulation model. The focus is on the exploration of the different aggregation techniques for hierarchical lower-level (higher resolution) models into the next higher-level. We develop aggregation procedures between two simulation levels (e.g., aggregation of engagement level models into a mission level model) to address how much …

Sealing And Lamination Of Microfluidic Devices, Christopher Ryan Oliver

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Theses - Archive

A difficult problem facing microfluidic manufacturing of devices remains that often material requirements force device designers to choose materials that are difficult to bond, seal or enclose. Examples of these materials include the Polyolefin family such as HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), PP (Polypropylene) or high performance polymers such as PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), Acetal or Polyimide. The problem arises from the chemical resistance of the materials making them ideal for processing corrosive chemicals but the same property reduces the effectiveness of laminates, surface bonding, surface coatings and solvents. To address this problem a methodology for sealing devices made of these materials is …

Material Flow Control In A Sequence Dependent Job Shop Via Order Release And Dispatching Mechanisms, Francesco Gentile

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Material flow control on the shop floor involves the release and dispatching of orders to meet customer due dates, while minimizing operating costs. The early release of orders to the shop floor does not necessarily ensure delivery performance and often results in unnecessary shop congestion and excessive cost. Thus, determining when order release should occur and how dispatching should be accomplished is critical to the success of a manufacturing organization. Although there has been a significant amount of research in the material flow control literature regarding the job shop environment, there exists a significant void with respect to order release …

Sequential Frameworks For Statistics-Based Value Function Representation In Approximate Dynamic Programming, Huiyuan Fan

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Dynamic programming (DP) was derived by Bellman in 1957 as a mathematical programming method to solve multistage decision problems. The DP concept has great potential, but it only can solve small problems exactly under very limiting restrictions such as linear dynamics, quadratic cost, Gaussian random variable, etc. With advances in computational power, a new family of dynamic programming known as approximate dynamic programming (ADP) has emerged. A real-world DP problem is often high-dimensional and stochastic with continuous state variables. To handle this type of problem, ADP methods discretize/sample the continuous state space and approximate the future value (or cost-to-go) function …

Acuta Enews August 2008, Vol. 37, No. 8

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This lssue

Report from the 37th Annual Conference & Exhibition

From the President.......Corinne Hoch, Columbia Univ., ACUTA President

Board Report............ Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State Univ., ACUTA Secretary/Treasurer

Tech Talk: Disks Will Fail, but how Do You Know When?.......... ...Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

lnfo Links ............. Randy Hayes, Univ. of Northern Iowa

DC Update ...........Dove Ostrom, Washington State University

Welcome New Members

Check lt Out: RFls/RFPs, Job Postings, Press Releases

Conference Sessions Online

Treasure Chest Winners

Green Survey Winner

Strategic Plan For Industrial And Management Systems Engineering, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Reports

The role of this strategic plan is to map out a range of department goals, offer objectives for achieving each goal, and list potential strategies for meeting an objective. It also lists performance metrics for measuring progress for each goal. Each year, a subset of goals and objectives will be identified by the IMSE department as a priority for the coming year. Detailed metrics for measuring improvement for the department’s priorities areas will then be defined. The department committee to develop the plan consisted of Paul Savory (committee chair), Susan Hallbeck, and Erick Jones.

Dynamic Allocation Of Airline Check-In Counters: A Queueing Optimisation Approach, Mahmut Parlar, Sharafali Moosa

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This paper was motivated by an observation in an international airport with regard to allocation of resources for check-in counters. In an exclusive check-in counter system, each flight has a dedicated number of counters that will be open until at least a half-hour before the scheduled departure of that flight. Currently, in many of the airports around the world, the decision to open or close check-in counters is done on an ad hoc basis by human schedulers. In doing so, the schedulers are almost always forced to perform a balancing act in meeting the quality of service stipulated by the …

Reinforcement Learning Based Dual-Control Methodology For Complex Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems With Application To Spark Engine Egr Operation, Peter Shih, Brian C. Kaul, Jagannathan Sarangapani, J. A. Drallmeier

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel reinforcement-learning-based dual-control methodology adaptive neural network (NN) controller is developed to deliver a desired tracking performance for a class of complex feedback nonlinear discrete-time systems, which consists of a second-order nonlinear discrete-time system in nonstrict feedback form and an affine nonlinear discrete-time system, in the presence of bounded and unknown disturbances. For example, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) operation of a spark ignition (SI) engine is modeled by using such a complex nonlinear discrete-time system. A dual-controller approach is undertaken where primary adaptive critic NN controller is designed for the nonstrict feedback nonlinear discrete-time system whereas the secondary …

Investigation Of A Photosynthetically Aerated Cathode In A Mfc, Derek Little

All Theses

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) creates an environment that facilitates the conversion of electron donor compounds into electrical current through the oxidizing powers of microbial growth. Within the anode of a MFC bacteria grow oxidizing organic compounds while in the cathode oxygen is reduced. The goal of a MFC is to achieve respiration under anaerobic conditions having electrodes serve as intermediate electron acceptor for bacteria in the anode and shuttle electrons through a circuit to the cathode reducing a terminal electron acceptor.
Waste from the biological production of hydrogen from agricultural peach was explored for use within the anode of …

Randomly Generating Manufacturing Flow Line Models Using Mathematica, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

To test heuristic algorithms and techniques, researchers need numerous datasets so as to measure effectiveness and improve approaches. This paper discusses using Mathematica, a mathematical programming language, for randomly generating the specifications for manufacturing flow line models. Important issues include determining an arrival rate to a flow line, the number of flow line stations, the number of parallel servers for each production station, and specifying the service time distributions and their associated parameters. The paper concludes with a discussion on generating more general types of simulation models.

Characterization And Compression Properties Of Injection Molded Carbon Nanotube Composites, Grey Curtzwiler, Jay Singh, J. Miltz, Jimmy Doi, Keith Vorst

Industrial Technology and Packaging

Since the development of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991, they have received much attention with improved mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of their composites compared to common polymer composites. The CNTs are currently used to increase the modulus of common thermoplastics and thermosets, including urethanes and epoxies. The CNTs are difficult to disperse within any media because of limited chemical reactivity and potential agglomeration in their ‘‘as grown’’ state. This study evaluated the effect of incorporating bundled and unbundled CNTs at different concentrations into Polyurethane/CNT/woven fiber reinforced composites. Optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterized the dispersion of CNTs …

Biology-Inspired Approach For Communal Behavior In Massively Deployed Sensor Networks, Kennie H. Jones

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Research in wireless sensor networks has accelerated rapidly in recent years. The promise of ubiquitous control of the physical environment opens the way for new applications that will redefine the way we live and work. Due to the small size and low cost of sensor devices, visionaries promise smart systems enabled by deployment of massive numbers of sensors working in concert. To date, most of the research effort has concentrated on forming ad hoc networks under centralized control, which is not scalable to massive deployments. This thesis proposes an alternative approach based on models inspired by biological systems and reports …

Linear Relaxation Techniques For Task Management In Uncertain Settings, Pradeep Varakantham, Stephen F. Smith

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper, we consider the problem of assisting a busy user in managing her workload of pending tasks. We assume that our user is typically oversubscribed, and is invariably juggling multiple concurrent streams of tasks (or work flows) of varying importance and urgency. There is uncertainty with respect to the duration of a pending task as well as the amount of follow-on work that may be generated as a result of executing the task. The user’s goal is to be as productive as possible; i.e., to execute tasks that realize the maximum cumulative payoff. This is achieved by enabling …

Damping Inter-Area Oscillations By Upfcs Based On Selected Global Measurements, Mahyar Zarghami, Yilu Liu, Jagannathan Sarangapani, Mariesa Crow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper introduces a method of using a selected set of the global data for controlling inter-area oscillations of the power network using unified power flow controllers. This novel algorithm utilizes reduced order observers for estimating the missing data the purpose of control when all the data is unavailable through frequency measurements in a wide area control approach. The paper will also address the problem of time-delay in data acquisition through examples.

Improving The Availability Of Manufacturability Information Through Decentralization Of Process Planning, Eliab Opiyo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Process planning is part of the general product development and production process that usually follows design and precedes manufacturing. Manufacturability and process planning information in general play central role in many product development and production activities, including paradoxically, conceptual and detail design - the activities that take place before process planning. The need of conducting some of the process planning activities formally before or during design is thus rather obvious. One of the main research issues is therefore the identification of the process planning activities that can be performed before the traditional process planning phase and handling of the process …