Development of a Pandemic Residual Risk Assessment Tool for Building Organizational Resilience within Polish Enterprises

The purpose of the research paper was to develop a universal residual risk assessment tool based on the use of risk control measures related to Covid-19 in order to determine the state of organizational resilience of individual industries or organizations. The article proposes and analyzes a pandemic residual risk assessment tool, which is a simple and universal source for residual risk estimation based on a five-step consequence/probability matrix, a five-step hierarchy of risk controls, and a general formula for calculating residual risk. The methodology of the survey is based on a questionnaire with 16 questions used for the initial validation of the residual risk scale, of which six related to the potential of organizational resilience. The pilot survey was conducted in 66 enterprises in Poland. On the basis of the survey, four measures related to the use of control measures against threats after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic have been proposed. These are personal protective equipment (PPE) controls, administrative controls, engineering controls, and substitution controls. Using the survey results, we estimated averages of the response results, and, on their basis, we estimated the residual risks for individual types of enterprises according to the type of business and its size. Based on the calculations, a strong correlation was found between the potential of organizational resilience and the individual use of control measures. Therefore, the main finding of the survey proves that effective risk management builds organizational resilience in enterprises. The practical implications of the study allow the management staff to find out what aspects related to the use of control measures need to be paid attention to in order to minimize residual risk.

Introduction to quantitative engineering design methods via controls engineering

Functional modeling is an effective method of depicting products in the design process. Using this approach, product architecture, concept generation, and physical modeling all contribute to the design process to generate a result full of quality and functionality. The functional basis approach provides taxonomy of uniform vocabulary to produce function structures with consistent functions (verbs) and flows (nouns). Material and energy flows dominate function structures in the mechanical engineering domain with only a small percentage including signal flows. Research suggests that the signal flow gap is due to the requirement of “carrier” flows of either material or energy to transport the signals between functions. This research suggests that incorporating controls engineering methodologies may increase the number of signal flows in function structures. We show correlations between the functional modeling and controls engineering in four facets: schematic similarities, performance matching through flows, mathematical function creation using bond graphs, and isomorphic matching of the aforementioned characteristics allows for analogical solutions. Controls systems use block diagrams to represent the sequential steps of the system. These block diagrams parallel the function structures of engineering design. Performance metrics between the two domains can be complimentary when decomposed down to nondimensional engineering units. Mathematical functions of the actions in controls systems can resemble the functional basis functions with bond graphs by identifying characteristic behavior of the functions on the flows. Isomorphic matching, using the schematic diagrams, produces analogies based upon similar functionality and target performance metrics. These four similarities bridge the mechanical and electrical domains via the controls domain. We provide concepts and contextualization for the methodology using domain-agnostic examples. We conclude with suggestion of pathways forward for this preliminary research.

Common Functionality Across Engineering Domains Through Transfer Functions and Bond Graphs

Functional Modeling allows a direct, and sometimes abstract, method for depicting a product. Through this method, product architecture, concept generation and physical modeling can be used to obtain repeatable and more meaningful results. The Functional Basis approach of engineering design, as taught to engineering design students, provides the vocabulary to produce a uniform approach to function structures with functions (verbs) and flows (nouns). This paper suggests that the flows, particularly the “signal” flows, can be correlated to additional domains domain through transfer functions common in controls engineering. Controls engineering employs transfer functions to mathematically represent the physical or digital functions of a system or product using block diagrams to show the individual steps. The research herein suggests the correlations between the mathematical representations of transfer functions and the functional basis of engineering design through the actions performed upon “signal” flows. Specifically, the methodologies employed by controls engineering can relate to engineering design by 1) Schematic similarities, 2) Quantifiable performance metric inputs/outputs, 3) Mathematical representations of the flows, and 4) isomorphic matching of the schematics. Controls systems use block diagrams to represent the sequential steps of the system, These block diagrams parallel the functions structures of engineering design. Performance metrics between the two domains can be complimentary when decomposed down to non-dimensional engineering units. Mathematical Functions of the actions in a controls systems can resemble the functional basis functions through the use if bond graphs by identifying characteristic behavior of the functions on the flows. Isomorphic matching using the schematic diagrams can be used to find analogies based upon similar functionality and target performance metrics. When these four similarities are performed, parallels between the engineering domain and the controls engineering can be establish. Examples of cross-domain matching via transfer functions and controls systems are provided as contextualization for the concepts proposed. Pathways forward for this preliminary research are additionally suggested.

Novel, Inexpensive Robot for Teaching Controls Engineering

A novel Control and Sensor System (CASSY) has been developed to teach controls engineering to electrical and mechanical students. The inexpensive platform, which can be built for under $1500, has a first order velocity loop and a first order yaw rate loop with friction. A detailed model of the robot allows students to perform system identification and compare with the model. Students can implement PID, digital filter, and state space controllers on the robot, vary constants, measure performance, identify stability, and perform step and sine based system identification on the open and closed loop system. Wireless telemetry between the robot and a host computer allow all the control signals to be saved for later analysis. Fabrication guides and training videos are located on robotics.ualr.edu, and the robot has been fabricated by students at UALR and Hendrix College, demonstrating the ease with which the platform can be integrated into a curriculum. The CASSY platform has been used in both undergraduate and graduate control courses at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The practical robot experiments have improved learning outcomes of the largely theoretical material.

Design and Assembly of an Extended Range Electric Vehicle as a University Capstone Project

The Embry-Riddle HyREV system is an innovative combination of power-split Hybrid and Extended-Range Electric Vehicle technologies, designed to reduce petroleum energy consumption and improve vehicle efficiency across a range of operating conditions on a captured GM fleet vehicle. The HyREV system was developed for the EcoCAR Challenge, and features a high degree of vehicle electrification including all electric accessories, plug-in charging and electric all-wheel-drive through the integration of three electric motors. The proper packaging and integration of components used in the EcoCAR vehicle development process required a comprehensive understanding of element interaction from both a static (space claim) and dynamic (feasibility) standpoint. The research conducted in this competition is used as a capstone project for a wide array of majors, as well as being integrated extensively in several courses in the form of projects and lectures. The overall vehicle design requires expertise in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, computer, software, and controls engineering, as well as incorporating human factors students into the failure modes and effects analysis. The team is split into the different majors for organizational hierarchy; however, there are many tasks that require multidisciplinary ideas and experiences to properly design. The first year of EcoCAR incorporated an entirely virtual design, with the teams receiving hardware in year two. The team is currently in year two, and is assembling the physical components of the vehicle, along with the controls architecture that will drive the vehicle’s power systems. This 65% “mule” vehicle will be tested May 2010 at GM’s Desert Proving Grounds, located in Yuma, Arizona.