This paper analyzes the ability of different machine learning techniques, able to operate in the low-data limit, for constructing the model linking material and process parameters with the properties and performances of parts obtained by reactive polymer extrusion. The use of data-driven approaches is justified by the absence of reliable modeling and simulation approaches able to predict induced properties in those complex processes. The experimental part of this work is based on the in situ synthesis of a thermoset (TS) phase during the mixing step with a thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) phase in a twin-screw extruder. Three reactive epoxy/amine systems have been considered and anhydride maleic grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) has been used as compatibilizer. The final objective is to define the appropriate processing conditions in terms of improving the mechanical properties of these new PP materials by reactive extrusion.

Real-time decision making needs evaluating quantities of interest (QoI) in almost real time. When these QoI are related to models based on physics, the use of Model Order Reduction techniques allows speeding-up calculations, enabling fast and accurate evaluations. To accommodate real-time constraints, a valuable route consists of computing parametric solutions—the so-called computational vademecums—that constructed off-line, can be inspected on-line. However, when dealing with shapes and topologies (complex or rich microstructures) their parametric description constitutes a major difficulty. In this paper, we propose using Topological Data Analysis for describing those rich topologies and morphologies in a concise way, and then using the associated topological descriptions for generating accurate supervised classification and nonlinear regression, enabling an almost real-time evaluation of QoI and the associated decision making.

In the framework of civil aviation noise levels are becoming restricted every year, on one hand to provide comfort to the passengers and on the other hand to be compliant with regulations protecting airports surroundings. New technologies are required to reduce noise to cope with this restrictions as well as to guarantee a comfortable flight for passengers. For technological industries it is compulsory to stay competitive and keep improving the technology related to air intake acoustic liners. With an unceasingly growing market, for industries it is key to stay in the vanguard of air inlet technologies, ensuring innovation and establishing a proactive environment for future product generations. One of the main objectives in this framework is the reduction of the development time of these new technologies in all the stages of the process. In this work we focus on the design stage of a new prototype and we propose a hybrid technique enabling faster design and the reduction of development time. When designing new technologies or prototypes there are usually two constraints. On one hand, more innovative prototypes may present unconventional shapes are not accurately represented by conventional physical models. On the other hand, the available data is scarce, thus limiting the use of most innovative techniques based on the state-of-art of Artificial Intelligence. In this paper we propose a solution laying in the hybrid twin paradigm, combining both, data in the low limit and physics to provide a hybrid model able to represent unconventional and innovative acoustic solutions.

Fiber–fiber interaction plays an important role in the evolution of fiber orientation in semi-concentrated suspensions. Flow induced orientation in short-fiber reinforced composites determines the anisotropic properties of manufactured parts and consequently their performances. In the case of dilute suspensions, the orientation evolution can be accurately described by using the Jeffery model; however, as soon as the fiber concentration increases, fiber–fiber interactions cannot be ignored anymore and the final orientation state strongly depends on the modeling of those interactions. First modeling frameworks described these interactions from a diffusion mechanism; however, it was necessary to consider richer descriptions (anisotropic diffusion, etc.) to address experimental observations. Even if different proposals were considered, none of them seem general and accurate enough. In this paper we do not address a new proposal of a fiber interaction model, but a data-driven methodology able to enrich existing models from data, that in our case comes from a direct numerical simulation of well resolved microscopic physics.

The manufacturing research has been focusing on the improvement of product performance and lightweight design. The synergic effects between material properties and manufacturing solutions have been considered, extensively. Specifically, joining techniques have been developing with the aim to propose new suitable solutions considering dissimilarities in the properties of the materials that have to be combined. Setting of new manufacturing routes is, therefore, a demanding task. In this direction, there are several methods available in the scientific literature that are focused on sensitivity analysis or optimization/minimization techniques to reduce the necessary attempts or to find a solution/correlation among big data. In this work, the goal of obtaining high joint efficiency between Aluminum and Polycarbonate sheets by the Friction Spot Joining process is considered as a case study. This process must face two main issues, i.e., the mechanical, physical and chemical compatibilities between the parts and the integrity protection of the polymeric sheet near the joining area. The process parameters influences were analysed using numerical simulations performed by a commercial FE code. The number of executed analyses was reduced with a planned DoE. From these results, the Code2Vect algorithm was employed with the aim to visualize, efficiently, high-dimensional data and to evaluate the influences of some identified parameters on the process answer. Finally, a transfer function involving the input and output quantities of interest was derived in a compact representation by a Newton Raphson minimization technique.