Digitalization of production environment, also called Industry 4.0 (the term invented by Wahlster Wolfgang in Germany) is now one of the hottest topics in the computer science departments at universities and companies. One of the most significant topics in this area is augmented reality (AR). The interest in AR has grown especially after the introduction of the Microsoft HoloLens in 2016, which made this technology available for researchers and developers all around the world. It is divided into numerous subtopics and technologies. These wireless, see-through glasses give a very natural human-machine interface, with the possibility to present certain necessary information right in front of the user’s eyes as 3D virtual objects, in parallel with the observation of the real world, and the possibility to communicate with the system by simple gestures and speech. Scientists noted that in-depth studies connected to the effects of AR applications are presently sparse. In the first part of this paper, the authors recall the research from 2019 about the new method of manual wiring support with the AR glasses. In the second part, the study (tests) for this method carried out by the research team is described. The method was applied in the actual production environment with consideration of the actual production process, which is manual wiring of the industrial enclosures (control cabinets). Finally, authors deliberate on conclusions, technology’s imperfections, limitations, and future possible development of the presented solution.

Effective surface disinfection is crucial for preventing the spread of pathogens in hospitals. Standard UltraViolet-C (UV-C) lamps have been widely used for this purpose, but their disinfection efficiency under real-world conditions is not well understood. To fill this gap, the influence of the power of the ultraviolet radiator, source-sample distance, and exposure time on the performance of UV-C lamps against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were experimentally determined in the laboratory and hospital. The obtained results showed that the UV irradiance and, thus, the UV-C disinfection efficiency decreased significantly at distances greater than 100 cm from the UV-C lamp. Moreover, increasing the total power of the radiators does not improve the performance of UV-C lamps under real conditions. The UV-C disinfection efficiency greater than 90% was achieved only under laboratory conditions at a close distance from the UV-C lamp, i.e., 10 cm. These findings provide novel insights into the limitations of UV-C lamps in real-world conditions and highlight the need for more effective disinfection strategies in hospitals.

This article describes the problems associated with distributed electrical power generation and the most frequent interruptions occurring in power grids. The most common methods of improving the quality of the power supply were analyzed and the possibilities offered by energy storages in this respect were considered. The operating parameters of an exemplary PV system connected to the power grid were analyzed. For this purpose, the model implemented in the Matlab/Simulink environment was used. Based on the conducted analysis and a review of the literature, conclusions were drawn and solutions were presented which could improve the quality and the reliability of power supply. The simulations conducted focused on the co-operation of individual photovoltaic, micro-installations, with rated powers of 12.2, 19.825, and 39.65 Kw in the power grid, which also corresponds to the co-operation of several, smaller micro-installations with low density.

The development of offshore wind energy has emerged as a key driver of economic growth and energy transition in Europe, with the Baltic Sea region playing a crucial role in this transformation. This paper examines the impact of offshore wind farm (OWF) supply chains on regional economic development, focusing on the strategic role of ports in facilitating these operations. Particular emphasis is placed on Port Ustka, which has been identified as a potential logistics and service hub for offshore wind projects in Poland’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The study explores the integration of local ports into offshore wind supply chains and their contribution to industrial development, job creation, and infrastructure modernization. Through an analysis of infrastructure parameters, logistical capabilities, and economic impacts, the paper assesses the feasibility of Port Ustka as a service base for major offshore wind projects, such as Baltica 2 and 3. The findings highlight the importance of port infrastructure investments, supply chain optimization, and policy support in maximizing the economic benefits of offshore wind development. By evaluating the challenges and opportunities associated with offshore wind logistics, this paper provides strategic insights for policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders. The research underscores the necessity of modernizing port facilities, improving transport connections, and fostering local supply chain participation to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of offshore wind operations in the Central Baltic Region.

After the onset of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Poland was forced to change its markets for sourcing raw materials, specifically oil and gas. Simultaneously, as a member of the EU and due to its geographical location in Europe, Poland must meet emission standards and ensure energy security. The aim of this publication is to analyze and evaluate the management of the fuel supply chain (FSC) in Poland in the context of energy security. The main research question formulated is to what extent the management of the FSC can ensure Poland’s energy security. The publication employs two models: MAED (Model for Analysis of Energy Demand) and CDM (canonical distribution model). The research is based on data from the Statistical Office and data provided by the fuel industry. Between 2021 and 2023, Poland diversified its supply sources, mainly from Saudi Arabia (45.2%) and Norway (35.2%), which together account for 80.4% of imports. The current fuel storage capacity (15.05 million m³) is capable of securing production logistics in the event of SC disruptions and market uncertainties. The shift in fuel supply logistics during the discussed period, along with the increase in the fuel safety stock coefficient to quantities exceeding current demand in case of further disruptions caused by external factors, affects the security of the Polish state as well as neighboring countries in Central Europe. Distribution logistics are managed domestically through networks of fuel stations operated by Polish and foreign corporations, including a group of independently owned private fuel stations (47.5%). The fuel industry in Poland has risen to the challenge, maintaining the stability of fuel supplies and their prices.

Industry 4.0, a term invented by Wolfgang Wahlster in Germany, is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2021. Still, the digitalization of the production environment is one of the hottest topics in the computer science departments at universities and companies. Optimization of production processes or redefinition of the production concepts is meaningful in light of the current industrial and research agendas. Both the mentioned optimization and redefinition are considered in numerous subtopics and technologies. One of the most significant topics in these areas is the newest findings and applications of artificial intelligence (AI)—machine learning (ML) and deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs). The authors invented a method and device that supports the wiring assembly in the control cabinet production process, namely, the Wire Label Reader (WLR) industrial system. The implementation of this device was a big technical challenge. It required very advanced IT technologies, ML, image recognition, and DCNN as well. This paper focuses on an in-depth description of the underlying methodology of this device, its construction, and foremostly, the assembly industrial processes, through which this device is implemented. It was significant for the authors to validate the usability of the device within mentioned production processes and to express both advantages and challenges connected to such assembly process development. The authors noted that in-depth studies connected to the effects of AI applications in the presented area are sparse. Further, the idea of the WLR device is presented while also including results of DCNN training (with recognition results of 99.7% although challenging conditions), the device implementation in the wire assembly production process, and its users’ opinions. The authors have analyzed how the WLR affects assembly process time and energy consumption, and accordingly, the advantages and challenges of the device. Among the most impressive results of the WLR implementation in the assembly process one can be mentioned—the device ensures significant process time reduction regardless of the number of characters printed on a wire.