This paper presents the use of Advanced Morphological Approach based for analysis, generation and synthesis of new engineering solutions as part CAI (computer-aided innovation). CAI is developing as a response to the higher demands of science and industry to the innovative level of new products. The developed approach and a software Okkam is to create a sequence of operations, comparison and selection of rational variants set by means of a series of successive procedures. The specifics of structural synthesis consist of the discreteness of variables, the presence of conditionally logical limitations and the need to work with multiple conflicting criteria. Key objective is to find a solution space with the potential to fulfil the top level engineering systems requirements. Usage of cluster analysis, set theory, set of rules allows to identify the clusters of innovative systems combining high performance potential with robustness regarding requirement changes and design uncertainties. Implementation of the approach is demonstrated by the example of the analysis and synthesis of communications devices. These studies verify the weighty potential of the pro-posed approach compared to present methods.

This paper presents an advanced morphological approach supporting designers and developers in their search for as well as synthesis and analysis of new engineering solutions during the conceptual design stage. The proposed method is based on the cluster analysis and the set theory, the set of rules and engineering implementations maximizing the gain of the products potential. The number of possible combinations using the standard morphological technology is extremely large. We present a mathematical framework that handles this problem. The method was evaluated with case studies of new engineering solutions in aerospace, ecology and adaptive soundproofing system. The case studies verified the significant potential of the proposed approach in comparison with the methods presently in use.

The current challenges facing the aerospace domain require unconventional solutions, which could be sought in new configurations of future aircraft and spacecraft. The choice of optimal concepts requires the consideration of a significant amount of competing engineering solutions and takes place under conditions of uncertainty. Such a problem can be addressed by enhancing existing methods for analysis and synthesis solutions, such as the Advanced Morphological Approach (AMA). It uses morphological analysis to provide a more exhaustive overview of possible problem solutions, relies on expert evaluations of alternative technological options and applies clustering to the solution space. Although an intuitive method for structured concept generation, the AMA exposes the need for more robust problem structuring, improved objectivity of options evaluation and accounting for uncertainties. The current article suggests ways to overcome these challenges and their possible integration in the process. In particular, the integration of fuzzy sets is proposed to model uncertainties during the evaluation of technological options by the experts. The Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process is adapted for integration into the AMA and for the conceptual design of aerospace vehicles.

Disruptive technologies and novel aircraft generations represent a potential approach to address the ambitious emission reduction goals in aviation. However, the introduction of innovative concepts is a time-consuming process, which might not necessarily yield an optimal design for a given flight mission and within the defined time frame. In order to address the need for a structured and more exhaustive search for novel concept generations, the Advanced Morphological Approach (AMA) and its further enhancement was introduced earlier. It implies the decomposition of design problems into functional attributes and appropriate technological alternatives. Subsequently, these are evaluated and combined into solutions, which are then projected onto a solution space. The current paper focuses on the technology evaluation step by deriving and integrating structured expert judgment elicitation (SEJE) techniques into conceptual aircraft design with the AMA. For this purpose, the first aim of the work is to justify the developed method by giving an overview and discussing the most prominent SEJE methods and their applications in aerospace. Then, the derived SEJE concept is described and applied in the form of an expert workshop on the use case of wing morphing architecture. As a result, a solution space of wing morphing architecture configurations is generated and analyzed. The workshop conduction and the expert feedback serve as valuable findings for both the further AMA enhancement and similar research.

One of the main directions in the development of modern mechanical engineering consists in the use of novel materials and technological processes for the p