Publication Accepted for the 2017 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (IDETC-CIE)

I will be presenting my work titled β€œDesigning Sustainable Manufacturing Networks: The Role of Exclusive Species in Achieving Ecosystem-Type Performance” at the IDETC-CIE 2017 conference, under the 22nd Design for Manufacturing and the Life Cycle Conference (DFMLC) division, on Monday, August 7th.

Ecology is proving to be an innovative source for design principles. Studies have examined how ecological principles can enhance sustainability in industrial networks. Ecologically inspired manufacturing networks tend to focus on supporting symbiotic relationship formation, creating a cyclical flow structure that has been shown to result in efficiency and resource consumption improvements. Despite successes, bio-inspired manufacturing networks still fail to accurately mimic ecosystem cycling. The roles of exclusive actors and specialized predators in achieving the high cycling characteristic of ecosystems is investigated here. Exclusive actors participate in the network as either only a consumer (predator) or only a producer (prey). Specialized predators consume only one producer inside the system boundary. The populations of these special actors in manufacturing networks versus ecological food webs speaks to the potential influence these roles have on the cycling the network achieves. The trends shown here suggest less exclusivity is necessary for achieving ecologically-strong network cycling.

Layton, A.; B. Bras; M. Weissburg. Designing Sustainable Manufacturing Networks: The role of exclusive species in achieving ecosystem-type performance. Cleveland, OH, 2017. ASME 2017 International Design Engineering Technical Conference.

ENGAGE summer program

I am so excited to be working with the ENGAGE summer program at Texas A&M this week! Lots of future engineers. #ENGAGETAMU

β€œThe ENGAGE Summer Camp is a six-day residential summer camp designed for students from underrepresented groups who are strong in science, technology, and mathematics. The camp gives students hands-on, memorable experiences while inspiring them to consider a career in engineering.

During the camp, students stay on campus in residence halls, engage in discussions with student and faculty panels, visit engineering laboratories and research centers, and work on engineering projects. Current engineering students serve as camp counselors and are with camp participants throughout the entirety of the summer camp.”

(Left to Right) Dr. David Staack (Mechanical Engineering), Dr. Bruce Gooch (Computer Science & Engineering), Ms. Johnita Jones (ExxonMobile Midstream Americas Engineering Manager & former student), Dr. Philip Ritchey (Computer Science & Engineering), Dr. Astrid Layton (Mechanical Engineering)