GOALI: System Transition toward Sustainability under Uncertainty: Theoretic Framework and Engineering Method Development

1604756 Huang，Yinlun本项目的目标是建立一个理论框架，用于建模技术驱动的工业系统向可持续发展的过渡，并在不确定性下得出最佳发展战略。可持续发展是一个以工业、环境和社会的未来可持续性为目标的过程。可持续发展是实现可持续发展的途径，其主要特征是系统从一种状态向另一种状态过渡，实现可持续发展目标。该项目旨在为以下问题提供科学的答案：在已知的限制条件下，预设的可持续发展目标是否可以实现？如果是，如何以最佳方式管理状态转换过程？如果没有，那么如何设定一个可实现的可持续发展目标，或者如何确定主要障碍，以便实现预设目标？在这个GOALI项目中，韦恩州立大学和巴斯夫的研究人员将共同研究工业系统可持续发展的关键基础方面，即三重底线平衡发展（经济、环境、社会）和不确定性下的目标可持续性。要开发的理论框架和工程方法应该是有价值的研究在任何行业及以外的可持续发展问题的广泛范围。具体目标是（i）为技术驱动的系统向可持续性过渡开发理论框架，（ii）为设计可持续和可控系统生成独特的工程方法，（iii）导出允许决策者积极参与的最佳发展战略，以及（iv）构建嵌入设计方法的软件工具，通过与巴斯夫的合作，该研究将用于研究复杂的工业可持续性问题。该项目将使用矢量分析技术来分析可持续性状态转换问题，并应用监督-监管控制技术来制定和管理可持续性状态转换过程。该项目将编制教育材料，以加强对韦恩州立大学所有工程专业学生开放的可持续工程入门课程。该方法和工具将通过PI主持的可持续制造研究和技术进展（SMART）协调网络和AIChE可持续工程论坛以及出版物进行传播。短期课程和研讨会将与工业界安排。开发的案例研究和计算机工具将被构造为在NSF REU网站程序-在韦恩州立大学的可持续工程暑期学院的学生使用。

1604756 Huang, YinlunThe objective of this project is to develop a theoretic framework for modeling technology-driven transition toward sustainability for industrial systems and derive optimal development strategies under uncertainties. Sustainable development is a process that targets a future state of sustainability for industries, the environment, and societies. Sustainable development is the pathway to sustainability, which is chiefly featured by a system's transition from one state to another toward sustainability goals. This project is designed provide scientific answers to the following questions: Is a preset sustainability goal achievable under known constraints? If yes, how to manage the state transition process in an optimal way? If no, then how to set an achievable sustainability goal, or how to identify the main obstacle(s) so that the preset goal becomes achievable? In this GOALI project, Wayne State University and BASF researchers will jointly study key fundamental aspects of sustainable development of industrial systems, namely triple-bottom-line-balanced development (economic, environmental, social) and goal achievability under uncertainty. The theoretic framework and engineering methodology to be developed should be valuable for studying a wide spectrum of sustainability problems in any industry and beyond. The specific objectives are to (i) develop a theoretic framework for technology-driven system transition toward sustainability, (ii) generate a unique engineering method for designing sustainable and controllable systems, (iii) derive optimal development strategies that allow decision makers' active participation, and (iv) construct a software tool embedding the design method, which will be used to study sophisticated industrial sustainability problems through collaboration with BASF. The project will use a vector analysis technique to analyze the sustainability state transition problem, and to apply the supervisory-regulatory control technique to formulate and manage the sustainability state transition process. The project will generate educational materials for enhancing an introductory course on sustainable engineering open to all engineering students at WAyne State University. The methodology and the tool will be disseminated through the Sustainable Manufacturing Advances in Research and Technology (SMART) Coordination Network that the PI chairs, and the AIChE Sustainable Engineering Forum, as well as publication. Short courses and seminars will be arranged with industry. The developed case studies and computer tool will be structured for use by the students in the NSF REU site program - Summer Academy in Sustainable Engineering at Wayne State University.