Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) involves a focal shift from document-centric to model-centric systems engineering practices in which the model becomes the primary systems engineering artifact to represent the system specification and design. For an organization, early adoption of new approaches such as MBSE requires careful consideration of the cultural change, staff training needs, and introduction mechanisms to inform the cost-benefit tradeoff and to ascertain the level of risks. To this end, this paper describes a pilot study conducted to investigate the above using an in-house robotic surveillance system. The paper opens with a brief introduction to MBSE tools and methodologies, and the advantages advocated by the MBSE research community. The body of the paper describes the SysML model development activities undertaken in the pilot study and the lessons learned in the process. The paper concludes with a discussion on the potential of MBSE for major defence programs and for systems of systems integration.
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CSIRO is developing the method of gamma activation analysis (GAA) for the rapid, non-destructive analysis of gold and other metals in mineral ores. Samples are irradiated with high-energy X-rays produced using a linear electron accelerator, resulting in activation of target elements. The gamma-rays emitted during the decays of the radioactive products of these activation reactions can be analyzed to determine the sample composition. Both the incident X-rays and emitted gamma-rays are sufficiently penetrating to allow large, heterogeneous samples to be analyzed directly without sampling or pre-treatment. We have recently conducted a preliminary study to investigate the application of the GAA method to the analysis of bulk electronic and automotive waste materials supplied by the SMaRT Centre at the University of New South Wales. The electronic waste gold contents vary from 80 to more than 800 parts-per-million (ppm), and silver contents range from 250-350 ppm; no gold or silver is observed in the automotive waste material. Consequently, the metal value of these waste materials is highly variable and can reach up to US$30,000 per tonne. Qualitative analysis demonstrates that the GAA method is capable of detecting a range of other economically and environmentally important elements in these samples, including copper, bromine, tin, lead, and tantalum. The speed and simplicity of the GAA method make it well suited to rapid waste characterization. Keywords Electronic waste Á Automotive waste Á Gold Á Precious metals Á Toxic elements Á Gamma activation analysis The contributing editor for this article was Yiannis Pontikes.
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