Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-57). / ChemiCo, a specialty chemical manufacturer for the auto and architectural market is seeking new business opportunities in the Chinese architectural market. Although ChemiCo entered the Chinese automotive market in 2006 with its newly built plant in China, it is still trying to understand the dynamics created by the fierce competition from many small local players in the Chinese market. The objective of this research is to help ChemiCo understand the complex Chinese transportation market specifically and provide guidance in carrier selection. The proposed approach will offer ChemiCo an objective means to procure transportation services for the architectural market and deliver products to customers across China from its existing facilities (plants and warehouses). We employ qualitative research methods to analyze the current Chinese transportation market. Based on this assessment, we evaluate various transportation options available to ChemiCo, keeping in mind their current and future level of supply complexities. We also investigate ChemiCo's existing carriers in the Chinese trucking market. An Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to evaluate the key measurements of carrier performances for various customer segments and make recommendations. The thesis proposes a comprehensive set of performance measurement criteria to select transportation carriers and presents a carrier selection process for ChemiCo. This process is designed to meet ChemiCo's specific decision goals and allows it to assess and compare the performance of various carriers in a dynamic fashion. / by Weixia Cheng. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biological Engineering Division, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-141). / The purpose of this thesis was to provide a broad survey of bioprocess options for typical drug production vehicles in the biotechnology industry. This goal was accomplished by comparing the growth and monoclonal antibody production by HPCHO Chinese hamster ovary cells and IB4 hybridoma cells in batch, fed-batch, and three perfusion systems: the stirred ceramic membrane reactor (SCMR), the alternating tangential flow (ATF) hollow fiber membrane system, and the external spin filter (ESF) system. The batch experiments for each cell line were used as base case scenarios for the comparisons of cell growth and monoclonal antibody production. The fed-batch experiments for each cell line did not vastly improve the cell growth and monoclonal antibody production over the batch cases. The SCMR perfusion system greatly improved the cell growth and monoclonal antibody production for each cell line. The maximum viable cell concentration of the IB4 hybridoma cells in the SCMR experiment was over seven times that found in the batch experiment and the monoclonal antibody production in the SCMR experiment was over ten times that found in the batch experiment. / (cont.) The ATF perfusion system greatly increased the cell growth for each cell line over the batch cases, but the shear forces created by the system adversely affected the viability of the cells and the monoclonal antibody production was less than that of the SCMR experiments. The ESF perfusion system damaged the HPCHO Chinese hamster ovary cells. For the production of the IB4 hybridoma cells, the ESF system, as well as a modified ESF system, did not vastly improve the cell growth and monoclonal antibody over the base case due to cell aggregation and filter fouling. The cell growth and productivity data, along with economic considerations, were evaluated for the purpose of recommending the best feeding strategy for each of the two cell lines studied. It was concluded that the most successful operation mode for the two cell lines studied was the SCMR perfusion system. More research is needed regarding the scale-up ramifications of the SCMR perfusion system as well as in the quantification of monoclonal antibodies, the optimization of fed-batch systems, and the use of alternative perfusion systems. / by Kathy Hufford. / M.Eng.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biological Engineering Division, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 117-127). / One goal underlying synthetic biology is to develop standard biological parts that can be reliably assembled into devices encoding higher-order functions. Here, I developed a framework for engineering post-translational devices, which are devices whose inner workings are modulated by non-covalent protein interactions and covalent protein modifications. To test the framework, I designed a scaffold for engineering post-translational devices in yeast, the Phospholocator, that can be used to assemble peptide parts in order to produce devices that couple upstream kinase activity to regulated nuclear translocation. I used the Phospholocator to design, build, and characterize a Phospholocator device, the Cdc28-Phospholocator, whose location is regulated by the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc28. I next engineered and tested a Fus3-Phospholocator device, whose location is regulated by the activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinase Fus3, in order to demonstrate that the Phospholocator scaffold supports the engineering of many post-translational devices. I used the Cdc28-Phospholocator to follow Cdc28 activity levels throughout the yeast cell cycle, thereby illustrating the utility of the Cdc28-Phospholocator as a tool for biological inquiry. To implement more complex functions, device engineers will want to connect post-translational devices to build multi-component systems. I thus developed a model for device composition that features a universal signal carrier that is both input into and output from post-translational devices. The universal signal could enable engineers to easily combine devices in any desired order, and thus build many new post-translational systems. / (cont.) I next developed a set of specifications and guidelines for designing prototypical protein parts for engineering post-translational devices that communicate via the universal signal carrier. I used the universal signal model and the corresponding set of device specifications to design and model a proof-of-principle. multi-device post-translational system, a post-translational latch, that functions as designed. Taken together, my initial experiences in engineering post-translational devices, defining universal device signals that enable device interconnectivity, and designing, modeling, and analyzing the model of a functional multi-device system, along with the work of many other groups, are sufficiently encouraging to motivate continued work on post-translational devices. / by Samantha C. Sutton. / Ph.D.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biological Engineering Division, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 143-160). / Live or attenuated pathogens are the basis of many successful vaccines due in part to the orchestrated response of dendritic cells (DCs) triggered by these immunizations, which includes (1) DC and DC precursor attraction to the immunization site, (2) efficient antigen delivery to class I and class II MHC loading pathways coincident with maturation of DCs, and (3) emigration to draining lymph nodes for T cell activation. We have developed a model immunization system designed to allow these steps in the DC life cycle to be controlled in the context of a subunit vaccine. The system is comprised of microspheres encapsulating chemokines and hydrogel nanoparticles; each nanoparticle contains antigen and DC maturation signals (e.g., TLR ligands). The nanoparticles remain sequestered within the carrier microspheres but the chemokine is released at a controllable rate, creating a local chemoattractant gradient centered on each microsphere. DCs are attracted to individual microspheres where nanoparticles are concentrated; attracted DCs extract nanoparticles from the carrier microspheres, and receive maturation signals coincident with the delivery of antigen into both class I and class II MHC processing pathways. / (cont.) In addition, the nanoparticles may be labeled to allow subsequent tracking of particle-carrying DCs in vivo. These components allow the attraction (or if desired, emigration) of dendritic cells and their precursors to be selectively modulated at an immunization site, and the activation signals received by these cells when they encounter antigen to be tailored. In vitro experiments indicate that chemokine-releasing microspheres effectively attract DCs and monocytes over significant distances, and that the gel nanoparticles efficiently trigger DC maturation and lead to both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation in vitro and in vivo. This system provides both a platform for rational immunotherapy as well as a powerful set of tools by which the function of dendritic cells can be manipulated and dissected to improve our understanding of how DC trafficking and functional state impacts immune responses. / by Siddhartha Jain. / Ph.D.

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-89). / Companies with a corporate supply chain department and multiple business units use one of two methods for their supply chain decision-making: centralized decision-making where supply chain decisions are made at the corporate level by the central supply chain department or decentralized decision-making where supply chain decisions are made at a business unit level. We investigate the hypothesis that a centralized organizational structure helps companies lower costs and a decentralized organization structure enables companies to quickly respond to customer needs on a real time basis and improve customer service. To evaluate our hypothesis we surveyed industry current practice. Based on our analysis from the survey, we identified three factors that influence companies to adopt either a centralized or decentralized organization structure: customer service, supply chain management cost, and organizational control. We identified that a "hybrid" structure, where strategic functions are centralized and operational functions are decentralized, had the lowest supply chain management cost percentage to sales. / by Guruprakash Rangavittal and Tae-Hee Sohn. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (S.M. in Engineering and Management)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2013. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Page 97 blank. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 95-96). / The recent challenges imposed by the highly competitive global automotive industry have led Ford Motor Company to search for improved product quality, performance and lower costs by leveraging the capabilities offered in developing countries such as Mexico. As demand for automotive engineering services in this country increase rapidly, the interest behind this work is to create a systems-oriented framework applied to the planning, execution and improving phases of the relatively inexperienced Product Development Organization in Mexico, to help achieve what they have defined as success. To develop this framework, first, a systems decomposition approach was applied to a real organizational failure case to evidence the importance of defining the basic inputs of a product development system and its connections during the planning phase, and the optimal type of organization that should execute to achieve its strategic objectives. Second, for the execution phase, two cases were evaluated under a system dynamics approach to illustrate the effect of an inexperienced workforce on the overall productivity of the organization, and a mitigation strategy based on a mentoring and training policy when the only constant is change. Third, for the improving phase, a system dynamics approach was also used to illustrate the importance of embracing the learning capabilities of the organization to improve it execution. The key outcome is a systems-oriented framework to guide an inexperienced manager to achieve success considering the following: Planning the inputs of an organization and maintaining a lightweigh structure approach will enhance high levels of execution responsiveness and quality at reduced costs. Mentoring and training policies while maintaining flexibility, agility and adaptability are key enablers to achieve a low cost execution responsiveness and quality in an inexperienced organization, but such policies reduce its productivity during the initial stages of the policy implementation. Finally, successful organizations are those that work harder to solve urgent issues now, and work smarter to increases its capabilities in the long run improving execution cost, quality and responsiveness. / by Anuar Badin Castro. / S.M.in Engineering and Management

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, February 2009. / "December 2008." Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 290-297). / Engineering Systems, such as offshore petroleum exploration and production systems, generally require a significant amount of capital investment under various technical and market uncertainties. Choosing appropriate designs and field development strategies is a very challenging task for decision makers because they need to integrate information from multiple disciplines to make decisions while the various uncertainties are still evolving. Traditional engineering practice often focuses on finding "the optimal" solution under deterministic assumptions very early in the conceptual study phase, which leaves a large amount of opportunity unexploited, particularly the value of flexible strategies. This thesis proposes a new approach to tackle this issue - exploring flexible strategies using midfidelity screening models. The screening models interconnect and model physical systems, project development, and economics quantitatively at the mid-fidelity level, which allows decision-makers to explore different strategies with significantly less computational effort compared to high fidelity models. The screening models are at a level of detail that gives reliable rank orders of different strategies under realistic assumptions. Flexibilities are identified and classified at strategic, tactical, and operational levels over a system's lifecycle. Intelligent decision rules will then exercise flexible strategies as uncertainties unfold. This approach can be applied as a "front-end" strategic tool to conduct virtual experiments. This helps identify good strategies from a large number of possibilities and then discipline-based tools can be used for detailed engineering design and economics evaluation. / (cont.) The present study implemented the use of such screening models for petroleum exploration and production projects. Through two simulation case studies, this thesis illustrates that flexible strategies can significantly improve a project's Expected Net Present Value (ENPV), mitigate downside risks, and capture upside opportunities. As shown in the flexible tieback oilfield development case study, the simulations predicted a 82% improvement of ENPV by enabling architectural and operational flexibility. The distributions of outcomes for different strategies are shown in terms of Value-at-Risk-Gain curves. This thesis develops and demonstrates a generic four-step process and a simulation framework for screening flexible strategies with multi-domain uncertainty for capital-intensive engineering systems. / by Jijun Lin. / Ph.D.

Thesis: M. Eng. in Logistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2014. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 53-54). / Increasing the pace of product innovation in the consumer packaged goods industry can be achieved by implementing new technologies and streamlining processes. Our research is conducted primarily through extensive interviews with 3D printing experts and stakeholders in product development of a leading cosmetics manufacturer. We identify a framework where additive manufacturing technology such as 3D printing can complement the steel mold tooling used in the development of consumer product packaging. Within hours, rapid tooling technology can provide molds that are ideal for low volume production required during the preliminary stages of product design and testing. Implementing our proposed solution may reduce 14% to 26% of a company's time to market by shortening the duration of some critical path activities. The company can therefore respond to customer demand faster, strengthening its competitive advantage in the industry. / by Hala Jalwan and Gregory Israel. / M. Eng. in Logistics

Thesis: M. Eng. in Logistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2015. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 71-73). / A challenging part of E-Commerce for perishable consumer packaged goods (PCPG) is the fulfillment. Given the fragile nature of the items shipped, they require a low cost, effective cold chain fulfillment method so as to keep integrity, ensure speed at an affordable low cost for the end consumer. Our research, in partnership with one of the big PCPG items, addressed four aspects of the fulfillment process: Shipments routing, return process, competitive research and packaging techniques. Through a research process, we looked at shipment routing techniques for network optimization and density solutions, return process through different nodes in the supply chain, competitive research looking E-Commerce websites that sell PCPG products and comparing each of them to understand their underlying pricing methods and looked at current packaging techniques, current available and future technologies in packaging. We scored each of the aspects based on three KPIs, speed, quality and cost; we put forth several combinations that focused on each KPI by itself and aimed at maximizing speed or quality or minimizing cost. This research serves to direct focus based on the KPI desired on the aspects that help optimize said KPI and can be generalized to other E-Commerce products requiring cold chain delivery. / by Mounir Yakzan and Jordan Nelson. / M. Eng. in Logistics

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2005. / This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 335-343). / This dissertation provides a top level assessment of technology design choices for the architecture of a space-based information network with shared on-orbit processing. Networking is an efficient method of sharing communications and lowering the cost of communications, providing better interoperability and data integration for multiple satellites. The current space communications architecture sets a critical limitation on the collection of raw data sent to the ground. By introducing powerful space-borne processing, compression of raw data can alleviate the need for expensive and expansive downlinks. Moreover, distribution of processed data directly from space sensors to the end-users may be more easily realized. A space-based information network backbone can act as the transport network for mission satellites as well as enable the concept of decoupled, shared, and perhaps distributed space-borne processing for space-based assets. Optical crosslinks are the enabling technology for creating a cost-effective network capable of supporting high data rates. In this dissertation, the space-based network backbone is designed to meet a number of mission requirements by optimizing over constellation topologies under different traffic models. With high network capacity availability, space-borne processing can be accessible by any mission satellite attached to the network. Space-borne processing capabilities can be enhanced with commercial processors that are tolerant of radiation and replenished periodically (as frequently as every two years). / (cont.) Additionally, innovative ways of using a space-based information network can revolutionize satellite communications and space missions. Applications include distributed computing in space, interoperable space communications, multiplatform distributed satellite communications, coherent distributed space sensing, multisensor data fusion, and restoration of disconnected global terrestrial networks after a disaster. Lastly, the consolidation of all the different communications assets into a horizontally integrated space-based network infrastructure calls for a space-based network backbone to be designed with a generic nature. A coherent infrastructure can satisfy the goals of interoperability, flexibility, scalability, and allows the system to be evolutionary. This transformational vision of a generic space-based information network allows for growth to accommodate civilian demands, lowers the price of entry for the commercial sector, and makes way for innovation to enhance and provide additional value to military systems. / by Serena Chan. / Ph.D.