UC News

Bloomberg: Ohio train crash puts spotlight on heat sensors

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science professor explains sensor technology

headshot of Michael Miller By Michael Miller 513-556-6757
2 minute read March 8, 2023

Bloomberg News turned to a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Cincinnati to explain how the rail industry prevents accidents like the Feb. 3 derailment that caused a chemical spill into the Ohio River.

According to Bloomberg News, the nation's rail system relies on a network of heat sensors designed to detect when bearings overheat. But these systems are prone to false alarms and antiquated compared to monitoring systems used in many other industries.

Heat sensors have helped to reduce rail accidents from bearing or axle failures by 81% since 1980, Bloomberg said.

Portrait of Sam Anand.

UC Professor Sam Anand

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Professor Sam Anand told Bloomberg News that companies typically use sophisticated vibration or acoustic monitoring devices.

“Any expensive modern machinery you see on the factory floor, they all have embedded sensors,” Anand told Bloomberg News.

Anand studies additive manufacturing and manufacturing systems optimization. He has worked extensively with technology innovator Siemens to develop virtual simulations and predictive algorithms that can anticipate a manufacturing factory’s ebb and flow, from optimizing productivity to predicting when a machine likely will break down.

Anand helps oversee UC's Industry 4.0/5.0 Institute. 

 Read the Bloomberg story.

Featured image at top: UC's Mantei Center. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

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