Alternative Title
Design, Integration, and Performance Characterization of a Miniaturized Desktop Smart Pharmaceutical Factory (MSPF) Platform: A Small-Scale, Multimodal Data-Driven Prototype for Smart Manufacturing, Experimentation, and Decision-Making Application
Subject Area
Business and Management, Engineering, General/Other, Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, Life Sciences, General/Other, Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
This doctoral work presents a practical, cost-effective approach to addressing real-world challenges in pharmaceutical manufacturing and process innovation by developing a novel, compact physical-twin desktop model that emulates a full-scale commercial manufacturing system. The work encompasses the engineering design, fabrication, system integration, and performance characterization of a miniaturized desktop smart pharmaceutical factory (MSPF) using 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl USP) solution as a model product selected for its clinical relevance, recent supply shortage, low cost, relative simplicity of manufacturability, and representativeness of common liquid pharmaceutical production workflows. The MSPF enables real-time monitoring and systematic analysis of process data alongside product quality attributes, minimizes disruption to routine commercial operations, and supports the evaluation of emerging concepts and technologies. Smart sensors and probes interface with a central monitoring unit to capture signals and convert them into actionable data, enabling real-time measurement of temperature, pH, salinity, total dissolved solids, specific gravity, oxidation–reduction potential, electrical conductivity, and conductivity factor. Wi-Fi connectivity further enables remote visualization, alarm response, data logging, and export of time-series multimodal datasets for advanced analysis and quick decision-making. The MSPF model serves as a platform for generating process and quality datasets used for analysis, modeling, and decision support. Experimental evaluation and data analysis demonstrate that the prototype is feasible and functional, meets its design requirements, and achieves its intended operational objectives. Beyond research and experimentation, the MSPF serves as an interactive training and education platform for manufacturing personnel, regulators, and academia focused on pharmaceutical manufacturing systems.
Degree Date
5-16-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
D.Eng.
Department
OREM
Advisor
Dr. Eli Olinick
Second Advisor
Dr. Richard Barr
Third Advisor
Dr. Aurelie Thiele
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Jim Webb
Fifth Advisor
Dr. Yildirim Hurmuzlu
Acknowledgements
This work was made possible with the invaluable support of my academic advisor, steering committee, faculty members, and family. I want to sincerely thank my doctoral supervisor and mentor, Dr. Eli Olinick, whose insightful guidance, steadfast encouragement, and exceptional support were essential to my doctoral journey. Dr. Olinick’s thoughtful feedback and extensive academic expertise have offered both inspiration and direction throughout my studies. Additionally, I wish to thank the faculty at Southern Methodist University, particularly Dr. Aurelie Thiele, Dr. Jim Webb, Dr. Richard Barr, and Dr. Yildirim Hurmuzlu, for their commitment to serving on my committee. Their support was vital to my academic development and kept me motivated during my studies.
Number of Pages
124
Format
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Sugranes, Jorge A., "DESIGN, INTEGRATION, AND PERFORMANCE CHARACTERIZATION OF A MINIATURIZED DESKTOP SMART PHARMACEUTICAL FACTORY (MSPF) PLATFORM" (2026). Operations Research and Engineering Management Theses and Dissertations. 29.
https://scholar.smu.edu/engineering_managment_etds/29
Included in
Engineering Education Commons, Industrial Engineering Commons, Manufacturing Commons, Other Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons, Systems Engineering Commons
