Fuzzy evidence accrual applied to sustainable manufacturing

A fuzzy evidence accrual system is applied to the problem of sustainable manufacturing. The evidence accrual system can incorporate nonnumeric information as inputs, allowing calculations that combine the three pillars of sustainability: environment, social factors, and economics. This is performed using a fuzzy Kalman filter, a technique previously applied to situational assessment in defense and aerospace applications. Modifications to incorporate impact assessment of the commodities used in the manufacturing process for a photovoltaic cell example are discussed. This is followed by the first application of the technique to this manufacturing problem.