Marisa Kuntanawong – รายงานประจำปีศูนย์เทคโนโลยีโลหะและวัสดุแห่งชาติ2020 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020 MTEC annual report 2020 Tue, 15 Dec 2020 09:55:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.3 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-arrow_y-32x32.png Marisa Kuntanawong – รายงานประจำปีศูนย์เทคโนโลยีโลหะและวัสดุแห่งชาติ2020 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020 32 32 Standard Operations https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/en/standard-operations_en/ Wed, 04 Nov 2020 04:21:04 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/?p=3157 149 Views]]> MTEC Had Cooperated With Royal Thai Navy To create research and development network https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/en/royal-thai-navy_en/ Wed, 04 Nov 2020 04:15:18 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/?p=3153 205 Views]]> Office Of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/en/onep_en/ Wed, 04 Nov 2020 04:11:26 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/?p=3150 "Office Of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning"]]> 2,123 Views

The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) is an agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE). It has a mission to propose the policies and plans for the conservation and management of natural resources and environment of the country, as well as support the operations leading to effective implementation, close monitoring and reliable environmental impact assessment according to the EIA report. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the economy and maintain the sustainable development and people’s quality of life.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental (MNRE) has inaugurated the steering committee for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of natural resources and environment, appointed to drive the 4 Sustainable Development Goals of the total of 17 goals set by the United Nations (UN), namely the SDG 12, 13, 14, and 15. The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) is responsible for the SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns and the SDG13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Miss Nareerat Panmane, Director of the Strategy and Planning Division, said that the SDG 12 has multiple goals, such as poverty eradication, hunger elimination, food security and well-being, the conservation of natural resources and good environment, and energy conservation. ONEP had studied and followed up on the related operations of the government, private and public sectors for the status of the issues and the gaps needed to be closed to achieve the goals. This information is employed to devise a plan for the sustainable consumption and production in Thailand during 2017-2037. The process involved all sectors by adhering to the philosophy of sufficiency economy as a guideline of the sustainable consumption and production so that all related agencies will operate in the same direction.

ONEP had an opportunity to work with Assoc. Prof. Thumrongrut Mungchareon 11 Advisor of the Research Administration of the National Strategy, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), and learned that the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) has a research team that studies the SDG 12 assessment methods and indicators. ONEP, therefore, had cooperated with MTEC to create a memorandum of understanding (MOU) of the Sustainable Development Goals 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, and develop a controlling system to evaluate the results of promoting sustainable consumption and production in Thailand.

It is aimed to be a system that gathers data from relevant agencies and assessed each of the SDG 12 indicators. For example, the Domestic Material consumption (DMC) requires data from more than 10 agencies and the data could reflect the trends and progress of Thai operations and can be used to develop the policy recommendations on relevant issues.

Furthermore, Thailand could apply the operation results to compile the Voluntary National Review (VNR) to present to other countries, which would show the intention of Thai government in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Miss Nareerat Panmane said that MTEC research team had followed in-depth details on the progress of the methodology, the SDG 12 indicators, and the metadata.

The cooperation with MTEC ran out smoothly and the research results are in line with its plan and specified time frame. ONEP and MTEC had exchanged technical ideas and perspectives, as well as discussed the operational guidelines to be in accordance with Thailand’s context.

The coordination with various organizations particularly in the operation and the information to establish the SDG 12 indicators are either formal or informal, depending on the context. Moreover, the process was operated through the official correspondence, or the meeting, the additional knowledge and operational guidelines from international experts. 

Lastly, Miss Nareerat Panmane said that at present, there are a large number of issues that link to the SDG and cover many dimensions, particularly in the areas of natural resources and environment that can apply the index or other indicators to rank the country, namely, the Environmental Performance Index (EPI). If MTEC can develop both knowledge and researchers, it will help further support the operation of relevant organizations. In considering the project approval, the Executive Committee of Technology and Informatics Institute for Sustainability (TIIS) also helps develop proper project proposals.

1 Assoc. Prof. Thumrongrut Mungcharoen, Advisor, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)

]]> SB Furniture Industry Company Limited https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/en/sb-design-square_en/ Wed, 04 Nov 2020 04:03:12 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/?p=3145 "SB Furniture Industry Company Limited"]]> 611 Views

SB Furniture Industry Company Limited is a leader of Thai furniture innovation and design for over 50 years and has been delivering good-quality products and services to more than one million of households. The company has continued to develop various creative products to be a part of customers’ quality of life and well-being. All products have been manufactured with E1 1 woods, the wood that contains the formaldehyde no more than 0.1 ppm. Since 2003, the company has offered the 3D Pro Designer and SB Interior@Home, the service facilities that make the home decoration more convenient. The company also developed the SB Design Square as the home decoration center with good-quality products and services to meet the living lifestyle of people nowadays.

Mr. Phidet Chawaldit, Executive Vice President of SB Furniture Industry Co., Ltd., said that the company has operated its business for more than 50 years and formerly considered itself a furniture retailer. At that time, the company had various generations of customers, such as the Gen X, the Gen Y, the Gen Z, and the New Gen people. The company, therefore, had transformed itself into a solution provider for all groups of customers to provide consultancy services in furniture and designs, which received good feedback from all generations of customers. 

In the beginning, the company had no furniture showrooms and sold its furniture to the customers according to their imagination. Later, it had created a furniture showroom to present its products and various styles of home decoration for the customers to easily decide on purchasing. Currently, the home decoration and the furniture such as tables, cabinets, and beds have been developed to be adjustable in many styles as customers desire. The company had also developed and produced both moveable and built-in furniture, as well as a design and decoration service to satisfy the customers’ needs in all dimensions.

At present, the company has provided a soft copy for its customers so that they can rearrange the position of the furniture, such as the wall and wardrobe door, by themselves. The company, therefore, is not only a product developer but also a room decoration designer that has applied new technologies and materials to create new ideas for the products

“Nowadays, aging society becomes a mega trend around the world, as well as Thailand, in which Thai society normally lives in large families and grandchildren mostly have a responsibility to look after their parents and the elderly. SB Furniture Industry Company Limited as a business operator has aimed to contribute to the society to be ready for the upcoming social trends. The company, therefore, is delighted to cooperate with MTEC research team to develop this Power Lift Bed project to have good-quality and proper functions. This developed product is assured to be readily accessible and useful for consumers.”

Mr. Phidet Chawaldit said that the elderly have recently been the company’s new target group, therefore, the company had adopted “Joey-Active Bed”, the mechanical bed that helps the bodily movement for the elderly and patients for the commercial production. If there are new technologies or innovations to support this development, it will help increase the market opportunity. As a result, the company is interested in receiving a business license of this research result from MTEC. 

However, the company doesn’t expect a lot of profits from this product but gives much weight to products that results from MTEC research, as well as cooperation with the research team to create a new image for the organization.

Mr. Phidet Chawaldit said that after received the technology transfer from MTEC, the Joey-Active Bed had been further developed to improve its appearance, functions, and structures. The final design, called Power Lift Bed, didn’t look like a patient’s bed, but it was produced to be more comfortable for patients and the elderly. The function of the bed was easy to adjust to accommodate the bodily movement, and had a charging system for mobile phones. Thus, the bed could be used as home furniture.

MTEC research team had given the company very good suggestions. The company greatly appreciates working with MTEC, and the results are in line with the operation plan and time. Mr. Phidet Chawaldit said that as long as MTEC aims to develop useful research results either with the private sectors or its alliances and if those visions and technologies can be developed with the same purpose, then it will be able to achieve great results.

Lastly, Mr. Phidet Chawaldit said that if there is technological support from the government, the private sectors would be willing to cooperate with MTEC for commercialization of products, whereas benefit is not of highest priority. MTEC has to determine its goals whether to focus on the elderly, agriculture, or others, as long as the objectives are matched then it can be further developed. However, the customer’s behaviors and decisions are also important factors for successful endeavor. The two parties should create an opportunity to exchange experiences through researching their needs from various aspects, such as the budget and purchasing power, before focusing on producing the products.

1 E1 wood is the wood that contains the formaldehyde no more than 0.1 ppm, suitable for use as hospital and nursing home furniture, and children’ toys, as well as health-conscious people,

]]> Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/en/egat_en/ Wed, 04 Nov 2020 04:00:13 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/?p=3141 "Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)"]]> 1,049 Views

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is a power state enterprise and a subsidiary organization of the Ministry of Energy with the Ministry of Finance as a major shareholder. EGAT operates its main business in generating and distributing electricity to Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), the electric users, nearby countries, and other electricity businesses under the EGAT Act.

EGAT generates electricity from its 50 power plants located in all regions in Thailand with a total generating capacity of 15,789.58 megawatts. EGAT power plants consist of 3 thermal power plants, 6 combined cycle power plants, 27 renewable energy power plants (hydropower), 9 renewable power plants (wind, solar, geothermal), 4 diesel power plants, and another power plant. 

Mae Moh power plant is a large power generation plant in the North that has 10 power generators with a total capacity of 2,275 megawatts and can generate 18,000 units of electricity per year, using lignite from Mae Moh mine, Lampang, as a fuel. However, ash residue from burning coals that sticks on the wall of power plants’ boiler directly affects the stability and efficiency of the power generation. Therefore, EGAT had cooperated with MTEC to develop High Pressure Water Soot system for Water Wall Boiler Cleaning to increase the generation efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and reduce reliance on foreign technologies.

Mr. Polsri Suvisisarsa, Deputy Governor-Generating, recalled his work experience that, after graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering, he had worked as a mechanical engineer at Mae Moh power plant since 1983, responsible for mechanical engineering, electricity, and pinwheel. He also had a hands-on experience in controlling and improving the efficiency of the power plants’ system, as well as writing codes. Later, he worked as an advisor on many oversea projects that EGAT collaborated with private sectors, responsible for the restoration and improvement of production efficiency to enhance productivity and reduce costs. At present, he is the Deputy Governor-Generation of Mae Moh Power Plant. 

EGAT had allocated approximately 2-3% of the profits on the research budget in order to distribute to its internal departments, divided into 5 directions, namely (1) 40% on innovation in the national electrical system, (2) 25% on problem solving, efficiency boosting and cost reduction, (3) 155% on environmental remediation, (4) 10% on sustainable living with the community, and (5) 10% on new businesses. 

Mr. Polsri Suvisisarsa said that when there are technical challenges with the power generation, EGAT will cooperate with experts to do research and seek the proper solution. Therefore, EGAT had cooperated with MTEC on the development of High Pressure Water Soot system for Water Wall Boiler Cleaning, which the phase 1 had finished. The project result was satisfactory and could be used to increase production efficiency, reduce costs and dependence on foreign technologies. 

At present, the project continues to phase 2, in which EGAT has more opportunities to cooperate with the research team and give suggestions on the project’s improvement in theories, techniques, and methods, as well as participate in the work process to optimize the operating time to keep up with the demand.

MTEC should be more proactive by visiting the worksite
so that the research team will understand the problems clearly.
The research results should be in line with the operation plan,
so the company won’t lose its opportunities in the market,
and once the project had finished, MTEC should transfer the developed technology to the public for further development.

Lastly, Mr. Polsri Suvisisarsa suggests that for conducting new research, MTEC should be more proactive by visiting the worksite so that the research team will understand the problems clearly. The research results should be in line with the operation plan, so the company won’t lose its opportunities in the market, and once the project had finished, MTEC should transfer the developed technology to the public for further development.

]]> Siampioneer Rubber Co., Ltd. https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/en/siam-pioneer-rubber_en/ Wed, 04 Nov 2020 03:52:36 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/?p=3137 "Siampioneer Rubber Co., Ltd."]]> 399 Views

“MTEC research team had done a very good job. The company greatly appreciates working with MTEC, and the results are in line with its plan and the specified time. The company is proud to be one of the pioneers in the development and production of environmentally-friendly solid tires.”

Siampioneer Rubber Co., Ltd. is a forklift solid tire manufacturer under the trademarks PIO-TYRES and BIG-TYRES. The company had operated its business since 1992 and received the technology transfer for solid tire production from Japan, and had a Japanese engineering team as its consultant. The company’s policy had focused on the production and development of solid tires to have high durability with good-bearing capacity, low-heat accumulation, and well-comfortability for drivers. At present, the company’s solid tires have been well-received from many forklift manufacturers (Original Equipment Manufacturer/ O.E.M), and forklift rental businesses around the world.

Mr. Suwong Kobkarnsakul, Managing Director and Marketing Manager, recalled that his father was the founder and started the business as a small family business in 1973. Later, the company had expanded its business and established Siampioneer Rubber Co., Ltd. to produce solid tires that were certified by ISO 9001:2000, ISO 9001:2008, ISO 9001:2015, and ISO 14001:2015. The company had exported solid tires to various continents, such as America, Australia, Asia, and Europe.

Forklifts in Thailand were originally imported from foreign countries, and most of them used the pneumatic tire wheels attached to the truck, which could lead to leakage problems. The company, therefore, had decided to produce solid tires that were more durable, and started to invest in solid tire manufacturing, which would help create more market opportunities in the future.

The company continues to research and develop good-quality and high-durable products, and plans to produce more environmentally friendly products by reducing the zinc oxide and the toxicity to the environment, animals, microorganism, and other water resources. Furthermore the type of oil used in the production process had been modified to achieve lower toxicity, as well as the formula for solid tires had been improved to achieve higher productivity, energy savings, and lower rolling resistance to save driving fuel without affecting the trucks’ lifespan and tire’s abrasion resistance.

Currently, the research result from the cooperation between the company and MTEC had been completed and applied to commercial production.

Mr. Suwong Kobkarnsakul said that MTEC research team had done a very good job. The company greatly appreciates working with MTEC, and the results are in line with its plan and the specified time. The company is proud to be one of the pioneers in the development and production of environmentally-friendly solid tires.

Lastly, the company plans to perform further research and development on the heat accumulation and tire structure design. Thus the company has expected the government agencies to give advice and support on technologies so that it can develop competitive products for domestic and international markets in the future.

]]> Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited (GPSC) https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/en/gpsc_en/ Wed, 04 Nov 2020 03:50:15 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/?p=3133 "Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited (GPSC)"]]> 409 Views

Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited (GPSC) was established on January 10, 2013, as a subsidiary company of PTT Public Company Limited. The company is determined to be the mainstay in the power business operation and the public assistance of PTT power groups. Its policy is to operate a sustainable business by building confidence among the stakeholders, generating positive outcomes, continuously developing the organization, creating transparency business, as well as being responsible for the society and environment to be in line with its sustainability management and international standards.

Mr. Laksanapreecha Krutkuntode, Senior Vice President of New Technology, said that GPSC is the mainstay of PTT power business innovation and had been entrusted to cooperate and invest with 24M Technologies, Inc., the US Company that engaged in the research and development of lithium-ion batteries. The developed lithium-ion batteries are to be used as a storage system for the industrial sectors and provide the stability of the power distribution system and its connection. The company had also expected to apply Semi-Solid technology, a new innovative manufacturing process of lithium-ion, to establish a manufacturing plant based in Thailand, which will be beneficial for Thai engineers and researchers in the future.

In the beginning, the company planned to study the feasibility of Semi-Solid technology before the production process begins and tested the use of energy storage with other PTT’s subsidiary companies to get responses and recommendations for further development and analysis. Later, if there is sufficient demand and the production costs are competitive, the company will expand this technology to the external markets, as well as apply it to the electric vehicles’ batteries. In 2019, the company had established a prototype battery factory and expected to start its production in 2021.

MTEC research team had given the company very good suggestions,
as well as provided its employees the trainings
for fundamental knowledge, the applications of the technology,
and the determination of the exact cause of problems.
The trainings were well-received by the employees.

The company had cooperated with MTEC on the battery development because MTEC is well-equipped with various tools and equipment, and the research team leader, Dr. Pimpa Limthongkul, Principal Researcher of Energy Storage Technology Research Team, Energy Innovative Research Group, had previously been worked with 24M Technologies, Inc. The company had also set up an engineering team to receive technology transfer from 24M Technologies, Inc., as well as prepared its personnel, the tools and equipment for the cooperation with MTEC research team.

Mr. Suthipoom Pumhirun, Business Development Manager, said that MTEC research team had given the company very good suggestions, as well as provided its employees the trainings for fundamental knowledge, the applications of the technology, and the determination of the exact cause of problems. The trainings were will-received by the employees.

The company greatly appreciates working with MTEC
and the results are in line with its plan and specified time.

Since the company had transferred the technology from 24M Technologies, Inc., thus, in the long-term, the company should acquire fundamental knowledge and core technologies. In case of unfamiliar problems, the company would have to cooperate with MTEC or other experts to find a solution.

Mr. Laksanapreecha Krutkuntode said that Lithium-ion batteries produced with Semi-Solid technology are highly safe because of the design of battery cells and the careful control of the manufacturing process. It has readily recyclable structures and materials, and the manufacturing process is a process-based technology, which can be further developed by modifying materials and designs.

The company greatly appreciates working with MTEC and the results are in line with its plan and specified time. Although the company had adjusted the operation plan from time to time, the research team was flexible enough to support and had made the cooperation came out smoothly.

Lastly, Mr. Laksanapreecha Krutkuntode said that during the establishment of Map Ta Phut prototype factory, the company will perform a number of research activities, therefore, it plans to reduce the redundant investment in tools and equipment, as well as provides more personnel support for work expansion in the future.

______________________________________________
1  MTEC team: Dr. Vituruch Goodwin (Researcher) Green Fuel and Chemistry Research Team Dr. Priew Eiamlamai (Researcher), Dr. Ukrit Sahapatsombut (Researcher) and Dr. /Pimpa Limthongkul (Principal Researcher) Electrochemical Materials and System Research Team

]]> A statistical software application for controlling the metal production in foundry industry https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/en/casting-software_en/ Tue, 03 Nov 2020 09:40:44 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/?p=3125 "A statistical software application for controlling the metal production in foundry industry"]]> 205 Views

> Commercial Prototype

The metal foundry industry has been producing various parts to support many engineering works, such as those in the automotive industry, mechanical parts in manufacturing industry, and electronic components and equipment in electronical an electronic engineering industries. Most industries had analyzed the data from their production processes using statistical methods to increase their productivity. However, some entrepreneurs still lack knowledge and understanding about how to apply the data to monitor and control their production process, which can lead to low-quality manufacturing.

The implementation of a statistical software application based on the use of a control chart to monitor and control the production process of the foundry industry is a technique for analyzing the work process so as to avoid the occurrence of problems and wastes. This statistical software application also helps reduce the production cost.

In theory, the statistical analysis consists process of 4 steps, as follows.
1. Identifying for various factors that can affect the production process by using metallurgical knowledge.
2. Calculating the control limits based on the data obtained from the production process.
3. Gathering the data to plot in the control chart.
4. Analyzing the finished data and detecting any abnormalities.

This software application provides an algorithm for detecting the fragmentation of the abnormal data. If there are any abnormalities, the operators will detect them and find the way to improve their production process.

Main picture screen of the control chart showing the abnormality of the co-data.
Control chart warning the abnormality of the data.

After testing the software application in various stimulations and gaining feedback from the users, the research team had improved its system to meet the users’ satisfaction, as well as expanded this technology to the automotive parts and aluminum industries.

At present, the research team had sold this statistical software application’s license to Sangrompo Autopart Co., Ltd, and wished to spread the number of users in the near future.

Research team

Sompob Phetchcrai Aluminum Processing and Manufacturing Research Team

]]> Green-rock: Lightweight aggregates from by-products of the alcoholic beverage industry https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/en/lightweight-aggregate_en/ Tue, 03 Nov 2020 09:38:22 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/?p=3121 "Green-rock: Lightweight aggregates from by-products of the alcoholic beverage industry"]]> 200 Views

> Commercial Prototype

Natural aggregate materials, such as sand and crushed stone that have their weight ranges between 2,300-2,600 kilograms per cubic meter, can help increase the strength of the concrete very well. However, their heaviness also pose a limitation in certain applications requiring lightweight concrete products.

MTEC research team had developed a synthetic lightweight aggregate prototype for the industries using by-products from the alcoholic beverage industry of Thai Beverage Group as principal raw materials. The prototype’s characteristic is spherical with a large number of air cavities and lightweight with good air insulation property. However, its strength is comparable to most conventional ceramic materials.

The promotion of the production of synthetic lightweight aggregates from by-products of various manufacturing industries not only helps control the property and quality of the developed lightweight aggregates to be able to applied with various applications, but also helps increase the value of waste and by-products, creates business opportunities for the private sectors to develop new products, and reduces environmental impacts.

This technology has been applied in the commercial production by Charunbusiness 52 Company Limited, a subsidiary company of the Thai Beverage Group. The company cooperated with MTEC research team to produce synthetic lightweight aggregates, and test its heat resistance performance.
At present, the company had successfully produced lightweight aggregates with a capacity of 10 tons per day under the trademark named “Green-rock”.

This research result not only helps create value-added to by-products and reduces its management problems but also expands the company’s opportunities in the materials and construction business.

Research team

Dr. Pitak Laoratanakul and Ceramic Engineering Research Team

]]> M-Wheel: an electronic device to turn a normal wheelchair into a motorized wheelchair https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/en/m-wheel_en/ Tue, 03 Nov 2020 09:37:31 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2020/?p=3103 "M-Wheel: an electronic device to turn a normal wheelchair into a motorized wheelchair"]]> 248 Views

> Prototypes for Public Usage

At present, the number of the elderly and disabled persons in Thailand is continuously increasing. A wheelchair is one of the devices that can help improve their quality of life; however, some people do not have enough strength to turn the wheel or move the wheelchair by themselves. An electric wheelchair, therefore, had become another option to solve this problem.

MTEC research team had designed and developed an electronic device (M-Wheel) to transform a normal wheelchair into a motorized wheelchair at an affordable price since the available electric wheelchairs in the market are quite expensive. The developed device consisted of three main parts, namely a power unit, a control unit, and a power source unit.

Three main parts that turn a normal wheelchair into a motorized wheelchair

The research team had transferred this technology to 3 technical institutes, namely, Chonburi Technological College, Thai-Austrian Technical College, and Samutprakan Technical College, to provide services of production and maintenance for the local community.

M-Wheel has various remarkable properties, such as an ease of installation and control, an ability to be loaded up to 80 kg and used on slopes, and a maximum working time of 4 hours. The electric system is safe because it had passed the electric medical device standard and magnetic interference protection.

This device is suitable for all users, especially the paraplegia disabilities. The survey results from the elderly and disabled persons on the actual use of the device had shown that the device is easy to use, helps improve their quality of life and reduce the dependence on others as well as the cost of nursing care.

The development of M-Wheel not only creates the knowledge transfer of the design and manufacture of the standardized medical devices but also helps build the technological network with both the public and private sectors.

Team research

Dr. Danu Prommin and Biomechanics Research Team

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