The goal of this research is to find a set of acoustic parameters that are related to differences between Polish and Lithuanian language consonants. In order to identify these differences, an acoustic analysis is performed, and the phoneme sounds are described as the vectors of acoustic parameters. Parameters known from the speech domain as well as those from the music information retrieval area are employed. These parameters are time- and frequency-domain descriptors. English language as an auxiliary language is used in the experiments. In the first part of the experiments, an analysis of Lithuanian and Polish language samples is carried out, features are extracted, and the most discriminating ones are determined. In the second part of the experiments, automatic classification of Lithuanian/English, Polish/English, and Lithuanian/Polish phonemes is performed.

Machine learning (ML) methods facilitate automated data mining. The authors compare the effectiveness of selected ML methods (RBF networks, Kohonen networks, and random forest) as modelling tools supporting the selection of materials in ecodesign. Applied in the design process, ML methods help benefit from the knowledge, experience and creativity of designers stored in historical data in databases. Implemented into a decision support system, the knowledge can be utilized – in the case under analysis – in the process of design of environmentally friendly products. The study was initiated with an analysis of input data for the selection of materials. The input data, specified in cooperation with designers, include both technological and environmental parameters which guarantee the desired compatibility of materials. Next, models were developed using selected ML methods. The models were assessed and implemented into an expert system. The authors show which models best fit their purpose and why. Models supporting the selection of materials, connections and disassembly methods help boost the recycling properties of designed products.