Yield Enhancement of Digital Microfluidics-Based Biochips Using Space Redundancy and Local Reconfiguration

As microfluidics-based biochips become more complex, manufacturing yield will have significant influence on production volume and product cost. We propose an interstitial redundancy approach to enhance the yield of biochips that are based on droplet-based microfluidics. In this design method, spare cells are placed in the interstitial sites within the microfluidic array, and they replace neighboring faulty cells via local reconfiguration. The proposed design method is evaluated using a set of concurrent real-life bioassays.Comment: Submitted on behalf of EDAA (http://www.edaa.com/

Dependable reconfigurable multi-sensor poles for security

Wireless sensor network poles for security monitoring under harsh environments require a very high dependability as they are safety-critical [1]. An example of a multi-sensor pole is shown. Crucial attribute in these systems for security, especially in harsh environment, is a high robustness and guaranteed availability during lifetime. This environment could include molest. In this paper, two approaches are used which are applied simultaneously but are developed in different projects. \u

Damage identification in structural health monitoring: a brief review from its implementation to the Use of data-driven applications

The damage identification process provides relevant information about the current state of a structure under inspection, and it can be approached from two different points of view. The first approach uses data-driven algorithms, which are usually associated with the collection of data using sensors. Data are subsequently processed and analyzed. The second approach uses models to analyze information about the structure. In the latter case, the overall performance of the approach is associated with the accuracy of the model and the information that is used to define it. Although both approaches are widely used, data-driven algorithms are preferred in most cases because they afford the ability to analyze data acquired from sensors and to provide a real-time solution for decision making; however, these approaches involve high-performance processors due to the high computational cost. As a contribution to the researchers working with data-driven algorithms and applications, this work presents a brief review of data-driven algorithms for damage identification in structural health-monitoring applications. This review covers damage detection, localization, classification, extension, and prognosis, as well as the development of smart structures. The literature is systematically reviewed according to the natural steps of a structural health-monitoring system. This review also includes information on the types of sensors used as well as on the development of data-driven algorithms for damage identification.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Development of the algorithm for aircraft control at inaccurate measurement of the state vector and variable accuracy parameter

A parametric method of the synthesis of control in the closed circuit, taking into account explicitly generalized error of the inertial module, is presented. The law of control in the form of analytical formulas is typically assigned to the control program and does not change during flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle. This decreases the capabilities of the autonomous flight control system to overcome control errors, which occur for various reasons. To verify assumptions about a possibility of improving the accuracy of an aerial vehicle control by the data of the strapdown inertial navigation system on a certain time interval of autonomous operation, the calculation experiment was conducted with the use of the developed software complex, simulating operation of the automatic flight control system. Parametrization of the law of control is considered as the main contribution (the outcome). Introduction of the parameter made it possible to decrease a negative impact of measurement errors and other disturbing factors on accuracy of reaching by the point of flight destination. Through computer modeling, it was shown that it is possible to decrease the impact of a generalized measurement error on generation of values of control functions by changing the value of the parameter. Analytical expressions for the estimation of accuracy of automatic control at the known generalized error of the inertial module and limited disturbing influences were obtained. After analyzing the influence of these factors on accuracy of the object control, a set of recommendations on selection of a variable parameter of synthesis of control depending on precision level of the sensors, used in the inertial module of measuring sensors, was generated.Розглянуто розв’язання термінальної задачі управління та синтезований параметризований закон управління в аналітичному вигляді, який залежить від змінного параметра глибини прогнозу. Досліджено особливості впливу величини параметра управління на точність досягнення кінцевої точки, дані рекомендації з вибору параметра для нівелювання помилки інерційних вимірювань. Синтез управління здійснюється методом переслідування ведучої точки за інформацією, отриманою інтегруванням вимірювань фактичного прискорення і містить помилку, характерну для акселерометрів

Condition Assessment and Fault Prognostics of Microelectromechanical Systems.

International audienceMicroelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are used in different applications such as automotive, biomedical, aerospace and communication technologies. They create new functionalities and contribute to miniaturize the systems and reduce their costs. However, the reliability of MEMS is one of their major concerns. They suffer from different failure mechanisms which impact their performance, reduce their lifetime and their availability. It is then necessary to monitor their behavior and assess their health state to take appropriate decision such as control reconfiguration and maintenance. These tasks can be done by using Prognostic and Health Management (PHM) approaches. This paper addresses a condition assessment and fault prognostic method for MEMS. The paper starts with a short review about MEMS and presents some challenges identified and which need to be raised to implement PHM methods. The purpose is to highlight the intrinsic constraints of MEMS from PHM point of view. The proposed method is based on a global model combining both nominal behavior model and degradation model to assess the health state of MEMS and predict their remaining useful life. The method is applied on a microgripper, with different degradation models, to show its effectiveness

Multi-Domain Fault Models Covering the Analog Side of a Smart or Cyber-Physical System

Over the last decade, the industrial world has been involved in a massive revolution guided by the adoption of digital technologies. In this context, complex systems like cyber-physical systems play a fundamental role since they were designed and realized by composing heterogeneous components. The combined simulation of the behavioral models of these components allows to reproduce the nominal behavior of the real system. Similarly, a smart system is a device that integrates heterogeneous components but in a miniaturized form factor. The development of smart or cyber-physical systems, in combination with faulty behaviors modeled for the different physical domains composing the system, enables to support advanced functional safety assessment at the system level. A methodology to create and inject multi-domain fault models in the analog side of these systems has been proposed by exploiting the physical analogy between the electrical and mechanical domains to infer a new mechanical fault taxonomy. Thus, standard electrical fault models are injected into the electrical part, while the derived mechanical fault models are injected directly into the mechanical part. The entire flow has been applied to two case studies: a direct current motor connected with a gear train, and a three-axis accelerometer

Continuous maintenance and the future – Foundations and technological challenges

High value and long life products require continuous maintenance throughout their life cycle to achieve required performance with optimum through-life cost. This paper presents foundations and technologies required to offer the maintenance service. Component and system level degradation science, assessment and modelling along with life cycle ‘big data’ analytics are the two most important knowledge and skill base required for the continuous maintenance. Advanced computing and visualisation technologies will improve efficiency of the maintenance and reduce through-life cost of the product. Future of continuous maintenance within the Industry 4.0 context also identifies the role of IoT, standards and cyber security

Improved micro-contact resistance model that considers material deformation, electron transport and thin film characteristics

This paper reports on an improved analytic model forpredicting micro-contact resistance needed for designing microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS) switches. The originalmodel had two primary considerations: 1) contact materialdeformation (i.e. elastic, plastic, or elastic-plastic) and 2) effectivecontact area radius. The model also assumed that individual aspotswere close together and that their interactions weredependent on each other which led to using the single effective aspotcontact area model. This single effective area model wasused to determine specific electron transport regions (i.e. ballistic,quasi-ballistic, or diffusive) by comparing the effective radius andthe mean free path of an electron. Using this model required thatmicro-switch contact materials be deposited, during devicefabrication, with processes ensuring low surface roughness values(i.e. sputtered films). Sputtered thin film electric contacts,however, do not behave like bulk materials and the effects of thinfilm contacts and spreading resistance must be considered. Theimproved micro-contact resistance model accounts for the twoprimary considerations above, as well as, using thin film,sputtered, electric contact