Rapid manufacture of integrated self-powered sensing systems using additive manufacturing for critical structure health monitoring

In this project, the feasibility of rapid manufacturing of integrated corrosion monitoring sensing systems within critical engineering structural components using advanced AM technologies has been demonstrated with an exemplar model structure of crevice corrosion monitoring with integrated carbon-based electrochemical sensors. Corrosion performance of all five different materials model crevice former structures built using different AM technologies have been investigated for the first time in a 3.5% NaCl test solution, and the tests results provide the guidelines for the selection of appropriate AM technologies for rapid manufacturing engineering structures in corrosive environment applications. The model crevice corrosion monitoring structure and the rapid manufacturing approaches achieved in this project also provide proof of the concept for design and rapid manufacturing of functionalised engineering components with self-powered embedded structural health monitoring devices

An Efficient Model-based Diagnosis Engine for Hybrid Systems Using Structural Model Decomposition

Complex hybrid systems are present in a large range of engineering applications, like mechanical systems, electrical circuits, or embedded computation systems. The behavior of these systems is made up of continuous and discrete event dynamics that increase the difficulties for accurate and timely online fault diagnosis. The Hybrid Diagnosis Engine (HyDE) offers flexibility to the diagnosis application designer to choose the modeling paradigm and the reasoning algorithms. The HyDE architecture supports the use of multiple modeling paradigms at the component and system level. However, HyDE faces some problems regarding performance in terms of complexity and time. Our focus in this paper is on developing efficient model-based methodologies for online fault diagnosis in complex hybrid systems. To do this, we propose a diagnosis framework where structural model decomposition is integrated within the HyDE diagnosis framework to reduce the computational complexity associated with the fault diagnosis of hybrid systems. As a case study, we apply our approach to a diagnostic testbed, the Advanced Diagnostics and Prognostics Testbed (ADAPT), using real data

An investigation of model-based techniques for automotive electronic system development

Over the past decades, the adoption of electronic systems for the manufacturing of automotive vehicles has been exponentially popularized. This growth has been driven by the premium automobile sector where, presently, diverse electronic systems are used. These electronic systems include systems that control the engine, transmission, suspension and handling of a vehicle; air bag and other advanced restraint systems; comfort systems; security systems; entertainment and information (infotainment) systems. In systems terms, automotive embedded electronic systems can now be classified as a System of Systems (SoS). Automotive systems engineering requires a sustainable integration of new methods, development processes, and tools that are specifically adapted to the automotive domain. Model-based design is one potential methodology to carry out design, implement and manage such complex distributed systems, and their integration into one cohesive and reliable SoS to meet the challenges for the automotive industry. This research was conducted to investigate the model-based design of a 4×4 Information System, within an automotive electronic SoS. Two distinct model-based approaches to the development of an automotive electronic system are discussed in this study. The first approach involves the use of the Systems Modelling Language (SysML) based tool ARTiSAN Studio for structural modelling, functional modelling and code generation. The second approach involves the use of the MATLAB based tools Simulink and Stateflow for functional modelling, and code generation. The results show that building the model in SysML by using ARTiSAN Studio provides a clearly structured visualization of the 4×4 Information System from both structural and behavioural viewpoints of the system with relevant objects. SysML model facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of the system than the model built in Simulink/Stateflow. The Simulink/Stateflow model demonstrates its superior performance in producing high quality and better efficiency of C code for the automotive software delivery compared with the model built in ARTiSAN Studio. Furthermore, this Thesis also gets insight into an advanced function development approach based on the real-time simulation and animation for the 4×4 Information System. Finally, the Thesis draws conclusions about how to make use of model-based design for the development of an automotive electronic SoS

Quantum simulation of zero temperature quantum phases and incompressible states of light via non-Markovian reservoir engineering techniques

We review recent theoretical developments on the stabilization of strongly correlated quantum fluids of light in driven-dissipative photonic devices through novel non-Markovian reservoir engineering techniques. This approach allows to compensate losses and refill selectively the photonic population so to sustain a desired steady-state. It relies in particular on the use of a frequency-dependent incoherent pump which can be implemented, e.g., via embedded two-level systems maintained at a strong inversion of population. As specific applications of these methods, we discuss the generation of Mott Insulator (MI) and Fractional Quantum Hall (FQH) states of light. As a first step, we present the case of a narrowband emission spectrum and show how this allows for the stabilization of MI and FQH states under the condition that the photonic states are relatively flat in energy. As soon as the photonic bandbwidth becomes comparable to the emission linewidth, important non-equilibrium signatures and entropy generation appear. As a second step, we review a more advanced configuration based on reservoirs with a broadband frequency distribution, and we highlight the potential of this configuration for the quantum simulation of equilibrium quantum phases at zero temperature with tunable chemical potential. As a proof of principle we establish the applicability of our scheme to the Bose-Hubbard model by confirming the presence of a perfect agreement with the ground-state predictions both in the Mott Insulating and superfluid regions, and more generally in all parts of the parameter space. Future prospects towards the quantum simulation of more complex configurations are finally outlined, along with a discussion of our scheme as a concrete realization of quantum annealing

CESEC Chair – Training Embedded System Architects for the Critical Systems Domain

Increasing complexity and interactions across scientific and tech- nological domains in the engineering of critical systems calls for new pedagogical approach. In this paper, we introduce the CESEC teaching chair. This chair aims at supporting new integrative ap- proach for the initial training of engineer and master curriculum to three engineering school in Toulouse: ISAE, INSA Toulouse and INP ENSEEIHT. It is supported by the EADS Corporate Foundation. In this paper, we highlight the rationale for this chair: need for sys- tem architect with strong foundations on technical domains appli- cable to the aerospace industry. We then introduce the ideal profile for this architect and the various pedagogical approaches imple- mented to reach this objective

Integrated Dynamic Facade Control with an Agent-based Architecture for Commercial Buildings

Dynamic façades have significant technical potential to minimize heating, cooling, and lighting energy use and peak electric demand in the perimeter zone of commercial buildings, but the performance of these systems is reliant on being able to balance complex trade-offs between solar control, daylight admission, comfort, and view over the life of the installation. As the context for controllable energy-efficiency technologies grows more complex with the increased use of intermittent renewable energy resources on the grid, it has become increasingly important to look ahead towards more advanced approaches to integrated systems control in order to achieve optimum life-cycle performance at a lower cost. This study examines the feasibility of a model predictive control system for low-cost autonomous dynamic façades. A system architecture designed around lightweight, simple agents is proposed. The architecture accommodates whole building and grid level demands through its modular, hierarchical approach. Automatically-generated models for computing window heat gains, daylight illuminance, and discomfort glare are described. The open source Modelica and JModelica software tools were used to determine the optimum state of control given inputs of window heat gains and lighting loads for a 24-hour optimization horizon. Penalty functions for glare and view/ daylight quality were implemented as constraints. The control system was tested on a low-power controller (1.4 GHz single core with 2 GB of RAM) to evaluate feasibility. The target platform is a low-cost ($35/unit) embedded controller with 1.2 GHz dual-core cpu and 1 GB of RAM. Configuration and commissioning of the curtainwall unit was designed to be largely plug and play with minimal inputs required by the manufacturer through a web-based user interface. An example application was used to demonstrate optimal control of a three-zone electrochromic window for a south-facing zone. The overall approach was deemed to be promising. Further engineering is required to enable scalable, turnkey solutions

PRISE: An Integrated Platform for Research and Teaching of Critical Embedded Systems

In this paper, we present PRISE, an integrated workbench for Research and Teaching of critical embedded systems at ISAE, the French Institute for Space and Aeronautics Engineering. PRISE is built around state-of-the-art technologies for the engineering of space and avionics systems used in Space and Avionics domain. It aims at demonstrating key aspects of critical, real-time, embedded systems used in the transport industry, but also validating new scientific contributions for the engineering of software functions. PRISE combines embedded and simulation platforms, and modeling tools. This platform is available for both research and teaching. Being built around widely used commercial and open source software; PRISE aims at being a reference platform for our teaching and research activities at ISAE

Model Based Process Analysis And Tool Development For Sustainable Electroplating Operations

The electroplating industry has faced tremendous challenges in maintaining its economic competitiveness as well as improving its environmental performance in the global economy. In electroplating systems, waste generation from manufacturing lines has been always a serious concern, as waste emitted in different forms contains various hazardous and toxic chemicals. It is recognized that much of the generated waste is avoidable, and reduction of such avoidable waste could significantly reduce the consumption of chemicals, energy, and water. Proactive source reduction can improve not only environmental quality, but also economic performance. This type of source reduction, which could be called Proactive Pollution Prevention, can be achieved through applying advanced sustainability-bearing process systems engineering techniques, i.e., the fundamental system modeling and simulation techniques. In this thesis, the process models developed for electroplating systems are reviewed and selectively adopted. These models are embedded in a computer aided simulation tool, which is MATLAB based platform. The tool has been used to conduct comprehensive simulation of electroplating systems. It can characterize the dynamic operations of cleaning and rinsing operations, where chemicals, energy and water are consumed. This software tool helps users to analyze the process under given conditions and predict the consumption of chemicals in cleaning tanks, and rinse water consumption in rinsing tanks. The simulation facilitates identification of superior operating conditions in the electroplating systems, and it provides comparison between conventional and suggested operational strategies. This model-based simulation methodology as well as the tool should be valuable for the electroplating industry to improve their system’s sustainability performance

Developing a distributed electronic health-record store for India

The DIGHT project is addressing the problem of building a scalable and highly available information store for the Electronic Health Records (EHRs) of the over one billion citizens of India