Neural networks optimization through genetic algorithm searches: A review

Neural networks and genetic algorithms are the two sophisticated machine learning techniques presently attracting attention from scientists, engineers, and statisticians, among others. They have gained popularity in recent years. This paper presents a state of the art review of the research conducted on the optimization of neural networks through genetic algorithm searches. Optimization is aimed toward deviating from the limitations attributed to neural networks in order to solve complex and challenging problems. We provide an analysis and synthesis of the research published in this area according to the application domain, neural network design issues using genetic algorithms, types of neural networks and optimal values of genetic algorithm operators (population size, crossover rate and mutation rate). This study may provide a proper guide for novice as well as expert researchers in the design of evolutionary neural networks helping them choose suitable values of genetic algorithm operators for applications in a specific problem domain. Further research direction, which has not received much attention from scholars, is unveiled

Modeling and optimization of spinning conditions for polyethersulfone hollow fiber membrance fabrication using non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II

Optimization of spinning conditions plays a key role in the development of high performance asymmetric hollow fiber membranes. However, from previous studies, in solving these spinning condition optimization problems, they were handled mostly by using an experimentation that varied one of the independent spinning conditions and fixed the others. The common problem is the preparation of hollow fiber membranes that cannot be performed effectively due to inappropriate settings of the spinning conditions. Moreover, complexities in the spinning process have increased where the interaction effects between the spinning conditions with the presence of multiple objectives also affect the optimal spinning conditions. This is one of the main reasons why very little work has been carried out to vary spinning conditions simultaneously. Hence, in order to address these issues, this study focused on a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) methodology to optimize the spinning conditions during the fabrication of polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration hollow fiber membranes for oily wastewater treatment to maximize flux and rejection. Spinning conditions that were investigated were dope extrusion rate (DER), air gap length (AGL), coagulation bath temperature (CBT), bore fluid ratio (BFR), and post-treatment time (PT). First, the work was focused on predicting the performance of hollow fiber membranes by considering the design of experiments (DOE) and statistical regression technique as an important approach for modeling flux and rejection. In terms of experiments, a response surface methodology (RSM) and a central composite design (CCD) were used, whereby the factorial part was a fractional factorial design with resolution V and overall, it consisted of a combination of high levels and low levels, center points, as well as axial points. Furthermore, the regression models were generated by employing the Design Expert 6.0.5 software and they were found to be significant and valid. Then, the regression models obtained were proposed as the objective functions of NSGA-II to determine the optimal spinning conditions. The MATLAB software was used to code and execute the NSGA-II. With that, a non-dominated solution set was obtained and reported. It was discovered that the optimal spinning conditions occurred at a DER of 2.20 cm3/min, AGL of 0 cm, CBT of 30 °C, BFR (NMP/H2O) of 0/100 wt.%, and PT of 6 hour. In addition, the membrane morphology under the influence of different spinning conditions was investigated via a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The proposed optimization method based on NSGA-II offered an effective way to attain simple but robust solutions, thus providing an efficient production of PES ultrafiltration hollow fiber membranes to be used in oily wastewater treatment. Therefore, the optimization results contributed by NSGA-II can assist engineers and researchers to make better spinning optimization decisions for the membrane fabrication process

Metaheuristic design of feedforward neural networks: a review of two decades of research

Over the past two decades, the feedforward neural network (FNN) optimization has been a key interest among the researchers and practitioners of multiple disciplines. The FNN optimization is often viewed from the various perspectives: the optimization of weights, network architecture, activation nodes, learning parameters, learning environment, etc. Researchers adopted such different viewpoints mainly to improve the FNN's generalization ability. The gradient-descent algorithm such as backpropagation has been widely applied to optimize the FNNs. Its success is evident from the FNN's application to numerous real-world problems. However, due to the limitations of the gradient-based optimization methods, the metaheuristic algorithms including the evolutionary algorithms, swarm intelligence, etc., are still being widely explored by the researchers aiming to obtain generalized FNN for a given problem. This article attempts to summarize a broad spectrum of FNN optimization methodologies including conventional and metaheuristic approaches. This article also tries to connect various research directions emerged out of the FNN optimization practices, such as evolving neural network (NN), cooperative coevolution NN, complex-valued NN, deep learning, extreme learning machine, quantum NN, etc. Additionally, it provides interesting research challenges for future research to cope-up with the present information processing era

Climbing and Walking Robots

Nowadays robotics is one of the most dynamic fields of scientific researches. The shift of robotics researches from manufacturing to services applications is clear. During the last decades interest in studying climbing and walking robots has been increased. This increasing interest has been in many areas that most important ones of them are: mechanics, electronics, medical engineering, cybernetics, controls, and computers. Today’s climbing and walking robots are a combination of manipulative, perceptive, communicative, and cognitive abilities and they are capable of performing many tasks in industrial and non- industrial environments. Surveillance, planetary exploration, emergence rescue operations, reconnaissance, petrochemical applications, construction, entertainment, personal services, intervention in severe environments, transportation, medical and etc are some applications from a very diverse application fields of climbing and walking robots. By great progress in this area of robotics it is anticipated that next generation climbing and walking robots will enhance lives and will change the way the human works, thinks and makes decisions. This book presents the state of the art achievments, recent developments, applications and future challenges of climbing and walking robots. These are presented in 24 chapters by authors throughtot the world The book serves as a reference especially for the researchers who are interested in mobile robots. It also is useful for industrial engineers and graduate students in advanced study