GRAINS: Proximity Sensing of Objects in Granular Materials

Proximity sensing detects an object's presence without contact. However, research has rarely explored proximity sensing in granular materials (GM) due to GM's lack of visual and complex properties. In this paper, we propose a granular-material-embedded autonomous proximity sensing system (GRAINS) based on three granular phenomena (fluidization, jamming, and failure wedge zone). GRAINS can automatically sense buried objects beneath GM in real-time manner (at least ~20 hertz) and perceive them 0.5 ~ 7 centimeters ahead in different granules without the use of vision or touch. We introduce a new spiral trajectory for the probe raking in GM, combining linear and circular motions, inspired by a common granular fluidization technique. Based on the observation of force-raising when granular jamming occurs in the failure wedge zone in front of the probe during its raking, we employ Gaussian process regression to constantly learn and predict the force patterns and detect the force anomaly resulting from granular jamming to identify the proximity sensing of buried objects. Finally, we apply GRAINS to a Bayesian-optimization-algorithm-guided exploration strategy to successfully localize underground objects and outline their distribution using proximity sensing without contact or digging. This work offers a simple yet reliable method with potential for safe operation in building habitation infrastructure on an alien planet without human intervention.Comment: 35 pages, 5 figures,2 tables. Videos available at https://sites.google.com/view/grains2/hom

Process Monitoring of Demolition Waste Recycling Crushing: Feasibility study

Demolition waste is produced when buildings or other infrastructure approach the end of their life and are demolished. To support the objectives of circular economy and financial interests, demolition waste can be processed to produce recycled aggregates and by-products using crushing and screening equipment. Due to the nature and components of the demolition waste, the crushing and screening process is subject to different disturbances, which can compromise the efficiency of operation along with other negative effects. Directions for future development of the machinery for processing demolition waste have sparked the need to research the possibility of the equipment achieving a level of awareness on the state of the process. Ultimately, the crushing and screening plant could detect the problematic process state in an early phase and avoid serious consequences that might result from for example a total blockage of the machine. This thesis researches the subject with several methods. A literature review was done to collect information on the subject and to get familiar with different approaches used elsewhere in the industry. An interview study was conducted to gather existing knowledge about the demolition waste crushing process and different failure types that may occur during the process. Information from these two phases were used to build understanding on monitoring the crushing and screening process. Finally, an empirical part of the study was carried out, consisting of a measurement campaign on a real-world process, and a failure case -based analysis for the measurement data. As a result from the interview study and follow-up analysis, an overview of the demolition waste crushing process and its possible failure modes was formed. The scope of the thesis was limited to track-driven impactor crushing plants, and the results and analysis maintained this focus as well. A total of 11 failure modes were identified, along with their possible causes, root causes and effects on the process. The measurement campaign was planned with objectives derived from the scope of this thesis as well as interests within a wider scope. Three working days of plant operation were captured using data acquisition equipment and microphones, accelerometers, existing signals on the control system of the plant, as well as additional mechanical sensors. The data was analysed on a failure case -based approach, utilizing all information gathered in the previous phases. Results of the analysis indicate that detecting anomalies from the crushing process can be done using data from audio-, vibration-, and other domains, but performance greatly depends on the type of process failure and the nature of associated phenomena, also being dependent on correct sensor selection and placement. Different data types were demonstrated to be useful in the analysis, but the overall picture is governed by variability in the process and possible ways it can fail. In the literature, modern deep learning -based methods were suggested as a solution to combat the complexity, but they could not be included in the scope of this work

Review of Detection and Monitoring Systems for Buried High Pressure Pipelines:Final Report

The Netherlands has approximately two million kilometers of underground cables and pipelines. One specific type of buried infrastructure is the distribution network of hazardous material such as gas, oil, and chemicals (‘transportleiding gevaarlijke stoffen’). This network comprises 22.000 kilometers of high-pressure transportation pipelines. Because they are located under the ground, these pipelines are subject to excavation damages. Incidents in them Belgian Gellingen (2004) and German Ludwigshafen (2014) show that consequences of pipeline damages are significant. They can cause fatalities to excavation workers and impact the environment too. In addition, only direct costs for recovery of damages are estimated by the pipeline owner association (VELIN) to range already from several hundreds of thousands to even a few millions of euros. This figure does not yet include the indirect costs. Serious incidents will eventually undermine the public’s acceptance for hazardous pipelines, so it goes without saying that pipeline excavation incidents should, therefore, be avoided. Nowadays, third parties seem to be causing most of the damage to underground pipelines (Capstick, 2007; CONCAWE, 2013; EGIG, 2015; J. M. Muggleton & Rustighi, 2013). Reasons for this, often mentioned by industry, are that utility location information (KLIC-melding) is not always available and, when available, it is not always accurate or too difficult to interpret by excavator operators. It is crucial to detect underground infrastructure in a timely fashion to avoid damages. For this purpose, initiatives are needed to help excavator operators to detect pipelines and monitor groundworks taking place close to pipelines. Such initiatives could focus on the identification and the development of technologies for pipeline strike avoidance. The first step in this direction was this study – which in turn is related to the Safety Deals that are prepared by the association of pipeline owners in the Netherlands (VELIN) and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. VELIN and I&M requested the University of Twente to systematically review existing technologies for excavation damage avoidance. Such an overview is not available to the Dutch industry to date. The project team therefore identified and described existing systems for global monitoring and detection of utilities. These systems eventually help detect clashes between excavator equipment and high-pressure transportation pipelines

Aerospace Medicine and Biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes, supplement 192

This bibliography lists 247 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in March 1979

Design of software-oriented technician for vehicle’s fault system prediction using AdaBoost and random forest classifiers

Detecting and isolating faults on heavy duty vehicles is very important because it helps maintain high vehicle performance, low emissions, fuel economy, high vehicle safety and ensures repair and service efficiency. These factors are important because they help reduce the overall life cycle cost of a vehicle. The aim of this paper is to deliver a Web application model which aids the professional technician or vehicle user with basic automobile knowledge to access the working condition of the vehicles and detect the fault subsystem in the vehicles. The scope of this system is to visualize the data acquired from vehicle, diagnosis the fault component using trained fault model obtained from improvised Machine Learning (ML) classifiers and generate a report. The visualization page is built with plotly python package and prepared with selected parameter from On-board Diagnosis (OBD) tool data. The Histogram data is pre-processed with techniques such as null value Imputation techniques, Standardization and Balancing methods in order to increase the quality of training and it is trained with Classifiers. Finally, Classifier is tested and the Performance Metrics such as Accuracy, Precision, Re-call and F1 measure which are calculated from the Confusion Matrix. The proposed methodology for fault model prediction uses supervised algorithms such as Random Forest (RF), Ensemble Algorithm like AdaBoost Algorithm which offer reasonable Accuracy and Recall. The Python package joblib is used to save the model weights and reduce the computational time. Google Colabs is used as the python environment as it offers versatile features and PyCharm is utilised for the development of Web application. Hence, the Web application, outcome of this proposed work can, not only serve as the perfect companion to minimize the cost of time and money involved in unnecessary checks done for fault system detection but also aids to quickly detect and isolate the faulty system to avoid the propagation of errors that can lead to more dangerous cases

The archaeologists within: Uniting different interests in heritage within a contentious setting

In this article, I argue for the value of community inclusion, transparency, and engagement in efforts to change attitudes towards archaeology, using a case from Åland, an autonomous archipelago in the Baltic Sea. With its own legislation concerning the protection of archaeological sites, archaeology on Åland has been a contentious subject for decades. This culminated in 2013 with the controversial trial and conviction of a family for severely and knowingly damaging one of the Stone Age sites on Åland. Against this backdrop, I initiated a project concerning an Iron Age settlement site. I discuss my experience of setting up an independent research project with a focus on publicly engaged archaeology and storytelling within an initially hostile framework, and in a region where archaeology is highly professionalized. The article also illustrates how friction around a community-oriented project can arise between stakeholders as a result of the social dynamics of archaeology itself.Peer reviewe

Volume 3 – Conference

We are pleased to present the conference proceedings for the 12th edition of the International Fluid Power Conference (IFK). The IFK is one of the world’s most significant scientific conferences on fluid power control technology and systems. It offers a common platform for the presentation and discussion of trends and innovations to manufacturers, users and scientists. The Chair of Fluid-Mechatronic Systems at the TU Dresden is organizing and hosting the IFK for the sixth time. Supporting hosts are the Fluid Power Association of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), Dresdner Verein zur Förderung der Fluidtechnik e. V. (DVF) and GWT-TUD GmbH. The organization and the conference location alternates every two years between the Chair of Fluid-Mechatronic Systems in Dresden and the Institute for Fluid Power Drives and Systems in Aachen. The symposium on the first day is dedicated to presentations focused on methodology and fundamental research. The two following conference days offer a wide variety of application and technology orientated papers about the latest state of the art in fluid power. It is this combination that makes the IFK a unique and excellent forum for the exchange of academic research and industrial application experience. A simultaneously ongoing exhibition offers the possibility to get product information and to have individual talks with manufacturers. The theme of the 12th IFK is “Fluid Power – Future Technology”, covering topics that enable the development of 5G-ready, cost-efficient and demand-driven structures, as well as individual decentralized drives. Another topic is the real-time data exchange that allows the application of numerous predictive maintenance strategies, which will significantly increase the availability of fluid power systems and their elements and ensure their improved lifetime performance. We create an atmosphere for casual exchange by offering a vast frame and cultural program. This includes a get-together, a conference banquet, laboratory festivities and some physical activities such as jogging in Dresden’s old town.:Group 8: Pneumatics Group 9 | 11: Mobile applications Group 10: Special domains Group 12: Novel system architectures Group 13 | 15: Actuators & sensors Group 14: Safety & reliabilit