Analysis and design of a capsule landing system and surface vehicle control system for Mars exploration

Problems related to the design and control of a mobile planetary vehicle to implement a systematic plan for the exploration of Mars are reported. Problem areas include: vehicle configuration, control, dynamics, systems and propulsion; systems analysis, terrain modeling and path selection; and chemical analysis of specimens. These tasks are summarized: vehicle model design, mathematical model of vehicle dynamics, experimental vehicle dynamics, obstacle negotiation, electrochemical controls, remote control, collapsibility and deployment, construction of a wheel tester, wheel analysis, payload design, system design optimization, effect of design assumptions, accessory optimal design, on-board computer subsystem, laser range measurement, discrete obstacle detection, obstacle detection systems, terrain modeling, path selection system simulation and evaluation, gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system concepts, and chromatograph model evaluation and improvement

New Approach of Indoor and Outdoor Localization Systems

Accurate determination of the mobile position constitutes the basis of many new applications. This book provides a detailed account of wireless systems for positioning, signal processing, radio localization techniques (Time Difference Of Arrival), performances evaluation, and localization applications. The first section is dedicated to Satellite systems for positioning like GPS, GNSS. The second section addresses the localization applications using the wireless sensor networks. Some techniques are introduced for localization systems, especially for indoor positioning, such as Ultra Wide Band (UWB), WIFI. The last section is dedicated to Coupled GPS and other sensors. Some results of simulations, implementation and tests are given to help readers grasp the presented techniques. This is an ideal book for students, PhD students, academics and engineers in the field of Communication, localization & Signal Processing, especially in indoor and outdoor localization domains

Modeling, Analysis, and Optimization Issues for Large Space Structures

Topics concerning the modeling, analysis, and optimization of large space structures are discussed including structure-control interaction, structural and structural dynamics modeling, thermal analysis, testing, and design

SMARTI - Sustainable Multi-functional Automated Resilient Transport Infrastructure

The world’s transport network has developed over thousands of years; emerging from the need of allowing more comfortable trips to roman soldiers to the modern smooth roads enabling modern vehicles to travel at high speed and to allow heavy airplanes to take off and land safely. However, in the last two decades the world is changing very fast in terms of population growth, mobility and business trades creating greater traffic volumes and demand for minimal disruption to users, but also challenges, such as climate change and more extreme weather events. At the same time, technology development to allow a more sustainable transport sector continue apace. It is within this environment and in close consultation with key stakeholders, that this consortium developed the vision to achieve the paradigm shift to Sustainable Multifunctional Automated and Resilient Transport Infrastructures. SMARTI ETN is a training-through-research programme that empowered Europe by forming a new generation of multi-disciplinary professionals able to conceive the future of transport infrastructures and this Special Issue is a collection of some of the scientific work carried out within this context. Enjoy the read

Single-molecule tracking and its application in biomolecular binding detection

In the past two decades significant advances have been made in single-molecule detection, which enables the direct observation of single biomolecules at work in real time under physiological conditions. In particular, the development of single-molecule tracking (SMT) microscopy allows us to monitor the motion paths of individual biomolecules in living systems, unveiling the localization dynamics and transport modalities of the biomolecules that support the development of life. While 3D-SMT is probably the most suitable method for determining whether tracked molecules (can be any biomolecule such as DNA, membrane receptors, and transcription factors) form dimers or complexes with other molecules, great technical challenges remain to be overcome before the potential of 3D-SMT in biomolecular binding detection can be realized. This dissertation describes my work on recent methodology development to overcome these challenges, and new applications of the 3D-SMT technology in rare molecular species quantification. First, we provide an overview of current SMT technologies, with an emphasis on three-dimensional feedback controlled SMT. Advantages and drawbacks of each SMT method are outlined. Second, we describe the theoretical modeling and instrumentation of our confocal tracking microscope. Its multi-dimensional sensing capability (3D position, diffusion coefficient, fluorescence lifetime) is experimentally characterized. In order to maximize the tracking duration, we have also developed strategies to effectively slow-down fast diffusing molecule, and optimized the buffer conditions. Third, we show that our 3D-SMT microscope can detect biomolecular association/disassociated by two types of contrast mechanisms: diffusion rate and lifetime FRET signal. DNA transient binding is used as a model system because of ease of fluorescent labeling and tunable binding kinetics. Both of the two mechanisms involve tracking a fluorescent-labeled single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), but the second approach also requires its complementary strand to be labeled by a dark quencher. A combined analysis of multiple single-molecule trajectories allow us to measure the kinetics that is even beyond the physical bandwidth of the tracking system. In the end, we introduce the application of SMT in rare single-molecule species quantification. The theory for predicting the sensitivity and fidelity is established. Our work highlights the fundamental limitations that we are facing in precise single-molecule identification and quantification without amplification.Biomedical Engineerin

Third International Conference on Inverse Design Concepts and Optimization in Engineering Sciences (ICIDES-3)

Papers from the Third International Conference on Inverse Design Concepts and Optimization in Engineering Sciences (ICIDES) are presented. The papers discuss current research in the general field of inverse, semi-inverse, and direct design and optimization in engineering sciences. The rapid growth of this relatively new field is due to the availability of faster and larger computing machines