56,720 research outputs found
Morphological properties of mass-spring networks for optimal locomotion learning
Robots have proven very useful in automating industrial processes. Their rigid components and powerful actuators, however, render them unsafe or unfit to work in normal human environments such as schools or hospitals. Robots made of compliant, softer materials may offer a valid alternative. Yet, the dynamics of these compliant robots are much more complicated compared to normal rigid robots of which all components can be accurately controlled. It is often claimed that, by using the concept of morphological computation, the dynamical complexity can become a strength. On the one hand, the use of flexible materials can lead to higher power efficiency and more fluent and robust motions. On the other hand, using embodiment in a closed-loop controller, part of the control task itself can be outsourced to the body dynamics. This can significantly simplify the additional resources required for locomotion control. To this goal, a first step consists in an exploration of the trade-offs between morphology, efficiency of locomotion, and the ability of a mechanical body to serve as a computational resource. In this work, we use a detailed dynamical model of a Mass–Spring–Damper (MSD) network to study these trade-offs. We first investigate the influence of the network size and compliance on locomotion quality and energy efficiency by optimizing an external open-loop controller using evolutionary algorithms. We find that larger networks can lead to more stable gaits and that the system’s optimal compliance to maximize the traveled distance is directly linked to the desired frequency of locomotion. In the last set of experiments, the suitability of MSD bodies for being used in a closed loop is also investigated. Since maximally efficient actuator signals are clearly related to the natural body dynamics, in a sense, the body is tailored for the task of contributing to its own control. Using the same simulation platform, we therefore study how the network states can be successfully used to create a feedback signal and how its accuracy is linked to the body size
Momentum Control with Hierarchical Inverse Dynamics on a Torque-Controlled Humanoid
Hierarchical inverse dynamics based on cascades of quadratic programs have
been proposed for the control of legged robots. They have important benefits
but to the best of our knowledge have never been implemented on a torque
controlled humanoid where model inaccuracies, sensor noise and real-time
computation requirements can be problematic. Using a reformulation of existing
algorithms, we propose a simplification of the problem that allows to achieve
real-time control. Momentum-based control is integrated in the task hierarchy
and a LQR design approach is used to compute the desired associated closed-loop
behavior and improve performance. Extensive experiments on various balancing
and tracking tasks show very robust performance in the face of unknown
disturbances, even when the humanoid is standing on one foot. Our results
demonstrate that hierarchical inverse dynamics together with momentum control
can be efficiently used for feedback control under real robot conditions.Comment: 21 pages, 11 figures, 4 tables in Autonomous Robots (2015
Dynamics of Diblock Copolymers in Dilute Solutions
We consider the dynamics of freely translating and rotating diblock (A-B),
Gaussian copolymers, in dilute solutions. Using the multiple scattering
technique, we have computed the diffusion and the friction coefficients D_AB
and Zeta_AB, and the change Eta_AB in the viscosity of the solution as
functions of x = N_A/N and t = l_B/l_A, where N_A, N are the number of segments
of the A block and of the whole copolymer, respectively, and l_A, l_B are the
Kuhn lengths of the A and B blocks. Specific regimes that maximize the
efficiency of separation of copolymers with distinct "t" values, have been
identified.Comment: 20 pages Revtex, 7 eps figures, needs epsf.tex and amssymb.sty,
submitted to Macromolecule
Flood propagation modelling with the Local Inertia Approximation: theoretical and numerical analysis of its physical limitations
Attention of the researchers has increased towards a simplification of the
complete Shallow water Equations called the Local Inertia Approximation (LInA),
which is obtained by neglecting the advection term in the momentum conservation
equation. In the present paper it is demonstrated that a shock is always
developed at moving wetting-drying frontiers, and this justifies the study of
the Riemann problem on even and uneven beds. In particular, the general exact
solution for the Riemann problem on horizontal frictionless bed is given,
together with the exact solution of the non-breaking wave propagating on
horizontal bed with friction, while some example solution is given for the
Riemann problem on discontinuous bed. From this analysis, it follows that
drying of the wet bed is forbidden in the LInA model, and that there are
initial conditions for which the Riemann problem has no solution on smoothly
varying bed. In addition, propagation of the flood on discontinuous sloping bed
is impossible if the bed drops height have the same order of magnitude of the
moving-frontier shock height. Finally, it is found that the conservation of the
mechanical energy is violated. It is evident that all these findings pose a
severe limit to the application of the model. The numerical analysis has proven
that LInA numerical models may produce numerical solutions, which are
unreliable because of mere algorithmic nature, also in the case that the LInA
mathematical solutions do not exist. The applicability limits of the LInA model
are discouragingly severe, even if the bed elevation varies continuously. More
important, the non-existence of the LInA solution in the case of discontinuous
topography and the non-existence of receding fronts radically question the
viability of the LInA model in realistic cases. It is evident that classic SWE
models should be preferred in the majority of the practical applications
Quantum System under Periodic Perturbation: Effect of Environment
In many physical situations the behavior of a quantum system is affected by
interaction with a larger environment. We develop, using the method of
influence functional, how to deduce the density matrix of the quantum system
incorporating the effect of environment. After introducing characterization of
the environment by spectral weight, we first devise schemes to approximate the
spectral weight, and then a perturbation method in field theory models, in
order to approximately describe the environment. All of these approximate
models may be classified as extended Ohmic models of dissipation whose
differences are in the high frequency part.
The quantum system we deal with in the present work is a general class of
harmonic oscillators with arbitrary time dependent frequency. The late time
behavior of the system is well described by an approximation that employs a
localized friction in the dissipative part of the correlation function
appearing in the influence functional. The density matrix of the quantum system
is then determined in terms of a single classical solution obtained with the
time dependent frequency. With this one can compute the entropy, the energy
distribution function, and other physical quantities of the system in a closed
form.
Specific application is made to the case of periodically varying frequency.
This dynamical system has a remarkable property when the environmental
interaction is switched off: Effect of the parametric resonance gives rise to
an exponential growth of the populated number in higher excitation levels, or
particle production in field theory models. The effect of the environment is
investigated for this dynamical system and it is demonstrated that there existsComment: 55 pages, LATEX file plus 13 PS figures. A few calculational
mistatkes and corresponding figure 1 in field theory model corrected and some
changes made for publication in Phys. Rev.D (in press
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