Observation-Based Data Driven Adaptive Control of an Electromechanical Device

The model-based approach in control engineering works well when a reliable plant model is available. However, in practice, reliable models seldom exist: instead, typical “levels” of limited reliability occur. For instance, Computed Torque Control (CTC) in robotics assumes almost perfect models. The Adaptive Inverse Dynamics Controller (AIDC) and the Slotine Li Adaptive Robot Controller (SLARC) assume absolutely correct analytical model form, and only allows imprecise knowledge regarding the actual values of the model parameters. Neglecting the effects of dynamically coupled subsystems, and allowing the action of unknown external disturbances means a higher level of corrupted model reliability. Friction-related problems are typical examples of this case. In the traditional control literature, such problems are tackled by either drastic “robust” or rather intricate “adaptive” solutions, both designed by the use of Lyapunov’s 2 nd method that is a complicated technique requiring advanced mathematical skills from the designer. As an alternative design methodology, the use of Robust Fixed Point Transformations (RFPT) was suggested, which concentrates on guaranteeing the prescribed details of tracking error relaxation via generation of iterative control signal sequences that converge on the basis of Banach’s Fixed Point Theorem . This approach is essentially based on the fresh data collected by observing the behavior of the controlled systems, rather than in the case of the traditional ones. For the first time, this technique is applied for order reduction in the adaptive control of a strongly nonlinear plant with significant model imprecisions: the control of a DC motor driven arm in dynamic interaction with a nonlinear environment is demonstrated via numerical simulations

Wide-Area Measurement-Driven Approaches for Power System Modeling and Analytics

This dissertation presents wide-area measurement-driven approaches for power system modeling and analytics. Accurate power system dynamic models are the very basis of power system analysis, control, and operation. Meanwhile, phasor measurement data provide first-hand knowledge of power system dynamic behaviors. The idea of building out innovative applications with synchrophasor data is promising. Taking advantage of the real-time wide-area measurements, one of phasor measurements’ novel applications is to develop a synchrophasor-based auto-regressive with exogenous inputs (ARX) model that can be updated online to estimate or predict system dynamic responses. Furthermore, since auto-regressive models are in a big family, the ARX model can be modified as other models for various purposes. A multi-input multi-output (MIMO) auto-regressive moving average with exogenous inputs (ARMAX) model is introduced to identify a low-order transfer function model of power systems for adaptive and coordinated damping control. With the increasing availability of wide-area measurements and the rapid development of system identification techniques, it is possible to identify an online measurement-based transfer function model that can be used to tune the oscillation damping controller. A demonstration on hardware testbed may illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive and coordinated damping controller. In fact, measurement-driven approaches for power system modeling and analytics are also attractive to the power industry since a huge number of monitoring devices are deployed in substations and power plants. However, most current systems for collecting and monitoring data are isolated, thereby obstructing the integration of the various data into a holistic model. To improve the capability of utilizing big data and leverage wide-area measurement-driven approaches in the power industry, this dissertation also describes a comprehensive solution through building out an enterprise-level data platform based on the PI system to support data-driven applications and analytics. One of the applications is to identify transmission-line parameters using PMU data. The identification can obtain more accurate parameters than the current parameters in PSS®E and EMS after verifying the calculation results in EMS state estimation. In addition, based on temperature information from online asset monitoring, the impact of temperature change can be observed by the variance of transmission-line resistance

Neuroplastic Changes Following Brain Ischemia and their Contribution to Stroke Recovery: Novel Approaches in Neurorehabilitation

Ischemic damage to the brain triggers substantial reorganization of spared areas and pathways, which is associated with limited, spontaneous restoration of function. A better understanding of this plastic remodeling is crucial to develop more effective strategies for stroke rehabilitation. In this review article, we discuss advances in the comprehension of post-stroke network reorganization in patients and animal models. We first focus on rodent studies that have shed light on the mechanisms underlying neuronal remodeling in the perilesional area and contralesional hemisphere after motor cortex infarcts. Analysis of electrophysiological data has demonstrated brain-wide alterations in functional connectivity in both hemispheres, well beyond the infarcted area. We then illustrate the potential use of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques to boost recovery. We finally discuss rehabilitative protocols based on robotic devices as a tool to promote endogenous plasticity and functional restoration

Controller-observer design and dynamic parameter identification for model-based control of an electromechanical lower-limb rehabilitation system

[EN] Rehabilitation is a hazardous task for a mechanical system, since the device has to interact with the human extremities without the hands-on experience the physiotherapist acquires over time. A gap needs to be filled in terms of designing effective controllers for this type of devices. In this respect, the paper describes the design of a model-based control for an electromechanical lower-limb rehabilitation system based on a parallel kinematic mechanism. A controller-observer was designed for estimating joint velocities, which are then used in a hybrid position/force control scheme. The model parameters are identified by customising an approach based on identifying only the relevant system dynamics parameters. Findings obtained through simulations show evidence of improvement in tracking performance compared with those where the velocity was estimated by numerical differentiation. The controller is also implemented in an actual electromechanical system for lower-limb rehabilitation tasks. Findings based on rehabilitation tasks confirm the findings from simulations.This work was partially financed by the Plan Nacional de I+D, Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia (FEDERCICYT) under the project DPI2013-44227-R and by the Instituto U. de Automatica e Informatica Industrial (ai2) of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Valera Fernández, Á.; Díaz-Rodríguez, M.; Vallés Miquel, M.; Oliver, E.; Mata Amela, V.; Page Del Pozo, AF. (2017). Controller-observer design and dynamic parameter identification for model-based control of an electromechanical lower-limb rehabilitation system. International Journal of Control. 90(4):702-714. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207179.2016.1215529S702714904Åström, K. J., & Murray, R. M. (2010). Feedback Systems. doi:10.2307/j.ctvcm4gdkAtkeson, C. G., An, C. H., & Hollerbach, J. M. (1986). 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Electrotunable liquid sulfur microdroplets.

Manipulating liquids with tunable shape and optical functionalities in real time is important for electroactive flow devices and optoelectronic devices, but remains a great challenge. Here, we demonstrate electrotunable liquid sulfur microdroplets in an electrochemical cell. We observe electrowetting and merging of sulfur droplets under different potentiostatic conditions, and successfully control these processes via selective design of sulfiphilic/sulfiphobic substrates. Moreover, we employ the electrowetting phenomena to create a microlens based on the liquid sulfur microdroplets and tune its characteristics in real time through changing the shape of the liquid microdroplets in a fast, repeatable, and controlled manner. These studies demonstrate a powerful in situ optical battery platform for unraveling the complex reaction mechanism of sulfur chemistries and for exploring the rich material properties of the liquid sulfur, which shed light on the applications of liquid sulfur droplets in devices such as microlenses, and potentially other electrotunable and optoelectronic devices

Abordagem baseada em ISHM para detecção de falha em uma máquina rotativa com eixo de material compósito

FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas GeraisTrabalho de Conclusão de Curso (Graduação)Composite shafts have been showing promising results when applied to rotating machines due to its low weight/strength ratio and good fatigue resistance. Despite the advantages in comparison to more traditional materials, composites present different types of damage that are difficult to detect. Therefore, it is necessary to use monitoring techniques to detect incipient damages and prevent failure. So, this work evaluates the structural health monitoring method based on electromechanical impedance (ISHM) applied in a rotating machine with a composite shaft. This methodology uses the piezoelectric transducers bonded to the host structure as sensor and actuator to detect damage by monitoring changes in its electric impedance. Usually, the evaluation of the impedance responses is performed by applying damage metrics, which allows the quantification of the influence of damage. This is possible since the sensor’s electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance of the structure. For this investigation, two sensors (each one with four piezoelectric patches connected in parallel) were attached to the composite shaft. To simulate the damage condition, a nut was attached in different positions on the shaft. Also, in order to increase the robustness of the ISHM technique, the effects of the rotation speed of the rotor and temperature variation were evaluated. Additionally, a data normalization based on a hybrid optimization method associated with a given damage metric is used to minimize these influences

Event Driven Tactile Sensors for Artificial Devices

Present-day robots are, to some extent, able to deal with high complexity and variability of the real-world environment. Their cognitive capabilities can be further enhanced, if they physically interact and explore the real-world objects. For this, the need for efficient tactile sensors is growing day after day in such a way are becoming more and more part of daily life devices especially in robotic applications for manipulation and safe interaction with the environment. In this thesis, we highlight the importance of touch sensing in humans and robots. Inspired by the biological systems, in the the first part, we merge between neuromorphic engineering and CMOS technology where the former is a eld of science that replicates what is biologically (neurons of the nervous system) inside humans into the circuit level. We explain the operation and then characterize different sensor circuits through simulation and experiment to propose finally new prototypes based on the achieved results. In the second part, we present a machine learning technique for detecting the direction and orientation of a sliding tip over a complete skin patch of the iCub robot. Through learning and online testing, the algorithm classies different trajectories across the skin patch. Through this part, we show the results of the considered algorithm with a future perspective to extend the work