The challenge of brain complexity: A brief discussion about a fractal intermittency-based approach

In the last years, the complexity paradigm is gaining momentum in many research fields where large multidimensional datasets are made available by the advancements in instrumental technology. A complex system is a multi-component system with a large number of units characterized by cooperative behavior and, consequently, emergence of well-defined self-organized structures, such as communities in a complex network. The self-organizing behavior of the brain neural network is probably the most important prototype of complexity and is studied by means of physiological signals such as the ElectroEncephaloGram (EEG). Physiological signals are typically intermittent, i.e., display non-smooth rapid variations or crucial events (e.g., cusps or abrupt jumps) that occur randomly in time, or whose frequency changes randomly. In this work, we introduce a complexity-based approach to the analysis and modeling of physiological data that is focused on the characterization of intermittent events. Recent findings about self-similar or fractal intermittency in human EEG are reviewed. The definition of brain event is a crucial aspect of this approach that is discussed in the last part of the paper, where we also propose and discuss a first version of a general-purpose event detection algorithm for EEG signal

Turn-turn short circuit fault management in permanent magnet machines

This paper presents a systematic study on turn-turn short circuit fault and ways to manage them to provide a basis for comparison of the various options available. The possible methods to reduce the likelihood of the winding SC fault and the fault mitigation techniques related to such faults are discussed. A Finite Element (FE) analysis of a surface-mount Permanent Magnet (PM) machine under application of different mitigation techniques during a turn-turn fault is presented. Both machine and drive structural adaptations for different fault mitigation techniques are addressed. Amongst the investigated fault mitigation techniques, the most promising solution is identified and validated experimentally. It is shown that the shorting terminal method adopting vertical winding arrangement is an effective method in terms of the implementation, reliability and weight

Performance assessment of triple redundant nine-phase delta- and wye-connected permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motor under healthy and fault conditions

In this study, the performance of a triple redundant nine-phase permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motor with delta-connected windings is comprehensively assessed and compared with that of wye-connected winding under healthy and fault conditions, including open circuit, inter-turn short-circuit and terminal short circuit. The steady-state torque behaviour, loss, efficiency and temperature distribution of the two winding configurations are analysed and compared. It is shown that the delta-connected winding has higher output torque under one phase open-circuit fault and lower inter-turn short-circuit current with three-phase terminal short circuit

Faulty Operations of a PM Fractional-Slot Motor with a Dual Three-Phase Winding

none3Abstract—The permanent-magnet (PM) machine with dual three-phase windings is proposed for applications requiring con- tinuous operating even under a partial fault. The two windings are supplied by two separate inverters. Thus, in the event of a fault of one winding, this is disconnected, and the machine continues to be operated by means of the healthy winding. This paper investigates the PM machine with dual three-phase windings and its capabil- ities during faulty operating conditions. A fractional-slot interior PM machine with 12 slots and 10 poles is taken into account. Its performance is investigated according to different winding config- urations. The torque behavior, overload capability, and thermal limits are evaluated under open-circuit and short-circuit faults. A finite-element analysis as well as experimental tests is carried out on a prototype of such a machine.noneM. Barcaro;N. Bianchi;F. MagnussenBarcaro, Massimo; Bianchi, Nicola; F., Magnusse

Flux-weakening operation of open-end winding drive integrating a cost effective high-power charger

In this paper, a three-phase drive with a six-leg Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) and an open-end winding Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (IPMSM) designed for the traction of an electric vehicle is studied in flux-weakening operation. The topology allows the functionality of a high power charger to be obtained, without adding any other supplementary power devices. On the other hand, since there are three independent currents, the control structure has to handle not only the two dq current components but also a zero-sequence current. If neglected, in comparison with wye-coupled three-phase drive, this zero-sequence component can cause a higher maximum peak value of the phase currents, additional stator Joule losses, torque ripple, inverter voltage saturation and IGBT oversizing. The proposed control strategy consists in adapting a conventional method used for wye-connected machines particularly in flux-weakening operation. This strategy allows the closed-loop control of the zero-sequence current to be maintained in the whole speed range and therefore inverter saturation is avoided. Simulations and experimental results are presented and analyzed.FUI SOFRAC

Alloying effects on the optical properties of Ag-Au nanoclusters from TDDFT calculations

The optical properties of alloyed AgAu 147-atom cuboctahedral nanoclusters are theoretically investigated as a function of composition and chemical ordering via a time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) approach. Compositions 3763%, 4654%, and 6337%, in AgAu, and three types of chemical ordering, coreshell, multishell and maximum mixing, are considered. Additionally, the optical spectra of pure Ag clusters with several structural motifs are also studied. It is found that (a) pure Ag clusters exhibit a neater dependence of the absorption peak on the shape of the cluster than Au clusters, (b) the absorption spectrum of alloyed clusters is not strongly affected by changes in chemical ordering, possibly because of their limited size, and (c) the optical absorption peak smoothly shifts to higher energies, gets narrower, and substantially gains in intensity by increasing Ag concentration, in excellent agreement with available experimental data. An analysis of the character of the electronic transitions mostly contributing to the absorption peak allows us to rationalize the notable difference between Ag and Au in terms of optical properties and the effect of alloying