4 research outputs found
Robust adaptive tracking control for highly dynamic nanoprecision motion systems
This abstract focuses on the design and real-time implementation of advanced control strategies for motion systems with highly dynamic nanopositioning capabilities [1]. The key exemplar is the lifting and actuating unit (LAU), which integrates a pneumatic actuator for weight force compensation and a parallel electromagnetic drive to produce precision motion forces. Initial investigations cover the modeling and parametric identification of the overactuated nature of a single LAU [2]. This lifting module, integrated into a test bench, renders a 1D vertical motion system aimed to perform subnanometer positioning tasks while minimizing heat emission. To this end, we propose a control allocation strategy to assign (zero-mean) high-dynamic forces to the electromagnetic channel, producing a very low heat emission while the performance is fulfilled using an LQ-type controller plus an L1 adaptive augmentation [3]. This investigation closes with RMS positioning errors less than 0.25 nm and electrical currents less than 0.30 mA. Further investigations involve a 3D tilt-and-lift vertical motion system integrating three LAUs, each placed in each corner of a triangular payload. The key challenge of this configuration is to cope with the high cross-couplings between the degrees of freedom (DOF), i.e., vertical and rotational motion. The core of the decoupling task is the nominal LQG-type controller comprising disturbance-rejection-based observers aimed to fully compensate cross-couplings, while the L1 adaptive augmentation recovers the nominal performance in the presence of parametric uncertainties w.r.t. the input gain [4]. Given that the heat emission problem is fully solved for a single LAU (see [2] and [3]), we then focus on the performance and robustness of the 3D closed-loop system. Since full-state information of the cross-couplings is not simple to reconstruct, we adopt the output-feedback control architecture for the nominal controller and L1 adaptive augmentation [4]. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is verified via real-time experimentation rendering vertical RMS positioning errors of less than 0.25 nm and RMS rotational errors of less than 0.04 μrad while satisfying the heat emission constraint. The investigations conclude by exploring the outstanding performance/robustness trade-off of the L1 adaptive control theory for a nanometer planar positioning system with a travel range of ø200 mm (i.e., NPPS200) and the subsequent integration with the 3D vertical motion system, thereby transitioning to a full 6D system (i.e., NPPS200-6D) with 25 mmvertical stroke. Within this framework, the complexity of the controller design is higher because of the number of DOF, cross-couplings, external disturbances, and parametric perturbations. We completed our investigations through experimental validation with planar and vertical RMS positioning errors of less than 0.80 nm and RMS rotational errors of less than 0.05 μrad, as shown in Figure 1
Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey
Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020