On the active deformations of hybrid specimens

Purpose – The purpose of this study concerns numerical studies and experimental validation of the mechanical behavior of hybrid specimens. These kinds of composite specimens are made up of thin carbon and glass substrates on which some Macro Fiber Composite ® (MFC) piezoelectric patches are glued. A proper design and manufacturing of the hybrid specimens as well as testing activities have been performed. The research activity has been carried out under the FutureWings project, funded by the European Commission within the 7th Framework. Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the basic assumptions made to define specimen geometries and to carry out experimental tests. Finite element (FE) results and experimental data (laser technique measurements) have been compared: it shows very good agreement for the displacements’ distribution along the specimens. Findings – Within the objectives of the project, the study of passive and active deformation characteristics of the hybrid composite material has provided reference technical data and has allowed for the correct adaptation of the FE models. More in particular, using the hybrid specimens, both the bending deformations and the torsion deformations have been studied. Practical implications – The deformation capability of the hybrid specimens will be used in the development of prototypical three-dimensional structures, that, through the electrical control of the MFC patches, will be able to change the curvature of their cross section or will be able to change the angle of torsion along their longitudinal axis. Originality/value – The design of nonstandard specimens and the tests executed represent a novelty in the field of structures using piezoelectric actuators. The numerical and experimental data of the present research constitute a small step forward in the field of smart materials technology

Introducing a moodle LMS in higher education: the e-Courses experience in Ticino (Switzerland)

The University of Lugano (USI) and the University of Applied Sciences of Italian Switzerland (SUPSI) adopted in May 2004 a Moodle LMS as a support for their educational activities. This article describes how the eLearning platform was chosen, installed, integrated into the different existing universities’ systems, customized and enhanced according to both institutions’ needs. It shows also how the new platform (e-Courses) was then communicated and promoted among the faculty members of USI and SUPSI, and how its impact on the learning activities of the two institutions was evaluated through an online questionnaire, which showed high satisfaction levels with e-Courses

Numerical study of a morphing wing activated by means of piezoelectric patches

The purpose of this thesis is to simulate the aileron maneuver of the reference wing using the piezoelectric material (MFC).The first part of the work talk about the experimental test of the torsion and bending specimens and the comparison of it with the FEM analyses (ANSYS). This specimens are manufactured in Dresden by SMG with a two different composite materials and in the both external surface are glued the piezoelectric material. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the displacement of the specimens under the voltage loads and calibrate the FEM model with the real model. In the document the FSI analysis of the NACA 0012 airfoil has been shown. These analyses have been used to realize the experimental wing section (FW-UNIT), it builts in Dresden by the partener SMG. The piezoelectric material has been glued on the nose and on the tail, in this way it was possible modificated the curvature of the airfoil. Afterwards the two dimensional FSI (Fluid Structure Interation) analyses have been done. The aileron-wing section model and the piezo wing one have been generated by ANSYS. Also in this case the piezoelectric materials have been bonded on the nose and on the tail. The results summarize the mechanical behavior of the wing section (the geometry of morphed section related to control parameters) and the aerodynamic performance (drag polar curves of the wing section for different level of voltages control and different altitudes and Mach numbers). The case analyzed refers to a reference wing based on the geometry of the assumed reference aircraft (the aircraft of the Piaggio Company that is the P180). The study is fully with a three-dimensional even if only half wing models have been analyzed. The results of this comparison reveals the the present technology shows good chances for future industrial implementation in the aerospace field

Evaluation of force and torque magnitude discrimination thresholds on the human hand-arm system

This article reports on experiments about haptic perception aimed at measuring the force/torque differential thresholds applied to the hand-arm system. The experimental work analyzes how force is sent back to the user by means of a 6 degrees-of-freedom haptic device. Our findings on force perception indicate that the just-noticeable-difference is generally higher than previously reported in the literature and not constant along the stimulus continuum. We found evidence that the thresholds change also among the different directions. Furthermore, asymmetries in force perceptions, which were not described in previous reports, can be evinced for most of the directions. These findings support our claim that human beings perceive forces differently along different directions, thus suggesting that perception can also be enhanced by suitable signal processing, that is, with a manipulation of the force signal before it reaches the haptic device. We think that the improvement of the user perception can have a great impact in many applications and in particular we are focusing on surgical teleoperation scenarios

Due decadi di tecnologie digitali in educazione.

Alla luce della forte pervasività sociale e culturale, nelle società contemporanee, di tutte quelle tecnologie chiamate dell’informazione e della comunicazione, contraddistinte appunto dalla dimensione digitale, l’articolo si propone di fare una sintesi informata sul tema delle tecnologie digitali in educazione e formazione. Tale sintesi scaturisce da un campione di 25 articoli rilevanti ed evidenzia tre grandi aree tematiche che hanno contraddistinto il tema delle tecnologie digitali in ambito educativo e formativo: l’uso di risorse digitali all’interno delle pratiche di insegnamento e apprendimento, l’uso adeguato delle tecnologie digitali, anche al di fuori dei contesti formativi ed educativi, e la formazione del corpo docenti alle tecnologie digitali e soprattutto al loro utilizzo a fini didattici e pedagogici. Tale sintesi rappresenta un’opportunità privilegiata per evidenziare ciò che la rivista ha contribuito a diffondere in tale ambito dal punto di vista scientifico. L’articolo, grazie anche ad uno sguardo attuale sugli sviluppi della ricerca sulle tecnologie in educazione, permette così di delineare gli orientamenti passati e recenti, così come le problematiche e le criticità attuali che contraddistinguono questo ambito importante e in continua evoluzione

Two decades of digital technologies in education. A look through 20 years of the Swiss Journal of Educational Science

Alla luce della forte pervasività sociale e culturale, nelle società contemporanee, di tutte quelle tecnologie chiamate dell’informazione e della comunicazione, contraddistinte appunto dalla dimensione digitale, l’articolo si propone di fare una sintesi informata sul tema delle tecnologie digitali in educazione e formazione. Tale sintesi scaturisce da un campione di 25 articoli rilevanti ed evidenzia tre grandi aree tematiche che hanno contraddistinto il tema delle tecnologie digitali in ambito educativo e formativo: l’uso di risorse digitali all’interno delle pratiche di insegnamento e apprendimento, l’uso adeguato delle tecnologie digitali, anche al di fuori dei contesti formativi ed educativi, e la formazione del corpo docenti alle tecnologie digitali e soprattutto al loro utilizzo a fini didattici e pedagogici. Tale sintesi rappresenta un’opportunità privilegiata per evidenziare ciò che la rivista ha contribuito a diffondere in tale ambito dal punto di vista scientifico. L’articolo, grazie anche ad uno sguardo attuale sugli sviluppi della ricerca sulle tecnologie in educazione, permette così di delineare gli orientamenti passati e recenti, così come le problematiche e le criticità attuali che contraddistinguono questo ambito importante e in continua evoluzione. (DIPF/Orig.)In light of the strong social and cultural pervasiveness, in contemporary societies, of technologies called “information and communication technologies”, which are characterized by the digital dimension, the article aims to make an informed synthesis on the theme of digital technologies in education and training. This synthesis comes from a sample of 25 relevant articles and highlights three major thematic areas that have distinguished the theme of digital technologies in education and training: the use of digital resources within teaching and learning practices, the appropriate use of digital technologies, even outside the educational and educational contexts, and the training of the teaching staff to digital technologies and especially their use for educational and pedagogical purposes. This synthesis represents a privileged opportunity to highlight what the journal has contributed to spread in this field from a scientific point of view. The article, through a current look at the developments of research on technologies in education, thus allows to outline past and recent orientations, as well as current problems and issues that characterize this important and constantly evolving field. (DIPF/Orig.

The Role of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) on Cognitive Functions in Psychiatric Disorders

Cognitive impairment is strongly associated with functional outcomes in psychiatric patients. Involvement of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LC-PUFA), in particular docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in brain functions is largely documented. DHA is incorporated into membrane phospholipids as structural component, especially in the central nervous system where it also has important functional effects. The aim of this review is to investigate the relationship between DHA and cognitive function in relation to mental disorders. Results from few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of DHA (alone or in combination) in psychotic, mood and neurodevelopmental disorders, respectively, suggest that no conclusive remarks can be drawn