Design optimisation of electromagnetic devices using continuum design sensitivity analysis combined with commercial EM software

This paper deals with two types of optimisation problems: optimised source distribution and the shape optimum design, using Continuum Design Sensitivity Analysis (CDSA) in combination with standard electromagnetic (EM) software. Fast convergence and compatibility with existing EM software are the distinctive features of the proposed implementation. In order to verify the advantages and also to facilitate understanding of the method itself, two design optimisation problems have been tested using both 2D and 3D models: the first is a MRI design problem related to finding an optimal permanent magnet distribution and the second is a pole shape design problem to reduce the cogging torque in a BLDC

The implications of the use of composite materials in electromagnetic device topology and shape optimization

The use of soft magnetic composites (SMCs) provides electromagnetic device designers with serious challenges. While such materials have the potential of allowing novel 3-D topologies to be used, as well as providing major advantages in recycling at the end of the lifetime of the device, little or no design experience exists in this area. This paper proposes the use of sensitivity based topology optimization as a methodology for assisting designers in this task

Design Optimisation of Electromagnetic Devices Using Continuum Design Sensitivity Analysis Combined with Commercial EM Software

This paper deals with two kinds of optimisation problems, relevant to the optimised source distribution and the shape optimum design, using Continuum Design Sensitivity Analysis (CDSA) in combination with standard electromagnetic (EM) software. Fast convergence and compatibility with existing EM software are the distinctive features of the proposed implementation. In order to verify the advantages and also to facilitate understanding of the method itself, two design optimisation problems have been tested: one is an MRI design problem related to finding an optimal permanent magnet distribution and the other is a pole shape design problem of a BLDC motor for reducing cogging torque, using both 2D and 3D models

Robust optimization utilizing the second-order design sensitivity information

This paper presents an effective methodology for robust optimization of electromagnetic devices. To achieve the goal, the method improves the robustness of the minimum of the objective function chosen as a design solution by minimizing the second-order sensitivity information, called a gradient index (GI) and defined by a function of gradients of performance functions with respect to uncertain variables. The constraint feasibility is also enhanced by adding a GI corresponding to the constraint value. The distinctive feature of the method is that it requires neither statistical information on design variables nor calculation of the performance reliability during the robust optimization process. The validity of the proposed method is tested with the TEAM Workshop Problem 2

Large-scale discovery of novel genetic causes of developmental disorders

Despite three decades of successful, predominantly phenotype-driven discovery of the genetic causes of monogenic disorders1, up to half of children with severe developmental disorders of probable genetic origin remain without a genetic diagnosis. Particularly challenging are those disorders rare enough to have eluded recognition as a discrete clinical entity, those with highly variable clinical manifestations, and those that are difficult to distinguish from other, very similar, disorders. Here we demonstrate the power of using an unbiased genotype-driven approach2 to identify subsets of patients with similar disorders. By studying 1,133 children with severe, undiagnosed developmental disorders, and their parents, using a combination of exome sequencing3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and array-based detection of chromosomal rearrangements, we discovered 12 novel genes associated with developmental disorders. These newly implicated genes increase by 10% (from 28% to 31%) the proportion of children that could be diagnosed. Clustering of missense mutations in six of these newly implicated genes suggests that normal development is being perturbed by an activating or dominant-negative mechanism. Our findings demonstrate the value of adopting a comprehensive strategy, both genome-wide and nationwide, to elucidate the underlying causes of rare genetic disorders

Smooth boundary topology optimisation applied to an electrostatic actuator

Smooth boundary topology optimisation in conjunction with the continuum design sensitivity analysis avoids many of the problems encountered by conventional cell-based systems coupled with material homogenisation or the density method. Shape optimisation becomes part of topology optimisation. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through the design of an electrostatic MEMS actuator to generate maximum torque for a predefined maximum size (area)