High-order volterra model predictive control and its application to a nonlinear polymerisation process

Model Predictive Control (MPC) has recently found wide acceptance in the process industry, but the existing design and implementation methods are restricted to linear process models. A chemical process involves, however, severe nonlinearity which cannot be ignored in practice. This paper aims to solve this nonlinear control problem by extending MPC to nonlinear models. It develops an analytical framework for nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC), and also offers a third-order Volterra series based nonparametric nonlinear modelling technique for NMPC design which relieves practising engineers from the need for first deriving a physical-principles based model. An on-line realisation technique for implementing the NMPC is also developed. The NMPC is then applied to a Mitsubishi Chemicals polymerisation reaction process. The results show that this nonlinear MPC technique is feasible and very effective. It considerably outperforms linear and low-order Volterra model based methods. The advantages of the approach developed lie not only in control performance superior to existing NMPC methods, but also in relieving practising engineers from the need for deriving an analytical model and then converting it to a Volterra model through which the model can only be obtained up to the second order

A hybrid adaptive control strategy for a smart prosthetic hand

This paper presents a hybrid of a soft computing technique of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and a hard computing technique of adaptive control for a two- dimensional movement of a prosthetic hand with a thumb and index finger. In articular, ANFIS is used for inverse kinematics, and the adaptive control is used for linearized dynamics to minimize tracking error. The simulations of this hybrid controller, when compared with the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller showed enhanced performance. Work is in progress to extend this methodology to a five-fingered, three-dimensional prosthetic hand.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Innovation dynamics and endogenous market structure: econometric results from aggregated survey data

This paper examines empirically the relationship between innovation and market structure within a simultaneous framework at the industry level of aggregation. We use a model in which R&D affects both, demand and cost conditions. An optimization process leads to optimal industry R&D expenditure and market structure in a symmetric equilibrium. The model is applied to a newly constructed panel for Germany. Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation techniques for dynamic panel data systems are used to estimate the parameters of interest. We found a positive long?run effect of R&D on markets? sales concentration. In contrast, competition enforces innovation, i.e. sales concentration has a negative impact on R&D. --innovation,R&D,market structure,panel data,dynamic models,applied econometrics

Preparing for the European Structural Funds' next funding period

Chapter 1 addresses central challenges (population and employment developments, innovative capacity) and highlights, in the view of the evaluators, the problem areas for the new funding period. This is followed, in Chapter 2, by an overview of the current funding period and an excursive outline of the adjustments still being recommended for the current funding programme. Chapter 3, which forms the core focus of this paper, discusses the recommendations proposed by evaluators on the cross-national direction of European structural funding from 2007 onwards. Chapter 4 provides the Conclusion for this discussion paper. --

Inshore Commercial Fisheries in the Service Economy : Session 1 Small-Scale Fisheries Research - towards sustainable fisheries using a multi-entry perspective

The study frames a traditional industry in transition with the aim to understand the ways in which a work-identity is formed in the service economy along the west coast of Sweden. More specifically, we want to understand how diversified inshore commercial fisheries are discursively established and negotiated as a service enterprising subject in three everyday relationships; authorities, customers and colleagues. The theory behind the study lies within the application of cultural analysis and discourse-analysis (du Gay and Hall 1998) with a focus on three theoretical concepts; governance (Hajer 1996) experienced authenticity (Di Domenico and Miller 2010) and work identification (du Gay and Hall 2002). Field-notes from participation and observations, together with thirty-five in-depth qualitative work-life interviews were generated and analyzed between 2011 and 2014 in 16 inshore commercial fisheries along the west coast of Sweden. The fieldwork was conducted within three EU-funded areas, where small-scale fisheries are considered having a potential to further diversify by developing for instance tourism activities, (FLAGs) of one in particular is a focused case of study.Discourses of the inshore commercial fishery in the service economy play out in three prominent relationships, those to authorities, customers and colleagues. First, in meetings on various levels of fisheries management, narrative threads are commonly used to negotiate and enlighten changes from various situated perspectives. Both authorities and fishermen are aware of the contemporary coastal commercial fisheries in decline, but based on different knowledge basis and views of the future of fisheries. Secondly, in service work discourses from participant observations in fisheries service enterprising, “experienced authenticities” are negotiated, between fishermen and their customers. Third, in fishing discourses from interviews and observations in relation to colleagues and fishing, the fishery is constructed and negotiated between sets of “we” and “them”, to establish work identity.To sum up, authorities and fishermen form and negotiate small-scale inshore commercial fisheries as modern and sustainable from different knowledge basis. The study addresses opportunities, challenges and expectations that permeate the coastal commercial fishing in a service-oriented economy

Development of a special multi-wavelength pyrometer for temperature distribution measurements in rocket engines

Previously a fast multi-wavelength pyrometer was developed in a collaboration between the Harbin Institute of Technology of China and Rome University of Italy. The main features of the instrument include the use of a dispersing prism and a photodiode array to cover the entire spectral band. Following this experience, a new type of six-target eight-wavelength pyrometer for solid propellant rocket engine plume temperature distribution measurements has been developed. The instrument can record the radiation fluxes of eight wavelengths for six different uniformly distributed points on the target surface, which are well defined by holes on a field stop. The fast pyrometer with a specially designed synchronous data acquisition system can assure that the recorded thermal radiation fluxes of different spectral regions are at the same time and the same true temperature, even with dramatically changed targets

Impact of Accounting for Logical and Physical Processes on Market Capitalization Measures

This paper puts forth a framework for classifying organizations according to the relative importance of logical processes associated with their knowledge infrastructures. Drawing on financial and accounting valuation methods, differences in market-to-book value of equity are hypothesized due to under-valuation of logical processes per accounting conventions. This paper has implications for finance and accounting valuation of logical processes and hence knowledge-intensive processes

Frequency-Modulated Optical Feedback Interferometry for Nanometric Scale Vibrometry

We demonstrate a novel method that makes an efficient use of laser nonlinear dynamics when subject to optical self-injection for subwavelength displacement sensing purposes. The proposed methodology combines two different phenomena taking place inside the laser cavity: optical self-injection, which results in optical feedback interference, and laser continuous wave frequency modulation, giving rise to a wavelength sweeping effect in the laser's emission. We present a combination of these phenomena to measure vibration amplitudes below lambda/2 with the resolutions of a few nanometers, bandwidth dependent upon the distance of external target, amplitude, and frequency of current modulation. The basic theoretical details and a mathematical model are presented for the developed measurement principle. Experimental results with the system working as a vibrometer to measure a target vibration of amplitude lambda/5 (137.5 nm) with a mean peak-to-peak error of 2.4 nm just by pointing the laser diode onto the target and applying some signal processing are also demonstrated.Postprint (author's final draft

Microcontrollers for Mechanical Engineers: From Assembly Language to Controller Implementation

This paper describes the evolution of a graduate and advanced undergraduate mechanical engineering course on microcontrollers and electromechanical control systems. The course begins with developing an understanding of the architecture of the microcontroller, and low-level programming in assembly language. It then proceeds to working with various functions of the microcontroller, including serial communications, interrupts, analog to digital conversion, and digital to analog conversion. Finally, the students learn how to characterize first and second order systems, and develop and implement their own controllers for a variety of electromechanical systems. The course takes the uncommon approach of teaching assembly language programming to mechanical engineering students, with the students using assembly language programming for approximately half of the course and the remainder using the C programming language. The authors believe that this approach helps students develop a better understanding of the architecture of the microcontroller and low-level routines found in embedded control applications. The course provides a bridge between traditional mechatronics courses that focus on electronics and interfacing, and lab-based control courses that use turnkey data acquisition systems and graphical programming tools such as Simulink or LabVIEW. The course has existed for over two decades, using a variety of microprocessor and microcontroller platforms. After evaluating numerous alternatives, the course was recently updated to use a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller evaluation board from STMicroelectronics paired with custom interfacing circuitry. This platform was chosen not only for more modern microcontroller technology, but also for the availability of free development tools and very inexpensive evaluation boards. This allows the students to write and test their programs outside of scheduled lab times, along with the ability to cost-effectively utilize microcontrollers in future projects

YOUMARES – A Conference from and for YOUng MARine RESearchers

YOUMARES is an annual early-career scientist conference series. It is an initiative of the German Society for Marine Research (DGM) and takes place in changing cities of northern Germany. The conference series is organized in a bottom-up structure: from and for YOUng MARine RESearchers. In this chapter, we describe the concept of YOUMARES together with its historical development from a single-person initiative to a conference venue of about 200 participants. Furthermore, the three authors added some personals experiences and insights, what YOUMARES means to them