A recent projection noted that over 7 million jobs will be created in the nano and bio-related field world wide by 2015. The expected growth of such jobs suggests a critical need to prepare and train the workforce for these emerging fields. This paper describes a collaborative approach between three universities to integrate nano/bio technology into the mechanical engineering (ME) undergraduate...

This paper describes an optimization framework to control a distributed parameter system (DPS) using team of mobile actuators. The simultaneously seeks optimal the DPS and guidance actuators such that cost function associated with both is minimized subject dynamics each. incurred from controlling linear–quadratic, which transformed into equivalent form as quadratic term operator-valued Riccati ...

Abstract Purpose This paper proposes an integrated method for optimizing the response of underactuated linear vibratory feeders operating in open-loop control, under generic periodic excitations. The goal is ensuring a uniform motion tray, despite presence less actuators than degrees freedom and several specifications desired motion. Method To cope with nature these systems their non-minimum ph...

the use of micro-controllers in actuators provides extended flexibility for on-line data acquisition and sophisticated control implementation. however, attempts to utilize the excellent features of induction motor that is deemed by its strength, robustness, high torque, and relatively low cost in actuators face a fundamental control design challenge. the purpose of this paper is to introduce th...

Vibration in aerospace structures can lead to structural damage. To solve this problem, the implementation of active vibration control must be considered. This paper investigates active vibration control under the persistent resonant excitation of a clamped-clamped piezoelectric plate system. The finite element method (FEM) and ANSYS modal analysis methods are utilized to obtain the dynamics mo...

While it is attractive to integrate a deformable mirror (DM) for adaptive optics (AO) into the telescope itself rather than using relay optics within an instrument, the resulting large DM can be expensive, particularly for extremely large telescopes. A low-cost approach for building a large DM is to use voice-coil actuators connected to the back of the DM through suction cups. Use of such inexp...

In this paper a passive bilateral tele-operation between two pneumatic actuators is presented. The co-ordinated system is controlled to behave as a rigid mechanical tool that interacts with the human and other environment inputs. The input human forces when applied via a force sensor, can be amplified through the tele-operator to provide assistance for the human operator to perform the task eit...

Series-elastic actuation offers several important benefits to dynamic robots, including high-bandwidth force control and improved safety. While this approach has become common among legged robots, the lack of commercial series-elastic actuators and the unique design requirements of these robots leaves custom-built actuators as the only option. These custom actuators are often designed for nomin...

Conducting polymers actuators (CPAs) are potential candidates for replacing conventional actuators in various fields, such as robotics and biomedical engineering, due to their advantageous properties, which includes their low cost, light weight, low actuation voltage and biocompatibility. As these actuators are very suitable for use in micro-nano manipulation and in injection devices in which t...