Silicosis is a fibrotic disease of the lungs caused by inhalation, retention, and pulmonary reaction to crystalline silica. Crystalline silica exposure is widespread, and silica sand is an inexpensive and versatile component of many manufacturing processes. Its use and the incidence of silicosis are increased in industrial operations by the mechanization and the use of sandblasting, drilling, p...

In this paper, a filter probe integrated into a computerized pneumatic sampler for capillary electroseparations was developed for an on-line monitoring of bioprocesses. The optimization of the performance of the coupled system was done by using a response surface modeling and three-level two-factor design. The resolution was found to be the most important parameter influencing the performance o...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to compare visual acuity outcomes between the following procedures used to treat submacular hemorrhages: pneumatic displacement followed by intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) if needed (pneumatic ± tPA) and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with subretinal tPA (PPV + tPA). PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a retrospective chart review...

This study aims to develop a X-Y dual-axial intelligent servo pneumatic-piezoelectric hybrid actuator for position control with high response, large stroke (250 mm, 200 mm) and nanometer accuracy (20 nm). In each axis, the rodless pneumatic actuator serves to position in coarse stroke and the piezoelectric actuator compensates in fine stroke. Thus, the overall control systems of the single axis...

2 Abstract Pneumatic actuators have several advantages such as light weight, safety, low cost and high compliance. However, many pneumatic actuators have complicated systems that include a compressor, air tubes, and pneumatic valves with electrical wires. This research proposes a new control method for a multiplex pneumatic transmission constructed with special resonant valves and air tubes wit...

We report here a simple yet robust transient compartmentalization system for microfluidic platforms. Cylindrical microfilaments made of commercially available fishing lines are embedded in a microfluidic chamber and employed as removable walls, dividing the chamber into several compartments. These partitions allow tight sealing for hours, and can be removed at any time by longitudinal sliding w...

Stud welding is a process used in the construction industry to anchor concrete slabs to underlying steel substructures . This process is highly repetitive and, thus, a good candidate for automation. A robotic device, the Studmaster , has been developed which will automate stud welding currently done in the construction of industrial buildings. This machine, currently controlled by a microcomput...

Birds are characterized by pneumatization of their skeletons by epithelial diverticula from larger, air-filled cavities. The diverticula-or ‘air sacs’-that invade the postcranium result from outgrowths of the lungs; postcranial pneumaticity has been very well studied. Much more poorly understood are the air sacs that pneumatize the skull. Study of craniofacial pneumaticity in modern birds (Neor...

This paper presents a comparative study among friction behavior of several double-acting pneumatic actuators available to industrial use. A brief review covering the manner that pneumatic actuator manufacturers and current literature approach friction force and its usual models also is presented. After depicting friction test methodology and test apparatus, the comparison work is carried out th...

This work presents a modeling and control design method for PWM-controlled pneumatic systems. Difficulties associated with servovalves typically used to continuously control pneumatic systems, in addition to a general lack of analytic control design techniques available for PWMcontrolled pneumatic systems, motivate the development> of a modeling and control design technique for PWM pneumatics. ...