Global sliding‐mode control with generalized sliding dynamics

A global sliding‐mode control (GSMC) scheme is proposed to provide a framework for ensuring the existence of a sliding mode throughout an entire response. Based on this framework, robust eigenvalue‐assignment GSMC (REA‐GSMC) is proposed to robustly assign closed‐loop eigenvalues that must be real. The eigenvalues being all real, however, leads to sluggish responses. According to most error criteria such as IAE, ISE, and ITAE, the optimum system should have complex eigenvalues. This paper proposes a GSMC scheme with generalized sliding dynamics, referred to as Generalized GSMC, in order to release the previous constraint on the REA‐GSMC. Thus, the Generalized GSMC can be designed to achieve a system that is both robust and optimum in the sense that it minimizes certain error performance indices in spite of the presence of system uncertainties. Experiments were conducted on a two‐link direct‐drive manipulator to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society     

Tracking control for switched linear systems with time‐delay: a state‐dependent switching method

Tracking control for switched linear systems with time‐delay is investigated in this paper. Based on the state‐dependent switching method, sufficient conditions for the solvability of the tracking control problem are given. We use single Lyapunov function technique and a typical hysteresis switching law to design a tracking control law such that the H_∞ model reference tracking performance is satisfied. The controller design problem can be solved efficiently by using linear matrices inequalities. Since convex combination techniques are used to derive the delay independent criteria, some subsystems are allowed to be unstable. It is highly desirable that a non‐switched time‐delay system can not earn such property. Simulation example shows the feasibility and validity of the switching control law. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society     

Simultaneous stabilization for a collection of nonlinear control systems in canonical form

A controller design method is provided to simultaneously stabilize a collection of nonlinear control systems in canonical form. It is shown that, under a mild assumption, any collection of nonlinear systems in canonical form can be simultaneously stabilized by one continuous state feedback controller. A constructive universal formula is presented explicitly. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the validity of the method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society     

A new adaptive backstepping Coulomb friction compensator for servo control systems

A new Coulomb friction compensator is proposed for servo control systems in this paper. The novelty of the new approach lies in its capability of assigning the eigenvalues of the resulting closed loop system while attacking the problem. First, based on the standard backstepping methodology, an implicit Lyapunov function, with part of the components being only symbolically constructed at the very beginning, is utilized. To increase the robustness of the system against disturbance and model inaccuracy, an integral term is employed in the design. Using part of the variable gradient method, we are able to turn the implicit Lyapunov function into an explicit one, which is positive definite, and whose time‐derivative is negative definite. Second, it will be shown that the resulting closed loop error system is a switched linear system with two possible active modes that share the same set of eigenvalues, which is at our disposal. Unlike the common adaptive control design methods, such as the Control Lyapunov Function approach, in which the gains are typically positive but otherwise arbitrary, and are hence difficult to choose and have a lack of connection with the system's performance, our new scheme imposes two further constraints on the gains. It turns out that we can then match these gains with the coefficients of the desired characteristic equation of the closed loop system. In this respect, the gains are linked to the system's overall performance, which is a new and very appealing feature for such a scheme. Finally, a procedure of constructing a common Lyapunov function is provided to prove exponential stability of the aforementioned switched linear system. In addition, using the invariance principle, we will show the convergence of the estimated Coulomb friction coefficient to its real value. Numerical simulations are given to validate the effectiveness of the design and its robustness against friction time‐variations. Compared to existing results, the proposed scheme is much simpler, hence, much more advantageous computationally. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society     

Proteomic analysis of sera of asymptomatic,early‐stage patients with Wilson's disease

Wilson's disease (WD) is characterized by excessive accumulation of intracellular copper in liver and extrahepatic tissues, leading to significant oxidative stress and tissue damage. To date, several diagnostic biomarkers for WD such as serum ceruloplasmin, serum or urine copper levels and copper content in liver have been identified. However, these biomarkers may not be convincing for the diagnosis in some WD patients. To identify additional novel diagnostic biomarkers, we compared the serum protein profiles of asymptomatic childhood WD patients (n=20), without neurologic manifestation or liver cirrhosis, with normal controls (n=13). Fourteen spots, five up‐regulated and nine down‐regulated (>2‐fold), were differentially expressed in WD patients in comparison to normal control on 2‐DE. Among them, three spots were down‐regulated in both male and female WD. MS/MS analysis revealed that the three spots were complement component C3, complement factor B and alpha‐2 macroglobulin. By comparative proteome analysis, complement component C3, complement factor B and alpha‐2 macroglobulin, which are related to oxidative stress and inflammation, turned out to be good candidates for novel diagnostic biomarkers for early stages of WD.     

Effect of interlayer on structure and performance of anode-supported SOFC single cells

To lower the operating temperatures in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) operations, anode-supported SOFC single cells with a single dip-coated interlayer were fabricated and the effect of the interlayer on the electrolyte structure and the electrical performance was investigated. For the preparation of SOFC single cells, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte, NiO-YSZ anode, and 50% YSZ-50% strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM) cathode were used. In order to characterize the cells, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were utilized and the gas (air) permeability measurements were conducted for gas tightness estimation. When the interlayer was inserted onto NiO-YSZ anode, the surface roughness of anode was diminished by about 40% and dense crack-free electrolytes were obtained. The electrical performance was enhanced remarkably and the maximum power density was 0.57W/cm(2) at 800 degrees C and 0.44W/cm(2) at 700 degrees C. On the other hand, the effect of interlayer on the gas tightness was negligible. The characterization study revealed that the enhancement in the electrical performance was mainly attributed to the increase of ion transmission area of anode/electrolyte interface and the increase of ionic conductivity of dense crack-free electrolyte layer.     

Characterization of magnetic materials using a scanning microwave microprobe

We investigated the electromagnetic properties of metals of iron, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, gold, copper, silver, and permalloy thin films on SiO(2) substrates using a near-field microwave microprobe. The electromagnetic properties of metal sheets were estimated by measuring the microwave reflection coefficient S(11) and compared with the theoretical values. We observed the hysteresis behavior of permalloy thin films on SiO(2) substrates using a near-field scanning microwave microprobes (NSMM) system. Experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical model of transmission theory. In order to better characterize the electromagnetic properties of metals and magnetic metals instead of the usual method, we take advantage of the noncontact microprobing evaluation capabilities using a near-field microwave.     

Effect of deposition temperature on dielectric properties of PECVD Ta2O5 thin film

Tantalum oxide film formation by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) using TaCl₅ as a source material was examined. The effects of deposition temperature on the formation, structure and electric properties of the Ta₂O₅ film were investigated for Al/Ta₂O₅/ p-Si (MTS) capacitors. The deposition rate and refractive index increased with increasing deposition temperature. It was found that the structure of Ta₂O₅ deposited by PECVD was amorphous as-deposited. However, crystalline -Ta₂O₅ of hexagonal structure was formed by a 700 °C, 1 h heat treatment in argon. Capacitance and relative dielectric constant of the PECVD Ta₂O₅ were found to be 2.54 fF m^–2 and 23.5, respectively. The PECVD films obtained in this study have higher dielectric constants and remarkably better general film characteristics than those obtained by other deposition methods.     

Some observations from interrupted lifetest of GaInAsP/InP inverted-rib laser diodes

Conventionally, lifetests of semiconductor laser diodes usually involved operating the devices continuously at either constant power output or drive current, with periodic recording of their characteristics. In this paper, some effects arising from interrupted lifetest of 1.3 m GaInAsP-InP inverted-rib laser diodes are reported. This unconventional lifetest method involves constant power biasing at 4 mW/facet and 8 mW/facet respectively at 50°C, followed by a period during which the lifetest is interrupted and the devices left unbiased at room temperature. Subsequently, the devices were put back on constant power biasing at 50°C. Among a number of parameters, pronounced reduction in the threshold current, current for 4 mW/facet and 8 mW/facet were observed, indicating strong recovery effects commencing from the time when the life-test was interrupted. Redistribution of mobile defects in the cladding layer is postulated to be the cause of the degradation recovery, and the data supports the occurrence of an aging-current dependent defect annihilation mechanism. Such recovery effects have so far been observed to occur only in the GaInAsP-InP inverted-rib devices.