Topology optimization of flexure hinges with a prescribed compliance matrix based on the adaptive spring model and stress constraint

This paper focuses on the configuration design of flexure hinges with a prescribed compliance matrix and preset rotational center position. A new method for the topology optimization of flexure hinges is proposed based on the adaptive spring model and stress constraint. The hinge optimization model is formulated by maximizing the bending displacement with a spring while optimizing the compliance matrix to a prescribed value. To avoid numerical instability, an artificial spring is used as an auxiliary calculation, and a new strategy is developed for adaptively adjusting the spring stiffness according to the prescribed compliance matrix. The maximum stress of flexure hinge is limited by using a normalized P-norm of the effective von Mises stress, and a position constraint of rotational center is proposed to predetermine the position of the rotational center. In addition, to reduce the error of the stress measurement, a simple but effective filtering method is presented to obtain a complete black-and-white design. Numerical examples are used to verify the proposed method. Topology results show that the obtained flexure hinges have the prescribed compliance matrix and preset rotational center position while also meeting the stress requirements.     

Box-Behnken Design a Key Tool to Achieve Optimized PCL/Gelatin Electrospun Mesh

Hybrid electrospun nanofibers of polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin are considered as drug-delivery systems for increasing the treatment efficacy in superficial (skin) wounds. Continuous delivery of therapeutic agents, skin extracellular matrix similarity, management of wound exudate, and antimicrobial barrier effect are the major advantages of electrospun nanofibers in skin applications. Additionally, combining the favorable properties of PCL and gelatin, regarding their biocompatibility, biodegradability and mechanical performance have been revealed promising parameters to be considered for blend in hybrid structures. However, the usual optimization protocol of nanofibers’ production in electrospinning is based on the observation of one-variable-at-time being this methodology expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, in this research work, a statistical model based on four input variables namely, the flow rate, the needle-working distance, the applied voltage, and the ratio of PCL in the solution, is developed to predict the behavior of nanofibers. The performance of nanofibers is monitored by measurements of fiber's diameter, mesh's thickness, and mesh's permeability. Overall, the model showed to be statistically significant (p-value < 0.05) and an independent analysis validated the predicted response for optimal condition. Finally, a delivery study is performed to evaluate the electrospun mesh performance as a drug carrier.     

A survey on tracking control of unmanned underwater vehicles: Experiments-based approach

This paper aims to provide a review of the conceptual design and theoretical framework of the main control schemes proposed in the literature for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Additionally, the objective of the paper is not only to present an overview of the recent control architectures validated on UUVs but also to give detailed experimental-based comparative studies of the proposed control schemes. To this end, the main control schemes, including proportional–integral–derivative (PID) based, sliding mode control (SMC) based, adaptive based, observation-based, model predictive control (MPC) based, combined control techniques, are revisited in order to consolidate the principal efforts made in the last two decades by the automatic control community in the field. Besides implementing some key tracking control schemes from the classification mentioned above on Leonard UUV, several real-time experimental scenarios are tested, under different operating conditions, to evaluate and compare the efficiency of the selected tracking control schemes. Furthermore, we point out potential investigation gaps and future research trends at the end of this survey.     

双对苯醌的抗氧化活性分析及其固体发酵条件优化

为探索生物活性未知的双对苯醌（2,7-dihydroxy-3,6,9-trimethyl-9H-xanthene-1,4,5,8-tetraone，DTXT）的抗氧化活性，并提高其发酵产量，考察DTXT的还原力以及对超氧阴离子自由基、羟自由基、1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼（1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl，DPPH）自由基的清除效果，在单因素试验基础上，采用响应面法优化了DTXT产生菌瓶生顶孢霉（Acremonium cavaraeanum）CA022菌株的固体发酵培养基。结果表明：在200 μg/mL质量浓度下，DTXT的还原力与芦丁差异不显著，高于VE和2,6-二叔丁基-4甲基苯酚，对超氧阴离子自由基清除率达到67.00%，对羟自由基清除率达到78.83%，对DPPH自由基清除率达到76.53%。通过响应面试验，得到最佳培养基配方为葡萄糖0.773%、硝酸钠0.185%、H3BO3 0.032%、VB1 100 μg/100 g，在此条件下实际获得的DTXT产量为4 150.8 mg/kg，是优化前产量的（2 864.83 mg/kg）1.45 倍。     

Effect of fiber-reinforcement on the mechanical behavior of sand approaching the critical state

Several types of ground improvement methods that employ fiber-reinforcement have been developed in recent years. A series of consolidated drained triaxial compression tests has been conducted here to examine the effect of short fibers on the mechanical properties of Toyoura sand. Sand with 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 1% fiber contents, prepared to yield random distribution, was sheared under several confining pressures and controlled via their initial relative densities. The test results showed that the maximum and residual deviatoric stresses increased, whereas the volumetric expansion decreased with an increase in fiber content. Although the stress ratio η (=q/p′) and specific volume changed depending on the fiber content and confining pressure with shear progression, they each reached the same values for a definite fiber content at the end of shearing, independent of initial relative density. In other words, the unique critical state line can be found for a definite fiber content. Moreover, the greater the fiber content, the larger the slope of the critical state line at the end of shearing. Additionally, as the length of fibers shortened with the same percentage of fiber inclusions in sand, the deviatoric stress and the stress ratio decreased, approaching the shear-strain-volumetric response of unreinforced sand.     

Numerical simulation analysis and experimental validation on wear/fracture mechanisms of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride superabrasives in high-speed grinding

In this study, a two-dimensional finite element model is proposed to investigate the wear/fracture mechanisms of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) superabrasives in high-speed grinding process. The special geometric microstructures of PCBN grains are constructed by using the classic Voronoi tessellation technique, and cohesive elements are embedded into the geometric model of PCBN grains as the potential crack propagation paths for simulating the wear/fracture behaviours of PCBN grains under grinding loads. The effects of uncut chip thickness per grain (a_gmax) on the stress distribution characteristics and wear/fracture behaviours of PCBN grains during grinding are discussed in detail. Results show that the wear behaviour of PCBN grains during grinding mainly occurs around the grain vertex region; however, the fracture behaviour, leading to the quick failure of PCBN grains, is prone to appear around the grain–filler bonding interface, which is usually on the opposite side of the in-feed direction. Moreover, to separate the PCBN grains from the macro-fracture during grinding, the uncut chip thickness per grain should be kept smaller than 1.0?µm to prevent the unfavourable fracture behaviour from appearing around the grain–filler bonding interface. Furthermore, the corresponding single-grain grinding trials are performed to validate the numerical simulation results by evaluating the wear/fracture morphologies of the PCBN superabrasives in the actual grinding operation.