Robust Adaptive Backstepping Motion Control of Linear Ultrasonic Motors Using Fuzzy Neural Network

A robust adaptive fuzzy neural network (RAFNN) backstepping control system is proposed to control the position of an X-Y-Theta motion control stage using linear ultrasonic motors (LUSMs) to track various contours in this study. First, an X-Y-Theta motion control stage is introduced. Then, the single-axis dynamics of LUSM mechanism with the introduction of a lumped uncertainty, which includes cross-coupled interference and friction force, is derived. Moreover, a conventional backstepping approach is proposed to compensate the uncertainties occurred in the motion control system. Furthermore, to improve the control performance in the tracking of the reference contours, an RAFNN backstepping control system is proposed to remove the chattering phenomena caused by the sign function in the backstepping control law. In the proposed RAFNN backstepping control system, a Sugeno-type adaptive fuzzy neural network (SAFNN) is employed to estimate the lumped uncertainty directly and a compensator is utilized to confront the reconstructed error of the SAFNN. In addition, the motions at the X axis, Y axis, and Theta axis are controlled separately. The experimental results show that the contour tracking performance is significantly improved and the robustness to parameter variations, external disturbances, cross-coupled interference, and friction force can be obtained, as well using the proposed RAFNN backstepping control system.     

The function of vinylene carbonate as a thermal additive to electrolyte in lithium batteries

The role of vinylene carbonate (VC) as a thermal additive to electrolytes in lithium ion batteries is studied in two aspects: the protection of liquid electrolyte species and the thermal stability of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed from VC on graphite electrodes at elevated temperatures. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra indicate that VC can not protect LiPF₆ salt from thermal decomposition. However, the function of VC on SEI can be observed via impedance and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). These results clearly show VC-induced SEI comprises polymeric species and is sufficiently stable to resist thermal damage. It has been confirmed that VC can suppress the formation of resistive LiF, and thus reduce the interfacial resistance.     

A new approach for data clustering and visualization using self-organizing maps

A self-organizing map (SOM) is a nonlinear, unsupervised neural network model that could be used for applications of data clustering and visualization. One of the major shortcomings of the SOM algorithm is the difficulty for non-expert users to interpret the information involved in a trained SOM. In this paper, this problem is tackled by introducing an enhanced version of the proposed visualization method which consists of three major steps: (1) calculating single-linkage inter-neuron distance, (2) calculating the number of data points in each neuron, and (3) finding cluster boundary. The experimental results show that the proposed approach has the strong ability to demonstrate the data distribution, inter-neuron distances, and cluster boundary, effectively. The experimental results indicate that the effects of visualization of the proposed algorithm are better than that of other visualization methods. Furthermore, our proposed visualization scheme is not only intuitively easy understanding of the clustering results, but also having good visualization effects on unlabeled data sets.     

Analysis of the Optimum Configuration of Roadside Units and Onboard Units in Dedicated Short-Range Communication Systems

With the aid of a simple relation, which is analogous to the radar equation, the uplink signal strength received by the receiving module of a roadside unit (RSU) and emitted from the radiation module of an onboard unit (OBU) can be described. Setting the scale of this relation arbitrarily and determining the signal strength threshold from experimental measurements, and combined with the simulation of the radiation and the receiving pattern by cosineⁿ function, the relative signal strength emitted from the OBU and received by the RSU can be calculated successfully. From this computed relative signal strength and the threshold, the influence of the RSU and OBU mounting parameters, such as the mounting angles and mounting height, on the available communication region is analyzed. The effect of windshield fading is also considered. With the help of the analysis results, an optimum RSU and OBU mounting configuration can be easily obtained. This method can be used conveniently and successfully for very short wavelengths. This includes visible light, infrared, and even submillimeter-wave ranges. For millimeter-wave and microwave systems, this method can, in some cases, also provide a rudimentary estimation     

Hybrid controller with recurrent neural network for magnetic levitation system

We propose a hybrid controller using a recurrent neural network (RNN) to control a levitated object in a magnetic levitation system. We describe a nonlinear dynamic model of the system and propose a computed force controller, based on feedback linearization, to control the position of the levitated object. To relax the requirement of the lumped uncertainty in the design of the computed force controller, an RNN functions as an uncertainty observer to adapt the lumped uncertainty on line. The computed force controller, the RNN uncertainty observer, and a compensated controller are embodied in a hybrid controller, which is based on Lyapunov stability. The computed force controller, with the RNN uncertainty observer, is the main tracking controller, and the compensated controller compensates the minimum approximation error of the RNN uncertainty observer. To ensure the convergence of the RNN, the adaptation law of the RNN is modified by using a projection algorithm. Experimental results illustrate the validity of the proposed control design for the magnetic levitation system.     

DISCRETIZED SUB‐OPTIMAL TRACKER FOR NONLINEAR CONTINUOUS TWO‐DIMENSIONAL SYSTEMS

The discretized quadratic sub‐optimal tracker for nonlinear continuous two‐dimensional (2‐D) systems is newly proposed in this paper. The proposed method provides a novel methodology for indirect digital redesign for nonlinear continuous 2‐D systems with a continuous performance index. This includes the following features: (1) the 2‐D optimal‐linearization approach of the nonlinear 2‐D Roesser's model (RM), (2) the dynamic programming‐based discretized quadratic optimal tracker for linear continuous 2‐D systems, (3) the steady‐state discretized quadratic sub‐optimal tracker for linear continuous 2‐D systems, and (4) the discretized quadratic sub‐optimal tracker for nonlinear continuous 2‐D systems. Illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedure.     

Body weight management effect of burdock (Arctium lappa L.) root is associated with the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in human HepG2 cells

Burdock (Arcticum lappa L.) root is used in folk medicine and also as a vegetable in Asian countries. In the present study, burdock root treatment significantly reduced body weight in rats. To evaluate the bioactive compounds, we successively extracted the burdock root with ethanol (AL-1), and fractionated it with n-hexane (AL-2), ethyl acetate (AL-3), n-butanol (AL-4), and water (AL-5). Among these fractions, AL-2 contained components with the most effective hypolipidemic potential in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. AL-2 decreased the expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and inhibited the activity of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) by stimulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) through the LKB1 pathway. Three active compounds were identified from the AL-2, namely α-linolenic acid, methyl α-linolenate, and methyl oleate. These results suggest that burdock root is expected to be useful for body weight management.     

Effects of annealing on the polymer solar cells based on CdSe-PVK electron acceptor

CdSe-poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (CdSe-PVK) nanocomposite was synthesized and utilized as the electron acceptor in the active layer of polymer solar cells. The photovoltaic properties of the polymer solar cells based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):CdSe-PVK as the active layer were investigated in detail. The effects of annealing temperature (100-200 °C) and time (5-60 min) on the device performance were studied. At annealing temperature of 150 °C for 30 min, the device demonstrated an optimal efficiency of 0.235% under AM 1.5 (100 mW cm⁻²) solar simulated light irradiation. The improved efficiency under the optimal conditions was confirmed by the highest light harvest in UV-vis spectra due to the increased crystallinity of P3HT after thermal annealing. Photoluminescence of these devices also exhibited that the quench effect increases with the increasing of annealing temperature, indicating that the charge separation between electron-donating (P3HT) and electron-accepting (CdSe-PVK) molecules was increased after heat treatment. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed that the phase segregation and 3D interpenetrating networks of P3HT:CdSe-PVK were responsible for the enhancement of the device efficiency.     

High Yield of Wax Ester Synthesized from Cetyl Alcohol and Octanoic Acid by Lipozyme RMIM and Novozym 435

Wax esters are long-chain esters that have been widely applied in premium lubricants, parting agents, antifoaming agents and cosmetics. In this study, the biocatalytic preparation of a specific wax ester, cetyl octanoate, is performed in n-hexane using two commercial immobilized lipases, i.e., Lipozyme^® RMIM (Rhizomucor miehei) and Novozym^® 435 (Candida antarctica). Response surface methodology (RSM) and 5-level-4-factor central composite rotatable design (CCRD) are employed to evaluate the effects of reaction time (1–5 h), reaction temperature (45–65 °C), substrate molar ratio (1–3:1), and enzyme amount (10%–50%) on the yield of cetyl octanoate. Using RSM to optimize the reaction, the maximum yields reached 94% and 98% using Lipozyme^® RMIM and Novozym^® 435, respectively. The optimum conditions for synthesis of cetyl octanoate by both lipases are established and compared. Novozym^® 435 proves to be a more efficient biocatalyst than Lipozyme^® RMIM.