Application of genetic algorithm to speed servo system and positioning system

This paper considers a genetic algorithm application to feedforward controllers of speed servo and positioning systems. The system consists of a conventional feedback controller and a feedforward controller. The parameters of the feedforward controller are regarded as the chromosome on a gene. The genetic algorithm is used to tune the parameters of the feedforward controller, the objective of which is to make the feedforward controller a dynamic inverse of the plant. The tracking error between the desired output and the actual output at every sampling period is used to calculate the fitness of one gene. The range of mutation is dependent on the magnitude of the tracking error, which ensures parameter convergence. The effect of fitness function and the width of mutation on tracking performances is investigated. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed genetic algorithm in improving tracking performances.     

Stress concentration of a strip with double edge notches under tension or in-plane bending

The stress concentration analysis of 60° V-shaped or partially-circular double edge notches in an infinite strip under tension or in-plane bending is discussed. The stress field induced by a point force in an infinite plate is used to solve these problems. The present results for semicircular notch are in close agreement with other reports. The results calculated on the 60° V-shaped notches show that the Neuber formula gives an underestimated stress concentration factor of about 11% for tension case and in about 9% for bending case. These errors exist for a wide range of notch depth. However, in the case of blunt notches, the Neuber solution of deep hyperbolic notches still gives a sufficient accuracy in engineering use. In addition, the stress concentration factors of 60° V-shaped notches are also represented by diagrams for wide use.     

Detection of the carcinogen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) in beer and wine

A carcinogen, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), was measured in beer and wine by HPLC. PhIP was found to be present in all brands of beer and wine analyzed. The concentrations of PhIP in beer and wine were 14.1 +/- 6.18 ng/l (mean +/- SD, n = 11) and 30.4 +/- 16.4 ng/l (n = 10) respectively.     

Regional expression and subcellular localization of the tyrosine-specific phosphatase SH-PTP2 in the adult human nervous system

The protein tyrosine phosphatase SH-PTP2 has been implicated in a variety of cell signaling cascades, including those mediating neuronal survival. We therefore investigated the expression of SH-PTP2 in the adult human nervous system using Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy. SH-PTP2 immunoreactivity was noted only in neurons, but was not restricted to a specific neuronal type or location. Immunohistochemistry showed perikaryal staining, whereas Western blotting and ultrastructural analysis suggested that SH-PTP2 is present in axons as well. While immunohistochemistry showed a Nissl-like pattern in large motor neurons, immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated a diffuse pattern of cytoplasmic staining, without apparent preferential localization. The presence of the SH2 domain-containing tyrosine-specific phosphatase SH-PTP2 in diverse neurons in the adult nervous system suggests that SH-PTP2 may play a role in a broad spectrum of neuronal responses.     

Three-dimensional optical memory with a photorefractive crystal

We propose a three-dimensional optical-memory device in which refractive dot data are recorded directly into a photorefractive crystal. To record a single bit of datum, one focuses a laser beam with an objective lens onto a specific spot in a crystal, thereby changing its refractive index locally as a result of photorefraction. To record in three dimensions, one keeps the objective lens stationary while the crystal is translated. The beam-spot intensity is modulated with a beam shutter according to the logic state of the data point. The recorded data points are read with a phase-contrast microscope objective lens. We present experimental results of three-dimensional recording and reading with a LiNbO(3) crystal. The distribution of the refractive index formed by a focused beam is also analyzed with the charge-transport model.     

Reflection-wavelength control method for layer-by-layer controlled x-ray multilayer mirrors

A reflection-wavelength control method for a layer-by-layer controlled x-ray multilayer mirror without interface roughness is proposed. The reflection wavelength of the multiperiodic mirror is found to be simply determined by a combination ratio of periodic layers. Multiperiodic x-ray mirrors with reflectance wavelengths at 3.374 nm (C VI 1s-2p) and 3.950 nm (Ca XVIII 3d-5f) are successfully designed.     

A Study on Error Recovery Search Strategies of Electronic Connector Mating for Robotic Fault-Tolerant Assembly

In this paper, a CAD-based trajectory planning scheme for parallel machining robots is introduced using the parametric Non-uniform rational basis spline (NURBS) curves. First, a trajectory is designed via a NURBS curve then, a motion scheduling architecture consisting of time-dependent and constant feedrate profiles is advised to generate the position commands on the represented NURBS curve as the tool path. Using the generated commands, the inverse kinematics is elaborated to obtain the joints motions of the parallel machining robot. This paper investigates the NURBS trajectory generation for a parallel robot with 4(UPS)-PU mechanism as the case study. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the inverse kinematic results for the parallel machining robot of 4(UPS)-PU is compared with the simulation results obtained from the CATIA software. The results confirmed that the proposed trajectory planning scheme along with the advised motion planning architecture is not only feasible for the parallel machining robots but also yields a smooth trajectory with a satisfactory performance for all the joints.     

Joining SiAlON Ceramics Using Composite β-SiAlON–Glass Adhesives

Commercial β-SiAlON ceramics were joined using mixed Si₃N₄, Y₂O₃, Al₂O₃, and SiO₂ powders. At a joining temperature of 1600°C and a hold time in excess of 10 min, the adhesive was converted to an approximate 60:40 vol% composite of β-SiAlON–glass-ceramic. The grain size of the acicular β-SiAlON grains precipitated in the joint (submicrometer diameter, average aspect ratio of 10) was significantly smaller than those in the adherend ceramic (1–5 μm diameter). Intergrowth of β-SiAlON grains at the joint interface resulted in high bond strengths. The chemistry and microstructure of the ceramic adhesives used are described.     

Stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride). III. Synergism between metal soaps and masking agents on the stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride)

The stabilization mechanism by synergetic metal soaps containing complementary colors was previously reported. With increased heating times, the color of heated poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films containing Cd/Ba and Zn/Ca synergetic soaps markedly deviated from the polyene color. These color deviations usually decreased the thermal stability of PVC. Discoloration from polyene color to blue appeared especially on PVC films containing Zn/Ca synergetic soap and was concomitant with a marked decrease in thermal stability. The stabilization of PVC containing synergetic metal soaps can be improved by masking or removing the excessive color. In this work, the addition of various masking agents, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, o-phenanthroline, triethanolamine, urea, N,N′ -dimethylolurea, melamine, stearylamide, and lactams, to PVC containing synergetic metal soaps was investigated. It was shown that these masking agents do markedly slow down the discoloration of PVC.     

Lubricant-Supplying Properties and Durability of Oil-Impregnated Polymers

Numerical optimization of tribological elements usually demands extended computations. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) method is known for its simple implementation and high efficiency in solving multifactor optimization problems. In this study, several parallel computing schemes using PSO for air foil bearing design are compared. The parallel programming models applied are multicore computing by OpenMP and many-core graphics processing unit (GPU) computing using Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) and OpenACC. The best case was obtained when the OpenMP coding was applied at the algorithm level of optimization. The performance of CUDA was found to be compatible with OpenMP when parallel computing was used to solve the bearing model. Due to excess data communications computing using OpenACC was significantly slower than the other approaches. The parallel computing scheme recommended in this study is independent of PSO, which is applicable to tribological studies requiring global optimization analysis.