Reliability-based topology optimization under shape uncertainty modeled in Eulerian description

Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization - This paper presents a reliability-based topology optimization method under geometrical uncertainties. First, we briefly introduce the concept of...     

Shape and topology optimization based on the convected level set method

The aim of this research is to construct a shape optimization method based on the convected level set method, in which the level set function is defined as a truncated smooth function obtained by using a sinus filter based on a hyperbolic tangent function. The local property of the hyperbolic tangent function dramatically reduces the generation of red the error between the specified profile of the hyperbolic tangent function and the level set function that is updated using a time evolution equation. In addition, the small size of the error facilitates the use of convective reinitialization, whose basic idea is that the reinitialization is embedded in the time evolution equation, whereas such treatment is typically conducted in a separate calculation in conventional level set methods. The convected level set method can completely avoid the need for additional calculations when performing reinitialization. The validity and effectiveness of our presented method are tested with a mean compliance minimization problem and a problem for the design of a compliant mechanism.     

Copper ⇌ Alkali Ion Exchange of Alkali Aluminosilicate Glasses in Copper-Containing Molten Salt: II, Divalent Copper Salts, CuCl2 and CuSO4

The ion-exchange mechanism between copper and alkali ions, when 20R₂O · 10Al₂O₃· 70SiO₂ (R = Li, Na, and K) glasses are immersed in divalent copper-containing molten salts in air and nitrogen at 550°C, has been investigated. In molten CuCl₂, the ion-exchange behavior in both air and nitrogen was very close to that in molten CuCl in air reported previously. This is explained by assuming that CuCl₂ decomposes into CuCl and Cl₂ at 550°C and the Cu⁺ ions thus formed mainly diffuse in glasses to replace alkali ions, where Cl₂ acts as an oxidizing agent just like oxygen. In the case of molten CuSO₄─₂SO₄, a small amount of Cu⁺ which is present in the molten state plays a primary role in the Cu ⇌ R⁺ ion exchange process, although the contribution of direct Cu²⁺⇌ 2R⁺ ion exchange cannot be ignored.     

Preparation of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films from Cu–Se/In–Ga–Se precursors for high-efficiency solar cells

Improved preparation process of a device quality Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) thin film was proposed for production of CIGS solar cells. In–Ga–Se layer were deposited on Mo-coated soda-lime glass, and then the layer was exposed to Cu and Se fluxes to form Cu–Se/In–Ga–Se precursor film at substrate temperature of over 200°C. The precursor film was annealed in Se flux at substrate temperature of over 500°C to obtain high-quality CIGS film. The solar cell with a MgF₂/ITO/ZnO/CdS/CIGS/Mo/glass structure showed an efficiency of 17.5% (V_oc=0.634 V, J_sc=36.4 mA/cm², FF=0.756).     

Topology optimization of a no-moving-part valve incorporating Pareto frontier exploration

No-moving-part (NMP) valves, such as Tesla valves, are engineered fluid channels whose flow resistance depends on the flow direction. They have no moving parts and do not deform, but rely on inertial forces of the fluid to preferentially allow flow in one direction while strongly inhibiting flow in the reverse direction. NMP valves have significant advantages over active valves in terms of their reliability and easy manufacturability. Several previous studies have explored optimum designs of NMP valves, and the most widely used indicator of NMP valve performance is diodicity, defined as the ratio of the pressure drop of reverse flow to that of the forward flow. However, higher diodicity does not necessarily imply a lower pressure drop for the forward flow, and if this pressure drop is too high, significant pumping power is required, which makes the NMP valve inefficient for use in pumping applications. Therefore, for the design NMP valves, treating the forward and reverse flow pressure drops independently in a multiobjective formulation is preferable to optimization of the diodicity alone. In this paper, we propose a bi-objective topology optimization method for an optimum design of an NMP valve. One objective function is to minimize the pressure drop in the forward flow, and the other is to maximize the pressure drop in the reverse flow. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Dynamically-Stable Motion Planning for Humanoid Robots

We present an approach to path planning for humanoid robots that computes dynamically-stable, collision-free trajectories from full-body posture goals. Given a geometric model of the environment and a statically-stable desired posture, we search the configuration space of the robot for a collision-free path that simultaneously satisfies dynamic balance constraints. We adapt existing randomized path planning techniques by imposing balance constraints on incremental search motions in order to maintain the overall dynamic stability of the final path. A dynamics filtering function that constrains the ZMP (zero moment point) trajectory is used as a post-processing step to transform statically-stable, collision-free paths into dynamically-stable, collision-free trajectories for the entire body. Although we have focused our experiments on biped robots with a humanoid shape, the method generally applies to any robot subject to balance constraints (legged or not). The algorithm is presented along with computed examples using both simulated and real humanoid robots.     

Direct Synthesis of N‐Acyl‐N,O‐hemiacetals via Nucleophilic Addition of Unactivated Amides and Their O‐Acetylation: Access to α,α‐Difunctionalized N‐Acylimines

A mild, metal‐free synthesis of polyfunctionalized N‐acyl‐N,O‐hemiacetals was developed via the nucleophilic addition of unactivated amides to ketones. The protocol demonstrated a wide substrate scope, with good isolated yields. Additionally, their O‐acetylated products serve as a precursor of α,α‐difunctionalized N‐acylimines. An addition reaction of broad scope of nucleophiles to generate N‐acylimines is also reported.

     

Topology optimization for designing strain-gauge load cells

Load cells are used extensively in engineering fields. This paper describes a novel structural optimization method for single- and multi-axis load cell structures. First, we briefly explain the topology optimization method that uses the solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) method. Next, we clarify the mechanical requirements and design specifications of the single- and multi-axis load cell structures, which are formulated as an objective function. In the case of multi-axis load cell structures, a methodology based on singular value decomposition is used. The sensitivities of the objective function with respect to the design variables are then formulated. On the basis of these formulations, an optimization algorithm is constructed using finite element methods and the method of moving asymptotes (MMA). Finally, we examine the characteristics of the optimization formulations and the resultant optimal configurations. We confirm the usefulness of our proposed methodology for the optimization of single- and multi-axis load cell structures.     

Analysis of acetic acid productivity in a continuous two‐stage bioreactor with cell recycling

The performance of a two‐stage system with cell recycling and fresh feed at each stage is studied numerically for continuous acetic acid production. In this system, both filtrate and bleed broth from the first stage are supplied to the second fermenter. At high substrate conversions, this configuration is found to provide higher acetic acid productivities than either a previous configuration where only the first‐stage bleed broth is fed to the second stage or a single recycle chemostat at the same bleed ratios. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Multiobjective layout optimization of robotic cellular manufacturing systems

This paper proposes a multiobjective layout optimization method for the conceptual design of robot cellular manufacturing systems. Robot cellular manufacturing systems utilize one or more flexible robots which can carry out a large number of operations, and can conduct flexible assemble processes. The layout design stage of such manufacturing systems is especially important since fundamental performances of the manufacturing system under consideration are determined at this stage. In this paper, the design criteria for robot cellular manufacturing system layout designs are clarified, and objective functions are formulated. Next, layout design candidates are represented using a sequence-pair scheme to avoid interference between assembly system components, and the use of dummy components is proposed to represent layout areas where components are sparse. A multiobjective genetic algorithm is then used to obtain Pareto optimal solutions for the layout optimization problems. Finally, several numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed method.