Smart Materials-Based Actuators at the Micro/Nano-Scale: Characterization, Control, and Applications gives a state of the art of emerging techniques to the characterization and control of actuators based on smart materials working at the micro/nano scale. The book aims to characterize some commonly used structures based on piezoelectric and electroactive polymeric actuators and also focuses on various and emerging techniques employed to control them. This book also includes two of the most emerging topics and applications: nanorobotics and cells micro/nano-manipulation.

This book presents the human, cultural, and scientific contributions of professor Eliano Pessa, who recently passed away. His research interests and activities were varied, some of which included quantum physics, cognitive science and psychology, systems science, artificial intelligence, and alpinism. They were never disciplinary-separated issues, but rather some coherent dimensions of his interests in life. He lived and not only practiced interdisciplinarity and multiple dimensions; he considered it unacceptable to do only one thing in life. The contributors in this volume consider, discuss, interpret, and represent the multiplicity and interdisciplinarity experienced, lived and applied by Pessa. The chapters are inspired by, rebuild, and retrace such networked interests lived by him from the personal, cultural, and scientific points of view of the authors. This is true interdisciplinarity and usage of non-equivalences, honoring the richness of Pessa's contributions.

This book focuses on the principles and technology of environmental perception in unmanned systems. With the rapid development of a new generation of information technologies such as automatic control and information perception, a new generation of robots and unmanned systems will also take on new importance. This book first reviews the development of autonomous systems and subsequently introduces readers to the technical characteristics and main technologies of the sensor. Lastly, it addresses aspects including autonomous path planning, intelligent perception and autonomous control technology under uncertain conditions. For the first time, the book systematically introduces the core technology of autonomous system information perception.

This book will have a broad appeal in the area of Wireless Networking-Based Control. Various engineering disciplines, control and communication science organizations will be interested in purchasing the book with a new, emerging, and important theme. Also, industry such as Honeywell and those (e.g. power industry, automotive industry, aerospace industry) interested in implementing wireless network control to express interest in purchasing this book.

This book offers readers essential insights into system design for deep space probes and describes key aspects such as system design, orbit design, telecommunication, GNC, thermal control, propulsion, aerobraking and scientific payload. Each chapter includes the basic principles, requirements analysis, procedures, equations and diagrams, as well as practical examples that will help readers to understand the research on each technology and the major concerns when it comes to developing deep space probes. An excellent reference resource for researchers and engineers interested in deep space exploration, it can also serve as a textbook for university students and those at institutes involved in aerospace.

This book presents state-of-the-art research, challenges and solutions in the area of human-robot collaboration (HRC) in manufacturing. It enables readers to better understand the dynamic behaviour of manufacturing processes, and gives more insight into on-demand adaptive control techniques for industrial robots. With increasing complexity and dynamism in today's manufacturing practice, more precise, robust and practical approaches are needed to support real-time shop-floor operations. This book presents a collection of recent developments and innovations in this area, relying on a wide range of research efforts. The book is divided into five parts. The first part presents a broad-based review of the key areas of HRC, establishing a common ground of understanding in key aspects. Subsequent chapters focus on selected areas of HRC subject to intense recent interest. The second part discusses human safety within HRC. The third, fourth and fifth parts provide in-depth views of relevant methodologies and algorithms. Discussing dynamic planning and monitoring, adaptive control and multi-modal decision making, the latter parts facilitate a better understanding of HRC in real situations. The balance between scope and depth, and theory and applications, means this book appeals to a wide readership, including academic researchers, graduate students, practicing engineers, and those within a variety of roles in manufacturing sectors.

This book consolidates the current state of knowledge on implementing cooperating robot-based systems to increase the flexibility of manufacturing systems. It is based on the concrete experiences of experts, practitioners, and engineers in implementing cooperating robot systems for more flexible manufacturing systems. Thanks to the great variety of manufacturing systems that we had the opportunity to study, a remarkable collection of methods and tools has emerged. The aim of the book is to share this experience with academia and industry practitioners seeking to improve manufacturing practice. While there are various books on teaching principles for robotics, this book offers a unique opportunity to dive into the practical aspects of implementing complex real-world robotic applications. As it is used in this book, the term "cooperating robots" refers to robots that either cooperate with one another or with people. The book investigates various aspects of cooperation in the context of implementing flexible manufacturing systems. Accordingly, manufacturing systems are the main focus in the discussion on implementing such robotic systems. The book begins with a brief introduction to the concept of manufacturing systems, followed by a discussion of flexibility. Aspects of designing such systems, e.g. material flow, logistics, processing times, shop floor footprint, and design of flexible handling systems, are subsequently covered. In closing, the book addresses key issues in operating such systems, which concern e.g. decision-making, autonomy, cooperation, communication, task scheduling, motion generation, and distribution of control between different devices. Reviewing the state of the art and presenting the latest innovations, the book offers a valuable asset for a broad readership.

This book intends to introduce some recent results on passivity of complex dynamical networks with single weight and multiple weights. The book collects novel research ideas and some definitions in complex dynamical networks, such as passivity, output strict passivity, input strict passivity, finite-time passivity, and multiple weights. Furthermore, the research results previously published in many flagship journals are methodically edited and presented in a unified form. The book is likely to be of interest to university researchers and graduate students in Engineering and Mathematics who wish to study the passivity of complex dynamical networks.

This book covers some selected problems of the descriptor integer and fractional order positive continuous-time and discrete-time systems. The book consists of 3 chapters, 4 appendices and the list of references. Chapter 1 is devoted to descriptor integer order continuous-time and discrete-time linear systems. In Chapter 2, descriptor fractional order continuous-time and discrete-time linear systems are considered. Chapter 3 is devoted to the stability of descriptor continuous-time and discrete-time systems of integer and fractional orders. In Appendix A, extensions of the Cayley-Hamilton theorem for descriptor linear systems are given. Some methods for computation of the Drazin inverse are presented in Appendix B. In Appendix C, some basic definitions and theorems on Laplace transforms and Z-transforms are given. Some properties of the nilpotent matrices are given in Appendix D.

This book presents selected papers from the 1st International Conference on Industry 4.0 and Advanced Manufacturing held at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and includes deliberations from stakeholders in manufacturing and Industry 4.0 on the nature, needs, challenges, opportunities, problems, and solutions in these transformational areas. Special emphasis is placed on exploring avenues for creating a vision of, and enablers for, sustainable, affordable, and human-centric Industry 4.0. The book showcases cutting edge practice, research, and educational innovation in this crucial and rapidly evolving area. This book will be useful to researchers in academia and industry, and will also be useful to policymakers involved in creating ecosystems for implementation of Industry 4.0.

This monograph introduces breakthrough control algorithms for partial differential equation models with moving boundaries, the study of which is known as the Stefan problem. The algorithms can be used to improve the performance of various processes with phase changes, such as additive manufacturing. Using the authors' innovative design solutions, readers will also be equipped to apply estimation algorithms for real-world phase change dynamics, from polar ice to lithium-ion batteries. A historical treatment of the Stefan problem opens the book, situating readers in the larger context of the area. Following this, the chapters are organized into two parts. The first presents the design method and analysis of the boundary control and estimation algorithms. Part two then explores a number of applications, such as 3D printing via screw extrusion and laser sintering, and also discusses the experimental verifications conducted. A number of open problems and provided as well, offering readers multiple paths to explore in future research. Materials Phase Change PDE Control & Estimation is ideal for researchers and graduate students working on control and dynamical systems, and particularly those studying partial differential equations and moving boundaries. It will also appeal to industrial engineers and graduate students in engineering who are interested in this area.

This book examines key issues in improving the efficiency of small and medium power boiler units by adding control systems for the fuel combustion process. The original models, algorithms, software and hardware of the system developed for controlling the fuel combustion process are presented. In turn, the book presents a methodology for assessing the influence of climatic factors on the combustion process, and proposes new methods for measuring the thermophysical characteristics, which require taking into account the concentration of oxygen in the air. The system developed here was implemented on a boiler of the NIISTU-5 type, which is widely used for heat power engineering in Ukraine and other Eastern European countries. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable asset for researchers and engineers, as well as lecturers and graduate students at higher education institutions dealing with heat engineering equipment.

In almost all depictions of the future, one technology plays a prominent role - the robot. Science fiction movies and stories tell us that, in the not so distant future, robots - from Robbie the Robot to C3PO to the Terminator - will be everywhere, taking care of every human need. Those are projections of the future. But robots have a history as well, and The Robot: A Life Story of a Technology tells their story. During the Englightenment, "automata" were mechnical toys that could simulate human actions. Robots became essential parts of factories, performing tasks perfectly that would be either too dangerous or boring for humans. And recent advances in artificial intelligence have made robots that can behave with intelligence. The Robot covers all aspects of the history of robotics: BLThe mechanical toys in the Enlightenment, from mechanical timepieces and early computational devices, to music boxes and automated human-like figures designed to amuse royalty. BLThe use of automation in the Industrial Revolution, such as the Jacquard punch card loom and the famous "difference engine" of Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace, and the use of robotic arms in automation. How by the mid-20th century robots became the icon for the future, and became an important feature of the popular culture. BLCurrent trends in robotics, such as research into artificial intelligence and the creation of "friendly robots" that could make an impact in the marketplace. The volume includes a timeline of important events, a glossary of terms, and a bibliography of important primary and secondary sources that are useful for further research.

This book provides readers with a 360-degree perspective on the Internet of Things (IoT) design and M2M communication process. It is intended to be used as a design guide for the development of IoT solutions, covering architecture, design, and development methods. This book examines applications such as industry automation for Industry 4.0, Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), and Internet of Services (IoS) as it is unfolding. Discussions on engineering fundamentals are limited to what is required for the realization of IoT solutions. Internet of Things and M2M Communication Technologies: Architecture and Practical Design Approach to IoT in Industry 4.0 is written by an industry veteran with more than 30 years of hands-on experience. It is an invaluable guide for electrical, electronic, computer science, and information science engineers who aspire to be IoT designers and an authoritative reference for practicing designers working on IoT device development. Provides complete design approach to develop IoT solutions; Includes reference designs and guidance on relevant standards compliance; Addresses design for manufacturability and business models.

This book presents theoretical modeling and numerical simulations applied to drive several applications towards Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0). The topics discussed range from theoretical parts to extensive simulations involving many efficient algorithms as well as various statistical techniques. This book is suitable for postgraduate students, researchers as well as other scientists who are working in mathematics, statistics and numerical modeling and simulation.

This book presents time synchronization and its essential role as a conduit of optimized networks and as one of the key imperatives of ubiquitous connectivity. The author discusses how, without proper time synchronization, many mission critical infrastructures such as 5G mobile networks, smart grids, data centres CATV, and industrial networks would render in serious performance issues and may be subject to catastrophic failure. The book provides a thorough understanding of time synchronization from fundamental concepts to the application of time synchronization in NextGen mission critical infrastructure. Readers will find information not only on designing the optimized products for mission critical infrastructure but also on building NextGen mission critical infrastructure.

This book discusses various applications of machine learning using a new approach, the dynamic wavelet fingerprint technique, to identify features for machine learning and pattern classification in time-domain signals. Whether for medical imaging or structural health monitoring, it develops analysis techniques and measurement technologies for the quantitative characterization of materials, tissues and structures by non-invasive means. Intelligent Feature Selection for Machine Learning using the Dynamic Wavelet Fingerprint begins by providing background information on machine learning and the wavelet fingerprint technique. It then progresses through six technical chapters, applying the methods discussed to particular real-world problems. Theses chapters are presented in such a way that they can be read on their own, depending on the reader's area of interest, or read together to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic. Given its scope, the book will be of interest to practitioners, engineers and researchers seeking to leverage the latest advances in machine learning in order to develop solutions to practical problems in structural health monitoring, medical imaging, autonomous vehicles, wireless technology, and historical conservation.

This book highlights research and survey articles dedicated to big data techniques for cyber-physical system (CPS), which addresses the close interactions and feedback controls between cyber components and physical components. The book first discusses some fundamental big data problems and solutions in large scale distributed CPSs. The book then addresses the design and control challenges in multiple CPS domains such as vehicular system, smart city, smart building, and digital microfluidic biochips. This book also presents the recent advances and trends in the maritime simulation system and the flood defence system.

This book introduces a passivity-based approach which simplifies the controller design task for AC-motors. It presents the application of this novel approach to several classes of AC motors, magnetic levitation systems, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and rigid robot manipulators actuated by AC motors. The novel passivity-based approach exploits the fact that the natural energy exchange existing between the mechanical and the electrical subsystems allows the natural cancellation of several high order terms during the stability analysis. This allows the authors to present some of the simplest controllers proposed in scientific literature, but provided with formal stability proofs. These simple control laws will be of use to practitioners as they are robust with respect to numerical errors and noise amplification, and are provided with tuning guidelines. Energy-based Control of Electromechanical Systems is intended for both theorists and practitioners. Therefore, the stability proofs are not based on abstract mathematical ideas but Lyapunov stability theory. Several interpretations of the proofs are given along the body of the book using simple energy ideas and the complete proofs are included in appendices. The complete modeling of each motor studied is also presented, allowing for a thorough understanding. Advances in Industrial Control reports and encourages the transfer of technology in control engineering. The rapid development of control technology has an impact on all areas of the control discipline. The series offers an opportunity for researchers to present an extended exposition of new work in all aspects of industrial control.

Focusing on autonomous robotic applications, this cutting-edge resource offers a practical treatment of short-range radar processing for reliable object detection at the ground level. This unique book demonstrates probabilistic radar models and detection algorithms specifically for robotic land vehicles. Engineers and researchers may find detailed coverage of Simultaneous Localization and Map Building (SLAM) - an area referred to as the "Holy Grail" of autonomous robotics research.

This book describes the application of vision-sensing technologies in welding processes, one of the key technologies in intelligent welding manufacturing. Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is one of the main welding techniques and has a wide range of applications in the manufacturing industry. As such, the book also explores the application of AI technologies, such as vision sensing and machine learning, in GTAW process sensing and feature extraction and monitoring, and presents the state-of-the-art in computer vision, image processing and machine learning to detect welding defects using non-destructive methods in order to improve welding productivity. Featuring the latest research from ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) using digital image correlation technology, this book will appeal to researchers, scientists and engineers in the field of advanced manufacturing.

The book is a compilation of selected papers from 2020 International Conference on Electrical and Electronics Engineering (ICEEE 2020) held in National Power Training Institute HQ (Govt. of India) on February 21 - 22, 2020. The work focuses on the current development in the fields of electrical and electronics engineering like power generation, transmission and distribution, renewable energy sources and technology, power electronics and applications, robotics, artificial intelligence and IoT, control, and automation and instrumentation, electronics devices, circuits and systems, wireless and optical communication, RF and microwaves, VLSI, and signal processing. The book is beneficial for readers from both academia and industry.

This book gathers selected research papers presented at the Second International Conference on Energy Systems, Drives and Automations (ESDA 2019), held in Kolkata on 28-29 December 2019. It covers a broad range of topics in the fields of renewable energy, power management, drive systems for electrical machines and automation. Also discussing a variety of related tools and techniques, the book offers a valuable resource for researchers, professionals and students in electrical and mechanical engineering disciplines.

This book is the sixth volume of the successful book series on Robot Operating System: The Complete Reference. The objective of the book is to provide the reader with comprehensive coverage of the Robot Operating Systems (ROS) and the latest trends and contributed systems. ROS is currently considered as the primary development framework for robotics applications. There are seven chapters organized into three parts. Part I presents two chapters on the emerging ROS 2.0 framework; in particular, ROS 2.0 is become increasingly mature to be integrated into the industry. The first chapter from Amazon AWS deals with the challenges that ROS 2 developers will face as they transition their system to be commercial-grade. The second chapter deals with reactive programming for both ROS1 and ROS. In Part II, two chapters deal with advanced robotics, namely on the usage of robots in farms, and the second deals with platooning systems. Part III provides three chapters on ROS navigation. The first chapter deals with the use of deep learning for ROS navigation. The second chapter presents a detailed tuning guide on ROS navigation and the last chapter discusses SLAM for ROS applications. I believe that this book is a valuable companion for ROS users and developers to learn more ROS capabilities and features.