Manual Actuation Research Articles

Automatic E-Bike Stand for Two Wheeler

Abstract: This paper aims to enhance the efficiency of manual actuation and automation for sliding of side-standto increase the safety of the rider. In the modern developing world, automobile plays an important role especiallytwo-wheeler i.e. (motorcycles& bikes) plays a major role. Even though they are helpful there are some accidentsdue to the carelessness of the rider. To rectify this problem many advanced measures have been taken, but they are least helpful. To overcome the limitations of the existing methods a new model of "Automated E- side stand retrieving device", an electromechanical system, is introduced by using electric circuits and gear mechanism. The automatic side stand retrieval system is powered by the same source as every other electrical component onthe vehicle, namely the battery. Due to the gear mechanism, increased torque will help the motor to lift the sidestand easily.

New Air-Jet Dry Powder Insufflator for High-Efficiency Aerosol Delivery to Rats.

Pulmonary deposition of lung-targeted therapeutic aerosols can achieve direct drug delivery to the site of action, thereby enhancing the efficacy and reducing systemic exposure. In this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo aerosol performance of the novel small animal air-jet dry powder insufflator (Rat AJ DPI) using spray-dried albuterol excipient-enhanced-growth (EEG) powder as a model formulation. The in vitro aerosolization performance of the optimized albuterol EEG powder was first assessed using the Rat AJ DPI. The performance of Rat AJ DPI to deliver albuterol EEG aerosol to rat lungs was then compared to that of the Penn-Century Insufflator. Albuterol EEG powders dispersed using the Rat AJ DPI demonstrated narrow unimodal aerosol size distribution profiles, which were independent of the loaded powder dose (1, 2, and 5 mg). In addition, the span value for Rat AJ DPI (5 mg powder mass) was 1.32, which was 4.2-fold lower than that for Penn-Century insufflator (5 mg powder mass). At a higher loaded mass of 5 mg, the Rat AJ DPI delivered significantly larger doses to rat lungs compared with the Penn-Century DPI. The Rat AJ DPI with hand actuation delivered approximately 85% of the total emitted dose (2 and 5 mg loadings), which was comparatively higher than that for Penn-Century DPI (approximately 75%). In addition, percentage deposition in each of the lung lobes for the Rat AJ DPI was observed to be independent of the administration dose (2 and 5 mg loadings) with coefficients of variation below 12%, except in the right middle lobe. Automatic actuation of a 5 mg powder mass using the Rat AJ DPI demonstrated a similar delivered dose compared to manual actuation of the same dose, with 82% of the total emitted dose reaching the lung lobes. High-efficiency delivery of the aerosol to the lobar lung region and low sensitivity of the interlobar delivery efficiency to the loaded dose highlight the suitability of the new air-jet DPI for administering therapeutic pharmaceutical aerosols to small test animals.

Gluclas: A software for computer-aided modulation of glucose infusion in glucose clamp experiments

Background and ObjectiveThe glucose clamp (GC) is an experimental technique for assessing several aspects of glucose metabolism. In these experiments, investigators face the non-trivial challenge of accurately adjusting the rate of intravenous glucose infusion to drive subjects’ blood glucose (BG) concentration towards a desired plateau level. In this work we present Gluclas, an open-source software to support researchers in the modulation of glucose infusion rate (GIR) during GC experiments. MethodsGluclas uses a proportional-integrative-derivative controller to provide GIR suggestions based on BG measurements. The controller embeds an anti-wind-up scheme to account for actuator physical limits and suitable corrections of control action to accommodate for possible sampling jitter due to manual measurement and actuation. The software also provides a graphic user interface to increase its usability. A preliminary validation of the controller is performed for different clamp scenarios (hyperglycemic, euglycemic, hypoglycemic) on a simulator of glucose metabolism in healthy subjects, which also includes models of measurement error and sampling delay for increased realism. In silico trials are performed on 50 virtual subjects. We also report the results of the first in-vivo application of the software in three subjects undergoing a hypoglycemic clamp. ResultsIn silico, during the plateau period, the coefficient of variation (CV) is in median below 5% for every protocol, with 5% being considered the threshold for sufficient quality. In terms of median [5th percentile, 95th percentile], average BG level during the plateau period is 12.18 [11.58 - 12.53] mmol/l in the hyperglycemic clamp (target: 12.4 mmol/), 4.92 [4.51 – 5.14] mmol/l in the euglycemic clamp (target: 5.5 mmol/) and 2.38 [2.33 – 2.64] in the hypoglycemic clamp (target: 2.5 mmol/). Results in vivo are consistent with those obtained in silico during the plateau period: average BG levels are between 2.56 and 2.68 mmol/l (target: 2.5 mmol/l); CV is below 5% for all three experiments. ConclusionsGluclas offered satisfactory control for tested GC protocols. Although its safety and efficacy need to be further validated in vivo, this preliminary validation suggest that Gluclas offers a reliable and non-expensive solution for reducing investigator bias and improving the quality of GC experiments.

Controllable high-performance liquid marble micromixer.

A liquid marble is a liquid droplet coated with a shell of microparticles. Liquid marbles have served as a unique microreactor for chemical reactions and cell culture. Mixing is an essential task for liquid marbles as a microreactor. However, the potential of liquid marble-based microreactors is significantly limited due to the lack of effective mixing strategies. Most mixing strategies used manual and contact-based actuation schemes. This paper reports the development of a manipulation scheme that induces fluid motion into a liquid marble, leading to enhanced mixing. By inducing rotation on a horizontal axis, we significantly increased the mixing rate by 27.6 times compared to a non-actuated liquid marble and reduced the reaction time by more than 10 times. The proposed method provides a simple, continuous, precise, and controllable high-performance mixing strategy on a liquid marble platform.

Plasma Isolation in a Syringe by Conformal Integration of Inertial Microfluidics.

A thermoplastic microfluidic substrate is conformally integrated onto the cylindrical barrel of a conventional venipuncture syringe, forming a spiral inertial separation element supporting the isolation of plasma from diluted whole blood. The cylindrical shape of the syringe itself serves to define the flow path required for inertial separation by transforming a linear microchannel to a spiral topology. The hybrid system enables inertial plasma separation by Dean flow focusing within the same syringe used for a patient blood draw, with the seamlessly interconnected microfluidic element operated by automated or manual actuation of the syringe plunger. Plasma isolation is achieved without the need for external instrumentation. Device design and fabrication challenges are discussed, and effective plasma isolation within the system is demonstrated, with a peak separation efficiency above 97% using 25 × diluted blood.

Valveless Fluid Pumping via Zero-Net-Momentum Injection

A novel mechanical method to valvelessly pump fluid has been developed using zero-net-momentum injection via a syringe and a tilted canister that function together as a periodic mass source and sink. Unlike previously discovered valveless pumping methods, this method does not require any elastic tubing and can be achieved by simple manual actuation, making it a simpler and less expensive valveless alternative. The flow rate is highly dependent on the frequency at which momentum is injected and retracted from the system. The direction of the flow can be changed by switching the location of the syringes. This pumping paradigm has potential applications in microfluidics where elastic channels are difficult to fabricate and valveless fluid actuation methods are preferred.

Broadband and Temperature Tolerant Silicon Nitride Liquid Controlled Waveguide Coupler

A broadband and temperature tolerant liquid-controlled adiabatic waveguide coupler (LCC) is realized. The LCC with silicon nitride waveguides is designed to be compatible with liquids that can be actuated by an electrowetting-on-dielectric system. This proof-of-principle demonstration with manual actuation paves the way toward the realization of non-voloptical switch systems. A 630- ${\mu }$ m-long LCC configured as a $1\times 2$ switch has a measured insertion loss less than 1.5 dB and a crosstalk less than $-14$ dB for both bar and cross state over the telecommunication wavelength range 1260 to 1630 nm. Furthermore, the LCC is tolerant to variations in temperature. The measured excess insertion loss over the temperature range 21 to 73 $^\circ$ C is less than 0.3 dB for bar and cross state, over the same wavelength range.

Dual-beam manually actuated distortion-corrected imaging (DMDI): two dimensional scanning with a single-axis galvanometer.

We recently demonstrated a new two-dimensional imaging paradigm called dual-beam manually actuated distortion-corrected imaging (DMDI). This technique uses a single mechanical scanner and two spatially separated beams to determine relative sample velocity and simultaneously corrects image distortions due to manual actuation. DMDI was first demonstrated using a rotating dual-beam micromotor catheter. Here, we present a new implementation of DMDI using a single axis galvanometer to scan a pair of beams in approximately parallel lines onto a sample. Furthermore, we present a method for automated distortion correction based on frame co-registration between images acquired by the two beams. Distortion correction is possible for manually actuated motion both perpendicular and parallel to the galvanometer-scanned lines. Using en face OCT as the imaging modality, we demonstrate DMDI and the automated distortion correction algorithm for imaging a printed paper phantom, a dragon fruit, and a fingerprint.

Dual-beam manually-actuated distortion-corrected imaging (DMDI) with micromotor catheters.

We present a new paradigm for performing two-dimensional scanning called dual-beam manually-actuated distortion-corrected imaging (DMDI). DMDI operates by imaging the same object with two spatially-separated beams that are being mechanically scanned rapidly in one dimension with slower manual actuation along a second dimension. Registration of common features between the two imaging channels allows remapping of the images to correct for distortions due to manual actuation. We demonstrate DMDI using a 4.7 mm OD rotationally scanning dual-beam micromotor catheter (DBMC). The DBMC requires a simple, one-time calibration of the beam paths by imaging a patterned phantom. DMDI allows for distortion correction of non-uniform axial speed and rotational motion of the DBMC. We show the utility of this technique by demonstrating en face OCT image distortion correction of a manually-scanned checkerboard phantom and fingerprint scan.

Membrane-less variable focus liquid lens with manual actuation

We present a tunable, membrane-less, mechanical-wetting liquid lens that can be actuated manually using a linear actuator such as screw or piston. The operation of the liquid lens is based on deforming the interface separating two immiscible liquids with different refractive indices, while pinning the three-phase contact line at the sharp edge of lens aperture. Our lens design improves upon the existing designs of mechanical-wetting lenses by eliminating the use of complex actuation mechanisms, without compromising on the optical performance. We demonstrate the operation of the liquid lens by tuning its power back and forth from negative to positive by simple rotation of a screw. We also present an analytical description of the focal length of the lens and validate it with detailed experimental measurements. Our experiments show that the focal length of the liquid lens can be tuned repeatably without any adverse effects of hysteresis and gravity.

Sliding spool design for reducing the actuation forces in direct operated proportional directional valves: Experimental validation

This paper presents the experimental validation of a new methodology for the design of the spool surfaces of four way three position direct operated proportional directional valves. The proposed methodology is based on the re-design of both the compensation profile (the central conical surface of the spool) and the lateral surfaces of the spool, in order to reduce the flow forces acting on the spool and hence the actuation forces. The aim of this work is to extend the application range of these valves to higher values of pressure and flow rate, thus avoiding the employment of more expensive two stage configurations in the case of high-pressure conditions and/or flow rate. The paper first presents a theoretical approach and a general strategy for the sliding spool design to be applied to any four way three position direct operated proportional directional valve. Then, the proposed approach is experimentally validated on a commercially available valve using a hydraulic circuit capable of measuring the flow rate as well as the actuation force over the entire spool stroke. The experimental results, performed using both the electronic driver provided by the manufacturer and a manual actuation system, show that the novel spool surface requires remarkably lower actuation forces compared to the commercial configuration, while maintaining the same flow rate trend as a function of the spool position.

Structure and Compatibility Study of Modified Polyurethane/Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanocomposite for Shape Memory Materials

Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) is one of smart materials class that has the ability to recall a given shape before deformation in the transient state. The development of SMP is dominated by polyurethane which is currently focused on the optimization of manufacturing-related research (ease of processing), and the extraction of the potential for biomedical applications. In this study, Shape Memory Polyurethane (SMPU) with Polyethylene Glycol-based material (PEG mw: 6000) as soft segment, 4,4'-Methylenebis (Cyclohexyl isocyanate) (HMDI) as a hard segment and 1,1,1-Trimethylol propane (TMP) as a chain extender were used as a candidate for Vascular Stents. Materials used for the fillers were nano particles of magnetite (Fe3O4) which have 20–50 nm diameters. Variations of the composition were used as a variable. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) were conducted to investigate the polymer chains which were formed during polymerization, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to analyze the interface between the filler and the composite matrix. Manual physical actuation was conducted to analyze the physical recovery and transition temperature of the SMPU. Composition and fillers effect on the performance of SMPU composite were discussed in detail along with analysis of its structure and molecular design.

Ultrahigh speed en face OCT capsule for endoscopic imaging

Depth resolved and en face OCT visualization in vivo may have important clinical applications in endoscopy. We demonstrate a high speed, two-dimensional (2D) distal scanning capsule with a micromotor for fast rotary scanning and a pneumatic actuator for precision longitudinal scanning. Longitudinal position measurement and image registration were performed by optical tracking of the pneumatic scanner. The 2D scanning device enables high resolution imaging over a small field of view and is suitable for OCT as well as other scanning microscopies. Large field of view imaging for screening or surveillance applications can also be achieved by proximally pulling back or advancing the capsule while scanning the distal high-speed micromotor. Circumferential en face OCT was demonstrated in living swine at 250 Hz frame rate and 1 MHz A-scan rate using a MEMS tunable VCSEL light source at 1300 nm. Cross-sectional and en face OCT views of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract were generated with precision distal pneumatic longitudinal actuation as well as proximal manual longitudinal actuation. These devices could enable clinical studies either as an adjunct to endoscopy, attached to an endoscope, or as a swallowed tethered capsule for non-endoscopic imaging without sedation. The combination of ultrahigh speed imaging and distal scanning capsule technology could enable both screening and surveillance applications.

ICONE23-2017 BRANCH-AND-BOUND ALGORITHM APPLIED TO DYNAMIC PRA WITH UNCERTAINTY QUANTIFICATION FOR LWR STATION BLACKOUT

Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) is an important tool for evaluating risk in nuclear power plants. Dynamic PRA (DPRA) is an extension of traditional PRA methods that account for dynamic and phenomenological effects associated with time-dependent complex dynamic systems. Here we investigated dynamic event trees and optimization per focus on identifying the highest probability of system failure. Using a Branch-and-Bound (B&B) algorithm that relies on and develops bounding functions to prune or delete branches that will not yield the optimal solution (i.e., clad failure). The approach also used novel LENDIT (length, energy, number, distribution, information, time) metrics and S2R2 (state, systems, resources, response) sets to support an expert-based approach that is linked to constraints per use of the B&B algorithm. Results to date indicate that this approach is effective in reducing simulation time and thus mitigating the state explosion of thermal-hydraulic states. The work demonstrated the ability to evaluate uncertainty such that a risk-informed, quantitative PIRT (phenomena identification ranking table) is generated. Quantitative PIRT (QPIRT) can be used to improve models and identify validation needs with respect to risk. Two case studies using reference PWR and BWR plant configurations under SBO were evaluated. The implementation of the B&B algorithm yielded a significant reduction (>50%) in simulation costs. QPIRT ranking for the PWR showed that lower fidelity models combined with system redundancy produces adequate results with respect to risk. For BWR SBO, the modeling uncertainty does not present a challenge with respect to risk. Recovery of the SBO requires either restoration of the AC power or activation of firewater injection combined with operator action to depressurize the system through the automatic depressurization system. The timing of both automatic and manual safety system actuation is indeed critical to the outcome reactor state. Reactor power and firewater injection capacity provided the highest degree of correlation to model success.

Toward embedded laboratory automation for smart lab-on-a-chip embryo arrays

Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) biomicrofluidic technologies are rapidly emerging bioanalytical tools that can miniaturize and revolutionize in situ research on embryos of small vertebrate model organisms such as zebrafish (Danio rerio) and clawed African frog (Xenopus laevis). Despite considerable progress being made in fabrication techniques of chip-based devices, they usually still require excessive and manual actuation and data acquisition that significantly reduce throughput and introduce operator-related analytical bias. This work describes the development of a proof-of-concept embedded platform that integrates an innovative LOC zebrafish embryo array technology with an electronic interface to provide higher levels of laboratory automation for in situ biotests. The integrated platform was designed to perform automatic immobilization, culture and treatment of developing zebrafish embryos during fish embryo toxicity (FET) biotests. The system was equipped with a stepper motor driven stage, solenoid-actuated pinch valves, miniaturized peristaltic pumps as well as Peltier heating module. Furthermore, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) was used to implement an embedded hardware/software solution and interface to enable real-time control over embryo loading and immobilization; accurate microfluidic flow control; temperature stabilization and also automatic time-resolved image acquisition of developing zebrafish embryos. This work presents evidence that integration of embedded electronic interfaces with microfluidic chip-based technologies can bring the Lab-on-a-Chip a step closer to fully automated analytical systems.

Enrichment of nanoparticles and bacteria using electroless and manual actuation modes of a bypass nanofluidic device

Current efforts in nanofluidics aimed at detecting scarce molecules or particles are focused mainly on the development of electrokinetic-based devices. However, these techniques require either integrated or external electrodes, and a potential drop applied across a carrier fluid. One challenge is to develop a new generation of electroless passive devices involving a simple technological process and packaging without embedded electrodes for micro- and nanoparticles enrichment with a view to applications in biology such as the detection of viral agents or cancers biomarkers. This paper presents an innovative technique for particles handling and enrichment based exclusively on a pressure-driven silicon bypass nanofluidic device. The device is fabricated by standard silicon micro-nanofabrication technology. The concentration operation was demonstrated and quantified according to two different actuation modes, which can also be combined to enhance the concentration factor further. The first, "symmetrical" mode involves a symmetric cross-flow effect that concentrates nanoparticles in a very small volume in a very local point of the device. The second mode, "asymmetrical" mode advantageously generates a streaming potential, giving rise to an Electroless Electropreconcentration (EL-EP). The concentration process can be maintained for several hours and concentration factors as high as ~200 have been obtained when both symmetrical and asymmetrical modes are coupled. Proof of concept for concentrating E. coli bacteria by the manual actuation of the EL-EP device is also demonstrated in this paper. Experiments demonstrate more than a 50-fold increase in the concentration of E. coli bacteria in only ~40 s.

An Autoclavable Steerable Cannula Manual Deployment Device: Design and Accuracy Analysis.

Accessing a specific, predefined location identified in medical images is a common interventional task for biopsies and drug or therapy delivery. While conventional surgical needles provide little steerability, concentric tube continuum devices enable steering through curved trajectories. These devices are usually developed as robotic systems. However, manual actuation of concentric tube devices is particularly useful for initial transfer into the clinic since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval process of manually operated devices is simple compared to their motorized counterparts. In this paper, we present a manual actuation device for the deployment of steerable cannulas. The design focuses on compactness, modularity, usability, and sterilizability. Further, the kinematic mapping from joint space to Cartesian space is detailed for an example concentric tube device. Assessment of the device's accuracy was performed in free space, as well as in an image-guided surgery setting, using tracked 2D ultrasound.

Measurement of Drug in Small Particles from Aqueous Nasal Sprays by Andersen Cascade Impactor

To determine if cascade impactor (CI) measurement of drug in small particles from aqueous nasal sprays, described in FDA's 2003 draft Nasal Bioavailability/Bioequivalence Guidance, can be optimized to reduce measurement variability. To examine the influence of flow rate configurations and number of impactor stages on CI deposition and explore the importance of inlet volume. A total of eight assemblies and manual vs. automatic actuation were tested for deposition on the sum of all stages of the CI, and for Group 2 total drug mass per the Guidance. Mean deposition and variance about the mean were determined for each assembly. The path length for a spherical 1 l inlet was too short to allow adequate aerosol formation. Data variance was reduced by a factor of two or more by using an automatic actuator relative to manual actuation. Impactor assembly modification did not improve variance over the standard assembly. Use of a spherical inlet (≥ 2 l volume) and automatic actuation are recommended for comparative measurements of drug in small particles arising from aqueous nasal sprays. The standard (8-stage) 28.3 lpm CI flow rate configuration is recommended when using the Andersen Cascade Impactor (ACI), as no other assembly showed a distinct advantage.

A Compact Manually Actuated Micromanipulator

This letter reports a compact, versatile, and user-friendly micromanipulator that uses an elastically deformable silicon microtweezer to grab microentities, and a micrometer head for rotational manual actuation. The micro-/macroconnection is achieved via a graphite interface that results in a compact and portable design and placement on most translation stages. The system which can operate in both air and liquid, and transport objects between the two media, has a wide range of applications. We demonstrate but a few of them, including in situ construction of microstructures in 3-D, isolation and placement of individual microparticles on designated spots on sensors, on-demand microcontact printing of microparticles, and manipulation of live stem cell spheres.

Application of analog and hybrid computation methods to fast power system security studies

In analog emulation, a non-linear system model is implemented as a set of reconfigurable analog circuits referred to as the emulator. This hardware is actuated, initialized, and allowed to settle to a steady-state during which time the user utilizes voltage and current measurement devices to observe the system’s transient response and constrained static solution. Because this method abandons the use of iterative numerical techniques, the length of time required to emulate a solution (this excludes the effects of actuation and data acquisition) is fully controllable and independent of the dimension of the system model. Analog computation has potential to perform many types of non-linear analyses significantly faster than is possible digitally; however, its popularity has traditionally been limited by a need for manual actuation and data acquisition. In this work, the authors examine the use of digital technology to automate actuation and data acquisition for emulation. They also discuss how intelligent design and control of the emulator may be utilized to minimize data collection and accelerate emulation-based power-flow analysis and system security studies.