Smart Switch Research Articles

Adaptive control and management of multiple nano‐grids in an islanded dc microgrid system

AbstractThis paper presents an adaptive control framework for the flexible and effective management and control of clustered DC nano‐grids (NGs) in an islanded DC microgrid system. It is assumed that each NG contains a photovoltaic (PV) system, a battery energy storage system (BESS), local loads, and a gateway (GW) module. Each NG has a hierarchical control system consisting of a decision‐making module and low‐level controllers. The decision‐making module ensures various desirable features including plug‐and‐play operation of NGs, maximum utilization of PV power generations, and avoiding state of charge (SoC) violation of batteries. Moreover, an adaptive model predictive control (AMPC) strategy is proposed to regulate the voltage of the NG local DC buses in the presence of non‐linear loads. This approach improves the performance of the NG voltage control system and reduces the current ripples of BESSs, thereby enhancing the lifetime of the batteries. In addition, a smart switching consensus‐based control strategy is designed that provides flexible power sharing among the NGs to balance the SoC of BESSs in which the BESSs altogether imitate the behaviour of a single cloud energy storage system (ESS). Finally, the performance of the proposed control system is verified by simulating the DC microgrid in MATLAB/Simulink.

Boosting the photothermal conversion efficiency of MXene film by porous wood for Light-driven soft actuators

Ti3C2Tx (a typical MXene) has been widely used in light-driven actuators due to its outstanding photothermal conversion capability. However, the response speed of these actuators is always slow because the effective irradiated area is limited to their surface. Herein, we propose a wood-based composite material which is made by coating Ti3C2Tx on delignified wood (DW). The high porosity of DW leads to high loading of Ti3C2Tx and provides large irradiated areas, thus enhancing photothermal conversion efficiency. The delignification on wood can expose cellulose with highly hydrophilic surface for rapid diffusion of Ti3C2Tx suspension, and the hydroxy in cellulose can act as binding sites to form stable combination with Ti3C2Tx. Taking advantage of the good compressibility of DW, a simple densification is conducted on TDW (Ti3C2Tx/DW) to greatly shorten the distance between adjacent oxygen-enriched Ti3C2Tx nanosheets, enhancing the conjugation among nanosheets, thus endowing TDW with good flexibility and high heat transfer efficiency. Moreover, we manufacture a light-driven bilayer actuator comprised of TDW as the passive layer and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as the active layer. Our light-driven actuator exhibits a tremendous angle variation of 160° at a light intensity of 120 mW/cm2. A series of devices based on the TDW/LDPE actuator are demonstrated, including simulated gestures, a four-finger soft gripper, and a bionic flower. Moreover, we propose a light-controlled smart switch which can be used on non-contact (COVID-19) or dangerous (blasting) occasions. Additionally, we present a finite element simulation to predict the bending deformation, which guides the accurate control of the devices.

Analysis and simulation of optimized micro-grid

The centralized power grid bears a heavy burden in a time when consumers expect an uninterrupted reliable power supply, a reduction in carbon emissions, increased efficiency within the national grid, and power supplied to remote communities. One such structure is used to implement this type of control that is based on small- scale Distributed Generation (DGs), at a single house or a small building level: micro-grid (μG). A μG is an autonomous, sustainable hybrid framework that uses renewable and non-renewable energy resources to supply continuous electricity to the load. Taking this scenario into account, the three sources of generation that have been utilized in the proposed μG are Photovoltaic (PV) array, Fuel Cell (FC), and Wind Turbine (WT) in this research paper. The active and reactive power of all three generation resources has been controlled using various controllers, i.e., integral, proportional-integral, proportional derivative, proportional integral derivative, fractional-order proportional-integral, Fractional Order Proportional Integral Derivative (FOPID), and Sliding Mode Controller (SMC). An advanced optimization technique based on a Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm has been utilized to optimize all these controllers. The integral square error has been taken as the objective function for both optimization algorithms. Finally, a graphical and tabular comparative analysis of all optimized controllers along with their control parameters and performance indexes has been evaluated to find the best optimal solution using MATLAB/Simulink. The performance of SMC has been surpassed the performance of all other optimized controllers for the power stability analysis. Moreover, a smart switching algorithm has been introduced for switching between the generation resources following the load demand and cost of the system to operate the μG more economically. Finally, a case study has been performed in which the smart switching algorithm has been utilized to switch to the best available generation resource in case of any fault at the generation side to provide uninterrupted power to the attached loads.

A bamboo/PNIPAM composite hydrogel assembly for both programmable and remotely-controlled light-responsive biomimetic actuations

Near-infrared light-responsive hydrogels are one of the most important soft biomimetic actuators owing to their accuracy, remote control performance, and permeability. However, the complex deformations and materials of hydrogel actuators are still a serious challenge. Herein, we have developed a novel composite hydrogel actuator by combining natural bamboo sheet and nigrosine/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) composite hydrogel. The high-efficient photothermal conversion of the nigrosine/PNIPAM composite hydrogel sheet generates light-responsive actuation that is remotely controllable. Furthermore, the bamboo sheet with fiber-oriented structure can be cut at different angles, which facilitates programmable 3D complex deformations in the actuator. Accordingly, we have designed a series of biomimetic actuating devices, including simulations of butterfly antenna, Dendrobium, smart switch, and even a multi-step deformational biomimetic claw. In addition, we also explored a biomimetic insect with precisely-controlled fast movements on the water surface based on Marangoni effect. This work provides a simple but general strategy for fabricating biomimetic actuators and will inspire new designs for intelligent soft actuators.

Multifunctional analysis and verification of lightning-type electromagnetic metasurfaces.

Aiming at the problems that most of the existing electromagnetic metasurfaces have single function and narrow application scope, a highly integrated lightning-type metasurface is proposed in this study. It can realize the functions of circular dichroism (CD), absorption of electromagnetic waves, broadband x-to-y cross polarization conversion (CPC) function, linear-to-circular polarization conversion (LTC-PC) function and asymmetric transmission (AT), and its functions are also analyzed and verified. The designed metasurface consists of the bottom grating structure, the lower SiO2, the middle lightning-type graphene, the upper SiO2, the top graphene and photosensitive silicon. Through numerical calculations, the CD of design can reach more than 85% at 4.22 THz. The function of bimodal absorption is achieved at 4.09 and 8.69 THz. At 7.41∼8.21 THz, the polarization conversion ratio (PCR) of the metasurface reaches more than 99%. Simultaneously, the function of LTC-PC can be formed when PCR is 50%. Finally, when the designed metasurface is in the transmissive state, the AT of design is close to 60% at 7.84 THz. This design provides a new design idea and method for biomedical detection, image processing, modulators, smart switches, optical diodes and other fields.

Replicating nature's fabric: High information markets and the sustainability of global seafood

Global fisheries and seafood supply chains have remarkable structural similarities to nature's food webs, with humans as apex predators, allowing us to use ecological concepts to draw connections between fisheries management and the stability and resilience of the global seafood system. However, misinformation currently plagues the global seafood market and may be preventing food webs' natural stabilizing features from working properly in the seafood system. We argue that misinformation blocks transparency throughout the entire supply chain and prevents consumers from making informed and potentially stabilizing decisions, undermining the sustainability of the global seafood system. Here, we first describe how food webs contain a remarkably repeated generalist module, characterized by flexible mobile generalist predators that adapt to resource variability in space by making rapid and “informed” foraging switches. Next, we discuss how the global seafood system mimics this structure but opposes the common stabilizing mechanism of nature's food webs because it is replete with misinformation. We conclude that modern tools combined with proper labelling can help create high information markets that allow consumers to make rapid and informed decisions. Predators' roles in nature's food webs indicate that smart switches in consumer foraging (i.e., demand) are critical for global seafood sustainability and the maintenance of marine biodiversity.

Thermal‐induced dielectric response in mechanically durable polyvinylidene fluoride–kapok encapsulated polyethylene glycol composite films

AbstractDielectric materials with thermally responsive property are being pursued in fields such as next‐generation sensors, smart switches, and novel actuators. These applications require that the dielectric materials have mechanical durability and stable serviceability besides thermally responsive dielectric behavior. Herein, we report a novel thermally responsive, mechanically durable, and low‐cost dielectric composite simply fabricated by vacuum impregnating polyethylene glycol (PEG) into kapok fiber and compounding them with polyvinylidene fluoride. A remarkable dielectric susceptibility, controlled dielectric transition temperature, and obvious thermal hysteresis of the composite films induced by the solid–liquid phase transition of PEG are demonstrated. The effect of molecular weights of PEG on the dielectric response behaviors is evaluated. Such thermally responsive dielectric materials with satisfactory mechanical durability will offer a chance toward constructing thermally responsive systems for reliable and stable operation.

Multistimulus-Responsive Graphene Oxide/Fe3O4/Starch Soft Actuators.

Soft actuators that respond to external stimuli like moisture, magnetism, light, and temperature have received tremendous attention owing to their promising potential in many frontier applications, including smart switches, soft robots, sensors, and artificial muscles. However, most of the conventional actuators can only be triggered by a solo stimulus and demand advanced manufacturing techniques that utilize expensive, hazardous, and synthetic raw materials. Herein, we design and fabricate a multiple stimuli-responsive actuator using graphene oxide, Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and tapioca starch via a water evaporation-induced self-assembly method. The resultant hybrid actuator exhibits a bending speed of ∼72° s-1 upon moisture exposure. Moreover, it can perform clockwise and counterclockwise rotations, linear motion, and magnetic object capture by regulating a magnetic field. As representative examples, the actuator is used to fabricate various smart devices such as smart curtains, biomimetic structures, and a smart gripper that undergo complex and consecutive motion under the influence of multiple stimuli.

Optical Microfibers for Sensing Proximity and Contact in Human-Machine Interfaces.

The monitoring of proximity-contact events is essential for human-machine interactions, intelligent robots, and healthcare monitoring. We report a dual-modal sensor made with two functionalized optical microfibers (MFs), which is inspired by the somatosensory system of human skin. The integrated sensor with a hierarchical structure gradationally detects finger approaching and touching by measuring the relative humidity (RH) and force-triggered light intensity variations. Specifically, the RH sensory part shows enhanced evanescent absorption, achieving a sensitive RH measurement with a fast response (110 ms), a high resolution (0.11%RH), and a wide working range (10-100%RH). Enabled by the transition from guided modes into radiation modes of the waveguiding MF, the force sensory part exhibits a high sensitivity (6.2%/kPa) and a fast response (up to 1.5 kHz). By using a real-time data processing unit, the proximity-contact sensor (PCS) achieves continuous detection of the full-contact events, including finger approaching, contacting, pressing, releasing, and leaving. As a proof of concept, the electromagnetic-interference-free PCS enables a smart switch system to recognize the proximity and contact of bare/gloved fingers. Moreover, skin humidity detection and respiration monitoring are realized. These initial results pave the way toward a category of optical collaborative devices ranging from human-machine interfaces to multifunctional on-skin healthcare sensors.

Touchless Electronic Device Control Design

Transmission of COVID-19 occurs between humans through droplets or splashes of body fluids containing SARS-CoV-2 particles. If a COVID-19 patient does not cover his mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, the patient will emit droplets containing the virus. Droplets can stick to the patient's hands and surrounding items. Anyone can get the virus when shaking hands or touching items that have the virus and contracting the virus if they touch their eyes, nose, or mouth without washing their hands first. In public places such as schools, offices, and hospitals, many pieces of equipment are controlled using the help/touch of a hand. The use of equipment in public places by many vulnerable people is the cause of the rapid spread of infectious diseases. The research that will be carried out is to design and manufacture tools to control equipment without touching hands to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The controlled equipment consists of water faucets, lights, fans, and curtains. The lights, fans, and water faucets are controlled using palm movements with the max distance from the Smart IR Switch being 11 cm. If there is palm movement within the working range of the Smart Switch IR, the solenoid valve, lights and fans will change from their previous conditions. If the initial condition is 'off' it will change to 'on' or vice versa. The curtain is controlled using palm movements with the max distance to the GP2Y0A21YK0F IR sensor being 10 cm. If there is palm movement within the working range of the GP2Y0A21YK0F IR sensor then the curtain will change from its previous condition. If the initial condition of the closed curtain changes to open or vice versa.

A topology identification algorithm and device implementation based on smart switch core board

Due to the large scale, large number of equipment and complex structure of distribution network, relying on manual maintenance of distribution network topology model has a huge workload and poor intuitiveness of model information, which is difficult to ensure the integrity and correctness of distribution network topology model. This paper presents an algorithm to improve the adaptability of multi scene feature signal recognition based on the smart switch core board, and designs the local communication interaction flow design based on topology recognition function from the station area intelligent terminal to the smart switch. The identification technology combining power frequency distortion and characteristic current is adopted. In the identification process, there is no need for the master station to participate in analysis and control. Multiple stations in the same community can be carried out concurrently to automatically identify the connection relationship between distribution network equipment and line topology, and dynamically build a clear and complete household transformer relationship and distribution network topology to help operation inspection, marketing The lean management level of distribution network such as regulation and control has been improved.

A proposed high voltage distribution system for Mu2e electron tracker

This paper reports on the design and construction of a High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) for a “Smart Switch” developed to provide high voltage (HV) to a series of stacked straw detector planes in the Mu2e Electron Tracking Detector (ETD). Each plane is composed of three 120 deg. Crescent-shaped panels, and each panel is composed of 96 straw tubes. The HVDS provides HV on-off, current monitoring, recording, and crowbar for over-current protection. The inter-communication system is based on TCP/IP. The HVDS supplies HV with long term stability, and accurately monitors the applied voltage and currents.

Design and simulation of a software defined networking-enabled smart switch for internet of things-based smart grid

Using sustainable energy is the future of our planet earth, this became not only economically efficient but also a necessity for the preservation of life on earth. Because of such necessity, smart grids became a very important issue to be researched. Many literatures discussed this topic and with the development of internet of things (IoT) and smart sensors, smart grids are developed even further. On the other hand, software defined networking is a technology that separates the cntrol plane from the data plan of the network. It centralizes the management and the orchestration of the network tasks by using a network controller. The network controller is the heart of the SDN-enabled network, and it can control other networking devices using software defined networking (SDN) protocols such as OpenFlow. A smart switching mechanism called (SDN-smgrid-sw) for the smart grid will be modeled and controlled using SDN. We modeled the environment that interact with the sensors, for the sun and the wind elements. The Algorithm is modeled and programmed for smart efficient power sharing that is managed centrally and monitored using SDN controller. Also, all if the smart grid elements (power sources) are connected to the IP network using IoT protocols.

Hexavalent Chromium as a Smart Switch for Peroxidase-like Activity Regulation via the Surface Electronic Redistribution of Silver Nanoparticles Anchored on Carbon Spheres.

Although some ions, due to their unique chemical properties, can regulate the enzyme-like activity of nanomaterials, it is still a huge challenge to explore the mechanism of regulation. Herein, we found that Cr6+ (CrO42-) as a smart switch can significantly increase the peroxidase-like (POD-like) activity of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), which were anchored efficiently on carbon spheres (Cal-CS/PEG/Ag) using amino-modified poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a bridge. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that the addition of Cr6+ can not only adjust the surface electronic redistribution of Ag atoms but also improve the geometric structure of the adsorbed intermediate, which resulted in the optimization of free energy and change of bond lengths in the catalytic reaction process, increasing the POD-like activity of Cal-CS/PEG/Ag. Based on the Cr6+-increased POD-like activity of Cal-CS/PEG/Ag, we successfully constructed a visual sensor of Cr6+ along with quantitative analysis by the UV spectrum. The sensor has good selectivity for other 29 interfering ions and molecules with a detection limit of 79 nM. In this work, the detailed mechanism of the Cr6+-increased POD-like activity of Ag NPs was studied and a new possibility for the rational design of ion visual sensors using nanomaterials was proposed.

Metal ion modulation triggers dielectric double switching and green fluorescence in A2MX4-type compounds.

Multifunctional switching materials show great potential for applications in sensors, smart switches, and other fields due to their ability to integrate different physical channels in one single device. However, multifunctional responsive materials with multiple switching and luminescence properties have rarely been reported. Here, we report three organic-inorganic hybrids: [TMAA]2[CoCl4] (compound 1), [TMAA]2[CdBr4] (compound 2) and [TMAA]2[MnCl4] (compound 3). Compound 1 and compound 2 undergo two reversible phase transitions at high temperature (328.95/359.25 K and 350.45/393.15 K, respectively). Since the inorganic skeleton has a strong influence on the luminescence properties of such structured substances, Cd and Co were replaced with Mn, after which compound 3 was obtained as expected. The above strategy triggered bright green luminescence with a quantum yield of 35.19%, and significantly increased the phase transition temperature of compound 3 to above 400 K. The above results show that the regulation of the inorganic skeleton provides a new strategy for researchers to develop dual phase change/luminous materials.

Ranking Security of IoT-Based Smart Home Consumer Devices

Manufacturers of smart home consumer devices like home theatres, music players, voice-based assistants, smart lighting, and security cameras have widely adopted the Internet of Things (IoT). These devices pose a significant security risk to consumers because the devices are exposed to mobile applications and cloud-based services with known security vulnerabilities. Most current home consumer devices provide little or no information about the level of security they afford. Since most consumers are not tech-savvy, it is currently difficult for a consumer to make an informed decision about which consumer device model (e.g., smart television model) has the best security. Hence, consumers need an objective security ranking of each type (e.g., security cameras) of home consumer devices. This paper proposes a novel methodology to systematically build such security rankings for home consumer devices. The proposed methodology can be applied by utilizing data from any security assessment study. The paper discusses previous efforts in applying Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to rank security risks in general. The paper also presents a systematic survey of security vulnerabilities of smart home consumer devices when viewed from an IoT lens. Using the proposed methodology, a case study, employing an AHP model for ranking commonly used home consumer devices including home theatres, security cameras, smart lighting, smart speakers, video surveillance, smart switches, home automation systems, home security systems, smart routers, wireless doorbell cameras, and home audio systems, was developed. Relative security rankings for each type of consumer device were derived from the AHP model. According to the AHP model, network security was the primary driver of smart home device security with a priority of 0.6893 while application security had the least priority of 0.0591. Critical Vulnerabilities were the most important for device security (priority=0.4397), Man-in-The-Middle attacks for network security (priority=0.2019), exploitable services for cloud security (priority=0.26), and sensitive data for application security (0.7626). The AHP model was internally consistent (Consistency Ratio < 0.1). Sensitivity analysis showed that the AHP model was robust against pairing assumptions.

Multifunctional gradient hydrogel with ultrafast thermo-responsive actuation and ultrahigh conductivity

This paper presents an octopus-tentacle inspired multifunctional gradient hydrogel with both ultrafast thermo-responsive actuation and ultrahigh conductivity for soft actuators, wearable electronics and smart circuit switches.

Smart Aero-Spider: An adaptive and selective smart switching aerator system

The recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic hit shows the emergence of increase in quality of life across various parts of the world. With this lifestyle change, people are looking towards high quality food. Fish being a major source of protein, the industry producing fish from aquaculture is booming. The proposed smart aerator system provides an integrated array of underwater systems for selective aeration of the water body. The smart system ensures targeted aeration to guarantee optimal levels of dissolved oxygen at all times. This is beneficial for perfect survival, growth, and reproduction of fishes. The strategically placed spider aerators are turned on when readings from the dissolved oxygen level at the location is below the optimum range of values. The air blower system consists of an intelligent switching system to activate the right aerator based on the requirement. The sensor data is relayed to the cloud with a wireless communication module. This data can be used for useful insights and all-round monitoring of the water body. The respective aerators have IR sensor to detect movement alongside on-board LEDs to indicate functioning status. Overall, this ensures maximum accelerated growth of healthy fishes. Thus, the solution aims at efficiently boosting the ability of the aquaculture industry to meet the ever-growing demand of consumers.

RANCANG BANGUN WATER LEVEL CONTROL BERBASIS SONOFF SMART SWITCH

The prototype of an automatic water tank filling system based on a sonoff smart switch that works based on the volume of water level in a tank based on a sonoff smart switch has been successfully created. This study aims to determine the working principle of the sonoff switch and automatic water tank filling system. The water sensor used in this study is a float switch type that works based on changes in the value of the high volume of the tank water. For automatic filling of the water tank, a sonoff smart switch and also a float switch have been used as a switch to drain and disconnect the electric current to the pump. The design results show that this automatic water tank filling system can work well, where if the water tank level is below 20% then the water pump will turn "ON" and if the water level in the tank is above 90% then the water pump will turn "OFF".

Low Voltage and Low Temperature Soft Electrothermal Actuator Based on PE/Graphite Bilayer Film

AbstractSoft electrothermal actuators are widely used in soft robots, smart switches, medical devices, artificial muscles, and human–machine interactions. Generally, they operate at room temperature but also meet the safety standards for maximum safe voltage for a human body. Therefore, an actuator with a lower voltage and lower temperature is the first choice, as long as the performance is not affected. In this study, a bilayer film based on polythene (PE)/graphite is used to realize an electrothermal drive. The method is simple, inexpensive, and convenient for mass production. At a low driving voltage of between 1.5 and 2 V, and at a temperature of 40–52 °C, a maximum bending angle of 139.22°–470°. Through the demonstration of a micromechanical gripper and transportation illustrated by drug crawling, it is proven that the PE/graphite composite membrane can be widely applied in the field of soft actuators.