Unified Parameter Research Articles

Consistent Evaluation Methods for Microfluidic Mixers

The study presents a unifying methodology for characterizing micromixers, integrating both experimental and simulation techniques. Focusing on Dean mixer designs, it employs an optical evaluation for experiments and a modified Sobolev norm for simulations, yielding a unified dimensionless characteristic parameter for the whole mixer at a given Reynolds number. The results demonstrate consistent mixing performance trends across both methods for various operation points. This paper also proposes enhancements in the evaluation process to improve accuracy and reduce noise impact. This approach provides a valuable framework for optimizing micromixer designs, essential in advancing microfluidic technologies.

A unified calibration method for robot manipulators: hand-eye parameters, kinematic parameters and TCP position calibration

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to propose an efficient, simple and concise unified robot calibration method that simultaneously considers errors in hand-eye parameters, kinematic parameters and tool center point (TCP) position.Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes a unified robot calibration method. First, the initial hand-eye matrix and TCP position are computed without considering kinematic parameter errors. Second, the nominal TCP positions in the laser tracker coordinate system {S} are computed. The actual TCP positions in {S} are directly measured. Third, a unified parameter error calibration model is established, and the sequential quadratic programming algorithm is used for error identification. Finally, the identified errors are used for direct error compensation.FindingsSimulation results prove that the proposed scheme can accurately calibrate the hand-eye parameters, kinematic parameters and TCP position simultaneously. Experimental results reveal that the maximum value of the absolute positioning errors is reduced from 5.4725 mm to 0.4095 mm (reduced by 92.52%). Thus, the proposed approach meets the accuracy requirements of most robotic applications.Originality/valueThe main contributions of this paper are: (1) this scheme is efficient. The method can achieve fully automatic calibration by incorporating Kronecker products for the initial hand-eye matrix and TCP position computation. Thereby significantly improving the calibration efficiency and liberating the labor force. (2) This scheme is simple and concise. The hand-eye parameters, kinematic parameters and TCP position errors are modeled in a unified framework. Furthermore, the related redundant parameters are deleted.

Establishment of unified parametric equation and performance analysis of screw motor stator and rotor linetype

Aiming at the screw motor stator and rotor linetype parameter equations are not uniform and the linetype characteristics have not been completely studied, resulting in the linetype design and selection method is not perfect and poor interchangeability and so on. In this paper, the unified parameter of linetype equation of the screw motor stator and rotor and the thermo-mechanical coupling model and the shell-bushing cohesive zone model of the 5/6 screw motor under the three linetypes of equidistant hypocycloid, equidistant epicycloid and hypocycloid and epicycloid are established. The relationship between the three linetypes of stator and rotor and the lagging heat generation of the bushing, drilling fluid pressure, downhole temperature and shell-bushing bonding performance is studied. The results show that the stator temperature rise of the equidistant epicycloid method is 22%–30% lower than that of the other two types of stator. The stator with equidistant epicycloid is less affected by drilling fluid pressure and is more conducive to forming conjugate sealing cavity in deep wells. The downhole temperature has a certain influence on the stator linetype, which needs to be considered in the design. The CSMAXSCRT value of the bonding interface of the screw motor using the equidistant epicycloid method is 6.1%–10.1% higher than that of the screw motor using the other two linetypes, which is prone to bonding failure. When the interference is small, the equidistant hypocycloid method and the hypocycloid and epicycloid method can be used, and the equidistant hypocycloid method is recommended when the interference is large. The research in this paper provides a theoretical basis for the design and selection of screw motor linetypes, and has important engineering practical significance for realizing product interchangeability.

Glass transition temperature as a unified parameter to design self-healable elastomers.

Self-healing ability of materials, particularly polymers, improves their functional stabilities and lifespan. To date, the designs for self-healable polymers have relied on specific intermolecular interactions or chemistries. We report a design methodology for self-healable polymers based on glass transition. Statistical copolymer series of two monomers with different glass transition temperatures (Tg) were synthesized, and their self-healing tendency depends on the Tg of the copolymers and the constituents. Self-healing occurs more efficiently when the difference in Tg between two monomer units is larger, within a narrow Tg range of the copolymers, irrespective of their functional groups. The self-healable copolymers are elastomeric and nonpolar. The strategy to graft glass transition onto self-healing would expand the scope of polymer design.

Modeling soil erosion dynamic processes along hillslopes with vegetation impact across different land uses on the Loess Plateau of China

Developing a process-based soil erosion model that comprehensively considers the effects of vegetation is complex but crucial for evaluating sediment reduction during vegetation restoration. Current understanding of the effect of vegetation on sediment reduction along hillslopes across different land uses is limited. In this paper, we developed a dynamic model of hillslope erosion that integrates the effects of vegetation on soil detachability and hydrodynamics (VED) based on the feedback mechanism between soil detachment and sediment transport. The VED was calibrated and validated with runoff plot data for woodland, grassland, and farmland in the Wuding, Yan, Jing and Wei Rivers of the Loess Plateau in China. Unified baseline parameters and decay coefficients of vegetation were obtained. The model validation results indicated that the coefficient of determination, Nash–Sutcliffe simulation efficiency and relative error ranged from 0.59 to 0.99, 0.56 to 0.90, and −45.99 % to 46.36 %, respectively. The decay coefficients for soil detachment capacity (Φ), sediment transport capacity (Tc), and the sediment reduction effect of vegetation exhibited the following order: woodland > grassland > farmland. Compared with VED, existing process-based soil erosion models failed to effectively characterize the influence of vegetation on Φ and Tc on the Loess Plateau, with differences of several orders of magnitude. The individual contributions of runoff, soil detachability, and hydrodynamics with vegetation impact on sediment yield were quantified by VED. The contribution rates of vegetation to sediment reduction decreased gradually with increasing slope length because the soil detachment capacity of bare slopes exceeded that of vegetated slopes, resulting in a faster increase in sediment yield. The contribution rates of vegetation to sediment reduction for woodland, grassland, and farmland with 20 %–60 % vegetation covers were 66.75 %–99.95 %, 57.43 %–99.63 %, and 27.91 %–88.63 % in the boundary conditions of this study, respectively. The results reveal the potential for integrating VED into other distributed watershed hydrological and sediment models to assess the effects of vegetation restoration on sediment reduction at a watershed scale.

Topological derivative based sensitivity analysis for three-dimensional discrete variable topology optimization

This study introduces a novel Topological Derivative-based Sensitivity Analysis (TDSA) methodology for three-dimensional (3D) discrete variable topology optimization. Recently, the authors pointed out that the discrete variable sensitivity can be related to the topological derivative, and thus can be rationally approximated by the specially customized topological derivative for plane stress problems. However, the 3D discrete variable sensitivity requires the 3D topological derivative with element-shaped (e.g., unit cube) domain perturbation, whose analytical solution is not available in the literature. This paper proposes a unified parameter fitting framework to calculate the 3D topological derivative with arbitrary shape 3D domain perturbation. The formula for spherical hole perturbation obtained through this parameter fitting framework is identical to the well-known analytical topological derivative formula. Further, the 3D discrete variable sensitivity can be easily obtained through element-shaped domain perturbation. With the recently proposed Sequential Approximate Integer Programming (SAIP), numerical examples demonstrate that TDSA is precise not only for the self-adjoint 3D minimum compliance problems but also for the non-adjoint 3D compliant mechanism design problems. In sum, numerical examples have been conducted by feeding the derived sensitivity to the SAIP optimization algorithms, and the correctness of the sensitivity information has been well demonstrated. This research further solidifies the foundation of rational discrete variable sensitivity analysis in 3D topology optimization.

Improving crop yield estimation by unified model parameters and state variable with Bayesian inference

Data assimilation techniques integrating crop growth models and remote sensing technologies offer a feasible approach for large-scale crop yield estimation. Previous research has primarily focused on either recalibrate the uncertain model parameters or updating model state variables independently using remotely sensed observations. In this study, we developed a two-step inference algorithm that couples the parameter inference and the state update, to solve the joint posterior distribution of uncertain parameters and state variables given the remote sensing observations. An Observing Simulation System (OSS) experiment was first performed based on the WOFOST crop model to validate the effectiveness of the parameter inference method. The results indicate that, the parameter inference method successfully improved the estimation of different types of model parameters and enhanced yield estimation. Furthermore, leaf area index (LAI) retrieved from Sentinel-2 was assimilated into the WOFOST model to simulate winter wheat yield at the plot scale in the northeastern part of Henan Province. The results demonstrated that the proposed two-step inference algorithm can more effectively correct model simulation biases and improve winter wheat yield estimation accuracy (R²=0.58, MAPE=12.75 %, and RMSE=1112 kg·ha⁻¹), outperforming the standard EnKF algorithm (R²=0.51, MAPE=14.62 %, RMSE=1328 kg·ha⁻¹). Overall, attributed to its unified approach to estimating both model parameters and state variables, the proposed two-step inference algorithm shows promising application prospects for data assimilation-based crop yield estimation.

Research on damage behavior of silicone rubber under dynamic impact

Viscoelastic rubber materials are widely used in various vibration reduction structures of military and construction machinery. The complex driving and working conditions make the mechanical structure suffer severe impact, which leading to the damage or lose efficacy of the important viscoelastic elements. In order to reveal the dynamic mechanical properties of silicone rubber after impact, the Uniaxial compression tests of silicone rubber under different high strain rates were carried out with the separated Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) dynamic impact experiment, and the original Zhu-Wang-Tang (ZWT) constitutive model was modified by combining logarithmic law and power function law. The dynamic impact simulation model of silicone rubber was established using the modified ZWT-rate-dependent constitutive model, and the dynamic impact damage behavior of silicone rubber was studied under the condition of high strain rate, and the microscopic damage analysis was carried out on the experimental silicone rubber samples by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the silicone rubber has obvious strain rate effect and strong deformation resistance at high strain rate. The modified ZWT-rate-dependent constitutive model can be used to obtain the constitutive expression of unified parameters, which can better describe the dynamic mechanical properties of silicone rubber at high strain rates. After dynamic impact compression, a damage line zone appears in the silicone rubber sample. There is a certain rule between the position of the line zone and the loading strain rate and the friction coefficient of the end face, and the silicone rubber is significantly affected by the friction effect of the end face.

Enhancing stress measurements accuracy control in the construction of long-span bridges

This paper introduces new contributions for construction procedures designed to enhance the robustness and precision of stress control in active anchorage and short presetressing units for long-span bridges, particularly addressing potential technical risks. The primary focus is on optimizing stress management for bridge stays, suspension cables, and short prestressing units by emphasizing a unified parameter: stress. The contributions of this research encompass (1) the introduction of advanced load cells for stress control in active anchorages and (2) the implementation of a novel synchronized multi-strain gage load cell network for short prestressing units, crucial in situations where prestressing losses can attain significant magnitudes. To validate these advancements, the authors present (3) a practical experience and results obtained from applying these methodologies in monitoring the structural response during the construction of the Tajo Bridge using the cable-stayed cantilever technique.

Undrained cavity expansion–contraction analysis in CASM and its application for pressuremeter tests

Many geotechnical scenarios involve cavity unloading from a loaded state, particularly in pressuremeter tests, and the unloading data of pressuremeter tests has exceptional attraction as it is less disturbed by the insertion process. However, the analyses for continuous cavity loading and unloading (i.e., cavity initially experiences expansion and then contracts) in critical state soils are rarely studied. To this end, a novel semi-analytical solution based on the unified state parameter model for clay and sand (CASM) is proposed for the whole expansion–contraction of spherical and cylindrical cavities under undrained conditions. The problem assumes that the cavity is unloaded after a monotonic loading stage, leading to plastic regions during both loading and unloading periods. The cavity response for the whole expansion-contraction process is investigated, with the total pressure and stress paths at the cavity wall presented and validated against numerical simulation. The developed solution is successfully implemented to interpret both loading and unloading data of pressuremeter tests. The undrained shear strength, in situ effective horizontal stress and initial overconsolidation ratio are back analyzed by using a curve fitting method based on the proposed solution.

Diagnostic Value/Accuracy of Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Low-grade Glioma: Systematic Review

Tumor grading plays a decisive role in glioma classification, which impacts the treatment strategy and prognosis of the patient. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) technique is a noninvasive technique used in tumor grading. This study explores whether DWI can be effectively used in tumor grading and the identification of low-grade glioma (LGG) by analyzing apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Publicly available English databases, PubMed and Google Scholar, were queried from 2015 to 2021. We mined a total of 465 research documents; of which nine articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The overall findings show cutoff threshold min ADC values with higher b value playing a significant role in the differentiation of high-grade gliomas and LGGs, tumor grading, and determining tumor progression and stability. This systematic review suggests the development of unified DWI imaging parameters with better sensitivity and specificity for grading LGG tumors.

Geometric space construction method combined of a spline-skinning based geometric variation method and PCA dimensionality reduction for ship hull form optimization

In the construction stage of ship hull geometric space, the representation and variation of hull forms pose challenges due to the complex nature of the geometry and the necessity for enhanced flexibility in space. In this study, we utilize T-spline technology for the representation of ship hulls, enabling a unified parameter domain with a reduced number of control points to effectively depict the entire hull surface. Furthermore, we introduce a method for geometric variation based on the T-spline parameter domain, which permits both local and global alterations, thus offering greater flexibility in modifying the geometry. By leveraging the T-spline representation and the geometric variation method, we developed a hybrid geometric approach for constructing the geometric space, which significantly increased the geometric flexibility in ship hull optimization. A geometric space characterized by a high degree of geometric freedom typically requires the use of numerous optimization variables and incurs considerable computational resource consumption. In this research, we apply a linear dimensionality reduction method, principal component analysis, to decrease the dimensionality of the geometric space. This method effectively preserves the original geometric design space, thereby eliminating the need for performance analyses. The numerical optimization results clearly indicate that the proposed method significantly enhances optimization efficiency.

Different inhibition patterns of ammonia and salt revealed by kinetic analysis of their combined inhibitory effect on methanogenesis of hydrogen: A preliminary study

Kinetic parameters of the inhibitory effect of ammonia and salt on anaerobic digestion remain unclear. We investigated the combined inhibition effect of ammonia and salt on anaerobic digestion through hydrogen-fed specific methanogenetic activity (SMA) tests. The kinetic parameters estimated using mathematical models indicated a concentration-dependent monotonical SMA decrease caused by both ammonia and salt, but a different inhibition pattern was determined for each inhibitory factor. A 3-D contour analysis indicated that the combined inhibitory effect of ammonia and salt depended on both their concentrations. Salinity was proposed as a unified parameter for predicting the combined inhibition, and a maximum of 3.5% was observed for methane production. Thus, this study provides a detailed perspective on the combined inhibitory effect of ammonia and salt on methanogenesis of hydrogen. Further investigation into different kinds of seed sludge and inhibition mitigating experiments could enhance the stability of the anaerobic digestion process.

A contact parameter estimation method for multi-modal robot locomotion on deformable granular terrains

AbstractIn this paper, we consider the problem of contact parameters (slippage and sinkage) estimation for multi-modal robot locomotion on granular terrains. To describe the contact events in the same framework for robots operated at different modes (e.g., wheel, leg), we propose a unified description of contact parameters for multi-modal robots. We also provide a parameter estimation method for multi-modal robots based on CNN and DWT (discrete wavelet transformation) techniques and verify its effectiveness over different types of granular terrains. Besides motion modes, this paper also considers the influence of slope angles and the robot’s handing angles over contact parameters. Through comparison and analysis of the prediction results, our method can not only effectively predict the contact parameters of multi-modal robot locomotion on a granular medium (better than $96\%$ accuracy) but also achieves the same or better performance when compared to other (direct) contact measurement methods designed for individual motion modes, that is, single-modal robots such as quadruped robots and mars rovers. Our proposed unified contact parameter estimation method can be useful for studying the interaction mechanics between multi-modal robots and granular terrains as well as terrain classification tasks due to its superior sensitivity which is analyzed in the experiments.

Operating Policies With Temporally and Spatially Varied Parameters in Station-Based Carsharing Services

This study investigates two operating policies with temporally and spatially varied parameters in station-based carsharing services, which are becoming a popular traffic mode. One is the so-called free-reservation policy, in which a user can reserve a car freely before his/her trip. The other is the extra-parking policy, in which a user can return a car to a station without valid parking slots but with a fixed extra-parking fee paid. A scheme with temporally and spatially varied parameters is proposed to maximize the total operational profit, where key service parameters in the two policies are varied with stations and periods. The strategic behavior of users is considered which involves the choices of both transportation modes and carsharing stations. A simulation-based optimization solution method is developed to optimize the key parameters in the policies, where the solution space is reduced. Extensive numerical experiments validate the solution method and the scheme with varied parameters. The results indicate that the scheme with varied parameters increases the total profit by approximately 20% compared to the scheme with unified parameters in the configuration of experiments. Several managerial implications are also proposed to help carsharing platforms utilize resources efficiently.

A segmented‐region optimum EPS modulation scheme based on unified parameter algorithm in DAB‐based EV charger circuit

AbstractDue to galvanic isolation, bidirectional power transmission and extensive voltage adjustment, dual active bridge (DAB) exerts significant interface between renewable sources and electric vehicle (EV) storage port. However, for DAB operations, under light load or high voltage gain conditions, minimization of root‐mean‐square (RMS) current (MRMS) causes a restricted soft‐switching range. With variations of output power and operation modes, maintenance for all switches ZVS operation is difficult to maintain. Therefore, here, a segmented‐region optimum modulation (SROM) scheme based on extended‐phase‐shift (EPS) control is proposed to solve the aforementioned problems and solve complicated coupled relationship among different optimization methods. Firstly, based on voltage gain and transmission power, all EPS modes are divided clearly. Then, for switching loss reduction, fully‐power‐range ZVS (FZVS) is realized through transitions among EPS modes. Thirdly, either all semiconductors ZVS or not, most suitable optimization method is selected for different EPS regions by SROM. Further, to establish accurate boundaries among these optimization methods, relationship between inner phase‐shift ratio D1 and outer phase‐shift ratio D2 are quantified by unified parameter algorithm with unified parameter m. Therefore, for any EPS modes, efficiency is promoted comprehensively. A DAB‐based prototype is established and experimental results verify correctness and effectiveness of proposed method.

Evaluation of different equations of state and free-volume approaches for unified modeling of diffusion and thermodiffusion coefficients

This article is a development and testing of the previously suggested theoretical approach for simultaneous thermodynamic modeling of diffusion and thermodiffusion coefficients. The new theoretical framework allows for the calculation of transport properties with the aid of the concepts of penetration distances and emission functions, which are fully determined from thermodynamic equations that relate functions of state variables, that is, equations of state (EoS). Four underlying EoS were tested in this work, 3 different cubic EoS and PC-SAFT, with the aim of investigating the effect of the thermodynamic model on the description of experimental data. We also investigated the impact of different approaches to estimating the free volume, which is an essential part of the model. The results indicate that the application of the effective co-volume provides a superior representation of the diffusion and thermodiffusion coefficients, which should be included in the parameterization procedure for the selection of the unified model parameters. We evaluated the use of infinite dilution diffusion coefficient data and molecular dynamics simulation to validate model parameters, and discussed the possible ways to improve the model, including predicting diffusion data as a function of temperature.

The UTUH model: a time-dependent unified hardening constitutive model for unsaturated soils

AbstractAn advanced constitutive framework for unsaturated soils, the UTUH model, is proposed in this paper, which considers the joint effect of time, suction and overconsolidation within the framework of sub-loading surface plasticity. A reference line, namely the instantaneously normal compression line (INCLs) for unsaturated soils, is introduced from a conceptual framework drawn from constant rates of strain test results to determine creep time and overconsolidation states of unsaturated soils. Subsequently, an isotropic elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model for unsaturated soils is produced by combining viscous deformation with mechanical and hydraulic deformation through overconsolidation parameter. Net stress, suction and time are adopted as fundamental constitutive variables and time-dependent loading collapse yield surface is derived to characterize the relationship between yield stress, suction, and time. Then, an extension to a triaxial stress state is built in the space of mean effective stress, suction, deviator stress and time variable. The hardening of yield surface and sub-loading surface is controlled by viscoplastic volumetric strain and unified hardening parameter. The performance of the proposed UTUH model is addressed through four numerical studies, and the proposed model is validated against experimental data from the literature.

Experimental investigation and constitutive material modelling of low cycle fatigue of EUROFER97 for fusion applications

EUROFER97 is one of the candidate materials for structural components of fusion nuclear reactors (i.e. ITER and DEMO). Due to the plasma instabilities and cyclic operating conditions, these structural components are expected to face asymmetric thermomechanical fatigue loading. In this work, existing models based on the Chaboche viscoplasticity model have been modified in order to represent the fatigue behaviour of EUROFER97 under different strain ratios and ranges. The modified model has been parameterized based on experimental data obtained from fatigue tests of EUROFER97, in which the strain range varied from 0.6 % to 1.5 % and the strain ratio was either -1 or 0 at room temperature or 350 °C. The incorporation of the strain memory effect into the isotropic hardening due to the observed non-Masing behaviour of EUROFER97 enabled the use of unified parameters for every temperature that could cover all the different testing conditions. In order to validate the current model, the simulated results are compared to strain controlled low cycle fatigue test data performed at room temperature and 350 °C, which were not used for the parameterization. A good match between the simulation and experimental results proves the predictive capability of the proposed modified model.

Unified performance parameters for IM/DD techniques over gamma-gamma fading channel with pointing errors

In this paper, we discuss the performance of different intensity modulation direct detection techniques (IM-DD) used in free space optical systems (FSO) under different channel impairments such as path loss, atmospheric turbulence, and pointing errors. We derived unified formulas for each of the average symbol error rate (SER) bounds and outage probability for different modulation techniques: OOK, MPPM, and LMPPM. The accuracy of the obtained formulas is validated through comparison with MC-simulation results. Finally, we investigate the effect of system parameters on FSO link performance.