Article
Mathematics
Guojian Lin, Wenkai Huang, Chuanshuai Hu, Junlong Xiao, Fobao Zhou, Xiaolin Zhang, Jiajian Liang, Jiaqiao Liang
Summary: In this paper, a soft robot driven by a gas-liquid phase transition actuator with a new structure is designed. The soft robot is driven by pressure generated by electrically induced ethanol phase transition, which can generate a larger driving force using low voltage. Compared with traditional gas-driven soft robots, the gas-liquid phase transition-driven soft robot has a more compact overall structure as it does not require a complex circuit system and a large external energy supply air pump. Additionally, the new actuator structure provides the soft robot with good gas tightness and shorter recovery time. A reinforcement depth learning control strategy is also added for better gripping objects of different sizes and weights.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Maina Sogabe, Florian Christoffer Uetrecht, Takahiro Kanno, Tetsuro Miyazaki, Kenji Kawashima
Summary: In this study, a silicone actuator with improved thermodynamic response was proposed by downsizing the actuator and reducing the liquid amount and silicone volume. The actuator can bend when placed in hot water at 75 degrees C, and its response time was improved to 1.70 seconds, close to the theoretical response time.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Piao Cheng, Zhaodi Tang, Xiao Chen, Panpan Liu, Xiaowei Zhang, Ge Wang
Summary: With the increasing global installation of photovoltaic panels and more complex functionalities of smart electronic devices, heat generation has become a fundamental problem in photovoltaic conversion and electronic device operation. The proposed self-powered thermal management strategy integrates metal-organic framework (MOF) and liquid-gas phase change hydrogel (PVA/CH), providing high cooling efficiency, low-energy consumption, and self-regeneration capabilities. This approach significantly boosts the thermal management efficiency and reduces the surface temperature of solar cells.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yeosang Yoon, Huijae Park, Jinwoo Lee, Joonhwa Choi, Yeongju Jung, Seonggeun Han, Inho Ha, Seung Hwan Ko
Summary: In this study, a soft thermo-pneumatic actuating module based on a soft thermoelectric device is developed, which utilizes bi-directional thermal management to control the inflation and deflation of the pneumatic chamber. Active cooling functionality of the thermoelectric device is demonstrated, reducing operating time. Different motions are achieved through assembly design for practical usage in soft robotics.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yifan Jia, Guoxing Liao, Yang Wu, Oleksandr Mykhaylyk, Paul D. Topham, Xue-Hui Dong, Changzhong Chen, Qianqian Yu, LinGe Wang
Summary: Form-stable phase change fibers (PCFs) composed of stable supporting material and phase change material have been widely used in energy storage, thermal regulation, and the biomedical field. In this study, six different types of PCFs were fabricated using poly(lactic acid) as the supporting material and poly(ethylene glycol) as the phase change material. The results showed that the crystallizability and glass transition temperature of poly(lactic acid) had a significant influence on the phase change enthalpy of the PCFs. The optimized PCFs achieved a high phase change enthalpy close to the theoretical value and exhibited excellent thermal stability and regulation capability.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Robotics
Xiying Li, Huiling Duan, Pengyu Lv, Xin Yi
Summary: The study focuses on the fabrication of PCM-elastomer composites with large deformation and high output stress, investigating their thermomechanical properties experimentally and theoretically. By controlling the distribution and content of the PCM inclusions, structures with tunable deformability are fabricated, showing enhanced deformation and loading capacity due to induced vapor pressure. This enables complex locomotion and adaptable grabbing function with excellent performance.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhaohan Yu, Yunming Wang, Jiaqi Zheng, Shuang Sun, Yue Fu, Dan Chen, Weihao Cai, Dong Wang, Huamin Zhou, Dequn Li
Summary: This paper reports a remotely controlled soft robot using a photoresponsive nanocomposite synthesized from liquid crystal elastomers, high elastic form-stable phase change polymer, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The nanocomposite allows the robot to exhibit an obvious, fast, and reversible shape change upon exposure to near-infrared light. The proposed photodriven soft robot can perform various tasks with recoverable, dramatic, and sensitive deformation. The innovation offers a promising path toward miniaturized untethered robotic systems.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiaxin Wu, Wenfei Ai, Kai Hou, Chaofan Zhang, Yue Long, Kai Song
Summary: Researchers have developed a light-driven dynamic adsorption/desorption soft suction cup inspired by rock-climbing fish, which utilizes gas-liquid phase changes to generate suction and thrust. By integrating the soft suction cup with a shape memory alloy, a soft climbing robot capable of precise, facile, and programmed climbing on tilted or slippery surfaces via remote light manipulation has been developed. The findings are expected to advance the application of light-driven soft robots on such surfaces.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Yutao Huo, Xiaowen Pang, Zhonghao Rao
Summary: Optimizing the placement of heat sources and adjusting the Rayleigh number can enhance heat transfer efficiency in thermal energy storage systems using phase change materials during melting and solidification processes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THERMAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
J. P. Hadiya, Chirag Patel, Maithil Dangarwala, Sachin Dangar, Narayan Changlani
Summary: This study focuses on experimental and numerical thermal analysis of the solid-liquid interface in order to understand the behavior of phase change materials in latent heat thermal energy systems. The results show that the orientation of the container and the heat input have significant effects on the position and shape of the solid-liquid interface.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Juan Shi, Haiyi Du, Zhenqian Chen, Shuyao Lei
Summary: This paper focuses on the application of metal foam in phase change heat transfer and analyzes the influencing factors and mechanisms. The results show that metal foam can enhance the heat transfer performance of phase change systems, but it also affects natural convection, bubble overflow, and pressure drop. Optimized techniques and modifications to the surface properties of metal foam can help alleviate these issues.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Nan Sheng, Haonan Guo, Chunyu Zhu, Zhonghao Rao
Summary: Metallic phase change material (PCM) has great potential in medium-temperature thermal storage. A novel metal phase change macrocapsule with a thermal expansion void was successfully prepared, allowing for excellent oxidation resistance and cycle durability after thermal cycling.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Nan Sheng, Yunfei Ge, Yunqi Guo, Chunyu Zhu, Zhonghao Rao
Summary: This study successfully fabricated Cu@Al2O3 macro-encapsulated metallic PCMs for high-temperature thermal storage. The macrocapsules consist of Cu core and Al2O3 ceramic shell, providing buffer spaces for thermal expansion and showing good durability.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seyed M. Mirvakili, Arny Leroy, Douglas Sim, Evelyn N. Wang
Summary: This study presents a method for harnessing sunlight to drive untethered soft robots, demonstrating light-operated soft robotic grippers using a selective solar absorber film and low-boiling point fluid. The approach addresses a key challenge in the field of untethered soft robotics, enabling long-range operation without bulky peripheral components.
Article
Thermodynamics
Achutha Tamraparni, Alison Hoe, Michael Deckard, Chen Zhang, Nathan Malone, Alaa Elwany, Patrick J. Shamberger, Jonathan R. Felts
Summary: Phase change materials store thermal energy as latent heat and can be combined with high thermal conductivity metals to create composites with high power density and large energy storage capacity. This study provides a theoretical framework to design and optimize cylindrical composites with three figures of merit - minimization of temperature rise, maximization of effective volumetric heat capacity, and maximization of effective heat capacity based on mass.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
Mitsuharu Matsumoto
JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
(2019)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Aoi Uchino, Mitsuharu Matsumoto
Summary: Recent studies have been actively exploring automatic auroral image classification, mainly relying on supervised learning. This study proposed a method to extend image data sets by using deep convolutional generative adversarial networks (DCGAN), reducing the manual labeling operations. The experiment showed that training on the extended data set improved the classification accuracy.
IEEE GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Junki Kawaguchi, Mitsuharu Matsumoto
Summary: This study proposes a method to reduce noise from speech obtained from a general microphone using the information of a throat microphone. The experimental results show that this method can effectively suppress noise and improve speech quality.
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Takeru Niwano, Mitsuharu Matsumoto
Summary: This paper investigates the feasibility of sound-driven robots for repairing cracks in areas with strong radiation. By adopting Helmholtz resonators as the drive source and designing a new prototype, this paper successfully demonstrates the remote movement of the robot using sound waves.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Takeru Endo, Mitsuharu Matsumoto
Summary: In recent years, neural networks, especially convolutional neural networks, have been increasingly studied for classifying aurora images. However, there are not many studies on the application of deep learning techniques that consider the characteristics of aurora images. In this study, the researchers propose the use of deep metric learning to improve the accuracy of aurora image classification.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Naoki Iida, Mitsuharu Matsumoto
Summary: This paper reports on the development of a transformable sheet type robot that can be thrown from the air and perform tasks on the ground. The robot can change its shape according to different situations, making it suitable for various restricted environments, especially disaster-stricken areas.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Yoko Ishida, Mitsuharu Matsumoto
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Mitsuharu Matsumoto
APPLIED SYSTEM INNOVATION
(2018)
Article
Robotics
Aime Charles Alfred Dione, Shoichi Hasegawa
Summary: This study proposes a new method to solve the kinematic hyper redundancy problem in posture control of a robotic arm with redundant degrees of freedom. By controlling strategic points along the arm, the method guides the overall motion of the arm towards the target posture. The method is capable of safely and accurately tracking target postures that are significantly different from the initial posture.
Article
Robotics
Peirang Li, Naoya Ueda, Chi Zhu
Summary: This study focuses on the traditional attendant-propelled power-assist wheelchairs (APAWs) and identifies the discomfort caused by changes in handle velocity when passing through a slope. To address this issue, a velocity compensation method is proposed and validated through simulations and experiments.
Article
Robotics
Juan Padron, Kenta Tatsuda, Kiyoshi Ohishi, Yuki Yokokura, Toshimasa Miyazaki
Summary: This paper proposes a method that takes into account real-time posture-dependent inertial variation to achieve exact dynamic compensation and independent control of each axis for industrial robots. By discretizing the state equations of the posture-variant two-inertia system model, the whole control system can be easily redeisgned at each control cycle to address the issues caused by posture changes.
