Review
Construction & Building Technology
Yongding Tian, Chao Chen, Kwesi Sagoe-Crentsil, Jian Zhang, Wenhui Duan
Summary: This review provides an overview of the current robotic systems used in structural health monitoring (SHM) of bridges, and explores the development trends of multimodal robots and soft robotics. It highlights the potential of integrating various Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) tools with robotic systems for performing multiple inspection tasks, and emphasizes the advantages of lightweight and adaptable soft robots in special/space-confined environments.
AUTOMATION IN CONSTRUCTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Oliver Binks, Lucas A. Cernusak, Michael Liddell, Matt Bradford, Ingrid Coughlin, Hannah Carle, Callum Bryant, Elliot Dunn, Rafael Oliveira, Maurizio Mencuccini, Patrick Meir
Summary: This study derived robust in-situ estimates for whole-tree conductance, 'functional' soil conductance, and 'system' conductance at two tropical rainforest sites. The results showed that whole-tree conductance was lower and seasonally varying at the site with higher vapour pressure deficit and rainfall, while it differed little across species but scaled with tree circumference. Soil conductance ranged from 0 in the wet season to 10x less than tree conductance in the dry season.
Article
Mechanics
Raouf Emile Baddour
Summary: The turbulent entrainment properties of thermohaline internal hydraulic jumps in quiescent ambient water were investigated, with a focus on the thermohaline buoyancy effects on flow development. Results showed that thermohaline buoyancy leads to smaller, less diluted underflow jumps and larger, more diluted overflow jumps. These nonlinear buoyancy effects are particularly significant when buoyancy arising from temperature and salinity act in opposite directions.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastien Erpicum, Brian M. Crookston, Fabian Bombardelli, Daniel B. Bung, Stefan Felder, Sean Mulligan, Mario Oertel, Michele Palermo
Summary: Hydraulic structures are crucial for water management, but many are neglected and in poor condition. The engineering community should shift towards sustainability and embrace global perspectives. A new framework is proposed to strengthen links between academia and industry for more resilient water management.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-WATER
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Connor P. Newman, Zachary D. Kisfalusi, Michael J. Holmberg
Summary: This study combined aquifer testing with specific capacity data to estimate hydraulic properties in a large alluvial aquifer. The results show a statistically significant difference between hydraulic-conductivity values estimated using the two approaches. The study provides new hydrological insights for the region.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2021)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Buyoun Cho, Sung-Woo Kim, Seunghoon Shin, Jun-Ho Oh, Hyung-Soon Park, Hae-Won Park
Summary: In this article, an optimal control framework based on model predictive control (MPC) is proposed to improve energy efficiency and provide stable pressure supply for hydraulic robots. The method is demonstrated to achieve commanded motion and save energy on a hydraulic biped robot through simulation and experiments.
IEEE-ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jean V. V. Wilkening, Robert P. P. Skelton, Xue Feng, Todd E. E. Dawson, Sally E. E. Thompson
Summary: Observations show variable vulnerability segmentation between stems and leaves within and between environments. A hydraulic model was developed to test hypotheses about vulnerability segmentation and its interaction with other plant traits. Results suggest that conventional vulnerability segmentation helps preserve conductance in stems, while reverse vulnerability segmentation is more effective in maintaining conductance across the stem-leaf hydraulic pathway. Further study is needed to understand the impact of vulnerability segmentation on transpiration rates and recovery from water stress.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Shenia Santos Monteiro, Raphael Lucas Almeida, Newton Carlos Santos, Emmanuel Moreira Pereira, Amanda Priscila Silva, Hugo Miguel Lisboa Oliveira, Matheus Augusto de Bittencourt Pasquali
Summary: The growing interest in a healthy lifestyle has led to a spread of perspectives on sustainable natural resource management. This review focuses on the use of cacti in the food industry, highlighting its sustainability, nutrition, and functionality. The study provides an overview of the potential benefits of cacti for promoting sustainable cultivation of underutilized species and their commercial exploitation. Commercial cactus production offers advantages over other agricultural practices by minimizing ecosystem damage and promoting a shift towards sustainable agriculture. The application of cactus ingredients in food development is wide-ranging, including producing breads, jellies, gums, dyes, probiotics, and postbiotic and paraprobiotic foods. However, further research is needed to study processing technologies and probiotic interactions with raw materials to determine product functionality and bioactivity.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chuan Wei Zhang, Weifeng Zou, Hai Chao Yu, Xing Peng Hao, Guorui Li, Tiefeng Li, Wei Yang, Zi Liang Wu, Qiang Zheng
Summary: This article introduces a manta ray-inspired soft robot fish, which uses tough and stiff hydrogels as structural elements and a dielectric elastomer as the actuating unit to achieve swimming motions. The robot fish has good stability and speed, and is suitable for a wide temperature range. Its high water content provides good optical and acoustic stealth properties, and it can be easily integrated with other functional units/systems.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Tianjiao Li, Chun'an Tang, Jonny Rutqvist, Mengsu Hu
Summary: This study presents a coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical (THM) model for simulating failure processes in geological media. The model links stress/strain with heat transfer and fluid flow, and the capability of the TOUGH-RFPA simulator was verified by benchmark problems and demonstrated for modeling cooling-induced damage around a deep geothermal well.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND MINING SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Jan Kosibaa, Zdenko Tkac, Juraj Jablonicky, Valeriia Shcherbak, Liudmyla Ganushchak-Yefimenko, Martin Paumer, Tetiana Bukoros, Gabriela Curgaliova, Martin Zachar
Summary: This study investigates the influence of operating loading on the flow characteristics of a hydraulic pump under laboratory conditions. Results show that the flow characteristics vary with different pressures.
EKSPLOATACJA I NIEZAWODNOSC-MAINTENANCE AND RELIABILITY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiangjuan Bai, Yong Xue, Yuze Xu, Jianzhong Shang, Zirong Luo, Junhong Yang
Summary: In this study, a new actuator that imitates the driving mechanism of human muscles was designed and validated through experiments to improve the efficiency and load capacity of mobile robots. The results show that the bionic actuator has good controllability and can significantly enhance the performance of robots. This biomimetic approach can be widely applied to various robots.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Liu YinShui, Cheng Qian, Wang ZhenYao, Pang Hao, Deng YiPan, Zhou XinPing, Luo XiaoHui, Cui Yan, Wu DeFa
Summary: Seawater hydraulic systems have significant advantages in the deep sea but also face challenges such as changes in physical and chemical properties, environmental pressure, and friction and wear characteristics. This article discusses these problems and provides solutions.
SCIENCE CHINA-TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Robotics
Avik De, Rebecca McGill, Robert J. Wood
Summary: The proposed controller combines model-based methods with model-free data-driven methods, achieving better performance and stability in controlling micro aerial vehicles like RoboBee.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBOTICS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Asaf Alon, Shabtai Cohen, Regis Burlett, Uri Hochberg, Victor Lukyanov, Ido Rog, Tamir Klein, Herve Cochard, Sylvain Delzon, Rakefet David-Schwartz
Summary: Survival and growth of woody species in the Mediterranean are mainly limited by water availability. We tested the hypothesis that Mediterranean species adjust their xylem vulnerability and osmotic potential along a precipitation gradient. Our study on five predominant Mediterranean species showed that leaf water potentials declined significantly along the summer, reaching lower levels in the driest sites. Surprisingly, we did not find plasticity in resistance to embolism or osmotic potentials along the drought gradient, leading to narrower hydraulic safety margins and embolism risk in drier sites.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Saravana Kumar Jaganathan, Mohan Prasath Mani, Ahmad Fauzi bin Ismail, Ahmad Zahran Mohd Khudzari, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi
Summary: This study successfully prepared PU/BR and PU/BR/CeO2 nanocomposite materials and demonstrated their potential for cardiac patch applications. The introduction of beetroot and CeO2 significantly improved the physicochemical properties and blood compatibility of the materials.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL TEXTILES
(2022)
Review
Polymer Science
Mohan Prasath Mani, Madeeha Sadia, Saravana Kumar Jaganathan, Ahmad Zahran Khudzari, Eko Supriyanto, Syafiqah Saidin, Seeram Ramakrishna, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi
Summary: This review focuses on the cytocompatibility characteristics of 3D printed constructs in tissue engineering, highlighting the significant impact of inkjet and extrusion-based 3D printing techniques on cell adherence, proliferation, and differentiation. The utilization of growth factors in 3D printed constructs enhances cell growth and bone formation. The combination of different 3D printing techniques for future tissue engineering applications is of great interest.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
R. A. Ilyas, M. Y. M. Zuhri, H. A. Aisyah, M. R. M. Asyraf, S. A. Hassan, E. S. Zainudin, S. M. Sapuan, S. Sharma, S. P. Bangar, R. Jumaidin, Y. Nawab, A. A. M. Faudzi, H. Abral, M. Asrofi, E. Syafri, N. H. Sari
Summary: This article presents the research progress and characteristics of polyactic acid (PLA) and its natural fiber-based green composites. PLA, as a thermoplastic polymer, has wide potential in replacing traditional polymers. Green composites, with advantages such as degradability, recyclability, high strength, and low toxicity, have been extensively used in fields like packaging and medicine. The article also discusses the research issues, challenges, and future development directions of PLA-based green composites.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mohamed Naji Muftah, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi, Shafishuhaza Sahlan, Mokhtar Shouran
Summary: This research aims to reduce the overshoot in the response of a pneumatic actuator by using a fuzzy FOPID controller and PSO algorithm. A comparison study shows the superiority of this method in terms of dynamic performance.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mohan Prasath Mani, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi, Shahrol Mohamaddan, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Rajasekar Rathanasamy, Manikandan Ayyar, Saravana Kumar Jaganathan
Summary: The goal of this study was to fabricate a new composite using an electrospinning technique based on polyurethane, grapefruit oil, and cobalt nitrate. The results showed that the fabricated composite had reduced fiber diameter, lower surface roughness, improved mechanical strength, and blood compatibility compared to the pristine polyurethane.
FRONTIERS IN MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Mohd Akmal Mhd Yusoff, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi, Mohd Shukry Hassan Basri, Mohd Fuaad Rahmat, Mohd Ibrahim Shapiai, Shahrol Mohamaddan
Summary: This study proposes a Switching Model Predictive Control based on a Piecewise Affine system model for a translational antagonistic-pair TMM servo actuator. The results show that this control method has minimal steady-state errors and better transient and steady-state responses compared to the previously developed Gain-scheduled Proportional-Integral-Derivative controller.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohamed Naji Muftah, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi, Shafishuhaza Sahlan, Shahrol Mohamaddan
Summary: A novel cascade fractional-order PID (CFOPID) controller is proposed for the intelligent pneumatic actuator (IPA) positioning system, utilizing particle swarm optimization (PSO) for optimization. Experimental results show that the CFOPID controller outperforms the FOPID controller. The combination of intelligent pneumatic actuator with CFOPID controller demonstrates good capability in controlling the positioning of the ball and beam system.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Robotics
Muhammad Raihan Abdul Kadir, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi, Mohd Azizi Abdul Rahman
Summary: This study presents the usage of Braided Actuators with Nested Structures to improve the stroke characteristics of the McKibben actuators. The results show that the Nested Braided Actuator (NBA) has the highest contraction ratio and performs better in stroke compared to other types of actuators.
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohamed Shoani, Mohamed Najib Ribuan, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi, Shahrol Mohamaddan
Summary: Soft continuum robots and manipulators (SCRaMs) are elongated structures used in various applications. The use of multiple actuators in multi-segment SCRaMs increases cost and complexity while reducing reliability. This paper presents a methodology to reduce the number of actuators employed by SCRaMs while maintaining their volumetric workspace. By using one rotary and two linear actuators, the method achieves a significant reduction in the total number of typically employed actuators. This reduces cost and complexity while improving efficiency and reliability.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohd Nizar Muhammad Nasir, Ili Najaa Aimi Mohd Nordin, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi, Mohamed Naji Muftah, Mohd Akmal Mhd Yusoff, Shahrol Mohamaddan
Summary: In this study, the System Identification (SI) black box method is used to obtain the mathematical model of a fiber braided bending actuator (FBBA) using MATLAB Simulink. The input-output data, including the voltage supplied to the electro-pneumatic regulators and the position of the FBBA system, are collected for the black box method. The Auto-Regressive with Exogenous Input (ARX) model is chosen and PID control with the Genetic Algorithm (GA) tuning method and auto-tuned tuning method is proposed for the FBBA position system.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Muhamad Hazwan Abdul Hafidz, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi, Nor Mohd Haziq Norsahperi, Mohd Najeb Jamaludin, Dayang Tiawa Awang Hamid, Shahrol Mohamaddan
Summary: The paper introduces a simple neural network compact form model-free adaptive controller for a single TMM system, which shows significant improvements in convergence speed and error reduction.
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Omar Khaled Abouelmagd, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi
Summary: The article presents a new calibration method converting rotary motion to linear motion with high accuracy and low cost. By using a stepper motor and cam disk follower mechanism together with digital homing sensor and linear distance sensor for calibration, the motion control with an accuracy of less than 5 um is achieved.
ROBOT INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS 6
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Muhamad Hazwan Abdul Hafidz, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi, Mohd Najeb Jamaludin, Nor Mohd Haziq Norsahperi
Summary: This paper proposes a model free neural network self-tuning proportional integral (NNPI) controller for a biceps-triceps thin McKibben muscle (TMM) platform in an antagonistic pair configuration. Experimental results show that the proposed controller performs better than the traditional proportional integral (PI) controller and the model free adaptive controller (MFAC) in time varying joint angle tracking.
ROBOT INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS 6
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Mohamed T. Shoani, Mohamed Najib Ribuan, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi
Summary: This paper presents an approach to reduce the number of required actuators in soft continuum robots or manipulators while maintaining the same level of dexterity. The approach is based on employing fewer actuators in a specific configuration, thus reducing cost, complexity, and improving reliability.
ROBOT INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS 6
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Mohammad Afandi Mohd Zamrosmahadi, Tan Jun Jie, H. Wessam, Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi, Mohd Rizal Ahmad
Summary: Malaysia, the second-largest producer and exporter of palm oil, is facing a labor shortage issue in its palm oil plantations. To tackle the labor problem, a motorized cutter mechanism has been developed to assist harvesters in the harvesting process. The mechanism provides 3 degrees of freedom for users to control the cutter position easily.
ROBOT INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS 6
(2022)
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.
