Towards an underactuated finger exoskeleton: An optimization process of a two-phalange device based on kinetostatic analysis

Abstract End-user (e.g. patients or the public) testing of information material is becoming more common in the German public health care system. However, including the end-user (in this case patients) in an optimisation process and thus enabling a close collaboration while developing PIMs is still rare. This is surprising, given the fact that patients provide the exact perspective one is trying to address. Within the isPO project, a patient organization is included as a legal project partner to act as the patient representative and provide the patient's perspective. As such, the patient organization was included in the PHR approach as part of the PIM-optimisation team. During the optimisation process, the patients gave practical insights into the procedures of diagnosing and treating different types of cancer as well as into the patient's changing priorities and challenges at different time points. This was crucial information for the envisioned application of the individual PIMs and their hierarchical overview. Moreover, the developed PIM-checklist enabled the patients to give detailed feedback to the PIMs. With their experience of being in the exact situation in which the PIMs will be applied, their recommendations, especially on the wording and layout of the materials, have been a valuable contribution to the PIM optimisation process. In this part of the seminar, we will take a closer look at the following skill building aspects: What is gained from including patients as end-users in the development and optimization of PIM?How can we reach patients to contribute to a PIM optimization process? Which requirements and prerequisites do patients have to provide to successfully work on an optimisation team?How to compromise and weigh opinions when different ideas occur? Altogether, this part will construct a structured path of productive patient involvement and help to overcome uncertainties regarding a collaboration with patient organizations.

Download Full-text

Analysis and improvement of GSA’s optimization process

Applied Soft Computing ◽

10.1016/j.asoc.2021.107367 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107367

Author(s):

Su Fang ◽

Duan Chengrui ◽

Wang Ruopeng

Keyword(s):

Optimization Process

Download Full-text

Optimization and Characteristics Analysis of High Torque Density 12/8 Switched Reluctance Motor Using Metaheuristic Gray Wolf Optimization Algorithm

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14072013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (7) ◽

pp. 2013

Author(s):

Md Sydur Rahman ◽

Grace Firsta Lukman ◽

Pham Trung Hieu ◽

Kwang-II Jeong ◽

Jin-Woo Ahn

Keyword(s):

Switched Reluctance Motor ◽

Optimization Process ◽

Grey Wolf Optimizer ◽

Gray Wolf ◽

Switched Reluctance ◽

Torque Density ◽

Optimization Constraints ◽

Reluctance Motor ◽

Characteristics Analysis ◽

And Performance

In this paper, the optimization and characteristics analysis of a three-phase 12/8 switched reluctance motor (SRM) based on a Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) for electric vehicles (EVs) application is presented. This research aims to enhance the output torque density of the proposed SRM. Finite element method (FEM) was used to analyze the characteristics and optimization process of the proposed motor. The proposed metaheuristic GWO combines numerous objective functions and design constraints with different weight factors. Maximum flux density, current density, and motor volume are selected as the optimization constraints, which play a significant role in the optimization process. GWO performs optimization for each iteration and sends it to FEM software to analyze the performance before starting another iteration until the optimized value is found. Simulations are employed to understand the characteristics of the proposed motor. Finally, the optimized prototype motor is manufactured and performance is verified by experiment. It is shown that the torque can be increased by 120% for the same outer volume, by using the proposed method.

Download Full-text

Achieving selectivity in porphyrin bromination through a DoE-driven optimization under continuous flow conditions

Journal of Flow Chemistry ◽

10.1007/s41981-020-00131-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Paolo Zardi ◽

Michele Maggini ◽

Tommaso Carofiglio

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Design Of Experiment ◽

Continuous Flow ◽

Optimization Process ◽

Porphyrin Ring ◽

Flow Conditions ◽

Reaction Parameters ◽

Synthetic Procedure ◽

Relevant Factors ◽

Post Functionalization

AbstractThe post-functionalization of porphyrins through the bromination in β position of the pyrrolic rings is a relevant transformation because the resulting bromoderivatives are useful synthons to covalently link a variety of chemical architectures to a porphyrin ring. However, single bromination of porphyrins is a challenging reaction for the abundancy of reactive β-pyrrolic positions in the aromatic macrocycle. We herein report a synthetic procedure for the efficient preparation of 2-bromo-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (1) under continuous flow conditions. The use of flow technology allows to reach an accurate control over critical reaction parameters such as temperature and reaction time. Furthermore, by performing the optimization process through a statistical DoE (Design of Experiment) approach, these parameters could be properly adjusted with a limited number of experiments. This process led us to a better understanding of the relevant factors that govern porphyrins monobromination and to obtain compound 1 with an unprecedent 80% yield.

Download Full-text

Continuous Approximation Model for Hybrid Flexible Transit Systems with Low Demand Density

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.1177/0361198121997131 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 036119812199713

Author(s):

Charalampos Sipetas ◽

Eric J. Gonzales

Keyword(s):

Agency Cost ◽

Optimization Techniques ◽

Optimization Process ◽

Analytical Models ◽

Continuous Approximation ◽

Flexible Systems ◽

Transit System ◽

Transit Systems ◽

Approximation Techniques ◽

Service Areas

Flexible transit systems are a way to address challenges associated with conventional fixed route and fully demand responsive systems. Existing studies indicate that such systems are often planned and designed without established guidelines, and optimization techniques are rarely implemented on actual flexible systems. This study presents a hybrid transit system where the degree of flexibility can vary from a fixed route service (with no flexibility) to a fully flexible transit system. Such a system is expected to be beneficial in areas where the best transit solution lies between the fixed route and fully flexible systems. Continuous approximation techniques are implemented to model and optimize the stop spacing on a fixed route corridor, as well as the boundaries of the flexible region in a corridor. Both user and agency costs are considered in the optimization process. A numerical analysis compares various service areas and demand densities using input variables with magnitudes similar to those of real-world case studies. Sensitivity analysis is performed for service headway, percent of demand served curb-to-curb, and user and agency cost weights in the optimization process. The analytical models are evaluated through simulations. The hybrid system proposed here achieves estimated user benefits of up to 35% when compared with fixed route systems, under different case scenarios. Flexible systems are particularly beneficial for serving corridors with low or uncertain demand. This provides value for corridors with low demand density as well as communities in which transit ridership has dropped significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Download Full-text

Airfoil Optimization Using Area-Preserving Free-Form Deformation

Volume 1: Advances in Aerospace Technology ◽

10.1115/imece2015-50904 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Stavros N. Leloudas ◽

Giorgos A. Strofylas ◽

Ioannis K. Nikolos

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Area ◽

Equality Constraint ◽

Optimization Process ◽

Free Form ◽

Sectional Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Airfoil Optimization ◽

Free Form Deformation ◽

Correction Problem ◽

Area Preserving

Given the importance of structural integrity of aerodynamic shapes, the necessity of including a cross-sectional area equality constraint among other geometrical and aerodynamic ones arises during the optimization process of an airfoil. In this work an airfoil optimization scheme is presented, based on Area-Preserving Free-Form Deformation (AP FFD), which serves as an alternative technique for the fulfillment of a cross-sectional area equality constraint. The AP FFD is based on the idea of solving an area correction problem, where a minimum possible offset is applied on all free-to-move control points of the FFD lattice, subject to the area preservation constraint. Due to the linearity of the area constraint in each axis, the extraction of an inexpensive closed-form solution to the area preservation problem is possible by using Lagrange Multipliers. A parallel Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm serves as the optimizer, assisted by two Artificial Neural Networks as surrogates. The use of multiple surrogate models, in conjunction with the inexpensive solution to the area correction problem, render the optimization process time efficient. The application of the proposed methodology for wind turbine airfoil optimization demonstrates its applicability and effectiveness.

Download Full-text