Objectives Helping patients suffering from serious neurological diseases that lead to hindering the independent movement is of high social importance and an interdisciplinary challenge for engineers. Brain–computer interface (BCI) interfaces based on the electroencephalography (EEG) signal are not easy to use as they require time consuming multiple electrodes montage. We aimed to contribute in bringing BCI systems outside the laboratories so that it could be more accessible to patients, by designing a wheelchair fully controlled by an algorithm using alpha waves and only a few electrodes. Methods The set of eight binary words are designed, that allow to move forward, backward, turn right and left, rotate 45° as well as to increase and decrease the speed of the wheelchair. Our project includes: development of a mobile application which is used as a graphical user interface, real-time signal processing of the EEG signal, development of electric wheelchair engines control system and mechanical construction. Results The average sensitivity, without training, was 79.58% and specificity 97.08%, on persons who had no previous contact with BCI. Conclusions The proposed system can be helpful for people suffering from incurable diseases that make them closed in their bodies and for whom communication with the surrounding world is almost impossible.
Vibration of a wind turbine tower is related to fatigue wear, influencing reliability of the whole structure. The current paper deals with the problem of Linear-Quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) tower vibration control using specially designed and built simulation and laboratory tower-nacelle models with a horizontally aligned, magnetorheological (MR) damper based tuned vibration absorber located at the nacelle. Force excitation applied horizontally to the tower itself, or to the nacelle, is considered. The MR damper LQG control algorithm, including the Kalman state observer and LQR (Linear-Quadratic-Regulator) controller is analysed numerically and implemented on the laboratory ground, in comparison with the system with a deactivated absorber. Simulation and experimental results are presented.
In this paper the authors investigate the performance of an energy harvesting MR damper (EH-MRD) employed in a semi-active vibration control system (SVCS) and used in a single DOF mechanical structure configuration. Main components of the newly proposed SCVS include the MR damper and an electromagnetic vibration energy harvester based on the Faraday's law (EVEH) that converts vibration energy into electrical energy and delivers electrical power supplying the MR damper. The main objective of the study is to indicate that the SVCS, controlled by the specially designed embedded system, is feasible and presents good performance at the present stage of the research. The work describes investigation the unique features of the EH-MRD, i.e. its self-powering and self-sensing capabilities. Two cases were considered and the testing was done accordingly. In the case 1, only the self-powered capability was investigated. It was found out that harvested energy is sufficient to power the EH-MRD damper and to adjust it to structural vibration. The results confirmed the adequacy of the SVCS and demonstrated a significant reduction of the resonance peak. In the case 2, both the self-powering and self-sensing capabilities were investigated. Due to the self-sensing capability, the SCVS does not require any sensor. It appeared that thus harvested energy is sufficient to power the EH-MRD and enables selfsensing action since the signal of voltage induced by EVEH agrees with the relative velocity signal across the device. Similar to case 1, the resonance peak is significantly reduced.
A 10 kW PEMFC (polymer exchange membrane fuel cell) stack consisting of two 5 kW modules, (A) and (B), connected in series with a multi-function controller unit was constructed and tested. The electrical performance of the V-shaped PEMFC stack was investigated under constant and variable electrical load. It was found that the PEMFC stack was capable of supplying the required 10 kW of electrical power. An optimised purification process via ‘purge’ or humidification, implemented by means of a short-circuit unit (SCU) control strategy, enabled slightly improved performance. Online monitoring of the utilisation of the hydrogen system was developed and tested during the operation of the stack, especially under variable electrical load. The air-cooling subsystem consisting of a common channel connecting two 5 kW PEMFC modules and two cascade axial fans was designed, manufactured using 3D printing technology, and tested with respect to the electrical performance of the device. The dependence of total partial-pressure drop vs. ratio of air volumetric flow for the integrated PEMFC stack with cooling devices was also determined. An algorithm of stack operation involving thermal, humidity, and energy management was elaborated. The safety operation and fault diagnosis of the PEMFC stack was also tested.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.