o far there is no common and widely accepted understanding of what mechatronics really is. Many different notions similar to or including mechatronics have been used in various contexts; micromechatronics, optomechatronics, supermechatronics, mecanoinformatics, contromechanics and megatronics are some of these, each coined to put forward a specific aspect or application of mechatronics. Examples of attempts to describe mechatronics include the following. N Mechatronics encompasses the knowledge and the technologies required for the flexible generation of controlled motions [1]. N Mechatronics is the synergistic combination of mechanical and electrical engineering, computer science, and information technology, which includes control systems as well as numerical methods used to design products with built-in intelligence [2]. N Hewit in [3] states: A precise definition of mechatronics is not possible, nor is it particularly desirable, because the field is new and expanding rapidly; too rigid a definition would be constraining and limiting, and that is precisely what is not wanted at present. Mechatronics as an interdisciplinary subject tends to attract contributions from all related fields without really putting forward the opportunities and challenges arising specifically due to the interdisciplinary interactions. An example of this is that many mechatronics conferences have been unfocused and thereby have not attracted the most adequate contributions, which definitely exist. This is a disadvantage in that it hampers the development of mechatronics as an engineering science. Scientific publications in mechatronics, to help in making the subject more focused, are still quite rare. One of the earlier publications is Mechatronics-an International Journal published by Elsevier Science, first published in 1991.

No abstract

A new computerized dynamometer (the SPARK System) is described. The system can measure concentric and eccentric muscle strength (torque) during linear or nonlinear acceleration or deceleration, isokinetic movements up to 400 degrees.s-1, and isometric torque. Studies were performed to assess: I. validity and reproducibility of torque measurements; II. control of lever arm position; III. control of different velocity patterns; IV. control of velocity during subject testing; and, V. intra-individual reproducibility. No significant difference was found between torque values computed by the system and known torque values (p greater than 0.05). No difference was present between programmed and external measurement of the lever arm position. Accelerating, decelerating and isokinetic velocity patterns were highly reproducible, with differences in elapsed time among 10 trials being never greater than 0.001 s. Velocity during concentric and eccentric isokinetic quadriceps contractions at 30 degrees.s-1, 120 degrees.s-1 and 270 degrees.s-1 never varied by more than 3 degrees.s-1 among subjects (N = 21). Over three days of testing, the overall error for concentric and eccentric quadriceps contraction peak torque values for 5 angular velocities between 30 degrees.s-1 and 270 degrees.s-1 ranged from 5.8% to 9.0% and 5.8% to 9.6% respectively (N = 25). The results indicate that the SPARK System provides valid and reproducible torque measurements and strict control of velocity. In addition, the intra-individual error is in accordance with those reported for other similar devices.

No abstract

Creating product innovations involves the need to understand the social context in which the innovation is created and ultimately the context in which it is to be used. The use of globally distributed teams (GDTs) in engineering education to understand and enhance the social and technological interaction could catalyze the process of creating innovation. This paper proposes a framework for the analysis and support of the GDT setting. The proposed framework builds on the standardized open system interconnection model for network communication consisting of seven interconnected layers. As it has been suggested in prior studies, a successful collaboration in a GDT relies on several critical factors that build on each other. Organizing and supporting these factors in an interconnected layered scheme could better clarify the interaction between social and technological aspects. A case study of a student medical device project is analyzed using the proposed framework. The project involved students from University of Minnesota, MN and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.

Матс Хансон  - почетный профессор Королевского технологического института (Швеция), декан Сколковского института науки и технологии. Адрес: Московская область, Одинцовский район, 143025, Сколково, ул. Новая, 100. E-mail: hanson@skolkovotech.ruВ ноябре 2014 г. в серии «Библиотека журнала „Вопросы образования“» выходит книга Эдварда Ф. Кроули, Йохана Малмквиста, Сорен Остлунд, Дорис Р. Бродер, Кристины Эдстрем «Переосмысление инженерного образования. Подход CDIO» (2-е изд., пер. с англ. С. Рыбушкиной, науч. ред. А. Чучалин)1. Поскольку оригинальная книга профессора Эдварда Кроули и его коллектива вышла в издательстве «Шпрингер» в марте 2014 г., зарубежные специалисты уже успели составить свое мнение о ней. Предлагаем вашему вниманию два отзыва на книгу — профессора Матса Хансона из Швеции и профессора Клемана Фортина из Канады.

Falls are the most common cause of injuries and the primary etiology for accidental deaths in the elderly population. The ability to quickly take a step is of paramount importance in maintaining balance. Previous research has shown a significant correlation between the time it takes to execute a step and the risk of experiencing a future fall. Consequently, a method that can quickly and accurately measure step behavior may be used to identify individuals with an increased risk of falling. The current project has built a prototype device that can be used in a clinical setting to easily and efficiently measure parameters of step execution. The step is performed under either single task (motor task only) or dual task conditions (motor task while performing an attention demanding cognitive task). Data can be stored in a relational data base and a clinical report that reflects fall risk can be printed. The current project is part of the Swedish PIEp initiative (Product Innovation Engineering Program), a federally and industry supported program that promotes innovation and technology commercialization in engineering education through development of innovation knowledge, experience and education including exchange of students and personnel between industry and academia on a national and international level.