Fuzzy Set Based Models and Methods of Decision Making and Power Engineering Problems

The results of research into the use of fuzzy set based models and methods of multicriteria decision making for solving power engineering problems are presented. Two general classes of models related to multiobjective (X,M> models) and multiattribute (X,R> models) problems are considered. The analysisX,M> of models is based on the use of the Bellman-Zadeh approach to decision making in a fuzzy environment. Its application conforms to the principle of guaranteed result and provides constructive lines in obtaining harmonious solutions on the basis of analyzing associated maxmin problems. Several techniques based on fuzzy preference modeling are considered for the analysis of?X,R> models. A review of the authors’ results associated with the application of these models and methods for solving diverse types of problems of power system and subsystems planning and operation is presented. The recent results on the use ofX,M> andX,R> models and methods of their analysis for the allocation of reactive power sources in distribution systems and for the prioritization in maintenance planning in distribution systems, respectively, are considered.

Generalized Algorithms of Discrete Optimization and Their Power Engineering Applications

Generalized algorithms for solving problems of discrete, integer, and Boolean programming are discussed. These algorithms are associated with the method of normalized functions and are based on a combination of formal and heuristic procedures. This allows one to obtain quasi-optimal solutions after a small number of steps, overcoming the NP-completeness of discrete optimization problems. Questions of constructing so-called “duplicate” algorithms are considered to improve the quality of discrete problem solutions. An approach to solving discrete problems with fuzzy coefficients in objective functions and constraints on the basis of modifying the generalized algorithms is considered. Questions of applying the generalized algorithms to solve multicriteria discrete problems are also discussed. The results of the paper are of a universal character and can be applied to the design, planning, operation, and control of systems and processes of different purposes. The results of the paper are already being used to solve power engineering problems.

Multifunctional flexible optical waveguide sensor: on the bioinspiration for ultrasensitive sensors development

This paper presents the development of a bioinspired multifunctional flexible optical sensor(BioMFOS)as an ultrasensitive tool for force(intensity and location)and orientation sensing.The sensor structure is bioinspired in orb webs,which are multifunctional devices for prey capturing and vibration transmission.The multifunctional feature of the structure is achieved by using transparent resins that present both mechanical and optical properties for structural integrity and strain/deflection transmission as well as the optical signal transmission properties with core/cladding configuration of a waveguide.In this case,photocurable and polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)resins are used for the core and cladding,respectively.The optical transmission,tensile tests,and dynamic mechanical analysis are performed in the resins and show the possibility of light transmission at the visible wavelength range in conjunction with high flexibility and a dynamic range up to 150 Hz,suitable for wearable applications.The BioMFOS has small dimensions(around 2 cm)and lightweight(0.8 g),making it suitable for wearable application and clothing integration.Characterization tests are performed in the structure by means of applying forces at different locations of the structure.The results show an ultra-high sensitivity and resolution,where forces in theμN range can be detected and the location of the applied force can also be detected with a sub-millimeter spatial resolution.Then,the BioMFOS is tested on the orientation detection in 3D plane,where a correlation coefficient higher than 0.9 is obtained when compared with a gold-standard inertial measurement unit(IMU).Furthermore,the device also shows its capabilities on the movement analysis and classification in two protocols:finger position detection(with the BioMFOS positioned on the top of the hand)and trunk orientation assessment(with the sensor integrated on the clothing).In both cases,the sensor is able of classifying the movement,especially when analyzed in conjunction with preprocessing and clustering techniques.As another wearable application,the respiratory rate is successfully estimated with the BioMFOS integrated into the clothing.Thus,the proposed multifunctional device opens new avenues for novel bioinspired photonic devices and can be used in many applications of biomedical,biomechanics,and micro/nanotechnology.

Photonic smart bandage for wound healing assessment

Chronic wounds affect around 2% of the world population with an annual multi-billion dollar cost to the healthcare system. This background pushes the development of new therapies and procedures for wound healing and its assessment. Among them, the potential of hydrogen(pH) assessment is an important indicator of the wound healing stage and condition. This paper presents the development of the first optical fiber-embedded smart wound dressing for pH assessment. An intrinsically pH-sensitive optical fiber is fabricated using a polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) precursor doped with rhodamine B dye. Raman and Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopies are performed in order to verify the presence of rhodamine B and PDMS in the fiber samples. Then, the fiber is embedded in gauze fabric and hydrocolloid wound dressing. In addition, such low Young’s modulus of PDMS fiber enables its use as a highly sensitive pressure sensor, where the results show that the fiber-embedded bandage can measure pressures as low as 0.1 kPa with a high linearity in the range of 0 to 0.3 kPa. The smart bandage is subjected to different pH, which resulted in a wavelength shift of 0.67 nm/pH when the absorption peak at 515 nm was analyzed. Furthermore, pH increase leads to linear decrease of the transmitted optical power(R2 of 0.998), with rise and fall times below 20 s and 30 s, respectively. Therefore, the proposed optical fiber-embedded smart bandage enables the simultaneous assessment of pressure and pH on the wound region.

Consensus on Intervals of Communication Delay

This paper brings out a structured methodology for identifying intervals of communication time-delay where consensus in directed networks of multiple agents with high-order integrator dynamics is achieved. It is built upon the stability analysis of a transformed consensus problem which preserves all the nonzero eigenvalues of the Laplacian matrix of the associated communication topology graph. It is shown that networks of agents with first-order integrator dynamics can be brought to consensus independently of communication delay, on the other hand, for agents with second-order integrator dynamics, the consensus is achieved independently of communication delay only if certain conditions axe satisfied. Conversely, if such conditions axe not satisfied, it is shown how to compute the intervals of communication delay where multiple agents with second-order or higher-order can be brought to consensus. The paper is ended by showing an interesting example of a network of agents with second-order integrator dynamics which is consensable on the first time-delay interval, but as the time-delay increases, it loses consensability on the second time-delay interval, then it becomes consensable again on the third time-delay interval, and finally it does not achieve consensus any more on the fourth time-delay interval. This example shows the importance of analyzing consensus with time-delay in different intervals.

Analysis of the Most Likely Regions of Stability of an NCS and Design of the Corresponding Event-driven Controller

In this paper, some issues related to design and analysis of real networked control systems （NCS） under the focus of the most likely region of stability are addressed. Such a system is cumbersome due to its inherent variable time delays, ranging from microseconds to hours. To show the influence of such huge variations in the control performance, a laboratory-scale luminosity system has been setup using the Internet as part of the control loop with dominant time constant in the order of milliseconds. Proportional and integral （PI） control strategies with and without explicit compensation for the time-delay variations were implemented using an event-driven controller. Using the well-known Monte Carlo method and subsequent analyses of time responses, it has been possible to identify the most likely region of stability. Some experimental results show the influence of the statistical parameters of the delays on the determination of the most likely regions of stability of the NCS and how these can be used in assessment and redesign of the control system. The experiments show that much larger delays than one sample period can be supported by real NCSs without becoming unstable.