The First Five Years of a Phase Theory for Complex Systems and Networks

In this paper,we review the development of a phase theory for systems and networks in its first five years,represented by a trilogy:Matrix phases and their properties;The MIMO LTI system phase response,its physical interpretations,the small phase theorem,and the sectored real lemma;The synchronization of a multi-agent network using phase alignment.Towards the end,we also summarize a list of ongoing research on the phase theory and speculate what will happen in the next five years.

The Boundary Element Method for Ordinary State-Based Peridynamics

The peridynamics(PD),as a promising nonlocal continuum mechanics theory,shines in solving discontinuous problems.Up to now,various numerical methods,such as the peridynamic mesh-free particlemethod(PD-MPM),peridynamic finite element method(PD-FEM),and peridynamic boundary element method(PD-BEM),have been proposed.PD-BEM,in particular,outperforms other methods by eliminating spurious boundary softening,efficiently handling infinite problems,and ensuring high computational accuracy.However,the existing PD-BEM is constructed exclusively for bond-based peridynamics(BBPD)with fixed Poisson’s ratio,limiting its applicability to crack propagation problems and scenarios involving infinite or semi-infinite problems.In this paper,we address these limitations by introducing the boundary element method(BEM)for ordinary state-based peridynamics(OSPD-BEM).Additionally,we present a crack propagationmodel embeddedwithin the framework ofOSPD-BEM to simulate crack propagations.To validate the effectiveness of OSPD-BEM,we conduct four numerical examples:deformation under uniaxial loading,crack initiation in a double-notched specimen,wedge-splitting test,and threepoint bending test.The results demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of OSPD-BEM,highlighting its capability to successfully eliminate spurious boundary softening phenomena under varying Poisson’s ratios.Moreover,OSPDBEMsignificantly reduces computational time and exhibits greater consistencywith experimental results compared to PD-MPM.

Optimal Motion Planning for Differentially Flat Underactuated Mechanical Systems

Underactuated mechanical system has less independent inputs than the degrees of freedom（DOF） of the mechanism. The energy efficiency of this class of mechanical systems is an essential problem in practice. On the basis of the sufficient and necessary condition that concludes a single input nonlinear system is differentially flat, it is shown that the flat output of the single input underactuated mechanical system can be obtained by finding a smooth output function such that the relative degree of the system equals to the dimension of the state space. If the flat output of the underactuated system can be solved explicitly, and by constructing a smooth curve with satisfying given boundary conditions in fiat output space, an energy efficiency optimization method is proposed for the motion planning of the differentially flat underactuated mechanical systems. The inertia wheel pendulum is used to verify the proposed optimization method, and some numerical simulations show that the presented optimal motion planning method can efficaciously reduce the energy cost for given control tasks.

Extended intrinsic mean spin tensor for turbulence modelling in non-inertial frame of reference

We investigate the role of extended intrinsic mean spin tensor introduced in this work for turbulence modelling in a non-inertial frame of reference. It is described by the Euclidean group of transformations and, in particular, its significance and importance in the approach of the algebraic Reynolds stress modelling, such as in a nonlinear K-ε model. To this end and for illustration of the effect of extended intrinsic spin tensor on turbulence modelling, we examine several recently developed nonlinear K-ε models and compare their performance in predicting the homogeneous turbulent shear flow in a rotating frame of reference with LES data. Our results and analysis indicate that, only if the deficiencies of these models and the like be well understood and properly corrected, may in the near future, more sophisticated nonlinear K-ε models be developed to better predict complex turbulent flows in a non-inertial frame of reference.

Preface: symposium on turbulence structures and aerodynamic heat/force(STSAHF2018)——scientific significance of turbulence research

Most fluid flows in nature and engineering applications are in the state of turbulence.Turbulent motions usually exhibit a wide range of spatial and temporal scales,such as the flow of natural gas and oil in pipelines,the wakes of cars and submarines,the boundary layer of an aircraft,the current in the ocean surface,the atmospheric boundary layer,the interstellar gas clouds(gaseous stars),and the Earth’s wake in the solar wind.Turbulence can greatly improve the heat and mass transfer efficiency of macroscopic flow.For example,chemical engineers use turbulence to mix up and homogenize fluid components and to increase chemical reaction rates in liquids or gases.However,turbulence can also lead to increases in drag,aerodynamic heat,and hydrodynamic and aerodynamic noise.For instance,the aerodynamic loading of high-speed aircraft can be significantly increased due to turbulence.

Nonlinear turbulence models for predicting strong curvature effects

Prediction of the characteristics of turbulent flows with strong streamline curvature, such as flows in turbomachines, curved channel flows, flows around airfoils and buildings, is of great importance in engineering applications and poses a very practical challenge for turbulence modeling. In this paper, we analyze qualitatively the curvature effects on the structure of turbulence and conduct numerical simulations of a turbulent Uduct flow with a number of turbulence models in order to assess their overall performance. The models evaluated in this work are some typical linear eddy viscosity turbulence models, nonlinear eddy viscosity turbulence models （NLEVM） （quadratic and cubic）, a quadratic explicit algebraic stress model （EASM） and a Reynolds stress model （RSM） developed based on the second-moment closure. Our numerical results show that a cubic NLEVM that performs considerably well in other benchmark turbulent flows, such as the Craft, Launder and Suga model and the Huang and Ma model, is able to capture the major features of the highly curved turbulent U-duct flow, including the damping of turbulence near the convex wall, the enhancement of turbulence near the concave wall, and the subsequent turbulent flow separation. The predictions of the cubic models are quite close to that of the RSM, in relatively good agreement with the experimental data, which suggests that these models may be employed to simulate the turbulent curved flows in engineering applications.

A novel triple periodic minimal surface-like plate lattice and its data-driven optimization method for superior mechanical properties

Lattice structures can be designed to achieve unique mechanical properties and have attracted increasing attention for applications in high-end industrial equipment,along with the advances in additive manufacturing(AM)technologies.In this work,a novel design of plate lattice structures described by a parametric model is proposed to enrich the design space of plate lattice structures with high connectivity suitable for AM processes.The parametric model takes the basic unit of the triple periodic minimal surface(TPMS)lattice as a skeleton and adopts a set of generation parameters to determine the plate lattice structure with different topologies,which takes the advantages of both plate lattices for superior specific mechanical properties and TPMS lattices for high connectivity,and therefore is referred to as a TPMS-like plate lattice(TLPL).Furthermore,a data-driven shape optimization method is proposed to optimize the TLPL structure for maximum mechanical properties with or without the isotropic constraints.In this method,the genetic algorithm for the optimization is utilized for global search capability,and an artificial neural network(ANN)model for individual fitness estimation is integrated for high efficiency.A set of optimized TLPLs at different relative densities are experimentally validated by the selective laser melting(SLM)fabricated samples.It is confirmed that the optimized TLPLs could achieve elastic isotropy and have superior stiffness over other isotropic lattice structures.

Neural Dynamics for Cooperative Motion Control of Omnidirectional Mobile Manipulators in the Presence of Noises: A Distributed Approach

This paper presents a distributed scheme with limited communications, aiming to achieve cooperative motion control for multiple omnidirectional mobile manipulators(MOMMs).The proposed scheme extends the existing single-agent motion control to cater to scenarios involving the cooperative operation of MOMMs. Specifically, squeeze-free cooperative load transportation is achieved for the end-effectors of MOMMs by incorporating cooperative repetitive motion planning(CRMP), while guiding each individual to desired poses. Then, the distributed scheme is formulated as a time-varying quadratic programming(QP) and solved online utilizing a noise-tolerant zeroing neural network(NTZNN). Theoretical analysis shows that the NTZNN model converges globally to the optimal solution of QP in the presence of noise. Finally, the effectiveness of the control design is demonstrated by numerical simulations and physical platform experiments.

New perspective in statistical modeling of wall-bounded turbulence

Despite dedicated effort for many decades,statistical description of highly technologically important wall turbulence remains a great challenge.Current models are unfortunately incomplete,or empirical,or qualitative.After a review of the existing theories of wall turbulence,we present a new framework,called the structure ensemble dynamics （SED）,which aims at integrating the turbulence dynamics into a quantitative description of the mean flow.The SED theory naturally evolves from a statistical physics understanding of non-equilibrium open systems,such as fluid turbulence, for which mean quantities are intimately coupled with the fluctuation dynamics.Starting from the ensemble-averaged Navier-Stokes（EANS） equations,the theory postulates the existence of a finite number of statistical states yielding a multi-layer picture for wall turbulence.Then,it uses order functions（ratios of terms in the mean momentum as well as energy equations） to characterize the states and transitions between states.Application of the SED analysis to an incompressible channel flow and a compressible turbulent boundary layer shows that the order functions successfully reveal the multi-layer structure for wall-bounded turbulence, which arises as a quantitative extension of the traditional view in terms of sub-layer,buffer layer,log layer and wake. Furthermore,an idea of using a set of hyperbolic functions for modeling transitions between layers is proposed for a quantitative model of order functions across the entire flow domain.We conclude that the SED provides a theoretical framework for expressing the yet-unknown effects of fluctuation structures on the mean quantities,and offers new methods to analyze experimental and simulation data.Combined with asymptotic analysis,it also offers a way to evaluate convergence of simulations.The SED approach successfully describes the dynamics at both momentum and energy levels, in contrast with all prevalent approaches describing the mean velocity profile only.Moreover,the SED theoretical framework is general,independent of the flow system to study, while the actual functional form of the order functions may vary from flow to flow.We assert that as the knowledge of order functions is accumulated and as more flows are analyzed, new principles（such as hierarchy,symmetry,group invariance,etc.） governing the role of turbulent structures in the mean flow properties will be clarified and a viable theory of turbulence might emerge.

A Survey of Underwater Multi-Robot Systems

As a cross-cutting field between ocean development and multi-robot system(MRS),the underwater multi-robot system(UMRS)has gained increasing attention from researchers and engineers in recent decades.In this paper,we present a comprehensive survey of cooperation issues,one of the key components of UMRS,from the perspective of the emergence of new functions.More specifically,we categorize the cooperation in terms of task-space,motion-space,measurement-space,as well as their combination.Further,we analyze the architecture of UMRS from three aspects,i.e.,the performance of the individual underwater robot,the new functions of underwater robots,and the technical approaches of MRS.To conclude,we have discussed related promising directions for future research.This survey provides valuable insight into the reasonable utilization of UMRS to attain diverse underwater tasks in complex ocean application scenarios.

On a general theory for compressing process and aeroacoustics:linear analysis

Of the three mutually coupled fundamental processes （shearing, compressing, and thermal） in a general fluid motion, only the general formulation for the compress- ing process and a subprocess of it, the subject of aeroacous- tics, as well as their physical coupling with shearing and thermal processes, have so far not reached a consensus. This situation has caused difficulties for various in-depth complex multiprocess flow diagnosis, optimal configuration design, and flow/noise control. As the first step toward the desired formulation in fully nonlinear regime, this paper employs the operator factorization method to revisit the analytic linear theories of the fundamental processes and their decomposi- tion, especially the further splitting of compressing process into acoustic and entropy modes, developed in 1940s-1980s. The flow treated here is small disturbances of a compressible, viscous, and heat-conducting polytropic gas in an unbounded domain with arbitrary source of mass, external body force, and heat addition. Previous results are thereby revised and extended to a complete and unified theory. The theory pro- vides a necessary basis and valuable guidance for developing corresponding nonlinear theory by clarifying certain basic issues, such as the proper choice of characteristic variables of compressing process and the feature of their governing equations.

Reconfigurable metamaterial for asymmetric and symmetric elastic wave absorption based on exceptional point in resonant bandgap

Elastic wave absorption at subwavelength scale is of significance in many engineering applications.Non-Hermitian metamaterials show the ability in high-efficiency wave absorption.However,the single functionality of metamaterials is an important limitation on their practical applications for lack of tunability and reconfigurability.Here,we propose a tunable and reconfigurable non-Hermitian piezoelectric metamaterial bar,in which piezoelectric bars connect with resonant circuits,to achieve asymmetric unidirectional perfect absorption(UPA)and symmetric bidirectional perfect absorption(PA)at low frequencies.The two functions can be arbitrarily switched by rearranging shunted circuits.Based on the reverberation-ray matrix(RRM)method,an approach is provided to achieve UPA by setting an exceptional point(EP)in the coupled resonant bandgap.By using the transfer matrix method(TMM)and the finite element method(FEM),it is observed that a non-Hermitian pseudo-band forms between two resonant bandgaps,and the EP appears at the bottom of the pseudo-band.In addition,the genetic algorithm is used to accurately and efficiently design the shunted circuits for desired low-frequency UPA and PA.The present work may provide new strategies for vibration suppression and guided waves manipulation in wide potential applications.

Numerical Simulation of Random Close Packings in Particle Deformation from Spheres to Cubes

Variation of packing density in particle deforming from spheres to cubes is studied. A new model is presented to describe particle deformation between different particle shapes. Deformation is simulated by relative motion of component spheres in the sphere assembly model of a particle. Random close packings of particles in deformation form spheres to cubes are simulated with an improved relaxation algorithm. Packings in both 2I） and 3D eases are simulated. With the simulations, we find that the packing density increases while the particle sphericity decreases in the deformation. Spheres and cubes give the minimum （0.6404） and maximum （0.7755） of packing density in the deformation respectively. In each deforming step, packings starting from a random configuration and from the final packing of last deforming step are both simulated. The packing density in the latter case is larger than the former in two dimensions, but is smaller in three dimensions. The deformation model can be applied to other particle shapes as well.

A trigonometric series expansion method for the Orr-Sommerfeld equation

A trigonometric series expansion method and two similar modified methods for the Orr-Sommerfeld equation are presented. These methods use the trigonometric series expansion with an auxiliary function added to the highest order derivative of the unknown function and generate the lower order derivatives through successive integra- tions. The proposed methods are easy to implement because of the simplicity of the chosen basis functions. By solving the plane Poiseuille flow (PPF), plane Couette flow (PCF), and Blasius boundary layer flow with several homogeneous boundary conditions, it is shown that these methods yield results with the same accuracy as that given by the conventional Chebyshev collocation method but with better robustness, and that ob- tained by the finite difference method but with fewer modal number.

Special properties of Eshelby tensor for a regular polygonal inclusion

When studying the regular polygonal inclusion in 1997, Nozaki and Taya discovered numerically some remarkable properties of Eshelby tensor： Eshelby tensor at the center and the averaged Eshelby tensor over the inclusion domain are equal to that of a circular inclusion and independent of the orientation of the inclusion. Then Kawashita and Nozaki justified the properties mathematically. In the present paper, some other properties of a regular polygonal inclusion are discovered. We find that for an N-fold regular polygonal inclusion except for a square, the arithmetic mean of Eshelby tensors at N rotational symmetrical points in the inclusion is also equal to the Eshelby tensor for a circular inclusion and independent of the orientation of the inclusion. Furthermore, in two corollaries, we point out that Eshelby tensor at the center, the averaged Eshelby tensor over the inclusion domain, and the line integral average of Eshelby tensors along any concentric circle of the inclusion are all identical with the arithmetic mean.

Disturbance rejection and H_∞ pinning control of linear complex dynamical networks

This paper concerns the disturbance rejection problem of a linear complex dynamical network subject to external disturbances. A dynamical network is said to be robust to disturbance, if the H∞ norm of its transfer function matrix from the disturbance to the performance variable is satisfactorily small. It is shown that the disturbance rejection problem of a dynamical network can be solved by analysing the H∞ control problem of a set of independent systems whose dimensions are equal to that of a single node. A counter-intuitive result is that the disturbance rejection level of the whole network with a diffusive coupling will never be better than that of an isolated node. To improve this, local feedback injections are applied to a small fraction of the nodes in the network. Some criteria for possible performance improvement are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities. It is further demonstrated via a simulation example that one can indeed improve the disturbance rejection level of the network by pinning the nodes with higher degrees than pinning those with lower degrees.

Lower bound for transient growth of inclined buoyancy layer

The relationship between stabilities of the buoyancy boundary layers along an inclined plate and a vertical plate immersed in a stratified medium is studied theoretically and numerically. The eigenvalue problem of energy stability is solved with the method of descending exponentials. The disturbance energy is found to be able to grow to 11.62 times as large as the initial disturbance energy for Pr = 0.72 when the Grashof number is between the critical Grashof numbers of the energy stability and the linear stability. We prove that, with a weighted energy method, the basic flow of the vertical buoyancy boundary layer is stable to finite-amplitude streamwise-independent disturbances.

Correlation dimension analysis and capillary wave turbulence in Dragon-Wash phenomena

This paper describes the evolution of surface capillary waves of deep water excited by gradually increasing the lateral external force at a single frequency. The vertical velocities of the water surface are measured by using a Polytec Laser Vibrometer with a thin layer of aluminium powder scattering on the surface to reflect the laser beam. Nonlinear interaction processes result in a stationary Fourier spectrum of the vertical surface velocities （the same as the surface elevation）, i.e. Iω -ω^-3-5. The observed spectrum can be interpreted as a wave-turbulent Kolmogorov spectrum for the case of ‘narrowband pumping＇ for a direct cascade of energy. Correlation dimension analysis of the whole development process reveals four distinct stages during the wave structure development and identifies the wave turbulence stage.

Cost and effect of pinning control for network synchronization

The problem of pinning control for the synchronization of complex dynamical networks is discussed in this paper. A cost function of the controlled network is defined by the feedback gain and the coupling strength of the network. An interesting result is that a lower cost is achieved by using the control scheme of pinning nodes with smaller degrees. Some strict mathematical analyses are presented for achieving a lower cost in the synchronization of different star-shaped networks. Numerical simulations on some non-regular complex networks generated by the Barabasi-Albert model and various star-shaped networks are performed for verification and illustration.

Recent progress in compressible turbulence

In this paper, we review some recent studies on compressible turbulence conducted by the authors＇ group, which include fundamental studies on compressible isotropic turbulence （CIT） and applied studies on developing a con- strained large eddy simulation （CLES） for wall-bounded turbulence. In the first part, we begin with a newly pro- posed hybrid compact-weighted essentially nonoscillatory （WENO） scheme for a CIT simulation that has been used to construct a systematic database of CIT. Using this database various fundamental properties of compressible turbulence have been examined, including the statistics and scaling of compressible modes, the shocklet-turbulence interac- tion, the effect of local compressibility on small scales, the kinetic energy cascade, and some preliminary results from a Lagrangian point of view. In the second part, the idea and for- mulas of the CLES are reviewed, followed by the validations of CLES and some applications in compressible engineering problems.