Frontier Research in Hand, National Demands in Mind——An Interview with XIONG Ke, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures-

·Prof.XIONG,could you please give us a brief introduction to SKLMCMS?Director XIONG Ke:The State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures(SKLMCMS)was established with the approval of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China in October 2011.The laboratory is located at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics(NUAA).The research areas of

Dynamic response of UHMWPE plates under combined shock and fragment loading

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene(UHMWPE)fiber composite has been extensively used to construct lightweight protective structures against ballistic impacts,yet little is known about its performance when subjected to combined blast and fragment impacts.Built upon a recently developed laboratory-scale experimental technique to generate simulated combined loading through the impact of a fragment-foam composite projectile launched from a light gas gun,the dynamic responses of fullyclamped UHMWPE plates subjected to combined loading were characterized experimentally,with corresponding deformation and failure modes compared with those measured with simulated blast loading alone.Subsequently,to explore the underlying physical mechanisms,three-dimensional(3D)numerical simulations with the method of finite elements(FE)were systematically carried out.Numerical predictions compared favorably well with experimental measurements,thus validating the feasibility of the established FE model.Relative to the case of blast loading alone,combined blast and fragment loading led to larger maximum deflections of clamped UHMWPE plates.The position of the FSP in the foam sabot affected significantly the performance of a UHMWPE target,either enhancing or decreasing its ballistic resistance.When the blast loading and fragment impact arrived simultaneously at the target,its ballistic resistance was superior to that achieved when subjected to fragment impact alone,and benefited from the accelerated movement of the target due to simultaneous blast loading.

Flexural wave bandgap properties of phononic crystal beams with interval parameters

Uncertainties are unavoidable in practical engineering,and phononic crystals are no exception.In this paper,the uncertainties are treated as the interval parameters,and an interval phononic crystal beam model is established.A perturbation-based interval finite element method(P-IFEM)and an affine-based interval finite element method(A-IFEM)are proposed to study the dynamic response of this interval phononic crystal beam,based on which an interval vibration transmission analysis can be easily implemented and the safe bandgap can be defined.Finally,two numerical examples are investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the P-IFEM and A-IFEM.Results show that the safe bandgap range may even decrease by 10%compared with the deterministic bandgap without considering the uncertainties.

Peridynamic Study on Fracture Mode and Crack Propagation Path of a Plate with Multiple Cracks Subjected to Uniaxial Tension

How to simulate fracture mode and crack propagation path in a plate with multiple cracks is an attractive but difficult issue in fracture mechanics.Peridynamics is a recently developed nonlocal continuum formulation that can spontaneously predict the crack nucleation,branch and propagation in materials and structures through a meshfree discrete technique.In this paper,the peridynamic motion equation with boundary traction is improved by simplifying the boundary transfer functions.We calculate the critical cracking load and the fracture angles of the plate with multiple cracks under uniaxial tension.The results are consistent with those predicted by classical fracture mechanics.The fracture mode and crack propagation path are also determined.The calculation shows that the brittle fracture process of the plate with multiple cracks can be conveniently and correctly simulated by the peridynamic motion equation with boundary conditions.

A Fixed-Point Fast Sweeping WENO Method with Inverse Lax-Wendroff Boundary Treatment for Steady State of Hyperbolic Conservation Laws

Fixed-point fast sweeping WENO methods are a class of efficient high-order numerical methods to solve steady-state solutions of hyperbolic partial differential equations(PDEs).The Gauss-Seidel iterations and alternating sweeping strategy are used to cover characteristics of hyperbolic PDEs in each sweeping order to achieve fast convergence rate to steady-state solutions.A nice property of fixed-point fast sweeping WENO methods which distinguishes them from other fast sweeping methods is that they are explicit and do not require inverse operation of nonlinear local systems.Hence,they are easy to be applied to a general hyperbolic system.To deal with the difficulties associated with numerical boundary treatment when high-order finite difference methods on a Cartesian mesh are used to solve hyperbolic PDEs on complex domains,inverse Lax-Wendroff(ILW)procedures were developed as a very effective approach in the literature.In this paper,we combine a fifthorder fixed-point fast sweeping WENO method with an ILW procedure to solve steadystate solution of hyperbolic conservation laws on complex computing regions.Numerical experiments are performed to test the method in solving various problems including the cases with the physical boundary not aligned with the grids.Numerical results show highorder accuracy and good performance of the method.Furthermore,the method is compared with the popular third-order total variation diminishing Runge-Kutta(TVD-RK3)time-marching method for steady-state computations.Numerical examples show that for most of examples,the fixed-point fast sweeping method saves more than half CPU time costs than TVD-RK3 to converge to steady-state solutions.

Fabrication and Mechanical Testing of Ultralight Folded Lattice-CoreSandwich Cylinders

In this research,two novel folded lattice-core sandwich cylinders were designed,manufactured,and tested.The lattice core has periodic zigzag corrugations,whose ridges and valleys are directed axially or circumferentially.Free vibration and axial compression experiments were performed to reveal the fundamental frequency,free vibration modes,bearing capacity,and failure mode of the cylinder.A folded lattice core effectively restricts local buckling by reducing the dimension of the local skin periodic cell,and improves the global buckling resistance by enhancing the shear stiffness of the sandwich core.The cylinders fail at the mode of material failure and possess excellent load-carrying capacity.An axially directed folded sandwich cylinder has greater load-carrying capacity,while a circumferentially directed folded sandwich cylinder has higher fundamental frequencies.These two types of folded lattices provide a selection for engineers when designing a sandwich cylinder requiring strength or vibration.This research also presents a feasible way to fabricate a large-dimensional folded structure and promote its engineering application.

Experimental study and electromechanical model analysis of the nonlinear deformation behavior of IPMC actuators

This paper develops analytical electromechanical formulas to predict the mechanical deformation of ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) cantilever actuators under DC excitation voltages. In this research, IPMC samples with Pt and Ag electrodes were manufactured, and the large nonlinear deformation and the effect of curvature on surface electrode resistance of the IPMC samples were investigated experimentally and theoretically. A distributed electrical model was modified for calculating the distribution of voltage along the bending actuator. Then an irreversible thermodynamic model that could predict the curvature of a unit part of an IPMC actuator is combined with the electrical model so that an analytical electromechanical model is developed. The electromechanical model is then validated against the experimental results obtained from Pt- and Ag-IPMC actuators under various excitation voltages. The good agreement between the electromechanical model and the actuators shows that the analytical electromechanical model can accurately describe the large nonlinear quasi-static deflection behavior of IPMC actuators.

Gain-Scheduled Control and Stability Analysis of Morphing Aircraft in Transition Process

The large-scale morphing aircraft can change its shape dramatically to perform high flight performance.To ensure the transient stability of aircraft in the morphing process,a novel gain-scheduled control method is investigated numerically in this paper.Based on quasi-steady assumption,the linear parameter varying (LPV) model of the morphing vehicle is derived from its nonlinear equation.Afterwards,by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities along with the bound of the morphing rate via slowly varying system theory,the designed controller which considers the transition stability during the morphing process is obtained.Finally,the transition process simulations of the morphing aircraft are performed via the changes simultaneously in both span and sweep,and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.

Structural Design and Control of Variable Camber Wing Driven by Ultrasonic Motors

A novel variable camber wing driven by ultrasonic motors is proposed.Key techniques of distributed layout of drive mechanisms,coordination control of distributed ultrasonic motors as well as novel flexible skin undergoing one-dimensional morphing are studied.The system integration of small variable camber wing is achieved.Distributed layout of parallelogram linkages driven by geared ultrasonic motors is adopted for morphing,aimed at reducing the load for each motor and producing various aerodynamic configurations suitable for different flying states.Programmable system-on-chip(PSoC)is used to realize the coordination control of the distributed ultrasonic motors.All the morphing driving systems are assembled in the interior of the wing.The wing surface is covered with a novel smooth flexible skin in order to maintain wing shape and decrease the aerodynamic drag during morphing.Wind tunnel test shows that the variable camber wing can realize morphing under low speed flight condition.Lift and drag characteristics and aerodynamic efficiency of the wing are improved.Appropriate configurations can be selected to satisfy aerodynamic requirements of different flight conditions.The study provides a practical application of piezoelectric precision driving technology in flow control.

Dynamics and Proportional-derivative Control of 3-link Planar Manipulator

In this paper, an effective dynamic equation of a three link manipulator for a control purpose has been dealt with by the Euler-Lagrange method. The structural properties of the derived dynamic equation were proved so that the vast control strategies developed for the serial counterparts can be easily extended for controlling the three link manipulator. In addition, it is illustrated how to design a PD controller for the robot manipulator by making use of computed torque method strategy to develop our controller. Simulation results are included in order to depict the performance of the controller.

Optimal design of butterfly-shaped linear ultrasonic motor using finite element method and response surface methodology

A new method for optimizing a butterfly-shaped linear ultrasonic motor was proposed to maximize its mechanical output. The finite element analysis technology and response surface methodology were combined together to realize the optimal design of the butterfly-shaped linear ultrasonic motor. First, the operation principle of the motor was introduced. Second, the finite element parameterized model of the stator of the motor was built using ANSYS parametric design language and some structure parameters of the stator were selected as design variables. Third, the sample points were selected in design variable space using latin hypercube Design. Through modal analysis and harmonic response analysis of the stator based on these sample points, the target responses were obtained. These sample points and response values were combined together to build a response surface model. Finally, the simplex method was used to find the optimal solution. The experimental results showed that many aspects of the design requirements of the butterfly-shaped linear ultrasonic motor have been fulfilled. The prototype motor fabricated based on the optimal design result exhibited considerably high dynamic performance, such as no-load speed of 873 mm/s, maximal thrust of 27.5 N, maximal efficiency of 43%, and thrust-weight ratio of 45.8.

Principle and Experimental Verification of Caudal-fin-type Piezoelectric-stack Pump with Variable-cross-section Oscillating Vibrator

In the traditional flow-resistance-differential (FRD) type valve-less piezoelectric pump, the generated outflow and pressure are discontinuous because of the inherent periodicity and fluctuation of the pump. To overcome these drawbacks, utilizing the bending vibration of piezoelectric bimorph to drive fluid was conducted. However, our investigation on the current status of this piezoelectric bimorph pump shows that larger driving force and vibration amplitude are required for fluid pumping; the pumping can be realized through the centrifugal force; and the mechanism of fluid pumping is no longer further studied. Based on these cases, the paper designed a piezoelectric-stack pump with variable-cross-section oscillating (VCSO) vibrator by imitating the swing of the caudal-fin of tuna, and the pump is neither the rotating type nor the volumetric type according to the taxonomy. The interaction between the oscillating vibrator and the fluid parcel is firstly analyzed from the viewpoint of momentum conservation, and the analytical expression of pump flow rate is obtained. Then the modal and harmonic response analyses on the vibrator immerged in water are carried out. From the analyses the first two orders resonance frequencies are 832 Hz and 1 939 Hz, respectively, and the peak value of the tip amplitude is 0.6 mm. Laser Doppler vibrometer is used to measure both the frequency and vibration amplitude, and the determined first two orders resonance frequencies are 617 Hz and 1 356 Hz, respectively. The measured tip amplitude reaches to the peak value of 0.3 mm. At last, experimental measurement for the flow rates with different driving frequencies is conducted. The results show that the flow rate can reach 560 mL/min at 1 370 Hz when the pump runs under the backpressure of 30 mm water column. And the flow rate is as much as 560% of that of experiment results carried out by researchers from Brazil. The proposed pump innovates in both theory and taxonomy; in addition, the pump overcomes the drawbacks such as large flow fluctuation and low flow rate in the traditional FRD type pumps, which will help to broaden the application of the valve-less piezoelectric pump.

Parameter Optimization of Nose Landing Gear Considering Both Take-off and Landing Performance of Catapult Take-off Carrier-Based Aircraft

Optimization of the parameters of landing gear systems with double-stage air springs of catapult take-off carrier-based aircraft is here studied based on the mathematical equations of the classic dual mass spring-damper dynamic model.Certain standards for both take-off and landing performance are put forward.The contradictory factors between take-off and landing processes are analyzed.The optimization of oil in the pin area and the area near the rear oil hole is performed.Then these optimized parameters are used to assess the influence of the initial pressure of the low chamber,the ratio of the high chamber to the low chamber,and the tire inflation pressure on the performance of arresting landing and catapult take-off.The influences of these parameters on carrier-based aircraft and the aircraft-carrier on aircraft catapult take-off is also assessed.Based on the results of the simulation,respective take-off criteria must be drafted considering different types of aircraft and different take-off load cases,all of which must be matched to parameters relevant to catapult take-off.

Damage Detection and Material Property Reconstruction of Composite Laminates Using Laser Ultrasonic Technique

Laser ultrasonic technique has received increasing attentions in the past decade due to its contactless nature and a wide range of applications have been reported. In this review,applications of laser ultrasonic technique developed at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics(NUAA)as well as elsewhere for non-destructive testing in composite laminates are presented. The principles of generating and detecting in a laser ultrasonic system are introduced,three different system configurations are also introduced with each configuration's advantages and disadvantages explained. More importantly,two major applications developed at NUAA for composite laminates are presented including damage detection,stiffness reconstruction and fatigue life prediction. Both applications are realized by a fixed-point PZT sensor and scanning pulse laser based on the linear reciprocal theorem. Analytical method and numerical models are employed and developed to realize the functionalities.

Optimal feedback gains of a delayed proportional-derivative(PD) control for balancing an inverted pendulum

In the dynamics analysis and synthesis of a controlled system, it is important to know for what feedback gains can the controlled system decay to the demanded steady state as fast as possible. This article presents a systematic method for finding the optimal feedback gains by taking the stability of an inverted pendulum system with a delayed proportional-derivative controller as an example. First, the condition for the existence and uniqueness of the stable region in the gain plane is obtained by using the D-subdivision method and the method of stability switch. Then the same procedure is used repeatedly to shrink the stable region by decreasing the real part of the rightmost characteristic root. Finally, the optimal feedback gains within the stable region that minimizes the real part of the rightmost root are expressed by an explicit formula. With the optimal feedback gains, the controlled inverted pendulum decays to its trivial equilibrium at the fastest speed when the initial values around the origin are fixed. The main results are checked by numerical simulation.

Contact Analysis and Modeling of Standing Wave Linear Ultrasonic Motor

A contact model for describing the contact mechanics between the stator and slider of the standing wave linear ultrasonic motor was presented. The proposed model starts from the assumption that the vibration characteristics of the stator is not affected by the contact process. A modified friction models was used to analyze the contact problems. Firstly, the dynamic normal contact force, interface friction force, and steady-state characteristics were analyzed. Secondly, the influences of the contact layer material, the dynamic characteristics of the stator, and the pre-load on motor performance were simulated. Finally, to validate the contact model, a linear ultrasonic motor based on in-plane modes was used as an example. The corresponding results show that a set of simulation of motor performances based on the proposed contact mechanism is in good agreement with experimental results. This model is helpful to understanding the operation principle of the standing wave linear motor and thus contributes to the design of these types of motor.

Principle and Experimental Verification of Novel Dual Driving Face Rotary Ultrasonic Motor

Existing rotary ultrasonic motors operating in extreme environments cannot meet the requirements of good environmental adaptability and compact structure at same time,and existing ultrasonic motors with Langevin transducers show better environmental adaptability,but size of these motors are usually big due to the radial arrangement of the Langevin transducers.A novel dual driving face rotary ultrasonic motor is proposed,and its working principle is experimentally verified.The working principle of the novel ultrasonic motor is firstly proposed.The 5th in-plane flexural vibration travelling wave,excited by the Langevin transducers around the stator ring,is used to drive the rotors.Then the finite element method is used in the determination of dimensions of the prototype motor,and the confirmation of its working principle.After that,a laser Doppler vibrometer system is used for measuring the resonance frequency and vibration amplitude of the stator.At last,output characteristics of the prototype motor are measured,environmental adaptability is tested and performance for driving a metal ball is also investigated.At room temperature and 200 V(zero to peak) driving voltage,the motor’s no-load speed is 80 r/min,the stalling torque is 0.35 N·m and the maximum output power is 0.85 W.The response time of this motor is 0.96 ms at the room temperature,and it decreases or increases little in cold environment.A metal ball driven by the motor can rotate at 210 r/min with the driving voltage 300 V(zero to peak).Results indicate that the prototype motor has a large output torque and good environmental adaptability.A rotary ultrasonic motor owning compact structure and good environmental adaptability is proposed,and lays the foundations of ultrasonic motors’ applications in extreme environments.

Large nonlinear deflection behavior of IPMC actuators analyzed with an electromechanical model

This study presents an electromechanical engineering model for the analysis of the large deflection curves of ionic polymer-metal composite(IPMC)cantilever actuators under direct current(DC)voltages.In this paper,the longitudinal normal strain performance of the material was investigated using digital image correlation on a micro-scale.The deflection of the actuator is analytically obtained with the application of an elliptic integration method based on the relationship between strain gradient and excitation voltage,and the minimum excitation voltage is derived based on the assumption that the actuators have small deformations.The validity of the electromechanical model is then justified with the experimental results obtained from Pt-and Ag-IPMC actuators at various excitation voltages.The findings of this study confirm that the introduced electromechanical model can accurately describe the large nonlinear deflection behavior of IPMC actuators.

Simulation Analysis and Experimental Verification of Spiral-tube-type Valveless Piezoelectric Pump with Gyroscopic Effect

The current research of the valveless piezoelectric pump focuses on increasing the flow rate and pressure differential. Compared with the valve piezoelectric pump, the valveless one has excellent performances in simple structure, low cost, and easy miniaturization. So, their important development trend is the mitigation of their weakness, and the multi-function integration. The flow in a spiral tube element is sensitive to the element attitude caused by the Coriolis force, and that a valveless piezoelectric pump is designed by applying this phenomenon. The pump has gyroscopic effect, and has both the actuator function of fluid transfer and the sensor function, which can obtain the angular velocity when its attitude changes. First, the present paper analyzes the flow characteristics in the tube, obtains the calculation formula for the pump flow, and identifies the relationship between pump attitude and flow, which clarifies the impact of flow and driving voltage, frequency, spiral line type and element attitude, and verifies the gyroscopic effect of the pump. Then, the finite element simulation is used to verify the theory. Finally, a pump is fabricated for experimental testing of the relationship between pump attitude and pressure differential. Experimental results show that when Archimedes spiral θ=4π is selected for the tube design, and the rotation speed of the plate is 70 r/min, the pressure differential is 88.2 Pa, which is 1.5 times that of 0 r/min rotation speed. The spiral-tube-type valveless piezoelectric pump proposed can turn the element attitude into a form of pressure output, which is important for the multi-function integration of the valveless piezoelectric pump and for the development of civil gyroscope in the future.

Mechanical microenvironments of living cells: a critical frontier in mechanobiology

The fields of biomechanics and mechanobiology have long been predicated on the premise that mechanics governs cell behavior. However, over the past few years, a growing body of evidence has suggested that the mechanical environment very close to cells–the cell microenvironment–plays the most important role in determining what a cell feels and how it responds to tissue-level stimuli. To complicate matters further, cells can actively manipulate their microenvironments through pathways of recursive mechanobiological feedback. Harnessing this recursive behavior to understand and control cell physiology and pathophysiology is a critical frontier in the field of mechanobiology. Recent results suggest that the key to opening this scientific frontier to investigation and engineering application is understanding a different frontier: the physical frontier that cells face when probing their mechanical microenvironments.