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The purpose of this study is to design a wearable medical device as a human care platform and to introduce the design details, key technologies and practical implementation methods of the system.

A multi-channel data acquisition scheme based on PCI-E (rapid interconnection of peripheral components) was proposed. The flexible biosensor is integrated with the flexible data acquisition card with monitoring capability, and the embedded (device that can operate independently) chip STM32F103VET6 is used to realize the simultaneous processing of multi-channel human health parameters. The human health parameters were transferred to the upper computer LabVIEW by intelligent clothing through USB or wireless Bluetooth to complete the transmission and processing of clinical data, which facilitates the analysis of medical data.

The smart clothing provides a mobile medical cloud platform for wearable medical through cloud computing, which can continuously monitor the body's wrist movement, body temperature and perspiration for 24 h. The result shows that each channel is completely accurate to the top computer display, which can meet the expected requirements, and the wearable instant care system can be applied to healthcare.

The smart clothing in this study is based on the monitoring and diagnosis of textiles, and the electronic communication devices can cooperate and interact to form a wearable textile system that provides medical monitoring and prevention services to individuals in the fastest and most accurate way. Each channel of the system is precisely matched to the display screen of the host computer and meets the expected requirements. As a real-time human health protection platform technology, continuous monitoring of human vital signs can complete the application of human motion detection, medical health monitoring and human–computer interaction. Ultimately, such an intelligent garment will become an integral part of our everyday clothing.

This paper aims to collect the energy consumption data and carry out energy consumption analysis of chemical enterprises, which is helpful to grasp the working conditions of each equipment accurately and to perfect the demand side management (DSM) for the user in the terminal.

The paper proposes a load monitoring system of chemical enterprises to collect the energy consumption data and carry out energy consumption analysis. An Elman neural network based on sparrow search algorithm is proposed to predict the power consumption change and distribution trend of enterprises in the future production cycle. The calculation efficiency and prediction accuracy have been significantly improved.

The paper analyzes the energy saving effect of energy efficiency management as well as “avoiding peak and filling valley” measures, and reasonable control requirements and assumed conditions are put forward to study the operability of enterprise energy saving measures from the DSM.

Because of the chosen enterprise data, the prediction accuracy needs to be further improved. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed methodology further.

The paper includes implications for the development of energy consumption analysis and load forecasting of chemical enterprises and perfects the DSM for the user.

This paper fulfills an identified need to study how to forecast the power load and improve the management efficiency of energy consumption.

The purpose of this paper is to design and develop a new robotic device for the rehabilitation of the upper limbs. The authors are focusing on a new symmetrical robot which can be used to rehabilitate the right upper limb and the left upper limb. The robotic arm can be automatically extended or reduced depending on the measurements of the patient's arm. The main idea is to integrate electrical stimulation into motor rehabilitation by robot. The goal is to provide automatic electrical stimulation based on muscle status during the rehabilitation process.

The developed robotic arm can be automatically extended or reduced depending on the measurements of the patient's arm. The system merges two rehabilitation strategies: motor rehabilitation and electrical stimulation. The goal is to take the advantages of both approaches. Electrical stimulation is often used for building muscle through endurance, resistance and strength exercises. However, in the proposed approach the electrical stimulation is used for recovery, relaxation and pain relief. In addition, the device includes an electromyography (EMG) muscle sensor that records muscle activity in real time. The control architecture provides the ability to automatically activate the appropriate stimulation mode based on the acquired EMG signal. The system software provides two modes for stimulation activation: the manual preset mode and the EMG driven mode. The program ensures traceability and provides the ability to issue a patient status monitoring report.

The developed robotic device is symmetrical and reconfigurable. The presented rehabilitation system includes a muscle stimulator associated with the robot to improve the quality of the rehabilitation process. The integration of neuromuscular electrical stimulation into the physical rehabilitation process offers effective rehabilitation sessions for neuromuscular recovery of the upper limb. A laboratory-made stimulator is developed to generate three modes of stimulation: pain relief, massage and relaxation. Through the control software interface, the physiotherapist can set the exercise movement parameters, define the stimulation mode and record the patient training in real time.

There are certain constraints when applying the proposed method, such as the sensitivity of the acquired EMG signals. This involves the use of professional equipment and mainly the implementation of sophisticated algorithms for signal extraction.

Functional electrical stimulation and robot-based motor rehabilitation are the most important technologies applied in post-stroke rehabilitation. The main objective of integrating robots into the rehabilitation process is to compensate for the functions lost in people with physical disabilities. The stimulation technique can be used for recovery, relaxation and drainage and pain relief. In this context, the idea is to integrate electrical stimulation into motor rehabilitation based on a robot to obtain the advantages of the two approaches to further improve the rehabilitation process. The introduction of this type of robot also makes it possible to develop new exciting assistance devices.

The proposed design is symmetrical, reconfigurable and light, covering all the joints of the upper limbs and their movements. In addition, the developed platform is inexpensive and a portable solution based on open source hardware platforms which opens the way to more extensions and developments. Electrical stimulation is often used to improve motor function and restore loss of function. However, the main objective behind the proposed stimulation in this paper is to recover after effort. The novelty of the proposed solution is to integrate the electrical stimulation powered by EMG in robotic rehabilitation.

This study aims to propose optimised function-based evolutionary algorithms in this research to effectively replace the traditional electronic circuitry used in linearising constant temperature anemometer (CTA) and Microbridge mass flow sensor AWM 5000.

The proposed linearisation technique effectively uses the ratiometric function for the linearisation of CTA and Microbridge mass flow sensor AWM 5000. In addition, the well-known transfer relation, namely, the King’s Law is used for the linearisation of CTA and successfully implemented using LabVIEW 7.1.

Investigational results unveil that the proposed evolutionary optimised linearisation technique performs better in linearisation of both CTA and Mass flow sensors, and hence finds applications for computer-based flow measurement/control systems.

The evolutionary optimisation algorithms such as the real-coded genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimisation algorithm, differential evolution algorithm and covariance matrix adopted evolutionary strategy algorithm are used to determine the optimal values of the parameters present in the proposed ratiometric function. The performance measures, namely, the full-scale error and mean square error are used to analyse the overall performance of the proposed approach is compared to a state of art techniques available in the literature.

Weblabs are an additional resource in the execution of experiments in control engineering education, making learning process more flexible both in time, by allowing extra class laboratory activities, and space, bringing the learning experience to remote locations where experimentation facilities would not be available. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and report on a weblab project where the speed of a DC motor is controlled in closed loop, being the control system parameters set by the remote user (student).

The engine control experiments are run and on‐line transmitted by videoconference over the internet, from a didactical plant physically located at the Systems and Automation Laboratory of the Control and Automation Engineering department of the Pontifical Catholic University of Parana. The system response (transient motor speed) to the user's choice of parameters is evaluated through performance indices (IAE, ITAE), which are used to qualify the ability of the student to tune PID and RTS control algorithms. There is an option to run experiments in open loop, so the student can perform preliminary analysis to identify the system dynamic model and then apply mathematical models and computational methods, learned in theoretical classes, to define best performance control parameters. A simulation function was implemented, to further help the student in the problem solution. Virtual instrumentation resources were used to implement the Weblab, using the DC motor of a laboratory didactical plant. A local server runs a LabVIEWTM application, which can be remotely accessed in the client side through a web browser, where the system front panel is reproduced. This remote interface is directly originated at the LabVIEWTM application, through an embedded web server. At the user request, the control of the remote system is granted. The user interface is cognitive, with motor speed, control signal, set point and all the pertinent information displayed in evolving charts and indicators. Microsoft™ Skype is used to establish a videoconference with the laboratory where the plant is located. Results of the user experiments are stored in local files, which can be e‐mailed to the user at his command by the end of the session.

Used as a platform in weblab projects, LabVIEW combined with Skype provides a suitable solution for the necessary software/hardware integration for communications with data acquisition systems and advanced connectivity resources. In virtual instrumentation Skype has proved to be efficient in establishing the right environment without the need for developing complex software for teaching practical control engineering concepts.

The level of performance (speed of acquisition, accuracy and number of parameters that could be evaluated) of the current system would need to be evaluated compared to some existing systems. The implication is the changes brought to the adopted approach to the development of, access to and the overall cost of producing virtual laboratory systems used for science, engineering and technology education.

With further effort, the current and similar systems could be further upgraded with user login control and server, so that results can be submitted to the tutor, thus acting as a learning evaluation instrument.

The originality of this research lies in the innovative integration of technology in education, which involves the implementation of a carefully designed, cost‐effective virtual laboratory for teaching and learning of concepts in control engineering.

Condition monitoring of squirrel cage induction motors (SCIMs) is indispensible for achieving fault-free working environment. As broken rotor bars (BRBs) are one of the more frequent faults in a SCIM especially where direct-on-line starting is indispensible, as in underground mines, a priori knowledge of fault severity in terms of the number of BRBs assists in effective fault monitoring. In this regard, this paper aims to propose a unique empirical relation to facilitate the determination of number of BRB.

Fast Fourier transform is used to obtain fault sideband amplitudes under varying number of BRBs and load torque for 5.5 kW, 7.5 kW, 10 kW, three-phase, 415 V, 50 Hz SCIMs in MATLAB/Simulink. The nature of variation is decided by an appropriate curve fitting technique for comprehending a unique empirical relation. The proposed empirical relation is validated by bootstrapping and z-test. Furthermore, hardware validation is done using 1 kW laboratory prototype with Labview interface.

The analytical study reveals the dependence of lower and upper sideband amplitudes on the number of BRBs, load torque and machine rating. Therefore, fault severity in terms of number of BRBs is accurately calculated using the proposed empirical relation if load torque, machine rating and amplitudes of lower and upper sidebands are known.

The unique empirical relation proposed in the present work provides accurate knowledge of fault severity in terms of the number of BRBs. This facilitates maintenance scheduling which shall reduce effective downtime and improve production.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a multisource system for nondestructive inspection of welded elements exploited in aircraft industry developed in West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin in the frame of CASELOT project. The system task is to support the operator in flaws identification of welded aircraft elements using data obtained from X-ray inspection and 3D triangulation laser scanners.

For proper defects detection a set of special processing algorithms were developed. For easier system exploitation and integration of all components a user friendly interface in LabVIEW environment was designed.

It is possible to create the fully independent, intelligent system for welds’ flaws detection. This kind of technology might be crucial in further development of aircraft industry.

In this paper a number of innovative solutions (new algorithms, algorithms’ combinations) for defects’ detection in welds are presented. All of these solutions are the basis of presented complete system. One of the main original solution is a combination of the systems based on 3D triangulation laser scanner and X-ray testing.

The purpose of this paper is to electrically examine the quality of thin thermally grown SiO₂ with thickness variation, on Si‐face of 4H‐SiC <0001> (having 50 μm epitaxial layer) by current‐voltage (I‐V) and capacitance‐voltage (C‐V) methods.

Metal‐oxide‐silicon carbide (MOSiC) structures with varying oxide thickness have been fabricated on device grade 4H‐SiC substrate. Ni has been used for gate metal on thermally oxidized Si‐face and a composite layer of Ti‐Au has been used for Ohmic contact on the highly doped C‐face of the substrate. Each structure was diced and bonded on a TO‐8 header with a suitable wire bonding for further testing using in‐house developed LabVIEW‐based computer aided measurement setup.

The leakage current of fabricated structures shows an asymmetric behavior with the polarity of gate bias ( + V or −V at the anode). A strong relation of oxide thickness and temperature on effective barrier height at SiO₂/4H‐SiC interface as well as on oxide charges have been established and reported in this paper.

The paper focuses on the development of 4H‐SiC based device technology in the fabrication of MOSiC‐based integrated structures.

The idea is to exploit the natural stability and performance of the human arm during movement, execution and manipulation. The purpose of this paper is to remotely control a handling robot with a low cost but effective solution.

The developed approach is based on three different techniques to be able to ensure movement and pattern recognition of the operator’s arm as well as an effective control of the object manipulation task. In the first, the methodology works on the kinect-based gesture recognition of the operator’s arm. However, using only the vision-based approach for hand posture recognition cannot be the suitable solution mainly when the hand is occluded in such situations. The proposed approach supports the vision-based system by an electromyography (EMG)-based biofeedback system for posture recognition. Moreover, the novel approach appends to the vision system-based gesture control and the EMG-based posture recognition a force feedback to inform operator of the real grasping state.

The main finding is to have a robust method able to gesture-based control a robot manipulator during movement, manipulation and grasp. The proposed approach uses a real-time gesture control technique based on a kinect camera that can provide the exact position of each joint of the operator’s arm. The developed solution integrates also an EMG biofeedback and a force feedback in its control loop. In addition, the authors propose a high-friendly human-machine-interface (HMI) which allows user to control in real time a robotic arm. Robust trajectory tracking challenge has been solved by the implementation of the sliding mode controller. A fuzzy logic controller has been implemented to manage the grasping task based on the EMG signal. Experimental results have shown a high efficiency of the proposed approach.

There are some constraints when applying the proposed method, such as the sensibility of the desired trajectory generated by the human arm even in case of random and unwanted movements. This can damage the manipulated object during the teleoperation process. In this case, such operator skills are highly required.

The developed control approach can be used in all applications, which require real-time human robot cooperation.

The main advantage of the developed approach is that it benefits at the same time of three various techniques: EMG biofeedback, vision-based system and haptic feedback. In such situation, using only vision-based approaches mainly for the hand postures recognition is not effective. Therefore, the recognition should be based on the biofeedback naturally generated by the muscles responsible of each posture. Moreover, the use of force sensor in closed-loop control scheme without operator intervention is ineffective in the special cases in which the manipulated objects vary in a wide range with different metallic characteristics. Therefore, the use of human-in-the-loop technique can imitate the natural human postures in the grasping task.

This paper aims to present the design and experiment of a modular multisensory prosthetic hand for applications. Design and experiment of a modular multisensory hand for prosthetic applications.

This paper reveals more details focusing on the appearance, mechanism design, electrical design and control of the prosthetic hand considering anthropomorphism, dexterity, sensing and controllability. The finger is internally integrated with the actuator, the transmission mechanism, the sensors and the controller as a modular unit. Integrated with multiple sensors, the prosthetic hand can not only perceive the position, the contact force and the temperature of the environment like a human hand but also provide the foundation for the practical control.

The experiments show that the prosthetic hand can accurately control the contact force to achieve stable grasps based on the sensors feedback and a simple and effective force-tracking impedance control algorithm. In addition, the experiments based on the cosmesis validate not only the cosmesis functionality but also the control performance for a prosthesis–cosmesis system.

Because of the small size, low weight, high integration, modularity and controllability, the prosthetic hand is easily applied to upper-limb amputees. Meanwhile, the finger as a modular unit is easy to be fixed, maintained and applied to a partial upper-limb amputee.

Each modular finger of the prosthetic hand integrated with the actuator, the transmission mechanism, the sensors and the controller as a whole can independently control the position and the force. The cosmetic glove design can provide pretty appearance without compromising the control performance.