A hybrid multi-agent technique for shop floor control. The new knowledge and techniques, as a result of this research project, will have direct relevance to many Australian industries. In particular, they provide opportunities to improve Australia's competitiveness through innovations for the manufacturing sector. The project will enable the development of the state-of-the-art simulation software readily accessible to a larger section of industry, including small to medium sized manufacturers. T ....A hybrid multi-agent technique for shop floor control. The new knowledge and techniques, as a result of this research project, will have direct relevance to many Australian industries. In particular, they provide opportunities to improve Australia's competitiveness through innovations for the manufacturing sector. The project will enable the development of the state-of-the-art simulation software readily accessible to a larger section of industry, including small to medium sized manufacturers. The use of meta-modelling will improve control of processes on the shop floor. Combining process meta-models with hybrid discrete event-based agent optimisation will result in increased shop floor efficiency, assisting Australian industry to be competitive in the world market.Read moreRead less
Advancing System Identification using Modern Optimisation Methods. This project lies within an ARC Research Priority Area. Namely, "Frontier Technologies". It involves the development of new technologies and fundamental theory that take data records from physical or abstract systems and generate mathematical models for use in prediction, control and diagnosis of the underlying system. In light of this, the project also lies within the ARC Research Priority Area of "Smart Information Use",
New Approaches for the Estimation of Complex Dynamic System Models. This project lies within an ARC defined Research Priority Area.
Namely, "Frontier Technologies". It is directed towards taking
available data records from physical and other processes, ranging from
petrochemical plant outputs to share market values, and using them to
determine equations that allow for the prediction, diagnosis, and
control of the underlying determining systems. As such, it lies
within the ARC identified ....New Approaches for the Estimation of Complex Dynamic System Models. This project lies within an ARC defined Research Priority Area.
Namely, "Frontier Technologies". It is directed towards taking
available data records from physical and other processes, ranging from
petrochemical plant outputs to share market values, and using them to
determine equations that allow for the prediction, diagnosis, and
control of the underlying determining systems. As such, it lies
within the ARC identified area of "Smart Information Use", but has further
potential to foster new approaches and new technologies, by way of the
improved system modelling, prediction and diagnosis capabilities it will provide.Read moreRead less
New Methods for Dynamic System Estimation. The estimation of dynamic system models from records of normal operating data is a significant problem across many engineering applications ranging from (at least) chemical process control to the implementation of telecommunications networks. This project, based on a promising pilot study, will develop and analyse new methods for solving these problems. This will lead to significant advances in the simplicity, robustness and generality of methods for a ....New Methods for Dynamic System Estimation. The estimation of dynamic system models from records of normal operating data is a significant problem across many engineering applications ranging from (at least) chemical process control to the implementation of telecommunications networks. This project, based on a promising pilot study, will develop and analyse new methods for solving these problems. This will lead to significant advances in the simplicity, robustness and generality of methods for accurate model generation with attendant benefits of more efficient and higher performance operation of many engineering systems.Read moreRead less
Time-dependent dynamic, creep and shrinkage response of curved structural members. This project concerns curved structural members, such as bridge beams, that are subjected to dynamic excitation and to concrete shrinkage and creep. Hitherto, unified formulations for the structural behaviour of these members have not been properly developed. The proposal seeks to build on a previous ARC DP of the investigator that produces significant results for static loading, by developing a sophisticated meth ....Time-dependent dynamic, creep and shrinkage response of curved structural members. This project concerns curved structural members, such as bridge beams, that are subjected to dynamic excitation and to concrete shrinkage and creep. Hitherto, unified formulations for the structural behaviour of these members have not been properly developed. The proposal seeks to build on a previous ARC DP of the investigator that produces significant results for static loading, by developing a sophisticated methodology to handle non-static dynamic loading and for shrinkage and creep. It will develop advanced mathematical tools to enable the safe and efficient design of a multiplicity of structures that is of benefit to on and offshore Australian technology.Read moreRead less
Mathematical and mechanical modeling of nano particulate flow. Nano particulates are the basis for many new technologies, including coatings in the electronics industry, composite materials and medical and pharmaceutical applications. Worldwide industrial competition is increasingly determined by our capacity to handle such highly cohesive materials, and to exploit their novel physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics. Devising handling mechanisms and understanding nano particulate flows ....Mathematical and mechanical modeling of nano particulate flow. Nano particulates are the basis for many new technologies, including coatings in the electronics industry, composite materials and medical and pharmaceutical applications. Worldwide industrial competition is increasingly determined by our capacity to handle such highly cohesive materials, and to exploit their novel physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics. Devising handling mechanisms and understanding nano particulate flows depends on formulating accurate mathematical models which reflect the correct underlying physics. This APF proposal will utilise advanced continuum mechanics to develop the correct underlying conceptual ideas to resolve fundamental nanomechanical particulate flows, which will lead to the next generation of engineering tools.
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Biological pattern generator for control and optimization of locomotion systems. This proposal exploits the interdisciplinary nature of systems and control area and incorporates biology science. It is expected to generate a synergy between biology science and control engineering and to advance scientific understanding in both fields. The proposed research will have impact on new innovations in a variety of fields. This will bring economic benefits for Australia. It will help to develop engineers ....Biological pattern generator for control and optimization of locomotion systems. This proposal exploits the interdisciplinary nature of systems and control area and incorporates biology science. It is expected to generate a synergy between biology science and control engineering and to advance scientific understanding in both fields. The proposed research will have impact on new innovations in a variety of fields. This will bring economic benefits for Australia. It will help to develop engineers for industry who have team-oriented problem-solving skills in a multidisciplinary working environment. It will also stimulate students' intellectual curiosity into engineering and science through a series of innovative interdisciplinary research/educational activities.Read moreRead less
Task-centric Synthesis for Wearable Assistive Robots. Wearable Assistive Robots, designed to be worn on the human body, show tremendous potentials to provide what the wearer lacks in performing physically challenging tasks, such as seen in manufacturing, agricultural and healthcare industries. However, fundamental challenges still prevent the realisation of such benefits in the practical settings outside the laboratory. This project addresses these challenges by establishing (1) a systematic des ....Task-centric Synthesis for Wearable Assistive Robots. Wearable Assistive Robots, designed to be worn on the human body, show tremendous potentials to provide what the wearer lacks in performing physically challenging tasks, such as seen in manufacturing, agricultural and healthcare industries. However, fundamental challenges still prevent the realisation of such benefits in the practical settings outside the laboratory. This project addresses these challenges by establishing (1) a systematic design approach for wearable robots to achieve the intended task while optimising other relevant considerations, such as human factors and the practical bulk of the robot; and (2) a novel control and interaction strategy to accommodate the variations in realistic living and working environments.Read moreRead less
An experimental and theoretical programme of research to resolve major obstruction-to-flow problems in bins and stockpiles. Many of Australia's industries rely on the efficient storage and handling of bulk solids materials such as minerals, chemicals, food-stuffs, agricultural products and pharmeceuticals. Often the handling processes are inefficient to the extent of affecting the economics of the industry. Here we propose two projects addressing those inefficiences resulting from stable obstr ....An experimental and theoretical programme of research to resolve major obstruction-to-flow problems in bins and stockpiles. Many of Australia's industries rely on the efficient storage and handling of bulk solids materials such as minerals, chemicals, food-stuffs, agricultural products and pharmeceuticals. Often the handling processes are inefficient to the extent of affecting the economics of the industry. Here we propose two projects addressing those inefficiences resulting from stable obstructions, such as "rat-holes", and those experimental arising from the unusual flow characteristics of fine powders. The major objectives are to use experimental and advanced mathematical modelling techniques, to produce reliable design models which minimise the occurrence of stable obstructions and provide reliable methods for increasing fine powder flow rates.Read moreRead less
Mathematical modelling of two-phase industrial granular flows. In many industrial processes involving flowing granular materials, the effect of air pressure can be significant. Such examples include pneumatic conveying, lock hoppers and air-impact moulding. The effect of pressurised air on a granular material can either compact it, or can cause sudden large flows. To model such complex phenomena, the frictional effects between the air and the solid granules must be accurately incorporated into a ....Mathematical modelling of two-phase industrial granular flows. In many industrial processes involving flowing granular materials, the effect of air pressure can be significant. Such examples include pneumatic conveying, lock hoppers and air-impact moulding. The effect of pressurised air on a granular material can either compact it, or can cause sudden large flows. To model such complex phenomena, the frictional effects between the air and the solid granules must be accurately incorporated into a two-phase continuum mechanical model for granular materials. This proposal will develop advanced mathematical models and computational procedures to predict complex two-phase granular flows for industrial problems.Read moreRead less