Advanced Mobile Robotics


Book Description

Mobile robotics is a challenging field with great potential. It covers disciplines including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, cognitive science, and social science. It is essential to the design of automated robots, in combination with artificial intelligence, vision, and sensor technologies. Mobile robots are widely used for surveillance, guidance, transportation and entertainment tasks, as well as medical applications. This Special Issue intends to concentrate on recent developments concerning mobile robots and the research surrounding them to enhance studies on the fundamental problems observed in the robots. Various multidisciplinary approaches and integrative contributions including navigation, learning and adaptation, networked system, biologically inspired robots and cognitive methods are welcome contributions to this Special Issue, both from a research and an application perspective.













Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymers


Book Description

Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymers: From Nanoscale to Macroscale addresses the advances in nanotechnology that have led to the development of a new class of composite materials known as CNT-reinforced polymers. The low density and high aspect ratio, together with their exceptional mechanical, electrical and thermal properties, render carbon nanotubes as a good reinforcing agent for composites. In addition, these simulation and modeling techniques play a significant role in characterizing their properties and understanding their mechanical behavior, and are thus discussed and demonstrated in this comprehensive book that presents the state-of-the-art research in the field of modeling, characterization and processing. The book separates the theoretical studies on the mechanical properties of CNTs and their composites into atomistic modeling and continuum mechanics-based approaches, including both analytical and numerical ones, along with multi-scale modeling techniques. Different efforts have been done in this field to address the mechanical behavior of isolated CNTs and their composites by numerous researchers, signaling that this area of study is ongoing. - Explains modeling approaches to carbon nanotubes, together with their application, strengths and limitations - Outlines the properties of different carbon nanotube-based composites, exploring how they are used in the mechanical and structural components - Analyzes the behavior of carbon nanotube-based composites in different conditions




Magnetorheological Materials and their Applications


Book Description

The rheological properties of magnetorheological (MR) materials, such as their viscosity and dynamic modulus, can be tuned or controlled by changing the intensity of the magnetic field using appropriate control schemes. Thanks to their robustness, performance and smart properties, numerous studies have been undertaken on the development of new MR materials, and microscopic and macroscopic modelling approaches. Novel applications include engine mounts and clutch systems in the automotive industry, shock absorbing safety devices for cockpit seats in aerospace, and shock absorption from movement in semi-active human prosthetic legs.




Electroactive Polymers for Robotic Applications


Book Description

This book covers the fundamental properties, modeling, and demonstration of Electroactive polymers in robotic applications. It particularly details artificial muscles and sensors. In addition, the book discusses the properties and uses in robotics applications of ionic polymer–metal composite actuators and dielectric elastomers.




Smart Materials and New Technologies


Book Description

Today, architects are looking for new solutions to old problems, including 'smart' and 'intelligent' materials that can be applied to building design. This text covers the use of smart materials in a design perspective, as well as describing how these solutions could be utilised in other applications.