Papers by Keyword: Bio-Inspired

Abstract: The technology of Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks (HWSNs) is critical to the efficient operation and deployment of a variety of real-time Internet of Things (IoT) and Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs). It is crucial for reducing overall energy dissipation and ensuring consistent energy distribution throughout the network. Bio-inspired hybrid optimization algorithms are emerging as a possible option for overcoming basic difficulties in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), with a focus on sensor lifespan restrictions. A significant topic that must be considered prior to network configuration is attaining energy efficiency and optimal communication. Several papers have been published on the use of bio-inspired algorithms in WSNs. Few articles, however, addressed the hybrid strategy for routing and clustering in WSNs with communication. This research focuses on hybrid bio-inspired optimization algorithms and elaborates on their taxonomy and problem domains in WSNs. Furthermore, we explored and investigated the hybridization of the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) with other meta-heuristic algorithms such as the Genetic Algorithm (GA), Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and others. This review can assist researchers in exploring the uses of such algorithms within and outside of this study area.

Abstract: Better use of material and energy resources is fundamental in any human activity. Finding better and more sustainable solutions might be inspired by nature herself. The natural evolution of life has shown a successful testing path of sustainable solutions that can be the inspiring starting point for engineering and manufacturing new directions of continuous improvement. This is the role that biomimicry can play. Evolution has been continuously testing this end, thriving strategies with better optimization in its yield. Keeping nature at the center of every design process will lead in the right direction. This is the role that biomimicry can play. Biomimicry or bioinspiration makes the most of the following methodologies: observing how evolution has achieved efficient strategies in any field of interest and realizing how to implement them or having a problem to solve and searching in Nature to find guidance or inspiration to succeed. Through a systematic review of some of the latest developments in manufacturing, focused on their capability to approach (mimic) natural textures; some applications are characterized and tested successfully to reduce energy consumption, improve efficiency, or reduce friction, among other potential improvements. In nature, actual surfaces present a functional texture. Natural evolution has developed textures showing real advantages for different functional purposes. Analyzing those natural surfaces can improve engineering surfaces’ qualitative and quantitative design. A correlation between scales, manufacturing processes, and natural strategies (surface features) will help map new product and engineering design areas of interest. This paper explores these correlations of natural surfaces with functional characteristics that make them sustainable and appropriate for inspiring research directions in manufacturing engineering surfaces. It mainly looks for contributions to efficient energy use in engineered solutions.

Abstract: In recent years, tremendous advances in communication technologies coupled with the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) have led to the emergence of the Big Data phenomenon. Big Data is one of the big IT challenges of the current decade. The amount of data produced is constantly increasing and makes it more and more difficult to process. Managing these masses of data requires the use of new data management systems with efficient access methods. Considered as one of the main sources of Big Data, wireless sensors used in networks offer a credible solution to the problem of Big Data management, especially its collection. Several solutions for Big Data collection based on large-scale wireless sensor networks (LS-WSN) are proposed, taking into account the nature of the applications. The hierarchical architecture is the one used for the deployment of these applications. In such an architecture, relay sensors play an important role in finding the balance of the network and maximizing its lifetime. In most LS-WSN applications, once deployed, the LS-WSN does not provide a mechanism to evaluate and improve the positions of the initially deployed relay sensors. This paper proposes, based on the growth model of physarum polycephalum and its ability to prune unnecessary links and retain only those deemed useful for food routing, a mechanism for evaluating and optimizing relay sensors in LS-WSNs. Simulation results indicate that the proposed approach significantly improves the network lifetime compared to the initial deployment and that can be a useful approach for LS-WSNs dedicated to Big Data collection. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is demonstrated by experimental results in terms of connectivity and network lifetime.

Abstract: This multiscale molecular study emphasizes on reducing cavitation in a squid - inspired throttle valve. Molecular simulations on 10 different polymers bonded layer-wise to Iron (III) Oxide were done and the 5 ones having the strongest binding energies were further relaxed using xenon crystals (0.2ns). Changes in the radius of gyration were observed and post relaxation, the interaction energy, the cohesive energy density, and the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the polymer-water layer were determined. Consequently, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) chosen from the results was further equilibrated for 1.05 ns. To verify its wettability, a contact angle (water nanodroplet) of 115° was estimated. Next, the lined (3mm thick PTFE) valve seat of the chosen throttle valve was numerically analyzed. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, ANSYS Fluent 17.0 was used to test the 3D model with assigned boundary conditions to determine the vapor fraction and the static pressure. Finally, thickness optimization of the lining was done to improve the valve’s performance within the fluid power system and minimize cost involvement.

Abstract: We report the synthesis of Y₂O₃:Mg²⁺ (0.5-9mol %) nanoparticles (NPs) with different morphologies via ecofriendly, inexpensive and simple low temperature solution combustion method using Aloe Vera gel as fuel. The formation of different morphologies was characterized by PXRD, SEM, UV-Visible, PL techniques etc. The PXRD data confirms the formation of single phase Y₂O₃ with cubic crystal structure. The influence of Mg ions concentration on the morphology, UV absorption and PL emission were investigated in detail. NPs exhibit white light emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.317, 0.32 and 0.308, 0.359) and correlated color temperature values 6298 and 6674 respectively. These findings show a great promise of Y₂O₃: Mg²⁺ NPs as a phosphor in warm white LEDs.

Abstract: During the last years the carmakers interest is focused on polymer manufacturers to develop breakthrough solutions addressing the key drivers of reducing weight and cost. The use of polypropylene (PP) and other thermoplastic olefins is growing because of their low cost and good properties. Unfortunately, some of the same properties that make these plastics attractive to designers, also make them difficult to bond with adhesives or varnish. Non-polar character of PP results in poor surface properties and low wettability. Several methods of surface pretreatments have been used to improve its wettability, but all involves cost extending additional processing. Based on lessons from nature, one of the ways how to increase wettability is surface structuring. Injection mold insert designing and manufacturing process inspired by hydrophilic structure of the moss is presented. Due to cost reducing demands were used conventional processing methods.

Abstract: At night, weakly electric fish Gnathonemus petersii use active electrolocation to scan their environment with self generated electric fields. Nearby objects distort the electric fields and are recognized as electric images on the electroreceptive skin surface of the animal. By analyzing the electric image, G. petersii can sense an object’s distance, dimensions and electrical properties. The principles and algorithms of active electrolocation can be applied to catheter-based sensor systems for analysing wall changes in fluid filled tube systems, for example atherosclerotic plaques of the coronary blood vessels. We used a basic atherosclerosis model of synthetic blood vessels and plaques, which were scanned with a ring electrode catheter applying active electrolocation. Based on the electric images of the plaques and the evaluation of bio-inspired image parameters, the plaque’s fine-structure could be assessed. Our results show that imaging through active electrolocation principally has the potential to detect and characterize atherosclerotic lesions.

Abstract: The formation of organic-inorganic hybrid composite with ceramic platelets and polymeric compound can have the higher strength and higher elasticity than metal, which is a nanocomposite with high strength and light weight. Ceramic platelet such as Al₂O₃ has been used to form organic-inorganic composite material using PMMA as an organic polymer. Bending strength and density of the composites prepared by infiltration and post-warm pressing were measured. FE-SEM and TG analysis were carried out to determine the microstructure of the organic-inorganic composite materials. Bending strengths and densities of the composites prepared by Al₂O₃ ceramic plate and PMMA after post-warm pressing were ~70MPa and ranged from 2.4 to 2.6, respectively.

Abstract: nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) and collagen were utilized to fabricate the bio-inspired organic-inorganic composite coating (OICC) via the Drop-on-Demand (DoD) micro-dispensing technique, which could flexibly construct multi-layer structures with varied materials composition within a layer and /or among layers reliably. This technique has been further investigated on its capability of OICC fabrication with regards to various materials (hydroxyapatite and collagen) as well as its dispensing parameters. A four-layered structure was formed, with the sequence of nHA-collagen-nHA-collagen from bottom to top. The dispensing parameters were also investigated with regards to the characteristics of the OICC fabrication. The coating was then subjected to various characterizations including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and adhesion test. SEM and XRD results revealed that the DoD micro-dispensing technique did not change the morphology and phase of these two coating materials. And the results of EDS further demonstrated the corresponding elemental distributions within the four-layered coating structure which demonstrated the feasibility of the DoD micro-dispensing technique for the fabrication of thin-layered OICC.

Abstract: Nano-TiO₂/Micron size Cu composite particles were prepared in ambient conditions by bio-inspired method. Observation by field emission scanning electronic microscope shows TiO₂ particles of 3-5 nm covers on copper powder surfaces to form nanometer/micron composite particles. XPS analysis shows that the element C, O, Ti, Sn and Cu existed on the surfaces of the composite particles. UV-vis spectra show a red shift of the absorption edge and a significant increase of absorption intensity in the visible region. The degradation experiment taking methyl orange demonstrates the photocatalysis activation of powder with good body made. At the same time, the apparent kinetics model for degradation reaction was established.