Category: Technology

Technology

Research examines Promises and Perils of IoT for Smart Grid

‘Weird’ is how a cybersecurity engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy describes a harmless microwave placed on a shelf in a laboratory.

The microwave is anything but ordinary. It arrived with the capability to be controlled through a smart speaker connected to the Internet. “Meanwhile, an energy measurement sensor is connected to the microwave, and at certain times of the day the sensor displays energy spiked up really high.” The team monitors network communication to see the microwave constantly trying to connect to the Internet.

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which is recently established, focuses on solving current and future challenges in the cybersecurity of connected devices. In fact, the microwave is one of many household devices that the research team are studying that can connect to the internet and electric power grid.

Energy and Security Issues of connected devices area of study of researchers

For this reason, scientists and researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory examine energy and security issues. Further, this is to be aware that Internet of things (IoT) combined with technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G is heralding a new era, to control over infrastructure from smart home appliances to entire electric power grid.

“In fact, the abundance of connected smart devices allows to gain lot more insight quickly. This is because it allows measurements at a much higher resolution than what was possible before, said a senior research scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Besides, it enables to identify trends and issues at an early stage and act quickly at the local level to elevate efficiency or alleviate risks. For example, IoT sensors connected through 5G telecommunications have the potential to unlock the promise of smart grid, explained the researcher.

Researches use AI to improve assistance of robot arms

According to published data, in the U.S., more than one million adults use wheelchair equipped with robot arms to help them carry out everyday tasks. This includes brushing their teeth, dressing, and eating. However, robotic devices currently available can be hard to control. For example, to open a cabinet door or remove a food container from a fridge can take a long time. And, use of a robot to feed an individual is even harder due to fine manipulation required for the task.

In order to improve the assistance of robots, researchers at Stanford have developed a new way to control assistive robotic arms. The method is faster and more intuitive than currently used ones. For trials, the new robot controller allowed individuals to cut tofu efficiently and serve it onto a plate, or dig into marshmallow, scoop it with icing, and dip in sprinkles.

Advances in Robot Arm to help feed Individuals exciting for researchers

“In fact feeding is one of the chosen problems to work on,” said one of the researchers. This is because it is difficult from robotics standpoint, requires precise manipulation and is such a basic task. And, the problem is exciting, the benefits of the robotic arm are right in front of the eyes.

Meanwhile, the research team developed a controller that combines two artificial intelligence algorithms. The first one developed by the team enables two dimensional control on a joystick, without requiring to switch between modes. For example, the algorithm uses contextual cues to determine if the user is reaching a drinking cup or reaching for a doorknob. Following this, as the robot arm is close to its destination, the second algorithm pitches in to allow more precise movements, with sharing of the control between the robot and the human.

Researchers develop a new green engine for Lorries

In a new development, researchers at the Polytechnic University of Valencia have designed a new engine to reduce the environmental impact of lorries that most commonly ply on European roads – the ones that weigh between 18 and 25 tons. From the laboratories at University of Valencia, the team proposed a new configuration with combined benefits of dual-fuel combustion and hybrid engines.

In fact, the results of the first experimental tests for the new design are conclusive. The technology proposed by the research team suggests, compared to diesel, it decreases the levels of NOx by 92% and soot by 88%, amounting to 52 gram per ton and kilometer. As a result, the number surpasses the demanding anti-contamination regulation passed for 2025. The findings of this new technology are published in the journal Energy Conversion and Management.

Assessment of Parallel Hybrid Technology for engines objective of Study

The goal of the study is to assess the technical and economic potential of parallel hybrid technology used along with dual fuel technology. The technology is an alternative to pure electrification design for engines, in order to attain a dramatic decrease in CO2 emissions required by 2025. In fact, the figures attained for emissions of carbon dioxide and other contaminating mediums from combustion engines have been remarkable, said one of the associates of the study.

Besides the CMT-Thermal Engines group at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, some other enterprises that took part in the study are Volvo Group Trucks Technology and Aramco-Overseas Company.

With combining of the two technologies: Hybrid structure and dual-fuel combustion, it makes it possible to maximize benefits of both the technologies. Meanwhile, electrical assistance hinders the use of the thermal engine in below efficiency conditions.

Researchers use 3D printer to reinforce concrete

In a new development, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have developed a new method to reinforce concrete using a polymer lattice. The advancement is such it could rival other polymer-based improvements, and improve ductility of concrete while reducing carbon emissions of the material.

For the study, the research team employed a 3D printer to create octet lattices using polymer, and then pack them with concrete that has ultra-high performance. Meanwhile, the strength of ultra-high performance concrete is four times than that of conventional concrete in compression. In fact, the reinforced material performed well in tests of four-point bending and compression.

Physical Attributes of Concrete makes it widely used

Reported in the journal Materials and Design, the technique could increase the appeal of concrete. In fact, concrete is one of the most widely used man-made materials, and one of the most used consumed substances in the world. And, it is abundant, cheap, and strong in compression capable of resisting excessively heavy loads.

However, concrete is known to be weak in tension. It is brittle and will begin to split when pulled apart. Therefore, if reinforcement is not used, a concrete structure could undergo catastrophic failure and break apart without warning.

Meanwhile, since the middle of the 19th century, concrete has been reinforced using steel rebar. However, the strength of steel has some downsides. It is expensive to produce, heavy, labor-intensive to install and degrades over time. To address this, today, a growing community of engineers are exploring the potential to reinforce concrete with polymers. This class of polymers are appealing because they are lightweight, corrosion free, and are cheap to produce due to an abundance of recyclable materials.

“For brittle material, it can hold up to a certain peak load and then fails,” said co-author of the study.