Browse Topic: Materials
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with chemical contaminant sensors offer an innovative approach for rapid and safe remote chemical reconnaissance. However, the proliferation of diverse UAV platforms presents a critical challenge: how to select the optimal platform for a given mission scenario. This paper establishes a systematic suitability analysis framework for deploying chemical contaminant sensors on three mainstream UAV platforms-multirotor, fixed-wing, and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) types. We analyze payload capacity, endurance, flight stability, environmental adaptability, and mission system integration. To reduce decision subjectivity, we develop an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-based quantitative evaluation model incorporating expert surveys and consistency tests to validate the weighting process. Beyond the evaluation framework, we explore key engineering challenges in platform-sensor integration, including aerodynamic interference, vibration and electromagnetic compatibility, and power management. We compare quantitative measurements and qualitative features across platforms in simulated mission scenarios. The resulting selection criteria provide a theoretical basis and a reproducible decision-support framework for developing chemical detection systems applicable to emergency response, environmental monitoring, and public safety.
In China's manned space programs, extravehicular activities (EVAs) of astronauts on the lunar surface include the assembly, maintenance, and repair of the space station, as well as the operation of extravehicular equipment. Scientific working postures can alleviate occupational fatigue, ensure the health of astronauts, and significantly improve operational efficiency. The human engineering of aerospace equipment based on virtual simulation technologies has long been a focus of attention in the aerospace field. The Jack Software can be used to conduct ergonomic simulation analysis of the comfort of the operating postures of different percentile operators, and thereby explore the rationality of aerospace maintenance operation postures. Based on this, the Jack virtual simulation technology is employed here to study the ergonomics of the entire process of aerospace maintenance operations. The rationality of the simulation results is verified through simulation–based optimization, and corresponding design improvements are realized according to the analysis results to improve the operational efficiency and comfort of operators. This study provides a reference for the ergonomic evaluation and design improvement of domestic aerospace maintenance operations.
To solve the critical challenges of uncoordinated operational node selection and premature mission termination caused by dynamic energy or coating depletion during anti-corrosion spraying on largescale steel structures, this paper proposes an advanced path planning methodology for UAVs. The proposed approach is built upon a BIMSLAM fusion model. Specifically, a high-fidelity three-dimensional (3D) environmental model is reconstructed by integrating offline BIM structural priors with real-time SLAM data. Furthermore, the framework implements the ICP algorithm and Kalman filtering simultaneously to eliminate point cloud noise and compensate for perceptual occlusions, thereby achieving a 5 cm localization accuracy in cluttered industrial environments. A dual-stage pipeline is established for pre-screening and dynamic evaluation. In the offline phase, geometrically inaccessible task points are identified and pruned via spatial accessibility analysis. During real-time operations, the onboard system continuously calculates the battery State of Charge (SoC), operational power, and remaining paint volume to eliminate inefficient flights. For the path generation stage, a hybrid search strategy is developed, which implements a Genetic Algorithm for task sequencing alongside a multi-objective cost function parameterized by four metrics: energy consumption, paint requirements, obstacle proximity, and task density. Additionally, Softmax is used to dynamically regulate the weight coefficients, enabling the system to balance operational safety and efficiency based on the instantaneous state vector. Finally, a fifth-order B-spline parameterization is used to maintain flight stability under complex wind disturbances and heavy time-varying payloads. Consequently, the results show that the proposed method significantly outperforms conventional baselines. The recorded 96.7% mission completion rate demonstrates its operational reliability for the maintenance of bridges and towers.
Under on-orbit disturbances, large space truss-type deployable structures readily undergo vibration. Such vibration may degrade pointing accuracy and positioning precision. As a countermeasure, an internal-force self-regulation method is proposed using a magnetoelectric self-sensing actuator. This actuator combines Terfenol-D with piezoelectric material, thereby realizing force output and self-sensing. It can be placed at critical truss joints. By exploiting the ΔE and Villari effects of magnetostrictive materials, a resonant-force self-sensing mechanism is established. The actuator model is then integrated into the deployable truss’s dynamic model, and an LQR-based active vibration suppression strategy is derived. Simulation results show that the actuator detects static and dynamic output forces. Over a specific magnetic field range, sensing behavior exhibits an approximately linear dependence on the output force. Control outcomes confirm effective suppression of structural vibration, reduced response amplitudes at key nodes, and enhanced structural stability. Therefore, a novel method for vibration suppression in large deployable truss-type space structures is provided by these findings.
Modern combat helmets improve wearer survivability through preventing ballistic penetration via delamination or deformation of the shell material. However, this deformation may impinge upon the skull and present a risk of behind-helmet blunt trauma (BHBT). While legacy aramid helmets from the late 1970s–1980s inform current NIJ testing standards, the advent of lower areal density ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and modern suspensions may incur unknown changes that present an unknown effect on BHBT risk. This study investigates whether current standards relying on a peak acceleration threshold and residual clay deformation may not reflect changes in deformation geometry seen in newer shell materials and suspension designs. Thirty-eight helmets categorized into three groups, older aramid, newer aramid (with new suspension), and prototype UHMWPE (with old suspension), were mounted on Hybrid III ATD head-necks and impacted on the temporal surface with 9 mm NATO projectiles at velocities between 388 and 482 m/s. Flash x-ray imaging captured deformation geometry. Deformations were digitized to measure maximum depth, volume, and surface area recruited. Multiple linear regression identified the influence of shell material and suspension on geometry. Results indicated that shell material significantly affected deformation volume and area (p < 0.05). Notably, UHMWPE exhibited a qualitatively more “pointed” deformation profile compared to aramid, recruiting material differently as depth increased. In contrast, suspension type and helmet design did not significantly influence deformation geometry. These findings suggest that the BHBT geometry in UHMWPE helmets differs fundamentally from aramid helmets. As UHMWPE helmets encounter higher-energy threats, current acceleration threshold or depth-based standards may not fully capture the risk of skull fracture. To future-proof helmet validation, testing standards should evolve beyond current standards to include area recruitment and other geometric measures.
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