Central Queensland University

Abstract: A continuous finite-time control scheme for rigid robotic manipulators is proposed using a new form of terminal sliding modes. The robustness of the controller is established using the Lyapunov stability theory. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that faster and high-precision tracking performance is obtained compared with the conventional continuous sliding mode control method.

Abstract: Human life histories as compared to those of other primates and mammals have at least four distinctive characteristics: an exceptionally long life span an extended period of juvenile dependence support of reproduction by older post-reproductive individuals and male support of reproduction through the provisioning of females and their offspring. Another distinctive feature of our species is a large brain with its associated psychological attributes: increased capacities for learning cognition and insight. In this paper the authors propose a theory that unites and organizes these observations and generates many theoretical and empirical predictions. The authors present some tests of those predictions and outline new predictions that can be tested in future research by comparative biologists archaeologists paleontologists biological anthropologists demographers geneticists and cultural anthropologists. (authors)

Abstract: This research examines the effect of participation in an enterprise education program on perceptions of the desirability and feasibility of starting a business. Changes in the perceptions of a samp...

Abstract: The annual world photovoltaic (PV) cell/module production is growing at almost an exponential rate and has reached 1727 MW in 2005. Building integrated PV (BIPV) projects are emerging as the strongest part of the PV market and grid interactive inverters are a key component in determining the total system cost. Module integrated converter (MIC) technology has become a global trend in grid interactive PV applications and may assist in driving down the balance of system costs to secure an improved total system cost. This paper concentrates on the topology study of the PV MICs in the power range below 500 W and covers most topologies recently proposed for MIC applications. The MIC topologies are classified into three different arrangements based on the dc link configurations. A systematic discussion is also provided at the end of the paper that focuses on the major advantages and disadvantages of each MIC arrangement. These are considered in detail and will provide a useful framework and point of reference for the next generation MIC designs and applications.

Abstract: This note is concerned with event-triggered H∞ controller design for networked control systems. A novel event-triggering scheme is proposed, which has some advantages over some existing schemes. A delay system model for the analysis is firstly constructed by investigating the effect of the network transmission delay. Then, based on this model, criteria for stability with an H∞ norm bound and criteria for co-designing both the feedback gain and the trigger parameters are derived. These criteria are formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Simulation results have shown that the proposed event-triggering scheme is superior to some existing event-triggering schemes in the literature.