Showing papers by "Grenoble Institute of Technology published in 2018"

All you need is shape: Predicting shear banding in sand with LS-DEM

Abstract: This paper presents discrete element method (DEM) simulations with experimental comparisons at multiple length scales—underscoring the crucial role of particle shape. The simulations build on technological advances in the DEM furnished by level sets (LS-DEM), which enable the mathematical representation of the surface of arbitrarily-shaped particles such as grains of sand. We show that this ability to model shape enables unprecedented capture of the mechanics of granular materials across scales ranging from macroscopic behavior to local behavior to particle behavior. Specifically, the model is able to predict the onset and evolution of shear banding in sands, replicating the most advanced high-fidelity experiments in triaxial compression equipped with sequential X-ray tomography imaging. We present comparisons of the model and experiment at an unprecedented level of quantitative agreement—building a one-to-one model where every particle in the more than 53,000-particle array has its own avatar or numerical twin. Furthermore, the boundary conditions of the experiment are faithfully captured by modeling the membrane effect as well as the platen displacement and tilting. The results show a computational tool that can give insight into the physics and mechanics of granular materials undergoing shear deformation and failure, with computational times comparable to those of the experiment. One quantitative measure that is extracted from the LS-DEM simulations that is currently not available experimentally is the evolution of three dimensional force chains inside and outside of the shear band. We show that the rotations on the force chains are correlated to the rotations in stress principal directions.

Smart (Electricity) Grids for Smart Cities: Assessing Roles and Societal Impacts

Abstract: Smart energy and electricity networks are a crucial component in building smart city architectures; their consistent and harmonized inclusion in the smart city design should be carefully considered through a detailed analysis of the impacts (environmental, energy, economic, societal) and the implementation of cost benefit analysis (CBA), not only in terms of managing the grid itself but also in a wider perspective that includes environmental, security, and social aspects. This paper first discusses the main impact that smart grid deployment has, in different respects, in smart cities and then presents a methodology for an extended CBA, able to go beyond the strictly financial aspects. It is based on previous developments at the European level. The methodology conceptually illustrated can naturally be extended to the assessment of proposals for the development of smart cities.

Hybrid Energy Storage System Microgrids Integration for Power Quality Improvement Using Four-Leg Three-Level NPC Inverter and Second-Order Sliding Mode Control

Abstract: Rising demand for distributed generation based on renewable energy sources (RES) has led to several issues in the operation of utility grids. The microgrid is a promising solution to solve these problems. A dedicated energy storage system could contribute to a better integration of RES into the microgrid by smoothing the renewable resource's intermittency, improving the quality of the injected power and enabling additional services like voltage and frequency regulation. However, due to energy/power technological limitations, it is often necessary to use hybrid energy storage systems (HESS). In this paper, a second-order sliding mode controller is proposed for the power flow control of a HESS, using a four-leg three-level neutral-point-clamped (4-Leg 3L-NPC) inverter as the only interface between the RES/HESS and the microgrid. A 3-D space vector modulation and a sequence-decomposition-based ac-side control allow the inverter to work in unbalanced load conditions while maintaining a balanced ac voltage at the point of common coupling. DC current harmonics caused by unbalanced load and the NPC floating middle point voltage, together with the power division limits, are carefully addressed in this paper. The effectiveness of the proposed technique for the HESS power flow control is compared to a classical PI control scheme and is proven through simulations and experimentally using a 4-Leg 3L-NPC prototype on a test bench.

Machine Learning for Volcano-Seismic Signals: Challenges and Perspectives

Abstract: Environmental monitoring is a topic of increasing interest, especially concerning the matter of natural hazards prediction. Regarding volcanic unrest, effective methodologies along with innovative and operational tools are needed to monitor, mitigate, and prevent risks related to volcanic hazards. In general, the current approaches for volcanoes monitoring are mainly based on the manual analysis of various parameters, including gas leaps, deformations measurements, and seismic signals analysis. However, due to the large amount of data acquired by in situ sensors for long-term monitoring, manual inspection is no longer a viable option. As in many big data situations, classic machinelearning approaches are now considered to automatize the analysis of years of recorded signals, thereby enabling monitoring on a larger scale.

Shear thinning in non-Brownian suspensions.

Abstract: We study the flow of suspensions of non-Brownian particles dispersed into a Newtonian solvent. Combining capillary rheometry and conventional rheometry, we evidence a succession of two shear thinning regimes separated by a shear thickening one. Through X-ray radiography measurements, we show that during each of those regimes, the flow remains homogeneous and does not involve particle migration. Using a quartz-tuning fork based atomic force microscope, we measure the repulsive force profile and the microscopic friction coefficient μ between two particles immersed into the solvent, as a function of normal load. Coupling measurements from those three techniques, we propose that (1) the first shear-thinning regime at low shear rates occurs for a lubricated rheology and can be interpreted as a decrease of the effective volume fraction under increasing particle pressures, due to short-ranged repulsive forces and (2) the second shear thinning regime after the shear-thickening transition occurs for a frictional rheology and can be interpreted as stemming from a decrease of the microscopic friction coefficient at large normal load.

An Analysis of VR Technology Used in Immersive Simulations with a Serious Game Perspective

Abstract: Using virtual environments (VEs) is a safer and cost-effective alternative to executing dangerous tasks, such as training firefighters and industrial operators. Immersive virtual reality (VR) combined with game aspects have the potential to improve the user experience in the VE by increasing realism, engagement, and motivation. This article investigates the impact of VR technology on 46 immersive gamified simulations with serious purposes and classifies it towards a taxonomy. Our findings suggest that immersive VR improves simulation outcomes, such as increasing learning gain and knowledge retention and improving clinical outcomes for rehabilitation. However, it also has limitations such as motion sickness and restricted access to VR hardware. Our contributions are to provide a better understanding of the benefits and limitations of using VR in immersive simulations with serious purposes, to propose a taxonomy that classifies them, and to discuss whether methods and participants profiles influence results.

A Variational Pansharpening Approach Based on Reproducible Kernel Hilbert Space and Heaviside Function

Abstract: Pansharpening is an important application in remote sensing image processing. It can increase the spatial-resolution of a multispectral image by fusing it with a high spatial-resolution panchromatic image in the same scene, which brings great favor for subsequent processing such as recognition, detection, etc . In this paper, we propose a continuous modeling and sparse optimization based method for the fusion of a panchromatic image and a multispectral image. The proposed model is mainly based on reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) and approximated Heaviside function (AHF). In addition, we also propose a Toeplitz sparse term for representing the correlation of adjacent bands. The model is convex and solved by the alternating direction method of multipliers which guarantees the convergence of the proposed method. Extensive experiments on many real datasets collected by different sensors demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique as compared with several state-of-the-art pansharpening approaches.

Essential Effects on the Mobility Extraction Reliability for Organic Transistors

Abstract: The reliability of mobility has come to be a critical issue to the development of new electronics especially for organic electronics, since mobility is typically extracted from field‐effect transistors containing various extrinsic effects and overestimation is popular in the literature Recently, this issue is emphasized and a reliability factor (r) is proposed by pioneers to gauge the mobility reported Albeit many factors discussed, how much the extrinsic effects influence r remains unrevealed and a facile solution by using organic transistors is still lacking Here, it is shown that the widely used extraction method based on the saturation transfer characteristics is sensitive to contact effect and temperature with r dropping to 43%, indeed leading to large mobility overestimation By contrast, the linear‐regime methods are more reliable particularly the Y‐function method that demonstrates great reliability (r ≈ 100%) even for short‐channel transistors at ultralow temperatures In addition, operating in saturation regime induces ambipolar conduction further deteriorating reliability if contact doping is absent High Schottky barriers, on the other side, distort device characteristics making extraction impossible The results of this study reveal that, aside from device optimizations, selecting a right method is essential for reliable and precise evaluation of the carrier mobility by using organic transistors

The EuCARD2 Future Magnets Program for Particle Accelerator High-Field Dipoles: Review of Results and Next Steps

Abstract: The EuCARD2 collaboration aims at the development of a 10 kA-class superconducting, high current density cable suitable for accelerator magnets, to be tested in small coils and magnets capable to deliver 3-5 T when energized in stand-alone mode, and 15-18 T when inserted in a 12-13 T background magnet. REBCO tape, assembled in a Roebel cable, was selected as conductor. The developed REBCO tape has reached a record engineering critical current density, at 4.2 K and 18 T of ${\text{956 A/mm}}^{2}$ . Roebel cable carried up to 13 kA at 20 K when tested in a small coil (FeatherM0.4). Then a first dipole magnet, wound with two low-grade Roebel cables of 25 m each, was assembled and tested. The dipole reached the short sample critical current of 6 kA generating more than 3 T central field at about 5.7 K, with indications of good current transfer among cable strands and of relatively soft transition. The construction of a costheta dipole is also discussed. Eucard2 is reaching its objective and is continuing with the H2020-ARIES program aiming at doubling the Je at 20 T to obtain 6 T as standalone and 18 T as insert in a high field facility.

Design and Development of an IoT Based Smart Irrigation and Fertilization System for Chilli Farming

Abstract: India is an agricultural country and 70% of the people directly or indirectly depends on agriculture for their living. Nowadays, water scarcity is one of the main challenges faced by the farmers. Another major challenge faced by Indian agriculture sector is the increase in rate of farmers suicide because of debt. So, effective measures have to be devised in order to reduce the cost of farming and increase the yield from agriculture. This research work proposes the design of a generic IoT framework for improving agriculture yield by effectively scheduling irrigation and fertilization based on the crops current requirements, environmental conditions and weather forecasts. This work proposes the design of an affordable irrigation and fertilization system. The proposed fertilization system spreads fertilizers to the root directly. This reduces the amount of fertilizers required and thus reduces the cost and improves the soil health. A user friendly mobile application has been designed to deliver this information to the farmers in their regional language. The generic framework has been validated using a case study for chilli farming.

Knowledge, Fairness, and Social Constraints

Abstract: In the context of fair allocation of indivisible items, fairness concepts often compare the satisfaction of an agent to the satisfaction she would have from items that are not allocated to her: in particular, envy-freeness requires that no agent prefers the share of someone else to her own share. We argue that these notions could also be defined relative to the knowledge that an agent has on how the items that she does not receive are distributed among other agents. We define a family of epistemic notions of envy-freeness, parameterized by a social graph, where an agent observes the share of her neighbours but not of her non-neighbours. We also define an intermediate notion between envy-freeness and proportionality, also parameterized by a social graph. These weaker notions of envy-freeness are useful when seeking a fair allocation, since envy-freeness is often too strong. We position these notions with respect to known ones, thus revealing new rich hierarchies of fairness concepts. Finally, we present a very general framework that covers all the existing and many new fairness concepts.

Cellulose crystals plastify by localized shear.

Abstract: Cellulose microfibrils are the principal structural building blocks of wood and plants. Their crystalline domains provide outstanding mechanical properties. Cellulose microfibrils have thus a remarkable potential as eco-friendly fibrous reinforcements for structural engineered materials. However, the elastoplastic properties of cellulose crystals remain poorly understood. Here, we use atomistic simulations to determine the plastic shear resistance of cellulose crystals and analyze the underpinning atomic deformation mechanisms. In particular, we demonstrate how the complex and adaptable atomic structure of crystalline cellulose controls its anisotropic elastoplastic behavior. For perfect crystals, we show that shear occurs through localized bands along with noticeable dilatancy. Depending on the shear direction, not only noncovalent interactions between cellulose chains but also local deformations, translations, and rotations of the cellulose macromolecules contribute to the response of the crystal. We also reveal the marked effect of crystalline defects like dislocations, which decrease both the yield strength and the dilatancy, in a way analogous to that of metallic crystals.

A Voltage/Frequency Modeling for a Multi-DOFs Serial Nanorobotic System Based on Piezoelectric Inertial Actuators

Abstract: Nanorobotic systems using piezoelectric stick-slip actuators are widely used in nanotechnology. They operate mainly in a coarse-positioning mode and a fine-positioning mode. In the first mode, the actuator performs large displacements with a maximal range of a dozen millimeters but with a low resolution. In the second mode, the displacements are of a few micrometers and below with a nanometer resolution. In order to achieve efficient automated tasks, it is often necessary to define closed-loop tracking strategies. To this end, an accurate multiscale model of the nanorobotic system is required. This paper deals with a new modeling approach to describe the dynamics of this class of systems in the time and the frequency domains for both coarse- and fine-positioning modes. We propose an augmented voltage/frequency modeling of the friction force based on a multistate elastoplastic formulation. Necessary conditions on the presliding modeling are studied to deal with the two operating modes and the motion direction. This model is combined with a nonlinear rate dependent hysteresis model. The main result and contribution of this paper is to demonstrate that a complete nanorobotic task involving closed-loop multiscale displacements can be precisely defined by simulations upstream of a real-time implementation with a mean error of 9.05%. The proposed model opens new perspectives for the definition of control strategies for complex nanorobotic tasks through simulation software tools.

Hardware Trojan Detection Using an Advised Genetic Algorithm Based Logic Testing

Abstract: Today, outsourced manufacturing of integrated circuit designs are prone to a range of malicious modifications of the circuitry called Hardware Trojans. HTs can alter the functionality of a circuit, leak secret information and initiate other possible malicious actions. HTs are activated in a very rare condition known by an intruder. Therefore, a group of HT detection methods tries to activate the HT circuitry by crafting test vectors. In this paper, we propose a logic testing based HT detection method using an advised genetic algorithm which creates effective test vectors, the so-called TRIAGE (hardware TR ojan detectI on using an A dvised G enetic algorithm based logic tE sting). The key contribution of this paper is to present a proper fitness function for the genetic algorithm providing better evaluation of the test vectors. The controllability, observability and transition probability factors of rare nodes have been considered in the fitness function. Simulation results indicate 80% reduction in generation time for test sets (on average) as compared to the previous work. On the other hand, reduced generation time for test vectors has been associated with an increase in trigger coverage. The coverage of the TRIAGE method for very hard to trigger Trojans increases by about 23% due to high efficiency of the proposed fitness function for the genetic algorithm.

Consistency of spatiotemporal sound features supports the use of passive acoustics for long-term monitoring

Abstract: Many studies stress the usefulness of fish calls as effective indicators of distinct species occurrence. However, most of these studies have been undertaken in a given area and during restricted periods of time. There is a need to show passive acoustic monitoring is a reliable method to study vocal species over space and time. This study aims to use passive acoustic methods to follow the brown meagre Sciaena umbra at relevant temporal and spatial scales. Specimens of S. umbra were recorded in both aquarium and in the field. In situ recordings were made at two regions (Corsica and Sardinia) during four summers (2008–2012–2013–2015). Temporal and frequency parameters of the fish calls were collected by different teams and compared to test the ability to unequivocally identify the fish sound. The comparison between our data and the bibliography highlights the capability to identify S. umbra during a period of 17 years in different Mediterranean regions, clearly supporting the usefulness of acoustic monitoring to discover and protect aggregation sites of this endangered species. The sound producing mechanism in S. umbra consists of high-speed sonic muscles surrounding dorsally the posterior end of the swim bladder, which can explain the low acoustic variability that helps in the species identification. Similar mechanisms are found in other Sciaenidae, suggesting that a similar conclusion can be drawn for many other adult sciaenids that could be used as sentinel species. This study should be of high interest to policymakers and scientists because it shows passive acoustic can be confidently used in resource management.

Automated Buildup of Biomimetic Films in Cell Culture Microplates for High-Throughput Screening of Cellular Behaviors

Abstract: An automatic method is established for layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of biomimetic coatings in cell culture microplates using a commercial liquid-handling robot. Highly homogeneous thin films are formed at the bottom of each microwell. The LbL film-coated microplates are compatible with common cellular assays, using microplate readers and automated microscopes. Cellular adhesion is screened on crosslinked and peptide-functionalized LbL films and stem cell differentiation in response to increasing doses of bone morphogenetic proteins (2, 4, 7, 9). This method paves the way for future applications of LbL films in cell-based assays for regenerative medicine and high-throughput drug screening.

Gate Driver Supply Architectures for Common Mode Conducted EMI Reduction in Series Connection of Multiple Power Devices

Abstract: This paper presents a study on the gate driver circuitries that need to be implemented to drive several power devices when associated in series connection. More specifically, the propagation paths of parasitic currents through the gate driver circuitries, exited under high switching speeds, are studied in different configurations trying to minimize common mode currents generated. In a gate driver circuitry for a regular low side–high side switching cell configuration with one upper switch and one lower switch, the voltage transient dv/dt at the middle point applied across the primary-secondary parasitic capacitance of gate driver supplies, and control signal isolation units are the reasons for the generation of conducted electromagnetic interference (EMI) perturbations. In complex power converters, multicell, multilevel, or even series connection of power devices, many driver circuits are required and implemented. Similarly, in such converters, there are several dv/dt sources generated at different floating points producing conducted EMI perturbations from the power part to the control part through many gate driver circuitries. Based on previous works, this paper analyzes the best configuration to minimize parasitic currents, especially reducing the conducted common mode currents in series connected transistors topologies. Simulations and practical results validate the analysis for two power devices in series connection, and then the extrapolations for more power devices in series connection, up to six are discussed and analyzed with the help of simulations results.

SUB-OCEAN: subsea dissolved methane measurements using an embedded laser spectrometer technology

Abstract: We present a novel instrument, the Sub-Ocean probe, allowing in situ and continuous measurements of dissolved methane in seawater. It relies on an optical feedback cavity enhanced absorption technique designed for trace gas measurements and coupled to a patent-pending sample extraction method. The considerable advantage of the instrument compared with existing ones lies in its fast response time of the order of 30 s, that makes this probe ideal for fast and continuous 3D-mapping of dissolved methane in water. It could work up to 40 MPa of external pressure, and it provides a large dynamic range, from subnmol of CH4 per liter of seawater to mmol L–1. In this work, we present laboratory calibration of the instrument, intercomparison with standard method and field results on methane detection. The good agreement with the headspace equilibration technique followed by gas-chromatography analysis supports the utility and accuracy of the instrument. A continuous 620-m depth vertical profile in the Mediterranean ...

Polarity-Dependent High Electrical Conductivity of ZnO Nanorods and Its Relation to Hydrogen

Abstract: A statistical analysis of the electrical properties of selective area grown O- and Zn-polar ZnO nanorods by chemical bath deposition is performed by four-point probe resistivity measurements in patterned metal contact and multiprobe scanning tunneling microscopy configurations We show that ZnO nanorods with either polarity exhibit a bulklike electrical conduction in their core and are highly conductive O-polar ZnO nanorods with a smaller mean electrical conductivity have a nonmetallic or metallic electrical conduction, depending on the nano-object considered, while the vast majority of Zn-polar ZnO nanorods with a larger mean electrical conductivity present a metallic electrical conduction We reveal, from Raman scattering and spatially resolved 5 K cathodoluminescence measurements, that the resulting high carrier density of ZnO nanorods with O or Zn polarity is due to the massive incorporation of hydrogen in the form of interstitial hydrogen in bond-centered sites (HBC), substitutional hydrogen on the

Tuning Gas Adsorption by Metal Node Blocking in Photoresponsive Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Abstract: By combining first-principles calculations and classical molecular simulations, an atomistic-level of understanding was provided towards the notable change in CO2 adsorption upon light treatment in two recently reported photoactive metal-organic frameworks, PCN-123 and Cu2 (AzoBPDC)2 (AzoBiPyB). It was demonstrated that the reversible decrease in gas adsorption upon isomerization can be primarily attributed to the blocking of the strong adsorbing sites at the metal nodes by azobenzene molecules in a cis configuration. The same mechanism was found to apply also to other molecules, for example, alkanes and toxic gases. Such understandings are instrumental to the future design of photoresponsive metal-organic frameworks. For example, the metal node-blocking mechanism can be leveraged to achieve optimal adsorption properties as a function of metal substitution and/or ligand functionalization. As a proof of concept, it was shown that the working capacity could be increased by a factor of two in PCN-123 by replacing the Zn4 O node with the more strongly adsorbing Mg4 O.

KTlO: A metal shrouded 2D semiconductor with high carrier mobility and tunable magnetism

Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) materials with high carrier mobility and tunable magnetism are in high demand for nanoelectronics and spintronic applications. Herein, we predict a novel two-dimensional monolayer KTlO that possesses an indirect band gap of 2.25 eV (based on HSE06) and high carrier mobility (1860 $\mathrm{cm^2\ V^{-1}s^{-1}}$ for electron and 2540 $\mathrm{cm^2\ V^{-1}s^{-1}}$ for hole) by means of ab initio calculations. KTlO monolayer has a calculated cleavage energy of 0.56 $\mathrm{J\ m^{-2}}$, which suggests exfoliation of bulk material as viable means for the preparation of mono- and few-layer materials. Remarkably, the KTlO monolayer suggests tunable magnetism and half-metallicity with hole doping, which are attributed to the novel Mexican-hat-like bands and van Hove singularities in its electron structure. Furthermore, monolayer KTlO exhibits moderate optical absorption over visible light and ultraviolet region. The band gap value and band characteristics of monolayer KTlO can be strongly manipulated by biaxial and uniaxial strains to meet the requirements of various applications. All these novel properties render monolayer KTlO a promising functional material for future nanoelectronics and spintronic applications.

A Distributed Approach for OPF-Based Secondary Control of MTDC Systems

Abstract: This paper deals with the hierarchical control architecture of meshed multi-terminal dc networks The key difference with previous works is that the customarily adopted centralized secondary control is replaced by a fully-distributed, agent-based approach, in which the nodes of the network cooperate and self-coordinate in order to bring the network to an optimal operating state The paper covers the theoretical aspects and shows how, by setting the problem as a general consensus problem and by making use of modern optimization techniques such as the alternating direction of multipliers, the optimal power flow problem of a dc grid can be solved in a distributed manner The proposed method is validated on a network with 27 nodes obtained by properly adapting a 30 bus ac network

Experimental characterization and constitutive modeling of the biomechanical behavior of male human urethral tissues validated by histological observations

Abstract: This work aims at observing the mechanical behavior of the membranous and spongy portions of urethrae sampled on male cadavers in compliance with French regulations on postmortem testing, in accordance with the Scientific Council of body donation center of Grenoble. In this perspective, a thermostatic water tank was designed to conduct ex vivo planar tension tests in a physiological environment, i.e., in a saline solution at a temperature of 37 ± 1 • C. In order to observe the anisotropy of the tissues, the samples were tested in two directions. Tests consisting of a series of load–unload cycles of increasing amplitudes were performed to highlight their viscous behavior. The results were then discussed according to the microstructure of tissue, which was investigated using different staining methods and histological analysis. The observed behaviors were then fitted using an anisotropic hyperelastic or a visco-hyperelastic matrix–fiber model.

‘Posidonia meadows calling’: a ubiquitous fish sound with monitoring potential

Abstract: ‘Posidonia meadows calling’: a ubiquitous fish sound with monitoring potential Lucia Di Iorio , Xavier Raick, Eric Parmentier, Pierre Boissery, Cathy-Anna Valentini-Poirier & C edric Gervaise Chorus Research Institute, Phelma Minatec, 3 parvis Louis N eel, Grenoble 38016, France Chair Chorus, Foundation of the Grenoble Institute of Technology, 46 Rue Felix Viallet, Grenoble 38031,France GIPSA-Lab, Grenoble INP, University Grenoble Alpes, 11 Rue des Math ematiques, Grenoble Campus, Saint Martin d’H eres 38402, France Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology, Institut de Chimie, B6c,University of Li ege, Li ege 4000, Belgium Agence de l’Eau Rhône M editerran ee Corse, Imm Le Noailles 62 La Cannebi ere, Marseille 13001, France