Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2008. / "August, 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-90). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2008. / "December, 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-122). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2004. / "December 2004." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-72). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-108).

Cheung, Wai Ming Edwin. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-112). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese.

It has been found that magneto-rheological (MR) devices can produce large controllable force/torque while consuming little power. In this research, an MR actuator that can function as a clutch or a brake is developed, in order to be applied to an assistive knee brace. The torque capability and dynamic characteristics of the MR actuator are evaluated. The relationship between the torque output and the applied coil current is given. The response time is also measured. Experimental results show that the MR actuator can provide enough torque for normal activities with sufficiently fast response. IP control and adaptive control are proposed to control the MR actuator. Experiments under these controls are carried out. With anti-windup strategies, both controls achieve good performances. However, adaptive control would be more promising since it can adapt to parameter variations and maintain good performance. An assistive knee brace that contains this MR actuator and a DC motor is developed. In order to study the performances of the knee brace before applied to human body, experiments are conducted for evaluation under a custom-built testing structure. IP-based state control and adaptive control are used to control both the MR actuator and DC motor. Experimental results demonstrate that the MR actuator and DC motor work well together to provide assistance as expected. Compared with that without MR actuator, the evaluation results show that the knee brace with MR actuator is more energy efficient during normal walking, while having better force controllability and safety. / by Chen, Jinzhou. / Adviser: Liao Wei Hsin. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-151). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

In this research, a novel magnetorheological (MR) fluids based multifunctional actuator for assistive knee braces is designed. To decrease the dimension of the actuation device while enhancing its perfonnances, a motor and MR fluids are integrated into a single device. With MR fluids, the actuator possesses multiple functions as motor, clutch, and brake while meeting the requirement of nonnal human motion as well. In this thesis, design details and operating principle of the actuator are illustrated, and possible configurations of the motor part and clutch/brake part are discussed. Finite element method is utilized to analyze the magnetic circuits, influence of pennanent magnet on MR fluids, and magnetic flux distribution. Different clutch/brake parts with various inner coils are compared and analyzed, followed by a design optimization to improve the output torque. Prototypes of the multifunctional actuator are fabricated and tested, and characteristics of each function are investigated. As the actuator has multiple functions, modeling is developed for different functions, and system identification is carried out to determine the parameters. Adaptive control is utilized to control the actuator for torque and speed tracking. A smart joint using such a multifunctional actuator is designed, and its prototype is fabricated and tested. Power consumptions of knee brace using the smart joint are investigated during normal walking cycle. The results show that the developed actuator and smart joint are promising to be used in assistive knee braces. / Guo, Hongtao. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-03, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 154-158). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2006. / "December, 2006." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-135). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

In this thesis we report the results of investigations on the rheological response of emulsions to the application of the electric field. A front-tracking finite difference scheme is used in conjunction with Taylor-Melcher leaky dielectric theory to study the problem. The numerical results in different regions of the deformation-circulation map show that the structure formation in regions I and III can be hindered by the hydrodynamic effect. This is opposite to what is observed in the perfect dielectric cases and region II of the map. For perfect dielectric systems, where the electrohydrodynamics effects are absent, droplets form chain-like structures spanning the distance between the electrodes after the application of the electric field. Subsequently, the chains interact with each other to form columns comprising two or more chains. Point-dipole approximation is used to analyze the structure formation and it is shown that it is also applicable to region II where the hydrodynamic effect is weak and the behavior of the system is mainly governed by the dielectrophoretic forces. It is shown that the chain formation is not possible in regions I and III due to the competition between the dipolar force and torque on one side and hydrodynamic effect on the other side. In region I, the hydrodynamic torque prevents the chain formation by competing with the dipolar torque, which tends to align the drops with the electric field. On the other hand, in region III, the repulsive nature of the hydrodynamic effect opposes the attractive dipolar force and does not allow the particles to form stable chains.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 206-217.