"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Engineering
Gyroscopes
12/12/18
“How can we measure angular velocity and distance traveled?”
When working with machines that undergo angular movement such as motors, it is very useful to know their rotational velocity. This can be accomplished with the use of Gyroscopes. The velocity of a gyroscope can be integrated to find the distance traveled.
Image credit Wikipedia
Block Diagrams for Controls Systems
12/08/18
“How can we represent control process graphically?”
Control systems are a bedrock of modern day technology. However, sometimes it would be easier to see their processes if visualized. This can be done by using Block Diagrams, which shows each component of the control system in its natural order.
The LQR Function
12/07/18
“How can we create a control function with easy inputs?”
Modern control systems rely on matrix operations. There are multiple ways to create optimal varieties of this. One such way is to create a cost function which assigns different penalties to each input. This is known as the LQR Function and is implemented in a multitude of modern control systems around the world.
Carbon Neutral Economies
12/06/18
“How can an economy not contribute to climate change?”
Traditionally, economies have grown in tandem with carbon emissions. But with the advent of modern-day extreme climate change this is no longer feasible. To solve this, nations will have to adopt Carbon Neutral Economies in which all sectors have slashed their emissions to zero. The transition to a low carbon economy could yield enormous economic growth as well as inequality easing. Multiple governments around the world are committed to this action, with California’s 2045 and the EU’s 2050 initiatives as examples.
Image credit https://assets.weforum.org
Ackermann’s Formula
12/04/18
“What is an efficient method for pole placement in control systems?”
Pole Placement is an excellent way to stabilize a control system. But sometimes we may want an extra efficient way to do this, This is where we can apply Ackermann’s Formula, which automates it nicely for us.
Pole Placement
12/02/18
“How can we modify a state-space to become more stable?”
State-spaces are often used in control system design to represent a plant. However, sometimes the system by itself is unstable. So how can we use our engineering mindset to solve this? Well, what we can do is introduce an extra feedback loop with some constants that modify the poles of the system such that they are all in the right-half plane. This is known as Pole Placement and is one of the most commonly used techniques in classical control.
Image credit http://ctms.engin.umich.edu
How Better Utility Fault Detection Can Lead to Better Resilience Against Fires
12/01/18
“How can better fault detection in utility lines prevent more fires?”
Northern California recently experienced the most intense wildfire it ever endured This was caused by a utility line breaking apart near a dry forest. To prevent such a thing from happening again, we can implement better fault detection methods into grid lines. That way we will be able to detect issues before they occur with much better clarity and resolve them before a catastrophe strikes. This is How Better Utility Fault Detection Can Lead to Better Resilience Against Fires.
Why California Should Have an Air-Filter Upgrade Policy
11/30/18
“Why should California have an Air-Filter Upgrade Policy?”
The climate is changing and as a result California is experiencing more fires. To build resiliency against this, the state of California should have a state-wide air-filter upgrade policy. This will ensure that ordinary citizens be safer in the built environment.
Switching regulators
11/28/18
“How can we control a series device to rapidly switch on and off?”
Series devices are used everywhere in electronics. However, sometimes we would like to be able to switch them on and off at an extremely high frequency. So how can we use our engineering mindset to solve this? Well, what if we were to have a special voltage regulator that could accomplish this? This is the exact idea behind a switching regulator and is integrated into all sorts of electrical devices.
