This book focuses on the development and methodologies of trajectory control of differential-drive wheeled nonholonomic mobile robots. The methodologies are based on kinematic models (posture and configuration) and dynamic models, both subject to uncertainties and/or disturbances. The control designs are developed in rectangular coordinates obtained from the first-order sliding mode control in combination with the use of soft computing techniques, such as fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks. Control laws, as well as online learning and adaptation laws, are obtained using the stability analysis for both the developed kinematic and dynamic controllers, based on Lyapunov’s stability theory. An extension to the formation control with multiple differential-drive wheeled nonholonomic mobile robots in trajectory tracking tasks is also provided. Results of simulations and experiments are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategies for trajectory tracking situations, considering the parameters of an industrial and a research differential-drive wheeled nonholonomic mobile robot, the PowerBot. Supplementary materials such as source codes and scripts for simulation and visualization of results are made available with the book.

Green Manufacturing: Fundamentals and Applications introduces the basic definitions and issues surrounding green manufacturing at the process,machine and system (including supply chain) levels. It also shows, by way of several examples from different industry sectors, the potential for substantial improvement and the paths to achieve the improvement. Additionally, this book discusses regulatory and government motivations for green manufacturing and outlines the path for making manufacturing more green as well as making production more sustainable. This book also: Discusses new engineering approaches for manufacturing and provides a path from traditional manufacturing to green manufacturing Addresses regulatory and economic issues surrounding green manufacturing Details new supply chains that need to be in place before going green Includes state-of-the-art case studies in the areas of automotive, semiconductor and medical areas as well as in the supply chain and packaging areas

Selected, peer reviewed papers from the International Conference on Smart Materials and Intelligent Systems (SMIS) 2010, December 17-20, 2010, Chongqing, China

The aim of this special volume is to facilitate the exchange of information on the best practice for handling multifunctional materials, active materials, enabling technologies and integrated system design, and intelligent systems and applications, etc. It will provide an opportunity for engineers and scientists in academia, industry and government to address the most innovative research and development topics, including those affecting technical challenges, social and economic issues, and to discuss their ideas, data, work-in-progress and experience concerning all aspects of Smart Materials and Intelligent Systems. Review from Book News Inc.: Two volumes contain 284 peer-reviewed papers selected from 800 submissions for presentation at the International Conference on Smart Materials and Intelligent Systems (SMIS) 2010, held December 2010, in Chonqing, China. Contributors are from specialties such as multifunctional materials, structural health monitoring, enabling technologies and integrated system design, active materials, mechanics and behavior, modeling, simulation and control, and intelligent systems and applications, among others. A brief sampling of topics to give some idea of scope and technical level: particle-size effects on the volatilization of oil in porous media, scale and corrosion inhibition of synthesized polymers from waste itaconic acid, data mining and heuristic algorithms for electronic commerce, seed levitation based on magneto-Archimedes effect, sweet spot and the influence of corking and materials on baseball bat, the development of an environmental risk emergency management decision support information system, and an improved ant-colony algorithm based on cloud model theory. The papers are arranged in no discernible order, but a keyword index will help guide readers. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR).

The aim of this special volume is to facilitate the exchange of information on the best practice for handling multifunctional materials, active materials, enabling technologies and integrated system design, and intelligent systems and applications, etc. It will provide an opportunity for engineers and scientists in academia, industry and government to address the most innovative research and development topics, including those affecting technical challenges, social and economic issues, and to discuss their ideas, data, work-in-progress and experience concerning all aspects of smart materials and intelligent systems.

Selected, peer reviewed papers from the 2011 International Conference on Smart Materials and Intelligent Systems, (SMIS 2011), December 23-25, 2011, Chongqing, China

The aim of this special volume is to facilitate the exchange of information on the best practices for multifunctional materials, active materials, enabling technologies and integrated system design, intelligent systems and applications, etc. It provided an opportunity for engineers and scientists in academia, industry and government to address the most innovative research and developments, including technical challenges, social and economic issues, and to discuss their ideas and results in all aspects of Smart Materials and Intelligent Systems.