Projects / Programmes
January 1, 2015
- December 31, 2018
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.06.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Systems and cybernetics |
|
| 2.12.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electric devices |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T125 |
Technological sciences |
Automation, robotics, control engineering |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.02 |
Engineering and Technology |
Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering |
mechatronic systems, robotics, intelligent systems, haptics, teleoperation, power electronics, motor drives, process control and supervision, computer aided design, embedded systems, measurements, ICT in automation, electric vehicles, standardization, certification, energy efficiency
Researchers (26)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Recently, there has been a shift in the systems approach regarding the mechatronic systems research from the components research towards the field of complex systems research. This transition has been due to demands from industry and society in general that scientific knowledge should quickly find its way into industrial products, thereby offering industrial entities faster and competitive access to global markets. The focus areas of our research activities would be:
• Mechatronic systems, robotics, teleoperation, haptics, human-machine interfaces are those areas that have been extensively developed recently: intensive research generates new knowledge, which quickly spreads and is transferred into new industrial products which also reach the areas of transport, health, and the consumer market.
• Electric and hybrid vehicles (we are witnessing the transition from vehicles with internal combustion engines to electric drive systems for cars). In this field, new opportunities are opening up for research work, and the research results will be transferable to industry faster.
• The aviation industry (aerospace) - this area being among the most advanced of the industry, is introducing new materials, methods, and control systems.
• Efficient energy use - due to environmental considerations (less greenhouse and toxic gases, less environmental pollution).
• New topologies of power electronic systems - application of new technologies, which enable higher switching frequency, thermal modeling, packaging, semiconductor, insensitivity to component failures (Fault - tolerant topologies), EMI, EMC, reliability research, testing, certification.
• Research within the area of complex dynamic systems, chaos theory and intelligent systems and their applications in the field of mechatronics.
• Measurement technology (electrical and non-electrical quantities) - advanced sensor systems, new communication buses, wireless networking, fast measurement data acquisition and monitoring of dynamic measurements, upgrading computer-based measurement systems connected to complex mechatronic systems. Development of new fundamental and the improvement of existing measurement methods, higher speed of measurement, development of measurement algorithms, calibration of measurement and software tools for display and results evaluation. The measurement data and the results are becoming part of broader or narrower information databases.
• Via the Internet, new challenges are being connected regarding the study of increasing the speed of remote monitoring measurements, the use of remote experiments, remote calibration of devices, measurement simultaneously with distance control, measurement within large-scale spaces, reliable transmission of measurement data, immunity to the failures of systems and standardization.
The above listed areas would be meaningful linked together into a whole, and the obtained inter-discipline would have a synergistic effect on the quality improvement and impact of the obtained results.
Significance for science
The importance of the program groups’ research work for the development of science would be the introduction of new advanced techniques for the control of mechatronic systems. The new trends of development within this area would be followed. The research work would especially deal with robotics and haptics, electrical drives, converter systems, the developments of new measurement procedures, where the synergies of introducing computer processing in real-time as well as design approaches with the aim of scientific knowledge for more quickly adapting industrial products. The program group’s members would publish the research achievements in international scientific journals as far as possible, as it would be our intention to do this further because this is verification of the relevance of research.
The current level of mechatronics engineering already allows the construction of complex biomimetic mechanical systems that are able to emulate the behavior, e.g. biological hands, fingers, which can be connected with haptic behavior. Sensors embedded within the actuators and the mechanical linkages would allow the equivalent of proprioceptive information. Tactile skin mechanoreceptors could be replaced with miniature force sensors. Emulation of human limbs’ compliances could be used for the impedance control of actuators, which could still be dominated by electric servo-motors which could have controlled compliant behavior by sensing torque or force. A high performance processing unit with DSP or FPGA-based systems could be used for the proper processing of information for providing haptic behavior.
It is also crucial to achieve synergetic effects by linking different areas, which is one of the fundamental properties of mechatronics. The scientific contribution will be given by the introduction of the measurement, information and communication technologies in the control processes, resulting in better sampling, description, evaluation and display of measurement data.
For hybrid mechatronic systems, especially for power electronics systems is necessary to develop hybrid modeling approaches for efficient control. Therefore, the focus of our activities will be directed in this research with the emphasis on the model-based approaches which include: model-based simulations, model-based programming, and model-based control. Such approaches allow better transparency of models and software, thereby increasing the reliability level.
These are the reasons that the use of the approaches above are increasingly prescribed, especially in safety-critical environments, including the automotive and aviation industries. Mainly due to the exceptional importance of the automotive industry on our environment it is essential to support the development of these techniques and their transfer into the practice. The research group has carried out such activities (including in the context of the teaching process) and the aim is to intensify work in this area.
Significance for the country
Development and integration of advanced algorithms, methods and approaches into the design processes, ICT, embedded control systems, power electronics devices, sensors, systems for diagnostic, supervision and real-time error detection as well as data processing play an important role in raising the level of automation and robotics and thereby in the development of high technology processes in Slovenia and in the world. Thus the competitiveness of manufacturing processes and final products are increased.
Research, analysis and development of new technologies in the areas of the programme activities thus contribute to the transfer of new technologies into the industry and economy. The proposed work programme deals with the field of high technologies in terms of their development as well as the transfer from academic to practical use. This would directly contribute to raising the level of competitiveness in terms of creating new products with high added value. Development in this area should generate new higher added value jobs.
Activities of the programme are focused onto direct and systematic development of high technology, accumulation of critical skills and training of personnel which in the future would allow the continuation of this work that is crucial to rise of the added value of Slovenian products and thus overall economic development. Members of the programme group were heavily involved in research for the Slovenian and European industrial entities in the previous period. This has strengthened the existing and established new partnerships and connections. As a result, they are actively involved in raising the reputation of Slovenian science on a global scale.
Research would also be carried out in the area of efficient energy use (with an emphasis on alternative and renewable sources), which will result in lower emissions of CO2 and other harmful emissions and thereby have positive effects on the environment and quality of life. In this way, the activities of the programme are consistent with the guidelines of the EU programme "Horizon 2020", particularly in the areas of "Energy ", "ICT" and "Transport". They are also entering into the activities in the field of KET (Key Enabling Technologies), which represent the direction for further development of science and technology.
It is also necessary to emphasise the work, which would take place in the area of electric and hybrid vehicles that represent the future of personal and freight transport. We are also expanding activities in this area to the aerospace industry. With this we are creating and supporting new opportunities for favourable positioning of Slovenian companies in the global market.
The dissemination of acquired knowledge from the field of advanced technologies into the economic environment and work on the popularization of science are also important. As the university is a parent organization of the programme, transfer of acquired knowledge and skills to the education process is also crucial.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
2016,
2017,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
2016,
2017,
final report
