Projects

@article{nokey,

title = {Tuning the enzyme-like activities of cerium oxide nanoparticles using a triethyl phosphite ligand},

author = {N. Yadav and V. Patel and L. McCourt and M. G. Ruppert and M. Miller and T. Inerbaev and S. Mahasivam and V. Bansal and A. Vinu and S. Singh and A. Karakoti},

doi = {10.1039/d2bm00396a},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-04-22},

journal = {Royal Society of Chemistry: Biomaterials Science},

abstract = {Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) exhibit excellent in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties, determined by the redox switching of surface cerium ions between their two oxidation states (Ce3+ and Ce4+). It is known that ligands such as triethyl phosphite (TEP) can tune the redox behavior of CeNPs and change their biological enzyme-mimetic activities; however, the corresponding mechanism for such a behavior is completely unknown. Herein, we have studied the effect of TEP in promoting the SOD-enzyme-like activity in CeNPs with high and low Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio, which were synthesized by wet chemical and thermal hydrolysis methods, respectively, and incubated with varying concentrations of TEP. X-ray diffraction, UV-visible, photoluminescence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy combined with DFT calculations were used to investigate the interaction of TEP on the surface of CeNPs. We observed a clear correlation between TEP concentration and the formation of surface oxygen vacancies. XPS analysis confirmed the increase in Ce3+ concentration after interaction with TEP. Moreover, we show that TEP's influence depends on the surface Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio. The superoxide dismutase-, catalase-, and oxidase-like activities of CeNPs with high Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio are not affected by TEP interaction, whereas catalase- and oxidase-like activities of CeNPs with low Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio decrease and the SOD-like activity is found to increase upon incubation with different concentrations of TEP. We also demonstrate that TEP interaction does not affect the regeneration of the CeNP surface, while the DFT calculations show that TEP facilitates the formation of defects on the surface of stoichiometric cerium oxide by reducing the oxygen vacancy formation energy. CeNPs with low Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio incubated with TEP also exhibited good antibacterial activity as compared to the CeNPs or TEP alone.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokey,

title = {Chemical bond imaging using torsional and flexural higher eigenmodes of qPlus sensors},

author = {D. Martin-Jimenez and M. G. Ruppert and A. Ihle and S. Ahles and H. A. Wegner and A. Schirmeisen and D. Ebeling},

url = {https://www.precisionmechatronicslab.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nanoscale-2022-Martin-Jimenez-bond-imaging-with-torsional-and-flexural-higher-eigenmodes.pdf},

doi = {10.1039/d2nr01062c},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-03-23},

urldate = {2022-03-23},

journal = {Nanoscale - The Royal Society of Chemistry},

volume = {14},

number = {14},

pages = {5251-5628},

abstract = {Non-contact atomic force microscopy (AFM) with CO-functionalized tips allows to visualize the chemical structure of adsorbed molecules and identify individual inter- and intramolecular bonds. This technique enables in-depth studies of on-surface reactions and self-assembly processes. Herein, we analyze the suitability of qPlus sensors, which are commonly used for such studies, for the application of modern multifrequency AFM techniques. Two different qPlus sensors were tested for submolecular resolution imaging via actuating torsional and flexural higher eigenmodes and via bimodal AFM. The torsional eigenmode of one of our sensors is perfectly suited for performing lateral force microscopy (LFM) with single bond resolution. The obtained LFM images agree well with images from the literature, which were scanned with customized qPlus sensors that were specifically designed for LFM. The advantage of using a torsional eigenmode is that the same molecule can be imaged either with a vertically or laterally oscillating tip without replacing the sensor simply by actuating a different eigenmode. Submolecular resolution is also achieved by actuating the 2nd flexural eigenmode of our second sensor. In this case, we observe particular contrast features that only appear in the AFM images of the 2nd flexural eigenmode but not for the fundamental eigenmode. With complementary laser Doppler vibrometry measurements and AFM simulations we can rationalize that these contrast features are caused by a diagonal (i.e. in-phase vertical and lateral) oscillation of the AFM tip.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{J22d,

title = {Model-Based Nonlinear Feedback Controllers for Pressure Control of Soft Pneumatic Actuators Using On/Off Valves},

author = {M. S. Xavier and A. J. Fleming and Y. K. Yong},

url = {https://www.precisionmechatronicslab.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/J22d.pdf},

doi = {10.3389/frobt.2022.818187},

issn = {2296-9144},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-03-17},

urldate = {2022-03-17},

journal = {Frontiers in Robotics and AI},

volume = {9},

abstract = {This article describes the application and comparison of three nonlinear feedback controllers for low-level control of soft actuators driven by a pressure source and single high-speed on/off solenoid valve. First, a mathematical model of the pneumatic system is established and the limitations of the open-loop system are evaluated. Next, a model of the pneumatic system is developed using Simscape Fluids to evaluate the performance of various control strategies. In this article, State-Dependent Riccati Equation control, sliding mode control, and feedback linearization are considered. To improve robustness to model uncertainties, the sliding mode and feedback linearization control strategies are augmented with integral action. The model of the pneumatic system is also used to develop a feedforward component, which is added to a PI controller with anti-windup. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controllers for pressure tracking.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{J22e,

title = {Nonlinear Estimation and Control of Bending Soft Pneumatic Actuators Using Feedback Linearization and UKF },

author = {M. S. Xavier and A. J. Fleming and Y. K. Yong},

url = {https://www.precisionmechatronicslab.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/J22e-prepress.pdf},

doi = {10.1109/TMECH.2022.3155790},

isbn = {1083-4435},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-03-15},

urldate = {2022-03-15},

journal = {IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics},

volume = {Early Access},

abstract = {In this article, we combine nonlinear estimation and control methods for precise bending angle control in soft pneumatic actuators driven by a pressure source and single low-cost ON/OFF solenoid valve. First, a complete model for the soft actuator is derived, which includes both the motion and pressure dynamics. An unscented Kalman filter (UKF) is used to estimate the velocity state and filter noisy measurements from a pressure sensor and an embedded resistive flex sensor. Then, a feedback linearization approach is used with pole placement and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controllers for bending angle control. To compensate for model uncertainties and improve reference tracking, integral action is incorporated to both controllers. The closed-loop performance of the nonlinear estimation and control approach is experimentally evaluated with a soft pneumatic network actuator. The simulation and experimental results show that the UKF provides accurate state estimation from noisy sensor measurements. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed observer-based nonlinear controllers for bending angle trajectory tracking.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{J22a,

title = {Simultaneous tip force and displacement sensing for AFM cantilevers with on-chip actuation: Design and characterization for off-resonance tapping mode},

author = {N. F. S. de Bem and M. G. Ruppert and A. J. Fleming and Y. K. Yong},

url = {https://www.precisionmechatronicslab.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/J22a.pdf},

doi = {10.1016/j.sna.2022.113496},

issn = {0924-4247},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-03-08},

urldate = {2022-03-08},

journal = {Sensors and Actuators A: Physical},

volume = {338},

pages = {113496},

abstract = {The use of integrated on-chip actuation simplifies the identification of a cantilever resonance, can improve imaging speed, and enables the use of smaller cantilevers, which is required for low-force imaging at high speed. This article describes a cantilever with on-chip actuation and novel dual-sensing capabilities for AFM. The dual-sensing configuration allows for tip displacement and tip force to be measured simultaneously. A mathematical model is developed and validated with finite element analysis. A physical prototype is presented, and its calibration and validation are presented. The cantilever is optimized for use in off-resonance tapping modes. Experimental results demonstrate an agreement between the on-chip sensors and external force and displacement measurements.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}