Physics-Informed Neural Networks to Model and Control Robots: A Theoretical and Experimental Investigation

This work concerns the application of physics-informed neural networks to the modeling and control of complex robotic systems. Achieving this goal requires extending physics-informed neural networks to handle nonconservative effects. These learned models are proposed to combine with model-based controllers originally developed with first...

On-chip heaters for tension tuning of graphene nanodrums

For the study and application of graphene membranes, it is essential to have means to control their resonance frequency and temperature. Here, we present an on-chip heater platform for local tuning of in-plane tension in graphene mechanical resonators. By Joule heating of a metallic suspension ring we show thermomechanical resonance frequency...

Beach steepness effects on nonlinear infragravity-wave interactions: A numerical study

The numerical model SWASH is used to investigate nonlinear energy transfers between waves for a diverse set of beach profiles and wave conditions, with a specific focus on infragravity waves. We use bispectral analysis to study the nonlinear triad interactions, and estimate energy transfers to determine energy flows within the spectra. The...

On quantum entanglement, measurement and decoherence in nanosystems

This thesis discusses the interplay between entanglement, measurement and decoherence in quantum nanosystems.

Dissipative self-assembly: A novel self-healing mechanism for functional materials

Self-assembled systems formed of micelles or vesicles have frequently been discussed as model systems for self-healing materials because their structure is dictated by thermodynamics and hence they quickly restore upon perturbation. In this aspect, they mimic many natural systems such as biological cells. However, in contrast to most synthetic...

Electromechanics of suspended nanowires

Local Scour: Flow simulation by the 2-D turbulent model ODYSSEE

The general purpose of this research project is to model mathematically the local scour downstream of a structure (2-D). The model has to simulate the development of the scour as a function of the time. Basically two models are necessary namely a flow model and a morphological model. The latter model has to describe the bed and suspended load...

Local Scour: Damping of turbulence parameters in relaxation zone

The general purpose of this research project is to model mathematically the scour-hole downstream of a structure (2-D). The model has to simulate the development of the scour as a function of time. Basically two models are necessary namely a flow model and a morphological model. The latter has to describe the bed- and suspended load and the...

Energy dissipation in breaking solitary and periodic waves

It is well known (see Divoky et al., 1970, for a review) that on gentle slopes (slope S < 1:30, say) the wave height after breaking does not decay in proportion to the mean depth. The curve H/Hb vs h/hb is concave upwards (for plane bottom). The concavity increases with decreasing S and with increasing Ho/Lo (Nakamura et al., 1966). The often...