Paolo Di Barba

Magnetic Field Synthesis in the Design of Inductors for Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia

A magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) inductor design using multiobjective evolution strategy techniques is proposed. Uniformity of the magnetic field and solution sensitivity are the objective functions chosen for the selection of the inductor geometry. After a 3-D finite-element analysis (FEA) of the thermal field, the coupled-field response of the synthesized inductor has been assessed.

Design optimization of a permanent-magnet excited synchronous machine for electrical automobiles

The paper deals with the automated optimal design of a new synchronous motor particularly suitable for electric vehicles. Identifying the shape of rotor pole and excitation magnets, minimizing the mass/volume and simultaneously maxi- mizing the torque, is the main design goal. The formulation of this problem in terms of a bi-objective optimal shape design problem possibly stimulates the identification of unexplored solutions of practical significance.

Field Models in Electricity and Magnetism

Covering the development of field computation in the past forty years,Field Models in Electricity and Magnetism intends to be a concise, comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to methods for the analysis and synthesis of electric and magnetic fields.A broad view of the subject of field models in electricity and magnetism, ranging from basic theory to numerical applications, is offered.The approach coherently assumed throughout the whole book is to solve field problems directly from partial differential equations in terms of vector quantities.Theoretical issues are illustrated by practical examples. In particular, a single example is solved by different methods so that, by comparison of results, limitations and advantages of the various methods are made clear.The subject of the synthesis of fields and of the optimal design of devices, which are growing in research and so far have not been adequately covered in textbooks, are developed in addition to the more classical subject of analysis.Topics covered include:vector fields: electrostatics, magnetostatics, steady conduction;analytical methods for solving boundary-value problems;numerical methods for solving boundary-value problems;time-varying electromagnetic field;inverse problems;optimization.Field Models in Electricity and Magnetism nresults from the cooperation of three authors, after collecting a separate experience in teaching electromagnetic theory at various levels and in different countries.

Design of Hybrid Excited Synchronous Machine for Electrical Vehicles

This paper deals with the optimal design of a new synchronous motor particularly suitable for electric vehicles. The unique advantage of this motor is its possibility to realize field weakening at high speeds, which is the most important demand for such drives. The main design goal is to identify the dimensions of certain crucial regions of the machine in order to avoid saturation of the iron and to minimize the mass to volume ratio, while simultaneously maximizing the torque. The originality of the contribution is manifold: formulating the design problem in multiobjective terms, solving it by means of evolutionary computing, solving the associated direct problem based on a three-dimensional finite element analysis (3-D-FEA) field model, considering a reduced set of design variables by means of response surface method, referring to a real-life problem.

A Paretian Approach to Optimal Design With Uncertainties: Application in Induction Heating

A major issue in optimal design of electromagnetic devices relates to optimizing against uncertainty, in terms of geometric and physical parameters. The induction heating of a graphite disk, with the purpose to obtain a prescribed temperature profile, is considered as the model problem. The novelty of this paper is a cost-effective method enabling the designer to select the Pareto optimal solutions trading off design criterion and sensitivity.

Non-Linear Multi-Physics Analysis and Multi-Objective Optimization in Electroheating Applications

The design optimization of an induction heating device is considered. The non-linear multi-physics analysis is carried out by means of finite-element method, while the optimal design problem is solved by NSGA-II genetic algorithm. A comparison with the results obtained by a simplified linear analysis is shown. The original contribution of this paper is the Pareto front identification for a design problem in which the field analysis is multi-physics, dynamic, and non-linear.

Optimal inductor design for nanofluid heating characterisation

Purpose – Magnetic fluid hyperthermia experiment requires a uniform magnetic field in order to control the heating rate of a magnetic nanoparticle fluid for laboratory tests. The automated optimal design of a real-life device able to generate a uniform magnetic field suitable to heat cells in a Petri dish is presented. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The inductor for tests has been designed using finite element analysis and evolutionary computing coupled to design of experiments technique in order to take into account sensitivity of solutions. Findings – The geometry of the inductor has been designed and a laboratory prototype has been built. Results of preliminary tests, using a previously synthesized and characterized magneto fluid, are presented. Originality/value – Design of experiment approach combined with evolutionary computing has been used to compute the solution sensitivity and approximate a 3D Pareto front. The designed inductor has been tested in an experi...

Multi–objective optimisation of induction heating processes: methods of the problem solution and examples based on benchmark model

The main goal of the researches is the development of new approaches, algorithms and numerical techniques for multi–objective optimisation of design of industrial induction heating installations. A multi–objective optimisation problem is mathematically formulated in terms of the typical optimisation criteria, e.g., maximum heating accuracy and minimum energy consumption. Various mathematical methods and algorithms for multi–objective optimisation, such as Non–dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA–II) and optimal control alternance method, have been implemented and integrated in a user–friendly automated optimal design package. Several optimisation procedures have been tested and investigated for a problem–oriented mathematical model in a number of comparative case studies. A general comparison of the design solutions based on NSGA–II and alternance method leads to their good agreement in all investigated cases. The methodology developed is planned to be applied to more complex real–life problems of the optimal design and control of different induction heating systems.

Optimal Needle Positioning for Electrochemotherapy: A Constrained Multiobjective Strategy

A multiobjective optimization method is used to design a treatment planning based on electrochemotherapy (ECT). A penalty function technique is coupled to NSGA algorithm in order to identify the constrained Pareto front, so preventing unfeasible solutions.

Field models and numerical dosimetry inside an extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic bioreactor: the theoretical link between the electromagnetically induced mechanical forces and the biological mechanisms of the cell tensegrity

We have implemented field models and performed a detailed numerical dosimetry inside our extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic bioreactor which has been successfully used in in vitro Biotechnology and Tissue Engineering researches. The numerical dosimetry permitted to map the magnetic induction field (maximum module equal to about 3.3 mT) and to discuss its biological effects in terms of induced electric currents and induced mechanical forces (compression and traction). So, in the frame of the tensegrity-mechanotransduction theory of Ingber, the study of these electromagnetically induced mechanical forces could be, in our opinion, a powerful tool to understand some effects of the electromagnetic stimulation whose mechanisms remain still elusive.