LANCEI : Laboratorio Nacional CONAHCYT en Electromovilidad Inteligente

Mixed reality and digital twins for astronaut training

Octavio Piñal, Amadeo Arguelles — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Astronaut training is complex due to its specific infrastructure and equipment requirements, which are often costly. Immersive technologies can simulate entire environments, allowing for interactive user experiences. Previous research has confirmed the effectiveness of immersive technologies in training and learning. However, simulations alone are insufficient; participants must also engage with vehicles, machinery, and spacecraft systems to understand their impact on the environment and adjacent objects. This study develops four scenarios within three modules, inspired by NASA and ESA astronaut training programs. The first module presents a theoretical scenario using mixed reality (MR), incorporating topics from ESA's training modules. The second module offers two practical scenarios: an ISS emergency simulation that includes Hohmann transfer and circular motion concepts, and a spacewalk for repair tasks. In these scenarios, digital twins of the ISS propulsion and navigation systems, as well as a spacesuit, were created. The third module simulates a spacecraft launch, utilizing 3D models from SpaceX's Falcon Heavy and digital twins of its propulsion and navigation systems. Participants interacted with the digital twins and scenarios, generating data that was stored and analyzed against the ISS dataset from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and telemetry from the SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch. In this work's initial phase, the main objective was to assess whether digital twins could be integrated with immersive technologies for effective training. A mean squared error metric was employed to compare the digital twins with the physical object data, confirming the alignment of the developed digital twins with the actual systems, thereby validating their utility for astronaut training.

Prospective narratives on global issues

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study proposes a narrative pedagogical model for creating and developing case studies that highlight the challenges and issues surrounding the megatrends of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, specifically “People and the Internet.” This proposal, framed in an online learning environment, represents the second stage of an educational platform to guide university students in facilitating an ideathon to address the megatrends of the 4th Industrial Revolution. Designing a model for case study creation related to the megatrends aims to foster complex thinking in university students, especially innovative thinking, a sub-competency of complex thinking. Fostering complex thinking highlights the importance of cognitive, practical, and adaptive skills to address interdisciplinary challenges. The Design Process and Practice Methodology and the case study methodology facilitated the narrative case study design model. The outcome of this study is a tangible product that enriches the debates on education and complex systems thinking in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Head injuries evaluation during a pipeline explosion

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, Mexico has suffereda series of explosive accidents linked to oil drilling and fuel pipeline operations. These explosions are often triggered by the rapid vapor expansion due to abrupt pressure changes, known as Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosions (BLEVEs). Tragically, in 2019, a devastating explosion occurred in Tlahuelilpan, claiming the lives of at least 100 people and injuring many others. This research aims to investigate brain injuries resulting from such explosions. Despite the potential for severe injuries, there is a significant lack of comprehensive injury data, with most research focusing on military contexts. In this study, we employed the Baker method in three configurations, utilizing a finite element model, Hybrid III 50Th Percentile Male Standing, in LS-Dyna®. Head Injury Criteria (HIC) is a measure for acceleration behavior in head. Our findings indicate that this value for acceleration, and BLAST propagation radio decrease with greater analysis distance. Brain injuries include edemas, contusions, lacerations, and skull compression, predominantly affecting individuals within a 6-meter radius of the detonation point.

Experimental Lab Tests on Rabbits for the Optimization and Redesign of Low-Cost Equipment for Automated Peritoneal Dialysis

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This work shows the experiences acquired by the experimental test performed to validate an automated peritoneal dialysis machine using rabbits with kidney damage to find improvements that can be made for future advances. These are listed to understand the direction of the development of the machine. The article shows the device’s background and previous tests using a testbed. The rabbit anatomy was prepared for nephrectomy surgery. The tests were practiced by checking all of the APD machine’s subsystems. The data were analyzed to develop improvements in the process. The results indicate the importance of the DPA machine as an alternative by implementing peristaltic pumps to substitute disposable cassettes. The identified improvements are the main objectives for research to continue improving the technology.

High Power Density, Buck-Boost Converter with Dual Interleaved Four-Phase Coupling

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A DC-DC, forward Buck-Boost converter using dual interleaving with four-phase switching arms is presented. The dual interleaving consists of two mirrored interphase transformers that take advantage of the common mode voltage resulting in ripple frequency duplication and small common inductance. The produced high-current waveforms reveal virtual ripple reduction at full load, the efficiency and the power density being 98 % and 5.7 kW/kg respectively. The converter fundamental of operation and design assessment are described together with experimental results obtained from a 32 kW prototype.

Potencial de Producción de Hidrógeno Verde en Puebla. Una aproximación a partir de mediciones y sistemas de información geográfica

Valeria Juárez Casildo; Ilse Cervantes Camacho; Rosa de G. González Huerta — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

El Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), en consonancia con su lema "La Técnica al Servicio de la Patria", ha mostrado un firme compromiso con el desarrollo científico y tecnológico de México. En este contexto, la entrega de este informe "Potencial de Producción de Hidrógeno Verde en Puebla. Una aproximación a partir de mediciones y sistemas de información geográfica" al estado de Puebla refleja este compromiso desde varios ángulos.

En primer lugar, el IPN tiene como uno de sus ejes fundamentales el desarrollo de la ciencia, tecnología e innovación para la solución de problemas nacionales. Este informe representa un esfuerzo en esa dirección, ya que aborda uno de los retos más desafiantes e importantes en materia de energía limpia y sustentable: la producción de hidrógeno. Al proporcionar datos basados en mediciones climatológicas reales y no en modelos teóricos o datos de reanálisis, así como su análisis usando sistemas de información geográfica, el IPN ofrece una herramienta valiosa y precisa para que el estado de Puebla pueda tomar decisiones informadas sobre el uso y desarrollo del hidrógeno como fuente de energía renovable.

El segundo eje que subraya la importancia de este presente es el de vinculación con la sociedad y el sector productivo. Este enfoque se sustenta en la misión del IPN de colaborar activamente en el bienestar de la nación a través de la ciencia aplicada. El informe es una manifestación de esta vocación del IPN que espera que resulte en el fomento de un desarrollo sostenible que beneficie tanto a la industria local como a la sociedad en general. La entrega del informe no solo muestra la metodología completa usada en el cálculo del potencial del hidrógeno, sino que también destaca cómo el avance tecnológico puede influir en la reducción de costos, lo que en princpio podría hacer viable la implementación de esta tecnología en sectores clave en Puebla.

Otro aspecto relevante es el de la transferencia de conocimientos. Puebla es un estado con un potencial importante para atraer inversiones en energías renovables, este informe es el culmen también de un esfuerzo por hacer asequibles los conocimientos de las autoras en materia de producción de hidrógeno en conjunto con la Agencia de Energía del Estado de Puebla. Este esfuerzo lo constituyó el seminario Virtual de Hidrógeno Verde, llevado a cabo del martes 17 de septiembre al martes 8 de octubre de 2024. Se espera que este informe sirva no sólo a las personas tomadoras de decisiones, sino también, a inversionistas y otros actores interesados en el desarrollo del hidrógeno.

Este informe es un ejemplo del compromiso del IPN con el desarrollo sostenible y la equidad en el acceso a tecnologías limpias. El IPN ha impulsado constantemente proyectos que contribuyen al progreso del país, como se detalla en su Programa de Desarrollo Institucional, y este informe es una extensión de esa misión. A través de este tipo de colaboraciones, el IPN busca asegurar que regiones como Puebla tengan acceso a los avances tecnológicos necesarios para mejorar su competitividad y calidad de vida, todo bajo la filosofía de que la técnica debe estar siempre al servicio de la patria.