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A game-theory approach has been used for the multi-objective optimum design of stationary flat-plate solar collectors. The clear-day solar-beam radiation and diffuse radiation at the location of the solar collector (Miami) are estimated. Three objectives are considered in the optimization-problem formulation: maximization of the annual average incident solar energy; maximization of the lowest month incident solar energy; and minimization of costs. The game-theory methodology is used for the solution of the three objective-constrained optimization problems to find a balanced solution. This solution represents the best compromise in terms of the super-criterion selected. Two types of sensitivity analyses are conducted on the optimum solution in this work. The sensitivity analysis with respect to the design variables indicates which design valuables are more important to different objective functions. The sensitivity analysis with respect to the solar constant shows that small fluctuations of solar constant experienced in practice affect the various objectives very little, thereby indicating that the mathematical model is robust. This work represents the first work aimed at the application of multi-objective optimization strategy, particularly the game theory approach, for the solution of the solar collector design problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The piezoelectric transducers embedded in structures offer distributed sensor and actuator architectures for structural control, a process that involves health monitoring and control of local structural degrees of freedom. The design steps demand sensor and actuator management schemes so that the response of a structural component in question is monitored and then tailored to the design requirements. Kalman's inverse theory is used to determine sensor and sensor-actuator combinations for optimal observers and controllers. The Riccati equations for each combination are derived to formulate the linear quadratic Gaussian theory for a reconfigurable architecture. An oscillator model with two inputs is considered to illustrate the underlying structural control principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]