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Industrial robots have made it possible for robotics to become a worldwide discipline both in economy and in science. However, their capabilities are limited, especially regarding contact tasks where it is required to regulate or at least limit contact forces. At one point, it was noticed that elasticity in the joint transmission, which was treated as a drawback previously, is actually helpful in this regard. This observation led to the introduction of elastic joint robots that are well-suited to contact tasks and cooperative behavior in particular, so they become more and more widespread nowadays. Many researchers try to implement such devices not with trivial series elastic actuators (SEA) but with more sophisticated variable stiffness actuators (VSA) that can regulate their own mechanical stiffness. All elastic actuators demonstrate shock robustness and safe interaction with external objects to some extent, but when stiffness may be varied, it provides additional benefits, e. g., in terms of energy efficiency and task adaptability. Here, we present a novel variable stiffness actuator with a magnetic coupler as an elastic element. Magnetic transmission is contactless and thus advantageous in terms of robustness to misalignment. In addition, the friction model of the transmission becomes less complex. It also has milder stiffness characteristic than typical mechanical nonlinear springs, moreover, the stiffness curve has a maximum after which it descends. Therefore, when this maximum torque is achieved, the coupler slips, and a new pair of poles defines the equilibrium position. As a result, the risk of damage is smaller for this design solution. The design of the joint is thoroughly described, along with its mathematical model. Finally, the control system is also proposed, and simulation tests confirm the design ideas.

The problem of optimal control of traffic flow in an urban road network is considered. The control is carried out by varying the duration of the working phases of traffic lights at controlled intersections. A description of the control system developed is given. The control system enables the use of three types of control: open-loop, feedback and manual. In feedback control, road infrastructure detectors, video cameras, inductive loop and radar detectors are used to determine the quantitative characteristics of current traffic flow state. The quantitative characteristics of the traffic flows are fed into a mathematical model of the traffic flow, implemented in the computer environment of an automatic traffic flow control system, in order to determine the moments for switching the working phases of the traffic lights. The model is a system of finite-difference recurrent equations and describes the change in traffic flow on each road section at each time step, based on retrived data on traffic flow characteristics in the network, capacity of maneuvers and flow distribution through alternative maneuvers at intersections. The model has scaling and aggregation properties. The structure of the model depends on the structure of the graph of the controlled road network. The number of nodes in the graph is equal to the number of road sections in the considered network. The simulation of traffic flow changes in real time makes it possible to optimally determine the duration of traffic light operating phases and to provide traffic flow control with feedback based on its current state. The system of automatic collection and processing of input data for the model is presented. In order to model the states of traffic flow in the network and to solve the problem of optimal traffic flow control, the CTraf software package has been developed, a brief description of which is given in the paper. An example of the solution of the optimal control problem of traffic flows on the basis of real data in the road network of Moscow is given.

Self-organization of molecules on a solid surface is one of the promising directions for materials generation with unique magnetic, electrical, and optical properties. They can be widely used in fields such as electronics, optoelectronics, catalysis, and biology. However, the structure and physicochemical properties of adsorbed molecules are influenced by many parameters that must be taken into account when studying the self-organization of molecules. Therefore, the experimental study of such materials is expensive, and quite often it is difficult for various reasons. In such situations, it is advisable to use the mathematical modeling. One of the parameters in the considered adsorption systems is the multiparticle interaction, which is often not taken into account in simulations due to the complexity of the calculations. In this paper, we evaluated the influence of multiparticle interactions on the total energy of the system using the transfer-matrix method and the Materials Studio software package. The model of monocentric adsorption with nearest interactions on a triangular lattice was taken as the basis. Phase diagrams in the ground state were constructed and a number of thermodynamic characteristics (coverage $\theta$, entropy $S$, susceptibility $\xi$) were calculated at nonzero temperatures. The formation of all four ordered structures (lattice gas with $\theta=0$, $(\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{3}) R30^{\circ}$ with $\theta = \frac{1}{3}$, $(\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{3})R^{*}30^{\circ}$ with $\theta = \frac{2}{3}$ and densest phase with $\theta = 1$) in a system with only pairwise interactions, and the absence of the phase  $(\sqrt{3}\times \sqrt{3}) R30^\circ$ when only three-body interactions are taken into account, were found. Using the example of an atomistic model of the trimesic acid adsorption layer by quantum mechanical methods we determined that in such a system the contribution of multiparticle interactions is 11.44% of the pair interactions energy. There are only quantitative differences at such values. The transition region from the  $(\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{3}) R^{*}30^\circ$ to the densest phase shifts to the right by 38.25% at $\frac{\varepsilon}{RT} = 4$ and to the left by 23.46% at $\frac{\varepsilon}{RT} = −2$.

When determining therapeutic absorbed doses in the process of radioiodine therapy, the method of individual dosimetric planning is increasingly used in Russian medicine. However, for the successful implementation of this method, it is necessary to have appropriate software that allows modeling the pharmacokinetics of radioiodine in the patient’s body and calculate the necessary therapeutic activity of a radiopharmaceutical drug to achieve the planned therapeutic absorbed dose in the thyroid gland.

Purpose of the work: development of a software package for pharmacokinetic modeling and calculation of individual absorbed doses in radioiodine therapy based on a five-chamber model of radioiodine kinetics using two mathematical optimization methods. The work is based on the principles and methods of RFLP pharmacokinetics (chamber modeling). To find the minimum of the residual functional in identifying the values of the transport constants of the model, the Hook – Jeeves method and the simulated annealing method were used. Calculation of dosimetric characteristics and administered therapeutic activity is based on the method of calculating absorbed doses using the functions of radioiodine activity in the chambers found during modeling. To identify the parameters of the model, the results of radiometry of the thyroid gland and urine of patients with radioiodine introduced into the body were used.

A software package for modeling the kinetics of radioiodine during its oral intake has been developed. For patients with diffuse toxic goiter, the transport constants of the model were identified and individual pharmacokinetic and dosimetric characteristics (elimination half-lives, maximum thyroid activity and time to reach it, absorbed doses to critical organs and tissues, administered therapeutic activity) were calculated. The activity-time relationships for all cameras in the model are obtained and analyzed. A comparative analysis of the calculated pharmacokinetic and dosimetric characteristics calculated using two mathematical optimization methods was performed. Evaluation completed the stunning-effect and its contribution to the errors in calculating absorbed doses. From a comparative analysis of the pharmacokinetic and dosimetric characteristics calculated in the framework of two optimization methods, it follows that the use of a more complex mathematical method for simulating annealing in a software package does not lead to significant changes in the values of the characteristics compared to the simple Hook – Jeeves method. Errors in calculating absorbed doses in the framework of these mathematical optimization methods do not exceed the spread of absorbed dose values from the stunning-effect.

We have studied properties of non-linear waves in a mathematical model of a predator – prey system with taxis. We demonstrate that, for systems with negative and positive taxis there typically exists a large region in the parameter space, where the waves demonstrate quasi-soliton interaction; colliding waves can penetrate through each other, and waves can also reflect from impermeable boundaries. In this paper, we use numerical simulations to demonstrate also a new wave phenomenon — a half-soliton interaction of waves, when of two colliding waves, one annihilates and the other continues to propagate. We show that this effect depends on the «ages» or, equivalently, «widths» of the colliding waves.

This article presents an integrated dynamic model of eco-economic system of the Republic of Armenia (RA). This model is constructed using system dynamics methods, which allow to consider the major feedback related to key characteristics of eco-economic system. Such model is a two-objective optimization problem where as target functions the level of air pollution and gross profit of national economy are considered. The air pollution is minimized due to modernization of stationary and mobile sources of pollution at simultaneous maximization of gross profit of national economy. At the same time considered eco-economic system is characterized by the presence of internal constraints that must be accounted at acceptance of strategic decisions. As a result, we proposed a systematic approach that allows forming sustainable solutions for the development of the production sector of RA while minimizing the impact on the environment. With the proposed approach, in particular, we can form a plan for optimal enterprise modernization and predict long-term dynamics of harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

Superplastic forming of Ni and Ti based alloys is widely used in aerospace industry. The main advantage of using the effect of superplasticity in sheet metal forming processes is a feasibility of forming materials with a high amount of plastic strain in conditions of prevailing tensile stresses. This article is dedicated to study commercial FEM software SFTC DEFORM application for prediction thickness deviation during low temperature superplastic forming of UFG Ti-6-4 alloy. Experimentally, thickness deviation during superplastic forming can be observed in the local area of plastic deformation and this process is aggravated by local softening of the metal and this is stipulated by microstructure coarsening. The theoretical model was prepared to analyze experimentally observed metal flow. Two approaches have been used for that. The first one is the using of integrated creep rheology model in DEFORM. As superplastic effect is observed only in materials with fine and ultrafine grain sizes the second approach is carried out using own user procedures for rheology model which is based on microstructure evolution equations. These equations have been implemented into DEFORM via Fortran user’s solver subroutines. Using of FEM simulation for this type of forming allows tracking a strain rate in different parts of a workpiece during a process, which is crucial for maintaining the superplastic conditions. Comparison of these approaches allows us to make conclusions about effect of microstructure evolution on metal flow during superplastic deformation. The results of the FEM analysis and theoretical conclusions have been approved by results of the conducted Erichsen test. The main issues of this study are as follows: a) the DEFORM software allows an engineer to predict formation of metal shape under the condition of low-temperature superplasticity; b) in order to augment the accuracy of the prediction of local deformations, the effect of the microstructure state of an alloy having sub-microcristalline structure should be taken into account in the course of calculations in the DEFORM software.

We consider a one-dimensional three velocity kinetic lattice Boltzmann model, which represents a secondorder difference scheme for hydrodynamic equations. In the framework of kinetic theory this system describes the propagation and interaction of three types of particles. It has been shown previously that the lattice Boltzmann model with external virtual force is equivalent at the hydrodynamic limit to the one-dimensional hemodynamic equations for elastic vessels, this equivalence can be achieved with use of the Chapman – Enskog expansion. The external force in the model is responsible for the ability to adjust the functional dependence between the lumen area of the vessel and the pressure applied to the wall of the vessel under consideration. Thus, the form of the external force allows to model various elastic properties of the vessels. In the present paper the physiological boundary conditions are considered at the inlets and outlets of the arterial network in terms of the lattice Boltzmann variables. We consider the following boundary conditions: for pressure and blood flow at the inlet of the vascular network, boundary conditions for pressure and blood flow for the vessel bifurcations, wave reflection conditions (correspond to complete occlusion of the vessel) and wave absorption at the ends of the vessels (these conditions correspond to the passage of the wave without distortion), as well as RCR-type conditions, which are similar to electrical circuits and consist of two resistors (corresponding to the impedance of the vessel, at the end of which the boundary conditions are set and the friction forces in microcirculatory bed) and one capacitor (describing the elastic properties of arterioles). The numerical simulations were performed: the propagation of blood in a network of three vessels was considered, the boundary conditions for the blood flow were set at the entrance of the network, RCR boundary conditions were stated at the ends of the network. The solutions to lattice Boltzmann model are compared with the benchmark solutions (based on numerical calculations for second-order McCormack difference scheme without viscous terms), it is shown that the both approaches give very similar results.

The paper gives a detailed description of the developed methods for simulating the turbulent flow around a helicopter rotor and calculating its aerodynamic characteristics. The system of Reynolds-averaged Navier – Stokes equations for a viscous compressible gas closed by the Spalart –Allmaras turbulence model is used as the basic mathematical model. The model is formulated in a non-inertial rotating coordinate system associated with a rotor. To set the boundary conditions on the surface of the rotor, wall functions are used.

The numerical solution of the resulting system of differential equations is carried out on mixed-element unstructured grids including prismatic layers near the surface of a streamlined body.The numerical method is based on the original vertex-centered finite-volume EBR schemes. A feature of these schemes is their higher accuracy which is achieved through the use of edge-based reconstruction of variables on extended quasi-onedimensional stencils, and a moderate computational cost which allows for serial computations. The methods of Roe and Lax – Friedrichs are used as approximate Riemann solvers. The Roe method is corrected in the case of low Mach flows. When dealing with discontinuities or solutions with large gradients, a quasi-one-dimensional WENO scheme or local switching to a quasi-one-dimensional TVD-type reconstruction is used. The time integration is carried out according to the implicit three-layer second-order scheme with Newton linearization of the system of difference equations. To solve the system of linear equations, the stabilized conjugate gradient method is used.

The numerical methods are implemented as a part of the in-house code NOISEtte according to the two-level MPI–OpenMP parallel model, which allows high-performance computations on meshes consisting of hundreds of millions of nodes, while involving hundreds of thousands of CPU cores of modern supercomputers.

Based on the results of numerical simulation, the aerodynamic characteristics of the helicopter rotor are calculated, namely, trust, torque and their dimensionless coefficients.

Validation of the developed technique is carried out by simulating the turbulent flow around the Caradonna – Tung two-blade rotor and the KNRTU-KAI four-blade model rotor in hover mode mode, tail rotor in duct, and rigid main rotor in oblique flow. The numerical results are compared with the available experimental data.

Numerical simulation of hull flow, marine propellers and other basic problems of ship hydrodynamics using Cartesian adaptive locally-refined grids is advantageous with respect to numerical setup and makes an express analysis very convenient. However, when more accurate viscous phenomena are needed, they condition some problems including a sharp increase of cell number due to high levels of main grid adaptation needed to resolve boundary layers and time step decrease in simulations with a free surface due to decrease of transit time in adapted cells. To avoid those disadvantages, additional boundary layer grids are suggested for resolution of boundary layers. The boundary layer grids are one-dimensional adaptations of main grid layers nearest to a wall, which are built along a normal direction. The boundary layer grids are additional (or chimerical), their volumes are not subtracted from main grid volumes. Governing equations of flow are integrated in both grids simultaneously, and the solutions are merged according to a special algorithm. In simulations of ship hull flow boundary layer grids are able to provide sufficient conditions for low-Reynolds turbulence models and significantly improve flow structure in continues boundary layers along smooth surfaces. When there are flow separations or other complex phenomena on a hull surface, it can be subdivided into regions, and the boundary layer grids should be applied to the regions with simple flow only. This still provides a drastic decrease of computational efforts. In simulations of marine propellers, the boundary layer grids are able to provide refuse of wall functions on blade surfaces, what leads to significantly more accurate hydrodynamic forces. Altering number and configuration of boundary grid layers, it is possible to vary a boundary layer resolution without change of a main grid. This makes the boundary layer grids a suitable tool to investigate scale effects in both problems considered.