In the SUSU Laboratory for Self-validation of Measuring Instruments and Engineering Systems scientists conduct research and apply advanced methods of digital data processing in order to create a new generation of measuring instruments with the use of the artificial intelligence technology.
Thanks to the collaboration of the Department of Information-measuring Equipment with the Professor of the University of Oxford Manus Henry and Research Fellow of the D.I. Mendeleev All-Russian Institute for Metrology (VNIIM), Saint Petersburg, Roald Taymanov, South Ural State University began to work on engineering of measuring instruments with self-validation features in 2017. Today, the SUSU scientists have set themselves a task to create devices that can evaluate their own accuracy of measurement.
“To solve this task, we need circuit changes in the devices providing for information redundancy, and deep data processing, the use of which helps achieve the result of equipment self-validation. The issues related to data processing are being studied by young staff members of the laboratory, under the guidance by highly qualified scientists,” comments the research advisor of the laboratory and SUSU President Aleksandr Shestakov.
The SUSU work is focused on the measuring instruments, which can be used in industry. Thanks to the collaboration with the world’s leader in automation and digital industry visionary, Emerson Corporation (USA), a platform to conduct world-class research was created at the university.
Currently, the laboratory scientists are fulfilling a successful project in collaboration with Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works, which is aimed at diagnostics of the equipment operation and predicting the changes in its technical characteristics. Under this project, four facilities were studied, and as a result, the laboratory researchers managed to evaluate the state of the equipment and give an outlook of its functioning in the future.
Among the major tasks within the project is the development of data processing algorithms and of software based on data redundancy. To achieve this, various mathematical methods are used, including the artificial intelligence methods. The obtained results allow to elaborate new methods of equipment diagnostics. This work is important as the diagnostics of engineering systems is crucial for ensuring production safety and preventing accidents. In addition, proper diagnostics and monitoring of equipment will help improve the production efficiency and reduce the operation costs.
Also, the laboratory researchers are engineering new measurement circuits and methods of self-validation for temperature sensors. PG Metran company has already shown its interest in this work, the results of which could find application in the petrochemical industry, mechanical engineering, metallurgy, and electric power industry. The research results will make it possible to improve the accuracy and precision of temperature measurement with the use of thermocouples and will ensure the reliability and quality of the equipment operation.
“Today our goal is to be a leader in the field of self-validation of measuring instruments in our country. Our next step is proceeding to the diagnostics of large systems of equipment. This is a far more complicated task than self-validation of a single sensor. We understand that in order to achieve the set goals, we need continue to work on creating new methods and technologies, which will allow for a highly precise and effective diagnostics of large systems of equipment,” stresses Aleksandr Shestakov.
The research in the Laboratory for Self-validation of Measuring Instruments and Engineering Systems is being conducted under the Priority 2030 program (Science and Universities National Project) within the frameworks of the Intelligent Manufacturing strategic project.
To hold experiments, the laboratory is in command of certified equipment, which allows to confirm the results of theoretical work, algorithms and programs.
Thus, the creation of new methods of self-validation for large systems of equipment based on elaboration of the mathematical methods of information processing has a huge potential in terms of industrial development and improvement of production efficiency. Over time, the importance of this research work for our country will only keep growing.
South Ural State University is a university of transformations, where innovative research is conducted in most of the priority fields of science and technology development. In accordance with the strategy of scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation, the university is focused on the development of big scientific interdisciplinary projects in the field of digital industry, materials science, and ecology. In 2021 SUSU became the winner in the competition under the Priority 2030 program. The university acts as a regional project office of the World-class Ural Interregional Research and Education Centre (UIREC), which is aimed at solving the tasks of the Science and Universities National Project.