Ocean waves are a huge, largely untapped energy resource, and the potential for extracting energy from waves is considerable. Research in this area is driven by the need to meet renewable energy targets, but is relatively immature compared to other renewable energy technologies. This review introduces the general status of wave energy and evaluates the device types that represent current wave energy converter (WEC) technology, particularly focusing on work being undertaken within the United Kingdom. The possible power take-off systems are identified, followed by a consideration of some of the control strategies to enhance the efficiency of point absorber-type WECs. There is a lack of convergence on the best method of extracting energy from the waves and, although previous innovation has generally focused on the concept and design of the primary interface, questions arise concerning how best to optimize the powertrain. This article concludes with some suggestions of future developments.

The application of an indirect (self-tuning) adaptive controller to an electro-hydraulic positioning system is described. The underlying control method is pole placement, with the addition of a demand filter to allow noise effects to be reduced without degrading closed-loop performance. Recursive least squares is used to estimate the plant parameters, but the data is pre-filtered to reduce bias. A novel covariance trace limiting algorithm provides estimator reliability despite periods of insufficient excitation. Off-line system identification is employed to help controller design for the electro-hydraulic servosystem. The resulting controller performs well, and adapts rapidly to changes in load stiffness and supply pressure.

Additive manufacturing is currently a topic of considerable interest at both academic and industrial levels. While a significant amount of data exists on the mechanical properties and structure–property relationships of traditional wrought alloys, less information is available on alloys manufactured by additive manufacture. This review examines current state-of-the-art manufacture of titanium-based Ti–6Al–4V alloys by powder bed additive manufacture. Published mechanical properties to date are collected which include tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, wear, fracture toughness and fatigue. Differences in microstructure and properties compared to conventional wrought alloys of the same composition are described.

Dynamic testing of structures and components in the laboratory to determine their mechanical properties is an essential part of engineering research and development. Test apparatus of increasing sophistication has been designed over the past few decades to replicate real-world forces and motions within the laboratory environment. Accurate control of actuators is vital to the effectiveness of such apparatus, and a variety of closed- and open-loop control algorithms has been developed to address this need. The present paper reviews algorithms that are currently used in the testing industry, as well as those which are the subject of academic and industrial research. The techniques are presented in an analytical framework. As both the required forces and frequency range are often high, electrohydraulic actuation is typically used, and discussion is restricted to this area. Most examples are from the automotive industry or civil engineering field.

Complex pipelines may have various structural supports and boundary conditions, as well as branches. To analyse the vibrational characteristics of piping systems, frequency modelling and solution methods considering complex constraints are developed here. A fourteen-equation model and Transfer Matrix Method (TMM) are employed to describe Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) in liquid-filled pipes. A general solution for the multi-branch pipe is proposed in this paper, offering a methodology to predict frequency responses of the complex piping system. Some branched pipe systems are built for the purpose of validation, indicating good agreement with calculated results