This repository contains MuControl, an open-source Python application intended for the manipulation and monitoring of electric signals for 3D electromagnet systems. This software was developed as part of the publication
An experimental design for the control and assembly of superparamagnetic microwheels
E.J. Roth, C.J. Zimmermann, D. Disharoon. T.O. Tasci, D.W.M. Marr, K.B. Neeves
Review of Scientific Instruments (2020).
and version 1.1 was used extensively in the publication
Multimodal Microwheel Swarms for Targeting in Three-Dimensional Networks
C.J. Zimmermann, P. Herson, K.B. Neeves, D.W.M. Marr
Scientific Reports (2022).
This application uses Qt for GUI, fbs for building executables, and nidaqmx for interfacing with National Instruments function generation and signal aquisition equipment. For more detail, please see the Review of Scientific Instruments publication.
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Added swarm modalities -> Rolling, Corkscrew, Flipping, Switchback.
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Increased signal refresh rate to 40 1/s to allow for more complex swarm modalities.
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Switchback swarm can now be directed in any arbitrary direction during motion.
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Parameter Tree updated to allow for switching of swarm modalities, keybinds added and listed in UI.
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Code for swarm modalities renamed to ones that will be mentioned in my paper.
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Removed the setting for write signal generation rate, moving it to Python only modification.
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Moved the WaveGenerator class containing the field math to more appropriately named
waves.py -
Refactored Qt compatible sleeps into a clean function in
misc_functions.py
Switched controller polling library to XInputs-Python (improves overall app performance). Added functionality for non-multiple of 10 frequencies. All integers now produce the correct wave.
Fixed bug where on certain computers the gamepad thread was not being terminated, resulting in a laggy experience. If it does not close, it is now forcefully terminated.
First distribution to collaborators. Minor documentation changes. App now pauses for 0.4 seconds before closing to insure threads are closed.
Fully complete application. Quality control on multiple computers did not yield any bugs.. yet. User guide is included and located in the help menu.
Written by Coy Zimmermann in 2019-2021 as part of my PhD thesis work on magnetically propelled microwheels in Dr. David W.M. Marr's group at the Colorado School of Mines.