Hybrid method for topology optimization based on a meta-heuristic method and pixel connectivity

One of the recent developments in engineering optimization is the topology optimization. This method is common in mechanical engineering and optimization of mechanical structures, but it can be used to design novel structures of the electromagnetic devices and electrical machines. In general, topology optimization results need a further development or post-processing to gain a device, which is more adapted to the manufacturing process. Therefore, a hybrid optimization method is offered, which is based on a meta-heuristic method like the Genetic Algorithm (GA). Because of irregular shapes of the optimized topologies, a local method, called pixel connectivity technique, is presented to regularize the structure in a two-level optimization with focuss on the improvement of the meta-heuristic method via GA and post-processing inspired by an image processing method.