Related papers: Design, modelling and experimental validation of b…
Endovascular technique has many advantages but relies strongly on operator skills and experience. Robotically steerable catheters have been developed but few are clinically available. We describe here the development of an active and…
This work presents a novel Shape Memory Alloy spring actuated continuum robotic neck that derives inspiration from pennate muscle architecture. The proposed design has 2DOF, and experimental studies reveal that the designed joint can…
Shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been intensively investigated as actuators for the past several decades. Due to their high actuation energy density compared to other active materials, their current and potential applications in engineering…
Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) has been widely aware of working as actuators for active/smart morphing structures in the engineering industry. Because of the high actuation energy density of SMAs, compared to other active materials, structures…
Stereolithography (SLA) and Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) were combined to fabricate shape memory alloy hybrid composites (SMAHC) featuring a three-layer structure and exhibiting out of plane bending deformation when activated, in a fully…
Functional magnetic composites capable of large deformation, load bearing, and multifunctional motion are essential for next-generation adaptive soft robots. Here, we present muscle-inspired magnetic actuators (MMA), additively manufactured…
Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are a unique class of intermetallic alloys that can cyclically sustain large deformations and recover a designed geometry through a solid-to-solid phase transformation. SMAs provide favorable actuation energy…
In this paper, a compressed air-actuated soft robotic module was developed by incorporating a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire into its structure to achieve the desired bending angle with greater precision. First, a fiber-reinforced bending…
Control of soft robotic manipulators remains a challenge for designs with advanced capabilities and novel actuation. Two significant limitations are multi-axis, three-dimensional motion of soft bodies alongside actuator dynamics and…
Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are a class of smart materials that exhibit a macroscopic contraction of up to 5% when heated via an electric current. This effect can be exploited for the development of novel unconventional actuators. Despite…
Space systems such as communication satellites, earth observation satellites and space telescopes require precise pointing to observe fixed targets over prolonged time. These systems typically use reaction-wheels to slew the spacecraft and…
The stiffness modulation mechanism for soft robotics has gained considerable attention to improve deformability, controllability, and stability. However, for the existing stiffness soft actuator, high lateral stiffness and a wide range of…
Autonomous deployment and shape reconfiguration of structures is a crucial field of research in space exploration with emerging applications in the automotive, building and biomedical industries. Challenges in achieving autonomy include:…
This work presents a finite-strain version of an established three-dimensional constitutive model for polycrystalline shape memory alloys (SMA) that is able to account for the large deformations and rotations that SMA components may…
The research interest in specialized hardware accelerators for deep neural networks (DNN) spikes recently owing to their superior performance and efficiency. However, today's DNN accelerators primarily focus on accelerating specific…
This work presents a three-dimensional constitutive model for shape memory alloys considering the TRansformation-Induced Plasticity (TRIP) as well as the Two-Way Shape Memory Effect (TWSME) through a large deformation framework. The…
Soft pneumatic actuators (SPA) made from elastomeric materials can provide large strain and large force. The behavior of locally strain-restricted hyperelastic materials under inflation has been investigated thoroughly for shape…
This study presents a modular, electronics-free, and fully onboard control and actuation approach for SMA-based soft robots to achieve locomotion tasks. This approach exploits the nonlinear mechanics of compliant curved beams and carefully…
We present a new unimorph actuator for micro-robotics, which is driven by thin shape-memory alloy (SMA) wires. Using a passive-capillary-alignment technique and existing SMA-microsystem fabrication methods, we developed an actuator that is…
Soft robots have immense potential given their inherent safety and adaptability, but challenges in soft actuator forces and design constraints have limited scaling up soft robots to larger sizes. Electrothermal shape memory alloy (SMA)…