YIP ROBOTIC ARCHITECTED MATERIALS WITH DISTRIBUTED SENSORIMOTOR CAPABILITIES VIA FREE-FORM ELECTROCHEMICAL COMPOSITES

Abstract

This proposal will achieve spatially distributed sensorimotor capabilities in lightweight architected materials for autonomously morphing and adaptive structures via energy-efficient, electrochemical actuation strategies and 3D printing. The materials and 3D printing methods developed by this program will pioneer energy-efficient, shape-changing structures for novel capabilities in applications spanning aerospace, robotics, smart structures, and more, by expanding the design space and performance of electrochemical actuators and actuatable architected materials. We will fill three key technological gaps for designing multifunctional, robotic architected materials capable of autonomous adaption and shape change through this research program. First, many shape-changing or responsive materials morph in a global or uniform manner and lack sensing capabilities. We will create the first architected materials with features for spatially distributed sensing and actuation. Second, we will improve the energy efficiency of actuation in architected materials by several orders of magnitude (compared to thermomechanically-actuated counterparts) and introduce zero-power latching to hold shape. Finally, we will 3D print robotic architected material systems, including lightweight drone end effectors, that autonomously adapt to environmental perturbations.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Mar 07, 2023
Source ID
FA95502210218

Entities

People

  • Ryan L Truby

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Northwestern University
  • United States Air Force

Tags

Readers

  • Distributed Systems and Data Platform Development
  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Robotics and Automation.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - Autonomous System Control
  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers