Following the general idea of moving from traditional to “soft-bodied” robots, we work on the improvement and development of the technology of actuation. In particular, we are considering high-efficient custom-designed electric motors (brushless) and new gear structures but simultaneously high-risk activities in the field of electro-active polymers (EAP) and carbon nanotubes [see also Materials].
People: Marco Randazzo, Francesco Nori, Davide Ricci, Claudio Lorini, Lorenzo Masia, Alberto ParmiggianiRelated project: Viactors
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| CAD of a new prototype gearbox unit based on the cyclodal reducer principle | Multilayer dielectric elastomer actuators. Top-left: basic contractile element; Top-right: cross-section showing alternating conductive/insulator layers; Bottom: electron microscope analysis of the artificial muscle components |
Patents:
M. Randazzo, R. Buzio, G. Sandini, and U. Valbusa. Procedimento ed apparecchiature per la fabbricazione di attuatori polimerici multistrato adatti alla realizzazione di un muscolo artificiale. Italian Patent -TO2008A000180, March 2008. References:
Randazzo, M, Buzio, R, Metta, G, Sandini, G & Valbusa, U. Architecture for the Semiautomatic Fabrication and Assembly of thin-film based Dielectric Elastomer Actuators. in Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2008.
