3D scanning inflated substrates
A Laser 3D was designed and programmed to measure the dimensions of an inflated DEA membranes.
Month: June 2015
Printing Hexachiral structures on Inflated substrates
Multiple layers of hard silicone (Shore A 73) are printed with a seamless hexachiral structure on an inflated silicone balloon. When the layers are cured, the balloon is deflated, leaving a Minimum Energy Structure (MES) tube.
Spray deposition of silicone on permeable mandrel
A 3D printer was built, capable of spray depositing silicone on to double curved (rotating) mandrels
Creating air-permeable mandrels for inflating silicone balloons
As a method to impart pre-strain into silicone dielectric membranes, a method was devised for casting air permeable mandrels
3D Printing on double curved surfaces
Within my PhD, I have designed a 4 axis 3D printer. This scans the shape of substrate before printing upon it.
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators
My research focuses on Dielectric Elastomer Actuators. Below are some simple examples of actuation Silver electrode on silicone DEA (Danfoss Polypower) An example of etching these membranes : A simple VHB and carbon grease DEA
Silicone Foams and Sponges
I developed a technique for creating open cell soft silicone sponges. When coated in a conductive layer, these work well as soft pressure or stretch sensors.
Minimum Energy Structures
My research incorporates work on Dielectric Elastomer Minimum Energy Structures. Below are two early tests – stretched and collapsed using a Poincaré Disk tessellation.