Modulating Soft Matter Friction Using Opposable Ultrasonic Vibrations

Modulating Soft Matter Friction Using Opposable Ultrasonic Vibrations

van Dijk, Didi (TU Delft Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering)

Wiertlewski, M. (mentor)
Sabbadini, A. (mentor)
Hunt, A. (graduation committee)

Delft University of Technology

Mechanical Engineering

2022-09-22

When we manipulate objects in our day-to-day life, we perceive information on the object via force feedback that we sense with our sensorimotor system. However, in virtual reality, we lack these forces, which makes it more challenging to interact with the digital world. Wearables, such as hand exoskeletons, can provide force feedback in VR. Nonetheless, as the devices’ actuation or brake system is often bulky or heavy, users typically do not enjoy wearing them. In this study, we investigate the potential of a new friction-based mechanism that can address the existing issues. Our design adopts ultrasonic vibrations to generate a squeeze film, which is a well-studied phenomenon to decrease friction significantly. In literature, the phenomenon has only been investigated with vibrations from one side, with the goal of friction reduction. However, we show that by adding a vibrating surface opposite to the original one, we can extend the possibilities of squeeze films, enabling us to both decrease and increase friction. Since ultrasonic transducers can be miniaturized, our mechanism brings us closer to solving the size and weight issues of existing devices.

ultrasonic friction modulation
squeeze film
blocking mechanism
haptic feedback
wearables
hand exoskeletons

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:657576d8-5e0f-4cc6-82cb-8ea88e063738

Student theses

master thesis

© 2022 Didi van Dijk