A Characterization Method for Hard-Soft Material Interfaces in Structural Optimization

The distribution of multiple materials within a single structure is a strategy that various biological systems rely on to achieve outstanding mechanical performances. These biological examples illustrate the effective utilization of hard rigid and soft flexible materials in particular. The proper composition of such hard-soft materials exceeds...

Designing a decoupled spherical parallel mechanism based on curved flexures: The development of a remote center of motion mechanism based on curved flexures and introducing a novel quantitative assessment method for rotary axis drift

Compliant mechanisms and decoupled parallel mechanisms are topics of high interest. The combination has been manifested for lower-mobility mechanisms, yet not attempted for higher degrees of freedom. The scarcity is countered by designing a decoupled compliant spherical parallel mechanism (DCSPM), having three independent rotational degrees of...

Zero-Waste Mass-Timber Residential High-Rise: A sustainable high-density housing solution

More and more people live in cities. The building industry is responsible for 33% of waste production and is set to increase further to 50% in 2025. The energy efficiency is continuously increased, but the waste production at the end of life of a building is largely ignored. This design proposes a solution in the form of a zero-waste high-rise...

Courtyard Quest; playfully engaging families with the Pieter de Hooch exhibition

Museums are often believed to be aimed at adults, yet museums specifically aimed at children are becoming more common, and most museums attempt to cater not only to adults, but to their younger visitors as well. Museum Prinsenhof Delft is one such museum. This report presents the process of creating a new experience aimed at families, who come...