Magnetorheological fluid damper for tunable damping in active mechanical metamaterials

In the era of advancing technology, the demand for specialized engineering materials has risen significantly. Active Mechanical Metamaterials (AMMs) offer a novel approach to engineering materials with tunable mechanical properties. This research focuses on developing tunable damping active mechanical metamaterials (AMMs) by incorporating...

Modelling a novel design of soft grippers actuated by smart hydrogel

mart materials are already often used as actuator or sensors, as well in soft grippers as other fields. However, the application of thermoresponsive smart materials as actuator is still a potential field. As electroactive polymers and shape memory alloys are commonly used thermoresponsive smart materials for actuators in soft grippers, a novel...

Efficient Manufacturing of P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) Actuators and its application for propulsion of printed Robotic Fish

This research investigates the implementation of electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators for the propulsion of a robotic fish. An efficient manufacturing procedure is developed which uses a combination of stencil printing and inkjet printing to manufacture P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) actuators. The influence of layer thicknesses is studied theoretically and...

Planar approach for designing and fabricating active metamaterials

Shape changing active metamaterial could form the structural backbone of an object as well as deliver the actuation. The integration of these two functions saves design space and allows for creative topologies. The literature study of this thesis investigated smart material actuator solutions that could be used to enable such active...

Integrating shape memory materials in haptic technology as an aid for the visually impaired

There are approximately 285 million people worldwide living with a visual impairment and the rate of acquired blindness is expected to continue increasing. Assistive technology for them is progressively being developed in order to enable independent living. For the blind and visually impaired, the tactile sense is the primary source of...

Solar Morphing Kinetic Envelope: Integration of thermo-responsive Shape Memory Alloys in an autoreactive facade system to reduce the building’s impact on the Urban Heat Island effect in the Mediterranean climate (case study: Athens, Greece)

Kinetic responsive systems are gaining attention in architectural applications, to help reduce the building’s energy consumption and environmental impact, while improving the indoor comfort conditions. The thesis explores the potentials of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) for the design of autoreactive facade systems without using additional energy....

Load and damage measurements on fibre-reinforced composites with embedded piezoelectric sensors: A feasibility study

Fibre-reinforced composites are increasingly being used in maritime structures. Piezoelectric sensors can be used to monitor both loads acting on a fibre-reinforced composite structure and elastic waves emitted from damage initiation within the structure. In certain marine applications, due to a harsh environment or for hydrodynamic reasons,...

Photo-patterned, pH-responsive hydrogel membranes for integrated fluid control

To control fluid transport, microfluidic systems often make use of pressure driven flow and pneumatically actuated valves. However these require bulky external instrumentation. An integrated fluid control mechanism would make microfluidic systems more portable, closed and automated. The aim of this project was to create a pH-responsive membrane...

Flexible Transparency With Smart Materials: A study on adaptive thin glass facade developed with Shape memory alloy

Owing to the rapid development of construction materials in building industry, a tendency towards smart and light design solutions using modern architectural principles is growing noticeably. The ultra-thin glass is a relatively new material which could be replaced with the thicker glasses in traditional windows to create a new concept for the...

Multi-functional Facade Module: for different climate conditions

The building sector is responsible for more than one third of resource consumption globally. Concerning the new construction, new regulations have been set, which impose that by 2020 all new buildings constructed within the EU should reach nearly zero-energy levels. The building envelope plays a strategic role in the energy and environmental...

Climate responsive facade system with translucent PCM

The European Union has approved the Energy Performance of Building Directive, requesting all new building to be near Zero Energy by 2020. This has created challenges and opportunities in the building sector, encouraging the creation of new solutions, which are both energy efficient and environmental friendly. Between many possible explored...

Production, design and control of P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) relaxor-ferroelectric actuators

The amount of research and development in smart materials is increasing every year. These smart materials offer a solution to integrated and distributed actuation and sensing. Pressure sensors, acoustic transducers, deformable mirrors, micro-robotics and stiffness control of flapping wings are some applicationswhere these smart materials show...

Circular light.touch.matters

The purpose of the this Master thesis is to explore and introduce new sustainability design opportunities inside the EU founded project light.touch.matters. The LTM project is a pioneering project on new flexible smart materials, where the product becomes the interface. The attempt has been made to steer away from the traditional sustainability...

Designing with Smart Materials: A Case presenting a Tactile Interface Disc for Intuitive Control of Light and Sound in Domestic environments

A growing interest in Smart materials has been reported throughout literature over the last decades. Also regarding current day developments with products classed as ‘smart products and applications’, have led to the start of this thesis. Initially the assignment was aimed to explore the qualities and advantages of smart materials. Through...

The development of an in-hand-haptic-feedback device based on magnetorheological fluid

During this project, a mobile haptic feedback device, aimed at virtal object representation in virtual reality was developed. The device is capable of providing its users with passive force feedback between their thumb and index finger. The device consists of a magnetorheological fluid damper, suspended between the thumb and the index finger by...