Multi-Objective Design Optimization of a Metamaterial-Based Interface

Elastic metamaterials have been mostly designed to control structural vibration for a specific frequency range. However, the stresses developed due to the wave propagation are not commonly consider in their design phase. This work proposes a multi-objective design optimization of a metamaterial-based interface to tune its dynamic characteristics...

Single-phase elastic metamaterials for wave filtering

This paper discusses an elastic metamaterial for filtering energy from certain frequencies of an incoming wave. The unit cell, which is composed by a single material, is built to obtain a local resonance band gap. Since Bloch-Floquet's periodic condition is enforced to the unit cell, the dynamic characteristics of the metamaterial is obtained...

A small-scale pile impact test for demonstrating the coupling between structural vibration and underwater noise generation

The performance improvement of renewable energy sources has become nowadays a crucial topic to boost the energy transition. With respect to offshore wind farms, larger wind turbines are currently being designed to increase their power capacity. To support such turbines into the seabed, monopile foundations are mainly used, due to their low-cost...

Design of floating terminals as integrated project for multi-machine systems

Design of floating terminals requires integrated approach as it requires multi-machine systems. Master students in mechanical engineering from Multi-ma-chine engineering track at TU Delft were assigned design of floating terminals as part of their Integration Project course. Each of seven student groups designed a specific piece of port...

Are active soft particles suitable for particle jamming actuators?

Soft grippers show adaptability and flexibility in grasping irregularly shaped and fragile objects. However, the soft grippers' low loading capacity and limited shaped fitting ability are the main limitations for developing large-scale applications, especially for heavy objects and objects with sharp edges. The particle jamming effect has...

Design of Floating Terminals as Integrated Project for Multi-machine Systems

Design of floating terminals requires integrated approach as it requires multi-machine systems. Master students in mechanical engineering from Multi-machine engineering track at TU Delft were assigned design of floating terminals as part of their Integration Project course. Each of seven student groups designed a specific piece of port...

Introducing adaptive mechatronic designs in bulk handling industry

The advances of mechatronic system design and system integration have shown improvements in functionality, performance and energy efficiency in many applications across industries, from autonomous ground vehicles and drones to conveyor belts. This trend has been adopted in some industries more than others. The design of equipment to handle...

Systematic design optimization of grabs considering bulk cargo variability

Ship unloader grabs are usually designed using the manufacturer's in-house knowledge based on a traditional physical prototyping approach. The grab performance depends greatly on the properties of the bulk material being handled. By considering the bulk cargo variability in the design process, the grab performance can be improved...

Parametric Analysis of a Double Shaft, Batch-Type Paddle Mixer Using the Discrete Element Method (DEM)

To improve the understanding of the mixing performance of double shaft, batch-type paddle mixers, the discrete element method (DEM) in combination with a Plackett–Burman design of experiments simulation plan is used to identify factor significance on the system’s mixing performance. Effects of several factors, including three material properties...

A metamaterial-based interface for the structural resonance shielding of impact-driven offshore monopiles

Underwater noise resulting from the monopile driving process can cause severe damage to marine wildlife, such as hearing injury, behavioral disturbance, or even death. Although current noise-attenuation techniques used in this process have shown a significant noise reduction at high frequency ranges, mitigating low-frequency noise is still...

Design framework for DEM-supported prototyping of grabs including full-scale validation

The design of machinery for handling granular materials relies mainly on empirical methods and in-house engineering knowledge. This traditional approach provides incremental improvements that are often limited. Advancements in simulation and optimization can offer a promising alternative approach. Most of the research involved in improving or...

Conceptual Design of a Novel Particle-Based Soft Grasping Gripper

Soft grippers show adaptability and flexibility in grasping irregularly shaped and fragile objects. However, the low loading capacity and less deformation limit the soft gripper for developing large-scale applications. To overcome these limitations, we propose a new concept of a soft actuator with engineered smart particles. The proposed soft...