Passive Autonomy: Hygromorphic Rotational Actuators: Design & Evaluation

Inspired by phenomena in the plant world, a<br/>meteoro-sensitive rotational actuator is developed. The design<br/>uses a hygro-active shell, whose water-based swelling is restricted<br/>at selective locations to form a helicoid structure. The influence<br/>of geometrical parameters on the performance is investigated<br/>using a numerical...

Compliant Shell Deformation in Plants: A Designer's Toolbox

The mechanisms that move plants can serve as biological role models for engineers, designers and architects. This practice is slowly being implemented in various engineering fields, with architects often being pioneers. Various methodologies have been written about the subject, but often only from an architectural point of view.<br/>The...