# 495: Shortcut the Difficulties of Reality

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2025-02-21
- Length: 1h 01m
- Episode: 495
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-02-21-495-shortcut-the-difficulties-of-reality
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/495

## Summary

Professor Cindy Harnett of the University of Louisville discusses her lab's work on soft robotics and novel sensors, including the SESAME actuator which uses nitinol wire in spandex to create bistable 'Pringle' shapes, and the OptiGap sensor that uses cut optical fibers to detect bending. She explains how her team uses simple modeling and rapid prototyping with materials like TPU filament and silicone to shortcut complex fabrication challenges, while also touching on the evolution of MEMS fabrication and the future of low-power actuators like dielectric elastomers.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-02-21-495-shortcut-the-difficulties-of-reality#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [4:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-02-21-495-shortcut-the-difficulties-of-reality#t=287) SESAME Actuator: Nitinol in Spandex
- [22:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-02-21-495-shortcut-the-difficulties-of-reality#t=1350) OptiGap: Bend Localization with Optical Fibers
- [36:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-02-21-495-shortcut-the-difficulties-of-reality#t=2201) Bio-inspired Robotic Finger with Soft Tendons
- [40:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-02-21-495-shortcut-the-difficulties-of-reality#t=2418) Twisted-Beam Structures and Chirality Sensing
- [45:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-02-21-495-shortcut-the-difficulties-of-reality#t=2742) The Future of MEMS Fabrication and Direct Write
- [56:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-02-21-495-shortcut-the-difficulties-of-reality#t=3395) Next-Gen Actuators: Dielectric Elastomers and HASEL

## Topics

- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- University of Louisville (company)
- Nitinol (material)
- OptiGap (product)
- TPU (material)
- MUMPs (tool)
- HASEL actuators (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode Twenty-Seven: Simon Wanstall](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-11-25-episode-twenty-seven-simon-wanstall) (Robot Talk)
- [84. Printing Ice & Sensing Architected Materials](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-08-23-84-printing-ice-sensing-architected-materials) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [75. Size Matters: Tiny Biomimicry Leads to Big Breakthroughs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-21-75-size-matters-tiny-biomimicry-leads-to-big-breakthroughs) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Ep085: Cable Robots Two-Ways, Cubic Raspberry Pi, Plastic Wrap Kayak, and Digging Inductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-09-18-ep085-cable-robots-two-ways-cubic-raspberry-pi-plastic-wrap-kayak-and-digging-in) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 324: Ribbon Microphone From A Gumstick, Texture From a Virtual Log, and a Robot Arm From PVC](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-06-07-ep-324-ribbon-microphone-from-a-gumstick-texture-from-a-virtual-log-and-a-robot) (Hackaday Podcast)

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