495: Shortcut the Difficulties of Reality
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.