Browsing by Author "Broshkevitch, Adam Teofil"

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    Programmable failure of heat-sealable textiles for soft robotics
    (2024-04-19) Broshkevitch, Adam Teofil; Preston, Daniel J; Wehmeyer, Geoffrey
    While mechanisms are often designed for compliance or controllability, heat-sealable textiles (HSTs) can be bonded to form fluidic networks which operate within both constraints. I examined failure in HST systems, clarifying the effects of processing parameters on seal strength and relating pouch geometry to burst pressure. My findings can be leveraged to ensure a HST soft robot or device is sufficiently robust for a given use case. I also present a soft fluidic component, analogous to an electrical crowbar circuit, into which failure is deliberately programmed. When integrated into a fluidic network, the component can be used to limit damage in cases of overpressure or to achieve multiple modes of actuation with a single pressure input. Operation is triggered by signals on the order of 1 to 3 bars. In summary, my findings enable the design of more intelligent and resilient HST systems, broadening their application space.