Preston, Daniel J2024-05-212024-052024-04-19May 2024Broshkevitch, Adam. Programmable failure of heat-sealable textiles for soft robotics. (2024). Masters thesis, Rice University. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/116111https://hdl.handle.net/1911/116111EMBARGO NOTE: This item is embargoed until 2026-05-01While 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.application/pdfengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.Soft robottextileheat-sealablefailure, crowbarfuseThesis2024-05-21