Analytical Modeling and Design Optimization of a Segmented Lithium Ion Battery Actuators
Developable Mechanism Synthesis
Investigating Optimal Fin Topology for a Two-Phase Heat Exchanger Using a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm
Systematic Unit Cell Generation for Additive Manufacturing Lattice Structures
Experimental Characterization of Ablation Zone Produced by a RFA Probe
Finite Element Analysis of Electroactive and Magnetoactive Coupled Behaviors in Multi-Field Origami Structures
Mapping the High Performance Design Team Genome
Nasal Covers for Use in Aerosol Generating Sinonasal Procedures
Part Identification and Design for Additive Manufacturing
Radiofrequency Ablation
Virtual Reality as an educational tool and design tool for additive manufacturing
Passive Wing Morphing
The overall goal of this research is to develop design optimization methodologies for compliant mechanisms that will provide passive shape change. We aim to understand the structural mechanics and to demonstrate feasibility of novel passively morphing mechanical bird (ornithopter) wings. These passively morphing ornithopter wings require no additional power demands but can be tailored to provide more lift for takeoff or more thrust for forward flapping flight. A passively morphing wing will be designed to mitigate the detrimental impact of increased drag on the upstroke from a rigid wing by allowing the outer-most section of the wing to deflect downward, while maintaining the thrust performance of a rigid wing during the flapping downstroke cycle.
First, a single degree of freedom mechanism, the Compliant Spine (CS), allowed large deformations during upstroke via a thin compliant hinge while only allowing small deformations during downstroke due to surface contact. Then, the compliant hinge was rotated, which allowed the new Bend and Sweep Compliant Element (BSCE) to be tailored for deflections in the sweep direction. The Twist Compliant Element (TCE) allowed large rotations about its central axis in one direction while only allowing small deflections in the other direction via surface contact. We are currently using a novel Bend-Twist-and-Sweep Compliant Mechanism (BTSCM) which incorporates all three degrees of freedom into a single compliant mechanism.
Image adapted from Morpheus Lab
The BTSCMs, or, more generally, contact-aided compliant mechansisms, can be inserted into the wing structure to improve flight dynamics and agility.
Example of a BTSCM [1]
An example of the optimization algorithm running. The top left plot shows the design criteria, the bottom left shows the convergence metric. The two right plots show the Finite Element Analysis results of each design. Marker size is the relative mass of each design, and color is the peak stress in the mechanism. [1]
These mechanisms have been optimized for deflections. Each optimization problem has maximized deflections for “upstroke,” minimized deflections for “downstroke,” and minimizes stress and mass for both cases. We set a cutoff stress, then a Pareto front of optimal designs is available for a designer to choose from. However, to be more accurate for flight conditions and optimize using a flight metric, our next step is to have a full spar and furthermore full wing model. Throughout the modeling process, we using experimental data from our collaborators from The University of Maryland as model verification.
Team Members
Dr. Mary Frecker, Pennsylvania State University
Dr. James E. Hubbard Jr., University of Maryland
Joseph Calogero, Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Zohab Hasnain, University of Maryland
Project Sponsor
Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
Recent Publications
[3] Calogero, J., Frecker, M., Hasnain, Z., and Hubbard Jr., J. E., 2016, “A Dynamic Spar Numerical Model for Passive Shape Change,” accepted for publication in Smart Materials and Structures.
[2] Calogero, J., Frecker, M., Hasnain, Z., and Hubbard Jr., J. E., 2015, “A Dynamic Spar Numerical Model for Passive Shape Change,” SMASIS, ASME, Colorado Springs, CO, USA.
[1] Calogero, J., Frecker, M., Wissa, A., and Hubbard Jr., J. E., 2014, “Optimization of a Bend-Twist-and-Sweep Compliant Mechanism,” SMASIS, ASME, Newport, RI, USA.
Contact-aided Cellular Compliant Mechanisms (C³M)
Background
Compliant Mechanisms (C3M) are cellular structures with novel integrated contact mechanisms that provide stress relief. C3M are capable of very large strains compared to their bulk material constituents, and, due to the stress relief, are capable of even greater strains than their non-contact cellular counterparts.
We are working to develop integrated design and fabrication methods for high-strength high-strain ceramic C3m. Ceramic materials are of interest because of their high strength particularly at the mesoscale, with over 2 GPa bend strength, and potential high temperature capability. Bulk ceramic materials also have high strength, but low strain at failure, perhaps 0.2 – 1 percent, depending on the size. In contrast, ceramic C3M are capable of ultimate strains of 11 to 13 percent, an order of magnitude higher than the ultimate strain of the bulk material. The result is a material that has the potential to be used in large strain applications. The fabrication methods for ceramic C3M are based on the novel mesoscale ceramic fabrication known as the lost mold, rapid infultration forming (LM-RIF) pioneered by Dr. Adair and Dr. Frecker. THus, the combination of high strength by fabrication and high strain to failure by design will be used to create novel ceramic C3M materials and structures suitable for applications ranging from morphing aircraft to damage tolerant composite armor. This project brings together expertise in materials, fabrication, modeling, and design. The design and manufacturing requirements are closely linked, where the design requirements from the top down direct the manufacturing capabilities from the bottom up, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Hierarchical manufacture demonstrated for aerospace structures. A. Nanoparticulates microfabricated into B. a mesoscale cellular contact-aided compliant mechanisms capable of lateral strains of 13%, integrated into C. Prototype tape appliqué for assembly into D. Large integrated structural systems.
Methods
Cellular structures can provide a high overall elastic strain, which may be as high as 25 times the core material elastic strain, They exist in various shapes, materials, etc. Some examples of these structures may be found in Figure 2.
Contact between two surfaces reduces the maximum stress. Reduction of failure causing stress allows more elastic deformation and, therefore, more strain as seen in Figure 3.
A combination of contact and cellular structures could be a promising solution to creating these high-strength high-strain ceramic C3M parts.
Figure 2: Various cellular structures [1], [2]
Figure 3: Illustration of contact induced stress relief
Proposed Cellular Structure
The proposed cellular structure incorporates both a cellular structure and contact for stress relief. The cellular structure is an auxetic cellular structure as seen in Figure 4. The mechanism seen inside each of the unit cells in Figure 4 is a contact mechanism. As the cellular structure is stretched, the two separate components of the contact mechanism come in contact with each other, providing stress relief in the structure.
Figure 4: A 5-cell model of the contact-aided cellular structure and its stress strain plot
| Material Strain | Cellular structure without contact | Contact-aided cellular structure |
| 3% | 18% | 27% |
Figure 5: Application of cellular structures to morphing skin. As the number of cells per unit area increases the structural mass decreases. In general, contact-aided designs have lower mass. Also there are more feasible designs using contact as compared to non-contact designs.
Fabrication
The processing of micron scale ceramic and metal parts for contact aided mechanisms (C3M), has been investigated. In this work we have demonstrated that it is possible to manufacture both ceramic (3YSZ) and metal (316L SS) parts.
a) SU8 photoresist molds are fabricated on refractory substrates using a modified lithography technique.
b) Molds are filled with a high vol% particulate slurry consisting of either yttria stabilized zirconia or 316L stainless steel via a screen printing technique.
c) The entire assembly is fired to remove the mold and sinter the part; leaving free standing parts on the substrate.
d) Final parts show feasibility of creating both ceramic and metal C3M structures at this size scale.
Process results may be found in Figure 6. Future work includes fabrication of arrayed structures and mechanical testing.
Figure 6: Process results
Future Work
Future work includes further optimization of the current cellular structure. As the C3M parts are manufactured, cracking tends to occur in the parts as they dry due to capillary forces as water leaves the parts. It has been shown that rounded parts tend to result in less cracking due to these forces. We are working to modify the existing cellular structure to include parts that have more rounded edges. Throughout this design process, we are also working to achieve an optimal shape that will be able to withstand high strains comparable to or greater than the current designs.
[1] Shaw, J. A., Grummon, D.S., and Foltz, J., “Superelastic NiTi Honeycombs: Fabrication and Experiments,” Smart Mater. Struct., 16, pp. 170 – 178, 2007
[2] Bornengo, D., Scarpa, F., Remillat, C., “Evaluation of Hexagonal ChiralStructure for Morphing Airfoil Concept,” Inst. Mech. Enging. Part G, 219(3), pp. 185 – 192, 2005
Team Members
| Name | University | Project Sponsor |
| Dr. Mary Frecker | The Pennsylvania State University | National Science Foundation |
| Dr. James Adair | ||
| Dr. George Lesieutre | ||
| Brian Babcox | ||
| Jennifer Hyland | The Pennsylvania State University | |
| Chris Leh |