Research
Soft Robotics
Pneumatic actuators require a source of pressure for operation. This pressure is often provided by bulky and pricey peripherals (compressors, valves, gas tanks, etc.). While working on a different project, through serendipity, I realized my approach could address the mentioned challenge associated with pneumatic actuators! We reduced the cost of the device from >$1000 toContinue reading “Soft Robotics”
Microactuators for Chemical Delivery
When heated, the long chains of some polymers become more mobile. This increase in mobility expands the void space between the chains. We can use this property to make a “molecular switch” or a “micro/nano actuator” out of these polymers. Now, if we infiltrate these polymers with some macromolecules of interest and magnetic nanoparticles, whenContinue reading “Microactuators for Chemical Delivery”
Fiber Actuators/Artificial Muscles
Also known as muscle-like actuators are devices/materials that can expand/shrink in length, bend, or rotate in response to an external stimulus such as heat, electric field, magnetic field, light, fluid pressure, redox reactions, etc. I have worked on the following types of artificial muscles at a system level and also device level. Thermal actuators: As theContinue reading “Fiber Actuators/Artificial Muscles”
Energy Storage
Capacitors exhibit remarkable power density while batteries have excellent energy density. Supercapacitors offer a good combination of energy and power density. I demonstrated two different supercapacitor designs from niobium nanowires. The first design is in the form of a yarn, suitable for wearable, flexible, and stretchable devices (Figure A) and the second design is aContinue reading “Energy Storage”
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