Research Project 9 for Doctoral Candidate 9 (DC9):
Modular devices for adaptable soft grippers based on the magnetic shape memory effect (MSME). (WP1, WP4, WP6)
Objectives:
- To utilize the MSME (i.e. magnetic-field-induced plasticity) for gripping devices, such that they can automatically mold the shape of fragile objects.
- To be able to reprogram the gripping surface upon the magnetic field withdrawal. This shall be integrated into a modular soft gripping system to handle these objects carefully.
Expected Results:
- Derivation of design rules and know-how for MSME gripping devices.
- Development of MSME gripping devices as accessories for modular gripping systems.
Principal Supervisor:
Dr. Stephan Ulrich, Wegard GmbH (WEG), Germany
Host Institution:
Wegard GmbH (WEG), Germany, the Ph.D. degree will be awarded by University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Denmark.
Planned Secondments (total: 9 months):
- Months 10-12 at UL for characterization of materials and at JSI for familiarization with material synthesis. Supervisor: Prof. Irena Drevenšek Olenik, University of Ljubljana (UL), Slovenia.
- Months 18-20 at UMBC for design and FEM simulations of MSME gripping devices. Prof. Paris R. von Lockette, University of Maryland (UMBC), USA.
- Months 28-30 at SDU for design optimization and experimental test. Supervisor: Prof. Poramate Manoonpong, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Denmark.