Team Leader
AJ Raut
Texas A&M University
Mechanical Engineering
ajinkyaraut@tamu.edu
Project Type
Research
Who Can Join
Undergraduate Students
Project Description
Right now, robot hands are too bulky and slow compared to human hands. To build smaller, super-quick, and delicate robot hands, we need to use special switches called Electroadhesive (EA) clutches. An EA clutch is a lightweight, low-power mechanical switch that uses static electricity (electroadhesion) to temporarily stick two surfaces together and transmit force. The major hurdle is that these EA clutches wear out and fail too quickly. Our research is focused on figuring out exactly why they fail and then designing fixes and test them on our special test rigs. We are attacking this problem in two ways:
Material Science: We are making the clutches last much longer with the help of hard coatings, nanoparticle additives, high-k materials, and modifying the surface textures to make them wear resistant.
Structural Design: Using efficient Load-Transfer Design (LTD). This design prevents the clutch parts from wearing out when the clutch is “off,” which dramatically cuts down on friction and extends its life.
Ultimately, this work will help us find the perfect balance between the clutch’s strength, wear and friction, and lifespan, allowing us to build the next generation of small, highly capable robot systems.
Team Needs
This project needs members with two major skills and interests:
1. Materials science, chemistry or chemical engineering skills: We would be testing different types of materials and fabricating multi-layered thin film-based clutches. This task would require person with interest in working with chemicals and polymers.
2. Electronics and Software (LABVIEW) skills: The current test rig uses multiple equipment to provide power to the clutches and acquire electrical and mechanical data. This task would require a person who is familiar with LABVIEW and is interested in working with basic electronics, Arduino, data acquisition, stepper motors, SolidWorks, 3d printers, etc.
Most of all we are looking for students who have passion for learning new skills.
Special Opportunities
This high-impact, multi-university and industry-partnered project is perfect for students to gain essential, hands-on research experience. You’ll develop a deep, marketable expertise in the emerging field of dexterous robotics, learning firsthand how tiny changes in material parameters lead to massive leaps in product performance. You’ll be supported by our vibrant 13-member team of postdocs and graduate students, and guided by a Professor who brings vast, real-world experience from both industry and academia to help launch your career.