Origami Robotic
We discovered that a very simple origami fold can be turned into a crawler robot that moves in complex ways with just one basic actuation input. By tweaking how the paper folds, the crawler can either go straight, turn, or change direction, making it a promising platform for creating simple machines that follow intricate paths. Read the article here.
Mechanical Computing
We designed a new kind of mechanical switch that flips between two stable positions using just one simple push. Traditional switches need opposite actions—one to turn on and another to turn off—but our design cleverly uses its own internal “memory” to decide when to change state using a single digital input, all through elastic deformation. Read the article here.
Origami Joints
We developed a new way to transform flat materials into complex 3D shapes using origami folding. Our design features special joints that are flexible during assembly but lock into place once the structure is formed, creating areas of both softness and strength. This method makes it easier and more cost-effective to build intricate, compliant mechanisms from simple sheets. Read the article here.
Elastic Gearing
We harness different forms of geometric nonlinearities to multiply a repeating motion through elastic deformation—much like traditional gears, but achieved through elastic deformation. Our JMEMS paper shows how to do this using kinematic singularities, while in our APL paper, we achieve the same effect by exploiting structural buckling.
Compliant Transmissions
We developed a new kind of universal joint that transmits smooth, constant rotation even when connected shafts are misaligned. Unlike traditional couplings made of many parts needing lubrication, our design is fully compliant and can be made as a single piece. Read our paper published in the Journal of Mechanical Design.