UofL Highlights
Thin-Film Bimorphic Components for Shock-Mounting and Actuation of Lunar Micro-RoversNASA has recently outlined plans to map the chemical and mineral resources of the Moon and Mars, using both orbiting satellites and robotic exploration platforms, prior to human habitation. Robotic exploration requires small, lightweight, low-power actuators and protective housings for sensitive equipment. Dr. Cindy Harnett says two components, actuators and protective microcages, will be built and evaluated. Dr. Robert W. Cohn is the co-principal investigator on this regional award. Both faculty members are in Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Speed School of Engineering. The amount of this award, which is sponsored by Kentucky EPSCoR, is $41,000. Flexible microcages are based on a two-layered material much like the bimetallic strip in a thermostat. The layers are patterned on a silicon wafer, then released from the surface. When released, the structures curl up into a well-defined and predictable shape due to internal stresses in the materials. Microcages with diameters of 0.5 mm or less can be folded around fragile sensors, allowing the sensors to sample the atmosphere while protecting them from impact with the surface. Adding a nickel-titanium "shape memory" alloy to the process will create filaments that move in response to a temperature change. These actuators are expected to be useful for moving small robotic platforms and manipulating surface samples by gripping and scooping.
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