Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2003. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xiv, 142 p.: ill. (some col.). Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: Gregory Washington, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering. Includes bibliographical references (p. 125-129).

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-50). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-86). Also available in electronic version.

Not available / text

This thesis concerns the design, construction, control, and testing of soft robotic actuators to be used in a soft robotic exoskeleton; the Boa Exoskeleton could be used for joint rehabilitation including: wrist, elbow and possibly shoulder or any joint that requires a soft body actuator to aid with bending movement. We detail the design, modeling and fabrication of two types of actuators: Fiber-reinforced Actuator and PneuNet Actuator. Fiber-Reinforced actuator was chosen for the exoskeleton due to its higher force. The Fiber-Reinforced actuator molds were 3D printed, four models were made. Two materials were used to fabricate the models: Dragon Skin 30A and Sort-A-Clear 40A. Two number of windings: (n=40) and (n=25), actuators wrapped with carbon fiber. An air tank was used to supply pressure. The actuators were studied at different pressures. Pressure-force relation was studied, and a close to linear relationship was found. Boa Exoskeleton was made for wrist. Electromyography (EMG) was used; Four EMG receptors were put around the arm. EMG was utilized to actuate the Boa Exoskeleton and record the muscle movement. Five tests were done on six human subjects to validate the Boa Exoskeleton. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

No description available.

Hui Fong-fong. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-85). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Objective --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.3 --- Mechanism and History of SMA --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4 --- Organization of the thesis --- p.4 / Chapter 2 --- LITERATURY SURVEY --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1 --- Previous achievements in micro robot --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Micro-robot with mechanical devices --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Micro-robot with smart materials --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Micro-robot with micro actuators --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2 --- Previous work in improving the SMA wire response --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Fixed external cooling System --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Dynamic external cooling system --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Physical Conversion --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3 --- Summary of literature survey --- p.14 / Chapter 3 --- 3-DOF SMA MICRO ROBOT~AN APPLICATION FOR SMA ACTUATORS --- p.15 / Chapter 3.1 --- Robot conceptual design --- p.15 / Chapter 3.2 --- Structural analysis for the propulsion of robot --- p.17 / Chapter 3.3 --- Two-way shape memory effect --- p.18 / Chapter 3.4 --- Material Selection --- p.19 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Nickel-Titanium Alloys --- p.19 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Copper-based Alloys --- p.20 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Comparison of Ni-Ti and Copper-based alloys --- p.20 / Chapter 3.5 --- Fabrication process of micro robot --- p.21 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Setting the shape of Nitinol wires --- p.22 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Modifying the spring length --- p.23 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Training for two-way memory --- p.24 / Chapter 3.5.3.1 --- Over deformation in Martensitic condition --- p.25 / Chapter 3.5.3.2 --- Trained by repeating Cycling --- p.25 / Chapter 3.5.3.3 --- Trained by Pseudoelastic Cycling --- p.26 / Chapter 3.5.3.4 --- Training by Constrained Temperature Cycling of Deformed Martensite --- p.26 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Fabrication of Body part --- p.26 / Chapter 3.6 --- Locomotion methods --- p.28 / Chapter 3.7 --- Bending control --- p.29 / Chapter 4 --- HEAT TRANSFER ENHANCEMENT BY INCREASING CONVECTIVE SURFACE AREA --- p.31 / Chapter 4.1 --- Heat transfer --- p.31 / Chapter 4.2 --- Simplified Heat Transfer Analysis --- p.32 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Analysis of Theoretical Results --- p.36 / Chapter 4.3 --- Verifying the reliability --- p.38 / Chapter 4.4 --- Mathematical Model to Match Experimental Conditions --- p.39 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Mathematical modification by considering the connector --- p.39 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Matching by introducing the correction factor --- p.40 / Chapter 4.5 --- Experimental model and modification of parameters --- p.41 / Chapter 5 --- LASER-MICROMACHINING --- p.44 / Chapter 5.1 --- Laser micro-fabrication of micro grooves on SMA wires --- p.44 / Chapter 5.2 --- Background on Laser-micromachining --- p.45 / Chapter 5.3 --- Basic Mechanisms in Lasers --- p.46 / Chapter 5.4 --- System Description --- p.47 / Chapter 5.5 --- Laser characteristic and groove fabrication --- p.48 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Focal Spot Size --- p.48 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Beam-focusing conditions --- p.49 / Chapter 5.6 --- Grooves measurement --- p.54 / Chapter 5.6.1 --- WYKO measurement --- p.54 / Chapter 5.6.2 --- SEM estimation --- p.57 / Chapter 6 --- EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS --- p.58 / Chapter 6.1 --- Experimental Setup for Temperature Measurement --- p.58 / Chapter 6.2 --- Experimental and Theoretical Comparison --- p.59 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Improved Performance of lasered SMA wires --- p.59 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Comparison of Experimental and Theoretical Results --- p.60 / Chapter 6.3 --- Effect of Micro-grooves on SMA Force Output --- p.63 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Force Measurement Setup --- p.64 / Chapter 7 --- OPTIMUM PARAMETERS FOR HEAT TRANSFER --- p.66 / Chapter 7.1 --- Assumptions --- p.66 / Chapter 7.2 --- Mathematical Formulation --- p.66 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Width of groove --- p.67 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Depth of groove --- p.70 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Number of groove --- p.72 / Chapter 7.3 --- Experimental Validation --- p.75 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Repetition time and the depth of groove --- p.75 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Validating the depth effect --- p.77 / Chapter 8 --- CONCLUSION --- p.80 / Chapter 9 --- FUTURE WORK --- p.81 / Chapter A. --- APPENDIX --- p.82 / Chapter A. 1 --- Procedures for quick WYKO surface profile measurements --- p.82 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.84

Thesis (M.E.E.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: Balaji Panchapakesan, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Includes bibliographical references.

Due to the limitations of electrostatic RF actuators, magnetic actuation was investigated, and the optimal design space for a bistable magnetic actuator with ultra-low actuation energy and large actuation distance (100 m) has been modeled. Attention was paid to minimizing the energy expended to minimize heat dissipation and power consumption so that the device could be used over a wide temperature range, including cryogenic environments. A more desirable switching regime existing for low magnetic fields (10 mT) was found that requires shorter pulses (s vs ms) and lower actuation energy (less than 5 J vs 100 J) than designs outside of this space. The device was modeled to latch in two states, based on the interaction of the magnetic actuator with an external magnetic field. Based on this model, a bistable magnetic MEMS actuator was fabricated using microelectronic processes including a two-substrate flip-chip assembly, multilevel metallization, and sublimation release to avoid stiction. The actuator was found to have excellent correspondence between observed and modeled behavior. The benefits of shape anisotropy are quantified. Lithographic patterning of the magnetic material into long narrow strips along the actuators length resulted in much greater magnetic torques being developed at reduced external field levels. Low levels of anisotropy led to designs with low levels of magnetization and therefore required higher external magnetic fields, whereas high levels of anisotropy led to designs latching at 10 mT levels with contact forces greater than 5 N with switching energies less than 100 J and a switching speed of less than 5 ms. More moderate levels of anisotropy resulted in a design space where less than 1 J switching energies could be realized. Electrical performance has been demonstrated over 2 million cycles, and mechanical performance to 150 million cycles. Applications include electronics, microfluidics, and cryogenic devices.