Keynote Talk

Nature offers myriad examples of highly-optimized solutions to problems ranging from sensor design to multifunctional structures to locomotion modalities. While often beautiful to observe and mimic superficially, much more substantive technological gains can be achieved by developing an understanding of the complex ways living organisms interact with and manipulate their environments. Taking advantage of bio-inspiration motivates us to develop and leverage phenomenological models, design techniques, transducers, and structures beyond what traditional engineering practice has offered.

In this talk, I will highlight several research efforts in applying multidisciplinary bio-inspired engineering design, active materials and structures, and multi-domain coupling to create novel energy harvesters, actuators, and robotic systems. I will present ongoing work that aims to take advantage of fish-like oscillating fins or membranes for harvesting kinetic energy from wind and water flows. This problem leads to modeling and experimental investigations of coupling and interactions among the fluidic, structural, and electrical domains, as well as advantageous nonlinear, unsteady, and multi-body dynamic behaviors. Another research thrust draws inspiration from the variable recruitment capabilities of natural skeletal muscle to develop soft fluidic actuators that improve efficiency by adaptively varying their active geometry. This approach can allow a compliant actuator bundle to selectively pressurize or vent actuation elements to perform online force control and mechanical impedance matching while minimizing fluid energy consumption and valve throttling losses. Finally, I will discuss progress and opportunities in designing robots and unmanned vehicles with bio-inspired architectures and operating concepts.