Pneumatically Tunable Soft Optical 3DOF Contact Sensor for Force and Touch Detection
Mentors
Project Description
This project focuses on creating a soft optical, miniaturized, multiple axis force sensor that will only use a single input and output signal. The sensor itself integrates a thin-film color-tuning method currently deployed in the lab to be able to get different spectral shifting responses upon contacting the soft optical structure at different forces and directions.
To expand the sensing range. This sensor will be coupled with a pneumatic actuator bonded below the soft optical force sensor to actively tune the measurable force ranges in relation to the actuators’ pressure. This allows us to have a multi-degree-of-freedom force sensor that can be tuned to different force range sensitivities.
During the summer, the student will help fabricate sensor prototypes, learn how to characterize optical signals using microcontrollers, evaluate how the pneumatic chamber affects force-sensing range, and aid in the miniaturization of the sensor. The work in its whole combines soft robotics, soft sensing, signal and data collection, and manipulation utilizing a relatively simple and easy to manufacture structure.
Research Goals
- Develop a working prototype of the pneumatically tunable soft optical color-tuned force sensor.
- Collect and model the response signal from the working prototype to find both a relationship between directional force and optical response and between pressure and the sensor’s sensitivity range.
- Explore implementation and integration into usable soft robotic contact and force detection scenarios.
Learning Goals
- Learn how to critically filter and examine scientific literature in order to inform experiments
- Learn how to draft and carry out protocols for hydrogel synthesis and nanoparticle encapsulation
- Learn how to modulate nanoparticle chemistry using post synthetic modification techniques
- Learn how to quantify release with absorbance assays
- Learn how to image cells and hydrogels with confocal microscopy
- Learn mammalian cell culture techniques
Timeline
Weeks 1-2: Introduction to soft robotic manufacturing and soft optical waveguides; Fabricate a simple soft optical sensor using existing molds within the lab; Set up the microcontroller measurement system utilizing an Arduino and RGB sensor.
Weeks 3-5: Manufacturing the first soft Contact sensor WG and the accompanying pneumatic balloon actuator; Integrate the pneumatic chamber and build prototypes that conform well to the pneumatic structure.
Weeks 6-8: Optimize design of both the waveguide and pneumatic chamber to have more sensitive and repeatable optical responses; Compare forces across different pressure ranges to confirm the difference in sensitivity in relation to internal pressure.
Weeks 9-10: Final testing of a working prototype, including collecting and mapping data responses; Prepare final poster.Â
