The research in project ILUMIS is organized in three fundamental pillars, that each study a particular nonlinear element in the fluidic network, being inflatable structures, interconnections and fluids. These elements are then combined into fluidic networks, constituting pillar four. The activities and achievements are discussed for each pillar below.
Inflatable structures: The work concentrated on (i) developing new types of inflatable actuators that display large circumferential strains, as published in [Advanced Materials Technologies, 9(4), p.2301662]; (ii) creating a design methodology for highly nonlinear disk spring actuators and a framework for sequencing their actuation, as published in [Advanced Materials, 35(35), 2301487]; (iii) devising inflatable metamaterial sleeve actuators that break motion symmetry with one fluidic input, as published in [Advanced Intelligent Systems, 2500157]. More recent work focuses on the analysis of parallel connections of inflatable structures, as presented at APS March meeting 2025 (oral presentation “Interacting Fluidic Hysterons”).
Interconnections: We developed a reconfigurable valve that is used in an oscillatory circuit, as published in [Advanced Science, 11(43), 2470264.]. More recent work focuses on crating a highly nonlinear valve, inspired by biological neurons.
Fluids: We created a new type of fluid that we coined metafluids, and essentially consist of submerged hollow shells in a liquid. The results were published in [Nature, 628(8008), 545-550]. More recent work focuses on the design of shells that are more nonlinear, as presented at APS March meeting 2025 (oral presentation “Multi-step Pathways of a Spherical Shell Structure with a Hierarchical Architecture”).
Fluidic Networks: we studied how fluidic oscillations can occur from only hysteresis in the pneumatic domain, coupled with negative feedback. The results were published [Advanced Intelligent Systems, 2400695]
Overarching these pillars, we also published papers that (i) analyze how soft materials are affected by the environment [Polymers, 15(13), 2964]; (ii) disseminate a general vision on physical control [Science Robotics 10 (102), eadw7660]. Our methodology on analyzing networks was also presented at APS March meeting 2025 (oral presentation “On the coupling of non-linear inflatables and springs: Island-hopping”).
