Descripción del proyecto
Modelos para diseñar estructuras físicas con movimientos naturales
Los progresos realizados en tecnologías de fabricación por adición han logrado crear diseños excepcionalmente complejos basados en una gama creciente de materiales y han brindado oportunidades fascinantes. No obstante, también se ha producido un desfase creciente entre lo que es posible producir y lo que es posible diseñar. El proyecto financiado con fondos europeos 3DPBio se propone aprovechar las interesantísimas posibilidades de diseño que ofrecen las tecnologías de fabricación por adición al acercar los campos de la animación informática y la fabricación computacional. Los responsables del proyecto desarrollarán los fundamentos computacionales y matemáticos sobre los que se base el diseño algorítmico de estructuras físicas capaces de generar movimientos naturales. Su trabajo creará formas nuevas de crear diseños digitales por medios algorítmicos que puedan convertirse en formas mecánicas de vida pulsando un botón.
Objetivo
"Bridging the fields of Computer Animation and Computational Fabrication, this proposal will establish the foundations for algorithmic design of physical structures that can generate lifelike movements. Driven by embedded actuators, these types of structures will enable an abundance of possibilities for a wide array of real-world technologies: animatronic characters whose organic motions will enhance their ability to awe, entertain and educate; soft robotic creatures that are both skilled and safe to be around; patient-specific prosthetics and wearable devices that match the soft touch of the human body, etc. Recent advances in additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are particularly exciting in this context, as they allow us to create designs of unparalleled geometric complexity using a constantly expanding range of materials. And if past developments are an indication, within the next decade we will be able to fabricate physical structures that approach, at least at the macro scale, the functional sophistication of their biological counterparts. However, while this unprecedented capability enables fascinating opportunities, it also leads to an explosion in the dimensionality of the space that must be explored during the design process. As AM technologies keep evolving, the gap between ""what we can produce"" and ""what we can design"" is therefore rapidly growing.
To effectively leverage the extraordinary design possibilities enabled by AM, 3DPBio will develop the computational and mathematical foundations required to study a fundamental scientific question: how are physical deformations, mechanical movements and overall functional capabilities governed by geometric shape features, material compositions and the design of compliant actuation systems? By enabling computers to reason about this question, our work will establish new ways to algorithmically create digital designs that can be turned into mechanical lifeforms at the push of a button."
Ámbito científico
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternetinternet of things
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticssoft robotics
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineeringadditive manufacturing
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplants
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
ERC-COG - Consolidator GrantInstitución de acogida
8092 Zuerich
Suiza