Japan STA Program: Structural Design Optimization of an Ultra Micro Manipulator

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Nielsen 9724755 This award supports a nine month Science and Technology Agency of Japan (STA) Postdoctoral Fellowship for Dr. James Nielsen at the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, Tsukuba, Japan. Dr. Nielsen will work with Dr. Tamio Tanikawa, research scientist in the Department of Robotics, on a research project entitled, "Structural Design Optimization of an Ultra Micro Manipulator." The proposed research seeks to optimize both the design and function of an ultra-micro manipulator, a device which has the precision necessary to manipulate biological cells, micro-machined parts, and other small-scale objects. Specifically, the analysis will focus on developing the structure of an "in-parallel" mechanism used to actuate the fingers of a robotic micro hand. The choice of an in parallel manipulator, which uses six parallel legs to perform prescribed activities, is natural for this application in that the design possesses a high degree of both stiffness and precision and the required range of motion needed for the fingers is comparatively limited. The primary goal of the project will be to optimize the structural arrangement for use in biotechnological, micro machine, and micro-surgery techniques. ***