Uncertainty Quantification for the Kinematic Approach to Compliant Mechanism Design

该奖项的研究目标是创建和测试建模方法，以便以可量化的精度设计和分析顺应机构。这一目标将通过四项研究任务来实现：1)实施一种新的运动学方法来对柔顺机构(柔性)的部件进行建模；2)对这些部件如何在数学上对几何和材料特性的变化敏感进行计算研究；3)确定当部件组合成平面和空间机构时对运动和刚度的协同效应；以及4)验证该建模方法的平面和空间微型机电系统(MEMS)的设计、制造和测试。就更广泛的社会影响而言，这项研究将在顺应机制设计和MEMS应用方面产生根本性进展。这种建模方法为设计者提供了理解柔顺机构的数学和可视化工具。这种建模方法将使空间柔顺机构的设计取得突破。这项研究实现的空间顺应机构将在医学、光学和触觉显示器中得到应用。特别是，计划在腹腔镜、脊柱固定和修复方面利用顺应性机制进行未来的工作。研究生和本科生将从课堂教学、参与设计项目以及在专业水平上使用设计和分析工具中受益。该项目有助于实现美国国家科学基金会在纳米和微机械新研究领域培训和教育学生的目标。

The research objective of this award is to create and test modeling methods for the design and analysis of compliant mechanisms with quantifiable accuracy. This objective will be accomplished through four research tasks: 1) the implementation of a novel kinematic approach for modeling components of compliant mechanism (flexures), 2) a computational investigation of how these components are mathematically sensitive to variations in geometry and materials properties, 3) determination of synergistic effects on motion and stiffness when the components are combined into planar and spatial mechanisms, and 4) the design, fabrication, and testing of planar and spatial Micro-electromechanical Systems (MEMS) that demonstrate the modeling approach. In terms of the broader impact on society this research will generate fundamental advances in compliant mechanism design and MEMS applications. The modeling approach provides designers with mathematical and visualization tools for understanding compliant mechanisms. The modeling approach will enable breakthroughs in the design of spatial compliant mechanisms. The spatial compliant mechanisms enabled by this research will find applications in medicine, optics and tactile displays. In particular, future work utilizing compliant mechanisms is planned in laparoscopy, spinal fixation and repair. Graduate and undergraduate students will benefit from classroom instruction, participation in design projects, and the use of design and analysis tools at a professional level. This project contributes to the NSF goal of training and educating students in the nano and MEMS new research areas.