A Triptych on Energy Efficient Mechanisms: Designs for Soft Robotics, Buildings, and Jumpers
- Xiao, Charles
- Advisor(s): Hawkes, Elliot W.
Abstract
In this work, I developed and tested designs for increasing energy efficiency in threeareas: soft robotics, buildings, and jumping.
In the area of soft robotics, researchers are interested in using low-boiling point fluids topower pneumatic soft robots, because they can produce large volumes of pressurized gas without the need for bulky pumps and tubing. While this approach is effective at doing work via pressurized vapor, it is highly inefficient. One way to reduce energy consumption from onboard sources (e.g., batteries) is to harvest it, and another way is to improve the energy conversion process directly. In my work, I developed soft robots that can detect heat and light sources and use ambient thermal energy to locomote up to 10 m. I also developed strategies to improve efficiency by nearly two orders of magnitude.
In the area of buildings, efficient thermal regulation is a major challenge; currently, halfof US building energy usage goes towards heating and cooling. One way to increase efficiency in heating and cooling is to take advantage of the Sun and deep space, respectively, via radiative heat transfer. For my work, I designed and tested a mechanical radiative switch in the form of a roofing tile. It helps save energy by passively switching between radiative heating and cooling states. Unlike previous passive designs, my design switches over a small range of temperatures (15 °C). Tests show potential energy savings of at least 2.5× for heating and cooling compared to similar non-switching devices.
In the area of jumping, engineers have built jumpers that can achieve jump heights >30m; while impressive, an estimated 50% of the energy is lost before takeoff. To reduce the energy loss, I developed and analyzed new jumper designs. Preliminary experimental results show that these new designs can improve jump height. My findings can help make future jumping robots more efficient at converting spring potential energy into vertical center of mass kinetic energy, so that they jump higher and last longer.