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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

3d-Printing And Machine Learning Control Of Soft Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Actuators, James D. Carrico, Tucker Hermans, Kwang J. Kim, Kam K. Leang Nov 2019

3d-Printing And Machine Learning Control Of Soft Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Actuators, James D. Carrico, Tucker Hermans, Kwang J. Kim, Kam K. Leang

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

This paper presents a new manufacturing and control paradigm for developing soft ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) actuators for soft robotics applications. First, an additive manufacturing method that exploits the fused-filament (3D printing) process is described to overcome challenges with existing methods of creating custom-shaped IPMC actuators. By working with ionomeric precursor material, the 3D-printing process enables the creation of 3D monolithic IPMC devices where ultimately integrated sensors and actuators can be achieved. Second, Bayesian optimization is used as a learning-based control approach to help mitigate complex time-varying dynamic effects in 3D-printed actuators. This approach overcomes the challenges with existing methods …


Design And Modeling Of A New Biomimetic Soft Robotic Jellyfish Using Ipmc-Based Electroactive Polymers, Zakai J. Olsen, Kwang J. Kim Nov 2019

Design And Modeling Of A New Biomimetic Soft Robotic Jellyfish Using Ipmc-Based Electroactive Polymers, Zakai J. Olsen, Kwang J. Kim

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

Smart materials and soft robotics have been seen to be particularly well-suited for developing biomimetic devices and are active fields of research. In this study, the design and modeling of a new biomimetic soft robot is described. Initial work was made in the modeling of a biomimetic robot based on the locomotion and kinematics of jellyfish. Modifications were made to the governing equations for jellyfish locomotion that accounted for geometric differences between biology and the robotic design. In particular, the capability of the model to account for the mass and geometry of the robot design has been added for better …


A Fuzzy Logic Controller For Autonomous Wheeled Vehicles, Mohamed Trabia, Linda Z. Shi, Neil Eugene Hodge Dec 2006

A Fuzzy Logic Controller For Autonomous Wheeled Vehicles, Mohamed Trabia, Linda Z. Shi, Neil Eugene Hodge

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

Autonomous vehicles have potential applications in many fields, such as replacing humans in hazardous environments, conducting military missions, and performing routine tasks for industry. Driving ground vehicles is an area where human performance has proven to be reliable. Drivers typically respond quickly to sudden changes in their environment. While other control techniques may be used to control a vehicle, fuzzy logic has certain advantages in this area; one of them is its ability to incorporate human knowledge and experience, via language, into relationships among the given quantities. Fuzzy logic controllers for autonomous vehicles have been successfully applied to address various …