A5077831086- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
- Dielectric materials and actuators
- Tactile and Sensory Interactions
- Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials
- Advanced Materials and Mechanics
- Vibration Control and Rheological Fluids
- Interactive and Immersive Displays
- Muscle activation and electromyography studies
- Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence
- Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Teleoperation and Haptic Systems
- Electrowetting and Microfluidic Technologies
- Soft Robotics and Applications
- Innovative Energy Harvesting Technologies
- Optical Coatings and Gratings
- EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Synthesis and properties of polymers
- Gaze Tracking and Assistive Technology
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Advanced Chemical Sensor Technologies
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Non-Invasive Vital Sign Monitoring
- Semiconductor Lasers and Optical Devices
- Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
University of Florence
2018-2025
Queen Mary University of London
2013-2017
University of Pisa
2008-2014
Piaggio (Italy)
2008-2012
Abstract Optical lenses with tunable focus are needed in several fields of application, such as consumer electronics, medical diagnostics and optical communications. To address this need, made smart materials able to respond mechanical, magnetic, optical, thermal, chemical, electrical or electrochemical stimuli intensively studied. Here, we report on an electrically lens dielectric elastomers, emerging class “artificial muscle” for actuation. The device is inspired by the architecture...
Dielectric elastomer transducers consist of thin electrically insulating elastomeric membranes coated on both sides with compliant electrodes. They are a promising electromechanically active polymer technology that may be used for actuators, strain sensors, and electrical generators harvest mechanical energy. The rapid development this field calls the first standards, collecting guidelines how to assess compare performance materials devices. This paper addresses need, presenting standardized...
Within the emerging field of polymer-based mechatronics, soft materials showing intrinsic electromechanical transduction properties are being largely studied to develop new types actuators. Among them, so-called dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators one most promising. This paper presents a class such devices, which uses an incompressible fluid mechanically couple active part passive part. The is elastic and works according DE actuation principle, while represents end-effector, in contact with...
We describe here a wearable, wireless, compact, and lightweight tactile display, able to mechanically stimulate the fingertip of users, so as simulate contact with soft bodies in virtual environments. The device was based on dielectric elastomer actuators, high-performance electromechanically active polymers. actuator arranged at user's fingertip, integrated within plastic case, which also hosted compact high-voltage circuitry. A custom-made wireless control unit forearm connected display...
Abstract Multi-sensory human–machine interfaces are currently challenged by the lack of effective, comfortable and affordable actuation technologies for wearable tactile displays softness in virtual- or augmented-reality environments. They should provide fingertips with feedback mimicking tactual feeling perceived while touching soft objects, applications like virtual reality-based training, tele-rehabilitation, tele-manipulation, tele-presence, etc. Displaying a on fingertip requires...
Olfactory perception can be studied in deep brain regions at high spatial resolutions with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), but this is complex and expensive. Electroencephalography (EEG) near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) are limited to cortical responses lower easier cheaper use. Unlike EEG, available fNIRS studies on olfaction few, scope, contradictory. Here, we investigated efficacy assessing the hedonic valence of pleasant unpleasant odors, using ten channels each...
Abstract Hydrostatic coupling has recently been reported as a means to improve the versatility and safety of electromechanical actuators based on dielectric elastomers (DEs). Hydrostatically coupled DE rely an incompressible fluid that mechanically couples DE‐based active part passive interfaced load. The work here was aimed at developing millimetre‐scale bubble‐like versions such transducers. Silicone‐made oil‐filled were manufactured both single units arrays parallel elements. Bubbles had...
Buckling dielectric elastomer actuators are a special type of electromechanical transducers that exploit electro-elastic instability phenomena to generate large out-of-plane axial-symmetric deformations circular membranes made non-conductive rubbery material. In this paper simplified explicit analytical model and general monolithic finite element described for the coupled analysis simulation buckling which undergo electrically induced displacements. Experimental data also reported validate...
Active compression bandages made of electromechanically active elastomers have recently been proposed to counteract dynamically, rather than statically, limb swelling due various pathologies or conditions. To apply and modulate the pressure they exploit ability electroactive elastomer layer/s changing size in response a high voltage. For safety reasons, such devices must be properly insulated from user limb. In this paper, we present an bandage two prestretched layers acrylic sandwiched...
This paper presents a novel approach used to develop haptic displays of motility organs and compliance tissues, aimed at combining structural simplicity with realistic appearance consistence. The dielectric elastomer actuation technology was mimic mechanical passive properties electromechanical active functions tissues by means electroresponsive elastomeric devices. Proof-of-concept were conceived for medical training in cardiology surgical force feedback minimally invasive procedures. In...
This study describes an actuated bioreactor which mimics the pulsatile contractile motion of intestinal barrier using electro-responsive elastomers as smart materials that undergo deformation upon electrical stimulation. The device consists annular dielectric elastomer actuator working a radial artificial muscle able to rhythmically contract and relax central cell culture well. maintained up 4 h actuation at frequency 0.15 Hz strain 8%-10%, those cyclic contraction relaxation small...
This paper presents a new type of wearable finger-tip tactile displays aimed at providing electrically tuneable stimuli interactions with soft bodies. is achieved by actuation technology based on electroactive polymers, capable generating large and quasi-static displacements moderate forces. intentionally different from the high-frequency small vibrations high forces that are used in several state-of-the-art displays. We describe ongoing development devices having volume 20×12×23 mm weigh...
Abstract Fingertip‐mounted tactile displays of softness are needed for various virtual‐ or augmented‐reality applications such as surgical simulation, tele‐operation, computer‐aided design, 3D model exploration, and tele‐presence. Displaying a virtual on fingertip requires the generation quasi‐static large displacements at moderate forces (as opposed to high‐frequency small vibrations high forces), via deformable surface, control both contact area indentation depth skin. State‐of‐the‐art...
Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have been demonstrated to represent today a high-performance technology for electroactive polymer mechatronics. As means improve versatility and safety of DEAs, so-called "hydrostatically coupled" DEAs (HC-DEAs) recently shown offer new opportunities. HC-DEAs are based on an incompressible fluid that mechanically couples DE-based active part passive interfaced the load, so as enable hydrostatic transmission. Drawing inspiration from this concept, paper...
This paper presents a novel wearable tactile haptic display for rendering soft body sensations to multiple fingertips with electroactive smart elastomers. The system uses newly developed multi-layered hydrostatically coupled dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs), which have been designed apply localised tunable force user's fingertip via electrically-deformable interface. is comprised of DEAs are mounted and driven individually by wired connection control unit. applied the based on position...
As a means to improve versatility and safety of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) for several fields application, so-called 'hydrostatically coupled' DEAs (HC-DEAs) have recently been described. HC-DEAs are based on an incompressible fluid that mechanically couples DE-based active part passive interfaced the load, so as enable hydrostatic transmission. This paper presents ongoing developments potential applications in field haptics. Three specific examples considered. The first deals...
Wearable mechatronics for powered orthoses, exoskeletons and prostheses require improved soft actuation systems acting as ‘artificial muscles’ that are capable of large strains, high stresses, fast response self-sensing show electrically safe operation, low specific weight compliance. Among the diversity technologies under investigation, pneumatic devices have been focus, during last couple decades, renewed interest an intrinsically artificial muscle technology, due to technological advances...
Continuous monitoring of flexions the trunk via wearable sensors could help various types workers to reduce risks associated with incorrect postures and movements. Stretchable piezo-capacitive elastomeric based on dielectric elastomers have recently been described as a wearable, lightweight cost-effective technology monitor human kinematics. Their stretching causes an increase capacitance, which can be related angular Here, we describe wireless system detect trunk, such sensors. In...
Hydrostatic coupling has been recently reported as a means to improve versatility and safety of dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators. Hydrostatically coupled DE actuators rely on an incompressible fluid that mechanically couples DE-based active part passive interfaced the load. In this paper, we present ongoing development bubble-like versions such transducers, made silicone oil. particular, paper describes millimeter-scale actuators, currently being developed soft, light, acoustically silent...
Abstract Dielectric elastomers represent a high‐performance class of electromechanically active polymers, largely studied nowadays to develop soft actuators with pseudo‐muscular functions, suitable for broad spectrum biomedical and biorobotic applications. As such, they are investigated achieve the ambitious goal developing artificial muscles. From perspective using this technology systems interfacing humans machines, possibility control them in real time via human bioelectric biomechanical...
Dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators are able to typically show significant electromechanical performances, which make this electroactive polymer technology particularly attractive for so-called ‘artificial muscle’ devices. This paper deals with two types of DE recently developed in our lab. The first type is represented by the ‘folded actuators’, based on a simple configuration suitable easily implement linear contractile structure consists monolithic electroded sheet elastomer, folded up...