Projects

Insect wings were investigated and found to exhibit intricate folding patterns, featuring double-layer membranes functioning as hinge-like structures. The actuation is theorised to be pressure-controlled enabling folding and unfolding. These patterns were compared to Origami structures and applied to the development of deployable structures. The employment of pneumatic McKibben Artificial Muscle tested the hypothesis behind insect wing’s actuation mechanics, containing completely replaceable parts and easy design assembly. The insights were applied to the development of a wrist injury pressure-controlled dynamic splint, allowing the stiffness of the device to be adjusted using air pressure based on the severity of the injury. The modular design allows easy replacement if necessary, and the dynamic system allows concurrent use with physiotherapy, assisting on faster recovery. The splint was fabricated using thermoplastics and FDM 3D printing. Neoprene was chosen for high breathability and EVA foam to increase stiffness whilst maintaining lighter weight. [Gabriel B. G. Falcão, Sepehr Eraghi, Dr Hamed Rajabi]

The 2-meter foldable rove beetle wing was engineered, drawing inspiration from the insect's intricate folding patterns and double-layer membrane hinges. Its deployable structure was designed by adapting Origami principles to achieve folding and unfolding. The hypothesized pressure-controlled actuation mechanics were investigated and tested using a scaled pneumatic system. This system, employing a McKibben Artificial Muscle, allowed for the controlled deployment and retraction of the structure.T he wing was fabricated primarily using PLA (Polylactic Acid), with FDM 3D printing employed for the main structural components to ensure complex, customizable geometry. Wood was incorporated into the design as a reinforcement material to increase overall stiffness while maintaining a manageable weight for the 2-meter span. These insights were then applied to the development of a dynamic, adjustable structure (a placeholder concept for future deployable systems). The design features completely replaceable and modular components, enabling easy assembly and repair. Testing confirmed the feasibility of using pressure control to adjust the wing's stiffness and stability, demonstrating a potential mechanism for adaptive load-bearing structures. [Gabriel B. G. Falcão, Sepehr Eraghi, Dr Hamed Rajabi]

The Bioinspired Grasshopper Gripper system focused on emulating the high-friction, conforming contact via deformable grasshopper tarsi pads. The design featured a compliant soft silicone pad for grip on irregular objects, complemented by two types of 3D-printed PLA claws (indented vs smooth). Critically, I was responsible for developing the experimental methodology and built the improvised force testing apparatus (a cog-driven nylon string connected to a force gauge and the gripper system) used to measure pull-out resistance. The testing campaign systematically compared both claw geometries across diverse surfaces, with the coefficient of friction varied using multiple sandpaper grades. Furthermore, I assisted in the data analysis derived from this testing, providing crucial insights to select the final, optimized gripping geometry. [Vladimir Mirchev, Gabriel B. G. Falcão]