Researchers in Prof. Mark Cutkosky’s laboratory have developed a lightweight electrically-tunable scalable spring system that can be used as a suspension device. This system is designed to both store and return energy. It is based on an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator film which can change stiffness within milliseconds by applying voltage. The films can also be stacked or connected in ways to adapt the spring to different functions. This technology could be used for suspension mechanisms in applications such as vehicles robots or prosthetic devices. Prototype test set up with muscle lever and single layer diaphragm design of EAP actuator. Stage of Research: The inventors have built a prototype that changes stiffness by a factor of 10 in less than 10 milliseconds with a signal between 0 and 10 volts. This principle works over different size scales.
1) Fast tuning - can change stiffness by a factor of 10 in less than 10 milliseconds (an order of magnitude less than mechanical systems) 2) Lightweight and simple hardware