Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics University of Pennsylvania

Current and past projects undertaken by the research group of (Suresh) G. K. Ananthasuresh

For details, click on the following.
Compliant mechanisms

• Compliant mechanisms
  • Formulation of the optimal synthesis problem
  • Systematic design for nonlinear behavior
  • Synthesis with electro-thermal embedded actuation
  • "Compliant and strong" design methodology
  • Contact-aided compliant mechanisms
  • Multi-material, single-piece designs
  • Distributed compliant mechanisms
  • Shape optimization of compliant mechanisms
• Design Optimization
  • Topology optimization of compliant mechanisms
  • A novel material interpolation scheme for topology optimization with multiple materials
  • Topology optimization in multiple energy domains
  • Skeletal shape optimization
  • Optimal embedding in topology optimization
• Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)
  • Electro-Thermal-Compliant (ETC)micro devices
  • Micromanipulation
  • Vision-based force sensor
  • Attitude control of miniature satellites
  • Electro-magnet actuated ceramic/Kapton miniature pump
  • Spherical stepper motor
  • Geometric modeling
  • Compliant micro-grippers and other tools
  • Dynamic modeling
• Microfabrication
  • Focused-ion-beam micromachining
  • PennSOIL (silicon-on-insulator wafer layer bulk micromachining)
  • Excimer laser micromachining
  • Electroplating
  • Low temperature co-fired ceramic tape processing
• Kinematics
  • Of mechanisms
  • Of Non-commutative rotations
  • Of cams
• Synthesis (Inverse problems)
  • Kinematic synthesis of...
    • Single dof coupled serial chain mechanisms
    • Four-bar coupler curve using its algebraic equation
    • RSCR spatial four-bar mechanism
    • Rack and pinion mechanism
    • Intermittent motion roller-crank and cam mechanism
  • Elastic synthesis of...
    • Compliant continua (compliant mechanisms)
  • For desired normal mode shapes
  • Computational type synthesis of linkages
• Product design and prototyping
  • Compliant "no-assembly" products
  • CNC machining of compliant mechanisms
  • Using layered manufacturing
  • Rapid epoxy molding