From Cell Press, 27/1/2023
Inspired by sea cucumbers, engineers have designed miniature robots that rapidly and reversibly shift between liquid and solid states.
On top of being able to shape-shift, the robots are magnetic and can conduct electricity.
The researchers put the robots through an obstacle course of mobility and shape-morphing tests in a study publishing January 25 in the journal Matter.
Where traditional robots are hard-bodied and stiff, “soft” robots have the opposite problem; they are flexible but weak, and their movements are difficult to control.
“Giving robots the ability to switch between liquid and solid states endows them with more functionality,” says Chengfeng Pan (@ChengfengPan), an engineer at The Chinese University of Hong Kong who led the study.
The team created the new phase-shifting material—dubbed a “magnetoactive solid-liquid phase transitional machine”—by embedding magnetic particles in gallium, a metal with a very low melting point (29.8 °C).
“The magnetic particles here have two roles,” says senior author and mechanical engineer Carmel Majidi (@SoftMachinesLab) of Carnegie Mellon University.
“One is that they make the material responsive to an alternating magnetic field, so you can, through induction, heat up the material and cause the phase change. But the magnetic particles also give the robots mobility and the ability to move in response to the magnetic field.”
This is in contrast to existing phase-shifting materials that rely on heat guns, electrical currents, or other external heat sources to induce solid-to-liquid transformation.
The new material also boasts an extremely fluid liquid phase compared to other phase-changing materials, whose “liquid” phases are considerably more viscous.
Before exploring potential applications, the team tested the material’s mobility and strength in a variety of contexts.
With the aid of a magnetic field, the robots jumped over moats, climbed walls, and even split in half to cooperatively move other objects around before coalescing back together. In one video, a robot shaped like a person liquifies to ooze through a grid after which it is extracted and remolded back into its original shape.
“Now, we’re pushing this material system in more practical ways to solve some very specific medical and engineering problems,” says Pan.
On the biomedical side, the team used the robots to remove a foreign object from a model stomach and to deliver drugs on-demand into the same stomach.
They also demonstrate how the material could work as smart soldering robots for wireless circuit assembly and repair (by oozing into hard-to-reach circuits and acting as both solder and conductor) and as a universal mechanical “screw” for assembling parts in hard-to-reach spaces (by melting into the threaded screw socket and then solidifying; no actual screwing required.)
“Future work should further explore how these robots could be used within a biomedical context,” says Majidi.
“What we’re showing are just one-off demonstrations, proofs of concept, but much more study will be required to delve into how this could actually be used for drug delivery or for removing foreign objects.”
Links
https://www.cell.com/matter/fulltext/S2590-2385(22)00693-2
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equilibrado dinamico
Sistemas de equilibrado: clave para el operacion estable y optimo de las equipos.
En el ambito de la innovacion contemporanea, donde la eficiencia y la fiabilidad del sistema son de alta trascendencia, los aparatos de calibracion desempenan un funcion fundamental. Estos dispositivos dedicados estan disenados para calibrar y asegurar elementos giratorias, ya sea en equipamiento manufacturera, medios de transporte de movilidad o incluso en electrodomesticos caseros.
Para los tecnicos en mantenimiento de aparatos y los especialistas, manejar con sistemas de ajuste es importante para asegurar el operacion estable y seguro de cualquier dispositivo giratorio. Gracias a estas alternativas innovadoras innovadoras, es posible minimizar sustancialmente las movimientos, el sonido y la tension sobre los cojinetes, mejorando la longevidad de componentes costosos.
Tambien importante es el rol que tienen los equipos de equilibrado en la servicio al cliente. El asistencia especializado y el mantenimiento continuo aplicando estos sistemas habilitan ofrecer servicios de gran nivel, aumentando la contento de los usuarios.
Para los propietarios de emprendimientos, la contribucion en equipos de calibracion y sensores puede ser fundamental para mejorar la rendimiento y desempeno de sus sistemas. Esto es principalmente importante para los duenos de negocios que administran modestas y medianas organizaciones, donde cada detalle es relevante.
Ademas, los sistemas de balanceo tienen una extensa implementacion en el ambito de la prevencion y el control de estandar. Facilitan localizar eventuales defectos, previniendo arreglos elevadas y perjuicios a los sistemas. Tambien, los informacion extraidos de estos sistemas pueden usarse para perfeccionar metodos y potenciar la reconocimiento en buscadores de exploracion.
Las sectores de implementacion de los sistemas de equilibrado incluyen variadas sectores, desde la manufactura de ciclos hasta el supervision ambiental. No interesa si se habla de grandes manufacturas de fabrica o reducidos espacios caseros, los dispositivos de balanceo son necesarios para promover un funcionamiento efectivo y sin presencia de detenciones.
Balanset-1A: State-of-the-art Portable Balancer & Vibration Analyzer
Next-generation Dynamic Balancing Solution
Balanset-1A stands as an groundbreaking solution for vibration correction of rotors in their own bearings, manufactured by Estonian company Vibromera OU. The device delivers professional equipment balancing at €1,751, which is 3-10 times more affordable than traditional vibration analyzers while maintaining superior measurement accuracy. The system enables field balancing directly at the equipment’s working position without requiring removal, which is vital for preventing production downtime.
About the Manufacturer
Vibromera OU is an Estonian company concentrating in the creation and manufacturing of devices for technical diagnostics of industrial equipment. The company is incorporated in Estonia (registration number 14317077) and has offices in Portugal.
Contact Information:
Official website: https://vibromera.eu/shop/2/
Technical Specifications
Detection Parameters
Balanset-1A ensures accurate measurements using a twin-channel vibration analysis system. The device measures RMS vibration velocity in the range of 0-80 mm/s with an accuracy of ±(0.1 + 0.1?Vi) mm/s. The working frequency range is 5-550 Hz with potential extension to 1000 Hz. The system supports rotation frequency measurement from 250 to 90,000 RPM with phase angle determination accuracy of ±1 degree.
Working Principle
The device uses phase-sensitive vibration measurement technology with MEMS accelerometers ADXL335 and laser tachometry. Two single-axis accelerometers measure mechanical vibrations proportional to acceleration, while a laser tachometer generates impulse signals for computing rotational speed and phase angle. Digital signal processing includes FFT analysis for frequency analysis and specialized algorithms for automatic calculation of corrective masses.
Full Kit Package
The standard Balanset-1A delivery includes:
Measurement unit with USB interface – main module with integrated preamplifiers, integrators, and ADC
2 vibration sensors (accelerometers) with 4m cables (optionally 10m)
Optical sensor (laser tachometer) with 50-500mm measuring distance
Magnetic stand for sensor mounting
Electronic scales for precise measurement of corrective masses
Software for Windows 7-11 (32/64-bit)
Plastic transport case
Complete set of cables and documentation
Functional Capabilities
Vibrometer Mode
Balanset-1A works as a comprehensive vibration analyzer with features for measuring overall vibration level, FFT spectrum analysis up to 1000 Hz, determining amplitude and phase of the fundamental frequency (1x), and continuous data recording. The system offers display of time signals and spectral analysis for equipment condition diagnostics.
Balancing Mode
The device supports single-plane (static) and dual-plane (dynamic) balancing with automatic calculation of corrective masses and their installation angles. The unique influence coefficient saving function permits considerable acceleration of repeat balancing of same-type equipment. A specialized grinding wheel balancing mode uses the three-correction-weight method.
Software
The easy-to-use program interface offers step-by-step guidance through the balancing process, making the device available to personnel without specific training. Key functions include:
Automatic tolerance calculation per ISO 1940
Polar diagrams for imbalance visualization
Result archiving with report generation capability
Metric and imperial system support
Multilingual interface (English, German, French, Polish, Russian)
Fields of Use and Equipment Types
Industrial Equipment
Balanset-1A is effectively applied for balancing fans (centrifugal, axial), pumps (hydraulic, centrifugal), turbines (steam, gas), centrifuges, compressors, and electric motors. In production facilities, the device is used for balancing grinding wheels, machine spindles, and drive shafts.
Agricultural Machinery
The device offers exceptional value for agriculture, where reliable operation during season is critically important. Balanset-1A is employed for balancing combine threshing drums, shredders, mulchers, mowers, and augers. The ability to balance on-site without equipment disassembly permits eliminating costly downtime during busy harvest periods.
Specialized Equipment
The device is successfully used for balancing crushers of various types, turbochargers, drone propellers, and other high-speed equipment. The RPM frequency range from 250 to 90,000 RPM covers practically all types of industrial equipment.
Advantages Over Competitors
Economic Efficiency
At a price of €1,751, Balanset-1A provides the functionality of devices costing €10,000-25,000. The investment breaks even after preventing just 2-3 bearing failures. Cost reduction on external balancing specialist services amounts to thousands of euros annually.
Ease of Use
Unlike complex vibration analyzers requiring months of training, mastering Balanset-1A takes 3-4 hours. The step-by-step guide in the software enables professional balancing by personnel without specialized vibration diagnostics training.
Portability and Independence
The complete kit weighs only 4 kg, with power supplied through the laptop’s USB port. This allows balancing in remote conditions, at isolated sites, and in hard-to-reach locations without additional power supply.
Versatile Application
One device is adequate for balancing the broadest spectrum of equipment – from small electric motors to large industrial fans and turbines. Support for single and dual-plane balancing covers all typical tasks.
Real Application Results
Drone Propeller Balancing
A user achieved vibration reduction from 0.74 mm/s to 0.014 mm/s – a 50-fold improvement. This demonstrates the outstanding accuracy of the device even on small rotors.
Shopping Center Ventilation Systems
Engineers successfully balanced radial fans, achieving reduced energy consumption, removed excessive noise, and extended equipment lifespan. Energy savings offset the device cost within several months.
Agricultural Equipment
Farmers note that Balanset-1A has become an vital tool preventing costly breakdowns during peak season. Decreased vibration of threshing drums led to reduced fuel consumption and bearing wear.
Cost and Delivery Terms
Current Prices
Complete Balanset-1A Kit: €1,751
OEM Kit (without case, stand, and scales): €1,561
Special Offer: €50 discount for newsletter subscribers
Volume Discounts: up to 15% for orders of 4+ units
Purchase Options
Official Website: vibromera.eu (recommended)
eBay: trusted sellers with 100% rating
Industrial Distributors: through B2B channels
Payment and Shipping Terms
Payment Methods: PayPal, bank cards, bank transfer
Shipping: 10-20 business days by international mail
Shipping Cost: from $10 (economy) to $95 (express)
Warranty: factory warranty
Technical Support: included in price
Final Assessment
Balanset-1A stands as an optimal solution for organizations aiming to establish an effective equipment balancing system without significant capital expenditure. The device opens up access to professional balancing, allowing small businesses and service centers to provide services at the level of large industrial companies.
The mix of affordable price, ease of use, and professional features makes Balanset-1A an indispensable tool for modern technical maintenance. Investment in this device is an investment in equipment reliability, decreased operating costs, and increased competitiveness of your enterprise.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
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