(UNPUBLISHED) EMFLEX | EM actuators for flexible handling systems

Summary

In the framework of this call we want to work on electromechanical actuators and their control systems for flexible (non-rigid) handling systems: we wish to develop a compliant actuator based on electromagnetic flexible actuation, the invested effort in this field is fairly limited (i.e. ferromagnetic gels and dielectric elastomers). This project aims to engage the high power density of electromagnetic structures, composed of permanent magnets and excitation coils, in soft materials so to realize compliant electromagnetic convertors (cEM). We already identified two potential topologies. Such unifies the dense force generation characterising electromagnetic machines, with the beneficial characteristics of soft materials.

Our recently established Ghent University department, Machineries&Factories (M&F), groups about 125 researchers active in the field of manufacturing. We are a core lab of Flanders Make, the strategic research centre for the Flemish Manufacturing industry.

We are looking to join a consortium interested in exploring this idea, for this project the FlandersMake-UGent-EEDT research group would be involved.

We are closely linked to the Flemish ecosystem.