Shape Morphing: Swarm Magnetics
Professor: Panagiotis Michalatos Course: MDes Technology Final Thesis Part Published in ACADIA 2017 In an attempt to design shape-morphing multifunctional objects, this thesis uses programmable matter to design self-organizing multi-agent systems capable of morphing from one shape into another. The research looks at various precedents of self-assembly and modular robotics to design and prototype passive agents that could be cheaply mass-produced. Intelligence will be embedded into these agents on a material level, designing different local interactions to perform different global goals. The initial exploratory study looks at various examples from nature like plankton and molecules. Magnetic actuation is chosen as the external actuation force between agents. The research uses simultaneous digital and physical investigations to understand and design the interactions between agents. The project offers a systemic investigation of the effect of shape, interparticle forces, and surface friction on the packing and reconfiguration of granular systems. The ability to change the system state from a gaseous, liquid, then solid state offers new possibilities in the field of material computation, where one can design a “material” and change its properties on demand. Harvard GSD | Spring 2017 | Individual Voxel Invention Kit (VIK) Graduate, PhD Omniverse MetaVoxels Designer Graduate, PhD
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How to Make Almost Anything
Professor:Neil Gershenfeld Course: How to Make Almost Anything Course Website click here. This course provided a hands-on introduction to the resources for designing and fabricating smart systems, including CAD/CAM/CAE; NC machining, 3-D printing, injection molding, laser cutting; PCB layout and fabrication; sensors and actuators; analog instrumentation; embedded digital processing; wired and wireless communications. It also put emphasis on learning how to use the tools as well as understand how they work. MIT | Fall 2017 | Individual Voxel Invention Kit (VIK) Graduate, PhD Omniverse MetaVoxels Designer Graduate, PhD
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Y Chair
Course: Hybrid Formations – Interdisciplinary Design Team Members: Amira Abdel-Rahman and Gabriel Muñoz Moreno The challenge of the seminar is to design and fabricate a structure that is light, paper-thin but still maintains its structural integrity. The objective was to get inspired by techniques of the aviation and automobile industry to the fabrication of these prototypes. Optimizing the structural performance of the chair was the driving force behind the design. A parametric model of the chair was developed and tested under different load case scenarios and then the design was optimized for ease and automation of fabrication. Manufactured out of extremely lightweight, aluminum panels, the Y-chair is CNC/water-jet cut and the the robotic arm was used to form the aluminum sheets. A custom end tool for the robot was fabricated using english wheel rollers to form the sheets using custom CNC milled wood forms. Harvard GSD | Fall 2017 | Group of 2 Voxel Invention Kit (VIK) Graduate, PhD Omniverse MetaVoxels Designer Graduate, PhD
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Anatomy of a joint
Professor: Andrew Witt Course: Structural Surfaces Contrary to how traditional joints have commonly been used for the construction of structural surfaces and spatial structures, this project’s goal was the research of a system to manufacture a set of standardized joints, with the use of multi-material 3d-printing, casting, and other fabrication methods. By using finite element analysis to program different behaviors, we were capable of simulating and program different behaviors inherent to each of the joints in our catalogue — with the purpose of mimicking the way mechanical joints would be have to allow or restrict for rotation and displacement. Some of the joints, for instance, behave as a ball joint (allowing for rotation in the x, y, and z axes) while others behave as a mechanical hinge (allowing only for one-axis rotation). Over the development of the project, we tried two different approaches to modify the behavior of different joints. 1- f ( Volume, Joints ) = Behavior 2- f ( Volume, Behavior) = Joints In the first approach, we used joints of similar geometry with different material distribution. (This is, different concentrations of flexible and rigid material, to have some areas that allow for deflection, while others […]
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Allometric Sake
Professor: Salmaan Craig Course: The Thermal Allometry of Massive, Breathing Buildings Awarded Third Place in DenCity 2016. DenCity competition by Shelter Global aims to improve the living conditions in the slums and informal settlements. Core Interest The relentless growth of cities urges for solutions that relate to the improvement of levels of comfort in confined spaces. Slums, being directly affected by the lack of space, are an intriguing object of study. With constraints on cost and feasibility, we believe the population will greatly benefit from a passively powered space-conditioning system. How? Software “Sake”s We have developed software that provides strategies that most affect natural ventilation by changing the following parameters: A* (Openings): The value refers to the amount, geometry and distribution of openings that a building has to the exterior and interior network. These openings usually are windows, doors, chimneys, etc. The variation of this value will help to define the amount of fresh air coming into the building. H (Height): This parameter refers to the height of a building. Hot air is driven to the upper part of a building due to its decrease in density, and vice versa when cold. This phenomenon creates differences in pressure, generating the opportunity […]
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AUX
Professor: Panagiotis Michalatos Course: Digital Structures and Material Distribution The project concept is to design structural mechanisms formed by both of parts of the human body and the auxiliary elements. There are three stages in the project form finding, followed by a rationalization phase then the optimization for tectonic and a-tectonic prototypes. The first stage is the form finding where a topology optimization of the structure to find the base form. Second phase is the rationalization where the center of the forms is chosen to get the form skeleton. Lastly the optimization is done to find the principle stress directions to start responding to the stress analysis. The prototypes were fabricated using copper wires that are bent along the main principle stresses. Harvard GSD | Spring 2016 | Group of 3 Voxel Invention Kit (VIK) Graduate, PhD Omniverse MetaVoxels Designer Graduate, PhD
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Real-Time Interactive Structural Analysis
Professor: Panagiotis Michalatos Course: Introduction to Computational Design The aim of this project is to enhance the ability of designers to visualize and compute structural analysis of surfaces and shell structures. As a real time interactive tool, its intention is to familiarize people with everyday shell structures as well as assist in early stage form finding. Tools Used: Microsoft Visual Studio Kinect Millipede/Sawapan Harvard GSD | Fall 2015 | Group of 4 Voxel Invention Kit (VIK) Graduate, PhD Omniverse MetaVoxels Designer Graduate, PhD
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Augmented Robotic-Interaction
Professor: Andrew Witt Course: Mechatronic Optics The objective of the project was to develop creative and interactive tools for designers to view, analyze and fabricate their designs only using simple gesture movements. The software “SketchHand” was developed to act as a link between the gestural movement capture, the design and output analysis, and the robotic control. The hologram was the projection technique. The user is able to not only choose or design a pattern, but also to get its instant stress analysis. The tool-path is automatically calculated and the pattern is woven, ensuring an augmented robotic-interaction. Harvard GSD | Fall 2015 | Group of 2
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Passive Heliotropism
Professor: Skylar Tibbits Course: Active Architecture Inspired by the movement of the sun flower with the sun, this project aims to mimic the movement by only using plastic sheets and water. In the following experiments explored the use of water and phase change “evaporation” as an actuator that could cause movement and translation. A scientific research method was used to understand and control the movement by testing a wide range of geometries, plastics, sealing methods, liquids.. MIT | Fall 2015 | Individual
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Heat Actuated Auxetic Facades
Professor: Martin Bechthold Course: Nano Micro Macro: Adaptive Material Laboratory This project is an experimental and computational investigation that focuses on the design and development of highly transformable materials and patterns that can be used as adaptive exterior shading systems. The possibility of reversible transformations were explored using materials with two-way shape memory effects such as shape memory alloys and polymers to couple them with auxetic patterns to control the transformations. The proposed shading system lead to an improved daylighting performance as well as a significant reduction in glare. Harvard GSD | Fall 2015 | Group of 3 Voxel Invention Kit (VIK) Graduate, PhD Omniverse MetaVoxels Designer Graduate, PhD
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