PhD position in soft contact mechanics
PhD Scholarship funded by the ERC STG “SURFACE”
Mechanical design of dynamically-excited soft interfaces for smart tuning of contact forces
Supervisor: Prof. Antonio Papangelo
Duration: 3 years, starting November 2024
Location: TriboDynamics Lab, Polytechnic University of Bari, Department of Mechanics Mathematics and Management,
Research proposal: The possibility of quickly and finely regulating the contact forces between two surfaces has a transversal interest in various fields of engineering, with particular reference to soft-robotics, where manipulation and gripping tasks are required. The present research proposal aims to develop methodologies capable of numerically simulating the process of gripping and releasing objects using polymeric surfaces, typically made of silicone, capable of actively regulating the contact forces. Preliminary literature results have shown that the macroscopic adhesion force, primarily due to non-specific van der Waals interactions, can be adjusted using a vibration of appropriate amplitude and frequency capable of interacting with the contact interface determining its performance in terms of maximum adhesion force and energy necessary for detachment to occur. The researcher will therefore have to investigate the effect that the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, the surface microstructure, the material, the geometry of the indenter, the loading and unloading protocol have on the adhesive behaviour of the interface.
This PhD research proposal fits the objectives of the ERC research project ERC-2021-StG “SURFACE” (ID: 101039198), which supports this research. Therefore, the researcher will have the possibility to carry out both numerical simulation through finite or boundary element codes and validation experiments using the equipment and skills available at the TriboDynamics Lab (DMMM, PoliBa), in particular regarding the possibility of designing and fabricating polymeric micro-structured interfaces with resolution down to 200 nanometres using the Nanoscribe Photonic-Professional GT2 laser micro-fabrication system available from the TriboDynamics Lab.
Please, get in contact for further information at: antonio.papangelo@poliba.it
Funded by the European Union (European Research Council, Horizon Europe)
