Abstract: A soft actuator includes an origami structure with an inflatable hollow body formed from at least one of Dyneema fabric or Kevlar fabric, and a plurality of TCPAs formed from at least one of polyethylene terephthalate, spandex, and nylon. The soft actuator also includes a plurality of heating wires disposed on the plurality of TCPAs and a controller configured to selectively heat the plurality of heating wires such that the plurality of TCPAs are selectively actuated by being heated by the plurality of heating wires.

Abstract: A flexural wave absorption system detects, with a sensor attached to a beam, an incident wave propagating in the beam. The system determines, based on a signal from the sensor generated in response to the incident wave, an amplitude and phase of the incident wave propagating in the beam and controls an actuator connected to the beam to generate a suppression wave, based on the amplitude and the phase of the incident wave, that reduces a coefficient of reflection of the incident wave across a broadband frequency range.

Abstract: A soft actuator includes an origami structure with an inflatable hollow body formed from at least one of Dyneema fabric or Kevlar fabric, and a plurality of TCPAs formed from at least one of polyethylene terephthalate, spandex, and nylon. The soft actuator also includes a plurality of heating wires disposed on the plurality of TCPAs and a controller configured to selectively heat the plurality of heating wires such that the plurality of TCPAs are selectively actuated by being heated by the plurality of heating wires.

Abstract: Embodiments for one-way sound absorbing systems are described herein. In one example, a sound absorbing system includes a waveguide having open ends for receiving an incoming acoustic wave and wall portions defining a first port and a second port. A first electroacoustic absorber is mounted to the first port and is electrically connected to a shunting circuit, while a second electroacoustic absorber is mounted to the second port and is electrically connected to an open circuit. The sound absorption of the system is directional dependent.

Abstract: A wave control system includes a substrate with a plurality of beams spaced apart from each other, a plurality of sensors disposed on the plurality of beams, a plurality of actuators disposed on the plurality of beams, a processor, and a memory communicably coupled to the processor. The memory stores machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine a frequency of a fundamental incident wave propagating within and/or incident on the plurality of beams based on a plurality of signals from the plurality of sensors, and control the plurality of actuators to generate at least one of a cancellation wave, a subharmonic wave, and a superharmonic wave, based on the frequency of the fundamental incident wave. In addition, a reflected fundamental wave, the sub harmonic wave, and/or the superharmonic wave can be steered to a desired direction or path along the substrate.

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes an inflatable membrane with an outer surface, and a skin with a textured space-filling Turing pattern disposed on the outer surface of the inflatable membrane. A variable stiffness filament is coupled to the inflatable structure and the variable stiffness filament has a first stiffness at a first temperature and a second stiffness different than the first stiffness at a second temperature different than the first temperature. An electrical energy source is included and in electrical communication with the variable stiffness filament, and the electrical energy source is configured to apply Joule heating to and increase a temperature of the variable stiffness filament from the first temperature to the second temperature such variable stiffness actively controls a stiffness of the inflatable structure.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to navigating a trailer after the physical connection between a vehicle and trailer disconnects. In one embodiment, a method includes responsive to determining that a physical connection between a vehicle and a trailer has disconnected, determining trajectory information for navigating the trailer without a connection to the vehicle. The method includes communicating the trajectory information to the trailer to cause the trailer to follow a trajectory associated with the vehicle. The method includes monitoring whether the trailer is following the trajectory.

Abstract: A device for canceling acoustic noise generated includes, in one example, an inlet channel configured to be fluidly connected to an inlet port of a pump and an outlet channel configured to be fluidly connected to an outlet port of the pump. The device also includes an inlet resonator and an outlet resonator, both having open ends and closed ends. The open ends of the inlet and outlet resonators are fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet channels, respectively. When in operation, the inlet and outlet resonators can cancel noise generated by the operation of the pump.

Abstract: A morphing airfoil system includes an airfoil including a bulkhead and an airfoil body extending from the bulkhead, at least one inflatable/deflatable bladder positioned within the airfoil body, and a bladder pressurization mechanism configured for controlling pressurization of the at least one bladder. The system also includes one or more processors and a memory communicably coupled to the one or more processors and storing an airfoil control module including instructions that when executed by the processor(s) cause the processor(s) to control operation of the bladder pressurization mechanism to increase or decrease internal pressure in the at least one bladder to change a configuration of the airfoil.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a drone is provided with several inflatable tubes that each connect a propeller component to a body of the drone. In order to increase the handling of the drone, a patch is placed on the top surface of each inflatable tube that includes some number of shape memory alloy wires. The shape memory alloy wires shrink and become rigid when an electric current is applied to them. The optimal locations on each tube to place the patches, and the shape of the patches, is determined using a topology optimization. Later, the wires in the patches can be selectively activated or deactivated by an operating entity to provide an additional means to control the drone. Additionally, the drone is equipped with several landing arms which may include a shape memory alloy torsion coil spring to help the arm deployment during landing.

Abstract: Embodiments for one-way sound absorbing systems are described herein. In one example, a sound absorbing system includes a waveguide having open ends for receiving an incoming acoustic wave and wall portions defining a first port and a second port. A first electroacoustic absorber is mounted to the first port and is electrically connected to a shunting circuit, while a second electroacoustic absorber is mounted to the second port and is electrically connected to an open circuit. The sound absorption of the system is directional dependent.

Abstract: A stiffness control and systems for the same are disclosed herein. A first plate and a second plate can be connected with rigid support, a hydraulic actuator and a high roughness surface. Upon actuation, the actuator can force the high roughness surface against the first plate, thus increasing rigidity through hydraulic pressure against the first plate and the second plate. Thus, the stiffness of the surface can be altered in a variable and reversible fashion.

Abstract: A dynamic interface between a vehicle windshield and a structure (e.g., an A-pillar) is provided. The dynamic interface can be actively managed to allow its configuration to be selectively changed based on real-time driving environment conditions. The interface can include one or more actuators that can be selectively activated or deactivated to change the aerodynamic characteristics of the interface. When a crosswind activation condition is detected, the actuator(s) can be activated. The actuator(s) can be soft-bodied structures. The actuator(s) can include a bladder defining a fluid chamber filled with a dielectric fluid. A first conductor and a second conductor can be operatively positioned on opposite portions of the bladder. When electrical energy is supplied to the conductors, they can become oppositely charged. As a result, the conductors can be electrostatically attracted toward each other, displacing some of the dielectric fluid to an outer peripheral region of the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A system is provided for actively mitigating noise caused by vibration of a thin vehicle front windshield in an occupant compartment of a vehicle. The system includes a pair of laser scanners configured to be mountable inside the vehicle occupant compartment. Each laser scanner is configurable to scan an associated initial portion of the windshield simultaneously with the other laser scanner, when the windshield is vibrating.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flexural wave absorption system detects, with a sensor attached to a beam, an incident wave propagating in the beam. The system determines, based on a signal from the sensor generated in response to the incident wave, an amplitude and phase of the incident wave propagating in the beam and controls an actuator connected to the beam to generate a suppression wave, based on the amplitude and the phase of the incident wave, that reduces a coefficient of reflection of the incident wave across a broadband frequency range.

Abstract: A system and related method can self-adaptively absorb a flexural wave acting on a beam. The method includes the steps of receiving an input signal representing a frequency response of a flexural wave acting on the beam, determining a spring constant for absorbing the flexural wave based on the input signal, a damping value of a damper acting on the beam, and a mass value of a mass acting on the beam, and applying a spring constant voltage based on the spring constant to a piezoelectric device connected to the beam. The piezoelectric device has a variable spring value that varies based on the voltage applied to the piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device's variable spring value is approximately equal to the spring constant value when the spring constant voltage is applied to the piezoelectric device.

Abstract: A system is provided for actively mitigating noise caused by vibration of a thin vehicle front windshield in an occupant compartment of a vehicle. The system includes a pair of laser scanners configured to be mountable inside the vehicle occupant compartment. Each laser scanner is configurable to scan an associated initial portion of the windshield simultaneously with the other laser scanner, when the windshield is vibrating.

Abstract: A system for actively mitigating a buffeting noise in an occupant compartment of a vehicle when the vehicle is moving. The system is configured to determine an estimated effective volume of the occupant compartment, and to determine if a single window of the vehicle occupant compartment is open. Responsive to a determination that a single window of the vehicle occupant compartment is open, and using the estimated effective volume of the occupant compartment, an estimated buffeting noise frequency is determined. Responsive to the estimated buffeting noise frequency, the system determines characteristics of a sound configured to cancel a buffeting noise generated inside the occupant compartment while the vehicle is moving. The system may then control operation of a noise cancelling signal generating system to generate the sound having characteristics configured to cancel the buffeting noise inside the occupant compartment.

Abstract: Actuators having reversible seals are described herein. The actuators can move from a first position to a second position and lock in the second position using a reversible seal. The device can include a soft hydraulic actuator having a fluid-impermeable membrane. The fluid-impermeable membrane can define a compartment, the compartment having a central region, an edge region extending from and fluidly connected with the central region, a reversible seal between the central region and the edge region, and a dielectric fluid. When actuated, the actuators can force fluid through the reversible seals and into the edge region. Once in the edge region, the reversible seals be actuated and controllably sealed to prevent return flow.

Abstract: A morphing airfoil system includes an airfoil including a bulkhead and an airfoil body extending from the bulkhead, at least one inflatable/deflatable bladder positioned within the airfoil body, and a bladder pressurization mechanism configured for controlling pressurization of the at least one bladder. The system also includes one or more processors and a memory communicably coupled to the one or more processors and storing an airfoil control module including instructions that when executed by the processor(s) cause the processor(s) to control operation of the bladder pressurization mechanism to increase or decrease internal pressure in the at least one bladder to change a configuration of the airfoil.