Abstract: Bulk metallic glass-based gripping arrays of nano- or micro-scale grippers are described, along with the methods of fabrication and use thereof. BMG-based gripping arrays can be fabricated via facile and scalable thermoplastic forming/molding methods typically available to polymeric materials, yet they possess many of the favorable properties of metallic alloys that polymers lack, such as, for example, excellent mechanical properties and robustness towards wear and adverse surrounding conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement flexible members that include integrated tools made from metallic glass-based materials. In one embodiment, a structure includes: a flexible member characterized by an elongated geometry and an integrated tool disposed at one end of the elongated geometry; where the flexible member includes a metallic glass-based material.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement flexible members that include integrated tools made from metallic glass-based materials. In one embodiment, a structure includes: a flexible member characterized by an elongated geometry and an integrated tool disposed at one end of the elongated geometry; where the flexible member includes a metallic glass-based material.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement flexible members that include integrated tools made from metallic glass-based materials. In one embodiment, a structure includes: a flexible member characterized by an elongated geometry and an integrated tool disposed at one end of the elongated geometry; where the flexible member includes a metallic glass-based material.

Abstract: A repeatably reconfigurable robot, comprising at least two printed circuit board (PCB) rigid sections, at least one PCB flexible section coupled to the at least two PCB rigid sections, at least one wheel, hybrid wheel propeller, wheel and propeller, or hybrid wheel screw propeller rotatably coupled to at least one of the at least two PCB rigid sections and at least one actuator coupled to the at least two PCB rigid sections, wherein the at least one actuator folds and unfolds the repeatably reconfigurable robot.

Abstract: Manipulators in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be utilized to implement statically stable robots capable of both dexterous manipulation and versatile mobility. Manipulators in accordance with one embodiment of the invention include: an azimuth actuator; three elbow joints that each include two actuators that are offset to allow greater than 360 degree rotation of each joint; a first connecting structure that connects the azimuth actuator and a first of the three elbow joints; a second connecting structure that connects the first elbow joint and a second of the three elbow joints; a third connecting structure that connects the second elbow joint to a third of the three elbow joints; and an end-effector interface connected to the third of the three elbow joints.

Abstract: A repeatably reconfigurable robot, comprising at least two printed circuit board (PCB) rigid sections, at least one PCB flexible section coupled to the at least two PCB rigid sections, at least one wheel, hybrid wheel propeller, wheel and propeller, or hybrid wheel screw propeller rotatably coupled to at least one of the at least two PCB rigid sections and at least one actuator coupled to the at least two PCB rigid sections, wherein the at least one actuator folds and unfolds the repeatably reconfigurable robot.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement flexible members that include integrated tools made from metallic glass-based materials. In one embodiment, a structure includes: a flexible member characterized by an elongated geometry and an integrated tool disposed at one end of the elongated geometry; where the flexible member includes a metallic glass-based material.

Abstract: Manipulators in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be utilized to implement statically stable robots capable of both dexterous manipulation and versatile mobility. Manipulators in accordance with one embodiment of the invention include: an azimuth actuator; three elbow joints that each include two actuators that are offset to allow greater than 360 degree rotation of each joint; a first connecting structure that connects the azimuth actuator and a first of the three elbow joints; a second connecting structure that connects the first elbow joint and a second of the three elbow joints; a third connecting structure that connects the second elbow joint to a third of the three elbow joints; and an end-effector interface connected to the third of the three elbow joints.

Abstract: A terrain traversing device is described. The device includes an annular rotor element with a plurality of co-planar microspine hooks arranged on the periphery of the annular rotor element. Each microspine hook has an independently flexible suspension configuration that permits the microspine hook to initially engage an irregularity in a terrain surface at a preset initial engagement angle and subsequently engage the irregularity with a continuously varying engagement angle when the annular rotor element is rotated for urging the terrain traversing device to traverse a terrain surface. Improvements related to the design, fabrication and use of the microspine hooks in the device are also described.

Abstract: A terrain traversing device is described. The device includes an annular rotor element with a plurality of co-planar microspine hooks arranged on the periphery of the annular rotor element. Each microspine hook has an independently flexible suspension configuration that permits the microspine hook to initially engage an irregularity in a terrain surface at a preset initial engagement angle and subsequently engage the irregularity with a continuously varying engagement angle when the annular rotor element is rotated for urging the terrain traversing device to traverse a terrain surface. Improvements related to the design, fabrication and use of the microspine hooks in the device are also described.