Abstract: Apparatuses described herein relate to improving the shape morphing of structures using bistable cells. In one embodiment, an inflatable structure comprises an inflatable membrane with an inner top surface and an inner bottom surface opposite the inner top surface. The inflatable structure further comprises an array of vertically stacked bistable cells with a first end attached to the inner top surface and a second end attached to the inner bottom surface, where each of the bistable cells of the array is configured to change from a first state to a second state according to a change in pressure within the inflatable membrane.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to vehicle headliners. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting, with a controller connected to a first impact feature of a headliner of a vehicle, a physical contact with the first impact feature with the first impact feature having a first bending strength prior to the physical contact. The controller subsequently activates the first impact feature to transition the first impact feature from the first bending strength to a second bending strength in response to the detected physical contact.

Abstract: An electrostatic clutch includes a pair of electrodes configured to be attached to a base material of the electrostatic clutch. The pair of electrodes individually comprise a high strength substrate fabric configured to be attached to the base material and a dielectric layer coupled to the high strength substrate fabric.

Abstract: An actuator includes a twisted and coiled polymer fishing line and an untwisted resistance heating wire (TCPFLRHW) actuator and a coating on the TCPFLHRW actuator. The coating includes a mixture of carbon nanotubes, metal nanoparticles, and mesoporous carbon nanoparticles, and in some variations, the coating includes a polymer matrix with the carbon nanotubes, metal nanoparticles, and mesoporous carbon nanoparticles disposed in the polymer matrix. And the actuator exhibits enhanced actuator parameters such as actuator efficiency, hydrophobicity, power consumption, actuation frequency, dynamic actuation and cooling rate.

Abstract: A morphing aerodynamic structure includes a body with an outer covering, a bridle attached to the body, and a light-response polymer disposed on at least one of the outer covering and the bridle. The light-responsive polymer is configured to change shape when illuminated with a laser such that at least one of an angle of attack, roll, pitch and yaw of the morphing aerodynamic structure is at least partially controlled without the use of a mechanical or pneumatic control unit.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an airbag system provide a hollow body that is constructed of a textile material having a first tear resistance value prior to application of a dilatant material onto the hollow body. The dilatant material may be present on less than an entirety of the hollow body and provide the hollow body with a second tear resistance value that is greater than the first tear resistance value after application of the dilatant material.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to vehicle headliners. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting, with a controller connected to a first impact feature of a headliner of a vehicle, a physical contact with the first impact feature with the first impact feature having a first bending strength prior to the physical contact. The controller subsequently activates the first impact feature to transition the first impact feature from the first bending strength to a second bending strength in response to the detected physical contact.

Abstract: A soft actuator includes an inflatable arm having a plurality of inflatable pouches, a common fluid channel in fluid communication with and configured to provide a pressurized fluid to the plurality of inflatable pouches, a plurality of valves in fluid communication with the common fluid channel and the plurality of inflatable pouches. At least one sensor in communication with at least one of the plurality of inflatable pouches is include and the common fluid channel, the plurality of valves and the at least one sensor are configured to selectively inflate the plurality of inflatable pouches.

Abstract: A morphing structure includes a deployable aerodynamic origami structure with an outer covering having a plurality of creases, a tether attached to the deployable origami structure, and a light-responsive polymer disposed on one or more of the creases of the outer covering. The light-responsive polymer is configured to change shape when activated by a light and the deployable origami structure configured to change from a first shape to a second shape different than the first shape when the light-responsive polymer is activated. In some variations, the morphing structure also includes at least one heating element disposed on one or more of the creases of the outer covering and the at least one heating element is configured to heat the light-responsive polymer such that the shape of the deployable aerodynamic origami structure moves from the second shape to the first shape.

Abstract: A bicycle can include a frame. The frame can include a front steering axle, a front fork assembly, and a handlebar assembly for steering a front wheel of the bicycle. The bicycle can also include one or more vibration isolators. The one or more vibration isolators can be operatively connected to at least one of the frame, the front steering axle, the front fork assembly, and the handlebar assembly. The one or more vibration isolators can also be configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile including a region of quasi-zero stiffness. As a result, the one or more vibration isolators isolate a rider of the bicycle from vibrations transferred through the frame.

Abstract: A bicycle seat suspension can include one or more movable body members. The one or more movable body members can be configured to be operatively connected to a bicycle saddle. The one or more movable body members can be configured to change configuration when a load is applied to the bicycle saddle. The bicycle seat suspension can also include a vibration isolator. The vibration isolator can be configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile including a region of quasi-zero stiffness. The vibration isolator can be operatively positioned such that, when the one or more movable body members change configuration responsive to a load being applied to the bicycle saddle, the one or more movable body members can engage the vibration isolator. As a result, the vibration isolator can isolate a person seated on the bicycle saddle from vibrations transferred through the bicycle saddle.

Abstract: A morphing aerodynamic structure includes a body with an outer covering, a bridle attached to the body, and a light-response polymer disposed on at least one of the outer covering and the bridle. The light-responsive polymer is configured to change shape when illuminated with a laser such that at least one of an angle of attack, roll, pitch and yaw of the morphing aerodynamic structure is at least partially controlled without the use of a mechanical or pneumatic control unit.

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 non-woven carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composite object is formed by the variable frequency microwave (VFM) irradiation of a mixed fiber sheet of thermoplastic fibers, carbon fibers and wavy carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The mixed fiber sheets are prepared from a slurry of the thermoplastic fibers, carbon fibers, and wavy CNTs such that the wavy CNTs contact the carbon fibers and thermoplastic fibers. Upon irradiation with VFM radiation, the wavy CNTs generate heat and transfer the heat to the thermoplastic fibers, causing melting of the thermoplastic to form the matrix of the CFRTP composite object. The mixed fiber sheets can be combined alone or with other sheets to form laminar composites that are molded into objects and heated by VFM irradiation.

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 rotating machine system include a rotating machine. The rotating machine system can include a housing. The housing can include an inner surface. The housing can surround at least a portion of the rotating machine. The inner surface of the housing can be spaced from the rotating machine such that a space is defined therebetween. The rotating machine system can include a plurality of vibration isolators. The vibration isolators can be positioned in the space and can be operatively connected to the rotating machine and to the inner surface of the housing. The vibration isolators can be compression-type vibration isolators.

Abstract: A vehicle seat can be configured to provide support to a vehicle occupant in conditions when lateral acceleration is experienced. Shape memory material members can be operatively positioned with respect to a seat portion of the vehicle seat. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated by an activation input. When activated, the shape memory material members can engage a seat pan so as to cause the seat pan to tilt in a respective lateral direction. As a result, a seat cushion supported by the seat pan can also tilt in the respective lateral direction. The seat cushion can be tilted in a lateral direction that is opposite to the direction of the lateral acceleration. Thus, the effects of lateral acceleration felt by a seat occupant can be reduced. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated based on vehicle speed, steering angle, and/or lateral acceleration.

Abstract: A bicycle saddle system can include a saddle body. The system can include a vibration isolator including a stack of a plurality of conical springs. An intermediate structure can be operatively positioned between the saddle body and the vibration isolator. In some instances, the vibration isolator can be located within a portion of the bicycle frame. In some instances, the vibration isolator can be configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile including a region of quasi-zero stiffness. The system can be used to provide improved vibration isolation performance when using a bicycle saddle.

Abstract: A system for using an electrostatic force to cause an object to adhere to a surface of a vehicle can include an electrode and a device. The electrode can be configured to be disposed within a structure of the vehicle. The structure can define the surface. A shape of the electrode can define a shape of a region of the surface. The device can be configured to connect the electrode to a voltage source so that, at a time at which the electrode is connected to the voltage source, an electric charge is produced on the electrode to produce the electrostatic force capable of causing the object to adhere to the surface. For example, the surface can include a dashboard, a dashboard vent frame, a sunglasses holder cover, or the like. For example, the object can include a mobile device, a cup, a pair of sunglasses, or the like.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat frame, a seat pan, and a plurality of vibration isolators interposed between the seat frame and the seat pan for limiting transmission of vibrations from the seat frame to the seat pan.