Ernesto Gomez
Pronouns: he/him
Research Mentor(s): Abdon Pena-Francesch
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Materials Science and Engineering / Engineering
Program:
Authors: Ernesto Gomez, Abdon Pena-Francesch, Zane Zhang
Session: Session 5 2:40-3:30 p.m. Vandenburg Room
Poster:
Abstract
The Bio-Inspired Materials Laboratory at the University of Michigan focuses on creating, developing and testing materials composed of organic substrates for implementations in biomedics, robotics, and other specialized applications. The BIM Lab develops projects that revolve around magnetically actuated materials, with physical properties that can be modified by magnetic fields. Testing these materials requires specialized platforms with precise control systems, along with an interactive interface that allows users to easily produce numerous types of magnetic fields. To achieve this, the laboratory requires a platform with the ability of creating spatially heterogeneous, time-dependent, and dynamic magnetic fields. For this application, we designed the Magnetic Actuation Board. The board functions as an array of individually commanded electromagnets. This arrangement allows for precisely configured magnetic fields produced on the workspace of the board. It also has the capability of producing programmed sequences in order to create dynamic magnetic field patterns. The Magnetic Actuation Board is adapted for specific applications such as the movement of small objects across the board, controlled manipulation of different structures, microrobotic swarm patterns, and systematic strain testing, among other applications depending on the needs of future projects.
