Trevor Exley Presents at BMES 2023 in Seattle

Trevor Exley showcased his research at the BMES 2023 conference in Seattle with two presentations:

1. Enhancing Bandwidth in Thermoactive Soft Actuators: Utilizing the Peltier Effect for Symmetrical Actuation and Active Cooling

   • Session: Enhancing Bandwidth in Thermoactive Soft Actuators: Utilizing the Peltier Effect for Symmetrical Actuation and Active Cooling
   • Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

2. Polycaprolactone-Based Thermoresponsive Variable Impedance Actuators: Prioritizing Active Heating/Cooling for Effective Offline Impedance Control

   • Session: Polycaprolactone-Based Thermoresponsive Variable Impedance Actuators: Prioritizing Active Heating/Cooling for Effective Offline Impedance Control
   • Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Trevor served as the presenting author for both sessions, further solidifying the lab's position at the forefront of advancements in the field.

Paper Accepted in "Robotics Reports"

We are thrilled to announce that Trevor Exley's manuscript titled "A Novel Variable Impedance Actuator Utilizing Adjustable Viscoelastic Properties of Thermoresponsive Polycaprolactone" has been accepted for publication in the esteemed journal, Robotics Reports. This acceptance underscores the lab's commitment to pioneering research and innovation in the field of robotics.

Paper Published in "IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics"

Trevor Exley, Daniel Johnson, and Amir Jafari have unveiled their latest research in a paper titled "Towards a Novel Thermal-Based Variable Impedance Module through Adjusting Viscoelastic Properties of a Thermoresponsive Polymer" in the journal IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics (Issue 10.1109/TMRB.2023.3310044, Pages 1-1, Publisher: IEEE). The paper introduces a unique thermal-based variable impedance module that leverages the temperature-dependent viscoelastic properties of the thermoplastic polymer Polycaprolactone. Preliminary findings suggest that this innovative approach offers a promising solution for actuators where size, weight, and compactness are critical considerations.

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Paper Published in "Smart Materials and Structures"

Trevor Exley, Daniel Johnson, and Amir Jafari have recently published a groundbreaking paper titled "Utilizing the peltier effect for actuation of thermo-active soft robots" in the journal Smart Materials and Structures (Publisher: IOP Science). The research introduces the Peltier effect as a reversible heating/cooling mechanism for thermally-responsive soft actuators, aiming to enhance their efficiency and speed. This innovative approach promises to revolutionize the field of soft actuation methods in robotics.

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Paper Published in "Actuators"

Emilly Hays, Jack Slayton, Gary Tejeda-Godinez, Emily Carney, Kobe Cruz, Trevor Exley, and Amir Jafari have co-authored a comprehensive review titled "A Review of Rehabilitative and Assistive Technologies for Upper-Body Exoskeletal Devices" in the journal Actuators (Volume 12, Issue: Soft Robotics in Biomedical Application, Pages 178, Publisher: MDPI). The article delves into the potential of assistive and rehabilitative exoskeletons for individuals with limited mobility, highlighting innovations and areas for improvement, especially in passive shoulder supports and active soft robotic actuator gloves.

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Paper Published in "Mechanism and Machine Theory"

Trevor Exley and Amir Jafari have recently published a paper titled "Increasing robustness and output performance of Variable Stiffness Actuators in periodic motions" in the journal Mechanism and Machine Theory (Volume 169, Pages 104645, Publisher: Pergamon). The research focuses on enhancing the energy efficiency and robustness of Variable Stiffness Actuators (VSAs) in specific applications, aiming for more compact, lighter, yet powerful VSAs.

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Paper Published in "Sensors and Actuators A: Physical"

Trevor Exley and Amir Jafari have published a new paper titled "Maximizing energy efficiency of variable stiffness actuators through an interval-based optimization framework" in the journal Sensors and Actuators A: Physical (Volume 332, Pages 113123, Publisher: Elsevier). The paper delves into the challenges and opportunities in designing optimal stiffness adjustment mechanisms for robotic platforms in physical contact with humans.

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President’s Translational and Entrepreneurial Research award

Dr.Jafari and his collaborators at UTSA and UTHSCSA received prestigious President’s Translational and Entrepreneurial Research award to work on Endovascular Roblotic Device: VascuX Robotics 

Paper published in International Journal of Robotics & Automations

Our new paper entitled as: Energy Storage capacity and Force-Stiffness Interactions in Different Stiffness Adjustment Mechanisms, has been published by International Journal of Robotics & Automations.

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Paper published in Journal of Intelligent and Robotic System

Our new paper entitled as: Determinants for Stiffness Adjustment Mechanisms, has been published in Journal of Intelligent and Robotic System.

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