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8. Soft robotics

RESEARCH & IDEATION

With the ongoing advent of Artificial Intelligence, the integration of screens and data is not only a fact of life, but an extension of our senses. Without intention, we feel something missing without access to our phones. All some people have is their phones. This is our connection.

Senses encased within the body, especially sight, are increasing deceived, forcing us to rely on other forms of communication. The biological limitations of our physiology now have technological extensions, heightening our ability for alternate expression: chemical, thermal, illumination, sonic, electrophysical, or physical signals. What would you believe, if you cannot see?

REFERENCE & INSPIRATION

"Soft Robotics" provides a playful, ephemeral, perhaps even joyful way to understand alternate forms of making for machines. I will admit, this was not my favorite week, but I appreciate it for what it is. My main inspiration derived from the 'shibori bubble' [top row, 1-3] techniques that appeared on my Pinterest. The original method requires a hard material [although I heard silk can be used too], bubbles underneath [stones, rocks] then applying heat [steam or iron]. I was called to this visual language through jellyfish, the Botryoidal Chalcedony Starlight Purple Grape Agate Specimen [upper right], a sea squirts colony (Clavelina obesa) in Batangas, Philippines [lower left], Mariko Kusumoto's Sea Garden [lower middle], and x-rays of flowers [lower right].

TOOLS * Vinyl Cutting through Biomimicry Inspiration * Silicon Molding + Casting for Bubbles * Flexures from Hydrogels * Locomotion with Air Pump

VINYL

Adriana Cabrera Fabricademy, 2019.

2D to 3D: when designing inflatable structures, keep in mind: shape of your design as the inflatable moves according to air flow.

TOOLS:

  • Thermovinyl/TPU

  • Baking sheet

  • Heat press

  • Straw

VINYL

The goal here is to create specific cuts and openings to create an air flow. The enclosed part is where the air will flow around and the openings will create the context of the fold/shape upon being filled with air. Be mindful of not forgetting an opening to blow air in your drawings.

Please remember that your drawing on the baking sheet has to be smaller than the vinyl or TPU. The smaller the size, the more air can flow through, a recommendation of about 1/3 of the external size. This was not something that was intuitive so I had to refine it with the TPU sketch.

Laser Cut Welding was a process we were introduced to which follows similar principles of taking 2 heat malleable materials and pressing it, with the baking sheet in the center, only with a laser cutter. I did not partake in this process, as I had digital overwhelm and was not interested in creating a digital model. Here are links of previous projects that expand further on “Laser Cut Welding":

⤷ Asli Aksan

⤷ Paulina Martina

SILICONE

This process was more fun, as it was reminicent of the previous "Bio-Fabrication" Week.

Silicone is made by mixing equal amounts of Part A and Part B of Ecoflex 00-30. The mixture starts curing in 45 minutes so you should cast [pour into mold] before then. Curing [a chemical reaction similar to drying] takes 4 hours. Silicone requires a cool room temperature to cure properly. After curing of the initial base, prepare another small mixture to apply a thin layer. This will unify the two parts. Wait another 4 hours.

  • Best method of removing air bubbles from your mixture is to use a vacuum chamber, which is what we used. It sat for about 5 minutes.

  • Mix both parts really well. You can add color to either Part A or B so you can see the mixture combining. This will indicate visual cues.

  • Pour mixture into the center and let it move slowly to fill empty space. This helps eliminating air traps.

  • Start pouring closely then move higher. This makes the pouring mixture thin down and helps with getting rid of air bubbles.

ALGINATE

HYDROGELS

GELATIN

JELLYFISH CELLS

Materials

  • Embroidery Loom

  • Base Fabric

  • Air Pump

  • Air Tube

  • A thin material to poke a hole [pin, needle]

  • Syringe

  • Electric Whisk

  • 2-3 glass jars

Recipe

ALGINATE : 12g

GLYCERINE : 30g

WATER : 400ML

CALCIUM CHLORIDE : 1tblspn + water

This initial recipe was referenced from both the Bio-Fabrication Algiate Recipe and Fabricademy Alum Hala Amer's 'Re-Humanizing Sensing' project in 2024. We multipled this recipe x5 because we made multiple bubbles of various sizes and ranges. We ended up experimenting with multiple failed attempts because they are susepitable to breaking and popping, with the addition of too much glycerin.

Process

Amber and I collaborate through this project, it was fun to make mistakes and learn together. I missed working with my hands and as initially referenced, I was having digital overwhelm. This was our attempt at our "Jellyfish Cells".

  1. Add Base Fabric in between embroidery looms [we made about 2-3 at the same time]

  2. Spray the base with Calcium Chloride

  3. Pour the liquid slowly, we poured in the same style as the Silicone Mix

  4. Poke a hole to squeeze out the "alginate guts", to make room for the space that needs to be filled within the bubble; push them up delicately.

  5. Insert calcium chloride in a syringe to insert within the hole - on a practical note, this will cure the bubbles from within. On a fun note, you will see bubbles once the liquid is activated with the air pump

  6. Insert air pump in the hole - BE VERY VERY GENTLE, these holes are prone to breaking and that can be a real pain in the ass.

  7. Once hole is inserted, activate pump. You will see a jellyish!

  8. We added our fabric [in this case, silk], with bioyarn attached at the bottom.