A light module includes an optical element and a base on which the optical element is mounted. The optical element has an optical portion which has an optical surface; an elastic portion which is provided around the optical portion such that an annular region is formed; and a pair of support portions which is provided such that the optical portion is sandwiched in a first direction along the optical surface and in which an elastic force is applied and a distance therebetween is able to be changed in accordance with elastic deformation of the elastic portion. The base has a main surface, and a mounting region in which an opening communicating with the main surface is provided. The support portions are inserted into the opening in a state where an elastic force of the elastic portion is applied.

A system of flexural, actuating, and semiconducting elements of part-types necessary to assemble actuated robotic systems. These parts are joined with a common interface, interlocking with neighboring parts to form a regular lattice structure. Primary considerations for the design of the part interfaces include ease of assembly and the ability to transfer mechanical loads and electronic signals to neighboring parts. The parts are designed to be assembled vertically so structures can he built incrementally one part at a time. They can be easily fabricated at a range of length-scales using a variety of two-dimensional manufacturing processes. These processes include, for example, stamping and laminating, which enable high-throughput production. The simple mechanical interfaces between parts also enable disassembly allowing for reconfigurability and reuse. The interlocking nature of these assemblies allows loads to be distributed through many parallel load-paths.

Radial-armed thin-film bilayers are designed and fabricated from a metal and an oxide to produce grippers that interact with the yarns or fibers of the fabric and form a mechanical tangle attachment to the fabric. MEMs devices attached to the grippers enable the MEMs devices to be adhered to a flexible and/or extensible fabric. Fabrics comprise conventional textile, smart textiles, functional fibers or other smart materials. The fabrics thus incorporate wearable sensors, medical devices, and other functional MEMs for commercial, biomedical, industrial and scientific applications.

Controllable electromechanical adhesive devices including three-dimensional dielectrically-coated microstructures that are mechanically compliant are provided. The microstructures can be controlled to provide tunable electromechanical surface adhesion, allowing for dexterous gripping of microscale and/or macroscale objects. For example, the devices can tune the surface adhesion strength of one or more microstructures without complex mechanical actuation in a wide range of on/off ratios with low voltage. The devices can be configured as a force sensor capable of providing tactile feedback for determining the load applied against the microstructures by the surface of an object. For example, the devices can provide output indicative of changes in an electrical property of one or more microstructures for determining the applied load of an object. The devices can be pixelated or otherwise configured to provide localized force sensing and/or surface adhesion. Related systems and methods for controlling the disclosed electromechanical adhesive devices are also described.

A light module includes an optical element and a base on which the optical element is mounted. The optical element has an optical portion which has an optical surface; an elastic portion which is provided around the optical portion such that an annular region is formed; and a pair of support portions which is provided such that the optical portion is sandwiched in a first direction along the optical surface and in which an elastic force is applied and a distance therebetween is able to be changed in accordance with elastic deformation of the elastic portion. The base has a main surface, and a mounting region in which an opening communicating with the main surface is provided. The support portions are inserted into the opening in a state where an elastic force of the elastic portion is applied.

Controllable electromechanical adhesive devices including three-dimensional dielectrically-coated microstructures that are mechanically compliant are provided. The microstructures can be controlled to provide tunable electromechanical surface adhesion, allowing for dexterous gripping of microscale and/or macroscale objects. For example, the devices can tune the surface adhesion strength of one or more microstructures without complex mechanical actuation in a wide range of on/off ratios with low voltage. The devices can be configured as a force sensor capable of providing tactile feedback for determining the load applied against the microstructures by the surface of an object. For example, the devices can provide output indicative of changes in an electrical property of one or more microstructures for determining the applied load of an object. The devices can be pixelated or otherwise configured to provide localized force sensing and/or surface adhesion. Related systems and methods for controlling the disclosed electromechanical adhesive devices are also described.

A system of flexural, actuating, and semiconducting elements of part-types necessary to assemble actuated robotic systems. These parts are joined with a common interface, interlocking with neighboring parts to form a regular lattice structure. Primary considerations for the design of the part interfaces include ease of assembly and the ability to transfer mechanical loads and electronic signals to neighboring parts. The parts are designed to be assembled vertically so structures can he built incrementally one part at a time. They can be easily fabricated at a range of length-scales using a variety of two-dimensional manufacturing processes. These processes include, for example, stamping and laminating, which enable high-throughput production. The simple mechanical interfaces between parts also enable disassembly allowing for reconfigurability and reuse. The interlocking nature of these assemblies allows loads to be distributed through many parallel load-paths.

The present invention relates to modular system for micro-nano manipulation of samples. The modular system of the present invention comprises changeable tool tips which may be provided in an array, and a tool body. Each changeable tool tip comprises an end effector connected to a base having mating structures. The tool body includes an arm having slits having dimensions and being disposed on the arm so as to detachably couple with the mating structures of the tool tip. The slits may include an opening with rounded corners for receiving the mating structures, and tapered side walls for frictionally fitting the mating structures. The present invention relates also to a connection system for connecting a micro-dimensional tool body to a changeable micro-dimensional tool tip and to a manipulation tool for use with changeable tool tips of the present invention.

Radial-armed thin-film bilayers are designed and fabricated from a metal and an oxide to produce grippers that interact with the yarns or fibers of the fabric and form a mechanical tangle attachment to the fabric. MEMs devices attached to the grippers enable the MEMs devices to be adhered to a flexible and/or extensible fabric. Fabrics comprise conventional textile, smart textiles, functional fibers or other smart materials. The fabrics thus incorporate wearable sensors, medical devices, and other functional MEMs for commercial, biomedical, industrial and scientific applications.