ACTIVE TENSEGRITY
Under the guidance of two professors, I started a research project on the topic of tensegrity. The aim was to develop an active tensegrity structure that moves in response to sun position. Tensegrity is a structure comprised of rigid struts in compression held in equilibrium by the tension of cables attached at the ends of the struts. I did small models of the basic elements called simplexes in two, three, and four strut configurations.
I designed a structure made of four quadruplexes in a tower configuration. This would be actuated by four motors at the four corners pulling on additional attached cables. First, digital models were produced in which the actuation was simulated and the structural integrity was tested. Afterwards, physical models were built, an initial and a final, using wood dowels, 3D printed nodes and monofilament cables. The movement was controlled via an Arduino microprocessor. Input from four light sensors, one at each corner, was used to move the motors.
You can learn more at eestradoresearch.wordpress.com
