Demonstrators

How can the different research areas within livMatS integrate their findings into functional materials systems and prototypical products? How will these materials systems look and feel like? How feasible are the materials systems regarding their industrial production and later real-life applications? To answer these questions livMatS will design and build technological demonstrators that act as first steps towards the later implementation of newly developed materials systems into industrial products, and highlight their wide application range.

livMatS develops demonstrators along three different lines: two sets are intended as proof-of-concept, and one set of demonstrators is oriented towards practical applications.
One demonstrator is inspired by the snapping mechanisms of the Venus flytrap and the waterwheel plant and should have all the functions of the living role models. Other demonstrators include soft autonomous machines with immanent sensing, controlling, and decision-making functionalities. Practical applications may include shape-adaptive objects for handling in work environments or medical uses.

Coordinator
Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck

Projects

• Demonstrator for soft autonomous machines – soft robotic low energy gripper systems with sensing capabilities based on livMatS Materials
  This project is a cooperation between research areas B, D and Demonstrators.
• NANOTRET: Nano‐micro‐structured permanently charged surfaces for electret nanogenerators
  This project is a collaboration between research area A and Demonstrators.
• Development, characterisation and integration of flexible solar modules as energy supply unit in a livMatS demonstrator
  This project is a cooperation between research area A and Demonstrators.
• Biological and bioinspired (meta-) materials” – New 3D/4D-printers for Demonstrator development
  This project is a collaboration with research areas B and C. It is carried out within the Cluster’s Hermann Staudinger Doctoral Fellowship Program.
• Development of an artificial Venus flytrap
  This project is a collaboration with research areas A, B, and C

Compact Projects 2021 - finished

• Unit Cell artificial Flytrap Gripper
  Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck
• Biomimetic Speaking Valve
  Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck
• Characterization and evaluation of 3D printing techniques for rapid prototyping of pneumatic biomimetic soft robotic gripper fingers
  Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck

Compact Projects 2020 - finished

• Fiber Compound Connection
  This project is a collaboration between research areas B, C and Demonstrators. Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck
• Lightweight Materials Systems
  This project is a collaboration between research areas B and Demonstrators. Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck

Booster Projects 2021 - finished

• A Soft Biomimetic Actuator Inspired by the Self-Sealing Motion of Succulent Plants
  This project is a cooperation between research area C and Demonstrators. Principal investigators: Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck and Dr. Olga Speck
  Responsible Investigator: Prof. Dr. Claas Müller
• Highly flexible triboelectric strain sensors
  This project is a collaboration between research area A and Demonstrators. Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Peter Woias
• Novel Materials Systems for Applications in Biomimetic Architecture and Building Construction
  This project is a cooperation among research areas B and C and Demonstrators. Principal Investigators: Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rühe