Alec Burns
University of Liverpool, UK
Title: Precision material deposition via a mobile rover for disaster scenarios
Biography
Biography: Alec Burns
Abstract
The most dangerous hazards in the aftermath of environmental disasters are typically linked to the damage that has occurred to structures. A material extrusion device capable of traversing highly irregular terrain, able to operate in hazardous or difficult to reach locations, and repair damage would largely mitigate many of the risks for survivors and relief workers. In this work, we propose a platform capable of tackling such challenge: a mobile tracked rover (MTR) that can travel on difficult terrains and deposit material where needed. The ability to deposit self-expanding material allows the MTR to achieve real-time climbing by creating its own support to overcome obstacles or bridge gaps. The proposed platform is also capable of depositing material accurately to perform effective damaged-structure reinforcement. Targeted material deposition has been implemented with multiple materials and this platform has been tested for applications to disaster scenarios. One such material is polyurethane foam, which allows easy deposition, expansion and solidification in fast enough time to enable the MTR to use it as a real-time support for climbing. The amount of foam deposited can be controlled and multiple layers can be stacked on top of each other to significantly increase altitude. The high compressive strength of the solidified polyurethane foam is sufficient for temporary support structures, or structural reinforcement allowing the MTR to operate in support of disaster relief workers. The MTR is also capable of depositing clay alongside polyurethane foam, making it able to repair damaged masonry and thus further improving its usefulness in more general maintenance and repair scenarios.