ITECH research demonstrator 2018/19

The ITECH research demonstrator 2018/19 investigates large-scale compliant architecture inspired by the folding mechanisms of the Coleoptera coccinellidae (Ladybug) wings. The demonstrator is composed of two adaptive folding elements made of carbon and glass fibre-reinforced plastic. The demonstrator is first of its kind to employ industrial tape-laying technology for an automated fabrication of large-scale compliant mechanisms. Their kinetic behaviour is achieved through distinct compliant hinge zones with integrated pneumatic actuators. An interactive control system, consisting of integrated sensors, online communication, and backend computational processing, facilitates interactive and user-controlled adaptation. The project is part of a successful series of research demonstrators showcasing the potential of computational design, simulation and fabrication processes in bio-inspired architecture. The project was designed and realized by students and researchers, supported by a multi-disciplinary team of architects, engineers, biologists, and palaeontologists.

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PROJECT TEAM

ICD Institute for Computational Design and Construction - Prof. A. Menges
ITKE Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design - Prof. Dr.-Ing.Jan Knippers
ITFT Institute for Textile and Fiber Technologies - Prof. Dr.-Ing. Götz T. Gresser

Scientific Development

Axel Körner, Larissa Born, Oliver Bucklin, Seiichi Suzuki, Lauren Vasey

Concept Development, System Development, Fabrication & Construction

Miro Bannwart, Eliza Biala, Xiaoyu Chen, Rebeca Duque Estrada de Almeida Araujo, Farnaz Fattahi, Rob Faulkner, David Horvath, Niloofar Imani, You-Wen Ji, Fabian Kannenberg, Nate Kaylor, Denitsa Koleva, Jure Kozmos, I-Ching Lee, Ada Lezuchowska, Zhiqi Lin, Samantha Melnyk, Seyed Mobin Moussavi, Mona Mühlich, Seyed Ahmad Razavi, Tamara Rosales, Emi Shiraishi, Sanoop Siby, Piyanat Songkhroh, Hana Svatoš-Ražnjevic, Naomi Kris Tashiro, Babasola Thomas, Aditya Tiwari,

Maria Wyller, Nima Zahiri, Ruqing Zhong

With support of

Anja Mader, Katja Rinderspacher, Maria Yablonina

In collaboration with

Compositence GmbH
Department of Evolutionary Biology of Invertebrates – Prof. Oliver Betz
Department of Palaeontology of Invertebrates – Prof. James Nebelsick
University of Tuebingen

Supported by

Autodesk
Roy Hohlfeld