Design and Fabrication of Hybrid Functional Identities for Mechanical Elements

Abstract

My PhD research explores the simultaneous integration of mechanical and electrical functionalities in mechanical components such as gears, linkages, and springs, which I define as "hybrid functional identities." The focus is on transforming these components into non-intrusive sensors and active elements that maintain structural integrity while providing electrical capabilities like sensing, energy harvesting, and communication. I establish a framework for hybrid functional identities by examining common mechanical elements and their associated motions—rotational, linear, and reciprocal—along with force-based interactions like stretching, compression, and torsion. This analysis identifies essential electrical functionalities that complement these mechanical behaviors. Building on this foundation, I investigate modular mechanical building blocks that support diverse mechanical and electrical interaction primitives using a unified geometric structure. Ultimately, I aim to create an interconnected system where hybrid mechanical-electrical components function autonomously and communicate through an embedded wireless network.