Fondazione Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia

Scuola Superiore Di Studi Universitari E Di Perfezionamento Sant'anna

Vibram S.p.a.

Fondazione Istituto Italiano Di Technologia

Scuola Superiore Santanna

Barbara Mazzolai

Virgilio Mattoli

Paolo Dario

Andrea Arienti

Francesco Greco

Cecilia Laschi

Joseph Ashley Taylor

Shinji Takeoka

Arianna Menciassi

Toshinori Fujie

Maurizio Follador

Kento Yamagishi

Lucia Beccai

Edoardo Sinibaldi

Alessio Mondini

Marco Carlotti

Yu Huan

Michele Giorelli

Marcello Calisti

Matteo Cianchetti

Alessandra Zucca

Ali Sadeghi

Majid Taghavi

Tom Krupenkin

Fabian Meder

Isabella Fiorello

Mariacristina Gagliardi

Goffredo Giordano

Syed Taimoor Hassan Shah

A grasper device for mini-invasive surgery procedures is provided, having two jaws, each of which having two elastically-deformable elements fixed one another and developing according to a main longitudinal direction, in particular a front element which contacts the tissue to be grasped and a back support element receiving a grasping force from a proximal command and having a higher modulus of elasticity than the front element. During the application of a grasping force F, the two elements deform along a transverse direction that is orthogonal to the main longitudinal direction and to the grasping force F.

Adaptatively morphing surgical grasper

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of films of conductive polymers, by the technique so-called roll-to-roll, which allows to obtain freestanding films having advantageous features such as toughness, flexibility, ability to adhere to different substrates, a submicron thickness and a very high ratio surface area/thickness; the present films are suitable for use in several technological applications, in particular for the development of biosensors, and in the production of flexible electronic components with large surface, suitable for wearable devices and also intended for contacting skin.

Process for preparing free-standing films of conductive polymers

A system includes an excavation assembly, which in turn includes a supporting body having a perimetric edge defining a closed path. A distribution apparatus protrudes transversally relative to the perimetric edge and is movable in a guided manner on the supporting body. The distribution apparatus transversally distributes a quantity of hardenable or solidifiable material towards the outside of the perimetric edge, so as to be able to lay a plurality of axially superimposed annular layers(s) of the hardenable or solidifiable material defining a tubular structure (T) around the excavation assembly. A motor device moves the distribution apparatus on the supporting body.

System for non-destructive penetration of a substrate

A sole for footwear capable of recovering part of the energy produced during deambulation including: at least one energy harvesting means, including: a tubular body, fixed in use, having a first and a second end and a movable part slidable in the tubular body; the energy harvesting means being provided, in use, for generating electrical energy following the sliding of the movable part with respect to the tubular body that is fixed in use, during the deambulation; at least one actuator group for the energy harvesting means, including at least one fluid-dynamic circuit including: at least one first and one second tank including a fluid, the first tank being housed at a rear area of the sole and the second tank being housed at a front area of the sole; at least one first and one second joining conduit in fluid connection between the first tank and the first end of the at least one tubular body, and the second tank and the second end of the tubular body, respectively, where, the first tank has a configuration in plan view which is substantially elongated and curved.

Sole for footwears capable of recovering part of the energy produced during deambulation

Composite material comprising a matrix of elastic and electrically insulating material, and a filler of electrically conducting material embedded within the matrix. The filler forms a conductive path defining an active electrode adapted to be associated with a reference electrode for forming an electrical signal output. A deformable gap is formed between an outer surface of the conductive path and an inner surface of the matrix, in such a way that the application of a mechanical load to the composite material causes the surface of the conductive path and the surface of the matrix to be brought closer together, and the removal of the mechanical load causes the surface of the conductive path and the surface of the matrix to be moved away from one another as a result of the elastic force of the material of the matrix.

Triboelectric composite for mechanical energy harvesting and sensing

A robotic limb is described. The robotic limb has a closed tubular casing made of viscoelastic material defining a chamber containing an incompressible fluid. The closed tubular casing has a sheath formed by substantially inextensible intertwined wires. In the chamber there are groups of transverse actuators axially spaced from each other, connected to the sheath and adapted to reversibly contract the closed tubular casing at least partly in the radial direction. The robotic limb also has longitudinal actuators adapted to reversibly contract the closed tubular casing at least partly in the axial direction being connected to each of the groups of transverse actuators.

Bio-inspired continuous robotic limb

A robot having an overall structure inspired by theis described. The robot has soft arms joined in a radial manner to a central support. The soft arms have the capability of lengthening, shortening and wrapping around in a coil-shape manner. The extremely simple movements and coordination of the soft arms are effective because of the interaction between the single actions. For example during locomotion, while some arms act as a support for stability, the others provide for thrusting allowing the robot to advance. Once near the target, some arms provide for stability whereas the others can bend so as to wrap around and transport external entities.

Robot having soft arms for locomotion and grip purposes

Growing community of inventors

Castiglioncello, Italy

Barbara Mazzolai