This $330,001 federal Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) supports a research project at Clark University on the physical principles governing the dynamics of soft, undulating filaments in granular environments. Key objectives include:
Constructing prototype soft robots that can navigate through complex sediment beds, enabled by a deeper understanding of burrowing mechanics
Developing theoretical models to capture the shape, speed, and control of oscillating elastic structures moving through granular media
Examining conditions that give rise to efficient metachronal wave patterns in multi-filament arrays for granular transport
Conducting experiments using optical index matching techniques to observe soft filament dynamics within opaque sediment beds
Training graduate students through the research project and developing educational outreach materials on burrowing physics for K-12 and public audiences
The award period runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027. The research aims to advance the physical intelligence required for soft robotics applications in complex terrains and enable more effective granular transport systems.