Sponge Claw - Spatial Fitting| Let's Connect
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Space Sponge High Tech Structure
Summary
This solution organizes a way for astronauts to develop their own pieces and connect them in space. Using molds and a mold base they will be able to create architectural expansion just filling them with an expansive liquid, like polyurethane foam.There are six important parts for this solution:1-Moldure Sacks2-Moldure base3-Sponge4-Sensors5-Magnets6-ClawsIn this solution we thought about an easy operation, with lightweight items, but allow a networked structure that has various sensors. Developed to have great security for the astronauts to handle, inside the spacecraft/space building, and to work in low or no gravity.
How We Addressed This Challenge
We developed a way to create structural pieces in space, allowing astronaut or robots to expand the base/space station. Using plastic bags with certain forms, like hollow cubes and plates, the astronauts may fill these bags with a compressed liquid that becomes a hardened foam.
This is important to create an easy way for astronauts to expand their structure with low cost
materials. Easy to mold, create new forms, fix and upgrade structures without
letting technology aside. Although the structure may not be hard as metal, it
is hard enough for a space station or even Mars. (Stationary buildings)
It works as those plastic bags are filled and astronauts place cables and sensors
inside, creating structures that transfer data while connected. For example,
each square form should hold at least 32 cables, supporting at least 24
sensors.
Eachform tip should have an anchored magnet, allowing an easy way to attach
correctly to the next piece, giving astronauts a little help when putting them
in place. Also on the sides of the tip, there will be metal contacts that allow
the cable to be expanded further.
Except for the sponge like material, every other piece is very lightweight and cheap
to make. Mostly composed by soft and hardened plastics. The sponge could be
sent in 2 ways, inside a pressurized tank/can or separated bags (solution and
catalyst). A little bit of the product should be able to fill plenty of forms,
optimizing its use.
If needed and to lock it permanently in place, we created a hand/claw like
structure that could be wrapped over the tip of the form and is activated electrically
to open. If it does not have energy it will shrink/torn and lock structures in
place. To release it should be energized again and it will release its
fingers/claws.
We hope to achieve space base construction process that takes less time and should not require lots of materials.
How We Developed This Project
We had a few members, so we decided to make the choice with a vote, we started by listing which challenge each one felt like doing. As the voting went on, we analyzed each of those challenges comparing what each of us could help with (knowledge, capabilities, et cetera), we chose this one after we filtered those that were more compatible with the group. The team consists of an Mechatronic Engineer, and 3 ITs, including the site representative.
To accomplish the development, we decided that the "divide and conquer" would be the best approach, so each one got a little task. In the beginning, it was all about research and brainstorming, we spent the whole first day on it, gathering information of materials that could be used, shapes, mechanisms for locking and releasing parts, et cetera. We decided then to divide the development according with the research and the technical capabilities of each member, as well as creating many sketches, then we shared every little progress.
The tools we used were Adobe Illustrator, and Autodesk Sketchbook for sketch and basic prototype; TinkerCAD with C++ to set a Virtual Arduino using a multiplexing setup, as our electronic prototype; FreeCAD to make the Molds(Casts) for the foam parts; And for comms we used Google Meet and Discord.
We had a few issues while setting up the Arduino with multiplexing, the idea was to try using Charlieplexing but the time was short to make it work as we desired, we managed to find a way to do something similar, but not quite what we wanted. We discover that the foam cannot withhold gas, at least not without a proper layer of material to block off those 'pores', for that we thought of using a Bag mold/cast system, and that also opened paths for many other things within, such as flexibility to create many different shapes depending on what is desired.
How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project
We used NASA data in the research for possible materials to build these items and
considered the space ambient like pressure, temperature, vibrations and many
more data collected during space investigation. All this data was found in many
articles.
Project Demo
Data & Resources
Research:
Modern Technologies For Fast Construction Housing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPf5ZhGqEN4&feature=emb_rel_end
Arduino Charlieplexing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-aekB33svI
Electric Paint - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd75H9HbYTM
NiTi Nitinol - https://www.nasa.gov/feature/glenn/2019/perseverance-is-key-to-nasa-s-advancement-of-alloys-for-bearings-and-gears
NASA-427, A New Aluminum Alloy - https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/MFS-TOPS-8
POLYURETHANE FOAM USED ON SPACE SHUTTLE - https://dura-foam.com/resources/foam-roofing/nasa-shuttle-fuel-tank/
https://www.preparaenem.com/quimica/poliuretano.htm
Charlieplexing - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlieplexing
Tools:
Tinkercad - https://www.tinkercad.com/
Freecad - https://www.freecadweb.org/