Research

Public Engagement - Bringing smart materials to the art and design community

Principal investigator: Federico CARPI
Robotic butterflies made of dielectric elastomer actuatorsWith the project "PauseInMotion", Dr Carpi's group are aimed at bringing cutting-edge smart materials to the art and design community, providing an opportunity to understand these materials and their potential. This is achieved via an artistic installation based on a dielectric elastomer actuators that are used to build biomimetic robotic butterflies that mimic resting dynamics of migrating butterflies. The contrast between the realistic movement of the robotic butterflies and their plastic construction showcases the beauty and potential of smart materials, and the way that engineering research is inspired by – and evolves to imitate – nature.