John J. Gangloff

Electrical anisotropy in multiscale nanotube/fiber hybrid composites

This letter reports an experimental and theoretical study on the electrical properties of carbon nanotube/glass fiber composites. Experimental measurements on unidirectional glass fiber composites with nanotubes dispersed in the polymer matrix show a high degree of anisotropy. The composites, manufactured with a vacuum infusion technique, do not show any significant process-induced anisotropy. Theoretical modeling reveals that the microstructure of the fiber composite plays a dominant role in the electrical behavior due to alteration of percolating paths in the carbon nanotube network.

Design and Optimization of a Cable Driven Upper Arm Exoskeleton

This paper outlines the design of a wearable upper arm exoskeleton that can be potentially used to assist and train arm movements of stroke survivors or subjects with weak musculature. In the last 10 years, a number of upper arm training devices have emerged. However, due to their size and weight, their use is restricted to clinics and research laboratories. Our proposed wearable exoskeleton builds upon our research experience in wire driven manipulators and design of rehabilitative systems. The exoskeleton consists of three main parts: (i) an inverted U-shaped cuff that rests on the shoulder, (ii) a cuff on the upper arm, and (iii) a cuff on the forearm. Six motors mounted on the shoulder cuff drive the cuffs on the upper arm and forearm with the use of cables. In order to assess the performance of this exoskeleton prior to use on humans, a laboratory test-bed has been developed where this exoskeleton is mounted on a model skeleton, instrumented with sensors to measure joint angles. This paper describes the design details of the exoskeleton and addresses the key issue of parameter optimization to achieve a useful workspace based on kinematic and kinetic models. The optimization results have also been motivated from activities of daily living.

Optimization and Design of a Cable Driven Upper Arm Exoskeleton

This paper presents the design of a wearable upper arm exoskeleton that can be used to assist and train arm movements of stroke survivors or subjects with weak musculature. In the last ten years, a number of upper-arm training devices have emerged. However, due to their size and weight, their use is restricted to clinics and research laboratories. Our proposed wearable exoskeleton builds upon our extensive research experience in wire driven manipulators and design of rehabilitative systems. The exoskeleton consists of three main parts: (i) an inverted U-shaped cuff that rests on the shoulder, (ii) a cuff on the upper arm, and (iii) a cuff on the forearm. Six motors, mounted on the shoulder cuff, drive the cuffs on the upper arm and forearm, using cables. In order to assess the performance of this exoskeleton, prior to use on humans, a laboratory test-bed has been developed where this exoskeleton is mounted on a model skeleton, instrumented with sensors to measure joint angles and transmitted forces to the shoulder. This paper describes design details of the exoskeleton and addresses the key issue of parameter optimization to achieve useful workspace based on kinematic and kinetic models.Copyright

Wind Turbine Manufacturing Process Monitoring

To develop a practical inline inspection that could be used in combination with automated composite material placement equipment to economically manufacture high performance and reliable carbon composite wind turbine blade spar caps. The approach technical feasibility and cost benefit will be assessed to provide a solid basis for further development and implementation in the wind turbine industry. The program is focused on the following technology development: (1) Develop in-line monitoring methods, using optical metrology and ultrasound inspection, and perform a demonstration in the lab. This includes development of the approach and performing appropriate demonstration in the lab; (2) Develop methods to predict composite strength reduction due to defects; and (3) Develop process models to predict defects from leading indicators found in the uncured composites.

Entrapment and venting of bubbles during vacuum bag prepreg processing

During composites manufacturing with partially pre-impregnated fibers (i.e. “prepregs”) in Out-of-Autoclave processes, non-impregnated fabric cross-sections serve as air pathways to evacuate entrapped bubbles of air, moisture, or volatiles. The bubbles trapped within a laminate during processing lead to decreased structural performance. In this work, the motion of resin and bubbles during the processing of a characteristic prepreg is directly visualized in situ. This is performed utilizing a previously developed flow visualization technique under known pressure and temperature conditions. This study investigates the processing conditions under which a bubble succeeds or fails to meet and coalesce with available air pathways in order to escape the laminate. A key finding of this study is that tunable process parameters, such as pressure and temperature, are less important for successful bubble removal as compared to the initial state of resin impregnation in the prepreg. Prepregs with initially high states of resin impregnation will often fail to draw bubbles into air pathways through the center of fiber tow cross sections, whereas prepregs with initially low states of resin impregnation have clear pathways for bubbles to meet local resin flow fronts, coalesce, and escape. The relevant literature on the motion of bubbles in confined spaces is discussed. It is observed that small Capillary number theory (i.e. Ca < 0.01) under predicts the relative velocity of bubbles, and the faster than expected bubble transport is likely due to effects given by the bubble aspect ratio via the fibrous micro-channel geometry.