Ally's First Thoughts

pRO BOno

• "a Latin phrase generally used to describe professional work [transfer of
  energy]undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service"
• "Pro bono service, unlike traditional volunteerism, uses the specific skills of professionals [materials] to provide services to those who are unable to afford them"
• "the central motivation of large organizations which exist for the public good rather than for shareholder profit"

Goals & Mechanics

• Motor does half the work, tension in material does other half of the work
• One movement (rotation), one direction, start/stop
• Basically stretching a material, then releasing so it goes back to its original shape (or remembered shape)

Biomimetic Inspiration

• Growth via coiling - ferns, vines
• Muscles at the base of hair follicles tighten and hair stands up to keep warm
• Tension and release - breathing, protection - pill bug

Model Concept

• Paper wrapped around pencil
• Wrapped around a rotating rod, in tension
• Springs open when released

Model Videos

• Simple kinetic model of paper wrapped around a pencil releasing stress.

• Delayed release of stress in laminated paper wrapped around a pencil.

Questions

Erase memory or create memory?

• By alternating direction, you erase the memory of the previous coil
• Coil clockwise, then coil counter-clockwise, brings material to neutral = straight

How to increase tension

• Instead of fibers pulling apart
• Want fibers to be flexible, but also stiff
• Material wear?
• Metals, plastics
• The more the material wants to be straight and flat, the more tension
• Laminating (using tape) along one side increased tension

Variations

• Both ends are fixed (loose end is fixed to the sleeve, sleeve slides down shaft)
• Orientation
• Lengths, widths, diameters (per material)