Publication

A flexible high-fill-factor haptic interface integrating electrostatic valves

2025

Abstract

We report a compliant haptic interface with 6 inflatable 8 mm diameter bubble shaped bumps that the user explores with their finger. One single air supply controls 6 bubbles by using integrated electrostatic valves (ESValves) to independently lock each bumps in the up or down position. Applying a high voltage to the electrodes for a given bubble generates an electrostatic force that closes off the air channel at the entrance to only that bubble, enabling independent control over the inflation and deflation of individual bubbles. In comparison to previous HAXELs (Hydraulically Amplified Taxels) from our lab, this design achieves a 3x higher fill factor of 60%, but requires an air supply. The soft, thin structure allows for integration on curved surfaces and scalability for diverse applications.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/4b88d902-2d00-47e2-a65d-8006b7589b60

About this result

This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.

Graph Chat

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.

2025

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/4b88d902-2d00-47e2-a65d-8006b7589b60

About this result

Related concepts (32)

User interface design

User interface (UI) design or user interface engineering is the design of user interfaces for machines and software, such as computers, home appliances, mobile devices, and other electronic devices, with the focus on maximizing usability and the user experience. In computer or software design, user interface (UI) design primarily focuses on information architecture. It is the process of building interfaces that clearly communicates to the user what's important. UI design refers to graphical user interfaces and other forms of interface design.

Electrostatics

Electrostatics is a branch of physics that studies slow-moving or stationary electric charges. Since classical times, it has been known that some materials, such as amber, attract lightweight particles after rubbing. The Greek word for amber, ἤλεκτρον (), was thus the source of the word 'electricity'. Electrostatic phenomena arise from the forces that electric charges exert on each other. Such forces are described by Coulomb's law.

Electrostatic generator

An electrostatic generator, or electrostatic machine, is an electrical generator that produces static electricity, or electricity at high voltage and low continuous current. The knowledge of static electricity dates back to the earliest civilizations, but for millennia it remained merely an interesting and mystifying phenomenon, without a theory to explain its behavior and often confused with magnetism.

Related publications (8)

A flexible high-fill-factor haptic interface integrating electrostatic valves

Chat with Graph Search

Object-centric task representation and transfer using diffused orientation fields

Flexible 1kV thin-film transistor driving out-of-plane dielectric elastomer actuator

Optimization of ZnO Front Electrodes for High-Efficiency Micromorph Thin-Film Si Solar Cells