Project Details
Projekt
Methods for the automation of handling processes under cryogenic conditions
Subject Area
Production Automation and Assembly Technology
Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development
Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development
Term
from 2017 to 2023
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 349906175
The project addresses the automation of handling processes in biobanks in the field of cryopreservation (from -130°C to -196°C). Possible benefits are the opportunity to prevent contact with biological materials or the cooling medium which ensure human safety. Automation will additionally prevent confusing stored samples or damaging the organic materials due to varying temperatures during the manual process. The latter is a crucial fact to improve the storability of such materials. Generally, automation is efficiency-raising, it improves the repeatability and speeds up the handling operation, as well.In the light of cryogenic conditions and an applied robot system therein, the advantageous characteristics of parallel robots emerge. Their kinematic structure allows separating the motors from the cryogenic environment so that the motors as well as the control unit of the robot system can remain at room temperature whereas its mobile platform is located inside the cryogenic area. The platform is connected to the motors with two or more linkages using passive flexure hinges. Within the first period the usage of flexure hinges is investigated along with the applicability of materials to be used for flexure hinges under cryogenic conditions. In addition concepts and their validation for the locally heating of these flexure hinges to control their deformation characteristics at cryogenic temperature are developed.Furthermore wireless energy transmission concepts and energy storage devices in cryogenic environment are investigated. This will enable the use of a cryogenic resistant and energy-self-sufficient actuators as well as sensors integrated into a gripper for handling of probes.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
