Title: Increasing the Energy Efficiency of Digging in Granular Materials

Author (Talk): Dawn Wendell, MIT

Abstract:

Granular systems exhibit interesting behaviors based on the inhomogenous distribution of forces within the system. Here we report on two ways to use these system-level inhomogeneities to increase energy efficiency in digging. Based on earlier experimental work with plant roots, we focused on digging technologies that involve mechanical flexibility and tip-actuation. We find that diggers with mechanical flexibility can use up to one-third of the energy of rigid diggers while still achieving the same final depth. Actuating the tip of the diggers also leads to an increase in digging efficiency but this energy savings is negated by the energy required to create the motion.

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