Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2026
11:06
Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery
Published on: November 14, 2015
Design and structural analysis of highly mobile space suits and gloves
J A Main1, S W Peterson, A M Strauss
1Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA.
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets
|November 1, 1994
Summary
The fabric's stiffness, or modulus, is crucial for space-suit glove flexibility. Optimizing fabric selection and glove design is key for astronaut mobility.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Aerospace Engineering
- Human Factors Engineering
Background:
- Space-suit gloves are critical for astronaut dexterity but often limit mobility.
- Current designs face challenges in balancing pressurization with flexibility.
- Understanding fabric properties is essential for improving space-suit performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate factors controlling the flexibility of fabric space-suit elements, particularly gloves.
- To assess the impact of fabric modulus on joint flexibility.
- To inform design strategies and fabric selection for enhanced mobility.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a bending model of a pressurized fabric tube to analyze flexibility.
- Examined the relationship between fabric properties, glove design, and joint mobility.
- Evaluated current research trends in space-suit glove development.
Main Results:
- Fabric modulus significantly influences the flexibility of space-suit joints.
- Glove size and design are important, but fabric properties are equally critical.
- The study provides insights for optimizing fabric selection in space-suit components.
Conclusions:
- Fabric modulus is a key determinant of space-suit joint flexibility.
- Optimized fabric selection, alongside design and sizing, is necessary for highly mobile space-suit gloves.
- Findings can guide future research and development of advanced space-suit systems.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Design Consideration
Designing a structure involves a series of considerations, primarily the material's ultimate strength, calculated through tests that measure changes under increased force until the material reaches its breaking point or limit. The ultimate load, where the material breaks, is divided by its original cross-sectional area, resulting in the ultimate normal stress or strength. The ultimate shearing stress is another significant factor taken into account.
The factor of safety is another key aspect...
The factor of safety is another key aspect...
01:16Design of Transmission Shafts
The design of a transmission shaft is governed by two primary specifications: the power it transmits and its rotational speed. These parameters guide the selection of the shaft's material and cross-sectional dimensions, ensuring that the material's maximum shearing stress remains within the elastic limit while transmitting the desired power at the given speed. The system's power is intrinsically linked to the applied torque. The torque applied to the shaft can be calculated by reconfiguring the...
01:15Design of Transmission Shafts - Stress Analysis
Designing a transmission shaft requires a thorough understanding of the stresses induced by bending moments and torques, especially in systems where power is transferred through gears. These forces create force-couple systems at the centers of the shaft's cross-sections, leading to both transverse and torsional loading. Although shearing stresses from transverse loads are typically smaller than those from torques and are often overlooked, the significant normal stresses from these loads...