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Interacting Parallel Fluidic Hysterons
Katrien Stinissen1, Franco Nicolas Piñan Basualdo1, Benjamin Gorissen1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Researchers explored parallel-connected fluidic hysterons, nonlinear elements with memory, in inflatable soft systems. Preset volumes offer a new way to control their interactions and tune system responses for embodied computation.
Area of Science:
- Soft Robotics and Inflatable Systems
- Nonlinear Dynamics and Control
- Computational Materials Science
Background:
- Highly nonlinear structures are crucial for software-free advanced functionality.
- Fluidic hysterons, nonlinear fluidic elements with memory, are promising for complex behaviors in inflatable soft systems.
- Previous research primarily focused on series connections (pressure-shared) of inflatable hysteretic elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavior of inflatable hysterons connected in a parallel, equal-volume-change architecture.
- To develop a general framework for understanding series and parallel connections of nonlinear inflatable structures in pressure-volume space.
- To introduce a practical strategy for controlling interactions in these coupled systems.
Main Methods:
- Development of a general analytical framework to describe pressure-volume relationships in series and parallel hysteretic element connections.
- Introduction of a strategy involving presetting pressures and volumes to manipulate system interactions.
- Experimental validation using parallel-connected fluidic hysterons to compare with analytical predictions.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that parallel coupling of fluidic hysterons in an equal-volume-change architecture is feasible and distinct from series configurations.
- Validated analytical predictions for parallel connections through experimental data.
- Showcased preset volume as a key control parameter for tuning interaction strength and functional response in parallel systems.
Conclusions:
- Volume-constrained parallel coupling represents a novel design principle for inflatable systems.
- This architecture enables distributed memory and embodied computation in soft systems.
- The developed framework and control strategy offer new possibilities for designing complex inflatable devices.
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