The interdisciplinary approach of developing hardware for autonomous sensors and machine learning—or Artificial intelligence—in combination with the fundamentals and applications of VAM has produced extensive results. Fundamental relationships were understood for the first time, new possibilities were developed, and many new scientific questions arose in the project so far. The organisation and content of the scientific work, schematically shown in the below Figure 1, comprises four work packages (WP). The findings per work package are introduced subsequently.
Application of 3D Laser Scanning Vibrometer in BMWK-funded research "Nanopflaster"
A focus of scientific work at the Institute for Metal and Composite Construction (Prof. Rutner) is the fatigue of structures and thus the assessment and repair of the metallic infrastructure. The focus is on the connections. The welded connection is a fatigue-critical connection. There is a lack of economical and reliable methods of repairing weld seams. – Mr. Rutner and his team of scientists are developing the Nanoplaster, a nanostructured metallic multilayer film that is applied to the weld seam and permanently protects the weld seam against fatigue and corrosion (see Figure 1a, b). This nanopatch, for example applied to a butt-welded connection (double-V seam), causes an increase in the notch drop from 80 to over 190 (!), as recently reported in Scientific Reports (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49192-0) and in an article in Stahlbau (https://doi.org/10.1002/stab.202400048) (see Figure 1c-e). In order to evaluate the effects of the Nanopflaster on the overall structure, the coaxial unit of the 3D Laser Scanning Vibrometer is used.
Knowledge transfer: Prof. Rutner plans to certify the nanoplaster in 2026 as part of the current BMWK Nanoplaster research project, which is funded with EUR 2.24 million. The technology is planned to be used in bridge construction, among other things, from 2027. Preparations are currently underway to attach the Nanopflaster on a real bridge structure in the port of Hamburg for the first time (see Figure 1f).
Development of a Bio Sensor
The research work is divided into three approaches, which are briefly outlined below:
Comparative analysis of the dynamics of haptic actuators: 3D laser Doppler vibrometers compared to inexpensive analogue measurement systems
The aim of this project is to evaluate the dynamic performance of haptic actuators by using two different measurement techniques: 3D laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) and a low-cost analog system developed by the Institute for Mechatronics in Mechanics (IMEK) at the Hamburg University of Technology. LDV offers a non-contact method for capturing high-resolution displacement and vibration profiles of actuator surfaces under varying input conditions. In contrast, the analog system developed by IMEK offers a more accessible approach to haptic measurement. By conducting parallel evaluations of both methods, the project seeks to determine the accuracy, reliability and practicality of the analog system in comparison to established LDV technology. The findings will be incorporated into the development of efficient and cost-effective haptic measurement solutions for applications such as virtual reality, medical simulations and wearable devices.
Contactless validation of hand impedance by laser Doppler vibrometer
This project investigates the dynamic properties of hand impedance by actuating a specific area of the skin and measuring the resulting vibrations on the opposite side using a 3D laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV). Through non-contact, high-resolution analysis of the skin's vibration response, LDV enables precise characterization of the mechanical impedance of the hand. This approach validates the transfer of mechanical energy through soft tissue and supports applications in haptics, biomechanics and human-machine interaction. The aim of the study is to improve the understanding of how local actuation affects the overall mechanical behavior of the hand and thus contribute to the development of improved haptic interfaces and prostheses.
Development of a novel biosensor for adding haptic functions in MIS applications
The aim is to develop a bioinspired whisker sensor to improve precision in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The sensor design is inspired by mammalian whiskers, which are flexible, hair-like structures used for tactile perception. In the first phase, we plan to use our setup to characterize the sensor in terms of sensitivity and dynamics and then optimize it. In this phase we need LDV for measurement. We will then test various objects and use machine learning to reconstruct surface properties. Ultimately, we want to build a prototype that mimics vein structures and investigates the mechanoelastic properties of vein walls.
This research is partly funded by:
