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Tensegrity Disaster Response Sensor

Daniel Lim, a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering, has developed a groundbreaking deployable sensor for disaster areas, inspired by tensegrity structures. The sensor can be dropped from drones to gather crucial data for emergency response crews, including gas leaks, visuals, and audios from survivors. The project, which started in Seoul, Korea in August 2021 and finished in Berkeley, California in March 2022, has won the prestigious Platinum A' Design Award in 2022.

The sensor, with a maximum size of 150 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm when deployed and 150 mm x 150 mm x 60 mm when collapsed, offers a range of data to response teams in catastrophe regions. It can be deployed from over 50 meters above the ground without the need for an additional device, making it especially beneficial for unapproachable disaster sites. The modules are stored in a basket under the drone with an autonomous deployment system and are deployed on multiple sites nearby to the region of interest once the drone arrives at the location.

The design's unique properties lie in its ability to provide essential data where humans are unable to approach. The sensor rapidly deploys into a fully tensioned tensegrity structure, absorbing enough energy from impact with the ground, and collects data for the reaction strategy by deploying various sensors. The project faced challenges in finding appropriate materials for the string and the module's assembly, which were overcome by using 3D printed jigs and nylon threads to provide sturdiness and enough tension for the construction.

Lim's design is based on the tensegrity structure, which has sparked academic interest due to its energy absorption qualities. The quick reaction team frequently lacks the data required for the response plan, particularly in the case of large-scale disasters. Lim's innovative sensor aims to bridge this gap and provide crucial data for effective response strategies.

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