Foto del docente

Rocco Vertechy

Professore ordinario

Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale

Settore scientifico disciplinare: ING-IND/13 MECCANICA APPLICATA ALLE MACCHINE

Temi di ricerca

Parole chiave: Materiali e strutture intelligenti, meccatronica, robotica

Rocco’s research activities deal with the development of complex mechatronic systems with rigid and deformable elements, with specific expertise in:

  • Kinematic and dynamic modelling and simulation
  • Multi-physic modelling and simulation
  • Computed aided engineering design (with flexible multi-body dynamic and finite element tools)
  • Model-based control
  • System integration, experimental testing and validation in relevant environments

Applications are in the following fields:

  1. Smart Transducers:
    • Electro-adhesive thin-film devices for grippers, clutches and brakes
    • Sensors, actuators and generators based on dielectric elastomers and fluids
    • Sensors, actuators and generators based on piezoelectric polymers
    • Actuators based on twisted and coiled polymer fibres
    • Actuators based on shape memory alloys
    • Series-elastic and variable-impedance actuators
  2. Smart Structures:
    • Mechanism with compliant joints
    • Inflatable elastomeric composite structures
    • Topology optimization of multifunctional components to be produced by additive manufacturing
    • 3D printed mechanisms made with long-fibre reinforced thermoplastics
  3. Robotics:
    • Collaborative robots
    • Safe human-robot interaction
    • Active exoskeletons and prostheses for upper and lower limbs
    • Snake-like robots for inspection (mobile and fixed)
    • Medical instruments
    • Rehabilitation devices
    • Industrial robots
    • Parallel manipulators
  4. Automated Machines:
    • Gripping and handling systems
    • Low-impedance mechanisms (reduced inertia, dynamic compensation)
    • High-efficiency mechanical transmissions
    • Optimal matching of motor-reducer-load
  1. Renewable Energy Systems:
    • Ocean wave energy harvesting
    • Airborne (high-altitude) wind energy harvesting
  2. Soft Biomedical Devices:
    • Wearable sensors to measure human motion
    • Miniature systems for tissue and fluid manipulation