@article {2021, title = {A vanishing-inertia analysis for finite-dimensional rate-independent systems with nonautonomous dissipation and an application to soft crawlers}, volume = {60}, year = {2021}, month = {2021/08/03}, pages = {191}, abstract = {

We study the approximation of finite-dimensional rate-independent quasistatic systems, via a vanishing-inertia asymptotic analysis of dynamic evolutions. We prove the uniform convergence of dynamic solutions to a rate-independent one, employing the variational concept of energetic solution. Motivated by applications in soft locomotion, we allow time-dependence of the dissipation potential, and translation invariance of the potential energy.

}, isbn = {1432-0835}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00526-021-02067-6}, author = {Paolo Gidoni and Filippo Riva} } @article {FONDA20171064, title = {An avoiding cones condition for the Poincar{\'e}{\textendash}Birkhoff Theorem}, journal = {Journal of Differential Equations}, volume = {262}, number = {2}, year = {2017}, pages = {1064 - 1084}, abstract = {

We provide a geometric assumption which unifies and generalizes the conditions proposed in [11], [12], so to obtain a higher dimensional version of the Poincar{\'e}{\textendash}Birkhoff fixed point Theorem for Poincar{\'e} maps of Hamiltonian systems.

}, keywords = {Avoiding cones condition, Hamiltonian systems, Periodic solutions, Poincar{\'e}{\textendash}Birkhoff theorem}, issn = {0022-0396}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jde.2016.10.002}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022039616303278}, author = {Alessandro Fonda and Paolo Gidoni} } @article { refId0, title = {On the genesis of directional friction through bristle-like mediating elements}, journal = {ESAIM: COCV}, volume = {23}, number = {3}, year = {2017}, pages = {1023-1046}, abstract = {

We propose an explanation of the genesis of directional dry friction, as emergent property of the oscillations produced in a bristle-like mediating element by the interaction with microscale fluctuations on the surface. Mathematically, we extend a convergence result by Mielke, for Prandtl{\textendash}Tomlinson-like systems, considering also non-homothetic scalings of a wiggly potential. This allows us to apply the result to some simple mechanical models, that exemplify the interaction of a bristle with a surface having small fluctuations. We find that the resulting friction is the product of two factors: a geometric one, depending on the bristle angle and on the fluctuation profile, and a energetic one, proportional to the normal force exchanged between the bristle-like element and the surface. Finally, we apply our result to discuss the with the nap/against the nap asymmetry.

}, doi = {10.1051/cocv/2017030}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1051/cocv/2017030}, author = {Paolo Gidoni and Antonio DeSimone} } @article {Gidoni2017, title = {Stasis domains and slip surfaces in the locomotion of a bio-inspired two-segment crawler}, journal = {Meccanica}, volume = {52}, number = {3}, year = {2017}, month = {Feb}, pages = {587{\textendash}601}, abstract = {

We formulate and solve the locomotion problem for a bio-inspired crawler consisting of two active elastic segments (i.e., capable of changing their rest lengths), resting on three supports providing directional frictional interactions. The problem consists in finding the motion produced by a given, slow actuation history. By focusing on the tensions in the elastic segments, we show that the evolution laws for the system are entirely analogous to the flow rules of elasto-plasticity. In particular, sliding of the supports and hence motion cannot occur when the tensions are in the interior of certain convex regions (stasis domains), while support sliding (and hence motion) can only take place when the tensions are on the boundary of such regions (slip surfaces). We solve the locomotion problem explicitly in a few interesting examples. In particular, we show that, for a suitable range of the friction parameters, specific choices of the actuation strategy can lead to net displacements also in the direction of higher friction.

}, issn = {1572-9648}, doi = {10.1007/s11012-016-0408-0}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11012-016-0408-0}, author = {Paolo Gidoni and Antonio DeSimone} } @article {Fonda2016, title = {Generalizing the Poincar{\'e}{\textendash}Miranda theorem: the avoiding cones condition}, journal = {Annali di Matematica Pura ed Applicata (1923 -)}, volume = {195}, number = {4}, year = {2016}, month = {Aug}, pages = {1347{\textendash}1371}, abstract = {

After proposing a variant of the Poincar{\'e}{\textendash}Bohl theorem, we extend the Poincar{\'e}{\textendash}Miranda theorem in several directions, by introducing an avoiding cones condition. We are thus able to deal with functions defined on various types of convex domains, and situations where the topological degree may be different from \$\$\backslashpm \$\${\textpm}1. An illustrative application is provided for the study of functionals having degenerate multi-saddle points.

}, issn = {1618-1891}, doi = {10.1007/s10231-015-0519-6}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10231-015-0519-6}, author = {Alessandro Fonda and Paolo Gidoni} } @article {fonda2016periodic, title = {Periodic perturbations of Hamiltonian systems}, journal = {Advances in Nonlinear Analysis}, volume = {5}, number = {4}, year = {2016}, pages = {367{\textendash}382}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, abstract = {

We prove existence and multiplicity results for periodic solutions of Hamiltonian systems, by the use of a higher dimensional version of the Poincar{\'e}{\textendash}Birkhoff fixed point theorem. The first part of the paper deals with periodic perturbations of a completely integrable system, while in the second part we focus on some suitable global conditions, so to deal with weakly coupled systems.

}, doi = {10.1515/anona-2015-0122}, author = {Alessandro Fonda and Maurizio Garrione and Paolo Gidoni} } @mastersthesis {2016, title = {Two explorations in Dynamical Systems and Mechanics}, year = {2016}, school = {SISSA}, abstract = {This thesis contains the work done by Paolo Gidoni during the doctorate programme in Matematical Analysis at SISSA, under the supervision of A. Fonda and A. DeSimone. The thesis is composed of two parts: "Avoiding cones conditions and higher dimensional twist" and "Directional friction in bio-inspired locomotion".}, keywords = {Poincar{\'e}-Birkhoff Theorem}, author = {Paolo Gidoni} } @article {DESIMONE2015254, title = {Liquid crystal elastomer strips as soft crawlers}, journal = {Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids}, volume = {84}, year = {2015}, pages = {254 - 272}, abstract = {

In this paper, we speculate on a possible application of Liquid Crystal Elastomers to the field of soft robotics. In particular, we study a concept for limbless locomotion that is amenable to miniaturisation. For this purpose, we formulate and solve the evolution equations for a strip of nematic elastomer, subject to directional frictional interactions with a flat solid substrate, and cyclically actuated by a spatially uniform, time-periodic stimulus (e.g., temperature change). The presence of frictional forces that are sensitive to the direction of sliding transforms reciprocal, {\textquoteleft}breathing-like{\textquoteright} deformations into directed forward motion. We derive formulas quantifying this motion in the case of distributed friction, by solving a differential inclusion for the displacement field. The simpler case of concentrated frictional interactions at the two ends of the strip is also solved, in order to provide a benchmark to compare the continuously distributed case with a finite-dimensional benchmark. We also provide explicit formulas for the axial force along the crawler body.

}, keywords = {Crawling motility, Directional surfaces, Frictional interactions, Liquid crystal elastomers, Soft biomimetic robots}, issn = {0022-5096}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2015.07.017}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022509615300430}, author = {Antonio DeSimone and Paolo Gidoni and Giovanni Noselli} } @article {FONDA201573, title = {A permanence theorem for local dynamical systems}, journal = {Nonlinear Analysis: Theory, Methods \& Applications}, volume = {121}, year = {2015}, note = {Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations, in honor of Enzo Mitidieri for his 60th birthday}, pages = {73 - 81}, abstract = {

We provide a necessary and sufficient condition for permanence related to a local dynamical system on a suitable topological space. We then present an illustrative application to a Lotka{\textendash}Volterra predator{\textendash}prey model with intraspecific competition.

}, keywords = {Lotka{\textendash}Volterra, permanence, Predator{\textendash}prey, Uniform persistence}, issn = {0362-546X}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.na.2014.10.011}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362546X14003332}, author = {Alessandro Fonda and Paolo Gidoni} } @article {GIDONI201465, title = {Crawling on directional surfaces}, journal = {International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics}, volume = {61}, year = {2014}, pages = {65 - 73}, abstract = {

In this paper we study crawling locomotion based on directional frictional interactions, namely, frictional forces that are sensitive to the sign of the sliding velocity. Surface interactions of this type are common in biology, where they arise from the presence of inclined hairs or scales at the crawler/substrate interface, leading to low resistance when sliding {\textquoteleft}along the grain{\textquoteright}, and high resistance when sliding {\textquoteleft}against the grain{\textquoteright}. This asymmetry can be exploited for locomotion, in a way analogous to what is done in cross-country skiing (classic style, diagonal stride). We focus on a model system, namely, a continuous one-dimensional crawler and provide a detailed study of the motion resulting from several strategies of shape change. In particular, we provide explicit formulae for the displacements attainable with reciprocal extensions and contractions (breathing), or through the propagation of extension or contraction waves. We believe that our results will prove particularly helpful for the study of biological crawling motility and for the design of bio-mimetic crawling robots.

}, keywords = {Bio-mimetic micro-robots, Cell migration, Crawling motility, Directional surfaces, Self-propulsion}, issn = {0020-7462}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnonlinmec.2014.01.012}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020746214000213}, author = {Paolo Gidoni and Giovanni Noselli and Antonio DeSimone} }