Super tough bilayer actuators based on multi-responsive hydrogels crosslinked by functional triblock copolymer micelle macro-crosslinkers

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (16) ◽  
pp. 2619-2625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Sun ◽  
Hua Zhang ◽  
Dan Xu ◽  
Zhenwu Wang ◽  
Liufang Wang ◽  
...  

Bilayer hydrogels crosslinked by vinylated Pluronic F127 micelles show independent thermo-, pH-, and salt-responsiveness, and outstanding toughness, which have great potentials for soft robotics, actuators, and artificial muscles.

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan T. Shafranek ◽  
Joel D. Leger ◽  
Song Zhang ◽  
Munira Khalil ◽  
Xiaodan Gu ◽  
...  

Directed self-assembly in polymeric hydrogels allows tunability of thermal response and viscoelastic properties.


Author(s):  
Zheng Xu ◽  
Yujie Chen ◽  
Chi Chen ◽  
Zhen Chen ◽  
Yu Tong Guo ◽  
...  

Abstract Programmable and reconfigurable artificial muscles are highly promising and desirable for applications, including soft robotics, flexible devices, and biomedical devices. However, the combination of considerable strain and high energy...


Theranostics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (7) ◽  
pp. 705-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liwei Liu ◽  
Ken-Tye Yong ◽  
Indrajit Roy ◽  
Wing-Cheung Law ◽  
Ling Ye ◽  
...  

RSC Advances ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (50) ◽  
pp. 26398-26406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingqing Ke ◽  
Yanqiong Liu ◽  
Huajun Liu ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Yating Hu ◽  
...  

An easy method to synthesize surfactant-modified graphene for a supercapacitor is demonstrated through the intercalation of graphene oxide (GO) with a triblock copolymer Pluronic F127 (F127).


Author(s):  
Mills Patel ◽  
Rudrax Khamar ◽  
Akshat Shah ◽  
Tej shah ◽  
Bhavik Soneji

This paper appraisals state-of-the-art dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) and their forthcoming standpoints as soft actuators which have freshly been considered as a crucial power generation module for soft robots. DEs behave as yielding capacitors, expanding in area and attenuation in thickness when a voltage is applied. The paper initiates with the explanation of working principle of dielectric elastomer grippers. Here the operation of DEAs include both physics and mechanical properties with its characteristics, we have describe methods for modelling and its introductory application. In inclusion, the artificial muscle based on DEA concept is also formally presented. This paper also elaborates DEAs popular application such as- Soft Robotics, Robotics grippers and artificial muscles.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 968-974
Author(s):  
Witchuda Thongking ◽  
Ardi Wiranata ◽  
Ayato Minaminosono ◽  
Zebing Mao ◽  
Shingo Maeda ◽  
...  

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are a promising technology for soft robotics. The use of DEAs has many advantages, including light weight, resilience, and fast response for its applications, such as grippers, artificial muscles, and heel strike generators. Grippers are commonly used as grasping devices. In this study, we focus on DEA applications and propose a technology to expand the applicability of a soft gripper. The advantages of gripper-based DEAs include light weight, fast response, and low cost. We fabricated soft grippers using multiple DEA layers. The grippers successfully held or gripped an object, and we investigated the response time of the grippers and their angle characteristics. We studied the relationship between the number of DEA layers and the performance of our grippers. Our experimental results show that the multi-layered DEAs have the potential to be strong grippers.


Actuators ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Titus Mulembo ◽  
Waweru Njeri ◽  
Gakuji Nagai ◽  
Hirohisa Tamagawa ◽  
Keishi Naito ◽  
...  

Conventional rigid actuators, such as DC servo motors, face challenges in utilizing them in artificial muscles and soft robotics. Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) overcome all these limitations, as they exhibit complex and fast motions, quietness, lightness, and softness. Recently, there has been much focus on studies of the DEAs material’s non-linearity, the non-linear electromechanical coupling, and viscoelastic behavior of VHB and silicone-based conical DEAs having compliant electrodes that are based on graphite powder and carbon grease. However, the mitigation of overshoot that arises from fast response conical DEAs made with solid electrodes has not received much research focus. In this paper, we fabricated a conical configuration of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane (MWCNT/PDMS) based DEAs with a rise time of 10 ms, and 50% peak overshoot. We developed a full feedback state-based linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) having Luenberger observer to mitigate the DEAs overshoot in both the voltage ON and OFF instances. The cone DEA’s model was identified and a stable and well-fitting transfer function with a fit of 94% was obtained. Optimal parameters Q = 70,000, R = 0.1, and Q = 7000, R = 0.01 resulted in the DEA response having a rise time value of 20 ms with zero overshoot, in both simulations and experiments. The LQR approach can be useful for the control of fast response DEAs and this would expand the potential use of the DEAs as artificial muscles in soft robotics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayue Shi ◽  
Eric M. Yeatman

AbstractArtificial muscles are capable of generating actuation in microsystems with outstanding compliance. Recent years have witnessed a growing academic interest in artificial muscles and their application in many areas, such as soft robotics and biomedical devices. This paper aims to provide a comparative review of recent advances in artificial muscle based on various operating mechanisms. The advantages and limitations of each operating mechanism are analyzed and compared. According to the unique application requirements and electrical and mechanical properties of the muscle types, we suggest suitable artificial muscle mechanisms for specific microsystem applications. Finally, we discuss potential strategies for energy delivery, conversion, and storage to promote the energy autonomy of microrobotic systems at a system level.


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