Energies,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
17(23), P. 6130 - 6130
Published: Dec. 5, 2024
This
study
identifies
hydraulically
amplified
self-healing
electrostatic
(HASEL)
transducers
as
electricity
generators,
contrary
to
their
conventional
role
actuators.
HASELs
are
soft,
variable-capacitance
inspired
by
biological
muscles
which
were
developed
mimic
the
flexibility
and
functionality
of
natural
muscle
tissues.
research
characterizes
generators
reversing
energy
conversion
mechanism—generating
through
mechanical
deformation.
The
assesses
practical
laboratory
performance
analytic
modeling
experimental
evaluation.
Outcomes
include
following:
(i)
up
2.5
mJ
per
cycle
50
mm
wide
HASEL
pouch
positive
net
generation
in
testing—corresponding
an
density
2.0
cm−3;
(ii)
a
maximum
theoretical
4.2
(iii)
electromechanical
characteristics
governing
efficient
conversion;
(iv)
design
considerations
enhance
generator
future
applications.
broadens
HASEL’s
applicability
utility
multi-functional
transducer
for
renewable
general
adaptive
generation.
Soft Robotics,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 10, 2025
Hydraulically
amplified
self-healing
electrostatic
(HASEL)
actuators
are
known
for
their
muscle-like
activation,
rapid
operation,
and
direct
electrical
control,
making
them
highly
versatile
use
in
soft
robotics.
While
current
methods
enhancing
HASEL
actuator
performance
largely
emphasize
material
innovation,
our
approach
offers
an
additional
architectural
strategy.
In
this
study,
we
introduce
a
novel
hydraulically
rigidity-adaptive
(HARIE)
designed
to
significantly
enhance
while
maintaining
controllability
by
elucidating
the
underlying
issues
of
pull-in
instability.
Our
experimental
results
indicate
that
HARIE
achieves
significant
improvement,
with
over
200%
increase
angular
output
consistently
strong
torque
compared
flexible
electrodes.
Notably,
maximum
step
is
21.8°/kV,
approximately
one
third
rigid
electrodes
(62.3°/kV),
suggesting
smoother
motion
control.
The
actuator's
effectiveness
further
demonstrated
practical
applications;
it
successfully
grasps
orange
weighing
15.2
g
delicate
dandelion.
Additionally,
precise
targeting
capability
evidenced
its
ability
manipulate
laser
induce
heat
accumulation,
leading
balloon's
breakdown,
thereby
showcasing
high
level
controllability.
method
mitigates
negative
impacts
suboptimal
materials
demonstrates
potential
enhancement
when
combined
superior
materials.
Advanced Functional Materials,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 9, 2025
Abstract
Soft
machines
crafted
from
stimuli‐responsive
materials
hold
great
potential
for
intelligent
autonomous
systems.
To
stably
generate
a
self‐sustainable
motion
under
constant
stimuli,
it
is
essential
to
overcome
the
challenges
of
geometric
design,
physical
modeling,
and
mechanical‐guided
parametric
study.
Here,
inspired
by
classical
Möbius
strip,
threefold
machine
made
humidity‐responsive
agarose
films
proposed.
A
theoretical
model
built
based
on
moisture
diffusion
developable
surface
unveil
mechanisms
curvature‐driven
rotary
with
shape
conservation,
establish
quantitative
correlations
between
speed
environmental
parameters
optimize
design
given
constraints.
As
result,
capable
operating
in
humid
environment
252
hours
developed.
It
can
also
continuously
output
mechanical
work
sense
ambient
humidity.
envisaged
that
T
integration
structural
principles
modeling
will
push
development
innovative
robotic
systems
next
level.
Biomimetics,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
10(3), P. 152 - 152
Published: March 2, 2025
The
muscle-like
movement
and
speed
of
the
electrohydraulic
actuator
have
granted
it
much
attention
in
soft
robotics.
Our
aim
is
to
review
advancements
actuators
inspired
by
Hydraulically
Amplified
Self-healing
Electrostatic
(HASEL)
actuator.
With
this
paper,
we
focus
on
performance
21
designs
developed
across
five
Universities,
ranging
from
earliest
HASEL
latest
designs.
These
reported
up
60
N
forces
contracting
strains
99%.
with
best
overall
so
far
been
Quadrant
HEXEL
actuator,
at
University
Colorado
Boulder.
However,
notable
also
HALVE
(produced
ETH
Zürich,
Switzerland),
which,
using
a
5
µm
PVDF-TrFE-CTFE
film
relative
permittivity
40,
produced
100
times
electrostatic
force
any
under
review.
latter
shows
that
there
room
for
improvement
as
low
displacement
still
limit
viability
real-life
applications.
Applied Sciences,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
15(6), P. 3293 - 3293
Published: March 18, 2025
Artificial
muscles
underlie
exciting,
novel
technologies
that
have
many
wide-reaching
applications:
exoskeleton
actuation,
walker
robots,
prosthetics
and
stealthy
underwater
propulsion.
Actuating
these
via
electrostatic
forces
promises
excellent
energy
efficiency
output
force
density
a
high
strength-to-weight
ratio.
Building
through
3D-printed
conductive
microfluidics
fast
mass
production
at
low
cost.
A
microfluidic
double-helix
weave
as
potential
solution
for
the
architectural
design
of
actuators
has
previously
been
reported.
However,
more
recent
experimental
work
showed
architecture
was
not
manufacturable
necessary
scale,
given
limitations
current
3D-printing
technology.
Herein,
several
alternative
architectures
are
presented.
They
advanced
compatible
with
manufacturing
requirements,
offer
additional
benefits.
The
presented
results
confirm
their
improvements
in
manufacturability.
These
represent
significant
step
towards
proof
principle
practical
implementation
artificial
muscles.
Chemical Reviews,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 31, 2025
Sensorimotor
functions,
the
seamless
integration
of
sensing,
decision-making,
and
actuation,
are
fundamental
for
robots
to
interact
with
their
environments.
Inspired
by
biological
systems,
incorporation
soft
materials
devices
into
robotics
holds
significant
promise
enhancing
these
functions.
However,
current
systems
often
lack
autonomy
intelligence
observed
in
nature
due
limited
sensorimotor
integration,
particularly
flexible
sensing
actuation.
As
field
progresses
toward
soft,
flexible,
stretchable
materials,
developing
such
becomes
increasingly
critical
advanced
robotics.
Despite
rapid
advancements
individually
devices,
combined
applications
enable
capabilities
emerging.
This
review
addresses
this
emerging
providing
a
comprehensive
overview
that
functions
robots.
We
delve
latest
development
technologies,
actuation
mechanism,
structural
designs,
fabrication
techniques.
Additionally,
we
explore
strategies
control,
artificial
(AI),
practical
application
across
various
domains
as
healthcare,
augmented
virtual
reality,
exploration.
By
drawing
parallels
aims
guide
future
research
robots,
ultimately
adaptability
unstructured
