Bistable and Multistable Actuators for Soft Robots: Structures, Materials, and Functionalities

Advanced Materials, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 34(19)

Опубликована: Фев. 16, 2022

Snap-through bistability is often observed in nature (e.g., fast snapping to closure of Venus flytrap) and the life bottle caps hair clippers). Recently, harnessing multistability different structures soft materials has attracted growing interest for high-performance actuators robots. They have demonstrated broad unique applications high-speed locomotion on land under water, adaptive sensing grasping, shape reconfiguration, electronics-free controls with a single input, logic computation. Here, an overview integrating bistable multistable actuating diverse soft/flexible robots given. The mechanics-guided structural design principles five categories basic elements from 1D 3D (i.e., constrained beams, curved plates, dome shells, compliant mechanisms linkages flexible hinges deformable origami, balloon structures) are first presented, alongside brief discussions typical fluidic elastomers stimuli-responsive such as electro-, photo-, thermo-, magnetic-, hydro-responsive polymers). Following that, these each category their robotic discussed. To conclude, perspectives challenges opportunities this emerging field considered.

Язык: Английский

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Recent Progress on Flexible Capacitive Pressure Sensors: From Design and Materials to Applications

Advanced Materials Technologies, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 6(4)

Опубликована: Март 5, 2021

Abstract For decades, the revolution in design and fabrication methodology of flexible capacitive pressure sensors using various inorganic/organic materials has significantly enhanced field wearable electronics with a wide range applications aerospace, automobiles, marine environment, robotics, healthcare, consumer/portable electronics. Mathematical modelling, finite element simulations, unique strategies are utilized to fabricate diverse shapes diaphragms, shells, cantilevers which function normal, touch, or double touch modes, operation principles inspired from microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based sensing techniques. The technique detects changes capacitance due deformation/deflection sensitive mechanical that alters separation gap capacitor. Due advancement state‐of‐the‐art technologies, performance properties enhanced. In this review paper, recent progress techniques terms design, materials, is reported. mechanics steps paper‐based low‐cost MEMS/flexible devices also broadly Lastly, sensors, challenges, future perspectives discussed.

Язык: Английский

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Finite Element Modeling of Soft Fluidic Actuators: Overview and Recent Developments

Advanced Intelligent Systems, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 3(2)

Опубликована: Окт. 28, 2020

Many soft robots are composed of fluidic actuators that fabricated from silicone rubbers and use hydraulic or pneumatic actuation. The strong nonlinearities complex geometries hinder the development analytical models to describe their motion. Finite element modeling provides an effective solution this issue allows user predict performance optimize actuator designs. Herein, literature on a finite analysis is reviewed. First, required nonlinear elasticity concepts introduced with focus relevant for robotics. In particular, procedure determining material constants hyperelastic testing curve fitting explored. Then, comprehensive review constitutive model parameters most widely used in provided. An overview provided three commercially available software packages (Abaqus, Ansys, COMSOL). combination procedures, properties, design guidelines presented article can be as starting point robotic design.

Язык: Английский

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Programmable Morphing Hydrogels for Soft Actuators and Robots: From Structure Designs to Active Functions

Accounts of Chemical Research, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 55(11), С. 1533 - 1545

Опубликована: Апрель 12, 2022

ConspectusNature provides abundant inspiration and elegant paradigms for the development of smart materials that can actuate, morph, move on demand. One remarkable capacity living organisms is to adapt their shapes or positions in response stimuli. Programmed deformations movements plant organs are mainly driven by water absorption/dehydration cells, while versatile motions mollusks based contraction/extension muscles. Understanding general principles these morphing motion behaviors give rise disruptive technologies soft robotics, flexible electronics, biomedical devices, etc. As one kind intelligent material, hydrogels with high similarity biotissues diverse responses external stimuli an ideal candidate construct actuators robots.The objective this Account overview fundamental controllable hydrogels, a focus structure designs responsive functions corresponding robots. This field has been rapidly developed recent years growing understanding working natural substantial revolution manufacturing devise bioinspired hydrogel systems desired structures. Diverse actuators/robots have basis several pioneering works, ranging from bending folding bilayer self-shaping non-Euclidean surfaces, thermoactuated gel "hands" electrodriven polyelectrolyte "worms". These demonstrated active applications engineering fields.In Account, we discuss progress highlight design relevant applications. First, introduce fundamentals basic deformation modes, together generic features, actuation strategies, mechanisms. The advantages in-plane gradient structures highlighted programmable harnessing out-of-plane buckling bistability nature obtain sophisticated three-dimensional configurations. Next, robots different designs. We advancements hydrogel-based capable swift locomotion gaits emphasize significances control dynamic actuation. Then summarize biomedicines, cargo delivery, information encryption, so forth. Some built-in feedback loop self-sensing system exhibit collaborative advanced intelligence informative next-generation machines. Finally, concluding remarks given future opportunities remaining challenges field. For example, miniature therapeutic diagnostic highly mechanisms summarized should be applicable other materials. hope will inspire more scientists involved emerging area make contributions reveal novel principles, multifunctional machines, explore fields.

Язык: Английский

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The shape – morphing performance of magnetoactive soft materials

Materials & Design, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 211, С. 110172 - 110172

Опубликована: Окт. 14, 2021

Magnetoactive soft materials (MSMs) are polymeric composites filled with magnetic particles that an emerging class of smart and multifunctional immense potentials to be used in various applications including but not limited artificial muscles, robotics, controlled drug delivery, minimally invasive surgery, metamaterials. Advantages MSMs include remote contactless actuation multiple modes, high strain rate, self-sensing, fast response etc. Having broad functional behaviours offered by the fillers embedded within non-magnetic matrices, undoubtedly one most promising where shape-morphing, dynamic locomotion, reconfigurable structures highly required. This review article provides a comprehensive picture focusing on materials, manufacturing processes, programming techniques, behaviours, experimental characterisations, device-related achievements current state-of-the-art discusses future perspectives. Overall, this only overview MSMs' research development also functions as systematic guideline towards multifunctional, sophisticated magnetoactive devices.

Язык: Английский

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Control Strategies for Soft Robot Systems

Advanced Intelligent Systems, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 4(5)

Опубликована: Фев. 22, 2022

Soft robots have recently attracted increased attention because their characteristics of low‐cost fabrication, durability, and deformability make them uniquely suited for applications in bio‐integrated systems. Being fundamentally different from traditional rigid robots, soft exhibit properties infinite degrees freedom (DOF) nonlinear materials that require innovations control With the rapid development science, robotics, artificial intelligence, diversification actuator mechanisms algorithms has enabled a wide range unique strategies. This review summarizes basics strategies, including open‐loop control, closed‐loop autonomous discusses implementation diversified perspectives. Control strategies are evaluated based on compatibility with sets, application goals, route. The emerging directions forecasted perspectives interfacing between controller actuator, underactuated intelligence (AI).

Язык: Английский

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Processing of Self‐Healing Polymers for Soft Robotics

Advanced Materials, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 34(1)

Опубликована: Окт. 7, 2021

Abstract Soft robots are, due to their softness, inherently safe and adapt well unstructured environments. However, they are prone various damage types. Self‐healing polymers address this vulnerability. soft can recover completely from macroscopic damage, extending lifetime. For developing healable robots, formative additive manufacturing methods have been exploited shape self‐healing into complex structures. Additionally, several novel techniques, noted as (re)assembly binding techniques that specific polymers, created. Herein, the wide variety of processing for robotics available in literature is reviewed, limitations opportunities discussed thoroughly. Based on defined requirements these critically compared validated. A strong focus drawn reversible covalent (physico)chemical cross‐links present do not only endow healability resulting robotic components, but also beneficial many techniques. They solve current obstacles including formation robust multi‐material parts, recyclability, stress relaxation. This review bridges two promising research fields, guides reader toward selecting a suitable method based polymer intended application.

Язык: Английский

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A Review of 3D‐Printable Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Sensors: Research Challenges and Opportunities

Advanced Intelligent Systems, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 3(6)

Опубликована: Фев. 8, 2021

The soft robotics field is changing the way people think, build, interact, and most importantly perceive robots. Robots have long been perceived as machines made of metals that their sole purpose to perform repetitive tasks in isolated environments. Herein, recently developed pneumatic actuators sensors are fabricated using additive manufacturing techniques which fluid used for actuation sensing mainly or solely air focused upon. This review presents terms types, materials, fabrication techniques, capabilities, applications. Also, it offers a discussion on presented 3D‐printable along with list what needed develop robust functional robots how such will evolve future. article expected stimulate more interaction between materials scientists robotic researchers synthesize meet application, function, user requirements, implement top‐down approach shorten path science application smart use establishing systems.

Язык: Английский

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Highly Stretchable and Conductive MXene‐Encapsulated Liquid Metal Hydrogels for Bioinspired Self‐Sensing Soft Actuators

Advanced Functional Materials, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 34(7)

Опубликована: Ноя. 3, 2023

Abstract Advanced sensation and actuation abilities of various living organisms in nature have inspired researchers to design bioinspired self‐sensing soft actuators. However, the majority conventional actuators primarily possess capabilities while lacking a real‐time sensing signal feedback. Here, promising strategy is reported develop highly stretchable conductive hydrogels for actuators, which integrate strain‐sensing functions into single materials system. The are designed fabricated by situ copolymerization amino‐functionalized MXene‐encapsulated liquid metal nanodroplets (LM@A‐MXene) poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide) with controllable activated nanogels as nano‐cross‐linkers. resulting hydrogel presents compacted conducting network porous microstructure, giving rise robust integration high conductivity, excellent strain sensitivity, broad stretchability, stability, fast response speed. Interestingly, gradient structure, formed self‐precipitation LM@A‐MXene, endows shape‐programmable actuation, light‐driven remote control, function. As proof‐of‐concept application, gripper based on developed, can not only grasp, lift, release objects, but also perceive every movement state monitoring resistance changes. proposed actuator offer new insights developing smart robotics other artificial intelligent devices.

Язык: Английский

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Wireless Miniature Magnetic Phase‐Change Soft Actuators

Advanced Materials, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 34(40)

Опубликована: Авг. 17, 2022

Wireless miniature soft actuators are promising for various potential high-impact applications in medical, robotic grippers, and artificial muscles. However, these currently constrained by a small output force low work capacity. To address such challenges, magnetic phase-change composite actuator is reported. This exhibits an expanding deformation enables up to 70 N 175.2 J g

Язык: Английский

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