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Chemically Driven Oscillating Soft Pneumatic Actuation

delete2023-12-01
delete12
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OA
AI
M
Marcos Villeda-Hernandez
B
Benjamin C. Baker
C
Christian Romero
J
Jonathan Rossiter
M
Michael Dicker
C
Charl F. J. Faul *
DOI:10.1089/soro.2022.0168delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Pneumatic actuators are widely studied in soft robotics as they are facile, low cost, scalable, and robust and exhibit compliance similar to many systems found in nature. The challenge is to harness high energy density chemical and biochemical reactions that can generate sufficient pneumatic pressure to actuate soft systems in a controlled and ecologically compatible manner. This investigation evaluates the potential of chemical reactions as both positive and negative pressure sources for use in soft robotic pneumatic actuators. Considering the pneumatic actuation demands, the chemical mechanisms of the pressure sources, and the safety of the system, several gas evolution/consumption reactions are evaluated and compared. Furthermore, the novel coupling of both gas evolution and gas consumption reactions is discussed and evaluated for the design of oscillating systems, driven by the complementary evolution and consumption of carbon dioxide. Control over the speed of gas generation and consumption is achieved by adjusting the initial ratios of feed materials. Coupling the appropriate reactions with pneumatic soft-matter actuators has delivered autonomous cyclic actuation. The reversibility of these systems is demonstrated in a range of displacement experiments, and practical application is shown through a soft gripper that can move, pick up, and let go of objects. Our approach presents a significant step toward more autonomous, versatile soft robots driven by chemo-pneumatic actuators.
Keywords:
soft robotics
chemistry
pneumatic actuation
chemical power source
oscillating soft robots
chemical reactions for soft robotics
chemically driven pneumatic actuation

Journal

Soft Robotics cover
Soft Robotics
IF:
6.1
Papers:
760
Citations:
6.3K

Organization

U
University of Bristol
Scholars:
3.1W
Papers: 3.0W
Citations: 5.3W