Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Nikolas Kastor, Bharat Dandu, Vedad Bassari, Gregory Reardon, Yon Visell
Summary: Developing high-fidelity haptic actuators is challenging due to the superior sensing characteristics of human skin. However, a compact electromagnetic actuator has been presented in this study, which utilizes a magnetically-driven fabric-reinforced elastic membrane coupled to a ferrofluid encapsulated magnetic circuit to deliver high-fidelity haptic feedback. This actuator has the capability to provide sustained forces, wide-bandwidth vibrations, and transient forces for various emerging systems and products.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2023)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Wenkang Wang, Shanyuan Song, Wenqi Hu
Summary: This study investigates artificial cilia that can both actuate and sense, inspired by natural motile cilia. These artificial cilia can independently sense flow speed and collaboratively transport objects, and also sense fluid viscosity and distance from the wall by feeling their own motion. Two sensing modes are proposed and studied for low and high Reynolds numbers. The results show that mode 1 can sense a wall distance up to 3 times the body length of the cilium, while mode 2 can sense up to 2 times. This work has applications in small-scale soft robots working inside fluid and flow control.
ADVANCED INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Robotics
Chen Wang, Venkata Rithwick Puranam, Sarthak Misra, Venkatasubramanian Kalpathy Venkiteswaran
Summary: In this letter, a magnetically-actuated soft robot with dissolvable and biocompatible segments is designed. The actuation response under external magnetic field is investigated, and the robot's ability to navigate obstacles, move on different surfaces, dissolve, and release a drug is demonstrated through experiments. The combination of multi-segmented design and biocompatible and dissolvable materials shows the potential of such robots for medical applications.
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sugato Hajra, Swati Panda, Hamideh Khanberh, Venkateswaran Vivekananthan, Elham Chamanehpour, Yogendra Kumar Mishra, Hoe Joon Kim
Summary: Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have the potential to revolutionize self-powered robotic systems by offering self-powered actuation, grasping, and sensing capabilities. TENGs directly convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, powering small electronics. This review explores the mechanisms and modes of TENGs for robotics actuation and sensing applications, discussing improvements in efficiency and reliability, grippers with controlled gripping power and self-calibration abilities, pressure sensors incorporated into robotic grippers, and the integration of self-powered robotic systems with human-machine interaction (HMI) technologies.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mao-Qing Cao, Ting-Ting Liu, Yu-Hang Zhu, Jin-Cheng Shu, Mao-Sheng Cao
Summary: Recent research on electromagnetic (EM) functional materials for building has shown significant progress, providing new possibilities for green construction. Through study of materials preparation methods and structure-function relationships, future research directions have been indicated.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jonas Lussi, Michael Mattmann, Semih Sevim, Fabian Grigis, Carmela De Marco, Christophe Chautems, Salvador Pane, Josep Puigmarti-Luis, Quentin Boehler, Bradley J. Nelson
Summary: This paper proposes a submillimeter continuous variable stiffness catheter equipped with a phase-change alloy, allowing for rapid compliance control. The catheter can be safely navigated in its soft state and rigidified to the required stiffness during operation to apply a desired force at the tip.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Fabian Meder, Bilge Baytekin, Emanuela Del Dottore, Yasmine Meroz, Falk Tauber, Ian Walker, Barbara Mazzolai
Summary: The diversity of the Plant Kingdom provides opportunities for inspiration in science and engineering innovations. In the field of robotics, researchers have been reproducing complex plant functions, leading to functionality beyond traditional robots.
BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuxuan Sun, Yuwei Ju, Hao Wen, Ruiqi Liu, Quanliang Cao, Liang Li
Summary: This research proposes a novel hybrid-excited magnetic actuation approach that combines permanent magnets and electromagnets, achieving a balance between flexibility and energy efficiency. They also develop a magnetic soft gripper system capable of versatile object manipulation and demonstrate its exceptional performance through experiments.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuxing Xia, Weiwei Gao, Chao Gao
Summary: EM functional materials, especially graphene-based materials, are crucial in solving EM wave pollution. By designing graphene-based materials with well-controlled microstructures and optimized EM properties, EM energy attenuation and conversion can be significantly improved. This study outlines multiscale design strategies for graphene-based EM functional materials and reviews their applications in EM wave shielding and absorption, with a focus on the latest advances in graphene-based assemblies.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Joselle M. McCracken, Jonathan D. Hoang, Jeremy A. Herman, Kelsey M. Lynch, Timothy J. White
Summary: Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCE) are compliant actuators with exceptional mechanical properties, and surface-enforced photoalignment is a well-established method for their preparation. This study presents a facile and scalable approach to circumvent the physical limits of surface-enforced alignment and increase the force output in LCE. The thermomechanical response of LCE elements with +1 disclination patterns is investigated, and the design and preparation of these patterns are explored to assess their contribution to deformation and force output. The methodology allows for the preparation of thick elements capable of actuating large objects and enables the realization of mechanical instabilities for faster actuation and leaping.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ritu Raman
Summary: Movement is essential to life, and researchers have been inspired to engineer biological motor systems using neuromuscular tissues. Key challenges in this endeavor include cell sourcing, biomaterial design, and manufacturing, which are being addressed with emerging strategies. Engineered neuromuscular tissues have found applications in drug discovery, regenerative medicine, cellular agriculture, and soft robotics.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Pierre Moritz, Ilona Lecerf, Antoine Gonon, Georgiana Maties, Thomas Blon, Simon Cayez, David Bourrier, Fabrice Mathieu, Jose Elias Angulo-Cervera, Liviu Nicu, Thierry Leichle, Thierry Ondarcuhu, Guillaume Viau, Lise-Marie Lacroix
Summary: The direct integration of performant permanent magnets within miniaturized circuits is still a challenge. The magnetophoresis-driven capillary assembly of hard magnetic nanoparticles offers a promising solution. Soft magnetic blocks are used to generate the required magnetic field gradients for the assembly. The overall magnetic properties are affected by the presence of these soft elements, but the performance of the permanent magnet can be preserved with reduced soft element volumes. The hybrid Ni-Co-Ni structures can generate high magnetic induction for the electromagnetic actuation of microelectromechanical resonant sensors.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minjeong Ha, Gilbert Santiago Canon Bermudez, Jessica A. -C. Liu, Eduardo Sergio Oliveros Mata, Benjamin A. Evans, Joseph B. Tracy, Denys Makarov
Summary: This article introduces magnetic origami actuators that have the capability to sense their orientation and displacement, as well as detect their own magnetization state and readiness for folding. These actuators integrate photothermal heating and magnetic actuation, allowing for sequential folding and recovery.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Junsun Hwang, Sungwoong Jeon, Beomjoo Kim, Jin-young Kim, Chaewon Jin, Ara Yeon, Byung-Ju Yi, Chang-Hwan Yoon, Hun-Jun Park, Salvador Pane, Bradley J. Nelson, Hongsoo Choi
Summary: Robotic magnetic manipulation systems have potential benefits in medical fields for precise and selective manipulation of magnetically responsive instruments. This study presents a clinically translatable electromagnetically controllable microrobotic interventional system (ECMIS). Through preclinical and clinical studies, ECMIS demonstrates potential clinical effectiveness in real-time cardiovascular interventions.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Dingkang Wang, Huikai Xie, Lenworth Thomas, Sanjeev J. Koppal
Summary: A novel MEMS LiDAR technology has been proposed in this research, which separates the optical scanner from its base to enable micro-robots to carry a lightweight LiDAR for enhanced capabilities. This LiDAR configuration allows micro-robots to perform ranging, mapping, tracking, and zoom-in scanning.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2021)
