Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Alexander L. Evenchik, Alexander Q. Kane, Eunbi Oh, Ryan L. Truby
Summary: Soft robotics aims to bridge the performance gap between artificial and biological machines by using soft, actuable materials. The materials selection often involves low-performance and energy-inefficient stimuli-responsive materials, limiting the practical utility of soft robots. This review focuses on the development of electroprogrammable materials for soft robot actuation, emphasizing thermomechanical, electrostatic, and electrochemical actuation strategies. The outlook includes the design and fabrication of next-generation robotic materials for true bioinspired autonomy.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yawen Liu, Yahe Wu, Huan Liang, Hongtu Xu, Yen Wei, Yan Ji
Summary: In this study, researchers developed a rewritable conductive coating using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), which enables reconfigurable, adaptive, and precisely controllable electro-driven motions in liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) actuators. This allows for the repeated use of the same actuator for various purposes without disposal. Different PEDOT:PSS layers can be coated onto different regions, enabling the assembly of different actuation behaviors under a single input voltage.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Siyi Xu, Yufeng Chen, Nak-seung P. Hyun, Kaitlyn P. Becker, Robert J. Wood
Summary: An electrically powered soft valve for hydraulic actuators has been developed using ultrahigh-power density dynamic dielectric elastomer actuators, enabling effective control of pressure and flow rate with rapid response time. These valves can adjust flow rate based on driving voltage, allowing independent control of different hydraulic actuators.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Zhaoqi Ma, Dan Sameoto
Summary: This article provides a focused review on the performance and applications of electrically driven soft actuators in the field of soft robotics, aiming to serve as a reference guide for building electrically driven soft machines.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dengfeng Li, Song Wang, Jiahui He, Hao Zeng, Kuanming Yao, Zhan Gao, Mengge Wu, Yiming Liu, Lidai Wang, Zhaoqian Xie, Xinge Yu
Summary: Research in bioinspired materials and devices has shown potential for future intelligent robots. Biomimetic soft actuators, like ultrathin actuators in this study, offer precise and flexible operation for soft robots, mimicking functionalities of animals or plants.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Robotics
Wen-Bo Li, Wen-Ming Zhang, Qiu-Hua Gao, Qiwei Guo, Song Wu, Hong-Xiang Zou, Zhi-Ke Peng, Guang Meng
Summary: Research shows that rolling soft robots based on different rolling mechanisms have advantages in terms of moving speed, stability, and continuity, especially in terms of shock resistance and body compliance. The study provides guidance and inspiration for developing new, fast-moving, and highly mobile soft robots.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Javier M. Morales Ferrer, Ramon E. Sanchez Cruz, Sophie Caplan, Wim M. van Rees, J. William Boley
Summary: 4D printing is an emerging field that utilizes 3D printing techniques to create morphing structures. Current 4D printing materials are typically soft, limiting scalability and load-bearing capabilities. To overcome these limitations, multiscale heterogeneous polymer composites are introduced. These materials have high elastic modulus and tunable electrical conductivities, enabling autonomous activity and self-sensing capabilities. Through 4D printing, self-supporting structures with unprecedented load-bearing abilities and transformable 3D shapes can be created.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chunbao Liu, Hui Xu, Yunhong Liang, Suqian Ma, Zhaohua Lin, Lei Ren, Zhiwu Han, Luquan Ren
Summary: This study presents a fabrication method for high-performance ionic-polymer metal composites (IPMCs) actuators, which show significant bending deformation and ultrafast response speed at low voltage. The actuators also exhibit excellent stability even under heavy load and extended operation time. This research offers a viable means for developing high-performance artificial muscles.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tao Sheng, Rui Jin, Changwei Yang, Ke Qiu, Mingyang Wang, Jiaqi Shi, Jingyu Zhang, Yuman Gao, Qing Wu, Xin Zhou, Hao Wang, Juan Zhang, Qin Fang, Neng Pan, Yanan Xue, Yue Wang, Rong Xiong, Fei Gao, Yuqi Zhang, Haojian Lu, Jicheng Yu, Zhen Gu
Summary: This article presents a UAV-mediated first-aid system that allows autonomous administration of emergency therapeutics without the need for an additional or conscious person, ensuring timely delivery of first aid.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Dong Niu, Dachao Li, Jinlan Chen, Mingxing Zhang, Biao Lei, Weitao Jiang, Jinju Chen, Hongzhong Liu
Summary: This research proposes dual-stimulus responsive SMA/PDMS soft actuators that can achieve reversible bending processes through electrical current and light stimulation. By optimizing the current and PDMS parameters, the bending amplitude, response time, and deformation recovery of the actuators can be controlled. This type of actuator has the potential to be applied in bioinspired soft hands and expand the application areas of soft robots.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Monan Liu, Qing Wang, Ai-Wu Li, Hong-Bo Sun
Summary: This article summarizes recent research and proposes an all-light solution using graphene-oxide-based soft robots. The study demonstrates that lasers can precisely define actuators to form joints and facilitate efficient energy storage and release, enabling complex motion control.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Robotics
Eduardo Perez-Guagnelli, Dana D. Damian
Summary: This study focuses on modeling and characterizing the performance of SPAs with different chamber shapes and cross-sectional geometries to improve the reliability of soft robots. By comparing the performance of different types of SPAs, a set of design principles for reliable SPAs is derived.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chongyu Zhu, Yao Lu, Lixin Jiang, Yanlei Yu
Summary: Liquid crystals (LCs) are soft and intelligent materials that can adjust their properties in response to external stimuli, making them ideal for constructing soft actuators and robots. By combining LC actuators and robots with virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, a new world of mixed reality (MR) with multi-sensory interaction can be created. The development of LC actuators and robots is expected to accelerate the practical application of MR technology.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Lukas Lindenroth, Danail Stoyanov, Kawal Rhode, Hongbin Liu
Summary: This study investigates the intrinsic sensing and subsequent control of contact forces in a hydraulic parallel soft robot. An algorithm for static, quasi-static, and dynamic force sensing is derived and validated for a single actuator. The results demonstrate accurate estimation of axial forces, and the force sensing methodology is applied to force control.
IEEE-ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pradeep Sambyal, Manmatha Mahato, Ashhad Kamal Taseer, Hyunjoon Yoo, Mousumi Garai, Van Hiep Nguyen, Syed Sheraz Ali, Il-Kwon Oh
Summary: This study reports a magnetically and electrically dual responsive soft actuator based on neodymium and iron bimetallic organic frameworks (NdFeMOFs@700). The NdFeMOFs@700 exhibits excellent magnetization saturation and can be used as a dual functional material in both magnetoactive and electro-ionic actuations. The dual-responsive actuator demonstrates higher ionic charge storage capacity and cycle stability compared to other actuators. The results show that the ferromagnetic bimetallic organic frameworks can open a new way to make dual responsive soft actuators with hierarchically porous structures and superior magnetic properties.
