Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mingchao Zhang, Aniket Pal, Zhiqiang Zheng, Gaurav Gardi, Erdost Yildiz, Metin Sitti
Summary: A programmable strategy using transparent hydrogels as artificial muscles is presented to create wide-spectrum reconfigurable micro-metastructures. The collaboration of building blocks enables the transformation of the metastructures through buckling. This reconfiguration mechanism has potential applications in various fields such as encryption, miniature robotics, photonics, and phononics.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gang Wan, Cheng-Jun Sun, John W. Freeland, Dillon D. Fong
Summary: The redox reaction pathway is crucial for the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals needed for a carbon-neutral society. The properties of oxide materials make them well suited for electrochemical and catalytic applications, while defect-driven redox reactions and structural transformations are also critical processes.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenfei Wei, Xuezhen Feng, Ranhao Wang, Renji Zheng, Dazhong Yang, Hong Chen
Summary: Battery deionization technology requires novel electrode materials with high energy storage capacity and efficiency for simultaneous removal of cations and anions in water. A new electrode material NaBi3O4Cl2 shows unique dual-ion storage capability, which indicates great potential for advancing BDI electrodes in future desalination techniques and aqueous rechargeable battery systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dezhao Lin, Fan Yang, Di Gong, Ruihong Li
Summary: This study proposes a one-piece-mold folded diaphragm with radial magnetization property to achieve large 3D and bi-directional deformation with inside-volume change capability. The appearance of the diaphragm can be easily customized and implanted into different untethered soft robotic systems. The diaphragm pump and soft robots demonstrated the flexible and rapid locomotion excited by single homogeneous magnetic fields.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sang Cheol Kim, Solomon T. Oyakhire, Constantine Athanitis, Jingyang Wang, Zewen Zhang, Wenbo Zhang, David T. Boyle, Mun Sek Kim, Zhiao Yu, Xin Gao, Tomi Sogade, Esther Wu, Jian Qin, Zhenan Bao, Stacey F. Bent, Yi Cui
Summary: Improving the Coulombic efficiency (CE) of lithium metal batteries is crucial, and liquid electrolyte engineering has shown promise. In this study, machine learning models were developed to design high-performance electrolytes. The models identified a reduction in solvent oxygen content as a critical factor for superior CE. By using fluorine-free solvents, electrolyte formulations achieved a high CE of 99.70%.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
O. Salih, M. Messina, D. Al-Jumeily
Summary: Hydrocephalus is currently managed using traditional mechanical passive shunts, which have limitations in increasing patient shunt dependency, detecting faults, and proactively addressing over drainage. A smart shunt with a mechatronic controllable valve is proposed to address these issues. The valve design integrates both passive and controllable features to meet the operational requirements.
MEDICAL & BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING & COMPUTING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Syed Mamun R. Rasid, Aron Michael, Hemanshu Roy Pota, Ssu-Han Chen
Summary: This paper presents a resonant controller design for enhancing damping in a MEMS based piezoelectrically driven micro-lens actuator, demonstrating improved damping level and reduced settling time through experimental validation.
JOURNAL OF MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Robotics
Manjia Su, Yihong Zhang, Hongkai Chen, Yisheng Guan, Chaoqun Xiang
Summary: In this article, a framework for kinematic modeling and computational design of homogeneous muscle-driven soft robots (MDSRs) is proposed. The mechanical characteristics of soft bodies were described using deformation gradient tensor and energy density function based on continuum mechanics theory. Deformation models of MDSRs caused by external driving points or internal muscle units were established using constitutive modeling of hyperelastic materials. Computational design of MDSR was addressed based on kinematic models and deformation analysis, and experiments were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the presented models and design algorithms. The framework of deformation modeling and computational design of MDSRs can facilitate the design of soft robots with complex deformations, such as humanoid faces.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Zhongyi Guo, Zekui Lyu, Qingsong Xu
Summary: This article presents a novel reconfigurable piezoelectric-driven microgripper that achieves excellent static and dynamic performance for complex micromanipulation. It introduces a flexure-based compliant microgripper and establishes its analytical model based on beam deformation theory and pseudo-rigid-body modeling approach. The microgripper's structural parameters are determined through multiobjective optimization using response surface methodology. A finite-element model-based simulation study evaluates the gripper's static and dynamic performance, and experimental testing with a prototype demonstrates its micromanipulation capability.
IEEE-ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhongbao Wang, Zhenjin Xu, Bin Zhu, Yang Zhang, Jiawei Lin, Yigen Wu, Dezhi Wu
Summary: This review provides an overview of the latest advances in design, fabrication, and applications of magnetically actuated micro/nanorobots. It discusses the progress in robot designs, including helical robots, surface walkers, ciliary robots, scaffold robots, and biohybrid robots. It also highlights the advancements in fabrication techniques and the applications of these robots in targeted drug delivery, minimally invasive surgery, and cell manipulation. The review concludes with a discussion on current challenges and future directions for magnetically actuated micro/nanorobots.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zihao Li, Xiaoming Wei, Zhongmin Yang
Summary: Pulsed laser provides a promising approach for three-dimensional micro/nanostructuring of materials in electrochemical energy storage and conversion, improving the performances of electrochemical devices. This field has gained increasing popularity due to its unique advantages and potential applications.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Zirui Liu, Bo Sun, Jiawei Xiong, Jianjun Hu, Yunhong Liang
Summary: In this paper, a bionic design study of an efficient flexible fluid control valve is conducted, which achieves a wide range of displacements through continuous flexural instability overturning process and improves sensitivity by adjusting the diaphragm geometry parameters.
Review
Engineering, Marine
Kunlang Bu, Xiaobo Gong, Changli Yu, Fang Xie
Summary: This paper presents a literature review of the locomotion mode, actuation method, and typical works on fluid-driven bionic aquatic robots. The actuator and structural material selection is then discussed, followed by research direction and application prospects of fluid-driven bionic aquatic robots.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuhan Zhang, Chenjie Song, Jinying Bao, Zhaozhong Li, Zizheng Wang, Jiumei Xiao, Meina Yu, Yanzi Gao, Lanying Zhang, Ruochen Lan, Cheng Zou, Huai Yang
Summary: In this study, the actuation stress and actuation strain of liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) were simultaneously enhanced through regulating the crosslinking density and introducing a new crosslinker. The introduction of pendant liquid crystal (LC) mesogens and acrylate-functionalized MXene nanosheets improved the actuation temperature, strain, and stress, resulting in reversible deformation under near-infrared light.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Robotics
Sajad Salmanipour, Omid Youssefi, Eric D. Diller
Summary: Wireless microrobots are often actuated using externally generated magnetic fields, with the potential for multi-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) actuation using a design framework to achieve more complex microrobots with up to eight DOFs. Experiments verifying the functionality of the framework showed an average cross-talk error of 7% between the seven DOFs of a drug delivery robot equipped with a 3-DOF drug-releasing mechanism and a 4-DOF motion mechanism.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ROBOTICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Kehao Feng, Zhenghua Zhang, Guohua Bai, Xiuyuan Fan, Rongzhi Zhao, Xuefeng Zhang
Summary: This paper proposes a new method to accurately evaluate the high-frequency power loss of soft magnetic materials. Through a two-step calibration, the system is able to compensate for the phase angle discrepancy between the exciting current and induced voltage, enabling a higher power loss measurement frequency.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Mingfang Kang, Tong Liu, Hongmei Sun, Lin Li, Keliang Wang
Summary: In this study, the absorption performance of ambient nitrogenous toxic gases on a monolayer of blue phosphorus phase germanium selenide (GeSe) was investigated using density-functional theory calculations. The results showed that GeSe monolayer exhibits higher sensitivity and selectivity for the hazardous gas NO.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Yaqiong Niu, Zhicheng Zou, Longsheng Cheng, Chaofeng Ye
Summary: This paper proposes a novel method to stabilize the laser diode output using a close-loop control with two feedbacks. The proposed method performs better for long-time operations.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jiajie Li, Ying Liu, Zhen Chai, Qian Cao, Renjie Li, Yueyang Zhai
Summary: This study proposed an efficient and high-quality beam-splitting method based on a diffractive optical element, enabling multichannel SERF atomic magnetometers to achieve ultra-high consistency and sensitivity. It has significant applications in array biomagnetic measurement systems.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
E. Oliveira, C. Doering, H. Fouckhardt
Summary: With the development of Lab on a chip technology, fluid management using dispersed droplets has become an important approach. Electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) is one method for droplet actuation, but it requires prior definition of droplet positions. Optoelectrowetting (OEW) goes further by allowing changes in electrical parameters through impinging light spots, without the need for predefined droplet positions. This study re-evaluates the key parameters of OEW and explores their effects on droplet actuation using numerical optimization methods.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Haipeng Wang, Zhiguo Wang, Gancheng Zhu, Shuai Zhang
Summary: A novel capacitive proximity skin was developed to improve the performance of robotics in handling liquid-filled containers. This skin features a flexible structure that can adapt to different grippers and seamlessly integrate with Robot Operating System. Experimental results demonstrated that this proximity skin achieved data-lossless detection and contactless measurement of liquid level, making it suitable for grasping operations.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Tsenguun Byambadorj, Xiangyu Zhao, Yutao Qin, Yogesh B. Gianchandani
Summary: In this research, a monolithically microfabricated Knudsen pump (KP) without suspended membranes was presented. These pumps offer improved mechanical robustness, wider process window, and simplified microfabrication process compared to previous designs. The experimental results matched the modeling results well, indicating the potential for monolithic integration onto complex lab-on-a-chip systems.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Hamed Karami, Saeed Karami Chemeh, Vahid Azizi, Hooman Sharifnasab, Jose Ramos, Mohammed Kamruzzaman
Summary: Aroma is a significant quality trait for pharmaceutical plants and their products, indicating the quality of the raw material. An electronic nose is an efficient approach for identifying and evaluating the aroma of essential oils. In this study, tarragon was dried at different temperatures and air velocities, and the purity of tarragon essential oil was evaluated using an electronic nose. Multivariate data analysis and artificial neural networks modeling were employed to quantify and classify the obtained essential oils.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Xiaoyang Duan, Dan Xu, Wenjun Jia, Ran Li, Bohao Sun, Ruitian Yan, Wenjie Zhao
Summary: Flower-like WO3/WS2 heterojunction materials constructed via a low-temperature in-situ oxidation method exhibit significant improvements in the detection of NO2 gas in gas sensors, along with good selectivity and reproducibility.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Peng Yu, Mengyang Zhang, Manqi You, Yuxi Gao, Landong Xiao, Yan Peng, Jingxia Lai, Zhouzhao Shi, Siwei Luo, Gencai Guo, Gang Guo
Summary: Recent studies have shown that two-dimensional Janus transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have great potential for applications in gas sensors. By conducting first principles calculations, this study explores the potential application of Pd-doped monolayer HfSeS as gas sensor materials for detecting CO, CO2, NH3, and NO. The results demonstrate the good thermodynamical stability and reversible adsorption of these molecules on both pristine and Pd-doped HfSeS, with Pd-doped HfSeS showing higher sensitivity towards NO due to its metallic behavior upon NO adsorption.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jinlan Yang, Linjiao Li, Jun Huang, Quan Zhang, Hiba Affane
Summary: This study proposes a method for large-scale aggregation of micro-particles by creating a vortex region using low-frequency oscillation. Experimental results show that this method can achieve a large aggregation area and has the advantages of low cost and low power consumption.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jitendra Singh, Saurabh Kumar Gupta, Vinita
Summary: In this investigation, a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) formalin gas sensor was explored for low-level formalin gas sensing applications. The sensor showed stable response and high sensitivity to formalin gas concentration, making it a reliable and useful sensor for room temperature operations.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Junyao Wang, Yahao Liu, Huan Liu, Qi Hou, Jianxin Xu, Hongxu Pan, Jingran Quan, Yansong Chen, Hanbo Yang, Lixiang Li
Summary: A flexible electrode with a serpentine-shaped tetra-chiral structure was designed to improve the mechanical properties and prevent mechanical fracture of flexible electrodes. The research demonstrated that this structure reduced the maximum tensile stress by 87.19% compared to the existing tetra-chiral structure. The flexible electrode remained conductive even at a strain of 70% and showed resistance values of 5 ohm and 4.4 ohm at a bending angle of 180 degrees and after 1000 fold cycles. Furthermore, the flexible electrodes showed great potential in biological signal monitoring, particularly in collecting ECG and pulse signals.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Taihao Chen, Yong Fang, Mengru Zhu, Zhiwei Zhao, Wei Lei, Zhuoya Zhu, Helong Jiang
Summary: Flexible dual-spectral carbon nanodots/flexible n-silicon heterojunction photodetectors with high responsivity and detectivity are reported. These detectors show photo response in UV illumination and only in forward bias under visible illumination. The photocurrent of the device remains high even under bending strain.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
M. S. Sikandar Bathusha, Israr Ud Din, Rehan Umer, Kamran A. Khan
Summary: Graphene-based nanomaterials are used as embedded sensors to monitor fracture behavior in composite structures. This study investigates the in-situ crack propagation and fracture behavior in a glass fiber reinforced polymer composite using embedded reduced graphene oxide coated fabrics and highly conductive graphene nanoplatelet paper.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2024)