Multipolar spatial electric field modulation for freeform electroactive hydrogel actuation
Multipolar spatial electric field modulation for freeform electroactive hydrogel actuation
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DOI：
10.1038/s41598-020-59318-3
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发表时间：
2020-02-12
影响因子：
4.6
通讯作者：
Na, Jun-Hee
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Choi, Moon-Young;Shin, Yerin;Na, Jun-Hee
响应电场而表现出大变形的电活性水凝胶作为软致动器和人造肌肉的潜在致动材料而受到广泛关注。然而，由于均匀的电场调制，它们的机械驱动仅限于简单的弯曲或折叠。为了实现复杂的运动，通常需要预先为执行器预先编程，例如铰链和多层图案。在这里，我们提出了一种可重新编程的驱动方法，通过使用多极三维电场调制来进行复杂的操作，无需预先编程。通过多极空间电场调制器控制三维电场的极性/强度，实现了单个水凝胶的复杂三维（3D）驱动。此外，在传统的水平配置中运行期间产生的气泡在所提出的新的垂直配置中不是问题。我们展示了软机器人执行器，包括可控性和可靠性方面的基本弯曲力学，并且可以在单片中轻松实现具有正曲率和负曲率的多个 3D 形状，为连续可重构材料铺平了道路。
Electroactive hydrogels that exhibit large deformation in response to an electric field have received significant attention as a potential actuating material for soft actuators and artificial muscle. However, their mechanical actuation has been limited in simple bending or folding due to uniform electric field modulation. To implement complex movements, a pre-program, such as a hinge and a multilayer pattern, is usually required for the actuator in advance. Here, we propose a reprogrammable actuating method and sophisticated manipulation by using multipolar three-dimensional electric field modulation without pre-program. Through the multipolar spatial electric field modulator, which controls the polarity/intensity of the electric field in three-dimensions, complex three-dimensional (3D) actuation of single hydrogels are achieved. Also, air bubbles generated during operation in the conventional horizontal configuration are not an issue in the proposed new vertical configuration. We demonstrate soft robotic actuators, including basic bending mechanics in terms of controllability and reliability, and several 3D shapes having positive and negative curvature can easily be achieved in a single sheet, paving the way for continuously reconfigurable materials.