China3D printingNet August 23, researchers from Harvard University and California Institute of Technology have developed an origami-type soft robot system that can be configured for specific tasks as needed.
One of the manufactured systems3D printing“Rollbot”, which is assembled into a pentagonal prism and automatically rolls in a programmed response to thermal stimuli.another3D printingThe equipment is a self-twisting origami polyhedron with three stable configurations. The soft robot contains active hinges that interconnect polymer tiles.
According to research published by Science Robotics, this device can pave the way for passively controlled, completely unfettered soft robots used in medical and industrial engineering. Connor McMahan, co-first author of the paper, explained:
“Many existing soft robots need to be connected to external power sources and control systems, or are limited by the amount of force they can apply. These active hinges are very useful because they allow soft robots to operate in environments where external power is difficult, and can increase the ratio. Objects with hinges many times heavier.
The soft robot is made of highly flexible materials and can perform natural movements similar to living creatures. These materials rely on external power supplies and controls to connect them to external systems or assemble them with hard components. The researchers turned to origami to create a multifunctional soft robot, because sequential folding can encode multiple shapes and functions in a structure.
In order to correspond to the small area of the changing robot structure, integrated3D printingActive materials in objects include liquid crystal elastomers (LCE). When heated, LCE exhibits a large reversible bending response. Using this material,3D printingThe two types of soft hinges fold under different actuation temperatures.
When heated above their respective temperatures,3D printingThe LCE hinge changes shape at a corresponding angle. Changing its chemical and printing structure, the actuation response of the hinge can be programmed to fold in a specific order.McMahan says
“Use our3D printingWith the living hinge method, we have full programmability in temperature response and can use hinge torque, their bending angle and folding direction. Our manufacturing method facilitates the integration of these active ingredients with other materials. “
Auto-rolling and self-twisting Rollbots
Integrating the hinge into the design, the team built multiple software devices using additive manufacturing methods. The Rollbot starts with an 8 cm x 4 cm flat plate and folds into a pentagonal wheel on a hot surface at about 200°C. Embedded on each of the five sides of the wheel is another set of hinges. When in contact with the hot surface, the hinge folds and pushes the wheel to turn to the lower side, and the next hinge folds. When they roll off the hot surface, the hinge unfolds and is ready for the next cycle.
Another device designed by the team is a self-twisting origami polyhedron with three stable configurations. When placed in a hot environment, the robot can fold into a compact folded shape similar to a paper clip and unfold when it cools. These unfettered structures can be passively controlled. In other words, by simply exposing the structure to a specific temperature environment, the robot will respond according to how the hinge is programmed.Although this research only focused on thermal stimuli, liquid crystal elastomers can also be programmed to respond to light, pH, humidity, and other external stimuli.
This work demonstrates how the combination of reactive polymers in building composites can trigger materials that respond to different stimuli. In the future, these materials can be programmed to perform more complex tasks, blurring the boundaries between materials and robots.
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The soft robot demonstrated the sequential folding as the temperature increased from the ambient temperature to 100°C (top hinge activated) to 150°C (bottom hinge activated)” alt=”
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The soft robot demonstrated the sequential folding as the temperature increased from the ambient temperature to 100°C (top hinge activated) to 150°C (bottom hinge activated)” />
3D printingThe soft robot demonstrated sequential folding as the temperature increased from the ambient temperature to 100°C (top hinge activated) to 150°C (bottom hinge activated).Photo: Harvard University
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