articleAdvanced Functional MaterialsJan 8, 2019Closed access

Fast‐Response, Stiffness‐Tunable Soft Actuator by Hybrid Multimaterial 3D Printing

Singapore University of Technology and Design · Shanghai Jiao Tong University · +2 more institutions

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Abstract

Abstract Soft robots have the appealing advantages of being highly flexible and adaptive to complex environments. However, the low‐stiffness nature of the constituent materials makes soft robotic systems incompetent in tasks requiring relatively high load capacity. Despite recent attempts to develop stiffness‐tunable soft actuators by employing variable stiffness materials and structures, the reported stiffness‐tunable actuators generally suffer from limitations including slow responses, small deformations, and difficulties in fabrication with microfeatures. This work presents a paradigm to design and manufacture fast‐response, stiffness‐tunable (FRST) soft actuators via hybrid multimaterial 3D printing. The…

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503
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24.81
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100%
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Authors

9

Topics & keywords

Keywords
  • Actuator
  • Materials science
  • Stiffness
  • Soft robotics
  • Pneumatic actuator
  • Microchannel
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Flexibility (engineering)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Affordable and clean energy
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