Electrically controlled liquid crystal elastomer–based soft tubular actuator with multimodal actuation

Soft tubular actuators can be widely found both in nature and in engineering applications. The benefits of tubular actuators include (i) multiple actuation modes such as contraction, bending, and expansion; (ii) facile fabrication from a planar sheet; and (iii) a large interior space for accommodating additional components or for transporting fluids. Most recently developed soft tubular actuators are driven by pneumatics, hydraulics, or tendons. Each of these actuation modes has limitations including complex fabrication, integration, and nonuniform strain. Here, we design and construct soft tubular actuators using an emerging artificial muscle material that can be easily patterned with programmable strain:…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: ECCS-1542148, CMMI-1554212
• OO
  Office of Naval Research

  Award: N00014-17-1-2062