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Sheng J, Jiang S, Geng T, Huang Z, Li J, Jiang L. Ultrarobust Actuator Comprising High-Strength Carbon Fibers and Commercially Available Polycarbonate with Multi-Stimulus Responses and Programmable Deformation. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1144. [PMID: 38675063 PMCID: PMC11053830 DOI: 10.3390/polym16081144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Polymer-based actuators have gained extensive attention owing to their potential applications in aerospace, soft robotics, etc. However, poor mechanical properties, the inability of multi-stimuli response and programmable deformation, and the costly fabrication procedure have significantly hindered their practical application. Herein, these issues are overcome via a simple and scalable one-step molding method. The actuator is fabricated by hot-pressing commercial unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy prepregs with a commodity PC membrane. Notable CTE differences between the CF and PC layers endow the bilayer actuator with fast and reliable actuation deformation. Benefiting from the high strength of CF, the actuator exhibits excellent mechanical performance. Moreover, the anisotropy of CF endows the actuator with design flexibility. Furthermore, the multifunction of CF makes the actuator capable of responding to thermal, optical, and electrical stimulation simultaneously. Based on the bilayer actuator, we successfully fabricated intelligent devices such as light-driven biomimetic flowers, intelligent grippers, and gesture-simulating apparatuses, which further validate the programmability and multi-stimuli response characteristics of this actuator. Strikingly, the prepared gripper possesses a grasping capacity approximately 31.2 times its own weight. It is thus believed that the concept presented paves the way for building next-generation robust robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Sheng
- Henan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Automotive Composite Materials, School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (J.S.); (S.J.)
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Carbon Composition Material, School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Shengkun Jiang
- Henan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Automotive Composite Materials, School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (J.S.); (S.J.)
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Carbon Composition Material, School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Tie Geng
- Henan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Automotive Composite Materials, School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (J.S.); (S.J.)
| | - Zhengqiang Huang
- Zhong Yuan Institute, Zhejiang University, Zhengzhou 451191, China;
| | - Jiquan Li
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China;
| | - Lin Jiang
- Henan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Automotive Composite Materials, School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (J.S.); (S.J.)
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Carbon Composition Material, School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China;
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Harnden R, Carlstedt D, Zenkert D, Lindbergh G. Multifunctional Carbon Fiber Composites: A Structural, Energy Harvesting, Strain-Sensing Material. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:33871-33880. [PMID: 35820025 PMCID: PMC9335530 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c08375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Multifunctional structural materials are capable of reducing system level mass and increasing efficiency in load-carrying structures. Materials that are capable of harvesting energy from the surrounding environment are advantageous for autonomous electrically powered systems. However, most energy harvesting materials are non-structural and add parasitic mass, reducing structural efficiency. Here, we show a structural energy harvesting composite material consisting of two carbon fiber (CF) layers embedded in a structural battery electrolyte (SBE) with a longitudinal modulus of 100 GPa─almost on par with commercial CF pre-pregs. Energy is harvested through mechanical deformations using the piezo-electrochemical transducer (PECT) effect in lithiated CFs. The PECT effect creates a voltage difference between the two CF layers, driving a current when deformed. A specific power output of 18 nW/g is achieved. The PECT effect in the lithiated CFs is observed in tension and compression and can be used for strain sensing, enabling structural health monitoring with low added mass. The same material has previously been shown capable of shape morphing. The two additional functionalities presented here result in a material capable of four functions, further demonstrating the diverse possibilities for CF/SBE composites in multifunctional applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross Harnden
- Department
of Engineering Mechanics, KTH Royal Institute
of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Carlstedt
- Department
of Industrial and Materials Science, Chalmers
University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dan Zenkert
- Department
of Engineering Mechanics, KTH Royal Institute
of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Göran Lindbergh
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, KTH Royal Institute
of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
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Klimenko IV. Pitch-Based Carbon Fibers: Manufacturing Status and Modification of Properties. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1990793122010225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Akbar I, El Hadrouz M, El Mansori M, Lagoudas D. Toward enabling manufacturing paradigm of 4D printing of Shape Memory Materials: Open literature review. Eur Polym J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Towards enduring autonomous robots via embodied energy. Nature 2022; 602:393-402. [PMID: 35173338 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04138-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Autonomous robots comprise actuation, energy, sensory and control systems built from materials and structures that are not necessarily designed and integrated for multifunctionality. Yet, animals and other organisms that robots strive to emulate contain highly sophisticated and interconnected systems at all organizational levels, which allow multiple functions to be performed simultaneously. Herein, we examine how system integration and multifunctionality in nature inspires a new paradigm for autonomous robots that we call Embodied Energy. Whereas most untethered robots use batteries to store energy and power their operation, recent advancements in energy-storage techniques enable chemical or electrical energy sources to be embodied directly within the structures and materials used to create robots, rather than requiring separate battery packs. This perspective highlights emerging examples of Embodied Energy in the context of developing autonomous robots.
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Yang Y, Vella K, Holmes DP. Grasping with kirigami shells. Sci Robot 2021; 6:6/54/eabd6426. [PMID: 34043535 DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abd6426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The ability to grab, hold, and manipulate objects is a vital and fundamental operation in biological and engineering systems. Here, we present a soft gripper using a simple material system that enables precise and rapid grasping, and can be miniaturized, modularized, and remotely actuated. This soft gripper is based on kirigami shells-thin, elastic shells patterned with an array of cuts. The kirigami cut pattern is determined by evaluating the shell's mechanics and geometry, using a combination of experiments, finite element simulations, and theoretical modeling, which enables the gripper design to be both scalable and material independent. We demonstrate that the kirigami shell gripper can be readily integrated with an existing robotic platform or remotely actuated using a magnetic field. The kirigami cut pattern results in a simple unit cell that can be connected together in series, and again in parallel, to create kirigami gripper arrays capable of simultaneously grasping multiple delicate and slippery objects. These soft and lightweight grippers will have applications in robotics, haptics, and biomedical device design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, 110 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Katherine Vella
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, 110 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Douglas P Holmes
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, 110 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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