A strong and tough gelatin/polyvinyl alcohol double network hydrogel actuator with superior actuation strength and fast actuation speed
Shiyu Yao, Xingyue Sun, Lina Ye, Haiyi Liang
Abstract
. The fast actuation speed is due to the storing-releasing elastic potential energy method, which stretches the hydrogel and locks the hydrogel at deformed shape under external stimuli to store the elastic potential energy and then makes the hydrogel contract rapidly under new stimuli to release the pre-stored energy. A capture actuator and a hand muscle actuator are fabricated to achieve strong and fast actuation. The hydrogel actuator has shown potential applications in soft robots and artificial muscles.
Topics & Concepts
ActuatorSelf-healing hydrogelsMaterials scienceArtificial muscleGelatinSoft roboticsPolyvinyl alcoholElastic energyRobotComposite materialMicrofluidicsBiomedical engineeringComputer scienceNanotechnologyArtificial intelligenceEngineeringChemistryPolymer chemistryQuantum mechanicsBiochemistryPhysicsAdvanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting MaterialsAdvanced Materials and MechanicsDielectric materials and actuators