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A Collapsible Soft Actuator Facilitates Performance in Constrained Environments.

Jacob RogatinskyKiran GomatamZi Heng LimMegan LeeLorenzo KinnicuttChristian DuriezPerry ThomsonKevin McDonaldTommaso Ranzani
Published in: Advanced intelligent systems (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) (2022)
Complex environments, such as those found in surgical and search-and-rescue applications, require soft devices to adapt to minimal space conditions without sacrificing the ability to complete dexterous tasks. Stacked Balloon Actuators (SBAs) are capable of large deformations despite folding nearly flat when deflated, making them ideal candidates for such applications. This paper presents the design, fabrication, modeling, and characterization of monolithic, inflatable, soft SBAs. Modeling is presented using analytical principles based on geometry, and then using conventional and real-time finite element methods. Both one and three degree-of-freedom (DoF) SBAs are fully characterized with regards to stroke, force, and workspace. Finally, three representative demonstrations show the SBA's small-aperture navigation, bracing, and workspace-enhancing capabilities.
Keyphrases
  • finite element
  • single molecule
  • atrial fibrillation
  • liquid chromatography
  • working memory
  • cross sectional
  • mass spectrometry
  • ionic liquid
  • molecular dynamics simulations
  • high resolution