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A variable-stiffness tendril-like soft robot based on reversible osmotic actuation

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  • Indrek Must

    (Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)
    University of Tartu)

  • Edoardo Sinibaldi

    (Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT))

  • Barbara Mazzolai

    (Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT))

Abstract

Soft robots hold promise for well-matched interactions with delicate objects, humans and unstructured environments owing to their intrinsic material compliance. Movement and stiffness modulation, which is challenging yet needed for an effective demonstration, can be devised by drawing inspiration from plants. Plants use a coordinated and reversible modulation of intracellular turgor (pressure) to tune their stiffness and achieve macroscopic movements. Plant-inspired osmotic actuation was recently proposed, yet reversibility is still an open issue hampering its implementation, also in soft robotics. Here we show a reversible osmotic actuation strategy based on the electrosorption of ions on flexible porous carbon electrodes driven at low input voltages (1.3 V). We demonstrate reversible stiffening (~5-fold increase) and actuation (~500 deg rotation) of a tendril-like soft robot (diameter ~1 mm). Our approach highlights the potential of plant-inspired technologies for developing soft robots based on biocompatible materials and safe voltages making them appealing for prospective applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Indrek Must & Edoardo Sinibaldi & Barbara Mazzolai, 2019. "A variable-stiffness tendril-like soft robot based on reversible osmotic actuation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-08173-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08173-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Yaoye Hong & Yao Zhao & Joseph Berman & Yinding Chi & Yanbin Li & He (Helen) Huang & Jie Yin, 2023. "Angle-programmed tendril-like trajectories enable a multifunctional gripper with ultradelicacy, ultrastrength, and ultraprecision," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Yunjiang Wang & Xinben Hu & Luhang Cui & Xuan Xiao & Keji Yang & Yongjian Zhu & Haoran Jin, 2024. "Bioinspired handheld time-share driven robot with expandable DoFs," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.

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