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A supertough electro-tendon based on spider silk composites

Author

Listed:
  • Liang Pan

    (Nanyang Technological University)

  • Fan Wang

    (Beijing Institute of Technology)

  • Yuan Cheng

    (Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR))

  • Wan Ru Leow

    (Nanyang Technological University)

  • Yong-Wei Zhang

    (Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR))

  • Ming Wang

    (Nanyang Technological University)

  • Pingqiang Cai

    (Nanyang Technological University)

  • Baohua Ji

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Dechang Li

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Xiaodong Chen

    (Nanyang Technological University)

Abstract

Compared to transmission systems based on shafts and gears, tendon-driven systems offer a simpler and more dexterous way to transmit actuation force in robotic hands. However, current tendon fibers have low toughness and suffer from large friction, limiting the further development of tendon-driven robotic hands. Here, we report a super tough electro-tendon based on spider silk which has a toughness of 420 MJ/m3 and conductivity of 1,077 S/cm. The electro-tendon, mechanically toughened by single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and electrically enhanced by PEDOT:PSS, can withstand more than 40,000 bending-stretching cycles without changes in conductivity. Because the electro-tendon can simultaneously transmit signals and force from the sensing and actuating systems, we use it to replace the single functional tendon in humanoid robotic hand to perform grasping functions without additional wiring and circuit components. This material is expected to pave the way for the development of robots and various applications in advanced manufacturing and engineering.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang Pan & Fan Wang & Yuan Cheng & Wan Ru Leow & Yong-Wei Zhang & Ming Wang & Pingqiang Cai & Baohua Ji & Dechang Li & Xiaodong Chen, 2020. "A supertough electro-tendon based on spider silk composites," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14988-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14988-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Songlin Zhang & Mengjuan Zhou & Mingyang Liu & Zi Hao Guo & Hao Qu & Wenshuai Chen & Swee Ching Tan, 2023. "Ambient-conditions spinning of functional soft fibers via engineering molecular chain networks and phase separation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Shijing Zhang & Yingxiang Liu & Jie Deng & Xiang Gao & Jing Li & Weiyi Wang & Mingxin Xun & Xuefeng Ma & Qingbing Chang & Junkao Liu & Weishan Chen & Jie Zhao, 2023. "Piezo robotic hand for motion manipulation from micro to macro," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Ying Liu & Chan Wang & Zhuo Liu & Xuecheng Qu & Yansong Gai & Jiangtao Xue & Shengyu Chao & Jing Huang & Yuxiang Wu & Yusheng Li & Dan Luo & Zhou Li, 2024. "Self-encapsulated ionic fibers based on stress-induced adaptive phase transition for non-contact depth-of-field camouflage sensing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Peng, Linyu & Arai, Noriyoshi & Yasuoka, Kenji, 2022. "A stochastic Hamiltonian formulation applied to dissipative particle dynamics," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 426(C).
    5. Wenqian He & Meilin Wang & Guangkai Mei & Shiyong Liu & Abdul Qadeer Khan & Chao Li & Danyang Feng & Zihao Su & Lili Bao & Ge Wang & Enzhao Liu & Yutian Zhu & Jie Bai & Meifang Zhu & Xiang Zhou & Zunf, 2024. "Establishing superfine nanofibrils for robust polyelectrolyte artificial spider silk and powerful artificial muscles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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