Name: fabrication of soft pneumatic network actuators with oblique chambers
Uploaded: 2018-08-17T14:30:00.000+00:00
Duration: 7 min 9 s
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fabrication of Soft Pneumatic Network Actuators with Oblique Chambers at JoVE.com

Questo lavoro è stato supportato dalla Fondazione della Cina nazionale di scienze naturali sotto Grant 51622506 e la scienza e tecnologia della Commissione della municipalità di Shanghai sotto Grant 16JC1401000.

Nota: Il protocollo prevede le procedure di fabbricazione di un attuatore pneumatico morbida rete. Prima la procedura di fabbricazione, un set di stampi e diversi connettori di attuatore-tubazione, che sono progettati con progettazione assistita da elaboratore (CAD) il software deve essere di 3-D-stampati in anticipo. Gli stampi sono illustrati nella Figura 1B.
1. preparazione di elastomero di silicone
<ol><li>Pesare 5 g di parte in elastomero di silicone B e 45 g della parte A [9:1 (A:B) parti in peso] nello stesso contenitore di miscelazione (Figura 2A). Utilizzare una siringa per assicurarsi che le proporzioni di ogni parte sono accurate. Nota: Il rapporto di miscelazione varia per elastomeri di silicone diversi. La proporzione di ciascuna parte deve essere regolata quando è adottato un altro elastomero di silicone.</li>
	<li>Mescolare l'elastomero di silicone bene con l'impastatrice planetaria centrifugo. Nota: L'elastomero di silicone poteva essere conservato a bassa temperatura per estendere il tempo di elaborazione.</li>
</ol>2. camera parte Fabrication
<ol><li>Spruzzare il distaccante stampi per prodotti in elastomero di silicone in modo uniforme sulle superfici della muffa parte A e parte B.</li>
	<li>Assemblare la parte A e parte B dello stampo per la realizzazione di una camera. Tenere entrambe le estremità dello stampo con clip per impedire la fuoriuscita di elastomero di silicone.</li>
	<li>Assumere 5 mL di elastomero di silicone con una siringa e iniettare lentamente il foro dello stampo per fabbricare il lato di connessione (la struttura cilindrica a un'estremità dell'attuatore per il tubo di collegamento). Quindi, riempire lo stampo intero con l'elastomero di silicone (Figura 2B). Nota: Mantenere un tasso di flusso debole e muoversi avanti e indietro lentamente, per consentire l'elastomero di silicone immettere le piccole strutture della muffa.</li>
	<li>Bucare le bolle che si formano sulla superficie con la punta di un ago fino a quando non ci sono più bolle visibili (Figura 2C).</li>
	<li>Raschiare qualsiasi elastomero di silicone in eccesso con una lama lungo la superficie superiore dello stampo.</li>
	<li>Posizionare lo stampo in forno a 70 ° C fino a curata l'elastomero di silicone.</li>
	<li>Utilizzare una siringa per iniettare elastomero di silicone per le bolle e fori che appaiono sulla superficie dell'attuatore.</li>
	<li>Raschiare qualsiasi elastomero di silicone in eccesso sulla superficie.</li>
	<li>Posizionare lo stampo in forno a 70 ° C fino a curata l'elastomero di silicone.</li>
</ol>3. base parte Fabrication
<ol><li>Spruzzare il distaccante stampi per prodotti in elastomero di silicone in modo uniforme sulla superficie della parte di stampo C.</li>
	<li>Versare l'elastomero di silicone nella parte C della muffa.</li>
	<li>Bucare le bolle che si formano sulla superficie con la punta di un ago fino a quando non ci sono più bolle visibili.</li>
	<li>Raschiare qualsiasi elastomero di silicone in eccesso con una lama lungo la superficie superiore dello stampo.</li>
	<li>Posizionare lo stampo in forno a 70 ° C fino a curata l'elastomero di silicone.</li>
</ol>4. attuatore
<ol><li>Versare uniformemente uno strato di elastomero di silicone, 1 mm di spessore, su una faccia della parte di base.</li>
	<li>Posizionare la parte di alloggiamento sulla parte di base. Utilizzare una siringa per iniettare l'elastomero di silicone nello spazio tra la parte di camera e la parte di base (Figura 2D).</li>
	<li>Posizionare l'attuatore in forno a 70 ° C fino a curata l'elastomero di silicone.</li>
</ol>5. tubo di attacco
<ol><li>Toccare il connettore di attuatore-tubazione 3-D-stampati per accettare che la vite di un push-in perno maschio misura montaggio pneumatico.</li>
	<li>Utilizzare un ago per bucare la fine di collegamento dell'attuatore lungo la linea centrale del cilindro. Aumentare il diametro del foro con un tondino di acciaio, a circa 2 mm.</li>
	<li>Avvitare il raccordo di tubi di attuatore l'attuatore (Figura 2E).</li>
	<li>Spingere una sezione della tubazione nel perno maschio ad innesto Raccordo pneumatico fit.</li>
</ol>6. perdita di controllo e riparazione
<ol><li>Collegare l'attuatore alla fonte d'aria.</li>
	<li>Posizionare l'attuatore intero in acqua e pressurizzare l'attuatore (Figura 2F). Osservare se le bolle si formano a causa di una perdita.</li>
	<li>Utilizzare una siringa per iniettare l'elastomero di silicone in punti di perdita. Posizionare l'attuatore in forno a 70 ° C fino a curata l'elastomero di silicone.</li>
	<li>Se necessario, ripetere i passaggi 6.1-6.3.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Rus, D., Tolley, M. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Design,+fabrication+and+control+of+soft+robots.">Design, fabrication and control of soft robots.</a> Nature. 521 (7553), 467-475 (2015).</li><li>Ilievski, F., Mazzeo, A. D., Shepherd, R. F., Chen, X., Whitesides, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Soft+robotics+for+chemists.">Soft robotics for chemists.</a> Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 50 (8), 1890-1895 (2011).</li><li>Shepherd, R. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multigait+soft+robot.">Multigait soft robot.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 108 (51), 20400-20403 (2011).</li><li>Yap, H. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+fully+fabric-based+bidirectional+soft+robotic+glove+for+assistance+and+rehabilitation+of+hand+impaired+patients.">A fully fabric-based bidirectional soft robotic glove for assistance and rehabilitation of hand impaired patients.</a> IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters. 2 (3), 1383-1390 (2017).</li><li>Yang, Y., Chen, Y., Li, Y., Chen, M. Z. Q., Wei, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bioinspired+Robotic+Fingers+Based+on+Pneumatic+Actuator+and+3D+Printing+of+Smart+Material.">Bioinspired Robotic Fingers Based on Pneumatic Actuator and 3D Printing of Smart Material.</a> Soft Robotics. 4 (2), 147-162 (2017).</li><li>Gu, G. Y., Zhu, J., Zhu, L. M., Zhu, X. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+survey+on+dielectric+elastomer+actuators+for+soft+robots.">A survey on dielectric elastomer actuators for soft robots.</a> Bioinspiration &amp; Biomimetics. 12 (1), 011003 (2017).</li><li>Holland, D. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+soft+robotics+toolkit:+Strategies+for+overcoming+obstacles+to+the+wide+dissemination+of+soft-robotic+hardware.">The soft robotics toolkit: Strategies for overcoming obstacles to the wide dissemination of soft-robotic hardware.</a> IEEE Robotics &amp; Automation Magazine. 24 (1), 57-64 (2017).</li><li>Galloway, K. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Soft+Robotic+Grippers+for+Biological+Sampling+on+Deep+Reefs.">Soft Robotic Grippers for Biological Sampling on Deep Reefs.</a> Soft Robotics. 3 (1), 23-33 (2016).</li><li>Polygerinos, P., Wang, Z., Galloway, K. C., Wood, R. J., Walsh, C. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Soft+robotic+glove+for+combined+assistance+and+at-home+rehabilitation.">Soft robotic glove for combined assistance and at-home rehabilitation.</a> Robotics and Autonomous Systems. 73, 135-143 (2015).</li><li>Tolley, M. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Resilient,+Untethered+Soft+Robot.">A Resilient, Untethered Soft Robot.</a> Soft Robotics. 1 (3), 213-223 (2014).</li><li>Ainla, A., Verma, M. S., Yang, D., Whitesides, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Soft,+Rotating+Pneumatic+Actuator.">Soft, Rotating Pneumatic Actuator.</a> Soft Robotics. 4 (3), 297-304 (2017).</li><li>Koizumi, Y., Shibata, M., Hirai, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rolling+tensegrity+driven+by+pneumatic+soft+actuators.">Rolling tensegrity driven by pneumatic soft actuators.</a> 2012 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA). , (2012).</li><li>Connolly, F., Polygerinos, P., Walsh, C. J., Bertoldi, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanical+Programming+of+Soft+Actuators+by+Varying+Fiber+Angle.">Mechanical Programming of Soft Actuators by Varying Fiber Angle.</a> Soft Robotics. 2 (1), 26-32 (2015).</li><li>Connolly, F., Walsh, C. J., Bertoldi, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Automatic+design+of+fiber-reinforced+soft+actuators+for+trajectory+matching.">Automatic design of fiber-reinforced soft actuators for trajectory matching.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 114 (1), 51-56 (2017).</li><li>Martinez, R. V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Robotic+tentacles+with+three-dimensional+mobility+based+on+flexible+elastomers.">Robotic tentacles with three-dimensional mobility based on flexible elastomers.</a> Advanced Materials. 25 (2), 205-212 (2013).</li><li>Polygerinos, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modeling+of+Soft+Fiber-Reinforced+Bending+Actuators.">Modeling of Soft Fiber-Reinforced Bending Actuators.</a> IEEE Transactions on Robotics. 31 (3), 778-789 (2015).</li><li>Mosadegh, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pneumatic+Networks+for+Soft+Robotics+that+Actuate+Rapidly.">Pneumatic Networks for Soft Robotics that Actuate Rapidly.</a> Advanced Functional Materials. 24 (15), 2163-2170 (2014).</li><li>Wang, T., Ge, L., Gu, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Programmable+design+of+soft+pneu-net+actuators+with+oblique+chambers+can+generate+coupled+bending+and+twisting+motions.">Programmable design of soft pneu-net actuators with oblique chambers can generate coupled bending and twisting motions.</a> Sensors and Actuators A: Physical. 271, 131-138 (2018).</li><li>Marchese, A. D., Katzschmann, R. K., Rus, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Recipe+for+Soft+Fluidic+Elastomer+Robots.">A Recipe for Soft Fluidic Elastomer Robots.</a> Soft Robotics. 2 (1), 7-25 (2015).</li></ol>

Gli autori non hanno nulla a rivelare.

La carta presenta un protocollo di metodo per guidare la realizzazione di attuatori morbida rete pneumatica con obliquo chambers. In seguito il protocollo, un attuatore può essere fabbricato in modo indipendente all'interno di 3 h. I passaggi chiave nel protocollo possono essere riassunti come segue. (i) l'elastomero di silicone è preparato in proporzione e mescola bene. (ii) l'elastomero di silicone viene versato nello stampo per la fabbricazione della parte camera e parte di base. (iii) le bolle sulla superficie espo...

Attuatori pneumatici morbidi (ZPS) sono dispositivi morbidi che possono essere attivati anche dal semplice input di aria pressione1,2. Essi possono essere fabbricate con materiali diversi, quali elastomeri di silicone3, tessuti4, memoria di forma polimeri5e dielettrico elastomeri6. I ricercatori hanno tratto beneficio dalla loro natura di conformità, abile mozioni e montaggio semplice metodi7, tale che centri termali sono diventati uno dei dispositivi più promettenti per applicazioni di robotica morbido8,9. Centri termali in grado di realizzare vari movimenti sofisticati, come strisciante10, rotazione11e12 basato su vari tipi di deformazione, compresi tavolo allungabile, espandendo, flessione e torsione13, di rotolamento 14. per essere in grado di effettuare diversi tipi di movimenti, centri termali sono progettati in diverse strutture, quali un corpo lineare con canali paralleli15, una camera di monolitica con rinforzi in fibra16, e reti di ripetono Sub-chambers17. Tra questi, le Terme con le reti di ripetuti Sub-chambers, gli attuatori di morbida rete pneumatica, sono largamente impiegate perché possono generare grandi deformazioni sotto una pressione di ingresso relativamente bassa. Tuttavia, nella maggior parte dei disegni precedenti, questo tipo di attuatori può solo generare piegatura movimenti nello spazio 2D, che limita notevolmente le loro applicazioni.
Un attuatore pneumatico morbida rete consiste di un gruppo organizzato linearmente delle camere collegate da un canale interno. Ogni alloggiamento cubico contiene un paio di pareti opposte, che sono più sottili rispetto l'altra coppia e produce un'inflazione di due lati nella direzione perpendicolare alle pareti più sottili. Originariamente, le pareti più sottili delle sezioni sono perpendicolari all'asse lungo del corpo dell'attuatore e gonfiano con l'asse lungo. Questi inflazioni collineari in alloggiamenti e la base non estendibile conducono a una flessione pura integrante dell'attuatore. Per esplorare il movimento dell'attuatore nello spazio 3D, l'orientamento delle sezioni è sintonizzato in modo che le pareti laterali più sottili non sono più perpendicolare all'asse longitudinale dell'attuatore (Figura 1A), che consente la direzione di inflazione di ogni alloggiamento per offset dall'asse e diventare non collineari. Tutte le inflazioni parallele ma non collineari modificare il movimento dell'attuatore in un piegamento accoppiati e movimento di torsione in spazio 3D18. Questo movimento accoppiato consente gli attuatori più flessibilità e destrezza e rende gli attuatori un candidato adatto per applicazioni più pratiche, come flessibile manipolatori, robot biologicamente ispirati e dispositivi medici.
Questo protocollo viene illustrato il metodo di fabbricazione di questo tipo di attuatori morbida rete pneumatica con obliquo chambers. Esso include la preparazione elastomero siliconico, fabbricando la camera e le parti di base, montaggio dell'attuatore, il tubo di collegamento, controllo di tenuta e, se necessario, riparare l'attuatore. Può anche essere utilizzato per fabbricare normale morbida rete pneumatica attuatori e altri morbido che può essere prodotto con alcune semplici modifiche al metodo di stampaggio. Forniamo la procedura dettagliata per fabbricare un attuatore pneumatico morbido con camere obliqua di 30°. Per diverse applicazioni, attuatori con angoli di camera differenti possono essere fabbricati secondo lo stesso protocollo. Oltre a questo, gli attuatori possono essere combinati per formare un sistema Multi-attuatore per varie esigenze.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Silicone elastomer</td><td>Wacker</td><td>ELASTOSIL M4601 A/B</td><td>Material of the actuators</td></tr><tr><td>Syringe&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Shanghai Kindly Medical Instruments&amp;nbsp;</td><td>10 ml</td><td>Used to inject silicone rubber into the hole of the mold for fabricating the connection end</td></tr><tr><td>Precision scale</td><td>Shanghai Hochoice</td><td>UTP-313</td><td>Used to weigh the silicone rubber</td></tr><tr><td>Planetary centrifugal vacuum mixer</td><td>THINKY</td><td>ARE-310</td><td>Used to mix the silicone rubber and defoam after mixing process</td></tr><tr><td>Release agent</td><td>Smooth-on</td><td>Release 200</td><td>Used for ease of demolding&amp;nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Needle</td><td>Shanghai Kindly Medical Instruments&amp;nbsp;</td><td></td><td>Used for Piercing the bubbles form on the surface</td></tr><tr><td>Utility blade</td><td>M&amp;amp;G Chenguang Stationery</td><td>ASS91325</td><td>Used for Scraping off excess silicone rubber along the upper surface of the mold&amp;nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Vacuum oven</td><td>Ningbo SI Instrument</td><td>DZF-6050</td><td>Used to reduce the cure time of the silicone rubber</td></tr><tr><td>Male stud push in fit pneumatic fitting</td><td>Zhe Jiang BLCH Pneumatic Science &amp;amp; Technology</td><td>PC4-01</td><td>Used to connect the tubing and the 3D-printed actuator tubing connector</td></tr><tr><td>Tubing</td><td>SMC</td><td>TU0425</td><td>Used for actuating the actuators</td></tr><tr><td>Vacuum pump</td><td>Zhe Jiang BLCH Pneumatic Science &amp;amp; Technology</td><td></td><td>Used as the air source</td></tr><tr><td>Pressure valve</td><td>Zhe Jiang BLCH Pneumatic Science &amp;amp; Technology</td><td>IR1000-01BG</td><td>Used for adjusting the input air pressure</td></tr></tbody></table>

fabrication of soft pneumatic network actuators with oblique chambers

Attuatori in morbida rete pneumatica sono diventati uno dei dispositivi di azionamento più promettenti nella robotica morbido che beneficia del loro grande deformazione di flessione e basso input. Tuttavia, loro monotona curvatura forma di movimento nello spazio bidimensionale (2D) li tiene lontano per svariate applicazioni. Questa carta presenta un metodo di fabbricazione dettagliato degli attuatori morbida rete pneumatica con alloggiamenti obliqui, per esplorare i loro movimenti nello spazio tridimensionale (3D). Il design delle camere oblique consente attuatori con sintonizzabile accoppiato flessioni e torsioni funzionalità, che dà loro la possibilità di muoversi abilmente in manipolatori flessibili, per diventare robot biologicamente ispirati e dispositivi medici. Il processo di fabbricazione è basato sul metodo di stampaggio, tra cui il silicone elastomero preparazione, alloggiamento e base parti fabrication, attuatore, connessioni dei tubi, controlli per perdite e la riparazione di attuatore. Il metodo di fabbricazione garantisce la produzione rapida di una serie di attuatori con solo alcune modifiche negli stampi. I risultati del test mostrano l'alta qualità di attuatori e loro prominente flessioni e torsioni funzionalità. Esperimenti della pinza dimostrano i vantaggi dello sviluppo nell'adattare agli oggetti con diversi diametri e fornire attrito sufficiente.

Attuatore singolo: Per verificare il metodo di fabbricazione e dimostrare la funzione dell'attuatore, 30°, 45° e 60° attuatori sono stati fabbricati e testati. Per l'allestimento di esperimento, una pompa ad aria è stata impiegata per attivare la valvola. La valvola è stata collegata all'attuatore per controllare la pressione interna. L'attuatore singolo era fissato alla sua estremità di connessione e posizionato verticalmente. Mentre l'attuatore è stato essendo...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fabrication of Soft Pneumatic Network Actuators with Oblique Chambers at JoVE.com

Fabrication of Soft Pneumatic Network Actuators with Oblique Chambers

Qui presentiamo un metodo di fabbricazione di attuatori morbida rete pneumatica con obliquo chambers. Gli attuatori sono in grado di generare accoppiato flessioni e torsioni mozioni, che allarga la loro applicazione nella robotica morbido.

Fabbricazione di morbida rete pneumatica attuatori con obliquo Chambers

Soft pneumatic network actuators have become one of the most promising actuation devices in soft robotics which benefits from their large bending ...

fabrication-of-soft-pneumatic-network-actuators-with-oblique-chambers

Research

JoVE Journal

Engineering

9.0K Views.  Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Qui presentiamo un metodo di fabbricazione di attuatori morbida rete pneumatica con obliquo chambers. Gli attuatori sono in grado di generare accoppiato flessioni e torsioni mozioni, che allarga la loro applicazione nella robotica morbido.

Video: Fabrication of Soft Pneumatic Network Actuators with Oblique Chambers

Fabrication of Low Temperature Carbon Nanotube Vertical Interconnects Compatible with Semiconductor Technology

We demonstrate a method for the low temperature growth (350 &#176;C) of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes (CNT) bundles on electrically conductive thin-films. Due to the low growth temperature, the process allows integration with modern low-&#954; dielectrics and some flexible substrates. The process is compatible with standard semiconductor fabrication, and a method for the fabrication of electrical 4-point probe test structures for vertical interconnect test structures is presented. Using scanning electron microscopy the morphology of the CNT bundles is investigated, which demonstrates vertical alignment of the CNT and can be used to tune the CNT growth time. With Raman spectroscopy the crystallinity of the CNT is investigated. It was found that the CNT have many defects, due to the low growth temperature. The electrical current-voltage measurements of the test vertical interconnects displays a linear response, indicating good ohmic contact was achieved between the CNT bundle and the top and bottom metal electrodes. The obtained resistivities of the CNT bundle are among the average values in the literature, while a record-low CNT growth temperature was used.

A method for the growth of low temperature vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes, and the subsequent fabrication of vertical interconnect electrical test structures using semiconductor fabrication is presented.

Fabbricazione di bassa temperatura Nanotubi di carbonio interconnessioni verticali Compatibile con la tecnologia Semiconductor

We demonstrate a method for the low temperature growth (350 &#176;C) of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes (CNT) bundles on electrically conductive ...

Ricerca

Ingegneria

Fabrication Process of Silicone-based Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

This contribution demonstrates the fabrication process of dielectric elastomer transducers (DETs). DETs are stretchable capacitors consisting of an elastomeric dielectric membrane sandwiched between two compliant electrodes. The large actuation strains of these transducers when used as actuators (over 300% area strain) and their soft and compliant nature has been exploited for a wide range of applications, including electrically tunable optics, haptic feedback devices, wave-energy harvesting, deformable cell-culture devices, compliant grippers, and propulsion of a bio-inspired fish-like airship. In most cases, DETs are made with a commercial proprietary acrylic elastomer and with hand-applied electrodes of carbon powder or carbon grease. This combination leads to non-reproducible and slow actuators exhibiting viscoelastic creep and a short lifetime. We present here a complete process flow for the reproducible fabrication of DETs based on thin elastomeric silicone films, including casting of thin silicone membranes, membrane release and prestretching, patterning of robust compliant electrodes, assembly and testing. The membranes are cast on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates coated with a water-soluble sacrificial layer for ease of release. The electrodes consist of carbon black particles dispersed into a silicone matrix and patterned using a stamping technique, which leads to precisely-defined compliant electrodes that present a high adhesion to the dielectric membrane on which they are applied.

This manuscript shows the fabrication process for the manufacture of dielectric elastomer soft actuators based on silicone membranes. The three key stages of production are presented in detail: blade casting of thin silicone membranes; pad printing of compliant electrodes; and the assembly of all the components.

Fabbricazione Processo di base di silicone elastomero dielettrici Attuatori

This contribution demonstrates the fabrication process of dielectric elastomer transducers (DETs). DETs are stretchable capacitors consisting of an ...

Indirect Fabrication of Lattice Metals with Thin Sections Using Centrifugal Casting

One of the typical methods to manufacture 3D lattice metals is the direct-metal additive manufacturing (AM) process such as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM). In spite of its potential processing capability, the direct AM method has several disadvantages such as high cost, poor surface finish of final products, limitation in material selection, high thermal stress, and anisotropic properties of parts. We propose a cost-effective method to manufacture 3D lattice metals. The objective of this study is to provide a detailed protocol on fabrication of 3D lattice metals having a complex shape and a thin wall thickness; e.g., octet truss made of Al and Cu alloys having a unit cell length of 5 mm and a cell wall thickness of 0.5 mm. An overall experimental procedure is divided into eight sections: (a) 3D printing of sacrificial patterns (b) melt-out of support materials (c) removal of residue of support materials (d) pattern assembly (e) investment (f) burn-out of sacrificial patterns (g) centrifugal casting (h) post-processing for final products. The suggested indirect AM technique provides the potential to manufacture ultra-lightweight lattice metals; e.g., lattice structures with Al alloys. It appears that the process parameters should be properly controlled depending on materials and lattice geometry, observing the final products of octet truss metals by the indirect AM technique.

An indirect additive manufacturing method combining a 3D printing of polymers with a centrifugal casting is outlined for manufacturing 3D octet truss metals (Al and Cu alloys) having a unit cell length of 5 mm with a wall thickness of 0.5 mm.

Fabbricazione indiretta di Lattice metalli con sezioni sottili Utilizzando Fusione centrifuga

One of the typical methods to manufacture 3D lattice metals is the direct-metal additive manufacturing (AM) process such as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) ...

A Fabrication Method for Highly Stretchable Conductors with Silver Nanowires

Stretchable electronics are identified as a key technology for electronic applications in the next generation. One of the challenges in fabrication of stretchable electronic devices is the preparation of stretchable conductors with great mechanical stability. In this study, we developed a simple fabrication method to chemically solder the contact points between silver nanowire (AgNW) networks. AgNW nanomesh was first deposited on a glass slide via spray coating method. A reactive ink composed of silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) precursors was applied over the spray coated AgNW thin films. After heating for 40 min, AgNPs were preferentially generated over the nanowire junctions to solder the AgNW nanomesh, and reinforced the conducting network. The chemically modified AgNW thin film was then transferred to polyurethane (PU) substrates by casting method. The soldered AgNW thin films on PU exhibited no obvious change in electrical conductivity under stretching or rolling process with elongation strains up to 120%.

A simple synthesis method is used to chemically solder silver nanowire thin film to fabricate highly stretchable and conductive metal conductors.

Un metodo di fabbricazione di conduttori è molto estensibile con argento Nanofili

Stretchable electronics are identified as a key technology for electronic applications in the next generation. One of the challenges in fabrication of ...

Free-form Light Actuators &#8212; Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are smart materials capable of reversible shape-change in response to external stimuli, and have attracted researchers&#39; attention in many fields. Most of the studies focused on macroscopic LCE structures (films, fibers) and their miniaturization is still in its infancy. Recently developed lithography techniques, e.g., mask exposure and replica molding, only allow for creating 2D structures on LCE thin films. Direct laser writing (DLW) opens access to truly 3D fabrication in the microscopic scale. However, controlling the actuation topology and dynamics at the same length scale remains a challenge.
In this paper we report on a method to control the liquid crystal (LC) molecular alignment in the LCE microstructures of arbitrary three-dimensional shape. This was made possible by a combination of direct laser writing for both the LCE structures as well as for micrograting patterns inducing local LC alignment. Several types of grating patterns were used to introduce different LC alignments, which can be subsequently patterned into the LCE structures. This protocol allows one to obtain LCE microstructures with engineered alignments able to perform multiple opto-mechanical actuation, thus being capable of multiple functionalities. Applications can be foreseen in the fields of tunable photonics, micro-robotics, lab-on-chip technology and others.

Here, we fabricate 3D polymeric micro/nano structures in which both the shape and the molecular alignment can be engineered with nanometer scale accuracy by the use of direct laser writing. Light induced deformation of several types of liquid crystalline elastomer microstructures can be controlled in the microscopic scale.

Free-forma Attuatori Light - Fabbricazione e Controllo di attuazione in scala microscopica

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are smart materials capable of reversible shape-change in response to external stimuli, and have attracted ...

Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery

In recent years, soft robotics technologies have aroused increasing interest in the medical field due to their intrinsically safe interaction in unstructured environments. At the same time, new procedures and techniques have been developed to reduce the invasiveness of surgical operations. Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) has been successfully employed for abdominal interventions, however standard MIS procedures are mainly based on rigid or semi-rigid tools that limit the dexterity of the clinician. This paper presents a soft and high dexterous manipulator for MIS. The manipulator was inspired by the biological capabilities of the octopus arm, and is designed with a modular approach. Each module presents the same functional characteristics, thus achieving high dexterity and versatility when more modules are integrated. The paper details the design, fabrication process and the materials necessary for the development of a single unit, which is fabricated by casting silicone inside specific molds. The result consists in an elastomeric cylinder including three flexible pneumatic actuators that enable elongation and omni-directional bending of the unit. An external braided sheath improves the motion of the module. In the center of each module a granular jamming-based mechanism varies the stiffness of the structure during the tasks. Tests demonstrate that the module is able to bend up to 120&#176; and to elongate up to 66% of the initial length. The module generates a maximum force of 47 N, and its stiffness can increase up to 36%.

This paper describes the design and fabrication of a soft unit for surgical manipulators. The base module includes three flexible fluidic actuators to achieve omnidirectional bending and elongation, and a granular jamming-based mechanism to enable stiffness control. A complete mechanical characterization is also reported.

Progettazione e Realizzazione di un&#39;unità elastomerico per soft robot modulari in Chirurgia Mini-Invasiva

In recent years, soft robotics technologies have aroused increasing interest in the medical field due to their intrinsically safe interaction in ...

Bioingegneria

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots

This protocol describes a method for rapid manufacturing of soft pneumatic actuators and robots with an ultrathin form factor using a heat press and a laser cutter machine. The method starts with the lamination of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) sheets using a heat press for 10 min at the temperature of ~93 &#176;C. Next, the parameters of the laser cutter machine are optimized to produce a rectangular balloon with maximum burst pressure. Using the optimized parameters, the soft actuators are laser cut/welded three times sequentially. Next, a dispensing needle is attached to the actuator, allowing it to be inflated. The effect of geometrical parameters on the deflection of the actuator are studied systematically by varying the channel width and length. Finally, the performance of the actuator is characterized using an optical camera and a fluid dispenser. Conventional fabrication methods of soft pneumatic actuators based on silicone molding are time consuming (several hours). They also result in strong but bulky actuators, which limits the actuator&#8217;s applications. Moreover, microfabrication of thin pneumatic actuators is both time-consuming and expensive. The proposed manufacturing method in the current work resolves these issues by introducing a fast, simple, and cost-effective fabrication method of ultrathin pneumatic actuators.

This protocol describes a method for rapid manufacturing of soft pneumatic actuators and robots with a thin form factor. The fabrication method starts with lamination of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) sheets followed by laser cutting/welding of a two-dimensional pattern to form actuators and robots.

Produzione rapida di attuatori e robot pneumatici sottili e morbidi

This protocol describes a method for rapid manufacturing of soft pneumatic actuators and robots with an ultrathin form factor using a heat press and a ...

Rod-based Fabrication of Customizable Soft Robotic Pneumatic Gripper Devices for Delicate Tissue Manipulation

Soft compliant gripping is essential in delicate surgical manipulation for minimizing the risk of tissue grip damage caused by high stress concentrations at the point of contact. It can be achieved by complementing traditional rigid grippers with soft robotic pneumatic gripper devices. This manuscript describes a rod-based approach that combined both 3D-printing and a modified soft lithography technique to fabricate the soft pneumatic gripper. In brief, the pneumatic featureless mold with chamber component is 3D-printed and the rods were used to create the pneumatic channels that connect to the chamber. This protocol eliminates the risk of channels occluding during the sealing process and the need for external air source or related control circuit. The soft gripper consists of a chamber filled with air, and one or more gripper arms with a pneumatic channel in each arm connected to the chamber. The pneumatic channel is positioned close to the outer wall to create different stiffness in the gripper arm. Upon compression of the chamber which generates pressure on the pneumatic channel, the gripper arm will bend inward to form a close grip posture because the outer wall area is more compliant. The soft gripper can be inserted into a 3D-printed handling tool with two different control modes for chamber compression: manual gripper mode with a movable piston, and robotic gripper mode with a linear actuator. The double-arm gripper with two actuatable arms was able to pick up objects of sizes up to 2 mm and yet generate lower compressive forces as compared to elastomer-coated and non-coated rigid grippers. The feasibility of having other designs, such as single-arm or hook gripper, was also demonstrated, which further highlighted the customizability of the soft gripper device, and it's potential to be used in delicate surgical manipulation to reduce the risk of tissue grip damage.

This protocol describes a rod-based approach, combining 3D-printing and soft lithography techniques for fabricating the soft gripper devices. This approach eliminates the need for an external air source by incorporating a chamber component and reduces the chance of occlusion during the sealing process, particularly for miniaturized pneumatic channels.

Fabrication Rod a base di personalizzabili morbide robotizzati pneumatici Gripper dispositivi per la manipolazione dei tessuti delicati

Soft compliant gripping is essential in delicate surgical manipulation for minimizing the risk of tissue grip damage caused by high stress concentrations ...

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators

Ionic electromechanically active capacitive laminates are a type of smart material that move in response to electrical stimulation. Due to the soft, compliant and biomimetic nature of this deformation, actuators made of the laminate have received increasing interest in soft robotics and (bio)medical applications. However, methods to easily fabricate the active material in large (even industrial) quantities and with a high batch-to-batch and within-batch repeatability are needed to transfer the knowledge from laboratory to industry. This protocol describes a simple, industrially scalable and reproducible method for the fabrication of ionic carbon-based electromechanically active capacitive laminates and the preparation of actuators made thereof. The inclusion of a passive and chemically inert (insoluble) middle layer (e.g., a textile-reinforced polymer network or microporous Teflon) distinguishes the method from others. The protocol is divided into five steps: membrane preparation, electrode preparation, current collector attachment, cutting and shaping, and actuation. Following the protocol results in an active material that can, for example, compliantly grasp and hold a randomly shaped object as demonstrated in the article.

This article describes a fast and simple manufacturing process of ionic electromechanically active composite materials for actuators in biomedical, biomimetic and soft robotics applications. The key fabrication steps, their importance for the actuators&#39; final properties, and some of the main characterization techniques are described in detail.

Fabbricazione di attuatori morbidi ionici ad attività in carbonio

Ionic electromechanically active capacitive laminates are a type of smart material that move in response to electrical stimulation. Due to the soft, ...

Manufacturing, Control, and Performance Evaluation of a Gecko-Inspired Soft Robot

This protocol presents a method for manufacturing, control, and evaluation of the performance of a soft robot that can climb inclined flat surfaces with slopes of up to 84&#176;. The manufacturing method is valid for the fast pneunet bending actuators in general and might, therefore, be interesting for newcomers to the field of actuator manufacturing. The control of the robot is achieved by means of a pneumatic control box that can provide arbitrary pressures and can be built by only using purchased components, a laser cutter, and a soldering iron. For the walking performance of the robot, the pressure-angle calibration plays a crucial role. Therefore, a semi-automated method for the pressure-angle calibration is presented. At high inclines (&#62; 70&#176;), the robot can no longer reliably fix itself to the walking plane. Therefore, the gait pattern is modified to ensure that the feet can be fixed on the walking plane.

This protocol provides a detailed list of steps to be performed for the manufacturing, control and evaluation of the climbing performance of a gecko-inspired soft robot.

Valutazione di produzione, controllo e prestazioni di un robot morbido ispirato a Gecko

This protocol presents a method for manufacturing, control, and evaluation of the performance of a soft robot that can climb inclined flat surfaces with ...