Abstract
Intelligent materials offer new avenues when de-
signing sustainable robotics as they allow for the creation
of dynamic constructs which react autonomously to changes
in the environment, such as humidity. Here we present a
novel humidity actuator which exploits the unique property
of deliquescent salts to allow for the spontaneous rehydration
of hydrogels in ambient environments. By soaking a 2% w/v
alginate, 3% w/v Agar composite in 1M calcium chloride,
an intelligent humidity-driven actuator was developed. The
hydrogel was able to gain 73.8±7.1% of its weight from a
dehydrated state in just 6 hours through water absorption
from ambient air. Using this novel formulation, linear and
bilayer bending actuators were constructed. In addition to
this, a biodegradable deliquescence-actuated artificial flower
was demonstrated, highlighting this material’s potential to act
as an intelligent humidity actuator for the construction of
environmentally-reactive biomimetic sustainable robotics.
signing sustainable robotics as they allow for the creation
of dynamic constructs which react autonomously to changes
in the environment, such as humidity. Here we present a
novel humidity actuator which exploits the unique property
of deliquescent salts to allow for the spontaneous rehydration
of hydrogels in ambient environments. By soaking a 2% w/v
alginate, 3% w/v Agar composite in 1M calcium chloride,
an intelligent humidity-driven actuator was developed. The
hydrogel was able to gain 73.8±7.1% of its weight from a
dehydrated state in just 6 hours through water absorption
from ambient air. Using this novel formulation, linear and
bilayer bending actuators were constructed. In addition to
this, a biodegradable deliquescence-actuated artificial flower
was demonstrated, highlighting this material’s potential to act
as an intelligent humidity actuator for the construction of
environmentally-reactive biomimetic sustainable robotics.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 2023 IEEE 6th International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft) |
| Publisher | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 3 Apr 2023 |
| Event | 6th IEEE-RAS International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft) - Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, Singapore Duration: 3 Apr 2023 → 7 Apr 2023 https://softroboticsconference.org/ |
Conference
| Conference | 6th IEEE-RAS International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | RoboSoft 2023 |
| Country/Territory | Singapore |
| City | Singapore |
| Period | 3/04/23 → 7/04/23 |
| Internet address |