Under the direction of President Kwang-Hyung Lee, KAIST researchers have accomplished a revolutionary breakthrough in the field of soft robotics. The group, led by Mechanical Engineering Department Professor IlKwon Oh, announced the development of a new soft fluidic switch on January 4. Using the concepts of artificial muscles made of ionic polymers, this gadget performs well with very little power consumption.
The recently created switch is intended for usage in cramped areas and runs at a very low voltage. The shortcomings of traditional motor-based switches, which are frequently too heavy and inflexible for usage in compact spaces are addressed by this invention.
Compared to conventional motors, artificial muscles that simulate the actions of human muscles provide more flexible and natural movements. These are essential parts of many applications, including wearable technology, medical devices, and soft robots. They react to outside stimuli such as variations in temperature, air pressure, or electricity. Precise control over these responses is the key to optimizing their utility.
The discovery made by the KAIST research team incorporates an electro-ionic soft actuator that can regulate fluid flow. This actuator is the perfect soft fluidic switch since it can exert significant force even inside a small conduit. The constructed artificial muscle is made up of ionic polymers and metal electrodes. It moves and exerts force in response to electrical stimulation.
The electrode surface of the artificial muscle was layered with pS-COF by the scientists. Thanks to this invention, the muscle may exert force that is far more than its own weight with only a small amount of power (around 0.01V). It is astonishing that this synthetic muscle, weighing only 10 mg and only 180 µm thick, can exert force more than 34 times its own weight. This accomplishment represents a major advancement in the area by enabling precise control over fluid flow direction with low power usage.
Professor IlKwon Oh highlighted the technology's possible uses. The electrochemical soft fluidic switch's extremely low power consumption opens the door for developments in soft electronics, microfluidics based on fluid control, and soft robots. He said the technique is suitable for immediate use in smart fibers and biomedical devices, among other industrial uses. It works especially well with ultra-small electronic systems, which are found in more and more everyday objects.
As the study's lead author, Dr. Manmatha Mahato, a research professor in KAIST's Department of Mechanical Engineering, was crucial to the investigation. On December 13, 2023, their findings—which mark a substantial advancement in artificial muscle technology—were published in the esteemed international journal Science Advances.
An important turning point in the development of soft robotics and related domains has been reached with this development. Its capacity to produce significant force in tiny areas with low power offers up new possibilities across a range of industries and has the potential to completely transform our understanding of design and functionality in many different applications.