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Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators
Published on: April 25, 2020
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Natural cellulose ionogels for soft artificial muscles
Daria Nevstrueva1, Kirill Murashko1, Veiko Vunder2
1Lappeenranta University of Technology, LUT School of Engineering Science, Skinnarilankatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|October 29, 2017
Summary
Natural cellulose-based ionogels (CEL-iGEL) show potential as soft artificial muscles, bending reversibly at low voltages. This study details their preparation and electromechanical characterization for human-friendly electronics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Soft Robotics
- Biocompatible Actuators
Background:
- Soft micromanipulation requires devices capable of mechanical work at micro- and macroscales.
- Natural cellulose-based ionogels (CEL-iGEL) offer flexibility, low driving voltage, and biocompatibility for artificial muscle applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize cellulose-based ionogel (CEL-iGEL) actuators for soft robotics.
- To investigate the electromechanical properties and stability of CEL-iGEL composites.
Main Methods:
- Cellulose dissolution in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIm][OAc]) followed by phase inversion in water to create CEL-iGEL films.
- Electromechanical characterization to assess bending response to step-voltage inputs.
- Electrochemical analysis to determine actuator stability and safe operating voltage.
Main Results:
- CEL-iGEL composites exhibit reversible bending at ±500mV.
- Actuators demonstrate an exponential voltage-strain relationship, reaching 0.6% strain difference at 2V.
- High ionic conductivity and uniform morphology were achieved due to complete cellulose dissolution and facile preparation.
Conclusions:
- CEL-iGEL actuators are promising for soft artificial muscle applications due to their performance and preparation method.
- The actuators show good stability within a safe working voltage range below 2.5V.
- A mathematical model was proposed to predict actuator deformation under various voltage inputs.
