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Remotely Light-Powered Soft Fluidic Actuators Based on Plasmonic-Driven Phase Transitions in Elastic Constraint.

Fabian Meder1, Giovanna Adele Naselli1, Ali Sadeghi1

  • 1Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedera, 56025, Pisa, Italy.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
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Researchers developed a novel soft fluidic actuator powered by light. This innovation enables untethered soft robotics, demonstrating remote control via laser-induced phase transitions in nanoparticle-infused elastomers.

Keywords:
fluidic actuationplasmonic actuationsoft roboticssoft steam engines

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Area of Science:

  • Soft Robotics
  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Remote actuation is key for untethering soft robotic systems from physical power and control hardware.
  • Fluidic actuation is a versatile and widely used strategy in soft robotics.
  • Existing methods often require tethered power sources or complex control mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop the first macroscale soft fluidic actuator powered and controlled remotely by light.
  • To demonstrate a novel actuation mechanism based on plasmonically induced phase transitions.
  • To explore the potential of this technology for untethered soft robotics and biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of a multiphase actuator using concentrated gold nanoparticles within an elastomeric pocket.
  • Utilizing laser excitation to induce localized heating and a liquid-to-gas phase transition.
  • Controlling actuation through laser parameters (wavelength, intensity, direction, pulsing) and observing reversible condensation.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated light-powered actuation of soft robotic structures including valves, pneumatic networks, crawling robots, and pumps.
  • Actuation was responsive to laser parameters, allowing for precise control.
  • The actuator operated effectively in various environments (air, water, biological tissue).
  • Near-infrared light enabled actuation through animal tissue, highlighting biomedical potential.

Conclusions:

  • The developed soft fluidic actuator offers a novel, light-based remote actuation method for soft robotics.
  • This technology enables untethered operation and versatile control, overcoming limitations of traditional fluidic systems.
  • The ability to actuate through biological tissue opens promising avenues for medical soft robotic applications.