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3D Printing of Electrically Responsive PVC Gel Actuators
Zijun Wang1, Yang Wang1, Zhijian Wang2
1Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 11, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed 3D-printable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel actuators for soft robots. These electrically responsive soft actuators demonstrate significant bending and undulatory motion, with potential applications in smart windows.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Robotics
- Additive Manufacturing
Background:
- Electrically responsive soft actuators are crucial for soft robots and machines.
- Limited availability of 3D-printable, electrically responsive soft materials hinders development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a novel strategy for 3D printing electrically controllable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel actuators.
- To demonstrate the capabilities of these actuators in generating motion and adapting transparency.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel ink for 3D printing.
- Employing multi-material 3D printing techniques to create actuators with varying stiffness.
- Fabricating a jellyfish-like actuator and a stiffness-gradient actuator.
Main Results:
- Successfully 3D printed PVC gel actuators that exhibit electrically controllable bending (up to 130° in <5 s).
- Developed a stiffness-gradient actuator capable of generating undulatory motion.
- Demonstrated a proof-of-concept smart window using a 3D-printed PVC gel that changes transparency with voltage.
Conclusions:
- The developed 3D printing strategy expands the range of electrically responsive soft materials.
- This approach offers potential for diverse engineering applications, including soft robotics and smart devices.
