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Robotic surfaces with reversible, spatiotemporal control for shape morphing and object manipulation.

Ke Liu1, Felix Hacker1,2, Chiara Daraio3

  • 1Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA.

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Summary

This study introduces a soft robotic surface capable of programmable 3D shape morphing. Utilizing heat-responsive liquid crystal elastomers, this adaptable material offers controllable shape changes for advanced soft machine applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Robotics
  • Materials Science
  • Soft Machines

Background:

  • Soft machines require continuous shape morphing for safe interaction and manipulation.
  • Existing shape-morphing solutions often lack reprogrammability, have limited geometry options, or insufficient stiffness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a soft robotic surface enabling large, reprogrammable, and pliable shape morphing into smooth 3D geometries.
  • To overcome limitations of current shape-morphing technologies in soft robotics.

Main Methods:

  • A layered robotic surface design with active (liquid crystal elastomer strips with heating coils) and passive networks.
  • Utilizing heat-responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) for controlled 1D contraction via electric currents.
  • Characterizing deformation responses and deriving a control scheme for actuation.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated a soft robotic surface capable of large, reprogrammable shape morphing into smooth 3D geometries.
  • The robotic surface exhibits sufficient mechanical stiffness and stability for object manipulation.
  • Controlled contraction of LCE strips enables both in-plane and out-of-plane deformations for arbitrary 3D shapes.

Conclusions:

  • The developed soft robotic surface offers a versatile platform for advanced shape-morphing applications.
  • This technology has potential for human-robot interactions, reconfigurable electronics, and beyond.
  • The controllable and reprogrammable nature of the surface enhances its utility in soft robotics.