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Processing of Self-Healing Polymers for Soft Robotics.

Ellen Roels1,2, Seppe Terryn1,2, Fumiya Iida3

  • 1Brubotics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Imec, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels, 1050, Belgium.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|October 5, 2021
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Summary

Self-healing polymers enable soft robots to repair themselves after damage, significantly extending their operational lifespan. This review explores manufacturing techniques for these advanced healable soft robots.

Keywords:
additive manufacturingprocessingself-healingsoft robotics

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Area of Science:

  • Robotics
  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry

Background:

  • Soft robots offer inherent safety and adaptability but suffer from damage susceptibility.
  • Self-healing polymers provide a solution by enabling robots to recover from macroscopic damage.
  • This capability is crucial for enhancing the durability and longevity of soft robotic systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review processing techniques for self-healing polymers in soft robotics.
  • To critically compare and validate these methods against soft robot requirements.
  • To identify limitations and opportunities in the field.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of formative and additive manufacturing methods for self-healing polymers.
  • Analysis of novel (re)assembly binding techniques specific to self-healing polymers.
  • Critical comparison of techniques based on defined soft robot requirements.

Main Results:

  • Reversible covalent and (physico)chemical cross-links are key to healability and manufacturing.
  • These cross-links facilitate robust multi-material part formation, recyclability, and stress relaxation.
  • Various processing techniques have been developed and applied to shape self-healing polymers for robotic applications.

Conclusions:

  • This review bridges the fields of self-healing polymers and soft robotics.
  • It provides guidance for selecting appropriate processing methods based on polymer properties and robotic applications.
  • Addressing manufacturing challenges like multi-material integration and recyclability is highlighted.