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Electrically Controlled Aquatic Soft Actuators with Desynchronized Actuation and Light-Mediated Reciprocal Locomotion
Zhiqiang Yu1,2, Junyi Shang3, Qing Shi1,2
1Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|March 4, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a novel soft actuator for underwater locomotion, inspired by aquatic invertebrates. This bioinspired actuator achieves efficient walking and light-sensing capabilities, paving the way for advanced artificial aquatic systems.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Materials Science
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Soft-bodied aquatic invertebrates exhibit complex locomotion for survival.
- Bioinspired artificial systems can offer new solutions for underwater manipulation.
- Controlling soft actuators in fluidic environments presents significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and demonstrate a multilayer soft actuator for efficient underwater locomotion.
- To integrate light-sensing capabilities for responsive movement.
- To explore bioinspired locomotion mechanisms for artificial aquatic systems.
Main Methods:
- A hybrid actuator combining a light-driven hydrogel and laser-induced graphene (LIG) was fabricated.
- The monolithic design minimized time delays for shape-morphing functionality.
- The actuator's performance was evaluated for underwater walking speed and power consumption.
Main Results:
- The soft actuator achieved an underwater walking speed of 0.81 body length per minute.
- It demonstrated efficient locomotion at a low power consumption of 3 W.
- Integration with an optical sensor enabled light intensity sensing and reciprocal motion.
Conclusions:
- The proposed hybrid soft actuator design offers a high-performance solution for underwater locomotion.
- This bioinspired approach holds potential for developing advanced artificial aquatic systems with sensing and responsive capabilities.
- The platform can be used to study locomotion kinematics and control inspired by soft-bodied aquatic organisms.
