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Manta Ray Inspired Soft Robot Fish with Tough Hydrogels as Structural Elements.

Chuan Wei Zhang1, Weifeng Zou2, Hai Chao Yu1

  • 1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.

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Summary

Scientists developed a manta ray-inspired soft robot fish using tough hydrogels for improved underwater stealth and functionality. This gel fish navigates efficiently and integrates sensing and gripping capabilities for marine exploration.

Keywords:
acoustic stealthmanta raysoft robotsswimmingtough gels

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Area of Science:

  • Robotics
  • Materials Science
  • Biomimetics

Background:

  • Soft robots for underwater exploration are gaining interest.
  • Existing elastomer-based robotic fish lack acoustic stealth due to hydrophobic materials.
  • Marine animals inspire designs for efficient underwater locomotion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design a soft robot fish with enhanced underwater stealth and functionality.
  • To utilize tough hydrogels for structural elements and dielectric elastomers for actuation.
  • To achieve biomimetic swimming inspired by manta rays.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of a manta ray-inspired robot fish using tough hydrogels and a dielectric elastomer.
  • Implementing a wired power system to control the dielectric elastomer for fin actuation.
  • Testing swimming performance in various conditions and integrating functional modules.

Main Results:

  • The hydrogel robot fish demonstrated stable swimming at approximately 10 cm/s in freshwater and seawater across a wide temperature range (4-50 °C).
  • High water content (approx. 70 wt%) provided excellent optical and acoustic stealth.
  • Integrated temperature sensing and soft gripper systems showcased functional versatility.

Conclusions:

  • The developed hydrogel robot fish offers superior stealth and performance for underwater applications.
  • Tough hydrogels are promising building blocks for advanced soft actuators and robots.
  • The robot's design facilitates integration of diverse functional systems for environmental monitoring and tasks.