A review on self-healing featured soft robotics

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Soft robotics is advancing rapidly, necessitating systems with biological-level resilience.
• Self-healing polymeric and elastomeric materials are crucial for soft robotic systems.
• Current soft robotic systems often use polymers and elastomers, making self-healing technology highly relevant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of damage resistance and self-healing materials in soft robotics.
• To analyze the fundamental structure and classifications of these materials.
• To explore current applications, challenges, and future directions for self-repairing soft robots.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of damage resistance and self-healing materials in soft robotics.
• Analysis of material structures, classifications, and properties.
• Examination of current applications, implementation challenges, and potential solutions.

Main Results:

• Identification of key self-healing materials (polymers, elastomers) for soft robotics.
• Overview of damage resistance mechanisms and classifications.
• Discussion of current applications in actuators, sensors, and structures.

Conclusions:

• Self-healing materials are vital for the future of resilient soft robots.
• Addressing implementation challenges will accelerate the adoption of self-repairing soft robotic systems.
• Future research should focus on advancing self-repairing soft robots for environmental and economic benefits.