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Four-Dimensional Printing of Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel-Based Soft Robots
Published on: January 13, 2023
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3D printable and myoelectrically sensitive hydrogel for smart prosthetic hand control.
Jinxin Lai1, Longya Xiao1, Beichen Zhu1
1Shien-Ming Wu School of Intelligent Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 511442, P. R. China.
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
|January 20, 2025
Summary
New 3D printed hydrogel electrodes offer high-fidelity surface electromyogram (sEMG) recording for advanced human-machine interfaces. These flexible sensors enable precise prosthetic hand control, overcoming limitations of traditional stiff electrodes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Surface electromyogram (sEMG) is crucial for decoding movement intentions.
- Conventional sEMG electrodes struggle with high-fidelity signal acquisition on curved skin surfaces due to their stiffness.
- Improved electrode design is needed for reliable long-term use and complex interface applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel myoelectrically sensitive hydrogel-based electrodes for high-density sEMG.
- To evaluate the performance of these electrodes for human-machine interface (HMI) applications.
- To demonstrate the capability of the developed system for controlling prosthetic devices.
Main Methods:
- 3D printing of myoelectrically sensitive hydrogels.
- Integration of hydrogels into a stretchable, flexible, high-density electrode array.
- In vivo testing for prosthetic hand control using sEMG signal decoding with AI algorithms.
Main Results:
- The developed electrode array exhibits conformal skin adherence and high electron-to-ion conductivity, reducing contact impedance.
- The electrodes provide sustained stability for long-term wear and high-fidelity sEMG recording on complex skin interfaces.
- Real-time, highly precise control of a prosthetic hand was achieved by decoding sEMG signals.
Conclusions:
- 3D printed hydrogel electrodes represent a significant advancement over commercial sEMG sensors.
- The developed flexible and high-density electrode array enables superior HMI performance.
- This technology facilitates precise and intuitive control of prosthetic limbs through advanced myoelectric signal interpretation.
