Soft Robotics for Space Applications: Cryogenic Performance of Modular Metallic Cable Structures.

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Materials Science
• Space Engineering

Background:

• Soft robotic systems offer advantages for space applications, including compliance and efficient resource use.
• Extreme space environments, particularly cryogenic temperatures on celestial bodies, pose significant challenges to conventional soft robot materials and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize novel metallic-based soft robotic structures designed for extreme space environments.
• To assess the performance and robustness of these structures under cryogenic conditions.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of module behavior under compression in liquid nitrogen (-196°C).
• Investigation of structural changes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Construction and testing of a soft robotic limb using the developed modules.

Main Results:

• Metallic soft structures retained flexibility at -196°C with only a 5% increase in stiffness over 100 cycles.
• A functional soft robotic limb successfully performed 2D manipulation and grasping tasks at -196°C.
• SEM analysis revealed no microfracture or deformation, with grain structure changes consistent with cold-worked stainless steels.

Conclusions:

• Metallic soft robotic structures demonstrate promising performance and robustness in cryogenic, analogue space environments.
• This design approach provides a foundation for developing functional, reconfigurable soft robots for extreme space exploration.
• The developed structures overcome limitations of conventional soft systems in extreme temperatures.