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A Programmable Soft Electrothermal Actuator Based on a Functionally Graded Structure for Multiple Deformations.

Fan Bu¹, Feng Zhu¹, Zhengyan Zhang²

¹School of Transportation and Logistics Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China.

|September 13, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a programmable soft electrothermal actuator using a graded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) composite. This novel design enhances stability and enables versatile, programmable bending for soft robotics and wearable systems.

Keywords:

functionally graded structure multiple deformations programmable soft electrothermal actuator

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Robotics Engineering
Soft Systems

Background:

Soft electrothermal actuators are crucial for soft robotics and wearables, but traditional designs face stability and versatility limitations.
Interfacial failure and restricted deformation modes hinder the performance of homogeneous or layered composite actuators.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a programmable soft electrothermal actuator with a functionally graded structure.
To overcome limitations of traditional actuators by improving stability and actuation versatility.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of a functionally graded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) composite.
Integration of an embedded EGaIn conductive circuit for programmable actuation.
Rheological, mechanical, and actuation performance characterization.

Main Results:

Functionally graded structure enhances mechanical properties (viscosity, modulus, tensile strength) with increasing MWCNTs content.
Achieved excellent actuation performance: bending angle up to 117°, fast response (8 s), and durability (100 cycles).
Demonstrated programmable and reconfigurable L-shaped, U-shaped, and V-shaped bending deformations via circuit design.

Conclusions:

The functionally graded composite actuator offers a new strategy for programmable, multimodal deformation in soft systems.
The developed actuator shows significant potential for applications in adaptive robotics, smart devices, and human-machine interfaces.
This work advances the design and application of stable, versatile soft electrothermal actuators.