Multifunctional Origami-Inspired Bimodal Wireless Pneumatic Soft Actuator.

Area of Science:

• Soft robotics
• Materials science
• Mechanical engineering

Background:

• Pneumatic soft actuators are promising for surgery and artificial muscles but are limited by external pumps.
• Existing soft actuators often require bulky and complex pumping systems, restricting their portability and integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel origami-inspired soft actuator that eliminates the need for traditional external pumps.
• To demonstrate a bimodal deformation capability through a liquid-gas phase transition mechanism.
• To showcase the actuator's potential in diverse applications through integrated functionalities.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an origami-inspired design integrated with soft materials.
• Implemented a liquid-gas phase transition mechanism to actuate the device.
• Investigated the actuator's deformation modes under varying pressures (axial stretching below 5.5 kPa, radial expansion above).
• Integrated magnetic terminals for advanced motion capabilities.

Main Results:

• The actuator exhibited bimodal deformation: axial stretching below 5.5 kPa and radial expansion above this pressure.
• Achieved high output force and versatile deformation modes, suitable for channel dilation and occlusion.
• Demonstrated a bioinspired gripper and inchworm-like multigait motion in confined spaces.
• Successfully created a wireless pneumatic soft actuator with programmable and compact solutions.

Conclusions:

• The origami-inspired wireless pneumatic soft actuator overcomes limitations of traditional designs, offering novel functionality and deformation modes.
• This pump-free actuator provides compact, programmable solutions advancing the field of soft robotics.
• The bimodal deformation and integrated features enable a wide range of potential applications, from medical devices to locomotion systems.