Separating fluid droplets using an ultra-low voltage soft fluid switch. Credit: Scientists progress (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk9752
Researchers have developed a fluid switch using artificial ionic polymer muscles that operates at very low power and produces a force 34 times its weight. Fluid switches control the flow of fluid, causing it to flow in a specific direction to cause various movements.
A research team led by Professor Il-Kwon Oh from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST has developed a soft fluidic switch that operates at very low voltage and can be used in narrow spaces. The results are published in the journal Scientists progress.
Artificial muscles mimic human muscles and provide flexible and natural movements compared to traditional motors, making them one of the basic elements used in soft robots, medical devices and wearable devices. These artificial muscles create movements in response to external stimuli such as electricity, air pressure and temperature changes. For efficient operation, it is important to control these movements precisely.
Existing motor-based switches were difficult to use in limited spaces due to their rigidity and large size. To address these issues, the research team developed an electro-ionic soft actuator capable of controlling fluid flow while producing large amounts of force, even in a narrow pipe, and used it as a soft fluidic switch.
The synthesis and use of pS-COF as a common electrode-electrolyte host for electroactive soft fluid switches. A) The synthesis scheme of pS-COF. B) The schematic diagram of the working principle of the electrochemical soft switch. C) The schematic diagram of using a pS-COF based electrochemical soft switch to control fluid flow in dynamic operation. Credit: Scientists progress (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk9752
The ionic polymer artificial muscle developed by the research team is made of metal electrodes and ionic polymers and generates force and movement in response to electricity. A polysulfonated covalent organic framework (pS-COF) fabricated by combining organic molecules on the surface of the artificial muscle electrode was used to generate impressive force relative to its weight with ultra-low power (~0.01 V ).
As a result, the artificial muscle, manufactured to be as thin as a hair with a thickness of 180 µm, produced force more than 34 times greater than its lightweight 10 mg to initiate fluid movement. With this, the research team was able to precisely control the direction of fluid flow with low power.
Professor Il-Kwon Oh, who led this research, said: “The electrochemical fluidic switch that operates at very low power can open up many possibilities in the fields of soft robots, soft electronics and microfluidics based on fluid control. From fibers to biomedical devices, this technology has the potential to be immediately used in various industrial settings as it can be easily applied to ultra-small electronic systems in our daily lives.
More information:
Manmatha Mahato et al, Polysulfonated covalent organic structure as an active electrode host for mobile cation guests in a soft electrochemical actuator, Scientists progress (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk9752
Provided by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Quote: Scientists develop artificial muscular device that produces force 34 times greater than its weight (January 11, 2024) retrieved January 11, 2024 from
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