3D-printed biomimetic artificial muscles using soft actuators that contract and elongate

• DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abn4155
• Publication Date: 2022-07-27T19:29:51Z
• Authors: Corrado De Pascali; Giovanna Adele Na...; Stefano Palagi; Rob B. N. Scharff; Barbara Mazzolai
• Keywords: Pneumatic artificial muscles; Limiting; Biomimetics; Soft Robotics; 3d printed; Pneumatic actuator; Rapid Prototyping

Biomimetic machines able to integrate with natural and social environments will find ubiquitous applications, from biodiversity conservation elderly daily care. Although artificial actuators have reached the contraction performances of muscles, versatility grace movements realized by complex arrangements muscles remain largely unmatched. Here, we present a class pneumatic named GeometRy-based Actuators that Contract Elongate (GRACE). The GRACEs consist single-material pleated membrane do not need any strain-limiting elements. They can contract extend design, as described mathematical model, be at different dimensional scales materials mechanical performances, enabling wide range lifelike movements. fabricated through low-cost additive manufacturing even built directly within functional devices, such hand is fully three-dimensionally printed in one step. This makes prototyping fabrication muscle–based devices faster more straightforward.