Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators.

Journal: Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE
Published Date: Apr 25, 2020

Abstract

Ionic electromechanically active capacitive laminates are a type of smart material that move in response to electrical stimulation. Due to the soft, compliant and biomimetic nature of this deformation, actuators made of the laminate have received increasing interest in soft robotics and (bio)medical applications. However, methods to easily fabricate the active material in large (even industrial) quantities and with a high batch-to-batch and within-batch repeatability are needed to transfer the knowledge from laboratory to industry. This protocol describes a simple, industrially scalable and reproducible method for the fabrication of ionic carbon-based electromechanically active capacitive laminates and the preparation of actuators made thereof. The inclusion of a passive and chemically inert (insoluble) middle layer (e.g., a textile-reinforced polymer network or microporous Teflon) distinguishes the method from others. The protocol is divided into five steps: membrane preparation, electrode preparation, current collector attachment, cutting and shaping, and actuation. Following the protocol results in an active material that can, for example, compliantly grasp and hold a randomly shaped object as demonstrated in the article.

Authors

  • Pille Rinne
    Intelligent Materials and Systems Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu; pille.rinne@ut.ee.
  • Inga Põldsalu
    Intelligent Materials and Systems Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu.
  • Herman Klas Ratas
    Intelligent Materials and Systems Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu.
  • Karl Kruusamäe
    124633448203 University of Tartu, Estonia.
  • Urmas Johanson
    Intelligent Materials and Systems Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu.
  • Tarmo Tamm
    Intelligent Materials and Systems Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu.
  • Kaija Põhako-Esko
    Intelligent Materials and Systems Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu.
  • Andres Punning
    Intelligent Materials and Systems Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu.
  • Anna-Liisa Peikolainen
    Intelligent Materials and Systems Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu.
  • Friedrich Kaasik
    Intelligent Materials and Systems Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu.
  • Indrek Must
    Intelligent Materials and Systems Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu.
  • Daan van den Ende
    Smart Interfaces & Modules Department, Philips Research.
  • Alvo Aabloo
    Intelligent Materials and Systems Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu.

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