A world team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in Stuttgart, Germany, the Johannes Kepler University (JKU) in Linz, Austria, and the University of Colorado (CU Boulder), Boulder, USA, have brought sustainability to the forefront of soppy robotics.
Together, they developed a completely biodegradable, high-performance artificial muscle made from gelatin, oil, and bioplastics. The scientists showcased the potential of this modern technology through the use of it to animate a robotic gripper, particularly useful for single-use applications reminiscent of waste collection. These artificial muscles might be disposed of in municipal compost bins and fully biodegrade inside six months under monitored conditions.
Ellen Rumley, a visiting scientist from CU Boulder working within the Robotic Materials Department at MPI-IS and co-first writer of the paper, emphasizes the importance of sustainable materials in soft robotics:
“Biodegradable parts could offer a sustainable solution especially for single-use applications, like for medical operations, search-and-rescue missions, and manipulation of hazardous substances. As a substitute of accumulating in landfills at the top of product life, the robots of the long run could turn into compost for future plant growth.”
Developing Biodegradable HASEL Artificial Muscles
The researchers created an electrically driven artificial muscle called HASEL (Hydraulically Amplified Self-healing Electrostatic Actuators). HASELs are oil-filled plastic pouches partially covered by a pair of electrical conductors called electrodes. When a high voltage is applied across the electrode pair, opposing charges construct up, generating a force that pushes oil to an electrode-free region of the pouch. This oil migration ends in the pouch contracting, just like an actual muscle. For HASELs to deform, the materials used for the plastic pouch and oil should be electrical insulators able to sustaining the high electrical stresses generated by the charged electrodes.
A key challenge was developing a conductive, soft, and fully biodegradable electrode. Researchers at JKU created a recipe using a combination of biopolymer gelatin and salts that might be directly solid onto HASEL actuators.
David Preninger, co-first writer for this project and a scientist on the Soft Matter Physics Division at JKU, explains:
“It was vital for us to make electrodes suitable for these high-performance applications, but with available components and an accessible fabrication strategy.”
Image Source: Max Plank Institute
Electrical Performance and Biodegradable Plastics
The subsequent hurdle was identifying appropriate biodegradable plastics. Engineers typically prioritize aspects reminiscent of degradation rate and mechanical strength over electrical insulation, a requirement for HASELs that operate at several thousand volts. Nonetheless, certain bioplastics demonstrated good material compatibility with gelatin electrodes and sufficient electrical insulation.
One specific material combination allowed HASELs to resist 100,000 actuation cycles at several thousand volts without electrical failure or performance loss. These biodegradable artificial muscles are electromechanically competitive with their non-biodegradable counterparts, promoting sustainability in artificial muscle technology.
Ellen Rumley elaborates on the impact of their research:
“By showing the outstanding performance of this recent materials system, we’re giving an incentive for the robotics community to contemplate biodegradable materials as a viable material option for constructing robots. The incontrovertible fact that we achieved such great results with bio-plastics hopefully also motivates other material scientists to create recent materials with optimized electrical performance in mind.”
Future Prospects and Applications
The event of biodegradable artificial muscles opens recent doors for the long run of robotics. By incorporating sustainable materials into robotic technology, scientists can reduce the environmental impact of robots, particularly in applications where single-use devices are prevalent. The success of this research paves the way in which for the exploration of more biodegradable components and the design of entirely eco-friendly robots.
Potential applications for biodegradable soft robots extend beyond waste collection and medical operations. These robots might be utilized in environmental monitoring, agriculture, and even consumer electronics, reducing the burden on landfills and contributing to a circular economy.
Because the research continues, the team plans to further refine the materials and processes utilized in creating biodegradable artificial muscles. By collaborating with other experts in material science and robotics, they aim to develop recent technologies that may propel the sphere of sustainable soft robotics forward. researchers hope to encourage the adoption of biodegradable materials in various industries, thereby fostering a more eco-conscious approach to technology development.
The groundbreaking work of this international research team represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future for soft robotics. By demonstrating the viability and performance of biodegradable artificial muscles, they’re paving the way in which for further advancements in green technology and provoking the robotics community to contemplate sustainable alternatives for his or her creations.