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  4. Wireless Electrohydrodynamic Actuators for Propulsion and Positioning of Miniaturized Floating Robots
 
research article

Wireless Electrohydrodynamic Actuators for Propulsion and Positioning of Miniaturized Floating Robots

Shigemune, Hiroki
•
Pradidarcheep, Kittamet
•
Kuwajima, Yu
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July 1, 2021
Advanced Intelligent Systems

Autonomous soft robots require compact actuators generating large strokes and high forces. Electro-fluidic actuators are especially promising, they combine the advantages of electroactive polymers (low-power consumption, fast response, and electrical powering) with the versatility of fluidic systems (force/stroke amplification). EHD (electrohydrodynamic) actuators are electro-fluidic actuators whose motion results from charges being induced and accelerated in a liquid. They are extremely compact, silent, and low power (<= 10 mW). They have been recently demonstrated in stretchable pumps and for the wireless propulsion of simple floating robots. This study demonstrates simultaneous wireless propulsion (2.5 mm s(-1)) and control of a 1 cm sized robot using a single DC signal. Voltage is applied between an electrode on the floating robot and a fixed one, both exposed to a dielectric liquid. Results support the underlying physical mechanism as EHD and characterize robot motion with different fluorocarbon liquids and voltages between 400 and 1800 V. Path following is demonstrated with a 3 x 3 array of electrodes. EHD actuators prove to be a simple, compact, low power alternative to magnetic and acoustic actuators for wireless powering and control of miniaturized robots, with applications in precision assembling at the micro/mesoscale, lab-on-chip, tactile displays, and active surfaces.

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Type
research article
DOI
10.1002/aisy.202100004
Web of Science ID

WOS:000733336900011

Author(s)
Shigemune, Hiroki
•
Pradidarcheep, Kittamet
•
Kuwajima, Yu
•
Seki, Yumeta
•
Maeda, Shingo
•
Cacucciolo, Vito  
Date Issued

2021-07-01

Publisher

WILEY

Published in
Advanced Intelligent Systems
Volume

3

Issue

7

Article Number

2100004

Subjects

Automation & Control Systems

•

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence

•

Robotics

•

Computer Science

•

electrohydrodynamics

•

liquid electrodes

•

positioning

•

wireless actuators

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

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January 1, 2022
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/184127
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