Pre-Programmed Tri-Layer Electro-Thermal Actuators Composed of Shape Memory Polymer and Carbon Nanotubes
Abstract
Due to their high deformability, lightness, and safe interaction with the surrounding environment, flexible actuators are key ingredients in soft robotics technologies. Among these, electro-thermal actuators (ETAs), based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs), are used to generate agile movements when current is applied. The extent of movement is determined mostly by the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the materials arranged in a bi-/tri-layer structure. However, current CNT-based ETAs usually accomplish only simple actions with limited movements. In this work, we successfully developed novel ETAs that are capable of carrying out various controllable movements, such as extremely high bending curvature or unique actuations mimicking a wheel and a worm. These superior functionalities are achieved by adding a third layer or hinges composed of a thermo-responsive shape memory polymer (SMP) onto a bi-layer CNT-kapton ETA. To predict the unique movements of the “triangle” and “worm” actuators, finite element simulations were performed. The combination of SMP and electro-thermal behavior demonstrates its potential for applications in the field of soft actuators and robotics.
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SMPs with functional fillers may be triggered by light, electricity, magnetic fields, microwaves, or ultrasound, but they are still intrinsically triggered by heat because different forms of energy are converted into heat through the fillers.
“For example, SMPs with functional fillers may be triggered by light, electricity, magnetic fields, microwaves, or ultrasound, but they are still intrinsically triggered by heat, since different forms of energy are converted into heat through the fillers (see [33,46,47,170-172] and references therein).”
From Two-Way and Multiple-Way Shape Memory Polymers for Soft Robotics: An Overview (2020) · cites this paper as [172]
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Two-Way and Multiple-Way Shape Memory Polymers for Soft Robotics: An Overview
Scalet, G. (2020) · Actuators · doi:10.3390/act9010010 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Sachyani Keneth, E., Scalet, G., Layani, M., Tibi, G., Degani, A., Auricchio, F., & Magdassi, S.
- Affiliations
- Casali Center of Applied Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
- University of Pavia (IT)
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IL)
- Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (IL)
- Corresponding author
- Auricchio, Ferdinando
- Magdassi, Shlomo
- Venue
- Soft Robotics
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2020-04-01
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 123-129
- ISSN
- 2169-5172 (ISSN-L)
- 2169-5180
- OpenAlex
- W2978074599
- Cited by
- 51
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 8
- FWCI
- 3.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Soft Robotics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Advanced Materials and Mechanics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Dielectric materials and actuators
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Soft Robotics and Applications
- Keywords
- electrothermal actuator, shape memory polymers, carbon nanotubes, flexible actuators, coefficient of thermal expansion, bending curvature, temperature-responsive materials, Kapton substrate, finite element analysis, actuator design
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