The soft robots are outfitted with electronic skin and artificial muscle, allowing them to sense their surroundings and adapt their movements in real-time. (Image credit: University of North Carolina via Nature)
Soft robotics have been transforming industries with their unique approach to design and functionality. Unlike traditional robotics, soft robots are designed from flexible, sometimes bio-inspired materials, allowing them to safely interact with humans and delicate objects. Not only are soft robotics revolutionizing agriculture, ocean exploration and manufacturing, but they’re also benefiting the medical industry in a number of innovative ways, including the improvement of medical diagnostics and treatments.
Scientists from the University of North Carolina’s Applied Physical Sciences have developed soft robots outfitted with electronic skins and artificial muscles that can sense their surroundings and adapt their movements in real-time. In a recent paper uploaded to Nature, the robots are designed to mimic the way muscles and skin work in animals, making them safer and more effective for use inside the human body. “These soft robots can perform a variety of well-controlled movements, including bending, expanding and twisting inside biological environments,” stated Lin Zhang, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Applied Physical Sciences. “They are designed to attach to tissues gently, reducing stress and potential damage. Inspired by natural shapes like starfish and seedpods, they can transform their structures to perform different tasks efficiently.”
While the soft robots present a great leap forward in capabilities, the scientists had to overcome some unique challenges, notably the integration of sensing and actuation capabilities for operating in sensitive and dynamic environments. Mitigating those issues was done using a unique combination of an electronic skin (e-skin) layer coupled with an artificial muscle layer composed of a thermally-responsive poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) polymer (PNIPAM) hydrogel to generate adaptive motion. The e-skin layer was designed using a number of ‘sensing materials,’ including silver nanowires, reduced graphene oxide, MXene, and conductive polymers embedded within a matrix-like polyimide.
The e-skin is capable of sensing various stimuli such as pressure, temperature, potential hydrogen (pH), and electrical signals. The collected data is transmitted to the artificial muscle layer for on-demand actuation, including expanding, contracting, twisting and drug delivery. What’s more, a battery-free wireless module was integrated within the soft robots to provide untethered operation and communication with outside devices.
The scientists demonstrated the soft robots’ capabilities by using them for a number of applications, including creating a robotic cuff for monitoring blood pressure, an ingestible robot for pH sensing and drug delivery, a robotic gripper for measuring bladder volume, and a robotic patch for assessing cardiac function and delivering electrotherapy. They also performed in vitro and in vivo tests using animal models and human volunteers for performance and biocompatibility with no adverse side effects. Looking forward, the scientists emphasized the need to improve the biodegradability, biostability, and biointegration of their soft robots, as well as explore new applications and functionalities. They also touched on the importance of enhancing long-term performance and reliability in diverse physiological conditions.
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