Dielectric elastomer actuators for artificial muscles: A comprehensive review of soft robot explorations

Yuhao Wang; Xuzhi Ma; Yingjie Jiang; Wenpeng Zang; Pengfei Cao; Ming Tian; Nanying Ning; Liqun Zhang

Resources Chemicals and Materials (Sep 2022)

Dielectric elastomer actuators for artificial muscles: A comprehensive review of soft robot explorations

Yuhao Wang,
Xuzhi Ma,
Yingjie Jiang,
Wenpeng Zang,
Pengfei Cao,
Ming Tian,
Nanying Ning,
Liqun Zhang

Affiliations

Yuhao Wang: State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Xuzhi Ma: State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Yingjie Jiang: State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Wenpeng Zang: State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Pengfei Cao: State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Ming Tian: State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; Key Laboratory of Carbon Fiber and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; Corresponding authors at: State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
Nanying Ning: State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; Key Laboratory of Carbon Fiber and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; Corresponding authors at: State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
Liqun Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; Key Laboratory of Carbon Fiber and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 1, no. 3
pp. 308 – 324

Abstract

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Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) artificial muscle is a typical interdisciplinary research category, which has developed by leaps and bounds in the past 20 years, showing great application prospects in various fields. Upon external electrical stimulation, dielectric elastomers (DEs) display large deformation, high energy density and fast response, affording a promising material candidate for soft robotics. Herein, the working mechanisms, commonly used materials as well as the concepts for improving the performance of DEA materials are introduced. Various DEA driven soft robots, including soft grippers, bioinspired artificial arms, crawling/walking/underwater/flying/jumping soft robots and tunable lenses, are then described in detail. Finally, the main challenges of DEA driven soft robots are summarized, and some perspectives for promoting the practical application of DEAs are also proposed.

Published in Resources Chemicals and Materials

ISSN: 2772-4433 (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/resources-chemicals-and-materials/

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