Smart Soft Actuation System
Abstract
We have demonstrated the fabrication of cantilever shaped soft material actuator, by integrating soft silicon material with Ti-Ni shape memory alloy (SMA) wires with the diameter of 250 micrometer. A 3D stereo-lithographic printer was used to pattern a polymeric solid mold that had metal notches to fix SMA wires which were integrated in Ecoflex 30 polymer that was dispensed into this mold to pattern cantilever structures. After curing process of Ecoflex 30, the entire soft actuator device was removed from the mold. SMA wires in soft cantilevers were electrically heated to reach their phase transition temperature that extends the length of SMA wires. Because of residual stress of silicone material and extension of SMA wires, and also remarkable SMA wire deflection because of the initial martensite phase, the Ecoflex 30 based cantilever was deflected. The angle of cantilever deflection as function of applied potential difference (or voltage) was investigated.
Department
Electrical and Computer EngineeringCitation
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