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Micrometer-sized electrically programmable shape-memory actuators for low-power microrobotics

Cornell Affiliated Author(s)

Author

Q. Liu
W. Wang
M.F. Reynolds
M.C. Cao
M.Z. Miskin
Tomas Arias
D.A. Muller
P.L. McEuen
Itai Cohen

Abstract

Shape-memory actuators allow machines ranging from robots to medical implants to hold their form without continuous power, a feature especially advantageous for situations where these devices are untethered and power is limited. Although previous work has demonstrated shape-memory actuators using polymers, alloys, and ceramics, the need for micrometer-scale electro–shape-memory actuators remains largely unmet, especially ones that can be driven by standard electronics ( 1 volt). Here, we report on a new class of fast, high-curvature, low-voltage, reconfigurable, micrometer-scale shape-memory actuators. They function by the electrochemical oxidation/ reduction of a platinum surface, creating a strain in the oxidized layer that causes bending. They bend to the smallest radius of curvature of any electrically controlled microactuator ( 500 nanometers), are fast (<100-millisecond operation), and operate inside the electrochemical window of water, avoiding bubble generation associated with oxygen evolution. We demonstrate that these shape-memory actuators can be used to create basic electrically reconfigurable microscale robot elements including actuating surfaces, origami-based three-dimensional shapes, morphing metamaterials, and mechanical memory elements. Our shape-memory actuators have the potential to enable the realization of adaptive microscale structures, bio-implantable devices, and microscopic robots. Copyright © 2021 The Authors, some rights reserved;

Date Published

Journal

Science Robotics

Volume

6

Issue

52

URL

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85104446232&doi=10.1126%2fSCIROBOTICS.ABE6663&partnerID=40&md5=f7bccee101d6ce055a5ff7e7610dff30

DOI

10.1126/SCIROBOTICS.ABE6663

Group (Lab)

Itai Cohen Group
Paul McEuen Group
Tomas Arias Group

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