Elasto-electro-chemical materials for dexterous self-sufficient soft machines
Abstract
Approved for Public ReleaseThe goal of this proposal is to make fundamental advances in the processing, architected design, and elec,tro-chemical-mechanical coupling of energy conversion materials that harvest mechanical energy, store it in energy dense chemicals,,and release that energy in controlled mechanical motions. We will combine these advances towards an energy self-sufficient synthetic, octopus arm (SSSO-arm) that can be actuated with life-like dexterity using architected artificial muscles, harvesters, and energy,storage materials.The SSSO-arm design is based on the octopus physiology, previously simulated by Gazzola, that bends and twists by,activating combinations of oblique, transverse, and longitudinal muscle groups. Here, biological muscles will be replaced by artific,ial muscles made of voltage activated twisted/coiled fibers or twistron energy harvesters made from arrangements of ordered nanomate,rials. Baughman will investigate new ways to reach the fundamental limits of electrochemical-to/from-mechanical energy conversion in, the twisted fiber artificial muscles with a focus on exploring new materials for scalable fabrication. Tawfick will work closely wi,th Baughman and Gazzola to architect muscle arrangements into bio-inspired prototypes capable of complex motions, while maintaining,operational simplicity. Gazzola will use Cosserat rod simulations to guide the mechanical design and arm control, while Tawfick will, build and test the architected arm dexterity, kinematics, and force capabilities. Octopus arms are also muscular hydrostats and rel,y on intra and extra-cellular fluid incompressibility to achieve their dynamic response. In a similar manner, the synthetic muscle g,roups in the proposed arm will be surrounded by electrolytes that both store electrochemical energy and provide critical mechanical,functionality. Pikul will realize liquid catholytes that act as multifunctional tissue and have up 2X the energy density of Li-ion b,atteries. These catholytes can store energy either externally sourced or harvested in the arm. We will validate our models within a,continuous hypotheses-design-validation cycle and use the physical systems to inform fundamental understanding of synthetic muscle a,rchitectures. The proposed work will realize fundamental advances in multifunctional mechanical systems while enabling novel energy,self-sufficient materials platforms for DOD operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 05, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212569
Entities
People
- James H Pikul
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Pennsylvania