RESUMO
Artificial muscles are capable of generating actuation in microsystems with outstanding compliance. Recent years have witnessed a growing academic interest in artificial muscles and their application in many areas, such as soft robotics and biomedical devices. This paper aims to provide a comparative review of recent advances in artificial muscle based on various operating mechanisms. The advantages and limitations of each operating mechanism are analyzed and compared. According to the unique application requirements and electrical and mechanical properties of the muscle types, we suggest suitable artificial muscle mechanisms for specific microsystem applications. Finally, we discuss potential strategies for energy delivery, conversion, and storage to promote the energy autonomy of microrobotic systems at a system level.
RESUMO
As the essential element of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), friction layers play key roles that determine the device performance, which can be enhanced by material selection and surface modification. In this work, we have embedded aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface as the effective dielectric layer to donate electrons. This layer not only increases the electron generation for the output, but also shows notable stretchability. The length and the properties of the aligned CNTs can be controlled precisely. Using the 40 µm CNT as an example, the fabricated CNT-PDMS TENG shows an output voltage of 150 V and a current density of 60 mA m-2, which are 250% and 300% enhancement compared to the TENG using directly doped PDMS/multiwall carbon nanotubes, respectively. The maximum power density of this TENG reaches 4.62 W m-2 at an external load of 30 MΩ. The TENG has demonstrated superior stability during cyclic measurement of over 12 000 cycles. Besides, the aligned CNT-PDMS film shows superhydrophobicity (154°) and good sheet resistance of 280 Ω sq-1. This stretchable aligned CNT-PDMS film can be universally utilized as a positive triboelectric layer pairing with polymeric materials such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, PDMS and polytetrafluoroethylene for TENGs. This work provides an effective method of structure design for flexible and stretchable nanogenerators.
RESUMO
The progress of smart skin technology presents unprecedented opportunities for artificial intelligence. Resolution enhancement and energy conservation are critical to improve the perception and standby time of robots. Here, we present a self-powered analogue smart skin for detecting contact location and velocity of the object, based on a single-electrode contact electrification effect and planar electrostatic induction. Using an analogue localizing method, the resolution of this two-dimensional smart skin can be achieved at 1.9 mm with only four terminals, which notably decreases the terminal number of smart skins. The sensitivity of this smart skin is remarkable, which can even perceive the perturbation of a honey bee. Meanwhile, benefiting from the triboelectric mechanism, extra power supply is unnecessary for this smart skin. Therefore, it solves the problems of batteries and connecting wires for smart skins. With microstructured poly(dimethylsiloxane) films and silver nanowire electrodes, it can be covered on the skin with transparency, flexibility, and high sensitivity.
RESUMO
A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has been thought to be a promising method to harvest energy from environment. To date, the utilization of surface structure and material modification has been considered the most effective way to increase its performance. In this work, a wrinkle structure based high-performance TENG is presented. Using the fluorocarbon plasma treatment method, material modification and surface structure are introduced in one step. The output ability of TENG is dramatically enhanced. After the optimization of plasma treatment, the maximum current and surface charge density are 182 µA about 165 µC m(-2). Compared with untreated TENG, the wrinkle structure makes the current and surface charge density increase by 810% and 528%, separately. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is employed to analyze the chemical modification mechanism of this fluorocarbon plasma treatment. Facilitated by its high output performance, this device could directly light 76 blue light emitting diodes under finger typing. The output electric energy could be stored then utilized to power a commercial calculator. As a result of the simple fabrication process and high output ability, devices fabricated using this method could bring forward practical applications using TENGs as power sources.
