Title
Design of elastomeric composites for the additive manufacturing of robots
Conference Dates
November 12-16, 2017
Abstract
This talk will present multidisciplinary work from material composites and robotics. We have created new types of actuators,[1] sensors,[2] displays,[3] and additive manufacturing techniques for soft robots.[4] For example, we now use stretchable optical waveguides as sensors for high accuracy, repeatability, and material compatibility with soft actuators. For displaying information, we have created stretchable, elastomeric displays as skins for soft robots. We have created a new type of soft actuator based on molding of foams and we have developed new chemical routes for stereolithography printing of elastomer based soft robots. All of these technologies depend on the iterative and complex feedback between material and mechanical design. I will describe this process, what is the present state of the art, and future opportunities for science in the space of additive manufacturing of elastomeric robots. 1. Mac Murray, B.C., et al., Poroelastic Foams for Simple Fabrication of Complex Soft Robots. Advanced Materials, 2015. 27(41): p. 6334-+. 2. Zhao, H., et al., Optoelectronically innervated soft prosthetic hand via stretchable optical waveguides. Science Robotics, 2016. 1(1): p. DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aai7529. 3. Larson, C., et al., Highly stretchable electroluminescent skin for optical signaling and tactile sensing. Science, 2016. 351(6277): p. 1071-1074. 4. Peele, B., et al., 3D Printing Soft Actuators via Digital Mask Projection Stereolithography. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 2015. 5(055003).
Recommended Citation
Robert Shepherd, "Design of elastomeric composites for the additive manufacturing of robots" in "Composites at Lake Louise 2017", Eric Duoss, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA Waltraud M. Kriven, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA Eds, ECI Symposium Series, (2017). https://dc.engconfintl.org/composites_all_2017/29