Realizing the potential of dielectric elastomer artificial muscles

TLDR

Robots that safely interact with people and perform complex tasks require artificial muscles that are completely soft, as strong as natural muscles, and powered by electricity for easy integration. By combining nanoscale conductive particles with soft elastomers, high electric fields can be applied to achieve contraction forces on par with natural muscles. The materials solution employs a dielectric elastomer soft capacitor that deforms under electric field, enabling muscle‑like forces and potential uses in surgical tools, prosthetics, haptic devices, and advanced soft robots.

Abstract

Significance To build new robots that can safely interact with people, while completing complex tasks, we need artificial muscles. Ideally, these devices would be completely soft, as strong as natural muscles, and powered by electricity for easy integration with the rest of the robot. We found a materials solution that relies on an established technology, a dielectric elastomer soft capacitor, which deforms when an electric field is applied. By using a unique combination of nanoscale conductive particles and soft elastomers, we can apply high electric fields and reach contraction forces on par with natural muscles. Potential uses include novel surgical tools, prosthetics and artificial limbs, haptic devices, and more capable soft robots for exploration.