Stretchable electronics based on Nano-Fe GaIn amalgams for smart flexible pneumatic actuator

Abstract

Abstract Flexible pneumatic actuators have been widely used in robotics and automation with various advantages in desirable compliance and degrees of freedom. As we know, stretchable electronics can be utilized to produce smart soft robots and actuators. To date, there are still rather limited explorations regarding the soft conductive materials for flexible actuators. Here we developed a smart flexible pneumatic actuator (SFPA) applying stretchable electronics based on Nano-Fe GaIn amalgams, which preserve good conductivity (2.0 × 10 6 S m −1 ) and can be printed on the PDMS and Ecoflex substrates easily. Specially, the Nano-Fe GaIn amalgams are printed on two different elastic materials (PDMS and Ecoflex) and serve as stretchable conductors and bending sensors respectively. Asymmetry elasticity of two materials results in bending of the soft robot, which is able to serve as the actuator. This method showcases the simple manufacture process, low cost, rapid customization in stretchable electronics for smart soft actuators. The SFPA demonstrates potential applications in diverse fields like multifunctional devices, flexible manipulator and biomedical devices.