A Compact, Self‐Recovering Wire Electrode Electrohydrodynamic Pump for High‐Speed McKibben Artificial Muscle Actuation

Abstract

Soft robotics requires compliant actuators for safe human interaction. While McKibben artificial muscles are popular for their high force output, their reliance on bulky, noisy pumps limits their use in wearable devices. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps offer a compact and silent alternative, but existing designs struggle with dielectric discharge and fabrication issues, which compromise reliability and power density. This study introduces a novel EHD pump featuring 0.1 mm copper wire electrodes in a diagonal arrangement within a laser‐cut acrylic frame. This design improves dielectric resilience, minimizes deformation, and allows for compact integration. A new simplified fabrication process results in sample variation under 5%. The pump demonstrates remarkable performance, achieving 107 kPa pressure and an 88 mL min −1 flowrate, doubling the power density of the previous model while retaining 88% of its flowrate after 50 discharge events. An automated self‐recovery mechanism is also implemented, enabling the pump to instantly restore function after a discharge. When paired with a McKibben muscle, the system achieves a 2 s contraction time, a tenfold improvement over the prior EHD‐driven system. This work presents a significant advancement in fast, resilient, and scalable actuation, paving the way for next‐generation wearable robotics and assistive technologies.