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JRM Vol.32 No.5 pp. 1019-1026
doi: 10.20965/jrm.2020.p1019
(2020)

Paper:

Concept and Prototype of Soft Actuator for Liquid Nitrogen Temperature Environments

Daisuke Yamaguchi*, Tatsuya Hanaki**, Yuji Ishino**, Masayuki Hara**, Masaya Takasaki**, and Takeshi Mizuno**

*Okayama University
1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan

**Saitama University
255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan

Received:
April 19, 2020
Accepted:
August 23, 2020
Published:
October 20, 2020
Keywords:
soft robotics, low temperature, extreme environment, polyimide, Filmotics
Abstract

A prototype of a soft actuator for extreme environments was fabricated, and driven in a cryogenic temperature environment. Previous soft actuators cannot be used for robots in extreme environments because resin, the main fabrication material, exhibits weak environmental characteristics. Therefore, this study proposes the application of polyimide (PI) films to soft actuators. PI is characterized by excellent environmental resistance. However, the welding of PI is difficult because of its high resistance. In this study, a welding method was developed for PI films. This method does not require pretreatment, or the use of adhesives or additives to reduce resistance. Hence, an actuator that utilizes all the characteristics of PI was realized. The actuator was characterized in a cryogenic environment, which is one of the extreme environments, and was successfully driven at a liquid nitrogen temperature of 78 K. This proposed technology is not limited to cryogenic environments and is expected to provide extreme environmental resistance to existing soft robots.

Soft actuator for extreme environments

Soft actuator for extreme environments

Cite this article as:
D. Yamaguchi, T. Hanaki, Y. Ishino, M. Hara, M. Takasaki, and T. Mizuno, “Concept and Prototype of Soft Actuator for Liquid Nitrogen Temperature Environments,” J. Robot. Mechatron., Vol.32 No.5, pp. 1019-1026, 2020.
Data files:
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