Electrostatic artificial muscles

Scope

This activity aims to develop and advance a class of actuators that leverage a combination of polymeric dielectric materials and dielectric fluids (liquids, gasses). We aim to address fundamental aspects (electro-mechanical dynamics, the effects of material properties) concerning the physics and performance of these systems, and develop new application directions in soft robotics and space engineering.

Expected Outcomes

Identification of new polymer-fluid combinations
New manufacturing processes
Actuator-robot coupled models and control algorithms
Artificial muscles prototypes
Prototype of integrated soft robot with electrostatic artificial muscles

Publications and Patents

Publication (Jour.): Sîrbu, I. D., Preninger, D., Danninger, D., Penkner, L., Schwödiauer, R., Moretti, G., ... & Kaltenbrunner, M. (2023). Electrostatic actuators with constant force at low power loss using matched dielectrics. Nature Electronics, 6(11), 888-899
Publication (Jour.): Vignotto, D., Cherubini, A., Sîrbu, I. D., Fontana, M., & Moretti, G. (2024). An investigation of the electrical dynamics in electroactive polymer transducers with resistive electrodes. Smart Materials and Structures, 33(9), 095022.
Thesis: E. Brocchieri, DESIGN AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER ACTUATORS FOR VACUUM APPLICATIONS (2024)

Personnel

Reference person: Giacomo Moretti
DII members: Antonello Cherubini, Sandra Dirè, Luca Fambri, Marco Riva (PhD student), Rajat Chaudhary
External collaborators: Marco Fontana (Sant'Anna Pisa), Ion-Dan Sirbu (Sant'Anna Pisa)
Alumni: Emanuele Brocchieri (MSc student)

Report abuse