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Using Explosions to Power a Soft Robot
Author(s) -
Shepherd Robert F.,
Stokes Adam A.,
Freake Jacob,
Barber Jabulani,
Snyder Phillip W.,
Mazzeo Aaron D.,
Cademartiri Ludovico,
Morin Stephen A.,
Whitesides George M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201209540
Subject(s) - robot , combustion , power (physics) , service (business) , jump , computer science , elastomer , mechanical engineering , engineering , artificial intelligence , materials science , chemistry , physics , composite material , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , economy , economics
Combustion causes a soft robot to jump : Rapid actuation of a soft robot (composed of silicone elastomers) was achieved using high‐temperature chemical reactions. Computer‐controlled electrical sparks triggered the combustion of premixed CH 4 and O 2 gases inside the robot, which pressurized the pneumatic channels of the robot and caused it to jump (see figure). The heat from the explosions dissipated quickly and did not damage the robot even over many jumps.