Back to results
US 11,590,006 B2Granted
Systems and methods of soft robotic actuation with a liquid metal actuator
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
InventorsJianliang Xiao, Zhanan Zou
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, systems, and methods of manufacture for soft robotic actuators are described herein. In one aspect, a soft robotic actuator can include an elastomeric material defining a cavity; a volume of liquid metal (LM) positioned within the cavity; and an energy source coupled to the LM, where the energy source is adapted or configured to alter a temperature of the volume of LM, whereby altering the temperature of the volume of LM initiates an actuation of the elastomeric material.
Claims10
A soft robotic actuator, comprising:
- an elastomeric material defining a cavity;
- a volume of liquid metal (LM) positioned within the cavity;
- and
- an energy source coupled to the LM, wherein the energy source is adapted or configured to alter a temperature of the volume of LM, whereby altering the temperature of the volume of LM initiates an actuation of the elastomeric material,
- wherein the cavity is further defined by a very high bonding (VHB) film coupled to the elastomeric material.
2 more elements
A soft robotic actuator, comprising:
- an elastomeric material defining a cavity;
- a temperature-activated pigment either painted onto or mixed into the elastomeric material
- a volume of liquid metal (LM) positioned within the cavity;
- and
- an energy source coupled to the LM,
- wherein the energy source is adapted or configured to alter a temperature of the volume of LM, whereby altering the temperature of the volume of LM initiates an actuation of the elastomeric material.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.