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US 2022/0065271 A1Published application
Light-Driven Pneumatic Artificial Muscles/Soft Robots
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsRobert S. LANGER, Seyed M. MIRVAKILI
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Abstract
Described herein is a method and apparatus for harnessing electromagnetic radiation for an untethered operation of an automaton. By employing a selective electromagnetic absorber film with a relatively low-boiling point fluid, an automaton can grasp and lift objects multiple times the mass of the fluid in a controllable fashion.
Claims20
An actuator, comprising:
- a vessel having a cavity and at least one opening and configured to hold a liquid;
- a liquid disposed within the vessel, the liquid having a boiling point less than or equal to 100 degrees Celsius (C) and a heat of vaporization less than 2257 kJ/kg;
- and
- a material disposed within the vessel and configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation and configured to vaporize the liquid in response to a temperature of the material substantially meeting or exceeding the heat of vaporization of the liquid.
1 more element
A method of actuation, comprising:
- introducing a liquid into a vessel having at least one opening, wherein the liquid has a boiling point less than or equal to 100 degrees Celsius (C) and a heat of vaporization less than 2257 kJ/kg;
- introducing a material into the vessel configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation and configured to vaporize the liquid in response to a temperature of the material substantially meeting or exceeding the heat of vaporization of the liquid due to untethered absorption of electromagnetic radiation;
- and
- exposing the material to electromagnetic radiation.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.