An Electronically Perceptive Bioinspired Soft Wet-Adhesion Actuator with Carbon Nanotube-Based Strain Sensors

Abstract

The development of bioinspired switchable adhesive systems has promising solutions in various industrial/medical applications. Switchable and perceptive adhesion regardless of the shape or surface shape of the object is still challenging in dry and aquatic surroundings. We developed an electronic sensory soft adhesive device that recapitulates the attaching, mechanosensory, and decision-making capabilities of a soft adhesion actuator. The soft adhesion actuator of an artificial octopus sucker may precisely control its robust attachment against surfaces with various topologies in wet environments as well as a rapid detachment upon deflation. Carbon nanotube-based strain sensors are three-dimensionally coated onto the irregular surface of the artificial octopus sucker to mimic nerve-like functions of an octopus and identify objects via patterns of strain distribution. An integration with machine learning complements decision-making capabilities to predict the weight and center of gravity for samples with diverse shapes, sizes, and mechanical properties, and this function may be useful in turbid water or fragile environments, where it is difficult to utilize vision.

A Contact-Triggered Adaptive Soft Suction Cup

“…Failure on objects that are not well-centered. That could be addressed by introducing a gimbal [19] or sensors [36] to the proposed sucker. 3.…”

Bioinspired carbon nanotube-based materials

“…11d). 74 CNT-based strain sensors, which served as the artificial octopus sucker, were placed on an irregular surface via a facile 3D spray coating process to the mimic nerve-like functions of the octopus. This strain sensors identified objects through patterns of strain distribution.…”

A Biodegradable and Recyclable Piezoelectric Sensor Based on a Molecular Ferroelectric Embedded in a Bacterial Cellulose Hydrogel

“…Nowadays, electronic devices are of paramount importance in the development of human society and are pervasive in various areas including national defense, industry, science, and life. − Sensors, one class of electronics that are capable of converting different stimuli into an electric signal, for example, have been extensively used for robots to perceive the world as human beings, assisting people to explore fields that currently cannot be touched, making our life smarter and more comfortable, and protecting us from dangers. − However, while we enjoy the convenience that electronic devices brings us, electronic waste (e-waste) aggravates the environmental crisis, threatening not only our health but also the sustainable development of our economy and society . As reported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), since the 21st century, about 20–50 million tons of electronic devices have been scrapped each year, and the annual growth rate reaches up to 5%.…”