3D‐Printed Electrostatic Microactuators for Flexible Microsystems

Kim, Suk-Jun; Kubicek, Regan; Bergbreiter, Sarah

doi:10.1002/adfm.202304991

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 44 publications

(60 reference statements)

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“…Remarkably, their fabrication method allowed the authors to orient the actuators perpendicular to the fabrication substrate. Recently, Kim et al developed a methodology for the fabrication of DEAs using DLW and sputtered metallic layers, which they applied in the fabrication of actuating micromirrors and a crawling microrobot [137,138]. Such an approach is very promising for the realization of complex, miniaturized structures.…”

Section: Electro-active Polymersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of the Microrobots: Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Additive Manufacturing Technologies Turn Small Structures into Microscale Robots

den Hoed,

Carlotti,

Palagi

et al. 2024

Micromachines

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The development of functional microsystems and microrobots that have characterized the last decade is the result of a synergistic and effective interaction between the progress of fabrication techniques and the increased availability of smart and responsive materials to be employed in the latter. Functional structures on the microscale have been relevant for a vast plethora of technologies that find application in different sectors including automotive, sensing devices, and consumer electronics, but are now also entering medical clinics. Working on or inside the human body requires increasing complexity and functionality on an ever-smaller scale, which is becoming possible as a result of emerging technology and smart materials over the past decades. In recent years, additive manufacturing has risen to the forefront of this evolution as the most prominent method to fabricate complex 3D structures. In this review, we discuss the rapid 3D manufacturing techniques that have emerged and how they have enabled a great leap in microrobotic applications. The arrival of smart materials with inherent functionalities has propelled microrobots to great complexity and complex applications. We focus on which materials are important for actuation and what the possibilities are for supplying the required energy. Furthermore, we provide an updated view of a new generation of microrobots in terms of both materials and fabrication technology. While two-photon lithography may be the state-of-the-art technology at the moment, in terms of resolution and design freedom, new methods such as two-step are on the horizon. In the more distant future, innovations like molecular motors could make microscale robots redundant and bring about nanofabrication.

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Section: Electro-active Polymersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of the Microrobots: Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Additive Manufacturing Technologies Turn Small Structures into Microscale Robots

den Hoed,

Carlotti,

Palagi

et al. 2024

Micromachines

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“…3D constructs can be fabricated by guiding the focused laser beam within the photoactive materials along a CAD path, achieving resolution that surpasses the optical diffraction limit. The application of TPP technology has spread across various fields, including microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) [105], microfluidics [106], microoptics [107], biomedicine [108], sensors [109], and microrobotics [110,111]. Since the printing resolution plays a crucial role in replicating the native microenvironment of the ECM for hydrogel constructs, TPP is considered an ideal method for creating tissue scaffolds.…”

Section: D Printing Based On Tppmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Progress of the Vat Photopolymerization Technique in Tissue Engineering: A Brief Review of Mechanisms, Methods, Materials, and Applications

Li,

Zhang,

Zhang

et al. 2023

Polymers

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Vat photopolymerization (VP), including stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), and volumetric printing, employs UV or visible light to solidify cell-laden photoactive bioresin contained within a vat in a point-by-point, layer-by-layer, or volumetric manner. VP-based bioprinting has garnered substantial attention in both academia and industry due to its unprecedented control over printing resolution and accuracy, as well as its rapid printing speed. It holds tremendous potential for the fabrication of tissue- and organ-like structures in the field of regenerative medicine. This review summarizes the recent progress of VP in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. First, it introduces the mechanism of photopolymerization, followed by an explanation of the printing technique and commonly used biomaterials. Furthermore, the application of VP-based bioprinting in tissue engineering was discussed. Finally, the challenges facing VP-based bioprinting are discussed, and the future trends in VP-based bioprinting are projected.

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“…On the other hand, electrostatic actuation, which is compatible with the microfabrication process, offers a fast response and minimal power consumption [12,13]. Yet, this approach still has practical and technological limitations, notably in terms of limited force and displacement [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrostatic-hydraulic coupled soft actuator for micropump application

Ahmad Fuaad,

Hasan,

Muthalif

et al. 2023

Smart Mater. Struct.

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The development of a soft actuator with high displacement is crucial for the effective operation of micropumps, ensuring a high fluid pump rate. This study introduces an innovative approach by presenting the design and fabrication of a novel electrostatic-hydraulic coupled soft actuator for a micropump within a microfluidic system. This pioneering soft actuator, leveraging electrostatic-hydraulic coupling, showcases a unique solution to enhance the performance of micropumps. The versatility of such a soft actuator makes it particularly promising for biomedical applications. The actuator comprises dielectric fluid in an elastomeric shell and electrodes to form the out-of-plane fluid-amplified displacement. This displacement amplification was used to generate a pumping actuation in the micropump. The actuator was characterized in terms of dielectric fluid volume, electrode size, temporal response, and amplification displacement. The soft actuator showed a maximum amplified displacement of 0.51 mm at 10 kV of the applied voltage, but a higher voltage caused a dielectric breakdown. Moreover, the actuator demonstrated the ability to operate at frequencies of 0.25 Hz and 0.1 Hz. The results of the study indicate that the fabricated electrostatic-hydraulic coupled soft actuator is a dependable and effective method of actuation for a micropump in a microfluidic system. The experimental characterization of the micropump revealed a maximum flow rate of 2304 μl min−1.

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3D‐Printed Electrostatic Microactuators for Flexible Microsystems

Cited by 8 publications

References 44 publications

Evolution of the Microrobots: Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Additive Manufacturing Technologies Turn Small Structures into Microscale Robots

Evolution of the Microrobots: Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Additive Manufacturing Technologies Turn Small Structures into Microscale Robots

Recent Progress of the Vat Photopolymerization Technique in Tissue Engineering: A Brief Review of Mechanisms, Methods, Materials, and Applications

Electrostatic-hydraulic coupled soft actuator for micropump application

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