Bioinspired Triboelectric Soft Robot Driven by Mechanical Energy

Abstract

A sustainable power source is a key technical challenge for practical applications of electrically responsive soft robots, especially the required voltage is over several thousand volts. Here, a practicable new technology, triboelectric soft robot (TESR) system with the primary characteristics of power source from mechanical energy, is developed. At its heart is TESR with bioinspired architectures made of soft-deformable body and two triboelectric adhesion feet, which is driven and accurately controlled through triboelectric effect, while reaching maximum crawling speeds of 14.9 mm s −1 on the acrylic surface. The characteristics of the TESR, including displacement and force, are tested and simulated under the power of a rotary freestanding triboelectric nanogenerator (RF-TENG). Crawling of TESR is successfully realized on different materials surfaces and different angle slopes under the driven of RF-TENG. Furthermore, a real-time visual monitoring platform, in which TESR carries a micro camera to transmit images in a long narrow tunnel, is also achieved successfully, indicating that it can be used for fast diagnosis in an area inaccessible to human beings in the future. This study offers a new insight into the sustainable power source technologies suitable for electrically responsive soft robots and contributes to expanding the applicability of TENGs.

Mechano‐Nanoarchitectonics: Design and Function

“…Very recently, Wang and co‐workers applied this mechanical technology to triboelectric soft robots. [ 51 ] The triboelectric soft robots have designs with two triboelectric adhesion feet and soft‐deformable body. Their crawling motions are exactly regulated upon triboelectric effect.…”

Self‐Powered High‐Voltage Recharging System for Removing Noxious Tobacco Smoke by Biomimetic Hairy‐Contact Triboelectric Nanogenerator

“…Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), originating from the coupling effect of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction, is proved to be a cost-effective and eco-friendly technology to convert irregular mechanical energy into electrical energy, [20][21][22][23][24] especially for low frequency vibrational energy such as wind and wave energy. [25][26][27][28][29] Furthermore, the high open-circuit voltage is one typical characteristic of TENG, which can reach several thousand volts easily, [30][31][32] hence it is promising for removing PM from the atmospheric pollution using electrostatic effects. [33] In this work, a practical and economical self-powered highvoltage recharging system is proposed for removing tobacco smoke in the air.…”

Rehabilitation of Total Knee Arthroplasty by Integrating Conjoint Isometric Myodynamia and Real‐Time Rotation Sensing System

“…[ 36 ] Knee brace, a device for replacing cumbersome and airtight plaster in post‐hospital protection, is widely used in hospital and domestic environment among patients with tendonitis, OA, and other injuries, [ 37 , 38 , 39 ] making it an ideal carrier of personalized intelligent healthcare [ 40 ] and conductive to the recuperation of orthopedic patients. [ 41 ] Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), first invented by Zhong Lin Wang et al in 2012, is a promising technology that might facilitate IoT, [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ] artificial intelligence (AI), [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ] and personalized medicine [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ] via self‐powered motion sensors. Compared to traditional sensors, TENG based angle sensors have the advantages of light weight, wide selection of materials, and self‐powered ability.…”