Electronic Muscles and Skins: A Review of Soft Sensors and Actuators

Chen, Dustin; Pei, Qibing

doi:10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00019

Cited by 438 publications

(282 citation statements)

References 294 publications

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“…Irradiation with UV light led to cis‐trans isomerization in the upper regions of the film, resulting in bending (Figure b). Currently, there is great interest in the integration of smart polymers into wearable devices based on soft sensors and actuators …”

Section: Selected Developments In Smart Polymersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reflections on the Evolution of Smart Polymers

Gillies

2019

Israel Journal of Chemistry

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Since Staudinger's recognition that polymers were long chain molecules with covalent bonds between repeating units, the field has evolved tremendously. In addition to their many structural roles, polymers have been developed to exhibit “smart” stimuli‐responsive behavior. This article will describe the evolution of selected classes of smart polymers including those responsive to changes in pH, temperature, light, and mechanical stimuli, as well as self‐immolative polymers and their application in drug delivery, sensors, and actuators. It will also highlight key advancements in polymer chemistry that enabled rapid progress over the past ∼20 years. Whether the key achievements were predictable will be discussed, and the extent to which polymer science remains an independent science versus a service tool will be addressed. Finally, some possibilities for the evolution of the field over the next 20–30 years will be described.

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Section: Selected Developments In Smart Polymersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reflections on the Evolution of Smart Polymers

Gillies

2019

Israel Journal of Chemistry

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“…Materials that are conductive and elastic are critical for the development of future flexible electronic devices, smart sensors/actuators, and soft robotics . Since single‐constituent materials rarely possess the merits of conductivity and flexibility, composites combining a soft matrix and a conductive filler are usually synthesized to achieve conductivity‐flexibility integration .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Liquid Metal Droplet and Graphene Co‐Fillers for Electrically Conductive Flexible Composites

Saborío

Cai

Tang

et al. 2019

Small

113

126

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Colloidal liquid metal alloys of gallium, with melting points below room temperature, are potential candidates for creating electrically conductive and flexible composites. However, inclusion of liquid metal micro‐ and nanodroplets into soft polymeric matrices requires a harsh auxiliary mechanical pressing to rupture the droplets to establish continuous pathways for high electrical conductivity. However, such a destructive strategy reduces the integrity of the composites. Here, this problem is solved by incorporating small loading of nonfunctionalized graphene flakes into the composites. The flakes introduce cavities that are filled with liquid metal after only relatively mild press‐rolling (<0.1 MPa) to form electrically conductive continuous pathways within the polymeric matrix, while maintaining the integrity and flexibility of the composites. The composites are characterized to show that even very low graphene loadings (≈0.6 wt%) can achieve high electrical conductivity. The electrical conductance remains nearly constant, with changes less than 0.5%, even under a relatively high applied pressure of >30 kPa. The composites are used for forming flexible electrically‐conductive tracks in electronic circuits with a self‐healing property. The demonstrated application of co‐fillers, together with liquid metal droplets, can be used for establishing electrically‐conductive printable‐composite tracks for future large‐area flexible electronics.

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“…Several articles have reviewed the medical robotics for MIS applications (eg,) most of which are outdated. Moreover, a few studies reviewed the recent developments in soft robotics actuators and sensors . Despite all the progress in implementation of soft robotics in medical robotics application in the last decade, a review on different concepts of the designs specifically developed for endoscopic applications is missing, but can give a useful overview of the current state of the field.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review on recent advances in soft surgical robots for endoscopic applications

Gifari

Beidokhti

Stramigioli

et al. 2019

Robotics Computer Surgery

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Background Soft materials, with their compliant properties, enable conformity and safe interaction with human body. With the advance in actuation and sensing of soft materials, new paradigm in robotics called “soft robotics” emerges. Soft robotics has become a new approach in designing medical devices such as wearable robotic gloves and exoskeleton. However, application of soft robotics in surgical instrument inside human body is still in its infancy. Aims In this paper, current application and design of soft robots specifically applied for endoscopy are reviewed. Materials & Methods Different aspects in the implementation of soft robotics in endoscope design were reviewed. The key studies about MIS and NOTES were reviewed to establish the clinical background and extract the limitations of current endoscopic device in the last decade. Results and discussion In this review study, the implementation of soft robotics concepts in endoscopic application, with highlights on different features of several soft endoscopes, were evaluated. The progress in different aspects of soft robotics endoscope, current state, and future perspectives were also discussed. Conclusion Based on the survey on the structural specification, actuation, sensing, and stiffening the future soft surgical endoscopes are recommended to fulfil the following specifications: safe especially from pressure leakage, fully biocompatible materials, MR‐compatible, capable for large bending in at least two antagonistic directions, modularity, adjustable stiffness.

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Electronic Muscles and Skins: A Review of Soft Sensors and Actuators

Cited by 438 publications

References 294 publications

Reflections on the Evolution of Smart Polymers

Reflections on the Evolution of Smart Polymers

Liquid Metal Droplet and Graphene Co‐Fillers for Electrically Conductive Flexible Composites

A review on recent advances in soft surgical robots for endoscopic applications

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