Multi-link soft polymer micro-actuators and sensors
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Engineering Mathematics and Technology
Abstract
A new approach to the problem of soft micro-actuators and micro-sensors is proposed, based on the design of new multi-link polymer-ion composite smart mechanisms. The programme of research will develop and study novel soft micro-actuators and micro-sensors that can articulate into complex shapes and can detect complex deformations, features that have previously been impractical. This research will be carried out using state-of-the-art polymer bending actuator materials. Structures and mechanisms in nature, such as beating cilia and soft swimming organisms, will provide the inspiration for this research. Techniques for the design, construction, modelling and control of these new actuator/sensors will also be developed. Applications of this research include fluid control and motivating mechanisms for a lab-on-a-chip, soft catheters and endoscopes, and mechanisms for soft micro-robotics.Strong input will come from collaborations with the Bio-mimetic Control Research Center in RIKEN, the Japanese Institute for Physical and Chemical Research and the Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, world leaders in the design and development of new polymer-ion sensor/actuators.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Jonathan Rossiter (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Rossiter J
(2012)
Biomimetic chromatophores for camouflage and soft active surfaces
in Bioinspiration & Biomimetics
Xu C
(2023)
Electric Field-Driven Dielectrophoretic Elastomer Actuators
in Advanced Functional Materials
Conn A
(2012)
Harnessing electromechanical membrane wrinkling for actuation
in Applied Physics Letters
Sareh S
(2013)
Kirigami artificial muscles with complex biologically inspired morphologies
in Smart Materials and Structures
Sareh S
(2010)
Optimization of bio-inspired multi-segment IPMC cilia
Conn A
(2010)
Radially expanding mechanism for dielectric elastomers
Conn A
(2012)
Smart Radially Folding Structures
in IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics
Araromi O
(2011)
Spray deposited multilayered dielectric elastomer actuators
in Sensors and Actuators A: Physical
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £1,081,051 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I032533/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2012 |
End | 01/2016 |
Description | Early Career Fellowship |
Amount | £1,046,902 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M020460/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2015 |
End | 10/2020 |
Description | Healthcare Ideas Sandpit |
Amount | £2,026,737 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M026388/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2015 |
End | 06/2018 |
Description | Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies |
Amount | £1,300,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Royal Academy of Engineering |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 02/2028 |
Description | BBC TV Series - 6 Robots and us |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | On-screen robotics expert for BBC TV series, 6 robots and us. 6 research robots were placed in family homes and filmed. My role was to analyse all footage, behaviours and interactions and to comment on the challenges, technologies and impact or robotics in the home. Extensive on-screen presence. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09l63d2 |