Tensile and torsional elastomer fiber artificial muscle by entropic elasticity with thermo-piezoresistive sensing of strain and rotation by a single electric signal

Abstract

Natural muscles show tensile actuation and realize torsional rotation by combining with the skeleton, which integrate with sensing and signaling function in a single element to form a feedback loop. The currently developed artificial muscle and sensing devices always work upon external stimuli, and a separate controlling and signal transmission system is needed, increasing the complexity of muscle design. Therefore it is highly desired to develop flexible and compact fiber artificial muscles with large strain for advanced soft robotic systems. In this paper, twisted elastomer fiber artificial muscles with tensile and torsional actuations and sensing function by a single electric signal are developed, by using twisted natural rubber fiber coated with a buckled carbon nanotube sheet. The twisted natural rubber fiber can be electrothermally actuated to show contraction and rotation by entropic elasticity. The buckled carbon nanotube sheet can transmit electric current, and the contact area between the buckled carbon nanotube sheets increased during actuation, resulting in resistance decrease by thermo-piezoresistive effect. A feedback circuit was designed to connect or disconnect the electric current by measuring the resistance change to form a feedback loop to control on/off of the muscle. The current study provides a new muscle design for soft robotics, controllers, and human-machine integration.