Electrolytic vascular systems for energy-dense robots

Modern robots lack the multifunctional interconnected systems found in living organisms and are consequently unable to reproduce their efficiency and autonomy. Energy-storage systems are among the most crucial limitations to robot autonomy, but their size, weight, material and design constraints can...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 2019-07, Vol.571 (7763), p.51-57
Main Authors: Aubin, Cameron A., Choudhury, Snehashis, Jerch, Rhiannon, Archer, Lynden A., Pikul, James H., Shepherd, Robert F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
639/166/988
639/4077/4079/891
639/638/161/891
Actuation
Autonomy
Batteries
Biomimetics
Cardiopulmonary system
Cardiovascular system
Circulatory system
Computational fluid dynamics
Deformation
Efficiency
Electrochemistry
Electrodes
Electrolytes
Embedded systems
Energy
Energy storage
Energy transmission
Fabrication
Flux density
Form factors
Humanities and Social Sciences
Hydraulic fluids
Hydraulics
multidisciplinary
Power efficiency
Rechargeable batteries
Robotics
Robots
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Storage systems
Swimming
Vascular system
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Summary:Modern robots lack the multifunctional interconnected systems found in living organisms and are consequently unable to reproduce their efficiency and autonomy. Energy-storage systems are among the most crucial limitations to robot autonomy, but their size, weight, material and design constraints can be re-examined in the context of multifunctional, bio-inspired applications. Here we present a synthetic energy-dense circulatory system embedded in an untethered, aquatic soft robot. Modelled after redox flow batteries, this synthetic vascular system combines the functions of hydraulic force transmission, actuation and energy storage into a single integrated design that geometrically increases the energy density of the robot to enable operation for long durations (up to 36 hours). The fabrication techniques and flexible materials used in its construction enable the vascular system to be created with complex form factors that continuously deform with the robot’s movement. This use of electrochemical energy storage in hydraulic fluids could facilitate increased energy density, autonomy, efficiency and multifunctionality in future robot designs. An energy-dense hydraulic fluid is used to construct a synthetic circulatory system in a lionfish-like soft robot, enabling untethered movement for up to 36 hours.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/s41586-019-1313-1