Magnetohydrodynamic levitation for high-performance flexible pumps.

We use magnetohydrodynamic levitation as a means to create a soft, elastomeric, solenoid-driven pump (ESP). We present a theoretical framework and fabrication of a pump designed to address the unique challenges of soft robotics, maintaining pumping performance under deformation. Using a permanent magnet as a piston and ferrofluid as a liquid seal, we model and construct a deformable displacement pump.

Acoustophoretic Liquefaction for 3D Printing Ultrahigh-Viscosity Nanoparticle Suspensions.

An acoustic liquefaction approach to enhance the flow of yield stress fluids during Digital Light Processing (DLP)-based 3D printing is reported. This enhanced flow enables processing of ultrahigh-viscosity resins (μ  > 3700 Pa s at shear rates  = 0.01 s ) based on silica particles in a silicone photopolymer.

Fluid Mechanics of Pneumatic Soft Robots.

Pressurization of gas within embedded channels and cavities is a popular method for actuating soft robots. Various previous works examined the effects of internal fluid mechanics on this actuation approach, as well as on leveraging viscous effects to extend the capabilities of soft robots. However, no existing works studied the combined effects of fluid viscosity and compressibility, relevant to miniaturized configurations, which is the aim of the current work.

Leveraging Internal Viscous Flow to Extend the Capabilities of Beam-Shaped Soft Robotic Actuators.

Elastic deformation of beam-shaped structures due to embedded fluidic networks (EFNs) is mainly studied in the context of soft actuators and soft robotic applications. Currently, the effects of viscosity are not examined in such configurations. In this work, we introduce an internal viscous flow and present the extended range of actuation modes enabled by viscosity.

Dynamics of Elastic Beams with Embedded Fluid-Filled Parallel-Channel Networks.

A pressurized fluid-filled parallel-channel network embedded in an elastic beam, asymmetrically to the neutral plane, will create a deformation field within the beam. Deformation due to embedded fluidic networks is currently studied in the context of soft actuators and soft-robotic applications. Expanding on this concept, configurations can be designed so that the pressure in the channel network is created directly from external forces acting on the beam, and thus can be viewed as passive solid-fluid composite structures.