Researchers at KAUST have developed a revolutionary ‘claw machine’ that can bend, stretch and perform complex tasks in response to chemical vapors. This breakthrough in soft robotics can have widespread applications in medical devices, industrial automation and more.
Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia have achieved a significant breakthrough in soft robotics, unveiling a diminutive “claw machine” capable of performing complex tasks when exposed to chemical vapors. This cutting-edge innovation could pave the way for advancements in various fields, from medical devices to industrial automation.
The study, which was published in the journal Chem, introduces a novel actuator design that flexibly bends and stretches according to different vapor stimuli. Unlike conventional actuators limited to a single type of movement, this innovative composite film can execute various tasks without necessitating expensive additional materials.
“It can bend and stretch depending on molecular interactions, which is very sophisticated at this size range,” Niveen M. Khashab, the study’s corresponding author and chemistry professor at KAUST, said in a news release.
“We hope our findings will be used to develop advanced soft robotic systems capable of precise and adaptable movements in various environments,” she added, noting potential uses in medical devices, industrial automation and sensors for measuring temperature, air quality and humidity.
During experiments, the KAUST team demonstrated the claw machine’s unique ability to perform different tasks when exposed to various vapors. In acetone vapor, the device gripped a red cotton ball and stretched to place it in a box. When subjected to ethanol vapor, the machine retrieved the cotton ball from the box.
Soft actuators, favored for applications such as precision agriculture, deep-sea exploration and wearable devices, offer flexibility that rigid actuators — typically made from metal or hard plastic — lack. However, the challenge has been creating actuators that can perform multiple types of movements. Existing solutions often involve complex and costly combinations of different materials, increasing the risk of mechanical failure.
To address this, Khashab and her colleagues developed their actuator from a polymer matrix embedded with molecular cages containing the organic compound urea. Urea’s ability to form multiple hydrogen bonds allows the material to swiftly reconfigure in response to different vapors, enabling a wide range of programmable movements.
Credit: Chem/Liu and Fang et al.
“The most remarkable finding was the unique actuation behavior where the soft actuator performed a complex motion involving ‘curvature, stretching and reverting,’ which had not been reported previously,” added Khashab.
The research team plans to further investigate the claw machine’s energy density and its efficiency in converting energy to enhance performance. Additionally, they aim to integrate materials that generate electric charges with the actuator to develop flexible, wearable electronic devices.
This work highlights the importance of continued innovation in material science and soft robotics, offering promising utility across numerous high-demand sectors. Funded by KAUST, the study underscores the institution’s commitment to pioneering research with real-world applications.