Using explosions to power a soft robot

Robert F. Shepherd; Adam A. Stokes; Jacob Freake; Jabulani Barber; Phillip W. Snyder; Aaron D. Mazzeo; Ludovico Cademartiri; Stephen A. Morin; George M. Whitesides

doi:10.1002/anie.201209540

Using explosions to power a soft robot

Robert F. Shepherd, Adam A. Stokes, Jacob Freake, Jabulani Barber, Phillip W. Snyder, Aaron D. Mazzeo, Ludovico Cademartiri, Stephen A. Morin, George M. Whitesides

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

194 Scopus citations

Abstract

Combustion causes a soft robot to jump: Rapid actuation of a soft robot (composed of silicone elastomers) was achieved using high-temperature chemical reactions. Computer-controlled electrical sparks triggered the combustion of premixed CH₄ and O₂ gases inside the robot, which pressurized the pneumatic channels of the robot and caused it to jump (see figure). The heat from the explosions dissipated quickly and did not damage the robot even over many jumps.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	2892-2896
Number of pages	5
Journal	Angewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume	52
Issue number	10
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201209540
State	Published - Mar 4 2013
Externally published	Yes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Catalysis
Chemistry(all)

Keywords

combustion
oxygen
pneumatic processes
soft robots

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10.1002/anie.201209540

Cite this

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abstract = "Combustion causes a soft robot to jump: Rapid actuation of a soft robot (composed of silicone elastomers) was achieved using high-temperature chemical reactions. Computer-controlled electrical sparks triggered the combustion of premixed CH4 and O2 gases inside the robot, which pressurized the pneumatic channels of the robot and caused it to jump (see figure). The heat from the explosions dissipated quickly and did not damage the robot even over many jumps.",

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AU - Shepherd, Robert F.

AU - Stokes, Adam A.

AU - Freake, Jacob

AU - Barber, Jabulani

AU - Snyder, Phillip W.

AU - Mazzeo, Aaron D.

AU - Cademartiri, Ludovico

AU - Morin, Stephen A.

AU - Whitesides, George M.

PY - 2013/3/4

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N2 - Combustion causes a soft robot to jump: Rapid actuation of a soft robot (composed of silicone elastomers) was achieved using high-temperature chemical reactions. Computer-controlled electrical sparks triggered the combustion of premixed CH4 and O2 gases inside the robot, which pressurized the pneumatic channels of the robot and caused it to jump (see figure). The heat from the explosions dissipated quickly and did not damage the robot even over many jumps.

AB - Combustion causes a soft robot to jump: Rapid actuation of a soft robot (composed of silicone elastomers) was achieved using high-temperature chemical reactions. Computer-controlled electrical sparks triggered the combustion of premixed CH4 and O2 gases inside the robot, which pressurized the pneumatic channels of the robot and caused it to jump (see figure). The heat from the explosions dissipated quickly and did not damage the robot even over many jumps.

KW - combustion

KW - oxygen

KW - pneumatic processes

KW - soft robots

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Using explosions to power a soft robot

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

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