2023-08-02 ノースカロライナ州立大学(NCState)
◆グリッパーは切り紙技術を利用して設計され、構造的な特性によって強度と優しさのバランスを実現しています。また、このグリッパーは筋肉の電気信号で制御できる義肢と統合されることもあり、多岐にわたる応用が期待されています。食品加工、製薬、電子機器の製造などの分野での活用が検討されており、将来的に産業パートナーと協力して応用展開を進める予定です。研究結果は「Nature Communications」誌に掲載されています。
＜関連情報＞
角度をプログラムした蔓のような軌道が、超精密・超強力・超精密の多機能グリッパーを可能にする Angle-programmed tendril-like trajectories enable a multifunctional gripper with ultradelicacy, ultrastrength, and ultraprecision
Yaoye Hong,Yao Zhao,Joseph Berman,Yinding Chi,Yanbin Li,He (Helen) Huang & Jie Yin
Nature Communications Published:02 August 2023
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39741-6
Abstract
Achieving multicapability in a single soft gripper for handling ultrasoft, ultrathin, and ultraheavy objects is challenging due to the tradeoff between compliance, strength, and precision. Here, combining experiments, theory, and simulation, we report utilizing angle-programmed tendril-like grasping trajectories for an ultragentle yet ultrastrong and ultraprecise gripper. The single gripper can delicately grasp fragile liquids with minimal contact pressure (0.05 kPa), lift objects 16,000 times its own weight, and precisely grasp ultrathin, flexible objects like 4-μm-thick sheets and 2-μm-diameter microfibers on flat surfaces, all with a high success rate. Its scalable and material-independent design allows for biodegradable noninvasive grippers made from natural leaves. Explicitly controlled trajectories facilitate its integration with robotic arms and prostheses for challenging tasks, including picking grapes, opening zippers, folding clothes, and turning pages. This work showcases soft grippers excelling in extreme scenarios with potential applications in agriculture, food processing, prosthesis, biomedicine, minimally invasive surgeries, and deep-sea exploration.
