2023/01/26 by Ezra Ben Abu, Yaron Veksler, Abu, Ezra Ben +7 · 1 citation
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Materials and Mechanics #FOS: Physical sciences #Micro and Nano Robotics #Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence #Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2302.03034
openalex publication_date 2023/01/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Growing soft materials which follow a 3D path in space are critical to applications such as search and rescue and minimally invasive surgery. Here, we present a concept for a single-input growing multi-stable soft material, based on a constrained straw-like structure. This class of materials are capable of maneuvering and transforming their configuration by elongation while executing multiple turns. This is achieved by sequenced actuation of bi-stable frusta with predefined constraints. Internal viscous flow and variations in the stability threshold of the individual cells enable sequencing and control of the robot's movement so as to follow a desired 3D path as the structure grows. We derive a theoretical description of the shape and dynamics resulting from a particular set of constraints. To validate the model and demonstrate the suggested concept, we present experiments of maneuvering in models of residential and biological environments. In addition to performing complex 3D maneuvers, the tubular structure of these robots may also be used as a conduit to reach inaccessible regions, which is demonstrated experimentally.