Autonomic perspiration in 3D-printed hydrogel actuators<\/a>. \u201cCombining multiple finger actuators into a single device yields soft robotic grippers capable of both mechanically and thermally manipulating various heated objects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nWith five soft robotic fingers attached to a rigid robotic hand, the researchers were able to test grip strength and resilience, as the special polymer passively sweat hydraulic fluid at a certain temperature threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For work that requires brief exposure to intense heat, and then an ability to cool off quickly, such sweating robots could lend a hand. This might involve loading artillery, or carefully yet quickly disposing of spent shells, or repair work at moments where the danger is too great for humans but the task still requires a human-like finesse. It is easy to imagine the kinds of scenarios for such a machine on a military ship, especially, which is perhaps why the research was funded in part by the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a cooling mechanism, sweating in robots may be more efficient than it is even in humans, but it comes with a specific resource need. Sweaty robots are thirsty robots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSimilar to animals that ingest food and water from their environment to sustain thermoregulated activity, our demonstrated system eventually requires a means to replenish lost water during extended operation,\u201d write the authors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That thirst and need for replenish is an opportunity in and of itself. The authors note that animals use fluid excretion for a range of purposes, and suggest future sweating robots could deliberately release coatings that make them more or less slippery, as the situation demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe ability to selectively elute liquids from the robot body also provides for many other opportunities including \u2018digesting\u2019 and absorbing nutrients, catalyzing reactions, removing contaminants from the surface, or coating the surface of the robot with a protective layer,\u201d write the authors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For now, the principles explored suggest there\u2019s real benefit in developing soft robots that can better handle heat. Retaining flexibility and durability in robotic limbs despite increases in temperature could be a valuable asset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One that\u2019s worth it even if it means the robots, as well as humans, need to rehydrate after a particularly heated firefight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watch the soft robot fingers sweat in action below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n