Advanced materials for actuators


Textile actuators (textuator) design represents a challenge for researchers trying to improve the solution by integrating lightweight, flexible and comfortable materials for wearable actuators (VR glove, artificial muscles, exoskeletons, electrostimulation devices, fashion items) or robotics (artificial electronic skins for robots). Developing such soft/flexible actuators involves using classical technologies (knitting, sewing, weaving, embroidering) and advanced ones (plasma, sputtering, 3D printing). In addition, by integrating electroactive or electroconductive polymers, micro/nanostructures and digitalization (software, electronic components) can be fabricated as innovative wearable products-based actuators. This chapter presents the main aspects concerning the actuator type, materials used and technologies for flexible actuator development.

Actuators


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