In a groundbreaking development, a team of researchers from North Carolina State University has designed a robotic gripper that exhibits exceptional strength, precision, and gentleness. This innovative device is capable of lifting a weight of 6.4 kilograms, delicately folding a cloth, precisely picking up microfilms 20 times thinner than human hair, and even handling a water droplet with utmost care. The unique features of this gripper make it a promising tool for several industries, including electronics and prosthetics.
The team, led by Jie Yin, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at NC State, drew inspiration from the traditional Japanese art of kirigami. This art form involves cutting and folding two-dimensional sheets into intricate three-dimensional shapes. The researchers utilized this concept to create a flexible, adaptable, and robust gripping device.
The new design is a significant improvement over the previous generation of kirigami-inspired grippers. Yaoye Hong, a recent Ph.D. graduate from NC State and co-author of the research paper, highlighted that the team enhanced the fundamental structure and trajectory of the grippers. This resulted in a device with improved strength, gentleness, and precision.
The strength of the grippers is measured in terms of the payload-to-weight ratio. Remarkably, the newly developed grippers weigh just 0.4 grams but can lift up to 6.4 kilograms. This translates to a payload-to-weight ratio of about 16,000 – an impressive figure that is 2.5 times higher than the previous record.
The design’s versatility stems from its structure rather than the materials used in its fabrication. This means the grippers could be made from biodegradable materials like sturdy plant leaves, making them ideal for handling food or biomedical materials for limited periods.
In addition to its potential in various industries, the gripper has shown promise for use in robotic prosthetics. The researchers integrated the device with a myoelectric prosthetic hand controlled by muscle activity. The kirigami gripper enhanced the functionality of the prosthetic hand, enabling it to perform tasks like zipping zippers and picking up coins more efficiently.
Helen Huang, a co-author of the paper and Jackson Family Distinguished Professor in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at NC State and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, emphasized that while the new gripper can’t replace all functions of existing prosthetic hands, it could supplement those functions without requiring any changes or augmentations to the existing motors used in robotic prosthetics.
The team conducted proof-of-concept testing where they used the kirigami grippers in conjunction with the myoelectric prosthesis to turn book pages and pluck grapes off a vine. These tests showcased the device’s potential applications in various fields including robotic prosthetics, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and electronics manufacturing.
The study titled “Angle-programmed tendril-like trajectories enable a multifunctional gripper with ultradelicacy, ultrastrength, and ultraprecision” is published in the journal Nature Communications. The research was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation.
This development is a significant leap forward in robotics and automation technology. It opens up new possibilities in various industries including electronics manufacturing where precision, gentleness, and strength are crucial. The team is now eager to collaborate with industry partners to put this cutting-edge technology to use.