Sol-gel conversion actuator
0301222-197
[DEFINITION]
An actuator that uses the transition between the sol (liquid) state
and the gel (solid) state.
[DESCRIPTION]
A sol-gel conversion actuator can work in a similar way to living
things. For example, if electrodes are put on small particle of sodium polyacrylate gel in
electrolytic solution and a voltage is applied, the particle repeatedly changes its shape. They can
be connected in series, sealed in a thin pipe and given with multiple legs, to make a microrobot
that moves in one direction that looks like a centipede. Another application being conceived is a
crawler microrobot that automatically moves through a thin pipe.
[References]
(5)(6)(15)
[Related Terms]
Actuator