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Qin K, Tang W, Guo X, Xu H, Zhong Y, Wang Y, Sheng Q, Yang H, Zou J. Accessing pluripotent drones through reprogramming of dynamic soft self-healing chemical growth. Natl Sci Rev 2025; 12:nwaf049. [PMID: 40330049 PMCID: PMC12051850 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwaf049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2024] [Revised: 01/20/2025] [Accepted: 02/10/2025] [Indexed: 05/08/2025] Open
Abstract
The functions of drones that are implemented by existing design paradigms are usually fixed and do not have the possibility of further 'differentiation'. Inspired by the biological concept of pluripotency, here we report a pluripotent drone that can further 'differentiate' into a series of drones with different functions to perform a variety of challenging tasks. To realize this concept, we propose a method of reprogrammable dynamic soft self-healing chemical growth (R-growth), by which the pluripotent drone can grow specific 'organs' to achieve corresponding functions, and after completing the corresponding tasks, these 'organs' can be retracted. Furthermore, these 'organs' are able to respond to possible damage through rapid self-healing (∼3.2 s, >1000 times faster than the self-healing of existing similar membranes). R-growth is large-scale (>1.5 m), fast (0.15 m/s), lightweight (∼5 g, 1/20 the weight of traditional micro air pumps), self-contained and free-wheeling. This method can be applied to various existing drones to significantly extend their functions and to enable an unprecedented range of tasks. This work realizes the growth, retraction, and switching of drone 'organs' with any function, while such ability of macro robots or humans, to date, only exists in science fiction movies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kecheng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wei Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xinyu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Huxiu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yiding Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yonghao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qincheng Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Huayong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jun Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Exley T, Hays E, Johnson D, Moridani A, Motati R, Jafari A. Toward a Unified Naming Scheme for Thermo-Active Soft Actuators: A Review of Materials, Working Principles, and Applications. ROBOTICS REPORTS (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2024; 2:15-28. [PMID: 38584677 PMCID: PMC10996867 DOI: 10.1089/rorep.2023.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Soft robotics is a rapidly growing field that spans the fields of chemistry, materials science, and engineering. Due to the diverse background of the field, there have been contrasting naming schemes such as "intelligent," "smart," and "adaptive" materials, which add vagueness to the broad innovation among literature. Therefore, a clear, functional, and descriptive naming scheme is proposed in which a previously vague name-Soft Material for Soft Actuators-can remain clear and concise-Phase-Change Elastomers for Artificial Muscles. By synthesizing the working principle, material, and application into a naming scheme, the searchability of soft robotics can be enhanced and applied to other fields. The field of thermo-active soft actuators spans multiple domains and requires added clarity. Thermo-active actuators have potential for a variety of applications spanning virtual reality haptics to assistive devices. This review offers a comprehensive guide to selecting the type of thermo-active actuator when one has an application in mind. In addition, it discusses future directions and improvements that are necessary for implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Exley
- Advanced Robotic Manipulators (ARM) Lab, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Emilly Hays
- Advanced Robotic Manipulators (ARM) Lab, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel Johnson
- Advanced Robotic Manipulators (ARM) Lab, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Arian Moridani
- Advanced Robotic Manipulators (ARM) Lab, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Ramya Motati
- Advanced Robotic Manipulators (ARM) Lab, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Amir Jafari
- Advanced Robotic Manipulators (ARM) Lab, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
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