Authors:
Benjamin C. Mac Murray, Xintong An, Sanlin S. Robinson, Ilse M. van Meerbeek, Kevin W. O'Brien, Huichan Zhao, & Robert F. Shepherd
Summary:
Open-celled, elastomeric foams allow the simple design of fully 3D pneumatic soft machines using common forming techniques. This is demonstrated through fabrication of simple actuators and an entirely soft, functional fluid pump formed in the shape of the human heart. The device pumps at physiologically relevant frequencies and pressures and attains a flow rate higher than all previously reported soft pumps.
Source:
Advanced Materials; (09/19/15)