Low Voltage and Low Temperature Soft Electrothermal Actuator Based on PE/Graphite Bilayer Film

Soft electrothermal actuators are widely used in soft robots, smart switches, medical devices, artificial muscles, and human-machine interactions. Generally, they operate at room temperature but also meet the safety standards for maximum safe voltage for a human body. Therefore, an actuator with a lower voltage and lower temperature is the first choice, as long as the performance is not affected. In this study, a bilayer film based on polythene (PE)/graphite is used to realize an electrothermal drive. The method is simple, inexpensive, and convenient for mass production. At a low driving voltage of between 1.5 and 2 V, and at a temperature of 40-52 degrees C, a maximum bending angle of 139.22 degrees-470 degrees. Through the demonstration of a micromechanical gripper and transportation illustrated by drug crawling, it is proven that the PE/graphite composite membrane can be widely applied in the field of soft actuators.

Automated summary

The study successfully demonstrates the use of a PE/graphite composite membrane for electrothermal actuation, offering benefits of simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for mass production. Operating at low voltage and temperature, the actuator maintains high performance, making it widely applicable in the field of soft actuators.