Bionic Sea Anemone Actuator with a Double-Layered Gripper Driven by Multiple Physical Fields

Dueto the reversible ability of hydrogels to absorb and lose water,more and more researchers are applying hydrogels to the research ofunderwater robots. Sea anemones are soft marine creatures with simplestructures and soft bodies, whose extended tentacles shrink in responseto danger or capture of food. Inspired by sea anemones, we built alight-driven bilayer gripper to complete the process of catching andreleasing. In addition, a bionic sea anemone actuator composed ofa magnetic-driven flower stalk and a light-driven flower was designed.Under the effect of an external magnetic field, the bionic sea anemonecan wiggle, mimicking the sea anemone's drift through the water.The light-driven flower has superior programmability and fast response,simulating the contraction of sea anemone when stimulated. In addition,the flower stem of sea anemone can bend to capture prey. The flowerstem of the bionic sea anemone introduced is photo-responsive, whichcan bend in different directions under unilateral light irradiation.This study combines light drive and magnetic drive, providing a referencevalue for underwater drive of actuators.

Automated summary

Due to the reversible ability of hydrogels to absorb and lose water, researchers are using them in the study of underwater robots. Inspired by sea anemones, a light-driven bilayer gripper and a bionic sea anemone actuator were built. The bionic sea anemone can mimic the sea anemone's drift through water, while the light-driven flower simulates the contraction of sea anemone. This study provides a reference for underwater actuators using light and magnetic drive.