Electromechanical actuators robotics

Gallardo-Alvarado J, Ahci G, Rodriguez-Castro R (2012) A novel three degrees of freedom partially decoupled robot with linear actuators. Robotica 30 467-475 Gandhi MR, Murray P, Spinks GM, Wallace GG (1995) Mechanism of electromechanical actuation... 

Actuator Electromechanical device that enables a robot to perform physical motions. 

The unique advantages of dielectric elastomers have stimulated a great number of apphcations which can be categorized into actuators, energy harvesters, and sensors. This chapter presents multiple electromechanical transduction systems including biologically inspired robotics, tactile feedback and displays, tunable optics, fluid control and microfluidics, capacitive sensors, and energy harvesters. 

Researchers are facing difficulties in attempts to improve properties and response rates of chemomechanical and electrochemomechanical systems based on polymer gels or proteins for practical applications as actuators in robotics. Lack of mechanical toughness and long-term durability are other problems to be solved. The efficiency of energy conversion must also be improved. New polymers that can link reversible chemical reactions to changes in volume are required to produce electrochemomechanical devices of practical interest. From a conceptual point of view, deep discussions are required to clarify and differentiate between chemomechanical, electromechanical, electroosmotic, electrophoretic driven, and electrochemomechanical devices. The main problem is to differentiate the presence and absence of chemical reaction. 

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