Breakthrough in Soft Robotics: Researchers Develop Highly Stretchable Fibrous Actuators

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Sichuan University have made a significant breakthrough in the field of soft robotics, developing highly stretchable fibrous actuators with robust cyclic actuation and reprogrammable motions. These actuators, made from a combination of phase transition of shape memory alloys (SMAs) and polymer chain realignment of stretchable elastomer, have the potential to revolutionize applications in soft robotics, smart healthcare, and prosthetics. The fibrous actuators exhibit high stretchability (120%), robust reversibility under cyclic thermal activation, and large actuation strain (32%), producing bidirectional forces.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers from Sichuan University have developed a highly stretchable fibrous actuator using a combination of SMAs and stretchable elastomer.
  • The actuators exhibit high stretchability (120%), robust reversibility under cyclic thermal activation, and large actuation strain (32%).
  • The actuators produce bidirectional forces (1.2 N extension, 4.3 N contraction) and can undergo repetitive shape programming for different morphing modes.
  • The research has potential applications in soft robotics, smart healthcare, and prosthetics.
  • The fibrous actuators enabled soft robotic applications such as a fibrous robot for curvilinear pipe navigation, a stretchable wearable exoskeleton, and an untethered soft actuator driven by external electromagnetic fields.

Statistics:

  • 120% stretchability of the fibrous actuators.
  • 32% actuation strain of the fibrous actuators.
  • Bidirectional forces of 1.2 N extension and 4.3 N contraction produced by the actuators.
  • Repetitive shape programming for different morphing modes achieved by the actuators.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Data on Engineering Reported by Researchers at Sichuan University (A Highly Stretchable Fibrous Actuator With Robust Cyclic Actuation and Reprogrammable Motions). Journal of Engineering. October 27, 2025; p 341.
  • InfoMat. A Highly Stretchable Fibrous Actuator With Robust Cyclic Actuation and Reprogrammable Motions.