Encapsulation of Novec7000 in Thin Alginate Capsules for On-Demand Activation in Pneumatic Phase-Change Soft Robotic Systems

Rayan A. M. Basodan, Jack Keddie, Byoungyoul Park, Hyun-Joong Chung

Keywords: Pneumatic, Soft robot, phase change, fabrication, capsule

TL;DR: Volatile Liquid Novec7000 Encapsulated in thin alginate shells for on-demand release to be used in untethered phase-change pneumatic soft-robotics

Abstract: Pneumatic phase-change soft actuators have the advantages of pneumatic soft robots without the need for tethering. However, they can be sensitive to the temperature of their environment, and techniques of encapsulating volatile liquids remain limited. Here, we present an accessible method for encapsulating Novec7000, a nonhazardous volatile liquid with a boiling point of 34 °C, within micron-thin alginate shells. The alginate-Novec7000 capsules are prepared through in-situ injection of Novec7000 during ionic crosslinking of sodium alginate, followed by ambient drying to achieve long-term encapsulation. The alginate-Novec7000 capsules can be activated on-demand either mechanically or thermally. This circumvents temperature sensitivity for pneumatic phase-change soft robots until actuation is desired. It also enables new methods for encapsulating volatile liquids.

Submission Number: 44