Wireless Electrohydrodynamic Actuators for Propulsion and Positioning of Miniaturized Floating Robots

Autonomous soft robots require compact actuators generating large strokes and high forces. Electro-fluidic actuators are especially promising, they combine the advantages of electroactive polymers (low-power consumption, fast response, and electrical powering) with the versatility of fluidic systems (force/stroke amplification). EHD (electrohydrodynamic) actuators are electro-fluidic actuators whose motion results from charges being induced and accelerated in a liquid. They are extremely compact, silent, and low power (