Electrochemical pneumatic battery for untethered robotics

• Main Authors: Ge, Junyu, Zhao, Yuchen, Wang, Yifan, Li, Hong
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: Engineering; Actuation design; Electrochemical pneumatic battery
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/181220
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Robotics, ranging from rigid grippers to soft wearable devices, depend heavily on pneumatically driven systems. However, these systems often encounter limitations due to bulky and noisy pneumatic power supplies, which typically rely on electric motors. This paper introduces an electrochemical pneumatic battery (EPB) capable of generating both positive and negative pressure. Leveraging electrochemical redox reactions, this EPB can simultaneously provide electrical and pneumatic power when discharging. The use of non-toxic materials and controllable electrochemical processes ensures safety, while a motor-free and untethered design guarantees quiet operation. The cost-effective material of this battery is suitable for large-scale production and commercial viability. This paper showcases several applications of the EPB, underscoring its potential in motorless robotics and expanding the scope of pneumatic robot design and functionality.