A Soft Robotic Demonstration in the Stratospher
2026-03-04 • Robotics
Robotics
AI summaryⓘ
The authors developed a new type of silicone material that becomes stronger and works well at extreme cold, heat, and low pressure, like in the upper atmosphere or space. They used a special UV light process with a platinum catalyst to create strong bonds in the silicone, making it more durable for soft robotic parts that move using electricity. They tested these soft robots on high-altitude balloons reaching over 23 km, showing they can function in harsh conditions. This new method could help improve soft robots for use in space and other tough environments.
soft robotsdielectric elastomer actuatorssilicone elastomersultraviolet light curingplatinum catalystcrosslinkingstratospherehigh-altitude balloonelectromechanical performancelow-pressure environments
Authors
Codrin Tugui, Tirth Thakar, Anatol Gogoj, Alexander White, Ang Leo Li, Alexander Yin, Edward Pomianek, Mihai Duduta
Abstract
Machines designed for operation in Space, as well as other extreme environments, need to be both resilient and adaptable when mission parameters change. Soft robots offer advantages in adaptability, but most lack resilience to the pressure and temperature extremes found as close as the Stratosphere. Dielectric elastomer actuators overcome some of those limitations when built as solid state compliant capacitors capable of converting electrical energy into mechanical work, but the elastomer resilience limits the device's operating window. Here we present a crosslinking mechanism for silicone elastomers under ultraviolet light using trimethyl(methylcyclopentadienyl)platinum(IV) as a catalyst to react hydrosilane to vinyl groups. The formation of carbon-carbon bonds enables fast processing under UV light and exceptional electro-mechanical performance in dielectric elastomer actuators. The material resilience advantage is demonstrated in controlled experiments at -40° and 120° C, as well as near vacuum, in comparison with state-of-the-art acrylic and silicone chemistries. Fully autonomous systems controlling grippers made with the novel silicone were integrated into payloads for high altitude balloon testing. Two stratospheric balloon missions were carried out and demonstrated DEAs as a viable soft robotic technology under space-like conditions (as high as 23.6 km elevation, at <0.05 atm and -55° C). The combinations of chemical building blocks and catalyst can be further expanded to address other challenges for silicones, including adhesion and additive manufacturing.