Application Cases

Soft robotics has garnered widespread attention in both academic and industrial circles in recent years. Compared to traditional rigid robots, soft robots are composed of soft materials such as gels or elastomers, which endows them with unique advantages in certain application scenarios. For instance, in the medical field, soft robots can interact with the human body more safely, reducing the risk of injury to patients. When exploring complex environments, the flexibility of soft robots allows them to more easily adapt to various shapes and obstacles.

Electrohydrodynamic actuators are devices that convert electrical energy into hydraulic energy to produce mechanical motion. In soft robotics, these actuators can drive the robot's movement by controlling the pressure within the hydraulic system. They are characterized by their high output force and fast response speed, making them highly suitable for soft robotic systems that require significant torque or rapid response.

The ATA-7000 series high-voltage amplifiers from Antai Electronics are based on AB class amplification circuits, featuring low distortion and high stability. With a maximum bandwidth of up to 120 kHz and a maximum output voltage of up to 40 kVpp, they are widely used in testing and performance evaluation of various piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and electroactive materials.

Experiment Name: Research on Worm-like Soft Robots Based on Adhesion-Controlled Electrohydrodynamic Actuators

Experiment Principle:Electrohydrodynamic actuators typically consist of flexible electrodes, deformable dielectric sacs, and dielectric liquid inside the sacs. Under high voltage, the two electrodes generate positive and negative charges, forming a charged capacitor. The Maxwell stress generated by the high voltage causes the electrodes to compress the dielectric sac and transfer kinetic energy to the internal liquid, thereby generating driving force. This electrohydrodynamic fluid kinetic energy (EFKE) driving method enables soft robots to achieve rapid and flexible movement.

Experiment Block Diagram:

Experiment Process:To achieve the robot's movement, a motion control system was established to activate four sets of actuators. The high voltage required to drive the actuators was provided by a high-voltage amplifier (Aigtek, ATA-7100 high-voltage amplifier), which amplified the voltage signal from a function generator. Each set of independently controlled flexible electrodes corresponded to a high-voltage relay, controlling voltage and polarity. To ensure device safety, the on/off of the high-voltage amplifier was controlled by a low-voltage relay. The power-up sequence of the multi-channel high-voltage drive circuit was controlled by a microcontroller signal. Based on the response results of the actuator modules, an 8 kV high voltage was selected to maximize the robot's strain while avoiding dielectric breakdown.

Application Directions:Drug Delivery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Precision Manufacturing, Flexible Production Lines, Multimodal Actuation and Sensing, Environmental Exploration, Disaster Relief

Application Scenarios:Adhesion Control, Electrohydrodynamic Actuators, Worm-like Soft Robots, Electroactive Materials, Dielectric Elastomers

Product Recommendation:ATA-7000 Series High-Voltage Amplifiers

Figure: Specifications of the ATA-7000 Series High-Voltage Amplifiers