We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to browse this site you agree to our use of cookies. More info.
Researchers from China and Malaysia have designed a flexible bionic hand possessing soft gripper driver technology capable of replicating basic human gestures via a simple fabrication technique. The process was described in the journal Materials.
Study: Pneumatic Bionic Hand with Rigid-Flexible Coupling Structure . Image Credit: Dmitry Markov152/Shutterstock.com
Ever since the dawn of robotics and modern nanotechnology, constant research has been done to revolutionize the fabrication techniques and utilize materials capable of handling the stresses exerted due to robust movements and component friction. The gripping pressure is difficult to correctly regulate when using stiff grips on things with complicated surface forms and delicate goods, and it is easy to harm the item's exterior.
The soft grasping hand can do duties that typically inflexible manipulators cannot due to its inherent mobility, ambient flexibility, and proactive safety improvements. This method is commonly employed in healthcare rehabilitation, aviation, and crisis assistance. Many academics are currently paying close attention to the soft gripper driver. These grippers are continually improving in terms of tactile information, force response, and quick response precise control.
Schematic diagram of soft finger structure. Image Credit: Chen C et al., Materials
The soft gripping hand is more versatile than the standard rigid grasping hand; however, its gentleness causes the difficulty of necessitating a low load in the grasping hand.
The technology is comprised of the soft finger driver as its essential component. The soft finger is separated into two sections: the thumb section and the other four fingers, which are mostly made up of a base joint and ring-shaped restricting membrane. The restricting layer is used to regulate the soft driver's radial displacement. Silicon rubber is used to create a soft air cavity. Silicone rubber has a well-developed mechanical simulation analytical framework, and it is a deformable material that may be used to make soft fingers.
Schematic diagram of base joint structure. Image Credit: Chen C et al., Materials
The Fast Pneumatic Grid Structure (FPN) concept is used to create the bionic finger soft-driven joint. The FPN structure grows through the sidewalls, bending and deforming the activator. The soft-driven joint is mostly made up of air chambers. External air pressure can cause the top and sidewalls of the drive joint to extend and distort at the same time. The expansion and distortion of the top wall, on the other hand, is interference deformation. The silicon rubber substance E60 is used to make the soft bionic gripper.
A pneumatic regulatory loop system and a detection system are part of the physical control system. The higher computer operational gateway and the bottom computer control software comprise the soft control system. The man-machine dynamic regulatory module and the Arduino command center are the major components of the pneumatic control system. The air pressure detection system detects data from the present soft-driven air cavity and compares it to the predefined goal value while the soft finger moves.
The user interface offers manual regulation of the prosthetic finger-driven parts as well as a display of the operating joint sensor's experimental curve. In manual mode, the user may change the airflow stress in each driving joint individually.
According to the experimental results, varied exterior air pressure stresses were applied to the operating joint cavity, and the generated foundation joint bending angles differed, which is compatible with the soft simulation results. According to the testing results, the insertion of the elastic steel plate at the base had a minor effect on the folding of the soft-driven join.
Soft gripper combination. Image Credit: Chen C et al., Materials
Various external pressurization stresses were applied to the driving joints of each finger in conjunction with the developed control system's particular synchronization control scheme. Based on the findings, it is possible to conclude that soft-driven joints may be regulated autonomously, that the intermediate and distal phalange joints can achieve joint motion, and that the cooperation of diverse joints can realize the imitation of human gestures.
The researchers also studied the response of the bionic hand by testing its gripping technique. The hand was tested by grasping various objects utilized frequently in human life. If the item did not fall during the clutching movement, the grabbing movement was considered successful.
In summary, a novel development of a pneumatic prosthetic hand with a rigid-flexible coupling mechanism has been described successfully. Further examination can employ EMG signal instruments, sight sensors, and other sensors to construct an autonomous gripping software that can track and replicate real-time hand motions.
Chen C, Sun J, Wang L, Chen G, Xu M, Ni J, Ramli R, Su S, Chu C. 2022. Pneumatic Bionic Hand with Rigid-Flexible Coupling Structure. Materials. 2022. 15(4). 1358. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/15/4/1358
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and conditions of use of this website.
Ibtisam graduated from Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. During his academic careers, he has worked on several research projects and has successfully managed several co-curricular events like International World Space Week and International Conference on Aerospace Engineering. Having one English Prose competition during his undergraduate level, Ibtisam has always been keenly interested in research, writing and editing. Soon after his graduation, he joined the AzoNetwork as a freelancer to sharpen his skills. Ibtisam loves to travel especially visiting the countryside. He has always been a sports fan and loves to watch tennis, soccer and cricket. Born in Pakistan, Ibtisam one day hopes to travel all over the world creating strong bonds of friendships and spreading the message of peace and love.
Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
Abbasi, Ibtisam. (2022, February 15). Designing a Bionic Hand. AZoM. Retrieved on March 14, 2022 from https://www.azom.com/news.aspx?newsID=58243.
Abbasi, Ibtisam. "Designing a Bionic Hand". AZoM. 14 March 2022. <https://www.azom.com/news.aspx?newsID=58243>.
Abbasi, Ibtisam. "Designing a Bionic Hand". AZoM. https://www.azom.com/news.aspx?newsID=58243. (accessed March 14, 2022).
Abbasi, Ibtisam. 2022. Designing a Bionic Hand. AZoM, viewed 14 March 2022, https://www.azom.com/news.aspx?newsID=58243.
Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?
AZoM speaks to Michael Jewett, a researcher at Northwestern University, about a novel process using bacteria to capture CO2 and convert it into the useful commercial chemicals acetone and isopropanol. This could bring us closer to a circular bioeconomy in the chemical sector.
In this interview, AZoM talks to Anna Walkiewicz, Applications Specialist at Quorum Technologies, about sample coating and how it can help improve SEM imaging.
In this interview, AZoM talks to Anna Walkiewicz, Applications Specialist at Quorum Technologies, about sample coating and how it can help improve SEM imaging.
Discover the mechanical rotary level indicator, model BMR-100.
Superior Sensor’s ND Middle Pressure Series utilize Superior Sensor’s advanced Nimblesense technology, making them extremely accurate, reliable, and precise.
TESCAN’s UniTOM HR is the only micro-CT system that allows sub-micron spatial resolution as well as high temporal resolution dynamic CT, for all your materials science and earth science needs.
This article provides an end-of-life assessment of lithium-ion batteries, focusing on the recycling of an ever-growing amount of spent Li-Ion batteries in order to work toward a sustainable and circular approach to battery use and reuse.
This article provides an overview of the materials that are used to produce photovoltaic cells for the production of renewable energy, as well as new research that proposes the use of novel materials.
This article considers laser-based 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, looking at different types of lasers in the fabrication process.
AZoM.com - An AZoNetwork Site
Owned and operated by AZoNetwork, © 2000-2022