This book reviews research and development of soft actuators, covering materials, methods of synthesis, fabrication and measurements. Includes color figures, diagrams and photographs clearly describing the mechanism, apparatus and motion of soft actuators.

The newest technology and information on the basic science and practical applications of soft actuators

Introduction.- Current Status of Materials and Properties of Soft Actuators.- Current Status of Applications and Market for Soft Actuators.- Soft Actuator Materials.- Thermo-Driven Soft Actuators.- Electromagnetic Heating.- Electrospun Nanofiber Gels.- Self-Oscillating Gels.- Electro-Driven Soft Actuators.- Ionic Conductive Polymers.- Conductive Polymers.- Conductive Aero Gels.- Carbon Nanotube / Ionic Liquid Composites.- Ionic Gels.- CP/IL/Elastomer Gels.- Carbon Nanoparticle Composites.- Dielectric Elastomers and Gels.- Liquid Crystal Elastomers.- Piezoelectric Polymers.- Light-Driven Soft Actuators.- Photochromism.- Photoisomerization (1).- Photoisomerization (2).- Photoredox Reactions.- Magneto-Driven Soft Actuators.- Magnetic Fluid Composite Gels.- Magnetic Particle Composite Gels.- Modeling.- Molecular Dynamic Model.- Electrostress Diffusion Coupling Model.- Material Modeling.- Distributed Parameter Modeling.- Feedback Model.- Motion Design.- Applications.- Braille Displays.- Soft Robots.- Micro-Robots.- Medical Applications.- Micro-Pumps.- Tactile Displays.- Elastomer Transducers.- Next-Generation Bio-Actuators.- 3D Cell Buildup.- Tissue Engineering.- ATP-Driven Bio-Machines.- Treadmill Machines.

The subject of this book is the current comprehensive research and development of soft actuators, and encompasses interdisciplinary studies of materials science, mechanics, electronics, robotics and bioscience. As an example, the book includes current research on actuators based on biomaterials to provide future perspectives for artificial muscle technology. Readers can obtain detailed, useful information about materials, methods of synthesis, fabrication and measurements. The topics covered here not only promote further research and development of soft actuators but also lead the way to their utilization and industrialization. One outstanding feature of the book is that it contains many color figures, diagrams and photographs clearly describing the mechanism, apparatus and motion of soft actuators. The chapter on modeling is conducive to more extensive design work in materials and devices and is especially useful in the development of practical applications. Readers can acquire the newest technology and information about the basic science and practical applications of flexible, lightweight and noiseless soft actuators, which are quite unlike conventional mechanical engines and electric motors. The new ideas offered in this volume will provide inspiration and encouragement to researchers and developers as they explore new fields of applications for soft actuators.