Actuators MDPI

Actuators MDPI was very glad to sponsor the workshop of IEEE RoboSoft 2025: Soft Robotics Mimicking the Human Body for Advanced Medical Applications 🙌 🙌 📅 Date: 23rd of April, 2025 📍 Location: SwissTech Convention Center, Lausanne, Switzerland Soft robotics is driving a paradigm shift in medical applications, enabling the development of advanced in-vitro simulators, implantable assistive devices, and artificial organs that closely replicate human biomechanics. This workshop at IEEE RoboSoft 2025 will bring together experts from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies to discuss the latest breakthroughs and the challenges of translating research into clinical and commercial success. Key Topics: • In-vitro Simulators for Medical Training: Bioinspired soft robotic models for preclinical testing, reducing reliance on in-vivo studies while improving ethical research practices. • Artificial Organs and Prosthetic Devices: Advances in biocompatibility, soft actuation, and biohybrid materials for functional implants. • Regulatory and Commercialization Pathways: Addressing challenges in clinical validation, regulatory approval, and market adoption. Workshop Structure: • Technical Sessions: Research presentations on soft robotic organ replication, prosthetics, and biomechanics. • Interactive Poster & Demo Sessions: Live demonstrations showcasing emerging innovations. • Industry and Investment Panel: Experts discussing funding opportunities, regulatory challenges, and commercialization strategies. • Awards for Outstanding Contributions in soft robotics for medical applications (sponsored by Actuators MDPI) This workshop is designed for bioengineers, roboticists, clinicians, regulatory professionals, and MedTech investors interested in the intersection of soft robotics, biomechanics, and healthcare technology. Call for Contributions 📢 📢 Researchers are invited to submit flash talks and posters on cutting-edge developments in soft robotic medical devices. 📜 Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gpMjMNDQ Organizers: Lucrezia Lorenzon; Mostafa A. Atalla; Martina Maselli; Linda Paternò; Martina Maselli; Koichi Suzumori Confirmed Speakers: Arianna Menciassi; Thrishantha Nanayakkara; Ellen Roche; Matteo Cianchetti; Johannes T. B. (Bas) Overvelde; Valeria Chiono; Ryman Hashem; Marta Scali; Jérémie DECRESSAC; William Altman #SoftRobotics #MedicalInnovation #RoboSoft2025 #HealthcareTech #Actuators

#Article 📜 A Multi-Scale Attention Mechanism Based Domain Adversarial Neural Network Strategy for Bearing Fault Diagnosis by Quanling Zhang, Ningze Tang, Xing Fu, Hao Peng, Cuimei Bo and Cunsong Wang 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gkvUPki MDPI; Nanjing Tech University #bearing #multiscalefeatureextractor #attentionmechanism #domainadversarial #faultdiagnosis #Abstract There are a large number of bearings in aircraft engines that are subjected to extreme operating conditions, such as high temperature, high speed, and heavy load, and their fatigue, wear, and other failure problems seriously affect the reliability of the engine. The complex and variable bearing operating conditions can lead to differences in the distribution of data between the source and target operating conditions, as well as insufficient labels. To solve the above challenges, a multi-scale attention mechanism-based domain adversarial neural network strategy for bearing fault diagnosis (MADANN) is proposed and verified using Case Western Reserve University bearing data and PT500mini mechanical bearing data in this paper. First, a multi-scale feature extractor with an attention mechanism is proposed to extract more discriminative multi-scale features of the input signal. Subsequently, the maximum mean discrepancy (MMD) is introduced to measure the difference between the distribution of the target domain and the source domain. Finally, the fault diagnosis process of the rolling is realized by minimizing the loss of the feature classifier, the loss of the MMD distance, and maximizing the loss of the domain discriminator. The verification results indicate that the proposed strategy has stronger learning ability and better diagnosis performance than shallow network, deep network, and commonly used domain adaptive models.

#Article 📜 A Double-Layer Model Predictive Control Approach for Collision-Free Lane Tracking of On-Road Autonomous Vehicles by Weishan Yang, Yuepeng Chen and Yixin Su 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g8K6fQfB MDPI; Wuhan University of Technology #hierarchicalmodelpredictivecontrol #autonomousvehicle #lanetracking #Abstract This paper proposes a double-layer model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for the integrated path planning and trajectory tracking of autonomous vehicles on roads. The upper module is responsible for generating collision-free lane trajectories, while the lower module is responsible for tracking this trajectory. A simplified vehicle model based on the friction cone is proposed to reduce the computation time for trajectory planning in the upper layer module. To achieve dynamic and accurate collision avoidance, a polygonal distance-based dynamic obstacle avoidance method is proposed. A vertical load calculation method for the tires is introduced to design the anti-rollover constraint in the lower layer module. Numerical simulations, with static and dynamic obstacle scenarios, are conducted on the MATLAB platform and compared with two state-of-the-art MPC algorithms. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the other two algorithms regarding computation time and collision avoidance efficiency.

We are pleased to sponsor the workshop of Aesthetic Fusion for User-Centered Soft Robotics: Design, Art, and Technology 🙌 🙌 👉 https://lnkd.in/g8SRU92i 📅 Date: April 23, 2025 📍 Location: Lausanne, Switzerland This workshop explores the fusion of technology, art, and design to elevate both functionality and user experience. By positioning soft robots as aesthetically appealing companions, it aims to foster stronger user connections, accelerating adoption through interactions that are safe, effective, and visually and emotionally engaging—particularly in fields like home care, personal assistance, and edutainment. Organizers: Niccolò Pagliarani, Nana Obayashi, Alberto Comoretto, Josie Hughes, Matteo Cianchetti and Perla Maiolino Confirmed Speakers: Kaitlyn Becker, Johannes T. B. (Bas) Overvelde, Lynne Craig, Guirec Maloisel, Amy Winters, Kate Devlin, Louis-Philippe Demers and Larissa Sehringer #AestheticRobots #HumanRobotInteraction #RoboticCompanions #UsercenteredDesign #SustainableDesign #ArtandRobotics #Actuators

#Article 📜 Investigations of the Crystallographic Orientation on the Martensite Variant Reorientation of the Single-Crystal Ni-Mn-Ga Cube and Its Composites for Actuator Applications by Wan-Ting Chiu, Motoki Okuno, Masaki Tahara, Tomonari Inamura and Hideki Hosoda 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gtRitiJn MDPI; Tokyo Institute of Technology #composites #ferromagneticshapememoryalloys #martensitevariantreorientation #microcomputedtomography #Abstract High-speed actuators are greatly required in this decade due to the fast development of future technologies, such as Internet-of-Things (IoT) and robots. The ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs), whose shape change could be driven by applying an external magnetic field, possess a rapid response. Hence, these materials are considered promising candidates for the applications of future technologies. Among the FSMAs, the Ni-Mn-Ga-based materials were chosen for their large shape deformation strain and appropriate phase transformation temperatures for near-room temperature applications. Nevertheless, it is widely known that both the intrinsic brittleness of the Ni-Mn-Ga alloy and the constraint of shape deformation strain due to the existence of grain boundaries in the polycrystal inhibit the applications. Therefore, various Ni-Mn-Ga-based composite materials were designed in this study, and their shape deformation behaviors induced by compressive or magnetic fields were examined by the in situ micro CT observations. In addition, the dependence of the martensite variant reorientation (MVR) on the crystallographic directions was also investigated. It was found that most of the MVRs are active within the magnetic field range applied in the regime of the <100>p, <110>p, and <111>p of the single-crystal {100}p Ni-Mn-Ga cubes.

#Article 📜 Data-Driven Robotic Tactile Grasping for Hyper-Personalization Line Pick-and-Place by Zhen Xie, Josh Ye Seng Chen, Guo Wei Lim and Fengjun Bai 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gpazZdSh MDPI; A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research #roboticgrasping #datadriven #hyperpersonalization #tactilesensing #FMCG #Abstract Industries such as the manufacturing or logistics industry need algorithms that are flexible to handle novel or unknown objects. Many current solutions in the market are unsuitable for grasping these objects in high-mix and low-volume scenarios. Finally, there are still gaps in terms of grasping accuracy and speed that we would like to address in this research. This project aims to improve the robotic grasping capability for novel objects with varying shapes and textures through the use of soft grippers and data-driven learning in a hyper-personalization line. A literature review was conducted to understand the tradeoffs between the deep reinforcement learning (DRL) approach and the deep learning (DL) approach. The DRL approach was found to be data-intensive, complex, and collision-prone. As a result, we opted for a data-driven approach, which to be more specific, is PointNet GPD in this project. In addition, a comprehensive market survey was performed on tactile sensors and soft grippers with consideration of factors such as price, sensitivity, simplicity, and modularity. Based on our study, we chose the Rochu two-fingered soft gripper with our customized force-sensing resistor (FSR) force sensors mounted on the fingertips due to its modularity and compatibility with tactile sensors.

#Article 📜 Design and Experimental Testing of an Ankle Rehabilitation Robot by Ioan Doroftei, Cristina-Magda Cazacu and Stelian Alaci 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g2fisVkt MDPI; Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași; Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava #rehabilitationrobot #anklerehabilitation #robotdesign #modelingandsimulation #experimentaltesting #Abstract The ankle joint (AJ) is a crucial joint in daily life, responsible for providing stability, mobility, and support to the lower limbs during routine activities such as walking, jumping, and running. Ankle joint injuries can occur due to sudden twists or turns, leading to ligament sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations that can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility. When AJ trauma occurs, joint instability happens, causing mobility limitations or even a loss of joint mobility, and rehabilitation therapy is necessary. AJ rehabilitation is critical for those recovering from ankle injuries to regain strength, stability, and function. Common rehabilitation methods include rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), physical therapy, ankle braces, and exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles. Traditional rehabilitation therapies are limited and require constant presence from a therapist, but technological advancements offer new ways to fully recover from an injury. In recent decades there has been an upswing in research on robotics, specifically regarding rehabilitation. Robotic platforms (RbPs) offer several advantages for AJ rehabilitation assistance, including customized training programs, real-time feedback, improved performance monitoring, and increased patient engagement. These platforms use advanced technologies such as sensors, actuators, and virtual reality to help patients recover quicker and more efficiently.

#Article 📜 Design, Topology Optimization, and Additive Manufacturing of a Pneumatically Actuated Lightweight Robot by Dr. Gabriel Dämmer, Sven Gablenz, Rüdiger Neumann and Zoltán Major 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gv2KBCva MDPI; Johannes Kepler Universität Linz #pneumaticactuator #additivemanufacturing #softrobotics #lightweightrobot #topologyoptimization #compliantactuator #industrialrobot #Abstract Soft robotics research has rapidly incorporated Additive Manufacturing (AM) into its standard prototyping repertoire. While numerous publications have highlighted the suitability of AM for producing soft pneumatic actuators, fluidic components, and lightweight structures, their integration into an industry-like robotic arm has not yet been shown. Against this background, a pneumatically actuated robot was developed that incorporates additively manufactured soft structures into rigid articulated hinges that generally allow for integration into today’s industrial production lines. The development of the robot, including pneumatic soft rotary bellows and rotary vane actuators (RVAs), is summarized, and its functionality is proven. It was found that using AM can increase the structural stiffness of robot links to a significant degree as manufacturing-related constraints in topology optimization are largely eliminated. Moreover, it was found that multi-material polyjet printing of soft rotary bellows actuators allows for highly integrated designs that provide low leakage and friction. However, these soft rotary actuators are still inferior in terms of endurance and performance if compared to AM replicas of RVAs. Our work narrows the gap between soft robotics research and today’s industrial applications, may realign research directions, and may provide impulses for the industry towards soft robotics and AM.

#Review 📜 A Review of Recent Developments in Permanent Magnet Eddy Current Couplers Technology by Jiaxing Wang, Dazhi Wang, Sihan Wang, Tailai Tong, Lisong Sun, Wenhui Li, Deshan Kong, Zhong Hua and Guofeng Sun 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gZg4t226 MDPI; Northeastern University #permanentmagneteddycurrentcouplings #PMECCs #eddycurrentdamper #eddycurrentbraking #analyticalanalysis #thermalanalysis #optimaldesign #Abstract Permanent magnet eddy current couplers (PMECCs) have the characteristics of contactless torque transmission, removal of torque ripple, smooth dynamic process, and adjustable speed, and can be used as couplings, dampers, brakes, and speed governors. Their applications in industry, vehicles, and energy fields are gradually expanding. At the same time, the requirements for the torque density and dynamic performance of PMECCs are increasing. Therefore, a large amount of research work has focused on the fast and accurate modeling, design, and optimization of PMECCs. This paper provides a survey on the development of PMECCs technology. The main topics include the structure and classification of PMECCs, modeling methods, loss and heat transfer analysis modeling, and optimization design. In addition, this paper shows the future trends of PMECCs research. All the highlighted insights and suggestions of this review will hopefully lead to increasing efforts toward the model’s construction and the optimal design of PMECCs for future applications.

#Review 📜 A Review on Recent Advances in Piezoelectric Ceramic 3D Printing by Jiwon Park, Dong-Gyu Lee, Sunghoon Hur, Jeong Min Baik, Soo Hyun Kim and Hyun-Cheol Song 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g_5pSvHF MDPI; KIST(Korea Institute of Science and Technology); Korea University 성균관대학교(Sungkyunkwan University) #piezoelectricity #piezoelectricceramics #3Dprinting #Abstract Piezoelectric materials are a class of materials that can generate an electric charge when subjected to mechanical stress, or vice versa. These materials have a wide range of applications, from sensors and actuators to energy-harvesting devices and medical implants. Recently, there has been growing interest in using 3D printing to fabricate piezoelectric materials with complex geometries and tailored properties. Three-dimensional printing allows for the precise control of the material’s composition, microstructure, and shape, which can significantly enhance piezoelectric materials’ performance. Three-dimensional printing has emerged as a promising technique for fabricating piezoelectric materials with tailored properties and complex geometries. The development of high-performance piezoelectric materials using 3D printing could have significant implications for various applications, including sensors, energy harvesting, and medical devices. In this review paper, 3D printing methods for piezoelectric materials, their advantages and disadvantages, representative piezoelectric ceramics, and examples of 3D printing are presented. Furthermore, the applications utilizing these materials are summarized.