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Materials Science in Additive Manufacturing 3D-printed LMPA-integrated soft robots

Furthermore, the ability of the LMPA to transition or indirectly. Other authors declare that they have no
between states opens up new possibilities for the design competing interests.
and application of soft robots. This state-changing
capability can be leveraged to create more versatile and Author contributions
adaptable robotic systems that can perform a wider range Conceptualization: Jingchao Jiang and Wei–Hsin Liao
of tasks with improved efficiency and performance. The Formal analysis: Liuchao Jin, Kang Zhang, Jingchao Jiang,
use of material extrusion and 3D printing technologies also and Wei–Hsin Liao
allows for the precise and customizable fabrication of these Investigation: Liuchao Jin, Xiaoya Zhai, Kang Zhang, and
soft grippers, enabling the creation of intricate designs that Jingchao Jiang
are tailored to specific applications. Methodology: Liuchao Jin, Xiaoya Zhai, and Jingchao Jiang
However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations Writing – original draft: Liuchao Jin and Jingchao Jiang
of this method. The thermal processes involved in heating Writing – review and editing: Jingchao Jiang and Wei–Hsin
and cooling the LMPA require time, which can lead Liao
to extended durations in the process of transporting
objects. This time factor may pose a challenge in Ethics approval and consent to participate
applications where rapid response and quick operations Not applicable.
are critical. Future research could focus on optimizing the
thermal management and control systems to reduce the Consent for publication
transition times and enhance the overall efficiency of the Not applicable.
LMPA-integrated soft grippers.
The integration of LMPA into soft grippers through Availability of data
material extrusion presents a promising approach to The data supporting the findings of this study are available
address the energy consumption challenges in soft robotics. within the article.
This innovation not only enhances the energy efficiency
and mechanical performance of the soft grippers but also References
paves the way for more versatile and adaptable robotic 1. Gibson I, Rosen DW, Stucker B, et al. Additive Manufacturing
systems. Despite the current limitations, the potential Technologies. Vol. 17. Germany. Springer; 2021.
benefits and applications of this technology are significant,
warranting further exploration and development in the doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2113-3
field of soft robotics. 2. Zhai X, Jin L, Jiang J. A survey of additive manufacturing
reviews. Mater Sci Addit Manuf. 2022;1(4):21.
Acknowledgments doi: 10.18063/msam.v1i4.21

The authors are grateful for the experimental support 3. Jiang J. A survey of machine learning in additive
from Zhichao Shen and Qitao Lu. For the purpose of open manufacturing technologies. Int J Comput Integr Manuf.
access, the authors have applied a Creative Commons 2023;36(9):1258-1280.
Attribution (CC BY) license to any Author Accepted doi: 10.1080/0951192X.2023.2177740
Manuscript version arising from this submission.
4. Jin L, Zhai X, Wang K, et al. Big data, machine learning,
Funding and digital twin assisted additive manufacturing: A review.
Mater Des. 2024;244:113086.
This work was funded by the Research Grants Council
(C4074-22G), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2024.113086
China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Project ID: 5. Uriondo A, Esperon-Miguez M, Perinpanayagam S.
3110174), Provincial Natural Science Foundation of Anhui The present and future of additive manufacturing in the
(2208085QA01), and Fundamental Research Funds for the aerospace sector: A review of important aspects. Proc Inst
Central Universities (WK0010000075). Mech Eng G J Aerosp Eng. 2015;229(11):2132-2147.
doi: 10.1177/0954410014568797
Conflicts of interest
6. Lu Z, San SLL, Tan MJ, An J, Zhang Y, Chua CK. Preliminary
Jingchao Jiang serves as the Editorial Board Member of the investigation on tensile and fatigue properties of ti6al4v
journal but was not in any way involved in the editorial manufactured by selected laser melting. Mater Sci Addit
and peer-review process conducted for this paper, directly Manuf. 2023;2(2):0912.

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2024) 7 doi: 10.36922/msam.4144