Researchers create 3D printed sweating robot muscle

At Cornell University, a group of researchers have created a 3D printed sweating robot muscle. By enabling the robot hand to sweat, the muscle can regulate its temperature in the same way that mammals do. The researchers explained that thermal management is essential to allow robots to work over a long period of time without overheating. According to the lead researcher on this project, Rob Shepherd, this form of thermal management is a viable solution thanks to additive manufacturing.

The team’s research, Automatic Perspiration in 3D Printed Hydrogel Actuators, was published in Science Robotics and details the method that enables the robot muscle to sweat. In fact, if the high-torque density motors and exothermic engines that power a robot overheat, the robot will cease to operate. This is even more of an issue with soft robots that are made of synthetic materials. So why not take inspiration from mammals and allow the robot hand to sweat?

One of the research scientists explains: “The ability to perspire is one of the most remarkable features of humans. Sweating takes advantage of evaporated water loss to rapidly dissipate heat and can cool below the ambient environmental temperature. So as is often the case, biology provided an excellent guide for us as engineers.”