Abstract: A hybrid actuation device includes an artificial muscle, a first plate coupled to a second plate, and a shape memory alloy wire. The artificial muscle includes a housing, a first electrode and a second electrode, and a dielectric fluid. The housing includes a first film layer, a second film layer, an electrode region, and an expandable fluid region. The first electrode and the second electrode are each disposed in the electrode region of the housing. The dielectric fluid is disposed within the housing. The first plate and the second plate are positioned within the housing, the first plate positioned between the first film layer and the first electrode, and the second plate positioned between the second film layer and the second electrode. The shape memory alloy wire extends from the first plate to the second plate and through the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: An artificial muscle assembly includes an electronic device and a power supply. The electronic device includes a flexible terminal having a contact surface. The power supply includes a rigid power supply connector electrically coupled to the terminal of the electronic device. The power supply connector having a contact surface. A spacer provided between and in contact with the contact surface of the terminal and the contact surface of the power supply connector. The spacer is physically compliant and electrically conductive.

Abstract: An artificial muscle includes a housing having an electrode region, an expandable fluid region, and a pass through region formed between the electrode region and the expandable fluid region. The artificial muscle further includes an electrode pair having a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode including a central opening coaxial with the pass through region and the expandable fluid region, and a dielectric fluid is disposed in the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: An artificial muscle includes a housing including an electrode region and an expandable fluid region; an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair comprising a first electrode positioned adjacent a first surface of the housing and a second electrode positioned adjacent a second surface of the housing, the first electrode and the second electrode each having a first end proximate the expandable fluid region and a second end opposite the expandable fluid region; a dielectric fluid housed within the housing; and a clamping device applying a force against the first electrode and the second electrode at the second end of the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: An artificial muscle including a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, the housing defining an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, a strain sensor integrated into at least one of the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion of the housing, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the electrode pair is configured to actuate between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region to deform the strain sensor.

Abstract: An artificial muscle stack that includes a plurality of artificial muscle layers. Each artificial muscle layer includes one or more artificial muscles having a housing with an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair having a first and second electrode positioned in the electrode region. The first and second electrodes each include two or more tab portions and two or more bridge portions. The two or more bridge portions interconnects adjacent tab portions. At least one of the first and second electrode includes a central opening positioned between the tab portions and encircling the expandable fluid region. The plurality of artificial muscle layers are arranged such that the expandable fluid region of the artificial muscles of each artificial muscle layer overlaps at least one tab portion of one or more artificial muscles of an adjacent artificial muscle layer.

Abstract: An artificial muscle includes a housing including an electrode region and an expandable fluid region; an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair comprising a first electrode positioned adjacent a first surface of the housing and a second electrode positioned adjacent a second surface of the housing, the first electrode and the second electrode each having a first end proximate the expandable fluid region and a second end opposite the expandable fluid region; a dielectric fluid housed within the housing; and a clamping device applying a force against the first electrode and the second electrode at the second end of the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: A braking system that includes a translatable braking mechanism selectively engageable with a wheel assembly, one or more artificial muscles contacting a support plate and disposed adjacent the translatable braking mechanism. Each of the one or more artificial muscles includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair having a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region thereby applying pressure to the translatable braking mechanism, inducing frictional engagement between the translatable braking mechanism and the wheel assembly.

Abstract: An artificial muscle that includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode, and an electrode insulator having one or more insulation layers. The electrode insulator is disposed on an inner electrode surface of the first electrode of the electrode pair. The second electrode includes a free inner electrode surface exposed to the dielectric fluid when the electrode pair is in a non-actuated state. The electrode pair is actuatable between the non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: A temporary cast that includes an exterior shell, a lining body including an inner layer, one or more integrated pressure sensors communicatively coupled to a controller, and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed between the inner layer and the exterior shell. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles is communicatively coupled to the controller and includes a housing including an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing, where the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated and actuated states such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: Modular inflation systems and inflation segments including an inflation enclosure and a plurality of artificial muscle layers provided within the inflation enclosure in a stacked arrangement, each of the plurality of artificial muscle layers including one or more artificial muscles, wherein one or more plurality of artificial muscles of each of the plurality of artificial muscle layers are operable between an actuated state and a non-actuated state, and one or more fastening members for attaching the inflation segment to another inflation segment.

Abstract: A variable stiffening device that includes a flexible envelope having a fluid chamber, a dielectric fluid housed within the fluid chamber, and an electrode stack that includes a plurality of electrodes and one or more abrasive strips. The electrode stack is housed within the fluid chamber and is configured to receive voltage. In addition, the one or more abrasive strips are each positioned between adjacent electrodes, such that when voltage is applied to the electrode stack thereby electrostatically drawing adjacent electrodes together, the one or more abrasive strips generate frictional engagement between adjacent electrodes to actuate the variable stiffening device from a relaxed state to a rigid state.

Abstract: A hybrid actuation device including a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate, a shape memory alloy wire coupled to the first plate and the second plate, a bladder positioned between the first plate and the second plate, the bladder housing a fluid, a first fixed electrode coupled to the second plate, and a flexible electrode coupled to the first plate and extending along the first fixed electrode.

Abstract: A hybrid actuation device including an artificial muscle is disclosed. The artificial muscle includes a housing including a first reinforcing thread extending across an expandable fluid region of the housing, an electrode pair positioned in an electrode region of the housing, and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode positioned adjacent a first surface of the housing and a second electrode positioned adjacent a second surface of the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region. The first reinforcing thread restricts expansion of the expandable fluid region when the electrode pair is in the actuated state.

Abstract: A hybrid actuation device that includes a first plate coupled to a second plate, a shape memory alloy wire coupled to the first plate, and an artificial muscle positioned between the first plate and the second plate. The artificial muscle includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a first electrode and a second electrode each disposed in the electrode region of the housing and a dielectric fluid disposed within the housing. The expandable fluid region of the housing is positioned apart from a perimeter of the first plate and the second plate. A first alignment aid is positioned between the first plate and the first electrode, the first alignment aid having an inner surface facing the first plate and an outer surface facing the first electrode.

Abstract: An artificial muscle including a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, the housing defining an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, a strain sensor integrated into at least one of the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion of the housing, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the electrode pair is configured to actuate between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region to deform the strain sensor.

Abstract: A variable stiffening device that include a first electrode structure and a second electrode structure. The first electrode structure includes an electrode extension that extends into a cavity defined between an electrode of the first electrode structure and an opposing electrode of the second electrode structure. The first and second electrode structures may be arranged in a load-bearing state by applying a voltage thereto to electrostatically attract the electrode to the opposing electrode to press the electrode extension within the cavity. Friction between the electrode extension and engaging surfaces defining the cavity prevent the electrode extension from slipping within the cavity, thereby maintaining a structural relationship among the components of the first and second electrode structures in response to an application of a load to the variable stiffening device.

Abstract: An artificial muscle system includes an artificial muscle and a power supply. The artificial muscle includes an electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode, an electrical insulator membrane fixed to the second electrode, a housing including an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, the electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing. The power supply includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The positive terminal is electrically coupled to the second electrode. The negative terminal is electrically coupled to the first electrode. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: A hybrid actuation device that includes a first plate coupled to a second plate, a shape memory alloy wire coupled to the first plate, and an artificial muscle stack positioned between the first plate and the second plate. The artificial muscle stack includes a plurality of artificial muscles stacked in a vertical arrangement. Each artificial muscle includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a first electrode and a second electrode each disposed in the electrode region of the housing and a dielectric fluid disposed within the housing. The expandable fluid region of the housing is positioned apart from a perimeter of the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: A composite material including a black pigment and a textile material. The composite material has a reflectivity toward near infrared electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from 800 nm to 2500 nm of greater than or equal to 12%, and has a reflectivity toward visible light having a wavelength from 350 nm to 750 nm of less than or equal to 10%. The composite material also has a blackness (My) from 125 to 165.