Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a multilayer extendable actuator. The actuator comprises: a first stiffening elastomeric layer; a second stiffening elastomeric layer; a set of middle layers disposed between the stiffening elastomeric layers, the middle layers comprising an elastic elastomeric layer that is more elastic than the stiffening elastomeric layers; and a set of grooves through one or more of the elastomeric layers, the grooves arranged such that a cross-section of the elastomeric layers comprises a wave profile around the grooves, wherein the actuator is extendable such that the elastomeric layers along the wave profile become alternatingly arranged along the extended actuator.

Abstract: The present invention describes soft robotic actuators (300,400). Each robotic actuator (300,400) is made up of a corrugated sleeve (110,110a,210,210a), an expandable blabber (120,220) and a lock member (370,480). The corrugated sleeve (110,110a,210,210a) has a hollow passageway (111,211) with a plurality of folds (112,212) extending along the passageway, with the hollow passageway extending along a length of the corrugated sleeve. The expandable blabber (120,220) is detachably inserted inside the hollow passageway (111,211) and being kept inside the corrugated sleeve (110,110a,210,210a) by the lock member (370,480). In a use application, a fluid medium is communicable into the bladder under pressure through a tubing opening formed on the lock member (370,480) results in reversible inflation of the bladder (120,220).

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns gas sensor and gas sensor arrays and their methods of fabrication. The gas sensor array comprises a chemiresistor array, each chemiresistor comprising a sensing material; a space adjacent to the sensing material in each chemiresistor, the space for providing the VOC to the sensing material; and electronic means in electrical communication with the chemiresistors in order to detect a change in an electrical property of the sensing material upon exposure to the VOC. Each of the sensing material independently comprises a plant extract, each of the plant extract comprises a plant sensory compound at a concentration of about 1 ng/cm3 to about 100 ?g/cm3; and each of the plant extract is electrically resistive, the electrical resistance is configured to change in response to the VOC in the space. The present disclosure also concerns methods of extracting biomolecules from a plant sample.

Abstract: A wearable sensor is described. In an embodiment, the wearable sensor comprises: an electrically conductive contacting member adapted to be in constant electrical contact with a first part of a user of the wearable sensor: an electrically conductive sensing member adapted to detect an input via an electrical contact caused by a second part of the user; and a dielectric sandwiched between the contacting member and the sensing member to provide a sensor capacitance, wherein, in use, the constant electrical contact and the electrical contact caused by the second part of the user forms a capacitive circuit comprising a capacitance of a portion of the user in parallel to the sensor capacitance. A method of sensing using the wearable sensor and a method for forming the wearable sensor are also described.

Abstract: A fluid-driven actuator 100 includes a bending actuator 200 including a first wall portion 201, a second wall portion 203 cooperating with the first wall portion 201 to define an undulating actuator profile. The bending actuator 200 also includes an inner fluid bladder 202 disposed between the first and second wall portions 201,203 and following the undulating actuator profile. The fluid-driven actuator 100 further includes a restraint member 300 arranged to cooperate with the bending actuator 200 to produce a plurality of motions in response to fluid supplied to the inner fluid bladder 202.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a robotic gripper comprising: a body; a plurality of displacement mechanisms; a plurality of finger modules removably connected or connectable to the body, such that each finger module engages with a respective displacement mechanism; each finger module comprising a finger actuator cooperative with the other finger actuators for gripping an object; and each displacement mechanism is configured for moving the respective finger module to adjust its arrangement on the body, thereby configuring the robotic gripper for gripping the object.

Abstract: A gripping device comprising: a base; at least one pair of extendable linkages connected at a proximal end to the base; each extendable linkage having a gripping finger extending from a distal end of the extendable linkage; wherein the extendable linkages are arranged to extend or retract from the base so as to increase a radial distance between the gripping fingers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for collecting part of an exhaled breath. The apparatus comprises a chamber comprising an internal surface defining a sample collection volume that has been functionalised to not interact chemically or physically with volatile components in the breath, an inlet end and outlet end through which the breath respectively enters and exits the sample collection volume. The apparatus also includes two closures, one at each of the inlet end and the outlet end to control passage of the breath through the respective inlet end or outlet end, the closures being actuated to capture the part of the exhaled breath, and a sampling port accessible from outside the chamber and in communication with the sample collection volume. The chamber is further tapered in its diameter toward each of the inlet end and outlet end to maintain laminar flow through the chamber.

Abstract: An actuator array includes an elongated base and a plurality of pneumatic actuator elements removably attached to the base. The base is made of a pliant and inextensible material. The actuator elements are configured to be inflated and interfere with each other in use to generate a bending motion supported by the base. At least one parameter associated with the actuator elements is selected to control a three-dimensional (3-D) profile of the bending motion.

Abstract: A fluid-driven actuator 100 is disclosed herein. In a specific embodiment, the fluid-driven actuator 100 comprises a bending actuator 200 including a first wall portion 201, a second wall portion 203 cooperating with the first wall portion 201 to define an undulating actuator profile. The bending actuator 200 also includes an inner fluid bladder 202 disposed between the first and second wall portions 201,203 and following the undulating actuator profile. The fluid-driven actuator 100 further comprises a restraint member 300 arranged to cooperate with the bending actuator 200 to produce a plurality of motions in response to fluid supplied to the inner fluid bladder 202. Methods of producing the fluid-driven actuator are also disclosed.

Abstract: An actuator device, a method and a system for limb rehabilitation, and a pneumatic actuator element. The actuator device for limb rehabilitation comprises one or more pneumatic actuator elements; and means for coupling the pneumatic actuator elements to the limb at or near one or more joints of the limb; wherein each pneumatic actuator element comprises: an expandable main body having a longitudinal axis; one or more channel networks formed in the main body such that, in an acquiescent state of the pneumatic actuator element, a projected length of each channel network along the longitudinal axis is shorter than a total channel length of said each channel network.

Abstract: System, device and methods for brainwave-based technologies. The system for measuring and processing brainwave data of a user comprises one or more electrodes for measuring the brainwave data of the user, and a processing unit coupled to the electrodes and configured to process the brainwave data for determining a current mental state of the user and to generate, based on the current mental state of the user, a control signal for instructing activation of a means for manipulating the current mental state of the user.