In the pursuit of innovative actuator technologies, a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has developed a novel bio-inspired shape memory alloy (SMA)-based linear actuator. The team, led by Kanhaiya Lal Chaurasiya and including Ruchira Kumar Pradhan, Yashaswi Sinha, Shivam Gupta, Ujjain Kumar Bidila, Digambar Killedar, Kapil Das Sahu, and Bishakh Bhattacharya, has published their findings in the journal Mechanisms and Machine Theory.
The researchers aimed to address the limitations of conventional electromagnetism-based actuators, which often have limited efficiency, bulky size, complex designs, and high costs. To overcome these challenges, they turned to bio-inspired design principles and the unique properties of shape memory alloys. The team developed a mathematical model of a multi-layered bipenniform configuration-based SMA actuator and validated it experimentally. The bipenniform architecture, inspired by nature, generates high force in the given physiological region, while the SMA provides a high power-to-weight ratio.
The developed actuator demonstrates promising results, generating an actuation force of 257 N with a 15 V input voltage, which falls within the acceptable range for actuation operation. Compared to an industry-developed stepper motor-driven actuator, the bio-inspired SMA-based linear actuator offers several advantages. It achieves a 67% reduction in the weight of the drive mechanism, uses 80% fewer components, reduces costs by 32%, and saves 19% energy, all while maintaining similar envelope dimensions for easy onsite deployment.
The practical applications of this advanced design are vast, ranging from building automation controls to lightweight actuation systems for space robotics and medical prosthetics. The research highlights the potential of integrating bio-inspired design principles and smart materials into the energy sector, offering more efficient, cost-effective, and adaptable solutions for various industrial needs.
The research was published in the journal Mechanisms and Machine Theory, providing a solid foundation for further exploration and development of SMA-based actuators in the energy industry.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.