Scalable microfluidic double-helix weave architecture for wiring of microcapacitor arrays in 3D-printable biomimetic artificial muscles

Practical artificial muscles are highly desirable in a wide range of applications: acoustically quiet underwater propulsion, exoskeletons, walker robots, prosthetics, and medical augments. 3D-printable microfluidic electrostatic biomimetic particular hold high promise for low-cost, energy-efficient, high-strength-to-weight-ratio, manufacturable actuator solutions. Their basic design operational principles have been established. However, there remains major problem to solve as how wire them fluidically electrically scalable, efficient, practicable fashion. This short communication offers an innovative solution this very problem. Herein, each muscle fiber is double helix channels connecting longitudinal arrays microcapacitor plates alternating polarity. The fibers arrayed the two lateral dimensions produce bundles that connected by binary-tree architectures taper off only inputs outputs entire muscle. ensures full scalability, efficient fluidic loading, simple electrical interface, resilience single-point failures. Hence, offered step towards practical implementation their applications. • Electrostatic 3D-printed require scalable architecture. such architecture presented. Our based on double-helix weave fiber. Individual grouped binary tree bundles. Fiber grouping strategies trade tendon strength vs robustness.