Synthetic Muscle Effector for Micro-Robotic Taggant Platforms

The internet of this work is to develop an effector for a micro-robotic taggant sensor platform. The effector is the system component which enables motion and allows the platforms to manipulate its environment. It will be capable of propelling the entire platform and physically attaching it to other objects. The effector is configured as a synthetic muscle which is capable of large amplitude deformation (up to 30% in the direction of motion) and substantial force. It is made of a high temperature metallized plastic and consumes power only when it is moving. In addition, it will be extremely lightweight (density about 1g/cc), capable of high speed proportional response, and of being mass produced in sizes from the 0.6 mm3 Phase I prototype to very large devices. Because of its symmetry the effector will not emit electromagnetic radiation during operation and it may also serve as a displacement sensor. In Phase I we will construct and test a prototype as well as define the materials, fabrication, and design of the Phase II devices.