On 10 January 2024 at 1:00 pm, Dr. Manmatha Mahato from Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) will give a virtual seminar on “Electroionic Artificial Muscles for Biomedical Soft Robots” at the University of Southern Denmark. This seminar is organized by SDU Soft Robotics and is open to the public.
Zoom: https://syddanskuni.zoom.us/j/63066835448
Abstract: Soft artificial muscles often lack high bending displacement with back relaxation and irregular response characteristics under low input voltages. This presentation will specifically focus on electroionic artificial muscles constructed from covalent-organic and metal-organic frameworks (COFs and MOFs), showcasing their ability to achieve controlled high bending deformation at low input voltages [1, 2]. We will provide a brief overview of the design process involved in COFs and MOFs to address existing issues and optimize electrochemical actuation. Additionally, we will explore using MOFs to create dual-responsive magnetoactive and electro-ionic soft artificial muscles [3]. This innovative approach enables natural, safe, and intricate motions in robotic interactions. Finally, this presentation will outline the potential and future trajectory of electroionic artificial muscles, particularly in developing intelligent catheters for targeted drug delivery and other biomedical applications.
Bio: Manmatha Mahato is a research associate professor at Soft Robotics and Intelligent Materials (SRIM) Lab, KAIST. He is an expert in electro-ionic artificial muscles. Mahato received his PhD on functional polymer membranes from the Indian Institute of Technology, Khargapur in 2017. Prior to his postdoc research at KAIST, he worked as a product head at research and development for Aakar Innovations in India from 2017 to 2018. In 2019, he joined the SRIM Lab at KAIST to focus on developing new COFs and MOFs as active materials for high-performance artificial muscles. Currently, he leads the group of Soft Robotics and Artificial Muscles and mentors PhD and master students at SRIM Lab. Additionally, he was awarded the prestigious 2022 NANO KOREA Young Scientist Award.
[1] Mahato, M., Tabassian, R., Nguyen, V. H., Oh, S., Nam, S., Hwang, W. J., & Oh, I. K. (2020). CTF-based soft touch actuator for playing electronic piano. Nature communications, 11(1), 5358.
[2] Mahato, M., Garai, M., Nguyen, V.H., Oh, S., Nam, S., Zeng, X., Yoo, H., Tabassian, R. and Oh, I.K. (2023). Polysulfonated covalent organic framework as active electrode host for mobile cation guests in electrochemical soft actuator. Science Advances, 9(50), eadk9752.
[3] Mahato, M., Hwang, W.J., Tabassian, R., Oh, S., Nguyen, V.H., Nam, S., Kim, J.S., Yoo, H., Taseer, A.K., Lee, M.J. and Zhang, H. (2022). A Dual‐Responsive Magnetoactive and Electro–Ionic Soft Actuator Derived from a Nickel‐Based Metal–Organic Framework. Advanced Materials, 34(35), 2203613.