A frog-inspired robot based on liquid-vapor phase transition
Underwater robotics holds significant potential for marine exploration and ecological monitoring, yet conventional systems often face challenges such as noise, structural complexity, and limited adaptability. To address these limitations, this study presents a frog-inspired underwater robot driven b...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Materials & Design |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525003958 |
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| author | Endong Xiao Weihao Zeng Hantao Zhang Wenkai Huang Yetian Wang Weicheng Kong Pengcheng Zhang Junfeng Zhao Jing Zhu |
| author_facet | Endong Xiao Weihao Zeng Hantao Zhang Wenkai Huang Yetian Wang Weicheng Kong Pengcheng Zhang Junfeng Zhao Jing Zhu |
| author_sort | Endong Xiao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Underwater robotics holds significant potential for marine exploration and ecological monitoring, yet conventional systems often face challenges such as noise, structural complexity, and limited adaptability. To address these limitations, this study presents a frog-inspired underwater robot driven by liquid–vapor phase transition technology, designed to emulate the agility and efficiency of biological locomotion. By leveraging the reversible volume change of low-boiling-point phase transition materials (HFO-1336mzz-Z), we developed a lightweight actuator system (≤ 7 g) capable of rapid response (≤0.5 s), high deformation (≥ 120°), and biomimetic flexibility. The robot integrates antagonistic leg mechanisms for dynamic propulsion, frog-inspired webbed feet for enhanced thrust-to-drag ratios (≈ 3), and thermochromic coatings for adaptive camouflage. Experimental results demonstrate a maximum joint angle change of 148°, an angular velocity of 0.88 rad/s, and a maximum propulsion speed of 127 mm/s. Furthermore, the robot successfully completes an ascent of 23 cm within 20 s. This compact, low-cost design overcomes traditional rigid or fluid-driven constraints, offering a novel framework for applications in underwater exploration, environmental sensing, and biomimetic research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-22a9dceb73cf4520a9335ef92a78ff1e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0264-1275 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Materials & Design |
| spelling | doaj-art-22a9dceb73cf4520a9335ef92a78ff1e2025-08-20T02:35:36ZengElsevierMaterials & Design0264-12752025-06-0125411397510.1016/j.matdes.2025.113975A frog-inspired robot based on liquid-vapor phase transitionEndong Xiao0Weihao Zeng1Hantao Zhang2Wenkai Huang3Yetian Wang4Weicheng Kong5Pengcheng Zhang6Junfeng Zhao7Jing Zhu8School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Guangzhou University, PanyuDistrict, Guangdong 511400 Guangzhou, China; High School Affiliated to Guangzhou University, PanyuDistrict, Guangdong 511400 Guangzhou, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Guangzhou University, PanyuDistrict, Guangdong 511400 Guangzhou, ChinaHigh School Affiliated to Guangzhou University, PanyuDistrict, Guangdong 511400 Guangzhou, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Guangzhou University, PanyuDistrict, Guangdong 511400 Guangzhou, China; Corresponding authors.School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Guangzhou University, PanyuDistrict, Guangdong 511400 Guangzhou, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Guangzhou University, PanyuDistrict, Guangdong 511400 Guangzhou, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Guangzhou University, PanyuDistrict, Guangdong 511400 Guangzhou, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Guangzhou University, PanyuDistrict, Guangdong 511400 Guangzhou, ChinaExperimental Center of Guangzhou University, PanyuDistrict, Guangdong 511400 Guangzhou, China; Corresponding authors.Underwater robotics holds significant potential for marine exploration and ecological monitoring, yet conventional systems often face challenges such as noise, structural complexity, and limited adaptability. To address these limitations, this study presents a frog-inspired underwater robot driven by liquid–vapor phase transition technology, designed to emulate the agility and efficiency of biological locomotion. By leveraging the reversible volume change of low-boiling-point phase transition materials (HFO-1336mzz-Z), we developed a lightweight actuator system (≤ 7 g) capable of rapid response (≤0.5 s), high deformation (≥ 120°), and biomimetic flexibility. The robot integrates antagonistic leg mechanisms for dynamic propulsion, frog-inspired webbed feet for enhanced thrust-to-drag ratios (≈ 3), and thermochromic coatings for adaptive camouflage. Experimental results demonstrate a maximum joint angle change of 148°, an angular velocity of 0.88 rad/s, and a maximum propulsion speed of 127 mm/s. Furthermore, the robot successfully completes an ascent of 23 cm within 20 s. This compact, low-cost design overcomes traditional rigid or fluid-driven constraints, offering a novel framework for applications in underwater exploration, environmental sensing, and biomimetic research.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525003958Frog-inspired robotLiquid–vapor phase transition actuatorAntagonistic mechanismBuoyancy controlThermochromism |
| spellingShingle | Endong Xiao Weihao Zeng Hantao Zhang Wenkai Huang Yetian Wang Weicheng Kong Pengcheng Zhang Junfeng Zhao Jing Zhu A frog-inspired robot based on liquid-vapor phase transition Materials & Design Frog-inspired robot Liquid–vapor phase transition actuator Antagonistic mechanism Buoyancy control Thermochromism |
| title | A frog-inspired robot based on liquid-vapor phase transition |
| title_full | A frog-inspired robot based on liquid-vapor phase transition |
| title_fullStr | A frog-inspired robot based on liquid-vapor phase transition |
| title_full_unstemmed | A frog-inspired robot based on liquid-vapor phase transition |
| title_short | A frog-inspired robot based on liquid-vapor phase transition |
| title_sort | frog inspired robot based on liquid vapor phase transition |
| topic | Frog-inspired robot Liquid–vapor phase transition actuator Antagonistic mechanism Buoyancy control Thermochromism |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525003958 |
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