3D-printable Sustainable Gelatin/Ethaline (GelEth) Ionic Eutectogels for Soft Wearables

Yuchen Wang, Yi Jiang, Sergey Nechausov, Aslan Miriyev

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The push for sustainability in soft robotics has exposed the field's reliance on non-biodegradable materials like thermosetting elastomers, driving the need for eco-friendly alternatives such as biopolymers and deep eutectic solvents (DES). When combined with biopolymers like gelatin, DES form stable, ionically conductive eutectogels, which are well-suited for capacitance- and resistance-based soft sensors. However, the lack of 3D-printing methods for these eutectogels has limited their design flexibility and application in soft robotics. In this work, we present a method and platform for 3D-printing of gelatin/ethaline (GelEth) eutectogels. Our platform, featuring a heated print head and coolable stage, was designed based on material properties and thermal simulations. We successfully 3D-printed GelEth into complex shapes. Moreover, we 3D-printed GelEth mesh structures on kinesiology tape to create on-body strain sensors for joint motion monitoring in the elbow and cervicothoracic junction, which demonstrated consistently excellent strain detection performance. The simplicity and low cost of both the developed 3D-printing platform and the fully sustainable GelEth material offer opportunities for personalized, on-demand use in disposable or reusable modes. We propose that 3D-printed GelEth has significant potential for applications in medical and rehabilitation devices, haptics, and AR/VR systems.

Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publication2025 IEEE 8th International Conference on Soft Robotics, RoboSoft 2025
ISBN (Electronic)9798331520205
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2025
Event8th IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics, RoboSoft 2025 - Lausanne, Switzerland
Duration: 22 Apr 202526 Apr 2025

Publication series

Name2025 IEEE 8th International Conference on Soft Robotics, RoboSoft 2025

Conference

Conference8th IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics, RoboSoft 2025
Country/TerritorySwitzerland
CityLausanne
Period22/04/2526/04/25

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Materials Science (miscellaneous)
  • Control and Optimization
  • Modelling and Simulation
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Instrumentation
  • Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition

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