3D-Printed Electrohydrodynamic Pump and Development of Anti-Swelling Organohydrogel for Soft Robotics

This study introduces advancements in electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps and the development of a 3D-printable anti-swelling organohydrogel for soft robotics. Using digital light processing (DLP)technology, precise components with less than 1% size variation are fabricated, enabling a unique manifold pump array. This design achieves an output pressure of 90.2 kPa—18 times higher than traditional configurations—and a flow rate of 800 mL min⁻¹, surpassing previous EHD pumps. To address swelling issues in dielectric liquids, a novel organohydrogel is developed with Young's modulus of 0.33 MPa, 300% stretchability, and a swelling ratio under 10%. Its low swelling is attributed to the shield effect and edge length confinement effect. This durable material ensures consistent pump performance under mechanical stresses like bending and twisting, crucial for dynamic soft robotic environments. These innovations significantly improve EHD pump efficiency and reliability, expanding their potential applications in soft robotics, bioengineering, and vertical farming.