The research team recently published their paper, “Electroadhesive Clutches with Multilayered Architecture">High Performance Electroadhesive Clutches with Multilayered Architecture,” in the journal Science Advances on February 14. Colgate served as the corresponding author, while Bekir Aksoy, a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Robotics and Biosystems, was the first author.

Despite their unique advantages for robotics and human-computer interfaces, electroadhesive (EA) clutches are often plagued by uneven force distribution, which leads to failures when engaged. To tackle this issue, the team employed advanced imaging techniques that allowed them to observe the clutch’s deformation in real time.

“We discovered that uneven force distribution was the primary cause of failure,” Aksoy explained. “To address this, we reimagined the clutch with a multilayer structure and incorporated a soft interlayer that facilitates stress distribution.”

Although the new design decreased stress on the front side, it caused peeling at the back. In response, the team extended the adhesion layer, creating a “tail” that evenly dissipated stress and prevented this peeling phenomenon.

The improved clutch design can now exert 22 Newtons of force over a 1 cm² area at just 100 volts. This surpasses the performance of similar devices on the market, as it minimizes energy loss by utilizing the deformation of the soft layer instead of relying on slipping mechanisms.

Aksoy noted, “This advancement not only enhances the clutch’s force output but also significantly boosts energy efficiency, vital for applications demanding low power consumption.” One promising application is a lightweight wearable device for finger rehabilitation, which aids recovery from conditions such as stroke and arthritis. The potential of this technology continues to excite the team as they explore its applications across robotics, healthcare, and consumer devices.