Bio-inspired distributed electroactive polymer actuators for possible space applications: Concept design

Technologies for space applications are often considered to be rather conservative, aimed at ensuring reliability and robustness. Nevertheless, novel concepts coming from research activities have been and are always the lymph for the development of successful and competitive new solutions. This paper presents new concepts and ideas inspired by natural systems with distributed actuation embedded in their structure, considered as ideal models for possible uses in space applications. Preliminary concepts for possible technical solutions for long-term future implementations are here proposed and briefly analyzed. Peristaltic-like actuations obtained by the use of dielectric elastomer actuators is proposed as one of the most promising solutions. Experimental performances of a single actuation unit are here presented and directions for future implementations are proposed.