BIOGEM: A Fully Biodegradable Gelatin-Based McKibben Actuator with Embedded Sensing

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BIOGEM is a fully biodegradable gelatin-based McKibben actuator with integrated resistive sensing using conductive ionic gelatin. Material recipes (plasticizer, sugar) tune Young’s modulus so parts range from rigid end caps to stretchable inner tubes. Design yields 6 N at <10 kPa and peak contraction at 34–40° braid angle, versus 0.3 N at 25 kPa for prior gelatin actuators. Enzyme and backyard soil trials show rapid biodegradation. Prototypes demonstrate lifting, edible interactive interfaces, and a seed-delivery soil bot with onboard deformation sensing.

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1. 0:00Introduction to Biogel
2. 0:23Need for sustainable soft robots
3. 1:05McKibben actuators overview
4. 2:09Existing sustainable approaches
5. 2:31Biogel material and properties
6. 3:54Conductive gelatin sensing
7. 4:37Assembly process
8. 5:27Characterization insights
9. 6:50Customizing actuator performance
10. 7:11Biogel degradability testing
11. 7:31Applications and demos
12. 8:57Future of sustainable robotics
13. 9:18Q&A session