Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39885138›Full record

ArticleNature communications2025

Monolithic electrostatic actuators with independent stiffness modulation.

Yuejun Xu, Jian Wen, Etienne Burdet, Majid Taghavi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Architected Load Paths Enable Stiffening and Motion Programming in Soft Pneumatic Actuators.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Yuejun XuDepartment of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-2788-5018
Jian WenDepartment of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Etienne BurdetDepartment of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2123-0185
Majid TaghaviDepartment of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK. m.taghavi@imperial.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9742-5931

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Robotic artificial muscles, inspired by the adaptability of biological muscles, outperform rigid robots in dynamic environments due to their flexibility. However, the intrinsic compliance of the soft actuators restricts force transmission capacity and dynamic response. Biological muscle modulates their stiffness and damping, varying viscoelastic properties and force in interaction with the surroundings. Here we replicate this function in the electro-stiffened ribbon actuator, a monolithic strong actuator capable of high contraction and stiffness modulation. electro-stiffened ribbon actuator employs dielectric-liquid-amplified electrostatic forces for contraction, and electrorheological fluid for rapid (<10 ms) stiffness and damping adjustments. This seamless integration enables contractile force modulation, extending its capability as a lightweight variable resistance passive spring by over 2.5 times, and improves its dynamic responses, with faster contractions and rapid attenuation of oscillations by more than 50%. We demonstrate electro-stiffened ribbon actuator's versatility in active, passive and dual connection functions, including arm-bending wearable robotics, robotic arms with variable impact resistance and muscle-like stiffness and damping modulation.

Indexed as

RoboticsStatic ElectricityBiomechanical PhenomenaElasticityEquipment DesignHumansMuscle ContractionMuscle, SkeletalViscosityWearable Electronic Devices

Identifiers

PMID39885138
PMCPMC11782490

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.