Nylon Fabrics Research Articles

Development of 3D-printed braces protocol for juvenile idiopathic scoliosis: From the torso measurement and mechanical properties to preliminary experience on fitting

Background: There has been no standard for a rapid prototyping process in manufacturing of the 3D-printed brace with respect to its design, biomechanical properties, procedures, and brace adjustment and fitting. Objective: Objective of this study was to develop the 3D-printed brace protocol for juvenile idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: With the help of the Torso Measurement Frame, the child stands still and is positioned with 1 of 2 manipulation techniques by the physician. Although the patient is in the corrected position, a hand-held scanner registers the three-dimentional (3D) torso, and then the brace is designed using computer aided design (CAD) model. Finite element analysis is used to determine the minimum required thickness of the brace. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) material (thermoplastic polymers) and DuraForm PA plastic (Nylon) material were printed by 2 different systems, respectively, and were tested using standard tensile test procedures. Results: The minimum thickness of the brace should be 2 mm to maintain a standard structural factor of safety twice that of the material failure strength. The strain in elongation was less for the ABS compared to the 3D-printed Nylon (6% vs. 14%), and the tensile strength was reduced more for ABS as compared to Nylon (42% vs. 14%). The ABS brace could not withstand changes in tension and cracked when drilled into, heat flared, or donned tightly. However, the Nylon brace improved strength and eliminated the vulnerable aspects. Conclusions: The Nylon material for the 3D-printed brace improved ease of adjustments in trimming, drilling, and heat modifications for better fit and function.

Development of a method for evaluating fabric surface contamination by particulate matter using fluorescent particles

Functional clothing products are being developed to prevent the attachment of particulate matter (PM). However, currently, PM-blocking performance of such products cannot be quantitatively evaluated. This study developed a method for measuring fabric surface contamination by PM by contaminating textile fabrics with PM and using an image processing technique. Silicate particles exhibiting fluorescence characteristics with a suitable size distribution were selected as PM simulants. The fabric surface contamination was calculated by contaminating textile fabrics under wind speed and PM concentration conditions similar to actual atmospheric environment. The number of pixels was obtained in the black and white binary images converted from the images of the textile fabrics captured under an ultraviolet (UV) light source. Experiments were performed using finished nylon fabric with PM-blocking performance and raw nylon fabric without PM-blocking performance. Comparison of the fabric surface contamination shows that it is possible to evaluate the PM-blocking performance of fabrics.

Green extraction of colorants from achiote seeds for dyeing mordanted nylon fabric

The extraction of sustainable colorants requires energy efficient technology for their eco-application in different fields. For current study on nylon fabric, the natural dye from achiote (Bixa orellana) has been extracted in aqueous and acidic media and valorized through microwave (MW) radiation. MW treatment has been applied to both extracted biomolecule and nylon fabric up to 10 min and the dyeing variables were optimized using statistical model. For getting permanent shades eco-salts of Al (III) and Fe (II) as well as biomolecules from waste plant materials (pomegranate and myrobalan) were utilized. ISO methods for assessment of colorfast shades have been employed. It was found that for nylon, by MW treatment of the dye material and polymeric stuff for 4 min, good color yield in terms of color strength (K/S=29.52) is obtained. It has been observed that when MW treated extract (pH=6) is employed at 40 °C for 55 min, good quality shade of high strength is obtained by using selected amounts of eco-chemical and organic molecules. It is concluded that MW treatment should be given to dyeing process for getting effective yield and tannin based green molecules as organic mordant can used to make dyeing process more ecofriendly and sustainable.

Failure mechanism and crashworthiness optimization of variable stiffness nested origami crash box

In recent years, the study of the crashworthiness of lightweight and efficient thin-walled energy-absorbing structures has received increasing attention. In this work, 3D printing technology was adopted to create a nested origami crash box with stiffness variation, which was made of short carbon fiber reinforced nylon material. The structure effectively inhibits the development of failure behavior of short carbon fiber-reinforced nylon origami crash box due to material brittleness. The quasi-static compression experiment results indicate that compared to origami crash box, nested origami crash box improves by 40% in specific energy absorption and 50% in crash force efficiency, while the initial peak crushing force remains unchanged. The effects of three key geometrical parameters, namely dihedral angle, distance between tubes, and height difference on the damage mechanism of the nested origami crash box are discussed in detail using the finite element method, and the response surface model combined with the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II is used for multi-objective optimization. In this work, the concepts of origami theory and nested systems are integrated for the first time, aiming to achieve a stable and efficient energy-absorbing deformation mode by precisely modulating the stress transfer path of the structure and its stiffness. This work provides new ideas for the design and fabrication of novel lightweight energy-absorption boxes.

Synthesis and characterization of some new Schiff base azo disperse dyes based on chromene moiety for simultaneous dyeing and antimicrobial finishing

New azo Schiff base disperse dyes based on a chromene moiety were synthesized by reacting (2-amino-7-hydroxy-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4 H-chromene-3 carbonitrile) and(2-amino-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-7-hydroxy-4 H-chromene-3-carbonitrile), with vanillin and ninhydrin, producing new chromene Schiff base derivatives, which in turn were coupled with 2-chloro-4-nitroaniline diazonium salt to give new 4 azo disperse dyes (1–4). The structures of the prepared dyes were confirmed using elemental analysis, 1HNMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and IR. The synthesized dyes were applied to polyester and nylon fabrics using different dyeing techniques: high temperature- high pressure, and ultrasonic dyeing methods. The highest K/S values for all investigated dyes were achieved usinga high temperature-high pressure dyeing technique. Also, the color reflectance of all synthesized dyes with different dyeing shades (1%, 2%, and 3%) was obtained. The fastness properties of the dyed samples using the investigated dyes showed good color fastness toward light, washing, rubbing, and perspiration fastness. The presence of a chromene moiety and Schiff base in the investigated dyes promotes a higher antimicrobial activity on nylon and polyester fabrics against all tested bacteria (E. coli gram-negative and Staphylococcus aureus gram-positive) and two fungi, Aspergillus Niger and Candida albicans.

Valorisation of sodium lignosulfonate from wood pulping industries for the enhancement of moisture management properties of nylon fabric

Nylon fabric has poor moisture management properties due to the absence of hydroxyl groups. In this work, an attempt has been made to enhance the moisture management properties of nylon fabric using sodium lignosulfonate (SLS). SLS is an essential by-product of the wood pulping industry. Various concentrations of the SLS were prepared in an aqueous medium, and the nylon fabric was treated with them using the exhaust method. The effects of the parameters of the treatment process are analyzed using Box–Behnken response surface design of experiment and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Upon testing the water vapour transmittance rate (WVTR), it was found that the SLS treatment is efficacious in improving moisture management. Water contact angle is reduced to 10.6° from 105.3° after the coating, which proves the achievement of hydrophilic surface. The average wetting time of nylon fabrics decreased by 78% after the SLS treatment. A significant increase in the bending modulus, flexural rigidity, and coefficient of the SLS-treated fabrics is observed when SLS concentration is high. After the SLS treatment, wetting time decreases, absorption rate increases, spreading speed increases, and overall moisture management capacity (OMMC) increases significantly. The SLS coating over the nylon surface is found to be durable with excellent rating for light and washing fastness.

Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents and their ecological stoichiometric characteristics in leaf litter from the Jianfengling Tropical Montane Rainforest.

Investigating carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents and ecological stoichiometric characteristics in leaf litter from tropical rainforests is crucial for elucidating nutrient cycling and energy flow in forest ecosystems. In this study, a 60-ha tropical montane rainforest dynamic monitoring plot in Jianfengling, was selected as the research site and 60 subplots were selected for detailed study. Leaf litter was collected monthly throughout 2016, branches of similar height were placed atthe four corners of each sample square to support a nylon cloth (1 m× 1 m) with 1 mm apertures. The collected plant leaves were sorted,placed into envelopes, labelled, and transported to the laboratory and samples from various plant species were identified, resulting in a total of 107 samples collected and analyzed. For the 31 dominant species, the leaf litter had C, N and P contents of 312.71 ± 28.42, 4.95 ± 0.46 and 0.40 ± 0.03 g/kg, respectively. The C:N, C:P and N:P ratios were 63.61 ± 7.50, 790.91 ± 82.30 and 12.49 ± 1.00, respectively, indicating moderate variability. The C, N and P contents exhibited greater variability among the plant groups, indicating significant heterogeneity among the samples. In contrast, the data from the subplots exhibited less variability, highlighting significant homogeneity. Overall, the mean carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents in the leaf litter from tropical montane rainforests were lower than those observed at national and global scales. The N:P ratios in leaf litter below 14 indicated that nitrogen limited litter decomposition in Jianfengling. However, no significant correlations were observed between the C, N and P contents and their stoichiometric ratios in leaf litter and those in soil. The above results provide important reference data and scientific basis for the nutrient cycling and energy flow processes, and in the future, we can explore the limiting role and mechanism of nitrogen in the decomposition process of leaf litter.

Design and Implementation of A Low-Cost Parachute Landing System for Fixed-Wing Mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Fixed-wing mini-UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) face difficulties due to the need for runways during take-off and landing. While fixed-wing UAVs are capable of using catapults during take-off, various landing systems are required for landing. Therefore, in this study, a parachute system design and production were carried out for the safe landing of fixed-wing mini-UAVs. The produced parachute utilized ultra-lightweight ripstop nylon fabric and suspension lines, while a carbon fiber tube was chosen for the launching system for its lightweight and strength. The parachute deployment system was triggered by a servo motor with low power consumption and high torque. During tests, the parachute was activated at a height of 47 meters during flight. The parachute deployment was completed in 1.42 seconds, and the descent with the parachute lasted 11 seconds. The vertical descent speed of the parachute during landing was measured at 4.27 m/s. The produced parachute landing system was manufactured at 71% lower cost compared to existing parachute landing systems in the literature and on the market. Additionally, the ultra-light ripstop parachute weighed 56 grams, making it 12% lighter than similar systems. Considering the advantages in terms of cost and weight, it is anticipated that parachute landing systems will be increasingly used for fixed-wing UAVs in the future.

Parasitic plants regulate C and N distribution among common mycorrhizal networks linking host and neighboring plants.

Common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) can link multiple plants and distribute nutrients among them. However, how parasitic plants regulate the carbon and nutrient exchange between CMNs and the linked plants is unknown. Thus, we conducted a container experiment with two Trifolium pratense grown in two plastic cores and connected only by CMNs using a 25-μm nylon fabric in each container. Host T. pratense was parasitized or not parasitized by Cuscuta gronovii. CMNs were left intact or broken by rotating the cores with the host or neighboring T. pratense. The dual 15N and 13C labeling method was used to evaluate the N distributed by CMNs to the host and neighboring T. pratense and the recently fixed C from the host and neighboring T. pratense to CMNs. The results showed that CMNs distributed more 15N to unparasitized neighboring T. pratense than the parasitized host T. pratense. Moreover, the unparasitized neighboring T. pratense provides more recently fixed C to CMNs than the parasitized host T. pratense. These results revealed that the parasite regulated C and nutrient exchange between CMNs and the linked plants following the reciprocal rewards rule. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of parasitic plants in the regulation of mutualistic interactions in ecological webs.

Self-regulating heating and self-powered flexible fiber fabrics at low temperature

Self-regulating heating and self-powered flexibility are pivotal for future wearable devices. However, the low energy-conversion rate of wearable devices at low temperatures limits their application in plateaus and other environments. This study introduces an azopolymer with remarkable semicrystallinity and reversible photoinduced solid-liquid transition ability that is obtained through copolymerization of azobenzene (Azo) monomers and styrene. A composite of one such copolymer with an Azo: styrene molar ratio of 9:1 (copolymer is denoted as PAzo9:1-co-polystyrene (PS)) and nylon fabrics (NFs) is prepared (composite is denoted as PAzo9:1-co-PS@NF). PAzo9:1-co-PS@NF exhibits hydrophobicity and high wear resistance. Moreover, it shows good responsiveness (0.624 s−1) during isomerization under solid ultraviolet (UV) light (365 nm) with an energy density of 70.6 kJ kg−1. In addition, the open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current and quantity values of PAzo9:1-co-PS@NF exhibit small variations in a temperature range of -20 °C to 25 °C and remain at 170 V, 5 μA, and 62 nC, respectively. Notably, the involved NFs were cut and sewn into gloves to be worn on a human hand model. When the model was exposed to both UV radiation and friction, the temperature of the finger coated with PAzo9:1-co-PS was approximately 6.0°C higher than that of the other parts. Therefore, developing triboelectric nanogenerators based on the in situ photothermal cycles of Azo in wearable devices is important to develop low-temperature self-regulating heating and self-powered flexible devices for extreme environments.

Design of an active wing-folding biomimetic flapping-wing air vehicle

In nature, birds and bats dynamically alter their wing shapes to suit various flight environments and tasks. This paper focuses on the design and validation of a biomimetic flapping-wing aerial vehicle, named FlexiWing, which features a unique mechanism for active wing deformation. This mechanism allows the wings to adjust their shapes flexibly in response to flight demands, significantly enhancing attitude control and maneuverability.’ ‘This study began with an in-depth exploration of biomimetic principles, focusing particularly on how birds and bats achieve precise control during flight through active wing deformation. Subsequently, we present a detailed account of the design and fabrication process of the active folding biomimetic flapping-wing aerial vehicle, including the design of mechanical mechanisms and material selection. Utilizing lightweight nylon materials and hollow carbon fiber rods, we successfully constructed a mechanically foldable wing structure. To achieve precise control over the aircraft’s movement, an embedded control system was designed, comprising an onboard embedded flight controller and ground-based equipment. The onboard controller uses a high-performance ESP32-C3 processor and a JY901 inertial measurement unit to acquire real-time attitude information of the aircraft. The control system incorporates Wi-Fi communication technology, enabling operators to send commands via a remote control or personal computer to manage flight modes and attitudes. Ultimately, a series of flight experiments were conducted to validate the performance of FlexiWing. The results demonstrate that FlexiWing exhibits remarkable maneuverability and stability, capable of achieving high-precision attitude control through active wing folding, making it adaptable to complex environments and tasks.’

Polypyrrole-mediated construction of superhydrophobic photo/electro thermal composite fabric for efficient crude oil dehydration and recovery

During crude oil extraction, transportation, and oil spill recovery, rapid and effective removal of water from crude oil is a great challenge. Super-hydrophobic functional membranes with electrothermal/photothermal effects are considered to be an effective method. However, simply polymerizing photothermal/electrothermal nanomaterials on the membrane surface will lead to unstable thermal effects and easy shedding. Therefore, in this study we propose the synthesis of a novel superhydrophobic electrothermal/photothermal Nylon fabric (PSPPNF) by an innovative in situ polymerization method of Pyrrole (Py), to realize efficient viscosity reduction and dehydration of crude oil. In particular, by controlling FeCl3 solution from solid (−18 °C) to liquid state (0 °C), Py was polymerized on the fabric surface by slow oxidative process, which can effectively solve the problem of pore blocks to obtain a stable-conductive layer on the NF surface. The PSPPNF surface temperature can reach 80 °C under 1 kW m−2 sunlight intensity or by inputting 30 V, which brings a separation efficiency of 97 % for high-viscous crude oil/water mixture. We systematically analyzed the effects of PSPPNF with different pore sizes and oils with different viscosities on the separation flux, as well as the effects of the thermal properties of the membranes under different illumination conditions and voltages on crude oil permeation. Additionally, the PSPPNF combined with the roller can realize all-weather available crude oil spill recovery under solar and electrical energy. This work provides new insights into membrane materials that can realize the efficient dehydration and recovery of crude oil for day-night alternation and complex environments.

Bio- colouration of nylon fabric using natural dyes and mordants

ABSTRACT Natural dyes offer a harmless alternative to synthetic counterparts, minimizing the release of toxic chemicals associated with synthetic dyes. In this investigation, nylon fabrics underwent dyeing with neem leaf extract under acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions along with lemon juice mordant. The study revealed that colour strength exhibited an increase with decreasing pH levels, with the mordanted fabric dyed in an acidic medium demonstrating the highest value. Analysis of colour coordinates indicated that the mordanted fabric dyed in an acidic medium exhibited superior colour pickup compared to the other samples. Enhanced fastness properties were achieved under acidic pH conditions when a mordant was used. The FTIR test result ensured the nylon-lemon juice-neem leaves extracted dye interaction. The EDX analysis also confirmed the elemental composition of neem leaves extracted dye in nylon assisted by lemon juice. The SEM test results validated the dyeing process empirically.

Nylon dyeing with reactive dyes by intermittent exposure to microwave irradiations to improve leveling

Purpose Reactive dyes are believed to have great potential for nylon dyeing, but these anionic dyes tend to rush toward the nylon at the beginning of the process, resulting in uneven dyeing. Achieving uniformity gets even harder when the dyeing is performed under exposure to eco-friendly technique microwave irradiations. This study aims to achieve rapid and homogenous results by intermittent shaking and non-continuous exposure to microwave. Design/methodology/approach A set of reactive red dyes, based on the same chromophore and different substituents in the auxochrome part, was applied to the nylon fabric without any leveling agent. A series of experiments were designed to investigate the effect of different dye structures, exhaustion pH, liquor ratio, exhaustion time and fixation time to obtain an optimum recipe under the microwave dyeing technique. Findings Dyeing performance was characterized based on the color strength, exhaustion and fixation percentages and color fastness values. The characterization showed that better results can be achieved at a liquor ratio of 1:15 at exhaustion pH 2.7 which is also the isoelectric point of nylon, with 5.5 to 7 min of exhaustion and 6 to 8 min of fixation time for different dyes. Microwave dyed samples secured higher color strength values and provided better exhaustion and fixation than the conventional dye samples. Furthermore, the X-ray diffraction results verified that there was no considerable difference in the morphological structure of nylon with microwave exposure. Originality/value An applied technique is disclosed in this work to achieve uniform dyeing on nylon 66 with reactive dyes without any leveling agent under exposure to eco-friendly rapid heating microwave irradiations.

Flexible Tribo‐Enhanced Piezoelectric Nanogenerator Based on Aluminium Ferrite Electrospun Hybrid Nanofibers for Energy Harvesting and Patient Rehabilitation Application

AbstractMechanical energy harvesters have recently emerged as promising options for self‐powering sensors and small electronic devices. In this work, aluminum ferrite (AlFeO3)/PVDF hybrid perovskite electrospun nanofiber‐based tribo‐enhanced piezoelectric nanogenerators (TPENGs) are developed for energy harvesting. The as‐fabricated TPENG achieves an average voltage output of 52.3 V and an average current output of 1.23 µA. Additionally, the power density of the TPENG is calculated to be 0.085 W.m−2 at an 80 MΩ external resistance load. A 3D‐printed device is fabricated, containing nylon fabric (tribo‐positive) as a rotor attached to printed fins, while six (AlFeO3)/PVDF hybrid perovskite electrospun nanofiber piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) wrapped with Kapton tape (tribo‐negative) serve as the stator. The three printed fins of the device are moved by a string‐based pulley, generating an open circuit voltage of 200 V and a short circuit current of 4.5 µA. The as‐fabricated 3D‐printed device with TPENGs is used to power small electronics (e.g., LEDs and watch) and an exercise setup, allowing patients to generate power by pulling the attached string, thereby estimating the level of impairment. Integrating energy harvesting into rehabilitation motivates patients to move impaired body parts, enhancing TPENG's application in healthcare as a practical and engaging tool for patient rehabilitation.

Photophysical properties and photostability of novel 2-amino-3-benzothiazole thiophene-based azo disperse dyes

The design, synthesis, and use of four new thiophene-based dispersed azo dyes with salicylic and carboxylic acid acceptors are shown in this work. The produced dyes exhibit a wide range of light absorption characteristics, including near UV–visible, and deep red wavelengths. PG9 and PG12, which are thiophene disperse azo dyes with carboxylic acid acceptor, showed red-shifted absorption, but PG10 and PG11, which are azo dyes with salicylic acid, showed blue-shifted absorption. The synthesized dyes exhibited good photostability in solvents. The experimental results are supported by theoretical results from Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT).Furthermore, the dyes exhibit outstanding dyeability with percentage exhaustion characteristics of 90% when applied to acrylic, nylon, and polyester fabrics. Rich shades ranging from deep orange to black are seen in the dyed fabrics. Salicylic acid acceptor-dyed materials have higher K/S values when applied to nylon-dyed fabrics, while acrylic and polyester-dyed fabrics respond better to carboxylic acid acceptor dyes. The fabrics that have been colored display exceptional light, wash, and rubbing fastness. Inlight and wash fastness, polyester-dyed fabrics performed better than acrylic and nylon-dyed fabrics. Studies on UV protection show that fabrics with high UPF ratings canblock damaging UV-A and UV-B radiation efficiently. All synthetic dyes have their antibacterial activity assessed using the AATCC 100 test method, which is associated with the HOMO-LUMO energy gap.

Wind Tunnel Testing of Tethered Inflatable Wings

A wind tunnel testing approach for tethered inflatable wings is presented. Use cases for such wings range from airborne wind energy systems to high-altitude communication platforms. The tests were conducted for two tethered inflatable wings, one made out of nylon fabric and the other an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fabric. They were tested within a speed range of 15–32.5 m/s for three tether attachment configurations. Stereo photogrammetry data, force and moment measurements, and wake pressure measurements were recorded for each speed and test configuration. These measurements provide an experimental database for aeroelastic model validation and comparison with high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics studies. The effects of wing fabric material and tether attachment configurations on aerodynamic performance were explored and found to have a profound impact. These tests also highlight the possibility of passive aeroelastic tailoring of the wing configuration to achieve desired aerodynamic performance in the form of high lift and load alleviation. Some testing challenges and possible sources of measurement uncertainty are also discussed.

In Situ Imaging of Parachute Textile Micromechanics Under Tensile Load

Micromechanics of parachute fabrics under tensile loads are studied using in situ x-ray microtomography. Results are presented for two nylon textiles commonly used in parachute systems, MIL-C-7020H Type III and MIL-C-44378(GL) Type II. Textiles are subjected to incremental tension using a custom apparatus that loads the fabric radially, and the microstructure is imaged sequentially at steady load conditions. Microtomography images are processed using learning-aided segmentation and a custom processing pipeline that tracks the locations and morphological properties of individual tows on 3D datasets. Results are used to reconstruct tow microscale properties and meso-scale strains. Our findings reveal a direct relation between the fabric architecture and the meso-scale mechanics. Warp tow pretensioning during manufacturing is found to affect decrimping and the anisotropy of the textile strains. Areal porosity increase with tension is quantified, and a geometric model for pore opening under incremental load is validated.

Self-Powered Sensors Made with Fabric-Based Electrodes and a Conductive Coating.

Amidst the growing challenge of meeting global energy demands with conventional sources, self-powered devices offer promising solution. Flexible and stretchable electronics are pivotal in wearable technology, enhancing the scope and functionality of these devices. This study employs potassium sodium niobite-lithium antimonate (K0.5Na0.5NbO3-LiSbO3) nanoparticles as fillers in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to fabricate piezoelectric thin films. These films are integrated with fabric-based electrodes to develop high-performance, flexible self-powered sensors. The sensor comprises a fabric-based electrode with polypyrrole (PPy) coated on plain nylon fabric, a 0.93KNN-0.07LS/PVDF composite piezoelectric thin film, and a protective PET layer. Results demonstrate that the 0.93KNN-0.07LS/PVDF-PPy/nylon composite sensors exhibit a stable piezoelectric output. Under 6 Hz and 10 N excitation, the piezoelectric output reaches approximately 6.1 V upon pressing. Additionally, the device shows good linear sensitivity in the 2-20 N pressure range and produces clear, regular output waveforms under cyclic pressures of varying frequencies and amplitudes, indicating excellent response repeatability. Even after extensive bending, twisting, and 5000 pressing cycles, the sensors maintain considerable cyclic stability, demonstrating high durability. These tests collectively indicate that the developed sensors possess high sensitivity, flexibility, durability, stability, and significant self-powered potential. This research provides a reference for the next generation of textile-based electrodes and offers potential strategies for flexible, wearable applications.

Thermally Powered Soft Gripper Covered with Silver‐Coated Nylon Fabric Heater Reinforced with Stainless Steel Yarn

Soft grippers, generating movement immediately, are generally based on flexible materials actuated by air pressure and comprised of bulky parts, including valves, compressors/pumps, motors, and tubes. In this work, a compact soft gripper with the ability to actuate with a low boiling point liquid (acetone) is presented. SolidWorks 2021 software and 3D printing technology are used to design and manufacture the gripper molds, respectively. The constitutive material of the soft gripper body is highly flexible Ecoflex. A silver‐coated nylon fabric (SCNF) heater reinforced with stainless steel yarn (SSY) covering the external surface of the gripper is designed and manufactured using Autocad 2021 and a laser cutting machine, respectively. The idea is inspired by floating the gripper in warm water to provide smooth heat over a large surface area. The available commercial software Abaqus2021 is used to simulate the mechanical deformation of the gripper, and its results are verified with experimental results. The parameter's effect including the voltage and low boiling liquid volume on achievable force and actuating time are investigated. The relation between the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the presented gripper is discussed in detail.