Combining synergistically the muscle-like actuation of soft materials and load-carrying and locomotive capability of hard mechanical components results in hybrid soft machines that can gtech brush bar exhibit specific functions.Here, we describe the design, fabrication, modeling and experiment of a hybrid soft machine enabled by marrying unidirectionally actuated dielectric elastomer (DE) membrane-spring system and ratchet wheels.Subjected to an applied voltage 8.2 kV at ramping velocity 820 V/s, the hybrid machine prototype exhibits monotonic uniaxial locomotion with an averaged velocity 0.
5mm/s.The underlying physics and working mechanisms of the soft machine are verified and elucidated by click here finite element simulation.