Biomimetically Inspired Motor-less and Actuator-less Pump/Thruster

This technology is a motor-less, actuator-less, biomimetically inspired pump/thruster design that can operate in liquid environments within a wide range of environmental parameters, such as, but not limited to, high pressures, low temperatures, extreme pH values, and both polar (e.g., water) and non-polar (e.g., hydrocarbon) liquids. This makes it ideal for many uses, including biomedical applications. When used as a thruster, the technology can equip soft robotic agents with a motion similar to octopus or squid-like propulsion, using a peristaltic contraction. Such a soft robotic agent would have the ability to maneuver in tight spaces, would be immune to high pressures, low temperatures, and extreme pH values, would be nearly noiseless, and would not create a meaningful heat signature when deployed in an operational environment. This makes it ideal for many uses, including underwater/deep sea exploration, extraterrestrial ocean world exploration, and military use.

Background: 
Current robotic systems are comprised of rigid, motor-driven or otherwise actuated structures, making them unable to operate and maneuver in certain environments. The emerging field of soft robotics has introduced the ability to create shape-changing/deformable/pliable robots using, e.g., silicone rubbers or other polymers, which has the benefit of using cost-effective materials, biocompatibility for biomedical applications, and a natural return to form/shape for consistent controllability. 

Applications: 

• Pump, e.g., for biomedical applications
• Propulsion in liquid environments
• Soft robotics
• Underwater exploration, e.g., deep sea exploration
• Extraterrestrial ocean world exploration
• Military use

Advantages: 

• No motor, no actuator, no gears
• Silent operation
• Minimal heat signature
• Durable, i.e., high number of operating cycles
• Immune to high pressures, low temperatures, extreme pH values
• Can be used in extreme liquid environments, including deep sea exploration and hydrocarbon environments (e.g., oil)