Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, Vol.42, No.9, 689-698, 2012
Locomotion determined and controlled by electrochemical networks A robotic application based on electrochemical oscillations
In the present work the modes of four-legged locomotion generated and controlled by a network of coupled electrochemical oscillatory electrode pairs are explored. Each pair, operating under constant potential conditions, consists of an iron disk (anode) and a copper coil (cathode) and all pairs are immersed in a common electrolytic bath (1 M H2SO4 and 0.4 M CuSO4). The electrochemistry of the system is studied and the conditions of oscillatory and synchronous firing are determined. The current response of each pair is determined by the geometry of the network: if the interactions are between the iron anodes then the oscillations are synchronized in-phase whereas if the interactions are between iron anodes and copper cathodes the oscillations are out-of-phase. The electric pulses produced by the network are supplied to a prototype, specially designed mechanical system where possible modes of four-legged locomotion are observed.