TEAM

Mini-Invasive Surgery (MIS) has advanced with innovations in micro-catheters and endoscopic devices, moving toward smaller, more flexible tools. Micro-actuators also benefit from smart materials and soft robotics, especially electroactive polymers (EAPs), valued for their reversible and controllable deformations. The consortium TEAM, following the ANR FETA project, now focuses on developing multilayer composite actuators using the biocompatible terpolymer P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE). By alternating electroactive and conductive layers, actuator thickness and driving voltage can be reduced. TEAM gathers researchers from PIMM, IMS, ARKEMA, and SYROBO to raise technology readiness through three main objectives: optimize ink formulation and printing processes for multilayer EAP actuators, develop a finite element–based digital twin to guide manufacturing, and validate multilayer printing for flexible tubular structures enabling 3D motion. Electromechanical performance will be assessed in air and water, with integration evaluated in collaboration with TENON Hospital urologists. The project’s goal is to create advanced multilayer EAP actuators for next-generation minimally invasive surgical devices.