{
  "abstract": "A bendable actuator and methods for operating the bendable actuator are disclosed. Embodiments include an actuator that bends when a plurality of chambers are filled with a gas or fluid, and a stiffness beam that inhibits the bending of the actuator in the region of the actuator adjacent the stiffness beam. Some embodiments include a slider chamber in which the stiffness beam moves, and can include a closed-loop cable and motorized pulley system to selectively position the stiffness beam at different locations within the slider chamber. Additional embodiments include the plurality of chambers being vertically disposed and being connected to one another only at the lower portions of the chambers, while further embodiments include the plurality of chambers being vertically disposed and alternatingly connected at upper and lower portions of the chambers to form a sinusoidally-shaped chamber.",
  "assignees": [
    "PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION"
  ],
  "authors": [
    "ALVI MUHAMMAD HAMMAD",
    "FU JIAMING",
    "GAN DONGMING"
  ],
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    "name": "Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International",
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  "published_at": "2026-09-15T19:07:44.905417Z",
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  "source_date": "2026-03-19",
  "source_id": "US-2026077483-A1",
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  "title": "Variable stiffness actuator systems and methods",
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