101
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Singh AV, Romeo A, Scott K, Wagener S, Leibrock L, Laux P, Luch A, Kerkar P, Balakrishnan S, Dakua SP, Park B. Emerging Technologies for In Vitro Inhalation Toxicology. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100633. [PMID: 34292676 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory toxicology remains a major research area in the 21st century since current scenario of airborne viral infection transmission and pollutant inhalation is expected to raise the annual morbidity beyond 2 million. Clinical and epidemiological research connecting human exposure to air contaminants to understand adverse pulmonary health outcomes is, therefore, an immediate subject of human health assessment. Important observations in defining systemic effects of environmental contaminants on inhalation metabolic dysfunction, liver health, and gastrointestinal tract have been well explored with in vivo models. In this review, a framework is provided, a paradigm is established about inhalation toxicity testing in vitro, and a brief overview of breathing Lungs-on-Chip (LoC) as design concepts is given. The optimized bioengineering approaches and microfluidics with their fundamental pros, and cons are presented. There are different strategies that researchers apply to inhalation toxicity studies to assess a variety of inhalable substances and relevant LoC approaches. A case study from published literature and frame arguments about reproducibility as well as in vitro/in vivo correlations are discussed. Finally, the opportunities and challenges in soft robotics, systems inhalation toxicology approach integrating bioengineering, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to address a multitude model for future toxicology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Vikram Singh
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Max‐Dohrn‐Strasse 8‐10 Berlin 10589 Germany
| | - Anthony Romeo
- Department of Chemical Engineering Rayen School of Engineering Youngstown State University Youngstown OH 44555 USA
| | - Kassandra Scott
- Department of Chemical Engineering Rayen School of Engineering Youngstown State University Youngstown OH 44555 USA
| | - Sandra Wagener
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Max‐Dohrn‐Strasse 8‐10 Berlin 10589 Germany
| | - Lars Leibrock
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Max‐Dohrn‐Strasse 8‐10 Berlin 10589 Germany
| | - Peter Laux
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Max‐Dohrn‐Strasse 8‐10 Berlin 10589 Germany
| | - Andreas Luch
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Max‐Dohrn‐Strasse 8‐10 Berlin 10589 Germany
| | - Pranali Kerkar
- ICMR – National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) Pune Maharashtra 411026 India
| | - Shidin Balakrishnan
- Department of Surgery Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) PO Box 3050 Doha Qatar
| | - Sarada Prasad Dakua
- Department of Surgery Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) PO Box 3050 Doha Qatar
| | - Byung‐Wook Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering Rayen School of Engineering Youngstown State University Youngstown OH 44555 USA
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102
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Han WC, Sim GW, Kim YB, Kim DS. Reversible Curvature Reversal of Monolithic Liquid Crystal Elastomer Film and Its Smart Valve Application. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 42:e2100404. [PMID: 34418205 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Beyond a traditional stimuli-responsive soft actuator that shows a single motion by a stimulus, multidirectional actuation reversal with a single stimulus is highly required in applications such as shape morphing sensors and soft robotics. Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are one of the most attractive candidates for the soft actuator due to their capability of stimuli-responsive shape changing in 3D, which is programmable with local orientation of LC mesogens. Here, a simple but effective method to fabricate monolithic LCE actuators that are capable of reversible curvature reversal in bending and twisting deformation by a single stimulus-heat-is reported. The curvature reversal of the LCE film can be programmed by means of asymmetric crosslinking density along the thickness and the orientation of the LC mesogens. The curvature reversal of the monolithic LCE film exhibits highly reversible (more than 100 times) and fast actuation (≈3-5 s) by heating and cooling, allowing new concept of a practical application using LCE material: a self-regulated smart valve that is capable of qualitatively sorting liquids by temperature. It is believed that this system is potentially applied to a self-regulated sorting platform for various endothermic and exothermic chemical or biological reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woong Chan Han
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Pukyong National University, 45 Yongso-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Gun Woo Sim
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Pukyong National University, 45 Yongso-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Young Been Kim
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Pukyong National University, 45 Yongso-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Dae Seok Kim
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Pukyong National University, 45 Yongso-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, 48513, South Korea
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103
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Abstract
Smart materials are a kind of functional materials which can sense and response to environmental conditions or stimuli from optical, electrical, magnetic mechanical, thermal, and chemical signals, etc. Patterning of smart materials is the key to achieving large-scale arrays of functional devices. Over the last decades, printing methods including inkjet printing, template-assisted printing, and 3D printing are extensively investigated and utilized in fabricating intelligent micro/nano devices, as printing strategies allow for constructing multidimensional and multimaterial architectures. Great strides in printable smart materials are opening new possibilities for functional devices to better serve human beings, such as wearable sensors, integrated optoelectronics, artificial neurons, and so on. However, there are still many challenges and drawbacks that need to be overcome in order to achieve the controllable modulation between smart materials and device performance. In this review, we give an overview on printable smart materials, printing strategies, and applications of printed functional devices. In addition, the advantages in actual practices of printing smart materials-based devices are discussed, and the current limitations and future opportunities are proposed. This review aims to summarize the recent progress and provide reference for novel smart materials and printing strategies as well as applications of intelligent devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Su
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Engineering Research Center of Nanomaterials for Green Printing Technology, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Zhongguancun North First Street 2, 100190 Beijing, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yuquan Road no.19A, 100049 Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yanlin Song
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Engineering Research Center of Nanomaterials for Green Printing Technology, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Zhongguancun North First Street 2, 100190 Beijing, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yuquan Road no.19A, 100049 Beijing, P. R. China
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104
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Lu X, Xi X, Lu K, Wang C, Chen X, Wu Y, Wu X, Xiao D. Miniature Ultralight Deformable Squama Mechanics and Skin Based on Piezoelectric Actuation. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12080969. [PMID: 34442591 PMCID: PMC8401865 DOI: 10.3390/mi12080969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A miniature deformable squama mechanics based on piezoelectric actuation inspired by the deformable squama is proposed in this paper. The overall size of the mechanics is 16 mm × 6 mm × 6 mm, the weight is only 140 mg, the deflection angle range of the mechanical deformation is −15°~45°, and the mechanical deformation is controllable. The small-batch array processing of the miniature deformable squama mechanics, based on the stereoscopic process, laid the technological foundation for applying the deformed squama array arrangement. We also designed and manufactured a small actuation control boost circuit and a mobile phone piezoelectric control assistant application that makes it convenient to perform short-range non-contact control of the deformation of the squama. The proposed system arranges the deformed squamae into groups to form the skin and controlls the size and direction of the signals input to each group of the squama array, thereby making the skin able to produce different shapes to create deformable skin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kun Lu
- Correspondence: (X.X.); (K.L.)
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105
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Li S, Bai H, Liu Z, Zhang X, Huang C, Wiesner LW, Silberstein M, Shepherd RF. Digital light processing of liquid crystal elastomers for self-sensing artificial muscles. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/30/eabg3677. [PMID: 34301600 PMCID: PMC8302124 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg3677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Artificial muscles based on stimuli-responsive polymers usually exhibit mechanical compliance, versatility, and high power-to-weight ratio, showing great promise to potentially replace conventional rigid motors for next-generation soft robots, wearable electronics, and biomedical devices. In particular, thermomechanical liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) constitute artificial muscle-like actuators that can be remotely triggered for large stroke, fast response, and highly repeatable actuations. Here, we introduce a digital light processing (DLP)-based additive manufacturing approach that automatically shear aligns mesogenic oligomers, layer-by-layer, to achieve high orientational order in the photocrosslinked structures; this ordering yields high specific work capacity (63 J kg-1) and energy density (0.18 MJ m-3). We demonstrate actuators composed of these DLP printed LCEs' applications in soft robotics, such as reversible grasping, untethered crawling, and weightlifting. Furthermore, we present an LCE self-sensing system that exploits thermally induced optical transition as an intrinsic option toward feedback control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Hedan Bai
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Zheng Liu
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Chuqi Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Lennard W Wiesner
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Meredith Silberstein
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Robert F Shepherd
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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106
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Zhang M, Shahsavan H, Guo Y, Pena-Francesch A, Zhang Y, Sitti M. Liquid-Crystal-Elastomer-Actuated Reconfigurable Microscale Kirigami Metastructures. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2008605. [PMID: 33987863 PMCID: PMC7612660 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202008605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Programmable actuation of metastructures with predesigned geometrical configurations has recently drawn significant attention in many applications, such as smart structures, medical devices, soft robotics, prosthetics, and wearable devices. Despite remarkable progress in this field, achieving wireless miniaturized reconfigurable metastructures remains a challenge due to the difficult nature of the fabrication and actuation processes at the micrometer scale. Herein, microscale thermo-responsive reconfigurable metasurfaces using stimuli-responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) is fabricated as an artificial muscle for reconfiguring the 2D microscale kirigami structures. Such structures are fabricated via two-photon polymerization with sub-micrometer precision. Through rationally designed experiments guided by simulations, the optimal formulation of the LCE artificial muscle is explored and the relationship between shape transformation behaviors and geometrical parameters of the kirigami structures is build. As a proof of concept demonstration, the constructs for temperature-dependent switching and information encryption is applied. Such reconfigurable kirigami metastructures have significant potential for boosting the fundamental small-scale metastructure research and the design and fabrication of wireless functional devices, wearables, and soft robots at the microscale as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingchao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hamed Shahsavan
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Yubing Guo
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Abdon Pena-Francesch
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Robotics Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8092, Switzerland
- School of Medicine and School of Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul, 34450, Turkey
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107
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Liu Z, Zhang R, Xiao Y, Li J, Chang W, Qian D, Liu Z. Somatosensitive film soft crawling robots driven by artificial muscle for load carrying and multi-terrain locomotion. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2021; 8:1783-1794. [PMID: 34846507 DOI: 10.1039/d1mh00457c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Somatosensitive soft crawling robotics is highly desired for load carrying and multi-terrain locomotion. The motor-driven skeleton robots and pneumatic robots are effective and well-developed, while the bulk size, rigidity, or complexity limit their applications. In this paper, a somatosensitive film soft crawling robot driven by an artificial muscle was developed, which can carry heavy loads and crawl on multiple terrains. A bow-shaped film skeleton connected with a twisted-fiber artificial muscle is not easily deformed while carrying a load. A strain sensor coating on the film skeleton was used to detect the body deformation of the robot and a controller was designed for feedback control to make the robot self-crawling. This film soft crawling robot was demonstrated to crawl on the multi-terrain such as flat, mountainous, and underwater, as well as surfaces with different roughness. This work provides a new design strategy for multi-functional compact soft crawling robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongsheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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108
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Guimarães CF, Ahmed R, Marques AP, Reis RL, Demirci U. Engineering Hydrogel-Based Biomedical Photonics: Design, Fabrication, and Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2006582. [PMID: 33929771 PMCID: PMC8647870 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202006582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Light guiding and manipulation in photonics have become ubiquitous in events ranging from everyday communications to complex robotics and nanomedicine. The speed and sensitivity of light-matter interactions offer unprecedented advantages in biomedical optics, data transmission, photomedicine, and detection of multi-scale phenomena. Recently, hydrogels have emerged as a promising candidate for interfacing photonics and bioengineering by combining their light-guiding properties with live tissue compatibility in optical, chemical, physiological, and mechanical dimensions. Herein, the latest progress over hydrogel photonics and its applications in guidance and manipulation of light is reviewed. Physics of guiding light through hydrogels and living tissues, and existing technical challenges in translating these tools into biomedical settings are discussed. A comprehensive and thorough overview of materials, fabrication protocols, and design architectures used in hydrogel photonics is provided. Finally, recent examples of applying structures such as hydrogel optical fibers, living photonic constructs, and their use as light-driven hydrogel robots, photomedicine tools, and organ-on-a-chip models are described. By providing a critical and selective evaluation of the field's status, this work sets a foundation for the next generation of hydrogel photonic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos F. Guimarães
- 3B’s Research Group — Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – Portuguese Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal
- Bio-Acoustic MEMS in Medicine (BAMM) Laboratory, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection Department of Radiology, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Rajib Ahmed
- Bio-Acoustic MEMS in Medicine (BAMM) Laboratory, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection Department of Radiology, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Alexandra P. Marques
- 3B’s Research Group — Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – Portuguese Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L. Reis
- 3B’s Research Group — Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – Portuguese Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Utkan Demirci
- Bio-Acoustic MEMS in Medicine (BAMM) Laboratory, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection Department of Radiology, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
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109
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Lv X, Wang W, Clancy AJ, Yu H. High-Speed, Heavy-Load, and Direction-Controllable Photothermal Pneumatic Floating Robot. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:23030-23037. [PMID: 33949847 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c05827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Light-fueled actuators are promising in many fields due to their contactless, easily controllable, and eco-efficiency features. However, their application in liquid environments is complicated by the existing challenges of rapid deformation in liquids, light absorption of the liquid media, and environmental contamination. Here, we design a photothermal pneumatic floating robot (PPFR) using a boat-paddle structure. Light energy is converted into thermal energy of air by an isolated photothermal composite, which is then converted into mechanical energy of liquid to drive the movement of PPFRs. By understanding and controlling the photothermal actuation, the PPFR can achieve an average velocity of 13.1 mm s-1 in water and can be modified for remote on-demand differential steering and self-sustained oscillation. The PPFR may be modified to provide a lifting mechanism, capable of moving 4 times the PPFR mass. Various shapes and materials are suitable for the PPFR, providing a platform for liquid surface transporting, water sampling, pollutant collecting, underwater photography, and photocontrol robots in shallow water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuande Lv
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Wenzhong Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Adam J Clancy
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, U.K
| | - Haifeng Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
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110
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Abstract
Abstract
In the past few decades, robotics research has witnessed an increasingly high interest in miniaturized, intelligent, and integrated robots. The imperative component of a robot is the actuator that determines its performance. Although traditional rigid drives such as motors and gas engines have shown great prevalence in most macroscale circumstances, the reduction of these drives to the millimeter or even lower scale results in a significant increase in manufacturing difficulty accompanied by a remarkable performance decline. Biohybrid robots driven by living cells can be a potential solution to overcome these drawbacks by benefiting from the intrinsic microscale self-assembly of living tissues and high energy efficiency, which, among other unprecedented properties, also feature flexibility, self-repair, and even multiple degrees of freedom. This paper systematically reviews the development of biohybrid robots. First, the development of biological flexible drivers is introduced while emphasizing on their advantages over traditional drivers. Second, up-to-date works regarding biohybrid robots are reviewed in detail from three aspects: biological driving sources, actuator materials, and structures with associated control methodologies. Finally, the potential future applications and major challenges of biohybrid robots are explored.
Graphic abstract
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111
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Ilami M, Bagheri H, Ahmed R, Skowronek EO, Marvi H. Materials, Actuators, and Sensors for Soft Bioinspired Robots. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2003139. [PMID: 33346386 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202003139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Biological systems can perform complex tasks with high compliance levels. This makes them a great source of inspiration for soft robotics. Indeed, the union of these fields has brought about bioinspired soft robotics, with hundreds of publications on novel research each year. This review aims to survey fundamental advances in bioinspired soft actuators and sensors with a focus on the progress between 2017 and 2020, providing a primer for the materials used in their design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Ilami
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Hosain Bagheri
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Reza Ahmed
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - E Olga Skowronek
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Hamid Marvi
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
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112
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Byun J, Park M, Baek SM, Yoon J, Kim W, Lee B, Hong Y, Cho KJ. Underwater maneuvering of robotic sheets through buoyancy-mediated active flutter. Sci Robot 2021; 6:6/53/eabe0637. [PMID: 34043564 DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abe0637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Falling leaves flutter from side to side due to passive and intrinsic fluid-body coupling. Exploiting the dynamics of passive fluttering could lead to fresh perspectives for the locomotion and manipulation of thin, planar objects in fluid environments. Here, we show that the time-varying density distribution within a thin, planar body effectively elicits minimal momentum control to reorient the principal flutter axis and propel itself via directional fluttery motions. We validated the principle by developing a swimming leaf with a soft skin that can modulate local buoyancy distributions for active flutter dynamics. To show generality and field applicability, we demonstrated underwater maneuvering and manipulation of adhesive and oil-skimming sheets for environmental remediation. These findings could inspire future intelligent underwater robots and manipulation schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junghwan Byun
- Soft Robotics Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Biorobotics Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Advanced Machines and Design, Institute of Engineering Research, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Minjo Park
- Soft Robotics Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Biorobotics Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Advanced Machines and Design, Institute of Engineering Research, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Min Baek
- Soft Robotics Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Biorobotics Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Advanced Machines and Design, Institute of Engineering Research, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeyoung Yoon
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woongbae Kim
- Soft Robotics Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Biorobotics Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Advanced Machines and Design, Institute of Engineering Research, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeongmoon Lee
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongtaek Hong
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Jin Cho
- Soft Robotics Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. .,Biorobotics Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Advanced Machines and Design, Institute of Engineering Research, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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113
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Mirvakili SM, Leroy A, Sim D, Wang EN. Solar-Driven Soft Robots. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2004235. [PMID: 33898194 PMCID: PMC8061385 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive materials have been lately employed in soft robotics enabling new classes of robots that can emulate biological systems. The untethered operation of soft materials with high power light, magnetic field, and electric field has been previously demonstrated. While electric and magnetic fields can be stimulants for untethered actuation, their rapid decay as a function of distance limits their efficacy for long-range operations. In contrast, light-in the form of sunlight or collimated from an artificial source (e.g., laser, Xenon lamps)-does not decay rapidly, making it suitable for long-range excitation of untethered soft robots. In this work, an approach to harnessing sunlight for the untethered operation of soft robots is presented. By employing a selective solar absorber film and a low-boiling point (34 °C) fluid, light-operated soft robotic grippers are demonstrated, grasping and lifting objects almost 25 times the mass of the fluid in a controllable fashion. The method addresses one of the salient challenges in the field of untethered soft robotics. It precludes the use of bulky peripheral components (e.g., compressors, valves, or pressurized gas tank) and enables the untethered long-range operation of soft robots.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arny Leroy
- Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Douglas Sim
- Electrical and Computer Engineering DepartmentUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCV6T 1Z2Canada
| | - Evelyn N. Wang
- Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
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114
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Yang J, Zhang X, Zhang X, Wang L, Feng W, Li Q. Beyond the Visible: Bioinspired Infrared Adaptive Materials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2004754. [PMID: 33624900 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202004754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Infrared (IR) adaptation phenomena are ubiquitous in nature and biological systems. Taking inspiration from natural creatures, researchers have devoted extensive efforts for developing advanced IR adaptive materials and exploring their applications in areas of smart camouflage, thermal energy management, biomedical science, and many other IR-related technological fields. Herein, an up-to-date review is provided on the recent advancements of bioinspired IR adaptive materials and their promising applications. First an overview of IR adaptation in nature and advanced artificial IR technologies is presented. Recent endeavors are then introduced toward developing bioinspired adaptive materials for IR camouflage and IR radiative cooling. According to the Stefan-Boltzmann law, IR camouflage can be realized by either emissivity engineering or thermal cloaks. IR radiative cooling can maximize the thermal radiation of an object through an IR atmospheric transparency window, and thus holds great potential for use in energy-efficient green buildings and smart personal thermal management systems. Recent advances in bioinspired adaptive materials for emerging near-IR (NIR) applications are also discussed, including NIR-triggered biological technologies, NIR light-fueled soft robotics, and NIR light-driven supramolecular nanosystems. This review concludes with a perspective on the challenges and opportunities for the future development of bioinspired IR adaptive materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Xinfang Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Xuan Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Wei Feng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Quan Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
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115
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Wang Z, Cai S. Recent progress in dynamic covalent chemistries for liquid crystal elastomers. J Mater Chem B 2021; 8:6610-6623. [PMID: 32555841 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb00754d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) have recently shown great potential in the applications of soft robotics, biomedical devices, active morphing structures, self-regulating systems and biomimetic demonstrations. Physical properties of LCEs highly depend on their crosslinking and the alignment of mesogens in the polymer network. Different strategies have been adopted to control and program the alignment of mesogens in LCEs over the recent decades, including stretching a loosely crosslinked LCE during its second-step crosslinking reaction, application of a strong magnetic or electrical field onto an LCE during its crosslinking process, and crosslinking a LCE thin film on the top of a surface with predesigned molecular texture. In the most recent decade, dynamic covalent bonds, which can undergo exchange reactions with or without external stimuli, have been introduced into LCEs to enable facile programing of mesogen orientation in the elastomer. In addition to the programmability, the LCEs with dynamic covalent bonds have also shown great recyclability, self-healing abilities and reprogrammability. In this article, we will review the recent progress in the synthesis, programming and application of LCEs with dynamic covalent bonds. We will also discuss the challenges and research opportunities in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijian Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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116
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Wang Y, Li M, Chang JK, Aurelio D, Li W, Kim BJ, Kim JH, Liscidini M, Rogers JA, Omenetto FG. Light-activated shape morphing and light-tracking materials using biopolymer-based programmable photonic nanostructures. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1651. [PMID: 33712607 PMCID: PMC7955034 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21764-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural systems display sophisticated control of light-matter interactions at multiple length scales for light harvesting, manipulation, and management, through elaborate photonic architectures and responsive material formats. Here, we combine programmable photonic function with elastomeric material composites to generate optomechanical actuators that display controllable and tunable actuation as well as complex deformation in response to simple light illumination. The ability to topographically control photonic bandgaps allows programmable actuation of the elastomeric substrate in response to illumination. Complex three-dimensional configurations, programmable motion patterns, and phototropic movement where the material moves in response to the motion of a light source are presented. A “photonic sunflower” demonstrator device consisting of a light-tracking solar cell is also illustrated to demonstrate the utility of the material composite. The strategy presented here provides new opportunities for the future development of intelligent optomechanical systems that move with light on demand. Programmable optical actuation in a material provides special possibilities for applications. Here, the authors combine photonic crystals with elastomers to provide material composites with tunable deformation and actuation as a function of moving light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Silklab, Suite 4875, 200 Boston Avenue, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Meng Li
- Silklab, Suite 4875, 200 Boston Avenue, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Jan-Kai Chang
- Center for Bio-Integrated Electronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Daniele Aurelio
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Wenyi Li
- Silklab, Suite 4875, 200 Boston Avenue, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Beom Joon Kim
- Silklab, Suite 4875, 200 Boston Avenue, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Jae Hwan Kim
- Center for Bio-Integrated Electronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Marco Liscidini
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - John A Rogers
- Center for Bio-Integrated Electronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Departments of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Neurological Surgery, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Fiorenzo G Omenetto
- Silklab, Suite 4875, 200 Boston Avenue, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA. .,Department of Physics, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA. .,Department of Electrical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA. .,Laboratory for Living Devices, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.
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Abstract
3D printing (also called "additive manufacturing" or "rapid prototyping") is able to translate computer-aided and designed virtual 3D models into 3D tangible constructs/objects through a layer-by-layer deposition approach. Since its introduction, 3D printing has aroused enormous interest among researchers and engineers to understand the fabrication process and composition-structure-property correlation of printed 3D objects and unleash its great potential for application in a variety of industrial sectors. Because of its unique technological advantages, 3D printing can definitely benefit the field of microrobotics and advance the design and development of functional microrobots in a customized manner. This review aims to present a generic overview of 3D printing for functional microrobots. The most applicable 3D printing techniques, with a focus on laser-based printing, are introduced for the 3D microfabrication of microrobots. 3D-printable materials for fabricating microrobots are reviewed in detail, including photopolymers, photo-crosslinkable hydrogels, and cell-laden hydrogels. The representative applications of 3D-printed microrobots with rational designs heretofore give evidence of how these printed microrobots are being exploited in the medical, environmental, and other relevant fields. A future outlook on the 3D printing of microrobots is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6, 16628, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Pumera
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6, 16628, Czech Republic. and Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 656/123, Brno, CZ-61600, Czech Republic and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00, Brno, Czech Republic and Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
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118
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Li Y, Luo C, Yu K, Wang X. Remotely Controlled, Reversible, On-Demand Assembly and Reconfiguration of 3D Mesostructures via Liquid Crystal Elastomer Platforms. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:8929-8939. [PMID: 33577299 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c21371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) mesostructures are gaining rapidly growing interest due to their potential applications in a broad range of areas. Despite intensive studies, remotely controlled, reversible, on-demand assembly and reconfiguration of 3D mesostructures, which are desired for many applications, including robotics, minimally invasive biomedical devices, and deployable systems, remain a challenge. Here, we introduce a facile strategy to utilize liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), a soft polymer capable of large, reversible shape changes, as a platform for reversible assembly and programming of 3D mesostructures via compressive buckling of two-dimensional (2D) precursors in a remote and on-demand fashion. The highly stretchable, reversible shape-switching behavior of the LCE substrate, resulting from the soft elasticity of the material and the reversible nematic-isotropic transition of liquid crystal (LC) molecules upon remote thermal stimuli, provides deterministic thermal-mechanical control over the reversible assembly and reconfiguration processes. Demonstrations include experimental results and finite element simulations of 3D mesostructures with diverse geometries and material compositions, showing the versatility and reliability of the approach. Furthermore, a reconfigurable light-emitting system is assembled and morphed between its "on" and "off" status via the LCE platform. These results provide many exciting opportunities for areas from remotely programmable 3D mesostructures to tunable electronic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Chaoqian Luo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
| | - Kai Yu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
| | - Xueju Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
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119
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Zhang J, Guo Y, Hu W, Soon RH, Davidson ZS, Sitti M. Liquid Crystal Elastomer-Based Magnetic Composite Films for Reconfigurable Shape-Morphing Soft Miniature Machines. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2006191. [PMID: 33448077 PMCID: PMC7610459 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202006191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive and active materials promise radical advances for many applications. In particular, soft magnetic materials offer precise, fast, and wireless actuation together with versatile functionality, while liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are capable of large reversible and programmable shape-morphing with high work densities in response to various environmental stimuli, e.g., temperature, light, and chemical solutions. Integrating the orthogonal stimuli-responsiveness of these two kinds of active materials could potentially enable new functionalities and future applications. Here, magnetic microparticles (MMPs) are embedded into an LCE film to take the respective advantages of both materials without compromising their independent stimuli-responsiveness. This composite material enables reconfigurable magnetic soft miniature machines that can self-adapt to a changing environment. In particular, a miniature soft robot that can autonomously alter its locomotion mode when it moves from air to hot liquid, a vine-like filament that can sense and twine around a support, and a light-switchable magnetic spring are demonstrated. The integration of LCEs and MMPs into monolithic structures introduces a new dimension in the design of soft machines and thus greatly enhances their use in applications in complex environments, especially for miniature soft robots, which are self-adaptable to environmental changes while being remotely controllable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Zhang
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, 70569, Germany
| | - Yubing Guo
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, 70569, Germany
| | - Wenqi Hu
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, 70569, Germany
| | - Ren Hao Soon
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, 70569, Germany
| | - Zoey S Davidson
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, 70569, Germany
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, 70569, Germany
- Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8092, Switzerland
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120
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Huang A, Hu J, Han M, Wang K, Xia JL, Song J, Fu X, Chang K, Deng X, Liu S, Li Q, Li Z. Tunable Photocontrolled Motions of Anil-Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Systems through Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer and Trans-Cis Isomerization. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2005249. [PMID: 33354839 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202005249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
With the combination of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer and trans-cis isomerization as microscopic molecular motions under light stimulus, multiple photodeformable processes are achieved in anil-poly(ethylene terephthalate) systems, including simple bending, dancing butterflies, and switches. The doping films can realize light-driven contraction as large as 70% and bending angle of about 141°, upon a simple stretching process. The internal mechanism is confirmed by transient absorption spectra, and the relationship between molecular structure and photocontrolled motion is investigated by theoretical calculations and crystal analysis. This work provides a convenient approach by utilizing anils to fabricate reversible actuations with desirable geometries, greatly contributing to the applications and manufacturing of soft robots and related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arui Huang
- Sauvage Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jie Hu
- Sauvage Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Mengmeng Han
- Sauvage Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Kangwei Wang
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Center of Smart Materials and Devices, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jian Long Xia
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Center of Smart Materials and Devices, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jiajia Song
- Institute of Molecular Aggregation Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xuelian Fu
- Sauvage Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Kai Chang
- Sauvage Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Xiaocong Deng
- Sauvage Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Siwei Liu
- Sauvage Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Qianqian Li
- Sauvage Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Sauvage Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
- Institute of Molecular Aggregation Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
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121
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Bio-Inspired Soft Robotics: Tunable Photo-Actuation Behavior of Azo Chromophore Containing Liquid Crystalline Elastomers. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11031233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Bio-inspiration relentlessly sparks the novel ideas to develop innovative soft robotic structures from smart materials. The conceptual soft robotic designs inspired by biomimetic routes have resulted in pioneering research contributions based on the understanding of the material selection and actuation properties. In an attempt to overcome the hazardous injuries, soft robotic systems are used subsequently to ensure safe human–robot interaction. In contrast to dielectric elastomer actuators, prolific efforts were made by understanding the photo-actuating properties of liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) containing azo-derivatives to construct mechanical structures and tiny portable robots for specific technological applications. The structure and material properties of these stimuli-responsive polymers can skillfully be controlled by light. In this short technical note, we highlight the potential high-tech importance and the photo-actuation behavior of some remarkable LCEs with azobenzene chromophores.
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122
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Shanks HR, Wu S, Nguyen NT, Lu D, Saunders BR. Including fluorescent nanoparticle probes within injectable gels for remote strain measurements and discrimination between compression and tension. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:1048-1055. [PMID: 33289763 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01635g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The ability to remotely and non-invasively monitor and measure the strain within injectable gels used to augment soft tissue is highly desirable. Such information could enable real-time monitoring of gel performance and bespoke gel design. We report progress towards this goal using two fluorescent particle probe systems included within two different injectable gels. The two injectable gels have been previously studied in the contexts of intervertebral disc repair and stretchable gels for cartilage repair. The two fluorophore particle probes are blue or near-infrared (NIR) emitting and are present at very low concentrations. The normalised photoluminescence (PL) intensity from the blue emitting probe is shown to equal the compressive deformation ratio of the gels. Furthermore, the normalised ratio of the PL intensities for the blue and NIR probes varies linearly with deformation ratio over a wide range (from 0.2 to 3.0) with a seamless transition from compression to tension. Hence, PL can discriminate between compression and tension. The new approach established here should apply to other gels and enable remote detection of whether a gel is being compressed or stretched as well as the extent. This study may provide an important step towards remotely and minimally invasively measuring the strain experienced by load-supporting gels in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R Shanks
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, MSS Tower, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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123
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Xiao YY, Jiang ZC, Hou JB, Zhao Y. Desynchronized liquid crystalline network actuators with deformation reversal capability. Nat Commun 2021; 12:624. [PMID: 33504810 PMCID: PMC7840968 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-20938-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid crystalline network (LCN) actuator normally deforms upon thermally or optically induced order-disorder phase transition, switching once between two shapes (shape 1 in LC phase and shape 2 in isotropic state) for each stimulation on/off cycle. Herein, we report an LCN actuator that deforms from shape 1 to shape 2 and then reverses the deformation direction to form shape 3 on heating or under light only, thus completing the shape switch twice for one stimulation on/off cycle. The deformation reversal capability is obtained with a monolithic LCN actuator whose two sides are made to start deforming at different temperatures and exerting different reversible strains, by means of asymmetrical crosslinking and/or asymmetrical stretching. This desynchronized actuation strategy offers possibilities in developing light-fueled LCN soft robots. In particular, the multi-stage bidirectional shape change enables multimodal, light-driven locomotion from the same LCN actuator by simply varying the light on/off times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Yu Xiao
- Département de chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Zhi-Chao Jiang
- Département de chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Jun-Bo Hou
- Département de chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Yue Zhao
- Département de chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada.
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124
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Zheng Z, Wang H, Dong L, Shi Q, Li J, Sun T, Huang Q, Fukuda T. Ionic shape-morphing microrobotic end-effectors for environmentally adaptive targeting, releasing, and sampling. Nat Commun 2021; 12:411. [PMID: 33462214 PMCID: PMC7814140 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20697-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Shape-morphing uses a single actuation source for complex-task-oriented multiple patterns generation, showing a more promising way than reconfiguration, especially for microrobots, where multiple actuators are typically hardly available. Environmental stimuli can induce additional causes of shape transformation to compensate the insufficient space for actuators and sensors, which enriches the shape-morphing and thereby enhances the function and intelligence as well. Here, making use of the ionic sensitivity of alginate hydrogel microstructures, we present a shape-morphing strategy for microrobotic end-effectors made from them to adapt to different physiochemical environments. Pre-programmed hydrogel crosslinks were embedded in different patterns within the alginate microstructures in an electric field using different electrode configurations. These microstructures were designed for accomplishing tasks such as targeting, releasing and sampling under the control of a magnetic field and environmental ionic stimuli. In addition to structural flexibility and environmental ion sensitivity, these end-effectors are also characterized by their complete biodegradability and versatile actuation modes. The latter includes global locomotion of the whole end-effector by self-trapping magnetic microspheres as a hitch-hiker and the local opening and closing of the jaws using encapsulated nanoparticles based on local ionic density or pH values. The versatility was demonstrated experimentally in both in vitro environments and ex vivo in a gastrointestinal tract. Global locomotion was programmable and the local opening and closing was achieved by changing the ionic density or pH values. This 'structural intelligence' will enable strategies for shape-morphing and functionalization, which have attracted growing interest for applications in minimally invasive medicine, soft robotics, and smart materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Zheng
- grid.43555.320000 0000 8841 6246Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, 100081 Beijing, China
| | - Huaping Wang
- grid.43555.320000 0000 8841 6246Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, 100081 Beijing, China
| | - Lixin Dong
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 999077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Qing Shi
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XKey Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems (Beijing Institute of Technology), Ministry of Education, 100081 Beijing, China
| | - Jianing Li
- grid.43555.320000 0000 8841 6246Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, 100081 Beijing, China
| | - Tao Sun
- grid.43555.320000 0000 8841 6246Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, 100081 Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- grid.43555.320000 0000 8841 6246Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, 100081 Beijing, China ,grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XKey Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems (Beijing Institute of Technology), Ministry of Education, 100081 Beijing, China
| | - Toshio Fukuda
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XKey Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems (Beijing Institute of Technology), Ministry of Education, 100081 Beijing, China
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125
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Aracri S, Giorgio-Serchi F, Suaria G, Sayed ME, Nemitz MP, Mahon S, Stokes AA. Soft Robots for Ocean Exploration and Offshore Operations: A Perspective. Soft Robot 2021; 8:625-639. [PMID: 33450174 PMCID: PMC8713554 DOI: 10.1089/soro.2020.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ocean and human activities related to the sea are under increasing pressure
due to climate change, widespread pollution, and growth of the offshore energy
sector. Data, in under-sampled regions of the ocean and in the offshore patches
where the industrial expansion is taking place, are fundamental to manage
successfully a sustainable development and to mitigate climate change. Existing
technology cannot cope with the vast and harsh environments that need monitoring
and sampling the most. The limiting factors are, among others, the spatial
scales of the physical domain, the high pressure, and the strong hydrodynamic
perturbations, which require vehicles with a combination of persistent autonomy,
augmented efficiency, extreme robustness, and advanced control. In light of the
most recent developments in soft robotics technologies, we propose that the use
of soft robots may aid in addressing the challenges posed by abyssal and
wave-dominated environments. Nevertheless, soft robots also allow for fast and
low-cost manufacturing, presenting a new potential problem: marine pollution
from ubiquitous soft sampling devices. In this study, the technological and
scientific gaps are widely discussed, as they represent the driving factors for
the development of soft robotics. Offshore industry supports increasing energy
demand and the employment of robots on marine assets is growing. Such expansion
needs to be sustained by the knowledge of the oceanic environment, where large
remote areas are yet to be explored and adequately sampled. We offer our
perspective on the development of sustainable soft systems, indicating the
characteristics of the existing soft robots that promote underwater
maneuverability, locomotion, and sampling. This perspective encourages an
interdisciplinary approach to the design of aquatic soft robots and invites a
discussion about the industrial and oceanographic needs that call for their
application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Aracri
- Scottish Microelectronics Centre, Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Giorgio-Serchi
- Scottish Microelectronics Centre, Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Suaria
- Institute of Marine Sciences-National Research Council (ISMAR-CNR), La Spezia, Italy
| | - Mohammed E Sayed
- Scottish Microelectronics Centre, Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Markus P Nemitz
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Robotics Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephen Mahon
- Scottish Microelectronics Centre, Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Adam A Stokes
- Scottish Microelectronics Centre, Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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126
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Lu X, Ambulo CP, Wang S, Rivera‐Tarazona LK, Kim H, Searles K, Ware TH. 4D‐Printing of Photoswitchable Actuators. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202012618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xili Lu
- Department of Bioengineering University of Texas at Dallas Richardson TX 75080 USA
- Current address: State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering Polymer Research Institute Sichuan University Chengdu 610065 China
| | - Cedric P. Ambulo
- Department of Bioengineering University of Texas at Dallas Richardson TX 75080 USA
| | - Suitu Wang
- Department of Bioengineering University of Texas at Dallas Richardson TX 75080 USA
- Current address: Department of Materials Science and Engineering Texas A&M University College Station TX 77843 USA
| | - Laura K. Rivera‐Tarazona
- Department of Bioengineering University of Texas at Dallas Richardson TX 75080 USA
- Current address: Department of Biomedical Engineering Texas A&M University College Station TX 77843 USA
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Bioengineering University of Texas at Dallas Richardson TX 75080 USA
- Current address: Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate CCDC Army Research Laboratory Adelphi MD 20783 USA
| | - Kyle Searles
- Department of Bioengineering University of Texas at Dallas Richardson TX 75080 USA
| | - Taylor H. Ware
- Department of Bioengineering University of Texas at Dallas Richardson TX 75080 USA
- Current address: Department of Biomedical Engineering Texas A&M University College Station TX 77843 USA
- Current address: Department of Materials Science and Engineering Texas A&M University College Station TX 77843 USA
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127
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Lu X, Ambulo CP, Wang S, Rivera-Tarazona LK, Kim H, Searles K, Ware TH. 4D-Printing of Photoswitchable Actuators. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:5536-5543. [PMID: 33217118 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202012618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Shape-switching behavior, where a transient stimulus induces an indefinitely stable deformation that can be recovered on exposure to another transient stimulus, is critical to building smart structures from responsive polymers as continue power is not needed to maintain deformations. Herein, we 4D-print shape-switching liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) functionalized with supramolecular crosslinks, dynamic covalent crosslinks, and azobenzene. The salient property of shape-switching LCEs is that light induces long-lived, deformation that can be recovered on-demand by heating. UV-light isomerizes azobenzene from trans to cis, and temporarily breaks the supramolecular crosslinks, resulting in a programmed deformation. After UV, the shape-switching LCEs fix more than 90 % of the deformation over 3 days by the reformed supramolecular crosslinks. Using the shape-switching properties, we print Braille-like actuators that can be photoswitched to display different letters. This new class of photoswitchable actuators may impact applications such as deployable devices where continuous application of power is impractical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xili Lu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.,Current address: State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Cedric P Ambulo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Suitu Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.,Current address: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Laura K Rivera-Tarazona
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.,Current address: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.,Current address: Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate, CCDC Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, MD, 20783, USA
| | - Kyle Searles
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Taylor H Ware
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.,Current address: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.,Current address: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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128
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Li C, Lau GC, Yuan H, Aggarwal A, Dominguez VL, Liu S, Sai H, Palmer LC, Sather NA, Pearson TJ, Freedman DE, Amiri PK, de la Cruz MO, Stupp SI. Fast and programmable locomotion of hydrogel-metal hybrids under light and magnetic fields. Sci Robot 2020; 5:5/49/eabb9822. [DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abb9822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Li
- Center for Bio-inspired Energy Science, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Garrett C. Lau
- Center for Bio-inspired Energy Science, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Hang Yuan
- Center for Bio-inspired Energy Science, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Graduate Program in Applied Physics, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Aaveg Aggarwal
- Center for Bio-inspired Energy Science, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Victor Lopez Dominguez
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Shuangping Liu
- Center for Bio-inspired Energy Science, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Hiroaki Sai
- Center for Bio-inspired Energy Science, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Liam C. Palmer
- Center for Bio-inspired Energy Science, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Sather
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Tyler J. Pearson
- Center for Bio-inspired Energy Science, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Danna E. Freedman
- Center for Bio-inspired Energy Science, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Pedram Khalili Amiri
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Monica Olvera de la Cruz
- Center for Bio-inspired Energy Science, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Samuel I. Stupp
- Center for Bio-inspired Energy Science, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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129
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Wu S, Hu W, Ze Q, Sitti M, Zhao R. Multifunctional magnetic soft composites: a review. MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2020; 3:042003. [PMID: 33834121 PMCID: PMC7610551 DOI: 10.1088/2399-7532/abcb0c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Magnetically responsive soft materials are soft composites where magnetic fillers are embedded into soft polymeric matrices. These active materials have attracted extensive research and industrial interest due to their ability to realize fast and programmable shape changes through remote and untethered control under the application of magnetic fields. They would have many high-impact potential applications in soft robotics/devices, metamaterials, and biomedical devices. With a broad range of functional magnetic fillers, polymeric matrices, and advanced fabrication techniques, the material properties can be programmed for integrated functions, including programmable shape morphing, dynamic shape deformation-based locomotion, object manipulation and assembly, remote heat generation, as well as reconfigurable electronics. In this review, an overview of state-of-the-art developments and future perspectives in the multifunctional magnetically responsive soft materials is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States of America
| | - Wenqi Hu
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Qiji Ze
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States of America
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ruike Zhao
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States of America
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130
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Abstract
Magnetically actuated miniature soft robots are capable of programmable deformations for multimodal locomotion and manipulation functions, potentially enabling direct access to currently unreachable or difficult-to-access regions inside the human body for minimally invasive medical operations. However, magnetic miniature soft robots are so far mostly based on elastomers, where their limited deformability prevents them from navigating inside clustered and very constrained environments, such as squeezing through narrow crevices much smaller than the robot size. Moreover, their functionalities are currently restricted by their predesigned shapes, which is challenging to be reconfigured in situ in enclosed spaces. Here, we report a method to actuate and control ferrofluid droplets as shape-programmable magnetic miniature soft robots, which can navigate in two dimensions through narrow channels much smaller than their sizes thanks to their liquid properties. By controlling the external magnetic fields spatiotemporally, these droplet robots can also be reconfigured to exhibit multiple functionalities, including on-demand splitting and merging for delivering liquid cargos and morphing into different shapes for efficient and versatile manipulation of delicate objects. In addition, a single-droplet robot can be controlled to split into multiple subdroplets and complete cooperative tasks, such as working as a programmable fluidic-mixing device for addressable and sequential mixing of different liquids. Due to their extreme deformability, in situ reconfigurability and cooperative behavior, the proposed ferrofluid droplet robots could open up a wide range of unprecedented functionalities for lab/organ-on-a-chip, fluidics, bioengineering, and medical device applications.
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131
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Ambulo CP, Tasmim S, Wang S, Abdelrahman MK, Zimmern PE, Ware TH. Processing advances in liquid crystal elastomers provide a path to biomedical applications. JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS 2020; 128:140901. [PMID: 33060862 PMCID: PMC7546753 DOI: 10.1063/5.0021143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are a class of stimuli-responsive polymers that undergo reversible shape-change in response to environmental changes. The shape change of LCEs can be programmed during processing by orienting the liquid crystal phase prior to crosslinking. The suite of processing techniques that has been developed has resulted in a myriad of LCEs with different shape-changing behavior and mechanical properties. Aligning LCEs via mechanical straining yields large uniaxial actuators capable of a moderate force output. Magnetic fields are utilized to control the alignment within LCE microstructures. The generation of out-of-plane deformations such as bending, twisting, and coning is enabled by surface alignment techniques within thin films. 4D printing processes have emerged that enable the fabrication of centimeter-scale, 3D LCE structures with a complex alignment. The processing technique also determines, to a large extent, the potential applications of the LCE. For example, 4D printing enables the fabrication of LCE actuators capable of replicating the forces generated by human muscles. Employing surface alignment techniques, LCE films can be designed for use as coatings or as substrates for stretchable electronics. The growth of new processes and strategies opens and strengthens the path for LCEs to be applicable within biomedical device designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric P Ambulo
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA
| | | | | | | | - Philippe E Zimmern
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
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132
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Zhu QL, Du C, Dai Y, Daab M, Matejdes M, Breu J, Hong W, Zheng Q, Wu ZL. Light-steered locomotion of muscle-like hydrogel by self-coordinated shape change and friction modulation. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5166. [PMID: 33056999 PMCID: PMC7560679 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18801-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Many creatures have the ability to traverse challenging environments by using their active muscles with anisotropic structures as the motors in a highly coordinated fashion. However, most artificial robots require multiple independently activated actuators to achieve similar purposes. Here we report a hydrogel-based, biomimetic soft robot capable of multimodal locomotion fueled and steered by light irradiation. A muscle-like poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanocomposite hydrogel is prepared by electrical orientation of nanosheets and subsequent gelation. Patterned anisotropic hydrogels are fabricated by multi-step electrical orientation and photolithographic polymerization, affording programmed deformations. Under light irradiation, the gold-nanoparticle-incorporated hydrogels undergo concurrent fast isochoric deformation and rapid increase in friction against a hydrophobic substrate. Versatile motion gaits including crawling, walking, and turning with controllable directions are realized in the soft robots by dynamic synergy of localized shape-changing and friction manipulation under spatiotemporal light stimuli. The principle and strategy should merit designing of continuum soft robots with biomimetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li Zhu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Cong Du
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yahao Dai
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Matthias Daab
- Bavarian Polymer Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, Bayreuth, 95440, Germany
| | - Marian Matejdes
- Bavarian Polymer Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, Bayreuth, 95440, Germany
| | - Josef Breu
- Bavarian Polymer Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, Bayreuth, 95440, Germany
| | - Wei Hong
- Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Qiang Zheng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Zi Liang Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
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133
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Pilz da Cunha M, Debije MG, Schenning APHJ. Bioinspired light-driven soft robots based on liquid crystal polymers. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:6568-6578. [PMID: 32779649 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00363h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Nature is a constant source of inspiration for materials scientists, fueling the dream of mimicking life-like motion and tasks in untethered, man-made devices. Liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) programmed to undergo three-dimensional shape changes in response to light are promising materials for fulfilling this dream. The successful development of autonomous, highly controlled light-driven soft robots calls for an understanding of light-driven actuation, advancements in material function and performance, and progress in engineering principles for transforming actuation into life-like motions, from simple bending to walking, for example. This tutorial review includes an introduction to liquid crystal (LC)-based materials and highlights developments in light-responsive LC polymers, shape programmability and sustained motions to finally achieve bioinspired untethered soft robots able to perform locomotion and tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pilz da Cunha
- Laboratory of Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials & Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - M G Debije
- Laboratory of Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials & Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - A P H J Schenning
- Laboratory of Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials & Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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134
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Guo Y, Shahsavan H, Sitti M. 3D Microstructures of Liquid Crystal Networks with Programmed Voxelated Director Fields. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e2002753. [PMID: 32767434 PMCID: PMC7610484 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202002753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The shape-shifting behavior of liquid crystal networks (LCNs) and elastomers (LCEs) is a result of an interplay between their initial geometrical shape and their molecular alignment. For years, reliance on either one-step in situ or two-step film processing techniques has limited the shape-change transformations from 2D to 3D geometries. The combination of various fabrication techniques, alignment methods, and chemical formulations developed in recent years has introduced new opportunities to achieve 3D-to-3D shape-transformations in large scales, albeit the precise control of local molecular alignment in microscale 3D constructs remains a challenge. Here, the voxel-by-voxel encoding of nematic alignment in 3D microstructures of LCNs produced by two-photon polymerization using high-resolution topographical features is demonstrated. 3D LCN microstructures (suspended films, coils, and rings) with designable 2D and 3D director fields with a resolution of 5 µm are achieved. Different shape transformations of LCN microstructures with the same geometry but dissimilar molecular alignments upon actuation are elicited. This strategy offers higher freedom in the shape-change programming of 3D LCN microstructures and expands their applicability in emerging technologies, such as small-scale soft robots and devices and responsive surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubing Guo
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hamed Shahsavan
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
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135
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Zmyślony M, Dradrach K, Haberko J, Nałęcz-Jawecki P, Rogóż M, Wasylczyk P. Optical Pliers: Micrometer-Scale, Light-Driven Tools Grown on Optical Fibers. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e2002779. [PMID: 32627876 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202002779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The ability to grip and handle small objects, from sub-millimeter electronic components to single-micrometer living cells, is vital for numerous ever-shrinking technologies. Mechanical grippers, powered by electric, pneumatic, hydraulic or piezoelectric servos, are well suited for the job at larger scales, but their complexity and need for force transmission prevent their miniaturization and remote control in tight spaces. Using liquid crystal elastomer microstructures that can change shape quickly and reversibly in response to light, a light-powered gripping tool-optical pliers-is built by growing two bending jaws on the tips of optical fibers. By delivering UV light to trigger polymerization via a micrometer-size fiber core, structures of similar size can be made without resorting to any microfabrication technology, such as laser photolithography. The tool is operated using visible light energy supplied through the fibers, with no force transmission. The elastomer growth technique readily offers micrometer-scale, remotely controlled functional structures with different modes of actuation as building blocks for the microtoolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Zmyślony
- Photonic Nanostructure Facility, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, ul. Pasteura 5, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland
| | - Klaudia Dradrach
- Photonic Nanostructure Facility, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, ul. Pasteura 5, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland
| | - Jakub Haberko
- Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, Kraków, 30-059, Poland
| | - Paweł Nałęcz-Jawecki
- Photonic Nanostructure Facility, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, ul. Pasteura 5, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland
| | - Mikołaj Rogóż
- Photonic Nanostructure Facility, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, ul. Pasteura 5, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland
| | - Piotr Wasylczyk
- Photonic Nanostructure Facility, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, ul. Pasteura 5, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland
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136
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Pilz da Cunha M, Kandail HS, den Toonder JMJ, Schenning APHJ. An artificial aquatic polyp that wirelessly attracts, grasps, and releases objects. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:17571-17577. [PMID: 32661153 PMCID: PMC7395531 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2004748117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of light-responsive materials has captured scientific attention and advanced the development of wirelessly driven terrestrial soft robots. Marine organisms trigger inspiration to expand the paradigm of untethered soft robotics into aqueous environments. However, this expansion toward aquatic soft robots is hampered by the slow response of most light-driven polymers to low light intensities and by the lack of controlled multishape deformations. Herein, we present a surface-anchored artificial aquatic coral polyp composed of a magnetically driven stem and a light-driven gripper. Through magnetically driven motion, the polyp induces stirring and attracts suspended targets. The light-responsive gripper is sensitive to low light intensities and has programmable states and rapid and highly controlled actuation, allowing the polyp to capture or release targets on demand. The artificial polyp demonstrates that assemblies of stimuli-responsive materials in water utilizing coordinated motion can perform tasks not possible for single-component devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Pilz da Cunha
- Laboratory of Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials & Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jaap M J den Toonder
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P H J Schenning
- Laboratory of Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials & Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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137
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Lahikainen M, Zeng H, Priimagi A. Design principles for non-reciprocal photomechanical actuation. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:5951-5958. [PMID: 32542246 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00624f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Non-reciprocal motions are a sequence of movements exhibiting time-reversal asymmetry. Such movements are common among various natural species, being adopted as a typical strategy for achieving efficient locomotion. Generally, the realization of non-reciprocal motions in man-made robotic devices requires synchronous control of at least two individual actuators, hence posing challenges to soft micro-robotics where the miniaturization limits integration of different mechanical components and the possibility of using onboard batteries. Here, we introduce general concepts for achieving non-reciprocal movements in wirelessly controlled soft actuators made of photomechanically responsive liquid crystal networks. The monolithic actuators are composed of two segments that can be actuated photochemically and photothermally, and the non-reciprocal motion is obtained by a control sequence that temporally modulates light sources of different wavelengths. Through proper selection of photoactive compounds, the number of modulated light sources can be decreased, from three to two, and eventually to one. Finally, we demonstrate non-reciprocal self-oscillation by self-shadowing effect in a flexible strip under a constant light field with no temporal modulation. This study provides general guidelines to light-controlled non-reciprocal actuation, offering new strategies for the control of wireless soft micro-robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Lahikainen
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P. O. Box 541, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland.
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138
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Wang Y, Huang W, Wang Y, Mu X, Ling S, Yu H, Chen W, Guo C, Watson MC, Yu Y, Black LD, Li M, Omenetto FG, Li C, Kaplan DL. Stimuli-responsive composite biopolymer actuators with selective spatial deformation behavior. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:14602-14608. [PMID: 32522869 PMCID: PMC7322001 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2002996117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioinspired actuators with stimuli-responsive and deformable properties are being pursued in fields such as artificial tissues, medical devices and diagnostics, and intelligent biosensors. These applications require that actuator systems have biocompatibility, controlled deformability, biodegradability, mechanical durability, and stable reversibility. Herein, we report a bionic actuator system consisting of stimuli-responsive genetically engineered silk-elastin-like protein (SELP) hydrogels and wood-derived cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), which respond to temperature and ionic strength underwater by ecofriendly methods. Programmed site-selective actuation can be predicted and folded into three-dimensional (3D) origami-like shapes. The reversible deformation performance of the SELP/CNF actuators was quantified, and complex spatial transformations of multilayer actuators were demonstrated, including a biomimetic flower design with selective petal movements. Such actuators consisting entirely of biocompatible and biodegradable materials will offer an option toward constructing stimuli-responsive systems for in vivo biomedicine soft robotics and bionic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushu Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Wenwen Huang
- Department of Orthopedics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Xuan Mu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Shengjie Ling
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Haipeng Yu
- Key laboratory of Bio-based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Wenshuai Chen
- Key laboratory of Bio-based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Chengchen Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Matthew C Watson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Yingjie Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Lauren D Black
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
| | | | - Chunmei Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155;
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155;
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