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Kong Q, Tan Y, Zhang H, Zhu T, Li Y, Xing Y, Wang X. Mimosa-Inspired Body Temperature-Responsive Shape Memory Polymer Networks: High Energy Densities and Multi-Recyclability. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2407596. [PMID: 39140246 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202407596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Inspired by the Mimosa plant, this study herein develops a unique dynamic shape memory polymer (SMP) network capable of transitioning from hard to pliable with heat, featuring reversible actuation, self-healing, recyclability, and degradability. This material is adept at simulating the functionalities of artificial muscles for a variety of tasks, with a remarkable specific energy density of 1.8 J g-1-≈46 times higher than that of human skeletal muscle. As an intelligent manipulator, it demonstrates remarkable proficiency in identifying and handling items at high temperatures. Its suitable rate of shape recovery around human body temperature indicates its promising utility as an implant material for addressing acute obstructions. The dynamic covalent bonding within the network structure not only provides excellent resistance to solvents but also bestows remarkable abilities for self-healing, reprocessing, and degradation. These attributes significantly boost its practicality and environmental sustainability. Anticipated to promote advancements in the sectors of biomedical devices, soft robotics, and smart actuators, this SMP network represents a forward leap in simulating artificial muscles, marking a stride toward the future of adaptive and sustainable technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingming Kong
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Yu Tan
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Haiyang Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Tengyang Zhu
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Yitan Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Yongzheng Xing
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Xu Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
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Zhang C, Fei G, Lu X, Xia H, Zhao Y. Liquid Crystal Elastomer Artificial Tendrils with Asymmetric Core-Sheath Structure Showing Evolutionary Biomimetic Locomotion. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2307210. [PMID: 37805917 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The sophisticated and complex haptonastic movements in response to environmental-stimuli of living organisms have always fascinated scientists. However, how to fundamentally mimic the sophisticated hierarchical architectures of living organisms to provide the artificial counterparts with similar or even beyond-natural functions based on the underlying mechanism remains a major scientific challenge. Here, liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) artificial tendrils showing evolutionary biomimetic locomotion are developed following the structure-function principle that is used in nature to grow climbing plants. These elaborately designed tendril-like LCE actuators possess an asymmetric core-sheath architecture which shows a higher-to-lower transition in the degree of LC orientation from the sheath-to-core layer across the semi-ellipse cross-section. Upon heating and cooling, the LCE artificial tendril can undergo reversible tendril-like shape-morphing behaviors, such as helical coiling/winding, and perversion. The fundamental mechanism of the helical shape-morphing of the artificial tendril is revealed by using theoretical models and finite element simulations. Besides, the incorporation of metal-ligand coordination into the LCE network provides the artificial tendril with reconfigurable shape-morphing performances such as helical transitions and rotational deformations. Finally, the abilities of helical and rotational deformations are integrated into a new reprogrammed flagellum-like architecture to perform evolutionary locomotion mimicking the haptonastic movements of the natural flagellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Guoxia Fei
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Xili Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Hesheng Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Département de chimie Université de Sherbrooke Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
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Razzaq MY, Balk M, Mazurek-Budzyńska M, Schadewald A. From Nature to Technology: Exploring Bioinspired Polymer Actuators via Electrospinning. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4029. [PMID: 37836078 PMCID: PMC10574948 DOI: 10.3390/polym15194029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nature has always been a source of inspiration for the development of novel materials and devices. In particular, polymer actuators that mimic the movements and functions of natural organisms have been of great interest due to their potential applications in various fields, such as biomedical engineering, soft robotics, and energy harvesting. During recent years, the development and actuation performance of electrospun fibrous meshes with the advantages of high permeability, surface area, and easy functional modification, has received extensive attention from researchers. This review covers the recent progress in the state-of-the-art electrospun actuators based on commonly used polymers such as stimuli-sensitive hydrogels, shape-memory polymers (SMPs), and electroactive polymers. The design strategies inspired by nature such as hierarchical systems, layered structures, and responsive interfaces to enhance the performance and functionality of these actuators, including the role of biomimicry to create devices that mimic the behavior of natural organisms, are discussed. Finally, the challenges and future directions in the field, with a focus on the development of more efficient and versatile electrospun polymer actuators which can be used in a wide range of applications, are addressed. The insights gained from this review can contribute to the development of advanced and multifunctional actuators with improved performance and expanded application possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Yasar Razzaq
- Institut für Kunststofftechnologie und Recycling e. V., Gewerbepark 3, D-6369 Südliches Anhalt, Germany
| | - Maria Balk
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Kantstraße 55, D-14513 Teltow, Germany
| | | | - Anke Schadewald
- Institut für Kunststofftechnologie und Recycling e. V., Gewerbepark 3, D-6369 Südliches Anhalt, Germany
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Farhan M, Hartstein DS, Pieper Y, Behl M, Lendlein A, Neffe AT. Bio-Inspired Magnetically Controlled Reversibly Actuating Multimaterial Fibers. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15092233. [PMID: 37177379 PMCID: PMC10181395 DOI: 10.3390/polym15092233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Movements in plants, such as the coiling of tendrils in climbing plants, have been studied as inspiration for coiling actuators in robotics. A promising approach to mimic this behavior is the use of multimaterial systems that show different elastic moduli. Here, we report on the development of magnetically controllable/triggerable multimaterial fibers (MMFs) as artificial tendrils, which can reversibly coil and uncoil on stimulation from an alternating magnetic field. These MMFs are based on deformed shape-memory fibers with poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] (PEVA) as their core and a silicone-based soft elastomeric magnetic nanocomposite shell. The core fiber provides a temperature-dependent expansion/contraction that propagates the coiling of the MMF, while the shell enables inductive heating to actuate the movements in these MMFs. Composites with mNP weight content ≥ 15 wt% were required to achieve heating suitable to initiate movement. The MMFs coil upon application of the magnetic field, in which a degree of coiling N = 0.8 ± 0.2 was achieved. Cooling upon switching OFF the magnetic field reversed some of the coiling, giving a reversible change in coiling ∆n = 2 ± 0.5. These MMFs allow magnetically controlled remote and reversible actuation in artificial (soft) plant-like tendrils, and are envisioned as fiber actuators in future robotics applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Farhan
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Kantstr. 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany
| | - Daniel S Hartstein
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Kantstr. 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany
| | - Yvonne Pieper
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Kantstr. 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany
| | - Marc Behl
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Kantstr. 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany
| | - Andreas Lendlein
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Kantstr. 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Axel T Neffe
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Kantstr. 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany
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