1
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Zhang L, Xing S, Yin H, Weisbecker H, Tran HT, Guo Z, Han T, Wang Y, Liu Y, Wu Y, Xie W, Huang C, Luo W, Demaesschalck M, McKinney C, Hankley S, Huang A, Brusseau B, Messenger J, Zou Y, Bai W. Skin-inspired, sensory robots for electronic implants. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4777. [PMID: 38839748 PMCID: PMC11153219 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48903-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Drawing inspiration from cohesive integration of skeletal muscles and sensory skins in vertebrate animals, we present a design strategy of soft robots, primarily consisting of an electronic skin (e-skin) and an artificial muscle. These robots integrate multifunctional sensing and on-demand actuation into a biocompatible platform using an in-situ solution-based method. They feature biomimetic designs that enable adaptive motions and stress-free contact with tissues, supported by a battery-free wireless module for untethered operation. Demonstrations range from a robotic cuff for detecting blood pressure, to a robotic gripper for tracking bladder volume, an ingestible robot for pH sensing and on-site drug delivery, and a robotic patch for quantifying cardiac function and delivering electrotherapy, highlighting the application versatilities and potentials of the bio-inspired soft robots. Our designs establish a universal strategy with a broad range of sensing and responsive materials, to form integrated soft robots for medical technology and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Sicheng Xing
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Haifeng Yin
- MCAllister Heart Institute Core, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Hannah Weisbecker
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Hiep Thanh Tran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Ziheng Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Tianhong Han
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Yihang Wang
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Yihan Liu
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Yizhang Wu
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Wanrong Xie
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Chuqi Huang
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Wei Luo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | | | - Collin McKinney
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Samuel Hankley
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Amber Huang
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Brynn Brusseau
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Jett Messenger
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Yici Zou
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Wubin Bai
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.
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2
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Li X, Hou K, Long Y, Song K. LM-Gel Plasticine Based on Binary Cooperative with Kneadable Shaping and Conductivity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024. [PMID: 38711229 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c03471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Liquid metal (LM)-based polymers have received growing interest for wearable health monitoring, electronic skins, and soft robotics. However, fabricating multifunctional LM-based polymers, in particular, featuring a convenient shaping ability while offering excellent deformability and conductivity remains a challenge. To overcome this obstacle, here, we propose a strategy to prepare LM-Gel "plasticine" (LGP) with great deformability, which is composed of a PVA (poly(vinyl alcohol)) soft network and an LM conductive phase. LGP can be easily constructed into different shapes such as plasticine and can be applied to different conditions (such as building a 3D circuit, circuit repair, and switch). Meanwhile, LGP has great conductivity (2.3 × 104 S/m) after surface annealing. Besides, LGP has a good electric heating performance, which shows the potential for application in wearable heating devices. Thus, this approach not only provides a way to prepare LM-polymer plasticine but also provides a novel perspective toward extending the applied range of LM-polymer composites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingchao Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Kai Hou
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Yue Long
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Binzhou Institute of Technology, Weiqiao-UCAS Science and Technology Park, Binzhou City 256606, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Kai Song
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- Binzhou Institute of Technology, Weiqiao-UCAS Science and Technology Park, Binzhou City 256606, Shandong, P. R. China
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3
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Lee WS, Enomoto T, Akimoto AM, Yoshida R. Temperature-Adaptative Self-Oscillating Gels: Toward Autonomous Biomimetic Soft Actuators with Broad Operating Temperature Region. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024:e2400038. [PMID: 38684191 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400038] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Self-oscillating gel systems exhibiting an expanded operating temperature and accompanying functional adaptability are showcased. The developed system contains nonthermoresponsive main-monomers, such as N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm) or 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) or acrylamide (AAm) or 3-(methacryloylamino)propyl trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC). The gels volumetrically self-oscillate within the range of the conventional (20.0 °C) and extended (27.0 and 36.5 °C) temperatures. Moreover, the gels successfully adapt to the environmental changes; they beat faster and smaller as the temperature increases. The period and amplitude are also controlled by tuning the amount of main-monomers and N-(3-aminopropyl) acrylamide. Furthermore, the record amplitude in the bulk gel system consisting of polymer strand and cross-linker at 36.5 °C is achieved (≈10.8%). The study shows new self-oscillation systems composed of unprecedented combinations of materials, giving the community a robust material-based insight for developing more life-like autonomous biomimetic soft robots with various operating temperatures and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Seok Lee
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takafumi Enomoto
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Aya Mizutani Akimoto
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Ryo Yoshida
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
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4
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Wang T, Jin T, Lin W, Lin Y, Liu H, Yue T, Tian Y, Li L, Zhang Q, Lee C. Multimodal Sensors Enabled Autonomous Soft Robotic System with Self-Adaptive Manipulation. ACS NANO 2024; 18:9980-9996. [PMID: 38387068 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c11281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Human hands are amazingly skilled at recognizing and handling objects of different sizes and shapes. To date, soft robots rarely demonstrate autonomy equivalent to that of humans for fine perception and dexterous operation. Here, an intelligent soft robotic system with autonomous operation and multimodal perception ability is developed by integrating capacitive sensors with triboelectric sensor. With distributed multiple sensors, our robot system can not only sense and memorize multimodal information but also enable an adaptive grasping method for robotic positioning and grasp control, during which the multimodal sensory information can be captured sensitively and fused at feature level for crossmodally recognizing objects, leading to a highly enhanced recognition capability. The proposed system, combining the performance and physical intelligence of biological systems (i.e., self-adaptive behavior and multimodal perception), will greatly advance the integration of soft actuators and robotics in many fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhong Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- Advanced Robotics Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117608, Singapore
| | - Tao Jin
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- Advanced Robotics Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117608, Singapore
| | - Weiyang Lin
- Research Institute of Intelligent Control and Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangqiao Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongfei Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Tao Yue
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingzhong Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Long Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Quan Zhang
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengkuo Lee
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117583, Singapore
- Center for Intelligent Sensors and MEMS, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117583, Singapore
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5
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Pinchin NP, Guo H, Meteling H, Deng Z, Priimagi A, Shahsavan H. Liquid Crystal Networks Meet Water: It's Complicated! ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2303740. [PMID: 37392137 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202303740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Soft robots are composed of compliant materials that facilitate high degrees of freedom, shape-change adaptability, and safer interaction with humans. An attractive choice of material for soft robotics is crosslinked networks of liquid crystal polymers (LCNs), as they are responsive to a wide variety of external stimuli and capable of undergoing fast, programmable, complex shape morphing, which allows for their use in a wide range of soft robotic applications. However, unlike hydrogels, another popular material in soft robotics, LCNs have limited applicability in flooded or aquatic environments. This can be attributed not only to the poor efficiency of common LCN actuation methods underwater but also to the complicated relationship between LCNs and water. In this review, the relationship between water and LCNs is elaborated and the existing body of literature is surveyed where LCNs, both hygroscopic and non-hygroscopic, are utilized in aquatic soft robotic applications. Then the challenges LCNs face in widespread adaptation to aquatic soft robotic applications are discussed and, finally, possible paths forward for their successful use in aquatic environments are envisaged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie P Pinchin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Hongshuang Guo
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, FI-33101, Finland
| | - Henning Meteling
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, FI-33101, Finland
| | - Zixuan Deng
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, FI-33101, Finland
| | - Arri Priimagi
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, FI-33101, Finland
| | - Hamed Shahsavan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
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6
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Ou Yang CW, Yu SY, Chan CW, Tseng CY, Cai JF, Huang HP, Juang JY. Enhancing the Versatility and Performance of Soft Robotic Grippers, Hands, and Crawling Robots Through Three-Dimensional-Printed Multifunctional Buckling Joints. Soft Robot 2024. [PMID: 38387016 DOI: 10.1089/soro.2023.0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Soft robotic grippers and hands offer adaptability, lightweight construction, and enhanced safety in human-robot interactions. In this study, we introduce vacuum-actuated soft robotic finger joints to overcome their limitations in stiffness, response, and load-carrying capability. Our design-optimized through parametric design and three-dimensional (3D) printing-achieves high stiffness using vacuum pressure and a buckling mechanism for large bending angles (>90°) and rapid response times (0.24 s). We develop a theoretical model and nonlinear finite-element simulations to validate the experimental results and provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanics and visualization of the deformation and stress field. We showcase versatile applications of the buckling joints: a three-finger gripper with a large lifting ratio (∼96), a five-finger robotic hand capable of replicating human gestures and adeptly grasping objects of various characteristics in static and dynamic scenarios, and a planar-crawling robot carrying loads 30 times its weight at 0.89 body length per second (BL/s). In addition, a jellyfish-inspired robot crawls in circular pipes at 0.47 BL/s. By enhancing soft robotic grippers' functionality and performance, our study expands their applications and paves the way for innovation through 3D-printed multifunctional buckling joints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wen Ou Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Yi Yu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Che-Wei Chan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yao Tseng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Fang Cai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Pang Huang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Yang Juang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Program in Nanoengineering and Nanoscience, Graduate School of Advanced Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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7
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Xue E, Liu L, Wu W, Wang B. Soft Fiber/Textile Actuators: From Design Strategies to Diverse Applications. ACS NANO 2024; 18:89-118. [PMID: 38146868 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c09307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Fiber/textile-based actuators have garnered considerable attention due to their distinctive attributes, encompassing higher degrees of freedom, intriguing deformations, and enhanced adaptability to complex structures. Recent studies highlight the development of advanced fibers and textiles, expanding the application scope of fiber/textile-based actuators across diverse emerging fields. Unlike sheet-like soft actuators, fibers/textiles with intricate structures exhibit versatile movements, such as contraction, coiling, bending, and folding, achieved through adjustable strain and stroke. In this review article, we provide a timely and comprehensive overview of fiber/textile actuators, including structures, fabrication methods, actuation principles, and applications. After discussing the hierarchical structure and deformation of the fiber/textile actuator, we discuss various spinning strategies, detailing the merits and drawbacks of each. Next, we present the actuation principles of fiber/fabric actuators, along with common external stimuli. In addition, we provide a summary of the emerging applications of fiber/textile actuators. Concluding with an assessment of existing challenges and future opportunities, this review aims to provide a valuable perspective on the enticing realm of fiber/textile-based actuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enbo Xue
- School of Electronic Science & Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, P. R. China
| | - Limei Liu
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225127, P. R. China
| | - Wei Wu
- Laboratory of Printable Functional Materials and Printed Electronics, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Binghao Wang
- School of Electronic Science & Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, P. R. China
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8
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Huang SC, Zhu YJ, Huang XY, Xia XX, Qian ZG. Programmable adhesion and morphing of protein hydrogels for underwater robots. Nat Commun 2024; 15:195. [PMID: 38172123 PMCID: PMC10764313 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44564-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Soft robots capable of efficiently implementing tasks in fluid-immersed environments hold great promise for diverse applications. However, it remains challenging to achieve robotization that relies on dynamic underwater adhesion and morphing capability. Here we propose the construction of such robots with designer protein materials. Firstly, a resilin-like protein is complexed with polyoxometalate anions to form hydrogels that can rapidly switch between soft adhesive and stiff non-adhesive states in aqueous environments in response to small temperature variation. To realize remote control over dynamic adhesion and morphing, Fe3O4 nanoparticles are then integrated into the hydrogels to form soft robots with photothermal and magnetic responsiveness. These robots are demonstrated to undertake complex tasks including repairing artificial blood vessel, capturing and delivering multiple cargoes in water under cooperative control of infrared light and magnetic field. These findings pave an avenue for the creation of protein-based underwater robots with on-demand functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Chen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Jiao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Xia Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhi-Gang Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Bai W, Zhang L, Xing S, Yin H, Weisbecker H, Tran HT, Guo Z, Han T, Wang Y, Liu Y, Wu Y, Xie W, Huang C, Luo W, Demaesschalck M, McKinney C, Hankley S, Huang A, Brusseau B, Messenger J, Zou Y. Skin-inspired, sensory robots for electronic implants. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3665801. [PMID: 38196588 PMCID: PMC10775366 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3665801/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Living organisms with motor and sensor units integrated seamlessly demonstrate effective adaptation to dynamically changing environments. Drawing inspiration from cohesive integration of skeletal muscles and sensory skins in these organisms, we present a design strategy of soft robots, primarily consisting of an electronic skin (e-skin) and an artificial muscle, that naturally couples multifunctional sensing and on-demand actuation in a biocompatible platform. We introduce an in situ solution-based method to create an e-skin layer with diverse sensing materials (e.g., silver nanowires, reduced graphene oxide, MXene, and conductive polymers) incorporated within a polymer matrix (e.g., polyimide), imitating complex skin receptors to perceive various stimuli. Biomimicry designs (e.g., starfish and chiral seedpods) of the robots enable various motions (e.g., bending, expanding, and twisting) on demand and realize good fixation and stress-free contact with tissues. Furthermore, integration of a battery-free wireless module into these robots enables operation and communication without tethering, thus enhancing the safety and biocompatibility as minimally invasive implants. Demonstrations range from a robotic cuff encircling a blood vessel for detecting blood pressure, to a robotic gripper holding onto a bladder for tracking bladder volume, an ingestible robot residing inside stomach for pH sensing and on-site drug delivery, and a robotic patch wrapping onto a beating heart for quantifying cardiac contractility, temperature and applying cardiac pacing, highlighting the application versatilities and potentials of the nature-inspired soft robots. Our designs establish a universal strategy with a broad range of sensing and responsive materials, to form integrated soft robots for medical technology and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wubin Bai
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yizhang Wu
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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10
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Hauck M, Saure LM, Zeller-Plumhoff B, Kaps S, Hammel J, Mohr C, Rieck L, Nia AS, Feng X, Pugno NM, Adelung R, Schütt F. Overcoming Water Diffusion Limitations in Hydrogels via Microtubular Graphene Networks for Soft Actuators. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2302816. [PMID: 37369361 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202302816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogel-based soft actuators can operate in sensitive environments, bridging the gap of rigid machines interacting with soft matter. However, while stimuli-responsive hydrogels can undergo extreme reversible volume changes of up to ≈90%, water transport in hydrogel actuators is in general limited by their poroelastic behavior. For poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) the actuation performance is even further compromised by the formation of a dense skin layer. Here it is shown, that incorporating a bioinspired microtube graphene network into a PNIPAM matrix with a total porosity of only 5.4% dramatically enhances actuation dynamics by up to ≈400% and actuation stress by ≈4000% without sacrificing the mechanical stability, overcoming the water transport limitations. The graphene network provides both untethered light-controlled and electrically powered actuation. It is anticipated that the concept provides a versatile platform for enhancing the functionality of soft matter by combining responsive and 2D materials, paving the way toward designing soft intelligent matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarethe Hauck
- Functional Nanomaterials, Department of Materials Science, Kiel University, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lena M Saure
- Functional Nanomaterials, Department of Materials Science, Kiel University, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Berit Zeller-Plumhoff
- Institute of Metallic Biomaterials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
- Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science KiNSIS, Kiel University, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sören Kaps
- Functional Nanomaterials, Department of Materials Science, Kiel University, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jörg Hammel
- Institute of Materials Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Caprice Mohr
- Functional Nanomaterials, Department of Materials Science, Kiel University, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lena Rieck
- Institute of Metallic Biomaterials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Ali Shaygan Nia
- Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, Weinberg 2, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Xinliang Feng
- Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, Weinberg 2, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano 77, Trento, I-38123, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Rainer Adelung
- Functional Nanomaterials, Department of Materials Science, Kiel University, 24143, Kiel, Germany
- Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science KiNSIS, Kiel University, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Fabian Schütt
- Functional Nanomaterials, Department of Materials Science, Kiel University, 24143, Kiel, Germany
- Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science KiNSIS, Kiel University, 24118, Kiel, Germany
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11
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Wu Y, Pei D, Wei F, Liu P, Li M, Li T, Li C. Tough and Photo-Plastic Liquid Crystal Elastomer with a 2-Fold Dynamic Linker for Artificial Muscles. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:44205-44211. [PMID: 37672356 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c08390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) have been optimized by combining cross-linkers and dynamic bonds to achieve a reversible actuation behavior comparable to living skeletal muscles. In this study, one unique type of segment with 2-fold dynamic properties was introduced into LCEs, which offered not only dynamic diselenide covalent bonds for thermo-/photoplasticity but also H-bond arrays for dynamic cross-linking and mechanical robustness. Besides self-healing, self-welding, and recyclability, the LCEs were reprogrammable with elevated temperature or intensive visible light irradiation. The resultant LCEs gave an actuation blocking stress of 1.96 MPa and an elastic modulus of 14.4 MPa at 80 °C. The actuation work capacity reached 135.2 kJ m-3. When incorporating the Joule electrode or photothermal materials, the LCEs could be programmed as the electricity-driven and photothermal artificial muscles and thereby promised the application both as a biomimetic artificial hand and as an energy collector from sunlight. Thus, the 2-fold dynamic LCEs offered the pathway of enabling the reversible actuation behavior comparable to living skeletal muscles and promising applications in sustainable actuators, artificial muscles, and soft robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongpeng Wu
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, P. R. China
- Group of Biomimetic Smart Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, CAS & Shandong Energy Institute, Songling Road 189, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China
| | - Danfeng Pei
- Group of Biomimetic Smart Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, CAS & Shandong Energy Institute, Songling Road 189, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China
| | - Fang Wei
- Group of Biomimetic Smart Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, CAS & Shandong Energy Institute, Songling Road 189, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China
| | - Ping Liu
- Group of Biomimetic Smart Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, CAS & Shandong Energy Institute, Songling Road 189, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China
| | - Mingjie Li
- Group of Biomimetic Smart Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, CAS & Shandong Energy Institute, Songling Road 189, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China
| | - Tingxi Li
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, P. R. China
| | - Chaoxu Li
- Group of Biomimetic Smart Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, CAS & Shandong Energy Institute, Songling Road 189, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China
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12
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Zhang Y, Kong D, Shi Y, Cai M, Yu Q, Li S, Wang K, Liu C. Recent progress on underwater soft robots: adhesion, grabbing, actuating, and sensing. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1196922. [PMID: 37614630 PMCID: PMC10442648 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1196922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The research on biomimetic robots, especially soft robots with flexible materials as the main structure, is constantly being explored. It integrates multi-disciplinary content, such as bionics, material science, mechatronics engineering, and control theory, and belongs to the cross-disciplinary field related to mechanical bionics and biological manufacturing. With the continuous development of various related disciplines, this area has become a hot research field. Particularly with the development of practical technologies such as 3D printing technology, shape memory alloy, piezoelectric materials, and hydrogels at the present stage, the functions and forms of soft robots are constantly being further developed, and a variety of new soft robots keep emerging. Soft robots, combined with their own materials or structural characteristics of large deformation, have almost unlimited degrees of freedom (DoF) compared with rigid robots, which also provide a more reliable structural basis for soft robots to adapt to the natural environment. Therefore, soft robots will have extremely strong adaptability in some special conditions. As a type of robot made of flexible materials, the changeable pose structure of soft robots is especially suitable for the large application environment of the ocean. Soft robots working underwater can better mimic the movement characteristics of marine life in the hope of achieving more complex underwater tasks. The main focus of this paper is to classify different types of underwater organisms according to their common motion modes, focusing on the achievements of some bionic mechanisms in different functional fields that have imitated various motion modes underwater in recent years (e.g., the underwater sucking glove, the underwater Gripper, and the self-powered soft robot). The development of various task types (e.g., grasping, adhesive, driving or swimming, and sensing functions) and mechanism realization forms of the underwater soft robot are described based on this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeming Zhang
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Demin Kong
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Yan Shi
- School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Maolin Cai
- School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Qihui Yu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, China
| | - Shuping Li
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Kai Wang
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Chuangchuang Liu
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, China
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Wang Z, Zhang X, Wang Y, Fang Z, Jiang H, Yang Q, Zhu X, Liu M, Fan X, Kong J. Untethered Soft Microrobots with Adaptive Logic Gates. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206662. [PMID: 36809583 PMCID: PMC10161047 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Integrating adaptative logic computation directly into soft microrobots is imperative for the next generation of intelligent soft microrobots as well as for the smart materials to move beyond stimulus-response relationships and toward the intelligent behaviors seen in biological systems. Acquiring adaptivity is coveted for soft microrobots that can adapt to implement different works and respond to different environments either passively or actively through human intervention like biological systems. Here, a novel and simple strategy for constructing untethered soft microrobots based on stimuli-responsive hydrogels that can switch logic gates according to the surrounding stimuli of environment is introduced. Different basic logic gates and combinational logic gates are integrated into a microrobot via a straightforward method. Importantly, two kinds of soft microrobots with adaptive logic gates are designed and fabricated, which can smartly switch logic operation between AND gate and OR gate under different surrounding environmental stimuli. Furthermore, a same magnetic microrobot with adaptive logic gate is used to capture and release the specified objects through the change of the surrounding environmental stimuli based on AND or OR logic gate. This work contributes an innovative strategy to integrate computation into small-scale untethered soft robots with adaptive logic gates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zichao Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Materials Physics and Chemistry in Extraordinary Conditions, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Materials Physics and Chemistry in Extraordinary Conditions, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Yang Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Materials Physics and Chemistry in Extraordinary Conditions, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Ziyi Fang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Materials Physics and Chemistry in Extraordinary Conditions, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - He Jiang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Materials Physics and Chemistry in Extraordinary Conditions, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Qinglin Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Materials Physics and Chemistry in Extraordinary Conditions, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Materials Physics and Chemistry in Extraordinary Conditions, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Mingze Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Materials Physics and Chemistry in Extraordinary Conditions, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodong Fan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Materials Physics and Chemistry in Extraordinary Conditions, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Jie Kong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Materials Physics and Chemistry in Extraordinary Conditions, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
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Gao J, Zhang Q, Wu B, Gao X, Liu Z, Yang H, Yuan J, Huang J. Mussel-Inspired, Underwater Self-Healing Ionoelastomers Based on α-Lipoic Acid for Iontronics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2207334. [PMID: 36869411 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Weak adhesion and lack of underwater self-healability hinder advancing soft iontronics particularly in wet environments like sweaty skin and biological fluids. Mussel-inspired, liquid-free ionoelastomers are reported based on seminal thermal ring-opening polymerization of a biomass molecule of α-lipoic acid (LA), followed by sequentially incorporating dopamine methacrylamide as a chain extender, N,N'-bis(acryloyl) cystamine, and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulphonyl) imide (LiTFSI). The ionoelastomers exhibit universal adhesion to 12 substrates in both dry and wet states, superfast self-healing underwater, sensing capability for monitoring human motion, and flame retardancy. The underwater self-repairabilitiy prolongs over three months without deterioration, and sustains even when mechanical properties greatly increase. The unprecedented underwater self-mendability benefits synergistically from the maximized availability of dynamic disulfide bonds and diverse reversible noncovalent interactions endowed by carboxylic groups, catechols, and LiTFSI, along with the prevented depolymerization by LiTFSI and tunability in mechanical strength. The ionic conductivity reaches 1.4 × 10-6 -2.7 × 10-5 S m-1 because of partial dissociation of LiTFSI. The design rationale offers a new route for creating a wide range of LA- and sulfur-derived supramolecular (bio)polymers with superior adhesion, healability, and other functionalities, and thus has technological implications for coatings, adhesives, binders and sealants, biomedical engineering and drug delivery, wearable and flexible electronics, and human-machine interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxiang Gao
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology and Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Qing Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology and Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Bo Wu
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology and Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodan Gao
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology and Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Zhengyuan Liu
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology and Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Haoyu Yang
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology and Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jikang Yuan
- Huzhou Key Laboratory of Green Energy Materials and Battery Cascade Utilization, School of Intelligent Manufacturing, Huzhou College, Huzhou, Zhejiang, 313000, P. R. China
| | - Jijun Huang
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology and Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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Zhang Y, Wang R, Lu W, Li W, Chen S, Chen T. Mechanical tough and multicolor aggregation-induced emissive polymeric hydrogels for fluorescent patterning. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:725-732. [PMID: 36756500 PMCID: PMC9890953 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00757f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Aggregation-induced emissive fluorogens (AIEgens) are promising building blocks for fluorescent polymeric hydrogels (FPHs) because intense fluorescence intensities are usually guaranteed by spontaneous aggregates of hydrophobic AIEgens in a hydrophilic polymer network. However, most AIE-active FPHs are single-color fluorescent and cannot display tunable emission colors. Additionally, efforts to produce mechanically strong AIE-active hydrogels have been largely ignored, restricting their potential uses. Herein, we present the synthesis of an AIE-active methyl picolinate-substituted 1,8-naphthalimide monomer (MP-NI) for fabricating mechanical tough and multicolor FPHs. Owing to the introduction of bulky and coordinative methyl picolinate group, these specially designed MP-NI molecules were forced to adopt propeller-shaped conformation that renders them with intense aggregation-induced blue emission. Moreover, the MP-NI moieties grafted in a hydrogel matrix can sensitize red and green fluorescence of Eu3+and Tb3+ via antenna effect. Consequently, multicolor fluorescent hydrogels that sustain a high stress of 1 MPa were obtained by chemically introducing MP-NI moieties into dually cross-linked alginate polymer networks with high-density metal (Ca2+/Tb3+/Eu3+) coordination and hydrogen bonding crosslinks. Their capacity to enable the writing of arbitrary multicolor fluorescent patterns using Eu3+/Tb3+ as inks were finally demonstrated, suggesting their potential uses for smart display and information encryption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou 310014 Zhejiang China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Related Technologies, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Protective Technologies, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences Ningbo 315201 China
| | - Ruijia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Related Technologies, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Protective Technologies, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences Ningbo 315201 China
| | - Wei Lu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Related Technologies, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Protective Technologies, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences Ningbo 315201 China
| | - Wanning Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Related Technologies, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Protective Technologies, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences Ningbo 315201 China
| | - Si Chen
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology Hangzhou 310014 Zhejiang China
| | - Tao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Related Technologies, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Protective Technologies, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences Ningbo 315201 China
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Yang K, Cai W, Lan M, Ye Y, Tang Z, Guo Q, Weng M. Multi-responsive and programmable actuators made with nacre-inspired graphene oxide-bacterial cellulose film. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:9057-9068. [PMID: 36416498 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01380k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, graphene oxide (GO)-based multi-responsive actuators have attracted great interest due to their board application in soft robots, artificial muscles, and intelligent mechanics. However, most GO-based actuators suffer from low mechanical strength. Inspired by the natural nacre, a graphene oxide-bacterial cellulose (GO-BC) film with a "brick and mortar" structure is constructed. Compared with the pure GO film, the tensile strength of the GO-BC film is increased by about 2 times. Benefiting from the rich oxygen-containing functional groups of GO sheets and BC nanofibers, the cracked GO-BC films can be pasted together with the help of water, which can be used to construct GO-BC films with multi-dimensional complex structures. Subsequently, a GO-BC/polymer actuator capable of responding to various stimuli is successfully developed through a complementary strategy of "active layer and inert layer". Further, based on the water-assisted pasting properties of GO-BC films, a series of GO-BC/polymer actuators with 3D complex deformations can be fabricated by pasting together two or more GO-BC/polymer actuators. Finally, the potential applications of multi-response GO-BC/polymer actuators in flexible robots, artificial muscles, and smart devices are demonstrated through a series of applications such as bionic sunflowers, octopus-inspired soft tentacles, and smart curtains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihuai Yang
- School of Mechanical and Intelligent Manufacturing, Fujian Chuanzheng Communications College, Fuzhou, Fujian 350007, China.
| | - Wanling Cai
- School of Mechanical and Intelligent Manufacturing, Fujian Chuanzheng Communications College, Fuzhou, Fujian 350007, China.
| | - Minli Lan
- School of Mechanical and Intelligent Manufacturing, Fujian Chuanzheng Communications College, Fuzhou, Fujian 350007, China.
| | - Yuanji Ye
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing and Application, Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Products of Universities in Fujian, Fujian University of Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350118, China.
| | - Zhendong Tang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing and Application, Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Products of Universities in Fujian, Fujian University of Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350118, China.
| | - Qiaohang Guo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing and Application, Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Products of Universities in Fujian, Fujian University of Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350118, China.
| | - Mingcen Weng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing and Application, Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Products of Universities in Fujian, Fujian University of Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350118, China.
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17
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Ye Y, Bai Y, Zhou P, Guo Q, Weng M. All polymer‐based transparent composites for electrothermal actuator and supercapacitor. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.53392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanji Ye
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing and Application, Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Products of Universities in Fujian Fujian University of Technology Fuzhou Fujian China
| | - Ying Bai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing and Application, Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Products of Universities in Fujian Fujian University of Technology Fuzhou Fujian China
| | - Peidi Zhou
- Institute of Smart Marine and Engineering Fujian University of Technology Fuzhou Fujian China
| | - Qiaohang Guo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing and Application, Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Products of Universities in Fujian Fujian University of Technology Fuzhou Fujian China
| | - Mingcen Weng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing and Application, Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Products of Universities in Fujian Fujian University of Technology Fuzhou Fujian China
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