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Siebenmorgen C, Wang C, Navarro LB, Parisi D, Misra S, Venkiteswaran VK, van Rijn P. Minimally designed thermo-magnetic dual responsive soft robots for complex applications. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:5339-5349. [PMID: 38597898 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02839a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The fabrication of thermo-magnetic dual-responsive soft robots often requires intricate designs to implement complex locomotion patterns and utilize the implemented responsive behaviors. This work demonstrates a minimally designed soft robot based on poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAM) and ferromagnetic particles, showcasing excellent control over both thermo- and magnetic responses. Free radical polymerization enables the magnetic particles to be entrapped homogeneously within the polymeric network. The integration of magnetic shape programming and temperature response allows the robot to perform various tasks including shaping, locomotion, pick-and-place, and release maneuvers of objects using independent triggers. The robot can be immobilized in a gripping state through magnetic actuation, and a subsequent increase in temperature transitions the robot from a swollen to a collapsed state. The temperature switch enables the robot to maintain a secured configuration while executing other movements via magnetic actuation. This approach offers a straightforward yet effective solution for achieving full control over both stimuli in dual-responsive soft robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clio Siebenmorgen
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Biomaterials & Biomedical Technology, Deusinglaan 1, Groningen 9713 AV, The Netherlands.
| | - Chen Wang
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Biomaterials & Biomedical Technology, Deusinglaan 1, Groningen 9713 AV, The Netherlands.
| | - Laurens Bosscher Navarro
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Biomaterials & Biomedical Technology, Deusinglaan 1, Groningen 9713 AV, The Netherlands.
| | - Daniele Parisi
- University of Groningen, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Product Technology - Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sarthak Misra
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Biomaterials & Biomedical Technology, Deusinglaan 1, Groningen 9713 AV, The Netherlands.
- Surgical Robotics Laboratory, Department of Biomechanical Engineering University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Patrick van Rijn
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Biomaterials & Biomedical Technology, Deusinglaan 1, Groningen 9713 AV, The Netherlands.
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Xu L, Zhu C, Lamont S, Zou X, Yang Y, Chen S, Ding J, Vernerey FJ. Programming Motion into Materials Using Electricity-Driven Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators. Soft Robot 2024; 11:464-472. [PMID: 38265749 DOI: 10.1089/soro.2023.0063] [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: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
As thermally driven smart materials capable of large reversible deformations, liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) have great potential for applications in bionic soft robots, artificial muscles, controllable actuators, and flexible sensors due to their ability to program controllable motion into materials. In this article, we introduce conductive LCE actuators using a liquid metal electrothermal layer and a polyethylene terephthalate substrate. Our LCE actuators can be stimulated at low currents from 2 to 4 A and produce a maximum work density of 9.4 k J ∕ m 3 . We illustrate the potential applications of this system by designing a palm-activated artificial muscle gripper, which can be used to grasp soft objects ranging from 5 to 55 mm in size, and even ring-shaped workpieces with precise external or internal support. Furthermore, inspired by the movement of fruit fly larvae, we designed a new soft robot capable of bioinspired crawling and turning by inducing anisotropic friction with an asymmetric design. Finally, we illustrate advanced motional control by designing an autonomously rotating wheel based on the asymmetric contraction of its spokes. To assist in the production of autonomously moving robots, we provide a thorough characterization of its motion dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Chen Zhu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, PR China
| | - Samuel Lamont
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science & Engineering Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Xiang Zou
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, PR China
| | - Yabing Yang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, PR China
| | - Si Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, PR China
| | - Jianning Ding
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, PR China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, PR China
| | - Franck J Vernerey
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science & Engineering Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Tian G, Wang J. Biodegradable photo-crosslinked polycaprolactone/polydopamine elastomers with excellent light driven programmable shape memory and chemical degradation properties. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 264:129768. [PMID: 38296130 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Fabrication of biodegradable shape memory polymer with remotely controllable shape actuation is of great significance in the biomedical field but remains challenging. Herein, we present a simple strategy to fabricate a monolayer-based stretchable and mechanically robust polycaprolactone/polydopamine elastomer via efficient thiol-ene click chemistry. The resultant elastomers exhibit desirable photothermal transfer efficiency and can enable rapid temperature increase over the melting temperature of polymeric matrix, and quantitative results demonstrate that the crosslinked film exhibited excellent shape memory properties with shape fixity (Rf) and shape recovery ratios (Rr) approaching 92.3 % and 95.6 %, respectively. Combined with photo stimuli, anisotropic polymer chain relaxation of the prestretched film can generate asymmetric contractions and eventually give rise to ut out-of-plane bending actuations upon photo stimulation, meanwhile, numerical simulation reveals the interaction mechanism of light with film. Beyond this, we further demonstrate that the bending angle is correlated with the parameters of prestretch strain, film thickness as well as irradiation time, and the maximum value can reach 158° with prestretch strain of 200 % and film thickness of 0.3 mm. In particular, the bent structures could be reversibly deformed into plane state via photo-directed corresponding opposite surfaces. Remarkably, the in vitro degradation properties of the elastomers on PBS-T buffer solutions demonstrated that the degradation was composed of induction stage and acceleration stage. This work will pave way for designing biodegradable light-induced shape memory materials toward biomedical device fields and so on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangming Tian
- Department of Polymer Materials and Engineering, School of Materials and Engineering, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, 710048, PR China
| | - Jingxia Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Wang X, Peng H, Geng D. An antagonistic variable-stiffness pneumatic flexible joint. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2024; 95:025112. [PMID: 38416042 DOI: 10.1063/5.0186757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
This paper develops an antagonistic variable-stiffness pneumatic flexible joint in which two groups of artificial muscles are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the elastic thin plate. The elastic thin plate restricts the axial movement of the joint. Therefore, the joint can achieve single-dimensional and bidirectional bending by controlling the air pressure value of the pneumatic artificial muscle. Two variable stiffness elastic dampers are also symmetrically installed on both sides of the elastic thin plate, using a positive-pressure driving method to achieve real-time posture maintenance function of the joint based on particle-blockage, wedge structure, and antagonistic effect. The mathematical models for the bending angle and stiffness of flexible joints were established, and relevant experiments were conducted. When the air pressure of the pneumatic artificial muscle is 0.32 MPa, the joint bending angle reaches 62.7°. When the bending angle is 60° and the air pressure of the variable-stiffness elastic damper is 0.5 MPa, the stiffness in the bending direction of the flexible joint with the variable-stiffness elastic damper is 6.9 times that of the flexible joint without the variable-stiffness elastic damper, and the stiffness in the reverse bending direction is 10.3 times that of the flexible joint without the variable-stiffness elastic damper under the same conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wang
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Beihua University, Jilin 132021, China
| | - He Peng
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Beihua University, Jilin 132021, China
| | - Dexu Geng
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Beihua University, Jilin 132021, China
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Wang B, Huang P, Li B, Wu Z, Xing Y, Zhu J, Liu L. Carbon-Based Nanomaterials Electrodes of Ionic Soft Actuators: From Initial 1D Structure to 3D Composite Structure for Flexible Intelligent Devices. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2304246. [PMID: 37635123 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
With the rapid development of autonomous and intelligent devices driven by soft actuators, ion soft actuators in flexible intelligent devices have several advantages over other actuators, including their light weight, low voltage drive, large strain, good flexibility, fast response, etc. Traditional ionic polymer metal composites have received a lot of attention over the past decades, but they suffer from poor driving performance and short service lives since the precious metal electrodes are not only expensive, heavy, and labor-intensive, but also prone to cracking with repeated actuation. As excellent candidates for the electrode materials of ionic soft actuators, carbon-based nanomaterials have received a lot of interest because of their plentiful reserves, low cost, and excellent mechanical, electrical, and electrochemical properties. This research reviewed carbon-based nanomaterial electrodes of ion soft actuators for flexible smart devices from a fresh perspective from 1D to 3D combinations. The design of the electrode structure is introduced after the driving mechanism of ionic soft actuators. The details of ionic soft actuator electrodes made of carbon-based nanomaterials are then provided. Additionally, a summary of applications for flexible intelligent devices is provided. Finally, suggestions for challenges and prospects are made to offer direction and inspiration for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bozheng Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Peng Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Bingjue Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Ze Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Youqiang Xing
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Jianxiong Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Lei Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
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Yue Y, Dai J, Jin L, Liu C, Sun J, Ye K, Lu R. The Factor beyond Schmidt's Criteria Impacting the Photo-Induced [2+2] Cycloaddition Reactivity and Photoactuation of Molecular Crystals Based on Cyclic Chalcone Analogues. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202301525. [PMID: 37313774 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202301525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Generally, the potential reactive "olefin pairs" in the molecular crystals satisfying Schmidt's criteria could undergo topological [2+2] cycloaddition. In this study, another factor that affects the photodimerization reactivity of chalcone analogues was found. The cyclic chalcone analogues of (E)-2-(2,4-dichlorobenzylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one (BIO), (E)-2-(naphthalen-2-ylmethylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one (NIO), (Z)-2-(2,4-dichlorobenzylidene)benzofuran-3(2H)-one (BFO), and (Z)-2-(2,4-dichlorobenzylidene)benzo[b]thiophen-3(2H)-one (BTO) have been synthesized. While the geometrical parameters for the molecular packing of the above four compounds did not exceed Schmidt's criteria, [2+2] cycloaddition did not occur in the crystals of BIO and BTO. The single crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analyses revealed that interactions of C=O⋅⋅⋅H (CH2 ) existed between adjacent molecules in the crystal of BIO. Therefore, the carbonyl and methylene groups linked with one carbon atom in carbon-carbon double bond were tightly confined in the lattice, acting as a tweezer to inhibit free movement of the double bond and suppressing [2+2] cycloaddition. In the crystal of BTO, similar interactions of Cl⋅⋅⋅S and C=O⋅⋅⋅H (C6 H4 ) prevented free movement of the double bond. In contrast, the intermolecular interaction of C=O⋅⋅⋅H only exists around the carbonyl group in the crystals of BFO and NIO, leaving the C=C double bonds to move freely and allowing the occurrence of [2+2] cycloaddition. Driven by photodimerization, the needle-like crystals of BFO and NIO displayed evident photo-induced bending behavior. This work demonstrates that the intermolecular interactions around carbon-carbon double bond affect the [2+2] cycloaddition reactivity except for Schmidt's criteria. These findings provide valuable insights into the design of photomechanical molecular crystalline materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, P. R. China
| | - Jiawei Dai
- Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - Liuyang Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, P. R. China
| | - Jingbo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, P. R. China
| | - Kaiqi Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, P. R. China
| | - Ran Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, P. R. China
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Abstract
MXenes with their unique electronic, optical, chemical, and mechanical properties have shown great promise in soft robotics. MXene-based soft actuators have been designed to display ultrafast actuations and recovery speeds as well as angle-independent structural colors in response to vapor. Several studies have developed soft actuators by combining MXenes with other materials to mimic the movement of natural organisms. Thus, MXene-based soft actuators have the potential to revolutionize the field of soft robotics and flexible electronics (e.g., wearable devices and artificial muscles). MXene-based artificial muscles have been explored for use in kinetic soft robotics as actuators in microsystems requiring exceptional compliance. MXene-based sensors and actuators have already been developed for human-like sensors and photodetection. However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed in such applications, such as the design of stretchable and compliant robotic skins with a high-level functional integration for soft robotics. The integration of various devices, such as power sources, sensors, and actuators, into soft robotics is another crucial challenge. Despite the excellent stretchability and tensile strength of MXene-based composites, there is a vital need to develop their mechanical and electrochemical features and grant them multi-functionalities. Herein, recent developments pertaining to the applications of MXenes and their composites in soft robotics are discussed with a focus on the important challenges and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siavash Iravani
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, 81746-73461, Iran.
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Zhang Y, Wang X, Yang W, Yan H, Zhang X, Han D, He Y, Li C, Sun L. Programmable Complex Shape Changing of Polysiloxane Main-Chain Liquid Crystalline Elastomers. Molecules 2023; 28:4858. [PMID: 37375413 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124858] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are shape-morphing materials whose large and reversible shape transformations are caused by the coupling between the mobile anisotropic properties of liquid crystal (LC) units and the rubber elastic of polymer networks. Their shape-changing behaviors under certain stimuli are largely directed by the LC orientation; therefore, various strategies have been developed to spatially modulate the LC alignments. However, most of these methods are limited as they require complex fabrication technologies or have intrinsic limitations in applicability. To address this issue, programmable complex shape changes in some LCE types, such as polysiloxane side-chain LCEs, thiol-acrylate main-chain LCEs, etc., were achieved by using a mechanical alignment programming process coupled with two-step crosslinking. Here, we report a polysiloxane main-chain LCE with programmable 2- and 3D shape-changing abilities that were created by mechanically programming the polydomain LCE with two crosslinking steps. The resulting LCEs exhibited a reversible thermal-induced shape transformation between the initial and programmed shapes due to the two-way memory between the first and second network structures. Our findings expand on the applications of LCE materials in actuators, soft robotics, and smart structures where arbitrary and easily programmed shape morphing is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhe Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Xiuxiu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Wenlong Yang
- Department of Applied Science, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Huixuan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Dongxu Han
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Yifan He
- Institute of Regulatory Science, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Chensha Li
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Liguo Sun
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Process and Technology for High-Efficiency Conversion School of Chemistry and Material Science, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
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Zhang X, Yao L, Yan H, Zhang Y, Han D, He Y, Li C, Zhang J. Optical wavelength selective actuation of dye doped liquid crystalline elastomers by quasi-daylight. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:9181-9196. [PMID: 36437786 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01256a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We explore obtaining different photo responses of liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) materials through modulating the optical wavelengths in order to promote the development of precise photocontrol on LCE actuators, and thus study the effect of light-absorbing dyes with different absorption bands on the selective actuation of LCE materials. The dye-doped LCEs were prepared by incorporating special visible absorber dyes into thiol-acrylate main chain LCE (MC-LCE) matrices. The dyes showed photo actuation performance to LCEs due to the photothermal effects. But, every dye-doped LCE could be effectively actuated by light irradiation whose wavelength was inside its absorption band, but could not be effectively actuated by the light whose wavelength was beyond its absorption band. Wavelength selective actuation effects, no matter actuating deformation or actuating force, could be remarkably demonstrated by these dye-doped LCEs through filtering the same quasi-daylight source to be different wavelength bands. Our work opens up a significant way for the precise and convenient photo actuation of LCE actuators, while expanding the utilization potential of quasi-daylight, and further natural sunlight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, P. R. China.
| | - Liru Yao
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, P. R. China.
| | - Huixuan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, P. R. China.
| | - Yuhe Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, P. R. China.
| | - Dongxu Han
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, P. R. China.
| | - Yifan He
- Institute of Regulatory Science, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, P. R. China
| | - Chensha Li
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, P. R. China.
| | - Jianqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, P. R. China.
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Zhang CW, Zou W, Yu HC, Hao XP, Li G, Li T, Yang W, Wu ZL, Zheng Q. Manta Ray Inspired Soft Robot Fish with Tough Hydrogels as Structural Elements. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:52430-52439. [PMID: 36351752 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c17009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The design of soft robots capable of navigation underwater has received tremendous research interest due to the robots' versatile applications in marine explorations. Inspired by marine animals such as jellyfish, scientists have developed various soft robotic fishes by using elastomers as the major material. However, elastomers have a hydrophobic network without embedded water, which is different from the gel-state body of the prototypes and results in high contrast to the surrounding environment and thus poor acoustic stealth. Here, we demonstrate a manta ray-inspired soft robot fish with tailored swimming motions by using tough and stiff hydrogels as the structural elements, as well as a dielectric elastomer as the actuating unit. The switching between actuated and relaxed states of this unit under wired power leads to the flapping of the pectoral fins and swimming of the gel fish. This robot fish has good stability and swims with a fast speed (∼10 cm/s) in freshwater and seawater over a wide temperature range (4-50 °C). The high water content (i.e., ∼70 wt %) of the robot fish affords good optical and acoustic stealth properties under water. The excellent mechanical properties of the gels also enable easy integration of other functional units/systems with the robot fish. As proof-of-concept examples, a temperature sensing system and a soft gripper are assembled, allowing the robot fish to monitor the local temperature, raise warning signals by lighting, and grab and transport an object on demand. Such a robot fish should find applications in environmental detection and execution tasks under water. This work should also be informative for the design of other soft actuators and robots with tough hydrogels as the building blocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Wei Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Weifeng Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Hai Chao Yu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xing Peng Hao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Guorui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Tiefeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Center for X-Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Center for X-Mechanics, 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
| | - Qiang Zheng
- 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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11
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Photothermal-Driven Liquid Crystal Elastomers: Materials, Alignment and Applications. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27144330. [PMID: 35889204 PMCID: PMC9317631 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are programmable deformable materials that can respond to physical fields such as light, heat, and electricity. Photothermal-driven LCE has the advantages of accuracy and remote control and avoids the requirement of high photon energy for photochemistry. In this review, we discuss recent advances in photothermal LCE materials and investigate methods for mechanical alignment, external field alignment, and surface-induced alignment. Advances in the synthesis and orientation of LCEs have enabled liquid crystal elastomers to meet applications in optics, robotics, and more. The review concludes with a discussion of current challenges and research opportunities.
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