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Wu M, Zhou X, Zhang J, Liu L, Wang S, Zhu L, Ming Z, Zhang Y, Xia Y, Li W, Zhou Z, Fan M, Xiong J. Microfiber Actuators With Hot-Pressing-Programmable Mechano-Photothermal Responses for Electromagnetic Perception. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2409606. [PMID: 39340284 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202409606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is a ubiquitous harm and hard to detect dynamically in multiple scenarios. A mechano-photothermal cooperative microfiber film (MFF) actuator is developed that can synchronously detect EMR with high reliability. The programmable actuation is deployed by a hot-pressing methodology, achieving the MFF with moderate modulus (378 MPa) and superior toughness (87.26 MJ m-3) that ensure superior response (0.068 cm-1 s-1) and bending curvature (0.63 cm-1). A secondary hot-pressing can further program the actuation behavior with black phosphorus local photothermal enhancement patterns to achieve 2D-3D transformable geometries. An amphibious robot with a land-water adaptive locomotion mechanism is designed by programming the MFFs. It can crawl on land and locomote on water with a velocity up to ≈1.8 mm s-1, and ≈2.39 cm s-1, respectively. Employing the conductive fabric layer of the actuator with electromagnetic induction effect, the amphibious robot can synchronously perceive environmental EMR with sensitivity up to 99.73% ± 0.15% during locomotion, with superior adaptability to EMR source intensity (0.1 to 3000 W) and distance (≈9 m) compared to a commercial EMR detector. This EMR detective microfiber actuator can inspire a new direction of environment-interactive smart materials, and soft robots with multi-scenario adaptivity and autonomous environment perceptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Xinran Zhou
- Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Jiwei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Luyun Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Liming Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Zechang Ming
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yufan Zhang
- Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yong Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Weikang Li
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Zijie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Minghui Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Jiaqing Xiong
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
- Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
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Lin C, Hou F, Zhang Q, Zhu G, Cheng M, Shi F. Macroscopic Self-Assembly Realized by Polymer Brush─A Thickness-Dependent Rule for Rapid Wet Adhesion. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2404526. [PMID: 39240009 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202404526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Macroscopic self-assembly of µm-to-mm components (dimension from 100 µm to millimeters), is meaningful to realize the concept of "self-assembly at all scales" and to understand interfacial phenomena such as adhesion, self-healing, and adsorption. However, self-assembly at this length scale is different from molecular self-assembly due to limited collision chances and binding capacity between components. Long-time contact between components is requisite to realize µm-to-mm assembly. Even though the recent idea of adding a compliant coating to enhance the molecular binding capacity is effective for such self-assembly, a trade-off between coating thickness (several micrometers) and assembly efficiency exists. Here a new compliant coating of surface-initiated polymer brush to address the above paradox by both realizing fast assembly and reducing the coating thickness to ≈40 nm by two magnitudes is demonstrated. Millimeter-sized quartz cubes are used as components and grafted with oppositely charged polyelectrolyte brushes, enabling assembly in water by electrostatic attraction and disassembly in NaCl solutions. A rule of thickness-dependent assembly chance is obtained and understood by in situ force measurements and a multivalent theory. The polymer brush strategy pushes the thickness limit of requisite compliant coating to the nanoscale for fast µm-to-mm self-assembly and provides insights into rapid wet adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiling Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering & Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials & Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Fangwei Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering & Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials & Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering & Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials & Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Guiqiang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering & Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials & Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Mengjiao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering & Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials & Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Feng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering & Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials & Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang, Beijing, 100029, China
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Ren Z, Xin C, Liang K, Wang H, Wang D, Xu L, Hu Y, Li J, Chu J, Wu D. Femtosecond laser writing of ant-inspired reconfigurable microbot collectives. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7253. [PMID: 39179567 PMCID: PMC11343760 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51567-4] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbot collectives can cooperate to accomplish complex tasks that are difficult for a single individual. However, various force-induced microbot collectives maintained by weak magnetic, light, and electric fields still face challenges such as unstable connections, the need for a continuous external stimuli source, and imprecise individual control. Here, we construct magnetic and light-driven ant microbot collectives capable of reconfiguring multiple assembled architectures with robustness. This methodology utilizes a flexible two-photon polymerization strategy to fabricate microbots consisting of magnetic photoresist, hydrogel, and metal nanoparticles. Under the cooperation of magnetic and light fields, the microbots can reversibly and selectively assemble (e.g., 90° assembly and 180° assembly) into various morphologies. Moreover, we demonstrate the ability of assembled microbots to cross a one-body-length gap and their adaptive capability to move through a constriction and transport microcargo. Our strategy will broaden the abilities of clustered microbots, including gap traversal, micro-object manipulation, and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongguo Ren
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Chen Xin
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China.
| | - Kaiwen Liang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Heming Wang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Dawei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Liqun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Yanlei Hu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Jiawen Li
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Jiaru Chu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Dong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
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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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5
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Feng W, He Q, Zhang L. Embedded Physical Intelligence in Liquid Crystalline Polymer Actuators and Robots. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2312313. [PMID: 38375751 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Responsive materials possess the inherent capacity to autonomously sense and respond to various external stimuli, demonstrating physical intelligence. Among the diverse array of responsive materials, liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) stand out for their remarkable reversible stimuli-responsive shape-morphing properties and their potential for creating soft robots. While numerous reviews have extensively detailed the progress in developing LCP-based actuators and robots, there exists a need for comprehensive summaries that elucidate the underlying principles governing actuation and how physical intelligence is embedded within these systems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in developing actuators and robots endowed with physical intelligence using LCPs. This review is structured around the stimulus conditions and categorizes the studies involving responsive LCPs based on the fundamental control and stimulation logic and approach. Specifically, three main categories are examined: systems that respond to changing stimuli, those operating under constant stimuli, and those equip with learning and logic control capabilities. Furthermore, the persisting challenges that need to be addressed are outlined and discuss the future avenues of research in this dynamic field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Feng
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qiguang He
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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6
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Lyu S, Guan Y, Shi X. Orbital angular momentum mode fiber force sensing technology based on intensity interrogation. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 14:3924-3935. [PMID: 37799677 PMCID: PMC10549749 DOI: 10.1364/boe.495034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Micromanipulation and biological, materials science, and medical applications often require controlling or measuring the forces exerted on small objects. Based on the high linearity and sensitivity of OAM beams in the sensing field, this article proposes for the first time to apply OAM beams to force sensing. In this paper, a fiber optic force sensing technology based on the intensity distribution change of orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode is proposed and realized. This technique detects the magnitude of the external force applied to the fiber by exciting the OAM mode with a topological charge 3, thereby tracking changes in light intensity caused by mode coupling. Applying this technique to force measurement, we have experimentally verified that when the sensor is subjected to a force in the range of 0mN to 10mN, the change in speckle light intensity at the sensor output has a good linear relationship with the force. Meanwhile, theoretical analysis and experimental results indicate that compared with previous force sensing methods, this sensing technology has a simple structure, is easy to implement, has good stability, and has practical application potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhan Lyu
- West Nottingham Academy, Colora MD,21917, USA
| | - Yaojun Guan
- College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory for Nanosystem and Hierarchy Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Xinghua Shi
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory for Nanosystem and Hierarchy Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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7
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Wang Q, Tian X, Zhang D, Zhou Y, Yan W, Li D. Programmable spatial deformation by controllable off-center freestanding 4D printing of continuous fiber reinforced liquid crystal elastomer composites. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3869. [PMID: 37391425 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39566-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to their high deformation ability, 4D printed structures have various applications in origami structures, soft robotics and deployable mechanisms. As a material with programmable molecular chain orientation, liquid crystal elastomer is expected to produce the freestanding, bearable and deformable three-dimensional structure. However, majority of the existing 4D printing methods for liquid crystal elastomers can only fabricate planar structures, which limits their deformation designability and bearing capacity. Here we propose a direct ink writing based 4D printing method for freestanding continuous fiber reinforced composites. Continuous fibers can support freestanding structures during the printing process and improve the mechanical property and deformation ability of 4D printed structures. In this paper, the integration of 4D printed structures with fully impregnated composite interfaces, programmable deformation ability and high bearing capacity are realized by adjusting the off-center distribution of the fibers, and the printed liquid crystal composite can carry a load of up to 2805 times its own weight and achieve a bending deformation curvature of 0.33 mm-1 at 150 °C. This research is expected to open new avenues for creating soft robotics, mechanical metamaterials and artificial muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingrui Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoyong Tian
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Daokang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanli Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wanquan Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dichen Li
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
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8
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Bai L, Zhang Y, Guo S, Qu H, Yu Z, Yu H, Chen W, Tan SC. Hygrothermic Wood Actuated Robotic Hand. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2211437. [PMID: 36843238 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202211437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Stimulus-responsive actuators play a vital role in the new generation of intelligent systems. However, poor mechanical performance, complicated fabrication processes, and the inability to complex deformation limit their practical applications. Herein, these challenges are overcome via designing a strong hygrothermic wood actuator with asymmetric water affinity. The actuator is readily constructed by sandwiching polypyrrole-coated wood with a Ni complex hygroscopic gel top layer for moisture absorption and a polyimide bottom layer as the water barrier. The resulting hygrothermic wood spontaneously stretches and bends itself in response to moisture and thermal/light stimulation. A robotic hand and a series of grippers made of hygrothermic wood demonstrate dexterous object-hand interactions during grasping and holding, while the reversible hygrothermic property allows the actuator to be potentially applied in fire rescue scenarios to rescue trapped objects. A combination of good mechanical properties, multi-stimulus-response, complex deformation, wide working temperature range, low manufacturing cost, and biocompatibility are simultaneously realized by one device. It is thus believed that such a strong wood actuator will open up a new avenue for building intelligent robotic hand systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Bai
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
- Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Yaoxin Zhang
- China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 201306, P. R. China
| | - Shuai Guo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Hao Qu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Zhen Yu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Haipeng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Wenshuai Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Swee Ching Tan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
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Winkens M, Korevaar PA. Self-Organization Emerging from Marangoni and Elastocapillary Effects Directed by Amphiphile Filament Connections. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:10799-10809. [PMID: 36005886 PMCID: PMC9454263 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Self-organization of meso- and macroscale structures is a highly active research field that exploits a wide variety of physicochemical phenomena, including surface tension, Marangoni flow, and (elasto)capillary effects. The release of surface-active compounds generates Marangoni flows that cause repulsion, whereas capillary forces attract floating particles via the Cheerios effect. Typically, the interactions resulting from these effects are nonselective because the gradients involved are uniform. In this work, we unravel the mechanisms involved in the self-organization of amphiphile filaments that connect and attract droplets floating at the air-water interface, and we demonstrate their potential for directional gradient formation and thereby selective interaction. We simulate Marangoni flow patterns resulting from the release and depletion of amphiphile molecules by source and drain droplets, respectively, and we predict that these flow patterns direct the growth of filaments from the source droplets toward specific drain droplets, based on their amphiphile depletion rate. The interaction between such droplets is then investigated experimentally by charting the flow patterns in their surroundings, while the role of filaments in source-drain attraction is studied using microscopy. Based on these observations, we attribute attraction of drain droplets and even solid objects toward the source to elastocapillary effects. Finally, the insights from our simulations and experiments are combined to construct a droplet-based system in which the composition of drain droplets regulates their ability to attract filaments and as a consequence be attracted toward the source. Thereby, we provide a novel method through which directional attraction can be established in synthetic self-organizing systems and advance our understanding of how complexity arises from simple building blocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitch Winkens
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A. Korevaar
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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10
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Self-sorting in macroscopic supramolecular self-assembly via additive effects of capillary and magnetic forces. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5201. [PMID: 36057726 PMCID: PMC9440903 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32892-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular self-assembly of μm-to-mm sized components is essential to construct complex supramolecular systems. However, the selective assembly to form designated structures at this length scale is challenging because the short-ranged molecular recognition could hardly direct the assembly of macroscopic components. Here we demonstrate a self-sorting mechanism to automatically identify the surface chemistry of μm-to-mm components (A: polycations; B: polyanions) based on the A-B attraction and the A-A repulsion, which is realized by the additivity and the competence between long-ranged magnetic/capillary forces, respectively. Mechanistic studies of the correlation between the magnetic/capillary forces and the interactive distance have revealed the energy landscape of each assembly pattern to support the self-sorting results. By applying this mechanism, the assembly yield of ABA trimers has been increased from 30%~40% under conventional conditions to 100% with self-sorting. Moreover, we have demonstrated rapid and spontaneous self-assembly of advanced chain-like structures with alternate surface chemistry.
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11
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Cao D, Xie Y, Song J. DNA Hydrogels in the Perspective of Mechanical Properties. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200281. [PMID: 35575627 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Tailoring the mechanical properties has always been a key to the field of hydrogels in terms of different applications. Particularly, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hydrogels offer an unambiguous way to precisely tune the mechanical properties, largely on account of their programmable sequences, abundant responding toolbox, and various ligation approaches. In this review, DNA hydrogels from the perspective of mechanical properties, from synthetic standpoint to different applications are introduced. The relationship between the structure and their mechanical properties in DNA hydrogels and the methods of regulating the mechanical properties of DNA hydrogels are specifically summarized. Furthermore, several recent applications of DNA hydrogels in relation to their mechanical properties are discussed. Benefiting from the tunability and flexibility, rational design of mechanical properties in DNA hydrogels provided unheralded interest from fundamental science to extensive applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengjie Cao
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yujie Xie
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Jie Song
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, P. R. China
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12
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Adjustable object floating states based on three-segment three-phase contact line evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2201665119. [PMID: 35316136 PMCID: PMC9060461 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201665119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adjusting the floating states when objects float on water shows great potential for assembly, mineral flotation, nanostructured construction, and floating robot design, but the real-time regulation of floating states is challenging. Inspired by the different floating states of a falling fruit, we propose a facile strategy to transform the object between different floating states based on a three-segment three-phase contact line evolution. In addition, the potential of floating state transformation in solar-powered water evaporation, interface catalysis, and drug delivery is demonstrated. These findings provide insights into floating regulation and show great potential for floating-related applications. Objects floating on water are ubiquitous in nature and daily life. The floating states of objects are significant for a wide range of fields, including assembly, mineral flotation, nanostructured construction, and floating robot design. Generally, an object exhibits a unique and fixed floating state. The real-time regulation of floating states by a simple method is attractive but challenging. Based on in-depth analysis of the different floating states of fruits falling on water, we reveal that the mutable floating states are caused by the three-segment three-phase contact line dynamics. Accordingly, we propose a “buoyancy hysteresis loop” for the transformation of objects between different floating states. More importantly, we demonstrate the potential applications of floating state transformation in solar-powered water evaporation and interface catalysis. The evaporation and catalytic efficiencies can be changed several times by switching the floating state. These findings deepen the understanding of the interfacial effect to the floating of micro-objects and show great potential for floating-related fields.
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Hu J, Yu M, Wang M, Choy KL, Yu H. Design, Regulation, and Applications of Soft Actuators Based on Liquid-Crystalline Polymers and Their Composites. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:12951-12963. [PMID: 35259869 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c25103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Soft actuators designed from stimuli-responsive polymers often possess a certain amount of bionic functionality because of their versatile deformation. Liquid-crystalline polymers (LCPs) and their composites are among the most fascinating materials for soft actuators due to their great advantages of flexible structure design and easy regulation. In this Spotlight on Applications, we mainly focus on our group's latest research progress in soft actuators based on LCPs and their composites. Some representative research findings from other groups are also included for a better understanding of this research field. Above all, the essential principles for the responsive behavior and reconfigurable performance of the soft actuators are discussed, from the perspective of material morphology and structure design. Further on, we analyze recent work on how to precisely regulate the responsive modes and quantify the operating parameters of soft actuators. Finally, some application examples are given to demonstrate well-designed soft actuators with different functions under varied working environments, which is expected to provide inspiration for future research in developing more intelligent and multifunctional integrated soft actuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hu
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, People's Republic of China
- Institute of New Structural Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingming Yu
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingqing Wang
- Institute for Materials Discovery, University College of London, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
| | - Kwang-Leong Choy
- Institute for Materials Discovery, University College of London, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
| | - Haifeng Yu
- Institute of New Structural Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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Zou M, Liao C, Liu S, Xiong C, Zhao C, Zhao J, Gan Z, Chen Y, Yang K, Liu D, Wang Y, Wang Y. Fiber-tip polymer clamped-beam probe for high-sensitivity nanoforce measurements. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2021; 10:171. [PMID: 34453031 PMCID: PMC8397746 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-021-00611-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Micromanipulation and biological, material science, and medical applications often require to control or measure the forces asserted on small objects. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the microprinting of a novel fiber-tip-polymer clamped-beam probe micro-force sensor for the examination of biological samples. The proposed sensor consists of two bases, a clamped beam, and a force-sensing probe, which were developed using a femtosecond-laser-induced two-photon polymerization (TPP) technique. Based on the finite element method (FEM), the static performance of the structure was simulated to provide the basis for the structural design. A miniature all-fiber micro-force sensor of this type exhibited an ultrahigh force sensitivity of 1.51 nm μN-1, a detection limit of 54.9 nN, and an unambiguous sensor measurement range of ~2.9 mN. The Young's modulus of polydimethylsiloxane, a butterfly feeler, and human hair were successfully measured with the proposed sensor. To the best of our knowledge, this fiber sensor has the smallest force-detection limit in direct contact mode reported to date, comparable to that of an atomic force microscope (AFM). This approach opens new avenues towards the realization of small-footprint AFMs that could be easily adapted for use in outside specialized laboratories. As such, we believe that this device will be beneficial for high-precision biomedical and material science examination, and the proposed fabrication method provides a new route for the next generation of research on complex fiber-integrated polymer devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqiang Zou
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education/GuangDong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonic Devices and Sensing Systems for Internet of Things, Guangdong and Hong Kong Joint Research Centre for Optical Fibre Sensors, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Changrui Liao
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education/GuangDong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonic Devices and Sensing Systems for Internet of Things, Guangdong and Hong Kong Joint Research Centre for Optical Fibre Sensors, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
| | - Shen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education/GuangDong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonic Devices and Sensing Systems for Internet of Things, Guangdong and Hong Kong Joint Research Centre for Optical Fibre Sensors, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Cong Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education/GuangDong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonic Devices and Sensing Systems for Internet of Things, Guangdong and Hong Kong Joint Research Centre for Optical Fibre Sensors, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Cong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education/GuangDong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonic Devices and Sensing Systems for Internet of Things, Guangdong and Hong Kong Joint Research Centre for Optical Fibre Sensors, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Jinlai Zhao
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Zongsong Gan
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
- Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518057, China
| | - Yanping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education/GuangDong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonic Devices and Sensing Systems for Internet of Things, Guangdong and Hong Kong Joint Research Centre for Optical Fibre Sensors, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Kaiming Yang
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education/GuangDong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonic Devices and Sensing Systems for Internet of Things, Guangdong and Hong Kong Joint Research Centre for Optical Fibre Sensors, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education/GuangDong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonic Devices and Sensing Systems for Internet of Things, Guangdong and Hong Kong Joint Research Centre for Optical Fibre Sensors, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education/GuangDong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonic Devices and Sensing Systems for Internet of Things, Guangdong and Hong Kong Joint Research Centre for Optical Fibre Sensors, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Yiping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education/GuangDong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonic Devices and Sensing Systems for Internet of Things, Guangdong and Hong Kong Joint Research Centre for Optical Fibre Sensors, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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