4D Multiscale Origami Soft Robots: A Review

LM-Gel Plasticine Based on Binary Cooperative with Kneadable Shaping and Conductivity

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.

3D-Printed Origami Actuators for a Multianimal-Inspired Soft Robot with Amphibious Locomotion and Tongue Hunting

The field of soft robotics is rapidly evolving, and there is a growing interest in developing soft robots with bioinspired features for use in various applications. This research presented the design and development of 3D-printed origami actuators for a soft robot with amphibious locomotion and tongue hunting capabilities. Two different types of programmable origami actuators were designed and manufactured, namely Z-shaped and twist tower actuators. In addition, two actuator variations were developed based on the Z-shaped actuator, including the pelvic fin and the coiling/uncoiling types. The Z-shaped actuators were used for the rear legs to facilitate the locomotion of the water-like frogs. Meanwhile, the twisted tower actuators were used for the rotation joints in the forelegs and for locomotion on land. The pelvic fin actuator was developed to imitate the land locomotion of the mudskipper, and the coiling/uncoiling actuator was designed for tongue hunting motion. The origami actuators and soft robot prototype were tested through a series of experiments, which showed that the robot was capable of efficiently moving in water and on land and performing tongue hunting motions. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of these actuators in producing the desired motions and provide insights into the potential of applying 3D-printed origami actuators in the development of soft robots with bioinspired features.

A Printable Magnetic-Responsive Iron Oxide Nanoparticle (ION)-Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA) Ink for Soft Bioactuator/Robot Applications

The features or actuation behaviors of nature's creatures provide concepts for the development of biomimetic soft bioactuators/robots with stimuli-responsive capabilities, design convenience, and environmental adaptivity in various fields. Mimosa pudica is a mechanically responsive plant that can convert pressure to the motion of leaves. When the leaves receive pressure, the occurrence of asymmetric turgor in the extensor and flexor sides of the pulvinus from redistributing the water in the pulvinus causes the bending of the pulvinus. Inspired by the actuation of Mimosa pudica, designing soft bioactuators can convert external stimulations to driving forces for the actuation of constructs which has been receiving increased attention and has potential applications in many fields. 4D printing technology has emerged as a new strategy for creating versatile soft bioactuators/robots by integrating printing technologies with stimuli-responsive materials. In this study, we developed a hybrid ink by combining gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) polymers with iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs). This hybrid ION-GelMA ink exhibits tunable rheology, controllable mechanical properties, magnetic-responsive behaviors, and printability by integrating the internal metal ion-polymeric chain interactions and photo-crosslinking chemistries. This design offers the inks a dual crosslink mechanism combining the advantages of photocrosslinking and ionic crosslinking to rapidly form the construct within 60 s of UV exposure time. In addition, the magnetic-responsive actuation of ION-GelMA constructs can be regulated by different ION concentrations (0-10%). Furthermore, we used the ION-GelMA inks to fabricate a Mimosa pudica-like soft bioactuator through a mold casting method and a direct-ink-writing (DIW) printing technology. Obviously, the pinnule leaf structure of printed constructs presents a continuous reversible shape transformation in an air phase without any liquid as a medium, which can mimic the motion characteristics of natural creatures. At the same time, compared to the model casting process, the DIW printed bioactuators show a more refined and biomimetic transformation shape that closely resembles the movement of the pinnule leaf of Mimosa pudica in response to stimulation. Overall, this study indicates the proof of concept and the potential prospect of magnetic-responsive ION-GelMA inks for the rapid prototyping of biomimetic soft bioactuators/robots with untethered non-contact magneto-actuations.