Advanced Intelligent Systems
·
2021
·Vol. 3
·期 10
·2000232
·
IF 0
Qianying Chen,Tian-Yun Huang,Pengyu Lv,Jianyong Huang,Huiling Duan
Intelligent micromachines that perform tasks in complex microenvironments by adjusting structural configurations and physical properties offer substantial potential for use in many fields, including precision medicine, microfluidic channels, micromanipulations, and bioengineering. Recent progress in smart materials and 4D microprinting provides a feasible strategy for fabricating compound micromachines by designing and assembling predictable 3D-to-3D shape-morphing components. However, shape transformations of these components can only be triggered simultaneously by external stimuli, and orderly triggering among them cannot be achieved yet for an intended purpose of performing more efficient actions. Herein, a novel sequentially triggered strategy is proposed for developing intelligent micromachines that consist of multiple reconfigurable components that work interactively with each other. Furthermore, self-locking micromachines with tunable coupling mechanisms that coordinate accurate time-sequence deformations among components are achieved. Three types of locking couplings are modulated based on finite-element analysis (FEA)-aided design. The proposed method provides an effective strategy to create next-generation intelligent micromachines that can change their shapes to adapt to complex situations and complete multiple tasks.
研究领域:
生物工程
·
精密医学
·
微流控技术
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
·
2020
·
IF 8.758
Zuxiang Xu,Jun Fu
Precise and programmable control of reversible deformations of hydrogels has important implications for bionics. This work reports on programmable three-dimensional (3D) deformations and thermoresponsive actuation of polymer hydrogels in a well-defined manner. Precise infiltration of Fe3+ with periodic patterns is additionally used to cross-link the local polymer network through ionoprinting with a patterned electrode array. The patterned Fe3+ cross-linking generates periodic undulations in cross-link density, stiffness, and thermoresponsiveness. The internal stress induces 3D helical structures with tunable chirality and dimensions. The differential thermoresponsiveness imbues a fourth dimension to the shape deformations. Moreover, sequential ionoprinting generates well-defined in-plane periodic distributions of differential modulus and responsiveness, leading to 3D/4D umbrella-like origami upon temperature triggers.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
生物工程
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Small
·
2023
·Vol. 19
·期 42
·2302656
·
IF 13.3
Jingang Wang,Yuzhao Zhang,Jianchen Zheng,Xiubao Zhao,Hongji Guo,Ye Qiu,Xiaoduo Wang,Lianqing Liu,Haibo Yu
An active heterostructure with smart-response material used as “muscle” and inactive material as “skeleton” can deform over time to respond to external stimuli. 4D printing integrated with two-photon polymerization technology and smart material allows the material or characteristic distribution of active heterostructures to be defined directly at the microscale, providing a huge programmable space. However, the high degree of design freedom and the microscale pose a challenge to the construction of micromachines with customized shape morphing. Here, a reverse design strategy based on multi-material stepwise 4D printing is proposed to guide the structural design of biomimetic micromachines. Inspired by the piecewise constant curvature model of soft robot, a reverse design algorithm based on the Timoshenko model is developed. The algorithm can approximate 2D features to a constant-curvature model and determine an acceptable material distribution within the explored printing range. Three Chinese “Long” (Chinese dragon heralds of good fortune) designed by the strategy can deform to the customized shape. In addition, a microcrawler printed using this method can imitate a real inchworm gait. These results demonstrate that this method can be an efficient tool for the action or shape design of bionic soft microrobots or micromachines with predetermined functions.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
生物仿生学
·
微纳米技术
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Small
·
2020
·Vol. 16
·期 42
·1906998
·
IF 11.459
Yanhui Bi,Xiaoxue Du,Pingping He,Chunyan Wang,Chang Liu,Weiwei Guo
As a crucial instinct for the survival of organisms, adaptive smart deformation has been well shown via profusely astounding examples within biological morphogenesis in nature, which inspired the construction of biomimetic shape-morphing materials with controlled actuating behaviors. Herein, the construction of nature-inspired bilayer hydrogel film actuators, composed of a polyacrylamide hydrogel passive layer and a polyacrylamide-DNA hybrid hydrogel active layer, which exhibited programmable stimuli-responsive and reversible macroscopic shape deformations directed by the sequence of DNA crosslinking units in the active layer, is reported. As a proof-of-concept, the introduction of DNA i-motif based crosslinking structures into the active layer, which can undergo pH-stimulated formation and dissociation of crosslinking between polymers and therefore change the crosslinking density of the active layer, lead to the redistribution of the internal stresses within the bilayer structure, and result in the pH-stimulated shape deformations. By programming the sequence of DNA units in the active layer, a Ag + /Cysteamine-stimulated bilayer DNA hybrid hydrogel film actuator is further constructed and exhibits excellent actuation behaviors. Thanks to the micrometer-scale thickness of the films, these actuators exhibit a high degree of macroscopic and reversible shape deformations at high speed, which may find use in future smart biosensing and biomedical applications.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
生物工程
·
化学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
·
2022
·
IF 16.744
Junyi Tang,Yuanyuan Ren,Jiachun Feng
Stimuli-responsive materials with complex practical functions that could imitate certain behaviors of living organisms have wide potential applications in frontier fields. However, the fabrication of stimuli-responsive films with simultaneous change in fluorescence color and shape in response to a single stimulus, especially by a simple fabrication strategy, remains a challenge. Herein, a simple hydrogel-film-post crosslinking strategy is proposed to prepare films that exhibit fluorescence change accompanying with shape deformation under pH stimulus. The synchronous changes are realized by the combination of dynamic boron chemistry and pH-sensitive lanthanide complexes. Under different pH conditions, the protonation/deprotonation of the ligands coordinated to Eu 3+ ions could generate switchable on/off fluorescence behavior, while the association/dissociation of borate ester bonds between 3-aminobenzeneboronic acid (SA-PBA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) could lead to macroscopic deformation. The existence of borate ester bonds is beneficial to the mechanical properties of composite films. Under pH stimulus, the film-based artificial flower could simulate the flowering of natural flowers accompanying with color changes and the film-based gripper could grasp object with a visual signal, which demonstrates that the SA-PBA/PVA/EuL films have great potential for wide application.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
仿生学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
·
2017
·Vol. 27
·期 33
·1701962
·
IF 12.124
Xin Peng,Tianqi Liu,Qin Zhang,Cong Shang,Qing-Wen Bai,Huiliang Wang
Convenient patterning and precisely programmable shape deformations are crucial for the practical applications of shape deformable hydrogels. Here, a facile and versatile computer-assisted ion inkjet printing technique is described that enables the direct printing of batched, very complicated patterns, especially those with well-defined, programmable variation in cross-linking densities, on one or both surfaces of a large-sized hydrogel sample. A mechanically strong hydrogel containing poly(sodium acrylate) is first prepared, and then digital patterns are printed onto the hydrogel surfaces by using a commercial inkjet printer and an aqueous ferric solution. The complexation between the polyelectrolyte and ferric ions increases the cross-linking density of the printed regions, and hence the gel sample can undergo shape deformation upon swelling/deswelling. The deformation rates and degrees of the hydrogels can be conveniently adjusted by changing the printing times or the different/gradient grayscale distribution of designed patterns. By printing appropriate patterns on one or both surfaces of the hydrogel sheets, many complex 3D shapes are obtained from shape deformations upon swelling/deswelling, such as cylindrical shell and forsythia flower (patterns on one surface), ding (patterns on both surfaces), blooming flower (different/gradient grayscale distributive patterns on one surface), and non-Euclidean plates (different/gradient grayscale distributive patterns on both surfaces).
研究领域:
材料科学
·
生物工程
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
·
2025
·
IF 2.7
Zhongrui Wang,Yuwen Meng,Nan Sun,Yongzheng Xing,Xu Wang
This study introduces a novel design for pH-sensitive bilayer Janus hydrogels with bidirectional bending capabilities, achieved through the layer-by-layer polymerization of two distinct hydrogel layers. The upper layer, composed of P(HEMA -co- 4VP), swells in acidic environments due to the protonation of pyridine groups, inducing bending toward one side. Conversely, the lower layer, made of P(HEMA -co- AA), expands in alkaline conditions by deprotonation, causing bending toward the opposite direction. The bilayer hydrogel demonstrates significant shape deformations, influenced by variations in layer thickness and pH conditions. Detailed analyses of swelling behaviors, compressive toughness, and rheological properties reveal that the unique composition ensures distinct and tunable mechanical responses. Furthermore, hydrogels fabricated into complex geometries, such as flower- and starfish-shaped structures, showcase practical applications in soft robotics and biomimetic devices. The versatility of the design is further confirmed by substituting P(HEMA -co- 4VP) with P(HEMA -co- DMAEMA), which maintained the bidirectional bending responses under both acidic and alkaline conditions. This research expands the theoretical understanding of stimulus-responsive hydrogels and offers an innovative platform for designing intelligent actuators adaptable to diverse and dynamic environments.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
软体机器人
·
生物医学工程
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
·
2024
·
IF 18.5
Jing Guo,Ruihui Liu,Yuezi Lv,Hui Xie,Shaobing Zhou
Shape-morphing hydrogels can mimic the dynamism of living creatures and are popular for designing soft machines, such as actuators and robots. However, most existing shape-morphing hydrogels present a single morphing pathway between two shapes, sequential and multistage shape-morphing in real scenarios has rarely been captured. Although a strategy that assembles functional hydrogel components has been reported, it is likely to simultaneously increase the complexity and weaken the versatility of hydrogel machines. Here, a light-encoding strategy based on the dynamic coordination between the ferric iron and carboxyl group (Fe 3+ ─COO − ) to integrate the frame and actuating units into a single hydrogel without assembly is proposed. The spatiotemporal control of light irradiation is expected to make the light-encoding process sequential and reprogrammable. Results demonstrate that the light-encoded patterns determine the morphing route and further activate shape-morphing owing to swelling mismatch. The actuating units can be successively created by localized irradiation or elaborately turned by re-coordinating and light-encoding. This endows the encoded hydrogel with sequential and multistage shape-morphing behavior, similar to the living creatures. This strategy allows the design of assembly-free soft machines with sequential and multistage shape-morphing performance, which will benefit the design of more types of hydrogel machines.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
生物工程
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
Advanced Materials Technologies
·
2023
·Vol. 8
·期 12
·2202012
·
IF 6.8
Xiaowen Wang,Zheng Yuan,Qinghao Guo,Wenhao Wang,Huibin Liu,Anqin Liu,Zhixing Ge,Haibo Yu,Wenguang Yang
Soft-bodied aquatic organisms and amphibians have different locomotion forms optimized for the living environment. With the increase of scientific research on oceanographic engineering, more and more researchers are paying attention to the underwater movement of bionic robots. Currently, underwater robots face two critical problems, that is, the inefficient actuation of traditional stimulatory response materials and the inability to ensure accurate spatiotemporal control of deformation. In this study, a soft stimulus-responsive material is designed for remote cordless control in the water environment. An underwater bionic snake soft robot is fabricated using a temperature-sensitive hydrogel Poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) and carbon nanotubes with the ability to convert light into heat. Tunable shape deformation and movement, including the concertina and serpentine locomotion of a light-driven bionic snake soft robot, are realized by controlling the position of joints through light illumination. In addition, the transport of rod-like objects, obstacle-surmounting, and working on different surfaces are achieved by the bionic snake robot. This study will provide references for research on the multiple underwater locomotion forms of light-driven soft robots.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
仿生学
·
机器人技术
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
Droplet
·
2025
·
IF 9.1
Yutong Wang,Shenghao Yang,Chonglei Hao,Binhong Dou,Lei Zhang,Yongle Feng,Shichuan Wang,Fuzhou Niu,Ran Tao,Sen Wang,Bing Li,Zuankai Wang
Soft robots based on stimuli-responsive materials, such as those responsive to thermal, magnetic, or light stimuli, hold great potential for adaptive locomotion and multifunctionality in complex environments. Among these, liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) and magnetic microparticles have emerged as particularly promising candidates, leveraging their thermal responsiveness and magnetic controllability, respectively. However, integrating these modes to achieve synergistic multimodal actuation remains a significant challenge. Here, we present the thermo-magnetic petal morphing robot, which combines LCEs with embedded magnetic microparticles to enable reversible shape morphing via remote light-to-thermal actuation and high-speed rolling locomotion under external magnetic fields. The robot can achieve rapid deformation under near-infrared light, transitioning from a closed spherical to an open cross-like configuration with consistent shape recovery across multiple cycles, and demonstrates a maximum locomotion speed of 30 body lengths per second, outperforming many state-of-the-art soft robots. Moreover, the robot's performance remains robust across dry, wet, and underwater conditions, with adjustable magnetic particle concentrations allowing tunable actuation performance. Our work addresses the need for soft robots with enhanced versatility and adaptability in complex environments, paving the way for applications in areas such as targeted drug delivery and industrial material handling.
研究领域:
机器人技术
·
材料科学
·
生物医学工程
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
·
2025
·
IF 8.2
Juncai Song,Tianfeng Zhou,Xiang Xiao,Mingchao Zhang,Peng Liu,Xianbing Zeng,Ruijue Duan,Yue Li,Lei Li,Baiqian Xu,Guanghao Wu,Yubing Guo
Artificial muscles are regarded as indispensable for next-generation robots. They can mimic the complex motions of living organisms and demonstrate performance surpassing that of natural muscles. Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) possess the unique advantage of programmable three-dimensional shape-morphing compared to other soft materials, holding significant promise for artificial muscle applications. However, LCE-based artificial muscle with designable shape-morphing is limited to 100 μm thickness currently, which significantly restricts the driving capability of artificial muscles. Here, we developed the centimeter-scale bulk LCE (CBLCE) artificial muscles with all three dimensions up to centimeter-scale through two-step crosslinking of an LCE with acceptable actuation strain and large modulus, which results in CBLCE artificial muscles with strong mechanical properties. Specifically, this CBLCE demonstrates 37.5% actuation strain (comparable to human skeletal muscles) and strong mechanical properties, such as up to 24 MPa modulus (exceeding that of most powerful natural muscles), large energy density (10 times that of human skeletal muscle), and large output capability (3624 times its gravity). Beyond these remarkable mechanical properties, this artificial muscle further demonstrates designable complex three-dimensional shape-morphing. The developed CBLCEs hold great promise for advancing artificial muscle applications in soft robotics, expanding their potential for broader applications.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
仿生学
·
机器人学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
·
2025
·
IF 6.4
Yafei Wang,Weiqian Liang,Wei Cai,Jingyi Zhang,Weijia Guo,Biyun Qi,He Zhang,Haibao Lu,Zhen Ding
4D printing marks a significant leap beyond traditional 3D printing, enabling structures to morph and adapt dynamically to changing environmental conditions. Research efforts are increasingly being focused on this promising technology. Existing 4D printing methods, however, typically rely on shape-changing mechanisms that operate after material solidification in the 3D printing process, necessitating additional energy inputs or even manual mechanical interventions. In this study, we introduce a novel 4D printing approach that employs a specially designed dual-stage curing ink optimized for grayscale Digital Light Processing (g-DLP) 3D printing. This novel approach not only grants precise, on-demand control over the material properties of the printed structures but also seamlessly integrates shape transformation into the thermal curing stage of the 3D printing process, eliminating the need for extra energy or manual steps. Furthermore, these transformed shapes demonstrate exceptional robustness and permanence, as evidenced by our experimental results. We conduct a comprehensive investigation into the grayscale-dependent mechanical properties of this ink and highlight its potential applications through auxetic metamaterial lattice structures. The underlying mechanism behind this direct shape morphing during thermal curing is explored in depth, and effectively demonstrated in achieving desired shape transformations across various printed structures. The good agreement between our experimental results and simulations provides robust validation of our methodology. Our study provides a reliable framework for designing and optimizing 4D-printed structures with tailored properties and deformation behaviors, paving the way for future applications in various fields.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
工程学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）