JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
·
2024
·
IF 9.4
Jiazhou Zeng,Xin Jing,Liya Lin,Gangrong Wang,Yaoxun Zhang,Peiyong Feng
Smart sensing and excellent actuation abilities of natural organisms have driven scientists to develop bionic soft-bodied robots. However, most conventional robots suffer from poor electrical conductivity, limiting their application in real-time sensing and actuation. Here, we report a novel strategy to enhance the electrical conductivity of hydrogels that integrated actuation and strain-sensing functions for bioinspired self-sensing soft actuators. Conductive hydrogels were synthesized in situ by copolymerizing MXene nanosheets with thermosensitive N -isopropylacrylamide and acrylamide under a direct current electric field. The resulting hydrogels exhibited high electrical conductivity (2.11 mS/cm), good sensitivity with a gauge factor of 4.79 and long-term stability. The developed hydrogels demonstrated remarkable capabilities in detecting human motions at subtle strains such as facial expressions and large strains such as knee bending. Additionally, the hydrogel electrode patch was capable of monitoring physiological signals. Furthermore, the developed hydrogel showed good thermally induced actuation effects when the temperature was higher than 30 °C. Overall, this work provided new insights for the design of sensory materials with integrated self-sensing and actuation capabilities, which would pave the way for the development of high-performance conductive soft materials for intelligent soft robots and automated machinery.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
生物医学工程
·
智能机器人
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Materials Chemistry C
·
2024
·
IF 5.7
Shizhen Song,Tengfei Zheng,Bo Li,Hangcheng Yang,Qin-Xiang Jia,Zhuting Hao,Wen Zhang,Ying Zhang
Solvent vapor-driven soft actuators have been seen as promising devices for human-environment interaction and gained considerable attention in recent years. Considering the limited types of response solvent and the lack of quantification, MOF/polymer intelligent soft actuators may be a potential candidate of the fabrication of the bio solvent-driven actuators. Thus, this paper present a multiple solvent-driven soft actuator based on MIL-88B/PVDF asymmetric film, and also the comparison to the analogs based on other MIL-88(Fe) series flexible MOFs (including MIL-88A, 88C and 88D) was made for the deformation-structure relationship and the solvent-driven mechanism investigation. The deformation behavior to various organic solvent (including methanol, toluene and chloroform) of the MIL-88(Fe)/PVDF composite films have been investigated, and the structure and composition of the MIL88(Fe) fillers and the composite films were also characterized by SEM, FT-IR, and XRD. Based on the above results, the MIL-88B/PVDF composite which shows the diversity of response objects and the fast deformation response to most of the organic solvents through the solvent swelling/adsorption of the MOF skeleton, was used to fabricate a monolayer soft film composed by MIL-88B, carbon black (CB) and PVDF, namely MIL-88B/CB/PVDF. The MIL-88B/CB/PVDF film not only realizes the excellent deformation-discolor dual-responsive to methanol atmosphere with the visible deformation which could being quickly achieved within 1s under 10 vol % methanol atmosphere and the maximum crimp angle being up to 558o within about 50 s, and also a wide color change range including six view angle-dependent high saturation color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple), but also shows an approximate linear relationship to three of the organic solvents (methanol, toluene and chloroform) between the maximum curl angle and the solvent concentration. Furthermore, several smart devices have also been fabricated, including the methanol-driven bionic petals, worm robot, alertor and LIG sensor. Therefore, such soft composites of flexible MOF and polymer have great potential in bio-robot and this work may provide new design strategy for the MOFs/polymer smart materials.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
化学工程
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
·
2024
·
IF 8.3
Jiaxin Wu,Wenfei Ai,Yue Long,Kai Song
Soft actuators possessing notable mechanical deformations, high sensitivity, and fast response speed play a crucial role in various applications, such as artificial muscles, soft robots, and intelligent devices. In this study, a smart humidity-driven actuator was successfully fabricated by utilizing MXene/cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/LiCl (MCL) through vacuum-assisted filtration with fast response speed and high sensitivity. Utilizing the excellent humidity responsiveness of MXene/CNF and the robust hygroscopicity of LiCl, the synergistic effect of these materials enhances the hygroscopic properties and response speed of the actuator. The MCL actuator demonstrates excellent actuation performance, fast deformation, and reliable cyclic stability. To illustrate the extensive potential of the soft actuator, a range of applications, from bionic devices to soft grippers and crawling actuators, are showcased. Remarkably, the crawling actuator demonstrates sustained crawling motion without necessitating a humidity switch, relying on the humidity gradient from water droplets, and exhibits spontaneous directional motions within a certain range, which makes it a promising prospect in the field of soft robotics.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
智能设备
·
软机器人
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
MRS Advances
·
2018
·Vol. 3
·期 28
·1583-1588
·
IF 0
Chen Jing,Yang Jingli,Gao Guorong,Fu Jun
Macroscopic assembling of responsive hydrogels has been used to construct soft actuators that transform their shape upon external stimuli. It remains a challenge to establish a robust assembling interface between gels. Here, we demonstrate a fabrication of bilayered hydrogel actuators assembled by host-guest recognition at the interface. The supramolecular recognition enabled efficient, rapid, and robust macroscopic assembling of hydrogels, which was utilized to create gel bilayers that were actuated upon unbalanced swelling/deswelling.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
生物医学工程
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
·
2017
·
IF 5.401
Yu Cheng,Kai Ren,Dian Yang,Jie Wei
In this study, we propose a fluorescent bilayer hydrogel soft actuator that responds quickly to multiple environmental stimuli. The two layers of hydrogel contain poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate), respectively, which enable their mechanical response to temperature and pH. Additionally, both hydrogel layers contain poly(ethylene oxide) diacrylate, which serves as the crosslinker. Thanks to the anisotropic swelling of two layers, the bilayer hydrogel structure exhibits rapid, reversible, and repeatable bending motion, under varying temperature or pH. In addition, a photo-sensitive coumarin-based unit is introduced into the hydrogel network to add fluorescence. A four-arm gripper made of hydrogel bilayers demonstrates rapid actuation in response to both temperature and pH. Furthermore, we design a circuit switch using the hydrogel bilayer to serve as one “bidirectional alarm” and selectively turn on light emitting diodes in different media. This work demonstrates the applications of the hydrogel bilayer as a soft actuator and a circuit switch in ionic circuitry, enabling potential applications in a wide range of fields, including biomimetic devices, biocompatible/medical devices, and environmental sensors.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
生物医学工程
·
智能材料
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
·
2022
·
IF 11.322
Wenwen Li,Min Sang,Shuai Liu,Bochao Wang,Xufeng Cao,Guanghui Liu,Xinglong Gong,Lingyun Hao,Shouhu Xuan
Soft actuators with large deformation and high stability in response to multi-stimuli are highly demanded in biomimetic applications. However, most of the present actuators driven by a single stimulus often exhibit low performance and high energy consumption. In this work, a sandwich structural soft actuator (MPDMS/MXene/PTFE) which possesses electrothermal/magnetic coupling actuation is fabricated by combining magnetic NdFeB/Polydimethylsiloxane (MPDMS) composite layer, MXene film, and PTFE tape together. Due to the large difference of thermal expansion coefficient between MPDMS film and PTFE tape, the soft actuator shows a wonderful electrothermal actuation and the bending deformation can reach to as high as 353° under a 3 V power supply. The excellent electrical conductivity of MXene component endows the sandwich film with good thermal management performance, thus the soft MPDMS/MXene/PTFE sandwich films can be applied in the thermal treatment of body and thermal imaging. Most importantly, the soft actuator also exhibits a typical magnetic biomimetic actuation and the programmable actuation performance of the dragonfly actuator can be demonstrated by both experiments and finite element simulations. Eventually, the electrothermal/magnetic coupling actuation is successfully applied in an intelligent crawling robot to overcome the traditional inchworm movement simulation.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
仿生学
·
软体机器人
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
·
2025
·
IF 9.7
Xingchen Cui,Zhezhi Li,Zhihui Yi,Bing Zhang,Xing Gao,Fuqiang Fan,Yu Fu,Junbiao Wu,Tieqiang Wang
Shape-transformation soft actuators that can quickly respond to external stimuli have been potential candidates in biomimetic soft robots and flexible driving devices. However, the lack of shape reprogrammability restricts their complexity of deformation as well as reusability in practical application. Herein, we present a unique reprogrammable actuator based on asymmetric bilayer compounding with UV-modulated photochromic complex (NEU20) through a sequential polymerization process. The UV-induced electron transfer photochromic behavior synergistic with NIR photothermal effect of NEU20 fillers endows the soft actuator with rapid (∼90°/s) and customizable actuation under external NIR stimuli. Through the joint modulation of UV exposure region and duration, the UV-induced photothermal conversion efficiency is also adjustable at each local, facilitating the spatio-temporally programmable actuation process of the hybrid bilayer actuator. Significantly, the programmed actuation process of the actuator also features thermal-erasing and UV-reprogramming capacities, highlighting the unique recyclability of the hybrid actuator. In addition, the proposed reprogrammable actuator also demonstrates good universality in combination with other thermal-responsive active material systems. This work offers insight into the design and fabrication of reprogrammable soft actuators, shining enlightenment for potential application in bioinspired soft robots and smart mechanical devices.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
机器人学
·
智能设备
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ACS Omega
·
2024
·
IF 3.7
Huiqin Li
Soft electro-ionic actuators have received extensive research and attention due to their advantages such as low voltage response and adjustable deformation. However, they have not been able to enter the actual industry application like traditional rigid actuators; one of the reasons may be that the kinematic properties of actuators have been less studied. The electro-ionic actuator based on Ti3C2Tx MXene-CNT/PPy electrode prepared in this paper shows good bending displacement (18.8 mm) and strain (0.63%) under 4 V voltage. In this article, the overlapping nature and exponential function relationship of the actuator end-point trajectories are preliminarily discussed, and the morphology change and cubic polynomial function relationship of the actuator body are considered. Moreover, in application, a novel proof-of-concept model of smart wearable finger straps is proposed. This study is a unique attempt and is hoped to provide a new research perspective in the field of soft electro-ionic actuators.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
生物医学工程
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
·
2020
·
IF 3.408
Hongyao Ding,Xiaoxu Liang,Si Yu Zheng,Qiao Wang,Zongjin Li,Guoxing Sun
Hydrogel-based actuators have attracted much attention and shown promising applications in many fields. However, it remains a challenge to assemble two hydrogel sheets into a double-layer actuator due to their slippery and non-adhesive nature. Herein, we present a simple and reliable strategy that allows two hydrogel sheets to be bonded together well with chemical bonds formed in condensation reactions, only requiring interfacial contact and then heat-treatment. The results shown that the condensation reactions can occur under heat-treatment and that the two hydrogel layers have good interfacial bonding. The double-layer strip hydrogels prepared in this method showed different deformation rate and bending extent, which can be well tuned by changing internal structures and external stimuli. Complex and controllable three-dimensional shapes of the assembled blocks can be obtained through well-tailored structures. A four-arm gripper prepared in this approach can implement the grasping and releasing an object quickly with different stimuli. This work provides a facile approach in achieving hydrogel bonding and preparing intelligent double-layer soft actuators .
研究领域:
材料科学
·
生物医学工程
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Materials Today Chemistry
·
2022
·
IF 7.613
H. Meng,X. Yang,Y. Wang,C. Wang,W. Ye,F. Ma,T. Han,J. Qi,C. Wang
The adaptive behaviors of organisms in response to different environments can inspire the development of smart materials. These biomimetic color-changing actuating materials (BCCAMs) with complex shape memory (SM), self-healing, shape reconfigurable and reprocessing properties may be exactly what the flexible actuators/robots/electronic skins need. Here, we prepared an ultra-high strain (∼1600%) soft actuation material with fluorescence changes, self-healing, and SM performance under a single stimulus by a simple method. At the same time, we developed a simple strategy based on welding to achieve actuators that have a reconfiguring three-dimensional (3D) deformation and medium temperature reprocessing. The resulting 3D soft actuators can achieve effective coordination of these functions. Flexible actuators with multiple functions that can be triggered by a single switch are expected to have value in soft robots, flexible electronic skins, and so on.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
仿生学
·
柔性电子
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
·
2024
·
IF 18.5
Tiantian Dai,Yanting Liu,Dandan Rong,Meng Wang,Zhenkun Qi,Yinling Zhao,Xiandi Wang,Qing Yang,Lei Wei,Mengxiao Chen
Inspired by natural organisms, soft actuators can convert environmental stimuli into mechanical deformation, making them indispensable for applications in a variety of fields such as soft robotics. MXene, displaying exceptional attributes in conductivity, thermal efficiency, good dispersibility etc., has emerged as a preferred material for high-performance thermal actuators. However, single actuators struggle to achieve complex tasks realized by intelligent robotic systems. Herein, a bioinspired dynamic matrix is presented utilizing the developable structure of MXene-cellulose nanofibers (CNF) soft actuators. The inclusion of CNF considerably bolsters the mechanical properties of MXene. The MXene-CNF film possessed a higher working strain range (≈14%) than pure MXene film (≈2%). The designed developable structures complete the actuating movements. The sensing layer integration with the actuating layer led to an extremely low touch detection limit (0.3 kPa) and expedited actuating-feedback due to the interaction between contact charging and electrostatic induction. A responsive dynamic matrix containing 3 × 3 soft actuators, completed with a close-looped sensing-feedback function, is developed similar to the behavior of the mimosa plant. This mimosa-inspired dynamic matrix is capable of identifying the source of touch stimuli and providing immediate feedback. This research broadens the potential for enhancing adaptability and intelligence of soft robotic system.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
仿生学
·
软体机器人
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
MACROMOLECULES
·
2024
·
IF 5.1
Yumeng Liu,Zhixiang Dong,Yihai Wang,Jian Ding,Tuan Liu,Juan Long,Tuhua Zhong,Collin Pekol,Orlando Rios,Jong Keum,Min Xia,Naisheng Jiang,Yuzhan Li
Exchangeable liquid crystalline elastomers (xLCEs) bearing dynamic covalent bonds are promising candidates for soft actuators due to their unique capability to adjust both network structure and liquid crystalline (LC) alignment after polymerization. While current xLCEs with low exchange temperatures are convenient for processing, they suffer from issues such as creep and loss of LC alignment during repeated thermal actuation. Herein, we present an effective solution using dynamic anhydride chemistry within a thiol-ene-based xLCE. This approach enables a catalyst-free, low-temperature bond exchange of the xLCE after polymerization, allowing for the adjustment of LC orientation under mild conditions. More importantly, it enables on-demand deactivation of the bond exchange via anhydride hydrolysis, effectively eliminating creep and enhancing actuation stability for over 100 cycles. Furthermore, the hydrolysis process results in the formation of carboxylic acid groups, which can be converted into carboxylates via alkali treatment, thereby providing the xLCE with humidity responsiveness. These findings highlight the use of dynamic anhydride bonds in the fabrication and optimization of xLCEs with enhanced durability and functionality, which is expected to facilitate significant advancements in their applications in soft actuators and robotics.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
化学工程
✓ 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）