Spatially and Reversibly Actuating Soft Gel Structure by Harnessing Multimode Elastic Instabilities

Liu，Yingzhi1,2; Sun，Ansu2; Sridhar，Sreepathy2; Li，Zhenghong1,2; Qin，Zhuofan2; Liu，Ji3; Chen，Xue2; Lu，Haibao1; Tang，Ben Zhong4; Xu，Ben Bin2

2021

10.1021/acsami.1c10431

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces   影响因子和分区

1944-8244

1944-8252

Autonomous shape transformation is key in developing high-performance soft robotics technology; the search for pronounced actuation mechanisms is an ongoing mission. Here, we present the programmable shape morphing of a three-dimensional (3D) curved gel structure by harnessing multimode mechanical instabilities during free swelling. First of all, the coupling of buckling and creasing occurs at the dedicated region of the gel structure, which is attributed to the edge and surface instabilities resulted from structure-defined spatial nonuniformity of swelling. The subsequent developments of post-buckling morphologies and crease patterns collaboratively drive the structural transformation of the gel part from the "open"state to the "closed"state, thus realizing the function of gripping. By utilizing the multi-stimuli-responsive nature of the hydrogel, we recover the swollen gel structure to its initial state, enabling reproducible and cyclic shape evolution. The described soft gel structure capable of shape transformation brings a variety of advantages, such as easy to fabricate, large strain transformation, efficient actuation, and high strength-to-weight ratio, and is anticipated to provide guidance for future applications in soft robotics, flexible electronics, offshore engineering, and healthcare products.

buckling creasing hydrogel shape transformation swelling

SCI ; EI

英语

其他

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)[11672342,11725208] ; Royal Society Kan Tong Po International Fellowship[2019-KTP \R1\191012]

Science & Technology - Other Topics ; Materials Science

Nanoscience & Nanotechnology ; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

WOS:000683741400107

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

20213310770731

Flexible electronics ; Offshore oil well production ; Robotics

Oil Field Production Operations:511.1 ; Electronic Equipment, General Purpose and Industrial:715 ; Robotics:731.5

2-s2.0-85112308425

Scopus

1.Science and Technology on Advanced Composites in Special Environments Laboratory,Harbin Institute of Technology,Harbin,Heilongjiang,150080,China
2.Smart Materials and Surfaces Laboratory,Faculty of Engineering and Environment,Northumbria University,Newcastle upon Tyne,NE1 8ST,United Kingdom
3.Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
4.Department of Chemistry,Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering,Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction,Institute for Advanced Study,Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,Kowloon,Clear Water Bay,999077,Hong Kong

Liu，Yingzhi,Sun，Ansu,Sridhar，Sreepathy,et al. Spatially and Reversibly Actuating Soft Gel Structure by Harnessing Multimode Elastic Instabilities[J]. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces,2021,13(30).

Liu，Yingzhi.,Sun，Ansu.,Sridhar，Sreepathy.,Li，Zhenghong.,Qin，Zhuofan.,...&Xu，Ben Bin.(2021).Spatially and Reversibly Actuating Soft Gel Structure by Harnessing Multimode Elastic Instabilities.ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces,13(30).

Liu，Yingzhi,et al."Spatially and Reversibly Actuating Soft Gel Structure by Harnessing Multimode Elastic Instabilities".ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 13.30(2021).