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Updated: Jan 26, 2026
12:33
Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles
Published on: February 4, 2013
22.2K
Programmable Self-Assembling 3D Architectures Generated by Patterning of Swellable MOF-Based Composite Films.
Javier Troyano1, Arnau Carné-Sánchez1, Daniel Maspoch1,2
1Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|April 9, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed patterned composite films using swellable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that can be programmed to change shape. These MOF-based films offer tunable, reversible 2D-to-3D transformations for soft robotics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Soft Robotics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Swellable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) integrated into polymer films enable reversible shape changes.
- Programmable actuation is key for designing self-shaping objects on demand.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a chemical etching method for fabricating patterned MOF-polymer composite films.
- To achieve tunable and predictable 2D-to-3D shape transformations triggered by moisture.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of composite films via selective removal of MOF crystals using chemical etching.
- Utilizing water adsorption/desorption to trigger reversible shape transformations.
- Employing light-induced desorption to reverse shape changes.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated tunable self-folding response in patterned composite films.
- Achieved predictable and reversible 2D-to-3D shape transformations.
- Fabricated functional 3D architectures including a gripper, lift, and walking device.
- Showcased light-induced reversal of shape transformations.
Conclusions:
- The developed strategy provides a platform for fabricating flexible MOF-based autonomous soft mechanical devices.
- This approach enables on-demand fabrication of self-shaping objects for micromanipulation, automation, and robotics.
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