Programmable Deformations of Biomimetic Composite Hydrogels Embedded with Printed Fibers

Shape deformations are prevalent in nature, which are closely related to the heterogeneous structures with a feature of fibrous elements embedded in a matrix. The microfibers with specific orientations act as either passive geometrical constraints in an active matrix or active elements in a passive matrix, which generate programmed internal stresses and drive shape morphing under external stimuli. Morphing materials can be designed in a biomimetic way, yet it is challenging to fabricate composite hydrogels with well-distributed fibers by a facile strategy. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of microfiber-embedded hydrogels facilitated by the extrusion-based printing technology. Programmed deformations are achieved in these hydrogels with microfibers distributed in the upper and/or bottom layers of the gel matrix. Under external stimuli, the microfibers and the gel matrix have different responses that produce internal stresses and result in programmable deformations of the composite gel. Multiple shape transformations are realized in the hydrogel by embedding multiple types of responsive microfibers in the passive or active matrix, which is fabricated with the assistance of multinozzle printing. A soft hook is designed to show the capacity of the composite hydrogel to hold and move an object in a saline solution. This facile and versatile strategy provides an alternative way to prepare biomimetic hydrogels with potential applications in biomedical devices, flexible electronics, and soft robots.