Drosera-Inspired Dual-Actuating Double-Layer Hydrogel Actuator

Drosera is a small insectivorous plant whose antennae can fold up, encircle, and prey. The rapid movement of the antennae is achieved by the synergistic effect of a double-layer structure with the antennae contracts on the front and expands on the back. In this work, a drosera-inspired dual-actuating double-layer hydrogel actuator is proposed, in which the temperature-responsive poly(N, N-diethyl acrylamide) (PDEAAm) layer acts as the main actuation layer and a moisture-responsive poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) layer acts as the auxiliary actuation layer. In a water environment with low temperature, both the PAAm and PDEAAm layers absorb water and expand with a swelling property. When the temperature exceeds the lower critical solution temperature of PDEAAm, the PDEAAm layer undergoes a hydrophilic-hydrophobic transition and shrinks rapidly. Therefore, the synergistic effect of the double-layer hydrogel enables the double-layer hydrogel to achieve a large bending angle at high temperature. In addition, when designing and fabricating shape-patterned double-layer hydrogels, complex shape changes can be achieved. Due to the physical and chemical properties, the actuator can be used to grab, transport, and release objects. This drosera-inspired double-layer hydrogel actuator has high practical value, which may provide new insights for the design and manufacture of artificial intelligence materials.