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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Four-Dimensional Printing of Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel-Based Soft Robots

Four-Dimensional Printing of Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel-Based Soft Robots

Published on: January 13, 2023

2D-Material-integrated hydrogels as multifunctional protective skins for soft robots.

Lin Jing¹, Li-Yin Hsiao, Shuo Li

¹Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Singapore. checp@umd.edu.

Materials Horizons

|November 30, 2021

Summary

Researchers developed advanced soft robotic skins using two-dimensional materials and gelatin hydrogels. These skins enhance robot durability for harsh environments, enabling new applications in extreme conditions.

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Last Updated: Oct 11, 2025

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Robotics
Soft Robotics

Background:

Soft robots offer compliant interactions but lack material stability for harsh environments.
Existing soft robots are limited in extreme conditions like high heat, fire, or chemical exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop robust, multifunctional soft robotic skins for operation in harsh environments.
To enhance the stability and capabilities of soft robots through advanced material integration.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of two-dimensional material (2DM)-integrated hydrogel (2DM/H) skins using gelatin hydrogels.
Incorporation of various 2DMs, including graphene oxide (GO), montmorillonite (MMT), and titanium carbide (MXene).
Integration of 2DM/H skins onto different soft robot platforms.

Main Results:

2DM/H skins provided stretchability, thermoregulation, threat protection, and strain sensing.
Robots with 2DM/H skins successfully operated in high heat, organic liquids, open fire, electromagnetic radiation, and biocontamination.
MXene-blended hydrogel (M-H) skins demonstrated strain sensitivity, enabling advanced gripper functionality.
Integrated skins allowed robots to perform vision-guided searching in fire and underwater navigation in chemical spills.

Conclusions:

The developed 2DM/H skins significantly enhance the environmental resilience and functionality of soft robots.
This innovation opens possibilities for soft robots in previously inaccessible harsh operational settings.
The multifunctional skins pave the way for next-generation soft robots with enhanced durability and adaptability.