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Multi-stimuli-responsive actuator based on bilayered thermoplastic film
Mengdi Sun1, Panlong Wang1, Guoqiang Zheng1
1College of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Mold (Ministry of Education), Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China. gqzheng@zzu.edu.cn.
Soft Matter
|June 27, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a low-cost, one-step method to create shape-programmable soft actuators. These versatile thermoplastic actuators respond to acetone and temperature, enabling biomimetic devices like robots and artificial muscles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Robotics
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Soft actuators are crucial for biomimetic applications.
- Developing multi-stimuli-responsive actuators via facile and low-cost methods remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate a novel thermoplastic film for soft actuators.
- To demonstrate multi-stimuli-responsive and shape-programmable capabilities.
- To explore applications in biomimetic devices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a bilayered thermoplastic film using a one-step method.
- Testing the film's response to acetone vapor and temperature changes.
- Integration into diverse soft actuator designs.
Main Results:
- The bilayered film exhibited versatile shape-programmable behavior.
- Acetone vapor and temperature changes triggered actuator actuation.
- Demonstrated biomimetic devices: worm-like self-walker, crawler robot, soft gripper.
Conclusions:
- The developed thermoplastic film serves as a cost-effective soft actuator.
- The one-step fabrication and low-cost materials allow for scalable production.
- The approach shows significant potential for biomimetic robots, artificial muscles, and automatic devices.
