Stimuli-Triggered Multishape, Multimode, and Multistep Deformations Designed by Microfluidic 3D Droplet Printing

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Robotics

Background:

• Elastomers are crucial for soft robots and actuators due to their flexibility.
• Implementing diverse functionalities like shape morphing in elastomers remains a significant challenge.
• Existing methods for functionalizing elastomers are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel microfluidic 3D droplet printing platform for creating architected composite elastomers.
• To impart diverse stimuli-responsive functionalities into elastomers.
• To demonstrate the potential of these functional elastomers in creating advanced soft systems.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a microfluidic 3D droplet printing platform to precisely position functional droplets within elastomer matrices.
• Engineered functional droplets with controlled size, composition, and spatial arrangement.
• Fabricated composite elastomers with embedded functional droplets.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated stimuli-responsive deformations (multishape, multimode, multistep) in composite elastomers triggered by solvent, temperature, and light.
• Successfully integrated functional droplets to impart specific properties and achieve controlled shape changes.
• Developed various stimuli-responsive systems, including designable numbers, biomimetic flowers, and soft robots.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidic 3D droplet printing offers a versatile platform for creating functional composite elastomers.
• This approach enables the facile integration of diverse stimuli-responsive functionalities into soft materials.
• The developed elastomers show promise for advanced applications in soft robotics and intelligent actuators.