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Updated: Jul 11, 2025

An Additive Manufacturing Technique for the Facile and Rapid Fabrication of Hydrogel-based Micromachines with Magnetically Responsive Components
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Hydrogel Rivet with Unidirectional Shape Morphing for Flexible Mechanical Assembly.

April L Ye1,2, Haozhe Zhang1, Baoyi Wu3,4

  • 1Ningbo Hanvos Kent School, Ningbo, 315200, China.

Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|November 16, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed a novel hydrogel rivet system inspired by mechanical assembly for soft robotics. This thermo-responsive system enables stable, remotely controlled mechanical assembly of soft materials without compromising flexibility.

Keywords:
molecular switchprogrammable deformationshape memorysoft robotthermo-responsive hydrogel

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Robotics
  • Polymer Chemistry

Background:

  • Intelligent soft robotics require integrated materials and functions, but current assembly methods like supramolecular assembly have limitations with diverse demands.
  • Existing techniques often rely on precise chemical design and specific recognition, hindering adaptability in complex soft robotic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel mechanical assembly strategy for soft robotics inspired by traditional rivet connections.
  • To create a stable and remotely controllable assembly system for diverse soft materials without compromising softness.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of a thermo-responsive hydrogel with unidirectional shape-morphing capabilities.
  • Utilized poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) [P(AAm-co-AAc)] for swelling and hexylamine-modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA-C6) as a molecular switch.
  • Emulated a rivet connection mechanism where hydrogel rivets assemble components, activated by molecular switch disassociation and enhanced with knots.
  • Incorporated photo-thermal nanoparticles for remote control using near-infrared light (NIR).

Main Results:

  • Successfully constructed a stable mechanical assembly system using hydrogel rivets and a molecular switch mechanism.
  • Demonstrated unidirectional shape-morphing and controlled swelling for robust component connection.
  • Achieved enhanced assembly strength through knot integration for programmed deformation.
  • Showcased remote control capability via NIR light, enabling dynamic adjustments.

Conclusions:

  • Presents a universal and efficient strategy for stable mechanical assembly in soft robotics.
  • The hydrogel rivet system overcomes limitations of existing methods, offering adaptability and robustness.
  • Significant potential for fabricating integrated soft robots with enhanced functionality and control.