Triple-Responsive Soft Actuator with Plastically Retentive Deformation and Magnetically Programmable Recovery

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Robotics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Soft actuators require multistimuli responsiveness and programmable shape recovery for applications in soft robotics, electronics, and wearables.
• Current actuation strategies struggle with power-free shape retention after external energy removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel soft actuator with triple stimuli responsiveness (electrothermal, NIR, magnetic) and programmable shape recovery.
• To enable power-free shape retention in soft actuators.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a triple-response actuator using a self-assembled density deposition method.
• The actuator comprises a cellulose nanofiber/poly(vinyl alcohol)/liquid metal (CNF/PVA/LM) layer and a magnetic polydimethylsiloxane (MPDMS) layer.
• Utilizing the thermal-plastic transferring behavior of the CNF/PVA/LM for shape fixing and recovery.

Main Results:

• The fabricated actuator demonstrated controllable fixation of large deformations and programmable recovery under a magnetic field.
• A rolling robot constructed with these soft actuators showed effective obstacle avoidance capabilities.
• Carrier robots exhibited successful object handling and programmable release functionalities.

Conclusions:

• The developed actuation approach enables power-free shape retention and programmable recovery, addressing key limitations in soft actuator technology.
• This work contributes to a more rational utilization of multiple stimuli for advanced applications in soft robotics and beyond.
• The triple-response actuator shows significant potential for practical applications in robotics, electronics, and wearables.