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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold

Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold

Published on: October 23, 2015

Bio-inspired facile strategy for programmable osmosis-driven shape-morphing elastomer composite structures.

Yuanhang Yang¹, Yueying Wang¹, Marcus Lin¹

¹School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore. mingchao.liu@ntu.edu.sg.

Materials Horizons

|February 26, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a novel polymer composite using sodium chloride (NaCl) particles in Ecoflex polymer. This material achieves over 3000% volumetric swelling for advanced shape-morphing applications in soft robotics and electronics.

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Last Updated: Jul 2, 2025

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Published on: October 23, 2015

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Microfluidic Fabrication of Polymeric and Biohybrid Fibers with Predesigned Size and Shape

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Published on: January 8, 2014

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Science
Soft Robotics

Background:

Programmable and reversible deformations in soft materials are crucial for soft robotics and flexible electronics.
Swelling-induced shape morphing is a key mechanism, but existing materials struggle with high swelling ratios (>1000%).

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel polymer composite system capable of achieving extremely large volumetric swelling ratios.
To demonstrate the utility of this composite in creating programmable, shape-morphing structures for advanced applications.

Main Methods:

Embedding fine sodium chloride (NaCl) particles within an Ecoflex polymer matrix.
Investigating the volumetric swelling behavior and elastic properties of the Ecoflex/NaCl composite.
Designing and fabricating morphing structures by controlling composite geometry and NaCl fraction.

Main Results:

Achieved controllable volumetric swelling up to 3000% with maintained elastic stiffness.
Demonstrated sequential deformation capabilities in morphing structures.
Created a programmable braille display for information encryption using a water-permeable PDMS membrane.

Conclusions:

The Ecoflex/NaCl polymer composite offers a facile approach for creating customizable, high-swelling shape-morphing structures.
This technology has the potential to expand the range of techniques and applications for morphing devices.
The developed material enables novel applications like programmable braille for information encryption.