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Biobased Inks Based on Cuttlefish Ink and Cellulose Nanofibers for Biodegradable Patterned Soft Actuators
Zhong Chen1, Xu Zhao1, Bo Gao1
1National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Advanced Composites in Special Environments, Center for Composite Materials and Structures, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, P. R. China.
Researchers developed a novel biobased ink from cuttlefish ink nanoparticles (CINPs) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) to create biodegradable, programmable soft actuators. This innovation offers a sustainable and scalable approach for advanced soft robotics applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Robotics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Soft actuators are crucial for soft robotics, but current materials often rely on nonrenewable resources and have complex preparation methods.
- Existing actuators struggle with scalability and achieving complex, programmable deformations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sustainable, biodegradable ink for patterned actuators using biobased materials.
- To enable direct ink writing of actuators with programmable shape-morphing capabilities.
Main Methods:
- A biobased ink was formulated using cuttlefish ink nanoparticles (CINPs) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs).
- Direct ink writing and extrusion-based 3D printing were employed to create bilayer actuators on poly(lactic acid) films.
- The actuators' response to humidity and light stimuli was investigated.
Main Results:
- The hybrid CNF/CINP ink exhibited excellent rheological properties for precise printing on flexible substrates.
- The fabricated bilayer actuators demonstrated reversible, large bending deformations triggered by humidity and light.
- Programmable folding and coiling deformations were achieved by tailoring ink patterns.
Conclusions:
- This study presents a fast, scalable, and cost-effective method for producing biodegradable patterned actuators.
- The developed actuators offer programmable shape-morphing abilities, advancing the field of sustainable soft robotics.
