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Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Free-form Light Actuators — Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale
Published on: May 25, 2016
Soft Actuators and Actuation: Design, Synthesis, and Applications
Mulenga Kalulu1,2, Bright Chilikwazi2, Jun Hu1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangning, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 211189, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Soft actuators are one of the most promising technological advancements with potential solutions to diverse fields' day-to-day challenges. Soft actuators derived from hydrogel materials possess unique features such as flexibility, responsiveness to stimuli, and intricate deformations, making them ideal for soft robotics, artificial muscles, and biomedical applications. This review provides an overview of material composition and design techniques for hydrogel actuators, exploring 3D printing, photopolymerization, cross-linking, and microfabrication methods for improved actuation. It examines applications of hydrogel actuators in biomedical, soft robotics, bioinspired systems, microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip devices, and environmental, and energy systems. Finally, it discusses challenges, opportunities, advancements, and regulatory aspects related to hydrogel actuators.
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