A graphene-based photo-electro-thermal metamaterial for soft fixtures with superior grasping performance

Soft actuators are valued for their adaptability and diverse applications but often face challenges like slow response, high activation energy, and high energy consumption. To address these issues, we developed a graphene-assembled film (GAF) via the redox method, characterized by high thermal conductivity, conductivity, and stiffness. Using GAF as a photothermal and electrothermal driver, we engineered a sandwich-structured metamaterial (SSM) by combining two polymers with vastly different thermal expansion coefficients. The SSM achieved rapid response (<5 s), low actuation energy (≤0.22 W cm⁻² or ≤3.55 V), and large bending curvature (>0.18 mm⁻¹), surpassing conventional designs in response speed (226.2% faster) and curvature (249.1% higher). This metamaterial enables soft fixtures with superior gripping capabilities and low energy consumption, handling up to eight times the object mass of traditional designs. This work highlights advances in multi-stimulus metamaterials, offering significant implications for the development of high-performance soft actuators.