Adaptive All-Fiber Actuator for Human-Environment Interaction.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Robotics
• Sensors

Background:

• Adaptive actuation and multimodal feedback are crucial for complex human-environment interactions.
• Developing actuators with both mechanical robustness and perceptive capabilities remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel bilayer fiber membrane (TCTR) actuator with efficient actuation, synchronous sensing, and multimodal feedback.
• To enable actuators to adapt to complex scenarios and enhance human-environment interactions.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a TCTR actuator using a continuous electrospinning strategy for a reinforced fiber-interlocked interface.
• Integration of photothermal performance, mechanical toughness, and color-changing properties.
• Incorporation of actuation-triggered triboelectric self-powered sensing and thermochromic effects.

Main Results:

• The TCTR actuator demonstrated efficient photothermal performance (22.9 °C min⁻¹), high mechanical toughness (17.9 MJ m⁻³), and significant color changes.
• Achieved superior actuation response (0.67 cm⁻¹ s⁻¹) and bending curvature (7.37 cm⁻¹) with electro-visual cooperative perceptivity.
• Successfully perceived material types and object temperature (99.5% sensitivity) and visualized writing paths.

Conclusions:

• The TCTR actuator exhibits mechano-electrical-optical cooperation for human-environment interactive applications.
• Optimized TCTR actuators show potential in smart masks, electronic textiles, and environmental monitoring.
• This work provides a facile strategy for developing adaptive actuators with multiscenario utility.