Electric Field Driven Soft Morphing Matter

The manipulation of soft morphing robots using external electric fields and wireless control is challenging. Electric field-driven soft morphing matter, termed electro-morphing gel (e-MG), that exhibits complex multimodal large-scale deformation (showing up to 286% strain, and strain rates up to 500% s^-1) and locomotion under external electric fields applied using compact and lightweight electrodes is presented. The distinctive capabilities of e-MG derive from the combination of an elastomeric matrix and nanoparticulate paracrystalline carbon. The material properties, electroactive principle, and control strategies are explored and demonstrate fundamental morphing matter behaviors including rotating, translating, stretching, spreading, bending, and twisting. A range of potential bio-inspired applications, including slim mold-like spreading, snail-like jumping over a gap, object transport, wall climbing, and a frog tongue-inspired gripper is shown. The e-MG provides morphing capabilities beyond the current limitations in wireless control for a wide range of applications in soft and bio-inspired robotics, dexterous manipulation, and space exploration.