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From Molecules to Machines: A Multiscale Roadmap to Intelligent, Multifunctional Soft Robotics
Yang Li1, Sanjay Schreiber2, Haochen Yang1
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States.
Chemical Reviews
|August 19, 2025
Summary
This review outlines a multiscale roadmap for developing advanced soft robots. It covers molecular materials, microscale assembly, and system integration for intelligent, adaptable robotic systems.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Soft robots offer unique advantages in human-machine interaction and accessing challenging environments due to their compliance and adaptability.
- Designing intelligent, multifunctional soft robots requires addressing challenges across molecular, micro, and system-level scales.
- Current research faces hurdles in integrating diverse material properties and functionalities into cohesive soft robotic systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a structured, multiscale roadmap for the design and development of advanced soft robots.
- To identify key challenges and solutions at the molecular, micro, and system levels for soft robotics.
- To guide future research and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of soft robotics.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing molecular and nanoscale materials (soft matter, nanomaterials) for tunable properties.
- Examining microscale assembly strategies (heterogeneous blending, bilayer integration, additive manufacturing) for multifunctional materials.
- Exploring system-level integration of actuation, sensing, and computation with advanced soft materials.
Main Results:
- Identification of diverse soft matter and nanomaterials with tunable mechanical, electrical, optical, and stimuli-responsive properties.
- Demonstration of microscale assembly techniques for creating reconfigurable, multifunctional materials with enhanced performance (rapid response, fatigue resistance, large deformation tolerance).
- Framework for integrating materials with actuation, sensing, and computational tools to achieve intelligent, adaptive, and energy-efficient soft robotic systems.
Conclusions:
- Bridging multiscale gaps is crucial for advancing soft robot capabilities.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for accelerating the development of transformative soft robots.
- The presented roadmap offers near-, mid-, and long-term perspectives for future soft robotics research and development.
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