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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Four-Dimensional Printing of Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel-Based Soft Robots
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Programmable 3D Morphing Bionic Gradient Hydrogel Actuators with Fast Response and Large-Amplitude Deformations.

Jiaxin Zeng1, Zhiyu Zheng1, Sicheng Wu1

  • 1Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China.

Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|September 27, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Researchers developed advanced gradient hydrogels for soft robotics. These hydrogels exhibit ultrafast, large-strain actuation and 3D shape-morphing capabilities, enabling biomimetic movements like jumping and crawling in light-driven robots.

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Robotics
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Hydrogel actuators are crucial for soft robotics, biomedical devices, and wearable electronics.
  • Current limitations include challenges in fabricating hydrogels with high-speed motion, large-strain actuation, and 3D morphing.
  • Achieving these properties is essential for practical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel gradient hydrogel actuator with enhanced performance.
  • To enable programmable 3D shape-morphing and fast-response actuation.
  • To explore applications in light-driven soft robotics and bionic devices.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of temperature-responsive gradient hydrogels using UV-absorbing precursors and photopolymerization.
Keywords:
biomimetic actuationfast responsegradient hydrogellarge‐amplitude deformation

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  • Introduction of chito-oligosaccharides (COS) to enhance gradient structure and porosity.
  • Integration of a genipin-crosslinked gelatin network as a photothermal transducer for light responsiveness.
  • Utilizing photomask techniques for precise control over local gradient structures.

    • Main Results:

    • Achieved ultrafast bending rates (190°/s) and large amplitudes (760°).
    • Demonstrated programmable 3D shape-morphing capabilities (3D1-to-3D2 deformation).
    • Successfully created light-driven soft robots exhibiting biomimetic actuation (tumbling, jumping, crawling).

    Conclusions:

    • The developed gradient hydrogel actuator offers programmable, fast-response, and 3D shape-morphing properties.
    • This technology significantly expands the potential for soft robotics and bionic devices.
    • The study presents a promising approach for advanced hydrogel actuator design.