Bioinspired near-infrared light-induced ultrafast soft actuators with tunable deformation and motion based on conjugated polymers/liquid crystal elastomers

Abstract

Light-responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are one kind of attractive and fascinating materials in developing untethered and dexterous bioinspired robotic systems. Unlike widely explored azobenzene-containing LCE actuators utilizing photoisomerization, near-infrared...

Bioinspired Polymers: Bridging Nature’s Ingenuity with Synthetic Innovation

“…Graphene-polymer heterogeneous sensing junctions have been developed for high-performance humidity sensors, suitable for integration into wearable devices [17]. Conjugated polymers and liquid crystal elastomers have been used to create near-infrared light-induced, ultrafast soft actuators, capable of tunable deformation and motion, indicating a leap forward in the development of responsive materials [19].…”

“…These advancements range from sensors with turn-on luminescence for selective sensing influenced by Ph [15], to materials designed for adaptive light control, self-shading, and color tuning in response to environmental shifts, suitable for smart textiles and bionic skins [16]. Noteworthy achievements include materials that exhibit exceptional humidity sensing over a wide range, with quick response and recovery [17], materials that allow for large and directional deformation, leading to reversible color changes [18], ultrafast soft actuators capable of precise deformation control for applications in micromachines and soft robotics [19], and hybrid hydrogel actuators that simulate an "extension-graspretraction" motion, pushing the boundaries of soft actuation [20]. Innovations also include materials with enhanced flexibility, self-healing abilities, and underwater functionality for complex motion sensing [66], advancements in ionic permeability and specific ion channel isolation for new sensing and filtration technologies [70], high-sensitivity photodetection for bioelectronic interfaces [71], programmable polymer gel films for dynamic 3D origami/kirigami structures in bioelectronics and micro-robotics [72], a self-powered flexible nanogenerator with excellent piezoelectric energy conversion efficiency for energy harvesting [76], and ultrasensitive sensors for liquid environments inspired by fish swim bladders, demonstrating unmatched performance across solid/liquid/gas interfaces [78].…”

“…This involves assessments of high-temperature mechanical and electrical performance [3], thermal annealing effects [8], and electrical and thermal conductivity [63]. Characteristics of solutionprocessed electronic materials [36], digital photothermal effect analysis [35], and lightinduced actuation [19,20] are essential for creating responsive and dependable materials.…”

“…Macromol 2024, 4 191 The quest for high-performance, responsive devices for sensing and actuation represents another challenge. Investigations include luminescence-based sensors and actuators [15][16][17] and soft actuators [18][19][20], aiming for selective detection and flexible actuation. This effort is bolstered by advancements in biomaterials for biomedical uses [21,22], concentrating on dependable substances for drug delivery [23] and tissue regeneration [24].…”

Reconfigurable Liquid Crystal Elastomer Director Patterns for Multi-Mode Shape Morphing

“…One advantage of LCEs, compared to other stimuli-responsive materials, is their programmable three-dimensional (3D) shape morphing from a monolithic material, which relies on the designable molecular orientations (or director) of LCEs introduced by mechanical stretching [2], magnetic field alignment [6][7][8], or surface alignment [9][10][11]. Due to their advanced shape morphing capabilities, LCEs are an ideal candidate for artificial muscles [12,13], micro-mechanical actuators [14][15][16], and micro-robots [17].…”