Multiresponsive Kinematics and Robotics of Surface-Patterned Polymer Film

Abstract

Soft robots, sensors, and energy harvesters require materials that are capable of converting external stimuli to visible deformations, especially when shape-programmable deformations are desired. Herein, we develop a polymer film that can reversibly respond to humidity, heating, and acetone vapors with the generation of shape-programmable large deformations. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) film, capable of providing acetone responsiveness, is designed with microchannel patterns created on its one side by using templates, and the microchannels-patterned side is then treated with hygroscopic 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to give humidity/heating-responsive elements. The APTES-modified microchannels lead to anisotropic flexural modulus and hygroscopicity in the film, resulting in the shape-programmed kinematics depending on the orientations of surface microchannels. As the microchannels align at oblique/right angles with respect to the long axis of the film strips, the coiling/curling motions can be generated in response to the stimuli, and the better motion performances are found in humidity- and heating-driven systems. This material utilized in self-adaptive soft robots exhibits prominent toughness, powerful strength, and long endurance for converting humidity and heat to mechanical works including transportation of lightweight objects, automatic sensing cap, and mimicking crawling in nature. We thus believe that this material with shape-programmable multisensing capability might be suitable for soft machines and robotics.

Anisotropic nanocomposite films of hydroxypropylcellulose and graphene oxide with multi-responsiveness

“…The response of the lm to humidity gradient also resulted in programmed bending deformation. 35,36 As shown in Fig. S5, † when the anisotropic HPC lm with the bottom surface (the side on polyimide during the casting) was up and placed atop the silica gels, the lm bent upward with bending direction perpendicular to the molecular alignment (i.e.…”

Interfacial Fabrication of CNTs/PVDF Bilayer Actuator with Fast Responses to the Light and Organic Solvent Vapor Stimuli

“…As soon as exposure to the acetone vapor, one finger-shaped membrane bends rapidly within 0.19 s. When the acetone vapor is switched off, the bent finger returns to the original straight state in 1.24 s. One reversible bending/ relaxing cycle can be finished within 1.43 s. This bending and relaxing speed of prepared CNT/PVDF is much faster than the previous PVDF-based actuator. [7,22,[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] Compared with other carbon-based PVDF bilayer without porous structures, [11,48] the responding speed of prepared CNT/PVDF is also much faster. The porous structures can accelerate the internal mass transport and give rise to a rapid responsiveness.…”

Recent Advances in Photoactuators and Their Applications in Intelligent Bionic Movements

“…Owing to the advances in natural smart systems, numerous responsive materials that can transform dynamic and reversible shape deformations into locomotions have emerged under various external stimuli such as light, [1][2][3][4][5] humidity, [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] electric field, [13][14][15][16][17][18] organic solvents, [19][20][21] heat, [22] magnetism, [23][24][25] or a combination of multiple types of stimuli thereof. [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Such materials exhibit the potential for applications in soft robotics, artificial muscles, and smart devices.…”